In the 1960s, there was James Bond, in the late 1970s, there was Star Wars, and since the late 1990s, there's been Harry Potter.
"It has been fascinating watching these movies come out, watching the characters grow up and the movie-goers grow up along with them," says Camera Cinema Director of Marketing Amy Choice. "They are still coming to watch these movies, time after time. And now they are bring their younger siblings. It's a change of generation, passing down the books. There's another, younger generation growing up with the movies."
The at the is one of two local movie theaters showing the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise. It is having a midnight showing of the finale, complete with props, costumes and a fog machine. One show has already sold out, but the theater plans on opening up additional screens as needed.
The in the Campbell Plaza shopping center is showing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 at 8:30 p.m. tonight for $5, and an advanced screening of Part 2 at 11:55 p.m. in both 2D and 3D.
The movie is being shown at Cinema 7 in Real D, 3-D and D-BOX: motion-activated seats that are synchronized to the action in the film. The movie house has a D-BOX demo seat in the lobby so that people can try it out first.
Camera 7 will also be serving Butterbeer, using the same recipe from the books, have trivia, fun props on display as well as prizes and free giveaways while supplies last.
"We have some pretty die hard employees here," Choice says. "They love the books, love the movies; they get really into it. And if prior years are any indication, we will have movie goers bringing their wands, wearing costumes and having a good time."
As for the impact of this last movie? Choice uses one word: "Huge!"
"The reviews are phenomenal," she says. "The industry is anticipating this to be one of the biggest box office movies of all time. It could be up there with Avatar. It’s such a huge, highly anticipated film.
"We’re pretty excited about it," she continues. "As a movie theatre, we always look forward to big box-office hits, especially this year with the product being less than stellar."
Since its introduction into the literary world in 1997, author J.K. Rowling’s brainchild, centering on the magical exploits of teenage Harry Potter and his companions, has become a worldwide phenomenon. And since its adaptation to the big screen, the Harry Potter movie series has enjoyed the same success as its print-form predecessor.
Each of the seven Harry Potter movies released so far rank in the 30 highest-grossing films across the globe; five are in the top 20. Combined, the Potter films have grossed more than $6 billion worldwide and have become the highest-grossing film series in history.
The seventh installment of the print series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was split into two parts for its film version, a move the film’s directors said would allow them to tell the story more closely. At the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the central antagonist of the series, Voldemort, has retrieved the Elder Wand, the most powerful of magical weapons. Part 2 will showcase the impending battle between Harry and Voldemort.
"These movies have had a huge impact on this generation," Choice says. "In my opinion, it is along the lines of Star Wars; they have a timeless feel and will go on for many generations."
For more information on showtimes, availability and price for Cinelux, visit their website here.
For more information on showtimes, availability and price for Camera Cinema 7, visit their website here.
Brantley Watson contributed to this article.
