20 20 World Cup tickets selling out fast

Tickets for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in September have been selling like hot cakes, and the four main matches – the opening match, the semifinals and the finals – are sold out.

But Tournament Director Steve Elworthy has good news for people still hoping to get tickets for these matches.

“We have contractual obligations to our sponsors and other corporate interests, but they have to let us know this week how many tickets they will need, and after that, any spare tickets will be fed back into the system,” he said on Thursday.

Elworthy said there had been a good response at all the venues, and the double-header at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday September 16 was all but sold out. The two matches at Newlands that day are between Australia and the West Indies in the afternoon and South Africa and England in the evening.

“Because we haven’t sold packages, we are able to keep an eye on what is happening at the various venues – the Wanderers, in Johannesburg, Kingsmead in Durban and Newlands in Cape Town – and so we will be able make plans to get more spectators at matches where we haven’t sold out,” he said. “We’ve noticed that the weekdays are more about corporate sales whereas families are buying tickets for the weekends.

“It has been a bit of a problem that there are no school holidays, but we will be working through our amateur arms in all three centres to bring schools and clubs to the cricket. We know, for instance, that it will be hard to fill the Wanderers nine times in 13 days. But generally, we are very pleased with the sales so far, especially as we haven’t even started our marketing campaign yet.”

The T20 World Cup, as it has become known, starts on September 11 with the opening ceremony and a match between South Africa and the West Indies and ends on September 24.

Elworthy said there was no noticeable support for any particular team.

“Tickets are selling well across the board,” he said.

Tickets are available from Computicket and are being sold at domestic cricket prices.

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 14th July 2007
Eircom Premier
Sligo v Galway Utd 19.45

UEFA Intertoto Cup Second Round Second Leg
AaB v FC Honka 16.00
First Leg 2 – 2
Cherno More v Makedonija Gj. P 17.00
Cherno More leading 4 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Cliftonville v AA Gent 15.00
AA Gent leading 2 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Gloria Bistrita v Maccabi Haifa 16.00
Gloria Bistrita leading 2 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Hajduk Kula v Maribor 16.00
Maribor leading 2 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Hammarby v Cork 15.00
First Leg 1 – 1
Legia Warsaw v FK Vetra 17.30

Otelul Galati v Slavija Sarajevo 17.00
First Leg 0 – 0
Rubin Kazan v Zalaegerszeg 16.00
Rubin Kazan leading 3 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Slovan Bratislava v Rapid Vienna 19.15
Rapid Vienna leading 3 – 1 from the 1st Leg
St Gallen v FC Dacia 16.45
St Gallen leading 1 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Vllaznia Shkoder v Trabzonspor 19.00
Trabzonspor leading 6 – 0 from the 1st Leg
Friendly
Accrington v Burnley 15.00

Barnet v Arsenal 15.00

Barrow v Carlisle Utd 15.00

Bolton v Guadalajara 12.00
South Korean Peace Cup
Bournemouth v Luther Blissett XI 14.00

Bromley v C.Palace 15.00

Cammell Laird v Tranmere 15.00

Chester v Raith Rovers 15.00
Postponed – due to waterlogged pitch
Crewe v Liverpool 15.00

Dag & Red v West Ham 15.00
Tony Roberts testimonial
Doncaster v Man City XI 15.00

Dundee v Millwall 15.00

Durham City v Blyth Spartans 15.00

Eastleigh v Southampton 15.00

Everton v Northern Ireland XI 16.00
at Coleraine FC
Exeter City v Norwich 15.00

Fleetwood v Blackpool 15.00

Frickley v Farsley Celtic 15.00

Grays Ath v Wolves 15.00

Halifax v Sheff Weds 15.00

Newcastle Town v Port Vale 13.00

North Ferriby Utd v Hull City 15.00

Schalke 04 v Middlesbrough 17.00

Stalybridge v Man City 15.00

Torquay v Plymouth 15.00

Witham v Southend 15.00

Worthing v Brighton 15.00

Yeovil v Portsmouth 15.00

Sunday 15th July 2007
Copa America Final
Brazil v Argentina 22.05

Eircom Premier
St Patricks v Longford Town 15.00

UEFA Intertoto Cup Second Round Second Leg
Liberec v Tobol Kostanay 17.00
First Leg 1 – 1
Shakhter v Chornomorets 16.00
Chornomorets leading 4 – 2 from the 1st Leg
Friendly
Arminia Bielefeld v Blackburn 18.00

Club America v Chelsea 02.00
San Francisco Tournament
Newcastle Town v Stoke City 14.30

QPR v Celtic 14.00

Monday 16th July 2007
Eircom Premier
Shamrock v UCD 20.00

Friendly
Harrogate Town v Bradford 19.45

Reading v Lyon 11.00
South Korean Peace Cup
Vauxhall Motors v Macclesfield 19.30

Tuesday 17th July 2007
European Champion Clubs Cup First Qualifying Round First Leg Bet
Apoel Nicosia v BATE 19.45

Derry City v Pyunik 19.45

Khazar Lenkoran v Dinamo Zagreb 19.45

Linfield v IF Elfsborg 19.45

Murata v Tampere United 19.45

Olimpi Rustavi v Zhenis Astana 19.45

The New Saints FC v FK Ventspils 19.45
at Newtown FC
Zeta v FBK Kaunas 19.45

Eircom Premier
Cork v Waterford 19.45

Friendly
AFC Telford v Chester 19.45

Airdrie Utd v Dundee Utd 19.45

Aldershot v C.Palace 19.00

Bognor v Brighton 19.45

Bolton v Racing Santander 12.00
South Korean Peace Cup
Bradford v Oldham 13.30

Dag & Red v Fulham 19.45

Great Wakering v Southend 19.45

Hampton & Richmond v Brentford 19.30

Hannover 96 v Rangers 18.00

Hartlepool v Newcastle 19.30

Havant and W v Portsmouth 19.30

Hertha Berlin v Middlesbrough 18.00

Hinckley Utd v Leicester 19.30

Ilkeston Tn v Nottm Forest 19.30

New Mills v Accrington 19.30

Saltash Utd v Notts County 19.30

Stenhousemuir v Partick Thistle 19.30

Tiverton v Port Vale 19.30

Urawa Red Diamonds v Man Utd 12.00

Welling v Ebbsfleet United 19.45

Werder v Liverpool 18.15

Wrexham v Burnley 19.30

Yeovil v Plymouth 19.45

Wednesday 18th July 2007
European Champion Clubs Cup First Qualifying Round First Leg Bet
Domzale v SK Tirana 19.15

F91 Dudelange v MSK Zilina 19.45

FC Sheriff v Ranger’s Venecia 19.45

FH Hafnarfjordur v HB Torshavn 19.45

FK Pobeda v Levadia Tallinn 19.45

Marsaxlokk FC v FK Sarajevo 19.45

Friendly
Basingstoke v Brentford 19.45

Braintree Town v Brighton 19.45

Bray v Wolves 19.45

Buckie Thistle v Ross County 19.45

Chelmsford v Ipswich 19.45

Darlington v Sunderland 19.30

Eastleigh v Havant and W 19.30

Falkirk v Millwall 19.30

Farsley Celtic v Bradford 19.30

Grantham v Grimsby 19.45

Gretna v Morton 19.00

Heerenveen v Sheff Weds 19.00

Heswall v Tranmere 19.30

Kettering v Northampton 19.45

Pegasus Juniors v Hereford 19.30

R’den & Dmnds v Nottm Forest 19.30

Raith Rovers v Kilmarnock 19.45

Shrewsbury v Coventry 19.45

Wealdstone v Watford 19.45
at Harefield FC
Winterton Rangers v Hull City 19.30

Thursday 19th July 2007
UEFA Cup First Qualifying Round First Leg Bet
Aktobe Lento v SV Mattersburg 19.45

Artmedia Bratis v FC Zimbru 19.00

B36 Torshavn v FK Ekranas 18.00

BK Hacken v KR Reykjavik 19.00

Banants Yerevan v Young Boys 15.00

Bezanija v Besa 17.00

Buducnost Podgorica v Hajduk Split 19.30

Carmarthen v SK Brann 19.00

Dinamo Tbilisi v FC Vaduz 15.00

Dungannon Swifts v FK Suduva 19.45

FC Nistru v Budapest Honved 17.00

Flora Tallinn v Valerenga 16.45

GKS Belchatow v Ameri Tbilisi 19.45

Glentoran v AIK Solna 19.45

HJK Helsinki v Etzella Ettelbruck 17.00

Helsingborgs IF v Trans Narva 18.00

HiT Gorica v Rabotnicki Kometal 19.00

Keflavik v FC Midtjylland 20.15

Libertas v Drogheda Utd 20.00

Liepajas Metalurgs v Dinamo Brest 17.30

Lillestrom v Kaerjeng 18.00

MTK Araz Imishli v Groclin Dyskobolia 16.00

MTK Budapest v Mika Ashtarak 19.30

MyPa v EB Streymur 17.00

NK Slaven Koprivnica v KS Teuta 16.45

Omonia Nicosia v Rudar Pljevlja 18.00

Rhyl v FC Haka 19.30

SV Ried v Neftchi 19.30

Santa Coloma v Maccabi Tel-Aviv 16.00

Siroki Brijeg v Koper 20.00

Skonto Riga v Dinamo Minsk 17.30

Sliema Wanderers v Litex Lovech 18.30

St Patricks v Odense BK 19.45

Vardar v Anorthosis Famagusta 19.15

Vion Zlate Moravce v Alma Ata 16.00

Vojvodina v Hibernians 16.30

Zrinjski Mostar v Partizan Belgrade 19.15

Friendly
Barnoldswick Town v Accrington 19.00

Genclerbirligi v Arsenal 18.00

Newry v St Mirren 19.45

Partick Thistle v Falkirk 19.30

Shimizu S-Pulse v Reading 12.00
South Korean Peace Cup
St Blazey v Notts County 19.30

Friday 20th July 2007
Eircom Premier
Bohemians v Derry City 19.45
Postponed – now being played Sat, Jul 21
Cork v Drogheda Utd 19.45
Postponed – new date to be confirmed
Galway Utd v Bray 19.45

Shamrock v St Patricks 20.00

Waterford v Sligo 19.45

Friendly
Auxerre v Liverpool 13.00

Barrow v Oldham 19.45

Brighton v Fulham 20.00

Canvey Island v Southend 15.00

Coleraine v St Johnstone 19.45

Dartford v C.Palace 19.00

Exeter City v Port Vale 19.30

FC Seoul v Man Utd 12.00

Macclesfield v Stoke City 19.30

Mansfield v Leicester 19.00

Saturday 21st July 2007
Eircom Premier
Bohemians v Derry City 19.00

Longford Town v UCD 19.30

Friendly
Barnet v C.Palace 15.00

Billericay v Brighton 15.00

Boreham Wood v Watford 15.00

Bournemouth v Southampton 15.00

Brentford v AFC Wimbledon 15.00

Burnley v Middlesbrough 15.00

Cambridge v Plymouth 15.00

Carlisle Utd v Newcastle 15.00

Chesterfield v Nottm Forest 15.00
Steve Blatherwick testimonial
Clevedon Town v Dag & Red 15.00

Darlington v Gretna 15.00

Dover v Gillingham 15.00

FC Groningen v Sheff Weds 14.30

Falkirk v Rangers 15.00

Farsley Celtic v Grimsby 15.00

Hereford v Bristol City 15.00

Kaizer Chiefs v Tottenham 14.00

Lisburn Distillery v Rangers XI 15.00

Margate v Grays Ath 15.00

Marine v Tranmere 15.00

Motherwell v Millwall 13.30

North Ferriby Utd v Bradford 15.00

Northampton v Coventry 15.00

Partick Thistle v Ayr United 15.00

Peterborough v Liverpool XI 15.00
Mark Tyler testimonial
Scunthorpe v Sunderland 15.00

Southport v Rochdale 15.00

Stockport v Hull City 15.00

Stranraer v Ballymena 15.00

Vauxhall Motors v Chester 15.00

Yeovil v Cardiff City 15.00

York City v Doncaster 15.00

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Featuring: Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), David Bradley (Argus Filch), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Alfie Enoch, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Pam Ferris (Aunt Marge), Michael Gambon
Director: David Yates (feature debut)
Producer: David Barron, David Heyman, Tim Lewis, Lionel Wigram
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

REVIEWS OF OTHER HARRY POTTER MOVIES

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)

“The rebellion begins”

The fifth installment of the Harry Potter films finds the wizarding world divided over the tragic events surrounding the close of the previous school year. After Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returned from the portkey during the Tri-Wizard Tournament claiming that the Dark Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) had returned to bodily form, the Ministry of Magic began to promote the idea that Harry and anyone who believed his story were liars. Meanwhile, a small contingent of witches and wizards revived an alliance that had opposed Lord Voldemort fourteen years before: The Order of the Phoenix.

In the midst of all of this, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) return to Hogwarts only to find that the conflict is intergenerational. Already grief-stricken from witnessing the death of classmate Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) and the return of Lord Voldemort, Harry is met with tremendous suspicion by the other students at Hogwarts. He finds himself isolated both by the lack of support from his peers as well as the grief he’s struggling to work through. To complicate matters, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position has been filled by Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) whose sickeningly sweet appearance and public behavior masks a harsh disciplinarian with a vendetta against Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts, and all those who maintain the belief that Lord Voldemort has returned. Since Professor Umbridge will only teach a ministry-approved curriculum, which does not include the use of magic in defense, a group of students turn to Harry, the only student with any real experience, to teach them to defend themselves. The group calls themselves “Dumbledore’s Army,” and begins to meet in secret in spite of the many decrees put in place by Umbridge. Together they prepare for whatever battle their future may hold.

The return of Lord Voldemort at the end of “The Goblet of Fire” marks a turn in the mood of the overall storyline. While there have been many dangerous moments for Harry in previous years, the wizarding world is now facing a real and living enemy so evil that most wizards refuse to speak his name aloud. As a result, the fifth book and movie are darker than those that have preceded it. A battle of enormous proportions between good and evil has begun. The gravity of the situation is a tremendous weight for The Order of the Phoenix to carry, and the stress is evident in their interactions and on their faces.

As with the previous Harry Potter books and movies, it is increasingly difficult to capture the level of detail in J.K. Rowling’s writing in a 138-minute film. While an avid Harry Potter reader may find that the movie manages to capture the overall events of the book, a viewer with no knowledge of the book is likely to be a bit lost in the plot. Additionally, detailed-oriented readers may find themselves frustrated with minor changes to the plot as it appears on-screen. Sadly, the limited time of the movie also allowed for little character and relationship development, so viewers must rely on very little information or their pre-existing knowledge of the story. Fans will likely find, regardless, that the directors have accurately captured the newcomers to the story, both human and non-human, from our imaginations and placed them before our eyes. Harry Potter fans will certainly consider this a must-see. As with most series, knowledge of the story and previous movies is a prerequisite for other viewers.

The Harry Potter books and movies have been controversial within the Christian community since they first became so widely popular. The primary objections to this series are without a doubt still present. (The previous four Harry Potter movie reviews cover these objections in great detail.) Harry and his friends are still wizards and witches, and they still have a tendency to knowingly defy the rules in the name of the greater good, often without direct consequences. If it is this sort of material that offends, then know that it is definitively present in typical Harry Potter fashion. There are still bad witches and wizards who will perform the “unforgivable” curses, there are more battles with magic, and Fred and George Weasley (James and Oliver Phelps) are as unruly as usual. Additionally, Harry receives his first kiss (which is rather extended for a first kiss), and the introduction of Dolores Umbridge brings up new issues of being under the authority of someone who is quite cruel in her punishments.

On the other hand, this movie creates multiple opportunities for later discussions of some deep moral issues. For instance, in one discussion with Harry, Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch ) reminds Harry that he’s not alone in his struggles, but that Lord Voldemort would like Harry to believe that he is isolated because he’s not much of a threat alone. For a Christian, the greatest enemy, Satan, often works in the same way. By isolating a believer and convincing him that he is alone in the battle, Satan leaves him weak and defenseless. Thankfully, we can be confident as believers that Christ never leaves nor forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:6), and we have the fellowship of other believers to encourage us as we battle against the Evil One.

[ Is Satan a real person that influences our world today? Is he affecting you? Answer ]

Harry’s godfather, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), also raises a very theological issue during a conversation in which Harry worries that he’s becoming evil. Sirius’s advice to Harry is to recognize that each person has both good and evil in him, but what matters is which he chooses to act on. While the characters of Harry and Sirius apparently do not know God, this capacity for good or evil that Sirius refers to is a Biblical concept. Though a Christian is forgiven of his sins, he still has the freedom to choose to sin again in the future. Fortunately, the Bible tells us that “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:5-7; see also Ephesians 4:22-24). We can rest assured that we are not slaves to sin, and therefore we are free to choose to act in a godly way in all that we do.

[SPOLIER WARNING FOR THIS PARAGRAPH] One topic with spiritual implications that is especially apparent in this film is that of death. Throughout the movie many of the characters, Harry most specifically, are struggling with the murder of Cedric Diggory. Then, merely a year later, Harry again witnesses another murder, only this time it hits closer to home. Harry loses the only family he’s ever known when Sirius is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter). This murder takes place within the Ministry of Magic. The room contains an archway which appears empty and quiet to Hermione, who has not experienced a death in her life, yet Harry can hear voices coming from the archway. When Sirius is murdered, he steps through this archway and disappears. While it’s not perfectly clear what the archway represents, there is an implication that an afterlife exists for those in the wizarding world.

This portion of the story provides excellent fodder for a discussion of the certainty Christians have regarding spending eternity in Heaven after death. We know that a place has been prepared for us in Heaven (John 14:1-3), and that by believing in Christ we “will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Are you going to Heaven? Are you SURE you know the answer this extremely important question? Or have you made some common wrong assumptions? Find out now!
Undoubtedly there are many more spiritual issues within the plot of this movie, including even an overarching discussion of the battle between good and evil. Despite the usual objections that accompany fantasy involving witches and wizards, there was surprisingly little crude language in the movie. The PG-13 rating is well deserved, however, as there are numerous scary images and an intense wizard battle. Please be aware of this for young and sensitive children; this is not a family film.

The bottom-line is that fans of the Harry Potter books and movies will likely enjoy this latest installment. Those who have not seen the first four movies or have not read the books will find little enjoyment in this film. Additionally, those who previously avoided and boycotted Harry Potter for the associations with witchcraft and the occult should continue to avoid the movie because those premises have not changed. If you choose to see this movie with children, it will be important to take the opportunity to discuss the spiritual matters afterward. There is certainly ample material to create a “teachable moment.”

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Difficult times lie ahead, Harry.

Producer’s Synopsis: “In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry faces his greatest challenges and dangers yet. When he is selected under mysterious circumstances as a contestant in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry must compete against the best young wizards from schools all over Europe. But as he prepares, signs begin to point to the return of Lord Voldemort. Before long, Harry is playing not just for the Cup, but for his life.”

Harry where did you go? It’s like the whole movie is hiding under that stupid invisible cloak.

I thought Harry Potter was going somewhere, but this latest installment is hard to follow because it tries too hard to include everybody and everything from the first three. “Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” spends so much time trying to recapture the success of it’s predecessor’s that it becomes long and often had me wishing it would hurry Harry up and get onto the real action!

I must stress these films are getting darker, more sinister and definitely more satanic in nature. In a nutshell, Harry Potter’s world has always been inherently chaotic. He became an orphan when his parents were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort. As the rest of the wizards didn’t want him to grow up under the vengeful eye of Voldemort, they left him on the doorstep of his human relatives, his strict and often abusive Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and his cousin Dudley. This idea, although meant to shield him from harm, turns out horribly. They make him live in the closet under the stairs and shower his cousin with all the love in the family. He never felt loved or accepted in any way, and he definitely didn’t feel he had any power to change his life.

On his 11th birthday, Harry gets a letter explaining that he has special powers he doesn’t know about. He is invited to study at Hogwarts School of Wizardry where, instead of being a ‘nobody,’ he is well respected. He meets lots of new friends, two in particular Hermione and Ron, who become like a real family to him. There, through all three preceding films, Harry has untold magical adventures.

Sounds great, huh?

Well, it’s not quite that simple. You see, Harry and all the friends in his imaginary world are witches and wizards. They try to do good things and defeat evil, but in reality, there is no such thing as a good witch or wizard. People who use witchcraft in the real world are not getting their power (if any) from God. The Bible tells us that any power that doesn’t come from God is evil. So, for our own protection, God tells us not to do these things:

Don’t sacrifice your sons or daughters in the fires on your altars. Don’t try to learn what will happen in the future by talking to a fortune teller or by going to a magician, a witch or a sorcerer. Don’t let anyone try to put magic spells on other people. Don’t let any of your people become a medium or a wizard. (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).

The actual Goblet of Fire is a sort of voting box into which names are placed by qualified students (absolutely no one under the age of 17) vying to be chosen from three select groups to be champions in the Tri-Wizard Tournament — a high echelon on the wizardry ladder. The winner takes home the coveted glowing prize: The Wizard’s Cup.

Somehow, on the day names are chosen by the Goblet of Fire, Harry’s name pops out as a fourth competitor. Everyone is shocked, especially Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), since he never even considered, much less placed his name as a contender in this grueling, dangerous and often fatal game. There is nothing that can be changed, and Harry, by rules and rights, has to play in the Tournament, as the Magical Contract is binding; once chosen you must play.

The rest of the chosen few are robust winners including from Durmstrang, girl-magnet Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski), undisputed Quidditch star — from Madame Maxime’s Beauxbatons, Miss Fleur Delacour (Clemence Poesy) with a knack for casting spells — and from Hogwarts comes Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), upperclassman, and an all-around good guy.

14 year old Harry has some other problems as well—terribly disturbing dreams — he has to convince his best friend, Ron (not to mention other students and faculty), that he didn’t cheat to get into this mess — plus he has to measure up to the task of dancing, as the annual Yule Ball is fast approaching.

Harry secretly contacts Sirius Black to find answers to his dilemma. Sirius warns that there are devils within the walls of Hogwarts, and Harry is not safe.

The Tri-Wizard Tourney does bring in many new students from around the world. This is a valuable lesson in International Magical Cooperation and allows Harry to churn up a crush on a beautiful, raven-haired girl from another region of wizardry. Alas, when he gets up enough courage to ask her to the dance, she admits she likes him too, but has accepted a date from another guy.

Harry doesn’t waste much time in asking his second choice and encourages Ron (Rupert Grint) to do the same. Not apparent to many until the night of the Yule Ball itself is that Ron has wanted to ask Hermione (Emma Watson) all along and is extremely despondent when she arrives on the arm of the ace Tri-Tourney jock, Viktor Krum. Harry’s roommate Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) makes a touching entry into adulthood as we watch him change from class nerd into confident dancer and steadfast friend.

As for the adults, Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore has a greater presence in this film, but the Draco image is downsized to perhaps two lines while Professors McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and Snape (Alan Rickman) were forced to the back of the line, which was a disappointment to me as these characters always held the cast together. The gentle giant, Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) indulges in a romance with the even-taller-than-he, Madame Maxime (Frances de la Tour).

“Goblet” has two new additions in Brendan Gleeson as Dark Arts professor Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody (with a marble eye disturbingly rotating while peering out through a make-shift sling — something the younger viewers will probably have nightmares about — and Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter, a nosey tabloid journalist that writes all the wrong stuff.

The tournament’s three contests provide the excuse for breath-taking CGI “magic,” and it is a visual wonder. The CGI includes a very realistic Hungarian Horntail dragon perched angrily atop Hogwarts’ highest spire, an underwater world of beastly mermaids, and a maze of hungry mobile hedges. These are images with perhaps too-realistic staying power, which may keep little ones up all night (so Mom and Dad beware). These special effects aren’t just trendy, as in the horror film genre, but organic to the Harry Potter series’ more darkening tone.

It is from this point on that “Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” deals with issues of romance, jealousy, revenge, peril and death with perhaps a heavier hand than some 14 year olds can endure. Shrouded in darkness from within the characters and the bleakly overcast weather without, this Harry Potter takes a grim form. The screen was so dark that I had a hard time telling one character from another.

I still do not approve of the PG-13 rating (adventure/fantasy) because of the threatening and malevolent images of violence, blood, emotional distress, death and of Voldemort, the devil himself! Ralph Fiennes plays the evil Voldemort (pale grey, bald, muscular, eerily noseless, and very unpleasant). This beast provides a jolt that promises to last the entire series (wherever that may lead), and to could give some children nocturnal panic. We hear the wail of a grieving father toward the end of the movie, it’s the first genuinely human moment in the “Harry Potter” films, but it is a haunting image and may cause distress in small kids.

There is a hint that spirits can be called up from the dead to save characters, and that dreams can be put together to form a bond with others, not like a prophet prophesies, but for conjuring evil. There is also a very dark and satanic comparison between the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and Voldemort (the devil) in a chant in a graveyard to summon Voldemort’s body from a “grave.” It goes a bit like this: “Bone of the fathers, flesh sacrificed, blood forcibly taken…” I, personally, took this as blasphemy.

Not that there isn’t any positive elements in this Potter edition: Harry uses more than magic to solve his problems. He uses his wits and knowledge of good and evil. Harry learns that a friend’s life is worth more than “the prize.” This tournament forces Harry to recognize his strengths, that we all must face our “dragons.” Others also see his “outstanding moral fiber.”

This Potter also takes us into the world of the adolescent at the verge of becoming an adult. It deals with and faces the challenge of first love, first date and the angst of the whole process. Dumbledore makes a relevant statement to his charges: “Soon, we must all choose between what is right and what is easy.” In the end they may not wind up happy in the “maze” of life, but they learn that “Although we come from different places and speak different tongues, our hearts beat as one.”

As in all Harry Potter films, Ron does utter a few words that are borderline problematic, such as: piss-off and bloody hell. Other than these, I couldn’t put my finger on any real foul language. I was more concerned with the images and all-around unchristian dark mood of this Potter drama.

My bottom line is to NOT take any child under 16 to this one, no matter what the rating states.

Many parents are naively unaware of the dangers of witchcraft, because they don’t know what the Bible says against it. Some Potter fans say these stories are not satanistic, but I do not agree. If it’s not from Satan, then who is it from? It’s definitely not from God, and that’s according to scripture.

I found in the World Dictionary the word “Wicca” which was connected with the word wicked, meaning evil, and also the word “witch.” So, as for the school of Hogwarts, I see it as a school of witchcraft. Sorry Potter fans, I know the books and these great movies are interesting and fun to watch or read, but we gotta call a duck a duck, no matter how the feathers are concealed. There’s this other dictionary, The Holy Bible, that has a lot to say against the practices of witchcraft that includes, sorcery, mediums, wizards, magic, etcetera. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, a female sorcerer is a witch. According to Gal. 5:19-21, referring to those who practice sorcery it says. “Those who do such things shall NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.”

II Kings 23:24, Josiah cleaned up the land by doing away with all the practices that had to do with witchcraft.

Exodus 22:18, Witchcraft was forbidden. The Lord stated way back then that anyone who practiced these things would be killed. That’s pretty strong stuff. I think that would keep me away from evil!

Micah 5:12, The Lord said He would do away with witchcraft and the soothsayers.

Acts 8:9-13, read how Simon and Samaria were active in using witchcraft practices, then later saw the mistakes and became followers of Christ. Great story.

Acts 16:16-24, read about a young girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination, but later got saved!

My prayer is that anyone who becomes interested in witchcraft by watching or reading the Harry Potter series, will search the Scriptures first. Many of us, especially children and young teens, are unaware of the Biblical warning in Revelation 21:8 and 22:14-15 which includes the sorcerers. The verses end by saying, “all these shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” And again: “The blessed will have the right to the Tree of Life, but the lost, and the sorcerers and all those who have done wicked things, will have no part of Heaven.”

Even though I may not have approved of “Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” on a Christian level, the Potter fans in the audience of this sold out theater gave it applause, cheers, and some a standing ovation. We must remember this and never disobey God by experimenting with witchcraft and magic. May God’s Law prevail in every heart and win! Harry Potter’s imaginary world may be exciting, but there is a real-life adventure that’s even more wonderful. It’s an adventure that God designed, and it’s waiting for you!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Featuring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, John Cleese
Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: David Heyman, Mark Radcliffe
Distributor: Warner Brothers

It is difficult to argue against success…almost impossible. J.K. Rowling’s four books have grossed over $100 million in sales. There are more than 700 tie-in products. The film has set and broken several records: it opened in a record 3,672 theaters, shown on a record 8,000 screens, breaking the record (once held by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace) for one-day sales at $32.9 million. It smashed the total weekend sales (once held by Jurassic Park: Lost World) at $93.5 million. I am sure it will reach $100 million in four days (beating the record now held by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace–which reached $100 mil in 5 days). Now Christian parents will have to decide if they can resist this new tidal wave of media pressure.

There is an on going literary debate surrounding the content of the stories. Christians are even divided on this very controversial issue. I know that I wrote a brief article for my weekly parents guide to the movies (which is published in a local paper) and I received a 4-page letter from a local clergy. Pat Robertson’s CBN News has been very outspoken regarding the content of the Harry Potter books as “evil and occultic”. Charles Colson on his radio show “Breakpoint” described the witchcraft in Harry Potter as “not real-life witchcraft that the Bible condemns”. He also said “the practices in the book are purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic.”

Jeremiah Films has described the series as “making evil look innocent”. Focus on the Family has posted an article in their Plugged-In magazine by Lindy Beam. She contends that adults can use the themes of the Harry Potter series as a tool for evangelism. Christianity Today and World Magazine has also given the book series recommendations and suggests that the themes of fantasy should not be taken literally. You can find an opinion to support whatever view you have on the subject.

I enjoy reading Fantasy and Science Fiction Literature. (In fact, I’m writing a series of Christian sci-fi spiritual warfare books called “The Hologram Investigator”). I’m well aware of the debate over children’s ability to separate fantasy from reality. The books, after all, have received an enthusiastic endorsement from the American Psychiatric Association. But I still struggle with the themes in the books and, now that I have seen the film, the straining seems even more intense.

First of all, I want to make one point very clear. Reading or watching Harry Potter will not send you to Hell. I just think that parents should use wise and well-founded discernment regarding the content of this product. I believe there is a vast difference between a story where the main character goes to a school for witches and wizards vs. the use of a wizard in The Hobbit and a witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I also think that the emphasis on magic is different than its use in the book A Wrinkle in Time. If you found those themes objectionable in the Harry Potter books–they are very convincing in the film.

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is the story of an orphan boy that lives in the cupboard under the stairs. He is being raised by his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys (Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw). They pamper their own son and abuse their nephew. Harry, however, is destined for greater things and has been selected to attend Hogwarts (a renowned school for wizards and witches). There Harry’s gifts begin to flourish and he finds out that he is especially good at Quidditch (a game involving flying brooms and four balls). Harry also begins to build friendships with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). They are shown studying and practicing the occult like real students. The movie covers his first year in school. Harry has to learn how to separate his friends and his enemies, which is not always an easy task. The primary plot point surrounds a faculty member who is trying to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry also learns that a character named Voldemort murdered his parents and left the scar on his forehead.

There is plenty of suspense in this well-written story. This film succeeds in every possible way. I am sure it will walk away with no less than six Oscars. Director Chris Columbus did an outstanding job translating the story to the big screen. He set aside his ego and allowed Rowling to have a great deal of input in the project (a courtesy that many writers do not enjoy). Rowling even got to select many of the cast members. She also worked closely with Steven Kloves on the script. From the set design to the finished product, everyone wanted to satisfy Rowling’s reluctance to have her stories made into films. John Williams also conducted an outstanding musical score. His music brilliantly captured the personality of the characters and the mood of every scene. The special effects were well placed and not over-done.

My primary objection to the film and the story is the very strong and central theme of witchcraft. This is condemned clearly in Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Ephesians 5:11 says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” I plead with parents to use strong discernment regarding this film. Matt. 18:6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” My cautions are underscored by the fact that we are living in a day different than The Wizard of Oz. We are technologically “not in Kansas” anymore.

The Internet (which has numerous fan sites hyper-linked to Wiccan and Witchcraft sites) and this compelling visual film experience could be powerful enough to engage young minds to ponder “the dark side”. Many of the toy tie-ins promote spells (55 mentioned so far in the series) and witchcraft. Parents may want to wisely choose their “potter”.

What could be the consequences of placing the clay of young minds on Harry Potter’s wheel of fantasy? I do know that Warner Brothers is enjoying two gifts this Christmas. One, for the box office success and two, for a PG rating in a film that is extremely violent. I recommend that you resist this “Pied Piper” and skip it altogether. Alternately, I highly recommend the “Redwall” series by author Brian Jacques. I have suggested it as a reading alternative to several parents and they and their children have thanked me. If you can avoid the Harry Potter hype–you too may one day thank me.

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