Just thought it would be interesting to hear what other people are doing to celebrate what will truly be, the end of an era. Are you going to the midnight screening? Do you have a tradition you do with every release? Is this one any different because it's the last one?

For me, I ban myself from reading the corresponding book for 12 months before the release to keep myself from over critiquing the movie when I first see it and to try and keep some element of surprise by not having the storyline too fresh in my mind. So given the whole P1 and P2 thing, I haven't read DH for a year and a half!
Then in the 6 months leading up to the movie I try not to read any of the books at all.

I will be having a HP marathon the day before the release here, watching all 7 previous movies to get into the mood before seeing the last movie the day it's released (here in Aus thats the 13/7). And of course I will be dressing up!! I don't go to the midnight screening as I'm not really a night person and do not want to be tired whilst watching the movie!

This is...probably...my last chance to do these traditions and so I will be doing them in style! What about everyone else?

Wow, you're going to be busy watching all those movies. For me, I'm not going to wait a week so it won't be so crowded.

Baty I'm going in the middle of the first day for the same reason! Though I'm sure it will still be busy, probably not as busy as the midnight release or the first night sessions! It's going to take I think I worked out 16.5 hours to watch the earlier movies, but I have a lot of people coming over for the marathon and lots of food so it should be fun!!

Blast! just posted a reply but it disappeared? Yes haha I worked out it's going to take about 16.5 hours to get through the movies but I have lots of friends coming over and food to eat so it should be fun! My reasoning for seeing it in the middle of the day on the opening day is it should be less crowded then either the midnight viewing the night before or the sessions on opening night!

Sorry I posted twice, silly computer, Baty can you delete the previous one, I don't think I can

Don't worry about the double post; it's not like we're getting blasted with posts lately. :~)

I do the same thing. Definitely don't read the book before the movie.

As for traditions, I have a bunch of cousins/friends with whom I have watched every Potter movie with. Will watch it with them as always. Hoping to catch it on the evening of the 15th. I don't mind the crowds, since I'll definitely watch it later again when the crowds have reduced.

I haven't read the books since before the first DH came out. I don't mind seeing the differences because I can still go into the cinema and separate the two. Actually I *now* enjoy watching the creative license WB takes; I don't always agree, but I do enjoy watching. Funny I can sit back and say that now but I realize that sometimes what is in a book doesn't necessarily translate well on screen.

Baty I totally agree!! It's taken me a long time, but I've come to the same realisation. And I'll say this for WB they do USUALLY make it extremely entertaining at the very least! We can all be so harsh to judge the movies, because we're so protective of the books and everything they mean to us, but if you can see the movies as something seperate, then can be so magical in their own way!