Sixth 'Potter' movie conjures fans

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo North Plains Cinema 7 was “pretty busy” Wednesday for the opening day of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, according to assitant manager Manuel Romero.

North Plains Cinema 7 assistant manager Manuel Romero will not tell any secrets about the sixth Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

But he says Wednesday — the movie’s release day — was busy.

“It’s been pretty good,” Romero said between taking payment for tickets.

Romero said he hadn’t seen anyone dressed up to see the movie, but is expecting a larger crowd Friday and Saturday.

Natasha and Dallas Beckwith said they “had” to see the movie on its opening day.

“We’re big fans,” Natasha said. “I’ve read all the books and I hope this movie is close to the book. I don’t expect it to get all of it in there, but it’s basically Harry’s final trial.”

“For her, the movies never come close to the books,” her husband chimed in.

Dallas said he doesn’t like to read, but has kept up with the movies.

“The movies are a good series on their own. If I was going to read anything, it would be Harry Potter,” he said.

Doug Schwartz, a fifth-grade teacher with Clovis schools, said he came to see Harry Potter to keep up with his students.

“This is right up my fifth-graders' alley. I like to keep up with what the kids are reading and seeing,” he said.

Schwartz, 35, said he’s read all the books in the series and said the sixth book was best of the seven.

“I heard they’re going to split the next movie into two parts. That would be great because it would give us more of the book,” he said.