Midnight Show: ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’

This is it. The second part of the final installment of one of the most successful film series ever opens at midnight this evening in theatres across the country.

Then, the magic ends.

“At least as far as we know,” said Beth Damico, manager of the Eastpoint Movies 10 in Dundalk, smiling.

The latest of eight films, beginning in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” author J.K. Rowling has made it known that no more H.P. novels are forthcoming. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” is the second half of Rowling’s last Harry Potter book, split into two movies.

The film is being shown in both 3D and 2D at the Eastpoint. The 3D version is being screened on theater’s huge 58-foot screen with 600-capacity stadium seating and state-of-art sound system. Even better news: the film’s already received strong reviews across the country.

Los Angeles Time film critic Kenneth Turan reported that the final installment is one of the series best, with usual cast of characters and creative team returning “with a thrilling and satisfying finish.”

“In a classic storybook finish,” Turan wrote… "’Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2’" turns out to be more than the last of its kind. Almost magically, it ends up being one of the best of the series as well.”

Michael Phillips, movie critic at the Chicago Tribune, gave the film 3.5 stars in his review. Phillips said that overall, the quality of the Harry Potter franchise films have “ebbed and flowed.”  In his opinion “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1” while serviceable, felt mostly likely “felt like a set-up for this final picture.”

Their success and this film’s success, Phillips believes, continues because, “Never has the Potter cinematic world lost sight of the friendships and riddles and adolescent rites of passage that make Harry a relatable Chosen One.”

Like many theaters, Damico and the Eastpoint management team decided to mark the special occasion and midnight opening by pulling out all the stops. The theater is hosting a Harry Potter look-a-like contest and a “Best Wizard” costume contest, as well as offering Deathly Hallows-themed food and drink specials, including Gryffindor grape Icee’s and Slytherin slices of pizza.

Josh Pittman, 18, an Eastpoint concession employee and Harry Potter fan volunteered to work the midnight shift.

“I’ve read the first four of the books and I’ve seen all the movies,” Pittman said. “I like the movies better. I like the storylines, and how it’s magic, but it’s kind of old at the same time – the mixture of the Middle Ages and the ‘dark arts.’”

Pittman said he’s happy to pull the overtime hours. Not just for the every paycheck boost.

“I’m coming in to work, and once were done out here, then I can watch it myself,” he said.