It was 20 years ago today that the first Harry Potter novel The Philosopher's Stone (or depending on where you lived at the time The Sorcerer's Stone) was released.

No doubt you will have heard of Harry Potter and those irrepressible young wizards who came of age in front of our eyes with each passing novel/movie.

Admittedly, I haven't read any of the novels, but I was a sucker for the films. I loved them at the time, but have since gone back to watch them again and they haven't quite done it for me.

Are there any films that have had the same effect on you?

I will get around to reading the books one day, because I feel I owe it to JK Rowling. But when I've seen a film before reading the book I have to leave quite a few years in between so it doesn't sully my notions of the characters in the book. Does this happen with you too?

When I was young, we all watched 1984 in school. It was only recently I read the book. But I tell you, John Hurt was still fully imprinted in my brain as the protagonist, Winston. Same thing happened with Jack Nicholson when I recently read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Also, Daniel Radcliffe: what a gem. He's done so well from the Harry Potter films that he can pretty much choose whatever role takes his fancy. And boy, has he chosen some doozies. I really love the actor he's become, especially films such as Horns, A Young Doctor's Notebook, What If, and Kill Your Darlings.

Okay, so I've gone on a tangent. We were talking about Harry Potter. But maybe this is more fun for a conversation?