So, I have been having this ongoing banter with my boyfriend about whether I really need the audio books of all seven of the Potter books. After all, I do have hard cover copies of all seven books in a special collection set.
Any true Potter fan can, however, attest to the need for the audio books, in addition to the printed books. They both offer the reader two vastly different experiences. Duh!
The audio books, read by Jim Dale, are as spectacular a rendition of a book as I have heard from any narrator. I haven’t listened to many audio books in my time; however, compared to the ones I have listened to, the Harry Potter series stands above the entire lot. Jim Dale is an excellent narrator. He has won multiple Grammys for his work and the entire series has been inducted into the Audiobook Hall of Fame.
At some point, I would like to start with “Sorcerer’s Stone” and listen to each successive one until the end to experience the whole tale as it was meant to be
If you haven’t yet discovered the Potter audio books, give yourself a treat and listen to them! Dale brings the characters to life in all seven of the books. His ability to shift between Hagrid, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all of the other characters will simply amaze you. The books are great to listen to on the way to or from work or on a cold and rainy day; you get a chance to escape into Harry’s world, where I so often wish I could permanently reside...
Monday, March 31, 2008
New 'Half Blood Prince' Teaser Trailer!
A lot of rumors have been circulating regarding a possible release date of the first teaser trailer for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” which hits theatres November 21. However, TLC is now reporting that the first HBP teaser will premiere in movie theaters during the second Chronicles of Narnia movie, “Prince Caspian,” which opens on May 16. Warner Brothers has not confirmed this yet.May seems like a good time to release the film’s teaser, as it is 6 months before HBP hits theatres. I can’t wait to see it!
New Photo from "Half Blood Prince" Movie
A new production photo from "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" was released last week. It’s not much to go on, but it shows the film’s stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), and Emma Watson (Hermione) sitting in what looks like the Gryffindor Common Room.Is it me, or does it seem like the first production photo we always get from the Potter films includes the trio sitting in the House Common Room? And what’s with the bowl of walnuts sitting next to Ron? I found that to be an intriguing little touch.
Anyway…Another HBP photo was also released months ago of Daniel Radcliffe holding, what perhaps is, the Half Blood Prince’s Potions book (?)
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Where to Split It?
Perhaps the most talked about question about the “Deathly Hallows” movie spilt is “Where are they going to split the two movies?”
I’ve heard a lot of ideas...after Ron returns and destroys the locket, after Dobby dies, after Bill and Fleur’s wedding, after Malfoy Manor. These particular parts of the book refer to some people’s desire to see a resolution at the end of Part 1, while others want a suspenseful ending to entice people to come back for the Part 2. Herein lies the dilemma for the filmmakers. Should you split it at a point that resolves Part 1 of the movie or cut it at a point that leaves the audience questioning what’s next? What I’m sure the filmmakers will keep in mind is which type of ending will get the audience back into theatres for Part 2 six months later.
The best way to remedy the dilemma is to split the book at its most ideal spot, which is when the trio escapes Gringotts and they fly away on the dragon. What could be better! This way, the whole first film would be a streamlined hunt for the Horcruxes, not a rushed chase culminating in a final battle between Harry and Voldemort. Assuming that each film will be 2.5 hours, there should be no reason that major parts of the first half of the book will be cut out. This, then would leave another 2.5 hours in Part 2 for the battle of Hogwarts, Snape’s tale, King’s Cross, the final duel between Harry and Voldemort, the aftermath, and the Epilogue as one cohesive film, given the space it needs instead of being crammed into the end of the film. The most important thing is to not cut the film too early on, which would then cram the final parts of the book together. In order to do the entire story justice, a full film needs to be devoted to everything that happens after Gringotts. Remember, in the book, everything that happens from Malfoy Manor to the end of the book happened in a 24 hour time period; the entire second half of the book is one day! So, I just don’t see any other reasonable place the films can be split.
Any thoughts?
I’ve heard a lot of ideas...after Ron returns and destroys the locket, after Dobby dies, after Bill and Fleur’s wedding, after Malfoy Manor. These particular parts of the book refer to some people’s desire to see a resolution at the end of Part 1, while others want a suspenseful ending to entice people to come back for the Part 2. Herein lies the dilemma for the filmmakers. Should you split it at a point that resolves Part 1 of the movie or cut it at a point that leaves the audience questioning what’s next? What I’m sure the filmmakers will keep in mind is which type of ending will get the audience back into theatres for Part 2 six months later.
The best way to remedy the dilemma is to split the book at its most ideal spot, which is when the trio escapes Gringotts and they fly away on the dragon. What could be better! This way, the whole first film would be a streamlined hunt for the Horcruxes, not a rushed chase culminating in a final battle between Harry and Voldemort. Assuming that each film will be 2.5 hours, there should be no reason that major parts of the first half of the book will be cut out. This, then would leave another 2.5 hours in Part 2 for the battle of Hogwarts, Snape’s tale, King’s Cross, the final duel between Harry and Voldemort, the aftermath, and the Epilogue as one cohesive film, given the space it needs instead of being crammed into the end of the film. The most important thing is to not cut the film too early on, which would then cram the final parts of the book together. In order to do the entire story justice, a full film needs to be devoted to everything that happens after Gringotts. Remember, in the book, everything that happens from Malfoy Manor to the end of the book happened in a 24 hour time period; the entire second half of the book is one day! So, I just don’t see any other reasonable place the films can be split.
Any thoughts?
Stop Your Griping!
Yesterday, I posted the LA Times story of the “Deathly Hallows” movie split. BIG NEWS, I know! It’s been talked about for some time, and I’m glad that it has finally been confirmed. I should note that the films will likely be two 2.5 hour films.
Since the announcement, all of Potter fandom has been discussing the split. People are really excited about this. So, what I don’t get is why are so many folks talking about how bad of an idea this will be?! I keep hearing, “We have to wait 6 months in between?!” or “2010! That’s too long to wait!” or “David Yates is directing? Why?!” Just get over it people!! We get one more complete Harry Potter movie!! Eight instead of seven!! That is happy news, regardless of the wait (though it is a valid point – who wants to wait?). Stop griping! As for Mr. Yates, I happen to think he did an excellent job with “Order of the Phoenix,” so I am happy to see him finish the series. There is no denying, however, that he has an immense task ahead.
Since the announcement, all of Potter fandom has been discussing the split. People are really excited about this. So, what I don’t get is why are so many folks talking about how bad of an idea this will be?! I keep hearing, “We have to wait 6 months in between?!” or “2010! That’s too long to wait!” or “David Yates is directing? Why?!” Just get over it people!! We get one more complete Harry Potter movie!! Eight instead of seven!! That is happy news, regardless of the wait (though it is a valid point – who wants to wait?). Stop griping! As for Mr. Yates, I happen to think he did an excellent job with “Order of the Phoenix,” so I am happy to see him finish the series. There is no denying, however, that he has an immense task ahead.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Final 'Harry Potter' book will be split into two movies!
As you all know by know, the final Potter book will be split into two films!! YEY! Here is an excerpt from the LA Times, who broke the story:
For "Harry Potter" and Hollywood, eight is the magic number.
Warner Bros. Pictures and the producers behind the $4.5-billion film franchise featuring the beloved boy wizard will split the seventh and final novel in the J.K. Rowling series into two films."Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" will hit theaters in November 2010, followed by "Part II" in May 2011, a decision that is being met around the world with fans' cheers but also plenty of cynical smirks.
The publishing industry is learning to live without new "Potter" releases, but Hollywood just pulled off a trick that will keep its profitable hero on his broom into the next decade…
"I think it's the only way you can do it, without cutting out a huge portion of the book," Radcliffe said. "There have been compartmentalized subplots in the other books that have made them easier to cut -- although those cuts were still to the horror of some fans -- but the seventh book doesn't really have any subplots. It's one driving, pounding story from the word go."
The same could be said about the relentless "Potter" franchise, which hit screens for the first time in 2001. The five "Potter" films to date have averaged $282 million in U.S. grosses, but the overall receipts go well beyond that. The faces of the stars stare out from DVDs, video games, tie-in books, toys, clothing, candy wrappers and a staggering array of other items. By some estimates, the brand represents a $20-billion enterprise, and that's without the planned "Potter"-themed complex opening next year at the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida…
Producer David Heyman, a key figure in the films from Day One, was reluctant to depart from that and make the last book into two movies."Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book," Heyman said. "You can remove scenes of Ron playing Quidditch from the fifth book, and you can remove Hermione and S.P.E.W. [Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare] and those subplots . . . but with the seventh, that can't be done."
Rowling, who signed off on the idea of a two-part finale, has been a more frequent visitor to the sixth movie's set than with previous installments. One big reason is that she is no longer busy trying to finish the "next" "Potter" book; she walked away from her signature character in July, when the climactic "Deathly Hallows" hit stores and sold a record 11 million copies in its first 24 hours on shelves.
Alan Horn, president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment, will be in Las Vegas today to talk up the "Potter" plans at ShoWest, a key annual conference of movie exhibitors. Horn said Wednesday that "it would have been a disservice" to downsize "Deathly Hallows" into one film.
"This way, we have an extra hour and a half, at least, to celebrate what this franchise has been and do justice to all the words and ideas that Jo has put in the amazing story," Horn said. "This is the end of the story too. We want to celebrate it. We want to give a full meal."
David Yates, director of the fifth and sixth films, will return and make the final two films concurrently. Screenwriter Steve Kloves also returns, and, by the completion of the franchise, he will have written seven of the eight films.
You can read the full article here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-et-potter13mar13,0,1794784.story
This is huge news for us Potter fans!!
For "Harry Potter" and Hollywood, eight is the magic number.
Warner Bros. Pictures and the producers behind the $4.5-billion film franchise featuring the beloved boy wizard will split the seventh and final novel in the J.K. Rowling series into two films."Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" will hit theaters in November 2010, followed by "Part II" in May 2011, a decision that is being met around the world with fans' cheers but also plenty of cynical smirks.
The publishing industry is learning to live without new "Potter" releases, but Hollywood just pulled off a trick that will keep its profitable hero on his broom into the next decade…
"I think it's the only way you can do it, without cutting out a huge portion of the book," Radcliffe said. "There have been compartmentalized subplots in the other books that have made them easier to cut -- although those cuts were still to the horror of some fans -- but the seventh book doesn't really have any subplots. It's one driving, pounding story from the word go."
The same could be said about the relentless "Potter" franchise, which hit screens for the first time in 2001. The five "Potter" films to date have averaged $282 million in U.S. grosses, but the overall receipts go well beyond that. The faces of the stars stare out from DVDs, video games, tie-in books, toys, clothing, candy wrappers and a staggering array of other items. By some estimates, the brand represents a $20-billion enterprise, and that's without the planned "Potter"-themed complex opening next year at the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida…
Producer David Heyman, a key figure in the films from Day One, was reluctant to depart from that and make the last book into two movies."Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book," Heyman said. "You can remove scenes of Ron playing Quidditch from the fifth book, and you can remove Hermione and S.P.E.W. [Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare] and those subplots . . . but with the seventh, that can't be done."
Rowling, who signed off on the idea of a two-part finale, has been a more frequent visitor to the sixth movie's set than with previous installments. One big reason is that she is no longer busy trying to finish the "next" "Potter" book; she walked away from her signature character in July, when the climactic "Deathly Hallows" hit stores and sold a record 11 million copies in its first 24 hours on shelves.
Alan Horn, president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment, will be in Las Vegas today to talk up the "Potter" plans at ShoWest, a key annual conference of movie exhibitors. Horn said Wednesday that "it would have been a disservice" to downsize "Deathly Hallows" into one film.
"This way, we have an extra hour and a half, at least, to celebrate what this franchise has been and do justice to all the words and ideas that Jo has put in the amazing story," Horn said. "This is the end of the story too. We want to celebrate it. We want to give a full meal."
David Yates, director of the fifth and sixth films, will return and make the final two films concurrently. Screenwriter Steve Kloves also returns, and, by the completion of the franchise, he will have written seven of the eight films.
You can read the full article here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-et-potter13mar13,0,1794784.story
This is huge news for us Potter fans!!
Welcome muggles!
Hi Everyone! Welcome to my new Harry Potter blog, a place where I can offer my thoughts and opinions on the Harry Potter books and films. I, like you, am an avid fan of the Potter series and am looking forward to exploring this magical world with you! Woo hoo!
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