A Muggle's Guide to Harry Potter

Remember, stick to your ticket

2010-11-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

With less than 24 hours to go before Part 1 hits theatres (!!!!!!!!!!), Fandango has released an update about ticket sales:

2,200 showtimes are sold out

96% of all tickets sales on Fandango are for HP tickets

Do you have your ticket yet? I just picked up mine this evening. This time on Friday night I will be in my seat for the beginning of the end. Commence full-fledged freak-out mode!

Remember, stick to your ticket!

Trust Harry. He is our last hope.

2010-11-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Many reviews for Deathly Hallows, Part 1 have been circulating in papers, magazines, and on the web over the past few days. (The reviews have been rather great!) One particular review stands out, and that is the one that appeared today in USA Today. The review, titled "A Magical Beginning to the End" poses to the reader the following:

“Menacing and meditative, Hallows is arguably the best installment of the planned eight-film franchise, though audiences who haven't kept up with previous chapters will be hopelessly lost. Not that the film is worried about your memory. If anything, director David Yates hopes to test it. Hallows features a few pop quizzes: What creature sat in the corner the first time Harry went to see professor Remus Lupin? What were the last words Albus Dumbledore spoke to Lupin and Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt? If you can't answer either question, you may want to bone up on your reading or viewing materials; the movie isn't waiting for you."

Well, USA Today, I do know the answers to those questions. It was a grindylow in a tank that sat in the corner when Harry went to visit Professor Lupin. And, the last words Albus Dumbledore said to Lupin and Shacklebolt were..."Trust Harry. He is our last hope."

Bam.

Ron and Harry's Argument

2010-11-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

With Part 1 set to open in just 11 days, there are a bunch of new clips and commercials popping up on television and over the web. One that stood out for me was the full scene of Harry and Ron's argument in the tent (below). This is a pivotal point in Deathly Hallows, one that had readers wondering for chapters how and when the trio would reunite and what implications the huge fight between these two best friends would have. Fortunately, all turned out well once Ron returned and saved Harry's life and, as evident from the Epilogue, their bond turned stronger than ever. Check out this powerful scene below. Oh, and definitely plan to bring tissues with you on November 19th!

Wand at the Ready! We've Got Two New Clips!

2010-11-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

We get a special treat today! Two new clips debut from Deathly Hallows, Part 1 today. The first premiered on England's ITV. It features the trio fighting Bellatrix, amongst others, at Malfoy Manor. Check it out!

The second clip features the trio sitting in a London cafe when two Death Eaters try to attack. As readers remember, this is the scene that follows Bill and Fleur's wedding and marks beginning of the trio's time on the run. You can see the clip here.

14 more days! Yipee!

WB Releases 'Seven Potters' Clip

2010-11-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

To celebrate 55,000 fans signing up for Warner Brothers' "Join the Final Battle" campaign, the official Harry Potter Facebook page released a new clip from Part 1. It's a FANTASTIC 90-second clip where Mad-Eye explains the Seven Potters plan, Harry resists the idea, and we see them all transform into Harry. Brilliant!

Watch it here on Facebook.

Tracklist

2010-10-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

The tracklist for the Part 1 soundtrack is out. All of the songs were composed by Alexandre Desplat. Take a look at the list below. If the track names are any indication, it seems like the bulk of final book will be included in the first part of the finale.

Obliviate
Snape to Malfoy Manor
Polyjuice Potion
Sky Battle
At The Burrow
Harry and Ginny
The Will
Death Eaters
Dobby
Ministry of Magic
Detonators
The Locket
Fireplaces Escape
Ron Leaves
The Exodus
Godric's Hollow Graveyard
Bathilda Bagshot
Hermione's Parents
Destroying the Locket
Ron's Speech
Lovegood
The Deathly Halllows
Captured and Tortured
Rescuing Hermione
Farewell to Dobby
The Elder Wand

One Month to Go!

2010-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

We are just ONE month away from the release of Deathly Hallows, Part 1! Who's gettin' excited?! For millions of us who have journeyed with the boy wizard since Number 4 Privet Drive, this final face off with You Know Who will be extra special. AND, the finale is split into two, so there is some comfort in knowing that we can cherish each moment and say our goodbyes slowly.

For me, the next two months will be quite special. Not only will Part 1 finally hit theaters, but I will be heading to Orlando to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in December (jealous?). I wholeheartedly believe that each of these experiences, the movie and vacation, will be something I value for years to come. They will certainly affect me in an almost life changing way. You roll your eyes, but seriously. They will. The Potter series has changed my life. It brings me a lot of comfort, joy, and laughs, and, while I hate to see it all come to an end, on screen at least, I am really looking forward to experiencing it with my fandom friends.

So, get excited y'all! One month to go! Eeek!

8 New 'Deathly Hallows' TV Spots

2010-10-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

31 more days to go until Part 1 hits theaters! Today, Warner Brothers released EIGHT new TV spots for Part 1 and they include tons of new footage. Check them out here.

Here is my favorite! The Seven Potters scene is going to be absolutely hilarious!

Posters! Posters! Posters!

2010-10-02T17:59:00.001-07:00

New movie posters! Check out the second Part 1 "The End Begins" film poster along with three of the new character posters!

My Thoughts on Trailer Two

2010-10-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not immediately posting my thoughts on the EPIC second trailer for Part 1, which debuted late last month. Epic, of course, doesn't even begin to describe how great the trailer is. There was a lot of new footage in this version and a whole bunch of stuff we've seen before. I'm pretty sure this is the last trailer we will get before the film hits theaters, so I'm glad they gave us a long one.

What were your favorite parts? Some highlights that I loved were:

Bill and Fleur's Wedding - We've heard this is just a quick scene in the film, but I'm glad that the trailer included the most important part of the scene. The sequence starts at 1:07, where the party is gathered in a tent, but it hits a chilling high point when Kingsley's Patronus lands in the center of the tent and whispers, "They're coming, they're coming." The Death Eaters' attack marks the steady spiral downward of Harry and his friends' luck. It's sure to be one of our favorite moments in the film.

Magic Is Might statue - There are plenty of overt comparisons in Deathly Hallows of Voldemort and his Death Eaters to Hitler and his Nazis, but none more visually obvious than the Ministry of Magic's "Magic Is Might" statue, which can be seen at 0:46. (In the books, the statue is described as wizards and witches standing on a platform held up by Muggles). The comparison is furthered by a red sash that all the Snatchers and Ministry officials wear on their arms with the Ministry logo. Thank you, Yates, for going there.

The Seven Potters - It's hilarious to watch Daniel Radcliffe act out seven different versions of himself at 1:04. This is going to be one of the comedic high points of a very dark film.

Voldemort kills Grindelwald - We don't actually see him deal the killing blow, but we can see a flash of Voldemort going after Grindelwald at 1:37 in his quest to find the Elder Wand.

Harry finds Godric Gryffindor's sword - Once again, it's only a brief flash, but at 1:54 you can see Harry diving below a pool of icy water, shirtless, to grasp Gryffindor's sword lying at the bottom. Now if only we could have seen the Patronus that had brought him to that point...

24 Hours

2010-09-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Trailer number two for Part I debuts tomorrow night at 8:00pm CST. Who's gettin' excited?!!! The last trailer was filled with nothing but a full-on Death Eater march all over Harry and the gang, but, considering the nature of the final book, don't expect to see any fluffy moments in tomorrow night's trailer. I, for one, would like to see more material from Part 1, rather than some of the Hogwarts Battle scenes. My heart can't take those.

60 more days until the movie y'all! Can't wait!!

First "Deathly Hallows" TV Spot

2010-09-09T20:55:00.001-07:00

The first TV spot for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is out! The ad contains lots of new footage, including Dumbledore's Ghost (*squeal*). Check it out!

'Deathly Hallows' Split Revealed

2010-08-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

MAJOR Deathly Hallows news today! The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly features a cover story on the Part 1 film, which, at long last, reveals the split for the final installments of the film. So, here it goes: (*SPOILERS*)

The film "will end at about Chapter 24 of the book, with Voldemort gaining possession of the Elder Wand, one of the three Deathly Hallows that allow the bearer to conquer death."

The report also features a number interviews with the cast and never before published information about the film. There are also a ton of new pictures. High Res scans of the entire EW feature can be found right here thanks to RupertGrint.net.

So, what do you think of the split? I was actually quite surprised that this was the spot they picked. The Forest of Dean scene, escape from Gringotts, and Malfoy Manor all seemed like logical spots to me, but this is definitely an interesting choice. The ending will certainly act as a cliffhanger for the audience, filled with just the right amount of suspense one would expect. It also leaves Part 2 totally dedicated to the Battle of Hogwarts and Harry's final confrontation with Voldemort. It seems like both films will be vastly different as well. The first will have a huge emphasis on the trio's search for the Horcruxes and a lot of the relationships that are detailed and challenged in the first half of the book, such as Harry and Ron, Harry and Dumbledore, and Harry's trip to Godric's Hallow. The second film will be all action and all emotion - the final battle, Snape's tale, Harry's walk into the forest, AND King's Cross! Ah! Can you imagine!?!? Bring tissues people!!

As always, your thoughts are invited! Except, don't hate me for revealing the split! There's no way you would have made it until November knowing that the info was out there and you didn't check it. Trust me, I spent a good 10 minutes debating if I wanted to click on the story, but, alas, I gave in. And, now we have something to talk about for the next 98 days!

Happy Birthday, Harry and Jo!

2010-07-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today, July 31, 2010, we are celebrating the birthday of the boy who we've spent countless hours reading about, Harry Potter! Celebrating his 30th birthday today, The Boy Who Lived currently serves as the Head of the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic. He is married to Ginny Weasley with three children - James Sirius, Albus Severus and Lily Luna - and is godfather to Teddy Lupin. It was exactly nineteen years ago today that Harry discovered he was a wizard and we have not looked back since! Happy Birthday, Harry!

Not only does July 31st mark the birthday of Mr. Potter, we're also celebrating the birth of the woman behind the all magic, J.K. Rowling! She turns 45 today. Happy Birthday, Jo! Cheers to the brilliant mind who brought the wonderful Harry Potter books into our lives.

Bring on the Merchandise!

2010-07-30T14:10:00.001-07:00

The launch of Deathly Hallows merchandise has begun! Check out the new t-shirt available at Hot Topic. The black shirt has an "Undesirable No. 1" poster on it with Harry's face and name. A similar shirt appeared at this year's Comic Con and was given out to those who attended the Warner Brothers panel.

I loved this tee from the moment I saw it in pictures coming out of Comic Con. I can't wait to get mine!

Horcruxes and Hallows

2010-07-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Guess what showed up at Comic Con, folks?! Some horcruxes, two of the Deathly Hallows, and a time turner! Various props used in Deathly Hallows films were on display at this year's expo. Among the items featured:

Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem

The Elder Wand

Hufflepuff Cup

Time Turner

Gaunt's Ring and Resurrection Stone

Tom Riddle's Diary

Slytherin's Locket

Also, it has also been confirmed that Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) is set to appear at Comic Con this weekend as part of the Warner Bros. presentation on July 24. Never before seen footage will be presented during the segment! Personally, I would like to see a full clip rather than another trailer-like montage of the film, but, of course, I’m happy with any new footage that I can geek-out to!

The description of the event on the Comic Con program is: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - Every saga has a final chapter. Kick off the year of Harry Potter with a first look at the coming screen adaptation of J. K. Rowling's final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", with a program created just for Comic-Con fans. One way. One hero. One destiny. Don't miss it!

My Dreamscape Would Be Hogwarts

2010-07-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

Have you guys seen "Inception" yet? It was easily the best film of the summer, though "Toy Story 3" still has a soft spot in my heart. There's room for both, right? I continue to be impressed by Christopher Nolan's work; this was some of the best SciFi I've seen in years, probably since the first Matrix film.

This whole concept of dreams and extraction got me thinking...if I was the subject of Inception and if my mind was the maze, what would it look like? Well, duh! Inside MY mind, the dreamscape would be Hogwarts. The paradox: the moving staircases. My totem: a golden snitch.

Peace out.

Teaser Poster

2010-07-02T14:39:00.001-07:00

Check it out! Warner Brothers has released the teaser poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. Intense and chilling, that's for sure. Thoughts?

'The Boy Who Lived...Come to Die'

2010-06-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

I’m finding it difficult to type and breathe because I just watched the first full trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (posted below). My entire body is currently riddled with goosebumps. Who else is suffering from a goosebump overdose? Anyone else hyperventilating like I am?

First impression: Our beloved Harry Potter definitely looks like an adult in the final installment, and not just physically. The Boy Who Lived lived through so much during what should have been his final year at Hogwarts, and you can see it in Dan Radcliffe’s weary eyes. If the trailer is any indication, the final two films will certainly live up to Warner Brothers’ proclamation that the Potter series is a “WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON” and this two-part finale will be the “THE MOTION PICTURE EVENT OF A GENERATION.” These words are hardly an understatement folks. It. Will. Be. EPIC.

Among the trailer’s high points were glimpses of Harry’s fight with Nagini, the flight of the Seven Potters, the Battle of Hogwarts, and, most importantly, Harry’s walk into the forest and his final confrontation with Voldemort. Okay, getting goosebumps and chills just writing about it.

One of the things I did notice, however, was that the final showdown between Harry and Voldemort does not seem to appear as J.K. Rowling wrote it - inside the rubble that was formally the Great Hall, with everyone in Harry’s life surrounding him. As a deeply dedicated Potter fan, I know I should take issue with this, and perhaps in the coming weeks I will. For some reason though, I think it’s unlikely. These final two films are about bringing the entire Harry Potter phenomenon to a close and it almost seems unreasonable to begin questioning individual frames when it’s about the finale as a whole. It’s about fans like me completing the journey with all Potter fans alike. I’m looking forward to it.

The end is certainly near, friends. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer over and over again. If you haven’t watched it yet, what’s the matter with you?! Accio Goosebumps!

'Deathly Hallows' Trailer Debuts Tomorrow

2010-06-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

A quick reminder that the first official trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will debut online tomorrow at 6:00pm CST. The trailer will indeed be different than the one that debuted at the MTV Movie Awards earlier this month. It will include bits from both parts of the Deathly Hallows films. The trailer can then be seen in theaters with The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on June 30th.

Also, check out the great picture I posted with this story. It's one of a few pictures that have already been leaked from the upcoming trailer. Doesn't it just give you chills?!

I'll be watching the trailer live tomorrow night and will return later in the week with my thoughts. Enjoy!

Wizarding World Theme Park Opens Friday

2010-06-14T19:44:00.001-07:00

Three. more. days.

Three more days until the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens its doors to muggles! So, chin up if you're still upset about the films coming to an end (story below) and start planning your trip to Orlando! As much as I'd love to be there for the grand opening, my hope is to make a trip down this winter. I predict I'll be broke, mildly insane, and about 10 pounds heavier by the time I leave the park.

It's a Wrap!

2010-06-14T19:27:00.001-07:00

The Potter fandom has known for some time that the final day of filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be in June. We now know that Saturday, June 12th, was the final day.

Daniel Radcliffe spoke about the final weekend of filming at last night's Tony Awards ceremony, where he was a presenter:

"Everyone was really devastated. It was really, really sad. We're crying quite a lot."

Warwick Davis, who plays Griphook and Professor Flitwick in the films, posted the following on his Twitterfeed:

"The end of an Era - today is officially the last day of principal photography on 'Harry Potter' - ever. I feel honoured to be here as the director shouts cut for the very last time. Farewell Harry & Hogwarts, it's been magic! x...and goodbye Griphook!"

Well, it's certainly an end of an era. While I am anxiously awaiting the final two films, I know I will feel an immense void once I see the final scene of Part 2 next year. The books and films mean a great deal to me and it's sad to hear the doors to Hogwarts are now closed. For those of you who share my sentiments, I recommend a great piece on MTV's website which discusses what worked best for the Potter films. You can find it here.

Congratulations to the great David Heyman, David Yates, David Barron, J.K. Rowling, Stuart Craig, Steve Kloves, and the entire cast and crew of Harry Potter! We look forward to the final chapter!

'Deathly Hallows' Sneak Peek to Debut at MTV Movie Awards

2010-06-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

It's about time. I was starting to think Warner Brothers and HP producers forgot about the Potter fandom and our love for film teasers! MTV has announced that the first clip from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 will be revealed at the MTV Movie Awards this Sunday, June 6th:

"The MTV Movie Awards have a long-established history of bringing you sneak peeks of highly anticipated upcoming flicks, and this Sunday's show is no exception. The star-packed show... will feature an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," the first half of the epic two-part finale in the "Potter" film series, which will hit theaters November 19."

With the summer movie season well underway, I hope this clip is part of WB's larger lead-up to the debut of the first Deathly Hallows teaser or theatrical trailer. Last I heard, music for the trailer is currently being composed, signaling a possible late summer release of the trailer. Since some of the bigger-named movies for the summer have already come out (Iron Man 2, Shrek 3, Prince of Persia), I think we will have to wait until July or August before we see anything. Possible films in which the trailer could appear sooner include The Karate Kid (6/11), the new Twilight movie, Eclipse (6/30) and Toy Story 3 (6/18). My guess would be Toy Story 3, but these are rather early release dates. Maybe I'll be right? Who knows...

In the meantime, I'm sure we will all enjoy the new clip. You could always rewatch the sneak peek from the HBP DVD - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q9IIM3_TTA. I know I have!

Early Reviews for Wizarding World Theme Park

2010-05-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

As the June 18th grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park draws closer, there is loads of coverage from this week’s soft opening. I highly recommend you check out InsideTheMagic.net for a lengthy review of the park, including numerous photos and videos and a podcast. The review can be found here.

Have all these photos, videos, and reports swayed your plans for visiting the park? Will you be visiting sooner?

I'm Back!

2010-05-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

After taking a year away from the blogosphere to concentrate on the first year of law school, I'm ready to return to the web world of all things Harry Potter. Keep checking back for updates and thoughts on Potter, particularly on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park set to open in June and the final installment of the film, Deathly Hallows, Part 1, scheduled will hit theatres this November.

1 Week to Go!

2009-07-08T19:02:00.001-07:00

Friends, we are less than one week away from the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! There are a ton of new clips, reviews, and pictures hitting the web that will help us get through this final week. Of note, however, are the pictures and video from the London premiere yesterday. You check out the HBP U.K. website here and MTV's website here for a sampling. There is also an extra special treat for us today...Yahoo! Music has an early release of the entire HBP soundtrack which you can listen to here! I took a listen earlier today and it is absolutely wonderful! It should be a great addition to what seems like will be a fantastic movie! Enjoy!

Another Featurette

2009-06-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

There is a ton of Half Blood Prince material out on the web these days, as we are only 16 days away from the film's opening. The one I am posting today comes to us from Yahoo! UK, who has a new featurette posted on their website. Most of the footage in here is material we have seen before; however, there are few new scenes that I think everyone will enjoy.

16 more days!

"LA Times" Launches HBP Countdown

2009-06-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Times is launching a Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince countdown on their Hero Complex blog with a series of new articles, the first being a rare interview with screenwriter Steve Kloves. In the interview, Mr. Kloves speaks about his experience working with J.K. Rowling, how he went about adapting Half-Blood Prince, including his decision to cut out some scenes, as well as the final dramatic moments of the story between Snape and Dumbledore. I, for one, found the exchange regarding the "12 uses of dragon's blood" quite amusing! You can read the full article here.

Be sure to bookmark latimes.com/herocomplex for your daily HBP fix!

1 Month to Go!

2009-06-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

Friends, we are exactly a month away from the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! There are trailers, pictures, and TV spots all over the web to help us get through these final weeks. I, myself, wanted to pass along a great photo gallery that MTV put together on it's website of various production and behind the scenes shots from the film. You can find it at http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/06/15/loads-of-images-from-harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince

Track Listings for HBP Soundtrack

2009-06-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com has posted the complete track listings to the score for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince composed by Nicholas Hooper. The soundtrack will be released on July 14, 2009 and is already available for pre-order. Out of concern for unwanted spoilers, please scroll down to see the list.

Scroll

Scroll

Again

One more time

Almost there

Okay...

Tracking listing for the soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

1. Opening
2. In Noctem
3. The Story Begins
4. Ginny
5. Snape & the Unbreakable Vow
6. Wizard Wheezes
7. Dumbledore's Speech
8. Living Death
9. Into the Pensieve
10. The Book
11. Ron's Victory
12. Harry & Hermione
13. School!
14. Malfoy's Mission
15. The Slug Party
16. Into the Rushes
17. Farewell Aragog
18. Dumbledore's Foreboding
19. Of Love & War
20. When Ginny Kissed Harry
21. Slughorn's Confession
22. Journey to the Cave
23. The Drink of Despair
24. Inferi in the Firestorm
25. The Killing of Dumbledore
26. Dumbledore's Farewell
27. The Friends
28. The Weasley Stomp

Okay, discuss. Besides trailers and TV spots, a film's soundtrack is always one of the more solid indicators of what will happen in the film and it's flow. I for one am curious about the last piece; what's The Weasley Stomp?

Be sure to get your copy on July 14, a day before HBP hits theaters!

A Stroll Down Albus Dumbledore Memory Lane

2009-06-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

The only remotely entertaining and non-vomit-inducing part of last night's MTV Movie Awards was the exclusive look at a brand new clip from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, presented by the Trio via satellite. Honestly, any awards show where "Twilight" beats out "The Dark Knight" for Best Movie automatically loses credibility in my book. Oh, and will someone please tell Robert Pattinson that he doesn't need to write notes for his speech when the only people he is thanking are the studio, the book's author, the film's director, the cast, and the crew. You're not up there accepting an Academy Award for god sake, so why don't you try and just remember your almighty list of five...or does all that product in your hair impair any effort to use your remaining brain cells? Perhaps his head is full of sawdust, like our friend Victor Krum? (Good observation, Professor Moody. Good observation. Hope you are resting in peace.)

Okay, enough Twilight bashing (not really). On with the HBP news...

Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint - knowing full well what a joke the MTV awards were likely to be - skipped attending the show and opted to present their clip (below and here) via satellite. Here we see Harry taking one of many looks at Dumbledore’s memories through the Pensieve. This memory is of the headmaster's first encounter with a young Tom Riddle at Wools Orphanage. Enjoy...

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

153 Minutes

2009-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Various online muggle sources are reporting that the running time for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is 153 minutes - or 2 hours and 33 minutes. This would make the film the second longest to date, coming behind Chamber of Secrets by a few minutes.

If the reports are true, and we are indeed talking about a two and a half hour film, then let the cheery chants commence! 153 minutes! woo hoo! After waiting two years for a new film, we get a longer sixth one, and, if the trailers are any indication, it promises to be a long and EXCELLENT addition to the Potter series.

Be sure to get that extra large bucket of popcorn! 49 more days, y'all. 49 more days!

First HBP Clip, Extended

2009-05-21T10:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I posted a the first movie clip from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Today, SkyNews has aired an extended version of the same clip, with even more Ronald Weasley goodness. Here it is...Enjoy!

8 TV Spots and Counting

2009-05-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

Promotion for Half Blood Prince has certainly picked up in the final weeks of the television season and, as a result, there are many different TV spots floating around online. To make a Potter fan's life easier, here are the links to the 8 spots currently on the air. Spots 4-8 are new, so please make a note of that my friends.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

A Flurry of New HBP Footage

2009-05-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

"I don't need luck, I'm with Dumbledore."

Merlin’s Beard! Galloping Gargoyles! There’s been a flurry of Half Blood Prince news today, all having to do with new footage from the film.

We begin with the the first official clip from the film, which was broadcast on the “Ellen” show yesterday (posted below). It shows a hilarious Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) under the influence of some tampered chocolates and love stricken over Romilda Vane.

The second set of footage (also posted below) comes to us from Belgium. A cineplex website has posted a new featurette online showing both released footage and new clips. The new footage includes Harry speaking to Dumbledore atop the Astronomy Tower, Harry speaking with Ron and Hermoine, and a rather funny scene at Slughorn’s home. The featurette also includes interviews with director David Yates and stars Dan Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, and more.

There is also word today that the trio – Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson – will present a brand new clip from the film at the MTV Awards next weekend. MTV is reporting that the clip will be introduced “via telecast from England” and will be “a never-before-seen clip from ‘Half-Blood Prince,’ the sixth movie adaptation of the J.K. Rowling boy-wizard book series.” The MTV Movie Awards will air Sunday, May 31st at 8pm CST on the cable station.

Harry Potter fans have been quite lucky today, indeed. It's as if we all enjoyed a drop of Felix Felicis before we asked for new Half Blood Prince material!

Carry Out the Deed!

2009-05-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Another brand new TV spot for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince aired during The Simpsons last night on FOX. The ad featured Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) whispering to Draco (Tom Felton) "Carry out the deed." Ahh! *Chills* Other scenes include Snape (Alan Rickman) leading a group of people - looks like a group of Death Eaters (is that Greyback on the upper left side at :09?) through a dark hallway, Draco loosening his tie with worry, and Dumbledore speaking to Harry atop the Astronomy tower, noting that he's "the chosen one."

These TV spots are popping up everywhere! I love it! 57 more days, 57 more days, 57 more days...

First TV Spot for 'Half Blood Prince'

2009-05-11T07:59:00.001-07:00

The promotional efforts for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince are starting to pick up steam, with the first TV spot airing last week (this one on the CW channel). The video of the commercial has been posted online for your viewing pleasure (check it out in HD, if you get a chance!).

I must say, I've missed clinging to the side of my couch (or any object within immediate reach) and being completely awe-struck when one of these commercials air on TV. This is usually followed by a minute or two of fairly loud squealing and jovial utterances of "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." You can never anticipate when these commercials are going to air, so they really are a little 30 second treat that can bring one short-term happiness at any given moment. The first of many such occasions is here...

Harry Potter Exhibition Report

2009-05-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

In the absence of broomsticks, Floo powder, and portkeys, devoted Harry Potter fans made their way to Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. I was one of the many muggles who had the chance to visit the exhibit in its opening weekend.

The exhibit, which opened on April 30, was designed and created by Warner Bros. and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur. It features more than 200 costumes and props from the Harry Potter films, arranged in settings designed to immerse visitors in the world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There are nine staging areas in all, including the Gryffindor dormitory (bookend-ed by talking portraits), various classrooms, the Hogwarts grounds, the Dark Forces, Hagrid’s Hut, and the Great Hall. Guests can also partake in several hands-on activities, such as throwing a quaffle, pulling a mandrake (no earmuffs required) in the Herbology greenhouse, or sitting in Hagrid’s enormous leather chair.

The breadth of the exhibit is exceptional, likely to be the closest any Potter fan will get to Hogwarts, and its attention to detail is incredible. There are so many small items on display that visitors might have to hunt for their favorites. The Golden Snitch used in Quidditch matches is here, its wings spread. The Time-Turner used by Harry and Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban is in a case. The Monster Book of Monsters is on a shelf in Hagrid's hut and has minutely detailed teeth and claws. The Sorcerer's Stone from the first film, potion ingredients from Potions Master Severus Snape's classroom, Latin inscriptions on the Marauder's Map, and Gilderoy Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts exam are among the other beloved treasures that one might miss if swiftly strolling on to the next set. (Be sure to listen carefully too; you may just hear He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s voice hovering over you in the Dark Forces section.)

As I walked out of the exhibit and began thinking about my blog post, I dreaded the idea of picking a handful of items and deeming them as “my favorite parts.” Alas, as is the case with any exhibit like this, I have formulated my list of favorite items (in no particular order) from the exhibition:

The Pre-Show: One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was actually outside of it. The exhibit begins with a pre-show, led by a cheery witch in Hogwarts robes who gathers the crowd (dubbed “first years”) in front of the Sorting Hat. The hat assigns a couple of the new students (sadly, this is for kids only) to one of the Hogwarts houses. The first years then move into a room with eight video screens featuring the movie posters from each of the six films, with two spots open for the Deathly Hallows posters. The screens then show clips from the movies as music from the soundtracks plays. A wall rises to reveal a life-sized Hogwarts Express, surrounded by billowing fog. I actually got goose bumps and tears in my eyes during the pre-show, so prepare yourself.

Wands: Nearly all of the characters have their wands on display here, including Dumbledore’s (the Elder Wand!) and Voldemort's. The wands are featured in key spots throughout the exhibit, so a keen eye is required to spot all of them.

The Marauder's Map: The actual physical map is as notable and brilliant as the story of the Marauders who created it. Potter fans should pay particular attention to its intricate detail – even without the moving footsteps and names.

Remus Lupin’s robes: There are many robes on display at the exhibit, but I was particularly moved by Professor Lupin’s. They are quite worn out and faded, and speak to the care that the filmmakers put into representing the character who wore them. You really get a sense of how difficult it was for Lupin, a kind and gentle force with limited means, to live the life of a werewolf.

Quidditch gear: Harry's Nimbus 2000, Draco's Nimbus 2001, the Golden Snitch, items from the World Cup, Quidditch magazines, and broom repair kits all greet you in the Quidditch Pitch section of the exhibit. The padded and vividly colored Quidditch robes of Cedric Diggory, Oliver Wood, and Harry himself stand out, as does a display of various trophies, each with chiseled names of former Quidditch Captains - again drawing your eye to each tiny detail. Fans can also see Victor Krum’s uniform from the Quidditch World Cup on display.

The Yule Ball/Great Hall: Massive double doors, flanked by numerous educational decrees, lead you into this most magical space – the Great Hall. The gorgeously detailed dress robes and gowns worn by Harry, Ron, Hermione (absolutely beautiful!), Krum, Cho, and Cedric line the left wall. The elaborate table settings from the Yule Ball serve as the backdrop to the gowns.

The exhibition certainly exceed my expectations. It was exciting and grandly theatrical, inspirational and moving, and, dare I say, even magical. The exhibit quite convincingly shows us how the filmmakers brought this beloved series to the big screen and, more importantly, communicates the great deal of care that was devoted to ensuring the books were represented in the purest of fashions and with J.K. Rowling’s original vision fully intact. This exhibit embodies the magic of a story that has left an unprecedented mark on our culture and it is a must see for any Harry Potter fan. It'll have you saying "Galloping Gargoyles" from the moment you step foot in it!

PHOTO GALLERY

Hogwarts Now Open to Muggles!

2009-04-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

The wait is almost over, my muggle friends! Harry Potter: The Exhibition will premiere tomorrow! I have two new treats to share with you today. First, USA Today has an inside look at the exhibit, including three new photos of the displays. The second is a Museum of Science and Industry Podcast. It features an interview with Eddie Newquist of ExhibitGroup who talks about the creation of this world-premiere exhibit.

There have been special advance tours of the exhibit going on all week at MSI, and, as a result, many reports have surfaced online with an inside look similar to the USA Today article. They all seem to be fairly consistent and quite detailed. Also, every one I have seen has given high marks to the exhibit (no surprise!), calling it a must-see for any Harry Potter fan. I've read through all of these advance reports and have reached the point where I can no longer wait to go! It's going to be amazing! AMAZING! Here's what I'm looking forward to:

The Hogwarts Express. "The 10,000-square-foot exhibit space features eight video screens showing clips from the movies as music from the soundtracks plays. A wall rises to reveal a life-sized train: Hogwarts Express, surrounded by billowing fog." I've gotten chills and goosebumps every time I've read about this entrance to the exhibit. I'm sure I'll feel just like Harry did when he stepped onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters!

Mandrakes and Quidditch. "A sign on a gardening bench says "please pull," inviting visitors to tug on a baby mandrake...Visitors can plop down in an enormous chair in the hut occupied by Hagrid, the half-giant groundskeeper at Hogwarts. They can toss a Quaffle...through three metal rings." If anything will make you feel like you're really in Hogwarts, this is it! I hear you can also get sorted by the Sorting Hat into your favorite Hogwarts House!

Diagon Alley. "The exhibit funnels visitors into Diagon Alley, a wizards' shopping destination in the movies and a gift shop for Muggles here. Wands, snow globes and T-shirts seem destined to fly out the door as speedily as a Nimbus 2000 flying broom." I plan on spending both time and money (Galleons not accepted) here! Yeepee! The hardest part is going to be deciding what to buy and what to leave behind!

Final "Half Blood Prince" Trailer Released

2009-04-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

This has been quite an exciting week for Harry Potter fans. First, a cleaned up version of the international trailer for Half Blood Prince surfaced online last weekend. Then, a few days ago, Warner Brothers announced that it would be moving up the release of the sixth film by two days (now July 15). And, yesterday, we found out that the Epilogue from Deathly Hallows will be shot for the final film, and that they will be using the original Potter cast, not older look-alike actors.

Nothing, however, beats this - the new extended, and final, trailer for Half Blood Prince. It's certainly a treat! The best trailer yet, in my opinion! It confirms what I already knew: I'm seeing this opening night! The real question is how many times am I going to see it?! Yup, the new trailer is that good.

Most of you know that this is my favorite book in the series. After I read it, one of my first thoughts was that it would make a fantastic movie. The stark imagery in the book, especially in those passages with Harry and Dumbledore in the cave, is enough to make your mind dizzy with thoughts about how this would finally be represented on film. To my absolute delight, it seems like they have done a fantastic job based on what we are seeing in these trailers, especially this latest one. We see a lot more of the cave in this trailer, more of Draco and Bellatrix, and Snape! I almost fell off my chair when he muttered "It's over" in that tone that only Alan Rickman can so perfectly deliver. We also get a completely haunting view of Katie Bell suspended in the air after being cursed by the necklace. Wow. The film looks absolutely amazing y'all! *squeal* I cannot wait!

One more piece of news for you before you start watching the trailer... MTV will be airing an extended look at the film with commentary from producer David Heyman in its summer-movie preview next week! So, be sure to look for that!

They Tease!

2009-04-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

We are just hours away from the debut of the final film trailer for Half-Blood Prince! As a preview to tonight, Warner Brothers has released a new photo. What a tease! In it you can see Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Lavender cheering on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Woo Hoo!

New article, new photos, new trailer! Oh my!

2009-04-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

USA Today released a new article (includes a gallery with a few new photos) on the Half Blood Prince film, including a bit of news concerning tonight's trailer (8:00pm CST release). It will in fact be the final trailer for the film, and will hit theaters on May 1 in front of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Director David Yates had this to say:

"Once you're hooked into these stories, it's really difficult to let go. The audience has grown up with these characters. I think that gives them a very special relationship. I can't think of any other movie franchise that has had that. They started out at 10 or 11, and now they're 18 and 19."

Yates was responding to the issue of whether or not the remaining three Potter films will still be a draw to audiences - especially since the series is now over and we already know who lives, who dies and who ends up with whom in the end. It should be no surprise that the film makers dismiss the very idea that Harry Potter might start losing its appeal, right? I mean, they have the most to lose if it does. I can say with the utmost confidence; however, that the loss of appeal will never be an issue when it comes to Harry Potter. It just won't. Period. There is serious truth to what Yates said in the quote above, that the audience has grown up with these characters and that we have a special relationship with the material. For most of us, we literally grew up with these characters; Harry Potter has consumed a large chunk of my reading habit for over a decade now - it's my standard bar for all fictional literature, actually. The films simply add a visual component to this admiration, and the notion that we wouldn't go to the movie theatres to check these movies out - especially the final three - is ludicrous. Simply rubbish.

I wave my fist and yell "curses" to those in the media who keep feeding this foolish chatter. Such toss pots!

July 15, 2009!

2009-04-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

The release date for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has been moved again....but this time to an earlier day! The film will now be released on Wednesday, July 15th, instead of the previously scheduled July 17th date.

The Associated Press ran an article this morning with a quote from the Head of Distribution at Warner Brothers, Dan Fellman. He explains why they moved the date to two days earlier:

“That gives the movie a head-start on the weekend during what's shaping up as a highly competitive summer season for Hollywood, which has major franchise films opening virtually every week.

"Every day the kids are out of school in summer is just like an extra Saturday," Fellman said.

Well, I’m certainly not complaining. After already pushing the release back by nearly 8 months, every little bit counts. Each day where we don’t have to wait is a treasure. Just last night, after the news broke, I went to my computer so I could Twitter about the date change. I happen to have a Half Blood Prince countdown widget on my desktop and glanced over at it while I was working. I noticed the clock read “93 days,” but, in fact, it’s 91 days now…well, it’ll be 90 days by the time you read this! What a difference two days makes! It really does people! Woo hoo!

Oh, and you know what else I'm not complaining about? A new Half Blood Prince movie trailer that is scheduled to be released TOMORROW, April 16, at 8:00pm CST, that's what! So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and be ready to hit that refresh button :-)

100 Days

2009-04-07T09:26:00.001-07:00

100 days. That's all that stands between us and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

I often find that the final 100 days leading up to anything is a fleeting block of time. It goes by faster that you can say "Quidditch!" In these final months, we are bound to get more photos, posters, sneak peeks, merchandise announcements, and, perhaps, a final trailer that will fill our time and feed our collective curiosity and excitement. (Those of us in Chicago get an extra treat - the Harry Potter Exhibition will be opening here on April 30th, and it will feature props from the upcoming film!). With the summer movie season about to start in a little less than a month (and soon, summer itself), the remaining time is bound to go by even faster ("Wolverine," anyone? "Angels and Demons," perhaps? What about "Terminator Salvation" or the new Johnny Depp flick?). Potter fans can also relish in the fact that the month leading up to the film will feature Half Blood Prince press junket festivities, which will include interviews, more behind the scenes footage, magazine and news stories, premieres, etc... oh my!

So, all in all, 100 days isn't so bad, right? It's certainly not as bad as how we felt after the postponement was announced last Fall. Alas, some of you may disagree, and think a 100 days is way to long and absolutely unbearable. Well, as you ponder this seemingly endless wait for the film, enjoy the most recent Half Blood Prince trailer and the Warner Brothers "First Look" at the film. Others can enjoy these videos as well, I suppose!

Mischief Managed!

Harry Potter Makes All-Time Coolest Heroes List

2009-03-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Entertainment Weekly has published a list of "20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture" and Harry Potter comes in at #4:

WHY HIM: Orphaned, cast out, and in the throes of adolescent hormonal revolt, J.K. Rowling's boy wizard (played by Daniel Radcliffe on screen) is the embodiment of the corny bumper sticker: Why be normal?

MOST HEROIC MOVE: Obliterating Voldemort by deploying his secret weapons: love, loyalty, and the good ol' Expelliarmus.

BIGGEST WEAKNESS: Misses his mommy and daddy.

See the full list right here.

All I can say to that is...Duh!

Where's the Scar?

2009-03-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Another day, another picture. Two new movie stills of Dan Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince have emerged, these from Nick Magazine.

These are great photos, yes. But, my one and only problem with these and the other Dan Radcliffe photos? Where is Harry's scar? These pictures aren't the only ones where the scar simply doesn't appear or is conveniently unnoticeable under his tousled hair. What's the issue here? Is this a calculated decision or are they just forgetting it when Dan sits down in hair and make-up? How hard is it to paint a scar on a forehead? Really?! It's a part of Harry's character and signifies an incredibly important connection between him and the Dark Lord - the same connection that is the foundation of the final books in the series.

Seriously Warner Brothers! What's with not having the scar?! Come on!

New 'HBP' Tee Available at Hottopic!

2009-03-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

For all you shoppers out there - Hottopic has an awesome new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince t-shirt available. This shirt features a photo of Dan Radcliffe as Harry, as seen on the official posters that were released last month. Check it out on their website - http://tinyurl.com/d9kxgx.

I want one. It’s as simple as that.

Ford Anglia Arrives in Chicago!

2009-03-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

The first artifact in Harry Potter: The Exhibition has arrived! The "Flying Ford Anglia,” seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has arrived for display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. In addition to the car, the exhibit will feature over 200 costumes, artifacts and props from the Harry Potter films. The world premiere of Harry Potter: The Exhibition is on April 30, 2009 at MSI.

You can see a photo of the Ford Anglia arriving in Chicago in the photo gallery of the Official Harry Potter widget, available at http://widgets.warnerbros.com/harrypotter.

New 'HBP' Photos Emerge

2009-03-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

New promotional photos for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince have surfaced online. All of them bear the official Warner Brother 'HB6' logo, which leads me to believe that they are indeed authentic. Photos include: Harry, Draco, Ginny, and the teenage Tom Riddle. Enjoy!

Your Questions Answered

2009-03-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

By now, all of you have had a chance to view the new Half Blood Prince trailer that was released last week. If you have not (shame on you!), I posted the video in a previous post below – check it out!

I’ve been asked to address two questions about the trailer from some of my wizard friends, so here it goes. First, “What is the young Tom trying to get from the burning fire? Is that a book?”

This particular question is in reference to the clip 23 seconds into the trailer. The young Tom Riddle opens the door to something with burning surroundings. I believe this scene takes place in one of Dumbledore’s memories – the one where he visits Tom at the orphanage. As you probably remember from the book, Tom is suspicious of Dumbledore until he tells him that he’s from Hogwarts, a school of magic. Tom demands that Dumbledore prove himself, and that is when Dumbledore sets Tom’s wardrobe on fire. Once convinced, Dumbledore puts out the fire and asks Tom to retrieve a box inside his wardrobe full of things Tom has stolen from his fellow orphans. Dumbledore demands that he return all the items before enrolling at Hogwarts.

This scene in the trailer, therefore, is probably the part where Tom goes to retrieve the box. In the film, they’ve tweaked the sequence a bit; here, the fire seems to be roaring as Tom opens the wardrobe door. Personally, I like that they kept the fire going; it’s quite symbolic to show the entire wardrobe on fire except for the box. Tom enjoyed collecting trophies of his destructive behavior, and that habit is one of many traits that ultimately makes him the most dark wizard of all time. It’s understandable then that these tainted objects aren’t susceptible to any normal conditions; they can’t be destroyed by a magically conjured fire alone, but rather, require more powerful magic in order to be confronted.

Now to the second question…

“In the beginning of the trailer, is that Harry who falls in the lake? What are the balls of fire hitting?” This sequence is 27 seconds into the trailer.

I had questions about this scene when I first saw the trailer as well, and it wasn’t until I froze it and watched it frame by frame did I finally figure it out. To the first part of the question, yes, it is Harry who falls into the lake. This is a departure from the book; I don’t remember Harry ever falling into the lake during "The Cave" chapter. So, in the interest of staying in line with the text, I didn’t think it was Harry at first. I actually thought it might have been Regulus who fell in, and that perhaps they made Kreacher’s tale from the seventh book into a memory for this movie, thereby enabling them to cut a scene from the final movie. That would be quite a stretch, however, and not faithful to the text at all, so I’m going to stick to it being Harry.

The second part of the question is in reference to the underwater shot 29 seconds into the trailer. You can see bolts of fire coming across the lake, which I think is the result of Dumbledore conjuring up the fire to ward off the Inferi. The fire is hitting what looks like an underground mountain or an enormous pile of rocks. But, in fact, what they are are piles and piles of dead bodies. If you freeze this shot you will see skeletal-like remains piled high! *gasp* I know!!

We know that even the Dark Lord’s most loyal supporters were expendable to him. Consider Regulus Black for instance. The inferi at the lake were a part of Voldemort’s spell to protect his horcrux, so perhaps he used the bodies of those he killed as the inferi? Snape did mention (in one of his Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons, I believe) that inferi were a part of Voldemort’s army in the first war. In a sick way, this lake probably acts as “storage” for some of Voldemort's fallen Death Eaters. There not all bodies of those that Voldemort destroyed, but I'm sure he used many of them to protect the locket. It's quite a beautiful shot…disturbing, yes, but beautiful.

So, those are my thoughts. Take them for what they're worth. Until next time, mischief managed!

First Photos of Dan Radcliffe Filming "Deathly Hallows"

2009-03-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Potter fans saw the first photo of Daniel Radcliffe filming on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Today, Oclumencia has obtained several more photos of Dan filming a forest scene. I have posted a few of the photos here, but all of them can be seen on Oclumencia’s website.

Though the location of the filming along with the nature of the nature of the shoot are unknown, it is quite evident from these pictures that a forest scene is being filmed. Knowing the Deathly Hallows text, we can venture to guess that they are filming either the Silver Doe scene or Harry's march into the forest at the end of the book. In my personal opinion, I think it's the Silver Doe scene. There is a mystic feel to these pictures, accented by the glow and the fog of the forest. You get the sense that he sees something in the distance as well and is walking towards it. Dan's disheveled look makes it seem like he's been in search of the horcruxes for a while and has been away from home for weeks. It also seems like he has a wand in hand, which he did not have in "The Forest Again" sequence. Also, if they were going to be filming that scene, I would assume more actors would need to have undergone filming, including principals, such as Ralph Finnes (Voldemort) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black).

Anyway, enjoy the photos!

Filming began on Deathly Hallows last month and it will take 54 weeks to complete both parts of the film. So, I'm sure there will be plenty of new photos from the set in the year ahead!

New "Half Blood Prince" Trailer!

2009-03-05T09:08:00.000-08:00

An HUGE unexpected surprise! Warner Brothers has released another theatrical trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It is not available on the film's official site yet; however, you may view it and download it at both The Leaky Cauldron fan site (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/) and the MuggleNet fan site (http://www.mugglenet.com/). I've also downloaded a copy of it for myself and have posted it for you below.

The new trailer includes much of the same footage we have already seen in previous trailers and first look pieces. The theme of the trailer, however, is a bit different and more focused than the last theatrical trailer that was released. In this one, Dumbledore is narrating the story of Tom Riddle. It's has a much darker tone, a bit like the first teaser trailer that was released last Fall. We see glimpses of the young Voldemort and new scenes from the cave where Dumbledore and Harry go in search of the Dark Lord's horcrux. We also get a close-up shot of Narcissa Malfoy!

Enjoy!

July 15, 2011

2009-02-24T18:35:00.000-08:00

It has been confirmed.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II will be released in theaters on July 15, 2011. Warner Brothers has confirmed the date.

As my readers will recall, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is scheduled to hit theaters on November 19, 2010.

Mark your calendars everyone!

New "Half Blood Prince" Footage from Australia

2009-02-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

For those of you who were disappointed (me included!) by last night’s 8-second clip of the Half Blood Prince at the end of the Oscars, I have something a lot more exciting for you to check out this morning!

MSN Australia has what seems to be a “First Look” at the Half Blood Prince, which is currently being shown as a preview in Australian movie theaters. The two and a half minute clip includes amazing shots of the inferi in the cave, the Death Eaters attacking the Burrow, longer glimpses of Bellatrix, the Ron and Lavender romance, Hermione setting the birds on Ron, Hermione talking to Slughorn about the Felix Felicis and loads more. There are also new interviews with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, as well as from Potter producers David Heyman, David Barron and director David Yates.

Enjoy!

"Half Blood Prince" Clip From the Oscars

2009-02-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Potter fans had to wait until the VERY end of last night's Oscar ceremony to catch a clip of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The footage was part of a montage of upcoming films that aired during the award ceremony's ending credits. The clip was incredibly brief - about 8 seconds! - and didn't really feature anything we haven't seen before in the teaser and theatrical trailers that have already been released. Nonetheless, it was great to see the film featured at the Academy Awards. The excitement continues to build around one of the most anticipated films of the year!

MTV's 'Half Blood Prince' Footage Released Early!

2009-02-21T11:01:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful way to start the day! The footage from the MTV visit to the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie set is now available online!! I have posted the video below, but you can check out on YouTube via this link. The footage includes interviews the Trio - Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson - along with actress Jessie Cave, who plays Lavender Brown. The clip also features an interview with Director David Yates, who discusses the new scene that has been written just for the film - the Death Eater attack at the Burrow.

The footage is from MTV's Spoilers, which will air tonight at 7:00pm CST.

Enjoy!!

And...Here...We...Go!

2009-02-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Has anyone checked out Emma Watson's website recently? If you have, then you'll know that she begins filming her role as Hermione Granger for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows TODAY, February 19, 2009.

As you all know by now, the final (final!) novel will be released as a two part film: Part One is due November 19, 2010, and part two in May, 2011.

The Harry Potter movie season has officially begun! Onward we go!

A Weekend of Sneak Peeks!

2009-02-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday everyone! The weekend is almost here, and boy does it promise to be a big weekend here in the Potter fandom! As I mentioned last week, there will be a sneak peek at Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at this year’s Oscar ceremony, as part of a montage of upcoming films. But, before that, we get an extra treat! On Saturday night, MTV’s Spoilers will be airing an exclusive video of their visit to the set of Half Blood Prince. It will feature interviews with the Trio (Daniel, Rupert, and Emma) and director David Yates, along with behind-the-scenes footage from the film. Some interesting quotage from the article:

"Newcomer Jessie Cave — known better as Lavender Brown — regaled us about her unrehearsed kiss with budding stud Rupert Grint . And of course, there’s the important scene at the end on top of the Hogwarts castle ramparts."

MTV has posted the article on their blog. It also includes two new photos of Emma Watson and Rupert Grint behind the scenes. The first photo shows Emma receiving a costume fix; she’s sporting a really cute winter hat and coat for the scene. The second photo is of an adorable Ron standing in a crowd of people, also in an outdoor costume.

MTV will be airing the new footage this Saturday, February 21, at 7:00pm CST. And, don’t forget, the Oscars are on this Sunday at 7:00pm CST on ABC.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the Claymation!

2009-02-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter fans have another reason to rejoice!

It's no secret that Potter fans possess talent and creativity beyond words, and today those qualities are fully represented in the new claymation movie of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The full fan-made film, available on YouTube, runs over 4 hours and is in 26 parts. Part 1, posted below, begins with the dramatic scene at Malfoy Manor. I haven't had a chance to watch the film in its entirety yet; however, I have skimmed all 26 parts. It looks like the adventure in Gringotts, the touching moments at Shell Cottage, Snape and the Prince's Tale, the emotional forest scene, and the epic battle for Hogwarts have all been brought to life. This will definitely be entertaining for any Potter fan.

Here is the opening scene, which includes the links to the other parts. You can do a quick YouTube search to find them as well. Enjoy!

Harry Potter, Meet Oscar.

2009-02-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

The New York Times is reporting today that a brief clip from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be shown at the end of the Academy Awards on February 22nd as part of an upcoming movie montage. This announcement comes just weeks after Oscar organizers asked various movie studios to provide scenes from their upcoming movies for the big awards show this year - a first for the Oscar telecast. The NYT article states that Warner Brothers "will be showing footage from 'Sherlock Holmes,' directed by Guy Ritchie with Robert Downey Jr.; 'Terminator Salvation,' directed by McG with a temperamental Christian Bale; and 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' directed by David Yates with Daniel Radcliffe."

It is not yet known whether or not the Half Blood Prince clip will be from the trailers or other footage that has already been released, or whether this will be something new. I guess we will have to wait a little over a week to find out! The Oscars will air on Sunday, February 22nd on ABC beginning at 7pm CST.

I was planning on watching the Oscars anyway, as I do every year. But, news of a Half Blood Prince clip...well, that's just an extra treat now isn't it?

New Movie Posters!

2009-02-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

The first posters for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have now been officially released. Don't they look fantastic?! I can't seem to settle on which one is my favorite though. I'm leaning towards the one of Harry with a reflection of Dumbledore in his glasses. What about you?

Draco Malfoy

2009-01-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

Can I just take a moment to gush about Draco? Thanks.

In the Japanese trailer, and in the full length theatrical one, I noticed the quite disturbed Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) looking at himself in the mirror (pictured here). He is seemingly shaken up by the task the Dark Lord has entrusted him with. The many depths of his character are brought to life in the Half Blood Prince and I cannot wait to see it in the film!

Ever since the first movie, I've quite vehemently insisted that Tom Felton hasn't been given enough screen time. I certainly hope that changes in the final three installments. Draco plays a really important role in the final books, and so long as Tom Felton is committed to the character, Draco should be fully represented on screen. I mean, just look at him!! He knows he has been given a task by the Dark Lord, and does not want to disappoint him or his family, yet he is conflicted and scared in this scene. To balance this, however, we see throughout the film, a more determined and defiant Draco, committed to his task and unwilling to let anyone get in his way; we even see glimpses of evil and ruthlessness in his eyes. I suppose that's what makes a scene like this so powerful.

At either rate, I cannot wait! The entire focus on Draco - regardless of whether it is elaborate or minimal - will be great!

Snape and the "Shhh!"

2009-01-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

The new Japanese trailer for the Half Blood Prince shows us one of the more perplexing scenes from the upcoming movie, and it involves Professor Snape. In the scene, pictured here or at 1:38 in the trailer, we see Harry standing motionless, while Snape points his wand at him and gestures him to be quiet. The setting, however, is atop the Astronomy Tower (as determined by freeze framing the trailer and watching it over and over again incessantly). Those of us who have read the book know that this scene comes at a crucial, absolutely crucial, part of the storyline. Snape kills Dumbledore in this scene, but the act is written in a way that leaves the reader in the dark about whether Snape killed Dumbledore to save him or because he was working for the Dark Lord. This was the biggest cliffhanger of the sixth book (perhaps the entire series) – questioning whether Snape good or is he bad – and sets the tone for much of Deathly Hallows.

Okay, this is so frustrating!! Arg! By including this scene, the film essentially gives away a MAJOR plot point. Snape is not supposed to signal to Harry or to anyone else that he is on their side. Harry is not supposed to have a clue, any clue whatsoever, that Snape might be good – he, along with the readers, are supposed to figure that out in Deathly Hallows. Why would they include something so major in the film?! Why?

Where the producers of the film alive when everyone was debating the true nature of Snape’s character? Do they think the audience is stupid and that they won’t get it? Come on! We are not stupid! And, if it’s the non-readers that you are worried about, trust me, they aren’t stupid either! If anything, it will cause the audience to re-watch the sixth movie to see if we can better understand the situation with Snape. Or, after we watch Deathly Hallows, we will have a newfound appreciation for the Half Blood Prince film, just like readers did for the sixth book. Why are the producers afraid of leaving any kind of mystery at the end of these films? All five previous movies have proven that Warner Brothers will get people into theatres to watch the Potter films…and in incredibly large numbers, I might add. And, they will, without a doubt, come see Deathly Hallows if you leave this cliffhanger at the end of the 6th movie. If anything will attract criticism, it is ruining this major plot point. Warner Brothers, if you’re reading this, please cut this scene out! In the few months that you have left, please cut this part out!

Not Just Any Music Box...

2009-01-23T08:55:00.001-08:00

Just got a spankin' new music box earlier this week, another cherished addition to my collection of Harry Potter items. (A big thank you hug goes out to a particular guy-friend.)

A miniature revolving figure of Harry appears when the boxed is opened, and "Hedwig's Theme" plays when you wind the dial. Yes, that's right. Hedwig's Theme. One of the most recognizable movie themes in cinematic history and the foundation of all five of the Potter film scores since the series began. The box is exquisitely detailed, with absolutely gorgeous decoration on the outside. A familiar image of Hogwarts drapes the inside lid of the box.

New "Half-Blood Prince" Trailer from Japan Now Online

2009-01-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Muggles! I have a treat for all of you today! The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer which is currently being aired in Japan is now online via YouTube. For your convenience, I’ve posted it below. This video does, however, contain Japanese subtitles and an announcer, but you’re still able to clearly hear new dialogue from all the characters, including Snape as he sneers “How grand it must be to be the chosen one.”

Check it out and enjoy!

Oh, what a year it’s been…

2008-12-28T17:02:00.000-08:00

As we approach the New Year, I found myself reflecting upon the quite busy year it has been for us in the Potter fandom. Between news of trials, splits, delays, and new projects, many stories made headlines and had us all talkin’. Among the many though are the following – my list of the Top 5 Harry Potter stories of 2008:

5. On April 25, Warner Brothers announced that Harry Potter: The Exhibition, "a state-of-the-art exhibition highlighting artifacts from the Warner Brothers films based on J.K. Rowling's beloved book series" would begin its global tour in Spring 2009. And, just a few weeks ago, we found out that the exhibit’s first stop will be in Chicago!! It is slated to open at the Museum of Science and Industry on April 30, 2009. (YEY for me since I live in the Chicago area!!)

4. JKR v. RDR court trial – In 2007, Warner Brothers and J. K. Rowling brought a copyright lawsuit against RDR Books, an independent publishing company. WB and JKR argued that RDR's attempt to publish a for profit version of “The Harry Potter Lexicon,” a free online guide to all things Harry Potter, constituted an infringement of their copyright and a violation of fair use. The trial was held this past Spring from April 14-17, during which JKR, RDR Books, and Steve Van Der Ark all testified in court. A number of reports and statements surfaced during this crucial week for the Potter fandom. In September, the court ruled in Rowling's favor, and publication of the book was blocked.

3. On March 12, after months of rumors, Warner Brothers officially announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be split into two separate films. It was later announced that Part 1 would be released in November 2010 and that Part 2 would be released in May 2011.
In a press release confirming the spilt, Warner Brothers said, “In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts.”

Producer David Heyman said, “Over ten years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films. The Deathly Hallows is so rich, the story so dense and there is so much that is resolved that after discussing it with Jo, we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice.”

2. On July 31st (Harry’s birthday, actually) it was announced that The Tales of Beedle the Bard would be published worldwide on December 4th, with all proceeds going to charity. Originally only to be read by the owners of the seven handwritten copies, JK Rowling decided to share the tales with the fans while benefiting a great charity at the same time. The new edition includes the Tales themselves, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, and with illustrations by JKR, along with notes by Professor Dumbledore, which “appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters’ Archive.”

As of December 9th, Beedle the Bard has become the fastest selling book of 2008, beating out all of the Twilight novels.

1. On August 14th, Warner Brothers announced that they would delay the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film until July 17th, 2009.

No other story in 2008 shocked Potter fans around the world as much as the announcement of the film delay. Many speculated over why the decision was made and it prompted sweeping campaigns encouraging Warner Brothers to reconsider their decision. In the end, however, fans were forced to wait. Instead of a full film, fans were given a flurry of production photos and three film trailers, including the official teaser and theatrical trailers. And, with about seven more months until the film’s release, many more teasers and leaks are likely to follow.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard Now Available!

2008-12-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

It’s here everyone, it’s finally here! For those of us who have been craving JK Rowling's magical touch since last year's Deathly Hallows, the wait is finally over: The Tales of Beedle the Bard is being released today!!

As any Potter-fan will tell you, this book played a key role in final book. Professor Dumbledore bequeathed this collection of fairy tales compiled by a 15th-century bard to Hermoine (who later provides us the translation of this work), with the hope that she would find it "entertaining and instructive". Later she reads out from it "The Tale of the Three Brothers", a fable about what happens to those who try to cheat Death.

This tale and four others - "The Wizard And The Hopping Pot", "Babbity Rabbitty And Her Cackling Stump" and "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" - are now brought together in this book. As an added bonus, the book contains the notes of Professor Dumbledore himself, whose annotations were found among his papers in the Hogwarts Archives.

I myself will be picking up my pre-ordered copy of the book today and will be diving into it as soon as I get it – I can’t wait! I have also ordered the special Collector’s Edition, available exclusively through Amazon.

I'll be back in the coming days with my full review and thoughts. Until then, keep twiddling those dials! Keep each other safe, keep faith…good day!

November 21: The Day 'Half Blood Prince' Almost Hit Theatres

2008-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

I remember it as if it were yesterday…

It was August 4th, 2006 when I first learned that the Half-Blood Prince film would be released on November 21st, 2008.

Two years and ten days after the original release date was announced, Warner Brothers decided that the film would be postponed until July 17th, 2009. Fans such as myself were absolutely devastated. We were not comforted at all by WB’s reasoning - that the delay was to ensure that their studio had a big film in Summer 2009, especially after the writer’s strike this past year derailed many film projects slated for 2009. Many speculated that since WB's The Dark Knight did so well this past summer, no additional profit from HBP would be needed this year. Instead, knowing that HBP would be a huge money-maker, they decided to reap the rewards next year and leave the fans without a film.

So, here we are today with a somewhat surreal realization that all of us would have been seeing Half-Blood Prince today had it not been for the delay. Luckily, Warner Brothers has given us a little gift: today's opening of Twilight includes the latest Half-Blood Prince trailer.

Ah, yes, Twilight…

I think what makes this whole thing even more painful is that Twilight is opening today because HBP is not, thereby allowing their fans to be in as much, if not more, of a craze than Potter fans would have been over their beloved film. Us Potter fans watch from afar as sadness takes over…

Anyway, as I was saying, we do have the new trailer, which, in my opinion, is the best one so far. Some of the scenes are from the previously leaked international trailer and the teaser trailer, but we do get quite a bit of new footage see some really exciting scenes (the bridge collapse, oh my gawd!!). Though it’s disappointing that we can’t see the film RIGHT NOW, the trailers have built an immense amount of anticipation inside the fandom that is just cringing with overwhelming excitement!!! The film looks absolutely amazing and, somehow, in the end, it'll have been worth the wait (I hope).

So, Potter fans, as you go about your day and think about how this could have been HBP day, delight in what we do have and watch the trailers again. For those who are willing to part with some cash, go check out Twilight just to watch the HBP trailer in all its glory.

Only 237 days left until it opens!

Brand New "Half Blood Prince" Trailer!

2008-11-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

Friends - There is another call to once again "hold on to your snitches" , as Warner Brothers has released a BRAND NEW Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer tonight! You will recall that a couple weeks ago a trailer was leaked onto the web and then yanked by WB, probably because that particular trailer was tied to the original release date of November 21st and, therefore, not meant to be seen. At either rate, tonight we have a new (and official) trailer! It will go live during the release of "Twilight," next Friday November 21st.

I will, of course, be offering my thoughts on the trailer in the coming days, but for now ENJOY!!!

Trailer Talk!

2008-10-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

Let's talk about the trailer everyone!! It's been a few days since it was leaked on to the web, and I'm sure by now most of you have had a chance to take a look at it. For some of us, more than once, I'm sure!! Since the leak, the trailer has been pulled off of the original website source - TrailerAddict.com - but you can still find a few versions on YouTube. Considering how many copies of it are on YouTube alone, I'm sure it will be a while before Warner Brothers gets to all of them.

Just a quick note before I start writing about my thoughts, MTV took a frame-by-frame look at the trailer and you can see their timeline here.

So, let's begin!

I thought the trailer was great - 1 minute and 33 seconds of unadulterated bliss! It included bits and pieces of everything I wanted to see, except for perhaps Weasley's Wizard Weezes - I would have loved to see a quick glimpse of that. But, considering the first trailer was dedicated entirely to the darkest part of the book - the life of Voldemort and exploring ways in which Harry will be required to destroy his enemy, this was definitely a nice change.

One of the two more dramatic parts of the trailer was indeed the cave scene. I have been wondering for some time how this scene would be filmed, especially since the readers of the book haven't seen any illustrated representation of it yet. I did read somewhere a while back that the filmmakers went to remote parts of England and Ireland's coasts to film this scene, but that didn't really provide a vivid picture of the scene in my mind. When we see it in the trailer though, you can tell that it totally fits. The cave looks really vast, yet extremely isolated, and you can see why Tom Riddle/Voldemort chose this spot to hid one of his Horcruxes.

Something that I liked about the cave scene is how the wall dissolves upon the touch of Dumbledore's hand. The special effects have really improved since the first movie and I'm really glad that it didn't come off as too unbelievable. You also get a quick glimpse of Dumbledore's injured hand here, which we haven't seen before. It definitely looks withered and scarred.

Then there is the ring of fire! How amazing does that look?! When I first read this in the book, I just picture a think ring of fire - rope-like almost. What we see here is far more grand and far more powerful. I love it!

The second part of the more dramatic parts of the trailer is the attack on the Burrow. This, as you know, is a scene that was added to the film and was not in book 6. You can tell from what we see in the trailer that this is going to be quite an incredible scene in the movie. It looks like an incredibly large attack, with nearly all the Death Eaters present. We get a better look at Greyback here too, who deflects a spell that Harry casts.

Let's see, what else...

I loved the apparition scene between Dumbledore and Harry - it looks fantastic! I also like the scenes with Draco. We haven't seen much of him in the last few movies, so it's nice to see more of Tom Felton here. We see him go into the Room of Requirement and practicing spells on the Vanishing Cabinet. We also see him put the Invisibility Cloak over Harry on the Hogwarts Express from the beginning of the book.

One of my favorite characters in the series is Ron and we see a lot of him in the trailer, which is great. I felt like he wasn't given much in the past few movies either, but he seems to be seeing a lot of action this time around. The most notable scene from the trailer is the big kiss between him and Lavender Brown, who many believe is actually Hermoine, in the Gryffindor Common Room. This is really interesting because in the book, a similar kiss happens between Harry and Ginny. We don't know how, or if, this scene will be filmed though.

Returning to more darker part of the trailer, we see a scene with Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and students in the Hogwarts courtyard. In it, we see Professor McGonagall conjure up lightening. It's a bit unclear how this scene fits into the movie and what part of the book it's from. Personally, I think it's a scene after Dumbledore's death - perhaps to get rid of the Dark Mark over Hogwarts?

Though the trailer was fantastic and we got to see so many snippets from the movie, perhaps my favorite part was at the end - the scene with Harry and Hermoine in the library joking around about being the "Chosen One." In the scene, we see Romilda Vane staring at Harry and him glancing back at her - definitely some flirting going on! Hermoine snaps him out of it and says, "She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the 'Chosen One,' " "But I am the Chosen One," Harry deadpans back, getting deservedly whacked on the head with a rolled-up copy of The Daily Prophet.

I love this scene because it brings a great sense of levity at the end of quick cuts and lightens up a dark and bleak picture of the wizarding world. It shows Harry and Hermoine being teenagers and joking around while there is an ongoing war outside, and even inside, Hogwarts. Though it is a funny part, it's certainly out of character for Harry; he has never boasted about being the Chosen One to anybody. Throughout the final books, at least after the return of Voldemort, Harry does become more worried and reserved, so it's nice to see something this light and carefree.

Well, that's all for my thoughts friends! Feel free to banter away about what you think!

NEW Teaser Trailer for 'Half Blood Prince'!

2008-10-26T17:49:00.001-07:00

Hold on to your snitches everyone, there is a BRAND NEW Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince teaser trailer tonight!

It includes many new scenes, including Harry's apparition with Dumbledore, various scenes with Professor Snape, Fenrir Greyback, Voldemort, Bellatrix, Draco, and the Orphanage. We finally see bits of the attack at the Burrow, Quidditch(!) and, most notably, dramatic footage in the Cave with Dumbledore and the ring of fire! On the lighter side, there is also new footage of Ron kissing Lavender Brown and a cute scene with Harry and Hermione.

One quick note - the end of the trailer says that the movie is coming “This Year” rather than “Summer 2009,” implying that the trailer was not ready for release; so, it is very possible that this trailer was leaked before Warner Brothers' planned on releasing it.

I will have more on this in the coming days - including my thoughts and commentary. For now, ENJOY MY FRIENDS!!!

Harry's Survival

2008-10-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

Recently, J.K. Rowling commented on her decision to not kill Harry off in the final book and why she decided instead to focus on Harry’s survival. Here is what she said:

"In many ways it would have been a neater ending to kill him. For sure, I knew that all along. I felt that the books' overriding message was that love is the most powerful force in this world. My model with Harry really was war veterans, who have seen horrors and are asked to go home and rebuild, and go back to ordinary life and care for a family, be a father - particularly be a father - [it is] a difficult job, in troubled times. I felt it would be a betrayal of my character if I did anything other than show him doing that. And I think it's an absolutely heroic thing to do, to go home after that, not to become a mercenary, not to live forever frozen in a time of excitement and danger, but to be mentally strong enough, to an extent physically strong enough, to return from war and to raise a new generation with values that you hope will not lead to another war. That's massive. Of course you can say, yes, to an extent, as ever in life, that's the eternal paradox. What's is most worthwhile may well be seen as slightly dull, but God knows without those people who were prepared to come home and raise the family and rebuild, help rebuild... rebuilding is much more difficult than destroying. So, I felt it was almost a cop-out, morally, to kill him. I wanted to show a man who, yeah, he went back and got his hands dirty and tried to rebuild. I liked that. And again, it made a lot of people were livid, but God knows by that time I was used to that by then!"

Two things that JKR says here are really interesting. First, that she models Harry’s survival after war veterans and, second, that she thinks killing Harry would have been a “cop-out,” when really, most fans thought it was cop-out not kill him.

The issue of Harry’s survival goes back to one of the fundamental truths at the center of this series and it has to do with choices. More specifically, that the right choices aren’t always the easiests ones to make. As Albus Dumbledore once put it, “We must all face the choice, between what is right and what is easy” (GOF). The easier choice for Harry, once he won the war and destroyed Voldemort would have been to not return to the same world that brought him such pain, fear, and loss. But, he does. He comes back and rebuilds his life. He begins a career at the Ministry of Magic where he attempts to reform the system that was once corrupted and monopolized by a few, i.e. Fudge, Umbridge, and Malfoy, and works for change at a rather calm and patient pace. He leaves the glory of the battlefield and proudly takes up the mundane tasks of a working wizard. Further, he becomes a husband and father, living to ensure that his family does not face the same pain and loss that he did as a child. He has dedicated his adult life to ensuring a wizarding world that is safe and bright for his children, and Hermonie and Ron’s children, to grow up in. Further, they all instill in their children the very traits they embodied in their past – courage, bravery, strength; the traits central to a true Gryffindor. In the end, however, his return to the magical world as a simple boy who grew up into a simple man was far more brave and courageous than what he so wonderfully accomplished in the war and that message is so incredibly beautiful.

Had Harry died at the end of Deathly Hallows, it would not have changed our fundamental belief and faith in his character. The way he faced Voldemort in the final chapter solidifies that; no one but him could have done what he did in those final moments. But, what would have killing him then really achieve? We saw what happened once he died – in Chapter 34. He dies, visits with Dumbeldore, and then returns, and, in that time, he mastered death. He became confident in his abilities and power, he had a clear vision of the mission and who he must destroy. There was no doubt whatsoever and he wasn’t afraid. More importantly, he knew what the right choice was at that very moment. He needed to face this death to know what he ultimately needed to do, not just to destroy Voldemort, but for him and his world to survive. This was his “final lesson” of sorts. So, in the end, what would killing him again accomplish?

Let's Play!

2008-10-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

OMG Everyone! Some great news to report today!

Just in time for the holiday season, two new Harry Potter board games have been introduced and are now available!!! First up, it's Harry Potter CLUE. In this game, dark magic has been conjured up at Hogwarts! A student has vanished and it's up to the player to solve the mysterious disappearance. Players get to portray Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville and try to discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used, and WHERE the student was attacked! Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery?!! You move around Hogwarts to make suggestions, but you have to be careful...there are wheels on the board that actually move to reveal secret passages, hidden staircases, and even the Dark Mark! When you think you've figured it out, you must go to Professor Dumbledore’s office to make your final accusation to win the game!! How marvelous!!!!

Equally enjoyable is the second game - Harry Potter Hogwarts Cup Challenge. This game allows 2-4 players to play as Harry, Ron, Hermione, or Neville in order to win the House Cup for Gryffindor. Players move their characters around the board encountering Adventure Cards and increasing their Knowledge, Skill and Honor. As the characters’ abilities grow, they face harder challenges based on the first five Harry Potter films.

Both of these games sound like great fun! Likely to keep any Harry Potter fan happy and entertained for hours and hours!!! Game on!

The One That Started It All

2008-09-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends!! After roughly a month-long hiatus, I am back to comment on the latest Harry Potter news and share my thoughts on the beloved series. The past month or so have been quite busy for Potter fans – the unveiling of a new movie trailer, new photos of the theme park, news of “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” companion book, and, of course, the monumental Warner Brothers’ bombshell – news that the sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, will be pushed to a summer 2009 release. Such highs and lows have exasperated the fandom indeed, but, rest assured, I’m back! Let the banter commence!

“I solemnly swear I am up to no good…”

Okay, so a couple weeks ago, I found out that Scholastic was planning on releasing copies of the Special 10th Anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone earlier than the original September 23rd release date. I jumped on this news right away since I was definitely planning on getting a copy for myself. I ordered a book at my local book store and picked it up a few days ago. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to journey back into Harry’s world one more time...this time, to where it all started.

When this book was first published in 1998, few would have predicted the unprecedented success it would enjoy. And now, 7 books later, we realize that everything that made the plot so mysterious and enjoyable was first introduced, though hardly fully explained, in this book.

We get the first ever glimpses of Hogwarts, Voldemort, Quidditch, Dumbledore, Severus Snape, the Forbidden Forest, the Invisibility Cloak, and a variety of other magical people and things that JK Rowling's magical confectionery of an imagination introduced to us. And then, there are the subtle plot hints dropped by the visionary and brilliant Rowling – things that, when reading, you may not necessarily pick up on, but are rather important in the other books. Who thought twice about Griphook and Hagrid's warning that no one ever break into Gringotts? Yet, it was a crucial point in Book 7. Plus, the fact Harry can talk to snakes is introduced here (with Dudley at the zoo), yet not referenced again until Book 2, and then not fully explained until Book 7. Or, the Invisibility Cloak, something which is first introduced in this novel, but you have no idea of its importance, or even that it has real significance, until Book 7. I mean, did you know it was one of the Deathly Hallows?

It has been great reliving this book so far. I have enjoyed nothing more than curling up with a few chocolate frogs, a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (“Alas! Ear wax!”), and this marvelous and enchanting tale.

Until next time...

The Most Amazing Piece of Home Decor I Have Ever Seen

2008-08-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Friends, I am so happy today!

My guyfriend just got me a Triwizard Cup lamp as a gift!! I couldn’t be more thrilled! The lamp is absolutely beautiful – it’s what any die hard Harry Potter fan wants to light up their room. The detail on this lamp is absolutely fantastic and it adds wonderful soft light to any room. I plan on showcasing this lamp every opportunity I get. It’s amazing and I love it!

Considering the bad news I got last week regarding the Half Blood Prince movie change, this really helps to make up for it. I can’t think of anything that could make how I feel right now even better…perhaps some Hogwarts express bookends (hint, hint)? The bookends would go great with all seven of my Harry Potter books and upcoming Tales of Beedle the Bard companion book, don't you think?

"Half Blood Prince" Pushed Back to Summer 2009

2008-08-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

Friends, I have some very sad news for you today..."Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," originally scheduled for a November 21 release, has now been moved to July 17, 2009 in the US and major international markets. Warner Brothers confirmed the move and the official film website has been changed to reflect the date.

The press release states two reasons for the move: First, the studio says summer releases are better for “family tentpole” events, and second, they are still feeling the aftereffects of the writers' strike and need the time to make sure the film reaches the widest audience possible.

The writers' strike "impacted the readiness of scripts for other films - changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move Half Blood Prince to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer."

The new date, said Jeff Robinov, president of WB's motion picture group, does not alter the production schedule for the last two Harry Potter films; filming on the first of the Deathly Hallows films will begin in February. "The good news for [fans]," he said, "is that the gap will now be shortened between 'Half Blood Prince' and the first part of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.'"

Friends, I am quite saddened and angered by this news – especially since the reasons for the move, those stated in WB’s press release, are hardly the main motivation for extending the films release by another year. It doesn’t take a great sorcerer to figure out that WB is only interested in the bottom line here. By moving "Half Blood Prince" to next year, it will prevent WB’s 2009 profits from looking seriously mediocre after the phenomenal success of another one of their studio’s movies, a little film called "The Dark Knight." In fact, a rival studio executive told Entertainment Weekly, "They don't need the money this year anymore. When a movie over-performs the way "The Dark Knight" has, you really don't need Harry Potter in the fall."

And every Potter fan knows that it’s not just a movie release – it is all the merchandising and market around the film. That is a whole lot of money folks! And they want 2009 to be dominated by that because there is no other competition (besides perhaps "Terminator: Salvation," also a WB movie). The movie executive quote earlier comments about this as well: “Turning a battleship that big isn't easy. You're not talking just about the movie, but all the merchandising, the toys and stuff. It's huge. And it has a domino effect across the rest of the summer slate."

And one more reason…another popular book series is launching their first feature film – "Twilight," which hits theatres this December. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" share MANY of the same fans. There is no reason for Potter film producers to want to risk their box office haul with a fellow series rival.

This is the kind of behavior that makes me hotter than a Hungarian Horntail!! Do they even think about the fans?! Do they?!!

As a final note, a bit of irony. This week, "Entertainment Weekly" will feature an early look at "Half Blood Prince," with the film gracing the cover of it’s Fall Preview issue hitting news stands today. EW and Warner Brothers share the same parent company, but, clearly, they do not share the important information.

Why Not Quidditch?

2008-08-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the Olympic spirit, I thought I would reflect a little bit about a sport that I whole heartedly believe should be added to the roster of sporting events in the summer games…QUIDDITCH!

One of the complaints often voiced by Olympics haters is that the sports played are too obscure and seem made up. Sure, LeBron James gets to play basketball in China, but who cares about team handball, modern pentathlon, and shooting? Is shooting even a sport? Come on people!

Why not Quidditch? It's the wizarding world's favorite sport, played in most successful book series of all time...duh! Think about it! The excitement! The terror! The broomsticks! The wizardry! Who wouldn’t watch world-class Quidditch players in action?

Okay, okay…Sure, a lack of magic might make this game a tough one to reenact in Beijing's Olympic Stadium, but land-bound Quidditch is already being played by numerous New England colleges (they even have an Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup!), and imagine if world-class athletes got in the game? As an added bonus, the U.S. would probably always take home to gold, seeing that we are the only nation with advanced jetpack technology.

Muggle Quidditch would be played quite similarly to what has been adopted by colleges in the U.S. The game involves a volleyball, playing the part of the Quaffle, that must be thrown through one of three hoops – hula-hoops perhaps? - posted on each end line of the pitch to earn points. Beaters on each team throw bludgers – imagine red rubber dodge balls - to distract members of the opposing team. And then there's the Snitch, who, if caught, is worth 50 points and automatically ends the game.

Also vital to the game are the Quidditch robes – rest assured that capes would be a required. And, as in the Potter books, a Quidditch match is no Quidditch match without the play-by-play announcing. So, only the best would be allowed to call the plays at Olympic-level Quidditch. Me, perhaps?

So, how simple is that? All you need are a few balls, some hoops, all star athletes and you’re on your way to create some magic for the whole world to enjoy. If the simplicity isn’t enough to convince the International Olympic Committee, than how about all the great teams we’ll get to cheer on? The Hungary Hungary Hippogriffs, the Wild Whizbangs, the Harrowing Hinkypunks, and the Whirling Wasps among the many others.

Let the games begin!

Magic at Work!

2008-08-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Have any of you taken a stroll around the site of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park recently? If so, then you will have noticed the new sign that has gone up on the grounds of the site declaring “Magic At Work.” This reaffirms that work is indeed underway on the theme park and all us Potter fans have quite a lot to look forward to! Can’t wait - I am so excited about this!!

New Potter Candy! Yummy!

2008-08-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a craving for some of Professor Slughorn's Crystallized Pineapple as mentioned in "Half-Blood Prince?" What about Peppermint Toads or Cockroach Clusters? I know I have!! Well now all of us can feed the crave, as there is news on some of the new candies being released this fall before the sixth Harry Potter movie is released. MTV has an article detailing some of the new treats we can expect, including Sugar Quills, Cinnamon Pixies, Peppermint Toads (there's different varieties of chocolate frogs — some are solid, others have rice krispies inside, i.e. a Crunch bar!), and the candied pineapple which is actual dried pineapple coated in sour candy. Other treats include Every-Flavor Chocolates - like Every Flavor Beans, except instead of being jelly beans, these are more like M&Ms, with flavors like grape, pear, coffee, and raspberry, among others. The article describes them as “a strange hybrid of M&Ms and Skittles.” Cockroach Clusters, Sugar Quills, Coconut Ice, Chocolate Wands, Floo Powder (There are 26 flavors in all, “from apple pie to root bear to lemonade, and they all come in little test tubes!”), as well as Dementor's Kisses and even Unicorn Droppings (basically sugar-frosted marbles of gummy candy.)

These offerings sound so DELICIOUS!! I will definitely be sure to have plenty on hand at my next Yule Ball or dinner/tea parties. They make great gifts too (hint, hint)! Another good idea would be to have taste test parties when all these candies are available. Look out, you may be getting an invite via owl post this fall!!

Read the MTV article at http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/11/move-over-twilight-chocolate-check-out-the-new-harry-potter-candy/.

'Tales of Beedle the Bard' Being Released to the Public!

2008-08-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

As any serious Harry Potter reader knows, July 31 was the boy wizard's birthday. To celebrate - and hot on the heels of the just-released trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling is making an extremely rare Potter work available to us – The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be available to the public this December in both a standard edition and a collector’s edition.

As you know, Jo originally handwrote and illustrated the Tales of Beedle the Bard as an extremely limited-edition set. When one of the only seven copies made was auctioned off for charity last December, Amazon made the winning bid of about $4 million. Though one of the conditions of auction was that the winner could not publish or reproduce the work, Amazon found a way to convince Jo to change her mind — by donating all net proceeds to a charity of her choice.

Of the release, Jo said, “There was understandable disappointment among Harry Potter fans when only one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was offered to the public last December. I am therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon, and with the blessing of all the wonderful people who own the other six original books, The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be widely available to all Harry Potter fans."

The new edition of the wizard fairy tales will include five stories — "Babbity Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump," "The Tale of the Three Brothers," "The Fountain of Fair Fortune," "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" and "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" — as "translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger," Jo said. The editions will also have commentary on each fairy tale as "notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive…Dumbledore's commentary on the 'Tales,' which was discovered among his papers after his death, includes some historical notes, personal reminiscences, and insights into that most mysterious branch of magic: wandlore," Jo notes. As a finishing touch, Jo has agree to write the book’s introduction.

A collector's edition from Amazon — limited to 100,000 copies (!!!)— will aim to replicate the look and feel of the original handmade copies, and will include 10 new illustrations by Jo that are not in the original or standard editions.

So, act fast muggles! If you are one of those dedicated Harry Potter fans, reserve your copy of the collector's edition today!

The Extra Scene

2008-07-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

With the teaser trailer for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince making its rounds on the web, many are starting to figure out what parts of the 6th book will make it into the film. What has many people buzzing, however, is a part of the film that was not in the book – it was an extra scene that was added to the film.

“What are you talking about, T.C.?”

The other day, my guy-friend asked me about a specific scene from the trailer. “You know that scene with Ginny being attacked?” he asked, “When was that in the book?”

Great question! It turns out that that particular scene was not in the book – it was added as an extra scene especially for the movie. The film’s producer, David Barron, confirmed that this extra scene will be an attack by Death Eaters on the Weasley’s burrow. In an interview with The Herald Sun this past February, Baron revealed details of the extra scene and reassured fans who were skeptical of the move that it was indeed good news.

So what was the reason for the addition? Barron says, “We don’t often have things that aren’t in the book. But this was brought in because Jo (Rowling) was able throughout the quite lengthy book to keep dropping little snippets of what was happening in the outside world - there’d be people reading newspapers and talking about how somebody’s parents had been killed or somebody had been withdrawn from school because their parents didn’t think it was safe. And we’re made aware that the Muggle world is also experiencing these disasters, but thinks they are disasters rather than the work of Voldemort. The book is peppered with those moments, but we couldn’t do that quite so easily in the film. So [the extra scene] comes in the middle of the film and it just reminds us the world is no longer a safe place. Even in what would normally be considered the safe haven of the Burrow, nobody’s safe. I think you’ll like it. It’s quite effective.”

I have mixed feelings about the situation. On one hand, I understand the concept of film adaptations and that certain aspects of this novel aren’t going to translate well into the film – that is simply the nature of any adaptation. So, as a result, things need to be added from time to time, and, truthfully, this particular quandary seems as good a candidate as any.

On the other hand, part of me is hotter than a Hungarian Horntail! Since the added scene is an attack on the Burrow by Death Eaters, it will almost certainly be a detriment to a similar scene – a much more powerful and important scene – at the beginning of Deathly Hallows, when the Burrow is actually attacked for the first time during Bill and Fleur’s wedding. That scene is crucial since the moments leading up to it provided readers with a lot of information about Dumbleldore and his past, and because it signals the Harry, Ron, and Hermoine's departure for the quest to destroy the horacruxes.

My inkling says that the wedding scene from book 7 may be cut from the final film as a result, and that is a huge disappointment. Not only was that scene filled with excitement and suspense, it is incredibly crucial to the story. Further, there has been much talk about recasting Fleur's character, yet no new actress has been brought on board. It may just be that the filmmakers have decided to cut out the character completely.

What do you think? Feel free to chime in!

Shot-by-Shot Analysis of HBP Trailer...For Us Die Hard Fans

2008-07-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

If you are like me, you were so wrapped up in giddy excitement over the new Half Blood Prince trailer that you didn't get a chance to notice what was shown until the fourth or fifth viewing. Well, to help you out, I have posted a handy shot-by-shot analysis that MTV put together below. Thanks to Fenrir36 for the tip!

0:07: An overhead shot of the Hogwarts Express, winding its way through the Northern English landscape. As for Harry himself, the appearance of the train signals to viewers that we're in familiar territory. Welcome back.

0:10: Snow falls over Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

0:12: Minerva McGonagall leads a group of students down a corridor at Hogwarts. The temptation is to say that the scene takes place at the end of term, prior to Dumbledore's funeral, but there are too many smiling faces in the crowd. Its placement in the trailer is nonetheless a shrewd one, however — another brief glimpse at familiarity and routine, signaling to viewers that another year of school has begun for young British witches and wizards.

0:14: A cabinet containing storied memories spins as Dumbledore is heard in voice-over: "What you are looking at are memories." What I am looking at is a vial in the upper-right frame labeled differently than all the others, with a symbol rather than the name "Thomas Marvolo Riddle." The sign of the Deathly Hallows? Close, but no cigar. The simple triangle is not bisected by a line nor surrounded by a circle. Still, one wonders what it does signal.

0:18: "In this case," Dumbledore continues, as we get a close-up of actor Michael Gambon, Harry in the background, "pertaining to one individual." Voldemort, of course.

0:21: Dumbledore's hand comes into frame, holding one memory. "This is perhaps the most important memory I have collected," he says to Harry. "I'd like you to see it."

0:27: We zoom through the Warner Bros. logo.

0:33: Harry dips his head into the Pensieve, and is transported through memory to ...

0:35: "A bustling, old-fashioned London street" as it says in the book (Page 263). Under heavy rain, Dumbledore makes his way toward Wool's Orphanage to inform young Tom Riddle that he is a wizard.

0:36: A zoom in on the orphanage, a cold, industrial building guarded by high brick fences and wrought-iron gates. A foreboding place from which there is no escape.

0:40: A title card reads "To Know the Future" as Ms. Cole, the headmistress of the orphanage, is heard in voice-over. "In all the years Tom's been here, he's never once had a visitor," she says as the image onscreen shifts to Ms. Cole leading Dumbledore up a winding staircase. Notice how the frame is slightly tilted, how the composition makes the staircases resemble something out of an Escher drawing. It's an subconscious clue that things aren't as they should be here, that we will quickly leave what we might metaphorically call "solid ground." There is an evil that lurks in these halls.

0:43: Our first glimpse at young Tom Riddle, the boy wizard who would grow up to be Voldemort. Surprisingly, I'm more interested here in Dumbledore, who is costumed differently than in the novel, where he was described as wearing "flamboyantly plum velvet."

0:46: A second title card completes the earlier sentence: "Return to the Past." Riddle is heard in voice-over: "You're a doctor, aren't you?" he asks. "Who are you?" One of the best scenes in the book gets featured front and center here, as Yates follows Rowling's lead in showcasing the Dumbledore/Voldemort battle of wills. As much as "Half-Blood Prince" is the story of Harry vs. He Who Shall Not Be Named, it's equally the story of Dumbledore vs. Riddle. Even as the older, wiser wizard, Dumbledore is drawn here into defending himself by the precocious monster.

0:58: "I'm different," Dumbledore says. "Prove it," responds Riddle. Instantly, his cabinet is set aflame. In the novel, of course, we learn that he was keeping stolen objects in there, a harbinger of his need to collect trophies.

1:00: Riddle begins his full confession to Dumbledore as Harry sprints through a field, desperately trying to outrun a presumed attacker. This is almost certainly during an added scene at the Burrow, previously discussed at length in our Movies Blog.

1:02: Our first glimpse of Fenrir Greyback, the feral werewolf who needs to feed even when not fully transformed.

1:04: Ginny Weasley in the field, wearing her pajamas.

1:06: "I can make bad things happen," Riddle continues as Ron Weasley lies stiff on the floor of Professor Slughorn's office, seemingly dead. It's not Riddle, of course, who poisons Ron with tainted wine, but Draco Malfoy (which comes to the same, really). It will take Harry's quick thinking and a handy bezoar to save him.

1:07: Dumbledore puts on the Gaunt's ring, an artifact simultaneously a Horcrux and a Hallow (the symbol of the Hallows is, in fact, visible on the emerald surface of the stone). This scene is not glimpsed in the novels until "Deathly Hallows." Dumbledore quickly recoils as a flash of old Voldemort is seen.

1:08: On an island in the middle of an underground lake, Dumbledore casts a fire spell, surrounding Harry and himself in a ring of flame and driving off the Inferi (animated corpses controlled by a Dark Wizard). This is immediately after drinking from Voldemort's Horcrux potion, which has made him relive his very worst memory ever.

1:12: "I can speak to snakes too," Riddle finishes. Oddly, it is this pronouncement that seems to stop Dumbledore dead in his tracks. Parseltongue has long been associated with the dark arts, though, of course, there are those who have the power among the great and the good too. It's yet another departure from the novel.

1:18: Several more shots of Voldemort.

1:22: "Hedwig's Theme," yet another familiar cue, this time musical, closes the trailer as the title of the film comes onscreen. A final snippet of conversation between Dumbledore and Harry, taken straight from the book, is heard.

Happy Birthday Harry!

2008-07-30T06:51:00.001-07:00

Join me in wishing Harry a very happy birthday today!

To send him a personal greeting, you can visit Scholastic's website at http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/activities/birthday/.

I should also note that today is J.K. Rowling's birthday, so we send her our heartfelt wishes as well.

It's Here! The "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" Movie Trailer!

2008-07-29T10:09:00.001-07:00

Here it is friends, what we have all been waiting for...the official teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!

Initial thoughts everyone?

Did anyone else think that was a little creepy or what?! There was not a lot shown of Harry, or any of our other favorite characters - Ron or Hermoine - or even other pivotal characters from this book - Draco and Snape, for example. We did, however, get our first look at Tom Riddle as the young Voldemort, and it's clear we are heading in a very dark direction. It's a different trailer, I think, than we all expected - most notably absent was the usual montage shots with the music building in the background. (That's not to say we won't get all that in the next trailer!) I definitely love what they did here - very dark, very ominous...I love it! This shall be a "flighty temptress adventure," indeed.

The summer movie season officially belongs to The Dark Knight, but the fall movie season is still up for grabs, and, after seeing this sneak peak, I definitely believe Half-Blood Prince will reign at the top for fall box office (move over Twilight!).

More analysis to come my friends! For now, just enjoy! Feel free, however, to let me know what your thoughts are!

Not much longer now...

2008-07-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Friends, we are just hours away from the release of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie trailer. As a treat, USA Today provided fans with an exclusive look inside the trailer and released two new photos from the film, as seen here.

The first, and perhaps the most intriguing released photo to date, is one of young Voldemort. The Dark Lord is played by Ralph Fiennes, who appeared in Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix, will not be appearing in the 6th film. His 11-year-old incarnation, on the other hand, will. He is played by 10 year-old Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, the actor’s nephew. I must say, from the picture, the young Voldemort possess the same intensity as the Dark Lord he grows up to be.

Director David Yates says that the fact Hero is related to Ralph Fiennes wasn’t the primary reason for casting him: “It was an advantage that he looked very similar to Ralph. Of course that was useful. But primarily I went for Hero because of this wonderful haunted quality that seemed to bring Tom Riddle alive on-screen for us…Even at a very young age, Tom Riddle shows tendencies toward cruelty and maliciousness. And it's a very unsettling thing to see."

The scene in this photo is quite obvious – it must be when Dumbledore arrives at the orphanage to meet Tom for the first time. As seen in the back ground, Dumbledore appears quite younger than we know him to be in Harry Potter’s time.

The second photo released provides a glimpse into the part of the film I am looking most forward to: the journey into the cave. As we all know, Dumbledore and Harry have gone into the cave in search of one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. The cave is filled with dark magic and they are attacked by Inferi – that is when Dumbledore creates a firestorm to fend them. Of the scene, Yates says, “It's almost a biblical image. He's a bit like Charlton Heston when he parts the Red Sea.”

Indeed!

So, there was a quick fix to get you through the day...the trailer will be released tonight at 8:00pm CST. As stated by one of our other friends in the Potter fandom, "Get ready everyone. The surge of Half Blood Prince media is about to begin!"

Until then, keep twiddling those dials! Keep each other safe, keep faith…good day!

Wish Harry Potter a Happy Birthday!

2008-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Scholastic’s Harry Potter website was updated today to mark the upcoming July 31st birthday of the boy who lived. This new feature allows you to write a special birthday message to Harry for all to see. Be sure to pass along your birthday greetings to our beloved friend, Harry Potter, at

http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/activities/birthday/

While you are on the site, you can check out all the other games, quizzes, and many more other fun activities. I have let hours go by while on this site – it’s so much fun!!

Harry Potter Stars Attend London Premiere of "The Dark Knight"

2008-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

The starts were out, the crowds were insane, and…I wish I was there!

The Dark Knight held its London premiere last night. Similarly to last week's world premiere in New York, the cast members, including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Aaron Eckhart, wore dark-colored outfits, tribute to the late Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker in the movie

Many of the Harry Potter stars were at the premiere. Here are photos of Tom Felton (Draco), Evanna Lynch (Luna), Matt Lewis (Neville), and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).

A Year Ago Today...

2008-07-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I actually meant “a year ago, yesterday…” Apologies my friends, for not writing this post earlier. As I was saying…

A year ago today, most of us were frantically, yet meticulously, reading, or re-reading, pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Some of us had waited 10 years for it! Though we were sad that the end was near, we were too excited to put the book down. We were anxious to find out Harry’s fate and to have all of our questions answered. When it was over, however, Harry’s end meant something different for all of us – his fans and his friends.

A lot has happened over the course of this past year, despite what many uttered would be the end of the Potter fandom – that with the final book released, all of the fans would have nothing more to say. We have proved them wrong my friends! “We’ve discovered that the fear was unfounded – we’ve grown, not outgrown,” as was recently proclaimed by our friends on another Potter website. We’re still discussing, arguing, and enjoying! We still have plenty to talk about and to discover – a Harry Potter theme park, three (!) movies, new merchandise, and who knows what else is on the way; perhaps JK Rowling has more in store for us. Though some in the fandom have moved on to other things, other series, other interests, Harry Potter still has a special place in all of our hearts, especially for those of us who are just as immersed as we always were.

For today’s segment of Butterbeer Banter, feel free, if you wish, to reflect upon your Deathly Hallows experience.

In the meantime, keep twiddling those dials, the next password will be Witherwings.

Another "Half Blood Prince" Production Photo Released

2008-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Good day muggles!

With the most anticipated film of the summer – The Dark Knight – out and reigning over the box office, we can once again go about speculating as to when the teaser or full length trailer of the Half Blood Prince will be released. Moviegoers to the IMAX release of The Dark Knight caught a glimpse of the 25 second mini-trailer, but we all know that ain’t enough!!!

Harry Potter fans did get a bit lucky over the weekend with the release of a new image from the sixth film, which shows Harry and Professor Slughorn in Potions class.

So, what does the image tell us?

Glad you ask! Well, the photo is certainly from very early in the film, the first day of Potions class, in fact. It’s when Harry wins a small amount of Felix Felicis in a contest started by Professor Slughorn. I can say this with much certainly, because, quite frankly, it’s the only thing that it could possibly be. It can’t be Slughorn’s memory because that scene takes place at Hagrid’s cabin. It can’t be an antidote for Ron because Harry wouldn’t be as friendly-looking, or in his robes, or holding his potions book. Also, did anyone notice that the vial isn’t the same “golden” color it was in the book?

I mentioned the potions book…for those who may have forgotten (don’t know why though!), it’s the book first owned by the Half-Blood Prince himself, and given to Harry on the first day of Potions class. Notice its torn covers, its worn, beat up look – another clue that this takes place early in the film, because Harry hasn’t had time to replace the binding yet.

Alas, we find ourselves waiting again...for another photo...or for the much-awaited movie trailer! In the meantime, keep twiddling those dials. The next password will be Fire Whisky!

New Mini-Trailer for Half Blood Prince!

2008-07-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

Howdy Muggles! I have the Half Blood Prince mini-trailer to share with you...all 25 seconds of it!

The new trailer shows us nothing from the film, but rather, provides a voice over audio clip of Dumbledore. Rumors of this trailer being released with The Dark Knight have been circulating for about 2 weeks now, and they held true; it is indeed a mini-preview of the IMAX release of Half Blood Prince.

So, we continue to wait for a longer teaser trailer or a full length theatrical trailer. Rumor has it that it may appear with either the new Star Wars film next month or the third installment of The Mummy due out at the end of July. For now, I would definitely keep this in the rumor category, as I have yet to hear of any confirmation by Warner Brothers. My guess is that they are going to skip the teaser trailer entirely at this point, since we are about 4 months out before the release of the film. They will probably release a longer trailer whenever they do.

In the meantime, enjoy this trailer. I admit, it doesn't provide the Potter fix we are all itching for, but the it gives you the same goosebumps and lump in the throat that longer ones do.

Exclusive First Look at Half Blood Prince

2008-07-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello muggles!

This past 4th of July weekend had a different set of fireworks in the Potter fandom…a whole new set of photos from the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half Blood prince film. USA Today provided fans with an exclusive first look at the film and featured six new photos. You can check out the full article and the view the photos at http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-07-02-potter-first-look_N.htm

Also released over the weekend, is the photo posted here of Luna Lovegood in her Spectrespecs. I love this photo! OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for this movie to come out!

For the time being, I would suggest that my readers to check out all the newly released photos via the link provided above. I will soon post the pictures by their individual links for easier access.

In the meantime, keep twiddling those dials. The next password will be gurdyroot!

The First Comment

2008-06-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

Forgive me, but I must vent…

This morning, I received a message in my Inbox. The subject line stated that someone – for the sake of privacy, let’s call him He Who Must Not Be Named – commented on my latest blog entry, “The Prequel.” How excited I was that someone finally noticed and commented on my blog. After all, I have been working on making MuggleGuide the go-to place for all things Harry Potter. It is a place for me to communicate to fellow Potter lovers my deep affection for the books, films, and all things Potter!

It was shocking, therefore, to discover that the person who commented on my blog didn’t do so in solidarity or support of my work, but to insult it and me, along with my fellow Harry Potter friends. Here is what he wrote:

"Get a life loser! harry potter sucks. plus dumbeldore’s so gay he loved harry. You people have no life LOSERS!!!!!!"

This type of rhetoric will not be tolerated. It is insulting, divisive, and prejudiced. (Further, this unnamed individual spelled the Greatest Sorcerer of All Time - Dumbledore's - name wrong. How dare you!) If Harry Potter has taught us anything, it has taught us morality, acceptance, kindness and friendship, and to act in accordance with one’s inherent good. He Who Must Not Be Named, you are an evil Death Eater and I condemn your comments!

I will not start a war.

Instead, I will encourage my fellow Potter lovers to come together and spread positive Potter messages. We shall call it Butterbeer Banter! It is for people like me, who are smitten with all things Harry Potter, to spread the love, using my blog as a portal. It’s simple – just post your positive comments to my stories! This way, comments made by He Who Must Not Be Named and other Death Eaters will be outnumbered and, eventually, vanquished from the Potter Fandom.

The Prequel

2008-06-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

The text of the Potter prequel features a police car and motorcycle chase involving Harry's father, James, and Sirius, and concludes with the teasing words "from the prequel I am not working on - but that was fun!"

Indeed, it was.

It was around 10:00am this morning, after reading the news that the Harry Potter prequel fetched $50,000 in a charity auction, that I realized what day it was – Wednesday June 11, 2008. Today was the day that the 800 word handwritten prequel would be released to the public on the web.

I frantically got to my computer and visited the Waterstones’ website. There it was…handwritten by J.K. Rowling herself…all 800 words of the prequel I so long to read in its entirety.

I began reading… “The speeding motorcycle took the sharp corner so fast in the darkness…”

It wasn’t long until I became totally immersed. Once again, I found myself in a world that felt so familiar, so welcoming, so adventurous…so magical. Every word so incredibly captivating, so imaginative, and amazingly thought provoking; I didn’t want it to end.

The story is set three years before Harry’s birth and features Sirius Black and James Potter – this information was release earlier this month on various Potter fan sites. The story opens with a youthful Sirius and James cornered by two policemen at the end of a high-speed motorbike chase. After a cheeky exchange with the policemen, the two teenage characters make their escape - using broomsticks, “drumsticks” and just a little bit of magic.

The story is simple and adventurous – with no new plot twists or a remote sign that the war with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is ongoing. Rowling wonderfully uses the space she has to communicate some of the most important underlying themes in her Potter novels – adventure, friendship, and imagination. These words, touched with the ambiance of Rowling’s magical world, are exactly what Potter fans needed after the passing of a year since the final Potter book. These 800 words are filled with bittersweet moments to reflect on the boy wizard that captured our hearts, constantly curious to learn more yet knowing that we will never know the entire story.

Harry Potter Prequel Sold for $48,000!

2008-06-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

This just in friends:

JK Rowling's handwritten prequel to the Harry Potter novels sold for 25,000 pounds - $48,910 -at a London charity auction last night. The buyer said he will use to raise more money for philanthropy.

And thanks to the magic of the Internet, you can read it for free on the Waterstone's website!

My commentary on the prequel shall follow soon! Stay tuned!

"It's gonna be a bumpy ride!"

JK Rowling Delivers Commencement Address at Harvard

2008-06-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Is it lame to still geek out whenever J.K. Rowling makes a public appearance? NO , IT’S NOT! Which is why I’m going to update you all on her Harvard Commencement speech, entitled “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination.” She was the university's fifth female Commencement speaker since 1950. At the June 5 ceremony, she talked about her greatest challenges and achievements: failure and imagination. Awww!

She didn’t give away any secrets on the level of last year’s surprising Dumbledore revelation - though she did riff about speaking “without any fear that I might inadvertently influence you to abandon promising careers in business, law or politics for the giddy delights of becoming a gay wizard”).

Her speech concentrated on two themes: failure and imagination.

She noted that she personally had “failed on an epic scale” nearly two decades ago and was thankful for her former lows because it set her free:

“My greatest fear had already been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

Jo also talked about her pre-Potter experiences working at Amnesty International’s headquarters in London, noting that those “choosing to live in narrow spaces can lead to a form of mental agoraphobia, and that brings its own terrors. I think the willfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid.. And those who choose not to empathize may enable real monsters.”

After speaking about the challenges, Jo celebrated the power of imagination to help right wrongs around the world.

"Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand without having experienced. They can imagine themselves in other peoples' places. We do not need magic to transform the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have power to imagine better."

The speech also contained one great tidbit of Potter trivia, when Ms. Rowling referred to her naming inspiration for Lord Voldemort’s loyal supporters:

“The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children’s godparents, the people to whom I’ve been able to turn in times of trouble, friends who have been kind enough not to sue me when I’ve used their names for Death Eaters.”

Jo’s speech was full of poise and humor. It was heartfelt and inspiring. I loved it! I wish for nothing more that Jo would have been my commencement speaker. She is amazing! I love her!!! And for all those stupid Harvard yuppies out there who thought they deserved someone “more prominent” as their commencement speakers, I have this to say:

STOP BEING A BUNCH OF MUGGLES AND GROW UP BEFORE I CURSE YOU!

Part 1 of her speech:

Part 2 of her speech:

More New Photos from "Half Blood Prince"

2008-06-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I posted a new photo from the Half Blood Prince movie, which, from an initial look, seemed like a shot from Slughorn's Christmas party.

Today, I have three more new photos to reveal! Well, perhaps two. One of them is an enlarged photo of a previously released picture of Harry standing in front of a chest or drawer. From this version, you can see potions in the background. Could this perhaps be the scene where he finds the Half Blood Prince's potions book?!

The second photo is of Snape looking at Draco as he walks away. Hmmm....

The final photo is of the trio - Harry, Ron, and Hermoine - sitting in a room, which looks like it could be Ron's room in the burrow. We know that an extra scene - one of an attack at the Burrow - has been added to this film, so perhaps this scene is a precursor to that scene?

Of note is that these photos are clearly marked as Warner Brother pictures and contain the proper Half Blood Prince logo.

Scholastic Announces 10th Anniversary Edition of Sorcerer's Stone

2008-05-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter books, announced last week that they are issuing a special 10th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone that will contain new material from J.K. Rowling. The details of what new material is included is still unknown.

As part of the anniversary edition, the book will also contain new artwork by Mary GrandPre, the artist for all of the Potter books. Ms. GrandPre recently did a great interview with Time Magazine, where she discussed this anniversary piece and illustrating the beloved Harry Potter series. She says that drawing for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was her favorite and she relished the opportunity to revisit Harry for the 10th anniversary edition saying, “It was really a nice opportunity. As Harry grew, I always wished I could go back and make a new piece for each book. So when the anniversary cover idea came up, I was really excited to do that. It’s like getting to do a new portrait of this old soul you really know.”

I for one am really looking forward to getting a copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition. Though Sorcerer's Stone doesn't rank at the top of my favorites of the seven books, I very much enjoyed it. I owe that first book so much, for it transported me into Harry's magical world for the very first time and took me on a 10 year journey that I will never forget.

Can't wait!

You can pre-order your book on Amazon today!

New Photo from "Half Blood Prince"

2008-05-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

It looks like a new photo from the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie has surfaced online tonight. The photo is of Professor Snape, Draco, and Filch at some kind of gathering, or party. My guess is that it is a scene from Slughorn's Christmas party, which will indeed be shown in the film. Half Blood Prince hits theaters on November 21st.

We are still waiting on the trailer!! Hurry already!

Trailer Woes

2008-05-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

For weeks the rumor mill was stirring over news that the much anticipated Half Blood Prince trailer would be in the Prince Caspian movie. Alas, it was not. All signs pointed that way after the week ended with no confirmation from Warner Brothers, not to mention the millions of fans who purchased tickets to see Prince Caspian on its first day of release, only to be disappointed because they couldn't catch the first glance of the new Harry Potter movie.

Many have began to speculate what summer movie, if any, will feature the movie trailer. The new Indiana Jones film, which hits theatres tomorrow, seems to be the obvious guess among Potter fans; however, I disagree. Trailers are usually paired with films that are similar to the movie being promoted. Though I can understand why many would guess the new Indy movie, it just doesn’t fit with the tone of Harry Potter. My guess is that it will be released with Kung Fu Panda on June 6. It is a great family film, which, after all, is the category that Harry Potter films reign over. Not only does the genre fit, but it is evident that Warner Brothers usually sticks to this type of marketing. If you remember, the Order of the Phoenix trailer was released with Happy Feet back in 2006.

Coincidentally, on the day the trailer was supposed to be released, a mysterious new photo emerged from the Half Blood Prince movie. (This is probably from the movie since Harry is shown wearing the same outfit he was in previously released photos). It is a photo of Harry looking into a drawer. How enigmatic?

What part of the movie is it in? Where is he? What is looking for? So many questions…and only one photo to answer it all! To bad we don’t have any more details, LIKE THE KIND THAT WOULD APPEAR IN A TRAILER!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I’m upset. I was really looking forward the trailer.

And I’m so sick of these photos being leaked! This photo says ABSOLUTELY nothing! Wow, he’s looking into a drawer! So what! It’s probably from a scene that’s going to get cut from the film anyway! I mean, it's great that we are getting shots of the new movie, but it's not enough. Just give us what we want! Release the trailer, please!!!!!

11.5", Holly, Gryffon Feather

2008-05-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what type of wand you would have? I certainly have. I recently became the master of a new wand, after an accident claimed my first one (all the Spellotape in the world couldn't have fixed it, really!). I’ve never felt completely settled with it, even this new one, as I have never been aware of its unique and defining characteristics. What type of wood is it? What is at its core?

My post today is meant to alleviate that problem. I have found a website online that figures out what type of wand you possess by simply answering a few questions. You can take the quiz at http://www.diagonalley.5u.com/ollivanders/index.html.

And drum roll please…

My wand is a 11.5'', Holly, Gryffon Feather - "Holly is the strongest of the protective woods. It is used to guard against evil in fact Holly means "holy". Holly wands excel at combat, defense, and protection spells. It is also useful in glamour's and warding. This wand tends to pick an owner who's brave and pure of heart, not to mention has a high intelligence. Holly's personality is Determined.

The gryffon originated in Greece, having the head and front legs of an eagle, but the hind quarters of a lion. Gryffon feathers are used in wands of wizards or witches who posses great strength whether physically, magically or emotionally. These wands are especially good for both offensive and defensive magic."

This would be a good time to note that Harry’s wand is made out of Holly, but, as we all know, he has a single phoenix feather in his 11” wand. Another bit of trivia for you – Harry’s wand is the ONLY wand made of Holly in the entire series that we know of. How cool is that?!

The only problem with this test is that it doesn’t calculate you’re wand’s flexibility as one of the six possibilities: Inflexible, Swishy, Springy, Pliable, Bendy, Supple. Knowing my wand, however, and after using it, I’m going to conclude its flexibility as “bendy.”

As Mr. Ollivander mentions in Deathly Hallows, “Wandlore is a complex and mysterious branch of magic." So, any insight we get on figuring out what type of wands we posses, through a simple quiz, is totally awesome and very much appreciated.

Go on, take the quiz and find out which wand has chosen you.