Harry Potter Mania

Three more months to go for the HP DVD release. It's not a long wait, isn't it?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceThe release date for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD is December 8th, according to DVD Times. As previously reported, the release will also contain the documentary J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life. Interviews to be included are “Close Up with the Cast,” “One Minute Drills,” and “What’s on Your Mind.” Deleted scenes include the following:


There will also be a featurette on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which will probably be similar to those shown during the web cast presentation that I attended.

The film is expected to be available on a 1-Disc DVD (Widescreen and Full Screen formats), 2-Disc Special Edition DVD (see the cover here) and a Blu-ray Combo (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Copy). No prices are shown at this time. As soon as pre-order is available, we’ll let you know.

September 01, 2009
Although getting a black eye during the filming of 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', the 20-year-old said he is happy for his first injury, and provided details on the accident.

A fight scene gone wrong during the filming of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" has given the series' leading man, Daniel Radcliffe, his first injury. In a recent interview with French magazine One, the 20-year-old actor admitted, "Until now nothing really bad happened to me, only a few scratches. But I'm happy because I finally got a big black eye during the shooting of Deathly Hallows."

This black eye apparently isn't the only injury Radcliffe suffered while filming the adaptation of the seventh book. Back in July while promoting "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", the actor who has played Harry Potter since the first movie opened up to "Live with Regis and Kelly" that he suffered a split lip when a stuntman hit a chair he was holding during "Deathly Hallows" shooting.

SPOILER WARNING! Here, comparison between the film and the book is criticized.

From source:

July 28, 11:17 AM
When a new Harry Potter film is released, comparisons between it and the book on which it is based on come out at a rapid pace. The most dominant of which are what the movie DID NOT include. While many fans and critics have given “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” positive reviews, it was not immune to this sort of criticism. Do the missing (or additional) scenes really matter? The following is a list of some of the material that was present in the book, but not in the film, and whether or not it truly affected the film.

1) There was no funeral for Dumbledore. In the novel, Centaurs and Merfolk all pay homage to the fallen wizard. In the prior novels, a relationship between Dumbledore and these creatures have been established, but not so in the films. The movie is currently just under three hours, and to tack on a funeral scene could push it over the three hour mark. There was no funeral, but all the students raised their wands to eliminate the dark mark hanging in the sky. The right music accompanies this scene. A funeral scene is rumored for the next film, but Dumbledore still got the send off he deserved in this one.

2) There were too few memories scenes regarding Voldemort’s past. In the novel, readers are treated to seeing Voldemort’s mother and family before he was even born. They go on to learn of his life right after Hogwarts up to applying for the position of Defense against the Dark Arts (and the curse that befell that position when Dumbledore turned him down). The film does provide movie audiences with the vital information they need to set up the next film with an exception. Harry does not learn of Valdemort’s obsession with certain treasures from the founders of Hogwarts. As far as he knows, a Horcrux can be ANYTHING. This issue will have to be addressed in the next film.

3) The Dursley’s were absent. They always provide some comic fun for the movies, but their presence was not needed to get this film moving.

4) Very little time was spent in the Weasley’s joke shop. It is established in the book that Harry provided the funds to Fred and George to open their joke shop. That does not happen in the movies. While any Harry Potter fan would love the film to spend more time in the famed joke shop, it would be time spent that is not needed for the film to work. The black smoke and love potions are introduced, and these are the only elements that are needed for the plot.

5) The new Minister of Magic is not introduced. Again, the introduction of Rufus Scrimgeour is not needed to move the plot of Harry Potter 6 forward.

6) Harry is not hiding under the invisibility cloak in the tower scene. Instead Harry is down one level looking up on the action as Dumbledore ordered. He does not take any action to save Dumbledore when he is killed by Snape. The scene unfolds showing Snape’s actions completely taking Harry by surprise. There was nothing he can do. How this hits Harry as far whatever guilt he may have will unfold in the next film.

7) There is no attack on Hogwarts and no battle between the Aurors and the Death Eaters. This turns out to be a major plot hole in the film. The reason why there was no battle, according to director David Yates, is that since there is a battle in the next film (Part TWO of the next film). They didn’t want to make viewers feel the series was repeating itself. That is all well and good; but, now Draco fixing the cabinet so the Death Eaters can invade the school makes no sense. His ONLY mission is the kill Dumbledore and, if he can’t, then Snape must, since he made the unbreakable bond. There doesn’t seem to be any reason why the Death Eaters have to be there. Could it be to make sure Draco carries out his mission? Perhaps, but it is a weak reason. David Yates left plot holes in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, his first feature film. This is the biggest one he leaves in this one.

8) The Death Eaters attack and destroy the Burrow, the home of the Weasley’s. Since book six does not have that many action sequences aside for the attack on Hogwarts, the filmmakers added this scene to help compensate. Since the scene does not appear in the book, the audience does not know what will happen; something the fans don’t get too much of in the films. The scene does provide a good level of excitement and helps solidify the pending relationship between Harry and Ginny. While it is not known, one can speculate that there will be no wedding scene in the next movie. Bill Weasley has never been introduced on screen, nor is there any mention of his pending nuptials. Since the Burrow have been destroyed, audiences do not need to expect an upcoming wedding.

9) The relationship between Harry and the Half-Blood Prince is diluted in the film. Harry has the positive relationship he has with Slughorn, in part due to the text book he possesses. Once he hurts Draco Malfoy, he has Ginny hide the book on him when they share their first kiss. When Harry is chasing after Snape and tries using the same spell on him that he used on Malfoy, it is then revealed that Snape is the prince. It is almost thrown in as an afterthought and certainly could have been brought about in a better way. What is also missing from that scene is how Snape is almost trying to teach Harry a lesson on how he must keep his mind closed or any wizard worth anything will know what spells he is about to cast.

10) Too much time was spent on the romance aspect of the film. While it is true that many of these scenes really let the actors flex some of their acting muscles in ways they have not been able to in the prior films, it’s worth it.

The list can go on and on (Harry learning he inherited Sirius home, apparition lessons), most of these are not needed to move the plot forward or can be addressed in the next film. One can also look at these films as a whole and ask if they work had the books never existed. For the most part, the film stands on its own quite well.

07:02 PM PT, Jul 22 2009

Special makeup designer Nick Dudman had to scramble to complete the look of the werewolf Death Eater Fenrir Greyback in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." "They didn't select [actor Dave Legeno] until quite late, and we didn't have a lot of time," Dudman explained. Luckily, this wasn't some two-bit indie production; this was a big-budget Warner Bros. blockbuster, with the resources to go with it. "We had about 10 people on just that one character," Dudman said. "We can take the time to pay attention to detail." For Greyback, Dudman's team spent seven months stockpiling a supply of multi-piece silicone makeup to be applied to the actor's head and chest, with each bit of goat hair individually punched into the makeup. "You can't use wig lace, because it will show," Dudman said. "It has to be done by hand." It took about 5 1/2 days to apply the hairs for one set of makeup that would be used for only one day of shooting. Dudman had no way around it. "The makeup removal process would always result in the silicone pieces being destroyed." -- Patrick Kevin Day

Posted By LEANNE ITALIE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted 3 hours ago

It's a modern little-kid rite of passage: luggingHarry Potterto and fro, begging for toy wands and Hogwarts birthday parties.

But the boy wizard is nearly grown and the love of magic he inspires in the very young is now tinged with pure evil, dripping with teen hormones.

Parents revel in their kindergartners and first-graders taking on the big books, their rousing playground games of Quidditch on improvised brooms and trick-or-treating with big round glasses and greasepaint thunderbolt scars.

Enthusiastic young readers and healthy imaginations? Of course.

But potentially frightening images deep into the book and movie franchise -- including the latest movie blockbuster Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince-- have parents trying to decide when, if ever, to pull the plug.

How young is too young now that bite-sized fans can't mature with Harry as his first wave of admirers did, as they dressed as their favourite characters waiting giddily outside bookstores and movie theatres year after year for J. K. Rowling and Hollywood to dole out Potter along a growing-up timeline they all shared?

Today, the life-and-death saga is out there in full -- in libraries and bookstores, on DVD and in the homes of friends, with the last book released in a frenzy in 2007. And the story is there in the love of many parents, too, including some who note that movie No. 6 was released last week with a PG rating, unlike the previous two marked PG- 13.

"As a librarian, the issue of young children andHarry Potteris a constant concern," said Paula Laurita in Athens, Ala. "Rowling intended for the first book to be for children nine-and 10-years-old. Naturally, as Harry aged so did the plots. In reality, books six and seven are young adult literature, not juvenile literature."

Canadian Sue Carkner in Ottawa has a dilemma with her nine-year-old daughter.

"After a few chapters of the second book, we realized she was having nightmares and stopped. We wouldn't let her see the movies at that point. We had to wait about six months for her sophistication level to catch up to her reading level," Carkner said.

July 22, 10:36 AM
by Karen Plumley

Parents may be wondering whether or not the new Harry Potter movie entitled, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is appropriate for their young children. A great way to spend a rainy New England afternoon would be to take the kiddos to the movies, and it sure has been raining an awful lot this summer. The truth is, the sixth installment of the very popular Harry Potter series (rated PG, a notch below its two predecessors which were both PG-13) tones down the frightening images and violence significantly.

Instead, the movie highlights the importance and poignancy of the bond between Harry and Dumbledore, and the blossoming relationships of its young main characters, providing the foundation and transition required for the adventure to move smoothly into its last two episodes. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two movies, due out in November 2010 and July 2011 respectively.

Harry Potter and the Raging Teenage Hormones

That being said, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince does focus on what many critics are calling the "raging teenage hormones" of its lead heroes, and there is plenty of "snogging" going on to insure that tween audiences everywhere break out into fits of the giggles. Generally, the kissing scenes tend toward the humorous and innocent, with one sentimental kiss between Harry and Ginny that may just make Twilight fans jealous.

Harry Potter and the Not-So-Bloody Violence

In general, younger children who have successfully read the books on their own will be fine with the latest Harry Potter film, and may even be slightly bored at the lack of action. The most violent and explosive battle scene occurring at the end of the book was completely left out, to the dismay of many Harry Potter fans (myself included), but concerned parents will probably be relieved by the omission.

The most disturbing scenes that did occur in the film were the following:

1. Katie Bell being cursed by a necklace (the most frightening sequence, in my opinion)
2. Draco Malfoy being the victim of a vicious curse performed by Harry (who was later horrified and showed remorse)
3. An exciting chase in the field behind the Burrow involving Harry, Ginny, Lupin, Tonks, Bellatrix, and the werewolf Fenrir Greyback (who was in human form, but still extremely ugly)
4. A trip into a cave where Dumbledore and Harry are hunting for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, and Harry endures a shocking hand grab by an Inferi
5. Ron getting poisoned by a tainted glass of wine (passes out and foams at the mouth)
6. The death of a beloved character (kids that read the book will expect this one)

Overall, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is very appropriate for most tweens and all teenagers, and probably will be fine for younger children who have already read the books independently. For parents who are disturbed by the thought of some of the scenes listed above, they may want to wait until their children are a little older. There's plenty of time, after all. This sure-to-be-a-classic tale of mystery, magic, and coming of age will exist to entertain youngsters and adults for many years to come. One must also remember that the Harry Potter literary series authored by J. K. Rowling has done more to revive a love of reading in upper elementary children (at which time reading for pleasure usually declines) than anything else in recent decades.

Whoa! This sounds amazing. While the talks about the big changes from the book to the movie are wide, here I go craving to see the movie. I haven't read the book so I'm not on the “OMG I can’t believe they changed so much from the book” moments. I'm ready to get my heart pumping on the movie climax and grab those popcorn. Yeah, let's go!

From source:

Posted: Sun., Jul. 19, 2009, 1:16pm PT
By DAVE MCNARY

Warner Bros. has joined Paramount in hitting the $1 billion mark in domestic grosses this year.

Studio made the announcement Sunday after "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" grossed $159.7 million in its first five days. Warners said that reaching the $1 billion mark in 192 days is a record for the studio.

Warners said it's hit the $1 billion domestic mark in 10 of the past 11 years and is the only studio to do so for nine consecutive years. The studio's "The Hangover" has become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever at the domestic box office, with more than $235 million, breaking a record held by "Beverly Hills Cop" for 25 years.

Let's see how well you know about Harry Potter. The questions are quite easy.

From source:

On Wednesday, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth of eight films in the series, was released. Test your knowledge of wizards and Muggles and Death Eaters.

1. J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series, which has sold more than 400 million copies in 67 languages. What year was the first book published?

a. 1980.
b. 1992.
c. 1997.
d. 2001.

2. The title of the first book was changed for its release in the United States. What was the original title?

a. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
b. Harry Potter and the Wizard's Stone.
c. Harry Potter and the Gall Stone.
d. Harry Potter and Fluffy, the Three-Headed Dog.

3. Name Harry's best friend at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

a. Don Weasley.
b. Ron Weasley.
c. Percy Weasley.
d. Fred Weasley.

4. True or false: In the Half-Blood Prince, Richard Harris returns in the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

5. Who plays Hermione Granger?

a. Emma Thompson.
b. Emma Samms.
c. Emma Holmes.
d. Emma Watson.

6. What is a Death Eater?

a. A guard at Azkaban prison.
b. Students' nickname for sinister potions teacher Severus Snape.
c. A follower of Harry's archenemy, Lord Voldemort.
d. A member of the student army Harry forms to fight Lord Voldemort.

7. Who is Bellatrix Lestrange?

a. A Dementor.
b. A Death Eater.
c. A Hogwarts professor.
d. A Hogwarts student.

8. True or false: Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, the onetime prisoner of Azkaban, returns in the sixth film to lead the fight against Voldemort.

9. As a boy, this character was known as Tom Marvolo Riddle.

a. Albus Dumbledore.
b. Sirius Black.
c. Severus Snape.
d. Lord Voldemort.

10. Who is the half-blood prince?

a. Harry Potter.
b. Albus Dumbledore.
c. Severus Snape.
d. Lord Voldemort.

ANSWERS

As a busy mom, well even during my younger days, I usually go for movies that sell. I see to it that the movie is worth watching. I would gladly opt to watch the 6th Harry Potter or even start again from the very first. Marathon, is it? I'm getting in on the mania!

From source:

Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:03pm EDT

LOS ANGELES, July 16 (Reuters) - The new Harry Potter movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" took in $104 million at worldwide box offices on its first full day of release, setting a record, the Warner Bros studio said on Thursday.

The movie, the sixth in the series based on the books by J.K. Rowling, grossed $45.85 million at the box office internationally and $58.18 in North America on Wednesday, Warner Bros said.

Those figures include a record $22.2 million at midnight showings in the United States.

"Quite simply, we owe this record-breaking opening to the remarkable fans who have stood by us and who stood in line to be among the first to see 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,'" Warner Bros President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn said in a statement.

A parents guide to select new movies:

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.

What it's about: The Hogwarts students cope with their junior year in school — with hormones and Death Eaters as their main worries.

The Kid Attractor Factor: Harry Potter and friends, beloved by a generation.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Of all the life lessons you learn, figuring out who you can trust is the most important.

Violence: Death and destruction, blood is spilled.

Language: A bit of coarse Brit-slang, mild stuff.

Sex: Quite a bit of "snogging" (kissing).

Drugs and alcohol: Butter beer is consumed in mass quantities.

Parents' advisory: It's a dark film that flirts with PG-13, but stays just this side of that line. Suitable for all ages.

From source:

July 14, 3:00 PM

When you line up for tickets to the latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, you can relax in the knowledge that in spite of any gory appearances to the contrary, no animals were hurt or killed during the actual production of the movie.

That's according to the American Humane Association's Film & TV Unit, whose Certified Animal Safety Representatives not only monitored the condition of the animals and birds who appeared in the movie, but actually instructed the actors and crew members on their proper handling.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned the Association's coveted "Outstanding" rating, which means that "Safety Representatives were on the set to ensure the safety of the animals throughout the production."

Is film number 6 really the best among the previous entries? Hmm.. Can't wait to find out.

Posted by Matthew Hay Brown at 11:26 AM

Harry Potter, long the bane of fundamentalist Christians, has won a rave review from the Vatican.

L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, has given the new film “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” four stars for promoting “friendship, altruism, loyalty and self-giving,” Catholic News Service reoprts.

The review in Tuesday’s edition marks an about-face for the newspaper, which 18 months ago called the boy wizard “the wrong model of a hero,” and charged author J.K. Rowling with transmitting “a vision of the world and the human being full of deep mistakes and dangerous suggestions, even more seductive since it is mixed with half-truths and compelling storytelling.”

Pope Benedict XVI himself, when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, warned of Potter’s “subtle seductions,” which he said “deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.

But the Vatican found much to appreciate in the sixth film in the series, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” which is due to open worldwide on Wednesday. (Translation from the Italian courtesy of the Catholic News Service)

Click here for full story:

July 14, 1:46 PM
by Erik Buckman

Online ticket sales for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have been huge. So huge, in fact, the latest chapter in the Harry Potter saga is outpacing the top-grossing movie of the summer, a little film entitled Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. According to Fandango, more than 1,000 showings of Harry Potter 6 have already sold-out and has become one of the fastest-selling films in the company's nine-year history. The movie currently represents 96% of total sales for the online ticket merchant.

The Vatican has given a nod of approval to the latest Harry Potter film, saying it made clear that good would triumph in a battle with evil.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince arrives in cinemas on Wednesday and is the sixth installment in the fantasy series about the boy wizard and his Hogwarts school friends.

The official newspaper of the Vatical City - which is ruled by the Pope - said it was the best adaptation yet of JK Rowling's hit novels.

L'Osservatore Romano said the film's treatment of adolescent love achieved the "correct balance" and made the story more credible to the general audience.

However, the paper criticised JK Rowling for failing to make any explicit "reference to the transcendent" in her books.

Nevertheless, L'Osservatore said the latest installment made clear that good should overcome evil - a fight that sometimes "requires costs and sacrifice".

"In addition, the fitful search for immortality epitomised by Voldemort is stigmatised," the review said.