Trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

Although I have watched every film in the series so far, I am admittedly not a die-hard Harry Potter fan. That said, the creepy trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has me pretty excited for the 6th installment.

In this clip, we see the young boy (Tom Riddle) who’ll eventually become the evil Lord Voldemort. Those thinking the young actor resembles Ralph Fiennes should know that it’s not just a result of good casting. Hero Fiennes-Tiffin is actually Ralph’s nephew.

Half-Blood Prince hits theaters on November 21 July 17.

Read More | USA Today

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Final Harry Potter Book Will Become Two Movies

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Upcoming Releases

Even though J.K. Rowling put an end to the Harry Potter series with last year’s final book, the characters will be guaranteed life until 2011.

Although the adaptation for the sixth story (Harry Potter and and the Half-Blood Prince) is still currently in production, plans for the seventh novel have already been announced.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will actually spawn two separate films.

Instead of sacrificing parts of the 784-page tome to accommodate one installment, Warner Bros. will be stretching the series out into the next decade.  (Think of it as their family-friendly version of Kill Bill.)

David Yates, the director behind Phoenix, will also be the one behind the last two chapters.  He is currently working on getting Prince finished in time for the November 21 release date.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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J.K. Rowling Writes Harry Potter Spinoff

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Family, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip

Despite several press conferences and comments that she would like to branch out into writing new things, J.K. Rowling has completed the first Harry Potter spinoff. So much for the integrity of writing.

The book – an illustrated collection of fairy stories – is The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and only seven copies will be printed. One will be auctioned for charity, the others given away as gifts. Rowling drew the illustrations in the book herself and provided the handwriting for five of its stories. The book is mentioned in Rowling’s last Harry novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Read More | CNN

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J.K. Rowling: ‘Dumbledore Is Gay’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Sequels, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Although author J.K. Rowling put the Harry Potter saga to rest this past July, she is still shocking devotees of the series with secrets to this day.  At a reading Friday night in New York’s Carnegie Hall, Rowling was asked if Albus Dumbledore finds true love.  She then revealed a juicy tidbit now ringing throughout the world:  “Dumbledore is gay”.

Those who have read between the lines may have suspected this all along.  Rowling equated Dumbledore’s affections for wizard Gellert Grindelwald as his ‘great tragedy’.  The Hogwarts Headmaster, devastated by Grindelwald’s attraction to the dark side, later went on to defeat his rival.

Confusion about Dumbledore’s sexuality preference almost became an issue in the upcoming big screen installment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Rowling made sure director David Yates remove a reference about Albus’ past loves from the adapted script.

Parents unfazed by the revealing news can bring their kids back to theaters in 2008 and 2010.

Read More | E! Online

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Hogwarts Gets a New Home

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels, Books

Okay, so the books are set in Britain. But that didn’t stop India from battling Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling for the right to build a life-sized replica of the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry in their country. The Delhi High Court threw out Rowling’s claim that the building would be a copyright infringement, giving builders the go-ahead on the huge project. The building, being constructed out of papier mache and bamboo, will become part of the biggest Hindu religious celebration in eastern India this month. Hogwarts’ exterior will be completely replicated, even featuring an imitation marble staircase and stone floor in the entrance hall, which will be lit by flaming torches.

Read More | Yahoo News

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Rowling’s Latest Book Project

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Celebrity Gossip

The famous Harry Potter author has been spotted in Scottish cafes working on a new novel. This time, Rowling is writing crime fiction – a detective novel. J. K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter in similar cafes, back when she was still struggling to make ends meet and get the bills paid. Today, she’s richer than Queen Elizabeth. Harry Potter books have sold more than 335 million copies worldwide and spawned a slew of successful movies. Last month, Rowling re-affirmed her plans to leave the Harry Potter saga as is, and continue with new, different stories. Rowling’s literary agent has yet to confirm plans for her newest book.

Read More | Yahoo News

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Box Office Breakdown:  It’s Super To Be Bad

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Books, Lists, New Releases

The Judd Apatow train is bound to hit a roadblock at some point—but for the time being, it’s full steam ahead.  Superbad opened impressively with over $30 million this weekend making it the third Apatow-related project in a row to accomplish this feat (the others being Talledega Nights and Knocked Up).  This is, of course, not taking into consideration the uber-sleeper hit The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Meanwhile, there was nothing super about Nicole Kidman’s latest outing.  The Invasion, the latest version The Body Snatchers, scared up a dismal $5.9 million (and that’s despite Daniel Craig’s hunky presence).  But I predict a much stronger outing for these two later this year with The Golden Compass.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  It’s Super To Be Bad

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Box Office Breakdown:  Audiences Not Yet Tuckered Out

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Music, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Pirates, Ocean’s, Bourne and now Rush Hour 3.  All six three-quels premiered directly at the top of the heap this summer.

Unfortunately, a six-year gap between the second and third Rush installments may have led to what some would consider slightly disappointing receipts.  On any other occasion, a $50 weekend would be something to brag about.  But considering it pales to the $67.4 million brought in by the 2001 predecessor, it’s only worth a pat on the back.

But really, the Disappointment of the Week honor should really fall on Cuba Gooding Jr.  When you’re accepting rejected scripts from the man who played Norbit, you have to wonder where it all went wrong (two words: Chill Factor).  Sadly, Daddy Day Camp was originally slated to be a straight-to-video release but somehow tested well enough to be released in theaters.  Who knows?  Maybe Gooding can pull a Halle and go straight-from-Oscar-to-Razzie.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  Audiences Not Yet Tuckered Out

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Box Office Breakdown:  Bourne Breaks Bank

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Family, Music, Musicals, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Matt Damon may still be vying for People magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ title—but he has one thing that George Clooney and Brad Pitt don’t have:  the biggest debut for an August opening ever.

The Bourne Ultimatum‘s $70 million take improved upon the previous Bourne installments and gave Damon his largest weekend to date (and that’s including all three Ocean’s movies).

Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan should be happy that she’s holed up in rehab again—though seeing her movie kicked out of the Top Ten would have probably sent her there anyway.  Apparently theatergoers can only handle one movie about Bratz at a time…

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Box Office Breakdown:  A Homerun For Homer

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Looks like Homer ain’t gonna be needing a deal on donuts anymore….

With a $74 million opening weekend, The Simpsons Movie debuted higher than most of the animated features released…ever.  Only the two Shrek sequels did better.  Quite a head-shaking number since we can still see the series for free on television.  But viewers from every single Springfield in the US—plus a thousand other cities out there—love the family so much, they were willing to pay for more.  Especially when it comes with nudity.

What theatergoers aren’t willing to pay for is more Lindsay Lohan.  I Know Who Killed Me placed a dismal 9th, possibly due to lack of promotional work by the star.  How ironic that in the end it was Lindsay who was responsible for killing the movie and possibly her career.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  A Homerun For Homer

Read More | Variety

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