257 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince DVD cover....


Pretty cool, IMO.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

I found a link from the BBC. It's just a thirty plus second video clip of Shell Cottage:

http://news.bbc.co.u...les/8042668.stm






Hey, has anyone else bought/listened to the audiobooks? I've heard that they're pretty good...

[Zorin Industries]

I have finally been able to see the HALF BLOOD PRINCE.

Oh dear. Time is running out for the Potter films to pull a rabbit from the hat and produce a cracking film, and sadly PART 6 is not it at all.

There are a variety of reasons why these Potter films do not work and HALF BLOOD PRINCE demonstrates them throughout. Brilliant flourishes and flashes of visual confidence start proceedings in London town but that scope and urgency is never matched until maybe the last ten minutes of the film. As ever these films stumble over themselves as soon as the always more interesting back story about VOLDEMORT comes into play. The flashback boys should not be better actors and more interesting characters than Potter / Radcliffe himself. But sadly they are - which is one of the series biggest flaws. Another one is that POTTER once again need not even be in the film. This is at least the third film in a row now where his character never once demonstrates he is the "Chosen One" and this great wizard. You barely see him even being a wizard let alone a landmark one. POTTER is never seen being resourceful, knowledgable, inventive or taking command. Radcliffe just autopilots his way through each and every audiobook-with-visuals scene. DUMBLEDORE may comment that POTTER has grown up, but it is a shame the writing and performances haven't. Emma Watson is on superb form as ever - i.e. she thinks rolling her eyes for the benefit of the Mums at the back of the school hall constitutes intuitive acting. She really comes across onscreen as an 'actor' who really thinks she is absolutely stunning. She ain't. Even the usually reliable Rupert Grint is looking a bit bored and honouring a contract he signed when he was 12.

The story of the film is still on 'Parked' and never shifts a gear from that. The amount of redundant scenes in HALF BLOOD PRINCE that do not further the story one bit is quite staggering. And if they do hold any significance we only hear about in the final reel as if MISS MARPLE herself has just returned from London with all the answers that were held off-story throughout. It is wrong that the first scene of consequence (the burning of the Weasleys home) comes after 90 minutes of near to nothing. HALF BLOOD PRINCE is shockingly devoid of narrative consequence. These are not just a badly stitched sequence of scenes for people who have read the book. These are evidence of a film series that has been treading water for three films now for cash cow reasons.

This sixth entry also holds that arrogant air that chooses not to explain vital elements because it assumes everyone knows the books. Well these are not the books. These are meant to be the films which SHOULD operate on a different plateau of storytelling and exposition altogether. For some reason these POTTER films have got themselves in a stale rut and stalemate that always sees the films - and HALF BLOOD PRINCE is no exception - hammock themselves with not explaining what went before and its relevance and assumes nothing else needs explaining at all as the next film will do that. Sorry but that is not good enough.

This is definitely one half baked ponce that potentially marks a new low for the increasingly stagnant series.

[DamnCoffee]

I found a link from the BBC. It's just a thirty plus second video clip of Shell Cottage:

http://news.bbc.co.u...les/8042668.stm

Well that was a waste of time.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

I just got another "tweet" saying that the Malfoy Manor scenes have just been shot.

http://mugglenet.com...full_story/2786

[DamnCoffee]

Interesting. Thanks for that.

According to the filmography on his agents website, Harry Melling is set to reprise his role as Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He will join Richard Griffiths, who plays Vernon Dursley, when the first of the two parts is released on the big screen later next year. As of yet we have received no confirmation that Fiona Shaw will join them as Petunia Dursley.

It's brilliant to hear that The Dursleys may be back!

[Tybre]

This sixth entry also holds that arrogant air that chooses not to explain vital elements because it assumes everyone knows the books. Well these are not the books. These are meant to be the films which SHOULD operate on a different plateau of storytelling and exposition altogether. For some reason these POTTER films have got themselves in a stale rut and stalemate that always sees the films - and HALF BLOOD PRINCE is no exception - hammock themselves with not explaining what went before and its relevance and assumes nothing else needs explaining at all as the next film will do that. Sorry but that is not good enough.

I don't remember Goblet all that well -- in fact there was a time when people were talking about Potter 6 and bringing up things from the film I was like, "Did I even see Goblet of Fire?" -- but I do certainly agree about the last two. Comparatively to 1-3, Yates' two outings do seem to assume one has read the books and gives you just the bare minimum of book-ness for those that haven't. I also think Yates is a bit of a meh director. I think his best work was on the opening of Order of the Phoenix -- from the first shot up until the neighbor lady shows up. I thought that was very well directed and everything else was just a bit so-so.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

Slightly off topic question: Has anyone heard anything about a Harry Potter theme park??? I swear I remember hearing something about it.
Second question: If the rumors are true, will you go???

[Tybre]

Slightly off topic question: Has anyone heard anything about a Harry Potter theme park??? I swear I remember hearing something about it.
Second question: If the rumors are true, will you go???

Haven't heard a thing but I wouldn't be surprised if it exists. Wouldn't go, myself. Hate amusement parks. Damn near everything involves heights. I'm an acrophobe. That's just asking for trouble.

[Zorin Industries]

Slightly off topic question: Has anyone heard anything about a Harry Potter theme park??? I swear I remember hearing something about it.
Second question: If the rumors are true, will you go???

Yes it's true.

It is going to be staffed by out of work sixth formers who cannot act and leave you standing for hours on end when nothing actually happens. It will also feature a JK Rowling biography experience where every dull and not very interesting detail of her life will be left in because she cannot bear to have anything left out. And throughout the over-designed "its meant to be dark and brooding" park will be speakers in the shape of owls piping uninteresting John Williams clone music...

However, rumours of a Richard Harris 'All You Can Drink' bar have been thrown out as scare mongering.

[HildebrandRarity]

[danslittlefinger]

Sorry I think I have the wrong thread.

[DamnCoffee]

I thought that was Gary Oldman!

[Mr. Blofeld]

Daniel Craig

IS

Mr. Monopoly!

[DamnCoffee]

OH MY GOD!


See Harry Potter as Never Before!
HARRY POTTER ULTIMATE EDITIONS
on BLU-RAY & DVD DECEMBER 8
The Sorcerer’s Stone & The Chamber of Secrets

Contain First Two Parts of Series’ Comprehensive New Documentary…
“Creating The World of Harry Potter”
48-page Photo Book Included along with Five Hours of Special Features; New Screen Tests and Intimate Cast & Filmmaker Stories about the Creation of Harry Potter’s World On Screen.

Burbank, Calif. September 17 , 2009 – Warner Home Video is creating a whole new way for muggles, wizards and Harry Potter fans to see the world’s # 1 film franchise.

Beginning December 8, the studio will release on Blu-ray and DVD the first two of eight Harry Potter Ultimate Editions. Each of the Ultimate Editions will include a new one-hour featurette that highlights a unique aspect of the filmmaking process and will be combined to make the complete 8-hour documentary, Creating the World of Harry Potter. Ultimate Editions include five hours of special features (one hour of which is the new featurette); theatrical and extended versions of the film; 48-page collectible photo book and other magical collectibles.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Ultimate Edition will have Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins, in which viewers get an inside, in-depth look at the planning, creativity, personalities and other elements that went into the initial creation of Harry’s screen world. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets contains Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters. Here fans get a first-hand look at the unique strengths of each of the films’ directors and what they brought to the principal characters in the Harry Potter film series. In addition, it will include clips of never-before-seen screen tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, giving fans a chance to see how the characters have been transformed over the past decade.

With newly produced featurettes, both extended cut and theatrical versions included, premium packaging and themed collectibles, plus a Digital Copy of the theatrical film, the Harry Potter Ultimate Editions are bound to be irresistible gifts for this holiday season. They will sell for $49.99 SRP on Blu-ray and $39.92 SRP on DVD.

The Blu-ray editions include all the DVD contents PLUS the In-Movie Experience with director Chris Columbus - an interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined with Picture in Picture, Storyboard Comparisons, Still Galleries, as well as BD live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more.

The five Harry Potter films comprise the biggest film franchise in history, totaling a worldwide box-office gross, to date, in excess of $4.4 billion. In theatres now, the sixth and latest installment, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, insures that “Pottermania” continues unabated.

Day and date with the December 8 release of the new above-mentioned series will be the Blu-ray and DVD release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The entire ensemble cast is back for the sixth installment of the record-breaking franchise.

The Blu-ray disc of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will feature Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode, an interactive viewing experience that examines the entire film with such features as Focus Points, Picture-in-Picture, photo galleries and more. Maximum Movie Mode includes commentary from director David Yates, producers David Heyman and David Barron, as well as cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton. The disc also includes Warner Bros. BD-Live™, which allows users with web-enabled Blu-ray players to access exciting additional content and connect and share with other BD-Live users. Another feature of the BD-Live interactivity is Facebook Connect, which allows users to interact with their friends from Facebook, update their Facebook status while in BD-Live and invite their Facebook friends to a Live Community Screening. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray disc, standard disc, Digital Copy) for $35.99, 2-disc special edition DVD for $34.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98.


Complete List of Special Features by Title:

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone: Ultimate Edition

Welcome to the first Harry Potter Ultimate Edition! For the First Time Ever …
Uncover the intimate details of the search to cast Harry Potter and his friends • See Daniel, Rupert and Emma’s never-before-seen audition tapes • Be there with stars and filmmakers walking onto the set for the exciting first day of shooting • Learn about Chris Columbus’ critical, step-by-step decisions behind the creation of Harry Potter’s world on screen • Look back on an amazing decade’s worth of movies with Daniel, Rupert and Emma in new and vintage interviews never seen before. Plus: Exclusive Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe.

DISC 1: Theatrical Version

DISC 2: Extended Version with 7 Minutes of Footage Not Shown in Theatres.

DISC 3:
• Diagon Alley
• Tour the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry’s Room and the Great Hall - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hogwarts, home of witches and wizards in training, and take in the sights.
• Classrooms:
• Defense Against the Dark Arts; Spells and Charms; Potions; Transfiguration; Third Floor Corridor; Deleted Scenes.
• Sorting Hat
• Library
• Gallery of Art & Architecture
• Hogwarts Yearbook
• Guide to Ghosts - Discover the many marvelous and mysterious ghosts of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds
• Quaffle and Bludger - Get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch.
• Tour Hagrid's Hut - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid’s Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.
• Extra Credit
• Interview - Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers - Director Chris Columbus, Producer David Heyman, Screenwriter Steve Kloves and Production Designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life.

DISC 4:
• Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe - An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films [NEW]
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins - Discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love. [NEW]
• A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter 2001 International TV Special
• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers and TV Spots

Disc 5
Digital Copy of Theatrical Film

Blu-ray Ultimate Edition
Includes everything listed above as well as the following Blu-ray exclusives:
· In-Movie Experience with Director Chris Columbus: An interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, Storyboard Comparisons, Still Galleries
· WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more.
· BD Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Ultimate Edition

Welcome to the second Harry Potter Ultimate Edition! A Whole New Realm of Discovery…
Discover the intriguing inside stories of why so many of Britain’s most celebrated stars took roles in the series • See the newly unveiled screen test between Daniel Radcliffe and Evanna Lynch (selected to play Luna out of 15,000 hopefuls!) • Go on the set to see firsthand how each of the directors brought unique strengths to the series • Witness the amazing transformations as Daniel, Rupert and Emma grow with their characters over a decade of unprecedented filmmaking. Plus: Never-Before-Seen Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

DVD Special Features

DISC 1: Theatrical Version

DISC 2: Extended Version with 13 Minutes of Footage Not Shown in Theatres.

DISC 3:
• Deleted Scenes
• Lockhart’s Classroom
• Photo Gallery
• Certificates - Have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart’s many achievements.
• Required Reading - Find out what text books you’ll need for Lockhart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
• Extra Credit
• Behind Hogwarts
• A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves - The author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.
• Dumbledore’s Office
• Build a Scene - Building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore’s office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint. It takes imagination.
• Tour Dumbledore's Office - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore’s office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts.
• Interviews with Students, Professors and More
• Students - What would you ask the cast, if you could? Put yourself in the interview chair as the stars answer questions about making the film.
• Professors and More - Enjoy personal moments with the professors and others as they discuss their characters: Prof. Gilderoy Lockhart, Lucius Malfoy, Prof. Pomona Sprout, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Prof. Severus Snape, Uncle Vernon Dursley, Aunt Petunia Dursley, Argus Filch, Prof. Minerva McGonagall.
• Gallery of Production Sketches
• Activities
• The Chamber Challenge [Game]
• Tour the Chamber of Secrets - What are you doing here? This place isn’t safe. Begin your journey down the dark corridor for the self-guided tour of the Chamber of Secrets.
• The Forbidden Forest Challenge [Game]
• Colin’s Darkroom
• Tour Diagon Alley - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Diagon Alley, where you can find all your supplies for the school year. Explore the many shops, such as Flourish & Blotts and the Magical Menagerie.
• Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
• EA Game Preview

DISC 4:
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters - Explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the characters’ descriptions on the page to the actors’ performances on film. [NEW]
• Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson [NEW]
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed - 2002 HBO First Look special
• Trailers and TV Spots

Disc 5
Digital Copy of Theatrical Film

Blu-ray Ultimate Edition
Includes everything listed above as well as the following Blu-ray exclusives:
• In-Movie Experience with Director Chris Columbus: An interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, Storyboard Comparisons, Still Galleries
• WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more.
• BD Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more.

Harry Potter Ultimate Editions
Year One: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
Year Two: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Street Date: December 8, 2009
$49.99 SRP Blu-ray
$39.92 SRP DVD

WOW!

Here's the trailer...

[Tybre]

complete 8-hour documentary

So basically there's going to be a more-or-less hour long mini-documentary for each film, then.

And in reading the rest of that, it's settled then. Rather than picking up the other films (only own the first three presently) in the interim until the next film, I'll just hold off and buy the UE DVDs.

[DamnCoffee]

Do you think these will get an english release?

[Tybre]

Do you think these will get an english release?

I imagine at some point they will.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Holy fvck... and I still have my DigiPak DVDs of Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets from the beginning of the decade!

[DamnCoffee]

Some news regarding Deathly Hallows:

A brand-new Deathly Hallows set report has now appeared online detailing out the events and guests of the wedding at the Burrow between Fleur Delacour (Clemence Poesy) and Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson).

Of "sizeable" note was one of the party's guests, Frances de la Tour, who plays Madame Maxime and last appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. To this point, no mention had been made of her return for Deathly Hallows.

Additionally, the writer notes the "claw marks" across Bill's face (courtesy of Fenrir Greyback) and that George Weasley has a bandage over his missing ear (which Ron has replaced with his own drawing).

Finally, there are plenty of pictures taken of the Burrow set, as well as of random drawings outside of the Lovegood's home and inside Hermione's parents' house. This explains why Michelle Fairley was cast as Mrs. Granger, even though neither she nor Mr. Granger appear in the seventh book. The scene is being shot as a flashback where Emma Watson (Hermione) alters her parents memories.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I have finally been able to see the HALF BLOOD PRINCE.

Oh dear. Time is running out for the Potter films to pull a rabbit from the hat and produce a cracking film, and sadly PART 6 is not it at all.

There are a variety of reasons why these Potter films do not work and HALF BLOOD PRINCE demonstrates them throughout. Brilliant flourishes and flashes of visual confidence start proceedings in London town but that scope and urgency is never matched until maybe the last ten minutes of the film. As ever these films stumble over themselves as soon as the always more interesting back story about VOLDEMORT comes into play. The flashback boys should not be better actors and more interesting characters than Potter / Radcliffe himself. But sadly they are - which is one of the series biggest flaws. Another one is that POTTER once again need not even be in the film. This is at least the third film in a row now where his character never once demonstrates he is the "Chosen One" and this great wizard. You barely see him even being a wizard let alone a landmark one. POTTER is never seen being resourceful, knowledgable, inventive or taking command. Radcliffe just autopilots his way through each and every audiobook-with-visuals scene. DUMBLEDORE may comment that POTTER has grown up, but it is a shame the writing and performances haven't. Emma Watson is on superb form as ever - i.e. she thinks rolling her eyes for the benefit of the Mums at the back of the school hall constitutes intuitive acting. She really comes across onscreen as an 'actor' who really thinks she is absolutely stunning. She ain't. Even the usually reliable Rupert Grint is looking a bit bored and honouring a contract he signed when he was 12.

The story of the film is still on 'Parked' and never shifts a gear from that. The amount of redundant scenes in HALF BLOOD PRINCE that do not further the story one bit is quite staggering. And if they do hold any significance we only hear about in the final reel as if MISS MARPLE herself has just returned from London with all the answers that were held off-story throughout. It is wrong that the first scene of consequence (the burning of the Weasleys home) comes after 90 minutes of near to nothing. HALF BLOOD PRINCE is shockingly devoid of narrative consequence. These are not just a badly stitched sequence of scenes for people who have read the book. These are evidence of a film series that has been treading water for three films now for cash cow reasons.

This sixth entry also holds that arrogant air that chooses not to explain vital elements because it assumes everyone knows the books. Well these are not the books. These are meant to be the films which SHOULD operate on a different plateau of storytelling and exposition altogether. For some reason these POTTER films have got themselves in a stale rut and stalemate that always sees the films - and HALF BLOOD PRINCE is no exception - hammock themselves with not explaining what went before and its relevance and assumes nothing else needs explaining at all as the next film will do that. Sorry but that is not good enough.

This is definitely one half baked ponce that potentially marks a new low for the increasingly stagnant series.

The hammer just hit the nail on the head.

And yes, Emma Watson is ridicilously unconvincing in every scene she's in, she has a really peculiar way of, I don't know if over-acting is the right word, but that's what it feels like. Horribly unnatural.

[DamnCoffee]

Yates on 'bare' Radcliffe in Deathly Hallows...

Several weeks ago, sites around the internet began picking up a rumor that Dan Radcliffe would bare all for the "The Silver Doe" chapter in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, confirmation comes from a new interview with director David Yates on VideoBusiness.com:

Besides detailing Half-Blood Prince, Yates and others also offered some surprising sneak peeks to the final two theatrical installments of the Harry Potter franchise, slated for 2010 and 2011 release. At certain points, Radcliffe will appear naked.

In one scene, “a horcrux [carrying a piece of Voldemort’s soul] defends itself by producing nightmarish visions, and one shows Hermione and Harry embracing and kissing,” explained Yates. “It’s something intriguing and sensual for Rupert to react to, and Dan will be bare for that.”

Plus...

First Deathly Hallow pic released:

[elizabeth]

omg...daniel looks so young!

[DamnCoffee]

The teaser trailer has been leaked!



It looks a very different film. Very excited for this, roll on next year!

[Tybre]

Bit of a shame it was done on a cam. Love to see the whole thing clearly, but then I guess that'll happen in the end, what with it ultimately going public.

[DamnCoffee]

It's exclusive sneak peek, on the Half Blood Prince DVD. The thing is though, the damn thing is downstairs! But I'm not allowed to have it, until my birthday.

[DamnCoffee]

New Hallows trailer!

[DamnCoffee]

OH MY GOD!

[Matt_13]

Some pretty crisp cinematography in there. Looks neat.

[SecretAgentFan]

Looks very reassuring. Could be one of the few blockbusters this year that really deliver.