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Harry Potter

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Richard Harris, who played Professor Dumbledore, died October 25, 2002. He had just completed work on the Chamber of Secrets this summer when he became ill and had to be hospitalized with Hodgkin's Disease, a form of lymphatic cancer. He passed away at a hospital in London, England just 24 days after turning 72. I don't see how he can be replaced in the sequels. While in the hospital, he told the Harry Potter staff not to replace him, determined he would be back.

All the versions of the game are called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone but they all play differently.

The next-gen games (on GameCube, Playstation 2, and X-box) are slated for an October 2002 release. However, I've read the X-box version has been canceled because, as the rumor states, some executives are questioning the console's longevity. (Ouch!)

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BOOKS
The fifth Harry book, Order of the Phoenix, in the seven-book series will be published in the Summer of 2002.
The other books in J.K. Rowling's hit series are:
  1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- year one at Hogwarts
    On Harry's 11th birthday, he finds out he's a wizard and is accepted to Hogwart's School for Wizardry. While there, Harry finds out he is the only one who can stop the theft of the priceless Sorcerer's Stone.
    Available in hardback, paperback, and on audio cassette and CD.

  2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- year two at Hogwarts
    The unknown Heir of Slytherin has opened the Chamber of Secrets, and the monster that dwells inside is attacking students.
    Available in hardback, paperback, and on audio cassette and CD.

  3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban -- year three at Hogwarts
    An escaped homicidal wizard is on the loose and wants to kill Harry.
    Available in hardback, paperback, and on audio cassette and CD.

  4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -- year four at Hogwarts
    Harry is entered in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, a dangerous competition.
    Available in hardback and on audio cassette and CD.

There are also a ton of "spin-off" books by other authors such as:
Number of Harry Potter books sold:     more than 100 million
Number of translations:     47 (including Spanish, French, Zulu, and Braille)
Number of countries these books are sold in:     200 (I didn't know there were that many countries)

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MOVIES

The Chamber of Secrets
November 15, 2002

Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who adapted the first book, has adapted the second and third Harry books for the big screen (and he's dying to do the fourth). Producer David Heyman will still be part of the crew, as will director Chris Columbus so the films shouldn't feel disjointed.

CAST
Harry -  Daniel Radcliffe, 13   (The Tailor of Panama)
Ron -   Rupert Grint, 14   (The Chamber of Secrets)
Hermoine -   Emma Watson, 12   (The Chamber of Secrets)
Draco Malfoy - Tom Felton, 15   (Anna and the King, Second Sight)
Oliver Wood - Sean Biggerstaff, 19   (The Winter Guest)
Moaning Myrtle -   Shirley Henderson, 36   (Rob Roy, Bridget Jones' Diary)
Hagrid -  Robbie Coltrane, 52   (From Hell, GoldenEye, The World is not Enough, Nuns on the Run)
Dobby - Toby Jones, 38   (In Love and War, Ever After)
Gilderoy Lockhart -   Kenneth Branagh, 42   (Hamlet, Dead Again)
Dumbledore -   Richard Harris, 72   (Gladiator, Unforgiven, Patriot Games)
Madam Pomfrey -   Gemma Jones, 60  (Bridget Jones' Diary, Sense and Sensibility)
Professor Sprout -   Miriam Margolyes, 61   (Cats & Dogs, Romeo and Juliet, Age of Innocence)
Lucius Malfoy -   Jason Isaacs, 39   (Black Hawk Down, The Patriot)
Arthur Weasley -   Mark Williams, 43   (101 Dalmatians, Shakespeare in Love)
Snape -   Alan Rickman, 56   (Galaxy Quest, Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
McGonagall -   Maggie Smith, 68   (Hook, Sister Act, First Wives Club)
Flitwick -   Warwick Davis, 32   (Willow, all Leprechaun movies, Return of the Jedi, Phantom Menance)

The Prisoner of Azkaban
summer 2004

Forty-two-year-old Alfonso Cuarón is set to direct the third movie; he's known for his work on A Little Princessand Great Expectations. Production begins in the first part of 2003 for a summer (? I thought they were doing the "November" thing--perhaps it's too close to the Lord of the Rings films) 2004 release...2004?! What happened to 2003!?!? I NEED my yearly Harry fix!!!!!!!!!


The $150 million Sorcerer's Stone came out on November 16, 2001, but won't be released on VHS or DVD until the Fall of 2002. The DVD will of course have extra features like "The Making of the Video Games". I suggest you be well-rested when going to see this film. Director Chris Columbus has stated the final cut is 2½ hours long (actually 2 hrs. 22 min.)! The early word about this first film is so good, Warner Bros. has okayed the next TWO installments. It is rated PG. Here's the cast of major characters:
Harry -  Daniel Radcliffe, 12   (The Tailor of Panama)
           Dan's parents wouldn't let him audition at first
           He didn't read any of the Potter books until AFTER he got the role
Ron -   Rupert Grint, 13   (his professional debut)
Hermoine -  Emma Watson, 11   (her professional debut)
Hagrid -  Robbie Coltrane, 51   (From Hell, GoldenEye, The World is not Enough, Nuns on the Run)
Dumbledore -   Richard Harris, 71   (Gladiator, Unforgiven, Patriot Games)
Snape -   Alan Rickman, 55   (Galaxy Quest, Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
McGonagall -   Maggie Smith, 67   (Hook, Sister Act, First Wives Club)
Flitwick -   Warwick Davis, 31   (Willow, all Leprechaun movies, Return of the Jedi, Phantom Menance)
Hogwarts' corridors -   Durham and Gloucester cathedrals
exterior/grounds of Hogwarts -   Alnwick Castle and Oxford University
Gringotts -   Australian High Commissions (in London, not Australia of all things)
(A request to shoot at Canterbury Cathedral was denied because of the books' association with witchcraft -- come on, get a life!)

My friend Brent and I saw the Harry movie 10:30 a.m. Friday morning...the 10:00 a.m. showing was sold out because a school in a different county bought all the tickets(!) and Regal Cinemas didn't offer a midnight showing (I shall turn them into a toad). Oh well, we were there for the second showing and didn't get out until after 1:00 p.m. but that was fine because the time just flew by. Brent went to the restroom before and during the movie but I just couldn't leave so I didn't go until (immediately) after even though I purchased and drank a medium drink. IT WAS AWESOME, COOL, STUPENDOUS, MARVELOUS, GRAND, PHAT, DA BOMB, and whatever other adjectives convey the same feeling!! I didn't want it to end. Like my friends, I was disappointed they cut out the parts they did. Why didn't they just have a brief intermission and keep ALL the parts?! I can't wait until the second movie. Actually I can't wait until I see the first movie again!

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LINKS

INFORMATION
Official Warner Bros. site - it has games, postcards to e-mail, movie trailers, Wizard Shop, and a chance to enroll at Hogwarts.
Movie information
Harry Book Information - has a section for parents, teachers, and of kids. The Kids area has contests and discussion groups.
The Boy Who Lived - a site by a British schoolgirl full of tidbits and background information on the books and movies.
Encyclopedia Potterica - offers quick definitions and information on all the characters...in case you need to refresh your memory.

STORES
Warner Bros. Store - Clothes, Toys, Collectibles, Books, Jewelry, Towels, Action Figures, Sculptures, Stationery
Toys R Us - Games, Legos, Cards, Figures
TNC Universe - Cards, Toys, Collectibles
Wallos - Harry Potter Trading Cards
Collector's Cache - Trading Cards
Start Collecting - Trading Cards

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

J.K. ROWLING
J.K. stands for Joanne Kathleen. Jo, 36, grew up in Great Britian. Ms. Rowling and her daughter Jessica moved from Portugal to Edinburgh, Scotland during the writing of the first Harry Book. Despite her humble beginnings (a single mom barely scraping by on public assistance), she has been listed as the the second richest woman in England (after the Queen!). She gladly states, "I could not write anymore and never have to worry about money again." Maybe, but I hope she DOES NOT stop writing!
Some of the characters are based on people Jo knew growing up. Hermoine is similar to Jo herself. Ron is like her oldest friend and Professor Snape is a lot like one of her teachers (but she won't say which one). The inspiration, the children, and the feelings in the books come from her childhood, her memories.
Some of the names (i.e. Quidditch, Muggle) she made up while others actually have meaning. "Hedwig" was a saint, "Dumbledore" is an Old English word for bumblebee and "Snape" is a place in England. Some of the names come from folklore.

MAGICAL BIRTHDAYS
J.K. Rowling's birthday - July 31
Harry Potter's birthday - July 31
Dan Radcliffe's birthday - July 31
(I think the birth years may be a little different, though)



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