'Harry Potter' franchise crosses USD 7 bn mark

Los Angeles, July 22 : "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2" has had a record breaking run in the first week - the eight and the last instalment of the boy wizard story has already earned USD 640.2 million and with that, the franchise has crossed the USD 7 billion mark worldwide.

The film earned $214.9 million at the US box office and $425.3 million at international ticket windows.

"It is an extraordinary privilege for everyone at Warner Bros to share in this piece of cinema history. We are extremely grateful to the Harry Potter fans who have remained loyal to the movies for more than a decade," deadline.com quoted Jeff Robinov, president, Warner Bros Pictures Group, as saying.

Authored by J.K. Rowling, the first "Harry Potter" book came out in 1997 and became a rage, and four years later its movie version starring Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson hit the screens. The movie was equally successful.

"We also want to congratulate the amazing roster of actors and filmmakers, whose artistry and talent is evident in every frame of every film. But special thanks must go to the woman whose incomparable imagination literally changed the world, Rowling," Robinov added.

Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures, said: "Becoming a $7 billion-plus franchise is a stunning achievement, which is shared by everybody involved in any or all of the Harry Potter films.

"On the domestic side, the studio is also thrilled to have reached the billion dollar benchmark for an unprecedented eleventh year in a row. We thank everyone at Warner Bros whose hard work and dedication have contributed so much to our success."

'Harry Potter' franchise crosses USD 7 bn mark

Los Angeles, July 22 : "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2" has had a record breaking run in the first week - the eight and the last instalment of the boy wizard story has already earned USD 640.2 million and with that, the franchise has crossed the USD 7 billion mark worldwide.

The film earned $214.9 million at the US box office and $425.3 million at international ticket windows.

"It is an extraordinary privilege for everyone at Warner Bros to share in this piece of cinema history. We are extremely grateful to the Harry Potter fans who have remained loyal to the movies for more than a decade," deadline.com quoted Jeff Robinov, president, Warner Bros Pictures Group, as saying.

Authored by J.K. Rowling, the first "Harry Potter" book came out in 1997 and became a rage, and four years later its movie version starring Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson hit the screens. The movie was equally successful.

"We also want to congratulate the amazing roster of actors and filmmakers, whose artistry and talent is evident in every frame of every film. But special thanks must go to the woman whose incomparable imagination literally changed the world, Rowling," Robinov added.

Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures, said: "Becoming a $7 billion-plus franchise is a stunning achievement, which is shared by everybody involved in any or all of the Harry Potter films.

"On the domestic side, the studio is also thrilled to have reached the billion dollar benchmark for an unprecedented eleventh year in a row. We thank everyone at Warner Bros whose hard work and dedication have contributed so much to our success."

Part Two: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I love to play dress up. I mean, who doesn't, right? I went to watch Harry Potter with my cousins awhile ago. I told my cousins that I will bring my witch hat! Some of them brought feather, robes, spectacles, wands, etc.. Very sporting bunch of cousins I have! My fiance didn't wanna walk with me when I had my witch hat on. He said it was so attention-seeking.. Naturally. *giggles*

 My cousins bought the Owl combos even though they preferred the magic wand ones when they're available during the screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) sometime last year.. My sister brought her wand and my cousins who had owls wanted to do mutual exchange with her and she refused to give up her wand. Personally, I like the wand idea. Owls are boring. One of my cousin came up with this analogy. The wands had sound effects and sparkling lights so when people kept pressing them in the theaters during the show, people filed a complain and they discontinued it. Smart analogy, dear cousin but totally an invalid reason for me to accept. Wand combos were brilliant, as Harry Potter would've said.

'Nuff said about combos conflict. I forgot that it was a second part movie and I did not refresh my memory by watching part one again so I was lost when the movie started and I irritated my sister, who sat beside me, asking her questions about the movie. Sorry, sister! After I got the flow of the story, it became much more exciting and the ending? Hilarious balls. Harry Potter and his friends had to obviously wear make up to add years on their faces and dress up more to look older. The saddest part for me was when Harry's friends and families fought for him. LIfe sacrifices are the hardest choice anyone can make. Having to die for someone is something that no other life can replicate simply because, life in our body are unique and no two life are ever the same. I nearly cried when Weasley's elder twin brother and father passed away. So tragic. Even more tragic when I got home and found out, Amy Winehouse is dead. *side-track* I thought the battle was epic. The colors bursting out from Voldemort and Harry's wand are so beautiful. Anyway, I think Harry should die because if he's alive, doesn't that contradict what Dumbledore have been preaching and that part of Voldemort is embedded inside of Harry which explained the vast similarities between them? I must read J. K. Rowling's book. I wonder if the ending in this book is this "pleasant"... 

I give this movie, 3.5 out of 5 popcorns.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is still the best!

Harry Potter cast gets superimposed on covers of classic albums

London, July 19 : Images of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have been used to design spoof covers of classic albums, like Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ and David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’.

The trio along with Neville appeared on a spoof of U2’s album ‘The Joshua Tree’, the Daily Mail reported.

Using images of the actors from the most recent movie, ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II’, a website has transformed them into subjects including Pink Floyd, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Ramones and Queen.

While on one Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are shown as Bowie look-alike complete with the singer’s signature lightning strike face paint, another cover shows Dobby the house elf as one of the four members of Queen.

In another, Voldemort’s army pose in ripped jeans as The Ramones, while ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ also stars as Jackson on the cover of 1987 album ‘Bad’.

Professor Snape, played by Alan Rickman, stars as Elvis on the spoof cover of his record ‘68 Comeback, complete with leather jacket and guitar.

Harry Potter cast gets superimposed on covers of classic albums

London, July 19 : Images of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have been used to design spoof covers of classic albums, like Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ and David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’.

The trio along with Neville appeared on a spoof of U2’s album ‘The Joshua Tree’, the Daily Mail reported.

Using images of the actors from the most recent movie, ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II’, a website has transformed them into subjects including Pink Floyd, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Ramones and Queen.

While on one Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are shown as Bowie look-alike complete with the singer’s signature lightning strike face paint, another cover shows Dobby the house elf as one of the four members of Queen.

In another, Voldemort’s army pose in ripped jeans as The Ramones, while ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ also stars as Jackson on the cover of 1987 album ‘Bad’.

Professor Snape, played by Alan Rickman, stars as Elvis on the spoof cover of his record ‘68 Comeback, complete with leather jacket and guitar.

Emma Watson 'began enjoying Harry Potter films due to 'darker' stories'

New York, July 14 : "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson partied at a pole dancing club to celebrate the end of the popular film franchise.

Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the movie, went to the club after the final premiere for "Deathly Hallows: Part 2", which is the last of the "Harry Potter" films, reports thesun.co.uk.

"She was really enjoying herself. There were a few scantily-clad girls around but Emma didn't bat an eyelid. There are a few poles in the club but she didn't have a go. After such a big night, it's no wonder she wanted to let her hair down," said a source.

She danced the night away with friends.

"She had a smile on her face the whole time before calling it a night around 2 a.m.," added the source.

The actress was just 11 when she starred in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and was 12 when she featured in the "Chamber of Secrets".

Emma Watson 'began enjoying Harry Potter films due to 'darker' stories'

New York, July 14 : "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson partied at a pole dancing club to celebrate the end of the popular film franchise.

Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the movie, went to the club after the final premiere for "Deathly Hallows: Part 2", which is the last of the "Harry Potter" films, reports thesun.co.uk.

"She was really enjoying herself. There were a few scantily-clad girls around but Emma didn't bat an eyelid. There are a few poles in the club but she didn't have a go. After such a big night, it's no wonder she wanted to let her hair down," said a source.

She danced the night away with friends.

"She had a smile on her face the whole time before calling it a night around 2 a.m.," added the source.

The actress was just 11 when she starred in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and was 12 when she featured in the "Chamber of Secrets".

Harry Potter to replace Mickey Mouse as world's biggest earning film icon

iLondon, July 11 : ‘Harry Potter’ is set to beat Disney’s Mickey Mouse as the world’s biggest earning film icon.

Potter and his mates are believed to have surpassed the Disney character and comic superheroes Batman and Superman.

The JK Rowling creation is expected to earn 20 billion pounds through theme parks, new merchandise and global TV spin-offs.

More than 400 million Potter books have been sold so far and 4 billion pounds taken at the box office. 

And the story is not expected to end once the final movie ‘The Deathly Hallows Part 2’ is out, as JK Rowling has already announced that she might write more books.

“There will be plenty more opportunities,” the Daily Star quoted Brand Licensing Europe Events Director Sarah Porter as saying.

Harry Potter to replace Mickey Mouse as world's biggest earning film icon

iLondon, July 11 : ‘Harry Potter’ is set to beat Disney’s Mickey Mouse as the world’s biggest earning film icon.

Potter and his mates are believed to have surpassed the Disney character and comic superheroes Batman and Superman.

The JK Rowling creation is expected to earn 20 billion pounds through theme parks, new merchandise and global TV spin-offs.

More than 400 million Potter books have been sold so far and 4 billion pounds taken at the box office. 

And the story is not expected to end once the final movie ‘The Deathly Hallows Part 2’ is out, as JK Rowling has already announced that she might write more books.

“There will be plenty more opportunities,” the Daily Star quoted Brand Licensing Europe Events Director Sarah Porter as saying.

'Harry Potter' villain Tom Felton planning rapper career!

London, July 11 : Actor Tom Felton, who plays villain Draco Malfoy in ‘Harry Potter’ movie, is set to entertain his fans as a Snoop Dogg-style rapper.

Felton is aiming for a music career now that the schoolboy wizard''s adventures are at an end.

The 23-year-old, who has clinched a recording deal with an independent label, revealed: "I was thinking of doing some N-Dubz-style stuff. I am looking to get into the grime rap UK scene.

"I''m going to change my image - backward caps, the lot,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

He cited Dappy out of N-Dubz as his inspiration but said: "It''s still under wraps so I can''t really talk about it."

'Harry Potter' villain Tom Felton planning rapper career!

London, July 11 : Actor Tom Felton, who plays villain Draco Malfoy in ‘Harry Potter’ movie, is set to entertain his fans as a Snoop Dogg-style rapper.

Felton is aiming for a music career now that the schoolboy wizard''s adventures are at an end.

The 23-year-old, who has clinched a recording deal with an independent label, revealed: "I was thinking of doing some N-Dubz-style stuff. I am looking to get into the grime rap UK scene.

"I''m going to change my image - backward caps, the lot,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

He cited Dappy out of N-Dubz as his inspiration but said: "It''s still under wraps so I can''t really talk about it."

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Featurette