Half-Blood Prince Screening Report Online

Last night I was able to unknowingly attend what turned out to be the secret test screening of Half-Blood Prince in Chicago, IL. My review, which contains mild spoilers and plot details, can be found right here.

Important things of note are that the movie was amazing, and that the purpose of the test screenings is for the filmmakers to gain feedback in time to possibly make some changes to the film based on an audience's concerns. In other words, the film is in great hands and the finished product will be even better.

UPDATE: For those of you who were interested in a little bit more from me. My girlfriend and I recently sat down with my friends at Hogwarts Radio and were interviewed, for their podcast, with an hour-long Question-and-Answer session! More is discussed on their seventh episode than in my review here, so take a look! You can listen from their site or subscribe to their podcast on iTunes. The Q&As are very insightful and it was a pleasure to be able to talk about the film in that medium. Please note that there are a bit more spoilers - discussion was partly in response to other write-ups done on the film and in response to some of the comments already on this newspost. Thanks!

(SOURCE: MUGGLENET)

New Interview with the Trio, Image of Harry at the Burrow, and More

Rupert Grint fan site, IceCreamMan, has scans from a new issue of Teen Magazine which features a brief interviews with actors Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) about working on the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" film. We also get to see a new shot of Harry standing in what looks to be the shed at the Burrow as part of this article. In the interview, a scan of which can be viewed right here, Dan is first up and talks about the romantic turn "Half-Blood Prince" takes with his character and Ginny Weasley, played by Bonnie Wright. Dan says this of the romantic scenes compared to the more dark moments in the film:

"I prefer the dark stuff to be honest! The romance is fun and it's something people will really enjoy, but I personally like doing stuff in a cave where I am close to death. It's a lot easier than romance."

Dan also speaks of filming those romantic scenes and lighter moments with his fellow actors. Rupert continues on the subject of romance in a way when he discusses the audition process with actress Jessie Cave, who will be taking on the role of Lavender Brown. Rupert is quoted as saying:

Yeah, I went to some of the final stages of the auditions. It was really cool to be involved in that side of it, not that I really had any say. There were some good girls, but we didn’t do the kiss. We didn’t even talk about the kiss until the day we actually did it. But Jessie (Cave), who got the part of Lavender, is really cool.

Rupert then goes on to talk further about the filming and even a certain ping-pong competition he had with actress Emma Watson. Miss Watson is noted in the article as saying in regards to her ping-pong playing skills:

My parents played and they’re really competitive. They never user to let me win, so I got quite good at it. Dan and Rupert were quite taken aback that I could beat them. I think Rupert took it the worst.

In addition to this, there was a small mention of Emma Watson in the newest issue of Teen Vogue about her recent appearance at the Cartier International Polo Day Event. A scan of the this can be viewed right here. Larger scans of Dan Radcliffe in the October 2008 issue of Details magazine can also be found via this link. Finally, screen shots of the video accompanying the Details interview with Dan can be found here.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Snapes on a Plane

There is a fun and lighthearted new interview online today here via YouTube with actor Alec Hopkins, where he discusses his role as the Young Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. Confirming he will appear in two scenes in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for a few seconds (one in a 'moving painting'), he also says he had filmed a scene as Young Snape for "Order of the Phoenix" 'driving a car' but it was later cut for the final version of the film. Finally at the end, he jokes that he and Alan Rickman (who of course portrays the grown version of the Potions master in the film series) hope to be starring in a new film..."Snapes on a Plane." :)

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Interview with Trio on Half-Blood Prince Love

Note from Headmistress Denice: Beware of SPOILERS in this article about the Half-Blood Prince film. Especially about a certain romantic relationship that develops between two of the characters. If you don't know the story of HBP, you might want to pass on this story. If you want to be surprised that is. :-D

* * * *

Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson were all interviewed for the latest issue of Teen Vogue magazine, where they talk about romance in Half-Blood Prince and prior on-screen experiences:

TV: Did you give Rupert any advice on his kissing scenes?

[Dan:] I wasn't there because they filmed the actual kiss after I had gone home one day. I couldn't watch it and laugh at him, which was deeply annoying. I love watching the scenes where Lavender swoons over Ron. I think there's a little bit of Rupert looking embarrassed, which makes me really laugh.

You can read the rest of the interview and check out scans on SnitchSeeker. Thanks to them for the tip!

(SOURCE: MUGGLENET)

David Thewlis Attends Premiere of "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" in Dublin

Actor David Thewlis (Remus Lupin) attended the premiere of his new film "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" tonight in Dublin, Ireland. You can see new photos of the actor at this event here via Film Magic. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is based on the acclaimed novel by John Boyne and stars David Thewlis as a commandant of a Nazi concentration camp, with the trailer for the movie available for download here at Apple or viewing on the official film website. The movie, which is produced by Potter producer David Heyman, screened in Dublin, and was also a fund-raiser for Amnesty International. The IrishTimes reports that "A total of €8,750 was raised for Amnesty International Ireland through the premiere, as it was a partner organisation in the event. Over 780 guests attended and 250 of them paid €35 for tickets. Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, said the film should help people to recommit to the principles of human rights."

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Rupert Grint Cast in "Wild Target"

Actor Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) has been cast in a new film entitled "Wild Target" which will also star actor Bill Nighy and Harry Potter co-star Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange). Our Order partner RupertGrint.net is reporting today the comedy/drama is based on the 1993 French film called "Cible Emouvante," and will possibly film around "London and the Isle of Man" in the UK. Filming, according to our Order partner, is slated to being on September 16th. A brief synopsis of the upcoming film has also now been released and reads:

This dark comedy has a middle-aged hitman Victor Meynard (played by Bill Nighy) go on his last hit job before he retires. He ends up running into a delivery boy, Antoine (Rupert Grint). Unable to kill the adolescent, Meynard adopts him as his apprentice, in spite of Antoine's evident lack of enthusiasm for his new career. They are hired by a Corsican gangster to kill a con artist Renée Dandrieux (Helena Bonham Carter). Again, Meynard's luck is against him, and when he fails to kill Renée, with Antoine's help, the Corsican gangster sends another hitman to kill all three of them."

Readers will remember that recently Mr. Grint was cast in a new film, "Cherrybomb," which wrapped production this past August in Ireland. More information on this film is expected in the coming weeks and we will update you when further information is available.

Thanks to RupertGrint.net!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)