MSNBC Profile of Mike Newell

A profile of Gof Director Mike Newell on MSNBC gives insight into his approach to making the film, not only in terms of adapting the book, but in learning to embrace CGI technology as well.

"The first British director to oversee a "Harry Potter" film, Newell said he fought hard to keep the extravagant computer-generated imagery in its place, namely, in service of the story and not just a collection of pretty pictures for their own sake. . . [CGI is] a technique which I have now really learned and had an enormously steep learning curve and fantastic on-the-job training. I'm kind of a convert. I don't want to do it all like that, but I think simply it's a technique like any other. It's like having lights to shoot at night."

The article also contains interviews with Daniel Radcliffe and Brendan Gleeson, in which they discuss Newell's working relationship with the younger actors. Check it out here.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

JK Rowling Nominated for TIME's Person of the Year

TIME Magazine has asked visitors to start voting on who they think should be featured as their Person of the Year, and one person under consideration is JK Rowling. Click here to vote!

The Potter author is up against U2 lead singer Bono, Steve Jobs, The Google Guys, and Mother Nature herself in relation to Hurricane Katrina. TIME's choice will be revealed on December 18th. Thanks to Leaky for the tip.

(SOURCE: MUGGLE NET)

Empire Talks to Michael Gambon

Empire magazine released an interview with everybody's favorite Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon. When asked what makes Dumbledore the greatest wizard of all time, Gambon replied:

"I have no idea. I learn the lines that JK Rowling or whoever writes them, and say them. There’s no subtext in Harry Potter really; it’s all magic, anything can happen."

(SOURCE: MUGGLE NET)

Dan Discusses 'December Boys' Role and "Near Death" Experience

The Daily Record has published a nice, long interview with Dan where he talks about his role in December Boys, which starts filming at the end of this year in Australia.

A separate article in the Daily Record tells a story of how Dan gave everyone a good scare while filming underwater scenes in the huge tank.

Additionally, in what appears to be a series of interviews, Empire Magazine has now released one with Katie Leung, the Cho Chang actress.

(SOURCE: MUGGLE NET)

Mixed Reviews for New Potter Film

Critics around the world have had their first look at the new Harry Potter film, Goblet of Fire, and they've given it a shaky thumbs up.

The news was mostly good, with US magazine Variety describing it as "excellent", with "a climactic scene that does not disappoint".

But Screen Daily said the "solid but mostly uninspired" movie only raised "wonder and dread" in its final scenes.

You can make your own mind up when the film is released on 18 November.

A review on the Times website praised Daniel Radcliffe's performance: "For the first time we sense what makes Harry tick under pressure."

It also said new director Mike Newell was well up to the task of Potter: "His considerable triumph is to keep the thrills up to exhilarating scratch."

And, if you're wondering how Ralph Fiennes will cope as Lord Voldemort, Variety seems to think he's pretty good.

"Ralph Fiennes makes the series' villain-of-villains a distinctive monster, remorseless and cunning, in a climactic scene that does not disappoint and will, like the dragon, prove frightening to impressionable youngsters," it said.

(SOURCE: CBBC NEWSROUND)

A Darker Departure

The Chicago Tribune's Kids News section has an article about Goblet of Fire and its darker turn. Here's a piece of it:

Hard-core Harry Potter fans may have years to wait before the seventh book is published. But the fourth movie, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," opens in theaters this week.

The new movie finds Harry in his fourth year at Hogwarts, competing in a dangerous wizard tournament. Evil Voldemort returns, but the story also brings in new characters, such as a crush for Harry and a date for Hermione.

"Goblet of Fire" is said to be darker and scarier than the first three Potter films--it's the first to be rated PG-13 instead of PG.

To read the full article, go to the Chicago Tribune's website (registration is required).

(SOURCE: THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE)