2011 will be Graduation Year for the Boy Who Lived

Yesterday, the Warner Brothers machine released the trailer for the Harry Potter finale 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. This might not mean much to you, but the entire set of movies have been great fun and once again I can honestly say if you haven't seen them, you've missed a treat.

What's particularly great about them is not just the way they've followed young Harry from his early teens through to his early twenties (remarkably with the same actors in the key roles adding an extra layer of realism to their growing up) but the fact that it's a British set of works with worldwide acclaim. Such a shame then, that WB decided to build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" (that link isn't the official site, it's a fan site full of photos if you want to have a peek) in Orlando, Florida rather than in the UK. Although.. hold on a sec... I take that back. Thank god they built it in Florida and not in the UK. While it might seem like a good thing for the economy, it wouldn't be that great for everything else. Kids dressed as wizards in the pouring rain queuing for hours on end - mum's and dad's from all over the world would be driven mental. No, stick it in Florida with the nice weather - that is, after all, not at all in keeping with the original source material, just the way Hollywood likes it.

The original books are written by J.K.Rowling, who at the time was a single mum living in a flat in Scotland (I think). She's now one of the wealthiest people on the planet so probably can legitimately claim to be a MILIF - That's a "Mum I'd Like To Inherit From" - steady lads...

I'm sure many of you have ready the books, but how many have read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?  I ask, because this book does not exist in the UK. It's the title of the US version of Philosopher's Stone - one can only imagine that just like "The Madness of King George the third" it had to be retile because our trans-atlantic cousins hadn't seen the first two movies - although even I am surprised that Philosopher's Stones are not well know in the US of A. Apparently, the US publishers feared that American readers would not associate the word "philosopher" with a magical theme (although the Philosopher's Stone is alchemy-related) - so perhaps it's the publisher's who aren't well read. Such sweet irony.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the
 Sorcerer's Stone

I picked up an early copy of the US version when I was on a trip out there, and very pleased I am to have this little niche of history too. After the Stone book - whatever sort of stone it was, followed the other six novels in the series....

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)


...and all very good they are too. I can't say I'm a fan-boi about this stuff, but they are a very entertaining read. Not particularly aimed at adults or kids, just a good old yarn for one and all.

If you want to see the trailers for each of the films, well here's the links, but I'll embed the latest one just for the fans who haven't caught it yet.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets (2002)
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Now "Deathly Hallows" is going to be in two parts hence the title of this post. The first will be released in November this year (2010) and then the blockbusting finish to the whole shebang will be next Summer. July 2011. So here's what you probably haven't been waiting for - the trailer to next years movie event of the summer.



So that's the bulk of today's post. I'll just pad out the end here with some of the domesticity news... Car went for it's MOT and Service yesterday and failed on a rear brake calliper. Toyota want £400 for a new one!!! Holy Cow!! - However, thanks to Orange D's Dad who runs the garage, looks like it might end up being more like £150 instead. He knows a man etc etc... Of course with the MOT & Service & Fitting the whole lot will probably cost me £250 - but them's the rules and it has to be done. To be fair, the motor is 10 years old now, so it's bound to need a little TLC occasionally. I keep considering a change, eventually I'll make one.

Tomorrow's Thursday and in light of the thrashing we got at the football, the WTC are all in dire need of a cheering up, so hopefully (if the weather holds out) a summer pub beer garden will help us all through the pain.

That's your lot. Enjoy being the boy (or girl) who lived....

Comments

  1. latest HP looks great. I am not sure 3d was needed but it might be the thing to do.

    ReplyDelete

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