Global Swarming

It looks like "one or two" people decided to check out the new Harry Potter movie this past weekend:

The seventh Harry Potter got off to an enchanting overseas start this weekend, earning an estimated $205 million on 19,000 screens in 91 markets (including $4.2 million from 101 IMAX screens). That's the highest foreign opening for a movie released outside of the summer season, and it's the fourth-biggest international opening ever.

Add in its domestic take ($125.1 million), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has already made a staggering $330.1 million worldwide.

That's a lot of cash.

I would like some of that, please.

Alan Rickman

Very sad news today...

Alan Rickman died on Thursday. He was 69.

Rickman was cast in “Die Hard” as Hans Gruber, a German terrorist wreaking havoc in a Los Angeles skyscraper who faces off with Bruce Willis. In the “Harry Potter” series, Rickman played Professor Severus Snape, a coldly hostile Hogwarts instructor who was one of Harry's main antagonists. The actor appeared in all eight of the “Potter” movies.

For all the intimidating characters that he took on, Rickman maintained that he was not the people he played.

Those characters “are just people to me,” he once told The Times. “I’m a lot less serious than people think.”

He has always been one of my favorite actors and I've really enjoyed him in everything that he's done, especially Harry Potter, Love, Actually, and Galaxy Quest.

The scene in Galaxy Quest where he is forced to promote the opening of a local grocery store and reluctantly utter the line "What...a savings" is something I've quoted for years and will always think of when I need a laugh.



I'm really going to miss him.

Dame Good

A couple of interesting smaller films debuted trailers today and each have Harry Potter alumni in them. First, one with Maggie Smith called My Old Lady.



You can't go wrong with Maggie Smith.



The next is with Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, in the movie Horns.



It looks like Harry has gotten himself into a wee bit of trouble in this one.



I wonder what Maggie Smith thinks about that...

Hallowed Ground

I guess I wasn't the only one who saw the new Harry Potter movie this past weekend...

With an astounding estimated worldwide box office total of more than $476 million, Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” shattered multiple domestic and international box office records in a history-making opening weekend.

I really enjoyed it and am kinda sad that there won't be another one coming out in a year or so like we're used to.

I'll bet Warner Bros. is gonna send J.K. Rowling a lovely fruit basket filled with cash this week and ask her if she's considered, possibly, writing just one more book.

Which they'll immediately break up into 5 more movies.

Summer Lovin'

Usually there are only one or two movies I look forward to in any given year. However, this year...there are several at the top of my list and almost all of them open in the next few months. "Wolverine" opens in a week, "Star Trek" opens in two weeks, the new "Harry Potter" movie opens in July and the "Transformers" sequel opens a few weeks after that.

I'm gonna be shoving a lot of popcorn in my pie-hole very soon!

Here is the new trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince". Lots of magic, action and impending doom seem to be on the way...



Bring it!

Must it?

I know he's been through a lot and probably needs a break...



But look how sad SHE is...must it all really end now?

I don't want it to.

I've enjoyed each of the Harry Potter movies over the years and am really sad that this will be the last one. It is truely one of the best movie franchises ever produced and I'm going to miss visiting this magical world every couple of years.



I'm gonna miss watching the always wonderful Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall (although I hear she gets a much bigger part in this last film, so I'm really looking forward to seeing that!).



I'm also going to miss Alan Rickman's drawn....out...line...readings as Professor Snape. That guy can convey more distain with one syllable than most people can conjure up in a lifetime.



I'm gonna miss them all and am SO looking forward to seeing the movie this weekend. I can't believe we've been watching these films since 2001. The kids were so young and have surprisingly matured quite nicely into their roles.

If you've forgotten just how young they were, watch this video that shows clips from all of the Potter movies from the beginning...



I'm getting a bit verklempt.

Talk amongst yourselves...I'll give you a topic.

The Golden Girls were neither Golden nor, technically, girls.

Discuss.

The reviews have been really good so far (and I'm only skimming them because I don't want to know any details or spoilers) and I have a feeling it just might make some money at the box office this weekend.

I know they're getting some from me.

Would.....not......miss...........it.

Scary Potter

Well, the last two Harry Potter movies (the final book broken down into two money-making marketing machines) will start rolling out soon and things don't look that bright for the not-so-wee wizards at Hogwarts.

I mean...the place is on fire.

That can't be good.



Since the trailer is so dark, I'm still not all that clear about what's going on. But it looks like there are lots of battles, angst, and magic...so I'm in!

Oh...I also saw "The Last Airbender" last night in 3D.



That image was the best part of the movie.

Not that part of the movie...but that image.

The rest of it is VERY disappointing.

If you must see it...then see it in 2D and NOT 3D (the effects are awful).

Better yet...rent it.

Horny Potter

This is the first image of Daniel Radcliffe from his upcoming movie, Horns.

Here is a little bit about the plot...

"Horns" is directed by Alexandre Aja ("The Hills Have Eyes") and is based on the best-selling novel by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son). Daniel plays a young man who, via a series of intriguing events, wakes up one morning with a hangover and a set of horns growing out of his head. In addition to the whole waking-up-with-horns issue, Radcliffe's character must also deal with the fact that he is the prime suspect in the brutal killing of his girlfriend, but thanks to a newly discovered power associated with the horns, which forces people to confess their darkest sins, he can use it to find out who really killed his girlfriend.

It sounds more like Voldemort might not be quite done with messing with Harry Potter just yet....

Release the Kraken!

I don't know why they didn't cast Carrot Top as the creature in the new Clash of the Titans...



They're practically twins.

I saw the new movie this weekend and..it was okay. If you haven't seen the original, you'll probably enjoy it more. Although, I'm not sure that it's worth seeing the 3D version. The effects weren't that good and you could save yourself half the admission price and see it in 2D and have almost the same experience.



The original film starred Harry Hamlin as the toga-wearing hero. In the new one,  we get an armor-clad Sam Worthington (he of Avatar-fame) brooding his way through the scenery.



The original Zeus was played by Sir Laurence Olivier (he must have needed the money to add a rumpus room to his home at the time).



The remake has Liam Neeson taking over the role in a very shiny suit of armor.



I really wish they had brought back Maggie Smith as Thetis, from the original. I love her in the Harry Potter movies, but she really could have brought a bit of much-needed class to this sparkly new version.



The new Kraken (the beast that is supposed to destroy the humans) is certainly a CGI-extravaganza and is just a "wee" bit more scary than the original stop-motion version below...



The story is kind of lame and really strays from the original. But, if you're in the mood for a night of cheesy action, a big scary monster, and very little substance...

Go see Carrot Top perform in Vegas.

Then rent Clash of the Titans when it comes out on DVD in the fall.

Both sides now

This video has been creatively edited to show Professor Snape's Harry Potter storyline in chronological order. After watching this, you'll likely feel a little differently about his character and what he went through for Harry...



Someone has got to be chopping onions around here somewhere...

::wipes tears away quickly::

He Warbles

Darren Criss made the cover of Billboard Magazine this week, just in time for the new episode of Glee airing tonight. In the interview, he talks about how much he enjoys working on the show, his Harry Potter: The Musical past, and the upcoming Warblers CD.

He was also spotted this past weekend at the Coachella Music Festival...



Nice....bandana.

Box Office Buffet

Jurassic World roared into theaters worldwide on Friday and ended up having the highest-grossing movie opening in history...

Universal Pictures today announced that with Sunday’s reported actuals, Jurassic World is now the No. 1 movie ever at both the North American and international box offices. With a worldwide opening of $524.1 million, Jurassic World takes its place as the highest-grossing opening weekend in history. 

Jurassic World grossed $208.8 million at the North American box office, passing 2012’s The Avengers ($207.4 million). Internationally, the film’s final gross was raised to $315.3 million, passing 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($314 million).

I saw it on Friday and really enjoyed it...cool dino effects and lots of action.



Chris Pratt is already signed for a Jurassic World sequel, so hopefully there wasn't anyone out there who honestly thought he might not make it out alive from this first film.

If so, well...duh.

The Magic Returns

The final trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was released today....



I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie and taking another dive into the Harry Potter world.

The movie opens on November 18th.

The kids aren't all right

The new trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) just came out and it looks like our Hogwartians are ready to rumble...







It also looks like Amy Winehouse has a featured role.

Well, at least her wig.

Join me...or die

The final trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was released this week...



I really enjoy the Harry Potter world and all of these films, so I can't wait until this one comes out on November 16th!

Stop Believing

Sue Sylvester has a few things to say about Glee: The 3D Concert Movie that comes out in theaters on August 12th...



And she also wrote this letter:



I don't think her ranting antics to keep the public away from the "tone deaf, howler monkeys" are going to do much good. I mean, the entire cast of Glee is in it, including Darren Criss (seen here at the Harry Potter premiere in London).









A lot of people like Little Boy Blue.

From the sheeps in the meadow to the cows in the corn.

Corn: aka the "see-ya'-later" vegetable.

March Madness

Two big movies opening up in March just released their first full trailers.

The first is Ghost in the Shell...



It looks pretty cool and Scarlet Johnson never disappoints when it comes to playing badass characters who can kick some ass.

It opens on March 31st.



The next movie is Disney's live-action version of Beauty and the Beast...



Emma Watson (of Harry Potter fame) seems to be perfectly cast as Belle and the cinematography looks pretty top-notch (much like Maleficent, which I loved).

So, it'll probably make a gazillion dollars.

It opens on March 17th

Cinemagraphs

There is something really beautiful and haunting about these photos.

A little about the GIF's (not flash) and their creators...

"We wanted to tell more of a story than a single still frame photograph but didn't want the high maintenance aspect of a video. Primarily, Beck shoots the photos and Burg applies the motion-graphics magic in what they describe as "a highly collaborative process" that can take several hours of manual editing in order to breathe the whisper of life into each image."



I think it adds an interesting dimension and emotion to a photo and, with the stillness of the rest of the image, it almost feels like you've somehow captured a "moment" in time right before the world just...stopped.

They also remind me of the paintings hanging in Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books/movies.

If you'd like to see some more of these interesting creations, click here.

via: Gawker

Last days in Asheville

I couldn't find a good internet connection for the past couple of days, so I'm down at the library here in Tipp City, Ohio (where I grew up) sitting on a small wooden desk enjoying the free wireless internet connection.

Ahhh....



Our last couple of days in Asheville went very quickly, but were a lot of fun. If you ever get to Asheville, you definitely need to stop by the Grove Park Inn. It is a beautiful hotel and spa that has been there since the early 1900's.



The hotel was created by E.W. Grove, a man who made his millions promoting "Grove's Tasteless Chill Tonic", something that claimed to ward off the effects of Malaria.





I don't know if that print ad would fly in California (with its focus on being slim and slimmer), but it obviously worked enough for E.W. to build this amazing resort.











Although we didn't get a chance to enjoy the wonderful spa facilities, we did take the time to enjoy the decor and interesting areas of the hotel. We even rode in the elevator that is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being built inside a huge fireplace.





It's very Harry Potter-esque.

We also found out that, besides Malaria cures, Mr. Grove also peddled a very popular elixir to help with "Piles" (now people just use Preparation H). Judging by the testimonials, it appeared to give many people a great deal of relief.





PAZO really must have been a Godsend...especially for some of those people who were suffering with it for almost 30 years.

Ouch!

We also noticed that, besides many presidents and world leaders, our new airport friend, Richard Simmons, is featured as a treasured visitor.



I bet he could make millions selling PAZO to his "Sweatin' With the Oldies" followers. The collective sigh of relief in his workout rooms would likely be overwhelming.

After leaving the Inn (where Barack Obama would arrive two days later for a stay before his next debate), we took a drive into downtown Asheville. We stopped and got a refreshing beverage and walked around this vibrant little city.













There was also a great wig store that featured several popular looks of today (well, for some people)...





I can't wait to wear my new dreads to the market in LA!

After stopping by the lovely home of their other friend named Maggie (who also moved with her husband from Venice, CA less than a year before Cindy and Gaby did), we headed home, ate, slept, woke up, showered, packed, ate some more, sat, chatted, sat, ate a bit more, then took a quick photo with everyone in front of Cindy and Gaby's lovely home...



Oscar and Maggie headed back to LA and I headed to Ohio, to see my family for the week.



Be it ever so humble....