Info for 15 th Jan ’07

Warner Independent Pictures, the company behind the small film December Boys (starring Dan Radcliffe), has updated their website with a projected release date of August 2007. They also provide this description of the film:

Based on the classic Michael Noonan novel, "December Boys" is a story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a catholic convent in outback Australia. For years the boys watch younger kids leave with their newly adopted parents and have come to the realization their time may never come.

Mary GrandPre, the artist who illustrated the US Harry Potter books, recently said in an interview that she has no details on Deathly Hallows, and has therefore not yet decided on a cover color. She also noted that OOTP is her favorite cover. You can listen to this interview here.

In a new interview, Movie 5 director David Yates spoke about how, having produced politically charged films like The Girl In the Cafe, he was surprised when approached to direct OOTP.

Yates, who had never read the Harry Potter books, said: "It was interesting to get the call. I wouldn't have put myself forward as an obvious candidate." However, after reading Order of the Phoenix, he realized the novel had strong political overtones. "And it's probably the most emotional of all the books. As I read the book, suddenly, I tuned into the kind of thing I have always been drawn to."

Yates also spoke a little about Umbridge, saying she is "quite damaged as a person. She basically abuses Harry and puts him through this horrific detention. It is horrific abuse."

On this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast, we continue our discussion on Deathly Hallows with Ben, Jamie, Laura, Micah and myself. In case you're wondering about the title of this episode, we're talking about the Yule Ball at Prophecy '07 - and Micah's plans surprise us. Plus:

- We tease about a special guest on next week's show.
- We give everyone at home a short cultural lesson about death and its place in the world.
- If the title is a reference to Halloween, does this mean spirits will return to earth?
- Could "Hallows" be the spirits of those Voldemort murdered to create his Horcruxes?
- Would they be able to help Harry kill Voldemort?
- Why are Fred and George allowed to use their wands, and Hagrid is not?
- Is Scrimgeour evil?

To download, simply update your subscriptions in iTunes (by first pressing subscribe at this link), or visit the MuggleCast website for direct download links and complete shownotes. Remember: no iPod is necessary to listen! All you need to do is download the MP3 file and double-click to listen. It's easy, painless, and we know you'll have a chuckle or two. Enjoy!

😃

***Viewbie's Note: Kindly post sumthing other than smileys, it is considered spamming***