The Hallows will be Halved

Variety is reporting that the final film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be split into a two part film. The first half of the film will be released in November of 2010 with part two following in May of 2011.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince hits theaters this November.

I'm all for this since more of the novel will be allowed to fit into the screenplay.

Harry Potter to Go to War

Image courtesy of Enjoy France

The Guardian Unlimited reports that "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe will play Dan Eldon in the film Journey. Dan Eldon was a war photographer whose work has been widely acclaimed since his tragic death.

Bellatrix is Back

Image courtesy of Film Fetish

Helena Bonham Carter will reprise her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. She's not due back on the movie's set until Spring. The next Harry Potter movie has a targeted release for November 21,2008.

Weekend Box Office 7/29

The weekend box office estimates according to Coming Soon: 1. The Simpsons Movie $71,850,000 2 I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - $19,063,000 3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - $17,065,000 4. Hairspray - $15,550,000 5. No Reservations - $11,755,0006 6. Transformers $11,524,000 7. Ratatouille - $7,234,000 8. Live Free or Die Hard - $5,350,000 9. I Know Who Killed Me - $3,400,000 10. Who’s Your Caddy? - $2,900,000 The Simpsons Movie has dominated and the good reviews definitely helped. I'm still upset with America for allowing Chuck and Larry to make so much money. I'm extremely pleased that Hairspray continues to rack in the dough bringing it's domestic total to almost $60 million. Lindsay Lohan really has nothing to be happy about this week...she's been arrested, sent back to rehab, and now her latest movie has bombed and has had disgustingly terrible reviews. She did this to herself. What was her last hit movie? Mean Girls. Oh the glory days are over for her. But everyone loves a good comeback. Right, Mariah?

I Need Some More Hairspray!

From BoxOfficeMojo.com:

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix led the weekend box office, but Hairspray was the word, delivering the biggest opening on record for a musical, even when ticket price inflation is taken into account.

New Line Cinema's early Sixties-themed musical based on the Broadway show that was based on John Waters' picture of the same name spritzed a lustrous estimated $27.8 million on approximately 3,900 screens at 3,121 theaters, the widest release ever for the genre. The 1988 original, also released by New Line, grossed $6.7 million in its entire run, the equivalent of roughly $11 million today.

I am proud and extremely surprised that Hairspray managed to gross this much money. Musicals just have not done well at the Box Office. Dreamgirls and Chicago only passed the $100 million mark when they were showered with award nominations. Hopefully, Hairspray will outgross those films. I guess star power and a family fun theme go a looong way....all the way to the bank.

Entertainment Reviews

For my review of Hairspray and a bit about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (no spoilers, I promise!) check out my personal blog here!

Quickie

Here's a quickie:

Big Brother 8: Vanilla Wafer Nipples Joe was evicted 9-1 against Evel Dick who became Head of Houseguest. My prediction for nominees are Jen and Kail.

World Series of Pop Culture: The youngest team in the competition, Twisted Misters, won the VH1 game show and with it comes a $250,000 prize. I'm pleased. It was nice to see the youngest people win over adults who have been around longer and are expected to know a lot more since they were actually around for the 70s and 80s.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Less than 24 hours until it's release! Is there anyone more excited than us! I don't think so. The Green Room promises no spoilers or reviews within the first week.

Hairspray: The movie musical hits theaters today (July 20th) and is getting amazing reviews. Currently (as of 12:56 AM July 20th), it has a 95% rating on rottentomatoes.com with 62 fresh reviews and only 3 negatives. You can't stop that beat!

and finally, to end this first of many quickies we shall have together...polling data courtesy of politicalwire.com!

National:

A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 63% of voters believe it's likely that Sen. Hillary Clinton "will be elected the first woman president in U.S. history if she wins her party's nomination."

The poll shows Clinton with a solid lead over the rest of the Democratic field. Among likely Democratic primary voters, she leads with 43%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 24% and John Edwards at 16%.

New Jersey:

Sen. Hillary Clinton is running strong in New Jersey’s primary, according to a new Strategic Vision (R) poll. Clinton is ahead with 46%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama with 20% and John Edwards with 10%.

On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani far outpaces the field with 48%, followed by former Sen. Fred Thompson with 15%, Sen. John McCain with 10%, and Mitt Romney 5%.

Colorado:

A new American Research Group poll in Colorado shows Sen. Hillary Clinton is maintaining her lead in the Democratic presidential race with 39%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 22%, John Edwards at 10% and Bill Richardson at 8%. Edwards slipped 7 points while Richardson gained 6 points since the March poll.

In the Republican race, Rudy Giuliani has expanded his lead to 35%, followed by Fred Thompson at 20% and Sen. John McCain at 11%.

GO HILLARY!!! As always, for the latest political polling data visit Taegan Goddard's Political Wire at www.politicalwire.com

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

John recommends Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

A good adaptation mixing elements from the book and action. Most of the cuts and changes from the novel were necessary. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson's acting seems to be taking steps backwards.

3 out 5 stars!