Everything you Wanted to Know about Harry Potter ... and more

If you didn’t know that the final Harry Potter movie came out last week, you must have been living under a rock. In its first day Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 shattered box office records in Australia, earning $7,029,487, making this the highest opening day of all time. Not a surprise really!

As I am something of a Harry Potter tragic, today I’ve asked Sian Delaney, WA’s publicist for the Harry Potter films to guest post on the site and share some interesting and fun Harry Potter facts and figures from throughout the series. Here's what she came up with for us:

• Over 25,000 items of clothing have been used on Harry Potter.
• The scenes with the largest number of cast and extras to dress have been the battle scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with 400 Death Eaters and Snatchers and the Great Hall scenes with 400 children and teachers present. 
• A dentist was on standby for many of the young crowd scenes to replace teeth which wobbled and fell out – to prevent continuity issues involving teeth. 
• Harry’s infamous scar has been put on by makeup approx 5,800 times. This is not only on Daniel Radcliffe, who has had the scar applied approx 2,000 times, but also on his doubles and stunt doubles, all of whom wear the scar. 
• 55 liters of hair tint/hair dye was used on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
• Dan Radcliffe has been through 160 pairs of glasses during the shooting of all the Harry Potter films. 
• Dan Radcliffe wore out 60-70 wands during the making of the films.
• 40 versions of Salazar Slytherin's locket had to be created to accommodate Ron and Harry's failed attempts to destroy it. 
• Number of sets created – 588. 
• A 1/3 miniature of The Burrow was created just to be burnt down, when Death Eaters set it on fire in Half-Blood Prince. It took 14 weeks to make and 6 minutes to burn down. 
• The Harry Potter art department contained a team of 58 people working full time. Over 10 years they produced some amazing work, but also produced 35 babies! 
• 5 32-ton trucks' worth of polystyrene were needed to create all the rubble for Deathly Hallows. 
• To keep brooms light-weight and aesthetically on spec, aircraft-grade titanium is employed in their structure. 
• Producers David Heyman and David Barron were immortalized in portraits for the Marble Staircase. 
• 250 body casts have been made of actors for deaths, petrifications and stunning spells. 
• 210,000 coins were made for the Gringotts bank scene for the final two films alone 
• On Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ron’s vomit slugs were in fact, puppets. Rupert Grint chose orange-flavored slime to make the experience more palatable. 
• Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid, once got a fruit bat stuck in his beard during a scene in Hagrid’s hut. 
• After filming 40 kittens to go on moving plates in Umbridge’s office, the kittens went on to be domestic pets, with their new owners unaware of their famous origins. 
• The Great Hall was one of the first ever sets created for the Harry Potter films. It could fit 22 London double-decker buses inside. The set took eighteen weeks to build by approximately 30 people. 
• Dumbledore’s chair was inspired by the throne in Westminster Abbey. 
• The Ministry of Magic is set underneath the Ministry of Defense in London 
• 4000-plus pieces of furniture were bought to make up the massive piles of furniture in the Room of Requirement scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. 

Now it's your turn to tell us what you thought of the new movie!

One Week to Go!

Since I am pretty sure my Supanova post the other day shattered all elusions of me being chic and classy, I have no hesitations in sharing how very, very excited I was to receive this invitation. It's now officially just one week away!

If you want to know what I think of the preview, I'll be sure to Tweet straight after so make sure you follow me before July 11 for all the goss on Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2. It all ends!

Feeling Blue?

Here's something I bet you didn't know. This Saturday has been declared Global Smurfs Day! On June 25, people around the world will be turning themselves blue to celebrate the birthday of Smurfs creator Peyo.

Don't you just love the word Smurfs? The more I write it the weirder it looks. Smurfs. Smurfy, Smurf, Smurf.

In case you've ever had the urge to get your Smurf on, here's your chance. There is going to be an attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs within a 24-hour period in multiple venues. Yes, I am completely serious! To beat the world record they need more than 2,510 Smurfs.

Unfournately Perth isn't one of the cities where Guinness World Records judges will be appearing but there are plenty of cities getting into the blue groove as far afield as Mexico, Brussels, Dublin, Moscow, Johannesburg, New York and London.

In Spain, one of the famous White Towns of Andalusia will be painting the entire town blue. “Life-size” (that is, 7½-inch tall) Smurf figurines will inhabit Paris’s Trocadero Terrace in front of the Eiffel Tower, the main square in Reykjavik, Iceland, Bogotá, Colombia’s El Dorado International Airport, and high-traffic areas in Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland. Can you imagine being on your honeymoon in romantic Paris only to see a plethora of little blue men everywhere?

Aussie Smurf afficianados are being asked to visit www.GlobalSmurfsDay.com to share their support, however I would also encourage all Smurf-lovers to head to their local shopping centre dressed head to toe as their favourite Smurf. Or you could hit your favourite nightspot in your best Smurfette costume (why is there only one lady Smurf anyway, doesn't that cause a whole host of Smurf-sized problems?) Any takers? No?

The Smurfs are also coming to the big screen. The new 3D movie The Smurfs will hit Aussie cinemas on September 1 (TAS), September 8 (QLD) and September 15 (NSW, VIC, WA, SA). 

Win tix to the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere

When I was invited to the preview screening of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, I didn't go. I thought, 'a camp film about swashbuckling pirates? I don't think so.'

It was only when the buzz for this movie reached monumental proportions that I finally ate my words and went to check it out. I liked it. In fact, I thought it was funny, unique and pretty great. Clearly I wasn't the only one as there have been several more movies released since and all did very well in the old box office.

Now the franchise is heading to the next level as the next instalment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is coming out in 3D. Even better, five lucky WA Stylers (and their guest of choice) will be attending the WA premiere at Belmont Cinemas on May 18.

All you need to do to enter is hit comment below and tell us why you deserve to swashbuckle your way into the screening. The most creative answers will win. Aarrr.

What the movie is about:
When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past. © Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Competition closes May 12, 2011.

Feels a lot like Christmas

Talk about a sneak peak, this movie actually doesn't come out until next Christmas! Check it out, this trailer for Arthur Christmas is funny and pretty cute.

WIN! Tix to Love & Other Drugs

Be one of the first people in Perth to see Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal in Love & Other Drugs! I saw this movie the other week in the new Readings Belmont Gold Lounge (more on that in another post) and really enjoyed it. Although it wasn't the movie I expected - more drama than romantic comedy - it was very moving and always engaging.

This movie releases this Thursday. If you'd like to win a double in-season pass, just hit comment below and tell us what (legal) drugs you're most grateful for and why! Too easy!! The most creative answers will win. Also make sure you leave us a way to contact you so we can let you know you've won!

We have a heap of passes to give away so go ahead and get commenting. In-season passes will get you and a friend into most screenings at most WA cinemas at a time of your choice, although some conditions of use are listed on the ticket. Winners will be drawn this weekend, so make sure you get in quick.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Anne Hathaway plays Maggie, an alluring free spirit who won’t let anyone – or anything – tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie’s evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love. Also stars Gabriel Macht, Judy Greer, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria. Based on the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman.

A clever movie promo

I do like it when people try to get a bit more creative with their marketing strategies. In this clip a trailer for upcoming animated film Tangled becomes a commercial for new product 'Rapunzhair'. Very well done.

Tangled hits cinemas on January 6.

Win tickets to Moonlight Cinema!

I've always loved outdoor cinemas. There's just something up relaxing under the stars with friends, family or your partner and watching a great movie. Now the warm weather has hit the Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinemas has officially reopened today and we're lucky enough to have three double (for two people) in-season passes to give away exclusively for WA Style readers!

All you have to do to enter is post a comment below before December 9, 2010 with some feedback on our blog and hey presto! You're in the draw to win. We'd love to know what you think of the blog, what articles you like, what you'd like to see more or less of or anything else you'd care to share. Make sure you leave an email address or a Twitter address so we can contact you to let you know you've won!

Moonlight Cinemas is open from today until March 20 and you can find out more about what's on each night at www.moonlight.com.au. Moonlight Cinemas is in the Perth’s Synergy Parkland in Kings Park & Botanic Garden and there's a different film every night (excluding Mondays) with a great mix of old classics, new releases, arthouse and family-friendly flicks. You can bring your own picnic or use the bar and catering facilities on site. 

If you get a chance one day I also suggest you check out the  reserved area, Gold Grass, it's the gold class of outdoor cinemas and includes the use of a Moonlight Bean Bed, a prime viewing possie and a glass of wine. Ahhh, heaven!

Sneak peak: Hop trailer

Check out this cute trailer for upcoming family comedy Hop. Blending animation with live action, Hop tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers.

With Russell Brand involved and the writers and producer from Despicable Me, I am expecting this to be a VERY funny movie. Universal Pictures will release the film in Australia on April 7, 2011.

Harry Potter or Dan Radcliffe?

I Am Harry Potter from Daniel Radcliffe

Any Harry Potter fans must, must watch this hilarious video from Funny or Die. It's an 'interview' with Daniel Radcliffe about his belief that he is, in fact, Harry. I was sent this link from a friend and didn't initially realise it was from a popular spoof website, I was initially quite bemused!

I think it's a very funny and a very clever commentary on how the public and the media separate fact from fiction and an actor from a character. Good on Dan for doing this!

Luna outdoors is back soon

Now the weather is warming up outdoor cinemas are set to return. The Camelot Outdoor Cinema is schedule to reopen on December 9 and Luna Outdoor on December 16.

For ticket details check out www.lunapalace.com.au. 

Sneak Preview - Cars 2 trailer

If you or your kids loved the movie Cars, you'll definitely want to check out this sneak preview of Cars 2  releasing June 23 next year. www.disneymovies.com.au

It finally came!

For those of you who have been reading the blog lately, you realise I have been a little obsessed with Harry Potter. OK, more than a little. I don't even have kids I can blame my love of all thinks wizarding on.

When I went the US a few years I have even convinced my partner (now husband) along to the Harry Potter museum where I actually got to touch the Sorting Hat. Bliss!

Anyway, the reason for this seemingly random rant is that I am very excited to announce, I just received my invitation to the Perth preview of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (Part 1). It may only be the day before the movie's cinematic release but I love seeing movies early, not because I want to feel special or superior in some way but simply so I don't have other people's opinions and views before I see it for myself. Funny really since I get paid to write movie reviews and will undoubtedly share my thoughts here.

A Harry Potter teaser...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Clip
Uploaded by teasertrailer

Another great snippet from the upcoming Harry Potter film. Obsessed? Who me?

Secrets of the Horcruxes

I cannot describe how excited I am that this movie isn't far away now! Check out this great trailer explaining a bit about the secret of the horcruxes and then make sure you join me in being one of the first in line when this movie releases on November 18.

Don't forget your Gryffindor scarf, orange is very big this season.

iPhone Proposal in Movie Theater

I just saw this video on Mia Freedman's blog Mama Mia (check it out, it's a great blog) and I had to share it with all my WA Style readers as well. It is incredible and made me cry like a little girl. It's basically a proposal in the form of an iPhone ad as part of movie trailers.

Proposing via a movie trailer actually isn't as unusual as it sounds. A friend went to a screening of Twilight New Moon when it first opened her in Perth and one of the trailers was a proposal!

Meet 'Pascal' the chameleon

This video shows clips from the upcoming movie Tangled, releasing on January 6. How cute is this little guy?

The best marketing ever

I went to see Wall Street at the movies yesterday and this ad ran before the film started. I have to say I think this is the smartest piece of marketing I have seen in a very long time. It is long but stick with it, it is clever and a very interesting piece of branding.

I have to admit I am influenced by a good piece of marketing and was considering buying a bottle just so they see the return for all their hard work.

What do you guys think? Love this video or not? Does it make you want to rush out a buy a bottle of Scotland's best? In case you are wondering, this post is in no way sponsored - I just had to share this really cool ad with you all.

Sneak peak of Gnomeo & Juliet

This adorable pic is a sneak peak shot from Gnomeo & Juliet, a 3D animation slated for release in Australia in February 2011.

There is something really gorgeous about this shot, although I bet Shakespeare never thought his most romantic of stories would be re-imagined as an animation staring a garden gnome. That's progress for you.

Animation movie trailer: Tangled

 
This movie looks really cute and the trailer made me smile - hope it does the same for you! Check out the new trailer for Tangled and watch Rapunzel take on the world, with her hair…

This special sneak peak trailer is courtesy of Disney, this animated comedy doesn't release in Australia until January 6.