British ITV has released their documetary, “J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life,” here.
It isn’t really heavy and contraverstal as some people might like their documentaries to be but I really enjoyed it. She talks about her childhoods effect on the Harry Potter novels, the creation of Deathly Hallows, and her newest project. Near the end of the program they show a piece on the Universal Studios theme park they hope to open. It is very unclear about what they plan to do with the park but they do talk about some sort of mechanical device that they are thinking about using, possibly in the Shrieking Shack? It didn’t occur to me until now, because the site only talks about building Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley, but they will most likely include the Forbidden Forest and Shrieking Shack. I have no idea how they intend to create a Whomping Willow though.
Rowling included so many characters and places in her book that it would be hard to cover them all. Under the circumstances, they will probably highlight what they felt was most important to the series, which is a shame because there is so much that can be done with the material. The Ministry of Magic, The Quidditch Stadium, and The House of Black are all out of reach from Hogwarts but would be very interesting to see. I think the most effective way to do this theme park is to make it live action. Rollercosters and machinery don’t really stimulate people any more, and live action allows you to get into it. The people reading Rowlings novels imagine being the characters and living the events, so it would be unfair to charge so much for a sit down or ticket park.
Staying in the school dorms, facing the challenges they face, and stepping away from reality is what people really want. I would be really disappointed if it were any other way. Check out the video for a better look into Rowlings life and hints about the new theme park!

It looks like they have finally put together the movie, ‘Speed Racer,’ cast with Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci as Speed Racer and Trixie. If there is one thing I remember from my childhood it is Speed Racer, and I was thrilled when they announced the original cast with Disney heart-throb, Zach Efron, and Rose McGowen. I guess it was too good to be true. I included the trailer below but it only shows what they did wrong with the film. I’m really let down with how this turned out.

I found the Duchess trailer, posted below, but the film looks sort of frigid. I didn’t have high expectations for it but I’ll go see it anyway for the costumes and history. I’ll be sure to tell everyone whether or not it was any good.

Nothing new to speak of (at home). I’m supposed to see Lizzabeth on Saturday. On Sunday I’m getting my glasses. We planned our trip to Disneyland for January second through January fifth. We will only be there for a full day and a half because of pricing but it’s going to be worth it. Below is a picture of Jesse Cave. She has been cast as Ronald Weasley’s significant other in the newest Harry Potter film, Half Blood Prince. Her characters name is Lavender Brown and it’s official, she is adorable. I hope that her acting skills are as good as her looks. She will be sharing a kissing scene with Rupert Grint, who plays Harry Potters good friend Ron Weasley (mentioned above). Those familiar with the books already knew this was coming. Also sharing a kissing scene in this film will be Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, played by Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright. It is going to be the most exciting film yet. The director of Order of the Phoenix, David Yates, will be returning to direct this film. I’m so happy that he is directing because he did such a good job at OOTP, but the director who made the most difference in this series was Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron put the characters in a whole new light. He showed that they had aged and that you could relate to them, while making the story dark and still really fantastic. One of my favorite scenes in the movie was in the boys dormitory and it shows them eating a candy that allows them to make animal (and mechanical) noises. It is a really fun scene that shows them just being boys and I thought it was a very nice touch. Cuaron was also the first one to establish a relationship with Ron and Hermione that wasn’t in the books. It showed that awkwardness thats always around at that age and it was really funny and thoughtful. The audience enjoyed it too. The author recalls several letters regarding Ron/Hermione slash stories and she soon incorporated this into her books.

The characters are sixteen in this new film and there are going to be a lot of love scenes, a lot of flying hormones, and a lot of dark comedy. The sixth book was pretty rushed but it is movie material. It is also building up to the last book of the series and most exciting. To date, Goblet of Fire has been my favorite book in the series, but it can’t compare with what they are filming for Half Blood Prince. I expect to see all of you at the opening in costume. I only had time to do my make up for the Sweeney Todd premiere but my younger sister and I have been dressing up for Harry Potter book and movie openings since Sorcerers Stone and we are already well prepared for it. Avilan’s, mentioned in my last blog, sells costumes for a price and has great details but Goodwill is always cheaper and they give you free reign to go crazy. I’m still completely enamored with the eight year olds Hedwig costume for the Half Blood Prince book release. More HP news later!!

Great news! On May 30th of this year Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, announced that they will be opening a Harry Potter theme park between December 15th, 2009 and June 30th, 2010.
I would have found about this sooner if I was still frequenting Muggle Net, but my Potter days have long since past. Now that I know about the project I have signed up for email updates. You can do this yourself at the parks web-ring, or wait for me to report it on my blog.

The studio has been very quiet about their plans on the HP Park. They have some concept art on both Muggle Net and the official website that shows plans to create a Hogsmeade village, but the park will be based mainly around Hogwarts School. They have announced Hogwarts to be their main level of interest with surrounding grounds and theme park rides, but have issued no details as to what type of rides and lounging they will provide.
I’m really looking forward to what they come up with, Rowling has been working close with project directors to create what she refers to as ‘a world within a world.’ Of course, I’m going!
I’ve been fantasizing about this park since the Sorcerers Stone. I hope that they include classes, role playing, and student lounging. The maze and challenges (featured in Goblet of Fire) would be a interesting game/ride and I can’t even begin to imagine the food they will offer! They will of course be offering Alivan’s merchandise within the park as well as books and Harry Potter themed gifts. I will keep you posted on further progress of the park. Maybe we can plan a group party for the park’s opening but I imagine the park will be packed for the first few years.

Merry Christmas! Here is a list of the gifts I received so far:

1. Vintage purple night gown
2. Striped Thigh Highs
3. White Thigh Highs with Bows
4. Black Thigh Highs with Bows
5. Black Footless Tights
6. Grey Thigh Highs
7. Black and White Baseball Thigh Highs
8. A purse and matching Snake skin Make up Bag (Faux)
9. Disney Princess Pencils
10. Diamond ‘R’ In scripted Necklace
11. Headbands
12. Sixty Dollars and a Ten Dollar Gift Certificate to the Theater (For Juno)
13. Mac Powder
14. The Illustrated Jane Eyre (Dame Darcy- Book, and my favorite present so far)
15. Marie Antoinette (Book)
16. The Best American Comics 2007 (Book)
17. Still Angry Little Girls (Book)
18. The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll (Book)

My parent’s friend, Kira, gave me a book called “I Am The Messenger,” from the book store she works at. I’m so glad I got new reading material! Now I’m off to my Grandparents house in Tualitan for linner and gifts. Have a very Happy Holiday!

UPDATE: More gifts!
1. White purse
2. Lots of socks
3. Chocolate
4. Money
5. Marie Antoinette lollipop (for decorative purposes)
6. Coco Tamarind Perfume
7. A thong (I’m never going to use this)
8. Pirate Gold
9. Bath Washes/Treatments and Robe
10. Earrings
11. Parisite Pals Stationary
12. Sigal Dekel Sales Book

Well, it’s easy to choose between the two lists, but I always welcome gifts with open arms. We started off the day with presents. Then we drove into Willsonville to see our Grandparents from my fathers side. It started to snow!
We drove to Tualitan for dinner, gifts, and Harry Potter (the fifth) before heading home. Good tidings! Merry Christmas!

I put the finishing touches on Tess’ Christmas present. It is a personalized crunk goblet/pimp cup. I couldn’t get a very good picture of it but  I put it against a black table top so that you could see most of the studding.  It was a pretty last minute gift and the picture doesn’t do it any justice but I’m sure she’ll like it. I used red, pink, and silver studding, and red glitter.