http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/ PotterWatch.com en-us images/_toprow_bg.gif http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/ Dedicated to JK Rowling\'s Harry Potter Saga in all its forms. 88 31 http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1247 RT met up with French actress Audrey Tautou and spellbinding British star Daniel Radcliffe.

Tautou, known to many as Amelie from the 2001 French romantic comedy of the same name, visited Moscow for the first time. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:39:02 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1246 The “Harry Potter” series might be over, but the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione will be a staple on children's and academics' bookshelves alike for years to come, said professor Susan Napier of Tufts University and former Japanese literature and culture professor at UT.

Napier spoke to an eager group of “Harry Potter” fans and academics on Friday at the Harry Ransom Center about the “Harry Potter” books' place in the tradition of British fantasy, its explosive fandom and the cultural implications of the series. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:37:34 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1245 "Harry Potter," as everyone knows, has been more than just a series of books and the accompanying film adaptations. It's been a cultural phenomenon, on par with "Star Wars," "The Lord of The Rings," and Christianity. With that in mind, it's easy to think that everyone's favorite boy wizard has been around forever. But he hasn't – the first "Potter" novel was released in 1997. Here are five things that didn't exist back then, just as food for thought. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:36:40 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1244 I spent a lot of time writing for a political magazine once upon a time and every so often I find myself instantly ignoring some of the ridiculous things I hear on the news these days, because I grew so weary of the stuff when I was following it for a living. Sometimes I’m afraid to write about some of these things I DO hear because I know I’ll begin dissecting some of the absurd things people say out there that make up the news and I might never be able to stop writing. That or I would just simply keel over my computer in frustration. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:21:01 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1243 Driving around L.A., which is definitely an industry town, you see billboards everywhere for Harry Potter asking CONSIDER in big letters. 



Obviously hoping to appeal to academy voters, the billboard is asking to consider Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 for Oscars other than the usual technical awards. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:18:01 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1242 (Reuters) - Harry Potter fans could be getting a second theme park in the United States, and possibly further attractions in Japan and Singapore, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The Journal, citing sources familiar with the plans, said NBC Universal was planning to expand its Universal Studios theme park in Los Angeles with a section devoted to the boy wizard. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:16:55 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1241 Jump aboard the Hogwart Express and enter the magical world of Harry Potter Down Under.

The exhibition of arguably the most successful movie franchise of all time has arrived in Australia.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which officially opened on Thursday at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum, features hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia from the story J. K. Rowling brought to life. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:10:08 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1240 After decades of false starts and drawn out development, a "Doctor Who" movie may finally be headed to the big screen.  The BBC has brought in "Harry Potter" series helmer David Yates to develop a new incarnation of the character for a stand alone feature film.

Yates told Variety that he and Janet Tranter, head of BBC Worldwide Productions, are on the lookout for writers for the new project and will spend two to three years properly developing the material.  Yates was quoted as saying, "It needs quite a radical transformation to take it into a bigger arena." Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:18:07 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1239 A new study helps to explain why some people loved or loathed the “Harry Potter” fictional series about a young wizard growing up in the world and fighting evil along the way.

According to Russell Webster, doctoral student in psychology at Kansas State University, people experience fantasy differently, and some people enjoy it more than others. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:16:27 UT http://www.potterwatch.com/mpn/html/article.php?sid=1238 Do you remember how you felt when the credits started to roll on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2? It was bittersweet to see our favorite wizards and witches arrive at the end of their fantastic 10-year journey.

But as sad as it was for us to see the franchise come to an end, it was even more painful for the stars to hear the final "cut." Check out this exclusive clip from the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 DVD to get a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional wrap party. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:15:15 UT