The following video may not be overly impressive to Harry Potter fans who are accustomed to magic, but we find it pretty darn cool. A Japanese YouTube user named “marayu74” has released a look at him playing this iconic franchise’s theme song, using nothing but wine glasses. How does he accomplish this feat? It has something to do with the right amount of water and the right type of glass… but whatever. Just watched and be amazed now! Harry Potter Theme Song… Using Glasses!
The following video may not be overly impressive to Harry Potter fans who are accustomed to magic, but we find it pretty darn cool. A Japanese YouTube user named “marayu74” has released a look at him playing this iconic franchise’s theme song, using nothing but wine glasses. How does he accomplish this feat? It has something to do with the right amount of water and the right type of glass… but whatever. Just watched and be amazed now! Harry Potter Theme Song… Using Glasses!
The Boy Who Lived gets a hellacious makeover in the pages of Moore’s latest ‘League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ comic book. By Josh Wigler Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Photo: “Harry Potter” is not for everyone. Some people do not like fun. Some people do not like magic. Some people do not like fun and magic together. I get it, and I accept it. Harry hate isn’t something I’m into, but if that’s your position, have a ball. You’ll get no killing curses out of me. But killing curses are flying, it seems, from the wand of Alan Moore. The critically acclaimed and famously reclusive “Watchmen” writer is drawing a harder line against the boy wizard than even the staunchest “Potter” hater could dream up as the latest installment of Moore’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 2009,” out in stores Wednesday (June 20), features Harry Potter as the Antichrist. Well, almost, at least. There’s an undeniable resemblance between Potter and Moore’s Antichrist. How startling are the similarities, you ask? Let’s count the ways: Moore’s character has a notable scar, a mentor named Riddle (the real last name of Potter’s lifelong nemesis, Lord Voldemort) and travels to a magic school by way of a magic train hidden in King’s Cross station, just like the Boy Who Lived. There is no mention of the words “Harry” or “Potter,” but the result is clear: Moore has cast an analogue of J.K. Rowling’s globally renowned hero as his very own Antichrist. Discuss: Did Alan Moore Say Harry Potter Is the Antichrist? But don’t start shipping Howlers off in Moore’s direction just yet, “Potter” heads, at least not until you get the full meaning of what the writer is going for here. In an early review of the new issue of “Century 2009,” the Independent ‘s Laura Sneddon analyzes Moore’s choice as follows: “The headlines almost write themselves — ‘Alan Moore says Harry Potter is the Antichrist!’ — yet they miss the point. When the Antichrist is met, overgrown and high on anti-psychotics, raging at the education system that let him down and sounding peculiarly like Harry Enfield’s teenage Kevin, he is surely no stand-in for one particular character but of the current obsession for replacing stories with money-generating franchises. Today, film rights are bought before publication, comics are written as storyboards, and teenage celebrities are given memoirs.” “What better representative of modern pop literature than J K Rowling’s boy wizard?” Sneddon continues. “Moore’s distaste for modern culture is made obvious, in keeping with his stance on the comics publishers he feels betrayed him.” Indeed, it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed that “Potter” is a part of the Warner Bros. family, the very same company backing DC Comics’ controversial “Before Watchmen” prequel series against Moore’s wishes; turnabout is fair play, after all. Moore’s choice of Potter as an Antichrist figure isn’t necessarily directed at that character or franchise itself, then — instead, he’s using the most famous, most recognizable and most relevant face possible to get his anti-franchise point across the table. “Before Watchmen” Confirmed: Will More Movies Follow? Is Potter the best option to make such a point? At first, I didn’t think so. Haters are going to hate, but the “Potter” books, if not excellently written, are compelling stories with compelling characters who have introduced new readers the entire world over to the fantastic realm of literature. The films, too, aren’t just commercial juggernauts, but critically acclaimed ones boasting top-tier talents such as Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon — the list goes on and on and on. There is strong craftsmanship on display in the “Potter” series on numerous levels. Why target something that’s actually good rather than, say, a series that hinges on hollow, vampire-obsessed protagonists? (Hate mail can be sent this way , FYI.) But in truth, “Potter” doesn’t end with the stories. The books are closed, the theaters are empty. (For now.) But there’s a whole new wizarding world out there: theme parks, online encyclopedias, unofficial off-Broadway shows and countless other parodies, toys, candy, more. I wouldn’t go as far as saying “Potter” replaces story with money-generating greediness, as Moore seems to believe. But there’s no denying that “Potter” really is more than just a collection of books and films: It’s a lifestyle, not just for fans, but for flesh-and-blood, real-world muggles who keep the Rowling-manufactured train rolling ahead full steam. If you’re looking for an instantly recognizable face to hang your broader anti-franchise sentiments upon, then? Well, I suppose you really don’t need to look any further than Hogwarts’ finest. As a “Potter” fan, I don’t like seeing Harry used as a symbol of what’s wrong in the world today. I’d like to think that there are better examples out there. But if you’re looking at what Moore’s trying to say here, maybe there really isn’t a better example for him to use. Harry isn’t just the Boy Who Lived anymore, after all; he is, inarguably, the Boy Who Lived Luxuriously. How do you feel about Moore’s depiction of “Potter” in the latest “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” comic? Give us your reactions in the comments below, or let me know on Twitter @roundhoward! Related Videos Before Watchmen | Alan Moore
Boy wizard was in a heated battle with ‘Hunger Games’ heroine Katniss Everdeen in MTV’s first social-voting category. By Terri Schwartz Daniel Radcliffe in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” Photo: Warner Bros. He was a real human being and a real hero. Harry Potter came, he saw and he conquered tonight at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards . The Boy Who Lived now enters the prestigious Best Hero ranks that, at this point, only include Christian Bale’s Batman from “Batman Begins.” Harry Potter came out on top after a heated battle against Katniss Everdeen that totally eclipsed the category’s other three contenders: Thor, Captain America and “21 Jump Street” cop Jenko. At least “Harry Potter” toppled two Avengers at the Movie Awards, since the Marvel superhero collective just beat out “Potter” to be the third-highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide. We get the distinct pleasure of knowing that fans think Harry Potter is a better hero than an all-American supersoldier and a Norse god. Though Best Hero was a Movie Awards category back in 2006 when Bale won, this is the first year it was chosen by fans on Twitter. The first-ever social voting category had Twitter users support their favorite hero by sending tweets instead of casting their votes on the . That’s two Golden Popcorns won, four lost and one to go for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” which was nominated a grand total of seven times at this year’s MTV Movie Awards. “Potter” is up against “The Hunger Games,” “Bridesmaids,” “The Help” and “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” for Movie of the Year, and it’s anyone’s guess as to which film will take that one home. We know that seven is a meaningful number in the “Harry Potter” universe, with seven Horcruxes, seven years at Hogwarts and seven books. Heck, Harry Potter was even born in July! That bodes well for the movie’s Movie Awards chances this year. This is the fourth Golden Popcorn the “Harry Potter” series has ever won. Tom Felton has had the honor of winning Best Villain the past two years, and both were fairly memorable experiences. First Mark Wahlberg interrupted his acceptance speech , and then Dave Grohl busted in on his post-win interview . Emma Watson accepted the award for Best Cast only minutes before the series’ titular character won Best Hero. The 2012 MTV Movie Awards are officially under way! Stick with MTV News for minute-by-minute coverage, and don’t forget to go to MovieAwards.MTV.com to cast your vote for Best Movie! Related Videos 2012 Movie Awards: Pre-Show Highlights 2012 Movie Awards: Most Talked-About Moments Related Photos 2012 Movie Awards: Full Fashion Recap 2012 Movie Awards: MTV Stars At The Awards
Lindsay Lohan famously posed as Elizabeth Taylor in Interview magazine in 2006. Now she’s all dressed up and ready to take on the role of a lifetime … on Lifetime. TMZ, which obtained the first of photo of LiLo in full wardrobe, reveals that she’s already gotten her hair and cut and dyed to look just like Taylor’s classic ‘do. The photo below is all Lindsay – no wig – and the resemblance is uncanny: In addition to physical similarities, sources say LiLo’s troubled history, and ability to match Taylor’s vulnerability and beauty, helped win her the role in the Lifetime film. Shooting on the movie, called Liz & Dick and chronicling her turbulent marriage, starts this week with Grant Bowler from True Blood co-starring as Richard Burton. According to the producer, Larry Thompson, there’ll be many a steamy scene between the couple, whose 18-year age difference mirrors that of Liz and Dick. [Photo: TMZ]
Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo should thank Audrey Bolte. The 23-year-old Miss Ohio was the second runner-up at last night’s pageant – not a poor showing, but Bolte’s title hopes were likely undone by one answer. She was asked by judge Marilu Henner, “Do you think women are depicted in movies and TV in an accurate and positive way and please give us an example.” Miss Ohio’s amazing response: “I think it depends on the movie. I think there are some movies that depict women in a very positive role and some movies that put them in a little bit more of a negative role, but by the end of the movie they show that woman power that I know we all have.” “Such as the movie Pretty Woman .” “We had a wonderful, beautiful woman, Julia Roberts, and she was having a rough time. But you know what? She came out on top and she didn’t let anyone stay in her path.” Yeah. We sort of see Audrey’s point about the character’s perseverance and strength, but still … saying a hooker is a positive depiction of women on screen? Ouch. Roberts’ Vivian Ward was a likable woman, but she come out on top when a rich man hired her for sex for a week and then rescued her from a life of prostitution. Probably not what the judges were looking for.
One helped take down Voldemort, the other an evil young woman who simply goes by “A.” By neither Emma Watson nor Lucy Hale were at last night’s MTV Movie Awards to cast spells or set traps. Instead, they just wanted to look good on the red carpet! And each young beauty succeed, with the Harry Potter actress in a short purple dress and the Pretty Little Liars star rocking a revealing pink top. Which looks leaves your jaw closer to the ground? That’s the question posed below…
Superhero flick trails behind two James Cameron blockbusters in the first and second all-time-gross spots. By Terri Schwartz Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson in the “Avengers” Photo: Marvel Watch out James Cameron because “The Avengers” is coming for you next. Marvel’s all-star team of superheroes has officially become the number-three highest-grossing movie of all time in the United States as well as worldwide, besting “The Dark Knight” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” for the honor. As of June 1, the movie made $538 million domestically and $1.3 billion worldwide, placing it behind only Cameron’s “Titanic” and “Avatar.” That’s not the only number-three spot “The Avengers” is in. “Snow White and the Huntsman” has debuted with a strong $20 million Friday gross in its debut weekend, knocking “Men in Black 3” from its top spot last weekend. “MIB3” came in second on Friday with an $8.3 million intake, while “The Avengers” rounded out the top three with $5.7 million. In all likelihood, that ranking will be indicative of the rest of the weekend as well. Considering “The Avengers” has been in theaters for a month, that’s some pretty strong continued momentum. We’ll attribute some of it to fans wanting to support their favorite Avengers going into the 2012 MTV Movie Awards weekend. Captain America and Thor are facing off against each other in the Best Hero category, but they’ve got some stiff competition in the form of Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen and “21 Jump Street” ‘s Jenko. There’s only a very slim chance that “The Avengers” will climb any higher on the all-time box-office charts. In the U.S., it would have to top $659 million to oust Cameron’s “Titanic” and cross $761 million to beat “Avatar.” And it seems even less likely that it will pass either of those movies worldwide, as it would have to more than double its international grosses. Still, not too shabby for Marvel’s group of superheroes. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘The Avengers’ Related Photos ‘Avengers’ Snow White And The Huntsman
Captain America, Thor and Channing Tatum’s Jenko battle it out on Twitter to win Best Hero on Sunday. By Ryan J. Downey Daniel Radcliffe in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” Photo: Warner Bros. Harry Potter spent several movies (and books, of course) battling Voldemort, both indirectly and in face-to-face confrontations. Katniss Everdeen’s skill with a bow and arrow has kept her alive against considerable odds. Captain America has fought bad guys (like his arch-nemesis the Red Skull) in various incarnations since World War II, whether with the Invaders, the Howling Commandos or the Avengers. His teammate, Thor, has gone up against all manner of sinister foes across all the nine realms, not the least of which being his half-brother, the mischievous Loki. Jenko, from the big-screen version of “21 Jump Street,” not only had to contend with drug dealers, but there was the whole “politics of high school” drama too. But right now, all these heroes are facing their most fervent, vocal, communicative, evolving and passionate adversary yet: Twitter. The MTV Movie Awards first-ever social voting category, Best Hero , has harnessed the power of Twitter like Marvel supervillains harnessing the power of the Cosmic Cube to determine which of the big screen do-gooders (many of them ripped from the written page) is truly the people’s champion. It’s been up-to-the-minute action worthy of some of their biggest adventures, with the instantaneous might of the microblogging medium allowing each of them to rise and fall in the ranks constantly as fans tweet their favorites with special hashtags. Harry Potter and “Hunger Games” hero Katniss have been in the closest competition for the top spot, each with well over 100,000 votes as of this writing. Katniss, of course, is just starting her movie franchise stardom even as the onetime boy wizard has grown up and moved on after last year’s final “Potter” installment. “The Avengers” mopped the floor with the blockbuster “Hunger Games,” usurping the novel-based movie’s throne to become the #1 movie of 2012 thus far (and rising through the top five in the all-time list as well). However, the Best Hero category may have split the Avengers fan vote by pitting two of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against each other. Captain America has been a distant third with his pal Thor even further behind at #4. Jenko from “21 Jump Street,” the smash comedic take on the ’80s TV show of the same name about a group of cops who go undercover in high school, has his work cut out for him. He’s trailing behind all the other heroes, but in fairness, he doesn’t have the same historical power of his foes. Channing Tatum also had to walk in the shadow of Johnny Depp (who — spoiler — reprised his TV role in a brief cameo) in “Jump Street,” though it won favor with critics (85 percent on the Tomatometer!) and fans ($136 million at the box office! For an action comedy! In March!) alike. Channing Tatum, of course, is also nominated in the Best Kiss category thanks to his steamy lip-lock with Rachel McAdams in “The Vow.” But when we sat down with him on Thursday, he told us he’s confident that a certain franchise has that category in the bag. “It doesn’t matter. The ‘Twilight’ kids always sweep it,” he told MTV News when he sat down for the “Magic Mike” MTV Sneak Peek Week event . “They sweep it every time.” He was kind enough to personally thank MTV News’ @JoshuaHorowitz and the small but dedicated army of #VoteJenko fans himself from his own Twitter account, @ChanningTatum. Twitter user @lesleycherrypie voted Jenko, “Not only because he’s hot, but that is a big part of it.” @CaraFoshizzle quoted several of her favorite lines from “Captain America: The First Avenger” as she tweeted her vote for Mr. Steve Rogers. @HarryPotterings pleaded, “Please #VOTEPOTTER before the voting closes! It’s one of our last chances to win an award for our childhood.” @CleverGranger said, “Katniss ‘won’ The Hunger Games, but Harry ‘saved’ the wizarding world. Who’s the true hero now?” Quotes from “The Hunger Games” have flooded the Twitter-verse, as well. @MaryamA115 said, “She’s getting closer! 2nd place now. :D” Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live this Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.
‘Harry Potter’ also earns Leven Rambin’s wrath: ‘That’s so seven years ago.’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Eric Ditzian Leven Rambin Photo: MTV News “The Hunger Games” has some stiff competition at Sunday’s 2012 MTV Movie Awards , especially in two major categories: Movie of the Year and Best Cast . Surely the cast of the splashy big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel fully understands warfare, which is why when MTV News recently spoke to Leven Rambin — who plays the ill-fated Glimmer in “Hunger Games” — she had some feisty fighting words for those other casts. Well, for all the films except one notable exception. “I think it’s a close tie between ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Bridesmaids,’ and I would not be offended if ‘Bridesmaids’ won, ’cause, frankly, they’re my favorite cast of any movie I’ve ever seen ever,” she dished. “I think it’s neck-and-neck.” Of course, she had less-than-kind things to say about some of those other nominated films. ” ‘Harry Potter’? That’s so seven years ago,” she said. “So I think ‘The Hunger Games’ is the hot new kids on the block.” And she wasn’t shy to brush off “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” another major movie franchise vying for the Golden Popcorn when the show goes live this Sunday (June 3). “What? What’s that? ‘Breaking’ who?” she sassed. In the Movie of the Year category, Rambin and the other Tributes face off against “Bridesmaids,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” “The Help” and “Breaking Dawn – Part 1”. Meanwhile, in the Best Cast competition, “The Hunger Games” will take on “Bridesmaids,” “Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” “21 Jump Street” and “The Help.” Want to know who will win? Well, the 2012 MTV Movie Awards will be hosted by Russell Brand and feature performances from Fun. , The Black Keys, Martin Solveig and Wiz Khalifa . It all goes down at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, June 3. Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live this Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET. Related Videos Behind The Scenes At The 2012 MTV Movie Awards Related Photos Sneak Peek Week At The 2012 Movie Awards
