Emma Watson to launch 'green' fashion line

'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is busting into the high-fashion world, by collaborating with fashion house Alberta Ferreti to create an eco-friendly collection.

Watson, 20, is working on the 'Pure Threads' collection meant for "sensitive people, who want to be supportive of these kind of issues," the New York Post quoted Ferretti as telling WWD.

The designer said she was attracted to Watson because of her "freshness...spontaneity and simplicity."

"She is intelligent, with a strong personality, a young, modern girl," she said of the actress.

This is not Watson's first foray into the world of fashion; she modelled for Burberry's Autumn/Winter campaign in 2009 and appeared in their 2010 Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother, Alex.

The British actress also began working as a creative adviser for People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand, in February 2010. Part of the proceeds of her Ferretti line will benefit People Tree.

"I'm pleased that a luxury brand such as Alberta Ferretti has decided to create ecological clothes," Watson said in a statement about her latest venture.

"I believe this is a big step forward for all of the international fashion industry, but also an important step for an increased sensitivity to the problem of ecology," she added.

Harry Potter, Broadway producers battle for Daniel Radcliffe

Actor Daniel Radcliffe's commitment to appear in a Broadway show has clashed with the premiere of the final Harry Potter, leaving producers of the two shows to battle over him.

Radcliffe, 21, had committed to appear in the revival of 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' at the Hirschfeld Theatre, which started previews on February 26 and runs until at least November 6.

But Warner Bros. chiefs were furious that his Broadway deal meant he might not be available to promote 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2', to be launched with a lavish premiere at London's Trafalgar Square on July 7.

In tense negotiations, 'How To Succeed' producers refused to release Radcliffe for the days when Warner needed him -- forcing the studio to buy out the whole theatre for the nights he'd have to miss.

"Warner Bros. is furious that Radcliffe committed to Broadway when he should be promoting 'Harry Potter'," the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

"This is the final film, so it's a big deal. A grand world premiere is being planned as well as a US premiere and a press tour.

"They absolutely couldn't do it without their big star. But the theatre producers dug their heels in and said they wouldn't release Radcliffe unless Warner bought out the entire theatre for the nights they need him.

"Studio bosses are furious, but they have no choice but to pay up for five nights costing over 500,000 dollars," the source stated.

A Telecharge sales agent said that while tickets are being sold up to November 6, tickets for July 5 and 6 have "not been released", although they haven't yet been cancelled. Tickets for July 9 are currently on sale.

"Everything is fine, Dan is promoting the film and is happy to do so. With all productions there are scheduling issues but everything has all been worked out," Radcliffe's rep said.

"Warner Bros. is very supportive of Dan, and there is no issue," the rep added.

Kingston Harry Potter nominee flies out for Oscar ceremony

The man who helped bring Harry Potter elves Dobby and Kreacher to life is flying to Hollywood after being nominated for an Oscar.

Kingston University illustration graduate Christian Manz was shortlisted in the best visual effects category for his work on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

The 36-year-old visual effects supervisor helped redesign Dobby to appear more human in his final, darker appearance in the series.

Mr Manz's team at Framestore removed the bodies of the two actors playing the elves and replaced them with animations.

He said: “It's rare to have the chance to work for 16 months on one project. There were only about 60 of us which, believe it or not, is quite a small team.

“Dobby is a central character in part one of the Deathly Hallows, as he dies at the end. We created more than 300 different facial expressions for him.”

He and his three fellow co-nominees are competing against Alice in Wonderland, Hereafter, Inception and Iron Man 2 at the awards show on Sunday, February 27.

'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling's story to be made into a movie in Canada

'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling's rags to riches story is to be made into a movie in Canada.

The film based on Rowling's rise from struggling single mum in Edinburgh to multimillionaire author of the Harry Potter book series is set to begin shooting next month.

Scotland's The Herald newspaper reported that film producers initially toured Edinburgh in their search for shooting locations, but decided to move production to Canada to save money because they found similar buildings there that could be used as backdrops.

Rowling, 45, has not authorised the television movie, reports News.com.au.

She refused to comment on the film, which has the working title 'Strange Magic'.

Australian actor Poppy Montgomery, who stars as FBI agent Samantha Spade in the hit US television series Without a Trace, will play Rowling.

Harry Potter still king of the world

Harry Potter led the worldwide box office for a second weekend on Sunday, but the heroic boy wizard had a close shave with a hairy princess in North America.

The seventh movie in the hit franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," sold $163.5 million worth of tickets globally, led by a $50.3 million haul in the United States and Canada, distributor Warner Bros. said.

Of the 62 foreign markets, the best score came from France, where the film opened at No. 1 with $19.1 million -- the country's best start of the year. After two weekends the worldwide total stands at about $610 million.

But the fearless schoolboy almost lost his North American crown to Rapunzel, the hirsute heroine in the new Walt Disney Co 3D cartoon "Tangled." The fairy tale earned $49.1 million for the three days, far exceeding industry forecasts.

Along with three other films, "Tangled" opened on Wednesday, one day ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving Day holiday, giving it a five-day total of $69 million. Pundits had forecast a five-day haul of about $40 million.

Disney distribution president Chuck Viane said the film played strongly with families, and many little girls dressed up as princesses for the occasion.

Internationally, "Tangled" earned $13.8 million after opening at No. 1 in six of seven markets. Russia led the way with $7.5 million, a record for a Disney cartoon. It adds eight markets next weekend, including France and Italy. Pop singer/actress Mandy Moore voices the heroine.

The other three new releases all performed to the expectations of their respective studios.

"Burlesque," a musical starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, shared the No. 4 spot with the three-week-old action movie "Unstoppable," each reporting about $11.8 million for the three-day period.

The $55 million musical will be "a real moneymaker," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution at Sony Corp's Sony Pictures, which released the film through its Screen Gems division.

Women accounted for 69 percent of the audience, and 54 percent of moviegoers were aged 25 or older. But Bruer said the men who went along enjoyed it.

"Love and Other Drugs," a $30 million romantic comedy starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, followed at No. 6 with $9.9 million. Even though Hathaway has a much-discussed nude scene, the film also played mostly to older women, said News Corp-owned 20th Century Fox.

Male youngsters got their fix with "Faster," an action thriller starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The film drove in at No. 7 with $8.7 million. It was distributed in North America by CBS Corp's CBS Films, which split the $24 million production tab with international rights holder Sony.

The five-day total for "Burlesque" stands at $17.2 million, for "Love and Other Drugs" at $14 million, and for "Faster" at $12.2 million. Both "Love" and "Burlesque" will begin their international rollouts just before Christmas.

The new "Harry Potter" film is off to the strongest start in the series, having earned $220.4 million in North America since opening November 19. The previous film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," had earned $201 million during the same 10-day span in July 2009. That film ended up with $302 million domestically, and Time Warner Inc-owned Warner Bros. was similarly confident the new film would break $300 million.

The foreign total stands at $389.2 million. Top markets include Britain with $53.5 million, Germany with $37 million, Japan with $35 million, and Australia with $25 million.

Harry Potter is back, hunts for Deathly Hallows

After six films spanning over a decade and almost USD 5.5 billion in gross profits in films, The Wizards are finally bidding goodbye with the seventh, a 2 part movie 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. And if you are excited like the rest of the world, but have forgotten the plot so far, here is a crash course for you!

Harry Potter's journey began back in 2001, with The Philosopher's Stone. As a young miserable orphan, who discovers that he's a wizard, and not just any ordinary wizard. As a baby, he was responsible for the death of the evil Lord Voldemort. He heads to the magical school of Hogwart's, embarking on a journey to a much happier life and lifelong friendship with fellow students Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

In the next installment, Harry, Ron and Hermione battle a manifestation the Dark Lord, looking for the Chamber of Secrets, to save Ron's sister Ginny

The Prisoner of Azkaban is perhaps the darkest of the series where Harry meets the dreaded Dementors. It's also here that he forms a strong bond with his late father's friend, Harry's own godfather Sirius Black, accused of betraying the Potter’s to Voldemort.

The Goblet of Fire is an epic, incidentally ALSO starring the future twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson, as the two compete for the Triwizard Cup. Here's where Potter faces off against a revived Voldemort, and barely escapes with his life.

The Order of the Phoenix released just three years ago ... focusing on the secret society dedicated to fighting Voldemort and his Death-Eaters... trying to convince and unbelieving public that the Dark Lord is back.

That brings us to a more grown-up Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where we learn more about Voldemort as a boy, and also, his young rival Draco Malfoy. The movie has it all - romance, danger, and a teenage universe where friendship counts for everything - even with a war going on.

And finally, the first part of the grand finale -- a teaser of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 releases on November 19. The second part hits theatres next year.

No 3D for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Disappointment might wrench the heart of die-hard Harry Potter fans because year’s most awaited film ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 3D release has been cancelled.

Entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros announced that the first part of the last film in the series would only be shown in 2D and not in eye-popping 3D technology.

It said it had hoped to be able to transform the film into 3D format but they trashed the idea, as they would not have completed the advanced version of the film within the release date window.

But the studio will now only release it in 2D, in both conventional and IMAX theatres.

“Despite everyone''s best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality,” the Daily Star quoted from a statement released by Warner Bros.

“We do not want to disappoint fans who have long anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film day-and-date on November 19, 2010, as planned,” it added.

But Warner Bros said it was still planning to deliver ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2’, due for release in July next year in both 2D and 3D formats.

Box office preview: 'Funny People' likely to top charts

Judd Apatow has become a household name thanks to his past two outings: Knocked Up and The 40-Year Old Virgin. But where both comedies went on to become $100 million+ box office successes, his latest endeavor, Funny People, is much more of a wild card. The R-rated flick still features some of Apatow’s unique brand of comedy, but hidden within is the downer story of a sad clown battling a fatal disease. The upshot: Adam Sandler is the star. The film’s sure to open at No. 1. How it holds on will be anyone’s guess.

1. Funny People: $35 million
While Virgin bowed to $21 million with an unknown Steve Carrell at the center and Knocked Up pulled in $30 million with newcomer Seth Rogen, Funny People has giant movie star Adam Sandler leading the charge. But the comedy pro is leaving his PG comfort zone and the results when he does so are never certain. Prognosticators have this film opening all over the map. I’m going with $35 million. Sandler and Apatow could prove to be a very formidable combination, even with a close to 2 1/2 hour run time.

2. G-Force: $17 million
Those covert guinea pigs proved to be a box office hit this last weekend at the movies. While Fox’s Aliens in the Attic will take away some of its power in round two, the movie’s unlikely to fall more than 50% for the frame. Pretty impressive that animated guinea pigs will cross $50 million after less than ten days of release.

3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: $15 million
Potter bows on IMAX theaters this frame, which will surely help cushion its drop in its third weekend. The movie has already grossed $221 million, more than its predecessor at the same time in its release pattern. If it maintains its momentum, Half-Blood Prince could hit $300 million by the end of its domestic run.

4. The Ugly Truth: $13.5
This Katherine Heigl-Gerard Butler update on the age-old conundrum of man/woman incompatibility surprised everyone last weekend with its opening take of $27.6 million. Turns out moviegoers like and want more romantic comedies, especially the R-rated ones. Expect a drop of around 50%, which would be quite a feat considering how critics hated the film.

5. Aliens in the Attic: $13 million
This PG-rated low-budget comedy originally titled They Came From Upstairs should open decently. From director John Schultz (The Honeymooners), the movie centers on a group of teenagers, including Ashley Tisdale, who must protect their vacation home from aliens residing in the attic. Kevin Nealon, Doris Roberts, and Tim Meadows co-star.

Emma Watson Shows her Boob

Emma Watson better be careful, she's been accidentally showing more and more skin lately and that can lead to some seriously tainted reputation in Hollywood.


The latest Emma episode took place a couple nights ago when the young actress was on her way to a popular London nightclub after attending the London premiere for the latest Harry Potter movie.

Still sitting in her limousine, Emma Watson appeared to be caressing her left boob, which caused her dress to open a little too much, giving us an Almost-Emma-Watson-Nipple-Slip. Granted, no nipple was actually visible here, but you can see Emma Watson's boob here in its entire splendor (minus the nipple)

'Harry Potter snags $100 million worldwide on opening day

The magical spell Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is casting at the box office keeps on bringing in great returns: In terms of worldwide ticket sales, the latest Potter flick -- the series' sixth film -- jumped past the $100 million in its first 24 hours, according to a report in Variety. The movie pulled in $58.2 million domestically and $45.9 million internationally to rack up a total of $104 million, which is the franchise's best start ever.

The Wednesday night opening of the movie broke records in the U.S. when it grossed $22.2 million alone for its midnight runs.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Darkness is visible from the outset of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The Death Eaters mobilized by the return of Lord Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are on the loose in London, streaking through an anxious metropolis on missions of urban destruction that, in a different fantasy cosmos, might challenge the talents of Batman. Thunder rattles a gray sky; the camera alights on a heavyhearted young man reading his newspaper in a sad subway café out of an old Edward Hopper painting while he ogles a pretty waitress out of modern multiracial England. Yet there's cause for audience spirits to be high: The universally recognizable fellow is Harry Potter, embodied in blossoming manhood by Daniel Radcliffe. The newspaper is The Daily Prophet, that model of innovative print journalism in which every photo not only tells a story, but morphs into a moving picture, too. And it's abundantly clear that director David Yates, returning to the magical realm after Order of the Phoenix, and indispensable Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves (he's written all but the Phoenix script) have perfected a crucial potion: They've found just the right balance of timeless spiritual profundity and contemporary teen specificity, of awe and humor, necessary to steer J.K. Rowling's 
 enthralling seven-book saga to a satisfying conclusion. Will Hermione (Emma Watson) attract Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)? Will Ron kiss flouncy, pouncy Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave)? Will Harry connect with Ron's no-longer-such-a-kid sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright)? And will good triumph over evil? Stick around till Yates and Kloves' final two-part Potter production, scheduled for 2010 and 2011, and find out.

Even loyal readers who enjoy the gift of clairvoyance may appreciate a reminder or two about the plot of Half-Blood Prince. Just before Harry is set to return to Hogwarts, the star student is recruited by venerable headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) for a mission. The old wizard wants to lure the retired Potions professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent, doing a juicy inside-out version of his role 
 in Topsy-Turvy) back to Hogwarts to find out what the vain old goat remembers about a certain former star student named Tom Riddle. (Long story short for Muggles: Riddle became Voldemort.) In the meantime, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is being groomed to do some major evil. And Prof. Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) appears to have Draco's back — as well as the most delicious ability to. clip. his. words.

All the while, the teenage wizards-in-training have enough to handle just being regular teens under the spell of raging hormones. ''Excuse me, I have to go and vomit,'' Hermione announces with a bite worthy of Gossip Girl when she observes Ron getting all snoggy with Lavender, who's one of the great lovestruck steamrollers of teen literature. And anyone who has survived 12th grade has passed a pale individualist classmate like Evanna Lynch's Luna Lovegood in the hallway, or encountered an imperious dragon-lady teacher like Maggie Smith's Minerva McGonagall.

On the other hand, not many teens face a hero's quest as daunting as the one set for Harry, with a showdown scheduled for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Half-Blood Prince encompasses important plot developments involving both love and death. But the story is, still and all, only a pause, deferring an intensely anticipated conclusion. And it's in that exquisite place of action and waiting that this elegantly balanced production emerges as a model adaptation. By now, as played with utmost loyalty to the cause by some of Britain's most illustrious actors, the supporting characters are as familiar as the population of Homer Simpson's neighborhood (and that's a great compliment). Yet with a big assist from cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel — a Potter newbie who memorably shot Amélie and Across the Universe — the filmmakers have found a way to refresh our eyes and enhance our appreciation for this rich, amazing creation.

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' breaks midnight record

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince grossed an eye-popping $22.2 million from its midnight showings early Wednesday morning, according to figures released by Hollywood.com. That breaks the $18.5 million midnight record previously held by last year's smash The Dark Knight, and it's well ahead of the $16 million Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen grossed in its midnight showings earlier this summer. If these magical numbers hold up, Half-Blood could have a shot at topping The Dark Knight's $203.8 million five-day opening-weekend record as well.

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) Movie Review

The cute, virginal nerd who triumphs in the pleasantly low-key teen comedy I Love You, Beth Cooper fulfills an ambition at once more chaste and more daring than the sexual goals set by the cute, virginal nerds who ruled in Superbad: Right up there on the stage at Buffalo Grove High School's graduation, valedictorian Denis Cooverman (comedy improv regular Paul Rust, from the Adrien Brody school of proboscic grandeur) makes the title declaration to the object of his unrequited affection (Heroes' Hayden Panettiere), a tough little pistol of a cheerleader. Superbrave! Then he speaks his mind to other high school archetypes, including the school bully, the class rich bitch, Beth's bulldog of an older boyfriend, and Denis' own drama-loving best friend who hasn't declared his sexual orientation, leaving his classmates to declare it for him.

The movie, directed with modesty by Home Alone and Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus from a swell book and screenplay by comic writer Larry Doyle (Buffalo Grove class of '76), follows the fallout from Denis' barn-burning speech — a cheery night to-remember comedy of outlandish, unlikely coincidences and lively mishaps, culminating in the shared witness of a sweet, hope-streaked sunrise. The story is timeless; this could have taken place when Doyle graduated in '76 — or any year, really, since the effects of high school linger throughout adult life and nerds are forever.

Emma Watson: At Least I Wore Underwear

Emma Watson has brushed off her embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at Tuesday's "Harry Potter" premiere in London, insisting it could have been a lot worse.The 19-year-old star braved torrential rain on the red carpet during the world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.She was snapped by photographers accidentally flashing her panties to hundreds of fans and the world's press as she tried to gather her dress up to avoid stepping on the hem.But she has laughed off the incident and insists it could have been worse.The 19-year-old actress explained the moment to David Letterman Wednesday night."Tell us what's going on here," he said as he held up a picture of the incident."This was a small wardrobe malfunction, it happens."At least I'm wearing underwear," the 19-year-old star added, before hanging her head in her hands to say, "I'm still learning, I'm still learning!"

Box Office Preview: Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Bruno' eyes a big weekend win

Sacha Baron Cohen's equal-opportunity offender Bruno is barging into theaters this weekend, promising enough outrageous shtick to lure in the most reluctant of moviegoers, if only to see how far he'll go. While Twentieth Century Fox, Cohen's Borat distributor, was tasked with selling a strange Kazakhstani journalist to audiences, Universal is in the fortunate spot of marketing Bruno like a sequel. The studio's over-the-top campaign shows that they may even be having a little fun with their gay Austrian fashion reporter. Now, with Bruno opening in 2,757 theaters, the one question is how well Baron Cohen's flamboyant character will play in more conservative parts of the U.S.

1. Bruno: $37 million
In 2006, Borat opened in only 837 theaters to $26.4 million, a stunning debut at the time. Bruno is sure to gross more than that this weekend, continuing this summer's trend of successful R-rated comedies. The under-35 crowd is definitely the core audience here, with the film sure to play well with college kids. But whether or not Baron Cohen's homophobia satire resonates as a joke, or only as a furthering of gay stereotypes, will be the topic of discussion once the movie is seen. But, really, generating discussion can't be a bad thing for the box office.


2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: $22 million
While its opening weekend didn't live up to those of its predecessors, Ice Age 3 was still a hit with the younger set and their parents. And, no, it didn't beat out Transformers 2 last weekend, but that should all change this frame. With nothing in its way, expect its sophomore session to drop in the 45 percent range with help from all those 3-D showings.

3. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: $19 million
While we won't dwell on what it says about our society that Transformers 2 is the second fastest movie ever to hit the $300 million milestone (behind the beloved The Dark Knight) we will say that that is quite an achievement. But now it's time for the film to start dropping off, and Bruno is just the movie to knock it from its perch. Still, expect a 55 percent hold: Some guys just can't get enough of Megan Fox and transforming robots.

4. Public Enemies: $13 million
Johnny Depp's John Dillinger flick bowed to a respectable $25 million. And its mid-week numbers have helped push it up to $50 million. The big question for this film is how it will hold during its second session -- that point is crucial, actually, since the studio is banking on at least a $100 million gross. Some insiders are predicting a steep drop, but I think Public Enemies is likely to fall just under 50 percent.

5. The Proposal: $7 million
This Sandra Bullock romantic comedy has performed remarkably well, grossing $100 million in three weeks and never dropping more than 45 percent. Even if this weekend's fall puts it off by 50 percent, The Proposal will still be deemed a remarkable success for the over-40 movie star.


Also opening...
I Love You, Beth Cooper: $6 million
Director Chris Columbus has had opening weekends as high as $90 million (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) and as low as $6 million (Heartbreak Hotel). Unfortunately, his latest film looks like it's destined for the latter category. EW gave I Love You, Beth Cooper, starring Heroes' Hayden Panettiere, a positive review, but other notices haven't been so kind. Let's hope Columbus has better luck with his next outing.

'Harry Potter' star Rupert Grint has swine flu

LONDON : Actor Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has contracted swine flu, his publicist said Saturday, three days before the latest Potter blockbuster premieres in London.

Grint took several days off filming the next movie in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", but is still expected to join co-stars on the red carpet for the launch of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Tuesday.
"It has just been confirmed that Rupert Grint has taken a few days out of filming due to a mild bout of swine flu," his publicist said in a statement.

"He has now recovered and is looking forward to joining his fellow cast members at the junket and premieres this week and will then return to filming directly afterwards."
She added that filming was not disrupted by the 20-year-old's absence.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" opens in most of Europe on July 15 and in the United States and Japan two days later.
Four people have died in Britain of swine flu, the A(H1N1) virus, and the country has Europe's highest number of reported cases with nearly 7,500.
The government warned this week that figure could rise to over 100,000 new cases a day by the end of August.

Sex and the 'Harry Potter' movies

With only a week and a half left until the long-delayed Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince finally hits theaters, media outlets are jumping on every angle possible to cash in on Pottermania. Most recently, James Parker from The Atlantic examined the different approaches each Potter director has taken in adapting the books for the screen, which another Atlantic writer took to task in a blog on Tuesday.

Alyssa Rosenberg wrote that ''the problem of keeping the Harry Potter movies fresh as filmmakers tackle the later books and deal with their characters' development into sexually mature adults'' is because ''J.K. Rowling, for all that she's created a compelling universe, is really awful at writing about adult sexual and romantic relationships.''

Uh...wha? Last time I checked, the Harry Potter books were a children's series. Sure, the audience grew up as the characters aged, but this is not adult fiction. And I mean that in both respects of the term: The books aren't targeted toward adults, and they're not supposed to contain graphic descriptions of a sexual nature.

Rosenberg makes two main points. First, ''in Rowling's universe, everyone ends up with their first real love.'' Okay, well, this is a fantasy series. The hero defeats the villain in the end. Is there a problem with that, too? Second, Rowling never gives ''a single detailed description of any adult sexual relationship.'' What Rosenberg forgets is that although they're third person, these are fairy tales told from a teenager's perspective. Despite illusions to the contrary, teenagers don't actually have adult relationships. We're following 11- to 17-year-old Harry, not an older, wiser narrator. Rowling doesn't ever give a single detailed description of any adult relationship, sexual or otherwise, because teenage Harry wouldn't really pick up on the complexities of the Weasleys' marriage. Besides, do we want detailed scenes about what happens in those canopied Hogwarts beds? This is a book about wizards. If you want romance, look for a paperback with Fabio on the cover.

As for the films, why do they have to be sexy at all? It's not like people were clamoring for a Prince Caspian/Susan flirtation in the second Chronicles of Narnia movie. The fact that there is even a sex issue baffles me. Is it because a movie needs to have some form of sexual tension to sell tickets? (Tell that to box office smash Up.) Is it because the stars themselves are pretty foxy? (The producers must've let out a heaving sigh of relief when their cherubic young child stars grew into attractive young adults.) As far as I'm concerned, Rowling's glossing-over of the subject matter would have suited the movies just fine.

Why do you think the directors have sexed up the later Harry Potter movies? Are you fine with Rowling's interpretation of adult relationships in the Potterverse, or do you think the books should have gotten a little more complex? Are you baffled that the sex issue is actually an issue at all? Or do you think a more realistic depiction of teenage sexuality is necessary for the films to connect with audiences?

Box Office Preview: 'Transformers 2' will be huge this weekend...but just how big?

Michael Bay's over-the-top robot extravaganza sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, has already grossed $60.6 million on its opening day, so we know that the fanboys have turned out in force. In fact, the movie is destined to cross the $100 million mark before it even reaches the weekend. But how the film fares over the five-day, Wednesday-through-Sunday period is going to be determined by its core fans' repeat business, the impact of their word of mouth, and how broad the film plays (which, if you take my 3-year-old son's rabid interest in the giant robots, is incredibly wide). One thing is for sure: Fused metal will be the star of the multiplex this weekend, and it's bound to take theaters by storm. The following predictions are for the usual three-day frame, by the way.

1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -- $72.5 millionTwo years ago, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opened on a Wednesday, and by the end of the weekend it had grossed $139.7 million. Transformers 2 is guaranteed to blow by that record...and go way beyond. It's not likely to get to the $203 million that The Dark Knight scored in its first five days of release, but Michael Bay's movie is going to work damn hard trying. The movie is opening in more than 4,000 theaters, including 169 IMAX screens, and will prove a big win for distributor Paramount, which will now be able to claim two of the summer's biggest hits: Transformers 2 and Star Trek.

2. The Proposal -- $20 millionBy Friday, Sandra Bullock's romantic comedy will have grossed $50 million in one week. Not bad for an actress who had all but abandoned the genre! Word of mouth has been solid on the movie, and expectations are high that the film, featuring a star-making performance by Ryan Reynolds, will hold on well during its sophomore session.

3. The Hangover -- $16 millionWarner Bros.' R-rated Vegas comedy isn't going away anytime soon. And its unbelievable hold last weekend is really impressive. It is inevitable, however, that the movie, which has already grossed $163 million, will get hit this frame with Transformers 2 steamrolling into theaters.

4. Up -- $14 millionPixar's latest animated hit has already surpassed WALL-E's grosses, and its sights are now set on surpassing Cars' $244 million cume. Transformers 2 will take out some of Pixar's audience, but with Ice Age 3 coming into theaters next weekend, this is really its last chance to stay in the Top 5.

5. My Sister's Keeper -- $12 millionThis three-hanky Cameron Diaz weepfest has generated some solid reviews, especially for the lead actress herself. So it will be very interesting to see how the film fares as the main counter-programming option for the weekend. With all the light and fluffy fare dominating the box office, it's likely that My Sister's Keeper's serious themes of a family dealing with a sick child may be too tough for the public to embrace. Some predictors have it in the single digits. I'm hopeful that the combination of star power and fan interest in the Jodi Picoult bestseller on which the movie is based will propel it into double-digit territory.

Daniel Radcliffe to quit acting?

Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy in the Potter films, says Radcliffe has a long Hollywood career ahead of him but not as an actor, reported dailystar.co.uk. "He will potentially be a great director or producer. He's very interested in behind-the-camera work," said Isaacs. Radcliffe was 11 years old when he landed the lead role in "Harry Potter". The actor, now 19, has made several other movies and ventured onto the stage in both London and New York productions of "Equus" last year.

My First Screen Kiss was Great: Radcliffe

"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe will always have fond memories of his first screen kiss with "December Boys" co-star Teresa Palmer because she made an awkward 12-hour scene enjoyable.

Radcliffe, who has since enjoyed his first kiss as boy wizard Potter, admitted he was nervous when the day came for him to lock lips with pretty Palmer. But he insisted she was the perfect kissing partner, reported Contactmusic.com.

He said: "I was actually very pleased that it was Teresa because she has done a few of those scenes in the past and I had never done any of them. She was sort of guiding me through it as her character Lucy does with my character Maps."

"It was great. We started the cave-kissing scene at about four o'clock in the afternoon and we finished it at 4 a.m.," he added.