In a new interview with RTE Alan Rickman discusses playing the role of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. A selection of questions may be read below:
You have some terrific scenes with Ralph Fiennes in this last film. Can you talk about working with Ralph?
AR: Ralph is a very good friend of mine, and, of course, somebody I respect hugely as an actor, not just on film but the way he also keeps going back to the stage and testing himself in huge and difficult roles. He never takes the easy path. It’s just great to play a scene with somebody who has that much courage in his work, and rigor, and although I know him as a good friend, you are also just working with a fellow actor, so there is no quarter given. It’s absolutely coming out of the red corner and the blue corner ready to spar, but in the best way.
What do you think of the legacy of these eight films, or the film series’ place in the history of cinema? It has had a huge impact on British cinema, British filmmaking, but in general, what do you think the legacy will be?
AR: Well, I hope ultimately its legacy is to make people cherish the notion of telling a story and not trying to do it by committee; that it is possible to trust a true storyteller’s imagination and then serve it as honorably as possible, and that you might just wind up with something that’s entertaining on the one hand, makes a load of money on the other, and gives enormous silent and not so silent pleasure to children and grownups. It’s just a validation of something that we need. It’s a human need to be told stories, and I don’t think it can be done by committee. I think it has to be one person’s imagination. So, here’s to Jo Rowling and all who may sail in her.
The WB Official Youtube has been updated with a clip from their upcoming film, A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, which is a direct to TV/DVD film that will be released on September 6th. The film stars Freddie Stroma as Luke, also known as Prince Charming. The film will also air on ABC Family, but the premiere date is still unknown. I assume it will air before the DVD is released. You can pre-order the film by heading to Barnes and Noble.
Cyrano De Bergerac meets Cinderella. Over-worked, harried and terrified of being put back in foster care, 17 year old Katie (Lucy Hale) does her stepmother and step-siblings’ bidding without complaining. Vocally gifted, Katie feels particularly upset when forced to lay down singing tracks so that her untalented stepsister, Bev Van Ravensway, can hopefully win a recording contract from Massive Records – who’s company President, Harvey Morgan, is scouting for new spectacular talent at a talent showcase for the Performing Arts Department at a prestigious private school.
Thanks SS!
There is also a fun behind the scenes video that you can watch below:
TotalFilm has published their list of the 50 Greatest Harry Potter Characters and why they believe those characters are the best. The list includes the likes of Firenze (50), Minerva McGonagall (14), Ginny Weasley (30), Neville Longbottom (13), Luna Lovegood (16), Horace Slughorn (28), Oliver Wood (39), Cedric Diggory (45), Filch (36), Gilderoy Lockhart (22), Peeves (37), and even The Sorting Hat (46)! The top 10 characters (in order from 10-1) are: Remus Lupin, Hagrid, Sirius Black, Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Tom Riddle, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and finally, Severus Snape! Visit TotalFilm to see the full list!
Dobby (22) The Character: The self-lacerating House Elf (witness the moment when he irons his hands as penance for disobeying the Malfoys) with an abiding love for Harry Potter, Dobby is something of an acquired taste, his constant clowning taking him perilously close to Jar-Jar territory in Chamber Of Secrets. However, his bravery at the battle of Malfoy Manner is enough to redeem him in our eyes, and anyone who wasn’t choking back a sniffle at his eventual death clearly has a heart of stone. Key Quote: “Dobby has no master… Dobby is a free elf!”
Lucius Malfoy (18) The Character: The elder Malfoy was one of Voldemort’s closest supporters first time around but managed to wriggle his way out of a spell in Azkaban when the Dark Lord was defeated. It’s that slippery nature that best sums him up, alongside his snobbery and cowardice. Indeed, it’s no surprise to see him and his wife down tools once the final battle begins to swing away from Voldemort… although their desire to find Draco should probably be flagged as another contributing factor. Key Quote: “Potter, your race is run. Now hand me the prophecy like a good boy… ”
Fred & George Weasley (12) The Characters: Mildly irritating in the big-screen version (largely thanks to the wooden delivery of the Phelps boys, who appear to have bagged the roles largely by virtue of being twins), Fred and George provide many of the books’ funnier moments, as well as supplying one of the major emotional hits of the final battle. The scene in which they escape Umbridge’s regime by flying their brooms over the school wall is a punch-the-air moment of pure teenage rebellion. Key Quote: “George? I think we’ve outgrown a full-time education…”
Severus Snape (1) The Character: The saga’s tragic hero, Snape has lived a profoundly unhappy life, watching his beloved shack up with the man who made his school days a misery, before eventually giving his life to protect the couple’s son. Once the story’s revelations have been made in full, his character takes on a whole new complexion, demonstrating just how selfless a man he really is. As Harry puts it, “he’s probably the bravest man I ever knew.” Key Quote: (On Harry) “Mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent.”
Sabkay on YouTube has uploaded the full 50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments special to YouTube and you may watch below in a playlist!
Also, thanks to SS we have a list of all 50 moments:
50.Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry, Ron, and Hermione first meet on the Hogwarts Express 49.Order of the Phoenix – Welcome to the Ministry of Magic (Harry and Arthur Weasley) 48.Chamber of Secrets – Ron’s Howler from his mother in the Great Hall 47.Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – The Mirror of Erised (Harry seeing his parents) 46.Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent 45.Chamber of Secrets – Dobby levitating the cake at Privet Drive 44.Prisoner of Azkaban – The Dementor attack in the Hogwarts Express 43. Chamber of Secrets – Harry and Ron in the Flying Ford Anglia 42.Prisoner of Azkaban – The Knight Bus at Privet Drive 41. Prisoner of Azkaban – Sirius Black and Harry bonding at Hogwarts 40. Goblet of Fire – The Quidditch World Cup 39. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – Ron and Harry’s fight in the tent 38. Chamber of Secrets – The Cornish Pixies attach Defence Against the Dark Arts class 37.Prisoner of Azkaban – Remus Lupin turns into a werewolf 36.Order of the Phoenix – Harry’s first kiss with Cho Chang in the Room of Requirement 35. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry’s left with the Dursleys at Privet Drive 34. Goblet of Fire – The Yule Ball, and Hermione growing up 33. Prisoner of Azkaban – Aunt Marge’s Comeuppence via Harry 32.Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Owls deliver Harry’s Hogwarts letter at Privet Drive 31.Goblet of Fire – Harry returns with Cedric Diggory’s dead body 30. Order of the Phoenix – Harry’s detention with Dolores Umbridge 29. Half-Blood Prince – The Millennium Bridge is destroyed 28. Half-Blood Prince – Dumbledore drinks to uncover a Horcrux 27.Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – The Seven Harrys 26. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – The Tale of the Three Brothers 25. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – The Chess Room and Match 24. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry’s trip to Ollivander’s Wand Shop 23.Goblet of Fire – The Second Task in the lake 22.Order of the Phoenix – Dementors attack Harry and Dudley in the underpass 21. Prisoner of Azkaban – Harry conjures his Patronus in the Forbidden Forest 20. Half-Blood Prince – Ron under the love potion 19.Chamber of Secrets – Harry and Ron turn into Goyle and Crabbe via Polyjuice Potion 18.Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – Ron destroys the locket Horcrux 17. Goblet of Fire – Voldemort is resurrected 16. Goblet of Fire – The Arrival of the Beauxbatons girls 15. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – Bathida Bagshot’s revelation at Godric’s Hollow 14. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – The Sorting ceremony at the opening feast 13. Prisoner of Azkaban – Meeting Buckbeak in Care of Magical Creatures class 12. Order of the Phoenix – Sirius Black’s death 11. Goblet of Fire – Harry and Voldemort’s duel in the graveyard 10. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Hagrid tells Harry he’s a wizard 9.Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – First Quidditch match 8. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – The journey to Platform 9 3/4 7. Order of the Phoenix – Fred and George’s Fireworks’ extravaganza 6. Prisoner of Azkaban – Hermione punches Draco Malfoy 5. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry enters Diagon Alley for the first time 4.Order of the Phoenix – Dumbledore and Voldemort’s duel in the Ministry 3. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – Dobby’s sacrifice and death 2. Half-Blood Prince – Snape kills Dumbledore 1. Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone – The first look at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Lancome have released some behind the scenes footage and interviews from their campaign shoot with Emma Watson. As many of you will recall, Emma is the new ambassadress for Lancôme Trésor Midnight Rose. The video may be seen below:
