News Flash

Think Deathly Hallows Part II finished filming?  Guess again.  They've recently done some reshoots to improve the epilog sequence.  Here's a movie industry article (warning -- small spoiler).

Chamber of Secrets Trivia Questions

I ran across this old Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets trivia quiz.  How many can you remember?  Answers at the end.

1)  When Draco Malfoy Hermione calls a mudblood, Ron tries to curse you. What is the curse that Ron tries to use? (Hint: it's usually funny when Ron steps in)
2)  Ron and Harry arrives at Hogwarts Castle in a car which was enchanted by Ron's Father. What kind of automobile was it?
3) There are 7 children in the Weasley family, 5 of them are in school with Harry during the second book. Which one is a Prefect then?
4) Filch the Concierge has secret What is the secret?
5) The creature in the Chamber of Secrets of petrifies a number of students. What pland does Prof. Sprout grow to change the students back again?
6) What pests do Mrs. Weasley Fred, George and Ron want out of the garden?  How do you get rid of them?
7)  Professor Lockhart teaches defence against the dark arts. What types of pests does Gilderoy Lockhart let loose in the classroom?
8) Hogwarts castle is home to many different ghosts. What ghost gets petrified by the monster is roaming in Castle pipes?
9)  Who  visited Harry at the Dursleys home?
10) What is the answer to this question?


ANSWERS
1) "Eat slugs". Unfortunately the spell backfires and leaves Ron spitting slugs.
2)  Ford Anglia.
3)  Percy.
4)  He's not a magic someone who was born into a family of Wizard.
5)  Mandrake.
6)  Gnomes. You have to make them dizzy so they can't find their way back to their holes.
7)  Cornish Pixies. He asks Ron, Harry and Hermione to help capture them.
8)  Almost beheaded Nick. He is the ghost of Gryffindor House.
9)  Dobby.
10 What?

The Snitch Quidditch Sandwich

I ran across an old news item from last spring, reporting that there's an Harry Potter themed deli in Manitoba, Canada.  One of the menu items is a Quidditch sandwich, featuring pickles, radishes, alfalfa sprouts, and moose meat.  Mmmmmm ... moose meat.  Something tells me it really doesn't fly.

If anyone knows about this restaurant, give a yell in the comments!

Harry Potter Legos -- Hogwart's Castle

Ok, Amazon is already out of stock again, so the price gets jacked up to $170 or more by "other sellers" on Amazon.  Fortunately, prices for the other Harry Potter Legos sets are pretty reasonable.  On the link I set up in yesterday's blog, if a price shows up in boldface, Amazon currently has it in stock at that price, otherwise it's available through "other sellers" on Amazon.

Yeah!!! Harry Potter Legos Hogwarts Castle back in stock!

And back to a proper price.  Here's my link to buy from Amazon; I've tried to set it up so you can easily find a reasonable price.  One guy is still selling at nearly 4X the list price, urging order soon, only 1 left!  Disclosure:  I'm an Amazon affiliate (I get a few % of sales I bring in, you pay exactly the same price) and just added Harry Potter Legos.  I'll be trying to steer you away from the most egregious "other sellers" (see my December 5 post).

As of now (5:30 PM PST, December 13)  Amazon has Hogwart's Castle back in stock at $130, but only 5 of 'em.  "Other sellers" have over 100, but jack the price up to $180 or more. Amazon has a few more of Hagrid's Hut in stock.  For The Burrows, Quidditch, and Hogwart Express Amazon is out of stock but other sellers don't seem to be jacking up the price.

Fresh Harry Potter LEGO 2010 : New sets before holiday shopping!

LEGO will be selling six brand-new Harry Potter LEGO sets. Take advantage of the double fun in the construction of these incredible LEGO sets, and then use fantasy to recreate the particular Harry Potter stories. Check into these soon -- some are already becomming difficult to find.

With the attack of the Burrow it's time to guard the Weasley House. The 3 levels open to help make play possible. Home windows doors and throughways open and the cooking area is furnished together with table, chairs.

Hagrid's Hut is full of that which you have grown to expect which includes a giant spider. And there is also Freeing Dobby and Quidditch. When you are in the game of Quidditch it is possible to detect Snitch's gold flyingover the objective posts, tower, or bleachers.

Take Hogwart Express and relish the fun. This three-car trains top can be removed for figures along with cargo loading. With Hogwarts Castle you can supercharge your imagination! It includes Dumbledore's Officewith the sorting hat, sword of the Gryffindore, along with secret staircases. The Also inside Castle are common bedrooms Gryffindore and Slytherin, moving stairways plus more

All these playsets include minifigures for that stories and the essential accessories. Legos have been the favourite construction toys for years, and now they add the excitement of the newest installments of the Potter series.

Harry Potter the Musical -- I almost missed this one!

Students at the University of Michigan created their own musical version of Harry Potter -- "AVery Potter Musical."  Cool video, very popular way back in 2009.  You can watch a few minutes of it at the bottom of this page.

Christmas Scalping

I'm a bit sad and more than a bit angry.  It seems people are scalping Harry Potter Lego sets like concert tickets.  I'd thought about buying the new Hogwarts Castle set, and noticed that Amazon was out of stock, but said "in stock Dec. 6".  Well, it's Dec. 5 and they no longer say anything about getting it in stock.  But they do list other sellers that have it in stock... for  2 times the original price!  Grrrrr.   Discussion forums on Amazon say that some companies are even buying up stock, then jacking up the price when Amazon is out of stock.  And they pay Amazon to store and ship their inventory!

And list price / MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) aren't listed anymore [expletives deleted].  At least they still list the lowest prices first.  It took a little digging, but I've compiled price info on the 5 most popular Harry Potter Lego sets.  It was a bit confusing, with several different part numbers for the same set.  It seems older versions are being sold at much higher prices as "collector items."  (loud gnashing of teeth).

Anyway, here's the best I've been able to piece together on the 5 most popular sets, rounding everything to the nearest dollar.
The Burrows  List price $60.  In stock at Amazon for $60.
Quidditch Match  List price $20.  Out of stock.  Amazon "other sellers" have it for $34 .... to $100!!
Hogwarts Express  List price $80.  In stock at Amazon for $80
Hogwarts Castle  List price $130 (?).  Out of stock.  Amazon "other sellers" have it for $212 ... to $350 ...
Free Dobby  List price $11.  In stock at Amazon for $10.
Hagrids Hut  List price $50.  Out of stock.  Amazon "other sellers" have it for $79 to $100.

What to do?  I don't mind paying a bit more for something that's in high demand and short supply, but 2 to 3 times?  No thank you, I'll wait.  If there's another opportunity, I'll try a pre-order and hope I get lucky.  If you were planning to give Hogwarts Castle as a gift, here's a suggestion.  Give Hogwarts Express, and attach a big note right on the front that says the Express will be arriving at the Castle on March (whatever, pick a date).

Harry Potter Legos for the Year of 2010 -- the Weasley Family Home

Lego has truly revived their Harry Knitter series this drop. No doubt it was in planning for the Deathly Hallows movie launch. Setting that away for now, lets speak about The Burrow -- Weasley loved ones house. We 1st got to see Ron's house in the Chamber involving Secrets. There it absolutely was described in second detail, including it's furniture. As Rowling discussed, it was quite odd with its several ranges held in place through magic rather than mortar.

The actual Lego house ouse consists of a few levels. A nice colour scheme has been decided on by Lego, with a significant part of the structure usingbrown and also emphasizing dark red using light blue as well as white There's a area separately for each ground plus a kitchen and 2 bedrooms. This Lego collection describes a picture in particular from publication #6, Harry potter and the Half-blood King. The Weasley family as well as Harry are together for you to celebrate Christmas but you are attacked by Loss of life Eaters of the Head of the family Voldemort (Fenrir Greyback and Bellatrix Lestrange). They're with this set for the first time while Lego mini-figures. LEGO has also introduced Molly, Arthur, along with Ginny Weasley. Harry Potter has came out in a coat regarding specially crafted orange and gray. Every one of these figures have been delicately detailed and smartly designed. Most of the figures include two expressions within their heads. From this report on figures, this established should become popular among fans involving Harry Potter and Lego!