Harry Potter DVD News Galore!!

First we have the announcement for the Half Blood Prince which will be hitting homes December 8th! (Details below are for the Blu-Ray): (Props to Blu-ray.com for all the news, drop by it is an essential site)

• WB Maximum Movie Mode with director David Yates, producers David Heyman and David Barron, and cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton, including Focus Points, picture-in-picture and image galleries (Blu-Ray exclusive)
• Deleted scenes
• Close-Up with the Cast and Crew of Harry Potter: hosts Matthew Lewis (“Neville Longbottom”) and Alfred Enoch (“Dean Thomas”) lead us on an entertaining look at the cast of Harry Potter as they explore their interests away from acting and spend a day on set with the production team
• J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life: a fascinating and intimate look into the life of J.K. Rowling over the last year of writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• One-minute Drills: the cast has 60 seconds to describe their character’s personality, history, relationships and other traits before time runs out
• What’s on Your Mind: hosted by Tom Felton, the cast is put on the spot when asked a series of rapid-fire questions on their likes and dislikes.
• Universal’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Sneak Peek: get an inside look at the amazing world of magic and excitement being created at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida
• BD-Live Features: My Commentary, Live Community Screening, Introduction to the upcoming Harry Potter Ultimate Editions by Daniel Radcliffe (BD-Live exclusive), Facebook Connect

Next up, on the same day we will see Ultiamte Editions of the first two films which will contain extended cuts of the films plus a new 8 part documentary that will spread out over the release of 8 ultiamte editions for each film.  (Which means HBP and the Deathly Hollows will each get Double Dips, so buy as cautioned)  These releases, along with HBP will also have Warner’s new Maximum Movie Mode which is pretty sweet and was debuted on the Watchmen Blu-Ray.  And one more note, the boxes for these sets are freaking huge, think Brazil box set for Criterion or Rome season sets. Details below are again for Blu-Ray:

Sorcerers Stone:

• Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe – An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins: discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love
• In-Movie Experience with Director Chris Columbus: an interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, storyboard comparisons, still galleries (Blu-Ray exclusive)
• WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more (Blu-Ray exclusive)
• Diagon Alley
• Tour the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry’s Room and the Great Hall – Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hogwarts, home of witches and wizards in training, and take in the sights.
• Classrooms:
  • Defense against the Dark Arts
  • Spells and Charms
  • Potions
  • Transfiguration
  • Third Floor Corridor
  • Deleted Scenes
• Sorting Hat
• Library
  • Gallery of Art & Architecture
  • Hogwarts Yearbook
  • Guide to Ghosts – Discover the many marvelous and mysterious ghosts of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds
  • Quaffle and Bludger: get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch
  • Tour Hagrid’s Hut: welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid’s Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.
• Extra Credit
• Interview – Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers: director Chris Columbus, producer David Heyman, screenwriter Steve Kloves and production designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life.
• A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter: 2001 International TV Special
• Deleted scenes
• Trailers and TV Spots
• BD-Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more

Chamber of Secrets:

• In-Movie Experience with director Chris Columbus: an interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, storyboard comparisons, still galleries (Blu-Ray exclusive)
• WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more (Blu-ray exclusive)
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters: explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the characters’ descriptions on the page to the actors’ performances on film
• Screen tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
• Deleted scenes
• Lockhart’s Classroom
  • Photo Gallery
  • Certificates: have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart’s many achievements.
  • Required Reading: find out what text books you’ll need for Lockhart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class
• Extra Credit
• Behind Hogwarts
  • A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves: the author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.
  • Dumbledore’s Office
  • Build a Scene: building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore’s office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint; it takes imagination
  • Tour Dumbledore’s Office: welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore’s office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts
  • Interviews with students, professors and more
    • Students – What would you ask the cast, if you could? Put yourself in the interview chair as the stars answer questions about making the film.
    • Professors and More: enjoy personal moments with the professors and others as they discuss their characters: Prof. Gilderoy Lockhart, Lucius Malfoy, Prof. Pomona Sprout, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Prof. Severus Snape, Uncle Vernon Dursley, Aunt Petunia Dursley, Argus Filch, Prof. Minerva McGonagall.
  • Gallery of Production Sketches
  • Activities
    • The Chamber Challenge [Game]
    • Tour the Chamber of Secrets: what are you doing here? This place isn’t safe. Begin your journey down the dark corridor for the self-guided tour of the Chamber of Secrets.
    • The Forbidden Forest Challenge [Game]
    • Colin’s Darkroom
    • Tour Diagon Alley: welcome to the self-guided tour of Diagon Alley, where you can find all your supplies for the school year. Explore the many shops, such as Flourish & Blotts and the Magical Menagerie.
  • Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
  • EA Game Preview
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed: 2002 HBO First Look special
• Trailers and TV Spots
• BD-Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more (Blu-Ray exclusive)