The Screening Room

What better way to warm up on this cold day than to grab your Gryffindor scarf and dance around? Check out this clever Harry Potter-themed parody of The Far East Movement's "Like a G6:"

This needs to be on my iPod right away. Heard any other Potter parodies? Tell us about 'em!

You've had all weekend to go check out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and now the numbers are in. Here's the estimated total gross for opening weekend of each of the Harry Potter films, from boxofficemojo.com.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 -- $125,120,000
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -- $77,835,727
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -- $77,108,414
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -- $102,685,961
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban -- $93,687,367
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- $88,357,488
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- $90,294,621

Any surprises?

The Associated Press reports: In terms of domestic revenue, Deathly Hallows: Part 1" came in ahead of the series' best previous debut of $102.7 million for 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

But factoring in today's higher admission prices, the latest movie had roughly the same size audience as the franchise's best previous draws - Goblet of Fire and 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which launched the series. Deathly Hallows and those two earlier movies each sold around 16 million tickets in their first weekend.

Editor's Note: Last Friday we told you to visit The Screening Room today for GuideLive.com senior editor Bridgette Williams' take on if 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' is too dark. Samantha Urban is filling in.

If you've been keeping up, the installments of Harry Potter -- both book and film -- have gotten increasingly darker as the title character ages. The latest film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One, is rated PG-13 for "some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality."

If you're wondering whether or not your kids should see this movie, we've compiled some tips.

But first, it's time to be blunt and tell you that this film depicts the seventh book in a series that got progressively darker. Deathly Hallows takes place during a war between good and evil. War being what it is, that means the movie depicts murder (sometimes of innocents), the concepts of racism and genocide, as well as several ethical dilemmas that present themselves when trying to defeat evil forces.

However, there is nothing in the movie that isn't described with more detail in the book. So if you deemed your child ready to read the seventh book, they should be okay to see the movie adaptation. Most of the events that are meant to provoke horror or terror in the book are actually somewhat dialed down in the film.

There are spoilers after the jump, so proceed with caution.

I loved how faithful Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One was to its source material. But I still thought it would be fun to detail the differences between the book and the movie. If you noticed anything I missed, share it in the comments section! (Note: I haven't included little things like changes in dialogue, clothing or things like that. But feel free to mention them in the comments.)

- The scene of the Durlseys leaving their home is greatly abbreviated. As such, we don't get the closure between Harry and Dudley that is featured in the book.
- In the movie, Harry lets Hedwig go before she returns to protect him in the sky battle. In the book, Harry keeps Hedwig with him in her cage.
- Harry and Hagrid go straight to the Weasley's house after the battle, but in the book, they stop at the Tonks home before arriving at the Burrow.

Haha. This is fun. You think they left any key points out?

Fans at AMC NorthPark summarize the entire Harry Potter series as they wait in line for the opening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."(DMN-Video/editing: Nathan Hunsinger)

Finally, after driving home from the theater, washing the black temporary gunk out of my Bellatrix hair and changing into my pajamas, I am home. But even after the hour it has been since the credits rolled on the midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, I am still in awe of the film I just saw - and the experience that accompanied it.

Did you go to a midnight premiere? Was it fun? Did you like the movie? Let me know in the comments!

This is the seventh film in the Potter series, which means there's a lot you need to remember in preparation for tonight's opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Why don't you refresh your memory of the story so far? Click the image below:

Here's a win-win for Potter fans. Catch an early screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 7:30 p.m. today at the Rave Theater in Hurst FOUR AND A HALF HOURS before its midnight release, and your ticket will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Admission is $16 and can be purchased online by clicking www.mugglesforlife.webs.com.

You can read more about this foundation and what it does to help prevent potential suicides around the nation and in Dallas by reading the Dallas Moms Blog entry here.

Ashleigh Heaton offered a great how-to on making your own wand, but if you don't feel confident about your crafting skills, you have other options that don't sacrifice authenticity.

If you're looking for the real deal, visit Garland's Randy Rice of Sawdust Bites. I met Rice a few years ago at a fall craft festival at South Garland High School while I was a student there and was bowled over by his selection of Harry Potter wands. Rice is dedicated to making his wands as authentic as possible, even consulting the books for which woods make up the wands for different characters. In recent years, Rice has combined a passion for wood with computers. There is now a 4' x 8' computer-controlled router in his small shop that is capable of doing, well, magical things. The result is a truly authentic looking wand that will be the envy of all your Potter-loving friends. Check out sawdustbytes.com for more information.

I've dressed as Hermione Granger for the past ten years, both on Halloween and for Harry Potter midnight screenings. You'd think this would get boring, but the time has allowed me to perfect my costume, making it as authentic as possible. Here are my tips -- hopefully they'll help you prepare for the Nov. 19 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One. Keep coming back to the Movies Blog for more Harry Potter news and features! Leave your favorite costume ideas in the comments section.

For costume how-to guides on other female Hogwarts students, like Ginny Weasley or Luna Lovegood, see Ashleigh Heaton's post from earlier today.

Dressing up for midnight releases is half the fun of the night, especially when the premiere you're attending is for Harry Potter. Never dressed up before? Don't sweat it - most of the characters in Harry Potter don't have overly extravagant costumes, so there's less work for you.

There are so many magical creatures to imitate in the world of Harry Potter, it's hard to choose one. But Dobby the House Elf is not only an easy and affordable choice, he's also the most amusing.

Hogwarts students are fun and all, but sometimes it's more fun to be the bad guy when dressing up for Harry Potter premieres and parties. Let's try Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange on for size in this costume how-to.

Evil not your thing? Search The Screening Room for costume guides for Harry Potter, Ginny Weasely and other Hogwarts students.

Continuing with today's series on character costume how-tos

No wizard would be complete without his wand, we all know that. But, unfortunately, Mr. Ollivander has not opened up a wand shop in the Dallas area, making it hard to obtain a properly suited wand. However, there is another way: making your own wand, right at home. Though it does take a little time, some woodwork and overall patience, the end result can be truly magical.

There are actually quite a few approaches you can take to making your own wand, depending on how much effort you want to put in to it. You can literally pick up a stick off the ground, buy one (Barnes and Noble is selling a novelty one that lights up - oooh! aaah!), or even carve one out of wood.

The way I'm about to show you is none of the above. This little craft is something my dad came up with when I wanted my own wand back in fifth grade, and the idea remains as awesome as it was 7 years ago. It's fairly simple, but if you don't have any sort of saw in your garage, you may be out of luck. The best part about it, I think, is that it encourages families to work on a project together (unless you trust your child with power tools...), so it's a win-win for parents and kids.

Ready? Let's get to it.

Earlier today we guided you on how to craft a Harry Potter costume. This time, let's take a stab at a female character. None other than our favorite redhead (other than Ron, of course)...yup, we're dressing up as Ginny Weasley!

Remember, before you go buying the needed items, check your closet first, thrift stores are your friends, and there are plenty of costume shops out there (like Party City) if you want all the official attire.

Dressing up for midnight releases is half the fun of the night, especially when the premiere you're attending is for Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows Part 1 opens Thursday night). Never dressed up before? Don't sweat it - most of the characters in Harry Potter don't have overly extravagant costumes, so there's less work for you.

Let's start with The Boy Who Lived himself, Harry. But even if you're not a big Harry fan, his basic costume can still transform you into other Hogwarts characters.

Look for more Potter costume how-tos later today.

The Harry Potter film franchise has cycled through several renowned composers, including Nicholas Hooper and Patrick Doyle. But the man who had put the most lasting musical mark on the series is its initial composer, John Williams. His cue, "Hedwig's Theme," from the first Potter film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, has become synonymous with the brand. It often serves as the most concrete identifier of a Harry Potter property in any trailer or advertising.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Williams could not return to score the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Instead director David Yates has recruited Oscar-nominated Alexandre Desplat, composer of The Queen, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Initially, I worried that Desplat's lower-key approach (when compared to Williams) wouldn't measure up to the grand feel of adventure found in the Potter films. I was wrong.

Bet you didn't know that the International Quidditch Association -- I wonder whose silhouette that is as the logo (right) -- held its World Cup in New York City this past weekend.

Middlebury (Vermont) College, of course, won. That's the school that started it all when they began a Quidditch intramural league in 2005 after Alexander Manshel adapted the rules from the Harry Potter novels.

Of course, Harry and the Potters performed a free concert Saturday and plenty of fans turned out, in costume. Of course.

(Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

John Williams isn't the only musical contributor to the Harry Potter universe. For the Yule Ball scenes in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker wrote "This Is The Night" and "Magic Works" and collaborated with Jason Buckle of All Seeing I to write "Do The Hippogriff." Together with Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway of Radiohead, Steve Mackey of Pulp and Steven Claydon of Add N to (X), they performed the songs in the film as the Weird Sisters, the fictional band from the novels.

"Magic Works:"

There are more songs from the movies and books after the jump. Come back later today for a review of the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One.

Music isn't the first thing you think of when someone mentions Harry Potter, but without the music from within and outside the films and books, fandom wouldn't be the same.

The Harry Potter fandom loves tribute groups such as Harry and the Potters. The self-proclaimed inventors of wizard rock, brothers Joe and Paul DeGeorge, founded the band in 2002. Joe had promoted a concert that would take place in his backyard, but the advertised bands never arrived and over the next hour, Paul and Joe wrote seven Potter-themed songs for the waiting audience. Six of those tunes made it onto the band's first album in 2003.

Both brothers dress as Harry during their cross-country summer tour performances, which are usually at libraries.

And the actual songs? Well, if you're a Harry Potter fan worth a gold Galleon, then you're sure to love them.

"Voldemort Can't Stop The Rock:"

More songs after the jump. Keep coming back today for more Harry Potter coverage. Later today, we'll have a review of the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One.

You can spot a Harry Potter fan from a great distance. They're the ones who whip their heads around when they hear the faintest strain of "Hedwig's Theme" from John Williams' Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone score. Most fans of the Harry Potter films aren't as partial to the first two films as they are to the later ones, but you have to admit that there are a number of details that director Chris Columbus got right -- Getting John Williams (Jaws, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Jurassic Park) to compose the score was one of them.

Just listening to "Hedwig's Theme" gives me chills:

More examples of John Williams' Potter-related greatness after the jump. Tell us your favorite Williams cue in the comments section and keep coming back to the Movies blog today for more Harry Potter coverage.

I'll be celebrating the music of Harry Potter all day Tuesday. To kick off the proceedings, let's all sing the official Hogwarts school song, only mentioned in the first book. (It was performed in the fourth film in a deleted scene.) Always led by the late headmaster Albus Dumbledore, each student and professor is allowed to sing the words of the song to whatever tune they want. Fred and George Weasley usually choose a funeral march and thus finish after everyone else.

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us somehting please.
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff.
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us things worth knowing.
Bring back what we've forgot.
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.

Share your favorite way to sing the school song in the comments section. Keep coming back today for more posts on Harry Potter-related music.

Photo by Scholastic

UPDATE: Contrary to what's on their website, this event starts art 2 p.m.

By Saturday, you may still be riding on a Potter high after seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 four times with your Gryffindor friends, and what better way than to continue the celebration than a party?

The Lincoln Park Barnes and Noble (7700 West Northwest Hwy. Ste. 300, Dallas, TX 75225, 214-739-1124) is hosting a special event at 2 p.m. Nov. 20.

Drink some Butterbeer and answer Harry Potter trivia. It's encouraged you dress up as your favorite character - look for costume how-tos on The Screening Room later this week! - or as a member of Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Know of other Harry Potter events or specials celebrating the release of Deathly Hallows on Nov. 19? Let us know.

If you haven't made plans yet for when you're seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1, the guys at Keith's Comics are hosting a movie watching event at the Studio Movie Grill at Royal and I-75 at 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Buy your tickets at your local Keith's Comics for $13, and show up early (they're suggesting 6 p.m.).

Never been to a Keith's Comics movie night? Here's the deal (from their Facebook page):

"We buy out a showing at the Studio Movie Grill Royal Lane. Sell you the tickets at our store. We reserve seats for partys of four or more. Get in a tad early. Have goodie bags, our own trailer reel and prize give-aways. Oh yea and a crowd full of like minded people!"

If you live and breathe Harry Potter, then one movie just isn't enough. Put on your wizarding robes (you know you've got them) and hit the movie theatre early, because AMC Theatres is hosting "The Harry Potter Adventure." On Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., select theaters will show the two previous Harry Potter movies (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), culminating with the midnight screening of the new film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One.

For one $20 ticket, you'll get three movies and one epic experience. Tickets are on sale now at amctheatres.com. The local participating locations are:

AMC Northpark 15
AMC Mesquite 30
AMC Firewheel 18
AMC Grapevine Mills 30
AMC The Parks at Arlington 18
AMC Stonebriar 24

More tips from Nancy Churnin on the theme park:

• The only ride created from scratch for the park is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which leads you through Hogwarts castle to the ride itself. The Flight of the Hippogriff is a revamping of the park's original Flying Unicorn ride and the Dragon Challenge is a revamping of the park's original Dueling Dragons ride. The queues to all rides include lots of details from the stories.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey offers the only pictures of the four founders of Hogwarts to be seen to date. Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff all argue with each other from their talking portraits in the castle.

• Also cool in the castle: there are portraits in which one of the wizards moves from one portrait to another.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey brings to life the characters and action from the films at the Orlando theme park. (Video: Universal Orlando Resort)

What do you think? Look authentic enough for ya?

Fun facts about the theme park from Nancy Churnin:

• Yes, the dress in the Gladrags Wizardwear shop really is the dress that Hermione wears at the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

• The Wand Maker may look just like Ollivander in the movie, but he is referred to as a Wandmaker or Wandmaker's assistant and never as Ollivander himself.

• In fact none of the costumed characters -- not the Conductor or the Wandmaker or the performers from the Hogwarts Toad Choir or the Durmstrang and Beaux Batons students have names and are not to be confused with any characers from the books or movies.

The stars from Harry Potter film series get a sneak peek of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando. (Video: Universal Orlando Resort)

Potter fans may already know, but staff writer Nancy Churnin went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida, recently and offers nearly everything you need to know about the exotic world of Harry. (Click here to see a slideshow!) Here's even more from Nancy.

The deliciousness is in the details of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And for those who want to feel as if they are really stepping into Harry's world, well, that's exactly what you get when you step under the wrought-iron looking sign above Hogsmeade with the words: Please respect the spell limits. The downside of this, of course, is that no one will explain anything to you, as the world just exists as it is. So continue reading for a few inside details:

More tips and theme park videos later today too.

Harry Potter Film did a live Twitterview with Tom Felton on Friday. Check out some questions fans sent in.

Does the trailer have you excited for the movie, which hits theaters Friday, Nov. 19? What part of the movie are you most anticipating? Keep coming back to The Screening Room every day for more Potter coverage.

Unlike most epic book series that came before it, the Harry Potter franchise got popular just as the Internet was doing the same. This led to a proliferation of Potter websites, message boards, fan fiction, role playing communities, videos and more.

But how can you tell what's good from what's dreadful? (For example, there are over 10,148 Harry Potter fan fiction stories on fanfiction.net compared to the meager numbers for other books.) It comes down to luck and a little trial and error. Sometimes personal preference matters. But as someone who grew up with both the books and the Internet* I've seen enough online Harry Potter content to make some recommendations.

*I got the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, as a birthday gift from my grandmother in 1998. I was 12 years old and within a few months, I registered my first e-mail address: quidditchbroom@aol.com. (It doesn't work anymore, so don't try it.)

My recommendations are after the jump. What are your favorite bits of Potter fandom online? Share with us in the comments section. Don't forget: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One hits theaters Nov. 19. Keep coming back to the Movies Blog for more coverage!

Warming up for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 premiere Nov. 19? Well, apparate down to Half Price Books at 5803 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas Saturday. The store will be celebrating the upcoming movie release in its Community Room from 6 to 10 p.m. It's free and guests are encouraged to come in their best wizard and witch attire.

Attractions for the evening will include:

- A Magical Poetry Reading by Percival Pratt
- Grand Introductory Procession emceed by Professor Lockhart
- Sorting Hat Event with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall
- Escape from Azkaban with Sirius Black
- Fortune Telling with Professor Trelawney
- Meeting with Harry, Ron, and Hermione on Platform 9 and 3/4 for a photo op
- Costume Contest with Professor Lockhart and a chance to win prizes

Refreshments from the Three Broomsticks will include Butterbeer and heavenly treats provided to you by Madame Rosmerta along with kids crafts, trivia games and face painting.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is only one week away. It's like the beginning of the end of the boy wizard film phenomenon. And we're celebrating the next week by giving you the Potter goods right here on The Screening Room. Look for:

Later today: Browse our picks for the best Potter fandom websites.

Saturday: Watch the film trailer and read tweets from the members of the film's casts.

Sunday: Staff writer Nancy Churnin offers advice and fun facts for conquering the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida. Experience it through our videos and slideshow.

Monday: Did you know about Thursday night's midnight showings? What about these other events? Also, we share important life lessons we've learned from watching the films.

Tuesday: GuideLive.com editor Samantha Urban takes you through the music of the Harry Potter franchise. Also, read her in-depth review of the Deathly Hallows soundtrack, released today.

Wednesday: Transform your look with Ashleigh Heaton's and Samantha Urban's guides on how to get your Potter costume down. Plus tips for making and buying your own wands.

Thursday: Re-live the previous six movies with our interactive recap of the story so far.

Friday: Let's talk about those midnight showings! What was the scene like? How did you celebrate?

Saturday, Nov. 20: Not having read the books, movie critic Chris Vognar analyzes what the Harry Potter films mean to him.

Sunday, Nov. 21: Wondering if Deathly Hallows is "too dark" for your kids? GuideLive senior editor Bridgette Williams gives you info on how to make that decision.

Monday, Nov. 22: How did Harry do in the weekend box office?

Have kids or family members with special needs who may find it hard to sit through regular movie screenings of upcoming films Megamind and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1? Studio Movie Grill and AMC Theatres both offer special screenings for special needs where the lights are turned up, the sound is turned down and families can either bring in their own special gluten-free, casein-free foods (AMC) or buy gluten-free pizza (Studio Movie Grill). Dallas Moms Blogger Leigh Attaway Wilcox, who is raising a son with Asperger's Syndrome, is a big fan of these programs. Read her Dallas Moms Blog post with all the details here.

Now that Daniel Radcliffe has finished filming the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (looking forward to the first installment Nov. 19!), he's poking fun at Potter's rival Twilight franchise on The Simpsons Nov. 7. Radcliffe plays a vampire who comes to Springfield and falls in love with Lisa Simpson in The Treehouse of Horror XXI episode called "Tweenlight."

What makes it extra cool for Potter/Twilight fans, of course, is that Twilight star Robert Pattinson, who plays immortal vampire Edward Cullen, came up through the Potter ranks -- he played Cedric Diggory, or The Boy Who Died, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Radcliffe knows what it's like to be on the other end of The Simpsons' parodies, too. The show has a long history of poking fun of Harry. You can read more about that in Geoffrey Boucher's blog for the Los Angeles Times here.

Here's a clip from the Simpsons episode (which also stars Hugh Laurie):

Warner Brothers has released more new posters for the upcoming epic Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This new set pairs off the characters - Lucius Malfoy with Bellatrix Lestrange and so on. Interestingly enough, rather than do a trio poster for Harry, Ron and Hermione, they've done two separate posters - one with Harry and Hermione and one with Ron and Hermione.

This brings up a good question sure to get your blood boiling: which pair did you want to ultimately end up together? (I still respect you if you say Harry and Hermione, but I don't know if we can ever be friends. R/Hr forever!) And which couple looks better in their poster?

More posters after the jump.

At least the folks at Warner Bros. are fan-minded when it comes to the boy wizard, Harry Potter. News that they will release the first part of the last two films in plain old 2-D has this movies lover a little happier than I probably should be. (It's the little things.)

It turns out that the studio's just not able to complete the 3-D in time for the Nov. 19 release date. This gives us a chance to get rid of the obligatory line in all reviews of 3-D films lately. You know, the one that says that the 3-D looked odd and added on and didn't further the story or was just plain bad. That kind of talk reminds me of CG in its infancy.

The studio will, however, be finished with the 3-D for the second part, scheduled to open wide on July 15, 2011.

(Photo by Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.Pictures)

Warner Brothers has released an intense and, in some cases, chilling new set of posters for the upcoming epic, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Looking at the posters, I can't believe how old these characters have gotten. (Harry and Ron both have stubble in their posters! Compare that to the baby-faced images from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.) I'm part of the generation that feels like we grew up along with these characters and I can't wait to see this final book on the big screen.

Click on the images for bigger versions of the posters.

Six more character posters (including Ron, Hermione, Snape, Bellatrix, Fenrir Greyback and Voldemort) after the jump.

A new trailer for the two-part film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released last night. This new preview focuses only on Part One, which will be released on November 19 and covers roughly the first half of the epic novel.

Put on a sweater because this trailer gave me goosebumps:

What do you think of the new trailer? Are you excited for the film?

Aside from the censor fiasco, the Sunday MTV Movie Awards had its moments -- one of which being the premiere of the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows teaser trailer. Moviefone has broken down the trailer and asked for fan reactions, so I ask you: what did you think? Does it make you more excited for the movie or not?

Haven't seen the trailer yet? Feast your eyes:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

(500) Days of Summer

The Stoning of Soraya M.

I got a text message from a friend that was driving past AMC Firewheel 18 at 8:30 pm telling me that people have already began forming lines anxiously awaiting the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I rushed to the theater and arrived at 9 pm to find the place already packed with excited fans all geared up in their Harry Potter attire.

The Callahan brothers, Kyle, 16, and Tommy, 17, dressed up as Harry Potter and Hagrid. "It's Harry Potter, baby! We're most excited to see the complex, magical battle ending." Though their excitement was cut short as Tommy, who was Hagrid, was told to take off his beard by AMC employees due to security purposes.

Two 14 year-olds, Emily Yount and Ashley Mattingly, dyed their hair orange in honor of their favorite character, Ron Weasley. "We're expecting pure awesomeness and hope there's a scene where Ron takes off his shirt!"

Got your tickets yet? You might be out of luck.

As of 12:30 today, MovieTickets.com reported more than 1,300 sold out showings worldwide for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, including over 950 midnight sellouts in the U.S. alone.

But that's just one site. Over at Fandango.com, more than than 1,000 shows have sold out nationwide. Fandango reports that theater owners are scrambling to add additional shows throughout Wednesday morning.

Also, you might notice a 6 p.m. showing at AMC NorthPark 15 on our movies page. A representative with the theater tells me that this particular showing was bought out in advance. However, the theater has to go ahead and list it. It's technically not wrong, but the show is not open to the public.

So until you get your Harry fix, why don't you refresh your memory of the story so far? Click the image below:

Hey Harry Potter Fans! To pass time waiting for the highly anticipated premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, go buy the Harry Potter edition of Clue. This game puts a spin on the classic detective game and replaces classic Clue characters like Professor Plum and Miss Scarlett with Peter Pettigrew and Dolores Umbridge. The scene goes from a classic mansion to Hogwarts leaving the players responsible for solving the mystery and reporting to Dumbledore's office before it is too late!