‘Harry Potter’ books get a new look

Harry Potter stole the hearts of many readers in 1997, when the first book was released. Just four years after that, movie lovers got a chance to be part of the magic too. What could possibly be next for this billion-dollar franchise? The answer is finally here; illustrated books!

On December 6^th, 2013 Bloomsbury Publishing announced all seven of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books were getting a makeover. They’re all being published with full-color illustrations.

Jim Kay, who won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2012, will be executing the illustrations for each book, including their covers. Kay, who is a fan of the franchise, went on to say, "From my point of view it is, without doubt, the commission of a lifetime…”.

The first in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is set to release in September 2015. The subsequent books are intended for release annually after that, allowing readers to grow up with the characters all over again.

First look at Jim Kay's work:

Netflix saves ‘The Killing’ from being killed

Bringing shows back from the dead may be Netflix’s new thing. The first time it occurred was earlier this year when the company aired a fourth season of Arrested Development, which was originally canceled in 2006. Now they have agreed to air the final season of The Killing, a gritty, Seattle-set, cop drama that that originated on AMC.

The Killing is no stranger to revivals though, AMC first canceled the show in 2012 after just two seasons. Following this cancelation a deal was struck between Netflix and Fox Television Studios that resulted in AMC bringing back the show for another season. Due to less than desirable ratings AMC canceled the show again in 2013 after the third season aired.

Despite its unsatisfactory ratings, Netflix wasted no time picking up the show. On Nov. 15, only two months after the second cancelation, they announced The Killing’s fourth and final season would stream solely on Netflix with six episodes.

Both Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, the stars of the show, will be back in action as well as the regular showrunner Veena Sud. The team writing the final season is expected to begin work soon.

Netflix is currently streaming all three seasons of The Killing; click the picture to take you there.

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music
The link above we will bring you too their Facebook page.
 The Sound of Music is being re-filmed with Carrie Underwood as the main actress and it will be filmed live. Tonight at 7 central on NBC.  The first sound of music was released in 1965 (48 years ago) now having a remake and live it has a lot of people excited. There has been a lot of talk and interest for this movie even with this being the first movie being filmed live. Even though this show was more popular back 48 years ago a lot of young people are pulled in, I think a lot of that has to come with Carrie Underwood being the main actresses. She is really the only well known person in the TV series. Which is rather shocking you would think they would have more well known actors and actresses in the TV series.  Even with the new people being in it there is a lot of wonder about it. It will be the same movie and we will have to wait and see if having new people is going to make it better or worse.


So if you are free turn on the television and watch!  Comment on the blog your thoughts about this new TV show, with it being the first movie filmed live it could be very entertaining.

Pentatonix is on Fire!

Pentatonix is an a cappella group that made it big after winning the Sing Off TV show in 2011. Recently, in the Holiday Spirit, the group released a new music video to YouTube on November 25. Since then it has gotten almost 12 million views. Click here to see their rendition of "Little Drummer Boy."


Check out more of their music on YouTube or download their Christmas album on iTunes.

Leaves Fast and Furious

Fast & Furious star Paul Walker died Saturday November 30th. Walker was riding in a car with his friend Roger Rodas. They were driving over the speed limit when they crashed into a tree. Walker was 40 when he died Saturday, November 30. Rodas's eight year old son tried to save his dad from the wreck, but there was no way of getting him out at the time.

Paul Walker and Roger Rodas

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Catching Fire came out on November 22^nd. Catching Fire is the second out of three of the book in the Hunger Games series. The opening weekend it made $158,074,286 which is actually less than the first Hunger Games.

Many of my friends said it was amazing because they followed with the book very well. The costumes were very well done. The acting got better which is just like any other movie. I find that it is hard to do especially with so much of the movie being action. I would say the content was the only thing that people found wrong with it. There was a friend of mine that said it was horrible and I was really surprised because I really liked the movie. After asking her way I understand now and many people actually might agree with her. She said that she didn't like the movie because of the content and how having children kill children is always bad. But, she also said as a movie it was very well done. I agree with her that yes the content is pretty bad but it is fiction and has a great sense of suspense and adventure behind it.  So, with all that said I encourage you to watch it and make your own opinion. Write comments of what you think about the movie. 

 Go to this link and you can get a summary and information on all of the actors and actresses of  Catching Fire. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/?ref_=nv_sr_3 

Will Ferrell in Bismarck!

Will Ferrell was in Bismarck on Saturday, November 30th as his news anchor character, Ron Burgundy! He had the opportunity to be a real anchorman on KXMB kept all the comedy.
The news went on like it normally did and Ferrell stayed in character the entire time. He constantly made faces when reading the teleprompter and went into a couple of his co-anchor's screen shots, making it hard for Amber Schatz, his co-anchor, to not laugh.

He did this to promote his new movie coming out in 2014, called Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. He said in an interview after, "Amber, my co-anchor, she kept touching me underneath the table — which I found very unprofessional and delightful at the same time."
To watch the video click here.

So it looks like Bismarck has had it's Christmas surprise! It's nice to have a little comic relief!