The voice Of “Harry Potter”

Jim Dale, 71, is the amazing voice of the Harry Potter audio books. “At the age of 17, he became the youngest professional comedian in Great Britain. In the following years, Dale became a pop recording artist, hosted a BBC television show, worked as a disc jockey, joined the prestigious British National Theater (at the request of Sir Laurence Olivier) and then headed to Broadway, where he appeared in numerous shows.”

Film Critics Boycott Fox Films Over Online Critics

“It’s Day 10 of the Chicago Film Critics Assn. boycott on all Fox and Fox Searchlight films, a protest against the studio’s practice of limiting online critics’ access to screenings. Now critics all over the country are coming forward to echo their complaints and promise solidarity, revealing a simmering hostility between studios and many online journalists.”

A Science Musum That Rethinks Science Museums

“Ah, the difficulties of being human in the age of the new science museum! There was a time when such museums developed out of collections of objects that science created, used or studied. Science was an undertaking that required discipline and enterprise; it was somewhat imposing because it could seem so impersonal in its quest, and somewhat heroic because it was so full of mystery and possibility. Now everything is urgent and personal. And, often, the personal is also political.”

Aussie Clubs Boost Music Fees

There’s been a big hike in the fees Australian clubs have to pay for playing music. “The perception was that while clubs and raves were making a mint from drinks and cover charges, they were hardly paying for the music that drew crowds. On top of DJ fees, each punter was only indirectly contributing seven cents a night to the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia for the music they were experiencing. Instead of collecting seven cents per person, the collection body will now demand a $1.05 fee for each patron.”