Showing posts with label Tolkien. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tolkien. Show all posts
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, December 13, 2013
The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug Review
My yearlong anticipation ended last night with the premiere of The Desolation of Smaug ! I was lucky enough to be able to attend a Hobbit double feature in HFR and Dolby surround. Here is my Review! With Spoilers !
The film looked and sounded amazing? Having been in NZ twice and anticipating a 3rd trip it is so wonderful to see that once again Peter Jackson has used the countryside of New Zealand as almost another character! The landscapes are so beautiful and he really captures it beautifully! I enjoyed the opening scene between Thorin and Gandalf at the Prancing Pony. In fact I really enjoyed the film including the New made for film only character Tauriel, up until Laketown. there the movie hit a wall. I got bored. Didn't care about Bards Family, nor did I enjoy the whole scene with the Dragon. I'm talking about the action sequences, not the Bilbo/Smaug interactions. Richard Armitage is fantastic, powerful and magnetic, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Sir Ian Mckellan is once again simply Great. One of the finest actors Ive ever seen. I love Gandalf ! Loved his scenes in this film ! I hope The next movie which as a longtime fan, I'm sure will be the best of all three. !
The film looked and sounded amazing? Having been in NZ twice and anticipating a 3rd trip it is so wonderful to see that once again Peter Jackson has used the countryside of New Zealand as almost another character! The landscapes are so beautiful and he really captures it beautifully! I enjoyed the opening scene between Thorin and Gandalf at the Prancing Pony. In fact I really enjoyed the film including the New made for film only character Tauriel, up until Laketown. there the movie hit a wall. I got bored. Didn't care about Bards Family, nor did I enjoy the whole scene with the Dragon. I'm talking about the action sequences, not the Bilbo/Smaug interactions. Richard Armitage is fantastic, powerful and magnetic, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Sir Ian Mckellan is once again simply Great. One of the finest actors Ive ever seen. I love Gandalf ! Loved his scenes in this film ! I hope The next movie which as a longtime fan, I'm sure will be the best of all three. !
Monday, September 29, 2008
September 29
The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on September 29:
Frodo reaches Bree at night (1418)
Gandalf visits the Gaffer (1418)
They come to the Grey Havens (1421)
Frodo and Bilbo depart over the Sea with the Three Keeper (1421)
The end of the Third age (1421)
September 29, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Frodo reaches Bree at night.
(from the appendices)
“…Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to familiar eyes… …Over the door was painted in white letters: The Prancing Pony by Barliman Butterbur….”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 208-214 FotR)
2. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.
(from the appendices)
“But fear grew in me as I rode. Ever as I came north I heard tidings of the Riders…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 344 FotR)
September 29, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. They come to the Grey Havens.
(from the appendices)
“…they came to the Far Downs, and to the Towers, and looked on the distant Sea; and so they rode down at last to Mithlond, to the Grey Havens in the long firth of Lune.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383 RotK)
2. Frodo and Bilbo depart over the Sea with the Three Keepers.
(from the appendices)
“But Sam was now sorrowful at heart, and it seemed to him that if the parting would be bitter, more grievous still would be the long road home alone.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383-384 RotK)
3. The end of the Third age.
(from the appendices)
“…The Third Age was over, and the Days of the rings were passed, and an end was come of the story and song of those times. With them went many Elves of the High Kindred who would no longer stay in Middle-earth…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383 rotK)
Frodo reaches Bree at night (1418)
Gandalf visits the Gaffer (1418)
They come to the Grey Havens (1421)
Frodo and Bilbo depart over the Sea with the Three Keeper (1421)
The end of the Third age (1421)
September 29, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Frodo reaches Bree at night.
(from the appendices)
“…Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to familiar eyes… …Over the door was painted in white letters: The Prancing Pony by Barliman Butterbur….”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 208-214 FotR)
2. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.
(from the appendices)
“But fear grew in me as I rode. Ever as I came north I heard tidings of the Riders…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 344 FotR)
September 29, 3021 (S.R. 1421)
1. They come to the Grey Havens.
(from the appendices)
“…they came to the Far Downs, and to the Towers, and looked on the distant Sea; and so they rode down at last to Mithlond, to the Grey Havens in the long firth of Lune.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383 RotK)
2. Frodo and Bilbo depart over the Sea with the Three Keepers.
(from the appendices)
“But Sam was now sorrowful at heart, and it seemed to him that if the parting would be bitter, more grievous still would be the long road home alone.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383-384 RotK)
3. The end of the Third age.
(from the appendices)
“…The Third Age was over, and the Days of the rings were passed, and an end was come of the story and song of those times. With them went many Elves of the High Kindred who would no longer stay in Middle-earth…”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 383 rotK)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
September 24
Today in Middle-earth, September 24
September 24th, 2008 by grammaboodawg
September 24, 2008
The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on September 24:
Bilbo nurses a bad cold (1341)
Gandalf leaves unexpectedly (1401)
Gandalf crosses the Isen (1418)
The Hobbits cross the Shire (1418)
They meet Gildor and the High Elves travelling through the Shire (1418)
September 24, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth-no text)
1. Bilbo nurses a bad cold as he and the Dwarves enjoy the hospitality and praise of Lake-town.
September 24, 3001 (S.R. 1401)
2. Gandalf leaves unexpectedly.
(not from the appendices-tiny no text)
Frodo began to recover from the excitement and fury of the Party and distribution of gifts.
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 69 FotR)
September 24, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Gandalf crosses the Isen.
(from the appendices-no text)
Shadowfax raced across the vast leagues between the land of the Rohirrim and the Northern Realm. Gandalf reached the River Isen as the hobbits leisurely made their way across the Shire.
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 344-345 FotR)
2. The Hobbits cross the Shire.
(not from the appendices)
“Frodo woke up first, and found that a tree-root had made a hole in his back, and that his neck was stiff. ‘Walking for pleasure! Why didn’t I drive?’ he thought, as he usually did at the beginning of an expedition.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 108 FotR)
3. They meet Gildor and the High Elves travelling through the Shire.
(not from the appendices)
“The song ended. ‘And now to bed! And now to bed’ sang Pippin in a high voice.
‘Hush!’ said Frodo. ‘I think I hear hoofs again.’
They stopped suddenly and stood as silent as tree-shadows, listening.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 116-124 FotR)
September 24th, 2008 by grammaboodawg
September 24, 2008
The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on September 24:
Bilbo nurses a bad cold (1341)
Gandalf leaves unexpectedly (1401)
Gandalf crosses the Isen (1418)
The Hobbits cross the Shire (1418)
They meet Gildor and the High Elves travelling through the Shire (1418)
September 24, 2941 (S.R. 1341)
(from Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth-no text)
1. Bilbo nurses a bad cold as he and the Dwarves enjoy the hospitality and praise of Lake-town.
September 24, 3001 (S.R. 1401)
2. Gandalf leaves unexpectedly.
(not from the appendices-tiny no text)
Frodo began to recover from the excitement and fury of the Party and distribution of gifts.
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 69 FotR)
September 24, 3018 (S.R. 1418)
1. Gandalf crosses the Isen.
(from the appendices-no text)
Shadowfax raced across the vast leagues between the land of the Rohirrim and the Northern Realm. Gandalf reached the River Isen as the hobbits leisurely made their way across the Shire.
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 344-345 FotR)
2. The Hobbits cross the Shire.
(not from the appendices)
“Frodo woke up first, and found that a tree-root had made a hole in his back, and that his neck was stiff. ‘Walking for pleasure! Why didn’t I drive?’ he thought, as he usually did at the beginning of an expedition.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 108 FotR)
3. They meet Gildor and the High Elves travelling through the Shire.
(not from the appendices)
“The song ended. ‘And now to bed! And now to bed’ sang Pippin in a high voice.
‘Hush!’ said Frodo. ‘I think I hear hoofs again.’
They stopped suddenly and stood as silent as tree-shadows, listening.”
(Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 116-124 FotR)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hobbit Update
The following are excerpts from The Hobbit FAQ from The One Ring.Net. A leading Lord of the Rings Internet site. The usually have the most factual and current news on the Web! These excerpts apply to question asked about the upcoming movie" The Hobbit. I have added my two cents in blue.
1.2. What will be in the second movie?
If The Hobbit does comprise the first film. The second movie will cover some of the events in Middle-earth during the 60 years between the end of The Hobbit, when Bilbo returns to Bag End in the year 2941 of the Third Age, and the Long Expected Party that opens The Fellowship of the Ring, in the year 3001 of the Third Age. According to PJ: “At this stage, we’re not imagining a film that literally covers 60 years, like a bio-pic or documentary. We would figure out what happens during that 60 years, and choose one short section of time to drop in and dramatise for the screen.”
Possible events that could be included:
- Sauron returns to Mordor
- Gollum ventures from the Misty Mountains in search of Bilbo and ends up in Mordor
- Aragorn and Arwen meet
- Aragorn and Gandalf meet
- A young Aragorn leaves Rivendell and travels south to fight for Rohan and Gondor under the alias of Thorongil.
- The Dwarves, led by Balin, re-inhabit Moria.
There has also been mention of taking one character, such as Aragorn or Gandalf, and following their story-line over the 60 year time-frame. Essentially, the film rights include anything from the text or appendices of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. What definitely will not be included in either movie are events or characters from Tolkien’s other works including The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth series.
1.9. How do I get cast as an extra in the movies? This is what I really want to know.
The only way to become an extra in the films is to be *in* New Zealand at the time casting calls go out (and specifically *in* the city in which they need extras on the days announcements are made) and either be a citizen of New Zealand or possess a New Zealand work permit. Calls for extras will occur much the same as they did for LOTR: ads will be published in local papers and broadcast on local radio stations and you will have to be available to work within 24-48 hours. So, unless you’re ready, willing and able to move to New Zealand for two years, happen to be in the right place at the right time and are fully documented to work there, you’re out of luck.
Note: tourist visas to New Zealand are currently valid for 90 days. A number of countries have working holiday visa schemes with New Zealand; they are generally valid for 12 months and allow you to work for up to three months at a time; you also have to be aged between 18 and 30 to be eligible. See Immigration NZ for details. I don't like the sound of this!
If you’re already a professional or semi-professional actor, you should work through your agent and/or contact talent agencies in Wellington. If you’re lucky enough to be a New Zealand citizen or be legally working there, you’re the envy of us all!! Somehow, I will be in this movie, If they can allow Guillermo del Toro to film and work in NZ, for 2 yrs,, they will allow me to be an extra! If need be I will write the NZ Prime Minister!!!!
Important note: If and when TORn hears of casting calls, we’ll post the news immediately on the Home Page of the site. However, no one at TORn can get you cast as an extra in the movie, so emailing us with such requests is, unfortunately, futile. If you’ve read through this entry, you now know as much as we do!
Just another update on my progress. I'm writing everyone and anyone! Rosie O'Donnell, Oprah, and even Roger Ebert. I'm going to start a petition, (maybe I should go online with that,), I'm pretty willing to do whatever it takes. My friend John who lives in California, and works as an EXTRA in movies. He was in Flags of our Fathers and Spider-man to name two. Has been informed of my desire and is on the lookout for any news or any casting calls for me,, I will fly to LA on a moments notice. I have also told my friend Billy, that I will need his services for photo's (face shots), so that I can be prepared at Talent Agencies. I have over a year to prepare.!!!
1.2. What will be in the second movie?
If The Hobbit does comprise the first film. The second movie will cover some of the events in Middle-earth during the 60 years between the end of The Hobbit, when Bilbo returns to Bag End in the year 2941 of the Third Age, and the Long Expected Party that opens The Fellowship of the Ring, in the year 3001 of the Third Age. According to PJ: “At this stage, we’re not imagining a film that literally covers 60 years, like a bio-pic or documentary. We would figure out what happens during that 60 years, and choose one short section of time to drop in and dramatise for the screen.”
Possible events that could be included:
- Sauron returns to Mordor
- Gollum ventures from the Misty Mountains in search of Bilbo and ends up in Mordor
- Aragorn and Arwen meet
- Aragorn and Gandalf meet
- A young Aragorn leaves Rivendell and travels south to fight for Rohan and Gondor under the alias of Thorongil.
- The Dwarves, led by Balin, re-inhabit Moria.
There has also been mention of taking one character, such as Aragorn or Gandalf, and following their story-line over the 60 year time-frame. Essentially, the film rights include anything from the text or appendices of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. What definitely will not be included in either movie are events or characters from Tolkien’s other works including The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth series.
1.9. How do I get cast as an extra in the movies? This is what I really want to know.
The only way to become an extra in the films is to be *in* New Zealand at the time casting calls go out (and specifically *in* the city in which they need extras on the days announcements are made) and either be a citizen of New Zealand or possess a New Zealand work permit. Calls for extras will occur much the same as they did for LOTR: ads will be published in local papers and broadcast on local radio stations and you will have to be available to work within 24-48 hours. So, unless you’re ready, willing and able to move to New Zealand for two years, happen to be in the right place at the right time and are fully documented to work there, you’re out of luck.
Note: tourist visas to New Zealand are currently valid for 90 days. A number of countries have working holiday visa schemes with New Zealand; they are generally valid for 12 months and allow you to work for up to three months at a time; you also have to be aged between 18 and 30 to be eligible. See Immigration NZ for details. I don't like the sound of this!
If you’re already a professional or semi-professional actor, you should work through your agent and/or contact talent agencies in Wellington. If you’re lucky enough to be a New Zealand citizen or be legally working there, you’re the envy of us all!! Somehow, I will be in this movie, If they can allow Guillermo del Toro to film and work in NZ, for 2 yrs,, they will allow me to be an extra! If need be I will write the NZ Prime Minister!!!!
Important note: If and when TORn hears of casting calls, we’ll post the news immediately on the Home Page of the site. However, no one at TORn can get you cast as an extra in the movie, so emailing us with such requests is, unfortunately, futile. If you’ve read through this entry, you now know as much as we do!
Just another update on my progress. I'm writing everyone and anyone! Rosie O'Donnell, Oprah, and even Roger Ebert. I'm going to start a petition, (maybe I should go online with that,), I'm pretty willing to do whatever it takes. My friend John who lives in California, and works as an EXTRA in movies. He was in Flags of our Fathers and Spider-man to name two. Has been informed of my desire and is on the lookout for any news or any casting calls for me,, I will fly to LA on a moments notice. I have also told my friend Billy, that I will need his services for photo's (face shots), so that I can be prepared at Talent Agencies. I have over a year to prepare.!!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Riddles in the Dark
News of the hobbit has been slow, it was announced that The Hobbit was going to be 2 movies, filmed simultaneously ala LOTR. But that is the last piece of news I have heard. Until now, Guillermo del Toro has been mentioned as a Director. No formal news has yet been announced, but he left this riddle on the website The One Ring. net. Which by the way, is my favorite for LOTR news. If you can figure it out be my guest. I hope it means news will be forthcoming.
A riddle for you all
Half familiar, half unknown.
A thing it is, ¨It almost is-¨
This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
The day of the moon will be
when all is revealed to thee
Questions will cease
Answers will please
We´ll learn of the Shire
and all you desire.
At ten minus Three.
Joining to be
Ten minus Eight
Add to the slate
of the two dozen princes
that die without winces.
And add to each day
of the week.
A riddle for you all
Half familiar, half unknown.
A thing it is, ¨It almost is-¨
This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
The day of the moon will be
when all is revealed to thee
Questions will cease
Answers will please
We´ll learn of the Shire
and all you desire.
At ten minus Three.
Joining to be
Ten minus Eight
Add to the slate
of the two dozen princes
that die without winces.
And add to each day
of the week.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Meet Uncle Max
This is A Repost of an Earlier Post from the Old Blog.
Wednesday, June 14th, 2006
There is a man that is tall, smart, with a lot of blonde hair, mostly one of the handsome kinds you see walking down the street. If you ever see him, he may be buying a box of new comic books, just like he does every month. He’s been reading comics since he has been a little boy. If you ever get to meet him, he will be a really nice gentleman, saying thanks, holding the door and all the other stuff, or if you meet him when you go see a movie that he may like, he may be the cool guy in a costume. He really doesn’t care what people think about him, as long as you have fun, he says. He always loves to dress up , He loves the Lord of The Rings as a passion, just like my brother and I. He likes Star Trek, a lot less than The Lord of The Rings. He will watch the movies everyday: I love that about him because he is the one that got me into the Lord of The Rings. He loves playing Tennis and Ping-Pong. Even though I beat him all the time, when he wants to play me. He loves his job as a dispatcher. He got the call about Chris Farley overdosing on drugs.One day my Uncle took me to the movie theatre to see Star Wars, it as about 12:00 am. We saw the movie the day before it really came out. We both dressed up as Jedi’s. With our brown cloaks that felt so comfortable with it’s warmth, and with our colorful fake light sabres that make noise when you hit them against something. We drove to the movie theatre, when we got in, we saw tons of people that cheered for us, because we dressed up. I was so delighted because I had butterflies in my stomach that people will be laughing at us. My Uncle almost started crying. He was so thrilled. We bought our tickets and sat in the theatre. A girl next to us dressed up in the same warm cloak that will always keep someone warm. I remember that night where I almost made an accident in my pants. I know my Uncle will always remember that day for the rest of his life. Mostly every show we see we go to Toys R Us. We go there just to buy more LOTR action figures. Those days were one of the best days of my life. Seeing those isles and isles of toys were one of the best sights I ever seen. Then putting all the LOTR toys in the cart made me really happy. Seeing the cashier put them in the bag made me want to cry in joy, so I can put them in my collection, even my Uncle was excited because he had a collection too. My Uncle is a very special person in my life. He always wanted the best for me, and he still does. We’ve always spent mostly every weekend together. Every time it was Friday I wanted to run out of school to see my Uncle. My Uncle always had a big mind and he also has a big heart. Timothy A
Period 4 May 3, 2006
Wednesday, June 14th, 2006
There is a man that is tall, smart, with a lot of blonde hair, mostly one of the handsome kinds you see walking down the street. If you ever see him, he may be buying a box of new comic books, just like he does every month. He’s been reading comics since he has been a little boy. If you ever get to meet him, he will be a really nice gentleman, saying thanks, holding the door and all the other stuff, or if you meet him when you go see a movie that he may like, he may be the cool guy in a costume. He really doesn’t care what people think about him, as long as you have fun, he says. He always loves to dress up , He loves the Lord of The Rings as a passion, just like my brother and I. He likes Star Trek, a lot less than The Lord of The Rings. He will watch the movies everyday: I love that about him because he is the one that got me into the Lord of The Rings. He loves playing Tennis and Ping-Pong. Even though I beat him all the time, when he wants to play me. He loves his job as a dispatcher. He got the call about Chris Farley overdosing on drugs.One day my Uncle took me to the movie theatre to see Star Wars, it as about 12:00 am. We saw the movie the day before it really came out. We both dressed up as Jedi’s. With our brown cloaks that felt so comfortable with it’s warmth, and with our colorful fake light sabres that make noise when you hit them against something. We drove to the movie theatre, when we got in, we saw tons of people that cheered for us, because we dressed up. I was so delighted because I had butterflies in my stomach that people will be laughing at us. My Uncle almost started crying. He was so thrilled. We bought our tickets and sat in the theatre. A girl next to us dressed up in the same warm cloak that will always keep someone warm. I remember that night where I almost made an accident in my pants. I know my Uncle will always remember that day for the rest of his life. Mostly every show we see we go to Toys R Us. We go there just to buy more LOTR action figures. Those days were one of the best days of my life. Seeing those isles and isles of toys were one of the best sights I ever seen. Then putting all the LOTR toys in the cart made me really happy. Seeing the cashier put them in the bag made me want to cry in joy, so I can put them in my collection, even my Uncle was excited because he had a collection too. My Uncle is a very special person in my life. He always wanted the best for me, and he still does. We’ve always spent mostly every weekend together. Every time it was Friday I wanted to run out of school to see my Uncle. My Uncle always had a big mind and he also has a big heart. Timothy A
Period 4 May 3, 2006
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