Official ,Lord of the Rings, countdown thread,...

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Well, as most of you know, I am a Lord of the Rings geek (and proud of it). I know there are several Lord of the Rings threads currently on the boards, but none of them really give us fans anything to talk about besides how much money it will make, or will it be better than this, and stuff like that. So with this thread I want anyone who is a fan (or anyone who isnt) to post your thoughts on the casting, the special effects, scenes you are most looking forward to, or anything else that you want to talk about (Lord of the Rings related, of course). That being said, I want to ask everyone what location in the film (Gondor, Rivendell, ect.) you want to see most, and why?? I persoanlly want to see how they handle Gondor, and the Mines of Moria (although we have gotten a rather brief look at them). And JoBlo, would you mind describing what they looked like, in detail??

51 days, 5 hours, and 5 minutes until Lord of the Rings

[dh1989]

50 Days Left

I have never read the "LOTR" books but I had a question. Is Sauron a human or some weird creature? Thanks

[Scorchlord]

That's kind of tough. Sauron never actually appears in the books - he's just a threat, a drak cloud of evil that oppressively fills the lands.

But he's definitely not a creature.

[Tuukka]

Sauron is never described in the books, except that he has fingers (because the ring was cut away from his finger) and at least one (lidless) eye. The film will show flashbacks to The Last Alliance, which happenened several thousands years before the LOTR trilogy. Sauron had a physical form during that time, and is shown wearing a black armour in the trailers (which is of course the filmmakers interpretation). However he was "killed" in the battle and became more of an entity than a human-like creature. My impression based on books was that Sauron used to be human-like but over the time he became more of an shadowy entity, that has no definite, describeable form. BTW, I think that the black armour we see in the film draws inspiration from Tolkien's own drawing, which shows Sauron in a black, spiky armour. In that picture Sauron clearly has a human-like form, but we don't really see him, only his armour.

[ak]

http://members.tripod.co.uk/mic88/LOTR_Redux.jpg

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for the mortal men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie,
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

If Peter Jackson can capture in visuals and dialogue, emotion and acting, the flowing beauty of Tolkien's work, then true fantasy shall come to life.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I have complete confidence that Peter Jackson can do this. From what I have seen, he has taken these images and given them a history; it looks like these are real places, and real things. I am incredibly excited about these films, and am looking forward to seeing how they re-create Lothlorien most of all. Alot of people, in other forums, have showed concern for The Fellowship of the Ring, because they feel there is not enough action, and although im not going to say that there is alot of action, im also not going to say there isnt any at all. There is the Mines if Moria, the Redhorn Gate, the flight from the Shire, the final battle, and the wolf attacks. There are also several, scary scenes is this one, involving the Nagzul. Ok, heres another question; what scene in the movie are you most looking forward to, and why??

[cutman]

I too have complete faith in Peter Jackson, not because I have seen any of his other movies (I haven't) but I think that last trailer pretty much hits the nail on the head.

As for the scene I'm most looking forward to: the Balrog.

cutman

[ak]

Even though there are dramatic and powerful and thought provoking parts within The Fellowship of the Ring i would be lying if i didn't say the confrontation of Gandalf and the Balrog. It's brief, but it will probably knock be off my seat.

I am very much looking forward to the Nazgul being swept away at the Ford, and general scenes including them.
I was amazed as to how scared i was from descriptions of the Nazgul in the book, i actually had tingles in my spine from fear, especially the "A knife in the dark" chapter, and this is something i truly hope Peter Jackson re-creates.

I have a problem though. The recent trailer. The part where the hobbits ride the ferry. The book has them look back and see a Nazgul just staring at them throught the darkness on the bank, within the recent trailer Peter Jackson saw need to turn it into, essencially, an action scene.
Now i can understand the need to do this, to make a wholly more dynamic cinematic journey, but that part was so powerful and scary in the book, it might not have the same effect now (Unless the Hobbits are walking along, see the ferry ahead of them and suddenly hear horse galops. I'd like to know how Frodo lags behind though, as Merry, Pippin and Sam are already on the river.)

Anyways, i think i'm missing the point. Peter Jackson is trying to portray a difference from scenes in the film to parts in the book, which will perhaps be more surprising when we view the film. And, seeing these kinds of scenes in trailers doesn't to anything any justice as it is entirely out of context, there is no build up.

I am going to put forth this question:

Do you think there should be a soundtrack whilst the Fellowship enter the Mines of Moria?

I am of the mind that there should be haunting music when they enter, to give a sense of the haunting/ghostly atmosphere, but when the action kicks in, they should not. For the simple reason: Realism. Is that a strange word to use within the context of such a film? No, not at all, not in my opinion, and i also think it would be testament to how dramatic this section is (or could be) in particular.
I'm talking the entire sequence from Cave Troll to Balrog.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 10-29-2001).]

[TheRock]

The scene I'm most looking forward to in Fellowship of the Ring would have to be the Mines of Moria. But the scene I'm most looking forward to in the trilogy is the battle at Minas Tirith. I wonder how they will handle the scene where the orcs catapult the heads of the killed back into the city.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I dont think music would be bad, but only if it enhaces the scene, and not disrupts it. Music can make all the difference in a movie, and I dont think Howard Shore will dissapoint. And as for the scene at the docks; I think PJ is trying to make the Nagzul more menacing, because,.....I dont know. What do you guys think??

[Tuukka]

There are going to be many 30 second commercials on TV from now on. In recent days they have already started playing three commercials all introducing one of the main characters. So far they have put out the clips for Frodo, Aragorn and Arwen. In the future we might see commercials for Gandlalf, Saruman, Sam, Legolas, Gimli, Galadriel, Merry, Pippin, etc. And each commercial shows footage that is not shown anywhere else.

So the point is, I REALLY hope that I'm not going to see glimpses of every set, every scene of the film before it comes out. I want to be surprised. I'm happy that the trailers so far haven't shown us too much, but there is still 6 weeks to spoil every damn scene in the film for us. Hopefully it won't happen.

[Tuukka]

BTW, I think that the ferry scene is more action based in the film simply because if it wouldn't be there, the first action scene would be around 40 minutes into the film (the attack at Weathertop). PJ probably felt that the film needed a small adrenaline push before that.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

You guys know anywhere were I could download those commericals?? Anyways, yeah, I agree; PJ probably felt that the film would need a little bit of an adreniline push, and I agree with him (not that I wouldnt be happy if it was exactly like the books though) that the film could use a little action before it gets 40 minutes in. So, what do you guys think about the commericals?? I havent seen them yet. From what you have seen of them, who are they being marketed torwards, and do you think they are showing mass appeal??

[ak]

I am going out of my way not to see these new trailers, i have absolutely no interest in them what-so-ever.
I have had the hype built up, i've had the satisfaction i wanted from the trailers released previous, all i want now is 7.00pm, December the 19th. Hopefully, it will be one of the greatest Christmas presents i have ever had.

[John Q. Public]

I just have one thing to say:

47 days left. Laters

[Tuukka]

There are three new tracks from the sountrack available at www.ainticool.com. (http://www.ainticool.com.) The audio quality is horrible, but you get the feel of the score. One of the tracks is Enya's "Aniron" and I have no idea if it's going to be played in the film. The other two are "Conserning Hobbits" and "Lotholorien". I like them very much. They are background music that will emphasize the atmosphere of the Shire and Lothlorien scenes, but they both have a very recognisable feel to them. So don't expect memorable melodies (these are not the main themes for the film, there will be 18 tracks all in all). It's interesting how Shore chose a slightly oriental, other-wordly and even creepy feel for the Lothlorien, but it really suits the nightime shot we see in the Frodo commercial. Makes the place seem really mysterious and out of this world. Hobbit tune on the other hand has an earthly, happy, Irish feel to it, which seems very appropriate.

[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 11-02-2001).]

[Scorchlord]

I really enjoyed the Lothlorien bit.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I too liked the music, although was sound quality was horrible. I think it fit in very, very nicely with the mood that I get from those 2 places. I didnt listen to Anarion, but I read that it will be played in the Aragorn and Arewn "love thingy scene". But Tukkaa, I dont agree with you on the memorble thingy. The music quality was so bad on those that you might find that you absoulutely love them when you hear them on the CD or in the film. Than again you might hate them if you get to hear them more clearly. Regardless, im sure Mr. Shore will give us some amazing audio for this film. But dida any of you hear about Pete Jackson "coloring" the movie or whatever. I saw it somewhere and couldnt remember where, but I want to know exactly what that means he is doing. Not that im concerned or anything, but I would rather like to know what it is.

[ak]

Colouring? (U.K spelling). I think that means, from what i understand, that he is adding a tint to the film, perhaps to give it a more ancient feel. If you look at Gladiator, it has an ochre tint, an ochre colour in many parts, just to highlight its era.
Films can generally look far, far better with a tint or desaturation. Look at Seven, that was desaturated of colour, and it had a great effect on the feel of the film. I believe Peter Jackson will desaturate the film in areas such as the Mines of Moria sequence, or more haunting sections, such as the battles - it just gives a more "grown up" look.

A vast majority of films that you watch aren't that way when they were filmed. Filters are usually added, brightness/contrast levels are changed, tints, and, as you say Peter Jackson is doing - adding colour. It can enhance certain scenes more, and Middle Earth is such a vast wealth of beautiful colour, then maybe he feels need to add more.

If that's the context the term was meant to be used in, from what you read, then that's the explanation.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-02-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Indeed, that is what I meant, and I thank you for the information. Anyways, Im was on some other movie boards today, and I saw a Lord of the Rings thread, talking about how corny the lines are when Aragorn offers his sword, and Legolas offers his bow, and Gimli offers his ax, and I have a question - do you think that line is corny?? I for one thought it was good, and I also know that they dont say those lines exactly like that (there is dialouge in-between). And are there any other things that you have seen that you dont like??

[ak]

I cringed slightly when Legolas said "And you have my sword", it just sounded, well, camp.


The dialogue seems ok as for now, i'm not greatly impressed, it may come off silly, or people may see it as silly.
I think it will be hard for people to swollow this kind of speech which sounds so perfect and poetic, it could be seen as condescending.
Personally, i don't think i'd have a prblem with it, but it may get tiring.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Care to clarify on why it would grow tiring?? I think these actors nailed their parts, and that we are going to be treated to a mvie with incredible action, and incredible dialouge. If people think the dialouge in this is bad, than I cant imagine what they thought of the dialouge in Titanic, and Star Wars. I personally have no fear for this.

[Tuukka]

I don't think that the dialogue will be much of a problem. Tolkien's dialogue does have a poetic quality that might seem distracting and pretentious, but I think that once you see the lines in the context of the film, they will flow naturally, because everyone speaks that way. I guess it might take some time to get used to in the beginning of the film.

Personally I'm a bit worried how the film will be subtitled here in Finland. The finnish translation of the book is hailed as a masterful translation, and rightfully so. However, when I saw the May trailer in TV, I cringed. The translation of the lines was really horrible, they aimed for the same poetic quality in finnish, but failed miserably.

[Scorchlord]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ak:
I cringed slightly when Legolas said "And you have my sword", it just sounded, well, camp.


</font>

Read that line again. And you call yourself a Lord of the Rings fan. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

LOL, quite right. I noticed that when he first posted it, but I didnt say anything.

[ak]

Oops, well it was written at 2 a.m. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Ok, since no one is posting anything, I will ask another question; who do you think best, and worst, portrays their character, by the way they LOOK?? My vote for best is probably Orlando Bloom, as Legolas, and worst would be Hugo Weaving as Elrond.

[ak]

The only problem i have with a portrayal of a character must be Gimli. It has nothing to do with John Rhys Davies (A fellow Welshman), but it's just he looks too done up in make-up. I think it looks slightly silly, but Davies does a very good job of the character's actions - he's exactly the way i imagined him in the book.

Apart from that small problem i have, i think the rest of the cast are perfect, especially Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee and Viggo Mortensen. I don't have a problem with Hugo Weaving.

Further Note: I do actually have one cast member i'm not so sure about - Cate Blanchett. I think she's a very good actress, but i was hoping for a female who looked more ghostly, or angel-like. Strangely, after further thought, she does seem to have these qualities, but i don't think she looks right.
Better wait until i've seen the final product before i make any further comments that are on a negative note.

P.S - the Harry Potter premier was in the U.K this evening, word is good.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-04-2001).]

[ak]

I have read a lot about the excruciating work that has gone into detail for the films, and i haven't really seen any pictures that have shown this, until i saw this one. It's magnificent.

http://members.tripod.co.uk/mic88/Hand_Detail.jpg

It's Sauron's finger.



[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-04-2001).]

[Tuukka]

I have been listening those 4 tracks from the soundtrack quite a lot and they sound better and better the more I listen to them. My least favourite is "May it be", which is pretty good as well. But the other three tracks should work wonderfully in the film. Very atmospheric stuff.

I just saw the Gandalf commercial and it's easily the best so far. Ian McKellen has such an amazing presence... I think he is going to be the highlight of the cast. Well, that hardly a surprise. Ian is one of the best actors working in films today and with such a role I think he is going to make a huge impression in these films.

Other than that, I have pretty mixed feelings about these TV commercials. While the footage is great, the execution of the TV spots feels rushed and kind of cheap. I hoped that LOTR would be marketed with more dignity, not like your usual blockbuster.

[ak]

I tried to download the Gandalf commercial earlier on, as i heard it was a very good one, but it failed.

I downloaded May It Be a few days ago, and have listened to it non-stop, i love it. It's a haunting/beautiful theme, that should play marvellously over the end credits.

I read a review of the entire soundtrack over at Amazon.com and they weren't very discriptive, but it was a very positive one, saying that some of the score makes John Williams' Duel Of The Fates theme sound weak/pale in comparison.

Seens how it's the 5th today, that makes 15 days until the soundtrack is released, and the fan of classical film themes that i am, i cannot wait.

[wilo]

Guys I've never participated on movie bbs before!! But since I heard about the LOTR movie development and started reading the trilogy (I know!! I should be ashamed of having waited until I am 27 to read it!!!), I can't get out of my mind how much I want to watch the movie!! So I have to leave a post here before I explode!!
I think is going to be the or one of the best movies ever done!! In fact, is the trailers, interviews, and all the hype sorrounding the movie are any indication of how good a movie is and how good the acting is, I am daring to say that this first installment can have a chance in next year's Oscars; specially: best movie, best director, best script, best cinematography, and best supporting actor (Gandalf- Sir Ian McKellen- He looks so awesome!). Additionally, I am sure it will kill everything else in the box-office this Fall until next Spring!!!
Now that I've taken that out of my chest (Before I exploted!! :-)) I have to say that the scenes that I can't wait to see is the Attact of the Ents on Saruman's stronghold at Isengard!! That should be really inpressive if the get it right with CGI!!

[ak]

I just read that 30 seconds of each theme from the LOTR soundtrack is available from soundtrack.net.

[wilo]

did you like the soundtrack ak?

[This message has been edited by wilo (edited 11-05-2001).]

[ak]

I downloaded the whole Enya May It Be track last week, and loved it, and also downloaded samples of three themes from the entire soundtrack, which were perfect, but i don't want to download the entire tracks, or 30 seconds tracks. It will spoil the pleasure of me buying it on the 20th of this month.

EXCITING NOTE!!!

New LOTR poster, the final one-sheet that will be distributed to all cinema chains, right at this link....

http://www.theonering.net/movie/scrapbook/large/2281

Frodo looks a little out of proportions, but that's just minor.

ADDITIONAL AK REPORT, THAT'S PRONOUNCED ACK, NOT AY KAY

Ok, as human nature would have it, curiosity killed the cat and i listened to all the 30 second taster tracks.
Quite frankly, this sounds like one of the greatest film soundtracks of all time.




[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-05-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I agree, I am very, very, very, impressed at what Howard Shore has done. I think that the music is absoulutly incredible, and when I see it integrated into the film, it will be even more impressive. I am thouroughly excited about this film, and I am seriously thinking that this may be one of the greatest thing of all time (for me anyways). And I know people thought this about the Phantom Menace, but nobody read the Phantom Menace before it came out, and ol` George Lucas is certainly no Peter Jackson. Ok, question time again; which film out of the three are you most excited about seeing, and why??

[ak]

Most excited about? The Return of the King, by far the most dramatic.

But it's tough competition between FOTR and TTT. I can't wait to see what they do with the Ents!

[Ender]

I agree with ak. Even though it's not going to come until 2003, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the that scene with Gandalf and the Nazgul.

[Tuukka]

I wonder if that is fake poster... It seems to me like a very well done photoshop combination of photos we have already seen. I recall that I have seen every single element on this poster as their own individual pictures. Just a thought... I'm sure theonering.net will give correction if it's fake. Looks nice, anyway.

I also listened to the sountrack clips and it all sounds very, very good. Highly sophisticated, atmospheric stuff and some brave, unusual moves in there. In most movies stuff like the boy soprano singing the Fellowship Theme at the end might seem weird, but I think it's going to work wonderfully in this film. Very beautiful stuff.

[wilo]

Good morning to everybody who's out there!!
Have a question for you guys out there!! Does anybody knows whether Tom Bombadil and all the sequences of Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry adventures' in the Old Forest and the Barrow Downs will show up in TFOR? Cause I sure haven't heard anything about Tom Bombadil anyware related to the movie!!! Have you guys heard anything about it? It sure would have been cool if that part of the movie is shown in the movie!!

[Tuukka]

Old forest and Bombadil have been cut away.

[wilo]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Tuukka:
Old forest and Bombadil have been cut away.</font>
I guess that is understandable since that part of the book deviates a little from the main plot of the story and on the screen would probably disrupt the flow of the movie!

But it would have really cool if they showed at least a little bit of Tom and of their adventure at the Barrow Downs when they were attacked by the Barrow Wraiths!!!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Barrow Wights, ak. Anyways; I agree with most of you; I am most anxiously awaiting the Return of the King. I`d have to say the scene I am looking forward to most from the movies is probably the scene at the Black Gate where the Mouth of Sauron speaks with the army, and than hundreds of thousands of orcs come from over the hills surrounding the army and taking away all hope. Here, yet again, is another question; what line from the book are you most looking forward to hearing?? Persoanlly, I can wait to hear Gandalf-,...er, Ian KcKellen say "At sunrise I shall take you to the Lord Denethor again. No, when the summons come, not at sunrise. The Darkness has begun. There will be no dawn."

::shivers::

I cant wait.

[ak]

What about the Barrow Wights? I didn't mention them.

[wilo]

it was me Dumb-Fokker!! :-)

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

lol, sorry; I got confused because you (ak) got mixed up last time.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Ok, here is another question (particularly for ak). From what you have seen and heard and know from reading the books, do you think that Lord of the Rings will not meet our expectations?? I honestly can say that I do not think it will. I have read this book plenty of times and if it is half as good as the book than it is going to be incredible. But PJ looks like he has made it as good, if not better in its own way. Just my opnion, I may be wrong,...

[agamemnon]

I am so jones'n for this movie. Aside from the story itself (which is amazing) I'm glad they resisted the temptation to put any really big names in the cast.

With most movies, translation to the big screen comes at a pretty big cost, but in this case I think it will actually improve the tempo of the story, There's too much hangin out/walkin through the fields in the books, and I swear to god if Gollum turns out to be the next JAR JAR BINKS, someones gettin a whoopin.

[ak]

To answer your question: I have always been a great fan of Peter Jackson's visual genius, his emotional contact between his material and the audience is incredible (Particularly Heavenly Creatures).

This is Peter Jackson's version in live action, and, due to his superior knowledge of filmic ways (camera shots, bringing the best emotion out of actors etc) i honestly cannot see what can go wrong.
I personally think he'll make a massive impression on film, with these films.

I've critcised people for over-hyping the films, bloody hell, i've over hyped them too much for myself, but there is no point in over hyping so much that what are potentially great films, could just be slightly dissapointing to you.
Saying that, i believe that they will be great, all time classics, superior examples of cinematic achievement, but i'm not going to cloud my mind with such trivia until 7.00 p.m December 19th.

Then, my friends, we shall know the truth.



[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-07-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Quite right, ak. Ok, now its time for another question. What film of the three do you think will make the most money, and why?? And which one do you think will have the most hype??

[ak]

It's quite an interesting thought as to which one will have the most hype, for example:
Some may very well say The Fellowship of the Ring will get the most hype because it's the first film, the first cinematic glimpse at Tolkien's beautifully rich Middle-Earth.
On the other hand, if this film is widely acclaimed and commercially very successful, then the hype could very well build and build to an un-healthy level for The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

My favourite of the three books is The Fellowship of the Ring, the best of the three books is debateable, but is more than likely the concluding novel - The Return of the King. That, i believe, will visually, and emotionally, be the most dramatic and straining.

The more i think about this story, the more i marvel as to how deep it all actually is. Genius.

As for the most successful? It's very difficult to say. It depends on how The Fellowship of the Ring is greeted at the box office, i suppose we can make bets from there on - a more clear indication. Fantasy hasn't had the best reputation, so, i don't know.
It's like Star Wars - More and more people got involved in the whole Star Wars "universe" as the series went on, so this could very well apply to Peter Jackson's series too.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-07-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I agree. RofT will be the most dramatic, and probably the most successful. FotR is also my favorite book, but with the cutting of the forest, Bombadil, and the wights; I dont think it will be my favorite film. That will probably go to RotK. Another question; how do you think they should end these films??

[Zed]

If Peter Jackson makes a great job, The Return of the King will have some extraordinary scenes, specially at the end of the history.
I think the first movie will collect more money.

[Scorchlord]

Has anyone seen the recent TV spots for FOTR? In one, they show what I believe to be Minas Morgul, and the other, they show some cool Moria shots. The visual style of these films looks superb.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I think Jackson has given this film a wonderful visual flair (as he does with all of his movies). But now onto more important matters; like the fact that Lord of the Rings will simultaneously be opening in different countries on over 10,000 screens. In my opinon, this movie will probably break the record for most money made in a single weekend, but I wanna know what you all think. Do you think it will make the money, and if you do, how much??

[wilo]

I defenetly beleive that it will brake all records for opening weekend!!!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Anyone else?? Come on people, give your opinions.

[Tuukka]

http://homepage.mac.com/georgemichaellucas/.Movies/lotrtv.mov

You can find the newest, VERY cool LOTR commercial in that address. Some great new shots in it...

[Scorchlord]

Yep, that's one of the ones I mentioned above. Is that Minas Morgul?

[ak]

I tried downloading that, but it seems to give up about quarter of the way through, just as the intense music starts. Have you got another link to the same trailer?

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Just saw it, it was fantastic. It was a bit too dark on my screen for some reason.
Could anyone tell me what the opening shot in this commercial was? I couldn't see, it was too dark.



[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-10-2001).]

[Scorchlord]

It's dark for me too - don't know why (I saw it on Monday the first time and it was dark then, too...and it wasn't the same link).

It opens with a sweeping shot of some huge castle with unearthly spires pointing towards the sky. It looked like Minas Morgul to me.

[Scorchlord]

Here's a reviews of the movie by someone who apparently has seen it:

http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=10731

It's from Ain't it cool News, and take the orgasmic expulsion of virtue with a grain of salt.

[ak]

I read that review last night, it seems pretty genuine, although Ian McKellen has stated the only persons to have seen the completed film are Jackson and Osborne, and one or two others.
The cast screening will be next week in Los Angeles (i think), and Ian McKellen, due to his stage commitments, will see the entire film in two weeks, in New York.

After that, i'm not sure when early screenings will be, and i'm not sure when the world premier is (it will be held in London though).

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Over at OneRing.net, it said that they thought it was genuine. Doesnt sound like a fake to me, and Harry said he checked it out so,...

[ak]

It was a very descriptive review, plus i just read some reports over at Theonering. At least it sounds as though it will live up to the hype (quite spectacularly).

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-10-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yes, I think it definately shows some promise of this movie living up to its hype. I am VERY pleased that Howard Shore has done an excellent job with this music, because I think that the music of this film will one of the most important features. It is also quite promising to see such an avid Star Wars fan, also loving Lord of the Rings. I too, liked the original trilogy, but these new films dont interest me very much after seeing the last one. The second looks to be the same thing only with less humour, the same bad acting, and mediocre special effects. ....oh well, at least it should be amusing to watch. But this about Lord of the Rings so lets get back on topic; question time. Do you think Lord of the Rings will live up to its hype??

[ak]

I think the question of it living up to the hype remains with an individual. Some people are going to spoil most of the film for themselves because they are hyping it too much, others couldn't give a damn about it and when they see it, will probably think it's the best thing since sliced bread (probably).

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I dont think anyone who is looking forward to it will be spoiled, but like you said, it is with the individual.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Do any of you know what trailers will be playing before this?? I dont know how you would, but maybe you heard it saomewhere.

[ak]

Like few have said - I really hope they play a Two Towers trailer.......Now that would be incredible!

Incidentally, 37 days left!, as of today (12th November).

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-12-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I think a TT trailer would be better reserved for after the films conclusion, but before the credits. I was talking more about films like Spiderman, and Ali, and such. Guess you wouldnt really know that anyways. But anyways; im kindof out of questions for the present (not that anyone really answers them anyways) so I guess ill just ask someone else to ask a question. Ask away,...

[Zed]

What a cool trailer!

By the way, today we are 36 days left (Today is November 13th).

[This message has been edited by Zed (edited 11-13-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Ok, well since no one else has asked a question, and in the coming months there will probably be Lord of the Rings topics springing up all over the place (which is why I created this, just for everything Lord of the Rings related), I will ask another question. ............hmmmmm, give me a minute to think here. Ok, in my Entertainment Wkkely it said that Miramax wanted Lord of the Rings compressed into two, and than one film. If you had to compress the trilogy into what films, what scenes would you include, and why?? Ill have to take some time to think about this.

[Scorchlord]

I'd cut Bombadil, Old Forst, Caradhras for the first one...it'd be hard to really get rid of anything else because it's vital.

In the TT, I'd cut...geez...um...I don't have any idea.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

No, you dont understand. Miramax wanted the ENTIRE TRILOGY to be made into ONE FILM. Not three, not two, but one. One film for a 1,000+ novel. If I had the choice I would cut the Old Forest, Bombadil, Bree, Weathertop, Flight to the Ford, the Ents, Helms Deep, Lothlorien, alot of Frodo and Sams journey, and The Passing of the Grey Company, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields (I would just have them have a big battle at the Gates of the Dark Lord) and maybe even Moria, if I only had the choice of one film. On second thought; I wouldnt even make it at all if I could only get one film made. I would just make The Hobbit.

[Tuukka]

I think it's not possible to tell the story in one film without butchering it totally. Two films might have worked.

BTW, it seems that every copy of Harry Potter will indeed have LOTR trailer attached to it. I think it's the same trailer that was released in September, but there has also been some talk of a new trailer...

Anyway, a very wise marketing decision and not actually surprising, since warner Brothers is distributing both films. I'm sure Harry Potter will make many people want to see LOTR as well.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I wouldnt even go and see it if it were only going to be one film. But where did you hear that a Lord of the Rings trailer was going to be released with Harry Potter??

[Tuukka]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
I wouldnt even go and see it if it were only going to be one film. But where did you hear that a Lord of the Rings trailer was going to be released with Harry Potter??</font>

Actually I'm not sure if this is the case or not. The reports so far are contradictionary. Some claim that the trailer is attached to HP, some claim that it is not.

[ak]

Well i always thought it would be a rather silly thing for them to do if they didn't include a LOTR trailer with Harry Potter, so hopefully they shall do.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: 34 DAYS, 16 HOURS, 23 MINUTES AND 13 SECONDS TILL ITS RELEASE! (As of the 15th of Novemeber).

Ok, maybe i made up the stats, but still - 34 DAYS LEFT!

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-15-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I was reading a post on greatest directors, or something like that, and I kept seeing the names Sepilberg, Kubrick, and Burton. Now, here is my question: what if Kubrick, Burton, or Speilberg had directed Lord of the Rings?? Do you think it would have been better, worse, as true to the novel - what??

[Scorchlord]

Is anyone else as sad as I am as a fanboy and intends to buy the soundtrack the day it comes out?

[LordKaruku]

Hmm-- Kubrick, Burton, or Spielburg directing Lord of the Rings. I would love to see any of those, though I'm glad none of them directed the ones we're about to see.

Burton's "Rings" would actually probably be somewhat similar to Jackson's, cinematically speaking. But man, would I love to see a Tim Burton Ringwraith! Or a Burton Minus Morgul... shivers! And Johnny Depp as Frodo would be an interesting thing to watch...

A Kubrick Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, would be very different. Kubrick's adaptations tend to vary from the specifics of the source, while keeping the basic themes. I think Kubrick's elves would be very cold and distant, but absolutely otherworldly. I imagine he also would have focused on the Gollum/Smealgol dichotomy.

On the whole, though, I think Peter Jackson is going to make us all pretty happy.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

If I had my choice, it would have Kubricks cinmatography, Burtons visuals, and Peter Jacksons sensibilities to keep it as close to the book as possible. Hey, I can dream, cant I??

p.s. What is up with Lucas dishing out five million AOTC trailers in like, 2 weeks. Im glad they didnt do that with Lord of the Rings. Can we say, overkill??

[ak]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Scorchlord:
Is anyone else as sad as I am as a fanboy and intends to buy the soundtrack the day it comes out?</font>

That's exactly what I intend to do.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

The soundtrack for this film is great (from what I have heard of it) and it seems that only half of the score is on the soundtrack.

[ak]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
The soundtrack for this film is great (from what I have heard of it) and it seems that only half of the score is on the soundtrack.</font>

That's the case with almost every film score ever made.
I just hope they bring it out on another disk sometime. Something which I have heard they are going to do.


UPDATE: Has anyone checked out the new LOTR television commercials? (Special Fellowship & Aragorn trailers)......They are both very impressive, with some excellent action from Gimli (The way he uses that axe is incredibly perfect).
And the other is the Aragorn one...very good, both including new shots.

I'd also like to add that the shot from the first(?) LOTR trailer, with the Fellowship walking over the mountain has been re-done, with better lighting, and a different background - looks a lot better, not blue-screen looking at all.

Roll on December 19th (32 days, almost exactly a month!)


[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-17-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I am downloading those 2 as we speak, and I would also like to mention that the LotR soundtrack got a 5-star review at scorereviews.com.

[ak]

Yes, I saw that review.
I'll be buying it as soon as it hits the shelves on Tuesday here in the UK.

[Tuukka]

Here is the new LOTR kinder-egg commercial... http://www.joblo.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

http://webplanet.lion.cc/merkur/340089/herrderringe_werbung.mpg

The link often doesn't seem to work. Click on it with right mouse button and save it to your computer. That should work.

31 days left!

[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 11-18-2001).]

[ak]

I'll check that link out later on, thanks!

P.S - There was an article through a link at Theonering.net that had a "scathing" review of the soundtrack.
I'm not going to pay particular attention to that review though, cause, in comparison to all the other reviews i have read, it sounded idiotic.

P.S - Tuukka, what's the word on a LOTR trailer infront of Potter?



[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-18-2001).]

[Tuukka]

Yeah, I would find it far-fetched to even call it a "review". Not exactly a very analytical and objective rant.

UPDATE: The LOTR trailer is not attached to every copy of HP, but it seems to be playing in most screenings. I've read several reports that they are showing a SHORTENED version of the September trailer with the scariest stuff being cut out, because HP is PG. This puzzles me because the original trailer has a text that says it is allowed "to all audiences". The film is PG-13, but the trailer is not.


[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 11-18-2001).]

[ak]

Actually, that is quite a strange/interesting thought.

I'm still finding it even more strange that a Lord of the Rings trailer wasn't infront of every copy of Harry Potter - I think it would have got a considerably larger amount of interest (Considering adults and younger children alike).
For example: My local theatre is having an adults-only showing of Potter tomorrow evening (Monday 19th), and a LOTR trailer would perhaps have sparked a little interest in them.
Bareing in mind not everyone has the internet etc.

P.S - Hands up to those who are going to buy the soundtrack tomorrow.

I am!!!!

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-18-2001).]

[Scorchlord]

I have to wait two more days until the soundtrack comes out, but my hand is definitely up.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

:: puts his hand up ::

Does anyone know when they will start selling advanced tickets for this movie?? I thought I read December 5th somehwere, but I couldnt find it and wanted to be sure. Anyways, I am going to see HP today, and will let you know if a copy of the Lord of the Rings trailer was attached. Im thinking that wethere it is atached or not has to do with the theater chain.

[ak]

Sorry, mis-information there, I meant to say I'll buy the soundtrack on Tuesday, not tomorrow (being Monday).

Ok.......I justy happened on a Harry Knowles report over at Aintitcoolnews - He was discussing the finance of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and mentioned something so blatant, something which I never even thought about:
Basically, he says that if The Fellowship of the Ring does not make as much money as New Line were expecting, then The Two Towers and The Return of the King's production costs will be slackened, as in - not as great quality as they should be.

It's a scary thought, one which never really crossed my mind until I read this article.
Now, LOTR will probably make a lot of money, infact, that's certain, but a lot of money is not what New Line need, they need a sensational amount of money made from these films, then, I believe, The Two Towers and The Return of the King shall be quality films of the upmost.

Not to worry too much though, I think, personally, that LOTR will indeed make a sensational amount of money (Not sure about the biggest films ever, just yet).
Harry Potter has just smashed the record for the biggest opening weekend ever, and I feel LOTR has a lot of competition in that arena.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-18-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Just saw Harry Potter tonight (got home little bit ago) and overall I was unimpressed. I prefer the book, anyday. As for Fellowship having competition - it does. But I think it will be up to the challenge. Even if it doesnt make the record for biggest opening it will certainly have longer legs than HP and is more likely to warrant a second viewing.

p.s. The LotR`s trailer attached got people really excited, even the little kids. It was just an abreviated Angel trailer.

[idealdiscountdude]

Lord Of The Rings, according to movies.zap2it.com, clocks in at 2 hours and 58 minutes.....and is rated PG in Britain........so I'm thinking that the violence can't be too harsh in it.......

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Wow, Harry Potter did really, really well at the Box Office. I dont know why, but it kind-of got me worried about the B.O. for Lord of the Rings, because I want it to do well so that the quality of the two other films doesnt decrease. So, what do you guys think?? Will Lord of the Rings have a good opening weekend?? Will its legs be longer than Harry Potters??

[TheRock]

As long as the film looks to be near as good as the trailer, I don't think money will be a problem. I read earlier today that advance ticket sales in european countires is on average or slightly above the amount sold for Harry Potter. I think it could come down to the reviews it gets because the people who don't know LOTR will want to know. And as far as LOTR beating Harry Potter, there's absolutely no way it will get within 25 million. 1) it's not as huge a hit with the little kids 2) There is some huge competition at that time(The Majestic, Ali, Vanilla Sky, Ocean's 11,etc) while Harry Potter got to go up against The Wash. I'm predicting a 55-60 million opening for LOTR.

[LordKaruku]

My local theater decided to show neither the Episode Two trailer nor the Fellowship trailer. Along with their horrid crowd management I think it might be time to find a new local theater.

However in a way I was kind of glad. I declared a personal moritorium on viewing any new Fellowship of the Ring trailers or pics shortly after the second-to-last trailer came out. (The one with the forest fly-by over the beginning). I'd been overloading on the stuff and was starting to worry about having all the visual surprises ruined for me before seeing it. Fortunately I don't watch a lot of TV and haven't caught any of the commercials yet. It was a lot like quitting smoking the first week after the new trailer came out, but I think it'll be worth it.

As to the concern that quality might suffer if Fellowship doesn't do well... fortunately, (thank god) the movies have already been filmed, so really all that could suffer would be the visual effects. And I can't imagine it would be cost effective for New Line to skimp a few million on special effects, when box office grosses would most likely suffer proportionally. The only real impact I can see would be less marketing, which I'm guessing about three weeks from now I will see as a very good thing.

[This message has been edited by LordKaruku (edited 11-20-2001).]

[Zed]

Tuesday, November the 20th, 2001

IMPORTANT NEWS:

29 days left!!!!!!!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Actually ticket sales in Europe are phenomenal. In Sweden, 60,000 tickets were sold on the first day, and this cause the Internet system there to crash. Lets not even get started on NZ.

[ak]

I bought the LOTR soundtrack today - Superb stuff, although i'm not completely bowled over by it.
Perhaps it will take some more listening.

I think it's one of those "grows on you" soundtracks.

[Tuukka]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ak:
I bought the LOTR soundtrack today - Superb stuff, although i'm not completely bowled over by it.
Perhaps it will take some more listening.

I think it's one of those "grows on you" soundtracks.</font>

RE: Having listened to it several times as streaming media, I have to say it's definitely not the easiest soundtrack to get into. It's definitely going to work better with film than as a stand-alone piece. Shore doesn't write easily accesible pop-esque tracks like someone like John Williams often does. For example there is never a fullblown Fellowship theme song in the soundtrack. The beautifully melodic theme surfaces only occacionally in some random tracks, plays once and then disappears again. In order to be more memorable the soundtrack would require more repetition of it's melodic themes, but Shore prefers a more subtle approach. His subtlety probably won't appeal much to most people, but I like it. I think ít's a very good score with occasional glimpses of greatness, but it doesn't really hold my attention all the way through, and it is not supposed to. It's a film score after all, and it can really be critized only in the context of the film. I think it's going to work wonderfully.

[ak]

I completely agree.

Two tracks that particularly stand-out for their sheer epicness (they are frankly breathtakingly epic in places - you've got to hear this choir to understand this), are At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony and The Bridge Of Khazad Dum (This one has a particularly devastating and emotional final piece, for reasons many will know why).

ADDITIONAL NOTE: After further listening, I believe The Great River theme to be one of the best also.......it's very good, very beautiful.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-20-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

The soundtrack for this film is absoulutely great. It really does grow on you. Anyways, did you guys hear how many advance tickets were sold in Sweden for Lord of the Rings?? 60,000. Harry Potter only had 10,000. And they just went on sale yesterday. Overall, in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway; 200,000 advance tickets have been sold. Impressize.

[Scorchlord]

I got the soundtrack as well, and enjoy it greatly. I'm about halfway through, and certainly appreciate the music and pretty much agree with you all about it being a perfect complementary score for a film rather than stand alone. Did anyone else notice the oddly similar idee fixe to the Empire theme from Star Wars? Shore seems to have stolen a little bit from the Imperial March. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

But, as a classical musician myself, I know this isn't close to Bach or Tchaikovsky, but I really don't want it to be. It perfectly fits what the film should offer.

BTW, what card did everyone get with their case? I got Gandalf. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

And has anyone checked out the extras yet, namely the Quicktime movies?

[ak]

I got Frodo, and no I've not checked the extras yet, but I shall do just that when I have a little time off this damn college work!

[Scorchlord]

It's times like these that I wish I had high speed internet connection. One of the videos is 90 megabytes in size.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Ok, its time to ask another question no one will answer. hehe Anyways, I wanna know everyones final Box Office total predictions for LotR`s. Keep in mind the 200,000 tickets sold in Denmarl, Sweden, and Norway alone over the past 3 days, and than add in all the countries where they have not gone on sale yet. Dont forget that it is rated PG in the UK as well, and that everyone in New Zealand will go and see this at least twice. Anyways, predict away....

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I double-posted, and my slow ass couldnt figure out how to delete the fucking thing. Oh well,.....

[This message has been edited by Dumb-Fokker-** (edited 11-20-2001).]

[LordKaruku]

I don't know enough about world markets to make an accurate prediction. From what I've heard, it seems as if "Lord of the Rings" is huge in some countries, and not very well known in others (perhaps depending on how good a translation they have).

As far as the U.S. goes, I think it can't possibly make less than $200 million. It's going to have a huge opening weekend. I don't think it will be Harry Potter huge, although I missed my Potter prediction by $21 million, so who knows? With opening weekend screens growing at an astronomical rate, anything's possible. It's mid-week and second weekend sales will also be great due to Christmas business.

How far it goes beyond $200 million is up in the air, and depends on how much crossover appeal it garners. People have often pointed out the multi-generational appeal of the novels, which is perfectly valid except that the vast majority of people over 40 are only going to go once. To make huge numbers it's going to have to capitalize on some large group of young people-- be it teen girls who want to watch Elijah, Viggo, and the rest, action fans, or some other group. If this doesn't happen I'm predicting a final U.S. gross in the high 200's.

If New Line is smart, they'll re-release Fellowship in October '02 with the "Two Towers" preview at the end. It will soak up pre-Harry Potter 2 business and give those who missed it the first time around a chance to catch it before the second installment is released.

As I posted in another thread, there's really no way Two Towers and Return of the King could be anything but better, so it looks like New Line made a wise investment after all.

[ak]

I booked my LOTR tickets today!!! 7 p.m, December 19th!

That will come soon enough, let me tell you....

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I cant wait til advanced tickets go on sale here. December 5th baby.

[ak]

I've come to notice Harry Knowles recognition on the LOTR soundtrack, by Howard Shore....what did he have to do with it? Advertising/positive words on his site?

Also.....Is "Hugo" short for "Howard"? Cause Shore thanks all the cast from the films, and says thanks to "Howard Weaving".....was just wondering if this was a mistake?

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I dont think Hugo is short for Howard, but than again, im probably wrong. Anyways, man do I freaking love the soundtrack for this film. I dont know why, but these songs have been stuck in my head. Especially "Concering Hobbits". Anyways, went and saw Harry Potter again last night - that movie was good. I enjoyed it alot, although I think it could have been considerably better. But hey, at least we got a version of it. They didnt play the Lord of the Rings trailer with this one though - they played all kids movie trailers (Stallion: Tale of the Cimmeron, Jimmy Neutron, Big Fat Liar, other stupid shit) and I was kind of dissapointed about that. .......ok, im just ranting now; I think ill stop.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Only 29 days, 4 hours, and 15 minutes left.

[ak]

We don't have Thanksgiving here in the U.K, but a good one to all.

Back to LOTR:
After listening to the soundtrack quite extensively over the last day or so, it has come to my attention that the soundtrack is full of themes, Nazgul themes, Hobbit themes, Fellowhip themes, but it doesn't have just one theme, one overall theme.......That doesn't bother me - It's superb, although, the Fellowship theme (If it is that) does sound a bit corny - As in cheap 1940s typical Hollywood medieval drama music.

9/10.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-22-2001).]

[Scorchlord]

The more I listen to it, the more I love it. My favorites are The Prophecy, The Black Rider, and the Bridge of Kazad Dum.

And I have that jaunty baroque-style Concerning Hobbits piece stuck in my head, too. It's charming, but it gets old hearing it over and over and over and over...I even hear it in my sleep, for crying out loud!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

lol Yeah, I know what you mean. ak I agree that the heroic theme does sound a little cliche, but I cant help but like it all the more because of that. It just sounds adventurous, and,...........adventurous again. I dont know. I just want to hear all of this integrated in with the movie. I think that Ill like it even more after I see it with the film.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I was listening to the soundtrack again, and I found that my favorite piece from the entire soundtrack may just be "The Bridge of Khazad Dum". At the end, when the vocals kick in I can just picture the Fellowship running out of the Gate, everyone with tears in their eyes, after the loss of Gandalf. Im sure that will be a very powerful moment in the film. Ok, its time for yet another question that no one will answer (although im hoping they do, it would be good to get some opinions going) I have heard some people who feel that this film will be a slow-paced borefest, and I want to know how many of you think the same. With scenes like the flight to the ford, weathertop, cardhadras, moria, the flashback to the last alliance, and the battle at Amon Hen, I dont exactly see how it can be, but some people think this nonetheless. go figure Anyways, what are your thoughts??

[ak]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
I was listening to the soundtrack again, and I found that my favorite piece from the entire soundtrack may just be "The Bridge of Khazad Dum". At the end, when the vocals kick in I can just picture the Fellowship running out of the Gate, everyone with tears in their eyes, after the loss of Gandalf.</font>

That is actually my favourite part of the entire soundtrack also.
Listening to it, it is very sad, but I can't imagine how powerfully sad this will be on film.

Boring?
Nope.
Just like you said, and is pretty obvious to LOTR readers is - There is loads of action!
The action can merely serve as a tool of adrenaline, and obvious visual delight, but its the more emotional, powerful parts that should entrance the viewer the most.
Nothing should bore people really, unless they just want action every scene.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

The first movie will also have more tense and scary scenes than the other films: i.e. the Nagzul searching for Frodo on his way out of the Shire, the Prancing Pony, ect.

24 days, 8 hours and 57 minutes until Lord of the Rings

[Scorchlord]

It should be fine action-wise what with the Last Alliance flashback, Weathertop, Caradhras, Moria, and the expanded Amon Hen. The beginning might be a bit slow, but that's only because they need to set things up; suspense is the key with Nazgul, and PJ can do suspense.

I see that they're already advertising the LOTR toys on TV. And while I hate the cheap gimmickry of the toys, I really want a Gandalf and a horse riding Nazgul to adorn my desktop.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Would you mind giving a link to pictures of the toys??

[Scorchlord]

http://www.dbzshop.com/ltr.htm

These are only a couple of them, I think there might be more at www.toybiz.com (http://www.toybiz.com)

[ak]

I don't much like the action figures, but then again, they're only action figures.

Additional Note: If you have sub-woofers on your speakers (which I do), then, like almost every theme/piece of music, you can hear one heck of a lot more.
Some of the themes on the soundtrack have some excellent touches of subtlety (Only possibly heard more effectively with sub-woofers).
The Concerning Hobbits theme, if you listen quite carefully, has the sound of traditional tap dancing (Irish-style, can hear without sub-woofer, but not as well), which really makes it more effective.
Also, the Amon Hen and Breaking Of The Fellowship themes have distant drum noises (You can pick these up withough sub-woofers, but not as effective).

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-25-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yeah, I dont think the toys are as cool as they should be, but I will probably buy them anyways. ......for my little brother, I mean. hehe They should have let McFarlane make the toys, they would have been awesome beyond belief. Anyways. If any of you are interested, there will be a National Geographic EXPLORER special, Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings, aired on December 16th at 8p.m. on MSNBC; the Discovery Channel will also have a 5-day special on Lord of the Rings that focuses on Tolkein, the books, the movies, and its cultural impact, that starts on December 13th; and on November 29th on FOX there will be a Quest for the Ring special at 8p.m. Just thought youd all like to know.

[cutman]

I just got back from Thanksgiving break, and when I was home I was looking through some old DVDs. When I looked at the theatrical trailer for Titanic, I noticed that it was released on none other than, you guessed it, December 19. I think that is a good omen. What do y'all think about that?

cutman

[ak]

I was watching a comedy-interview show over here in the U.K this evening (25th) called The Frank Skinner Show and Sean Bean, aka Boromir was on it - What a really genuine, nice guy!.....He played with his action-figure on the show, and drank the world's most expensive coffee from a Boromir LOTR mug.......Apparently the coffee is from a bat or something that shits out beans and then people pick it up and preserve it and then drink it. That was totally off topic, nevermind.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Bat shit, off topic?? Nah. Anyways, yeah. That is pretty neato that Lord of the Rings opens on the same day Titanic did. Ill take that either as a good sign (because Titanic went on to be the most successful film of all-time) or a bad sign (because the Titanic sunk). ......hmmmmmmm I think ill take it as a good sign.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

22 days, 2 hours, and 55 minutes til Lord of the Rings. Ok, since no one else is asking any questions, ill ask yet another one that no one will answer,.... hehe. Anyways, if you were a director, would you feel it necessary to cut out the Bombadil scene?? I can understand that they dont want it to be too long, but they could have at least filmed it for the DVD version. I know alot of people that are pleased at the exclusion of Bombadil, and they say that that is the only part of the story they dont like. I dont understand why. I always enjoyed those chapters. So, what do you guys think??

[TheRock]

I liked Bombadil too, but if one thing needed to be cut from the movie, I'd axe him too. His character really has nothing to do with the overall story.

[Zed]

I think that Jackson decide this in orden to make the movie shorter.

I think despite anyone's opinion, the inclusion of the Bombadil part take just many screen time.

By the way......today is November 27th, 2001.

There are 21 days left for the release

[Tuukka]

The word on the street is that New Line is holding several distributor screenings of LOTR in the next couple of days. We are probably soon going to see the first reviews that are 100% trustworthy... Hopefully...

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Hopefully, after we read some of the reivews, if they are good I wont feel like an ass for trusting that this movie will be great. Anyways, I was at another message bpard (so sue me) talking LotR, and someone had wrote that the Scouring of the Shire was not in. Im sure I read somewhere that it was indeed in, but I cant remember where I saw the article. If anyone knows where that article is, it would be greatly appreciated. And if the Scouring isnt in, I will be HIGHLY dissapointed. But if the first film makes enough money to cover the expenses of all three of the films, than im sure TT and RotK will be as long as they need to be. And even if they arent - theres always the DVD.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Ok, it has been confirmed that screenings of the film will be held tonight around 6 p.m., and I am sure that many reviews will become available on-line. I am asking people to post any review you may find on this thread (or just add a link). Thanks beforehand.

[Tuukka]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
Hopefully, after we read some of the reivews, if they are good I wont feel like an ass for trusting that this movie will be great. Anyways, I was at another message bpard (so sue me) talking LotR, and someone had wrote that the Scouring of the Shire was not in. Im sure I read somewhere that it was indeed in, but I cant remember where I saw the article. If anyone knows where that article is, it would be greatly appreciated. And if the Scouring isnt in, I will be HIGHLY dissapointed. But if the first film makes enough money to cover the expenses of all three of the films, than im sure TT and RotK will be as long as they need to be. And even if they arent - theres always the DVD.</font>

SOTS is not in at least not as it was written originally. PJ has hinted that there is a shorter alternative version of SOTS in ROTK, but nobody knows for sure. I think that it's a very important chapter, but it causes structural problems, the film would run around 25-30 minutes after it's natural climax at Mount Doom.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Hopefully they include it all the same. I think it is an incredible ending to an incredible film. Anyways, be on the look-out for reviews everyone. And dont forget that FOX will be airing Quest for the Ring on Thursday. Ill try and keep you posted on all of the upcoming Lord of the Rings television events. TNT will be airing a special after the Matrix on Dec. 7,8, and 9th.

[Mike Damone]

Here's an interesting article about the animated versions of Tolkien's books:

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2058784

BTW, although I would have to admit the Mines of Moria scene is the climax and will be where most of the action comes from, I think
***BIG SPOILER*** the last scene of the book where Boromir fights off what is said to be about 100(or more) orcs while protecting the hobbits could be amazing. However, Jackson could decide not to include it since Tolkien doesn't go into detail the events of the battle. I think it would be an excellent ending if they did it right. Boromir is one of my favorite characters and he would kick some serious orc ass.
***END SPOILERS***

[Tuukka]

The battle at Amon-Hen is a lot bigger than it was in the book. The fellowship is fighting against hundreds of Uruk-Hai.

Anyway, Ian McKellen has seen the film and you can find his thougts on it at http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/lotr/011127.htm

[cutman]

Being the lazy college bum that I am, I decided to take a little nap today while listening to The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. I have loved the entire soundtrack since I started listening to it on the net. My friends, however, have not listened to it very much. While I was napping on my friends sofa, he and his room mate came back, and decided to nap also (since they are lazy college bums too and the room was already dark). Pretty soon, another friend came in and took advantage of the comfortable floor. So now we had four people napping on a beautiful day while listening to LotR. When the CD finished, one of my friends said "What the hell happened to the music?" I replied "It's done." He said, "Well put it back on, that music was awesome." Meanwhile, another friend woke up and said "Yeah, what was that? I loved it." So to make a long story short, it seems that even non LotR fans appreciate the beautiful music that is the LotR soundtrack.

I give the music a 10/10, and I give the beautiful leather case that it came in a 10/10.

cutman

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Well, if the movie is good enough for a world-renowned actor, than it will be good enough for me. I think he was being a little reserved in his comments, as not to give anything away. .......still waiting for more reviews - im sure some`ll be coming in soon. Finally! I just hope the critics love this film, because if they do, Lord of the Rings will definately be given a major boost at the B.O. and will have enough pull to keep the legs it needs to make the big, big, money.

[ak]

I read McKellen's thought - I knew they would be few and far between, for many reasons, but he obviously really likes the end product.

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

I just saw Braveheart the other day for the first time and got to thinking that from what i've seen from the trailer of LOTR, the two seem to be similar looking, I dont think they will be because LOTR looks like a very powerful film, a film that can not be compared to anything... Do you think they look similar? or do you think the two have major differences (which i know they do).. well as i sit here and stare at the LOTR poster i have on my wall and look at DVD cover of Braveheart, I still cant help but think they look the same in some way or the other... Oh well, I dont know i guess i'll have to wait and see, but what do you think?????

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I dont think (and anyone else who has read the book) that they have anything in common. Well, anything major anyways. Still, be on the lookout for more reviews.

[TheRock]

I don't really think Braveheart has much in common with Lord of the Rings other than both deal with fighting for freedom; Scotland from England and Middle-Earth from the powers of Sauron. Oh and both will have epic battle sequences with large armies going at it.

[TheRock]

The first official review of the film is here. http://www.hometheaterforum.com/sneak/sneak.html

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

I dont see the review anywhere. Could you please send an exact URL or just copy it to ths thread??

[TheRock]

try this one....http://www.hometheaterforum.com/sneak/lord/lord.html

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Thanks alot!!!!

[Tuukka]

Wasn't much of a review that one. I'm waiting for more detailed reviews, before I start believing their credibility. I think in the next 24 hours we should have some.

[Tuukka]

Ok, www.aintitcool.com (http://www.aintitcool.com) has already two reviews of the film. More to come. Word is really good so far, but I'm taking these reviews with a grain of salt. No need to get overly excited yet, let's see how other reviewers feel about the film.

[FreakArtist]

I don't care about the reviews.
I read the books 2 years ago and I'm waiting for this movie for 1 year and a half.
Even if reviews are bad, I'm going to see it anyway.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

True, but I am still hoping that this film gets incredible reviews. Better reviews mean more money (for a movie like this, mind you) and I want this film to be a huge success so that they can make the next two movies even longer, and so they can do an even better job on the special effects.

[wilo]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
True, but I am still hoping that this film gets incredible reviews. Better reviews mean more money (for a movie like this, mind you) and I want this film to be a huge success so that they can make the next two movies even longer, and so they can do an even better job on the special effects.</font>


I am sure it will be a great success Fokker!!! I am sure it will be!!! I can't wait for December the 19th!!!!!!!!

Wilo


[This message has been edited by wilo (edited 11-28-2001).]

[FreakArtist]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dumb-Fokker-**:
... so that they can make the next two movies even longer </font>

The next two movies are already made. They made the movies all at the same time, it was a long job but there now kind of done.

[Scorchlord]

I think what Fokker meant by having the films longer is that New Line will allow PJ to keep in some scenes that would normally be cut for time constraints. Though, overall, I'm not concerned; this is a film you have to see on the big screen, but once the DVD comes out, PJ said he's adding all of the footage back in (I think the original cut was almost 3 and a half hours).

[Scorchlord]

Here's the best review I've yet read (mostly because it was done by a true and blue Tolkien fan). It's still extremely encouraging, and doesn't seem to have that nice Star Wars: Episode I letdown in it.

http://www3.tolkienonline.com/thewhitecouncil/messageview.cfm?catid=13&threadid=29943

[ak]

I'd rather not read a review by a Tolkien fan, I'd like to know what non-fans think.


I just read one quite interesting review over at AICN - It seemed genuine, not going to pay too much attention yet though. That's the safest thing to do.


[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-28-2001).]

[LordKaruku]

I have an interesting theory about the Scouring of the Shire.

** LORD OF THE RINGS PLOT SPOILERS **

PJ has said in the past that the Scouring of the Shire will appear, but in an "altered" fashion. In my opinion, this can mean one of two things. Its possible that during the Mirror of Galadriel sequence, we will see the Scouring events in the mirror, in a somewhat extended form from how they appear in the book. Possibly Sam even has flashbacks to this experience later on, imagining the Shire as corrupted, and this gives him strength to carry on, so he can go back and set things right.

The other option is as follows. Certain evidence suggests that Saruman may be killed off in Two Towers, meaning he won't be around to become Sharky in ROTK. Who else could do this? Possibly Wormtongue alone, but since he's really only in Two Towers, he would have to be re-introduced to the audience -- something you REALLY don't want to do after the film's climax, in the last 10 or 15 minutes. Besides, Wormtongue isn't the type to _lead_ anything himself anyway.

So try this on for size -- after the celebrations, marriages etc., Frodo et. all return home... and find that the Scouring has happened without any evil leader. The hobbits, reacting to the fear in the land, have become terrified isolationists. Ted Sandyman (this part was cast during filming!) may have been involved in the industrialization. Frodo or Sam gives an impassioned speech of the "you ought to be ashamed of yourselves" variety, and the hobbits are chastised. They set to work restoring things as per the book.

I really think this scenario is a possibility. PJ seems to be a big enough fan of the books not to miss this key message, that evil is not easy to defeat. The fact that evil touches the Shire, which is set up as such a carefree, happy place, is very important to the story, and part of Frodo's ultimate decision to sail west with the elves. It also seems timely in the post-September 11th world.


As per future film length--- here's hoping Fellowship is successful enough that the rest of the movies get to be 3 hours long too!

[This message has been edited by LordKaruku (edited 11-28-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yes, Scorchlord that is what I meant, and just so you know, the lenght of the film on DVD was quoted by Jackson as being a good hour longer than the film is now, so it will be a 4 hour DVD movie (pretty sad considering Harry Potter will be a 4 and a half hour DVD movie). And ak, I think it would be wise to read the review of a Tolkein fanatic before you read reviews from people who are unfamiliar with it. Fanatics are more likely to pick the film apart, and tell everyone about the films flaws, and they already know the story so chances are they will be less enthusiastic about everything (well maybe more enthusiastic in a way, but different from people who are newbs to the Rings) while everyone else will be expieriancing the story for the first time, and such. Just my 2 cents,...

[TheRock]

Just a note on the reviews...there are now 3 reviews over at AICN and now on TORN, they say Peter Travers(movie critic for Rolling Stone magazine) has Fellowship of the Ring as the best movie of the year, right ahead of Ali.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Pete Travers thinking FotR is the best movie of the year could increase box-office ALOT. A ton of people go to him for movie reviews, and Rolling Stone is a very, very, popular magazine. I also heard that this movie may be getting a few more Oscar nominations than alot of people thought. I really hope this film does good, so that the next films wont be skimped on. Oh, and did any of you see Gollum in the new poster. He is in there.

[The Heart Collector]

They should have added a freaking BLIND GUARDIAN song to the soundtrack.

[wilo]

Guys I am getting really excited!! More so now that excellent reviews are starting to come out!! I just can't wait!!!! I know is going to be one of the most lasting movie experiences in my life, when I am tehere December the 19th, watching Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!

Wilo

PS- Guys!! remember todays Fox's 30 minutes special about The Lord of the Rings movies. It starts at 8:00pm et!! SO DON'T miss it!! It will be the first tv special about the movie in the US. :-)

[This message has been edited by wilo (edited 11-29-2001).]

[ak]

Actually, I'd rather read the review of a non-Tolkien fan, to see how they feel of the narrative etc. They are pure, they can give a more pure review.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Peter Traverns, who has never read the Lord of the Rings (or maybe he has, i remember reading in someones post that he didnt) has voted it his forvaorite movie of the year. Not only that, but the best too. He is a very well respected critic.

[ak]

A quote from AICN of a very excellent review, from someone who has obviously actually seen the film:

Go to this film expecting to be blown away. Let yourself be immersed in the world that Peter Jackson has created. Go in looking for flaws and you'll find them. That can be said of any movie ever made. Go in looking for a marvellous film that you can sit back and let wash over you and carry you away,
and you won't be disappointed.

If that doesn't give you heart failure, nothing will.



[This message has been edited by ak (edited 11-29-2001).]

[Scorchlord]

Damn that FOX for not showing more of Balin's Tomb. I need a Moria fix, stat!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

You can tell that it wasnt an actual whole scene, they cut it very quickly to make sure that they got the shot of the troll busting in. .......lookied incredible. I cant freaking wait.

[wilo]

Afetr watching the special I can only say!!: "OHHHH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I just can't wait!!

[TheRock]

I would have liked to see some more extended scenes instead of Bloom skydiving or Mortensen fishing, but I liked it. The narrator was absolute garbage, couldn't they let a cast member do it. The cave troll scene was good, but obviously edited for tv. And Boromir's line "oh great, they have a cave troll" was funny. I just wish Fox would have done a better job presenting the material.

[Tuukka]

My friend has seen LOTR yesterday in a press screening. He is a movie critic and has read FOTR, but not the seqels. He liked the book, but is not a big fan.

He will give the film 5 stars out of 5. Acting, SFX, cinematography etc were all great. The acting highlights were Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee, who both were magnificent.

The film didn't drag at any point and he was perfectly entertained throught the 3 hours. It was emotinonally very involving, pretty scary and touching at moments.

Directing was excellent, but he felt the camerawork was a bit self-conscious at moments. But he also said PJ handled the drama of the story superbly.

The only real problem my friend had with the film was a lack of pay-off in the ending. Of course that's how the book was as well. The film ends with such an open note that it felt a bit frustrating to him. But then again, he is going to read the books now.

However, he didn't think that the film is one of the greatest ever made and he said that his expectations were so enourmously high, that the film didn't meet those expectations. I will take this as a good warning. My friens also said that he will have to see the film again before he can make his final judgment. The film was so overwhelming that he has to digest it a bit.

[wilo]

Thanks for the info Tuukka!! Sounds like the movie will be wonderful!!! Ca't wait for December the 19th!!!!

Wilo

[ak]

I don't get it Tuukka, you say your friend thought the film didn't meet his high expectations (he gave it a five star rating though), and then you say that he thought the film was so overwhelming, that he has to digest it on a second viewing.
Surely if it was overwhelming, then it couldn't have been a disappointment - That's what it should have done?

Can you clear the point up a bit? Thanks.

[Tuukka]

He thinks that the film is one of the best movies of the year, but he was waiting for one of the best movies ever.

By "overwhelming" he meant that the film was really full of stuff, often it was a very strong attack to the senses audio-visually and there was the huge amoung of characters and all kind of little details. I understood that after seeing the film he thought it was really, really good, but he also felt a bit confused and had mixed feelings about some aspects. He wants to see it for the second time before making a final judgment.

I guess a good example is how it took him about 20 minutes to get used to the small size of the hobbits. He thought that the shrinking effect was 100% realistic, but it felt really distracting at first because his brain kind of had difficulties in processing what he was seeing.

[Scorchlord]

If you go into expected one of the best movies ever, then you're pretty much screwed from the get-go. It's enormously difficult to make an awesome, awesome film nowadays - Hollywood isn't as good as it used to be.

I just saw Citizen Kane for the first time and was totally blown away by the sheer genius in it. Hollywood simply can't do that type of movie anymore.

[ak]

I have never expected the greatest film of all time from it, although I have expected my most favourite film from it.

I think it's fair to say, overall though, that I am expecting a "great" film. There are many great, great films that are never considered anywhere near the "greatest"...

[Scorchlord]

True. I expect great things from it as well, simply because the base story line is so good. it's really hard to screw that stuff up. And my hopes are doing well after all of these positive reviews.

I read that 85% of the lines are from the book, the others having been altered a little to be more concise. That is definitely good news.

[dh1989]

Well the day is finally here! We can get our tickets for LOTR. They are for sale across the country. I have got my tickets for a 8:00 P.M. show on 12/19/01. But does this sound retarded to anyone else but me. My theatres had 12:01 A.M. showings of films like "POTA" and "JP 3". But no dang early shows for "LOTR". The biggest film of the century. But anyway lets all go get our tickets. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Scorchlord]

Shit, you're kidding! I'm going to have to get mine for sure.

[Scorchlord]

http://homepage.mac.com/smeagol1/.Movies/lotr.mpg

The Balin's Tomb scene from the Fox special. It's a small view, and it's edited, but well worth the watch.

[cutman]

How in the hell do you buy tickets at Moviefone.com? I keep on clicking on Lord of the Rings, but I see no place to actually purchase tickets. Can someone please help me out? Thanks.

cutman

[ak]

Scorchlord - That clip was brilliant! Thanks for that.

My satisfaction stems from the immense tension from the build up. I don't think i've felt tension like that since I saw Jaws for the first time - It's incredibly well done, and, it looked a bit dark on my computer screen - Was that the Cave Troll they showed at the end? I think it was.....brilliant!


I really think the most tense build up within the entire film will be the moment Gandalf quietly says "Balrog!" in The Mines of Moria.......from thereon the tension should be massive, cause we know a 150 foot beast is making its way down the biggest hall in history......

18 days left!!! (As of the 1st).

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 12-01-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yeah, that clip kicked ass all over the place. I think the tension of the Black Riders will surpass even that. Should be a wild ride. Too bad it was so obvious that the Cave Troll scene was so heavily edited. And ak, if you have a fast modem, you can download the entire show from THeOneRing.net

[Scorchlord]

I'd also like to point out that the scene was edited very severely (no "Fool of a Took" line) and will be more drawn out and tense in the actual film.

One of my favorite aspects of it is hearing the harsh breathing of the characters as the drums start. Great stuff.

[ak]

That 200mb clip has been taken away.

Tuukka - Is your AICN nicname virkku?

[Scorchlord]

Is anyone else having problems with the little clip? FOr me, it gets to a certain point and simply stops. I can't access the whole thing.

[ak]

I can't say I had that problem with this clip, but I've had it in the past. Try re-starting the download.

[Scorchlord]

I do, but the problem is still there - when I refresh, or exit out and restart, it treats the small portion I had already downloaded as the FULL portion, and won't play anymore. It's really annoying. I want to watch this clip in full.

It did the same thing for me at work today, where there's a T1 line. It got to the point where Legolas says, "Orcs!" and Boromir runs for the door, then stops. Now, at home (I only have 56k), it only gets to the end of the horrid narrator saying that Moria is inhabited by evil. It's pissing me off.

And it isn't fixed by my simply closing my internet connection, either. Damn computer screwups..

[ak]

What I've done in the past when something like this has happened, is delete everything in my internet files and start again. For some reason, with me anyways, the computer reads the download as already complete from you actually downloading it before, and the fault shall remain. By deleting your current net files, it should fix it.......try it.

[Scorchlord]

THat was one of the first things I tried, but even that failed. Guess my luck on watching it online is out. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I'll just download it to my hard drive, then delete once the movie's out.

[Scorchlord]

Another great review, this time by Newsweek and David Ansen, who knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about Tolkien or LOTR before seeing the film:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/666107.asp

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Does anybody really realize how amazing it is that the film hasnt had one bad review yet?? I mean, that guy that gave it an "objective review" still gave it a 5/5, and the only reason the review was "objective" is because he said it was alot to take in. Thats not a bad thing in my bok, and will probably bring me and many many others back to the theaters several times. The biggest complaint heard so far ia the lack of pay-off in the ending, which leads me to believe what ak said in another thread: that once this trilogy is complete people will love it all the more. Because unlike other trilogies, this is actually just on story. It doesnt take place 3 years later, or 3 weeks, it takes place right after we let off in the film before. In time people will realize how freat this film is, and if reviews like this keep coming in from tough critics and tolkein fanatics, and non-fans, than I think it wouldnt be out of the question if the film won Best Picture.

[Tuukka]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ak:
That 200mb clip has been taken away.

Tuukka - Is your AICN nicname virkku?</font>

Yes. Virkku used to be my dog when I was a kid...

And like it has been stated earlier, the Balin's tomb scene has been cut a lot, that's not the way how it's going to progress in the film. But it looks cool anyway. The Newsweek review was really positive, which makes me happy (again).

[ak]

I see the film's been rated a 15 in Finland, Tuukka.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

That may hurt the B.O. a bit, but it wont be anything significant. The important thing is that it got rated PG in the UK, where a major, major, part of its B.O. will come from. Ok, heres a question. Iif anything, do you think these reviews are setting you up for dissapointment, or just telling it like it is; that this film is amazing. Because as far as I can tell, the only problem anyone has really had with the film, are very little things, nitpicks, and pet peeves. That is definately a good thing. Another thing that I think is significant is that, these films will probably be recieved better after all of the films are released. I didnt like Empire Strikes Back very much until I saw Return of the Jedi. But I think the LotR trilogy, I will like each one ALOT, but I will like it alot more after seeing the preceeding installments. p.s. SHORES SCORE FOR THIS FILM IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Only 16 days left. And remember to be on the lookout for reviews. Post all the reviews you find in this thread, ok?? Thanks. Im sure there will be a TON of reviews coming in after the premieres.

[Scorchlord]

I've been keeping my eyes open.

Anyone know of any websites where I can get my tickets online in advance? The stupid Showcase Cinemas in my area have no clue at all about anything.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Head on over to AICN; some Tolkein virgin has an incredibly positive review of the film. He is from Norway and doesnt speak much English so give him a break. Other than that,.....I dont know. If anyone would like to bring up something Lord of the Rings related to discuss your more than welcome.

[Weapon X]

Have any of you heard about this?

Appearantly, J.R.R. Tolkien's grandson has been disowned by his father for SUPPORTING the LoTR films. I'm not clear on all the details, but I saw the story in the Movie News section of the IMDB (http://www.imdb.com).

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Yeah, that is pretty fucked up. Chris is probably just pissed because he isnt getting any cut from the movie. I would be too though, considering Tolkein sold the film rights for 14,000 and some.

Check out this awesome pic:

[Scorchlord]

There are more reviews at www.aintitcool.com. (http://www.aintitcool.com.)

One is a review by a Finnish person who says the movie is simply, "Okay. Nothing special. Tedious." COnsidering every other reviews I've read - especially from the professional reviewers - is extremely positive, I think we can take this cynic as the minority.

Variety and the Hollywood Reporter have also given it glowing reviews.

[Scorchlord]

Can't see the pic, Fokker. Would it happen to be Sauron?

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

No, it was an INCREDIBLE picture of Rivendell. Ill give the URL,.....oh nevermind. Cant find it. It was at an article at like, Newsweek or something. If anyone finds the pic (Frodo on balcony in Rivendell) post it up. Alot of good reviews at AICN coming in, although they arent all "ecstatic" none of them are bad. Hasnt been a bad review at all, unless you count the chick who Ii dont even think saw it. "That bow-guy". Lol

[Jubs]

All I can say is I am definitely going to go see this movie. It looks awesome. I haven't even read the books but I don't care. All I read was the hobbit. I know its going to be a great movie.

[ak]

I've seen that pic of Frodo on the balcony - pretty nice. Also, did you know that Chris Tolkien taught my English teacher?...Learn something new every day, y'know.

[APzombie]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ak:
I've seen that pic of Frodo on the balcony - pretty nice.</font>

yes it is, looks similar, yet more beutiful than naboo in episode 1.

Newsweek did a report & interview with Peter Jackson, it has a lot of behind the scenes stories and post production tales, i sugest you guys check it out!

Some think that the harry potter movies are going to be this genarations new "star wars".... two words, BULL SH^T! the books were fads of the past couple of years, nothing more. LORD OF THE RINGS is the REAL new generations star wars.

I CAN NOT WAIT! Im going nuts waiting, its gonna be slick to the pick http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Tuukka]

Yes indeed, the only negative review so far is from Malexandria of www.eclipsemagazine.com. (http://www.eclipsemagazine.com.) Her "review" is a badly thought out, juvenile mess with lot's of errors and contradictions. But I still did find it refreshing to read and there is a hilarious discussion going on about her review at www.aintitcool.com. (http://www.aintitcool.com.)

The word from other reviews is this:

50% Great
40% Very good
10% Good

And all the established critics are varying from great to very good.

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

I'm totally going to get ambushed for saying this, but oh well, I dont give a fuck!! I have something to admit to every LOTR freak (I mean that in the nicest possible way http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif) I AM GETTING SICK AND FUCKING TIRED OF LOTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really want to see this movie, but all the hype it's getting by you guy's, the critics, and my friends is making my skin crawl.... I'm tired of everyone saying "Oh, this going to be the best movie ever" and "Every movie will be pounded by LOTR" maybe it will, maybe it wont..... there is just way to much hype about this movie and it's turning me off from it. I mean I will still see the movie just to find out what all the hype is about....... So you think LOTR will be a huge hit, Fan Fucking Tastic..... I'm sure the movie will be big, But I think it's wrong for all of you to be Obsessing over a movie that you have'nt even seen yet, I dont care if you have read the books and or so looking forward to this movie, that's fine, look forward to it all you want just don't obsess over it....... Oh and one more thing, LOTR will NOT win Best Picture this year, why you ask, because if the academy has any Patriotism in them after September 11th, I GAURENTEE you that Black Hawk Down will take the top prize, If not that one either A Beautiful Mind, The Majestic, or Vanilla Sky will win...... The only nominations LOTR will get are Score, Sound, Cinematography, and Costume Design. And maybe if it's lucky a Screenplay...... That's Just My Opinion......

LET THE AMBUSH BEGIN! OR

AT MY SIGNAL UNLEASH HELL!!! NOW (THATS MY SIGNAL)

[This message has been edited by dicaprio_travolta_man (edited 12-05-2001).]

[cutman]

You know, you have the right to form your own opinion about the movie and its hype, but why come into a topic devoted soley to the anticipation that we LotR megafans have for the movies? I mean, start your own topic or something, but don't try to burst our bubbles.

Another thing I never understood: why the hell does hype bother anyone? It's not like Lord of the Rings is on every channel like Pearl Harbor was.

Just let us enjoy this time...we have waited a long fucking time for this movie to be made (and to be made right, I might add), and we are down to the last couple of weeks. I, for one, am so excited that I really don't care about my exams coming up. I also know that I have convinced probably 10 non LotR fans to see the movie on opening day. So as much as you may not like it, hype helps everyone except pessimists.

Personally, I'm excited whenever ANY movie receives a lot of attention from the media. I like movies so much that any outside attention is a gift to the industry.


14 DAYS, 11 HOURS, 53 MINUTES.

[Mike Damone]

For someone that seems to spend a lot of time at a site devoted to talking about movies, dicaprio_travolta_man sure seems to moan a lot about people actually voicing their opinions about a movie. This is the Upcoming Movie Talk Forum. What do you expect us to be enthused about, Joe Somebody??? FOTR is by far the most anticipated movie of the year so deal with it. If you're going to tell us to wait for the movie to be released before we proclaim it "greatest ever" or even Best Picture, the least you could do is wait until you see Black Hawk Down before you go off on how it will win.

P.S. Not that patriotism really matters to the Oscar voters, but the LOTR story can be compared to the world coming together to fight terrorism.

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

I aint trying to burst anybody's bubble, and the reason why I post that in this forum is Because I Can!! And I wanted to, so I did... I love hype about movie's, I really do, it get's me pumped for certain movie's, but in this case I think LOTR is getting more then it need's, I mean if the book's have so many fan's and so many people obsessing about the movie it will do wel with or without hype.. And yes Pearl Harbor recieved alot more hype, but that movie Deserved every once of it, Why? because Pearl Harbor (not the movie, the day) is an Historical event it's the thing that launched us into WW2, It's a day which will live in infamy. You might be to young to understand how important or how deadly WW2 was, That's the reason why Pearl Harbor got so much hype, because it's a movie based on an historical event........ Oh and I advise evryone of you to read my last post, and give me feedback, Please...

Oh and Mike Damone, I'm not moaning about anything, I'm just speeking the truth, Get Over It man..... And yes maybe I should wait untill I see BHD to proclaim it best picture of the year, one thing though I'm not obsessing about BHD..... Oh and there are plenty of movies to talk about other then this one, let's see here, there's Vanilla Sky, A Beautiful Mind, Ocean's Eleven, ALI, The Majestic, and of course Black Hawk Down..... One more thing, LOTR is not about a world coming together to fight terrorism.. It's a movie about a Stupid Ring with powers...

[This message has been edited by dicaprio_travolta_man (edited 12-05-2001).]

[Tuukka]

I don't understand your point. The hype for Pearl Harbour was more acceptable, because it was based on real historical event? Pearl Harbour was a unrealistic, inaccurate fantasy re-telling of the PH catastrophe. I actually liked the film as dumb, escapist entertainment, but the film doesn't get extra points from me because on surface level it's based on a real event.

Since this is an upcoming movie forum, it makes sense to hype about upcoming movies. LOTR seems like a film that actually deserves it's hype, at least according to reviews so far. For some people who have seen it, it already is one of the best movies they have ever seen. For some it's just good, escapist entertainment. I'm waiting to see the film before I make my judgement on it's quality, but hyping is fun and I can see a lot more good reasons to hype LOTR than I found reasons to hype PH.

PH was a film by Bay and Bruckheimer, so I KNEW it was never going to be anything more than good cheese. It had Ben Affleck in starring role, and Ben is an adequate actor at best. It clearly intended to be a new Titanic and the Pearl Harbour setting was most likely chosen simply because it was considered as a good selling point. There was no passion and heart in the script of PH, or in the way how the film was brought to screen. I like the film despite it's obvious flaws, but PH is a product. LOTR is a work of passion. There is a difference.

[cutman]

Pearl Harbor didn't receive its hype because of the event it was based on....the studio hyped it and exploited the actual event in an attempt to make as much money as possible.

Your logic is ridiculously flawed. You say that if Lord of the Rings has so many fans, why must it be hyped so much. Then you go on to say that Pearl Harbor was one of the most important days in our history (uh...but I might be too young...or I might be a history major in college and know what it started). If Pearl Harbor was such an important day, why did it need so much hype? I seem to remember a much superior war movie by the name of Saving Private Ryan that began with one of the most realistic war scenes I have ever seen, and it didn't get nearly as much hype as PH. If you think that PH got hype because of its historical accuracy or the attack on PH, I think you are mistaken.

You obviously have not read LotR, or you would know that it is not about some Stupid Ring. It just happened to be written during the war that PH got us involved in, and although the author may not have intended the book to reflect the times, they do. And in a time when we are at war with terrorism, I think that many people will relate to and appreciate the Lord of the Rings.

Why don't you start a thread about Black Hawk Down, The Majestic, Ali, etc, or maybe you could start a thread about the movies numbered #2 throgh #10 on Peter Travers top ten movies of the year list. You don't need to talk abount #1... we already have this thread devoted to that.

Thank you for your time and pessemistic attitude.

14 DAYS, 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES.

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

Ladies and Gentlemen we have JESUS FUCKING CHRIST on the board, welcome my friend glad you could be with us.... I dont care if your a history major, shit, it dont bother me none.. I'm sorry maybe I should leave since evry single fucking opinion i have is FLAWED.... and yes I have read the LOTR book's, and like i said there about a stupid ring with powers, Pearl Harbor is the best movie of all time, and it got hype becuase the people wanted to remind us how important December 7th was... and if you think the day was'nt important, you obviously fail to relise that the day was the day that launched us into WW2 and if you think that's not important, if you think a day where lot's of innocent american people died for no reason, and a day where we fought for survival is not important then you have NO RESPECT!!!!!!!!!! Come on guys give me a break and show me some respect PLEASE, I just gave my honest opinion one I thought I was entitled to, but I guess not... I really want to see LOTR, I really do, but I think the hype about it being the best movie of the year is getting out of hand, Nobody here has seen the movie yet, so how do you know.... One more thing to all of you LOTR fan's out there I appoligise to you for what I said about LOTR.... And hey I will be seeing LOTR Monday, December 17th to review the film for my City Newspaper, and dont take what I said about the film personally It might get a good review from me you never know, It look's great, so I am sure it will..

[Scorchlord]

Pearl Harbor is the best movie of all time? Two words: Oy vey.

[Scorchlord]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1108476/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=1&rid=269818

www.rottentomatoes.com (http://www.rottentomatoes.com) has review going, finally, and they're all positive. THe most negative is the one I put up, and I kind of question the credibility a bit. He says, "Jackson may have some
tricks up his sleeve for the sequels, but it's going to be tough for him
to improve things much with The Two Towers, when the plot slows down and
the highlight of the story includes an anthropomorphic tree." This guy claims to have read the books, but if anything the plot gets more action-intensive in The Two Towers. I mean, it has a friggin' assault on a mountain fortress! It has a group of creatures "getting hasty" (you Tolkienphiles will get that injoke, I hope). It has blood-letting and violence to the max. And Treebeard is in NO WAY the highlight of the story. That would be Helm's Deep.

[cutman]

After reading all of your posts again, I can't believe I wasted my time by responding to you, leodardo_dicaprio_man or whatever your name is. The fact that you think that Pearl Harbor is the greatest movie of all time and your grammar/spelling are atrocious should have warned me that you are a lost cause.

Please enjoy your Pearl Harbor DVD (if your mom has bought it for you yet), and I'm terribly sorry that the hype for LotR has made your life miserable.

Sincerely,
Jesus Fucking Christ

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Look, if you want to talk about "the greatest movie ever" travolts, than go make a topic for it. This is for Lord of the Rings. And who are you to say Lord of the Rings wont be the best film ever made?? It depends on that persons opinion, and it1ll probably end up being mine. And dont say "Jesus Fucking Christ"; that is extremely offensive, and just not cool. Anyways, anyone got their tickets yet; I tried but my teater isnt selling advanced tickets yet. Oh well, 14 days.

[Scorchlord]

Can you say "Oh hell yeah!"?

http://www3.tolkienonline.com/docs/5508.html

[The Heart Collector]

Isn't BLACK HAWK DOWN about a miserably failed military mission?

Doesn't sound overly patriotic.

[wilo]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dicaprio_travolta_man:
Ladies and Gentlemen we have JESUS FUCKING CHRIST on the board, welcome my friend glad you could be with us.... I dont care if your a history major, shit, it dont bother me none.. I'm sorry maybe I should leave since evry single fucking opinion i have is FLAWED.... and yes I have read the LOTR book's, and like i said there about a stupid ring with powers, Pearl Harbor is the best movie of all time, and it got hype becuase the people wanted to remind us how important December 7th was... and if you think the day was'nt important, you obviously fail to relise that the day was the day that launched us into WW2 and if you think that's not important, if you think a day where lot's of innocent american people died for no reason, and a day where we fought for survival is not important then you have NO RESPECT!!!!!!!!!! Come on guys give me a break and show me some respect PLEASE, I just gave my honest opinion one I thought I was entitled to, but I guess not... I really want to see LOTR, I really do, but I think the hype about it being the best movie of the year is getting out of hand, Nobody here has seen the movie yet, so how do you know.... One more thing to all of you LOTR fan's out there I appoligise to you for what I said about LOTR.... And hey I will be seeing LOTR Monday, December 17th to review the film for my City Newspaper, and dont take what I said about the film personally It might get a good review from me you never know, It look's great, so I am sure it will..</font>


Hey dicaprio_travolta_man, if you can handle the heat of being critized about the opinions you post on a DISCUSSION BOAR, then don't post any. Be a bit more mature my friend, before you start complaining that you don't get any respect!!!! This is a discussion board where people agree or disagree about movies. So if you critize something ( like the supposed overhyping of LOTR) then be prepared to take some to take some flack back!!!! By the way!! Pearl Harbor the best movie of all time!!!!!!!?????? http://www.joblo.com/ubb/eek.gif


Wilo

[Tuukka]

Just to keep everyone up to date, here is the link to all the reviews from WELL-KNOWN, ESTABLISHED MOVIE CRITICS:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/movie-1108476/

Five reviews so far. Approval meter 100%. On a sidenote, the link is missing a couple of reviews (including the Entertainment Weekly review, which gave the film A), but they should be up soon.

[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 12-05-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

You know, these movies have not gotten one bad LEGITIMATE review yet. That is extremely promising. I think Pearl Harbor may have gotten a --&gt;"COUPLE"&lt;--, but that isnt really the point. Anyways, here comes another question. If this trilogy is successful (which mostly everyone thinks it will be,....even those not too excited) than what movie would you like to see made next based on Middle-Earth?? There are quite a few options: The Hobbit or any of the tales from The Silmarillion, or a completely original one. My pick would be a 3 parter, that tells the story of Beren and Luthien, and than goes on to tell of the War of Wrath (which happened, because the Elven Pprinces saw that Beren had assailed Morgoth on his own throne, and thought they too would have the power to destroy him and his followers). What about everyone else??

[Scorchlord]

I'd have to vote for "The Hobbit," but only if PJ makes it. The Silmarillion would really be a chore for any director, and I can't see PJ devoting another few years of his life to it. He'll have made his mark already.

[Muha]

Originally Posted by dicaprio_travolta_man:
Ladies and Gentlemen we have JESUS FUCKING CHRIST on the board, welcome my friend glad you could be with us....

I was gonna mention this on the Oceans 11 board, but i decided ill do it here. dont say this shit. you make yourself look even more like a jackass. do not insult my savior. im not a religious fanatic that hates harry potter, but i do have faith and i ask that you respect that.

Now...

Originally Posted by dicaprio_travolta_man:
Pearl Harbor is the best movie of all time, and it got hype becuase the people wanted to remind us how important December 7th was... and if you think the day was'nt important, you obviously fail to relise that the day was the day that launched us into WW2 and if you think that's not important, if you think a day where lot's of innocent american people died for no reason, and a day where we fought for survival is not important then you have NO RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!


First off, who says you have to like Pearl Harbor. That movie fucking blew. It did. It completely made the whole tragedy seem like a fucked up love story mixed with bombing. there were little highlights in the movie (Voight as FDR and cuba did good.)

I can argue with you about this movie and I urge you to create a post about Pearl Harbor I would love to argue with you here.

Pearl Harbor = Titanic with bombing = pathetic movie making

also, dont tell me about respect with veterans. my grandfather is a decorated veteran of ww2... and guess what he HATED saving private ryan. how weird is that?

your logic is flawed here. i do not need a movie to help me respect my elders.


Chomp... chomp... (thats the sound of LOTR as it slowly eats and devours all competitors and Pearl Harbor.)

[NomadKnight]

Just to say that Pearl Harbor is a very very poor movie. 2/10. It's juste a stupid american movie.

[idealdiscountdude]

Entertainment Weekly gave The Fellowship of The Ring an A!!!

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

I'm sorry everyone, for coming in here and starting a fued. Please try to forgive me. I just want to get along with everybody on this board... And let me rephrase the Pearl Harbor qoute, It is not the best film of all time, I think it's the best film of the year (so far). And if you guy's want to hype about LOTR go ahead, that's fine, have fun and enjoy yourselves, I will leave you guy's alone now. If you think LOTR might be the best film of all time, that's cool, your opinion does count. I know that some of the thing's I have said on this board were uncalled for, I understand that, Please accept my deepest applowogy (sp.). And I do have one intelligent Question for everybody, What book did you like better, which one will make the better movie? I for one think that "The Return Of the King" is the best and cannot wait for the film... What do you guy's think? Sorry, one more question, Do you think they should make "The Hobbit" into a live action movie? I would love to see "The Hobbit" on the big screen..

[This message has been edited by dicaprio_travolta_man (edited 12-05-2001).]

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Apology accepted (by me anyways). Now lets just drop Pearl Harbor, shall we?? Ok, excellent. Anyways, I would have to say Fellwoship of the Ring is my favorite book, but Return of the King will be the most awesome movie. And as for the Hobbit; not live-action, but really, really, really, good animation is something I would perfer.

[Tuukka]

A new TV spot with lot's of AMAZING new footage at http://www.trinitymovie.com/lotr/tv-spot1205.mpg.

Minas Tirith! Orthanc! Gwaihir! The Watcher! The flooding of the fjord! The last alliance! I'm glad that it's only two weeks anymore because at this rate I'm gonna see glimpses of every scene in these TV spots.

[This message has been edited by Tuukka (edited 12-06-2001).]

[wilo]

Hey guys!! remember that tomorrow (Friday 7th) On TNT they will show a Lord of the Rings special right after The Matrix (7 pm et). Just wanted to remind everyone about it!!!

!!! MINOR SPOILER WARNING ABOUT LOTR!!!


Now!! for those of you that have been around for a while on discussion boards about LOTR; do you remember all the discussion on whether the Balrog should have wings or not? Well here is a quote from Walter Shaw's review of the film at filmfreakcentral.net:


"A massive Dwarven city carved through a mountain (it is a four-day walk from one end of it to the other), Moria is the backdrop for three of the film's finest set pieces: a struggle with a terrifying thing in a pond; a battle against a horde of goblins and their pet cave-troll; and a confrontation with a demon of smoke and fire: the winged, whip-wielding Balrog."


Take a look at the last two lines. If he is describing the Balrog from what he saw in the movie, then it seems that PJ has decided to portray it with wings!!

Wilo

[Scorchlord]

From other reviews I've read (dating back to Cannes), the Balrog had wings. I have no problem with it - in my version of the book, the Balrog has wings. The books I have were printed in 1960, and Tolkien was notorious for re-editing his works. Does anyone else have a book where the Balrog specifically has wings, or doesn't?

[Scorchlord]

Oh, and Tuuka - the link doesn't work. I get a big ol' "VERBOTEN" (but in English).

Dang it, I want to see Minas Tirith.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

:: gets on his knees and begs for someone to post another link, or mirror the new TV ad ::

[cutman]

Here is the address to the newest commercial:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lwerndly/files/LOTR_TVSpot4.zip

I was just watching Survivor, and I swear I think there is another new commercial out (besides the one I just posted).

[Scorchlord]

Thank you! I want to see this.

There are two new reviews over at www.aintitcool.com, (http://www.aintitcool.com,) and both are fantastic. It's hard not to get pumped up (moreso) after reading reviews like that. They were great.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

That was an incredible commercial. Now if only I knew something about the new Lord of the Rings commercial you saw. I have every trailer and every commercial so far - I just wish I had the programs on my computer to edit and make new video. I would make you guys a kick-ass trailer with all the footage, even from the FOX special, and with Howard Shores music. :: drools :: That would be greeeeeeeeat.

[Scorchlord]

After watching that TV spot, two words come to mind: Holy shit!

Minas Tirith. Orthanc with the Windlord. Sauron reaching. The elves of the Last Alliance. The flooding of the Ford. This movie cannot get here soon enough.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

MPG from AICN talkbacks (where I also post occasionly, if it doesnt get too mindless) and from ComingAttractions.com has collected everything negative about the film people have said - I dont know what he plans to do with it, but all those who said it will suck, and fail, yadda yadda yadda, he has alot, so im curious to know wha he does with it.

[dh1989]

What LOTR scene are you most looking forward to seeing(besides the Balrog/Moria sequence)? I would have to say the scene where Pippin,Samwise, and Frodo meet the High Elves in the woods after they leave Hobbiton. Does anyone know if this will be in the film? I also look forward to the Prolouge with voice over by cate Blanchett(although I wish Gandalf could have done it because he explained it all to Frodo in the book).

[pofcorn]

As a Star Wars fan, I think im more excited about LOTR than I was about SW:Episode 1.

Now I think you have a pretty good estimation on how bad I WANNA FUCKING SEE THE MOVIE RIGHT NOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!

12 days left!

[This message has been edited by pofcorn (edited 12-07-2001).]

[ak]

Well, I just saw the new t.v spot and was quite enthralled by it - It was jaw dropping in places. And, wow, does the flooding of the Ford look amazing or what!!??

The army of the Last Alliance, Sauron, beautiful.

P.S - Dumb-Fokker-** - Make a new "Official countdown" topic, this one is too long now, and I don't think anyone is reading all those seven pages.

[This message has been edited by ak (edited 12-07-2001).]

[dicaprio_travolta_man]

I have just seen the trailer for LOTR attached to Ocean's Eleven, although i've sen the trailer many time's, I just didnt pay any attention to the score untill now, the score in LOTR trailer is just breath-taking, It's Beautiful music, is the whole soundtrack as beautiful as the song in the trailer??? Is it worth buying?????

[Scorchlord]

Yes.

[Scorchlord]

More reviews that you can shake a poodle at:

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=10976

GOod things are a-comin' before Christmas...

[Tuukka]

Ok. Now I'm officially going to stop gathering information about this film. There are FIVE clips from the film at www.aintitcool.com (http://www.aintitcool.com) right now. I watched the first one, with Gandalf and Frodo. I had shivers in my spine, not only once, but THREE times during that 1-2 minute clip. And it was just a dialogue scene in crappy real media. I don't want to see anything anymore, I want everything to be as fresh as possible when I see it in the biggest theater of Finland on thursday, 20th of december.

[Tuukka]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dicaprio_travolta_man:
I have just seen the trailer for LOTR attached to Ocean's Eleven, although i've sen the trailer many time's, I just didnt pay any attention to the score untill now, the score in LOTR trailer is just breath-taking, It's Beautiful music, is the whole soundtrack as beautiful as the song in the trailer??? Is it worth buying?????</font>

The songs in the trailer are taken from other movies, as it is usually done with trailers. I think the real soundtrack for FOTR is really, really good, but it's very different than the music in trailers.