Lord of the Rings

[barkar]

@brian64...yes, I'm not sure exactly when this all took place but I'm thinking likely in the 40's WWII time. Everyone was paranoid back then.

 

[cynyr]

In the 2nd and 3rd movies, every time there's a scene with Sam and Frodo talking and (usually) crying, I hit Chapter Skip to get back to the action.

+1, bigvan!
That's my sole gripe with the Jackson movies. Sam and Frodo were not friends, they were master and servant. Tolkien said that he based Sam on a batman (valet) he had during the Great War. Those scenes really slow down the movies, but I never got that feeling in the books.
But the good thing about LOTR is that the entire world can be seen in many different ways. My way doesn't include weepy hobbits, thanks.

 

[reichenbach]

In regards to The Hobbit movie, does anyone know if they are going to release it in 2D? I heard they were going to shoot it with 3D cameras. I, personally, have little desire to see a 3D until I can't help it. I wonder if they are going to go through the trouble (and cost) of re-rendering it for Luddites such as myself.

 

[ruraldean]

Here in the UK every 3D release has had simultaneous 2D showings (Avatar etc.) I can't imagine it wouldn't happen here.
So many people I know avoid 3D like the plague, citing banging headaches as the reason. I must confess that once the novelty has worn off 3D seems entirely superfluous, and a friend who has a 3D TV says he's fed up sitting bolt upright with stupid glasses on facing the set directly. I'll wait until proper 3D TV is available.

 

[deleon]

I've been checking on their official site but they only talk about 3d filming.
http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Hobbit_films#Directorship
The site has some production video and photos from the upcoming film if anyone is curious to find out more. It's good site.

 

[reichenbach]

I also read that they are filming at nearly double the frames per second (47 fps vs traditional 24) which will, of course, jack up prices as theaters add new technology. They're also toying with the idea of vibrating seats to "enhance the experience" of a film plus a number of other so-called "advancements." I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get my bits buzzed in public. Granted, there was no talk of the vibrating seats for The Hobbit and I like the idea of more frames per second (as long as it makes films seem less 'digital') but I do worry about 3D and 3D being the only two choices.
That said, I would probably see it in 3D, in fast forward with my seat vibrating the entire time.
But I wouldn't like it.
@deleon: I read theonering.net and that's all I see there too.

 

[brian64]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHF536TJ0iE&feature=player_embedded

 

[psquared]

Lots of good stuff in this thread! I have been a huge fan since I first read the books in the early 70s. I own the extended version box set of the movie, and have all the books (Silmarillion, Hobbit, Trilogy)in print and on my Kindle. I try to read them at least once a year, and never get tired of it. Tolkien was genius and a sublime writer. Next on my list to obtain is the Children of Hurin. Has anyone tackled this yet?

 

[ozymandias]

Has anyone tackled this yet?

I Have the audiobook and it is read by Christopher "Saruman" Lee! It is pretty good!

 

[matts26]

If you like the movies, try the audiobooks by Robert Engel. He does all the voice acting, sings EVERY SONG, and recites every poem.
If you travel in the car, you will thank me.

Where can one aquire this audiobook set? and is Engel or Inglis?

 

[bentmike]

Wow I see many of us have something in common besides love of the briar. I first read the series back in 8th grade and several times since. I can honestly say these are my favorite books and never has an author pulled me headfirst into the story for hours at a time the way Tolkien does. One of these days I plan to put them on my Kindle and get back into the stories.
As for the movies I've only seen the first one and maybe part of the second. Unlike many screen adaptations I have to say they did an awesome job. I'm still holding off and would like to purchase the whole extended set but now I think I'll wait until after the Hobbit comes out and start it then. Seems like a nice winter project.
3d or not the new Hobbit movie will be awesome I can't wait to see it.

 

[juni]

I heard the Hobbit will be a two-parter. Is there really enough story for two movies in there?

 

[treeder13]

@Juni I personally don't think so it seem it's going to be really........wrung out if you know what I mean as I can finish the book in 3 hours where as knowing peter jackson we will be sitting through 6 hours of movie

 

[stogie37]

OK, I did it. Pulled the trigger on the Robert Inglis LOTR trilogy audio set. Just started tonight. Wow, gonna be great to experience this classic in yet another format. Drained a large pipe full of Maltese Falcon, & then a medium pot of Ten Russians just listening to the Prologue(s) - Lot's of great listening/smoking on deck for my early Summer pipe time! Now, lets see if I can stand up - Vitamin N overload...

 

[shaintiques]

He is an amazing reader

 

[mrmccarthy]

I hope LOTR is studies in high school and college in the future and becomes a staple of western literature as much a Romeo and Juliet or 1984.
My favorite book series by far.

 

[reichenbach]

@treeder13: They say that a short story or novella is the optimal length for something going from page to screen because it gives the screenwriter a little leeway. In some cases I agree and in others probably not but even in a book as short as The Hobbit, there is so much nuance to work with.
With that said...
Jackson is adding in what is probably going to amount to sacrilege. For example, I don't remember Legolas featuring into The Hobbit at all. I'm curious how he's is going to make it work. I trust him to a point but ever since George Lucas broke my heart with the Star Wars updates and prequels, well, you just don't know who you can trust anymore.

 

[gungnir]

Reading this just gave me a case of, what I realize now as, book acquisition disorder, so I decided to pick up "The Lord of the Rings" 50th anniversary one volume edition along with the annotated version of "The Hobbit"

 

[danno]

I love this Trilogy as well. I'm about due for a Marathon. A lot of fun, sitting down with some good snacks and nosh type foods, some good Belgian Ale, a pipe or cigar, and having a movie marathon. We did this when I was a child, and my dad and I would stay up all night. This made for some are very fond memories.

 

[barkar]

In the HOBBIT it lists the characters by name that are involved so if any extra characters are worked into the movie it will spoil it right away for anyone that is more then a little familiar with the story.