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Peter Jackson Hints At The Hobbit

Hellboy0101 writes "News.com.au is reporting that New Line Cinema is currently in talks to purchase the rights to the film adaptation of The Hobbit. There are apparently some difficulties with getting the go ahead from Tolkien's son Christopher, who is executor of the estate. When asked if New Line has approached him about the project, Jackson said he has not ruled it out, but not until after King Kong is done. 'New Line, which spent $US300million ($415 million) making the films, is already planning to continue its Rings success with an adaptation of Tolkien's novel The Hobbit. More difficulties with the Tolkien estate were looming, said Jackson, who added that he would be keen to get involved after he finishes remaking King Kong in 2006. "New Line haven't actually talked to me about The Hobbit. I know there's difficulty about the rights, certainly if they want to talk to me about it I'd be keen," he said.'"

721 comments

  1. ATTN: PETER JACKSON by r_glen · · Score: 4, Funny

    Learn from the mistakes of others and leave while you're on top! Besides, the animated version of The Hobbit is already a gem.
    (Although if you must... you have my sword)

    1. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      (Although if you must... you have my sword)

      Oh jesus. *rolls eyes*

    2. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by thdougherty · · Score: 5, Funny

      And my axe!

    3. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Blue+Eagle+26 · · Score: 1, Funny

      And my semi automa...err bow.

    4. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      and my greased up yoda doll!!

    5. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Informative

      Besides, the animated version of The Hobbit is already a gem.

      Have you ever seen the damned thing? I have to admit I think it got the mood right, but man, those misshapen heads- and they really screwed up the elves! They were like little gremlins! The cartoon creators were obviously thinking of the elves that live up at the North Pole making presents for Santa. That's the wrong kind of elf. Although they did refrain from skateboarding down stairs while shooting arrows. That's one thing they did get right.

    6. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Only on Slashdot is a reference to an obscure animated feature like this modded up as Informative. I wouldn't have it any other way.

    7. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by IthnkImParanoid · · Score: 1

      Wait! You're not leaving without me!

      *scamper*

      --
      It's nothing but crumpled porno and Ayn Rand.
    8. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by ShadyG · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You ever notice Gimli says this right after he's finished shattering his axe in a vain attempt to cleave the Ring?

    9. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by mblase · · Score: 1

      You ever notice Gimli says this right after he's finished shattering his axe in a vain attempt to cleave the Ring?

      True, although I've also noticed that any good Dwarf carries more than one war axe. There's more than one kind, anyway.

    10. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 1

      Just watched this again with a friend, and her first comment when seeing the wood elves was, "they look like a cross between Gollum and an Ent!". Also Gollum looked way to frog-like in the animated Hobbit. Overall tho, it is a fair adaptation and some (SOME!) of the songs are pretty fun too.

    11. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by tbmaddux · · Score: 4, Informative
      You ever notice Gimli says this right after he's finished shattering his axe in a vain attempt to cleave the Ring?
      Watch the extended edition of FOTR; in one of the documentary segments Rhys-Davies goes through his axe arsenal. He carries around seven of them.
      --
      Can't you see that everyone is buying station wagons?
    12. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      So, obviously he's done with it.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    13. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by rmohr02 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Dude--put down the axe.

    14. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...and only on slashdot will this kind of comment get modded "+5, Funny"

    15. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by RedWizzard · · Score: 5, Informative

      If you watch carefully you'll notice that Gimli grabs (and shatters) the axe of the dwarf sitting next to him. He's one smart dwarf, that Gimli.

    16. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i don't care what the mods say, that was +5 funny! good AC!

    17. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      my kingdom for mod points...

    18. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by rylin · · Score: 1

      How about.. mod parent up? :P
      Fools! Go watch the MTV spoof of Elronds Council!

    19. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by mattsucks · · Score: 1

      Besides, the animated version of The Hobbit is already a gem.

      Damn straight. Where there's a whip, there's a way.

    20. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're thinking about Rankin/Bass RoTK. SOMEONE SHOOT THE MINSTREL !!

    21. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by plj · · Score: 1

      Oh, but if you think the Hobbit was awful, and you haven't seen the other animated Tolkien movie of Jules Bass, the Return of the King, then you haven't seen anything yet.

      Now that was an absolutely horrible experience. I wathced it with couple of friends about a year ago, and we instantly ran out of beer. The most wannabe-Tolkien freak of us actually ran away in the middle of the movie, she simply could not stand it any longer.

      --
      “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
    22. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      It actually looks as if he borrows the axe of the Dwarf to his side

    23. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by veryaner · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      He is going to destroy anothe excelent book!! Can anyone imagine if he wants to film The Silmarillion!!! ouch PJ sucks.... veryaner, dunedain of the north

      --
      veryaner
      (ar ilye tier undulave lumbule)
    24. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Neop2Lemus · · Score: 0

      Yes, but I felt sorry for him, I mean, he obviously brought his Best axe to the Council, and then he went and broke it.:-(

      --
      Needle Nardle Noo
    25. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Neop2Lemus · · Score: 0
      I'm so glad I didn't see it, I kinda suspected that that would happen.

      phew.

      --
      Needle Nardle Noo
    26. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by DrEldarion · · Score: 1

      ... and my preciousssssssssssss....

    27. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, thats only the wood elves. If you recall, when they go to talk to Elrond, he is a tall fair elf (though with a goofy star-halo). It seems that they wanted to make some sort of distinction between the elves in Mirkwood and the Rivendell Elves.

    28. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by pizzaman100 · · Score: 1

      Agreed. Casey Kasem should not be a hobbit voice.

    29. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by MikeDX · · Score: 1

      cant a guy just axe a few questions without being considered a troll? (or dwarf?)

    30. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      They could probably take stuff out of the Silmarillion and do movies on bits and pieces.

      The fall of Numenor would probably be a good tale. They could tie Elrond into that line. The fact is that Elrond is a great, great, great ......... uncle of Aragorn. Aragorn and Arwen are technically very distant cousins.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    31. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And we feel sorry for you. Obviously you brought your best brain to the film and you still didn't understand what happened. :-(

    32. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Gilmoure · · Score: 1

      Nothin' says lovin'
      like shtupin' your cousin!

      --
      I drank what? -- Socrates
    33. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by Tantrum420 · · Score: 1

      No, no... I don't think it's Jesus. Someone else, perhaps....

      But, who could it be? Hmmmm...

    34. Re:ATTN: PETER JACKSON by arothmanmusic · · Score: 1

      Yes... Gimli carries seven axes, and collects each of them after throwing them, just like Legoloas spends his spare time hand-whitling the hundreds of arrows he uses when fighting 50 orcs. :)

  2. Hinting at the Hobbit? by mikeophile · · Score: 4, Funny
    Is that some kind of euphemism?

    Like beating the Bishop?

    1. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by JoloK · · Score: 1

      voting for Buchanan?

      --
      JoloK
    2. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Jostling the Elder?

    3. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, but now I am going to do my best to make it one.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    4. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 1

      Rubbing Rob Reiner.

      -B

    5. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by mattjb0010 · · Score: 1

      Is that some kind of euphemism?

      Like beating the Bishop?


      Is the Pope a Catholic?

    6. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by fenix+down · · Score: 5, Funny

      Uh oh. I've been using that one for taking a dump. Perhaps this explains some of those looks...

    7. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Clock+Nova · · Score: 1

      Pulling taffy?
      Rearing Children?
      Carpet bagging?
      Windsurfing on Mount Baldy?
      Shaking hands with Abraham Lincoln?

      --
      There they were, sitting in the van with all those dials, and the cat was dead. -V. Marchetti, CIA
    8. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Maserati · · Score: 1

      Firing the Surgeon General.

      --
      Veteran, Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force, 1992-1951
    9. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hauling on the Halfling
      Dominating the Dwarf
      Elongating the Elf
      Drubbing the Dunedain
      Oiling the Orc
      Nourishing the Numenorean
      Noshing the Nazgul
      Initiating the Istari

      ahh....wouldn't JRRT be proud!

    10. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Penguin+Follower · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      A couple euphemisms I use for taking a dump:
      • Pinching one off
      • Taking a smash
      • Dropping the kiddies off at the pool
      Heh ;)
    11. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Channard · · Score: 1
      Dropping the ring into Mount Doom?

      Biting off Frodo's finger?

    12. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Neop2Lemus · · Score: 0

      Does the Pope wear funny hats?

      --
      Needle Nardle Noo
    13. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Stephen+Maturin · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      And the ever popular 'Sending a Marine to Sea'

      --
      Non tam praeclarum est scire Latine, quam turpe nescire
      -- Cicero
    14. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Matrix272 · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      A couple euphemisms I use for taking a dump:

      Don't forget:

      • Dropping a Load
      • Baking Brownies
      • Giving Birth to a Brown Baby Boy
      • Dropping a Bomb
      • Launching Torpedos
      • Laying Cable
      And my personal favorite, "Pebble-dashing the porcelain".

      --
      "It's better to have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it." ~ Christian Slater, True Romance
    15. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by katarac · · Score: 1

      I always liked "Dropping a deuce".

    16. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by sharkey · · Score: 1
      A couple euphemisms I use for taking a dump:

      Busting a Darl

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
    17. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by BoysDontCry · · Score: 1

      No dude. "Taking the Browns to the Superbowl."

    18. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by NoStrings · · Score: 1

      How about:

      Building a log cabin.

    19. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      beating the Bush?

    20. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What about "Dumping core?"

    21. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whipping the White Wizard ;-)

    22. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Hang on, I gotta go:
      • Launch an ass rocket
      • Fire one off
      • Fling grunt
      • Pinch a loaf
      • Drop a stool
      • Make a doodie
    23. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He wears funny hats to hide his horns.

    24. Re:Hinting at the Hobbit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A couple I use are:

      o going to release some brown trout into the wild

      o time for my aroma-therapy session

  3. I read that, and al I could think is by geekoid · · Score: 1

    there's going to be a King Kong remake? cool.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by probabilistic · · Score: 1

      Yeah, supposedly King Kong is Jackson's favorite movie - he always wanted to do a remake, but was turned down the first time he approached a studio. This was pre-LotR, and when tried again more recently he was given the go-ahead.

    2. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by child_of_mercy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Also was Hitler's Favourite movie (according to my set of Trivial Pursuit)

      hmmmm

      --
      'There is a Light that never goes out.'
    3. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are lots of websites to keep up with movies yet to be made, in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror genres:
      for instance--
      http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/timeline2010 .html#10sFilms
      The above page takes a while to load, because it has a lot about the decade 2000-2010...

    4. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by Slime-dogg · · Score: 3, Informative

      Hitler's favorite movie was Metropolis.

      --
      You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.
    5. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by yosemite · · Score: 1

      I think that qualifies as a comparison
      according to Godwins Law this thread is over.

    6. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by child_of_mercy · · Score: 1

      are you sure I didn't invoke it deliberately?

      --
      'There is a Light that never goes out.'
    7. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by Simonetta · · Score: 1

      I've read that Hitler's favorite movie was 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. He had a deep 19th century sentimental affection for Disney kitsch.

      I just can't see the Nazis taking a liking for 'Metropolis', expecially since they hated the director Fritz Lang. They arrested him after the release of "M" because they thought its second title ("The Murderer Amoungst Us") was a reference to their politcal thuggery. Lang moved to the US after being released and made many great Hollywood pictures.

      Nor can I see Hitler actually thinking 'King Kong' was a great film. At the time the big monkey was seen as allusion to non-white peoples. Hitler, with his demonic psychotic focus on racial issues, would have picked up on that right away and it undoubtably made him uncomfortable.

      No, I think it was 'Snow White'.

    8. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by revividus · · Score: 1
      Funny, all I could think was, "I thought the original announcement for this remake was an April Fools post..."

      Oh well. :-)

    9. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sorry, the card says 'moops'

    10. Re:I read that, and al I could think is by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1

      Dude, did you watch King Kong all the way to the end? The monkey dies, man. It's like, the Final Solution right there in front of you, laid bare for all to see. Hitler probably went apeshit when he saw that.

      --
      You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  4. My personal opinion by Penguinshit · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've read everything Tolkien many times over. While I didn't feel the Jackson movies were completely honest to the books, I can understand his explanation regarding pacing and whatnot as it applies to the visual medium.

    I really enjoyed the first two of the Trilogy, and am very much looking forward to the third.

    If Jackson wants to take on The Hobbit, I'd be very interested in seeing the resulting work.

    1. Re:My personal opinion by buffer-overflowed · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yea, and then... the Silmarillion.

      Tolkien's rewrite of the bible, spoken in elvish. Mel Gibson is slated for involvement, I hear.

      --
      The key to the enjoyment of pop music is to replace any instance of "love" with "C.H.U.D."
    2. Re:My personal opinion by Penguinshit · · Score: 3, Interesting

      the Silmarillion

      Wow.. You could do a trilogy just on that amount of material alone. Of course, by then I expect it all would have been thoroughly "Lucas-ized" and the Tolkien Estate's worst fears would be realized.

      Could you imagine a 3-hour film with vignettes comprised of various parts of "Unfinished Tales"? That'd be like a Tolkien "Creepshow" (which was based on short stories by Stephen King).

    3. Re:My personal opinion by The+Only+Druid · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Its worth mentioning that content wise, there is almost no parallel between the Silmarillion and the Bible. Combined with Tolkien's stated desire to create a pagan mythological history for England, this makes it pretty clear that its not "Tolkien's rewrite of the Bible".

      Moreover, the simple structure of his myths contain, if anything, a parallel to the Gnostic pseudo-christian myths of the 15th century with a creator-god with no direct intervention in the world, not to mention the lack of any Christ-figure, is quite contrary to normal Christian mythos.

      --
      "Stumble before you crawl"
    4. Re:My personal opinion by jeffasselin · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Not as a movie. If the Silmarillion is ever done, it would need to be a mini-series or something.

      The problem is that there are some excellent dramatic stories in the Silmarillion:

      - Feanor and the revolt of the Elves, from about his birth to the time the elves establish themselves in Beleriand. It's got grreat pacing, mostly follows one character's development and history, and then after his death there's some resolution with his sons.

      - Beren and Luthien. It's got romance, adventure, action, a few daring rescues, a talking dog, Sauron as a big werewolf, a beautiful elf-girl dancing to make Morgoth sleep, it's very sad and beautiful, and ends well but still somewhat bitter.

      - Turin Turambar is maybe a bit too tragic a character for modern movies, but his story reminds me of some tragedic Shakespearian characters, and it would make a good tale (some may object to the incest stuff though).

      - Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin would be awesome. Imagine Helm's Deep but with dozens of Balrogs attacking the city, along with betrayal and a good ending with their departure.

      - Finally, Earendil and Elwing, and the War of Wrath, and the founding of Numenor.

      Forget about trying to tell it as a single story, or trying to impart all the details and backstories to everything the way they are in the book. Concentrate on the parts that care about a character or two, and then add the backstories in those that tell what happened between the big stories. You can certainly tell stuff like the big battles in flashbacks of certain characters.

      --
      If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.
    5. Re:My personal opinion by Entropius · · Score: 1

      While it doesn't mean the Silmarillion is a "rewrite of the bible" (it's not), Earendil is about as clear a Christ figure as can be found anywhere...

    6. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking of presonal opinions - I was very disappointed with the Ring movies so far; none of the characters are close to the ones I imagined when reading the books. Each of them acts as if they had never had any training - every scene is overdramatized and comes across as stilted and unreal. Anyone else feels this way?

    7. Re:My personal opinion by zabieru · · Score: 1

      Or else Beren, even more clearly (wounded, with the loss of his arm, and then killed, and brought back from the dead).

    8. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a fictional mythological religious text in the style of many real-world religious texts(including the bible).

      It tells a creation story, lays out the mythos. Has an omnipotent, good creator, an "angel" that falls from heaven and rebels. I mean jesus appears with a new name, there are ALOT of paralells. Even if Tolkien's intent was not to rewrite the bible for his world, that's basically what he did. The Silmarillion is the Middle Earth Bible. Hands down.

      It has it's drolling tedious bits, and it's exiting good stories. Just like the bible.

      There is definately a parallel.

      But anyway, I was making a joke. Funny, haha I guess it wasn't to you. You see I took a truth (the Silmarillion is similar in some respects to the bible) and the greatly exagerated it(Tolkien rewrote the bible), tying into the Mel Gibson reference to make something amusing.

    9. Re:My personal opinion by afidel · · Score: 1

      Unlike Lucas Jackson has shown himself to be able to use CG animation to immerse people in the story. Lucas's use of CG is so blatent in many places that it jars you from the story.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    10. Re:My personal opinion by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Who is Mel playing, Illuvatar? Or was that part going to be computer generated? A Deus Ex Machina?

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    11. Re:My personal opinion by yy1 · · Score: 1

      forget it, they will never make a movie of the Silmarillion, I love tolkien and I never got thru more than 1/2 of it, I kept falling asleep! As audiences all over would do if they try to make this a movie, its a mythos, at best they would rape it by elarborating on one or two of the above stories mentioned and interweave the LoTR stuff for the tie in, everyone would be outraged and everyone would still be bored it would be a flop. (btw i couldn't even more than just skim 'em so that doesn't bode well)

      Hobbit however is another story they could do this really great. The animated one was ok, but Jackson's done these so well so far I wouldn't mind seeing it done that way.

      --
      Because, sometimes they just have to touch the stove.
      -YY1
    12. Re:My personal opinion by Evil+Pete · · Score: 1

      Always thought it should be a long mini-series. Though how to develop some of the stories would be difficult. I mean in the Silmarillion everything is hooked into everything else ... the whole book was meant for hypertext. You can't explain one thing without explaining half a dozen other things. Hmmm. But it is very very very cool. I always wondered what the Battle of Unnumbered Tears would have been like on screen with Morgoth attacking with an army of Balrogs and dragons. But my favourite is Beren and Luthien which I have always considered a far better story than the LotR. But its such a bittersweet book, like the basic stuff of LotR concentrated ... comparing brandy to wine.

      In the real world however it aint gonna happen. Christopher Tolkien is known for being an arsehole on these kind of issues. I mean he kicked his son out of the family because he liked the idea of Peter Jackson making the movies. JRR sold the rights for LotR but not for the Silmarillion (of course since Christopher has his name on the book as well). Oh well.

      --
      Bitter and proud of it.
    13. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      How the fuck did this get rated 3? This guy "feels" the movies weren't "completely honest" to the books??? What is he, some TV reporter trying to cover his ass?

      Dude, there were tons of departures from the books. No "feel" it may be so, there simply were. Is there something about this you can't accept or deal with, such that you can't just come right out and call it what it was? Trying to be PC or something???

      Well, maybe the next line rated a score of 3, let's see: "I really enjoyed..." "...am very much looking forward to...". Sounds like a book report in grade school, or a thank you note from my grandmother. Says nothing.

      Maybe the last paragraph: "I'd be very interested in seeing...".

      OMFG, not one "interesting" thing to say here whatsover, and it gets rated "3, Interesting". I'm dumbfounded...

    14. Re:My personal opinion by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      " Its worth mentioning that content wise, there is almost no parallel between the Silmarillion and the Bible."

      You are correct, it is more similar to the Torah. I swear to god, the biggest mistake of my academic career in highschool was deciding to do a research paper on the Silmarillion before I even knew what it was.

      I ended up successfully arguing that Sauron was in fact a force of good (don't ask how, it was a long time ago, but I got an A). However, do you have ANY idea how hard it is to do a research paper on a book that reads like this:

      "And so-and-so begot so-and-so, who begot so-and-so, who went on to do many great things, and eventually begot so-and-so."

      Never again....(shudders)

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    15. Re:My personal opinion by Col+Bat+Guano · · Score: 1
      Or else Beren, even more clearly (wounded, with the loss of his arm, and then killed, and brought back from the dead).

      *cough* ... the loss of his -hand-... The rest of his arm was very much attached.

    16. Re:My personal opinion by stevelinton · · Score: 1

      The whole Silamarillion has far, far too much plot for one film. It's written in
      a very condensed style with little dialogue and not much description.

      You might be able to fit the story of Beren and Luthien into one longish film without losing too much. A friend of mine once worked out a treatment for it a cycle of four longish operas. Similarly the story of Turin Turambar might work, or you could do something with the downfall of Numenor.

      You'd need a really good writer though, because practically all of the dialogue would have to be written from scratch.On the other hand, you have much less detail from Tolkein to fit in or worry about leaving out.

      Steve

    17. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is Gibson going to fight the English in this one?

    18. Re:My personal opinion by Zeinfeld · · Score: 2, Interesting
      In the real world however it aint gonna happen. Christopher Tolkien is known for being an arsehole on these kind of issues. I mean he kicked his son out of the family because he liked the idea of Peter Jackson making the movies. JRR sold the rights for LotR but not for the Silmarillion (of course since Christopher has his name on the book as well). Oh well.

      One of the issues that Jackson could probably address that would help the situation would be to actually pay a decent royalty for the rights to the Tolkein familly. JRRT originally sold the rights for GBP 100,000 to meet a tax bill. Jackson almost certainly paid rather more to purchase the rights from whoever was holding them, but the Tolkeins would not have seen any of that money.

      People do not go to the press and announce that they have an issue with the division of the cash, much better to complain about artistic integrity or some such bollocks. You sound so much more principled and so much less of a whinner. Of course the familly has not exactly been doing badly from sales of the books recently.

      New Line could easily afford a lump sum of $10 million or so ex-gracia. I suspect if they did someting like that a lot of the resistance would suddenly disappear.

      Sooner or later the Hobbit and the Silmarilyon will get turned into films. Note that the BBC managed to get hold of the rights to do radio adaptations so the issue is not exactly forgone.

      I don't think that the Silmarilion would be a single film either, it would be a series. The reason the negotiations are apt to be fraught is that everyone with some brains realises that this is potentially the start of a whole new film franchise which could ultimately rival the Bond series.

      --
      Looking for an Information Security student project suggestion?
      Try http://dotcrimeManifesto.com/
    19. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They could something like the Lost Tales books which are basically the Silmarillion in parts. There are about 4 *really* good stories to tell. The straight Simarillion though would never fly as it would cross too many religious boundaries to be successful. One such as I that finds the silmarillion more believable than the current sets of biblical text out there would cause quite a rucus.

    20. Re:My personal opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well said.

    21. Re:My personal opinion by ckaminski · · Score: 1

      Man, I'd like to read THAT paper...

      Patiently awaiting Amazon's delivery of my copy of the Silmarillion so I can rebutt your argument (or praise it...) Grr... Hurry up FedEx!!!!

    22. Re:My personal opinion by therealmoose · · Score: 1

      FYI, the chronology is supposedly set pre-Christianity by a good margin (the coming of Christ marking the 7th age or so). In Tolkien's grand scheme, the Silmarillion predated the Bible, it did not parralel it.

    23. Re:My personal opinion by alexborges · · Score: 1

      Very OT, but i cant resist.
      Gnostic pseudo-christian myths of the 15th century

      Gnostic pseudo christian myths are much earlyer than that, they derive from maniqueism and are definitly pre 6th century. You can see people got burned for beleiving in those way back then. Actually, its the first recorded hierecy of chirstianity.

      --
      NO SIG
    24. Re:My personal opinion by Teh+Suq · · Score: 1

      Lucas's use of CG is so blatent in many places that it jars you from the story.

      I think you meant "jar-jars".

    25. Re:My personal opinion by The+Only+Druid · · Score: 1

      You misunderstood me slightly: I wasn't suggesting that gnosticism originated in the 15th century. In fact, I was comparing the form of gnosticism that was popular in the 15th century to Tolkien's text.

      --
      "Stumble before you crawl"
    26. Re:My personal opinion by butane_bob2003 · · Score: 1

      You could do a trilogy on the first 30 pages of the Silmarillion. The amount of material in there rivals many ancient mythologies, you could probably make a pretty good movie based on any one of them. Some parts and stories are lacking the level of detail and dialog that the LOTR and the Hobbit contain, so you would have quite a bit of freedom in that area. To cover the Silmarillion I'm guessing you would need about 4+ trilogies.

      --


      TallGreen CMS hosting
    27. Re:My personal opinion by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      The Gnostics are a lot earlier than the 15th century; many of the Gnostics were in fact Christians as well (seeing Christ as a hypostasis of Sophia, sent to infiltrate Yaldaboath's creation). But there is a definite Gnostic flavor some of LOTR and Silmarillion, you're right, despite Tolkien's own religious attitudes.

  5. Seems odd by Hi_2k · · Score: 4, Funny

    It seems really strange that The Hobbit, a story about a 3 foot tall theif, is considered a bigger event than the story of a 50 foot tall gorrilla.

    I Guess size doesnt matter.

    --
    When life gives you crap, Make Crapade.
    Sluggy Freelance.
    1. Re:Seems odd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      What bit of the summary made you believe that someone was saying that 'King Kong' was a 'bigger event' than 'the Hobbit'? I realize that you were probably just engaging in a bit of a karma grab but come on, your comment tries to play off the fact that hobbits are short and King Kong is tall but really makes a jump in logic that isn't there.

    2. Re:Seems odd by thirty2bit · · Score: 2, Insightful

      King Kong has been done, re-done, updated and re-done. 1930's, 1960's, 1970's. Wasn't there a series made at some point?

      The 1933 version was avante garde at the time, being 'movie magic'. But the plot has been retread so many times, it just needs a burial. You can only dress it up so much with CG, but you can't capture the original story's 'wow' in today's time.

      Hopefully PJ will get the Hobbit contract inked in advance, just in case....

    3. Re:Seems odd by JFMulder · · Score: 2, Funny

      I Guess size doesnt matter.
      Whatever helps you sleep at night. ;)

    4. Re:Seems odd by obeythefist · · Score: 1

      Smaug would kick King Kong's monkey butt any time.

      --
      I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
    5. Re:Seems odd by The+Dobber · · Score: 1

      Wasn't there a series made at some point?


      Magilla Gorilla?

    6. Re:Seems odd by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      I'm actually really anxious to see an organic, zoological dragon come to the screen.

      On the Two Towers special edition there is an interesting bit about some contention that went on between the Tolkien artists and some zoological consultants. The artists wanted the elbow joints of the Black Rider's flying steeds to have claws. The zoologists countered that that would be non-functional. The artists didn't care, it looked cool.

      I like the approach that hollywood is using now in studying zoology and kinesiology to create unrealistic creatures that could possibly be real.

      As it was the Black flyers looked like flying lizards. But you did get a sense that such a creature could possibly exist with some exotic material biology (strong, light bones and muscles).

      I see the dragon Smaug as a creature that flies in a similiar way to a Terasaur. Like all flying creatures the arms become wings. An organic dragon would NOT have a set of wings independent of it's arms.

      Rather it would have a three hinged wing. The thumb and two primary fingers would sit at the second hinge and act as normal hands when not in flight. Three additional hyper enlongated fingers would fold the wing back into the elbow.

      In a standing position, Smaug would run like a bi-ped dinasaur. Arms and claws would behave normally except it would look like he was wearing a cloak from the foaled wings.

      Smaug would need a running, leaping start in order to get into the air. A leap and would accompany an hard down stroke whereby the wings would unfold.

      Smaug would also be capable of a gallop on all fours. The gallop would be contrary to a normal four legged animal. Because of the wings, the rear legs would pass within the wing legs. The wings would partially unfurl so that air pressure would also be used to propel Smaug forward. Smuag in full gallup would give the appearance of a rippling chinese dragon.

      Of course the rear feet would be usable as Talons the way an eagle or hawks are. During flight the hands would be useless.

      I imagine Smaug bounding up the side of Lonely Mountain on all fours and launching into the air before heading down to Laketown.

      During Smaugs encounter will Bilbo, he would alternate between walking on all fours (for sniffing) and walking on two legs. He would thrash through is horde a little bit pick things up, throw things.

      Smaug's scales should ruffle like feathers. This would give one the idea that this creature is truly birdlike. It would also make some unique configurations of scale plumage possible.

      I look forward to seeing Smaug on the screen if they take a zoological approach. Remember, there is no "magic" persee in Middle Earth. Only higher arts crafts.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    7. Re:Seems odd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Grape Ape.

  6. Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The 50's called. They want their lingo back.

    1. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      The 90s called. They want their smart-assed remarks back.

    2. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Well, the jerk store called and they're running out of you!

      -George Costanza

    3. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jerry Lewis called. He wants le joke back.

    4. Re:Keen? by thdexter · · Score: 5, Funny

      Proper English called. They want their apostrophe back.

      (Apostrophes, you recall, are for OWNERSHIP.)

      --
      I'm on a road shaped like a figure eight; I'm going nowhere but I'm guaranteed to be late.
    5. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You know, I liked this conversation the first time I heard it, when it was called SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.

    6. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      Serenity NOW!!

    7. Re:Keen? by lpret · · Score: 1
      American English called back:
      We don't care how it's supposed to be, it looks right.


      Emphasis added.

      --
      This is my digital signature. 10011011001
    8. Re:Keen? by Decaffeinated+Jedi · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, apostrophes can also denote missing (or missin') letters/characters. So, the proper way to refer to the decade would be the '50s.

      --
      DecafJedi
      my weblog: apropos of something
    9. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Welcome to Australia and New Zealand. We're both very keen for our football but not very keen on each other...

    10. Re:Keen? by Mantorp · · Score: 1, Informative

      so just what is the apostrophe for in your '50s example? 19?

    11. Re:Keen? by damiam · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes.

      --
      It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
    12. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Commander Keen.

    13. Re:Keen? by Babbster · · Score: 4, Funny

      Exactly. This works much like 'tude (attitude), 'em (them), or 'blishmentarianism' (establishmentarianism).

    14. Re:Keen? by RML · · Score: 1, Informative
      An apostrophe is correct when used between a number (figure) and a pluralizing "s". Shamelessly copied from Merriam-Webster:

      Main Entry: apostrophe
      Function: noun
      Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin apostrophus, from Greek apostrophos, from apostrophos turned away, from apostrephein
      Date: 1727
      : a mark ' used to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case, or the plural of letters or figures

      --
      Human/Ranger/Zangband
    15. Re:Keen? by Canadian_Daemon · · Score: 0

      haha, Australia got it's ass kicked by England. And they are a bit more keen on rugby than football.

      --
      This sig is definitive. Reality is frequently inaccurate.
    16. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the placement of your period outside of the quotes is stupidly incorrect in American English.

      I think you are unqualified to participate in discussions about the English language, most definitely with reference to pedantry. You don't know anything.

    17. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Blasphemy! It is CRITICAL for you understand that "keen" has its uses in the modern world, too!

    18. Re:Keen? by kaiynne · · Score: 1

      The coalition of verbs that descibe knives called. They want the guy who they send out for beer back.

    19. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he would be keen to get involved

      Well, if you were actually around for the 50s (as I was around for one of them), you would know that the usage of "keen" associated with that decade is different from that in the quote (where it means "interested"). In the 50s it meant "swell" (another dated bit of slang), to be replaced by "cool" in the 60s, then later "bad", and so on. Example: "That's a keen flattop you got there, Bobby!" (Guys in the 50s were either named Jimmy, Bobby, Tommy, or Johnny.)

    20. Re:Keen? by telstar · · Score: 1
      "Serenity NOW!!"
      • Insanity later...

    21. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What does it matter, you're their biggest seller!

    22. Re:Keen? by Mr.+Self+estruct · · Score: 0

      my Keen Dagger of Speed +3 begs to differ.

    23. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hmm... "keen" is a fairly common word in Australian English, and I assume in British English too.

      E.g. if someone asks you if you watched the football, you would say, "Nah, I'm not too keen on sports".

    24. Re:Keen? by clickety6 · · Score: 1

      Apostrophes, you recall, are for OWNERSHIP

      He's not wrong... ooops! I guess he is!

      --
      ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
    25. Re:Keen? by bruthasj · · Score: 1

      /. called. Theys dun gives a crup!

    26. Re:Keen? by eMilkshake · · Score: 1

      Aw, man, I don't want to get drawn in, but...

      Proper English called -- it wants you to quit spreading apostrophe FUD.

      An apostrophe is also used to form some plurals, especially the plural of letters, symbols, and digits, but according to some, his usage is still incorrect, but for a different reason than you suggest. This plural rule, though, is specific to letters, symbols, and digits, so forming plurals of entire words with apostrophes is still wrong. I've often wondered about acronyms that make words, though.

    27. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But the use of

      "foo".

      is correct when used in the sense of denoting a string literal when used by geeks in a geek context. (www.jargon.org).

    28. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      shouldn't that be for antidistablishmentarianism?

    29. Re:Keen? by Ed_Moyse · · Score: 1
      What about "its" (ownership) and "it's" (it is)?


      "It's a nice day" it said, showing its teeth.

    30. Re:Keen? by jdavidb · · Score: 1

      I was taught the rule about using apostrophes for letters, symbols, digits, and acronyms, IIRC. In seventh grade, though, I remember getting ahold of my first roleplaying game, which used units called APs (Attribute Points). The game didn't use apostrophes for plurals of acronyms, and that seemed a very clean way to do it. I think the primary difference was that the acronyms didn't have periods. Nowadays, acronyms rarely have periods anymore, and I don't usually see an apostrophe on a plural of an acronym.

      If you must know, the game was The Batman Roleplaying Game, a scaled-down version of The DC Heroes Roleplaying Game. Those were the days. :)

    31. Re:Keen? by Bill_Mische · · Score: 1

      Oh god I hate getting involved in these silly rows. Nevermind - here goes:

      The apostrophe indicates letters missing *and* possesion not plurals. So
      "...'50's lingo..." would be correct
      "..'50's want..." isn't.

      The reason that apostrophes indicate possession is that originally "'s" stood for "his". So "Bill's mug" would have been "Bill his mug". The idea that women might own things apparently didn't crop up.

      --
      Boring Old Fart (40, married, 3 kids...er no...make that 49, married, 3 grown up kids...it's been a long time)
    32. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Oh yeah? Well the jerk store called, and they're running out of you.

    33. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The acronym rule is simple, but not obvious. If you pronounce the acronym as a word, don't use an apostrophe. ("ROMs.") If you pronounce it as letters, use an apostrophe. ("CPU's.")

      That's from the University of Chicago Press. I think AP agrees, but where AP differs from Chicago, go with Chicago. AP has made some style choices that are okay in a newspaper but unacceptable elsewhere. (For example, AP calls for the use of single quotes in place of double-quotes in display type. This is wrong everywhere, but it's used in newspapers simply because it looks better on the page.)

    34. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      The apostrophe indicates letters missing *and* possesion not plurals.

      Nope. If you pluralize something that's not a word, you use an apostrophe plus S.

      tables
      chairs
      assholes
      ROMs (it's an acronym pronounced like a word)

      BUT:
      CD's (an acronym pronounced like letters)
      80386's
      1950's

      If you choose to pluralize an abbreviation, you end up with:

      '50's

      Looks funny, but it's correct. Most writers who can distinguish their assholes from their elbows simply avoid the situation entirely by either writing "1950's" or spelling out "fifties."

    35. Re:Keen? by thdexter · · Score: 1

      Even if it's the plural, we're not pluralizing "50." There was only one 1950. The 50s refers to the decade between 1950 and 1959, and each year only happened once.

      --
      I'm on a road shaped like a figure eight; I'm going nowhere but I'm guaranteed to be late.
    36. Re:Keen? by thdexter · · Score: 1

      He didn't mean to pluralize "50," though, or "1950." He referred to the decade 195x C.E., and each year only happened once.

      --
      I'm on a road shaped like a figure eight; I'm going nowhere but I'm guaranteed to be late.
    37. Re:Keen? by thdexter · · Score: 1

      That seems sensible. But he did say, by your own admission, the latter, incorrect usage.

      --
      I'm on a road shaped like a figure eight; I'm going nowhere but I'm guaranteed to be late.
    38. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      America, the rest of the world called: we hate you.

    39. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah, another fine product of the high-quality American education system.

    40. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      go find a dictionary, you're an idiot

    41. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dumbass. This is common usage in New Zealand (where both Mr Jackson and myself come from). It's not 'keen' as in 'that's keen' but as in 'I would be very keen'.

    42. Re:Keen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > 'blishmentarianism' (establishmentarianism).
      As opposed to: 'blishmentarianism' (antidisestablishmentarianism).

  7. Please, no hobbit! by Azadre · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If he does this, he'll ruin a children's classic. LOTR was okay because they were for a wider audience. However, The Hobbit is more about imagination and every child will get a different interpretation. A film puts out one interpretation thus squashing imagination.

    1. Re:Please, no hobbit! by UpLateDrinkingCoffee · · Score: 1

      It's already been made into a cartoon... actually, if the movie is tailored for a wide audience (PG-13) then most kids will get a chance to read the book before they're old enough to see the movie.

    2. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Azadre · · Score: 0

      Can you honestly say that you wouldn't allow your son/daughter to see a PG13 movie? The cartoon isn't as widly distributed as a movie and thus doesn't have as much of an impact.

    3. Re:Please, no hobbit! by mcpkaaos · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If he does this, he'll ruin a children's classic... A film puts out one interpretation thus squashing imagination.

      So? That's generally the situation with any movie adapted from a book. Movies written from pre-existing works are based on another's perception of that work, never a direct expression of the work itself (unless, I suppose, the author of that work participates in the film-making. In which case the movie will still by slightly influenced by the director's interpretation). Besides, I wouldn't necessarily rule out the possibility that the same children you think are reading The Hobbit are also reading the LOTR books. In any case, they'll still get the full value of the books if they are read, and still much of the story if they just watch the movies instead without ever reading them. Either way the story is told, which is the important thing.

      It's like that version of Romeo and Juliet we all had to watch in middle school. It was a pretty loose interpretation of Shakespeare, but for those that would have never read it on their own, it atleast instilled a good sense of the work.

      --
      It goes from God, to Jerry, to me.
    4. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Penguinshit · · Score: 5, Insightful

      actually, if the movie is tailored for a wide audience (PG-13) then most kids will get a chance to read the book before they're old enough to see the movie.

      When I was seeing the "The Two Towers", before the movie started, my wife and I started talking to this young girl (must have been under 8) who was there with her mother. She was seated in front of us and doing the usual young child sit-backward-in-the-seat-and-gape-at-strangers trick. We asked her if she'd seen the first movie; she said yes. We asked her if she liked it; she said yes. I asked her if she liked reading the books (hell, I first read them when I was about her age) and she replied, "Oh no, I don't have to read the books - my mom is buying the DVD!".

      I didn't know who to slap - the little girl or her mother.

    5. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Clay+Pigeon+-TPF-VS- · · Score: 2, Interesting

      What are you smoking and where can I get some. The Hobbit is as much for adults as for Children. Normal children are perfectly capable of imagining something different than what they see in the theater if they read the book at some other time. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it is you that is lacking imagination?

      --
      Viral software licensing is not freedom, it is in fact GNU/Socialism.
    6. Re:Please, no hobbit! by DeltaSigma · · Score: 1

      Come now, some people can't stand spoilers either. It's not their fault for not being able to forget things which will taint their viewing experience...

      Likewise it's not this guys fault for not being able to forget things which will taint his reading experience.

    7. Re:Please, no hobbit! by YOU+LIKEWISE+FAIL+IT · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I didn't know who to slap - the little girl or her mother.

      When did this fixation that books were somehow 'superior' to visual media first come into vogue? I've seen some very moving movies in my time, and read some awful books.

      So the kid doesn't want to read the LoTR. It's not a big deal, they'll probably read the next Harry Potter or something. The important thing is that they enjoyed it. Maybe they'll find time to read the books later.

      YLFI
      --
      One god, one market, one truth, one consumer.
    8. Re:Please, no hobbit! by drkich · · Score: 5, Insightful

      An author was once asked about a film adaptation of his movie that was just awefull. The person making the comment said that they ruined the book.

      On the contrary said the author, my book still exists in its original form. Nothing has changed except that a new movie was made.

    9. Re:Please, no hobbit! by dandelion_wine · · Score: 4, Interesting

      All fine and well to play devil's advocate, especially when it makes the other guy seem narrow-minded.

      But speaking from personal experience, if I ever had a mental image of the Kwisatz Haderach, it's long since morphed into Kyle MacLachlan. And I must have read LOTR... (lets not exaggerate here...) say 20 times. I'm positive I had a mental image of Frodo. What was it? I have no idea.

      Is it really all that earth-shattering to admit that movies tend to burn an image into one's mind in a way that overpowers the changeable visions of the imagination? (that being said, I don't know how many times -- always a surprise -- in the past month I've thought I saw something on tv or in a movie and realized that I read it and the mental image is so strong I could swear I saw it somewhere till I remembered the source. That, however, does not diminish the argument that an external visual representation of the same thing couldn't extinguish that mental image)

      Personally, I'd like to see P.Jackson's version for the sake of consistency of vision, not because I'm mentally lazy (though I am most assuredly that, paraphrased the man, er, Dude). That and to prevent Bakshi from wreaking more ruin.

    10. Re:Please, no hobbit! by tbmaddux · · Score: 4, Insightful
      If he does this, he'll ruin a children's classic... A film puts out one interpretation thus squashing imagination.
      On the other hand, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" didn't ruin anything for me.
      --
      Can't you see that everyone is buying station wagons?
    11. Re:Please, no hobbit! by dhananjay · · Score: 1

      movies don't squash imagination; weak minds and poor guidance squash imagination. movies are fun. I hope he gets to make it because I think he did a fabulous job with the adaptation of LOTR.

      --
      If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for everyone else.
    12. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah, Juliet has nice tits.

    13. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Oh, please. Peter Jackson captured the whimsical nature of Hobbiton and that first half of Fellowship of the Ring perfectly. Every scene between Gandalf and Bilbo was magic. It'd just be that same tone throughout the Hobbit, with hints of the darker world to come in the LOTR trilogy.

      It would, quite frankly, rock.

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    14. Re:Please, no hobbit! by yosemite · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I'm not sure I'm getting what your saying, are you implying the LOTR jackson films are better then the book? Or that it doesn't matter if they are better or not?

      Is your argument that "I've seen some very moving movies in my time, and read some awful books." asserting that visual media *is* 'superior' to books?

      Or simply that there is no cause to believe either assertion. I dont mean to get on your case, but it seems that your comment was more derisively pointed towards the idea that it is ridiculous to assume books are superior to movies. Strange, especially in a case where the movies are essentially an homage to the books and the author.

    15. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Lemmy+Caution · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The films are not an homage. They are adaptations. There's a difference.

      The point, of course, is that film and literature are distinct arts, even when they avail themselves of each other.

      It is quite possible that the LOTR films be "better" than the books. The books are wonderful, but they have flaws. There is some truly unnecessary material, from a narrative perspective, in the books. In Jackson's view, the Scouring of the Shire is one of those flaws. The Godfather films outshone the novels they were based on: likewise the film The Third Man and the Graham Greene story novel on which it was based. As far as I'm concerned, I don't really feel any need to read Mario Puzo's work.

    16. Re:Please, no hobbit! by adamy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I prefer Leviticus 23:13

      --
      Open Source Identity Management: FreeIPA.org
    17. Re:Please, no hobbit! by yosemite · · Score: 1
      Point well taken with regards to the puzo books, I really couldn't see myself picking one up anytime soon.


      However I do believe that there are times when the genius in the original work of art will outshine any subsequent work. I do not dispute the genius in taking a good book and pulling out a vision, in film, so compelling as to outstrip the any brilliance in the original work. However in this case I feel that the great film-making on the part of mr jackson only served to live up to the original quality and brilliance of the books. That is the major distinction here.

      Of course my opinion of the books quality being better then the films is completely subjective, but I am not the only one, Mr Jackson himself claims to have read the works every year for some years and has heaped nothing but praise for them on the DVDs. He has put the books, in my opinion, on a pedestal and he strives to live up to their quality.(In this secondary sense an homage)

      I wonder if Mr Coppola ever aspired to rise to the level of Puzo, or did he know that he took something good and made it great.

    18. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Infirmo · · Score: 1

      Books are better than movies when you are talking about the Lord of the Rings. The books are the genuine article. The films are a poor approximation of something a lot more powerful than them,

    19. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      On the other hand, it is important that everyone read regularly.

      Reading something, especially in dead tree form, is the most influential thing you can do to inspire your writing/speaking ability.

    20. Re:Please, no hobbit! by MilenCent · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's *possible*, sure. It's just *unlikely*.

      If you consider a book to be a straight narrative from plot point to plot point then you're frankly missing the point. The Scouring of the Shire is my own very-favorite part of the series, because the fate of the world does NOT hinge upon it. These days I tend to look carefully at any work that has as its aim the Saving of the World. When looking at what I can take away from a story, the belief that the act of saving the world is harder than figuring out truthfully what must be done for it to be saved is looking progressively more stupid as I age. I don't blame Jackson for excising it (*something* had to go, I suppose), but it is not an extraneous portion of the story.

      Looking at the larger picture, what bothers me isn't that *some* movies are better than the books upon which they were based. If you want a prime example look at The Wizard of Oz, the originals weren't bad but the movie is great. However, the longer the book has been around, the less likely that a movie version, if it happens, will be better, because the older a book is, the better it has to be for studio execs to scent gold it. Also, the older and more beloved the work, the greater a wall of public regard that must be torn down in order to work their grimy magic upon it.

      But to step back a bit, what bothers me is the general public perception that the movie is *automatically* better than the book, because it's a *movie*, which is not even true half the time. Yet, Harry Freaking Potter excepted, everyone watches the movie, and far fewer read the book. Film and literature may be different arts, and they mey exchange letters and invite each other over for tea every Tuesday, but the neigoborhood still gossips about them. And the fact is, people always compare them to each other. The fact that movies are extremely huge money these days while most authors work second or even third jobs contributes to this effect.

      What got me all hot under the collar in this department was seeing countless works of literature sold with their covers matching the movie adaptation, looking exactly as if they were mere novelizations, copies of truer celluoid. Now it's happening to Lord of the Rings -- just a couple of days ago I saw at the bookstore a compilation of the three novels in the trilogy, with a movie still cover and with movie Gandalf and movie Frodo collectable bookends in a big movie-themed cardboard box. What I hate is the sense that the movie appearances of these characters will become the "official" versions in the minds of everyone who isn't at least an undergrad (which is to say, most people). You may not believe this, but the picture on my own mind of what a Balrog looked like was a hell of a lot nastier than that CGI version, and my own image of hobbits did not take into account the Elijah Wood factor.

      Hurting my own argument: What about the Ralph Bakshi versions? No one complained about them?

      Ah, but they didn't have hundreds of millions of dollars pushing them into the public consciousness, did they?

    21. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When did this fixation that books were somehow 'superior' to visual media first come into vogue? I've seen some very moving movies in my time, and read some awful books.

      It's not (always) about books being "superior". What's different is that a film can be seen in a short time with practically no effort. To enjoy a book you have to master your letters and are willing to spend much more time on the story.

      It's not a problem if some children (or adults) don't like reading, but it makes me wonder what happens if whole generations are just too lazy to read anything longer than their newspaper (if ever!). Speaking as one who likes to read a good book, it's always a disappointment if others (esp. children) see reading books as a threat.

      And yes of course, I wouldn't force an eight year old to read the rather long LoTR (perhaps not even the Hobbit). OTOH the film adaption wasn't very well suited for her age as well. Bt still it is sad that this girl has no love for the art of the written words.

    22. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Axe · · Score: 1
      What's different is that a film can be seen in a short time with practically no effort. To enjoy a book you have to master your letters and are willing to spend much more time on the story.

      Since when is amount of hurdles is a measure of worthiness of a goal?
      There is nothing wrong with absorbing digested, easy to obtain information. That's the cornerstone of the modern society, and there is nothing wrong with it.
      Shut down your browser, damn cheater, and order your Slashdot news through pigeon mail. On clay tablets. And read it standing on one foot in cold mud. Then you will be worthy of your intellectualism.

      --
      <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
    23. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Axe · · Score: 2, Insightful
      he succeeded in casting the majority of his main characters out of cardboard (w/ few exceptions)

      It is Tolkien's character who are out of cardboard. That's the nature of a myth. There is nothing wrng with it. Go and read it again.
      I love LOTR, and the vision that Jackson brought to screen is an excelent job. Get over it it is not the book - it is a movie. Pretty darn good movie. Nobody took the book from you - it is still on your shelf. Or, is it?

      --
      <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
    24. Re:Please, no hobbit! by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

      When did this fixation that books were somehow 'superior' to visual media first come into vogue? I've seen some very moving movies in my time, and read some awful books.

      Sure (for a *very* fun combination, try reading Do Cyborgs Dream of Electric Sheep? and watching Blade Runner). However, the LoTR series is a very, very good series of books. It's a good set of movies, but just good, not very, very good. It's as if someone was a master oil painter and someone made a good watercolor reproduction of one of their works -- the watercolor just isn't a substitute for the original.

    25. Re:Please, no hobbit! by AuMatar · · Score: 4, Insightful
      When did this fixation that books were somehow 'superior' to visual media first come into vogue? I've seen some very moving movies in my time, and read some awful books.


      Because they are. Movies are limited to only 2 of he five senses. They're also limiited to the time people are willing to sit in a theater, the amount of money in the budget, the technical capabilites at the time of production, the abilities of the cast and crew, the interpretation of the dirctor, etc.

      Books have no such limitation. The only limitations are the imagination of the reader and the ability of the author. They have far more room to grow and explore than movies do. Concepts that would utterly fail in a cramped media like film can work when powered by your imagination. And unlike movies, who's effects get dated, the power of the written word never fades.

      You may find a few so-so books turned into decent movies. And you may find an adaptation that makes you look at something differently. But you will never find a good or great book that is surpassed by a movie version.
      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    26. Re:Please, no hobbit! by meadowsp · · Score: 1

      Although the remake probably will.

    27. Re:Please, no hobbit! by YOU+LIKEWISE+FAIL+IT · · Score: 1

      Thanks for taking the time to reply ( same to everyone else too ) - I am just commenting on a general bias I have observed within my culture that works gain immediate artistic weight judged on their medium of expression, and that cinema less than thirty years or so old seems to be held in very low esteem. I think this bias is a disservice to both artist and critic - I don't feel either medium is intrinsicly 'better' .

      I don't think it's important that the movies are any better or worse than the books: one does not necessarily detract from the enjoyment of the other, and in some ways they compliment. I think it is important that the child enjoyed the movie, and that this enjoyment may lead to a further development and interest in fantasy, which may express itself in an appreciation of movies, books, art and related poetry. Or if nothing else that they had an enjoyable evening at the cinema. Sometimes, just enjoying something should be reason enough!

      I did take exception to the original posters preachy tone that he didn't know 'who to slap' - that's what moved me to post in the first place. I'm not sure I understood the end of your post, so I hope this answered your question.

      YLFI
      --
      One god, one market, one truth, one consumer.
    28. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the meat offering thereof [shall be] two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof [shall be] of wine, the fourth [part] of an hin.

    29. Re:Please, no hobbit! by nikster · · Score: 1

      You are missing the point: It's not about book vs. film. Why compare the two? Where is the law of nature that says you can have either, or?

      If i had to choose between my most favorite book (LOTR) and my most favorite movie (LOTR), i would pick the book. Luckily for me i don't have to.

      In addition, the original poster somehow confused the choices the little girl has, so i want to spell them out here. These are her choices:

      [] she sees the movie
      [] she doesn't read the book

      These are the choices 99% of children face. If anything, seeing the movie (and getting the DVD) will make it _a whole lot_ more likely she reads the book, too. That's a fact. And LOTR is not a must-read for little kids by any means. 1000 pages of old-english inspired writing does not the perfect kid's book make.

      The bottom line is: If you are promoting books, you make a big mistake in discouraging films. You should do anything but.

      Of course, IMHO, you should not promote "books" in the first place. The question is always "books as opposed to _what_"? There are a lot of other worhwhile things in life...

    30. Re:Please, no hobbit! by nikster · · Score: 1

      I have several problems with this comment:

      1- The Hobbit is not a children's classic. Rather, it is the first part in a great story. It is also a great story in itself. And it is suitable for children. But it is not "children-only".

      2- How is "The Hobbit" more about imagination than LOTR? I am not sure it's about "imagination" at all, more or less than any book.

      3- How, exactly, do films "sqash" the imagination of kids? That's certainly news to me. The kids i know all have a lot of imagination (actually, that's an understatement: they have heaps and bounds of it). And they watch a lot of movies. I think if it squashes anyones imagination, it would be the imagination of adults.

      I can understand that your concern (will it sqash or somehow taint *your* great memories of the hobbit? - no, it won't, don't worry)). But it's a mistake to project this onto others, least of all kids.

    31. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The author was Alan Moore, and he was being interviewed about either From Hell or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, though I believe it was From Hell.

    32. Re:Please, no hobbit! by 0123456 · · Score: 1

      Personally I've started the LoTR books several times, but always got bored stiff by half-way through the first one and gave up. I much prefer the movies to Tolkein's perpetual rambling asides from the plot.

      OTOH the Hobbit was a pretty cool book as a teenager, but I must admit I only read it so I could figure out how to finish the computer game version :).

    33. Re:Please, no hobbit! by q-the-impaler · · Score: 1
      Yet, Harry Freaking Potter excepted, everyone watches the movie, and far fewer read the book.
      Many people, nowadays, won't even think to read the book until after they see the movie.
      --
      Sierra Tango Foxtrot Uniform
    34. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Xolotl · · Score: 1
      I think (and perhaps the OP could correct me if I'm wrong) that the OP's slap comment 'slap' comment came from the fact that the girl replied that she didn't need to read the books because she would have the DVDs instead. In other words, that she had apparently been brought up to ignore the value of books. If that is the case, then even though she might enjoy the films and develop an interest in fantasy, she might never read the original stories (after all, she would already 'know' what happened) and thus miss out on one of the greatest works of literature. One might expect a child brought up with an interest in books to at least express some interest.

      Having said all that, I didn't read LoTR until I was much older than 8, and I think 8 is not really old enough to appreciate the language and beauty of that particular text. However, I did grow up surrounded by books and read voraciously.

      As for the Hobbit, go New Line, go Jackson! I think I would be difficult to do it justice, particularly after the release of LoTR, but he is the only one who I can see doing it. I understand Christopher Tolkien's feelings, but I wish he would be a bit more open-minded.

    35. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh come on... Books aren't they only medium capable of interpretation. I've seen many movies that qualify. Bladerunner, 2001, and even Girls Interupted are great examples of movies that let the viewer 'choose' the interpretation of what he/she witnessed.

    36. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Jaeph · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "Movies are limited to only 2 of he five senses"

      So books taste better than movie popcorn? Sorry, I'll buy healthier (all that fiber), but not better tasting.

      -Jeff

      --
      Please learn the difference between a dissenting opinion and a troll before you moderate.
    37. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Slightly+Askew · · Score: 2, Insightful
      You may find a few so-so books turned into decent movies. And you may find an adaptation that makes you look at something differently. But you will never find a good or great book that is surpassed by a movie version.

      Shawshank Redemption. From the short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King. A very good story, but surpassed by the movie. The movie added richness that imagination could not, as most of us can't imagine the inside of a prison.

      --
      Public use of any portable music system is a virtually guaranteed indicator of sociopathic tendencies. -- Zoso
    38. Re:Please, no hobbit! by rpillala · · Score: 1

      Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory had the advantage of Roald Dahl writing the screenplay. This is not to say that PJ and Co. can't adapt The Hobbit.

      Besides, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I didn't notice Oompa-Loompas as a major impact on the book. In the movie, though? noooOOOOOOOO!

      Ravi

      --
      When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
    39. Re:Please, no hobbit! by willtsmith · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I would handle this by making Pippin and Merry the narrators. They would be telling the tale to hobbit children (the movie would open with the scouring of the shire, then the kids would ask to tell the story about Bilbo).

      During the story they would flash back to Merry and Pippin squabbling about the details. In some cases they would show Merry's version and Pippin's version. Sometime more childlike sometimes more gruesome.

      What would be 100% essential is to show how Bilbo initially hid the nature of the Ring from readers. He kept a separate copy of "Their and Back Again" for his own uses. Basically, one would tell the "redacted" version. The other would counter "you should tell them the real story", etc....

      The interaction of the narrators with the Hobbit children would be what made the tale magical. Different narrators would portray the Orcs(Goblins) in different ways. That would show up in the screen.

      What is certain is that the terrible caricature of the Murkwood elves from the Cartoon would have to go. Merry and Pippin's experiences with Legalos would make their impressions of those elves very clear.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    40. Re:Please, no hobbit! by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      After I saw "The Two Towers" in the theatre, I got the sense that Jackson took out too much stuff that Tolkien wrote. That would be fine if he hadn't put in so much stuff that wasn't their. I had just re-read the trilogy so I had certain expectations.

      After watching "The Two Towers: Extended Edition" I got a different sense. They left out some material that explained why Jackson put stuff in. The Appendices are also VERY revealing as to WHY they changed the encounter with Faramir so radically.

      A modern editor would likely instruct a novelist to modify the whole encoutner with Faramir. It works for the book because it's easier to gloss over such narration heavy episodes.

      In a movie, anything included MUST have a purpose. Faramir is a connection to Gondor in the Two Towers. That introduction MUST be substantial enough to support the whole event.

      Also, the fact that Faramir completley rejects the ring does set him apart from his brother and father in the book. However, in a movie we aren't privy to all the heavy narration about the nature of the ring.

      Farimir's actions doesn't help in the movie because it confuses the nature of the ring. We have to learn about the Ring largely through events and the actions of the characters.

      In the book, we learn little of Faramir, little of the Ring and little of Gondor from the whole Ithilien episode. The book sets up the Gondor situation with Dialogue between Aragorn, Legalos, Gimli and Gandalf. I've heard people say that the Two Towers is a book about "Walking and Talking" and "Talking about Walking". Personally, the book was my favorite of the three but I also realize that a DIRECT translation would make a BORING movie.

      I strongly encourage all the Two Towers purist detractors to buy/rent the special edition. Watch all the appendices. You will understand why certain decisions were made by the filmakers. You will likely find yourself nodding in agreemant.

      Of course if you disagree, you could always write your OWN script. Go ahead and shoot an animatic of it and see how well it flows. You'll find it would be about as boring as a home movie.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    41. Re:Please, no hobbit! by JudgeFurious · · Score: 1

      This really should have been modded up. Excellent point. Of course now it's way down here and the story is quickly slipping off of the days page but hey, Great post.

      And honestly, if movies only can work you with 2 of the five senses then what do books do? You can't smell them (well you can but what this might add to the story I suspect I don't want to know), you can "feel" the book in your hands but again, that sensation adds nothing in particular to the story. You use your eyes to read the text but that's not exactly a plus either. It's a method of conveying the information and unless it's illustrated it's nothing more. Books (excluding audio books of course) are silent so your hearing is out too. I'm not even going to go near "taste".

      The poster you replied to missed the mark very widely.

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
    42. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are a few written works where the movie was at least as good as the book. My favorite example is the Kipling short story The Man Who Would Be King with Sean Connery and Michael Caine. But perhaps this one only works because it was a short story and thus gave a 2 hour movie much more space to flesh out the details while books typically have too much material to fit into the movie version.

    43. Re:Please, no hobbit! by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      They left out a VERY cool concept with the Balrog. The idea was that the Balrog's body was essentially flame. After the Balrog emerged from the pool, they were going to portray it as skeletal and smoking. On the way up the endless stair, the Balrog would regrow his flame body.

      They decided to leave it out because it would have been a lot of work for very little payoff.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    44. Re:Please, no hobbit! by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      I think that Chris Tolkien needs to compare the other Tolkien adaptations for perspective.

      Some people may think that Jackson's trilogy is a hack. What on god's earth would that make the cartoon versions: Lord of the Rings and Return of the King.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    45. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Darthnice · · Score: 1
      But you will never find a good or great book that is surpassed by a movie version.
      The Princess Bride.

      I read the book after seeing the movie, which may very well color my remembrance. The wit in the book was hit or miss, and some of the drier segments dragged on a little too long for my taste. The book was still quite good. The movie was spot on to the essence of the book, and didn't have a single wasted moment.

      Good book. Great movie.

    46. Re:Please, no hobbit! by AuMatar · · Score: 0

      Wrong- a book engages all 5 senses. Through descriptions, you understand how a scene and characters look, the sound of their voices, the ambient sounds, the taste of the food they eat, etc

      Don't get me wrong- I enjoy a good movie. I even liked the LOTR movies and own the DVDs. But movies just don't compare to books, the medium isn't expressive enough.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    47. Re:Please, no hobbit! by JudgeFurious · · Score: 1

      I disagree. I think a book engages none of your senses. It engages your imagination. Possibly a fine line but still you don't actually see, touch, hear, smell, or taste any of it. Your mind manufactures those sensations.

      In a theater you do see what's happening with your own eyes and you hear what's going on with you ears. You can't taste the food a character in a movie eats anymore than you can taste food described in a book (or any less). The sense of taste isn't being used in either instance. Now if you take the time to imagine what that tastes like then you can probably conjure up a good memory or guess but you aren't going to taste it no matter what you do. A book probably gives you more time to indulge yourself that way since it's not on a schedule and doesn't have to be over in a set amount of time (got to get that next crowd into the seats for the 3:00 showing).

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
    48. Re:Please, no hobbit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh please, a movie can engage the imagination as much, if not more so than any book. Yes, you can describe a mouth-watering piece of pork turning on a spit in print, but actually seeing and hearing it on the big screen is so much closer to the real thing.

      Just think of how hungry a good food commercial can make you, and then tell me that it doesn't compare favorably to print.

      -Jeff

    49. Re:Please, no hobbit! by k98sven · · Score: 1

      That's generally the situation with any movie adapted from a book.

      Or so reads the old cliche.. Personally I've never noticed. Even in the cases where I'd seen a movie or theatre version before I read the book, I never felt that it made me enjoy the book differently (excluding the plot of course).

      A good film can inspire the imagination as much as a good book.
      For instance, I feel that 2001: A space odyssy" was a far more thought-provocative and imaginative movie than the much more literal and explaining book.

      Apocalypse now which was based on Conrad's Heart of darkness is the most even-matched film and book pair I can think of. Although there is very little literal resemblence, both manage to provoke the same thoughts and express the same ideas and emotions in their respective media.

      Now I'll concede that most movies aren't works of art like 2001 and Apocalypse, but neither are most books either.

      As for LOTR, I think it's a quite good film..
      Neither LOTR or the Hobbit are very multi-layered stories. In fact, Tolkien himself seemed wary of anything but the literal readings of his works.
      As such, they don't need to be masterpieces either.

      (Disclaimer: I'm not knocking LOTR here, they're good books. But I don't find that many layers of meaning in them, and as such it makes them easier to film.)

    50. Re:Please, no hobbit! by spitzig · · Score: 1

      If you wish to compare the number of senses used, do so. Books only use one sense. Unless you read them aloud or get something out of the tactile sensation of a book. A few people do those, usually books only use sight, though.

      Movies can push the imagination, too. A lot of people seemed to have had their imaginations pushed by the Matrix, with the theme of false reality.

      I generally agree that books can push the imagination more easily. Frank Herbert is the best example that comes to mind with that. He pushed the imagination a LOT on every page. It was so packed with stuff, it's about as hard to read as a textbook. That's a good thing.

    51. Re:Please, no hobbit! by drkich · · Score: 1

      That is absolutely correct! I forget where I had read that from.

    52. Re:Please, no hobbit! by HandleJim · · Score: 1

      Ah, but isn't the idea of having kids read the book to explore and exercise their imagination?

  8. tv series... ::groan:: by potpie · · Score: 2, Funny

    As long as LOTR doesn't EVER become a crappy tv series (probably a cartoon or anime at that)...

    I won't have to kill myself.

    --
    Esoteric reference.
    1. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by GreaterThanZero · · Score: 1
      dude, there was a cartoon of lotr.

      Unless you just meant strictly a TV series that could possibly be a cartoon or anime...in which case, ignore this post.

      Heh, at the video store I work at, the occasional customer rents the cartoon, evidently failing to read the display case at _all_...

    2. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by GreaterThanZero · · Score: 1
      I forgot to add "and then comes back and complains that it's not what they wanted".

      (.sig) Move along, there's more interesting posts than this one.

    3. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by Brandybuck · · Score: 2, Funny

      I rented that about two weeks before FOTR premiered, and the guy at the video checkout said, "it's out on DVD already?"

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    4. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by Orne · · Score: 1

      It is so ready to be a Sci-Fi Channel mini-series... They can put it on right after Tremors!

      *shiver*

    5. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I think it would be great if they made LotR into a crappy american tv comedy... no, really.

    6. Re:tv series... ::groan:: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If there's a TV series, you KNOW that either Melissa Gilbert or Valerie Bertinelli will be in there somewhere... Probably as Frodo.

  9. I haven't read the book by ObviousGuy · · Score: 1

    But I look forward to finally having a movie made about it. If for no other reason than to turn Tolkein's long-winded (and frankly annoying) prose into a 2 hour digestible chunk.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
    1. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You sir, are the stupidest and most faggy person in the wrold

    2. Re:I haven't read the book by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I have often heard this criticism of Tolkien's work. The "long-winded" style seems to put a lot of people off, but it definately gives other readers a greater depth of immersion. Reading LOTR can be a month-long total immersion into a world that frankly is a whole lot cooler than ours, if you like that sort of thing.

      But if you don't like it, no big deal.

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    3. Re:I haven't read the book by ObviousGuy · · Score: 1

      I tried to like it, but just couldn't get into it.

      And it's not just the long-windedness of the style. It's the condescending, faux high-class British airs that come through the writing.

      I don't mind long-windedness as such. Another author who I found interesting but is incredibly long-winded is Earl Penn Warren. His book, All The King's Men, is as wordy as they come, but there isn't a dull moment. FOTR felt like dull moment after dull moment from the outset.

      The movies were okay, the CG was awesome, but I just can't see what the thrill is. My loss, I suppose.

      --
      I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
    4. Re:I haven't read the book by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1

      1) Nobody thinks it's real
      2) You don't have to read about lineages to like LoTR (I couldn't stand a page of that stuff to be honest).

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    5. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, we'll leave you to your John Grisham novels then.

    6. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I fail to see how Earl Penn Warren is equivalent to Grisham.

    7. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Oh god, this is too easy.

      If Tolkien had just put together his trilogy using -funroll-plot -mmiddleearth, LotR would have been 5-10% more comprehensible. If only he had used a distribution that would have done this all for him...

    8. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Nobody thinks it's real. I've met plenty of people who wish it was real, and dress up as such at science fiction conventions (which, I might add, I only attend for the associated S&M party, that's my excuse.) But nobody actually believes it's real, as such. There are more trekkies who believe the Enterprise is real than Tolkienites who believe Frodo is a real small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

      I do agree though that of all the trendy you-must-read-this stuff that we're all afflicted with at a certain age, LotR is one of the less reasonable. I recommend you read Slaughterhouse Five instead. Absolutely brilliant.

    9. Re:I haven't read the book by Freedom+Bug · · Score: 1

      I read the entire trilogy in one sitting. It took about 18 hours and was unbelievably mind blowing.

      When you can read at a good speed, it's the movies that become boring.

      Bryan

    10. Re:I haven't read the book by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yet another casualty of the MTV revolution. Sigh.

    11. Re:I haven't read the book by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1

      My record is 5 days. Wow is all I can say here. Well, wow and, did you read all the songs too?

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    12. Re:I haven't read the book by davesag · · Score: 1
      You think Tolkien is long-winded, try reading "Gravity's Rainbow" by Thomas Pynchon. It's taken me 3 years to read and I am still not finished. In fact this is my third attempt at it, and I finally made past 80 pages. I have sworn to myself I won't read another piece of fiction until I have finished this monster. I have vast pile of books by my bed just waiting for me to find out what the hell happens at the end and where all the characters from the beginning ever got to. Well okay he's not long-winded as much as dense. Every line can mean three things. It's littered with puns, asides, ryhmes, and weird insights on the nature of paranoia and anti-paranoia (the belief that nothing is connected to anything). There is almost no plot at all, that I can discern, but it's one of the best books I have ever started reading. Almost every page introduces more characters, so it's at stages completely bewildering and I have to keep going back and re-reading pages to work out when the perspective shifted, and how I ended up in this new characters's head. I aim to finish it before I have to move country again.

      So go on Peter Jackson, make a film of that. I dare ya.

      --
      I used to have a better sig than this, but I got tired of it
    13. Re:I haven't read the book by ameoba · · Score: 1

      Damned Gentoo fanboys...

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      my sig's at the bottom of the page.
    14. Re:I haven't read the book by ameoba · · Score: 1

      Brilliant troll; if I had the mod points, I'd send this up. Excellent blending of legitimate criticisms, personal opinion treated as fact & outright inflamatory content. The only really weak part was the "Tolkien sucks cock" at the end; it really kinda destroys the doubt that this was a serious post...

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      my sig's at the bottom of the page.
    15. Re:I haven't read the book by SpacePunk · · Score: 1

      It sounds slower than Atlas Shrugged, and if so then I find that amazing.

    16. Re:I haven't read the book by davesag · · Score: 1

      it's not slow, just incredibly dense. and far funnier and less fascist than 'atlas shrugged'. what an overrated bunch of crap that book is.

      --
      I used to have a better sig than this, but I got tired of it
    17. Re:I haven't read the book by SpacePunk · · Score: 1

      I didn't find it particularly fascist. The story line is crap, but the concepts behind it are valid. That's probably where she went wrong. She was a crappy writer as far as story goes.

  10. Gandalf aging backwards? by kutuz_off · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If they plan to do it, they better do it quick. The only (I believe) common character of the trilogy and the Hobbit is Gandalf. Ian McKellen isn't getting any younger.

    1. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by ObviousGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

      The Hobbit story happens before the Rings story, so maybe they could get Ewan McGregor to play Obi-wan.

      --
      I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
    2. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Hi_2k · · Score: 4, Funny

      well, Bilbo would seem to be another, but he's really not important to the story.

      --
      When life gives you crap, Make Crapade.
      Sluggy Freelance.
    3. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by myc · · Score: 3, Funny

      a few I can think of offhand, Bilbo (!!), Agent Smith^W^W Elrond, Gollum (Andy Serkis!!!!!!!!)...

      --
      NO CARRIER
    4. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Xpilot · · Score: 1

      The Hobbit story happens before the Rings story, so maybe they could get Ewan McGregor to play Obi-wan.

      Sir Ian McKellen is still alive for the role, you insensitive clod!

      --
      "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    5. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by DarkSarin · · Score: 1

      Yes, but it would be a rather younger Bilbo (though I am not sure by how much (somebody tell me--there has to be someone here who knows), and therefore it wouldn't need to be the same actor to be believable.

      Isn't Elrond in the hobbit somewhere? Or some of the other elves? Can't remember--been WAY too long.

      --
      "We don't know what we are doing, but we are doing it very carefully,..." Wherry, R.J. Personnel Psychology (1995)
    6. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by dupper · · Score: 2, Funny
      In the middle of the earth in the land of the Shire lives a brave little hobbit whom we all admire. With his long wooden pipe, fuzzy, woolly toes, he lives in a hobbit-hole and everybody knows him...

      /Spock

    7. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1

      Bilbo is like 50 in the Hobbit, and 110+ in LOTR.

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    8. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by BMonger · · Score: 1

      Doesn't Bilbo find the ring in The Hobbit and then in The Fellowship of the Ring seem to have not aged? So they may use the same actor anyhow...

    9. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by BTWR · · Score: 1

      Gandalf, Gimli, Bilbo and Gollum are all recurring characters in both stories.

    10. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by myc · · Score: 1

      Gimli is not in the Hobbit, his dad Gloin is.

      --
      NO CARRIER
    11. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by BTWR · · Score: 1

      Oh, my bad - you're right.

    12. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's been a long time since I've read the Hobbit, but I believe it's one of Gimli's relatives, not Gimli himself who is in the book.

      Anyone know for certain?

    13. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bilbo is eleventy one to be precise =)

    14. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Xpilot · · Score: 1

      LOTR opens with Bilbo celebrating his "Eleventy first birthday", so it would be 111.

      --
      "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    15. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Exactly. The Ring kept him relatively the same age wise, and when he'd passed The Ring on to Frodo and we next saw him with the Elves, he had begun to age quite visibly.

    16. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Gimli is Gloin's son, and is not a member of the party of the 13 dwarves in the Hobbit. I don't think Gimli appears anywhere in the Hobbit.

    17. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Kneht · · Score: 2, Informative
      But he hasn't aged because of the ring.

      After he gives it up to Frodo he ages quite rapidly.

      --
      "Are you on some kind of medication?"
      "No"
      "Well, you should be."

      --Bean

    18. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by egoots · · Score: 1

      IIRC Gandalf's current age is about 300 lifetimes of a regular man (according to Jackson's version), so a couple of years one way or the other won't make a difference.

    19. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since gandalf hardly ages that much during the entire duration of the hobbit->LOTR it seems unlikely to be a problem. The descriptions of him in all books do not exactly depict him ageing that much. Plus he has the ring on his finger. Always helps.

    20. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by BTWR · · Score: 1

      my bad - you're all correct - gimli isn't in the Hobbit.

    21. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 1

      Yes, but before the birthday itself, Bilbo is still 110. Hence the "+" after 110.

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
    22. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by a.koepke · · Score: 1

      One thing to note is that Gollum would be a lot different in this movie than in the LOTR.

      In the Hobbit he was not as corrupted like he was in the LOTR.

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    23. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Transcript snippet from FOTR Script at www.seatofkings.net.

      Frodo: [Holds onto one of the posts of the wagon.] Gandalf - I'm glad you're back.
      Gandalf: So am I, dear boy. [Frodo jumps off the wagon, and waves, as he leaves.]
      [Mutters to himself]: So am I.

      [Frodo runs off into the fields, and Gandalf continues on to Bag End. As he stops his cart in front of it, Gandalf looks at the hobbit-hole, and sighs in satisfaction. He opens the gate, which reads 'No admittance except on party business,' then continues on to the front door, which he knocks on, with his staff.]

      Bilbo: No, thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!
      Gandalf: And what about very old friends?

      [Bilbo opens his front door.]
      Bilbo: Gandalf?
      Gandalf: Bilbo Baggins. [Holds his hands out to him.]
      Bilbo: My dear Gandalf! [He walks towards Gandalf, who kneels down and embraces him.]
      Gandalf: Good to see you. One hundred and eleven years old. Who would believe it? [Looks at Bilbo.] You haven't aged a day. [They both laugh.]

      That's from the movie, of course.

      Put another way:

      Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been the wonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkable disappearance and unexpected return. The riches he had brought back from his travels had now become a local legend, and it was popularly believed, whatever the old folk might say, that the Hill at Bag End was full of tunnels stuffed with treasure. And if that was not enough for fame, there was also his prolonged vigour to marvel at. Time wore on, but it seemed to have little effect on Mr. Baggins. At ninety he was much the same as at fifty. At ninety-nine they began to call him _well_-preserved, but _unchanged_ would have been nearer the mark. There were some that shook their heads and thought this was too much of a good thing; it seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth.

      'It will have to be paid for,' they said. 'It isn't natural, and trouble will come of it.'

      Later,

      'I am old, Gandalf. I don't look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. _Well-preserved_ indeed!' he snorted. 'Why, I feel all thin, sort of _stretched,_ if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can't be right. I need a change, or something.'

      Gandalf looked curiously and closely at him. 'No, it does not seem right,' he said thoughtfully. 'No, after all I believe your plan is probably the best.'

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    24. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by BTWR · · Score: 1

      he tries to murder (with intent to eat?) Bilbo! I'd say that's pretty evil!

    25. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Mr_Icon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Gandalf is not a man -- he is istari, an immortal Maya (sort of a "lesser god"). He came to Middle Earth a few thousand years before the action of LOTR takes place and he was already old back then, considering he's been around in one shape or the other since the creation of Arda. :)

      See more here: Encyclopedia of Arda

      Damn... Did I just fail the geek outing test?

      --
      If you open yourself to the foo, You and foo become one.
    26. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by a.koepke · · Score: 1

      Well mentally maybe but he was also corrupted physically by the power of the ring. He used to be very much like the hobbits. I remember Frodo saying that in the movie.

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    27. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, but Gollum is like 500 years old! The Hobbit takes place like 80 years before the LOTR. I think he would look/act pretty much the same.

    28. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Slime-dogg · · Score: 1

      Ah, so that's where all the Mayans went. The mystery is solved!

      --
      You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.
    29. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by frankthechicken · · Score: 1

      Unless Gollum (sans ring) undertakes the same aging process as Bilbo does when he gives the ring to Frodo.

    30. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by GenSolo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually he's existed since the creation of the universe. He's tied with Saruman, Sauron, and the Balrog as the oldest characters in the movie trilogy ;)

    31. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by burns210 · · Score: 1

      well, ya, Gandalf and the main character of the Hobbit. Bilbo baggins. Granted he wasn't in Two Towers(and i don't know about RotK) but still, a character from both books.

    32. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think they mean Gandalf might die IRL (touch wood)

    33. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Shonufftheshogun · · Score: 1

      It's reading responses like and being thoroughly interested that really make me realize what a geek I am.

    34. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by bkhl · · Score: 1

      To me, it seems like a far better idea to make the Hobbit without looking back at the LOTR film series, since that was how the books were made.

      The books aren't very similar, so why should the films be?

      Though it may be a good idea to cast Ian Holm as Bilbo, since Bilbo is kind of the only link between the two books. Gandalf on the other hand isn't much like himself from Bilbo when we see him in LOTR.

    35. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      like butter that has been scraped over too much bread

      One of Tolkien's most powerful similes.

    36. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

      Bilbo, Elrond, Gandalf, and probably a few general cameos.

      If Peter Jackson and WETA takes control of it (and they in all likelihood will), the original cast members needed will surely jump aboard. Especially since it's just one movie and would be a nice change of pace from the grueling three-movie shoot. Imagine how even more improved the performances will be when the actors are able to ease into a much smaller storyline.

      If anything, it HAS to be made just so we can have Gandalf the Grey for another movie. He is sorely missed after becoming the White.

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    37. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Begemot · · Score: 1

      I'm wondering whether Christianity was originated by a couple of geeks arguing how to spell "Messiah".

    38. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Goalie_Ca · · Score: 1

      Looks like some ppl actually read the silmarillion.

      --

      ----
      Go canucks, habs, and sens!
    39. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, but you failed the retard outing test. How does this address the parent post? As the parent said, Ian McKellen isn't getting any younger, and having a visibly aged actor play a supposedly immortal character isn't any better than having him play a man.

    40. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

      Hey, dumbass. That was over 500 years ago. Have you even read the Hobbit? Or seen the prologue in the Fellowship of the Ring film?

      Smeagol killed Deagol for the ring. Eventually, he ended up in the Misty Mountains and lived there for centuries. Then, Frodo came across the ring and brought it out of the mountains, setting in motion the eventual journey of the ring to Mount Doom little over 50 years later.

      Gollum looks and behaves exactly as he does in the trilogy as he does in the Hobbit. It's only a difference of about 50 years.

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    41. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by chill · · Score: 1

      It's reading responses like and being thoroughly interested that really make me realize what a geek I am.

      The fact that I not only *understood* the posting, but was considering posting something similar makes me way too much of a geek.

      --
      Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
    42. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *taps on shoulder*

      He meant that Ian McKellen the actor is not getting any younger. Gandalf the charachter is immortal but Ian is not. It would really, really suck if someone other than Ian played Gandalf now wouldn't it?

    43. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1

      Gandalf is not a man -- he is istari, an immortal Maya

      Ok, but Ian, the actor -- is a man, and is far from immortal...

      So yeah, they need to do it quick!

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    44. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by SomeGuyFromCA · · Score: 1

      > The only (I believe) common character of the Trilogy and the Hobbit is Gandalf.

      And Gollum. And Elrond. And Bilbo, but of course, this is Bilbo ~60 years younger, so it wouldn't be the same actor.

      Also, Gloin shows up in LotR-the-book. Don't remember if he popped up in the movie.

      --
      if the answer isn't violence, neither is your silence / freedom of expression doesn't make it alright
    45. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by danila · · Score: 1

      That even was in the movie. "Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time." says Gandalf in Rohan stable before mounting on Shadowfax. That's somewhere between 8000 and 20000 years.

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    46. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Gandalf says to Bilbo in LoTR, "You haven't aged a day!". I think they could keep the same actor.

    47. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by vidarh · · Score: 1

      Which still doesn't work. People here can quote the LoTR all they want, but fact is Ian Holm is well beyond 70, and human. Bilbo in the Hobbit was around 50. Frodo was around 50 when he left the shire in FoTR. So either Bilbo looked really old for his age to start with, or Frodo looked ridiculously young for his age, or you should consider the comments about him looking as if he hasn't aged a bit as pure pleasanteries (as the introductory scenes of young Bilbo hints at - Bilbo may not have aged as much as he ought to for his age, but he definitively looks younger there than what he does when Gandalf arrives for the great party)

    48. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Zeinfeld · · Score: 1
      If they plan to do it, they better do it quick. The only (I believe) common character of the trilogy and the Hobbit is Gandalf. Ian McKellen isn't getting any younger.

      I seem to remember that Bilbo was also in the Hobbit.

      As for the age of Gandalf, since he holds one of the rings of power and is thus ageless there is effectively little difference in his age between the two books.

      --
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    49. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by dillon_rinker · · Score: 1

      Quotes from Agent Elrond:
      "What good is a ring of power, if you're unable...to speak?"

      "Hobbits...are a disease."

    50. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are several common characters - Gandalf, Bilbo, assorted Elves, a few Dwarfs, and of course, the one everybody forgets, Strider makes a short appearance in the singing dancing elves scene as a drunken toddler.

      Oh, and Beorn is really a wookie-wannabe furry. I can't believe I said that.

    51. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by heller · · Score: 1

      gandalf. . .only. . .common. . .character?
      holy crap you're stupid.

      ** Heller

    52. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Maiar not mayan...

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    53. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by stanmann · · Score: 1

      strider would have been 20something...

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    54. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by rossifer · · Score: 1

      In the book, Frodo turned 30 on the same day Bilbo turned 111. He was just entering his majority by leaving his "tweens" (twenties) behind. The film accurately portrays Frodo as looking like a human teenager.

      As a theory, a 50 year old hobbit might have about the same wear and tear on his face and body as a 30 year old human. As a 31 year old man, there are a few lines in the face that weren't there twelve years ago, I'm beginning to find grey hairs with some regularity, I can put on much more muscle mass than I could when 19, I need to watch my diet to make sure I don't also gain fatty mass (didn't matter in the past), and my knees and ankles aren't as forgiving as they used to be. Other than that, I'm the same young kid I used to be! :-/

      Regards,
      Ross

    55. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by antin · · Score: 1

      Ummm not to mention the obvious or anything, but another common character between the two you seem to have forgotten is "The Hobbit" himself... Bilbo!!!

      Not that I expect them to reuse the guy they had in LoTR...

    56. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Witness Micheal Gambden now playing Dumbledore.

      I think we will get used to it since we're only two movies in. But "The Hobbit" is kinda a tag line to Lord of the Rings.

      I don't imagine that a "King Kong" remake would take nearly as long as something like Lord of the Rings. Though, knowing Jackson he probably cares a lot about the project and will put nearly as much effort into it.

      Give the guy a break. He's effectively been living in Middle Earth for the past 5 years. A little time in the 20th century will do him good before he returns to "The Hobbit".

      --
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    57. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      The ring prevents Bilbo from aging in a normal fashion. He is on "Gollum Time".

      Elrond IS in "The Hobbit". Rivendell is a stopover for the party.

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    58. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      I wonder if they'd go campy and have John Rheiss-Davies portray Gloin as well.

      My guess is no. He would be one of 12 dwarves in that film. He wouldn't even be the head dwarf Durin.

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    59. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      They could insert Gimli into the Battle of Five Armies. That is, provided Gimli was old enough at the time.

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    60. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Yes, but Gandalf is an Avatar. He isn't the full being that he is in the "heavans".

      I do like the connection between the Istari and the Balrog. If the Balrog is a demon, then the Wizards are effectively angels.

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    61. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Gandalf doesn't age. He isn't mortal. He was sent to middle earth in the state he currently is.

      The idea of making the Wizards appear as old men is proportional to their role. They supposed to be advisers, not warriors. They are sheperds to the peoples of middle earth.

      You may have noticed that when called upon, Gandalf is a bad-ass with a blade. He is stronger and faster then any human. He just looks old, thats all.

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    62. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by merlin_jim · · Score: 1

      If they plan to do it, they better do it quick. The only (I believe) common character of the trilogy and the Hobbit is Gandalf. Ian McKellen isn't getting any younger.

      Well, Gandalf, and maybe, you know... the Hobbit... Bilbo Baggins. You know, he meets a wizard that's really an angel (though he never finds out), bands together with thirteen dwarves, fights an evil dragon, participates in the war of the five armies, and just so happens to find a magical ring on the way?

      I think somehow he may have had something to do with the Lord of The Rings trilogy...

      --
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    63. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by uberdood · · Score: 1

      Yeah, they better be quick. After all, it's not like they've ever switched actors in a movie series before. (A few more references in case you are slow.

      --
      "Population 1,656"
    64. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by SomeGuyFromCA · · Score: 1

      Yes, he says that. But the actor they used was horrible for it. Remember, Frodo's supposedly 33-34 in the film (and in the book, he sets off when he's around 50). Bilbo claimed the Ring at age 50. He should look early middle aged, especially at the start of the film, or Frodo should look much older.

      --
      if the answer isn't violence, neither is your silence / freedom of expression doesn't make it alright
    65. Re:Gandalf aging backwards? by CaptainAvatar · · Score: 1

      Thorin Oakenshield, not Durin. My god, what is the world coming to?

      --
      The real Captain Avatar is a fictional character, so I suppose he doesn't mind if I impersonate him.
  11. LOTR actors by Xpilot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if they can all get Ian Holme, Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis to reprise their roles as Bilbo, Gandalf, Agent Elrond and Gollum. It would be cool if it were kept consistant with LOTR.

    --
    "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    1. Re:LOTR actors by mclove · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I think Ian Holm might be a little too old... I mean yes, they *could* make him look younger with makeup (as they did for the flashback in FotR), but the man's 72 and pulling that look off for the entire movie would be rather difficult. PJ doesn't seem like the sort of director who'd jump through hoops for the sake of preserving a tiny bit of extra consistency with the trilogy.

      Andy Serkis, on the other hand... I can't imagine anyone else playing Gollum now. And just think of it, a crowded theater sometime in the winter of 2009, Bilbo in a cave, then a familiar CGI face and the first whisper of "Precious"... think of the beginning of the opening crawl for Episode 1 (when we didn't know how badly it would suck) and multiply it by 10 and that's what you'll get.

      And of course we have to have Ian McKellen playing Gandalf too, simply because he loves doing it and there's no one better out there for the role.

    2. Re:LOTR actors by professorhojo · · Score: 5, Funny

      > I wonder if they can all get... Andy Serkis

      if?

      i think he's already waiting in the studio carpark.

      prof.

    3. Re:LOTR actors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If they were to use Ian Holm, it would likely be within a "present day" (i.e. just before the War of the Ring) framing device, flashing back to the events of "The Hobbit" with a younger actor playing young Bilbo. A "prequel" could survive this as Bilbo is, frankly, a minor presence in LOTR (book and film), as long as the actor taking on the Bilbo part is reasonably similar in appearance AND a very good actor.

      Unfortunately Ian Holm himself is not up to the strains of such a physical, central role (in the same way that Christopher Lee was simply too old to take to qualify for the Gandalf role).

      More worrisome is if this project takes too long to get off the ground - McKellan might become too frail to play Gandalf, which would greatly trouble the marketability of this as a "prequel", as Gandalf is a central character to both "The Hobbit" and "LOTR".

    4. Re:LOTR actors by Xpilot · · Score: 1

      More worrisome is if this project takes too long to get off the ground - McKellan might become too frail to play Gandalf, which would greatly trouble the marketability of this as a "prequel", as Gandalf is a central character to both "The Hobbit" and "LOTR".

      Get Sean Connery to play Gandalf. Now that's one tough old guy.

      --
      "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    5. Re:LOTR actors by Rysc · · Score: 1

      Get Tom Baker to play Gandalf, if he's still alive. He could pull it off easily.

      --
      I want my Cowboyneal
    6. Re:LOTR actors by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      Shome thingsh in here don't react well to arrowsh!

      Ent draught - shaken, not stirred.

      And I can just picture gandalf with a dragon-hilted katana...

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    7. Re:LOTR actors by drix · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually, he's too busy filming the MTV Movie Awards parody of ROTK to involve himself in another project.

      Like the keymaker...

      --

      I think there is a world market for maybe five personal web logs.
    8. Re:LOTR actors by Captain+Beefheart · · Score: 1
      The Hobbit takes place decades before LotR, so it would be difficult to make Ian Holme look signifcantly younger, since he's significantly old. The reason the Ring of Power was was able to stay relatively hidden in the Shire for so long was because the Dunedain (Aragorn's people, descendants of the Numenorean kings who once ruled Gondor and Arnor) protected the area from snoopers, IIRC. But eventually the Ring called out to its master.

      Cool bit of info revealed in the Two Towers extended DVD: Aragorn is 87 years old when LotR takes place...so I wonder if they could fit him in as a cameo in the Hobbit.

    9. Re:LOTR actors by BigKato · · Score: 1

      I wanna throw in my vote for Sir Anthony Hopkins to play Gandalf and Christopher Walken to play Gollum. Mix it up a little.

      --
      So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
    10. Re:LOTR actors by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

      Why couldn't Ian Holm handle it? He was the perfect Bilbo.

      Do you know how old Christopher Lee is? Or Ian McKellen, for that matter? Come on, Ian Holm could do just one whimsical prequel film if those two wizards had to do three whole war movies, flying around the landscapes of New Zealand. What's so damned demanding about the role of Bilbo? I mean, seriously?

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    11. Re:LOTR actors by bkhl · · Score: 1

      I don't agree. The Hobbit is very different from LOTR, and it would be better to aproach it as a separate work.

      Though I think Ian Holme as Bilbo might be a good idea.

    12. Re:LOTR actors by hughk · · Score: 1

      Nah, get Connery to play Smaug!!!

      --
      See my journal, I write things there
    13. Re:LOTR actors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ***SPOILER***

      If you watch the extra features in the LOTR: TTT Extended Edition, Andy Serkis does make an appearance in ROTK playing Smeagal (without the CG) before being consumed by the ring.

    14. Re:LOTR actors by vidarh · · Score: 1
      Uhm, looking 60-80 years younger? The Hobbit starts in III 2941, LoTR starts in III 3001, and Frodo left the shire in III 3018. He was supposed to be around 50 in the Hobbit (and 111 at the great party in FoTR), in other words approximately as old as Frodo was when he left the shire. Do you really think Ian Holm could pull off looking as youtful as Elijah Wood and the rest of his generation of hobbits did in LoTR?

      Christopher Lee and Ian McKellen's looks fit their characters. Ian Holm's does not fit the role of a character less than half the age of what he played.

    15. Re:LOTR actors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He puts one of our elvesh in the hospital - we put one of his orcsh in the morgue!

    16. Re:LOTR actors by deblau · · Score: 2, Informative
      And of course we have to have Ian McKellen playing Gandalf too, simply because he loves doing it

      He doesn't particularly mind doing Gandalf, but I wouldn't say it's his favorite, by a long shot. Read the White Book entry from three weeks ago, especially the part about signing autographs. For more of his take on LOTR, read his journals. I'd reproduce the relevant paragraphs here, but the site doesn't allow it.

      --
      This post expresses my opinion, not that of my employer. And yes, IAAL.
    17. Re:LOTR actors by wind · · Score: 2, Informative

      PJ doesn't seem like the sort of director who'd jump through hoops for the sake of preserving a tiny bit of extra consistency with the trilogy.

      Um, have you watched any of the special-edition DVD special features? Apparently the man would dig a tunnel to hell if it looked like it would be the perfect location. AND he'd pay gardeners to tend any temporarily-moved flora of hell so they could be replaced a year later. Oh, and he'd retouch every frame to get the color of the flames in the corners *just* right.

      I think, if it was best for the film, he'd find a way to make Iam Holm look like a teenager. Not a problem. And, frankly, if you can't get the original actors back, along with Peter Jackson, I don't really see the point of making the movie, anyway.

  12. Please, oh please... by mikeophile · · Score: 4, Funny

    Do not let that guy with the prehensile uvula mangle the song The Road Goes Ever On like he did in the Rankin/Bass cartoon.

    1. Re:Please, oh please... by thdougherty · · Score: 2, Informative

      Obligatory: The Greatest Adventure, The Ballad of The Hobbit From the animated movie The Hobbit The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Today and tomorrow are yet to be said. The chances, the changes are all yours to make. The mold of your life is in your hands to break. The greatest adventure is there if you're bold. Let go of the moment that life makes you hold. To measure the meaning can make you delay; It's time you stop thinkin' and wasting the day. The man who's a dreamer and never takes leave Who thinks of a world that is just make-believe Will never know passion, will never know pain. Who sits by the window will one day see rain. The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Today and tomorrow are yet to be said. The chances, the changes are all yours to make. The mold of your life is in your hands to break. The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.

    2. Re:Please, oh please... by Lost+Dragon · · Score: 1

      I think they should get Leonard Nimoy and Strongbad to rerecord the Bilbo Baggins song as a techno remix.

    3. Re:Please, oh please... by plj · · Score: 1

      Oh, but you've heard nothing yet. First listen to the #Frodo of the nine fingers and hear Frodo crying for God on the slope of Mt. Doom like a real yankee... quite an experience, seeing movies like that.

      --
      “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
    4. Re:Please, oh please... by sharkey · · Score: 1
      hear Frodo crying for God on the slope of Mt. Doom like a real yankee

      "Oh God, I need a beer and a hot dog?"

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  13. hmmm by Wordsmith · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now I wasn't clear from the summary, but are you saying there's some sort of difficulty with getting the rights from the estate? Or that he'll wait until after King Kong? I think you need to repeat it maybe 6-7 more times, just to be sure.

  14. not looking forward.... by smd4985 · · Score: 0, Troll

    the jury is still out, but jackson's loosely-based movie saga has gotten progressively worse. i could stand fellowship because of the newness of it all, but two towers, besides being hardly related to the source, was pretty boring. i'll see ROTK but i'm going in with super low expectations.

    --
    smd4985
    1. Re:not looking forward.... by pogle · · Score: 1

      Just curious, did you see the extended versions of the first two movies? I disliked TTT in theatres but the extended edition redeemed itself. Mainly because it went back to the book a lot, just like the FotR extended ed.

      --
      http://thechubbyferret.net - Ferret pictures and informative links.
    2. Re:not looking forward.... by cybercuzco · · Score: 0, Troll

      I totally agree with you, oh, and ABORTIONS FOR ALL! there, that ought to get things started.

      --

    3. Re:not looking forward.... by fenix+down · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      How about abortions for some, but tiny American flags for others? I'm not too excited to see which of my orifices they pick to shove the little vacuum cleaner up.

    4. Re:not looking forward.... by MagicDude · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Why is there always so much bitching about every sequel that comes out (Reloaded sucked, X2 sucked, Two Towers sucked, blah blah blah). The fact of the matter is that Two Towers was a good movie, and you're expectations are getting out of hand. The first movie was great, and then thing about great movies is that they are hard to match, much less top. Had this much talent and effort gone into any other movie that wasn't the sequal to Fellowship, it would be up for best picture. Everyone expects these movies to be uber-fantastic and if it falls short in any respect compared to the first movie (or your own expectations), it automatically sucks. We've seen the same thing in M. Night Shamalan's movies. The sixth sense was a great movie, but to match that is quite a feat, and thus Unbreakable and Signs (Two very good movies) ended up "sucking" to everyone. Hell, you even see this kind of behavior in regards to sports teams. If the Yankees don't win the world series, they suck. Nevermind that they've won the AL and been to the world series twice in the last 3 years, if they aren't the champions, it means they suck. Get some perspective on things people!!! :::Angry Rant Off:::

    5. Re:not looking forward.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank god I'm not the only one. A shame that Slashdot Group Think decided you were trolling, I agree 100% with you.

      I thought the first one was okay, but just when it started to get good.. it ended.

      The 2nd one I thought invested far too much in grandstanding - "oh look this is amazing", "no, wait this scene's better than the last one". It cranked everything up so much that I eventually got bored and couldn't wait to leave the threatre. I felt like someone had tried to bludgeon me to death with explosions and swordfights. They were trying to *force* the audience into being amazed rather than showing them something genuinely original.

      "The Matrix" and this series have so much in common... and I have no reason to believe that the 3rd one installment of this one will be any better.

    6. Re:not looking forward.... by 0123456 · · Score: 1

      Personally I thought 'Two Towers' was a better movie than the first one, and the only reason I'm not going to see the final movie at the cinema straight away is because, as with the other two, I'd rather get a DVD and watch the proper version rather than a slashed-up cut for Joe Sixpack... I'll do the cinema thing when one of the London cinemas puts on a marathon showing of the extended versions of all three movies back-to-back.

      If I remember correctly my DVD box says that they cut out 43 minutes for the cinema realease of 'Two Towers': it's hard to see what they could have left of the plot with that much removed.

  15. What about the main character! by Xpilot · · Score: 1

    You forgot Ian Holme as Bilbo Baggins! And Gandalf was always *old*, so it doesn't matter. And theres Elrond and Gollum too (we can forget the Gloin cameo, but Bilbo has to be the same).

    --
    "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    1. Re:What about the main character! by frankthechicken · · Score: 1

      The question is, would the movie going public accept that a younger Bilbo look the same as the one they saw in the movie theatres?

    2. Re:What about the main character! by Bradee-oh! · · Score: 1

      The question is, would the movie going public accept that a younger Bilbo look the same as the one they saw in the movie theatres?

      I would wager yes, as the introduction to Fellowship contained the sequence of flashback scenes describing the history of the One Ring and the "younger" Bilbo finding the ring was very clearly shown.

      --
      "This is Zombo Com, and welcome to you who have come to Zombo Com" - www.zombo.com
    3. Re:What about the main character! by amw · · Score: 1

      the "younger" Bilbo finding the ring was very clearly shown

      Within the cast commentry for FOTR, it was mentioned how Ian Holm had had his face taped, to stretch his skin and hide wrinkles. That'd be something he could do for a scene that took maybe a day or two. But for an entire film?

  16. Details, please? by ErikTheRed · · Score: 1

    Ok, for those of us who read the books, saw the flicks, bought the DVDs, but don't obsess over the political minutae of the Tolkien family and estate's feelings about the movies, what exactly is Christopher Tolkien's problem?

    --

    Help save the critically endangered Blue Iguana
    1. Re:Details, please? by stevesliva · · Score: 2, Funny
      what exactly is Christopher Tolkien's problem?
      He's trying to ensure that edited by Christopher Tolkien appears on all production and promotional materials.
      --
      Who do you get to be an expert to tell you something's not obvious? The least insightful person you can find? -J Roberts
    2. Re:Details, please? by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      It's a problem that he feels no need to further prostitute his dad's work to the movie industry? That's an odd use of the word "problem".

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
    3. Re:Details, please? by child_of_mercy · · Score: 1

      seriously?

      that'd be bollocks for the hobbit and LOTR.

      Guy Gavriel Kay did the heavy lifting for Silmarillion for that matter.

      --
      'There is a Light that never goes out.'
    4. Re:Details, please? by Hungus · · Score: 4, Informative

      Chris Tolkien Gaurds his Father's properties like Smaug Dwarven gold and mithril. The attitudes seem similar too. He single handedly put Iron Crown into bankrupcy by jacking up the licencing costs a couple of years ago, even going so far as to have the printed works seized and destroyed even though they were printed and delivered while still under license. Of course this is all old news to any of my fellow Rolemaster / MERP players.

      --
      Bad Panda! No Bamboo for you! In matters of importance ACs will not be responded to. Want to say something critical,OK
    5. Re:Details, please? by veddermatic · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Maybe he saw an advanced copy of Cat in the Hat and realized that people will destroy your loved one's creations to make really shitty stuff to get marketing gigs and product tie-ins.

      --
      Department of Homeland Security: Removing the rights real patriots fought and died for since 2001
    6. Re:Details, please? by Brandybuck · · Score: 3, Informative

      He single handedly put Iron Crown into bankrupcy by jacking up the licencing costs a couple of years ago

      Iron Crown had a bit to do with it as well. I've talked with some of their authors, and to a one, they all blame ICE. The causes are numerous. Not focusing on new customers, issuing more regional background material than they did adventures, chasing the CCG fad while letting the RPG base deteriorate, etc. Tolkien Enterprises merely sunk an already sinking ship.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    7. Re:Details, please? by Brandybuck · · Score: 2, Interesting

      what exactly is Christopher Tolkien's problem?

      According to one Tolkien writer (forget who), Christopher made his fortune off of "his daddy's wastepaper basket scrapings." I thank him for getting the Silmarillion out, but most everything afterwards was pretty pointless. He should have donated all the wastepaper basket scrapings to a library, instead of trying to edit them into commercial books.

      His problem is that he's still leeching off of dear old dead dad.

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    8. Re:Details, please? by RickHunter · · Score: 1

      And from what I've heard, they did so to avoid taking any further damage themselves from the sinking ship. One can't fault them for that - ICE really screwed up with MERP. Not that Decipher seems to be doing much better with their LotR RPG, judging from the (debatable) rules issues and plodding suppliment pace.

    9. Re:Details, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A little bit of googling reveals that the estate has also shut down Tolkien fan sites / archives. Disgusting. JRR died 30 years ago! Society owes his estate absolutely NOTHING. Ridiculous stuff like this proves how dire is the need for copyright reform.

    10. Re:Details, please? by AceCaseOR · · Score: 1

      Unfortunatly, though, Decipher only licensed the movies. I heard they tried to licence the Simillarion, so they could do splatbooks for the periods set during that book, but allegidly (sp?) the Tolkein Estate wouldn't sell them the rights.

      --
      Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
    11. Re:Details, please? by RedWizzard · · Score: 1

      Which is interesting because Games Workshop apparently have managed to get full rights to all the Lord of the Rings book material for their wargame.

    12. Re:Details, please? by AceCaseOR · · Score: 1
      It may have been that, in order for Decipher to do the splatbooks, they may have stated that they had to reprint, summarize, or elaborate upon material from the books. Thus possibly depriving some incentive to buy the book (in the eyes of the Estate).

      On the other hand, with the Wargame, you don't necessarily have to put quite so much information as you would with the RPG, thus not making you any less inclined to buy the book (once again, in the eyes of the Estate).

      --
      Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
    13. Re:Details, please? by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers were made by some damned respectful people. Watching the Extended Edition DVDs, it's like these people were obsessed with being respectful of the source material, to a point.

      Nothing is being "destroyed" here with Peter Jackson and WETA at the helm.

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    14. Re:Details, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Silmarillion was great (but difficult), and so was Unfinished Tales (though unfortunately, unfinished). At the very least please read "The Quest of Erebor" in the latter work -- short but enjoyable. Even the Lost Tales/Lays of Beleriand were fairly interesting -- the parts that JRRT actually wrote, not the boring commentary by CT.

      I never read the other History of ME books. It looked like with each volume that CT published, the less there was of his father's material, and the more filler. At some point one just has to say, "Enough!"

    15. Re:Details, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      mm, the movie maybe a nice bunch of special effects but peter jackson did obviously not read te book....I still dont get it why they just changed important parts of the original story (when the changes dont add anything extra)..

      so I dont have a reason to assume pj will have respect for any other tolkien story, I like pj's previous movies (bad taste rocks) and it will probably be nice if he returns to making such movies, preferably not raping another story

    16. Re:Details, please? by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

      He did read the book, and if you watched the Extended DVDs, you'd know why they changed things for the movies. The summarized reason is: they're movies, which are different mediums than books.

      Another closed-minded purist.

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    17. Re:Details, please? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The true story detail for detail is too hard to follow for the average human being. They had to do some summarizing. Did you not notice that Arwen had 2 lines in all the books up to the end? She was brought in for the chick appeal but PJ melted it in perfectly imho.

    18. Re:Details, please? by LtOcelot · · Score: 1

      That excuse applies to some changes, but not all, and not what I myself consider the worst.

      Should you be called a "closed-minded apologist"? I'm not the poster you're responding to, but please acknowledge that those who dislike some of the changes may possess considered reasons for their dislike.

    19. Re:Details, please? by stevesliva · · Score: 1

      No, not seriously. ;) I was being facetious.

      --
      Who do you get to be an expert to tell you something's not obvious? The least insightful person you can find? -J Roberts
    20. Re:Details, please? by Sj0 · · Score: 1

      Why are you even bothering to argue with these armchair directors? I for one think that on-line petitions should be banned or something. The last thing we need is a bunch of partially literate bandwagon jumpers telling real directors and producers how to do their jobs.

      --
      It's been a long time.
    21. Re:Details, please? by RickHunter · · Score: 1

      Or it could've been due to the Estate's prior bad experiences with RPG companies, and Tolkien's son not wanting his father's works "elaborated" into a bad D&D clone. Given that many of the upper-level designer folks at Decipher are raving D&D fanboys (just look at practically any post they make in various RPG forums), this is probably a very good idea.

      Note that Decipher does have the rights to the Lord of the Rings books in addition to the movies. Just not the Silmarillion or any of the Unfinished Tales. (Can't remember if they've got rights to The Hobbit or not)

  17. King kong by slothman32 · · Score: 1

    How many of those do we need? We alread have 2 and now a third. I don't even remember that last time a new movies instead of a sequel of remake has been made.

    --
    Why don't you guys have friends or journals?
    1. Re:King kong by krin · · Score: 1
      Actually try three before Jackson.

      King Kong (1933)

      King Kong (1962)

      King Kong (1976)

      Bringing the grand total to four after Jackson remakes it. That's not even including 'King Kong Lives' or 'King Kong vs. Godzilla'; and let's not forget all the rip off titles.

      In my personal opinion I think Jackson has done an outstanding job with the Lord of the Rings movies. Fan boys can gripe all they want, but let's seem them do something of the same calibur (given they had three hundred million dollars to spend some probably could). I really hope to see 'The Hobbit' made, and wish Jackson would drop this King Kong remake and do it sooner rather then later. I predict Kong will flop, New Line will reconsider their choice in director, and in turn 'The Hobbit' will suffer.

      I've been known to be wrong though.

      --
      There is no spork.
    2. Re:King kong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I couldn't tell you whether or not the new Kong will be a flop or not-- they are going to have to bring in a lot of money to cover the costs.

      But I disagree with you that New Line would find another director for The Hobbit. After the immense success of LotR, I would be willing to bet that Jackson could make ten non-LotR flops, and he'll still be their first choice.

      It's not just the bad karma in the fan community and the press they'd get for abandoning him from the slot he's obviously earned. You simply know that he loves and respects the material.

      I'll bet that Jackson could screw his career up any way he chooses, but the one project he'd be able to get greenlit any day for the rest of his life will be The Hobbit.

  18. Estate needs to pull its head from it's ass by |>>? · · Score: 1

    Other reports also show that there was an attempt to create a museum as a thank you to New Zealand, but that the estate holder is refusing to allow it.

    Also, there is talk of putting a statue somewhere in the country to say thanks for the tax break the film-makers got.

    All in all, while I understand the need to protect the name and heritage of Tolkien, this to my mind is absurd.

    Anyway, I don't know the estate holder, nor do I know what their objection specifically is, so perhaps I'll get back in my box now...

    --
    |>>? ..EBCDIC for Onno..
    1. Re:Estate needs to pull its head from it's ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The estate is tolkiens son.. who hates the movies, he doesnt like the changes.. he hates the commercialization of everything (gollum accepting an award on mtv, cussing like a sailor)

      I doubt he'd want anything to happen to the hobbit.. although if the money is right i'm sure he can cripple and give in

    2. Re:Estate needs to pull its head from it's ass by |>>? · · Score: 3, Interesting

      As I said, IMO he needs to pull his head from his ass.

      My point being - not made very well I suppose - that in order to preserve the Tolkien legacy, things like films, museums and statues are a pretty good way.

      I suppose you could argue that the profits from the movie, rather than spent on a museum should instead be spent on an endowment fund to benefit budding writers, or something.

      The way I see it, Peter Jackson wants to preserve the effort put into the movie, thank New Zealand and promote Tolkiens' work.

      AFAIC, standing in the way of his proposals is just plain silly.

      But, if someone can point out the flaw(s) in my comment(s), I'd be happy to listen.

      --
      |>>? ..EBCDIC for Onno..
  19. It'd suck. Guaranteed. by gonerill · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Ask anyone who ever read the Lord of the Rings as a kid and then went and read the Hobbit afterwards. Although it's a delightful children's novel, the Hobbit is inevitably a terrible disappointment after the scope and depth of the LOTR.

    The only way it would work would be if it was deliberately filmed and marketed as a movie for young children.

    1. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by Xpilot · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Although it's a delightful children's novel, the Hobbit is inevitably a terrible disappointment after the scope and depth of the LOTR.

      I wouldn't put down The Hobbit like that. Even though the details are simplified, it doesn't mean they aren't there. I read The Hobbit, and then LOTR, the Silmarillion, then going back to reread The Hobbit I found that it's remarkably consistant with the materials from the other books (granted, Tolkien did a bit of revisionist history with "The Hobbit", but I digress).

      The Hobbit also introduces us to the hardy race of halflings which at first seem unlikely that little Bilbo could even survive the dangerous journey with the dwarves, but later he turns into the most resourceful and most heroic character in the book (very convincingly too).

      The only way it would work would be if it was deliberately filmed and marketed as a movie for young children.

      I'm not sure it'll be terribly suitable for young children. It's going to have giant spiders biting the protagonists, and the battle of five armies is rather bloody indeed.

      --
      "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    2. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by duran.goodyear · · Score: 2, Insightful

      there is so much hinted at in the hobbit, that was formulating around in tolkiens mind about the world he was about to create, it would be easy for jackson to take a little creative lee-way and rename a few things to make it fit with the full depth of LOTR.

      they even mention "the necromancer" in the hobbit, which is a clear reference to sauron, if not just one of his nazgul.

      I think it has amazing potential.

    3. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      i read LOTR as a kid and then went and read the hobbit afterwards. much afterwards. and i totally enjoyed that too. but then i enjoyed harry potter and finding nemo too. you don't need a lot of scope and depth to find something entertaining. or even enlightening.

      and umm, if you expected the same amount of scope and depth from the hobbit as you got from LOTR, you must be a terrible disappointment to your parents, n'est ce pas?

    4. Re: It'd suck. Guaranteed. by Black+Parrot · · Score: 2, Interesting


      > Ask anyone who ever read the Lord of the Rings as a kid and then went and read the Hobbit afterwards. Although it's a delightful children's novel, the Hobbit is inevitably a terrible disappointment after the scope and depth of the LOTR.

      Not me. I read LoTR, then after many years re-read it and then read The Hobbit for the first time. And frankly, I think The Hobbit is a better story.

      LoTR scores high on conception, but has its problems. IMO the author is too heavy handed, recycles too many of his own ideas, tries too hard to jerk the reader's chain, too transparently manipulates the characters like chess pieces to set up "special" scenes, etc.

      Great concepts, poor execution. IMO.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    5. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by Evil+Pete · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Agree partly. I couldn't read the Hobbit at all after I read LotR. But I started reading The Hobbit to my kids to get them into it, and I discovered that the book is meant to be read aloud ... there seems to be a lot of poetry in the book when it is spoken that you miss if you just read it by yourself.

      Maybe as a movie some of that effect would come out.

      --
      Bitter and proud of it.
    6. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by mattsucks · · Score: 1

      but later he turns into the most resourceful and most heroic character in the book (very convincingly too).

      I suspect that the magic ring that turned him invisible factored into his newfound heroic attitude somewhat.

      side note: geez. i'm talking about a character in a book like he's my cousin. its late, and i'm a geek.

    7. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by JuggleGeek · · Score: 1
      I read The Hobbit when I was 14-15. Then I read the LOTR trilogy. And I've re-read them (all of them) several times since. I had not read them in some time when I heard they were coming out with the movie, so I reread the four of them. And, unlike you, I wasn't the least bit disapointed.

      Excellent writing, fun story... The list of why I like them goes on and on.

      I'm all in favor of them making a movie version of The Hobbit.

    8. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by 10Ghz · · Score: 1
      Ask anyone who ever read the Lord of the Rings as a kid and then went and read the Hobbit afterwards.


      I read The Hobbit after I had read Lord of The Rings. And I think The Hobbit is a wonderful book. I have read it several times since.
      --
      Lesbian Nazi Hookers Abducted by UFOs and Forced Into Weight Loss Programs - -all next week on Town Talk.
    9. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by cmpalmer · · Score: 1

      Hmm, that's interesting. I love to read books to my kids (even though they're now 12 and 9, we just read "The Wee Free Men" by Terry Pratchett aloud), but I had a hard time reading The Hobbit to them. I didn't have a hard time with Pratchett's colloquialisms and I could do an OK Nac Mac Feegle voice ("Ach. Crivens!"), but some of the sentence structure and dialogue in The Hobbit, while beautifully written, was awkward to parse out loud.

      I would love for Jackson to do The Hobbit. It is a very different book from LOTR and I think the biggest changes would be to make it feel more like the LOTR movies. For example, the troll scene with it's bumbling Cockney trolls would seem out of place compared to the cave troll from Moria.

      I do wonder if Ian Holm would be up to doing Bilbo as a younger hobbit?

      --
      -- stream of did I lock the front door consciousness
    10. Re:It'd suck. Guaranteed. by IIRCAFAIKIANAL · · Score: 1

      You seem to forget how he basically takes charge when dealing with Smaug and then the conflict between the men and dwarves later on, and the ring only plays bit parts in these situations.

      --
      Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel.
  20. For the Community by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 5, Insightful
    From the article: If he can't have a museum, Jackson wants a bronze statue of the film's characters in Wellington to thank the people of New Zealand for their support - and the $NZ300 million ($265 million) tax break they gave the producers. "We have appealed to (the Tolkien estate) at various times to do something for the community but they keep saying no," Jackson said.

    Someone should tell Jackson that there's a whole lot you can do for a community besides put up a museum or a monument to what you did with their tax break, and it need not even be an eyesore like that statue he wants. How about building parks and playgrounds? Contributing to local health programs? Financial aid for economically depressed areas? Charities? Libraries? Help for schools?

    These and a whole lot of others are ways to give back to the community in ways that really help. And they don't require the permission of the Tolkien estate either.

    --
    And the brethren went away edified.
    1. Re:For the Community by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      A museum and tourist landmark would actually provide a long-term economic boost that could improve the NZ community by bringing in tourists from across the world (and hence their money).

      A one-time donation would be great, but wouldn't do much to actually improve the community.

    2. Re:For the Community by geekoid · · Score: 1

      I would do what you suggest, AND put a museum of "Movie pieces that were used in films shot on New Zealand"
      then have a category, granted it would happen to fill most of the museum, for LOTR*

      *LOTR is the copyright of the Tolkien estate.

      Screw there official permission.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    3. Re:For the Community by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1
      I have my doubts that a statue and a museum devoted to the props from a single movie, no matter how popular that movie was at the time it was released, could be that much of a draw. Movie props just aren't that interesting. They couldn't, for example, make Planet Hollywood profitable.

      In any event, if the movies themselves didn't create enough of a draw to NZ for all its beautiful and amazingly varied landscape, a museum isn't going to do a whole lot more IMO.

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
    4. Re:For the Community by Petronius · · Score: 1

      As long as the taxes collected are properly appropriated, which remains to be seen. This museum sounds a little silly to me.

      --
      there's no place like ~
    5. Re:For the Community by gr0ngb0t · · Score: 1

      Planet Hollywood was a complete joke though - the props in the one PH I would pass by in Sydney were shite... LOTR props though would be cool to check out close up... but hey - maybe that's just me, but I'm sure there's others that would agree with me on this.

      The movies have helped with tourism (there's more stories on this, but im not gonna look for them for you) so I'd say that a museum would help to complete the LOTR experience that the people who are going on the tours have. I know I'd go back to check out the props, as well as checking out parts of NZ I haven't seen yet...

    6. Re:For the Community by redink1 · · Score: 4, Interesting
      I have my doubts that a statue and a museum devoted to the props from a single movie, no matter how popular that movie was at the time it was released, could be that much of a draw.

      I would be forced to agree with you with nearly any movie (or series of movies) such as The Matrix, Star Wars, Titanic, and what not... but not The Lord of the Rings.

      If you happened to catch the extra features on the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring (and to a lesser extent The Two Towers), you'd see that they made literally tens of thousands of swords, pieces of armor, costumes, helmets, everything. Heck, every dang mug from the Prancing Pony was custom made.

      And then there are the Uber Cool 'Bigatures', like the two towers, the Black Gate, and others, not to mention the various sculptures of Gollum and Treebeard.

      Weta Workshop's work is utterly amazing, and if I had any reason to go near New Zealand or Australia, I'd definately stop at that museum.

    7. Re:For the Community by IshanCaspian · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The guy's a filmmaker giving the equivalent of a giant thank-you card, not a civil servant.

      --

      But there is another kind of evil that we must fear most... and that is the indifference of good men.
    8. Re:For the Community by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      Planet Hollywood failed because there were too damned many of them!

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    9. Re:For the Community by monkeyfinger · · Score: 1
      I have my doubts that a statue and a museum devoted to the props from a single movie, no matter how popular that movie was at the time it was released, could be that much of a draw.

      You'd be surprised. I'm a blacksmith and I was fascinated by the armour and weapons in the films. I have a lot of artist friends who are very impressed with the incredible work and attention to detail that went into every aspect of the films.

      I'm not saying that I would go all the way to new zealand just for the museum, but it would definitely be an added incentive to go there.

    10. Re:For the Community by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd have to disagree. While it will not be an international tourist destination, it will probably have its draw. Star Trek has a museum in Las Vegas and if trekkies would go to Las Vegas for a Star Trek experience, I can see people going to Wellington to see a Tolkien Museum.

      As for doing stuff for the community, they already have done a lot since most of the work, equipment, and production people come from New Zealand. All they want to do, is give something more permanent to the people. Besides, they have all these props which did cost a fortune, why not put it to good use?

    11. Re:For the Community by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The amount of free (?) publicity it gives New Zealand, a beautiful yet small and remote country, is in itself worth the money they've given with the 265 million $ (NZ currency). Tourism is one of the main industries over there and more visitors only spells good for them. Statues may be a bit over the top but the LOTS trilogy is definitely a good thing for N-Z.

    12. Re:For the Community by RedWizzard · · Score: 1

      He already bought in hundreds of millions of dollars directly with the movies and probably billions in tourist revenue over the next 20 years. Don't think he's done his bit?

    13. Re:For the Community by james_orr · · Score: 1

      I agree. I doubt the museum itself would draw people to New Zealand, but let's face it ... the movie has put New Zealand on the map as a tourist destination, and while you are there this museum will attract people.

      My mother visited Malta several years after "Popeye" was filmed there, and the sets which still stood were major attractions.

      Additionally, they could set up a traveling exhibit. I know the travelling Star Trek exhibits are very successfull.

    14. Re:For the Community by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1

      Oh, absolutely. But he's the one saying he wants to "do something for the community." To blame the Tolkien estate for him not being able to do so is... well, I'll be polite and call it disingenuous.

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
    15. Re:For the Community by RedWizzard · · Score: 1

      I think he's talking about the fan community and probably also the very large number of New Zealanders who had some involvement with making the films. I don't think he means the general community in this case.

    16. Re:For the Community by CGP314 · · Score: 1

      Right now in London the British Science Museum is has a LOTR exhibit full of all the stuff from the movies. Trust me, this could be a permanent show, and people would keep coming for many, many years. But it's only here until Jan. After that, I hear it's moving to Boston for a few months.

    17. Re:For the Community by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1

      He didn't say this, and it was a quote in a general-interest publication. While he may yet have meant it in the sense you say, I don't think it's the most obvious construction to put on it.

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
  21. Freaking goatse again by JonnyRo88 · · Score: 1

    Please dont pollute this conversation with that crap.

    --
    The Ro Factor - Jeep/Linux Weblog
  22. the Hobbit will be better than LOTR by myc · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think the Hobbit, in a screenplay more true to the original book, will work better on film than LoTR, because it's a far shorter and more self-contained story that will translate to the big screeen more effectively. It's not as deep as LoTR, and will appeal to children. Because it has the potential to be more true to the books, the diehards will be happy, and new fans will also enjoy the simpler storyline.

    Remember the animated version? It was really goood! I'd imagine that a live action version, using WETA's technology, could potentially be even better.

    --
    NO CARRIER
    1. Re:the Hobbit will be better than LOTR by geekoid · · Score: 1

      " It's not as deep as LoTR, and will appeal to children."

      those words, spoken to the right people, will cause it to become a pice of crap. Because 'it's just a kids story".

      "Remember the animated version? It was really goood! "
      Yes, but apparently you do not..

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:the Hobbit will be better than LOTR by myc · · Score: 1

      oh, stop being so pessimistic :) if Peter Jackson and WETA et al. did the Hobbit, I'd give 80-20 odds that it'll turn out better than expected, given their track record so far. Kids' movies can be done well! Like you say, they can be done like crap, too, it all depends on who makes the film.

      --
      NO CARRIER
  23. So what would Episodes 2 and 3 be? by tepples · · Score: 1

    Prequel talks? Where have I heard this before... But in this case, what stories would fill the gap between the end of The Hobbit and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings to fill two more movies?

  24. Meh by planetoid · · Score: 1

    As much as I like his fantastic work in the Lords of the Rings, I hope if he does the Hobbit, that afterwards he returns to his roots as a director of unusual yet funny and sometimes original horror movies. Dead Alive will always be among my top ten favorite films.

    --
    Slashdot requires you to wait longer between hitting 'reply' and submitting a comment.
    1. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just as long as he doesn't go back to editing Personal Computer World. Back in the mid-eighties he turned what was a perfect magazine for the types that read this website into a boring business-PC based pile of whatsit. By the time Derek Cohen took over, it was too late.

    2. Re:Meh by bludger · · Score: 1

      I first saw this in Australia, where it was released as "Braindead". Great film. Check out the reviews at imdb.com

    3. Re:Meh by beowulfcluster · · Score: 1

      I want to see a remake of Meet The Feebles. Imagine what that movie could be with the special effects available to him now. The war scenes the drugged up crocodile flashbacks to could be incredible. Not to mention the sex scene between the cat and the walrus. Hubba hubba hopp!

      *cough*

  25. Wait by The+Goobla · · Score: 1

    Weta seems to be spreading themselves pretty thin... it makes me worry about the effects for Live Action Evangelion even more so...

    *please don't look like power rangers, please don't look like power rangers...*

    1. Re:Wait by mabhatter654 · · Score: 1

      That'd be a waste..."real girls" just don't live up to anime standards. There just isn't a good actress to play Rei or Asuka. They'd have to make all the characters "older" and cut key scenes just to make it "legal" to screen at less than NC17 [the nudity IS neccessary to the story, you can't cut it without loosing something]...It's too loaded to make any money here in the US. Also, they'd have to give the movie a real ending...the director "trashed" it due to PHBs cutting him off just like Farscape...trying to finish it just ends up lame...sad but true.

    2. Re:Wait by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the nudity IS neccessary to the story

      See? I always say the same thing to my friends in the cinema. But they stare at me like if I was demented or something.

  26. Re:lord of the rings rules and i love jackson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_545271.html?m enu=news.latestheadlines

  27. A good launching for Jar-Jaromir by downix · · Score: 4, Funny

    The fabled new character from Return of the King would be an ideal inclusion on this new Hobbit movie. 8)

    --
    Karma Whoring for Fun and Profit.
    1. Re:A good launching for Jar-Jaromir by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is so FUCKING WRONG. I must now gouge my own eyes out for having witnessed that blasphemy.

    2. Re:A good launching for Jar-Jaromir by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      This is a little off-topic, but having just seen Matrix: Revolutions for the first time last night, I almost got physically violent during some of the scenes with that dumb kid who reloads the ammo and eventually "believes in himself" enough to open the damn gate.

      I hereby nominate him for the Jar Jar Award of Personal Excellence.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    3. Re:A good launching for Jar-Jaromir by Cackmobile · · Score: 1

      yee god....that was a terrible movie. didn't think it could get worse than reloaded. The one good point was that it had less crapping on about bullshite and more action. Still don't understand why they can have all this wicked technology but still not know how to mend the holes in their shirts.

      --
      -- Karma Karma Karma Karma, Karma Chameleon - Boy George
  28. Ridiculous corporate welfare! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and the $NZ300 million ($265 million) tax break they gave the producers

    Is this a real number? The movies cost next to nothing after tax if it's true.

    1. Re:Ridiculous corporate welfare! by JonKatzIsAnIdiot · · Score: 1

      Try thinking a little deeper. A tax break is not money given to a company, it is a government saying 'OK, if you do this, then we won't demand cash from you'. In this case, this involved moving a small army of workers, technicians and actors there for three years, hiring a pile of local people (all who paid more income taxes), spending who-knows-how-much for local materials, and a host of other economic spinoffs. It's like if a movie company wanted to use your backyard rent-free, but you could sell hotdogs and lemonade to the crew all afternoon. Of course, your wife might nag you for letting all those people trample your yard without paying rent, but she'd be incredibly shortsighted to do so.

    2. Re:Ridiculous corporate welfare! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Try thinking a little deeper. A tax break is not money given to a company, it is a government saying 'OK, if you do this, then we won't demand cash from you'. In this case, this involved moving a small army of workers, technicians and actors there for three years, hiring a pile of local people (all who paid more income taxes), spending who-knows-how-much for local materials, and a host of other economic spinoffs. It's like if a movie company wanted to use your backyard rent-free, but you could sell hotdogs and lemonade to the crew all afternoon. Of course, your wife might nag you for letting all those people trample your yard without paying rent, but she'd be incredibly shortsighted to do so.

      According to the article, the producers got a AU$265 million tax break and spent AU$415 million making the movie (which wasn't all spent in NZ). That's quite a bit.

      I am well aware of the stimulus of low taxes on the economy. Look at Hong Kong. But it's hard to justify these exemptions to all the regular businesses that pay high taxes. If low taxes are good, lower them across the board.

    3. Re:Ridiculous corporate welfare! by LaCosaNostradamus · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You need to deepen your thinking a bit, too, temporally at least.

      There is a growing trend to exempt corporations from all taxes, either directly or indirectly. (Enron, as a famous example, had a net government income from all its tax schemes ... which means real taxpayers were paying into it, and we all know what came of that.) This breaks the social contract of taxation and implicitly creates a ruling class, which has 99% the rights of our civilization but 1% of the responsibilities.

      Corporations have had enough loopholes during the 20th Century to whittle down taxation enough. What's happening now is tax-abatement-whoring -- based upon a desperate and consuming greed that doesn't have the word "enough" in its volcabulary -- that is well on the way to ultimately collapse the so-called "civilized world". The end product will be a form of government by corporate fealty, letting millions starve and freeze out of their supposed civilization, while bribed groups of "enforcement officers" kill and kill like something out of a William Gibson novel.

      Many people claim that this won't happen, but these claims are performed as an act of willful ignorance, and are squawks of desperation. Like the flat-Earth majority of ages past, they are wrong. Corporations are blackmailing municipalities left and right by the sheer mobility of their capital assets. This is producing further concentration of wealth which furthers the process of raping the social prosperity.

      To nearly sum up this with an anecdote: a local property developer in Toledo OH was whining to the press that his application for a tax abatement was refused by the city council. He said something like "why is the council opposing this?". This illustrates current business thinking, in which welfare is so expected that not granting it is seen as stopping the process of business investment. But the process is only being stopped by the developer's reluctance to invest his money, which is an act of a dangerous elitist that America supposedly dispensed with 2 centuries ago.

      In conclusion, I leave you with a paraphrased quote that my memory is unable to attribute at this time: "What people don't realize is that corporations are equally at risk to moral decay in the face of corporate welfare, as the poor are in the face of individual welfare."

      --
      [You have a stable society when some nut guns down a schoolyard and the law doesn't change.]
  29. Leonard Nimoy to write songs for the movie? by Anteros · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe they could get Leonard Nimoy to pen the songs for the Hobbit movie.

    He could use this as his resume for the job:
    http://homepage.mac.com/evanbaumgardner/iMovieThea ter6.html

    1. Re:Leonard Nimoy to write songs for the movie? by nEoN+nOoDlE · · Score: 1

      Holy God, how did you ever find that link? I bet you've been waiting months for the perfect slashdot story to unleash it.

      Seriously the funniest thing I've seen in weeks.

      --
      Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
  30. Go Jackson! by supersam · · Score: 2, Insightful

    While LoTR basically is a good versus evil story wrapped in adventure, The Hobbit is an out and out adventure story. It would look wonderful on the big screen.

    And it would give a chance for Peter Jackson to prove that prequels (though Hobbit isn't exactly a prequel to LoTR) to hugely popular trilogies can work!! *Star Wars... hint hint*

    And ohh, I'd much rather see The Hobbit than King Kong.

    1. Re:Go Jackson! by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      hugely popular trilogies

      Being someone who saw Star Wars in the theatre in 1977 and who has avoided all the derivative work for years because of the way it's obviously been corrupted by a one-hit hack director, I couldn't make the comparison well.

      I saw the first Jackson adaptation of Tolkein. It was pretty good, though obviously weaker than the original. My brain renders graphics from 'source code' far better than some cluster of computers can.

  31. Peter Jackson. A different remake idea. by zymano · · Score: 1

    How about Dragonslayer ?

    That movie is one of the best mythical/wizardry movies .

    Doesn't it deserve a remake ?

    I think we are all a bit hobbited out.

  32. 2 hour chunk? by orthancstone · · Score: 1

    I'd take a safe guess at the moment and say that they'd have a hard time cramming it into 3 hours...

  33. Hobbit by shione · · Score: 1

    If he does get to make the Hobbit I wonder who'll play the young Bilbo Baggins. Elijiah Woods would be a nice contender and the guy who played Bilbo in LOTR should have at least one part. :)

    1. Re:Hobbit by smart.id · · Score: 1

      Excellent idea. We should have the same actor (Wood, not Woods) who plays Frodo in the Lord of the Rings series to play Bilbo in the Hobbit, directed by the same director. Not to mention Elijah Wood is getting older, while this story features a younger character. Where in the world did you get this idea?

      --
      blog & fiction: jd87
    2. Re:Hobbit by CrystalChronicles · · Score: 1

      Bilbo is 50 in the Hobbit. Elijah does NOT play a 50 year old hobbit in the Lord of the Rings.

    3. Re:Hobbit by vidarh · · Score: 1
      From enclopedia of Arda: "To cover his departure, Frodo sold Bag End to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, and bought a small house at Crickhollow in Buckland, the region where he had been brought up. He departed from Hobbiton with Peregrin Took and Sam Gamgee on 23 September 3018, the day after his fiftieth birthday."

      So unless they're wrong (I'm far from any copy of the book at the moment), Elijah did indeed play a 50 year old hobbit in LoTR (though he would've been in his 30's at the time of the great party).

    4. Re:Hobbit by cmpalmer · · Score: 1

      Frodo was 33 when Bilbo was 111 at the birthday party in Fellowship. In the book, Frodo lived at Bag End with the Ring for 17 years before leaving for Rivendell while Gandalf wandered around ME looking for evidence that it was the One Ring.

      This worked fine in the book, but Jackson decided, for dramatic purposes, to step up the pace and the threat of the Ring and have Frodo leave soon after the party, so he is 33 in the films (which is the age of maturity for a hobbit, so he would appear to be about 21).

      I didn't have a problem with this change (I *like* the movies quite a bit). The only thing that it messed up for me is that, in the films, Saruman apparently went over to the dark side, dug huge dungeons under Isengard, bred an army of orcs, and destroyed the gardens and forests in the time it took the hobbits to go from Bag End to Rivendell (a month?) instead of the years it apparently took in the books.

      --
      -- stream of did I lock the front door consciousness
    5. Re:Hobbit by Narsindal · · Score: 1

      Why would you have Bilbo played by someone that everyone recognizes as Frodo? Why not have Ian Holm play Bilbo again? He was made to look older in FotR and can be made to look younger. And wasn't Bilbo quite a bit older for his adventure than Frodo was for his?

      Continue the tradition of having Ian Holm in it anyway. He was Frodo in the original BBC recordings and everyone KNOWS he's Bilbo now.

  34. A Euphemism and an Alliteration by donutello · · Score: 1

    My English teacher is doing backflips as we speak.

    And all of you who haven't had a class where you have to dissect a poem, reading all kinds of meanings into it and identifying figures of speech that the author probably never even intended, can buzz off.

    --
    Mmmm.. Donuts
    1. Re:A Euphemism and an Alliteration by rolocroz · · Score: 2, Informative

      No, this is a euphemism.

      --

      I meta-mod all positive moderation Unfair, because it's abuse of the system.

    2. Re:A Euphemism and an Alliteration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you talking about allusion? Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound. Good luck on your midterm.

    3. Re:A Euphemism and an Alliteration by Hooded+One · · Score: 1

      Last I checked, "H" and "H" made the same consonant sound.

    4. Re:A Euphemism and an Alliteration by Fishstick · · Score: 1

      wee, thanks for that!

      my fav...

      Zygote spraying

      --

      There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
      Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.

  35. Tolkien Sets by shione · · Score: 1, Troll


    FOTR SE
    FOTR extended edition
    FOTR deluxe setwith staturettes
    TTT SE
    TTT extended edition
    TTT deluxe set with statues
    ROTK SE
    ROTK collectors edition
    ROTK extended set with staturettes
    The Complete LOTR SE
    The Complete LOTR extended edition
    The Complete LOTR deluxe set with statue
    The Hobbit SE
    The Hobbit extended edition
    The Hobbit deluxe set with statue
    Tolkien Super Duper, Special, Deluxe, Ultra Collectors, Type R edition

    How many years should I add before I can get the complete works? :p

    1. Re:Tolkien Sets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      so when does

      GOAT SE

      get released?

    2. Re:Tolkien Sets by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      I just have the four paperback copies that I read in the early 70's.

    3. Re:Tolkien Sets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's a funny comment, sure... but who moderated it "insightful?"

      Complaining about possible future box sets would be insightful
      a) there's some clue that these movies will be re-released to video in a form that's preferable to what's already been released
      b) the existing DVD releases weren't well-publicized up-front, with editions tailored to the casual Tolkien viewer and to the Tolkien enthusiast.

      The only minor quibble that I might entertain regarding New Line's DVD release approach is the fact that the enthusiast release does not also contain the theatrical cut. However, given the cheap pricing of the theatrical cut DVDs as well as the fact that one doesn't need to wait for completed production on the enthusiast release, I have no problem dismissing this wish.

      Whoever moderated that comment "insightful" is blaming one director/studio for the sins of another director/studio.

    4. Re:Tolkien Sets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Reminds me of this trailer for the lotr trilogy

      http://www.modernhumorist.com/mh/0101/rings/high .f m

      fellowship of the ring - xmas 2001
      the two towers - xmas 2002
      the third one - xmas 2003
      lotr episode I: the hobbit - xmas 2005
      fellowship of the ring SE - xmas 2006
      book of lost tales - xmas 2007
      and so forth...

  36. Not all kids do it that way.... by plsander · · Score: 2, Interesting

    My son could not stand waiting for two years to see the end of the tale after seeing the Two Towers that he started reading the books.

    Even though we have the DVDs.

    Maybe my answering his numerous pleas to tell him what happens next with "You'll have to read the book." and sticking to it after The Fellowship of the Ring had something to do with that.

    When we got the DVD of TT, he proudly pointed out all the spots where the movie deviated from the book. I may have to bring duct tape with me to the Return of the King to keep him quiet.

    1. Re:Not all kids do it that way.... by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      I think this is the great thing about movie adaptations. One can read the book with an aim to see how closely the movie adaptation was. It provides a nice frame of reference.

      Someday I will get around to reading "The Vampire Lestat" and "Queen of the Dammed". My friends told me it was butchery of the highest order. But see I'm interested in it now.

      Think of the movie as a preview to the book. It sells someone on reading the material and getting ALL the details. I'm sure that the Harry Potter movies have only increased readership in the books. I've read (I'm 32) books 3-4 because I wanted to see what happens to Harry afterward (Order of the Phoenix was LONG!!!!). I'll probably read one and two eventually. Most likely, I'll re-read Prisoner of Azkaban before seeing the movie in the spring.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
  37. i Arriba ! by Angram · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Gandalf is not a man -- he is istari, an immortal Maya"

    I didn't realize that wizards were from Mexico.



    (...It's Maia.)

    --

    GL
    1. Re:i Arriba ! by Mr_Icon · · Score: 1

      Oh yeah? You wanna fight, geek boy? :)

      "Maia" is just approximation from Quenya (High Elvish) into common, so as long as it's phonetically pronounced the same, both spelling variants are just as correct. :p

      Oh, fine, fine, I concede, I misspelled it. :)

      --
      If you open yourself to the foo, You and foo become one.
    2. Re:i Arriba ! by pogle · · Score: 1

      LOL. I used to say the same kinda thing about various transliterations of Russian Cyrillic to English when I misspelled :)

      --
      http://thechubbyferret.net - Ferret pictures and informative links.
    3. Re:i Arriba ! by soccerisgod · · Score: 1

      Also u forgot to mention his real name, Olorin. And that he is the wisest of the Maia. And that he used to live in the woods of Lorien in Valinor, the dwellings of the Vala Irmo.

      Did I pass the test? Can I go west now? :o

      --
      If a train station is a place where a train stops, what's a workstation?
    4. Re:i Arriba ! by ameoba · · Score: 1

      Now that Arnold's govenor of California, do you -really- want to go west?

      --
      my sig's at the bottom of the page.
    5. Re:i Arriba ! by higuita · · Score: 1


      actually the Maias were from the south america, like the Incas...

      Maybe you are thinking in the Astecs 8)

      --
      Higuita
    6. Re:i Arriba ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I didn't realise that wizards were software either???? but that just leaves me open for flames....

      sorry guys.

  38. Bring on Leonard Nimoy by desideria · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bring on Leonard Nimoy to do the theme song; or better yet, we could get Wil Wheaton to do a hip modern cover of the ballad of Bilbo Baggins. CleverNickName, are you up to the challenge?

    - Cath

  39. 'nother angle... by Dirk+Pitt · · Score: 1
    I think he was just talking about the voluminous, boring nature of The Silmarillion.

    I don't know if other Christian religions do this, but on Christmas Eve at the Catholic church I went to when I was a kid, they used read this llooonnnnggggggg passage that is one solid, multipage sentence describing Christ's lineage. Without a doubt, that homily is what's waiting for me if there's a hell. When I read the 1st page of Silarmillion, it reminded me of this. I threw the book down and ran out of the room shrieking like a little girl.

    1. Re:'nother angle... by daeley · · Score: 3, Funny

      threw the book down and ran out of the room shrieking like a little girl.

      As long as you shrieked in Quenya, you have nothing to be ashamed of. ;)

      --
      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
    2. Re:'nother angle... by nihilogos · · Score: 1

      Heh. The Middle Earth Pantheon certainly doesn't lack in complexity. I've never counted the number of Valar and Maia introduced in the first chapter, and am not likely to unless I am stuck on a desert island with nothing but the Silmarillion and Liv Tyler begging me to count them for her. The only bit I paid much attention to was lineage of Sauron and Gandalf, everything else you can look up in the appendix if necessary.

      However, the rest of the book is nothing like that at all. It's a collection of mythological epics, all of which I found quite enthralling. The story of Turin and Niniel is a beautiful tragedy.

      So anyway, I just wanted to say that I didn't find the book boring or voluminous.

      --
      :wq
    3. Re:'nother angle... by holt · · Score: 1

      Liv Tyler isn't even that hot. Miranda Otto, though... she's smokin'.

    4. Re:'nother angle... by LrdCasimir · · Score: 1

      Hear hear! Nothing like a little incest to liven up a modern myth. Might not make as compelling of a movie series however. I enjoyed the Silmarillion, but I also enjoy reading history textbooks.

    5. Re:'nother angle... by ckaminski · · Score: 1

      No shit!!! Thank you... thank you, one other human understands this great truth...

      Liv Tyler is a stony, wooden, talentless actress, given the part only because she's got a decent tit. Notice that gratuitous breast shot in TTT in that white satiny thing? Sums up her involvement.

      Now Miranda Otto. Expressive, emotionally deep, talented artist... More Miranda, less Liv.

      Lord of the Rings could stand without Arwen. Lord of the Rings would fail without Eowyn...

      Thank you. HAND

    6. Re:'nother angle... by nihilogos · · Score: 1

      You have chosen the morning, I the evening.

      Bah. I've got to get a life.

      --
      :wq
  40. Yeah, let's see how he "adapts" the Hobbit by rdean400 · · Score: 0, Troll

    After the first two LOTR movies, I've lost any hope that anything Jackson does will bear more than a vague resemblance (characters and overall plot). Seeing how the Saruman character is going to be left unresolved, I wonder if something significant from Hobbit will go, like maybe Bilbo finding the Ring.

    1. Re:Yeah, let's see how he "adapts" the Hobbit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Watch the beginning of ROTK for what happens to Saruman.

  41. Christopher Tolkein by Eglerion · · Score: 0, Troll

    Christopher Tolkien died last year, that information must be inaccurate about his executing the estate still.

    1. Re:Christopher Tolkein by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was Christopher Walken you dumbass.

      Get a clue!

    2. Re:Christopher Tolkein by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    3. Re:Christopher Tolkein by Cackmobile · · Score: 1

      about to say. I didn't here about that. Thank fark. I love Walken!!

      --
      -- Karma Karma Karma Karma, Karma Chameleon - Boy George
  42. Splittage? by Reteo+Varala · · Score: 1

    I wonder if they would try to split the Hobbit into a movie trilogy, simply as a way to be closer to the story in question... I'm still disappointed in the lack of one particular singing being in the LotR...

  43. Oh yeah and by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    And so at last they all came to the Last Homely House, and found its doors flung wide.

    ...

    Elrond knew all about runes of every kind. That day he looked at the swords they had brought from the trolls' lair, and he said: "These are not troll-make. They are old swords, very old swords of the High Elves of the West, my kin. They were made in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars. They must have come from a dragon's hoard or goblin plunder, for dragons and goblins destroyed that city many ages ago. This, Thorin, the runes name Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin; it was a famous blade. This, Gandalf, was Glamdring, Foe-hammer that the king of Gondolin once wore. Keep them well!"

    I believe Elrond is the only elf with a speaking part aside from taunts and crappy songs which were made utterly wretched in a certain animated feature. Not that they were any good to begin with.

    Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of Middle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards. None knew at that time whence they were, save Crdan of the Havens, and only to Elrond and to Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea. But afterwards it was said among the Elves that they were messengers sent by the Lords of the West to contest the power of Sauron, if he should arise again, and to move Elves and Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds. In the likeness of Men they appeared, old but vigorous, and they changed little with the years, and aged but slowly, though great cares lay on them; great wisdom they had, and many powers of mind and hand. Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds; and the peoples of Middle-earth gave to them many names, for their true names they did not reveal. Chief among them were those whom the Elves called Mithrandir and Curunr, but Men in the North named Gandalf and Saruman. Of these Curunr was the eldest and came first, and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast, and others of the Istari who went into the east of Middle-earth, and do not come into these tales. Radagast was the friend of all beasts and birds; but Curunr went most among Men, and he was subtle in speech and skilled in all the devices of smith-craft. Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves. He wandered far in the North and West and made never in any land any lasting abode; but Curunr journeyed into the East, and when he returned he dwelt at Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard, which the Nmen(R)reans made in the days of their power.

    I here quote The Hobbit and The Silmarillion. I've purchased all of these books twice, except the silmarillion, I have a fairly elderly paperback of that one :) I used to have some older paperbacks of lotr too but I read them into oblivion. These days I drive so I can have hardcovers, but back then I was rollin' with chevrolegs or in good years, a fucked over bicycle. Paperbacks only last so long in pockets.

    As my previous comment indicates, Bilbo has not perceptibly aged. Gandalf has lived through many lives of men and has always looked old, fifty years is nothing. There are at least two actors who can swing right back into action. There is the subject of Elrond, which brings us back to the Silmarillion.

    But Ilivatar knew that Men, being set amid the turmoils of the powers of the world, would stray often, and would not use their gifts in harmony; and he said: ''These too in their time shall find that all that they do redounds at the end only to the glory of my work.' Yet the Elves believe that Men are often a grief to ManwY, who knows most of the mind of Ilivatar; for it seems to the Elves that Men resemble Melkor most of all the Ainur, although he has ever feared and hated them, even those that served him.

    It is one with this gift of freedom that the children of Men dwell only

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Oh yeah and by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      King of the Wood Elves is Thranduil, Legolas' father, from what I could work out.

    2. Re:Oh yeah and by stanmann · · Score: 1

      Well since Elrond hadn't changed since the first war of the ring... why should he look different 50 years before the second one...

      --
      Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
    3. Re:Oh yeah and by jeffasselin · · Score: 1

      Whereas Elrond and his household are Noldor, wise (literally, Noldor means "wise") elves who lived with the Valar in the west under the light of the trees, as is Galadriel, leader of Lorien, Thranduil is a Sindar, who although of the Eldar (those who undertook the journey to Aman) he never went into the west, and his people are silvan elves, who are less wise than even the Sindar. Note that Celeborn and him are cousin, but Tolkien never really put down clearly wether Celeborn was Teleri or Sindar.

      Thranduil built his kingdom because of his memory of Menegroth, Thingol's underground marvel, out of a certain envy of the wealth of the Noldor, and his greed is not that unexplainable.

      IOW, there are Elves and there are Elves, do not believe they're all the same.

      --
      If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.
  44. The greatest music video ever by drfindley · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I won't watch it unless this great video is on there: http://www.game-revolution.com/download/goodies/bi lbo.htm After you see it you'll understand!

  45. The Hobbit!? Sounds good, but by teamhasnoi · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for Jackson to do The Silmarillion.

  46. Let Tolkein's estate know... by indros13 · · Score: 2, Informative
    ...how much you'd like to see Peter Jackson direct The Hobbit in film. Better him than anyone else!


    Tolkien Estate
    Cathleen Blackburn
    Manches & co.,
    3 Worcester Street,
    OXFORD,
    United Kingdom.
    OX1 2PZ

    --
    Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
    1. Re:Let Tolkein's estate know... by nagora · · Score: 0, Troll
      Better him than anyone else!

      No: better anyone else than him. Dear GOD, hasn't Tolkien suffered enough at this hack's hands?

      By all means get everyone else from LotR involved: set design, cinematographers, score writers, but please, please, please dump Jackson and his crappy, rent-a-moron script changes.

      TWW

      --
      "Encyclopedia" is to "Wikipedia" what "Library" is to "Some people at a bus stop"
    2. Re:Let Tolkein's estate know... by betsywetsy · · Score: 1

      I didn't really like the set design, Agent Smith, Richard III, Gimli, Frodo, Pippin, Sam, or Merry.
      Better without the lot of them, I say.

    3. Re:Let Tolkein's estate know... by LuckyStarr · · Score: 1

      If there were no script-changes the movies would suck. Tolkien wrote LOTR for himself and not for an audience. LOTR has many extremely lengthy and wearisome passages.

      Just imagine a 1:1 adaptation of the Council Of Elrond. Half the audience would leave the cinema or go to sleep.

      You may be offended by script-changes though, if you identify yourself with a changed character, who knows.

      --
      Meme of the day: I browse "Disable Sigs: Checked". So should you.
    4. Re:Let Tolkein's estate know... by mill · · Score: 1

      The script doesn't have to be copied verbatim from the book. That doesn't mean one needs to add new things or change things entirely.

      There are things in the book I find boring and some even downright silly (counting kills when you are in very much danger of being slaughtered?!). None of these things require that one needs to add a Warg scene or any other prolonged fighting scene.

      My issue with the movies are that they completely disregard character development and instead focus on fast-paced action disrupted with beautiful scenery and sometimes teary-eyed stroke polluted close-ups.

      There is no need to make these changes when there is plenty of action to be visualized. Sitting around a campfire and just talking or singing one of the songs would be IMO a welcome constrast to all the fighting.

      I found the book to be a lot more about the journey and what it did to its partakers than it was about winning fights. This also allows a director a lot of leeway on how to visualize the actual fights, so there is no need to invent new fights.

  47. You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by Neo-Rio-101 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall.
    to the east there is the round green door.
    you see:
    the wooden chest.
    Gandalf. Gandalf is carrying
    a curious map.
    Thorin.
    Gandalf gives the curious map to you.
    Thorin says " Hurry up "

    > HIT THORIN

    You attack Thorin.
    But the effort is wasted. His defense is too strong.
    Thorin attacks you.
    With one well place blow Thorin cleaves your skull.
    You are dead.
    You have mastered 0.0% of this adventure.

    --
    READY.
    PRINT ""+-0
    1. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by Haeleth · · Score: 1

      Wow. Someone else remembers the Second Worst Book-To-Game Conversion Ever. Sudden death awaiting round every corner. Quite a nice parser, though.

      (The worst? Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That one always killed me with a flying brick before I could even get away from the house. And to think it was meant to be fun...)

    2. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy wasn't that bad.

      You just had to get your toothbrush out from under the bed first, or some such. I distinctly remember going down in flames (every time) while being forced to listen to really bad Vogon poetry with a babel fish stuck in my ear.

    3. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by Pelorat · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Maybe if you'd just laid down in front of the bulldozer you'd have been alright.

    4. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nooooo the correct command is.....

      > FART

    5. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by majello · · Score: 1

      Wow. I can distinctly remember this one. It even had graphics on my speccy. Somehow I did now mind looking at crude vector graphics being visibly flood-filled at the time. the thing with the river the rope and the boat was actually the only part i did not manage right away. and finding the one ring in the valleys of the misty mountains.

      I miss the rubber keys. *sniff*

      Seems like I've been on computers for too long, if you can count the spectrum as a computer.

      Ob on topic: a movie based on the little hobbit would need to be distinctly different to the LOTR movies we are seeing now. I think the tone and style of the book is different enough to not even warrant a comparison to the opening of FOTR, even if the place is the same. just think of the trolls in the cave.

      May your shadow never grow less, or stealing would be too easy.

      Majello

      --
      This opinion is mine, you can't have it.
    6. Re:You are in a comfortable tunnel like hall by DLWormwood · · Score: 1
      (The worst? Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That one always killed me with a flying brick before I could even get away from the house. And to think it was meant to be fun...)

      Maybe if you'd just laid down in front of the bulldozer you'd have been alright.

      I think that was part of the problem with the Infocom game; it was practically a necessity to have read the novels beforehand to solve many of the early puzzles. I never did figure out how to solve that whole "tea and no tea" puzzle on my own.

      --
      Those who complain about affect & effect on /. should be disemvoweled
  48. King Kong Bomb by Simonetta · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Director Peter Jackson has been given $400 million US to remake the classic movie 'King Kong'. Excuse me, but this is insane...

    The remake is being done on the strength of Mr. Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, which has sold (or will have sold in a few months time) over a billion dollars US in box office tickets after costing roughly $200 million to make and promote worldwide. Impressive, yes.
    The Lord of the Rings is a dense multi-volume fully realized fantasy that has offered a rich complex story and hundreds of opportunities for using state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery to complement the plot into a strong, enveloping film fantasy.
    But $400 million for King Kong?!? This is a flimsy plot about a giant ape who develops an obsession about a tiny blonde human woman pet. (Hollywood metaphor anyone?). Big monkey lives on a distant island; whites come; they capture him (somehow); they take him to New York, he flips out, smashes up some shti, climbs a building, and gets shot down. Duh, end of story.
    How is this worth making into a $400 million movie? Or, rather, how is $400 million going to make a better movie than the original or the 1978 Jessica Lange remake? More computer graphic imagery? Of what? A big monkey smashing things in NYC? Didn't we see all that already in the remake of Godzilla? You remember that... The remake of Godzilla that cost $80 million and lost most of it because it was stupid and a completely unnecessary film? How are you going to cover a $400 million investment on a big monkey film?
    I haven't seen the new Peter Jackson 'King Kong'. Hell, it hasn't even been made. In fact, the producers are wracking their pointed little heads trying to think of some new angle that will get 45 million people to pay $10 each just to cover the pre-production cost ($400 million film and $50 million in publicity).

    But I just know it's a bomb. It's the 'Gigli' of Summer 2006. And it's going to take a studio or two down with it.

    This isn't a troll, it's a tragedy...

    Thank you kindly,

    1. Re:King Kong Bomb by Uma+Thurman · · Score: 5, Funny

      They are making it because Hollywood has turned introspective, looking at itself for plots. They're obviously on a 100 year cycle, and are starting the second iteration. Every 100 years is going to be just like the last 100 years, but updated. If you are lucky, improved medicine will let you stand in line in the year 2077 to see a cool little movie about a guy in a galaxy far, far away. Except, you'll smell the wookie.

      --
      This is America, damnit. Speak Spanish!
    2. Re:King Kong Bomb by Sivaram_Velauthapill · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I didn't know King Kong was costing $400m. That is a lot. Only a few films break the $400m mark and King Kong isn't going to be one of them.

      Sivaram Velauthapillai

      --
      Sivaram Velauthapillai
      Seeking the meaning of life... @slashdot of all places ;)
    3. Re:King Kong Bomb by RedWizzard · · Score: 1

      Where did you get the $400M figure? Sounds like it was probably not US dollars.

    4. Re:King Kong Bomb by BJH · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Are you sure that's not $400 million New Zealand dollars? (That's about $US200 million.)

    5. Re:King Kong Bomb by Simonetta · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm afraid that you've caught me on this. I don't remember the source. I definitely remember reading it and being just stunned.

      It very likely could have been Variety magazine within the past two months.

      Of course, if this film actually does get made, the production may be reduced to realistic levels that can generate a profit. But in the present Hollywood climate, it doesn't seem likely.

      I had dismissed the King Kong remake rumor as Hollywood vaporware until I saw the reference to it in the article that generated this Slashdot topic. Now it seems quite possibly true.

      If so then I think that Hollywood in 2003 is in the same position that the Dot-Com industry was in 1998. Obsessed with bigger and bigger projects that in the light of day stand no real chance of ever being profitable. And having each success encourage a wilder grander more expensive project.

      Sort of like a gambler doubling his bet on each successful roll of the dice.

    6. Re:King Kong Bomb by Red+Pointy+Tail · · Score: 3, Funny

      ...who develops an obsession about a tiny blonde human woman pet. (Hollywood metaphor anyone?).

      Yeah man, that's soooo King Kong.

      Errr wait...

    7. Re:King Kong Bomb by Ores · · Score: 5, Informative

      After some googling i found this. $100million, not that unreasnoble (and if it goes over budget jackson foots the bill personally) This is far more than a rumour, its already in preproduction and has been for a while. It has been his plan to remake it well before LOTR, with scripts availiable online dating to 1996. It seemes to me you are being overly critcal.

    8. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      According to my Google search, the budget is a staggering $110M. A hefty amount, but far from $400M.

      BTW, I'll login later.

    9. Re:King Kong Bomb by cei · · Score: 3, Funny

      Silly, by the time it's released, ticket prices will be $15 each, so they'll only need to rope in 30 million people...

      --
      This sig intentionally left justified.
    10. Re:King Kong Bomb by Philmeeh · · Score: 2, Funny
      This isn't a troll, it's a tragedy...
      Actually its an ape
    11. Re:King Kong Bomb by killerasp · · Score: 0

      $300 million was spent on financing the 3 LOTR movies, not for King Kong.

    12. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      D00dz! It's on Kazaa today! Save your 400 million, and snag it today!

    13. Re:King Kong Bomb by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Are you sure that's not $400 million New Zealand dollars? (That's about $US200 million.)"

      And if I download a ripped copy of that movie from Kazaa, even if I own the DVD, that money won't go to buy a gaffer's glasses.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    14. Re:King Kong Bomb by RedWizzard · · Score: 1

      Notable is Jackson's remuneration for King Kong: $20M + 20% of gross. It upset a few industry people as it's unusally large in terms of up front payment for that level of gross points. Here's a report: http://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/article/17247 07.

    15. Re:King Kong Bomb by ader · · Score: 3, Funny

      Ah yes, but there's going to be a great scene in which the CGI Kong argues with himself about whether or not he loves the girl or just wants to eat her. ("You're a liar! And a chimp!" - "Not listening!")

      Ade_
      /

      --
      Big Bubbles (no troubles) - what sucks, who sucks and you suck
    16. Re:King Kong Bomb by master_p · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Ok, I'll take the bait. Hollywood writers, are you listening ? Here is a scenario to spend your 400 million bucks:

      It's the year 2012, 1st of January. The situation on Earth is going haywire. Nations are on the edge of a global thermonuclear and biological war. Terrorism and environmental pollution everywhere.

      A famous British physicist, an old folk living somewhere in London, issues a warning to the world: the world is about to end in 2012!!! after that, he disappears. The world thinks its about the coming holocaust. But they are so wrong...

      A huge armada of extra-terrestrial ships appears on the sky of Earth. They bombard the hell out of Earth, killing 90% of the population and destroying all major cities. The extra-terrestrials look just like humans, only they are taller, better-shaped, blond with blue eyes and more beautiful!!! (they are reproduced in a lab...) They only difference is that their color is slightly bluish. They take over Earth and establish a dictatorship. The earth is covered with radioactivity, and most life is destroyed. The radioactivity does not seem to hurt the extra-terestrials. The dictatorship is not very strong though: extra-terrestrials are more occupied in mining Earth than with humans. They consider humans inferior animals.

      The radioactivity will kill all earth life in two years time.

      During the destruction, the nations of the world unite. A group of people from all over the world, scientists, economic leaders, politicians, army officers and others is assembled to find a solution. The daughter of the British scientist is also invited.

      During the meeting, this girl receives a strange message in her cellphone from her father!!! the message contains a detailed map of the universe between Earth and a far distant planet in the other side of the galaxy(at the exact opposite where Earth is, in a solar system that is replica of Earth) that the British scientist is kept prisoner. The message contains plans for a machine that can restore Earth in its previous state. It also contains: 1) plans for a spaceship engine that can make spaceships travel faster than the speed of light, 2) plans for an engine that produce artificial gravity/antigravity, 3) a way to communicate instantly from any part of the universe, using quantum entanglement.

      The team decides to build a spaceship, in secret from the alien government, that would travel to that planet, fetch the machine and restore Earth to its previous state.

      The spaceship is built according to the plans the scientist has sent. In the process of designing the ship, scientists find that the energy mechanism of the engine can also be used as a weapon for firing a huge beam that travels in the speed of light and disintegrates everything in its path, even planets and stars...but in order to be used, it has a loading time of 1 minute, during which the ship has no energy available for any other system.

      The ship is manned with Navy crew, marines and Airforce fighter pilots; the best of all nations. It is a hybrid of the Battleship Arizona and the carrier Enterprise. It is quite big, in order to include many functions, but it has 3 parts that can be detached and work separately. It also looks like an Earth vessel, like a tanker, in order to fool extra-terrestrials in its trial runs. It is also manned with the daughter of the British scientist, and a science crew. The leader of the fighter pilot squadron is one of the protagonists, which fells in love with the girl. The pilot has lost his family (parents, siblings) in the bombings.

      After almost one year of construction and testing, the ship is ready to go. But the extra-terrestrials find out about it and send a couple of alien planes to destroy it. But the earth ship is much more powerful and destroys the planes. Then, the aliens send 3 destroyers, which again are destroyed. The earth ship is chased around Earth, but it seems that it is superior technologically and the crew are much better fighters than the extra-terrestrials, which show

    17. Re:King Kong Bomb by HonerJetso · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Maybe a $400 Million Bad Taste redux would be good.
      Plenty of scope for effects and I for one would pay $10...

    18. Re:King Kong Bomb by suss · · Score: 4, Funny

      Except, you'll smell the wookie.

      You'll probably experience about the same experience into the 7th or 8th hour of LOTR marathons....

    19. Re:King Kong Bomb by Dionysus · · Score: 1

      Sounds like the game Homeworld

      --
      Je ne parle pas francais.
    20. Re:King Kong Bomb by sg_oneill · · Score: 1

      Isnt 'smashing shit in new york' a lil sensitve in the scheme of things. I know the new yorkers are a fairly mentally tough breed of american, but I recon I'd be having a bit of a complex about a movie about smashing buildings up in nyc if I'd been thru that whole s/11 nastyness.

      --
      Excuse the Unicode crap in my posts. That's an apostrophe, and slashdot is busted.
    21. Re:King Kong Bomb by Ores · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This is unique situation though

      As the studio already burnt pj on it before he even started LOTR. Some of this money is going to be reparation and insurance to make sure they don't scrap it again.

      And as I mentioned before he is contracted to provide it on time and at budget, or it comes out of his pockets - If hes going to assume risk, it seems only fair to be paid more.

    22. Re:King Kong Bomb by Scholasticus · · Score: 1

      But dude, it's a really, really big fucking monkey!

    23. Re:King Kong Bomb by gxv · · Score: 1

      C'mon. Jackson loves all the movies with monsters/giant apes/ugly orcs/lots of blood Look at his filmography. He loves to scare. And this 'giant ape' movie is The Scary Movie All-time Classic.
      Besides with the props and CG effects fromWETA this will be masterpiece. I can't wait.

    24. Re:King Kong Bomb by bangalla · · Score: 2, Informative

      Thanks mate, but we've all seen Star Blazers (or Battleship Yamamoto) and we don't want Hollywood to fuck up our childhood memories any further.

      I'll give you 50c for the rights to your "idea"

      --
      I want to use these Mod points but I can't find anything Interesting, Informative or Insightful on Slashdot.
    25. Re:King Kong Bomb by sachar · · Score: 1

      Crap! But just as they want to take of to the alien planet the extra-terrestrials use a powerbook (as seen in independance day) to insert a virus which crashes the ship!

    26. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      .. Actually I was thinking it's sooo Kobe Bryant

    27. Re:King Kong Bomb by Matrix272 · · Score: 1

      After some googling i found this. $100million, not that unreasnoble (and if it goes over budget jackson foots the bill personally).

      I thought $400m was a little much... Titanic only cost $200m, and it was (and still is, to my knowledge) the most expensive single-movie ever. The most expensive movie project, which included 3 movies, is LOTR, at (or above) $300m. $400m for ONE MOVIE is absolutely insanely expensive. For that kind of movie, you can build a theme park with 5 rides that simulate the experience of King Kong, then charge people a measly $20 to get in... and over time, make a lot more money than you would on a single movie. Look at almost ANY theme park, and you'll see the staying power.

      --
      "It's better to have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it." ~ Christian Slater, True Romance
    28. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Actually, if you read the article, you should notice that New Line spent $400 million on the LOTR movies NOT King Kong. King Kong hasn't even been cast yet, so finances are probably a ways off.

    29. Re:King Kong Bomb by FatherOfONe · · Score: 1

      I agree with you. It will more than likely suck big time, and they will need to make "The Hobbit" just to recover the lost money.

      However there was this movie about a ship that left port hit an iceburg and sunk. The boat sunk in under 20 minutes. The movie was over 3 hours long! It made a few dollars though...

      --
      The more I learn about science, the more my faith in God increases.
    30. Re:King Kong Bomb by sharkey · · Score: 1
      How are you going to cover a $400 million investment on a big monkey film?

      Perhaps if they have Kong do the sniff test.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
    31. Re:King Kong Bomb by Uma+Thurman · · Score: 1

      It's a cookbook?

      --
      This is America, damnit. Speak Spanish!
    32. Re:King Kong Bomb by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Didn't we see all that already in the remake of Godzilla?

      Have you seen any other Godzilla movies????

      Godzilla was about as profound as Jurassic Park. They're monster movies. They're popcorn movies.

      That having been said, the Matthew Brodrick Godzilla was the best Godzilla I've seen. It had an organic Godzilla. The special effects were spectacular. AND, they blew up Madison Square Garden which absoluetly made my day ;-)

      I'm looking forward to a Gamera vs Godzilla in the same vein ;-)

      Ooh, I had a great idea. Super-Monster Smackdown. Gammera, King-Kong, Mothra, The big Tentacle thingy, etc... They would battle it out in major cities destroying buildings as they go ;-)

      I all sounds dumb. But it has about as much intelligence as any other monster movie.

      BTW, I too really liked the 1978 King Kong with Jessica Lang. The only way to make it better would be to make Kong smaller and therefore a creature that reasonably sustain himself. That would make him more like Mighty Joe Young who Kong was a knockoff of in the first place.

      There were actually 20ft tall apes in the past. They lived at the same time as Homo-Erectus. A 35-ft ape would be larger than life AND in the realm of possibility like the 35-foot Jaws. BTW, Jaws is by far the BEST monster movie EVER made.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    33. Re:King Kong Bomb by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Thank you L Ron Hubbard. The thetans have obviously brought you back to life to write more hack fiction.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    34. Re:King Kong Bomb by willtsmith · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Jackson is now a studio onto himself. He's just like Lucas. From that standpoint, he handles the production end, New Line is the promoter and distributor. It's a simple business arrangement.

      BTW, I am absoluetly amazed at the amazing film capabilities in New Zealand. It shows you why Lucas stays AWAY from hollywood (his stages are in London). There is too much trash and hangers on in Hollywood.

      The massive stuff that Weta Digital has done will make them a rival to Industrial Lights and Magic. I could see them licensing out that stuff and making a fair amount of money from the other special effects houses.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    35. Re:King Kong Bomb by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      I imagine they can take one of those trolls off the Gates of Bara-Dur and put hair on him.

      I'm kinda curious though if it would be feasible to do motion capture using a real ape. It would have to be a female of course (a male would pummel anyone trying to glue ping-pong balls to it).

      It would make for super acurrate motions as to how an ape should move. Though, I thought the folks on "Planet of the Apes" did a spectacular job of getting their actors to move like Apes.

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    36. Re:King Kong Bomb by Communomancer · · Score: 1

      Trust me, man, 9/11 or not, we'd be far more p-o'ed if King Kong smashed any _other_ city to bits.

      --
      "UNIX" is never having to say you're sorry.
    37. Re:King Kong Bomb by Idarubicin · · Score: 1
      This is a flimsy plot about a giant ape who develops an obsession about a tiny blonde human woman pet. (Hollywood metaphor anyone?). Big monkey lives on a distant island; whites come; they capture him (somehow); they take him to New York, he flips out, smashes up some shti, climbs a building, and gets shot down. Duh, end of story.

      Dude! You've ruined it for me! How about a spoiler warning next time, eh?

      --
      ~Idarubicin
    38. Re:King Kong Bomb by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 1

      Why wouldn't it be in US dollars? I thought the number was based on the studio that was making it. Even though the LOTR's movies were made in NZ, it was still an American company and its american dollars that went into the francize.

      --
      Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    39. Re:King Kong Bomb by questor · · Score: 1
      "... Battleship Yamamoto ..."

      It's Yamato; doesn't need any 'mo'.

      --
      Mashed potatoes can be your friends!
    40. Re:King Kong Bomb by RedWizzard · · Score: 1
      Why wouldn't it be in US dollars?
      Because it's too high. I believe Titanic is still the most expensive single film at US$200M. Lord of the Rings comes in somewhere over US$300M, but that's for 3 films. Given that the studio only receives about 50% of the ticket gross King Kong would have to gross in excess of US$800M world wide to make a profit - it would need to be one of the top 10 highest grossing films of all time. Far more likely that the $400M originates from a non-US news source that had converted the cost to local currency.
      I thought the number was based on the studio that was making it. Even though the LOTR's movies were made in NZ, it was still an American company and its american dollars that went into the francize.
      Usually a reporter will convert to local currency. For example most reports in NZ quote both grosses and budgets in NZ dollars. Sometimes they'll also report the US figure.
    41. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And how would it fit its gigantic dick inside that little woman ??

    42. Re:King Kong Bomb by uvsc_wolverine · · Score: 1

      Frighteningly enough George Lucas is planning on remaking the original Star Wars trilogy in 2017. So we won't have to wait until 2077 after all! Although in 2099 we'll have to see Jar-Jar again...

      --
      This space for rent...
    43. Re:King Kong Bomb by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 1

      Ah. Makes sense now. It might be the snow swirling outside, it's distracting me terribly.

      --
      Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    44. Re:King Kong Bomb by thetaikung · · Score: 1

      I'll give you 50c for the rights to your "idea"

      I'll give you a dollar, I liked that you referred to the French as "extra-terrestrials" in your movies.

      --
      P226 .40cal
    45. Re:King Kong Bomb by master_p · · Score: 1

      At long last!!! someone that remembers!!! hurrah!!!

      It's Star Blazers indeed, although improved.

      My point was that it's a shame to do King Kong when Star Blazers is available.

    46. Re:King Kong Bomb by blazin · · Score: 1

      If you are lucky ... you'll smell the wookie.

      Anyone want to explain how that'd be considered lucky?

    47. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Part of it is Hollywood strangling itself. The Disney copyright extensions are designed to prevent anything created in the last century from ever going into the public domain. In fact, Disney is doing a great deal to try to take things (like fairy tales) out of the public domain. For example, imagine trying to make a movie about Snow White without getting sued seven ways to Sunday. Licensing is expensive and often tricky and risky
      Writing original stories is hard work and of courlicensing is expensive and often difficult. As a consequence, many studios are finding it easiest to just eat their dead.

    48. Re:King Kong Bomb by Deaper · · Score: 1

      I'm kinda curious though if it would be feasible to do motion capture using a real ape. It would have to be a female of course (a male would pummel anyone trying to glue ping-pong balls to it).

      It would make for super acurrate motions as to how an ape should move. Though, I thought the folks on "Planet of the Apes" did a spectacular job of getting their actors to move like Apes.

      While the use of mo-cap with Golum was an extremely good idea, that was because it was a character that had similar characteristics to that of a human and was actually being played by a human. Which is why they did mocap in the first place. And it worked well for that case because Andy Serkis is already a very good actor that could take direction.

      However to do mocap with an actual ape is pointless... It's not easy to direct an ape... And if you managed to get an ape to do what you wanted the way you wanted it done, as would be required for mocap, then it'd probabbly be cheaper to use the actual ape and then make him look much larger instead of modeling him and then using motion capture for him.

    49. Re:King Kong Bomb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i'm a gaffer and i need my glasses, you insensitive clod

    50. Re:King Kong Bomb by greenhide · · Score: 1

      For those of you interested in what it might be about here is the script.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
    51. Re:King Kong Bomb by chefren · · Score: 1

      It'll never be done unless they write a role for some gorgeous woman to be captured by the aliens. That salesman just doesn't cut it.

    52. Re:King Kong Bomb by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1

      And Greedo will choke on a martini olive, thus sparing the need for Han Solo to shoot back.

      --
      You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  49. pick it back up by dhananjay · · Score: 1

    if you made it through catholic school and/or homilies such as you describe, the first few chapters will be a breeze. after that it becomes really, really nice compendium of stories. Don't worry about remembering all the names the first time through (there's an extensive index and glossary if you get lost). The Silmarillion will help you to appreciate the depth of Tolkien's commitment and creativity and puts a the rest of the middle-earth books in context, and contains some fabulous tales itself.

    --
    If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for everyone else.
  50. Which building will the great ape climb? by bluethundr · · Score: 1

    When asked if New Line has approached him about the project, Jackson said he has not ruled it out, but not until after King Kong is done.

    I certainly don't think it's going to be The Twin Towers this time around.

    --
    Quod scripsi, scripsi.
  51. What has it got in its pocketses? by kubrick · · Score: 1

    [no text]

    --
    deus does not exist but if he does
  52. Say high to Megumi for me.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As you say, it all a spectrum. However, I would submit movie->book is a superior order for enjoying them both.

    1. Re:Say high to Megumi for me.... by silicon+not+in+the+v · · Score: 1

      "I would submit movie->book is a superior order for enjoying them both."
      I hadn't thought of it before, but I do agree with this. There is amazing value in the books, but I think there could be great enjoyment (given not having seen or read either before) in seeing the movies first and then following up with the books. For those who have read the books first, there is some element of let-down in seeing the deviations that were made in the movies and just how shallow it is compared to the richness of the books. Going the other way, you get to experience the general story with good portrayals of the characters and sets, so you have a scope of it, and then in reading the books, your eyes are opened even further to the backstory, depth of narrative, and development of these characters, etc. The books are so much deeper than the movies, but the movies give great visuals and an effective, impacting impression. Think which you would appreciate more: deep, then shallow or shallow, then deep.

      --
      We may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode. -Capt. Mal Reynolds
  53. Haven't you heard?.. by levik · · Score: 2, Funny
    Minuaturisation is all the rage nowadays. Smaller computers, smaller cars, smaller everything.

    I personally blame the Japanese

    --
    Ñ'
    1. Re:Haven't you heard?.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But strangely, the Japanese are getting taller.

    2. Re:Haven't you heard?.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Minuaturisation is all the rage nowadays... I personally blame the Japanese

      What... the same Japanese whose popular culture is filled with giant robots and, if you look into the sleazier parts, giant, um, "things", as well?

    3. Re:Haven't you heard?.. by willtsmith · · Score: 1

      Better nutrition. Less childhood stress.

      Actually, technically it's not "better" nutrition so much as it is MORE nutrition. I suppose that's the American way. Eat lots of stuff to get nutrition. Shit out the rest ;-)

      --
      -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
    4. Re:Haven't you heard?.. by uberdood · · Score: 1

      Don't forget the smaller condoms.

      --
      "Population 1,656"
  54. Gee I wonder why... by lonedfx · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "There are apparently some difficulties with getting the go ahead from Tolkien's son Christopher, who is executor of the estate".

    Gee, I wonder why... could it be because the lord of the rings' adaption to the big screen was everything Tolkien was afraid of and his son is now starting to realize the old man was right ?

    nah, they prolly just didn't offer enough money :-/

    lone, dfx

    1. Re:Gee I wonder why... by CrackHappy · · Score: 1

      I find it very interesting that Tolkien, an environmentalist to his core, is responsible, by publishing LOTR, for cutting down a large multitude of trees to publish it!

      Just a thought... so he is now the thing he hates?

      --
      1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d Capitalization really works: i helped my uncle jack off a horse
    2. Re:Gee I wonder why... by IIRCAFAIKIANAL · · Score: 1

      he was a romanticist, not an environmentalist. There is a difference (not that this difference negates your point, just being picky).

      --
      Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel.
  55. Casting Call (was: Re:Gandalf aging backwards?) by AceCaseOR · · Score: 1
    The problem with using Ian Holm again is (according to the FOTR commentary tracks) the makeup for "Young Bilbo" that was put on Ian Holm was very, very uncomfortable, almost as uncomfortable as the Gimli makeup was to John Rhys-Davies. It might be difficult to sign Ian Holm if he had to wear that makeup day in and day out for an entire year.

    Anyways, who to pick for Thorin?

    --
    Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
  56. UNANSWERED QUESTION: WHY NOT? by webslacker · · Score: 1

    I haven't seen this answered yet. Why would the estate not want a museum set up in New Zealand? Does anyone know the reason for this? Why would the estate not want The Hobbit to be made into a feature or mini-series? Why do they not like the current film trilogy?

    1. Re:UNANSWERED QUESTION: WHY NOT? by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      Is it to be a museum, or is it some sort of theme park thing??

  57. Re:I haven't read the book (possible spoilers) by ObviousGuy · · Score: 1

    I just finished reading Slaughterhouse Five today on the train. Vonnegut was a genius in his ability to weave together Billy's madness with reality and not reveal that madness until the very end.

    The anti-war message wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. From the cold view of time as a static constant that Billy is revealed by the Tralfamadorians the author seems to be saying that the belief in the inability to change the future is a type of madness. However, I didn't get the sense that the author thought war a horrendously terrible thing that ought to be avoided at all cost.

    What got me to look into this book was actually a scene in Footloose where the Bible-thumpers of the town are looking to clean up the library of 'filthy' books. The leader turns to Kevin Bacon and asks him what he's reading and Bacon's response is Slaughterhouse Five. The leader gives him a glare but it's clear that he's never even heard of the book, much less any book with such a terribly un-Christian name.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  58. Dear Christopher Tolkien... by Geburah · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Christopher Tolkien... Common buddy. Stop it.

    You said the movie trilogy would be an unsuccessful adaptation of the book. Yep. A $300 million budget with triple return profits. Nah. It'll never work...

    Regardless to ones opinion on whether or not bringing LOTR to film was successful or not, it has brought hundreds of thousands of minds, young and old, to the works of your father and to his books.

    I had never read The Lord of the Rings. Never planned to. I saw LOTR, ran and tripped over myself to buy and read those books. I discovered a tangible world of unsurpassed creativity and passion.

    Let the dreamers dream. Should Tolkien Enterprises have to look over every painting, writing, thought, or daydream, to see if its in line with your fathers vision?

    The LOTR movies are an interpretation of the book, by a handful who loved the book. As cliche as that is, its so very accurate. More lives have been touched by the books than ever before. It is the second highest selling book internationally next to the bible. With Peter Jackson's help, it looks like we might just be giving Jesus a run for his money. ;) The more people that work in debt to your father, the better. He is kept alive, through us.

    The fans aren't stupid. They know who J. R. R. Tolkien is. These movies have not, and cannot touch that. Don't suppress the creativity of others because your worried it will tarnish his legacy... If anything, these movies, through exploring and digging deeper into the works of your father have only strengthened his honor.

    I have a funny feeling that your pops would give Peter Jackson a nice warm smile and firm hug after viewing the movies.

    So stop being silly. Lets make The Hobbit.

    1. Re:Dear Christopher Tolkien... by mill · · Score: 1, Troll

      Good thing not everyone measures success in terms of profit.

      I thank the estate for doing their part in keeping The Hobbit out of the hands of Jackson.

      I am very much in favor on making the movies, but not butchering them like Jackson have.

      Of course after the FotR fiasco I really don't care anymore. I have no expectations so he can just as well butcher the lesser book The Hobbit too.

    2. Re:Dear Christopher Tolkien... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If only, IF ONLY I had mod points to list you as a Troll. Die...

    3. Re:Dear Christopher Tolkien... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      he is 100% correct

  59. Correction--Bilbo brought out the ring by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

    Sorry for the typo.

    --
    "Sufferin' succotash."
  60. The 30's 60's 70's and 80's called by KalvinB · · Score: 4, Funny

    And they want their monkey back.

    They saw what happened to Godzilla.

    Ben

  61. At least they won't have to rebuild sets by dswensen · · Score: 3, Informative

    In the audio commentary to the Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition DVD, Peter Jackson mentioned that he asked to keep the set of Bag End completely intact and in storage rather than having it torn down like most of the rest of the Lord of the Rings sets. New Line agreed, and Peter Jackson said that he has a complete, life-sized Bag End sitting in storage, ready to reassemble on the side of some hill.

    I think he cracked a joke about building it somewhere and living in it, but hey, this way they can just break it out of storage and rebuild it and it will be the same set from Fellowship... instant continuity.

    1. Re:At least they won't have to rebuild sets by djwudi · · Score: 2, Interesting

      From news.com.au:

      HE is the hobbit king of New Zealand, hailed throughout the land as the saviour of hope, goodness, truth and the national economy. Now director Peter Jackson can burrow into his own little hobbit-hole, snug inside a grassy hillside.

      The set of Bag End, the round-walled underground home of hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, always felt cosy to Jackson over the past seven years of creating the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

      But big Hollywood studios aren't known for their sentimentality and New Line Cinema wanted the set demolished as soon as shooting was completed.

      The rotund and furry Jackson, who often describes himself as being like a hobbit, couldn't bear to let it go.

      "I love the Bag End set, so I asked New Line: 'If I pay for all the storage costs, can I keep it?"' Jackson told The Australian in Wellington before the opening of the trilogy's third film, Return of the King.

      Jackson's films will make an estimated $NZ5.3 billion ($4.6 billion) for the studio, but the hard-headed money men of New Line weren't letting the director have a freebie.

      He paid for storage and now Jackson is having Bag End installed under a hillside on his property north of Wellington.

      "I'll have it as a guesthouse. I love it, its so round," he says. "It's amazing how comforting roundness is in a building. Why aren't we making round buildings? Why all these square, flat walls?"

      --
      "We communicate daily and say nothing. We have rebuilt the Tower of Babel and it is a television antenna." -- Ted Koppel
    2. Re:At least they won't have to rebuild sets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, it has been fully re-assembled, in a hillside at his country home in NZ. Was on the front page of the newspaper in NZ.

  62. Some things are hard to unlearn by yosemite · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Somthing the "authors" comments brought to mind


    Not all experience, or learning, is positive, and some things can't be unlearned.


    "Polanyi admits that focusing on particulars may improve our capacity to attend to the overall meaning. For instance, when we analyze poetry we might temporarily destroy our appreciation of it but it also makes for a much richer understanding once our attention is returned to the whole. It can be expected that one's understanding will be different from one's original understanding once attention has been shifted to the particulars and then back to the whole, in keeping with the idea that the relationship between the proximal and distal terms is dynamic and an active shaping of experience. The shifting of awareness may improve on previous understanding--as in the case with the poem, but, according to Polanyi, one's perspective can never be the same."

    I believe that the contrast is also true, If you see a bad movie (or even a good one) it can forever alter how you view the book. Not always a bad thing, but usually somthing is lost after watching a bad film based on a good book.

    1. Re:Some things are hard to unlearn by ronfar · · Score: 1
      Futurama announcer voice from "Anthology of Interest II" :
      You've watched it, you can't unwatch it.
      --
      All the creatures will die, And all the things will be broken. That's the law of samurai. (Jubai, 1605)
  63. Wouldn't he be greedy for selling out to New Line? by dnixon112 · · Score: 1

    And not the other way around?

  64. Oh, please by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Haha. You outed yourself with the use of the word "prostitute." A Tolkien purist.

    Guess who sold the movie rights to his works specifically for the purpose of more money? Guess who even offered suggestions for editing out parts of the story for movie adaptations, such as cutting out the "unecessary" Helm's Deep?

    People like to attribute all this stubbornness to J.R.R Tolkien, but he was as much aware of the difficulties in adaptation as anyone. He was changing his core mythology all the way until the end and even rewrote parts of the Hobbit to make it fit. I think he wasn't any more strict about his story than any other author. But people like the image of the stubborn old English professor with the pipe who wrote about hobbits.

    --
    "Sufferin' succotash."
    1. Re:Oh, please by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1
      He was stubborn about certain things, as you must know if you were as well-informed as you imply. Tolkien never minded violence done to the plot, but he would brook no alterations at all to his characters. I'm reasonably certain that he wouldn't have approved of the monkeying around Jackson's done with them.

      You've also failed to notice that Tolkien himself was in a very different situation than that of his heirs. He needed the money. He lived a penurous existence as a professor. The position did not pay particularly well, as it was expected that Oxford professors had independent means. Tolkien did not. His savings would have made a very uncomfortable retirement for him, and he in fact extended his tenure by an optional two years for financial reasons, something he'd never have done had he not been in dire straits. The only thing that gave him comfort in his old age was the quite unexpected success of LOTR. Even then he never became personally wealthy. Selling the movie rights was something he had to do in order to feel financially secure. Even then only a very large amount of money could have induced him to give up creative control; he said this outright. Evidently the folks who optioned it weren't willing to pay, so we have his wonderfully pithy commentary on a story treatment that was sent to him for approval.

      His heirs on the other hand have no such financial goad. There's been a further 30 years of LOTR sales since Tolkien died, and I doubt any of them need be in any financial difficulty at all. It simply isn't necessary for them to sell anything. For a fan-geek to become incensed over CJRT's reluctance to license any more of his father's legacy is ridiculous.

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
    2. Re:Oh, please by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1

      I've read several Tolkien books and biographies and followed his letters. I know a little about the guy.

      "Stanley U[nwin] & I have agreed on our policy: Art or Cash. Either very profitable terms indeed; or absolute author's veto on objectionable features or alterations." Letters 201 and 210 show his opinion of one (extremely bad) proposal, but even after panning the proposed treatment in letter 201 (7 Sept 1957), he wrote: "I am quite prepared to play ball, if they are open to advice." So he was not opposed to film treatments in principle, or to making money off his book.

      He was stubborn about certain things, as you must know if you were as well-informed as you imply. Tolkien never minded violence done to the plot, but he would brook no alterations at all to his characters. I'm reasonably certain that he wouldn't have approved of the monkeying around Jackson's done with them.

      For someone so stubborn, he sure was willing to completely remove the "unnecessary" Helm's Deep, among other things. This was a change he readily offered himself.

      Changes were necessary because these are FILMS. The books still exist. They weren't magically negated.

      You've also failed to notice that Tolkien himself was in a very different situation than that of his heirs. He needed the money. He lived a penurous existence as a professor. The position did not pay particularly well, as it was expected that Oxford professors had independent means. Tolkien did not.

      Rrriigghhtt. As the books grew in popularity, he was crying out financially and so signed off the movie rights.

      His savings would have made a very uncomfortable retirement for him, and he in fact extended his tenure by an optional two years for financial reasons, something he'd never have done had he not been in dire straits. The only thing that gave him comfort in his old age was the quite unexpected success of LOTR. Even then he never became personally wealthy. Selling the movie rights was something he had to do in order to feel financially secure.

      If he was really so stubborn, he would have never, ever relinquished creative control. No matter which way you look at it--financial concerns were above creative concerns. I've read his letters. Have you?

      Even then only a very large amount of money could have induced him to give up creative control; he said this outright. Evidently the folks who optioned it weren't willing to pay, so we have his wonderfully pithy commentary on a story treatment that was sent to him for approval.

      "...I would ask them to make an effort of imagination sufficient tounderstand the irritation (and on occasion the resentment) of an author, who finds, increasingly as he proceeds, his work treated as it would seem carelessly in general, in places recklessly, and with no evident signs of any appreciation of what it is all about...."

      Peter Jackson and company meet and surpass his requirement for understanding and respecting the source material. We both know Tolkien would not be as stubbornly angry as you make him out to be.

      His heirs on the other hand have no such financial goal.

      You are absolutely joking, right?

      Christopher Tolkien has been "scraping his daddy's wastepaper backets" for decades, as it has been put. The only thing worthy that he put out was the Silmarillion. Everything else, he needlessly edits and composites. It's how he made his fortune.

      There's been a further 30 years of LOTR sales since Tolkien died, and I doubt any of them need be in any financial difficulty at all. It simply isn't necessary for them to sell anything.

      And yet they do. You're being completely naive. Your fanboyism is clouding your judgement of financial motives.

      For a fan-geek to become incensed over CJRT's reluctance to license any more of his father's legacy is ridiculous.

      No, it's perfectly natural. If you're really a so-called "fan-geek," you want to see the film made. Even if the Tolkien Estate thinks it knows more about the pros and cons of selling off movie rights...than J.R.R. Tolkien himself..."Art or Cash."

      --
      "Sufferin' succotash."
    3. Re:Oh, please by Tyler+Durden · · Score: 1
      For someone so stubborn, he sure was willing to completely remove the "unnecessary" Helm's Deep, among other things. This was a change he readily offered himself.

      The Battle of Hornburg (Helm's Deep) only took up a few pages of The Two Towers. It ended up being an unexpected side-quest as King Theoden, some of his Rohirrim, and some of the Fellowship were going off to defend Rohan at the front of battle I believe. So yes, Helm's Deep is unnecessary.

      I think you're confusing what happened in the movie (in which The Battle of Hornburg seemed to take up almost half of the movie) to the events in the original source. Have you read The Two Towers?

      --
      Happy people make bad consumers.
    4. Re:Oh, please by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1
      You're arguing so dishonestly here you must not think you have much support for your position. A good portion of your reply is either irrelevant or strawmen. Ignoring these, we're left with only a few substantive points.

      Peter Jackson and company meet and surpass his requirement for understanding and respecting the source material. We both know Tolkien would not be as stubbornly angry as you make him out to be.

      Peter Jackson did not respect the source material, and I did not make Tolkien out to be "stubbornly angry" so I can scarcely know that he would be so. I'm not really what you call a "Tolkien purist", so it's not necessary for you to put everything I say through that filter. Try taking my words at face value instead, and avoid unreasonable interpretations.

      Modifications to the plot are expected and normal when making a film out of a book. The media are very different, and film has nowhere near the narrative freedom of literature, so it's absolutely necessary to do some things differently. However, the one thing that I object to in the movies, and the thing I think Tolkien would have objected to most strongly, is the mangling of the characters. I can't see that this was necessary in the hands of a skilled filmmaker. Nearly every single major character has been remolded, whether it's in stripping Gimli of all dignity and making him into a laughingstock, or turning Faramir into an only slightly smarter version of Boromir, or recasting Theoden as an indecisive risk-avoider even after his healing, or making Elrond into an angry creature nursing a millennia-old grudge against all humankind. Why? What was so unfilmable about the characters as we've come to know them? I'd gladly have dispensed with Helm's Deep to see Theoden throwing caution to the wind and leading the wild charge onto the Pelennor Field. He may still, but we now know it would be deeply uncharacteristic of him. Jackson's Theoden has drifted very far from the Beowulfian roots of the character Tolkien created.

      You are absolutely joking, right?

      No, but I did use the wrong word. I should have said "need" instead of "goal".

      Christopher Tolkien has been "scraping his daddy's wastepaper backets" for decades, as it has been put. The only thing worthy that he put out was the Silmarillion. Everything else, he needlessly edits and composites. It's how he made his fortune.

      Now you're the one who's joking. If HoME has made anything clear, it's that it was The Silmarillion that was needlessly edited, or at least badly edited in many respects. In some ways it was not "worthy" at all. But in publishing it, he was doing nothing more than attempting to fulfull his father's fondest wish. HoME is an entirely different animal, and it was hardly needless to anyone who wanted to see the source material Tolkien had created for himself. It had a far more limited audience than anything else put out under Tolkien's name, and I'd be surprised if it even earned out its advance. The financial return for the amount of work preparing it must have involved over the length of time it took was probably lower than your imagination is allowing.

      And yet they do [sell "anything"].

      Are you paying any attention at all? This discussion is about how they're refusing to sell something, namely the movie rights to The Hobbit. The Tolkien Estate could have done very little about the LoTR movie even if they wanted to, and CJRT at least probably did given his express refusal to endorse it. The rights had already been sold years ago to Saul Zaentz who had produced the Bakshi film back in the 70s and I believe is credited as some sort of producer in the Jackson films. Zaentz acquired them at a vew removes from United Artists, to which Tolkien had sold them in 1966. Again, this was mainly to assure himself of a comfortable retirement, something he may be said to have earned.

      As I review the background for all this, I realize that it's not at all clear why they need the Tolkien Estate's permission for a H

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
  65. The problem with long copyrights by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I'm so glad that the Tolkien estate has so much control over Hobbit derivatives. I'm sure that given the extended incentive provided by Congress, Tolkien is using the money he's still making to write yet more fiction for us to enjoy.

    Oops, he's been dead for thirty years. Probably isn't going to be writing another book set in Middle Earth I guess.

    The Hobbit was published in 1937. I think 66 years is plenty of time to recoop the his effort. I appreciate the intent of allowing copyright to pass on to one's heirs, but it's been 30 years since Tolkien died. Can't Christopher Tolkien create something of value himself to provide for himself? Heck, he's got to be doing well, and at 77 maybe it's time to retire and let the rest of the world enjoy a work you didn't actually create!

    The Founder's Copyright still covers 99% of the potential value of copyrighted works and manages to do it without putting culture under chains.

    1. Re:The problem with long copyrights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He did create something. He took all his dads notes and his memories of talking with his dad and edited them to make the lost tales.

      and the result feels exactly like something without a clear plot or purpose.

    2. Re:The problem with long copyrights by mill · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well you can enjoy it. Just pick The Hobbit and read it.

      You don't have to run all tales through the Jacksonian action filter before you may enjoy them. Sometimes the original might be good enough.

    3. Re:The problem with long copyrights by danila · · Score: 1

      Jackson's movies sucks, but he is not the only director. If not for the copyrights, we might have had tens of different movies, plays, ballets, operas and computer games. Just like you have thousands of plays based on Romeo and Juliet and hundreds films.

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    4. Re:The problem with long copyrights by jkantola · · Score: 5, Insightful


      Try reading the Silmarillion or the Unfinished Tales. Why, take a look at the Books of Lost Tales as well.

      It is quite possible that those beautiful, indeed, essential volumes in the tale of the Middle-Earth would not exist without Christopher, or at least wouldn't, in all probability, fit in so well with the original published works of JRRT. Christopher is, quite understandably so, the best Tolkien scholar par none.

      It's actually interesting how real life mirrors the fantasy. What Christopher's been doing with his father's writings is very much the same thing that Frodo and Sam did for Bilbo's Red Book.

      I for my part am forever grateful for Christopher for publishing any- and everything his father left behind. And I understand his grudge with the franchising of Middle-Earth, even as I love the movies on their own accord.

      Are they selling McLembas already?

    5. Re:The problem with long copyrights by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      Actually, it's pretty certain that if C. Tolkein hadn't swept it all together and 'adapted' it with his name attached, that J.R.R. Tolkein's papers would have been gathered, donated to an educational institution, and published and presented in a scholarly way that didn't represent a commercial effort at 'extending the franchise' for money.

      My copy of the Tolkein paperbacks from the seventies has the 'Respect for Living Authors' notes on the back cover regarding the piracy and ripoff of the Tolkein work even while J.R.R. was alive. Clearly there's always been a commercial interest behind making money off this story. It's difficult to know what the father would think of how his son has treated the works. Probably he wouldn't want thousands of people hating his son over it, however.

    6. Re:The problem with long copyrights by BigGerman · · Score: 1

      This is very good point: Tolkien has such vast quantities of material there, it is a shame that people cannot just use it.
      This is primary example why long copyrights are bad. Copyright was invented to protect the original creator. IMHO, even 10 years is more than enough.

    7. Re:The problem with long copyrights by Luyseyal · · Score: 1

      Ho ha! It's the Balrog Ballet!

      Cheers and thanks for the larf,
      -l

      --
      Help cure AIDS, cancer, and more. Donate your unused computer time to worldcommunitygrid.org. Join Team Slashdot!
    8. Re:The problem with long copyrights by danila · · Score: 1

      As for the amount of material, just check out some fanfic sites - almost always LOTR easily sits in the top 3 most popular themes, together with HP and SW. People are eager to create new art based on the Tolkien's world and can easily find topics and new approaches (of course, professional artists are put off by being required to buy the rights from the estate first).

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  66. I am the Axe by Axe · · Score: 4, Funny

    And you can not have me. On the behalf of the estate of the Axe, I refuse.

    --
    <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
    1. Re:I am the Axe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mod points! My kingdom for some mod points!

  67. Stop talking about me. by Axe · · Score: 1

    Put down, pout down..

    --
    <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
  68. Hobbit movie by MikeDawg · · Score: 1

    Don't they already have a movie for The Hobbit?

    Ohh wait! My bad, I guess it isn't quite The Hobbit. But damn close!

    --

    YOU'RE WINNER !
    Another lame blog

  69. just saw Return of the King by keshet · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ..at a screening for reviewers (my mother is a reviewer) in NYC
    No spoilers:
    - Well another great chapter awaits!
    - The battle scenes are stupendous, quite exhausting
    - It is *long* (we didn't get an intermission)
    - There are a couple of Monty Python-like lines which although not intentional drew some laughs
    - The end is kind of soppy (well what did you expect)
    - Towards the end it felt like Spielburg was on the job, squeezing out every last ounce of emotion
    - Gandalf for president!

    1. Re:just saw Return of the King by Jugalator · · Score: 4, Informative

      - It is *long* (we didn't get an intermission)

      Indeed! I didn't actually notice this until I read your post and checked at IMDb.

      FOTR: 178 min (208 min)
      TTT: 179 min (222 min)
      ROTK: 210 min

      Are Peter Jackson actually going to make an Extended Edition of ROTK? I assumed so before, but seeing the non-EE version is about as long...??

      --
      Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
    2. Re:just saw Return of the King by TheJaff · · Score: 2, Funny

      - Gandalf for president!

      What! If that's not a spoiler I dont know what is? (ie that Middle Earth is in fact a Republic and not a Monarchy as the title suggests).

      --
      28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds... that is when the world will end.
    3. Re:just saw Return of the King by Jugalator · · Score: 1

      OK, finally got it confirmed that there will be an extended edition of ROTK as well. Anything else would be very surprising, but so was the EE-sized cinamtic version. From swedish news:

      Do you know any long cut scenes from ROTK?

      Cut by whom? The movie has recently had its premiere in the version Peter Jackson wants it on the cinema. He says there will be more scenes on the extended edition that will be released next year.

      --
      Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
  70. Huh? by DunbarTheInept · · Score: 1

    From the article summary:

    spent $US300million ($415 million) making the films,

    Huh? Was one of those US dollars and the other some other kind of unlabelled dollar?

    --

    Don't label something "offtopic" unless you know the topic well enough to tell what's on topic.

    1. Re:Huh? by betsywetsy · · Score: 1

      presumably aussie dollars, since the url's news.com.au

    2. Re:Huh? by rylin · · Score: 1

      I'm trying to figure this one out atm..
      300m USD = 466m NZD
      300m USD = 411m AUD

      pick one

  71. Christ's Lineage passage by ArsSineArtificio · · Score: 1
    Eve at the Catholic church I went to when I was a kid, they used read this llooonnnnggggggg passage that is one solid, multipage sentence describing Christ's lineage.



    You're probably thinking of the first chapter of the gospel of Matthew. People in the first century A.D. placed much greater stock in genealogy than we do today; prominent Romans, for instance, went to tremendous amounts of trouble to prove their descent from various famous (and sometimes mythological) figures of the past.

    Although it's a really complicated topic to summarize, the earliest Christians basically saw themselves as a Jewish sect. Consequently, it was important when setting down accounts of the Messiah to detail precisely His connection with Jewish history and tradition, to prove that Christianity really "fit" as part of the Jewish world. That is why we don't really care very much how exactly Jesus' mother's husband was descended from Nahshon or Manasseh, but it would have mattered to Matthew.

    --
    All employees must wash hands before seeking equitable relief.
    1. Re:Christ's Lineage passage by jdavidb · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It is still important to Christians today to have a record of the fact that Christ was descended from David, since that was prophesied and we take those prophecies as proof of His deity.

      When I was a boy my parents told me to skip all those genealogical passages. As a teenager, however, I decided that if they were in there they must be important, so I adopted a policy of making myself read them each time I come to those points in the Bible in my regular reading. (I don't go seek them out if I'm just thinking I feel like reading some of the Bible, but I don't skip them in my regular scheduled reading as I go through the Bible each year or so.)

      What I found is that while for years it was almost impossible to even pay attention to them, gradually as I became more and more familiar with the rest of the Bible the genealogies took on meaning as a sort of review of what I've read. When I read through the genealogy of Christ, I have a capsule review of David, all the kings of Judah that came after him, the exile of Israel, the restoration under Zerubbabel, and other important events of the Old Testament. Now, I can see how if these events are unimportant to you then the genealogies would continue to be unimportant. :) But for those who like me believe the events in the Bible are God's way of teaching us how to live, those capsule reviews have begun to help me.

      A few years back we had a special event at church where we were taught a series of hand-motion mnemonics to remember most of the events in the Old Testament. (Apparently there's a comparable set of mnemonics for the New Testament, but we haven't had the program for that.) At that point I had only recently started to notice that the genealogies were starting to have meaning to me, and I remember having the sudden epiphany: "Hey! The genealogies are God's mnemonics!"

      For the record, there are tons of genealogies in the Bible, often quite repetitive. (That's a lot of review.) The book of Genesis contains quite a few as it relates the earliest ancestors of the human race and the Israelite people (those are the ones my parents originally told me to skip). The line of King David is narrated in great detail, there are many records of the major families of Israel, and the book of Chronicles (the last book in the Hebrew order of the Old Testament) begins with a gigantic genealogical summary from the first man, Adam, all the way down to the author's day. Then, of course, the New Testament contains two genealogies of Christ; one through Joseph, and one through Mary.

      I hope people find this post interesting, even if they don't agree with my religion.

  72. Re:Get a life, people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Brothers Grimm COLLECTED regional folk tales. Come to think of it... aren't they partialy responsible the 3rd Reich? Humm... discuss among yourselves...

  73. Re:I haven't read the book (possible spoilers) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thanks a lot buddy, for RUINING THE ENDING!

  74. Conspiracy theory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There were no terrorists. King Kong swatted down the two airliners and crushed the twin towers while fighting godzilla.

  75. Ending of Slaughterhouse 5 not ruined by spoiler by ObviousGuy · · Score: 2

    There's a big picture of boobies on the last page.

    No, seriously.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  76. Lord of the Rings exhibition by dazed-n-confused · · Score: 1

    they could set up a traveling exhibit

    Like this?

    1. Re:Lord of the Rings exhibition by james_orr · · Score: 1

      Exactly like that :).

      I don't suppose it will be coming anywhere near me though :(.

  77. jackson and movies by etherspin · · Score: 1

    peter jackson could always remake "the chronicles of narnia" by C.S. Lewis.

    --
    before you criticise someone ,walk a mile in their shoes because then, not only will you be a mile awa
  78. On a very special episode of lotr. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sam finally comes out of the closet and expresses his gay love for frodo and then they and Gandalf have a three way. Frodo warns he's tighter than Sauron's ring but Gandalf thinks he's just blowing smoke up their ass.

  79. Fact check -- STOP blaming the Tolkien Estate! by geekwench · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The Estate (and Christopher) are not behind any difficulties currently facing a Wingnut Films production of The Hobbit. Warner Bros. Pictures, however, is.

    In 1976, the Saul Zaentz Co., doing business as Tolkien Enterprises, acquired rights to both The Hobbit and LotR. This agreement included the film rights. Tolkien Enterprises entered into an agreement with WB so that they could film the Rankin & Bass animated version of The Hobbit. Now comes the fun part: WB still has those rights, and they're sitting on them like a broody hen with only one egg.
    New Line can't greenlight Peter -- they don't have the rights, and aren't likely to get them in the near future. Rumor has it that a few of the key brass over at the Frog Studio are a little cheesed off about the fact that a bunch of Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and other assorted mangy fairy-tale creatures have been collectively kicking the backside of a certain boy wizard at the box office for the past two Christmases running. Heh.

    Now OTOH, the Tolkien Estate is being a pain in the butt about the idea of a movie museum in Wellington. And for that, Christopher Tolkien can rightly be accused of behaving like the dog in the manger.

    --
    Doing my level best to piss off the religious right wing...
    1. Re:Fact check -- STOP blaming the Tolkien Estate! by BathTub · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes, and that is what the article says. It is the submitted blurb that is incorrect, not the article.

    2. Re:Fact check -- STOP blaming the Tolkien Estate! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Just a sec....

      Isn't NewLine part of AOL^H^H^H Time Warner?
      According to This, they are.

      And Warner Pictures is too?

      Considering there were a number of reports that TW's profits for the last few years was largely influenced by LOTR:FOTR & TTT - it shouldn't take much for NewLine to receive the rights....

      Should it?

    3. Re:Fact check -- STOP blaming the Tolkien Estate! by GebsBeard · · Score: 1

      I was under the impression that Warner Bros (or some studio) had the rights to FILM the Hobbit but the estate still held the rights to DISTRIBUTE it.

    4. Re:Fact check -- STOP blaming the Tolkien Estate! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why did this post get moderated up? The poster obviously doesn't know the first thing about how large companies work.

  80. Hobbit SG-1 by Zog+The+Undeniable · · Score: 1, Funny

    In which Bilbo and the band of heroic dwarves are joined by Legol'c, a reformed Elf who wears a lot of lipstick, and travel time and space to discover other civilisations that also look suspiciously like hobbits and dwarves and mostly use the Common Speech (it all keeps the budget down).

    --
    When I am king, you will be first against the wall.
  81. Can you say.... by LauraW · · Score: 1

    Planet of the Apes?

    1. Re:Can you say.... by Lev13than · · Score: 1

      Can you say....
      Planet of the Apes?


      Err... the movie or the planet?

      --
      When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
  82. If you want to get technical... by Inoshiro · · Score: 1, Redundant

    You pluralize 1960 to 1960s, not 1960es, so you aren't omitting an e. She or he is, however, omitting the 19, so the correct form of the joke would be:

    "The '50s called; they want their lingo back."

    Note the keen use of the semi-colon!

    --
    --
    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
    1. Re:If you want to get technical... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You pluralize 1960 to 1960s, not 1960es, so you aren't omitting an e.

      The rule is incredibly simple: don't put a letter next to a number without a punctuation mark. So you do not pluralize "1960" as "1960s." You pluralize it as "1960's."

  83. No Dragon? by kabs · · Score: 1

    Hmmm, maybe they'll just leave off all that Dragon business at the end.

  84. Will Hobbit - The movie have... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ...the dwarfs acting like Three Stooges (or twelve in this case) like Gimli does in LotR trilogy?

    Will Gandald have a secret lover (played by Lucy Liu) who will slay Smaug with her bow and arrow?

  85. I believe Mirriam-Webster is in error by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1

    Either Mirriam-Webster is in error, or it is referring to a highly unusual and archaic grammar usage.

    Keep in mind that Mirriam-Webster may be considered authoritative (well, *I* consider it authoritative, though the really anal-retentive folks will look for the OED) for spelling -- not for grammar. I have always seen English style references state that use of the apostrophe-"s" combination is incorrect. All of the serious resources that Google digs up on short notice (aside from m-w) also back this -- take a look at the MLA style apostrophe guidelines or this linguist's lengthy analysis with an eye on "BOUNDARY MARKER (EXCLUSIVELY)".

  86. Yet still... by sunbeam60 · · Score: 1

    ... they dug too deep.

    1. Re:Yet still... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      No Gimli, I would not want to go through Moria unless there were no other choices. You see, I will die in Moria, and then come back and act real stupid for a few minutes in film 2. I will see Merry and Pippin first in film 2, and end up with Treebeard saying "Gandalf said to protect you". Later on I will see a man, an elf, and a dwarf (fresh from the Riddemark), and act surprised when they call me Gandalf. Yet, I'd already seen Merry and Pippin, and they sure as hell would have called me Gandalf already. So, load another bong full of Longbottom!

    2. Re:Yet still... by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      And if I'm not mistaken, in the book Gandalf is in fact the first person to suggest going to Moria after their attemt to cross the mountain is thwarted (by the mountain - not by Sauroman). He never obsesses over how much they shouldn't go there. But we couldn't have the purveyor of all wisdom turning out to be wrong in the film, could we?...

    3. Re:Yet still... by mcspock · · Score: 1

      You are correct; gandalf and gimli wanted to go through moria, but aragorn did not; this change was part of a general trim down of aragorn's intelligence through the first two films. I think the goal here was to make his character shine more in the third, but i'm not totally sure.

      --
      -- Patience is a virtue, but impatience is an art.
    4. Re:Yet still... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      by the mountain - not by Sauroman

      It's Sauron and Saruman. They're two individual entities, don't be combining them.

    5. Re:Yet still... by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      Hey - we're lucky they didn't get combined in the films.

      Producer: What's this - TWO antagonists? And the one just fades away only to show up again 30 pages after the climax? I'm not going to pay somebody main-character wages for the luxury of such a disposable part!

      Script-writer: No problem - we'll just post Sauron's second-in-command in Orthanc and have him harrass the fellowship until the reinforcements from Mordor can show up...

    6. Re:Yet still... by Baggio · · Score: 1

      And not to completely nitpick, but the movie acurately portrays what was in the book. There is some sort of spell cast from the South as they are trying to cross... as if someone WANTS them to turn back.

      --
      Time flies like an arrow;
      Fruit flies like a bananna
    7. Re:Yet still... by greenhide · · Score: 1

      Yeah, and don't forget that in the book, everyone knows what happened in Moria. Nobody goes in there expecting food and drink.

      Gimli: "My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."

      (pause)

      Gimli: "Oh wait, no, scratch that. Everyone in Moria is frikkin' DEAD!"

      Also, considering that Gimli is a dwarf and thus has good night vision, shouldn't *he* have been the first one to realize, "this is a tomb"? I mean, it was pretty clear, really. I could see it in the dark, before they even had bright lights on the bodies.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
    8. Re:Yet still... by dolson · · Score: 1

      I will see Merry and Pippin first in film 2, and end up with Treebeard saying "Gandalf said to protect you".

      Question... Who was it in the first film that set off that big-ass dragon firework?

    9. Re:Yet still... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i thought that too for a while but i think he meant not that gandelf never saw the hobbits before film 2 but just that he saw them in film 2 before he saw the other hobbit and elf and the others at least that my thought

    10. Re:Yet still... by dolson · · Score: 1

      Ah...

      So much thought put into the original post, yet at the same time, not enough thought put into its clarity.

      Oh well.

  87. Cyborgs?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    (for a *very* fun combination, try reading Do Cyborgs Dream of Electric Sheep? and watching Blade Runner)

    Is that the sequel to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

  88. What about a MMORPG by Cackmobile · · Score: 2

    I think that Middle Earth would be an excellent setting for such a game. Even just a single player game would be wicked. I'd love to play as an Ent or an Orc or something.

    --
    -- Karma Karma Karma Karma, Karma Chameleon - Boy George
    1. Re:What about a MMORPG by Tagon+Histo · · Score: 1

      There's one in development that looks pretty good so far: Middle-Earth Online. It's supposed to be finished sometime next year.

    2. Re:What about a MMORPG by ctaylor · · Score: 1

      [shameless plug]

      A Tolkien based MMP is in the works:

      http://www.meo.com
      http://www.middle-earthonlin e.com

      Not scheduled for release for another year or so. This is actually the third attempt to make a Middle-earth MMP. We've been in production for a while now, and the game is approaching alpha.

      [/shameless plug]

      pax,
      -Chris

  89. Well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    at least it isn't a remake or a sequel.

  90. Yes, it's travesty called "not reading the post" by Shadowlore · · Score: 5, Informative

    It is not insightful, it is flat out wrong on so many things wrong.

    Scroll to the top and reread the story.

    Wait, don't both here it is:
    "New Line, which spent $US300million ($415 million) making the films, is already planning to continue its Rings success with an adaptation of Tolkien's novel The Hobbit. "

    That plainly says they spent the money on the LoTR series, not on the King Kong Remake. Further hints include the little know fact that "films" is plural, whereas "the King Kong remake" is singular. ;)

    Oh, and not to pick any nits or anything, but Universal is the one paying Jackson to do the remake of King Kong, and has budgeted 100 million to the project.

    The only "insight" is that Simonetta didn't seem to read the original post. The tragedy is that s/he went off on poor defenseless strawman, and got a +5 insightful.

    Just goes to show that put enough monkeys at a keyboard and let them bang away, eventually they'll mod anything and everything up to +5 insightful.

    --
    My Suburban burns less gasoline than your Prius.
  91. Which King Kong? by serutan · · Score: 0

    Is Jackson doing a remake of the original King Kong, or a remake of the remake of King Kong?

    1. Re:Which King Kong? by Bambi+Dee · · Score: 1

      "Return of the Kong", perhaps?

      *groan*

      (Sorry, could not quite resist.)

  92. King Kong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why anyone would want to remake this dreadful, racist allegory is beyond me.

  93. Re:King Kong Planes by Faluzeer · · Score: 1

    Hmmm

    What was the name of the Book that the film was based on...ah that's right The Two Towers...so what the fuck should he have called the film?

    It had _nothing_ to do with the events of sept 11th.

  94. It's a one-sided report anyhow by Mr+Mozza · · Score: 0

    Maybe it's New Line that's at fault, perhaps New Line want to do something stupid with The Hobbit, like leaving out Bilbo, or Hobbiton, or Gandalf, or the Dwarves, or the map, or Rivendell, or the trolls, or the goblins (orcs), or the Ring, or Gollum, or the wolves, or the Eagles, or Beorn, or Mirkwood, or the stream, or the spiders, or the elves, or the barrels, or Laketown, or the Lonely Mountain, or the Thrush, or the secret door, or the treasure, or Smaug, or the Crow, or Bard, or the Battle of Five Armies, or the auction, or want to introduce a "love interest", or change the sex of characters, or something...

    1. Re:It's a one-sided report anyhow by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      They'd want to leave out the spiders or some of the other really 'scary' material that would make the story a hard sell to mothers with small children.

      Really, what I have the most problem with in all these 'movie adaptations' is the strip mining of our culture, to appear on plastic cups at fast food franchises. That's so often the root of the 'softening' process that ruins good stories.

  95. No spoilers? by jotaeleemeese · · Score: 1

    You mean, nobody knows how the movie ends?

    Blimey Batman!

    --
    IANAL but write like a drunk one.
    1. Re:No spoilers? by JK+Master-Slave · · Score: 1

      Believe it or not, there are people who have held off reading Tolkein's trilogy for years now because they don't want to spoil the ending of a three part flick.

      To my mind that's a little like holding off on reading the trilogy because the Readers Digest Condensed Book version isn't completed yet.

  96. There is a God by bytor4232 · · Score: 1

    My prayers have been answered! Although the animated version of The Hobbit is an absolute classic, think about this: Smaug the Dragon. Need I say more?

    --
    -- 4 8 15 16 23 42
  97. $400 million wasn't for King Kong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's saying that's how much New Line spent on LOTR. Read it again.

  98. Oblig South Park Quote by medscaper · · Score: 1
    Clive : "The Hobbit story happens before the Rings story, so maybe they could get Ewan McGregor to play Obi-wan."

    [silence]

    Cartman : "Clive...God dammit..."

    --
    Any sufficiently well-organized Government is indistinguishable from bullshit.
  99. Hobbit? Nay, Silmarillion! by Morthaur · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'd love to see a good film adaptation of the Silmarillion, preferably over two to three films, so the full sweep is conveyed. Imagine wars between mighty Noldorin princes and their elven armies and the Balrog-led legions of Morgoth...

    --

    +++++++
    "Look, dear, it's a crazy hairy scary man!"
  100. Re:King Kong Planes by LanceTaylor · · Score: 1

    The World Trade Center buildings were known as the Twin Towers...not the Two Towers.

    The Lord of the Rings is a set of books typically published in three volumes:

    • The Fellowship of the Ring
    • The Two Towers
    • The Return of the King
    There was nothing in the movie or the title that referred to the WTC in New York.
  101. Godzilla did okay, pathetically enough by ianscot · · Score: 1
    Just googled around to confirm that Godzilla, the remake, actually made money. Partly owing to the international market, it did pretty well despite the colossal production expense. Big action movies cross cultures okay, the dialog means so little.

    Not that I'm enthusiastic to report this, mind you. Never saw the thing myself. (Won't be going to see "The Cat in the Hat," either. Apparently other people have kids who didn't take one look at the ads on TV and say "That looks totally gross." I'll put the money on my kids' reaction, though.)

    The two worthwhile versions of King Kong starred Fay Wray and Homer ("Maybe you should eat more vegetables and less people") Simpson. Remakes can work, honest.

    --
    "Fundamentalism" isn't about divine morality. It's about human authority.
  102. Hate to differ on taste... by ianscot · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Personally I honestly loved the animated Hobbit, as a ten-year-old when it came out on TV. It did awfully well with the overall throw of the story, which is more cinematic in scope than the Rings books to start with anyway. Gandalf is such a perfect role for John Huston's voice I was shocked to like Ian Richardson as much as I did. The old songs worked -- they used Tolkien's lyrics from the books and made them work, which is something Peter Jackson couldn't tackle. In all it was a very decent adaptation. Bitching about the way the animators did the wood elves is pretty finicky stuff in my book. I'd take that Elrond, either way.

    The Rings animated adaptation was doomed partly by the scope of the books, but your reaction's just colored by your having seen the live action first. My kids chose it to rent out last year too, and it had some things going for it, it genuinely did. I'd take the animated version of the hobbits' meeting with Strider over Peter Jackson's; it did a much better job of allowing him to be enigmatic, whereas the recent Fellowship telegraphed that scene badly. (I'm not so into Vigo in the role, he's way self-conscious.) In general the animated version has a lot less time for orcs screaming their lungs out to shell shock the audience, too, which ain't so bad to do without.

    Not that they're perfect, but this isn't nearly as much of a train wreck as Attack of the Clones, or not in my book. The adapters did "get" the original stories, they understood the lines of each scene. If the Rings cartoon breaks down, it's mostly because of scope and their production values. And no, they didn't let the dwarves become a running short joke, either, or Legolas a rad surfer dude.

    --
    "Fundamentalism" isn't about divine morality. It's about human authority.
    1. Re:Hate to differ on taste... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The OP was talking about the Rankin-Bass Return of the King. You are talking about The Lord of the Rings by Ralph Bakshi. They are quite different movies.

  103. Question About Lineage by virg_mattes · · Score: 1

    In reading your passage (fine work, by the way), I'm brought back to the question I asked when I was younger, that nobody ever cared to answer: if Jesus is the son of God, and born to Mary, a virgin, why does Jesus' lineage through Joseph matter? Joseph is a stepfather, according to the Bible, so there's no official lineage to trace.

    Virg

    1. Re:Question About Lineage by IronTomFlint · · Score: 1
      Two suggestions.
      1. Joseph's lineage matters because although he was not the real father of Jesus, he certainly was the adoptive father (and for purposes of inheritance, adoption was as good as being natural-born).
      2. It seems to me that between Matthew and Luke, the bases are covered: Luke presents Mary's lineage, which also is Davidic. Thus, whether a critic prefers to pursue the issue based upon his mother's or father's ancestry, Jesus is unquestionably in the Davidic line.
      --
      Arrr!
    2. Re:Question About Lineage by jdavidb · · Score: 1

      I wondered that, too. :) The issue is that under Jewish law, Jesus was the son of Joseph since He was born to Joseph's wife. Therefore, His "legal" heritage and His "genetic" heritage are both traced back to David, to prove that Jesus is both a genetic descendant of David and legal heir to the throne. It's interesting to note that Joseph's genealogy goes through the kings descended from David, beginning with Solomon, while Mary's goes through another son of David, Nathan.

      Another interesting person in both genealogies is Zerubbabel, given two different fathers, IIRC. My understanding is that this is another case where someone's legal father was not his genetic father (due to the custom of "levirate marriage," where a man married his childless brother's widow to have children in his brother's name).

      I saw a wonderful chart on this on the net a few years back, but it's moved.

  104. ROI by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

    Now that's the kind of ROI I want on my 401k. The market spends the last few years tanking, and these guys invest 300M six years ago and the total return is projected somewhere in the 3B range. Sure there's marketing and distribution, but 900% over 7-8 years?!? If my quick math is right, that's somewhere in the mid to high 30's compounded anually.

    If I'd made that kind of money from '97 to today, I'd be sitting on the beach, sipping coladas, and reading slashdot on the wireless laptop rather than wasting my companies time sitting at my desk, sipping their coffee, and reading slashdot.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  105. Prehensile Uvula? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...I thought they were a band...

  106. OT - Joseph by pizzaman100 · · Score: 1

    I'm wondering, and maybe you know - why was Joseph's line important, since technically he would only be Jesus' step-dad?

    1. Re:OT - Joseph by jdavidb · · Score: 1

      Even as stepfather, Joseph was still Jesus's "legal" father. Jesus inherited genetically through Mary, but inherited the legal title to the throne of David through His earthly father Joseph. Just posted in response to someone else on this topic; you can go back to my original post and read through the replies to read more.

    2. Re:OT - Joseph by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      In the first century, it was usual for heroic figures (in the technical Greek sense of "hero") to have two genealogies: that of their assumed father, and that of their "heavenly" father. Thus Alexander could speak of his father Zeus Ammon, despite the fact that if he wasn't the biological son of Phillip, he couldn't be king of Macedon. If you look at the Jesus genealogies in this way, you can see why the genealogy of Joseph is still important despite the presumption that Jesus is the son of Yahweh.

  107. No McKellen...? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ian McKellen's quote last time The Hobbit was rumoured. "Gandalf was a once in a lifetime role: emphasis on once"

  108. Are you sure? by DG · · Score: 1

    I always thought it was "The Producers"

    DG

    --
    Want to learn about race cars? Read my Book
  109. Woops by IronTomFlint · · Score: 1
    I should have checked first, posted second. :-(

    Luke presents Joseph's lineage as well. Thus my 2nd suggestion is void; but the first one was/is more significant.

    --
    Arrr!
  110. Re:King Kong Planes by willtsmith · · Score: 1

    Had Bara-Dur and Isengard been torn down in the movies, I think their would be merit to protest.

    Had Isengard and Bara-Dur been located 300m from each other, maybe that would be reason to get upset. These books were named in the 1950s. There is no reason to get upset about this stuff.

    As far as King-Kong goes, he doesn't have to tear up New York. Why do all the monsters have to tear up New York. He could have King Kong tear apart Chicago instead ;-)

    Of course knowing Chicago politics, Mayor Dailey would likely try to make him an Alderman rather than fighting him ;-) As long as the Big Ape stayed clear of O'Haire Airport, he'd be fine ;-)

    --
    -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
  111. Random Pink Floyd reference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Careful with that axe, Eugene.

  112. NO! by CaptIronfist · · Score: 1

    Peter Jackson.. gimme a break.. the only problems with the LOTR movies is the director who did a very average job compared to the novels. The amount of cheese he added to get the attention of the lame public makes me sick. Did i mention if i hear that stupid romantic score again i'm gonna go berzerk right in the cinema? No. Good, cause i'm still unsure if i'm going to pay to see the last installement of the trilogy.

    In fact, if he's any as good as many people seem to think he is, let me tell you that LOTR doesn't give him any justice or whatsoever. Sure I could go on about what I hated about the 2 movies i saw, but what would be the use anyways, most of you have already modded me down to Troll.

    IMHO, any other director would have done as good as him. Get some new blood, see what others can do. Nothing Jackson made ( brain dead, army of .. ) impresses me. Quite frankly i dono wtf you people see in this director. He's quite a plane joe. ( A hyped plane joe even, that's worst )

  113. best songs in history of all televised media by EEgopher · · Score: 1

    (from yet another Tolkein animated movie)

    Where there's a whip,
    There's a way!

    We don't wanna go to war today
    But the lord of the lash says Nay Nay Naayyyyy!

    Commence severe mosh pit

    --
    hi, I like pancakes -.-- -.-- --..
    1. Re:best songs in history of all televised media by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I give you $200, will you kill the Minstrel of Gondor for me ??

  114. no he can't - already being done by Shrek director by count0 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Walden Media already has options on all 7 Narnia books. Live action The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is already in production, with Andrew Adamson directing. More here http://www.walden.com/lww.html

  115. There are two kinds of greed. by IronTomFlint · · Score: 1
    One kind of greed demands absurdly high prices for things, in an attempt at self-enrichment at any cost to others.

    The other kind of greed refuses to part with anything it has at any price. It's reasonable to expect compensation; it's unreasonable to refuse any at all for a thing that will one day be in the public domain anyway. We're not talking about refusing to sell the Mona Lisa; we're talking about rights to restrict creation of a movie. Someone else's comparison to Smaug is apt, if indeed Mr. Tolkien is hoarding.

    --
    Arrr!
  116. Re:Yes, it's travesty called "not reading the post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Moderators: mod this troll down!!!

  117. Ultimate adaptation by willtsmith · · Score: 1

    Another excellent lesson in GOOD adaption is Martin Scorcesee's Dracula.

    Of all the Dracula movies I've seen it is by far the most accurate adaptation. It also is VERY inaccurate as far as following the letter of Braham Stoker's novel. I thought the movie was better.

    I also thought that merging Stoker's other great creation "The Mummy" with Dracula was a stroke of genius. The book never explained WHY Dracula wanted to come to London. The connection with the historical crusader Prince Vlad Tepisch is also excellent.

    The journal narration of the film is accurate to it's written form. The book is told as a truncation of journal pages type-written by Mina Harker. The ultimate coup is that Scorcese explains why the love story is not included in the ultimate journal narration. Mina Harker throws her handwritten journal entries over her affair with Vlad into the sea.

    The only thing I didn't like was the truncation of Harker's journey to castle Dracula. There are many creepy things that happen on the way. The duration of Harker's stay ALSO seems to be truncated.

    This film more than any other shows what has to be done to make a good film from an excellent novel. Lot's of chopping and a litte sprucing up.

    --
    -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
  118. Re:Hobbit? Nay, Silmarillion! by CrackHappy · · Score: 1

    You have GOT to be kidding. Don't get me wrong, I love the Silmarillion, but there is NO way I can see that being adapted as a whole to the screen.

    Now, I don't see a reason they couldn't do sections of the Silmarillion as films, independent of each other, because you have to realize, it may be written as a single book, but it encompasses thousands and thousands of years of time!

    On top of the fact that what you read in the book may work very well in your imagination, but there is no way it would work on film. Remember, when filming vs. writing, you have to show, not tell.

    --
    1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d Capitalization really works: i helped my uncle jack off a horse
  119. What has happened to the existing sets? by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 1

    And what has happened to the LotR sets and locations in NZ? Would they be available? Certainly they must have been preserved as a tourist attraction if nothing else.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
    1. Re:What has happened to the existing sets? by Bambi+Dee · · Score: 1

      That'd be neat.

      I'm watching "Fellowship" again right now and noticed I already treat it like a tourist visiting a museum: the scenery is stunning -- the landscapes, Hobbiton, Rivendell, Moria... -- as a movie, however, it doesn't thrill me much. It's like with games such as Nightmare Creatures or Silent Hill II that I took a stroll in, admired the snow or fog or whatever, and subsequently forgot about.

  120. OT question by Tyler+Durden · · Score: 1

    I just wanted to comment that that's an excellent .sig you've got there. Does it come from anywhere in particular?

    --
    Happy people make bad consumers.
    1. Re: OT question by Black+Parrot · · Score: 1


      > I just wanted to comment that that's an excellent .sig you've got there. Does it come from anywhere in particular?

      No, just from what's been going on in the USA for the last couple of years.

      I've been thinking about the .sig for a while, but what finally motivated me to put it up was the news story last week about an American colonel using criminal behavior to get a POW to talk, and a group of legislators wanting to reward him for it.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  121. Enforced intermission by devphil · · Score: 1


    Why wouldn't he make an extended edition? Splitting the EEs across two DVDs kinda handles the intermission part. I mean, ya gotta stand up long enough to change dics, and while you're up you might as well take a bathroom break, and maybe eat a meal, and heck just watch the second half tomorrow...

    --
    You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
  122. The state of Murkwood by willtsmith · · Score: 1

    Murkwood was under seige by dark forces. Indeed the spirit of Sauron was dwelling there.

    So they indeed had reason to be prickly. The fighting for Smaug's treasure is completely out of character for elves. The only explanation I would have is that Smaug had stolen many things from the elves that lay in Lonely Mountain. They may have considered some of those items their birthright.

    The other explanation is that they may have known that one or more of the seven was in Lonely Mountain. The elves didn't trust the dwarves. Among the 3 elf lords, the lord of Murkwood did not hold one of the three*. That ring (fire) went to Gandalf. Retrieving one (or more) of the seven may be seen as fighting for stature.

    Is it merely coincidence that the elf tribe who did NOT possess a ring of power are not masters of their own wood.

    * Elrond held the ring of water. Galadriel held the ring of air.**

    ** That's odd that Tolkien would choose three of the 4 primary elements for the elven rings. A ring of earth is missing. Perhaps the seven of the dwarves collectively represent the earth since dwarves prefer living underground.

    --
    -------- -------- Support Wesley Clark for president!!!
  123. Re:Yes, it's travesty called "not reading the post by cmburns69 · · Score: 1

    Or +5 informative..

    (Not a flame, just a joke)

    --
    Online Starcraft RPG? At
    Dietary fiber is like asynchronous IO-- Non-blocking!
  124. Right the first time by downwa · · Score: 1

    Actually, you were right the first time. Luke presents Mary's lineage. See commentaries below:

    http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.asp?ViewCo mm entary=Luke+3&Version=WES
    http://www.christnotes. org/commentary.asp?ViewComm entary=Luke+3&Version=MHC

    From Wesley's commentary, "The son of Heli -- That is, the son-in-law: for Heli was the father of Mary. So St. Matthew writes the genealogy of Joseph, descended from David by Solomon; St. Luke that of Mary, descended from David by Nathan. In the genealogy of Joseph (recited by St. Matthew) that of Mary is implied, the Jews being accustomed to marry into their own families."

    So your second point in your first post stands.

    --
    Life's a lot like money-- you spend it, then it's gone. Spend wisely.
    1. Re:Right the first time by IronTomFlint · · Score: 1
      Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. When I went back and looked and saw "...the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,..." in the KJV, I got cold feet ;-)

      Of course, I've always heard that Luke presents Mary's lineage, which is what prompted my second point. But reading the KJV clouded my mind ;-)

      I suppose that it's reasonable to read "son" as "son-in-law", since I know that many parents refer to their children-in-law as their children. Still, at Slashdot, the zealots who are desperately seeking to misunderstand the Bible jump on things like this so often that I wanted to err on the side of caution by adding the disclaimer.

      I appreciate the clarification.

      --
      Arrr!
  125. Agreed, those Kiwis are nuts! Great tourist draw. by jonskerr · · Score: 1

    Every film commentator who has seen the LOTR props has raved about their detail and craftsmanship. People would go to New Zealand specifically to see these props and the 'bigatures' etc. It would have been a good idea to leave to Hobbiton sets up too, but too late now.

    --
    O~ Him that studies revenge keeps his own wounds green. -- Francis Bacon
  126. use fresh actors by ftide · · Score: 1

    If Jackson does manage to direct The Hobbit he should have fresh, younger faces this will add an element of age with respect to the trilogy. Instead of Ian Holm as Bilbo maybe someone half his age (remember Bilbo turned 100 in Fellowship. Instead of Ian McKellan as Gandalf maybe ...<insert actor most resembling Gandalf here>

    1. Re:use fresh actors by jgoemat · · Score: 1

      I don't know how much younger Gandalf would look at 2940 years old instead of 3000...

  127. i Andale ! by Angram · · Score: 1

    Not quite - I've visited Mayan ruins in Mexico myself. (The Mayan people lived throughout Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula, which is in Mexico.)

    --

    GL
  128. Why +4? Re:Christ's Lineage passage by uberdood · · Score: 1

    Why is the lead post in this thread +4 when it is clearly off-topic? The topic is Peter Jackson and filming the Hobbit - not "oh, my memory sucks and I need hand gestures to recall a long-winded geneaology every bit as dry as the Silmarillion."

    --
    "Population 1,656"
  129. Smell the wookie by Valdrax · · Score: 1

    If you are lucky, improved medicine will let you stand in line in the year 2077 to see a cool little movie about a guy in a galaxy far, far away. Except, you'll smell the wookie.

    Thank goodness! After all the "digitally enchanced" remakes, I thought that all Lucas wanted was for us to Smell the Glove.

    --
    If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
  130. Different studios, same parent... by geekwench · · Score: 2, Informative
    New Line and WB are both, technically, part of AOL/Time Warner, but under different management. (Sort of like Sam's Club and Wal-Mart -- same ownership, different businesses; with different management, business licensing, budgets, etc.)
    In situations like this, the parent company is perfectly happy to take a hands-off approach, because it's in their best interest in the long run. In other words; let the kids squabble. It'll mean that more money goes into AOL/TW's pocket if anything gets done. And if not, the parent company hasn't lost anything.

    Chalk up another one for the Big, Evil, Faceless Corporation (TM).

    --
    Doing my level best to piss off the religious right wing...
  131. Yeah, I know. by geekwench · · Score: 1
    Yes, well; despite the fact that I'm not new around here, I read the article, as did you. My reproof was to the other posters who have been typing harsh invective about the Estate's (non) interference in bringing The Hobbit to the big screen.

    Mind you, I don't doubt that if Christopher could throw a monkey wrench into the works, he would. He's not even talking to his own son right now, because his son (Simon Tolkien) is a fan of the films.
    [sarcasm] For shame, Simon; for shame! [/sarcasm] Here sir; you can have the seat next to me for the opening of RotK. I'll even share my popcorn. And my industrial sized box of tissues.

    --
    Doing my level best to piss off the religious right wing...
  132. I thought they already made The Hobbit. by Tantrum420 · · Score: 1
    I mean... They've got trailers

    Streaming

    MPEG

    Well... At least the trailer is done for it already.

    T

    1. Re:I thought they already made The Hobbit. by dolson · · Score: 1

      I thought the clips in the supposed trailer were clips taken from the LOTR movies and some other movie about dragons? Dragonslayer or something like that... And look at the release date... 2003? I guess it's coming out the day after Return of the King?

  133. Why a museum is a good idea by jesterzog · · Score: 1

    How about building parks and playgrounds? Contributing to local health programs? Financial aid for economically depressed areas? Charities? Libraries? Help for schools?

    Keep in mind that Peter Jackson grew up here and he does live here. He gets on well with people here and he's not just blindly suggesting this out of nowhere.

    Despite the fact that you might not know it very well, New Zealand isn't a third world country. It's a well developed OECD country that's certainly not large, but it's not struggling either. NZ has its own standard of defining "poverty" which is essentially separating richer people from poorer people, but it's nothing to do with the same thing in the rest of the world, including the USA.

    He's also a film-maker. He could contribute to local health programmes or libraries (and he may already be doing so for all I know), but so could a lot of people. Besides, we already have those things -- there may be ways to improve them but throwing money at them isn't necessarily the answer, and there's no reason that Jackson should make any outlandish effort for something he's not an expert on. If anything, it should be the government doing that using the large amounts of extra money that's been brought into the economy from the revamped film industry.

    The museum isn't an empty gesture; it's something that many people here really want, and he knows that. Roughly 20,000 people out of 4 million had some direct involvement in making these movies --- it's unusual for anyone here not to know someone who took part. Personally I know quite a lot of people who worked on it. A much more vast proportion of the population had an indirect involvement, including everything from jogging past the film sets on a Monday morning to debating with many of the actors in the cafe's down town.

    Forget about tourism benefits for a moment. Even without them, a museum is something permanent and lasting that would help everyone here remember it all.

    1. Re:Why a museum is a good idea by CaptainCarrot · · Score: 1
      Despite the fact that you might not know it very well, New Zealand isn't a third world country.

      I know it quite well. One of my favorite mystery writers spent most of her life there. There's no need to be snide. My suggestions had to do with what every community could use a little more of.

      --
      And the brethren went away edified.
  134. Re:Why +4? Re:Christ's Lineage passage by jdavidb · · Score: 1

    I've got to agree. I intended that to be an offtopic post, only of interest to the person I was replying to and anyone who came after, thinking most of the moderation was already over for this thread.

    I wanted it to be interesting, but I wasn't shooting for overshadowing the story.

    I've got to get more judicious in the use of my karma bonus.

  135. The Hobbit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    While I had been smoking something pretty strong, I am 90% certain I saw a trailer for "The Hobbit" before the showing of "The Two Towers". It was basically an extension of the Ian Holm scene of finding the Ring and was followed by "The Hobbit" in the same font as LOTR titles in the Jackson films.

  136. film adaptations and their shortcomings by qtp · · Score: 1

    An adaptation can be an homage, but it is essential for readers to realize that much of what can be conveyed in well crafted words will not necessarily translate well to the screen, such as the work of Thomas Hardy (although the film of "Far from the Madding Crowd" is incredible). Often the word "homage" is applied to a film when the filmmaker utterly fails to convey the style, underlying meaning, or even the same story of the original, as is the case with Cronenburg's adaptation (if you can call it that) of Burrough's "Naked Lunch".

    Luckily there are novels that can translate well to the screen and it does seem that Tolkien's writing is particularly well suited for film (when treated by a competant filmmaker), as long as a reasonable attempt to be true to the original is made. I'd particularly enjoy seeing a new treatment of "The Hobbit" as the previous animated "Hobbit" was entertaining, it was still very much a cartoon.

    BTW and OT, I must comment on your assesment as related in this statement:

    The Third Man and the Graham Greene story novel on which it was based.

    As much as I admire the work of Orson Welles, I'd have to disagree with you on this one point. The film made from Greene's script based on Greene's novel, IMHO, falls slightly short of the mark set by the novel, and where it does succeed, it does so due to Greene's insistance on keeping those details that Welles thought insignificant. Welles openly regretted agreeing to have Greene on the set while the film was being made, even though he later acknowledged that Greene's interventions were essential to conveying much of the subtle subtext that is essential to the story.

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    Read, L
    1. Re:film adaptations and their shortcomings by Lemmy+Caution · · Score: 1

      While your story about the Third Man may be true, Welles didn't direct it: it was directed by Carol Reed, a postwar British director who never made another film as strong as this one. Welles simply co-starred.

      The best change that Reed insisted upon was Alida Valli's (Anna's) snubbing of Joseph Cotton (Holly) at the end. In the novel, I believe they hooked up, which is something a disservice to Cotton's character (who is, after all, a weak-minded boob who takes no real initiative in the entire movie) and her character's sense of loyalty to Welles (Harry).

      The novel, I think, succumbed to the compulsion to have the "hero" get the girl. Which betrays the essential point that Holly is no hero.