Middle-earth Journeys

Interesting article in many levels. I agree it is time for PJ to hang it up. If he goes any further with Tolkien's work I'll scream. The writer has the correct attitude for watching The Hobbit. Just pretend it's not Tolkien's Hobbit.

How do you keep these stories alive and not totally loose track of their human souls? Gaming certainly isn't the answer.

Movie techniques are also not the answer. PJ has become too much of a technician and lost sight of the story.

I guess the DVD version of 'Desolation of Smaug' is out and TOR.n is showing a deluxe set complete with a set of bookends. I can't tell what they are, but if they are big golden dwarves, that would just be too hard to bear. I notice that the cover of the DVD features Legolas and Tauriel, two characters who aren't even in the book. This is one I'm not going to buy.

Argh, I hate that big golden dwarf (and the scene in the movie) and would appreciate them as bookends.

I'll wait to see what the extended edition has to offer before deciding either to purchase it or the theatre edition. I can't bare any more scenes of Legolas or Tauriel.

I am afraid that I am hopelessly addicted. I will get it on Amazon instant streaming on the 25th and then again when the extended comes out. I'm hooked.

Wow, you ARE addicted!

I just looked for a better picture of the bookends. I'm not sure, but I think they might be the big old dwarves outside the gates of the Mountain rather than the silly golden dwarves. Doesn't really matter much to me. I sort of gave half a thought to the LOTR bookends--the Argonath statues--but I ended up not buying those, either. I already have one set of LOTR bookends, the Bag End front door ones, and they are charming. That should be enough.

Riv Res wrote: I'm hooked.

You should blush... you're nuts.

The closest time I ever purchased a LoTR memorabilia was when I saw Glamdring and Anduril outside a thrift store. I went back 20 minutes later and found some crazed women had both at the counter ready to pay $7 each. I lamented I was so bummed she had grabbed them before me, she exclaimed, "Do you know how much these are worth on e-bay?" I asked her if she was a fan of Tolkien's and she told me no, she just wanted to sell them on e-bay.

I gave her such a dirty look. I was furious.

I ordered the Blu-ray of Desolation of Smaug mostly because my husband didn't get a chance to see it in the theatre. Unlike with LOTR, I'm really not interested in the extended editions of The Hobbit movies. From my point of view, they've already been WAY over-extended!!

Philipa wrote: You should blush... you're nuts.

No ... addicted.

From The Great Years Calendar for today, March 15 ...

... Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur. Second assault on Lorien..

PJ has sure made a mish mash of plot and timing with his idea to have Gandalf captured at Dol Guldur. He would probably insist he hasn't, but I beg to differ.

Yeah, I don't get it, either. It also just makes Gandalf look like a fool.

The only thing I can think of is that PJ has to set up a blockbuster film 3, since this will probably be his Middle-earth swan song. So maybe there will be a spectacular White Council rescue! The alternative is that PJ has just lost control of the plot completely, which I hope isn't true.

Well ... he just can't leave Gandalf hanging there in Dol Guldur. It will be interesting to see how he handles it to be sure.

Well, Galadriel did tell Gandalf that if he needed her, she would come. I have a feeling PJ is going to oblige with a rescue a la Galadriel.
And yes, he is completely off the tracks. The only way I can enjoy these films is to keep reminding myself, "This isn't The Hobbit. This is Peter Jackson's RIFF on The Hobbit." And then, just sit back and enjoy the roller coaster ride, because that's basically all it is -- a glorified roller coaster ride.

Lindariel wrote: because that's basically all it is -- a glorified roller coaster ride.

It is kinda fun though.

I read a short interview with Philipa Boyens over at TOR.n, and she refers to what happens to Thorin in movie 3 as a "descent into madness". She seems to think Armitage has done a good job of it. I suppose we'll see something loosely Shakespearean, tragic hero with the tragic flaw and all that. It will certainly give him a chance to act. But was Thorin really mad?