As M.C. of tonight’s “Return of the One Party” in Hollywood, I am holding a special toast in honor of Peter Jackson and his cast, crew, and supporters. The magic happens immediately when the Oscar telecast ends (after the Best Picture winner is announced). Whether you’re at the Party, or at your own gathering with friends; folks at home and around the world can raise their glasses simultaneously. This is for the entire Tolkien community to share in a special moment. Feel free to toast with this text or in your own way!
Month: February 2004
Ladies and Gentlemen: Hobbit lads and lasses,
We are met tonight at the crossroads of cinema history: where both Art and Commerce intersect in a magnificent collision, where critics and audiences both applaud the power of movies.
The wonders of Middle-earth have unfolded before our eyes, shining on the silver screen as never before. We have witnessed visions of such staggering beauty, created by a dedicated team of artists and craftsmen and musicians. In such cynical times as these, how miraculous it is to see unsullied hope carried on the shoulders of our favorite heroes.
For 50 years now, through Professor Tolkien’s exquisite words, we have learned that nothing moves the human heart as much as good storytelling. And now we embrace the power of such storytelling in another medium. Tonight we raise our glasses in toast to a gentle Kiwi filmmaker with a singular vision.
{Participants raise glasses.}
To Peter Jackson and his many, many supporting players who helped bring this story to a new generation of fans. We congratulate you all.
The road goes ever on…. Cheers!
Peregrinning Took writes: On Supermillionaire tonight, the $100k question was “What do the R.R. in Lord of the Rings’ author J.R.R. Tolkien’s name stand for?” The answers were (I believe) Randolph Rian, Roland Reine, Richard Rhys, and Ronald Reul. The guy walked without answering. After giving the correct answer, Regis said, “I’ll be a ton of kids out there are screaming the right answer at their TVs.” Too true!
Today, February 28th is Mark Feguson (Gil Galad) birthday! Mark was born on February 28th, 1961 in Sydney Australia. That makes him 43 today! Happy birthday Mark!
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Reuters) – Not bothering to wait for those immortal words, “And the Oscar goes to…,” New Zealand held an early celebration for three homegrown Academy Award contenders, led by the final installment in the “Lord of the Rings” series. [More]
The movie most people think should win the Academy Award for best picture is the third chapter of the “Lord of the Rings” saga, a poll found. Asked which movie should win the academy award for best picture, 42 percent picked “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” widely expected to win the award Sunday night. [More]