   Hall of Fire tomorrow. Movie Denethor: tragedy or travesty?Peter Jackson’s reconstruction of Denethor, the steward of Gondor remains one of the more controversial aspects of his adaptation of Return of the King. This weekend, Hall of Fire re-engages with an old question as we ask: “Movie Denethor: tragedy or travesty?”. Denethor II, the last ruling steward of Gondor is one of Tolkien’s most interesting characters — as flawed and tragic as some of the greatest heroes of the First Age. In his rivalry with Thorongil and Gandalf to his strained relationship with Faramir and a stewardship where he resorts to desperate acts to save Gondor, we see his pride, nobility, arrogance and, ultimately, his despair and madness. In Jackson’s live-action movie trilogy, Denethor (played by John Noble) is written differently — a weak ruler who passively (and even actively) works against Gondor’s defence. What are the successes and failures of Boyens and Walsh take on Denethor? Does the more dramatically shown antipathy of John Noble’s function better in film, even though it comes at the cost of some of the subtlety of the original? Pippin Took chat in Hall of Fire now!We about to begin this week’s Hall of Fire discussion. Our question today? Pippin Took: Bold, hard halfling or piece of luggage? Pippin, as Peregrin Took was universally known, was the youngest (and perhaps most reluctantly accepted) of the Fellowship. He was only twenty-eight when he set out with Frodo and Sam from Bag End on the first part of their great journey — quite young for a Hobbit. What does this say about the character of Peregrin Took? Come join our discussion by clicking the link below! We’re done for this week! Thanks to everyone who joined us! Hall of Fire chat: Pippin Took. Bold halfling or luggage?Elrond’s heart forbade him going with the Fellowship; Gandalf encouraged him to throw himself down a well as a preventative measure against stupidity. Tomorrow, in the Hall of Fire, we discuss Pippin Took: Bold, hard halfling or piece of luggage? Pippin, as Peregrin Took was universally known, was the youngest (and perhaps most reluctantly accepted) of the Fellowship. He was only twenty-eight when he set out with Frodo and Sam from Bag End on the first part of their great journey — quite young for a Hobbit. What does this say about the character of Peregrin Took? The final chapter of The Hobbit in Hall of Fire now!We’re just about to kick-off our discussion of chapter 19 of the Hobbit in the Hall of Fire. So come and join us and bring your thoughts as we wrap up our journey to there… and back again! We’re done. Thanks to everyone who came along! Hall of Fire concludes our Hobbit reading this weekend!“It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley in Rivendell…” At Hall of Fire, we’ve reached the end of our chapter-by-chapter read-through of the Hobbit. This weekend we’ll discuss the final chapter, touching on the return journey, the interlude in Rivendell, the final division of the troll hoard and the domestic chaos that Bilbo returns to. But we’ll also be asking ourselves some wider questions. How has Bilbo changed? Has he matured? Might he have stayed in Rivendell? What does it mean that he returns to Bag End? And how does Bilbo’s fate compare with that of the dwarves, and especially The Master? Join us on this Saturday, January 21, at 5pm EST when we’ll be examining all this and more as we wrap up our Hobbit read in Hall of Fire! Hall of Fire Hobbit teaser chat now!We’re just about to kick off our somewhat belated discussion of the Hobbit teaser trailer in The Hall of Fire. So, click the link below and join us as try to come up with a list five things we loved about the teaser trailer! We’re done. Thanks to everyone who joined us! Hall of Fire this weekend: five Hobbit teaser things!With the timing of Christmas and New Year, we never quite got round to discussing the Hobbit teaser trailer in the Hall of Fire. This weekend we’re going to remedy that with a special topic: five things we loved about the Hobbit teaser trailer! Join us on Saturday January 14 at 5pm EST when we’ll proceed to go a bit trailer crazy and gush about the things in the teaser that caught our attention. What was it for you? Maybe it was Gandalf in that mysterious location. Maybe it was Bag End! Maybe it was the dwarves singing. Maybe… maybe it was nothing! Whichever it was, be sure to join our special Hall of Fire chat on Saturday and let us know what you think! Hall of Fire Hobbit chat now!Come join us right now in the Hall of Fire as we chat about the events of the penultimate chapter of The Hobbit. Chapter 18: The Return Journey. Bilbo’s long quest is almost over, but who’s still standing at the end? And how has Bilbo changed? Just click the link below and come on in to join our discussion. We’re done, folks! Thanks to everyone who joined us. Next weekend’s topic: Five things you loved about the Hobbit teaser! See you then! Hall of Fire chats return tomorrow!“Victory after all, I suppose! Well, it seems a very gloomy business.” The Hobbit chapter 18: The Return Journey. This weekend, TORn’s Hall of Fire returns from the Christmas/New Year break with the penultimate chapter of our Hobbit read-through. The Battle of the Five Armies is over. All that remains to be tallied is the cost. We’ll explore the fate of the company: do each get what they deserve? Does Thorin truly repent his harsh words at Erebor’s gates? And is Bilbo truly changed by his deeds and adventures? Is he a hero? A survivor? Or something else? Join us tomorrow, Saturday January 7 at 5pm EST (New York time) when we’ll examine all these questions and more as we discuss The Hobbit chapter 18: The Return Journey! Hall of Fire hobbit chat now!Join us in Hall of Fire where we’re about to chat about chapter 17 of The Hobbit and the Battle of the Five Armies! We’re done — thanks to everyone who come along! Hall of Fire chats Battle of Five Armies tomorrow!“So began a battle that none had expected; and it was called the Battle of Five Armies, and it was very terrible.” With this simple sentence, Tolkien builds his adventure to a startling climax — and this unexpected denouement is what we’ll be examining this weekend in the Hall of Fire as we delve into chapter 17 of the Hobbit — The Clouds Burst. Hall of Fire live now with The Hobbit chapter 16After an unexpected break, Hall of Fire is back! Grab your book and and come join us right now as we chat about Bilbo’s daring plan in chapter 16 of The Hobbit: A Thief In The Night. We’re done — thanks to everyone who came along! |
 
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