  Peter Jackson brings Damien Echols from prison to Sundance, ‘West of Memphis’ points fingers
Directed by Amy Berg, the movie was commissioned by Jackson and wife Fran Walsh after the pair saw the first HBO documentary that spread the story of the West Memphis Three. The trio was convicted in 1994 of murdering three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas and has long been an the subject of intense media scrutiny. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were, according to many, completely innocent and clearly wrongly convicted. The justice system of Arkansas does not agree. Jackson and Walsh watched the original HBO documentary, Paradise Lost, that focuses on the case and the doubts that surround it. That original film has grown into three. “It made us angry and it made us sad and we called Lori (Davis, Echol’s wife) and asked if there was anything we could do,” Jackson said. Wood: “I turned 19 in Hobbiton. That’s [expletive] crazy.”
“Did my part already…” Wood said. “I was there for a month. It didn’t actually take that much time for the work. It was sort of half vacation and catching up with old friends and half work.” “It had been 11 years since I’d been to Hobbiton,” Wood said. “I turned 19 in Hobbiton. That’s [expletive] crazy. I stood on the hill looking at the hobbit holes and I was, like, ‘I turned 19 here and I’m 30 now.’ It was such a weird thing. And a lot of the same crew were there. That was the most bizarre. It felt like taking a step back in time almost. It was extraordinary.” Read more at The Salt Lake Tribune. TheOneRing.net: A Look Back at 2011
 Discuss »More about Barlimans, Blu-Ray, ComicCon, Contests, Conventions, DragonCon, Events, Fans, Film Screenings, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, Merchandise, MrCere in New Zealand, New Zealand, NYCC, Other Events, Production, Television, The Hobbit, TheOneRing.net Community, TORn TUESDAYS Live!, Warner Bros., WETA Cave, WETA Digital, WETA Workshop Ladbrokes offer odds on Hobbit film to be lord of the box office
Odds of 1/2 are being offered on the first of the two Hobbit films to be released surpassing the world box office takings of third Lord of the Rings film, Return of the King. That film – released in December 2003 – was the highest grossing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy which took progressively more at the box office. [Read More] TORn Message Boards Weekly Roundup – December 26, 2011
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun! The Hobbit Teaser is coming, soon
HOBBIT Teaser TRAILER Shown at BNAT13 Film Fest!While our intrepid reporter MrCere is currently in New Zealand — back in the States a very big surprise was revealed to audiences at the Butt-Numb-A-Thon geek film festival (held in Texas by AICN founder Harry Knowles). That’s right, THE HOBBIT teaser trailer was unspooled less than 24 hours ago and quickly the Twitterverse began sparkling with reactions. Comments included such tweets as:
Ringer fans were waiting (im)patiently for the footage to arrive in U.S. theaters this Christmas, but lo and behold! Elijah Wood was there to help present as Mr. Vespe (“Quint”) brought the most anticipated footage in all geekdom back to Austin. Mr. Wood himself tweeted today:
More than the opening few minutes of DARK KNIGHT RISES, and much more than any AVENGERS tidbit, this teaser trailer is pretty much the Holy Grail for HOBBIT fans who have waited a decade to see a first glimpse of Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-earth. We will post more info and share reactions as they come in. But the wait is finally over (for those who were there)!
UPDATE: Nordling, AICN staff, writes: Yes, we saw THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY trailer thanks to Gandalf The Grey magically transporting Quint from the beautiful landscapes of Middle-Earth to the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. No, I can’t talk about any specifics except to say that something I always treasured from the original book is in the trailer in a big way and I was very happy to hear it. The trailer will play in front of THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN and it’s simply sublime. It’s more character-based than epic, but it’s like slipping into a warm embrace from a very old friend that you haven’t seen in many years. Truly wonderful. Update #2: Tolkienbritta While writing, TolkienBritta quotes Jordan Hoffman of IFC News by stating: “Hoffman also added that, “Hearing the music and seeing The Shire I was surprised at the flood of emotions that hit me. It was like seeing old friends. (And something to look out for: a band of Dwarves sing. It’s a thing of beauty.)”” LA area Trilogy Screening on November 26 – schedule update
TORn will be there all day long, and we’ll be previewing some of the exciting activities we’ve got coming up for next year, as well as giving away a few prizes. For tickets and directions to the Aero Theater, please visit: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/lord-of-the-rings-trilogy .
LOTR Trilogy Marathon in MinneapolisMarilynn writes: Tickets are now on sale for the Riverview Theater’s 6th Annual LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy Event on Sunday, December 18th. This year they will screen the Extended Version/Directors Cut of both the FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and THE TWO TOWERS and the Theatrical Version of THE RETURN OF THE KING will be shown. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Most years, the event sells out so don’t delay in getting your tickets. The Riverview Theater is a lovely vintage theater that looks much the same as it did in the 1950s with comfortable seats, state-of-the-art projection and sound systems, and popcorn topped with real butter. In addition to their regular concession menu featuring popcorn, nachos, soft drinks and coffee, they will also have pizza available during the two breaks. More.. Alamo Drafthouse to do LOTR Trilogy Screeningjan-u-wine writes: THE LORD OF THE RINGS HOBBIT TRILOGY FEAST (Sun, Nov 27 @ Ritz BUY TICKETS). Note new Date – Tickets on sale Thurs, Nov 10! Our biggest, bestest, and most hobbit-est feast is back for 2011! Come, friends, and join us in this fellowship recounting the epic quest of the brave hobbit Frodo and his merry band of dwarves, wizards, and Viggos. We’ll snuggle up together and brave our way through the ENTIRE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY – nearly 12 hours – all while devouring food and imbibing drink inspired by Tolkien’s Middle Earth! Sean Astin to Attend ‘Rudy’ Screening in CA
Hobbits invade San DiegoMiddle Earth Has Never Sounded So Good. The Lord of the Rings in Concert will be hitting San Diego, California on October 13. In addition to the orchestra performance of the soundtrack live to the screening of the film, they will also have 22 original movie props and costumes on display. Since they will also have the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra performing before the big concert, this is definitely going to be a Family Friendly event. See the link below for tickets and further details. http://valleyviewcasinocenter.com/Lord-of-the-Rings-In-Concert-October-13-7-30-pm But the invasion begins earlier, this Saturday, to be exact. There will be a flashmob of Hobbits and other Middle-earth denizens near the Old Globe Theater tomorrow, October 8 at 12:30pm. See the Valley View Casino Center’s facebook page linked below for more details and a Youtube video showing the flashmob dance steps. More.. |
 
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At the Sundance Film Festival because of his role in the film Celeste and Jess Forever, Elijah Wood spoke briefly about his participation in The Hobbit.
From Ladbrokes.com: Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit may be a year from release but the new trailer has caused such a stir that Ladbrokes are already offering odds on it being the most successful JRR Tolkien adaptation yet.
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jan-u-wine writes: For LA Ringers (and Astin fans), Rudy will be screening at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica on Thursday, Nov. 17. Sean Astin, Jon Favreau & David Anspaugh will be on hand for a q & a!