THERE is a certain amount of creative license that enters into any film adaptation of a book. And history teaches us that no matter how faithful (or unfaithful) a film adaptation is with respect to its original source, someone will complain about the movie’s (un)faithfulness to the books.

For example, I loved the first two “Harry Potter” movies, which I felt were extremely imaginative and creative. I had never seen children’s movies before where the actors were actually called upon to ACT. Compare the lively, engaged performances of the adults in “Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone” with the wooden performances of otherwise perfectly good actors in classic children’s films like “Mio in the Land of Faraway”, “The Witches”, “The Neverending Story”, and so on. You almost have to go back to Edmund Guinn in “Miracle on 34th Street” to see anything like an adult actor taking a children’s story seriously enough to treat it with respect (well, “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” were pretty good).

But I digress from the main point. Movies can be very faithful to the book, and one of the criticisms that my Harry Potter fan friends who had read the books before watching the movies complained about was that the movies were boring and predictable. They followed the books very closely (even while cutting out a bit of material).

But then along came “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, which Alfonso Cuarón directed — totally changing the tone and character of the film franchise — and people complained that his film was too UNLIKE the book. Talk about injecting a Goldilocks Syndrome into a fanbase, you just cannot find people agreeing on when the “Harry Potter” movies are just right even up to the last film (which some people hate for all sorts of reasons — but I loved it).

[Read More]

Not much that’s new, but it’s certainly more confirmation of divergences from Tolkien’s novel. If you’re trying to remain unaware of these little surprises, don’t read on — here be SPOILERS!

But if you like what you see, you can order your copy of the book from Amazon.

Bilbo’s travels with Thorin and the rest of The Company have taken him far from his home in The Shire. From towering mountains to cavernous depths, the heroes find themselves passing through some truly amazing places.

Beorn’s cabin

When the group are searching for somewhere to rest after their dangerous journey through the Misty Mountains, Gandalf leads them here. But after they are chased by a huge bear, Bilbo thinks that htey might have been safer if they’d stayed up a tree surrounded by Wargs!

However, the Shape-shifter Beorn reveals that he is the bear, and welcomes everyone into his home. They Company are able to rest here in peace before continuing their quest.

Mirkwood

When Gandalf heads south on a quest of his own, The Company are faced with travelling through this weird wood on their own. Blanketed in shadows and filled with decay and evil, Mirkwood has claimed the lives of many an unwary traveller. If the deadly waters of its dark rivers don’t claim you, then one of the horrible creatures lurking in the shadows surely will…

The Hall of the Elvenking

The fortress of Thranduil, the King of the Wood Elves. Thranduil sees Mirkwood as his private realm and has little patience for those who enter it without his premission — especially if they happen to be Dwarves. Built over the swift river that leads to the Long Lake, it is here Thorin and his companions are taken when they are captured by the Elves. Luckily for them, Bilbo has a trick or two up his sleeve.

If you enjoy the work we do here at TheOneRing.net, and would like to see your Tolkien community keep on growing and growing, please consider making a Pledge. Time is fast running out to join the Tale of Honour — there’s only a day or so left on our Pledge Drive!

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

EXCLUSIVE 3-piece set of Lord of the Rings Art by Jerry VanderStelt

This auction offers a beautiful 3-piece set of The Lord of the Rings Collector Edition Lithographs by prominent artist, Jerry VanderStelt. Best known not only for his works inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, he also captures the worlds of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and much more in the Fantasy/SciFi genre.

Each Lithograph of the 3-piece set has a unique Remarque or sketch drawn on the bottom left corner, signed separately from the normal signature and a certification of authenticity.

The collage of iconic images, moments from The Lord of the Rings includes:

Set 1: The Fellowship of the Ring
Set 2: The Two Towers
Set 3: The Return of the King

These Lithographs are printed on a Heidelberg press using 200 line screen for superior reproduction quality, as well as utilizing “100 year” archival inks, and an aqueous coating for a protective finish. Each litho is made with heavy 100 pound paper and measure at 24 x 30 inches each. If you purchase the 3-piece set through BUY IT NOW, Mr. Vanderstelt has offered to personalize each Lithograph. Your prize will also be shipped to you directly from the Vanderstelt Studio, which is a site you must visit to see his stunning work up close. Jerry VanderStelt’s life-like detail and style of artwork gives each of his subjects a rich depth and beauty that’s impossible to describe.

Lord of the Rings Art Auction

TORn Collector’s Ed. Hobbit Magazine signed by Dwalin, Bifur and more

This copy has found itself travelling to DragonCon 2013 where it has been signed by two of The Hobbit’s Dwarves — Dwalin; Graham McTavish and Bifur; William Kircher — for TORn’s Fundraiser! It also has two of the articles signed by their authors. A collaborative effort between Topix Media Lab and your friends here at TheOneRing.net, this tribute to The Hobbit covers everything you need to know about The Hobbit movies from a fan perspective.

Side-bars and feature articles, contributed by our own volunteer staff, include interviews, a feature on book vs. the movie, articles on games and collectibles, a Middle-earth timeline, and much more! The high-quality, glossy paper used for this magazine is also packed with colorful pictures of cast and crew members, locations, collectibles, gorgeous fan art and a few exclusives! One thing that makes this truly a collector’s edition is that there are only two ads in the entire 82-page magazine.

Signed Hobbit Magazine Auction

Paperback The Hobbit signed by Graham McTavish and William Kircher

This is a NEW paperback copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien with a movie tie-in picture from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey film released in December, 2012.  This copy has travelled to DragonCon 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia and has found itself autographed by 2 Dwarves (William Kircher and Graham McTavish) for TORn’s Fundraiser Auction.

Signed copy of The Hobbit Book Auction

Or click here to check out all our auctions!

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

Tauriel Poster signed by its artist David Powell / Rosie the Riveter

Autographed by David Powell, Senior Designer of Badali Jewelry and lifelong Tolkien fan.  Powell is the designer and original artist of this new Hobbit-inspired poster of Elf Warrior Tauriel.  Her pose resembles the WWII American propaganda poster Rosie the Riveter reflecting the power of the female worker at war time.  Measures at 18×24 inches.

Tauriel Poster signed by David Powell Auction

Hobbit Canvas Tote Swag Book Bag SIGNED BY Dwalin & Bifur

PICTURES OF AUTOGRAPHS ADDED

This canvas book bag/tote/swag bag is signed in purple sharpie by Dwarves Dwalin (Graham McTavish) and Bifur (William Kircher) at 2013 DragonCon for TORn’s Fundraiser. This NEW autographed tote sports the picture of the Misty Mountains drawn by JRR Tolkien for the 1937 cover of his (then) new book, The Hobbit.

Made by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishers, the bag is durable, measures at 14″ high x 12″ wide, and is not available at stores.

The winner may have to endure a bit of a delay in this UNIQUE bag’s shipment as it is still at DragonCon in Atlanta, GA with our TORn reps. They still have a long journey home after the Convention.

Signed Hobbit Tote Bag Auction

Children of Hurin Bookmarks signed by Dwalin

PICTURE OF AUTOGRAPH ADDED Discoloration is from the lighting when picture was taken.

Unavailable for sale, this limited special-edition Bookmark accompanied the 500 1st editions of JRR Tolkien’s The Children of Hurin at the special 2007 release in NYC. These 500 editions contained a bookplate with the signatures of Christopher Tolkien (editor) and Alan Lee (artist). This auction is only for one of those unique Bookmarks (NOT for the book).

This Bookmark is even MORE special now with an autograph by Graham McTavish (Dwalin) for TORn’s Fundraiser while at 2013 DragonCon.

The winner may have to endure a bit of a delay in shipment as it is still at DragonCon with our TORn reps. They still have a long journey home after the Convention.

Signed Children of Hurin Bookmark Auction

Or click here to check out all our auctions!

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

Two Towers poster of Sam and Frodo in Osgiliath Excellent Condition

This is a moment in The Lord of the Ring: The Two Towers that captures the heart and will of Sam Gamgee as he comes to realize his purpose in the Quest of the Fellowship. After Frodo and Sam are weary from struggling, Sam’s famous words turn the tide for them. Printed on the poster:

“Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going because they were holding on to something.’
‘What are we holding on to Sam?’
‘There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.’”

NEW — Quality of picture is because of camera flash and lighting — Size is 27″ x40″

Two Towers Poster Auction

The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water – Bag End-Hobbit poster

NEW in tube! Take out just to get picture. Measures 17x 24 inches.

In 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien came to his publisher with five watercolours to accompany his story, The Hobbit. This poster is a reproduction of one of those five sketches, “The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water”. It was part of the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Tolkien exhibition ‘Tolkien Life and Legend’ in 1987 for The Hobbit’s 50thAnniversary.

Hobbiton-across-the-Water Poster Auction

NIB Exclusive LOTR PEZ gift set by Walmart featuring the Eye of Sauron

This limited-edition Lord of the Rings Pez Gift Set comes with eight themed dispensers and 12 rolls of candy.The dispensers are Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gollum.

LOTR PEZ Gift Set Auction

Or click here to check out all our auctions!

Art student Jemima Catlin, an avid JRR Tolkien obsessive, was just 23 when her work fell into the lap of literary giants Harper Collins – and little did she know that she would go on to illustrate none other than her beloved epic, The Hobbit.

Long after she first read Tolkien’s classic novel, Jemima decided to illustrate one of the author’s short stories, Roverandom [ed note: in the original article it's misspelled as Rover Random], as part of a university project.

“I only had three months to complete the university project, so I’d decided to illustrate Rover Random, a short story Tolkien wrote about a little dog who became a toy dog,” the 26-year-old told The Big Issue.

“The dog upsets a wizard and ends up going to lots of different places – like the moon and the sea. It’s a really interesting story.

“I decided I would bind it all together in a book with the illustrations between the text and that I would contact Harper Collins to send them a sample of the illustrations.

“David Brawn, their estate’s publisher, invited me up to see him. He really liked the work and sent it off to the Tolkien Estate.”

However, typical of a Tolkien tale, the journey wasn’t a fairytale from start to finish. What happened next was disappointing – but it didn’t knock the Dorchester-based student off her fiery journey.

[Read More]

If you like what we do, and would like to see your Tolkien community keep growing and growing, consider making a contribution to our Pledge Drive. Every bit helps defray our costs!

We recently added a couple of amazing items from our friend artist Jerry Vanderstelt covering his The Lord of the Rings Trilogy prints as well as his newest print of Dwalin the Dwarf from The Hobbit Trilogy. We’ve also added a couple of autograph items from Graham McTavish and William Kircher who play Dwalin and Bifur in The Hobbit Trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 3-Piece Print Set

This auction offers a beautiful three-piece set of The Lord of the Rings Collector Edition Lithographs by prominent artist, Jerry VanderStelt. Best known not only for his works inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, he also captures the worlds of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and much more in the Fantasy/SciFi genre. Each Lithograph of the three-piece set has a unique Remarque or sketch drawn on the bottom left corner, signed separately from the normal signature and a certification of authenticity.

TORn Collector’s Edition of The Hobbit Magazine signed by Dwalin and Bifur

This is a new copy of TheOneRing.net’s premier magazine tribute to The Hobbit! A collaborative effort between Topix Media Lab and your friends here at TheOneRing.net, it covers everything you need to know about The Hobbit movies from a fan perspective. Side-bars and feature articles, contributed by our own volunteer staff, include interviews, a feature on book versus the movie, articles on games and collectibles, a Middle-earth timeline, and much more! The high-quality, glossy paper used for this magazine is also packed with colorful pictures of cast and crew members, locations, collectibles, gorgeous fan art and a few exclusives! One thing that makes this truly a collector’s edition is that there are only two ads in the entire 82-page magazine.

Dwalin the Dwarf Print by Jerry Vanderstelt

Jerry Vanderstelt is also offering the winner of this Auction the choice of the frame-ready canvas or to have the canvas Gallery Wrapped.  The two images displayed with this Auction show the raw, canvas form and also how the Gallery Wrap option gives it a mounted, more dimensional look.  The canvas measures 18 x 24 inches, NOT counting the border that is designed to be Gallery Wrapped. Once it is Gallery Wrapped, the canvas will measure 18 x 24 inches.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for completion. The work uses the finest materials available of archival inks as well as Breathing Color’s exclusive “Lyve” canvas and “Timeless” protective finish.

he Hobbit Paperback signed by Graham McTavish and William Kircher

This is a NEW paperback copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien with a movie tie-in picture from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey film released in December, 2012.  This copy has travelled to DragonCon 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia and has found itself autographed by two Dwarves (William Kircher and Graham McTavish) for TORn’s Fundraiser Auction.

Just like with the Legolas print this one gives you a great look at all the detail that went into creating this awesome character. Dwalin has a fierce look in his face as he’s about to take on whatever may be coming his way. This amazing print comes in several styles: Paper Giclee 18×24, Canvas Giclee 18×24, and Canvas Gicle with Gallery Wrap 18×24.

The Dwalin print in Paper Giclee comes in at $130 which is a fantastic price for such a great piece of art. You can order Dwalin right now from Jerry’s store: Vanderstelt Studio

“The only way he knows how to resolve conflict is with those damn Eagles,” is one of the most persistent complaints about Tolkien. “They’re such a deus ex machina,” the complainer will add if he wants to make it absolutely clear that he went to college.

As a storyteller, Tolkien was no flailing amateur, hurling his characters into conflicts that he could not extract them from. Whether or not you like his style of resolution, it was quite intentional. He even coined a word – “eucatastrophe” – to refer to this type of sudden deliverance, which he detailed in his essay “On Fairy Stories”:

The consolation of fairy stories…the sudden joyous “turn” (for there is no true end to any fairy tale): this joy, which is one of the things which fairy stories can produce supremely well, is not essentially “escapist,” nor “fugitive.” In its fairy-tale or otherworld setting, it is a sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur. It does not deny the existence of dyscatastrophe, of sorrow and failure: the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of deliverance; it denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat and in so far is evangelium, giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief.

[Read More]

Twas a long ride filled with much entertaining and lore-banter via the crystal slab. They talked of the rings of power and heir respective fates, the Line of Durin and what sealed their doom, and of the secret greed of Sauruman, coveter of the One.

As the sun set below middle-earth so did they set down in the bustling metropolis of Atlanta, City of the Sweet Fruit. The company unloaded their precious cargo of outerwear and delved into the fabled convention.

What will the fellowship of “Cryptozoic’s Road to Dragon-Con” encounter on the morrow? Find out live at Theonering.net/live or stay tuned for tomorrow’s installment of “Cryptozoic’s Lost Tales”!

Seriously, thanks to the Ringers who were gracious enough to have us in your home. Your kindness will not be forgotten.

Cheers, Doug.

We’d like to continue to thank Cryptozoic - our official sponsor of our Road to DragonCon! Cryptozoic has an amazing line-up of trading card and traditional games, including their recently released Hobbit Board Game and newly released The Two Towers Deck-Building Game .

Please support our adventures and our 2013 pledge drive!

• Pledge Levels
• Donate any Dollar Amount

Ways to contact our adventurers…

• LIVE Event page
• @theoneringnet #tornlive #road2dcon
• email roadtrip@theonering.net
• call 530.64FRODO (530.643.7636)
• text 530.64FRODO (530.643.7636)
• Map of Route

So without further delay, we’d like to announce our first corporate donation is from  Badali Jewelry – the amazing proprietors of quality hand-crafted jewelry-art, and unique and original custom jewelry. While we know them for their amazing line-up of officially licensed Tolkien related items, they also feature other great properties like  have an amazing offering of other categories. From the wonderfully witty Geek Tags, to their Zodiac offerings.

We need to be clear – Badali has contributed financially to our drive. They are simply supporting TheOneRing.net, just like you have with your pledges. So please take a moment to visit their online store at BadaliJewelry.com and make a purchase. Support those businesses that are sharing in the goodwill of our community and helping keep TheOneRing.net online and thriving for years to come.

As an added incentive, and in celebration of Bilbo and Frodo’s combined birthday, Badali has sent us a 15% off coupon for their entire site. Simply use code BILBO at checkout. It will be good until September 30th.

TheOneRing.net would like to formally thank Badali Jewelry for their continued support of TheOneRing.net!

[Visit BadaliJewelry.com] [Pledge Your Support Today]