A private investment group is in escrow to purchase The Shire, a hobbit-themed housing development in Bend that came to symbolize the real estate excesses of the early 2000s. Terms of the deal were not available. The original developer envisioned a community of Old English style homes. Its buildings resembled the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” complete with thatched roofs and stone accents. Construction began in 2006 but the market crashed before sales could take off. The Shire was to boast 15 luxury “cottages,” 16 townhomes and a common area including an amphitheater for community productions. After the market collapsed, the project failed. Private investors to buy The Shire (in Portland)
Note: Today marks an online event for an independent film in harmony with TORn’s roots and ideals. You can find the invite right here and read background about the production below.
Jessica Mae Stover is a force of nature. She is something like a hurricane or a tornado; she is an unstoppable force fueled by her passion and her vision and her belief. She is a revolutionary, an artist, a filmmaker and she feels a strong kinship with TheOneRing.net, and the all-things-Tolkien projects we exist to cover. Read the rest of this entry »
From Cracked.com: Villains have to go into the office just like everyone else. They may not bitch about the boss (that’s for the henchmen) or look at adorable pictures of kittens just to get through the day (not without making themselves hungry). But one thing they can’t escape is an inbox that seems to fill up as quickly as they hit delete. We asked you to take us inside the inboxes of some of our most beloved fictional villains. Gollum’s Email Cracked
October 7th, 2008 by greendragon
| Source: BBC
| Discuss
The world is excited. I feel it in the water. I smell it in the air. For much that once was, is rereleased…
As the world of Tolkien fandom eagerly prepares for the coming of The Hobbit movie(s), the BBC is helping us to fill in our time by re-releasing its fabulous radio dramatization of The Lord of the Rings.
Originally broadcast in 1981, this production is almost as classic as the books themselves. It is THE quintessential radio dramatization. Brilliantly acted, with atmospheric music and clever sound effects, this series has not dated at all. Brian Sibley expertly adapted Tolkien’s writing into a script; narration is kept to a minimum and pacing is maintained through active dialogue, but at the same time as much as possible of Tolkien’s original text is included. Book fans will love hearing cherished, familiar lines, and movie fans will enjoy spotting dialogue which made it into both Peter Jackson’s movies and this dramatization. Read the rest of this entry »
If you have yet to join our Message Board Community, you are missing out some great fellowship, friendship and fun! Just this morning, forum member Blu Falcon made a very humorous observation:
Bakshi’s Aragorn. Anton Chigurh. Coincidence? I think not.
While perusing the official website of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, a particular winner just happened to catch our eye:
So to what has become a daily glut of gold medals for host China. The place to start has to be gymnastics, where 23-year-old Chen Yibing, the co-called “Lord of The Rings,” won China’s first gold medal in the Men’s Rings since the legendary Li Ning shared gold with Japan’s Gushiken Koji at Los Angeles 1984. Chen scored 16.600 to win.
Just thought it was wonderful to see Professor Tolkien’s creation mentioned in a way that reminds us all of it’s place within a worldwide community culture. It continues today due also in no small part to Peter Jackson’s movies and fan websites like TORN that have readers spanning the globe. Official Website 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
According to Dre Rivas of Film.com, we seem to have lost our passion after the Oscars were handed out for ROTK…
An Apology: The Ringers Fans of Tolkien and Jackson, you will notice LOTR is fairly low on this list. In fact, here you are, into my bear trap and at the bottom…You’re not far from my thoughts. I understand the LOTR fanbase is large and mighty. But where’s the passion people? This list is about what you have done for me lately. And you cats went into hiding after Return of the King took home its eight billion Oscars. Now it’s like you don’t even know me. Hell, even the Trekkies smoked you on this list. You sold out your soul for a gold stiff? No, no, this can’t be.
Well, we may be at the bottom of that list, but did you notice that, in the poll on left-hand side of the page, we’re in the majority? [Read Full Story]
Ringer forum member Elf_Wannabe posted a great link to a very interesting Ent-like image originally published on the ‘Coast to Coast AM’ website. If you are not familiar with ‘Coast to Coast,’ it is that often spooky yet entertaining late night/early morning AM radio show where they talk about ghosts/UFOs, etc. The image of a Saguaro Cactus from Queen Valley, Arizona makes you wonder if Ents have cousins in the desert! Check out the full image at the ‘Coast to Coast’ website and then discuss it in our message board community! [Full Cactus Image]
Yes, Gandalf is competing in the Olympics. Of course, this ‘Gandalf’ happens to be a 10 year old Grey horse entered in the Equestrian events. New Zealand’s Mark Todd is the rider, one of the most decorated rider’s in Eventing history. You can check out his profile at NBC Olympics.com and then check the stats for where he falls in the competition there as well. [Gandalf's Profile]
