  Why Dain and Connolly is good news for ‘Hobbit’ fans
Here in the underground labyrinth that serves as TORn’s offices (with doors leading to L.A., Atlanta, Kenosha and Wellington among other places) a big sigh of relief could audibly heard. Dain II Ironfoot will be included; a talented actor, somebody who already looks like a Middle-earth dwarf, and is a skilled performer will be handling the role. Awesome. We have full confidence in Connolly — who is best known for his comedy — in what might be inspired casting. His credibility comes from small, dramatic roles (The Last Samurai) which he handles just fine but more from independent films, playing larger parts and lead roles, giving him a lot of experience in front of the camera. General audiences may only think of comedy (and there may be plenty of that in The Hobbit anyway) but they should recognize his considerable talent. Much more central the sigh of relief was the clarity that the Dain character is in. The complete absence of this important dwarven hero from news or casting announcement was a genuine concern among those trying to piece everything together. It was a glaring omission.  Discuss »More about Billy Connolly, Casting Rumors, Characters, Hobbit Book, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Peter Jackson, The Hobbit A speculative look: The end of the first ‘Hobbit’ film?
The production and the team adapting the book can’t be blamed for playing things close to the vest; the book, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is so well known that they need to keep their secrets so film fans can be surprised by something when they head to the cinema this December for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. With that in mind, there are speculative spoilers ahead and you have been warned. The media, while writing a lot about the films, haven’t looked at the structure of these films too carefully. Today’s digital media environment often gets more clicks from a new still photo than it does from more complex content that requires more patience and so topics at the very core of these two films often get glossed over and ignored. But not here in The Hobbit countdown! Here we skip past the catch phrase and empty headlines and peer a little deeper into news, rumors, lore and subterfuge to dredge up the best speculation and theory about just where the two films might break, a question that comes up in nearly any Hobbit conversation. Here are five of the most common and best-defended theories: Read the rest at Movies.com Discuss »More about Hobbit Book, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, Peter Jackson, Rumors Spy News, The Hobbit Hobbit in 5 – Nicolas Cage, James Cameron & More!The latest episode of Hobbit in 5 is now online! Take a look! Hobbit in 5 – Evangeline Lilly talks Tauriel, Peter Jackson and “West of Memphis”Discuss »More about Evangeline Lilly, Hobbit Movie, New Zealand, Peter Jackson, PJ's Other Films, The Hobbit, TORN TV Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the Year of Smaug…err…the Dragon!
We’d like to wish the entire world a very happy Chinese New Year! I’m not sure if PJ and crew had it in mind…but do you think it is any coincidence ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ will be released in the year of the Dragon? P-Jack and E-Wood speak from Sundance red carpetFilm and celebrity media flock to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival so the Peter Jackson-produced West Memphis Three is grabbing a lot of media attention. Staffer Maegwen sends in two clips from E! with video of director Amy Berg, Jackson and Damien Echols, one of the West Memphis Three. They slip in some Hobbit content too. You can view it if you click here. 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. First H5 of the new year! Andy Serkis, Bob Anderson, LEGO Legolas, Sir Richard TaylorH5 is back with your weekly Hobbit installment. Our host Simone Boyce comes to you from an unfamiliar, and intimate, setting with TORn’s top stories and the latest Hobbit production news. View all H5 episodes on our YouTube Channel here. Peter Jackson Explains ‘Hobbit’/'Lord Of The Rings’ LinkPARK CITY, Utah — The first trailer for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” made it quite clear that Middle-earth hasn’t changed much in the years since Peter Jackson concluded his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. That’s not a complaint, mind you — fans have come to know and love Jackson’s interpretation of the J. R. R. Tolkien fantasy epic with the same passion they have for the source material. When it comes to “The Hobbit,” in other words, change is not necessarily welcome. Speaking with MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival, Jackson explained that it was always his intention to keep “The Hobbit” tonally and visually consistent with the “Lord of the Rings” films. Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog Producer Peter Jackson premieres ‘West of Memphis’ at Sundance Film FestivalPARK CITY — The story is familiar to many and new to others but gutting to all. Three men (boys at the time) were convicted and jailed for life for the murder of three eight-year-old boys. The case became known world-wide for its wrongful-imprisonment horror story elements. Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson joined the fight to have the trio released after years of prison time and along the way produced West of Memphis, directed by Amy Berg, with its world premiere Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. TORn will share more about the evening and the film but for now, here is the trailer for this documentary produced by the director of “The Hobbit.” Peeder Jigson’s Video Diary – Making Music (with Howard Shore)Hubbard director Peeder Jigson chats to composer Howard Shore (The Last Mimzy, Mrs Doubtfire) as he takes a first listen to some of the music for the new upcoming Hubbard movie. Government congratulates Sir Peter JacksonArts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson, on behalf of the Government today congratulated Sir Peter Jackson on the Golden Globe awarded for the film ‘Tintin’, which Sir Peter produced. “The award for ‘Tintin’ as best animated feature is another well-deserved milestone in Sir Peter’s already illustrious career,” Mr Finlayson said. “The film’s state of the art animation produced another wonderful and distinctive fantasy world, and also served as a reminder of the immense contribution he continues to make to the art of motion pictures.” More.. |
 
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