Folks from the London MCM Expo write: WETA will be making an appearance at the upcoming London MCM Expo in the UK on the 27th & 28th May 2006, they will be showcasing their upcoming and current range of products to the European fans. This is a very rare appearance from the company its self rather than a licensee. Along with their appearance a lot more is happening with guests from film and TV, stage talks and much more. Updates will come when more comes clear, more information on the event can found at londonexpo.com

Hall of Fire this weekend focuses on Chapter 17 of the Silmarillion — The ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin. After a long, watchful peace, Morgoth smashes the leaguer of Angband that’s been maintained by the Noldor, unleashing orcs, Balrogs and an all-grown up Glaurung. Ard-Gelen is withered, Dorthonion is destroyed, the sons of Finarfin slain and the sons of Feanor scattered. Sauron takes Tol Sirion and uses it as a base from which to torment Beleriand. And the Noldorin high king Fingolfin rashly throws his life away in a suicidal challenge against Morgoth. In the midst of this tale of woe, is there any good news for the elves and human allies?

Here’s a couple of famous drawings of the confrontation between Morgoth and Fingolfin:

John Howe
Ted Nasmith

Time and date:
Saturday May 27

America:
5.30pm EDT
4.30pm CDT
3.30pm MDT
2.30pm PDT

Europe:
10.30pm UK
11.30pm Central Europe

Asia-Pacific:
7.30am (Sunday) Brisbane
7.30am (Sunday) Sydney
9.30am (Sunday) Wellington

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!

Where?

Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net – the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.

To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.

Upcoming topics:

Over coming weeks we’ll be continuing chatting about the Silmarillion. Next chat – in two weeks time will be about the tale of Beren and Luthien.

LIFE Magazine Features Bloom Ringer Spy Magpie writes: Orlando Bloom is on the May 26th, 2006 cover of the insert, LIFE Magazine. (This is available with many newspapers across the United States.) Although there’s no LOTR content (other than mentioning it as one of his prior films), it’s got a couple of great photos. But when has Orlando ever taken a bad photo? [More]

From azfamily.com; If you’ve seen the first movie in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, you’ve seen a hobbit hole. Sue Breding takes us inside a very special hobbit hole that a Valley man spent three year building in his back yard. [More]

CANNES, France (AP) – What a pair those dashing young mutants Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart make in X-Men: The Last Stand. The two 60-something actors had 20 years shaved off their features for the opening sequence in the comic-book franchise’s latest flick. The filmmakers used digital technology to match their current features to those in old photos. [More]

Cate Blanchett will play Bob Dylan in his “androgenous phase” in a new biopic of the great poet-songwriter’s life, it was announced, as Dylan turned 65. But even as he shows up everywhere in books, films and even a Broadway musical, Dylan, who has sought seclusion and mystery all his life, remains as enigmatic as ever. Dylan has clearly shrugged off retirement age, taking on a new job as a radio DJ, publishing a selection of his memoirs, musing in a Martin Scorcese documentary, authorizing a stage musical with his songs — and appearing in an advert for the Victoria’s Secret lingerie store chain. [More]