Galenswerd Swordsong sends along this press release from The Lonely Mountain Band: 09.18.2010 – Beyond the Western Seas is the debut album for The Lonely Mountain Band, a musical project created by members of the Celtic rock group Fathom and fronted by Fathom lead singer John Di Bartolo. The album is inspired by the epic literary world of J.R.R. Tolkien, perhaps best known for his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The scope of Beyond the Western Seas covers the early days of Tolkien’s world, however, giving its intricately detailed history a unique musical life. While Di Bartolo’s Celtic roots are clear throughout Beyond the Western Seas, The Lonely Mountain Band is a separate musical experience infused with fantasy. In addition to original lyrical content, The Lonely Mountain Band puts several of Tolkien’s poems into new settings for fans to enjoy as free downloads from the band’s website. More..
Month: September 2010
Thanks to Ringer Kookie for this heads up from the NY Times:
Sahara India Pariwar, an Indian conglomerate with real estate and media holdings, says it has made a $2 billion bid to buy the debt of the struggling Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was unclear how MGM’s committee of creditors viewed the offer. A spokeswoman for the studio declined to comment. The offer came a day after MGM said it had received another extension on an agreement to put off interest payments on about $4 billion in debt until Oct. 29.
“Lord of the Rings” star Billy Boyd wants to appear in the upcoming “The Hobbit” movie – in a disguised cameo role. The actor played a mythical Hobbit in the trilogy alongside Dominic Monaghan, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, but none of the actors are featured in the movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s prequel novel. But even though the film takes place before his “Lord of the Rings” character was even born, Boyd’s keen to convince producer Peter Jackson to allow him to appear in another guise. More..
Artist extraordinaire and our pal Colleen Doran writes: A little known 9 episode television version of The Hobbit made in Finland, circa 1993. Dug up by the folks at i09. More videos here. Someone will either deliver a takedown notice, or they won’t. You have got to see Boromir. He’s some samurai dude with a topknot of many braids. I must run and hug my Sideshow Weta Boromir sculpture, because it’s all about the Sean Bean, baby! think they edited out Legolas, which means someone in Finland doesn’t get his value as a love object. What fools these mortals be. It’s titled Hobitit. Heh. Heheh. More..
Nancy Martsch writes: I wanted to let everyone know that the JRR Tolkien newsletter “Beyond Bree” will be producing a Calendar for 2011! Advance orders are being taken for the “Beyond Bree” 2011 Calendar. We accept PayPal, too. Please spread the word. If you would like to know more about the Calendar or “Beyond Bree”, contact Nancy Martsch at beyondbree@yahoo.com Continue reading “Beyond Bree 30th Anniversary Calendar”
Once again, reported by multiple sources, MGM’s due date for debt has been extended. Today’s September 15 has turned into tomorrow’s October 29, but that date will likely not matter either. The Hollywood reporter says:
As expected, more than 100 holders of almost $4 billion in MGM have agreed to a seventh debt forbearance agreement with the Century City-based studio. The Lion now has until Oct. 29 to pay lenders $250 million in principal and more than $450 million in owed interest.
But it’s likely the payments never will be made, as the struggling Lion is expected to creep into bankruptcy court before that with a plan for turning debt into lender equity.
This may not mean more delays for ‘The Hobbit’ as there seems to be a plan and leadership at work. As reported last week and updated in the L.A. Times blog:
MGM signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Spyglass founders Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum to take over management of the Century City-based studio. That deal must be ratified by MGM’s board of directors and more than 100 creditors, who are expected to swap their debt for equity as part of a prepackaged bankruptcy proceeding.
Stay tuned!