Author Ethan Gilsdorf writes: The results of the geek poetry contest I co-sponsored with Geek Mom are in! Sample winning haiku (by Natalie Jones):
Samwise and Frodo:
You think they’re about to kiss,
But they never do.
Readers of geekmom.com were asked to submit a poem in any form of their choosing (haiku, rap, free verse, Klingon sonnet) on any geeky topic: Tolkien, Star Wars, Star Trek, gelatinous cubes, World of Warcraft war chants, hobbit drinking songs, odes to Harry Potter, ballads of Gary Gygax. Poems that somehow managed to work in the name “Ethan Gilsdorf” (which, according to legend, is either Elvish or Elvis) were hard to resist. Winners got autographed copies of Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks. Hope you enjoy! The bards’ fabulous works can be read here.
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Big Mike writes: I don’t remember if you linked to the great xkcd comic when they did a character interaction map for LOTR, but it’s now avaliable as a poster. Click here
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Variety reports today that MGM, the studio co-producing the upcoming Hobbit films, has begun laying off employees to cut costs and, once it emerges from bankruptcy as early as next week with $500 million in cash available once it secures a JP-Morgan Chase loan, will be seeking an additional loan of $265 – $275 million to co-finance the Hobbit films.
Layoffs, which had been anticipated, began Friday at MGM headquarters in Los Angeles and were mostly in distribution and marketing. MGM disclosed in recent bankruptcy filings that it had planned to cut the staff to about 320 from more than 400 but a spokeswoman indicated Friday that the number of cuts will be significantly smaller.
MGM, which has released only one film this year, received approval on Dec. 2 from a bankruptcy court judge of its “pre-packaged” plan of reorganization. Studio plans to emerge from Chapter 11 as early as next week with $500 million in cash available, once it secures a JP-Morgan Chase loan.
With Spyglass Entertainment toppers Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber in charge, MGM’s expected to seek a separate loan of $265 million-$275 million for its share of the back-to-back “Hobbit” movies.
The figures should provide a very good indication of the total production budget for the two Hobbit films. Join the discussions over at our message boards – there’s just about two months to go before principal photography begins.
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A LOTR trilogy screening at a theater has become part of popular culture among geeks everywhere but when the famed Alamo Drafthouse holds a screening with seven courses of Hobbit-like food, it becomes a bit bigger of an event. And when an expert on movie Hobbits, Mr. Elijah Wood shows up, well, everything gets just a little more fun. Thanks to moonsaturn for the heads up. Enjoy!
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Here at TheOneRing.net, we will be posting series of profiles for cast and characters we expect to play a role in The Hobbit films. Today’s highlight: Beorn.
Beorn
Alias: Skin-changer
Cast: Mikael Persbrandt
Little is known of Beorn’s origins. He once lived in the Misty Mountains near the Goblin’s cave, but at the time of The Hobbit he lived in the edge of the mountains near the Carrock. Beorn was a skin-changer and could transform himself into a great bear. On the first night the Party stayed in his house, he warned them not to stray outside ‘on their own peril.’ Later that night, Bilbo heard growling and scuffling outside and Gandalf later told the Company he witnesses ‘a regular bear’s meeting’ that night.
The enchantment associated with Beorn didn’t stop with his ability to turn into a bear. His servants were animals that could walk upright and talk. He aided the Company by providing them food, and the use of his ponies as far as the eaves of Mirkwood. Later, Beorn killed the goblin Bolg in the Battle of Five Armies. Beorn’s descendants were valiant men who aided Aragorn during his search for Gollum (Unfinished Tales – “The Hunt for the Ring”). At the Council of Elrond, Gimli credited the Beornings with keeping the High Pass through the Misty Mountains open for travel between Rivendell and Dale.
[Read the Full Profile]
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Beginning today (December 14th), the residents of Winter-home invite you to celebrate the season with them during this year’s Yule Festival – and what a celebration it will be!
The town of Winter-home is a beautiful new Winter Festival region and this year’s LOTRO Yule Festival is a winter wonderland of activities:
- New Quests – Help the residents of Winter-home with the final touches for the celebration
- Snowball Fight – Check out the Snowball arena where you can challenge your friends to a frosty duel
- Theatre Event – Head over to the local playhouse to catch the seasonal show
- Eating Contest – Get your fill of pies, eggs, mushrooms and more in the Winter-home eating contest
- Festival Square – Check out the local vendor, meet up with your fellows, or raise a mug to toast the season
Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings Online: Yule Festival”
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