We’re about to begin (15 minutes away at time of posting) our chapter discussion of The Hobbit. This weekend it’s chapter 7 — Queer Lodgings. Join us using the handy link below!
We’re done folks! Thanks to the hordes of people who came along and made such a fine discussion! Next weekend we’ll be doing a Bilbo Baggins character study.
John NobleIt’s an exciting time for Lord of the Rings fans. We’re just days away from the release of the fabled “Extended Editions” on gorgeous 1080p Blu-ray. The films are rendered in the highest definition, with do many new scenes across the trilogy it can be considered its own movie. There are enough bonus features to lay tracks from here to Rivendell and back, clocking in at (roughly) two-thousand four hundred and fifty-five hours.
For those of you living in the Los Angeles region, here’s something you can look forward to before a giant earthquake knocks you into the sea: an all-day-and-into-the-night LOTR event! Middle Earth Midnight Madness is happening at the Best Buy in West L.A. There’ll be a costume contest, trivia, lots of giveaways (including a trip to New Zealand), fireworks, lasers and a chance to meet Denethor, also known as John Noble. More..
Thanks to a storm in Chicago, we were not able to post your reactions and feedback to The Two Towers Extended Edition in a timely fashion. Better late than never, right?! Like our report on the FOTR Ex Experiences we are going to continuously update this particular post with your reports and images. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page as many folks are directly posting to it with their experiences. Without further delay, click the ‘continue reading’ button to read more about experiences from fans throughout the US and NZ as they saw The Two Towers Extended Edition on the big screen for the first time! You can still buy tickets for The Return of the King Extended Edition through the following link, and don’t forget to order your copy of LOTR Ex on Blu-Ray! [TORn on Facebook] [Buy Tickets] [WBshop.com]
We are just days away! Get your costumes ready and join TheOneRing.net and fellow Ringers at Best Buy in Los Angeles on Monday, June 27th for the midnight launch and celebration of The Lord of the Rings The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-ray! The party starts officially at 12 noon on the 27th at Best Buy’s West side store at 11301 W. Pico. Blvd. [Best Buy Store Info/Map]
The first 150 guests in line at the store on Monday, June 27th at Noon will have the opportunity to get an autograph from cast members of the films. Costume Contest entrants will be judged by your friends here at TheOneRing.net and finalists personally selected by the four-time Academy Award(R)-winning Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner and lead creative at Weta Workshop.
‘Middle-earth Madness’ is coming to Los Angeles on Monday, June 27th. For those of you competing for the trip to New Zealand and other great prizes, we thought we’d share a few insights about the competition. Check out the official rules over at the LordoftheRings.net and look forward to seeing you on Monday! [Event Details] [Official Rules]
Handmade costumes are preferred over store bought costumes, except for the very creative use of store bought items and how they are used.
Try to keep true to Middle-earth fashion sensibilities. In other words, leave the sneakers and jeans in the car Elves. Try for a ‘tip of the head down to your toes’ look for your character.
Weapons should be peace bonded, meaning they should be rendered inoperable. Swords and knives tied down, arrows should not be able to be drawn, etc. Other items, such as spears and pikes should be treated like a walking stick, rather than a weapon, and used simply as a prop. You are strongly discouraged from brandishing your weapons, even in jest or on stage, as there will be people and equipment in close proximity to the costume contest. Any deviation from this will see you disqualified from the contest and removed from the premises.
This contest is a solo entrant event, but feel free to come with fellow costumed friends, as long as each person enters separately.
There will be no performances on stage. The first round will be en masse in the staging area near the stage, where the judging staff will wander through looking at everyone and promote those who will earn a pass into the second round. This will be the Semi-finalist round and will include a walk across the stage, with lighting, but again, no performances. Judges will convene and decide upon those who will move on to the third round. The Finalists will be called up to the stage, and if there is time, each will be asked to briefly describe something about their costume to the crowd. Sir Richard Taylor of WETA will skype in at this time, already having in hand photos of all the Finalists, and he will make the final determination of the 6 prize winners.
We are making the Registration and Waiver form available online, so if you are able to, please print and fill it out and bring it to the Best Buy with you. Also, if you have any existing photos of you in your costume, that would be excellent for the judging staff to be able to attach a photo to your entry form. This is not a requirement, but will help our judges out immensely.
When filling out the entry form, please be specific about any aspect of the costume you want judges to know about, such as hand beading, leather tool work, hand knitted scarves, etc. Please use extra sheets of paper to describe details, using large font. Remember to put your name on the upper right corner of each page used
If you do end up in the second round and get to participate in the stage walk, please inform contest staff of any special needs you might have, or if your costume might create difficulties managing the stage unassisted. We want to notate any requirements for assistance on the entry form, so just let us know if you think you’ll need help. There will be staff stationed on either side of the stage to help prevent accidents, so your attention to this detail is appreciated.
Once you turn in your registration, we will need to get a photo of you in costume holding the number you will be issued. While this is not required the moment you register, it is required to be complete no later than 7pm. These are the photos that will be sent to Sir Richard Taylor at WETA if you make the Finalist cut, so make sure your makeup and hair and costume are ready to go when you get your picture taken.
Elijah Wood appeared on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” tonight to talk about his new series. But, of course the subject of “The Hobbit,” came up as well. Enjoy!