Hobbits, notes Tolkien at the start of their eponymous story, are largely forgotten, easily missed and have little or no magic about them.
Or not. In the 75 years since he penned those words, The Hobbit has sold more than 100 million copies. In its opening weekend, Peter Jackson’s first instalment of the movie version broke records around the world. Clearly there is something a little magical about Hobbits after all.
The interesting question, however, is what that magic is. Why should an English boffin’s fairytale of elves, wizards and dragons continue to command such devotion? What craving does it satisfy?
To its literary critics, The Hobbit’s success is simply a sign of widespread immaturity. The story, with its faux mediaeval cadences and reactionary archetypes, is mere escapism – intellectual comfort-food for the politically disengaged.
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The bid to name an anonymous peak in Fiordland National Park Mt Tolkien in honour of The Lord of the Rings author has received backing from a prominent member of the society dedicated to his work.
Manapouri man Aaron Nicholson has lodged a request to name the 1757-metre summit in the Earl Mountains, near Lake Gunn, with the New Zealand Geographic Board.
The peak appeared briefly alongside other Fiordland National Park locations in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Nicholson hoped that naming the summit, close to Consolation Peak, would provide a lure for Tolkien fan tourism in the wake of the release of The Hobbit movie.
The Tolkien Society, founded in London in 1969, is an international body devoted to the author’s works. It is regarded as one of the most important groups dedicated to Professor Tolkien’s canon.
Its education officer, Dr Lynn Forest-Hill, said she liked the idea of naming the mountain, but could not speak for the society as a whole.
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Movie spoilers get a bad rap.
Even the word itself, spoiler, comes with connotations of bad. Reminders of food that’s gone off. Anything that spoils entails less enjoyment, not the same amount. And certainly not more. Or so it’s traditionally held.
To which I say, to use a quaint British phrase, “pish and tosh”.
Not because I don’t think it’s impossible for there to be spoilers with an adaptation of a novel that was first published in 1937. There are. Continue reading “In defence of spoilers”
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Greetings all and a very happy new 2013 to Hobbit and LOTR fans across the world! With a special day upon us signaling a fresh start on the calendar, we wipe our bleary eyes and turn on the camera to host our live TORn Tuesday webcast straight from the aftermath of our Producer’s knock-out all-nighter party at the W Hotel on Hollywood Blvd. We have news about THE HOBBIT: AUJ dominating the box office worldwide in its 3rd week in theatres, and soon Oscar season will be in full swing! We will talk about our upcoming special ONE EXPECTED PARTY Oscar shin-dig you can attend to celebrate a very special evening of Hobbity goodness! Our show begins *live* at 5:00PM Pacific Time, and features a live built-in chat room (Barliman’s) here on our Live Event Page. You can also watch via Stickam here.
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Hobbits, notes Tolkien at the start of their eponymous story, are largely forgotten, easily missed and have little or no magic about them.
