As part of our continuing coverage of Hobbit Week 2012, we’ve got coverage from the New York City premiere of  ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey!’ Ringer Ashlee took to the red carpet and sends in this report:

This past week, I had the incredible honor of being asked by TORn to film at this exciting event! Interviewing Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage and almost all of the dwarves made it a thrilling experience I will never forget. I hope that you enjoy this video with words from all of our favorite hobbity friends! 

There has been some noise from some corners that The Hobbit isn’t so great or even good. During Hobbit Week (#HobbitWeek on Twitter) those comments can be a little painful to fans hoping to go and love the movie. Fictional Frontiers radio host Sohaib Awan interviewed TORn staffer Larry D. Curtis “MrCere” this week in a show that airs at 5 p.m. ET in Philly today. But Fictional Frontiers has shared the extended chat with TORn listeners early right now, right here.  MrCere quite liked the film and is okay with 48 fps but needing further review and both gentlemen are critical of the critics whom they feel are sometimes giving the show a bit of a raw deal, intentionally or not. These guys have opinions and maybe informed ones at that.  Here is the extended chat: http://www.fictionalfrontiers.podcastpeople.com/posts/49058

Editor Note: Arathorn was an original staffer of TheOneRing.net back in the early days of the site. His involvement in the site has waned in recent years due to professional and familial responsiblities. His perspective on ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is unique as he has remained completely unspoiled and out-of-the-loop for nearly 10 years. Spoilers Ahead!

So, the question you probably want to hear answered is how The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey compares with LoTR.  From my perspective, it’s pretty favourable – it worked much better for me than RoTK and FoTR, and probably slightly better than TTT.  For context however, this is coming from someone who seriously undermined their enjoyment of LoTR by spoiling themselves rotten – whereas I’ve deliberately kept myself unspoilt for The Hobbit.

The pacing of The Hobbit: AUJ is gentler and more consistent than LoTR – the storytelling unfolds at a much more metered and less rushed pace.  At no point did I feel bored – it felt like a leisurely but appropriate telling of the story.  Also, where story padding is added, it generally feels that it’s actually dramatically required in order to provide additional context for the ‘real’ story, rather than a jarring and illadvised substitution from the books.  For instance, the presence of Radagast is a much-needed and legitimate extension to portray the rise of evil in Mirkwood and Dol Guldur which would otherwise have to be shown as a slightly forced flashback.

Continue reading “Unspoiled for ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ – Arathorn’s Review”

We just had to share this wonderfully naughty composition from Frog Island as part of the ‘Hobbit Week’ celebration. Titled ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Rap,’ this video will either have you busting out laughing or crying in offense. It will speak for itself, but please note, this is NOT for the feint of heart. It contains both adult themes and language. If you do not have a sense of humor for this type of parody, we suggest you DO NOT watch it. Fair enough warning? You may recognize Gandalf the Grey is performed by master McKellen impersonator Hunter Davis. Yup, that’s right, the very Hunter Davis who will be performing at ‘The One Expected Party‘ in February! Enjoy the clip! [YouTube]

Sometimes words just pour out of me when I type. Other times, I hesitate. Reviewing THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY required an approach unusual for me after twelve years contributing to TheOneRing.net. I let things gestate for several days, really, so as to refine my thoughts. The first part of this review will be blissfully *spoiler free* for those who don’t want to know the big changes; but after a warning I’ll get into the nitty-gritty with loads of spoilers.

I’ve been as excited as anybody, truthfully. THE HOBBIT: AUJ has *finally* come to the big screen – envisioned by the capable hands of a crafty Kiwi director, backed up by a super-group of WETA designers, enhanced by New Zealand’s gorgeous vistas. Continue reading “A Leisurely Jaunt With The Top Down: Quickbeam Reviews THE HOBBIT”

For most folks, this is it: this is the week when we finally get to go back to Middle-earth, and experience Peter Jackson’s first Hobbit movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  Some of us, however, have had the great good fortune of seeing the film already, at press events around the globe.  I was one such lucky viewer – and I present here my more-or-less spoiler-free review of what I saw.

Walking through the morning commuting crowds, heading to the cinema, it was slightly bewildering to think that I was finally going to see this movie.  It’s been YEARS – hoping since The Return of the King that we would get to go ‘back again’; handing out ‘Make the Hobbit Happen!’ buttons at conventions; watching the ‘snakes and ladders’ game of waiting for that greenlight; eagerly taking in every moment of Peter Jackson’s production diaries…  And now, at last, here it is.  Would the anticipation prove too much?  Would I be disappointed?

As the opening credits came up, I knew immediately that the answer, whatever was in store, would be NO.  I was revisiting old friends – and what a great pleasure it was.  I wanted to cry, as Frodo does in The Fellowship of the Ring, ‘It’s wonderful to see you Gandalf!’  What a treat to be back in the Shire, and to delight again in its green beauty.  What fun to explore Bag End some more, and to see Ian Holm and Elijah Wood back where they belong – in furry feet!

Continue reading “‘The Long Expected Movie’ – another TORn staffer Hobbit review”