When “Fellowship of the Ring,” was first released on DVD and VHS (no seriously, VHS!) back in 2001, it changed the way many people watched movies at home. It was one of the films that convinced legions to finally jump into the digital age and buy a first DVD player. It was a converting tool to the masses who didn’t previously care enough about fidelity of sound and picture on the small screen to make the financial commitment to change.
And just a decade later, with VHS dead, the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is about to hit the market Tuesday in the Blu-Ray format. Will it similarly convince its still-potent LOTR fanbase of consumers to upgrade their home-viewing experiences and leave DVD players behind? There are lots of converts already preaching the Blu-Ray gospel, but what about those content with technology and who just want to watch movies? Will Peter Jackson’s trilogy similarly change the landscape of how the masses watch movies? Continue reading “‘Lord of the Rings’ Blu-ray review”
Linuxelf continues to load up the YouTube library of yesteryear. Heading up today’s entries is fun New Zealand television coverage from our own “Return of the One Party”. They (channel 3) call it the “Three Ring Party” and later refer to it as New Line’s party, never quite catching on that it was a fan organized gathering. But they did talk to site friend and expert costumer Judy (look for the beard) and reported from our stage while Emerald Rose is playing.
After the video below are links to fun interviews with the likes of Peter Jackson, Orlando Bloom & Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and John Rhys-Davies as well as footage of fans touring Edoras.
Just why do the Dwarves not teach their language to other races? Join us on the discussion boards to see what theories the members come up with! [Discuss]
TheOneRing.net has a long tradition of convincing and slightly irritating April Fool pranks. We believe this one was one of our best in both respects. Hope you fell for it! And let’s all hope we have real good news about The Hobbit films in the near future!
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According to a source very close to the production, this draft of the official press release is supposed to be released with the launch of the LOTR Blu-Ray set on April 6th. But as always, TheOneRing.net has it exclusively for you first! Read on!
“The Hobbit” to begin Principal Photography in New Zealand in October
Guillermo del Toro Directs International Cast
1st film release scheduled for late 2012
(Los Angeles, April 6, 2010) — The Hobbit films will begin principal photography in Wellington, New Zealand, on October 11, 2010, under the direction of Guillermo del Toro, it was jointly announced today by Barry M. Meyer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros; Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros; Stephen Cooper, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM; Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer of New Line Cinema. The date marks the 11th anniversary of the start date of filming of “The Lord of the Rings,” trilogy, also in New Zealand.
The production follows the tradition of Middle-earth movie-making by filming the two films in the saga — “The Hobbit,” in two parts — not consecutively but concurrently, as though they were one giant motion picture production, a feat first established by “Lord of the Rings,” director Peter Jackson who along with Fran Walsh, serves as Executive Producer for this production.
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel originally written for children and beloved by readers of all ages, the film will have a same-day red carpet premieres around the globe on Tuesday, September 21st, 2012, the landmark 75th anniversary of the publication of “The Hobbit.”
Those high-profile premiers will include cast, crew, guests of the film studios and media including a celebration in the writer’s native Oxford, United Kingdom. Other participating cities are Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Salt Lake City, Tokyo and Wellington.
General release for the public will be on Friday, December 31, 2012.
“You see,” joked director Guillermo del Toro, “we kept our promise to fans and released this film before the end of the world,” in a reference to the Mayan calendar which concludes time on that date. “We recommend everybody take Friday off to catch an early screening — just in case!”
The Lord of the Rings franchise stars (in alphabetical order) Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas, Martin Freeman, Mark Ferguson, Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving with other cast members to be announced before production begins.
The screenplay is written by del Toro (Hellboy, El laberinto del fauno) Jackson (Meet The Feebles, King Kong); Walsh (Heavenly Creatures, The Lovely Bones) and Philippa Boyens (Lord of the Rings, District 9). The producers are Barrie M. Osborne (The Matrix, Face/Off), and Rick Porras (Contact, Lord of the Rings).
* MGM and Warner Bros. will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.
* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line, under direction of Warner Bros. will manage the production of the films.
An old TORn friend writes in:
“According to George R.R. Martin’s “Not a Blog” the latest Calendar of paintings of locations from his “Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy series will be illustrated by none other than LOTR illustrator Ted Nasmith. According to Martin’s website, the calendar will be debuting from publisher Bantam Spectra at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in July.
For fans of Westros and other “Ice and Fire” environs, this series is currently in production with HBO starring Sean Bean. (But you already knew that…) I’m sure that Ted Nasmith isn’t the last LOTR alum to hop onboard this blockbuster fantasy series!
For those paying attention Linuxelf has been building up quite a library on YouTube, all well worth attention. But one of the three newest ones is pretty near and dear to TheOneRing.net. Maybe some have seen this footage but certainly many of us have not.
There is also a haka for LOTR cast and crew here, and a report on Oscar buzz for “Fellowship of the Ring,” here. Thanks LE!
When “Fellowship of the Ring,” was first released on DVD and VHS (no seriously, VHS!) back in 2001, it changed the way many people watched movies at home. It was one of the films that convinced legions to finally jump into the digital age and buy a first DVD player. It was a converting tool to the masses who didn’t previously care enough about fidelity of sound and picture on the small screen to make the financial commitment to change.
“The Hobbit” to begin Principal Photography in New Zealand in October