Thanks to our friends at Hobbitfilm.it, we have another seven new art images from The Desolation of Smaug….
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Thanks to our friends at Hobbitfilm.it, we have another seven new art images from The Desolation of Smaug.
Nothing dramatically revealing here, but we do like the moody shot of a swampy Mirkwood forest (is that the Company crossing a vast fallen tree?), and the RA army will undoubtedly appreciate what seems to be a new still of Thorin Oakenshield. Continue reading “Seven new images from the 2014 Desolation of Smaug Desk Diary!”
One wonders how much Middle-earth’s Hobbits, wizards, elves and dwarves have contributed to the success and growth of the Lego company over recent years. It has now grown bigger than Hasbro, and become the second-largest toy company in the world.
The boss of Lego Group carries two business cards – one the usual kind and the other a Lego mini-figure in his likeness, complete with beard and glasses, with contact details on the back.
That kind of playful thinking has helped the Danish company become the world’s second-biggest toy maker as it clicks with fast-growing Asia and builds on its popular plastic bricks with video games and theme parks.
“We are seeing a society where the wealthier it becomes, the more room there is for what I call the business of play,” Chief Executive Jørgen Vig Knudstorp told Reuters in Singapore.
“In that I will include the role of play in education, the role of play in theme parks and family entertainment, the role of play in adult age.”
Video games are big business and Lego Group has “a major role through licensing arrangements” but the digital realm is a complement, not a replacement, for physical play, he said.
Yesterday saw not only the launch of the new The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug trailer, but also another exciting release for Tolkien fans – the publication of the latest edition of the book which started it all! You may remember TORn’s post about Jemima Catlin, the young illustrator behind the first new illustrated edition of The Hobbit since Alan Lee’s iconic version in 1997. (Catlin is also the featured illustrator for the 2014 Tolkien Calendar.)
This book is now available for purchase in the US! (It was released by HarperCollins in the UK in September.) It’s a beautiful edition. The hardcover, with cloth binding, is charmingly old fashioned, and the cover illustrations have gold accents, which shimmer with the promise of the magic contained within. Catlin’s images are a combination of pencil, ink and watercolour; there are many little pictures decorating the text, as well as more than ten full page, full colour pieces. The story is interpretated in lively, delightful drawings which show a new interpretation of old friends.
This is an edition to treasure, and would particularly be a wonderful introduction to The Hobbit for children. It’s a great reminder that, as spectacular as the movies are, the enchantment began in the pages of a fabulous book. If you’re thinking about holiday shopping already, add this to the list! I for one feel I can never have too many editions of The Hobbit; this beautiful new edition is certainly worth adding to your collection.
[Click here to order the new illustrated edition of The Hobbit.] [Click here to order the 2014 Tolkien Calendar]
This week Weta announced the third and final member of the three trolls we saw show up during Comic-Con 2013. As many of you know Tom the Troll is shipping worldwide right now and Bert the Troll is currently available for Pre-order with shipping in Nov/Dec of this year. William the Troll comes in at a price of $75 just like his two brothers and is also shipping in Nov/Dec of this year. So get your orders in now for the all three Trolls and you can have them cooking something up in your collection by the end of the year.
We are happy to finally announce that the 5 lucky winners of TORn & WaterTower Music’s “Hobbit Day” mathom are Iván, Tammy, Connor, Reagan V & Meaghan M.
You can expect an email from our friends at WaterTower Music with the code to download your very own digital copy of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey soundtrack. Congratulations and we hope Howard Shore’s wondrous music brings you many enjoyable moments.
Many thanks also to the few hundred fans who entered this giveaway. If you don’t already have the soundtrack, consider purchasing the Standard Edition from iTunes or Amazon, or better yet, the Special Edition from iTunes or Amazon.
Sideshow Collectibles has created one of the best Middle-earth collectibles you will ever find. As you’ll discover in our full review, this piece is simply amazing.
Now, we’re teaming up with our friends at Sideshow Collectibles to give Ringers around the world a chance to bring Sauron home. Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Sideshow Collectibles Sauron Premium Format Contest”
