Over at Radio Station Podastery, one can find the charming gents who host Country Squire Radio. These fellows are avid pipe smokers (and run a tabacco store); they are also huge Tolkien fans. When they wanted to discuss pipes, pipeweed and Middle-earth, they turned to TheOneRing.net, and staffer greendragon – not a pipe smoker herself, but the daughter of one! – answered the call. The conversation covers topics such as the latest Hobbit movie, the Rankin Bass animated Hobbit, how pipeweed first came to Middle-earth, and what Tolkien thought about pipe smoking. (Clue – he was a fan!) You can hear the chat they had in the latest Country Squire Radio podcast, which can be found here.
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They say “better late than never”. I hope that’s true – because my review is coming a bit late. I love discussing cinema, but I’m not always very fast at collecting my thoughts. Many times, as on this occasion, I don’t even have a complete handle on the film until a second viewing. Also, I tend to write
on impulse – which means that something as organized as a film review takes me a little while to put together. I’m never able to discuss as much
as I would like to – so you can expect a few elements of the film to go uncovered. Otherwise, I could go on forever about each of these movies.
I also didn’t know how to approach this review. I had two very different reaction to this film – one as a Tolkien loyalist, another as a cinema lover. To the chagrin of many, I’m sure, I’ve chosen to focus on the latter. I’ve always viewed the books and PJ’s cinematic offerings as two completely separate things – and I think I must remain true to that. This is a film review of The Desolation of Smaug – which I unabashedly loved – and not a checklist of book vs. film differences. I look forward to such a discussion in the future, and hope you, dear readers, will indulge me in a different conversation at the present moment. Continue reading “Aragorn the Elfstone reviews ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’”
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Just a couple of hours ago, the Hobbit Production Video #14 popped up on Peter Jackson’s Facebook page. This final video blog covers the recording of Howard Shore’s magnificent musical score for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The score was recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by renowned orchestrator/composer Conrad Pope. We’ve got the video for you just below in HD, courtesy of Peter Jackson’s YouTube page. Enjoy! Continue reading “Peter Jackson releases final Production Video of 2013!”
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Sean Robinson has two passions that have recently found their way together in a most amazing fashion. Sean discovered his passion for pottery in 2007 – a hobby that sprang from his love of several different arts. He is also a huge fan of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien – a love, I think, we can all appreciate. Working from his pottery studio in Jamestown, NC, Sean spends his free time crafting many fine objects.
Most recently, his works have taken on the form of some very recognizable objects
from the lands of Middle-earth. It began in the most unexpected way for Sean – with
his father, Bill Robinson, indulging him in his appreciation for Tolkien’s stories. This
took the form of some intricately constructed wooden signs as seen in Peter Jackson’s films – one for The Prancing Pony in Bree, and the other for The Green Dragon in the Shire.
I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Sean and ask him about his work and how his father’s projects led to a collaboration in creating other artifacts from the world of Professor Tolkien. Continue reading “Father and son’s craftwork inspired by Middle-earth”
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The following comes to us courtesy of TheHutt, chief editor of Henneth-Annun.ru.
After Warner Brothers finally released the Extended Edition of The
Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on DVD and Blu-ray, several reviewers pointed out one unfortunate thing about the release. Although it was obvious that Warner Brothers made some effort as far as the packaging
of the Extended Edition was concerned, there was a total absence of a booklet of any kind. That was rather annoying, as the stylish booklets included with The Lord of the Rings Special Extended Editions were just the cherry on the top – not only did they feature some nice sketches by Alan Lee and John Howe, but also provided useful information: the chapter list (along with new/extended chapter markings), as well as a navigation path through the intricate bonus menu system. Continue reading “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Booklet”
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The Broadcast Film Critics Association has announced their nominees
for 2013, and The Desolation of Smaug has received 5 nods for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Make-up, Best Visual Effects,
and Best Actress in an Action Movie (Evangeline Lilly). Continue reading “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug nominated for 5 Critics’ Choice Awards”
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Over at Radio Station Podastery, one can find the charming gents who host Country Squire Radio. These fellows are avid pipe smokers (and run a tabacco store); they are also huge Tolkien fans. When they wanted to discuss pipes, pipeweed and Middle-earth, they turned to TheOneRing.net, and staffer greendragon – not a pipe smoker herself, but the daughter of one! – answered the call. The conversation covers topics such as the latest Hobbit movie, the Rankin Bass animated Hobbit, how pipeweed first came to Middle-earth, and what Tolkien thought about pipe smoking. (Clue – he was a fan!) You can hear the chat they had in the latest Country Squire Radio podcast, which can be found here.
