Sideshow Collectibles has posted a poll asking ‘Which character is the most tragic?’ While the list is limited to the licenses they carry, KING KONG and LOTR characters do make an appearance. TORnadoes will probably prefer the ‘Boromir’ option. The poll is located in the red bar on the right side of their homepage. Cast your vote!

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The music from Lord of the Rings has been voted the top movie soundtrack for the fifth year running. The Oscar-winning score composed by Howard Shore was the clear favourite in the poll by Classic FM. Hans Zimmer’s epic soundtrack for Russell Crowe film Gladiator was second. In third place was the 2004 film Ladies In Lavender, which starred Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith. The score was written by Nigel Hess. [More]

It’s not quite an Oscar, but winning a Wellington Region Gold Award is still an outstanding achievement for Park Road Post. The Peter Jackson-owned post-production facility for the film industry won the award for Creative Gold at the awards two weeks ago. Marketing and brand director Gareth Ruck said: “To be seen to be within the top (of Wellington business) is very important to us”. “To be recognised at the top in a city that is recognised at the top creatively: it’s a big buzz.” “We are proud Wellingtonians and we support Wellington film-makers.” [More]

Folks from the London MCM Expo write: WETA will be making an appearance at the upcoming London MCM Expo in the UK on the 27th & 28th May 2006, they will be showcasing their upcoming and current range of products to the European fans. This is a very rare appearance from the company its self rather than a licensee. Along with their appearance a lot more is happening with guests from film and TV, stage talks and much more. Updates will come when more comes clear, more information on the event can found at londonexpo.com

Recent travellers on Red Carpet’s Lord of the Rings locations tour have been wowed by a new guest attraction – none other than Brett Beattie, body double to Gimli. Tour chiefs Vic and Rae James say they’ve been fascinated by the stories Brett can tell from his long days on the set. Brett probably spent as much time as any of the actors filming up and down the whole country, and his recollections can hold a tour party spellbound. Check out tours

The March tour was so enthused by their tour experience that some members put together a messageboard for past, present and future LOTR tour parties to share their stories. [More]

Naomi Watts will join Viggo Mortensen for the London-based thriller Eastern Promises. David Cronenberg will direct the script by Steven Knight, which delves into the same seedy underside of London life that Knight explored in Dirty Pretty Things. Watts will play a midwife at a London hospital who gets dragged into the criminal underworld when she tries to discover the identity of a dead patient. The movie will begin filming in November.