Get those TiVo’s or VCR’s ready….stay up late with a gallon of coffee and a bag of Skittles…here’s a quick roundup of all the LOTR TV appearances this week:
Tonight (November 17th)
Cate Blanchett will be on The Late Show with David Letterman. [LateShow.com]
Tuesday (November 18th)
Cate Blanchett will be on Live! with Regis and Kelly. [RegisandKelly.com]
Wednesday (November 19th)
Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd and Sean Astin will be on MTV’s Total Request Live. [MTV.com]
Thursday (November 20th)
Elijah Wood and Billy Boyd will be on MuchMusic’s Much on Demand. [MuchMusic.com]
Friday (November 21st)
Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd & Andy Serkis on TNS’s Off the Record. [TSN.ca]
I was lucky enough to find a copy of the EE:TTT early and wanted to report some information I found. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll send in a review of the EE … generally … as a Merry and Pippin fan, I’m a very happy camper.
As for the information. When I had finished watching the movie I started on the director’s commentary. When it came to the scene where Peter has his “first” cameo (when Saruman is giving a “pep talk” to the Easterlings), the man him self said something very interesting. He explained that many people thought he cameoed in the scene, (including my self), but he then explained that he would have loved to “exit with Christopher Lee” but becuase of the busy schedule that day it wouldn’t have been allowed. He had two scenes to do in a very short amount of time that day.
So infact, the scene where the Easterlings storm out … Peter is not amoung them. I mean, I saw the guy that looked like him, and he definatly fooled me. But I thought I would report this.
The Maritim Hotel in Bonn, Germany has the past weekend been home of Europe’s biggest Tolkien and Lord of the Rings-related convention: Ring*Con 2003. For the second year in a row all that had anything to do with the books or the movies gathered for a weekend of fun, interesting panels, lectures, workshops and even more fun! Here’s my thoughts on the weekend, starting with the first day of the convention: the Friday!
After last year’s Ring*Con (read all about it here, here or here) this was the Convention I have been looking forward to all year. Last year’s Ring*Con was amazing fun and I wanted it again. But on the other side there were some doubts; could this years edition be as great as last years? After all now the word was out about Ring*Con. Twice as many tickets were sold. Wouldn’t it be too busy? Would the actors still be as close to the public as last year? Had the organisation learned from the ‘mistakes’ they made last year?
Much like last year the Con for me started with a press-conference. However they had decided to hold that a bit earlier this time around, which had the downside of me having to get up earlier to be in Bonn on time. We (we being myself and good friend Michiel from TheFellowship.nl) managed to do so wonderfully well thanks to the German autobahnen. Apparently it was almost impossible to reach Bonn by train that weekend so I thank God (and Michiel) for having a car that weekend. Until I saw how much it cost us to park the car for the entire weekend of course…
Of the press-conference itself I didn’t get to see much unfortunately. I was called out halfway through to go and collect my Director of Photography for the weekend: the excellent but slightly small Tore. Together we shot quite a lot of footage over the weekend (some of which I hope will never see the light of day, *cough* ) for both TORn’s full-length documentary Ringers and TORn Digital and boy do I wish we hadn’t… that camera-equipment was heavy!
After the press-conference and the small talk that followed with the guys present there we settled in our hotel room, the very penthouse of the Maritim, on the sixth floor before heading down to start filming. Because we did spent quite a lot of time wandering around with the camera I haven’t been able to attend all the panels, lectures and workshops I would have liked to see but I will try and give as good an impression as I possibly can on what I did see. After some filming we met up with two of the most impressive guys that attended Ring*Con: Sala Baker and Lawrence Makoare! We were fortunate enough to be allowed to ask them a few questions while on the background everyone’s favourite Haldir Craig Parker was getting his picture taken with a LOT of people whilst being swamped with presents on the same time. After all it was his birthday earlier this week.
The interviews ended right on time for us to make our way down to the big hall where Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) and John Leigh (Hama) were just about to start their joined panel. I have to say: they had me laughing my ass off all hour. Sometimes with interesting stories but most of the times by just having a good time telling everyone why the Rohan people are as cool as they are. The panel kicked off with Bruce Hopkins using the audience to make a sound like galloping horses while he and some members from the audience ran around like a bunch of charging Rohirrim. Describing it by words actually does it no justice at all; you just have to see it.
The two of them made a great duo. Bruce as the impulsive one and John Leigh as the one with a dry kind of humor that makes you wonder why he hasn’t gone into the stand-up comedy business. They didn’t get a lot of questions but that didn’t mind much because there just wasn’t any time to answer them anyway. They grabbed people from the audience that were dressed as people from Rohan, had some fun with them and talked extensively about their experiences of being on set, working with Peter Jackson and watching Orlando Bloom fly of a horse with a Dwarf attached to his back. In fact horses were a recurring theme during the panel (like one would expect from two Rohirrim) much like dying, with John Leigh commenting on how sorry he was that he didn’t even got to draw his sword before the Warg ate him. All in all this panel was one of the highlights of the day and had people cheering for Bruce and John all weekend.
After an hour break which was used to grab something to eat the great hall filled again because it was time for the opening ceremony. I’m pretty sure that Friday was the quietest day of the entire weekend. A lot of people must have decided the Saturday and Sunday were the most interesting days but they missed out on a lot. The day had so far featured panels from Nathaniel Lees (Ugluk), Sala Baker and Jorn Benzon (most widely known as Rumil); extremely popular lectures about Sex in Middle-earth, Racism in Middle-earth and the culture and language of Rohan, to name but a few. Other highlights of the day (or so I heard) were the chainmail workshops and Bruce Hopkins’s appearance in the Games Workshop-area that had featured an earlier visit of well-known miniaturedesigners Alan and Michael Perry.
The opening ceremony proved to be even more excellent then last year. The lights dimmed and a great array of evil forces filled the stage. Much like last year and lifesized Sauron-figure commanded them to go out and find the One Ring. While Nazgul sneaked around the audience an Arwen-figure appeared on stage followed by yet another Nazgul who asked where the Ring was. Arwen replied that if he wanted it he should come and claim it to which to Nazgul saw the uselessness of the situation, said “Ahh screw this”, removed his hood and turned out to be none other then Marc B. Lee, TORn Friend and Master of Ceremonies for the weekend! There also was a musical performance by Eve and the Breeze and a cameo from the Orcs that won last years costume contest. After that all the special guests for the weekend were introduced. Apart from all of the above mentioned these included the return of Mark Ferguson (Gil-Galad) to Ring*Con, back by popular demand, well-known artist Colleen Doran (who looks better with red hair, honestly), and (former) WETA-workshop employees Rogier Samuels and Carole Brockhoff (UnrealFX.nl). An amazing line-up and John Rhys-Davies hadn’t even arrived yet!
Because he hadn’t his panel for the Friday night was took over by Craig Parker, the man that is probably more popular then anyone else in Bonn and surroundings. He had the hard task of filling John Rhys-Davies’ shoes but did an amazing job entertaining the crowds. He got people on stage (almost burned someone’s staff down), handed out pie he got as a present and generally looked like he was having a good time.
After an hour he got company from Mark Ferguson for what was probably one of the best bits of this years Ring*Con: their comedy-show. The two of them were a huge success last year and it only made sense that the organisers got them back for this years event. Mark Ferguson did not have a panel of his own however (his part in the movies is after all rather small and he probably told all about it last year anyway) but got to do two comedy shows with Craig and host an auction. The public had not forgotten him at all and he appeared to be almost as popular as Craig Parker when they introduced him.
The comedy-show consisted of Craig and Mark basically having more fun on stage. They did various things such as telling the story of a visitor that had to go back to Mexico City on a pogo-stick by each saying one word at a time, replaying a marriage-proposal from two other visitors by having them move their bodies and using a child as a prop in the retelling of the classic fairy of Hänsel and Gretel (I hope I spelled that right). They pretty much butchered the story throwing Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) and their parents’ quality time in the story that did not have a witch either but it had the audience laughing so hard they must have heard it on the other side of the city. A huge success and definite highlight of the weekend.
After the comedy-hour it was time to get a few refreshing drinks at the hotelbar. Okay more then a few. The parties at night are probably reason enough for anyone to attend Ring*Con and I have to say I feel rather sorry for the people that were not staying at the Maritim and could not join in on the fun. It must have been around five in the morning when the last three people were kicked out of the bar (that according to the hotel closed at 2 am, yeah right) to get a few hours of rest before the Saturday started; the busiest and longest day of Ring*Con 2003…
Ringer Shaun dropped us a line about this free screening of the Two Towers EE at University of Southern Maine on November 22.
The University of Southern Maine screens The Two Towers: Extended Version
View the complete, extended version of the masterpiece film directed by Peter Jackson. With more than 40 minutes of additional footage re-integrated and re-scored into the film, this version will not be shown in wide release in theaters in the near future. Here is your chance to see this epic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic it was meant to be.
Watch this epic film at USM on 22 November 2003 at Luther Bonney Auditorium. Screening begins at 2:00pm. Admission is FREE and open to all USM students and public at large.
Running time: approximately 223 minutes (Intermission will occur for 10 minutes) Sponsored by the Interactive Simulations Group, Board of Student Organizations License and permission granted by New Line Cinema. For more information, contact ming2000@maine.rr.com.
Technical details: Luther Bonney Auditorium seats approximately 150 people, features a DVD projection system and Dolby 2.0 surround.
Directions: From the South:
Take I-95 North into Maine or South within the state toward Portland. From North it will merge with 295 and South take Exit 6A off the Turnpike to get onto 295. Take the first exit on Forest Ave. to your left and proceed until you see the Woodbury Campus Center parking lot to your right (second right). You may park there. Luther Bonney Hall is across the parking lot and behind Masterdon Hall. The auditorium is on the first floor near the elevators.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings will have the chance to be the first to see the final film in Peter Jackson’s motion picture trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, at the Auckland Charity Screening, Village Sky City Cinemas, Broadway, Newmarket, at 6.30pm, December 17.
This is the first public screening in New Zealand, following the invite-only World Premiere in Wellington two weeks earlier on 1 December. Tickets to the Charity Screening are $100 each, with part proceeds to the Starship Foundation. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 19 November, but LOTR Fan Club members can contact Todd Manor at todd@starship.nzl.com, to be put on the waiting list for tickets.
Filmmaker Peter Jackson personally chose to support the Starship Foundation, as he did last year for his second film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: “I wanted to show my support of the Starship Foundation because of the enormous support the charity provides to children and families facing very real medical and social needs. Children are too often over-looked and undervalued in our society, so we need organisations like the Starship Foundation to be a champion for them.
“Everyday the Starship provides the children of New Zealand with high quality health care, but it remains dependent on fundraising to be fully effective. I have become familiar with some of the day to day difficulties faced by patients at Starship and salute those dedicated to their care. I am very happy that our film can make a contribution, however small, to support the wonderful work these people do,” he says.
Ticket buyers supporting the Charity Screening will go into a draw to win a beautiful replica of Strider’s sword. The sword has been crafted by Weta Workshop’s swordsmith, Peter Lyon, who created the original as used in “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. The signatures of Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor & Peter Lyon will be engraved into the blade of the sword.
Starship Foundation Chief Executive, Andrew Young, says the charity is extremely proud to be associated Jackson and his team: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is another celebration of New Zealand talent. We believe this is a great fit with our cause as we are constantly striving to ensure New Zealand children enjoy happy, healthy lives in environments which are stimulating and enriching. We thank Peter Jackson, Roadshow Film Distributors and New Line Cinema for this wonderful opportunity.”
Details: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Auckland Charity Screening, Village Sky City Cinemas, Broadway, Newmarket. December 17, 6.30pm. Limited Charity Tickets $100 each, includes light refreshments Waiting list for ticket pruchase: email Todd Manor at todd@starship.nzl.com
Rob writes: I went to the Famous Players site to see if my theater had sold out already (it was) when I saw this message right before the ticket purchase screen,
Important – Please read before completing your Advance Ticketing purchase.
To Our Valued Guests:
Thank you for visiting Famousplayers.com. Before proceeding with your advance ticket purchase, please carefully read the ticket pickup instructions below:
Once you’ve entered your theatre, film, performance time and credit card information, an on-line movietickets.com confirmation page will validate that your order has been processed.
PLEASE PRINT THE PAGE AS YOUR CONFIRMATION OF PURCHASE
Tickets can be picked up at the Theatre Box Office or Theatre ATM.
Tickets will be available on the date of the performance.
You must bring the same credit card used to purchase the tickets.
Tickets are for general admission; there is no reserved seating. Please come early to ensure best seating.
There are no refunds on tickets or service charges.
You must print and bring the confirmation page to the theatre.
This has changed from the time when the tickets went on sale. Before all you needed was the credit card you used now you need both the credit card and the conformation page. I hope this helps becasue this coulda screwed a lot of people over. Just thought you’d like to know.
Get those TiVo’s or VCR’s ready….stay up late with a gallon of coffee and a bag of Skittles…here’s a quick roundup of all the LOTR TV appearances this week:
Fans of The Lord of the Rings will have the chance to be the first to see the final film in Peter Jackson’s motion picture trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, at the Auckland Charity Screening, Village Sky City Cinemas, Broadway, Newmarket, at 6.30pm, December 17.