Ringer Spy Jimmy J sends along these scans from the latest issue of Popular Science magazine, take a look, they’re talking MASSIVE here!
Category: Old Special Reports
We reported this a couple weeks ago, but with the Extended Edition now in general release, it’s worth reviewing the easter eggs that are floating around on your new DVD!
Update:Okay, I’m receive reports that these are not on the R2 DVDs. Is this solely a R1 phenomenon? That’d be a shame for non-R1 people (like me!). If you happen to have a non R1 DVD and can pull up these easter eggs, drop me a line!
If having two discs filled with amazing special features wasn’t enough, the four-disc Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring features two very cool Easter Eggs that just add to the awesomeness of the set.
These first two eggs are found on discs one and two of the set, and each one is of a video that many LOTR fans would be quite happy to have on DVD.
The first one is actually the MTV Movie Awards spoof on the Council of Elrond scene that is pretty hilarious. I’ve wanted to see this again since it first aired (and was repeated a thousand times on MTV), and now it’s on DVD.
To find this one, go into the Scene Selection menu on disc one, and head to the final page where you’ll find the real Council of Elrond scene. High light that scene and press “down” to find an image of the Ring. Press enter to view the entire clip from MTV complete with an introduction from Peter Jackson.
(NB: This Easter Egg is not necessarily kiddie-safe. Parents might want to watch this bit themselves before they unleash their children on it.)
The second egg can be found on disc two, and is the awesome four-minute “Fan Preview” of The Two Towers that was shown at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring this past March as it was on the way out of the theaters.
To watch this awesome trailer, go to the Scene Selection menu and navigate your way to the final page where you’ll find the chapter with the Fan Club Credits. Move the cursor to the numbers on the far right of the screen, and when it’s on “48” press down to make an image of the Two Towers appear. Press enter to view the trailer in full anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.
Thanks to Bernie and TORn staffer Scorpio for this information.
For about a week now, I have been fighting with a nasty case of the flu, confined to bed, and barely getting to check the latest news on TORn. Last Friday, I opened my frontdoor to discover a ‘get well’ package. Lo and Behold, someone had sent me the newest collectible from LOTRshop.com: ‘The Three Wizards.’ Yeah, you know, the ‘Three Wizards’ prize from a few contests ago has finally shown itself, and I must say, it is AMAZING.
So what is it?
It is a limited edition framed photograph of Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Saruman (Christopher Lee), and Peter Jackson as they are preparing for a scene outside of Orthanc.
Now this isn’t any normal cheap computer print-out. This is an actual photograph captured by Pierre Vinet, one of the still photographers on set during the filming of The Lord of the Rings. The frame is equally as valuable. The photo is perfectly mounted in a black wood frame with off-white matte and covered by UV-filtering plexiglass.
The true test of the quality of this product was how my SOTORN would react to it. (SOTORN? Yeah, you know, Significant Others of Tolkien Obsessed Reactive Ninnies) Well, she loves it. So much so, she said, “I would rather have this in our living room than The Two Towers poster!” She is also a photographer by trade, so that gives you a good idea of the quality of this piece in the eyes of someone who knows about such things.
Here is the description from the LOTRshop.com which includes dimensions and other important info:
A stunning juxtaposition of Middle-earth and twenty-first century filmmaking, it shows Gandalf, Saruman, and Peter Jackson during production of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Still photographer Pierre Vinet captured this defining moment on location in New Zealand as Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Christopher Lee (Saruman) and writer/director Peter Jackson prepared to shoot another scene. Each wizard is dressed in his powerful garb — Gandalf and Saruman wear their flowing robes, while Jackson strolls beside them in his trademark shorts — and each holds his magic-making device — Gandalf and Saruman carry their staffs, while Jackson holds his notes for the day’s shooting. The photograph is a full 12 by 18 inches, is professionally matted and framed in an 18 1/2 by 23 1/2 inch black wood frame, and is protected by UV-filtering Plexiglass. A holographic New Line Cinema sticker is affixed to the rear of the frame to certify the photograph’s authenticity. Perfect for display in your home or office, this exclusive item is available in strictly limited quantities. Don`t miss the opportunity to own this amazing photograph which shows these three masters as they bring The Lord of the Rings to life!
If you are looking for that perfect gift for someone this season, this is something that will brighten any Holiday.
TORONTO – November 12, 2002. Ted Nasmith, world renowned for his richly detailed realistic paintings depicting the fantasy worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien, announced today the opening of his new internet web site at www.tednasmith.com
The new motion pictures by Peter Jackson based on The Lord of the Rings have created an unprecedented interest in the mythical realms of J. R. R. Tolkien. Long before the films, Ted Nasmith was bringing the extremely visual worlds of Tolkien to life in paintings, with finely detailed work depicting the rich landscape and unique characters of Middle-earth. “The fans are very interested in the idea of faithful interpretations, but at the same time there’s a wide tolerance for a diverse range of styles and interpretations,” says Nasmith.
Early in his career, Nasmith sent copies of some of his Lord of the Rings-inspired paintings to Tolkien himself and was greatly encouraged by the author’s positive response and constructive suggestions. First published in the yearly Tolkien Calendar of 1987, Nasmith’s work has now been featured in more Tolkien Calendars than any other artist.
“Discovering Tolkien had a very profound effect on me, and helped lead to much that I now count most dear. It opened up in me a dormant love of lost and misty times, myth and legend,” Nasmith says. “Not since childhood had I felt such a sense of ‘home’ — the excitement of depicting Middle-earth never seems to diminish.”
He is currently hard at work on the paintings for his third Tolkien Calendar in a row, featuring artwork inspired by The Return of the King, for 2004. “I have set out to create a combination of major and minor scenes that will complement my earlier artwork as well as enter new places not well trodden,” says Nasmith. Visitors can now find a special sneak-peak of this and other projects on Nasmith’s new official web site.
In the mid-nineties, Nasmith was asked by the Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins to create a special series of paintings for a new edition of The Silmarillion. Artwork based on this period of Middle-earth’s history is rare, and Nasmith’s work — in a signature style that echoes the Luminist landscape and Victorian neo-Classical schools of art — has greatly helped bring this important book to life for legions of Tolkien fans.
Although illustrating Tolkien’s extensive works is Nasmith’s primary love, visitors to his web site will also find samples of his automotive paintings and architectural renderings, and gain a new appreciation for the wonderful work of this important contemporary Canadian artist.
More than a hundred and fifty paintings, as well as information about ordering prints and other publications, can be found on Ted Nasmith’s web site at: www.tednasmith.com
Asfaloth writes:
I found this great interview with our friend Philippa Boyens in the latest issue of Creative Screenwriting magazine. (Bill Condon is on the cover. BTW – Bill Condon is the talented writer/director who made the film “Gods and Monsters” starring Sir Ian McKellen.)
In the interview Phil discusses the collaborative effort she shared in writing “The Lord of the Rings.” The article focuses on “The Two Towers,” but includes information about FOTR and “The Return of the King.”
If you haven’t read the book yet, there are some serious spoilers in the article. Philippa explores the differences between the book and the films, and comments on her approaches to character development. She even discusses “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Noro Lim!
Asfaloth
Ringer Spy Brian sends along a track from the Two Towers Score! Take a listen to ‘The Riders of Rohan’!
Take a listen to this! (64kbps mp3, 4:36 minutes)
Updated! Thanks to Ringer Spy Maquiladora on the boards, we also have alternative copies of The Riders Of Rohan and Forth Eorlingas for your previewing pleasure!
These have been taken from Classic FM, a UK radio station which is previewing tracks on a day-by-day basis. These are both 160kbps mp3s, 4:03 and 3:09 mins respectively. Warning that all three files suffer from some serious digital artifacts.
Update 2: Ringer Spy Russtavo has been able to provide an improved version of The Riders of Rohan. The filesize is 3.7Mb.
Ringer Spy GullyFoyle has also been hard at work, and as a result we have a higher-quality version of Forth Eorlingas for your listening pleasure. It’s 6.0Mb in size.
The duration is 4:02 and 3:13 respectively.
If you like what you hear, don’t forget that you can pre-order the soundtrack from Amazon.com. Both the standard edition and ‘limited edition’ will be available and shipping from December 10th, 2002.
And remember to tune into Classic FM because they’ll be previewing tracks every day this week!