Our very own Asfaloth writes: I was watching my “Two Towers Extended Edition” special features, Disk 3, “Designing Middle-earth” and about 37 seconds into chapter 2 of the program, they show a shot of Alan standing outside of a tent on location. Sitting next to him and beaming is our very own Tehanu! [More]
Category: Original TORn
Our very own Asfaloth writes:
I was watching my “Two Towers Extended Edition” special features, Disk 3, “Designing Middle-earth” and about 37 seconds into chapter 2 of the program, (at the spot where Dan Hennah and Alan Lee are talking about how they had to ambush Peter Jackson to get him to sign off on their designs) they show a shot of Alan standing outside of a tent on location. Sitting next to him and beaming is our very own Tehanu!
And I’m not sure if this has been posted yet or not, but in the bloopers section of the WB “Behind the Scenes” special that can be found on “The Two Towers” theatrical DVD you can find Quickbeam sitting on a sofa in conversation with Sir Ian McKellen. It’s the scene where everyone’s throwing fruit.
Heather writes: I attended the taping of MTV’s TRL featuring Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd. I arrived at the studio at 1 pm, braving gusty winds and rain. I didn’t have a ticket, since you had to reserve them 3 months in advance, and I had found out about this 3 days ago! [More]
Heather writes: I attended the taping of MTV’s TRL featuring Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd (Sean Astin was originally slated to appear, but I’m guessing something came up last minute for him).
I arrived at the studio at 1 pm, braving gusty winds and rain. I didn’t have a ticket, since you had to reserve them 3 months in advance, and I had found out about this 3 days ago! But since the ticketholders line was rather short, everyone who waited on standby got a wristband and was able to attend the taping. it was really exciting for me, not only because I got to see Elijah, Billy, and Dom upclose, but also because it was my very first time inside the MTV studios and I’ve lived in NYC practically all my life!
The crowd was really energetic and the boys were overwhelmed with the positive responses they were getting. I was seated in the back, right next to where the celebrity guests walk out onto the set, so I had a good view of them all. they basically talked about ROTK, the video game, and what it was like to spend 15 months together. and they did a little dance for the audience. it was cute. I was so thrilled to be in the same room as them, I don’t think I’ve ever screamed so loud in my whole life for any celebrity. during the commercial breaks, they greeted the fans and such, and Elijah shook my hand and said hi to me with a big grin on his face. I smiled back at him, and told him that I loved him(I can’t help it, I do!), and he smiled back at me and very sweetly said thank you! awww.
Dom and Billy also shook my hand and said hello and were extremely polite, even with all the screaming fans clamoring to touch them. once they were finished with their appearance, they waved goodbye to everyone. as they were heading towards the backroom, Elijah actually grabbed my hand again and said goodbye to me! it was so adorable. I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures or autographs because security was very tight, and the boys took off immediately after the taping ended at 6 pm. but being a part of something this unique was one of the best moments ever. LOTR holds a special place in my heart, and to finally come face to face with 3 of the most wonderful and talented individuals ever was absolutely breath taking. I think it’s safe to say this was one of the most amazing days I’ve ever had. thank you Elijah, Billy, and Dom!
Now that the screeners issue has been set in stone (if not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction), the film biz can move forward and concentrate on what’s really important in the awards season: the actual contenders. [More]
Now that the screeners issue has been set in stone (if not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction), the film biz can move forward and concentrate on what’s really important in the awards season: the actual contenders.
At this point, it’s not surprising that most people consider Oscar a wide-open race in most fields.
The bigger question mark is how new factors — the shorter awards season and the fact that only about 4,500 Academy voters will be receiving screeners — will affect the eventual outcome of the nominations and winners.
This year, there is the feeling that little has gelled and that most Oscar category races are wide open.
As evidence of this year’s uncertainty, many Oscar prognosticators point to New Line’s “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and Miramax’s “Cold Mountain” as hot possibilities for a best-pic nom — even though neither has been screened for anyone but a handful of folk within their respective studios.
Fox’s “Master and Commander,” which bowed last week, and Universal’s “Seabiscuit,” which opened during the summer, also raise an interesting question about this year’s race. After so many recent empty-headed mega-pics from the majors, these two films prove that Hollywood can create intelligent, adult fare. The reception from critics and audiences (and, yes, industry members) indicates that Academy voters might be happy to vote for such films.
In the past few years, Oscar voters have included “little” pics like “The Hours,” “Gosford Park” and “In the Bedroom” among its top five. But for the first time in a decade, it’s possible that Oscar’s five best-pic contenders will all be $100 million-plus major-studio biggies — not necessarily because of the majors’ “bullying” the small guys over screeners, but because the big pics are actually good — and they have more promotional clout.
Is it possible? Absolutely. Is it likely? Don’t bet any money just yet.
Awards campaigns can change quickly, and a lot will happen in the year’s remaining six weeks.
In any case, the good news is that everyone is beginning to get the rancor over the screener ban out of their system. Now hopefully we can just get on with the race.