Ringer Spy Jaimie sends us these articles from the latest issue of Variety Magazine.

Trade New Zealand is cashing in on The Lord of the Rings success by throwing a big party in Hollywood. [More]

LONDON, England (Reuters) — A few enterprising — and potentially illegal — eBay traders are gearing up for the Oscars this weekend, auctioning off pirated versions of top film nominees, some priced at less than a ticket and popcorn. [More]

MrElias writes: I´ve just seen something quite interesting. On March 24 th, a Danish TV station will be celebrating the Oscars in association with a big cinema in Copenhagen. The evening will include a world premiere of David Fincher’s upcoming “Tha Panic Room”, and a trailer show of the hottest upcoming movies – among others TTT! This is what it said. For those of you who read Danish, here is the site. [More]

attercon writes: I’m just writing in to tell you that Ian McKellan did a run-on during Helen Mirrens interview tonight on the Conan O’Brien show. He was very brief, with a half open shirt but he was quite sweet and cautioned viewers NOT to watch tomorrow’s Saturday Night Live (he was working in SNL’s sound stage immediately above the Conan O’Brien studio).

Shasta sends in this link to an article he wrote for his college paper describing the origins of Middle-earth in laymen’s terms. [More]