Jonotrek writes: Decipher just released a new set of 15 cards including nine all-new WETA Collection cards (cards created by WETA specifically for the game). New companions appear from outside of the movies such as Halbarad, Grimbeorn, and Elrohir! The cards will be found in three different fixed boxes. Each box contains ten premium cards (two copies of five different cards) and four booster packs from the last three expansions. This product has been created for the popular booster draft tournament format. [More]
Category: Original TORn
Today is Sean Astin’s birthday! Sean Patrick Astin was born February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California. That makes him 35 years old today! Happy Birthday Sean!
25th March is Tolkien Reading Day
Tolkien Reading Day is an event to encourage the use of Tolkien’s works in education and library reading groups. Launched in 2003 the reading day event has sparked interest in reading and reading groups across several nations and ages from Primary schoolchildren to University students and library users of all ages. Hence the circulation of this release to the media, educational press and county library services.
Tolkien’s works encompass many themes, and can be used to illustrate or provide assessment subjects for study areas in current school curricula. 25th March has significance to Tolkien’s readers, as it is the day of the Downfall of Sauron at the conclusion of the ‘War of the Ring’ in “The Lord of the Rings.” For children and adults reading together is fun, and stimulates good conversation, vocabulary development, an interest in history and for some an interest in linguistics.
There’s more to Tolkien than “The Lord of the Rings”, schools and reading groups can enjoy the mock-medieval rebellion of “Farmer Giles of Ham” complete with giants and dragons or the radio play “The Homecoming of Beohrtnoth” that looks at the aftermath of a Viking raid.
Have a Tolkien Reading Party or Dinner
Why not have a group of people gather to read aloud? As this year’s Reading Day is a Saturday schools may be closed but libraries, pubs, cafes, youth clubs, restaurants and other places won’t be. Members of the public (and schools wishing to hold an event near to rather than on the 25th) can contact the Society for free posters, bookmarks and help with publicising their event.
Tolkien Reading Day Fun in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding Libraries will be running several events to tie in with Tolkien Reading Day. A county wide art competition is being held throughout March with a theme of “The Magic of Middle Earth.” At Hessle library Games Workshop will be holding a games demonstration and running a diorama model competition “Middle Earth in Miniature,” Beverley Library will be hosting a Games Workshop tournament themed around Lord of the Rings while art and modelling workshops will be running at Bridlington and North Bridlington library. There will also be wordsearches, quizzes and displays at several libraries across the region, for more information about events being held by the library service please contact Gemma Williams on 01482-392747 or email her at Gemma.Williams AT eastriding.gov.uk
Old-timers in Hollywood sometimes talk about a golden age of animation, seven or eight decades ago, when cartoons were funny, beautiful, and perfect. But the truth is, toons have always been a bit of a backwater – the province of Disney kiddie flicks, Looney Tunes, maybe a rudimentary special effect. Until recently. These days, animation is everywhere. Pixar masterpieces like Toy Story and The Incredibles prove that a digitally animated movie can have more heart than a live-action film. Depictions of the fantastic – flying superheroes, ferocious velociraptors, battling starships – rely on software to maintain the audience’s suspension of disbelief. Even the most realistic movies call on animators to simulate an ungettable shot or to make a moment just a smidge more perfect. [More]
Adele sends this in: Old trouper Christopher Lee, whose 250-film career includes one of the most memorable Bond villains, is in no doubt who has made the best 007 to date. Despite working with Roger Moore, and contrary to the general consensus so far that Sean Connery’s Bond was the definitive, Lee has given the rosette to the ousted Pierce Brosnan. [More]
If you didn’t know, EA Games is releasing ‘The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II for XBOX 360 this September 2006. But for those of you with PCs, your wait is nearly over! March 2nd is just around the corner and the game will hit store shelves then! [BFME II Homepage] [BFME II Hits GOLD] [Xbox Release]