rohanlady writes: Just found out that David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence” starring Viggo Mortensen will be shown at this year’s Cannes Festival as well as “Sin City” starring Elijah “Frodo” Wood. Thought you might be interested. [More]

rohanlady writes: Just found out that David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence” starring Viggo Mortensen will be shown at this year’s Cannes Festival as well as “Sin City” starring Elijah “Frodo” Wood. Thought you might be interested. It was also stated in VARIETY , but you have to subscribe. [More]

In The Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival looms on the horizon (11th-22nd May) and the Americans are set to dominate once again. Competition entries include comicbook noir Sin City starring Bruce Willis and Clive Owen; David Cronenberg’s A History Of Violence, with Viggo Mortensen as a vigilante killer; Jim Jarmusch’s untitled project featuring Bill Murray; and Gus Van Sant’s Last Days, headlined by Michael Pitt as a suicidal 70s rocker in his final hours.

Of course it wouldn’t be Cannes without Danish director Lars Von Trier, but even his latest is set in the USA. After Dogville, Manderlay is the second part of his Land Of Opportunities trilogy, this time dealing with racial oppression. Willem Dafoe and Lauren Bacall star. Yup, it’s all about as French as freedom fries. [More]

“When Manwë heard of the ways that Melkor had taken, it seemed plain to him that he purposed to escape to his old strongholds in the north of Middle-earth; and Oromë and Tulkas went with all speed northward, seeking to overtake him if they might, but they found no trace or rumour of him beyond the shores of the Teleri …” (The Silmarillion Chapter 8 — Of the Darkening of Valinor) [More]

“When Manwë heard of the ways that Melkor had taken, it seemed plain to him that he purposed to escape to his old strongholds in the north of Middle-earth; and Oromë and Tulkas went with all speed northward, seeking to overtake him if they might, but they found no trace or rumour of him beyond the shores of the Teleri …” (The Silmarillion Chapter 8 — Of the Darkening of Valinor)

Having shown his true colours, Melkor has fled to parts unknown. Thinking Melkor hiding in Middle-earth, the powers appear to relax their guard when they throw a party. Stung at not having been invited, Melkor and his new ally Ungoliant gatecrash and proceed to trash the place. The Two Trees are destroyed, Finwe slain and the Silmarils taken.

Is this yet another instance of the Valar being inattentive and forgetful? Was Melkor’s attitude and plan obvious from his earlier confrontation with Feanor over the Silmarils, or did he simply go further than anyone could have thought possible?

And what of Melkor’s pact with Ungoliant? Why did Melkor believe he needed her assistance, and did Ungoliant accept his promise (lightly made as it was) too easily?

Who and what is Ungoliant? Why did Tolkien choose to make her a spider? Why could she not change form if she was a Maia? Or was she something else? And why was Melkor soon to lose his ability to change form at will?

These are just a few of the questions we’ll be discussing at Hall of Fire this weekend. So join us in #thehalloffire on Saturday April 9 as we continue our Silmarillion chats and discuss the Darkening of Valinor!

Time and date:
Saturday April 9

America:
5.30pm EDT
4.30pm CDT
3.30pm MDT
2.30pm PDT

Europe:
10.30pm UK
11.30pm Central Europe

Asia-Pacific:
7.30am (Sunday) Brisbane
7.30am (Sunday) Sydney
9.30am (Sunday) Wellington

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!

Where?

Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net – the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.

To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.

Upcoming topics:

“Silmarillion Chapter 8 – Of the Darkening of Valinor”
– Saturday April 9
– Sunday April 17

“Tell us your LoTR fan experience!’
– Saturday April 23
– Sunday May 1

“Silmarillion Chapter 9 – Of the Flight of the Noldor”
– Saturday May 7
– Sunday May 15

“Is LoTR unfilmable? Was Tolkien right?”
– Saturday May 21
– Sunday May 29

Got a topic? Let us know your idea!

If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks – you might even get to guest moderate the session!

Join HoF Announce!

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Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce

Ancanar, an independent Tolkien-inspired film that seems to be coming up on its 4th year of post-production, has released a new trailer. Take a look at it here! No word on a release date, in any format. [More]

“The Good German” has captured the attention of George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. Clooney is in talks about the project, and Blanchett has entered into negotiations to topline the romantic thriller, which Steven Soderbergh is directing for Warner Bros. Pictures. Soderbergh and Clooney are producing through their Section Eight Prods. [More]