Any LOTR geeks here?

tappae

Well, since the captain didn't get mauled, I'm offering myself up with an opposing viewpoint (though not on the poetry).

I'm a huge LOTR geek, but I don't care for the movies. Don't get me wrong, they're probably the best possible LOTR movies (unless they did 6, that would be better). The cinematography was excellent, the set designs and costumes were fantastic. Visually, I thought they were awesome. Most of the acting was great and so was about half of the casting (Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, Gimli...). The other half not so much. All of the hobbits were way too young (Frodo was 50 when he left the Shire) and all of the elves were way too tall (in Middle Earth, elves are shorter than people).

Now, I understand that they had to leave stuff out (unless they made 6 movies, right?), so I'm not really mad about that. I even understand why they left out my favorite character (Bombadil), even though he was arguably the most powerful character in the book. What really bothers me are the things that were added (like using Gimli and even Aragorn for comedic relief), particularly in the action scenes. I understand that Tolkien's versions were often less exciting, but they were certainly more believable. For instance, the black rider that they avoid in the Shire gets way too close in the movie. From that distance, he would have been able to smell a hobbit that had been walking for miles and nabbed him; end of movie. And the scene at the ford? They're just going to sit on their horses and get washed away by a flood? The bad guys from Home Alone would have been able to get out of the way!

Anyway, I recently reread the books and it struck me that any accurate film adaptation would have to be a musical. Those guys sang at the drop of a hat. They're walking, they sing. They're eating, they sing. They're tired, they sing. They're happy, they sing. They're sad, they sing. They even sing while they're taking a bath together!

tappae

I love LOTR. Read the books 8 times, seen the movies more times than I can count, own the extended editions, etc, etc.

I can't wait for the Hobbit, either! Did anyone else hear about how it MIGHT be a trilogy instead of just two movies??? *fangirls* I think we should know for sure by the end of this week or so.

REALLY?! what are they going to use content wise to fill it all? The unfinished tales and letters?

I've heard that Radagast is in it for some reason.

Krizzo87

BIG TIME!!! Love the movies AND books!!! :bigsmile:

meerkat70

I first read LOTR when I was very little. And I re-read it every year for maybe ten years. Aragorn son of Arathorn was my first love object...

I liked the movies too. But I think it's essential to always approach films as a completely different thing from the books.

tappae

So I'm wondering if Peter Jackson will do a Silmarilon movie in 10 parts?

So want to see Beren and Luthien, the fall of Gondolin, Feanor and the Balrogs....

I'd be orgasming the entire movie if that happened. But it never will, that book is impossible to film

You're right that they couldn't do the whole thing, but they could make great movies out of sections of it, like Beren and Luthien or Turin Turambar. Some of the stories are so skeletal that they're almost begging to be filled out (unlike LOTR, which is quite too full to be accurately adapted).

MSeel1984

huge LOTR fan.. and i cant wait for the new hobbit movies.. im gonna be as giddy as a school girl.. erm.. boy..

It's ok, man...embrace it. I know I will.

I used to have "The one ring" on a chain...and a great gray cloak that looks like the ones the fellowship got from Lothlorien...I gave the ring away to my nephew...you'd think it was the real deal by the expression on his face. Imagine his disappointment when he did not disappear when he put it on

MSeel1984

So I'm wondering if Peter Jackson will do a Silmarilon movie in 10 parts?

So want to see Beren and Luthien, the fall of Gondolin, Feanor and the Balrogs....

I'd be orgasming the entire movie if that happened. But it never will, that book is impossible to film

You're right that they couldn't do the whole thing, but they could make great movies out of sections of it, like Beren and Luthien or Turin Turambar. Some of the stories are so skeletal that they're almost begging to be filled out (unlike LOTR, which is quite too full to be accurately adapted).

Yeah...I can't imagine they'd be able to do that in film...or maybe because parts of it are so skeletal they'd be able to take more creative licenses...even worse....and why does license look like it's spelled wrong...? I need to go home.

dare2love81

Best line of the movies??


My friends, you bow to no one.

Very dignified and sad, if you realize how little anyone in the shire knew of their true deeds. I wish Jackson would have done the scouring of the shire....

My all time favorite line(s) of the trilogy:
"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world besides the will of evil." ~Gandolf

lucythinmint

Right here!!! :drinker:

:drinker: I love the movies but I love the book just as much. It is a perma-fixture on my bedside table. In between other books I pick up where I left off and read through them again.


Aragorn son of Arathorn.........

MSeel1984

Best line of the movies??


My friends, you bow to no one.

Very dignified and sad, if you realize how little anyone in the shire knew of their true deeds. I wish Jackson would have done the scouring of the shire....

My all time favorite line(s) of the trilogy:
"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world besides the will of evil." ~Gandolf

AMEN to both...And I'm very bummed they took that part out too (Scourging of the Shire)...and I may be one of the only people truly bummed that Tom Bombadil never made an appearance.

MSeel1984

i have never read the books or watched the movies.

i fail.

I...I think my heart broke a little. I seriously feel bad for you...Please...you need to see someone about this... J/K

But seriously-if you enjoy fantasy at all...it's a must. I loved the books but many find them quite dense/a hard read. I enjoyed them...one of my own favorite quotes is

"Drums...Drums in the deep. We cannot get out. They are coming."

Mostly because the first time I read LOTR: FOTR I was in band class...reading between breaks/songs...someone leaned behind me to talk to me and I literally tossed the book it scared me so bad.

Excellent-movies and books.

LordBezoar

i have never read the books or watched the movies.

i fail.

Chica, go get the books. DO IT NOW! We will wait for you....

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ok, now read them. Alternatively, you can get audiobooks...erm...about.

HOWEVER, if you want a really cool nerd experience, read the five main books in chronological order: The Simarillion, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. The Simarillion can be a bear to get through, but the nerd payoff when you get to the other books is awesome.

she_elf

I love LOTR. Read the books 8 times, seen the movies more times than I can count, own the extended editions, etc, etc.

I can't wait for the Hobbit, either! Did anyone else hear about how it MIGHT be a trilogy instead of just two movies??? *fangirls* I think we should know for sure by the end of this week or so.

REALLY?! what are they going to use content wise to fill it all? The unfinished tales and letters?

I think they're using the appendices as well as Tolkein's personal notes (appendices for sure--the notes is speculation based on the statement they released last week). I'm super exicted!

UsedToBeHusky

I don't think I'm too fanatical... but I did wear out my DVD of 'Return of the King'... TWICE!

Read the books when I was 12. Just love the LOTR series (books and movies)!

Sockimobi

I went to the theatre production of LOTR in London. It was amazing.

I can't wait to see the Hobbit later this year.

I love LOTR but I grew up watching the animated version and it's still my favourite. Super creeeeepy.

LordBezoar

Best line of the movies??


My friends, you bow to no one.

Very dignified and sad, if you realize how little anyone in the shire knew of their true deeds. I wish Jackson would have done the scouring of the shire....

My all time favorite line(s) of the trilogy:
"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world besides the will of evil." ~Gandolf

AMEN to both...And I'm very bummed they took that part out too (Scourging of the Shire)...and I may be one of the only people truly bummed that Tom Bombadil never made an appearance.

I was totally bummed about Tom Bombadil, but then I thought about it and I really don't think that there was any way they could have worked it in without either totally throwing off the vibe of the movie or completely slaughtering Tom and angering everyone. I have made my peace with it.

As for favorite quotes:

Silmarillion:

“Many are the strange chances of the world,' said Mithrandir, 'and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.”

I will not debate with you Dark Elf. By the swords of the Noldor alone are your sunless woods defended. Your freedom to wander there wild you owe to my kin and but for them long since you would have laboured in thraldom in the pits of Angband. And here I am King and whether you will it or will it not my doom is law. This choice is given to you: abide here or to die here and so also for your son.”

Hobbit:

"Far over the misty mountains cold / To dungeons deep and caverns old / We must away ere break of day / To seek the pale enchanted gold." --The song in the trailer still gives me chills.

"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!"

LotR:

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

and, of course:

“Roads Go Ever On

Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever ever on,
Under cloud and under star.
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen,
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green,
And trees and hills they long have known.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone.
Let others follow, if they can!
Let them a journey new begin.
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.”

Jain

Does having a tattoo from Tolkien's Children of Hurin count?!

yep, im a full blown LOTR nerd

Just the one tattoo?

I've got 2.:blushing:

The White Tree of Gondor on my back and a wristband based on the Fellowship Leaf.

So yup I'm a LOTR geek & wear my badge with pride.

MoveTheMountain

Big time - first read the books when I was around 10 years old. The movies were very well done, all things considered.

All that is gold does not glitter;
Not all who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots aren't reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Remade shall be the blade that was broken;
The crownless again shall be king.

Booksandbeaches

TL:dr

I'm a big LOTR fan. Read The Hobbit, LOTR, the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The Letters, and most of the HoME. Those are my creds. lol

I couldn't stand the insert of Arwen into the movies, but I enjoyed the LOTR films. I'm so looking forward to The Hobbit.

Captain_Tightpants

The more I think about it, the real reason I liked the movies was because I wanted to man-hump Viggo Mortensen. He was so... kingly...