The Hobbit (the Jackson films)

[Carol the Dabbler]

As for Freeman as Frodo *whimper* Oh God, yes!

 

I'm casting no aspersions on Elijah Wood here (how could I -- he and I lived in Cedar Rapids at the same time!).  But he was perforce a very young Frodo, unlike the book character, who was around 50 when he started out to destroy the Ring.  Of course, Freeman wasn't much older than Wood when LotR was filmed.  Also, I haven't seen much of Freeman's very early work, but I would assume that he's a much more accomplished actor now.  So I'm not really playing fair, mentally pitting a 40-year-old Freeman against a 20-year-old Wood.  But I really would like to see what Freeman would have done with the role -- I would expect it to be a less ethereal Frodo, which I would prefer (though that may have been Jackson's direction, in which case, yeah, I'm sure Freeman can do ethereal).

[sfmpco]

Just found this tidbit interview...

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

The Battle DVD's Region 1 release date is tomorrow (the 24th) -- and ours came in the mail (from Amazon) today, so now we can watch the extras.  I'm mostly looking forward to the extended edition, though, in hopes that (like the Desolation extended edition) it will be truer to the book than the theatrical release was.  Apparently we aren't the only ones who felt a bit let down -- this review is nicely stated:

 

Despite the title, Bilbo Baggins, played charmingly by Martin Freeman, is almost entirely absent. Despite two critical plot turns in which he provides invaluable service, the title character is relegated to second- or third-class status, swept away by scenes that alternate between grandiose mayhem and a protracted death match on an icy mountaintop between the dwarf-king Thorin (Richard Armitage) and the orc leader Azog (Manu Bennett).

 

[sfmpco]

I have yet to see it but I will be purchasing a copy off of eBay shortly.  Have to keep the BC collection complete...

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Someone posted this on Facebook

 

        

[Arcadia]

Works for me ..........

[Carol the Dabbler]

This article is four months old, but Alex just found it today, and I don't recall seeing it before.  It contains at least two noteworthy bits:

 

Speaking to media recently, the director of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films revealed that the Battle of the Five Armies extended edition will add “about” 30 minutes of footage. As to what will be in that extended edition we’re not entirely sure, but Jackson did mention it “will have some Beorn stuff.”

 

... and hopefully "some Bilbo stuff" as well!  ;)

 

Also, there is some talk about a boxed set of all three Hobbit movies.  Alex asked me to guess what they were thinking of calling that, and I nailed it!

 

 

“There and Back Again,” the original title of the third Hobbit movie before it was changed to Battle of the Five Armies.

 

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

There and back again. It does make sense.

[Arcadia]

Hmm, maybe that's why they changed the name of the third movie ...?

[SherlockedCAMPer]

I saw an interview somewhere sometime back the Peter Jackson realized that all 3 collectively is "There and Back Again" & that a boxed set is likely to contain that subtitle.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I agree with Jackson on that point.  The title never did make sense for any of the three movies individually -- but it's too much a part of the lore to be ignored.

 

[sfmpco]

Battle of the Five Armies just arrived today in the mail alongside The Imitation Game.  I haven't seen the 3rd Hobbit film yet... I know there's a huge battle scene (45 minutes), and I sort of have to talk myself into watching that... because battle scenes can be so draining.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I haven't seen the 3rd movie yet either. Maybe I will wait for the box set and hope it has all the extended scenery.

[T.o.b.y]

Battle of the Five Armies just arrived today in the mail alongside The Imitation Game.  I haven't seen the 3rd Hobbit film yet... I know there's a huge battle scene (45 minutes), and I sort of have to talk myself into watching that... because battle scenes can be so draining.

 

Just make sure you don't miss the part where

Thorin dies

. That was some of Martin Freeman's finest acting there.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I haven't seen the 3rd movie yet either. Maybe I will wait for the box set and hope it has all the extended scenery.

 

The extended edition of Battle will presumably be out in November.

 

I would expect to see a boxed set come out next year.  Presumably it'll also be the extended edition -- might even have some new extras.  And year after next -- maybe a six-movie boxed set with LotR included?  (We may not have experienced the absolutely "last goodbye" just yet!)

[J.P.]

It's not over until I have seen the last piece of last extra. The one with farewells. 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Love that emotie, J.P.!

 

[Nibbio]

I thoroughly enjoyed the threequel!

[Carol the Dabbler]

Hello, Nibbio -- welcome to Sherlock Forum! 

 

You've been posting for over a month, but you've managed to fit in so well that no one realized you were new.  I hope you continue to enjoy yourself here!

 

You might want to post on some of the threads in the "Introduce Yourself Here" area, where more people will see it, and can give you a proper welcome.

 

[sfmpco]

I have to say to I liked "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy better.  I thought it was overall richer in story.  Not that I didn't like "The Hobbit," just that I like the other better.

[T.o.b.y]

I have to say to I liked "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy better.  I thought it was overall richer in story.  Not that I didn't like "The Hobbit," just that I like the other better.

 

I feel the same way. I liked the Hobbit films, but I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I really wish some cinema near me would show those movies again - in English, of course, the German dub wouldn't do me much good.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

While trying to find a old children's song book on google, this one came up in the search.  

 

My initial thought was: Peter Jackson's inspiration for picking Martin as Bilbo based solely on looks.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Aha!  Here's the blog where that originated.  Illustrator Rosemary Travale says, "I would love to be hired to illustrate a kids book one day and man would I ever love to work on a Tolkien adaptation! Who knows if that will ever happen! So I decided to attempt it on my own and plan out a fake ‘golden book style’ Hobbit, inspired by the Unexpected Journey movie."  She's actually made a start on it -- see her blog for a couple of inside illustrations.

[J.P.]

Sad news:
 
Andrew Lesnie who was working on LOTR had a heart attack and didn't make it. He was only 59.
 
For a while all folks from the crew felt almost like an extended family. I could recognize them by voice. 
 

[Carol the Dabbler]

You can blame Martina for introducing me to Honest Trailers.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc32YdEWHzo&list=PL86F4D497FD3CACCE&feature=player_detailpage

 

And what the heck, here's Lord of the Rings too.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL86F4D497FD3CACCE&v=AOIi9SjJvgU&feature=player_detailpage