[JohnnyZ]

Tolkien understood that the finest works of art appeal with equal power to people of all political persuasions

Tolkien believed in right and wrong, not suicide bombers and appeasers.

[rintense]

A lot of people misrepresented what we had done in the films and Tolkien's work, saying they justified the actions of the U.S. government and war in general. I didn't think that was the case."

It is highly doubtful Viggo even understands the theme of Tolkein's books, let alone ever read one. I heard him on a cable TV interview and he has less brains than Brad Pitt. Dumb as a box of hammers.

[BibChr]

So thereya go.

[Eala]

Viggo Mortensen

Adding him to my "Do Not Watch" list. Thanks.

[laconic]

Rhys-Davies is a wonderful actor with a great voice; somehow his probable 6' frame is reduced to Gimli's for the movie. He was also very good as General Pushkin in Bond's The Living Daylights and as the pilot in the TV miniseries Shogun.

[Dionysius]

I don't care how good it is. I wouldn't care if they gave out free popcorn and BJ's. I will not subsidize these scumbags by frequenting their product.

[Billthedrill]

It is important to remember that actors earn their livings simulating emotion whilst mouthing the lines written for them by people who really did know what they mean. It is one reason writers so often despise actors. The money's another.

Mortenson is an idiot who understands neither the source material nor the current world situation. But at least he's consistent - what he's doing is parroting lines written for him by other people.

[dead]

Mortensen read an interminable original poem about exploding bombs, burning flesh, flattened huts and American guilt

Oh man, I really want to read this.

Actors are never funnier than when they fancy themselves writers.

Well, OK they are funnier when they fancy themselves musicians. Or political experts. Or environomental scientists. Or historians. Or philosophers. Or parents. Or singers. Or doctors. Or ministers.

Anyway, I still want to read Vito’s poem. I’ll bet it’s a hoot.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Hollywood Leftist Ping!!!

Please FReepmail me if you want on/off this ping list.

[jtminton]

What a bummer. Now I'm going to have to think twice about buying the DVD. While very small, some portion of that purchase will be going into his pocket.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Michael the Socialist Workers Party is not "Stalinist" but rather Trotskyist. Always has been.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Viggo Mortensen, who plays the title character in The Return of the King, has used the publicity platform provided by his role to trumpet his anti-war and anti-Bush views.

I liked him so I'm sorry to hear this. He's in the new "Alamo" movie.

[StoneColdGOP]

Come off it, Medved.

It's a MOVIE. The actors' PERSONAL beliefs had NO impact on my enjoyment of the films, they were spectacular.

I didn't care that Mortensen doesn't like Bush (I don't either).

I didn't care that Ian McKellen is gay (what does that have to do with anything?).

It didn't matter to me that Rhys-Davies holds Western Civ. in such high esteem against the Islamofascist threat (although it's great to know he thinks that way).

To be so obsessed with what an actor happens to think that it diminishes the whole work of the films is just sad.

[BushisTheMan]

Isn't this the same idiot that went to the movie premiers in a UN flag shirt? I believe it is.

Haven't seen these movies and won't ever because of this freakshow. My personal message to him: STFU

[Sans-Culotte]

Peter Jackson probably groans every time Viggo opens his mouth. I quite enjoyed the LOTR movies, even though Viggo turns my stomach. However, of all the protagonists, I found Viggo to be only adequate in his portrayal. Most, like McKellan, Wood, Bloom, Bean, Rhys-Davies, Blanchett etc were ideal. Viggo did well enough in the first movie in depicting the dark, moody "Strider" part of Aragorn, but I found him weak when it came time to assume the mantle of kingship. His speech before the last battle was sure no Crispin's Day classic....

From what I have read, Jackson was rather haphazard in the choice of Mortensen. Apparently the original Aragorn was judged to be too young, so they turned to Mortensen. He must have found him to be a mumbly, whiny actor. I guess he figured with the right costume and makeup and editing, he could make an Aragorn out of anyone. Probably has more to do with keeping the cast "no name" so as to save payroll money.

[Rebelbase]

Watch the movie and get lost in the story. The backgrounds and special effects are so incredible it would be a petty shame to let an actor's politics ruin 3 hours of fantasy diversion from everyday life.

[4everontheRight]

I saw a 20/20 or 48 hours or some such silly show that had a portion devoted to a "behind the scenes" of TROTK. "Mort" would stop before going onto the set and purchase a bunch of fresh flowers for his dressing room...I wondered about him from then on.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[don-o]

I have a very good mechanic that works on my cars. Do I care about his politics?

No. I care that he fixes my cars.

Why must we concern ourselves with actors and celebrities, holding forth?

Uh, I know the answer to that question, but I want to see what y'all say.

[abner]

Pingy... I saw the movie in spite of Viggo. I went to see Gimli. He was the best!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I went to see Return of the King last night with my wife. We loved it. Viggo is no king. He accurately portrays a jackass in real life. My favorite in the movie is Rhys-Davies as Gimli. He has the greatest lines and I'm built closer to the sidewalk like the short guy so I felt a bond.

I'll probably buy the DVD and not worry about Viggo.

I liked the older guy who died leading the horsemen into battle. I forgot his name. He spoke to his niece right before he died, pinned under his horse. I thought he had far more qualities of a king than did Viggo.

It's funny. Real spiders don't bother me that much but that big bitch of a spider Samwise fought was really nasty. I think I'd rather take on a dozen Orcs than that spider.