Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:
Our discussion has been light:
It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog
However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB
Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr
Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog
Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB
Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed
To the very philosophical:
…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla
To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…
…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB
Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog
…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1
Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed
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Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom
…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253
Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed
So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.
Just today, she bought me a book called Finding God in The Lord of the Rings! Have either of you read it? It looks pretty good at first glance. It's by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware.
I think one thing that is very helpful about it, though, is that it's a clear defense of the work against those who deny its Christian themes.
Thankfully, there are a couple of theaters in my area that are beginning new runs of LOTR...I can't wait!!!!! :)
I feel pretty much the same way today...
Maybe I need more coffee or something....
My first letter to Fandango:
"Your web site mentions the Two Towers trailer, to be attached to copies of The Fellowship of the Ring tomorrow, Friday. It says 'Click Here to Learn More.' I click, and it says NOTHING more about the trailer (=preview), just lists theaters that will be showing FOTR."My question: are you GUARANTEEING that ALL of those theaters will be showing the version with the preview attached, starting tomorrow?
"If so, why don't you SAY it, since it said 'to learn more'?
"I hope you'll answer today. If so, thanks. (Signed)"
Doesn't that sound pretty clear?
Well, here is Fandango's answer to me:
"Dear Dan,"Thank you for contacting Fandango!
"Fandango is currently running a banner ad that promotes a "preview" of 'The Two Towers' the next installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The banner ad links to the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring movie page.
"This 'preview' of The Two Tower is not a sneak preview of the entire film. It is a preview of a few minutes of select footage from 'The Two Towers' that will be shown along with the Fellowship of the Ring main feature presentation.
"If you have any further questions, please reply to this message or call Customer Service toll-free at 1-866-688-6675.
"Thanks again for visiting Fandango! (Signed)"
At this point, I am feeling a reality disconnect. So I write this Second Letter to Fandango:
"Hi Joan,"I appreciate your response, but I have to wonder whether you read my letter before sending it.
"I **said** it was a preview, called it a preview, know it's a preview.
"My only question is: since the link just goes to theaters playing FOTR, are you *guaranteeing* that all those theaters will play the version with the PREVIEW attached? And why doesn't the site say so, if that is so? (Signed)"
Ay, yi yi. I'll keep you posted.
Dan
/c8
Don't think I have much choice. It's showing in only 4 theaters after today. One has been showing it for 2 and a half weeks, the others since Dec. 19.
Sheesh!
...course, I kinda like his disheveled look myself, there are so few men who can actually pull that look off without looking like bums.
It is being reported as confirmed that the Cinerama will begin a re-release of LOTR:FOTR with TTT preview on April 5. So, HOTD, we might want to schedule a viewing for April 9 if you'll be in Seattle that day...
:)
They're kicking ET out...hehehe...
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