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.
You're not foolin' anyone...
Well, my 13-year-old liked it and wanted to see it again. But I think it's just the continuing Star Wars frenzy (a light saber once saved his life - it's a long story - have I told it here?). Anyway, we'll get the video to complete the set. But he can watch it in his room.
Maybe when Episode III comes out on video in a few years we'll sit down and watch all 6 on a snowy/rainy weekend.
But I'll keep the pints handy!
Hullo Corin...crotchety as ever this morning I trust? Did you see my post about the rancid ribs?...#204
WAIT! We aren't just giving them the information, WE are paying THEM to record it. Doh! 
![[i'm galadriel!]](http://www.xirculo.com/quiz/elflotr/galadriel.jpg)
When was this? I hadn't heard about it yet. What is it with all the kidnapping, or is it just that they are getting in the headlines more than usual? Sad, very sad.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clowns, ummm....Clones
Your list: Hunt for Red October, Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, and Spy Kids
My list: Men in Black, Snow Dogs, Gosford Park and The Majestic
I can see a definite pattern there. THEY'RE ALL MOVIES!!!!!!
But wait! The Blockbuster I use is right next door to a grocery store we frequent and I went in and bought ice cream and used my grocery discount card!!!! OH NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
The ice cream flavor is classified information.
God help us all, and save the children. It's an ugly world out there.
Extended DVD News!
Xoanon @ 11:42 am EST
PeeJee writes:
Just picked up the new Empire magazine and thought i'd send you some info they featured on the new scenes in FOTR Extended cut. Empire saw the Extended Edition with the rest of the cast and crew during the reshoots for TTT. Theres some info I haven't seen before so here goes:
- The Shire sequence has been greatly extended, including a voiceover from Bilbo "concerning Hobbits". And Pippin sings!
- Aragorn is given a fleshed out backstory, including him visiting his mother's grave at Rivendell. He also sings in Elvish.
- The Council of Elrond is extended including Gandalf speaking in the dark tongue of Mordor and more confrontation with Boromir.
- In Moria the battle with the Cave Troll is longer including Aragorn saving Boromir's life!
- Lothlorien is much longer, including more of Haldir's complaints over Gimli, Celeborn, and the famous gift-giving sequence with Galadriel.
- Gollum as "the log with the eyes" gets another cameo.
- The battle with Lurtz and the Uruk-Hai has small scenes re-inserted that give it far more zip. For example, Lurtz pulls the dagger from his leg and licks away the blood.
Hope this was useful. Love the site!
"They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves... how long will they be incapable of innocence? ...For they sow the wind, and they reap the whirlwind..."
My hubby and I watched that last weekend. I have to say that I wasn't impressed a whole lot. It seemed a little to confusing and chaotic for me. It didn't seem to well written, and not worth the hype that surrounded it. Had to share.
There's nothing wrong with that! That's a great verse, reminds of who is really in control.
We watched it twice because it is a bit difficult to follow. I think it was good representation of the distinction between the classes. Did you notice that even the servants were served their dinner by the kitchen staff?
And we love Maggie Smith.
Shark attacks are down too, but I'm not taking any foolish chances when we go to the beach.
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