Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
I've never had a filling or any dental work...I'd be inconsolable too...sorry...
Well, some (gulp) 25 years later, I'm not sure I'd offer the same argument myself.
then it's a good thing that *I* didn't weigh in...Ive given myself a few days to calm down.
WFTR, if you are still checking into our room, let me say it was a very brave thing for you to have shared these points of view with us. You are not the first one to say they did not like the movie. I can only respond by saying "to each his own", but honey-child, I really don't know what it is you were looking for.
Suffice it to say, if I may comment just a wee bit on your first point, in reference to Aragorn, PJ's version helped me to see Aragorn in a completely new light, because quite frankly dear, I REALLY REALLY did not like the Book Aragorn...AT ALL. I wouldn't say he was arrogant, but he had a definite attitude that did not endear the character very well. Along with the style of writing that Tolkien changed for the character, which was stiff and 'kingly' (I guess), Book Aragorn's entire approach to life seemed to be "uh, well, that was SUPPOSED to happen, cause you know, I'm gonna be king!" It was only when he was with the hobbits that I had any inkling that he might be a really neat guy to cheer for.
It could be also that I am all too American in my ideals and would arguely quite vociferously with Tolkien himself about the merits of a monarchy...but that's just me being the upstart attitudinal Yankee that I am.
What I am trying to say is, I thought Viggo made an EXCELLENT Aragorn...and of course he is all stringy and grungy and gross "I look foul and feel fair." Wouldn't you when you have spent most of your adult life gallavanting about the Wildes of Eregion, fending off the nasty folk from the Shire and dealing with utterly worthless refuse of society??
And my emotions really got out of hand when you suggested Timothy Dalton. Honey...darlin'...sweetheart...are you nuts? NO, really. I don't understand your preference. Timothy Dalton was a BAD BAD BAD actor. IF you had said Sean Connery (if we stick within the James Bond realm here), THEN I probably would be applauding you. But your choice has me wondering who you consider to be a GOOD actor? And I disagree....he looks nowhere near 'kingly'. what is a king supposed to look like anyway??? Great Britain has Prince Charles in the running to become king...does *HE* look kingly??? I think not!!!
Anyway, PJ completely converted me on Aragorn...AND Viggo...cause I have to tell you, I had seen Viggo in another production and while I thought he did an excellent job in that one, I was not at all sold on the idea of his taking on the role of Aragorn. I was dead set to hate him when I walked into the theater...and I came out going "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!! I *LIKE* him!!!"
But you know, darlin...this is all just personal preference and like religion, no argument in the world is going to establish whose is a better opinion. Our preferences are just that: opinion. So I do hope you will forgive me if I just throw in my worthless two pence in and say, I disagree VERY VERY VERY strongly with ALL thirty points.
If I add any more than that, it will be me just beating up on your personal preferences. And I don't come to the Hobbit Hole to do that. You guys are just way too much fun to antagonize!!!
Grrrr....I have got to start paying attention...
I miss him.
It's a beautiful area. Too bad it's close to the People's Republic of Charlottesville. Plus, I like being closer to the coast.
You know, I had forgotten all about that...I guess I blocked that nightmare effectively...thanks for reminding me Hair...grumble grumble...
...trust me..you don't want a Navy dentist anywhere near your mouth...I've had neither fillings, braces, crowns...
BTW, I wasn't bragging...I used small font to try and avoid sounding like I was...didn't work I guess...
25 years, huh?...man, you got one foot in the grave...look at the bright side...for a dwarf, you're a punk kid...
Yup...pretty much every squid and jarhead gets his wisdom teeth yanked...
Me too friend...me too...
Okay, I can't resist weighing in on this point either. WRTF's concern that it is a 'feminist' consipiracy is WAAY off base IMHO...I am as anti-feminazi as a female can get, y'all...and this never once occured to me in any form of cynacism. I was GLAD PJ brought Arwen to the forefront...not be cause there is a surplus of men that need to be counteracted...and not because I wanted to 'butch' her up...but because in READING THE BOOK, I DON'T REALLY GIVE A DARN ABOUT ARWEN...OR ARAGORN...OR THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER.
And don't give me the usual crap about 'women were supposed to be sweet and retiring and adored from afar and not do any demanding things like fend for themselves or know how to travel in the wilderness'. Its not feminazi for me to object to that...its pure historical reference. I get the idea that so many people think Arwen should not be any stronger than weak tea in character because of the typical medieval ideal of courtly love...which put women on pedestals and kept them from anything more dangerous than a hangnail. I like PJ's view of the historical reference as drawing from BEYOND historical reference when women did have stronger influence in society and probably had every bit of training as a soldier. There are several VERY strong military activly warrior like women in English history (Buttica, Helen of Aquitane, Joan d'Arc).
And who the heck was Glorfindel anyway?? Pantywaste if you ask me!!! He put Frodo on a horse and sent him forward to meet up with the Black Riders ALONE!!!!!. STUPID Elf, if you ask me. Arwen took him under her protection and fought like mad to get him away. THAT is what an elf should do...THAT is what a woman who wishes to protect a smaller one would do. Having Arwen replace Glorfindel and wrapping Frodo up and protecting him was a STRONG maternal and elven message for the character...and I thought it was BRILLIANT that PJ had Arwen passing on the 'grace' Frodo needed to heal in the beginning (this was done in Minas Tirith when Frodo went to tell Aragorn that he wanted to go home). It means a HELL of a lot more that Arwen is established as someone who gives a damn about the hobbits and Frodo in particular and will mean that much more to Frodo leaving for Beyond the Sea.
In short, in some ways, I believe PJ IMPROVED Tolkien's work.
I thought Arwen was brilliant. I meant compare the way PJ had Arwen and Aragorn sharing their thoughts with each other to Lucas' p*ss-poor imitation of love in AOTC...I was gagging all through out their little 'trysts.' I kept thinking how stupid Amidala was and the little bimbette deserved a creep like Anakin, especially if she wasn't going to bring him to task on some of his more arrogant ideas. And that little 'fireside' chat and the little act of 'oh I cant believe you're making a pass at me while I sit here in my provocative black dress and hair down and giggle and flirt and then say you shouldnt have kissed me'...ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a bimbo.
yeah, compare that to Arwen telling Aragorn "it is mine to give to whom I wish...like my heart..."
*WOW!*
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