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The New Hobbit Hole

Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog

Welcome to The New Hobbit Hole

Concerning Hobbits

The New Hobbit Chronicles

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

-----------------------------------------

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.


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Poetry; TV/Movies; The Hobbit Hole
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To: John Farson
For all of you who care about the Oscarwatch.... The Variety ads and Oscar gossip is here... I wish I could see the fine print on this cover to see what nominations they are hoping for! I loved the "For your consideration" ads last year.

From: OscarWatch.com

Oscarwatch's Brian Duffield LOVED Two Towers:

The Two Towers
Directed by Peter Jackson
Staring: Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellan, Liv Tyler, Bernard Hall, Andy Serkis, John RhysDavies, Orlando Bloom

Whether you liked Fellowship or not, it does not matter. The Two Towers is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, and it should not be missed.

Everything brilliant about Jackson's Fellowship returns here (minus Sean Bean of course), and more is added. Top of that list must be Andy Serkis as Gollum, the ring-junkie we got just a glimpse of in Fellowship. One of the best performances of the year, Serkis easily steals the spotlight from the excellent Elijah Wood and much-improved Sean Astin. And the fact that he is a CGI creation should not matter. Andy Serkis clocked more hours on Rings then any other actor, and his performance is mesmerising (especially a very disturbing scene where he talks to Smeagol, the hobbit he once was).

The Two Towers and Gangs --the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from the HR and Variety (thanks JackW, JCarroll)

On Two Towers, Todd McCarthy says:

At least for non-Tolkien fanatics, the two "Rings" thus far lack that essential bit of magic to transport one to another world and make the leaving difficult; despite the vision, organizational skills and assurance Jackson and his talented team have marshaled on behalf of this sprawling undertaking, there is something slightly laborious and unenchanting about the projects that prevents total surrender to them.

All the same, it's hard to imagine a much better version of this material onscreen. As before, the exceptional New Zealand locations seem to have been created to order for the trilogy, and the way Tolkien's descriptions have been physically realized in the sets, costumes, makeup, hairstyles, special effects and the cast is indisputably impressive. And once again, Howard Shore's vigorous score, seemingly somewhat altered and darkened, and sans the Enya contributions, provides valuable support.

Thesps from "Fellowship" continue ably in the same vein here, and such newcomers as Otto, Hill, Dourif and Serkis add welcome new interest and flavor. Joining the behind-the-scenes crew are new editors Michael Horton and Jabez Olssen.


46,081 posted on 12/06/2002 2:39:32 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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Another report, from the NYC premier:

Two Towers triumphs in Big Apple

07 December 2002
By LEAH HAINES in New York

New York was blanketed in the most snow seen for years, but the stars of The Lord of the Rings still managed to twinkle at last night's world premiere.

The first audience to catch the latest in the trilogy was unanimous that it was the best yet.

Elijah Wood and Liv Tyler were undoubtedly the main attraction for New Yorkers braving sub-zero temperatures to grab an autograph as they left the screening.

But the next biggest cheer went up for New Zealand's double Oscar winner and special effects whiz Richard Taylor, who gave a bunch of bystanders shouting "New Zealand" an enormously enthusiastic thumbs up.

"I just feel bloody tired," he said though still beaming at fans scrambling for an autograph. Why? "It's a great body of work."

Taylor was clasping a "crown of light" which someone in the audience had given him in honour of the crown the character Elrond wears.

Peter Jackson, wearing his trademark purple shirt but trousers this time, was obviously feeling the cold and zipped straight into his waiting limo without stopping to talk to fans.

But a graceful Liv Tyler, wearing a silky polka-dot dress, elegant white coat and cerise-ribboned shoes, mingled with the fans, signing autographs and chatting.

New Zealand was not far from any of the hobbits? minds. "I love that accent," shouted Wood as he was whisked away by his minders.

The premiere, largely for the benefit of New York's who's who, attracted stars such as Susan Sarandon, Yoko Ono and most of the cast. At least one woman in ball-gown and heels slipped on the icy footpath.

John Rhys-Davies, who plays Gimli, said: "I think that we have created a masterpiece but I'm biased. The audience loved it.

"But the real test is when the real people get to see it. People like you all," he said to the fans. The real people who did get to see it said it was the best film they had ever seen.

"It was absolutely fantastic," said Michael Brite, 40, of New York. "There was so much action, a lot more than the first one, and the special effects were phenomenal."

Ryan Clarke, 12, who was taken along by his dad, said it was definitely the best film he had ever seen. The three-hour-long epic was "long, very long but it didn't bother me", Ryan said. "I loved it."


46,082 posted on 12/06/2002 4:38:56 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: John Farson; All
Oh, now that picture is great!

About your Martin comment last night/this morning, whenever: I definitely think there could be truth to the theory that Jon isn't Ned's son. It sort of goes better with what we know of the characters. Hopefully we'll find out soon.

Wow, I had a busy day! I had to take a paper to school before the deadline, mailed a Christmas present to a friend (books, of course) and worked latish. Then I went to the grocery store. Now it's time to relax...
46,083 posted on 12/06/2002 4:43:49 PM PST by JenB
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To: All
These are on at 7 and 7:30 Respectively, where I am:

TV Watch: Access Hollywood & ET
12/06/02, 7:12 pm EST - Xoanon

Access Hollywood showed a snowed under NYC premiere with small sound bytes from Liv Tyler (Arwen), Sean Astin (Sam) and Elijah Wood (Frodo).

Meanwhile Entertainment Tonight (ET) promises to have something on TTT tonight, set those VCRs!

46,084 posted on 12/06/2002 4:45:59 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
PRETTY QUIET IN HERE FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT!

They promised me they wouldn't get a life without me!

46,085 posted on 12/06/2002 5:11:03 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
PRETTY QUIET IN HERE FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT!

Quiet? I haven't been able to get a word in edgewise since I saw some comments earlier today about the Silmarilion. It's a difficult piece of work to get into, but well worth the effort.

I have the complete TS on CD, done by the BBC, I believe. I was going to listen to it while driving to work. But the words, the narrator, and the Creation image was so compelling that I almost got into a wreck within the first five minutes. So I had to drop the idea of listening to the CD while driving.

I've read TS two or three times, but to hear the words coming into my head via my ears rather than eyes must be something like listening to the old sagas as intended, rather than reading them. A powerful piece of work, with a scope vaster than the War of the Rings, which is only a sidebar to the larger Tolkien universe.

46,086 posted on 12/06/2002 6:13:04 PM PST by 300winmag
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To: HairOfTheDog
No life here, just very very tired.

How was your day?
46,087 posted on 12/06/2002 6:21:23 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: 300winmag
Yeah - It did get quiet tonight, but we did have a busy day.

The Silmarillion on CD sounds neat. I should pick that up. I haven't read it all the way through yet, only pieces here and there.

I don't want to focus on it this week. Got this movie on my mind, and all the news about that. I want to give LoTR another read after the movie... I am intentionally waiting now, to make me a bit more open to changes when I see them before me in the film. Then I can go back to the text.

TTT is my least-favorite of the books in LoTR. I don't do well turning huge battle sequences on paper into a coherent vision of what is happening. When I have read TTT before, my concious effort is to turn the pages as quickly as possible during Helm's Deep and get back to something I can get into. In that regard, the movie should help me alot to bond with the battle, as it were ;~D
46,088 posted on 12/06/2002 6:24:55 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
oh dear... I can spell conscious, I really can!
46,089 posted on 12/06/2002 6:27:29 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Hey! - I didn't see you there!

Hullo Bear! Good enough day.... not much needed doing today work-wise, so I goofed off!
46,090 posted on 12/06/2002 6:29:09 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
Hey! - I didn't see you there!

I can be sneaky that way....

not much needed doing today work-wise, so I goofed off!

That's a good day to have! I had a tough day, had to get mad at a worker-drone. I don't think I like being a manager-type. Luckily it only lasts another week.

46,091 posted on 12/06/2002 6:40:13 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Aw, heck, posting is too much work tonight. I'll be in the chat room, if anyone wants to stop by!
46,092 posted on 12/06/2002 6:41:34 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: HairOfTheDog
Yeah - It did get quiet tonight, but we did have a busy day.

I noticed. Seemed like a couple hundred posts on dwarf/elf bashing and getting hit in the crotch. :)

I think we're all getting antsy. I still have my FOTR four-DVD set to watch. But I can't seem to find the one whole day of uninterrupted time I need to give it the attention it deserves.

46,093 posted on 12/06/2002 6:44:29 PM PST by 300winmag
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To: 300winmag
I only watched the Appendix discs all the way through last week. Given the choice, I watched the movie again instead of the interviews! - I recommend the Director's commentary highly - first even.
46,094 posted on 12/06/2002 6:53:25 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Be there shortly! - Wait.... I am in there already and you aren't! :~\
46,095 posted on 12/06/2002 6:54:39 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
I am there!
46,096 posted on 12/06/2002 7:30:08 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
and so is this!
46,097 posted on 12/06/2002 7:30:47 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
and so is this!
46,098 posted on 12/06/2002 7:30:48 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
and so is this!
46,099 posted on 12/06/2002 7:30:48 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Right here!
46,100 posted on 12/06/2002 7:31:18 PM PST by Bear_in_RoseBear
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