Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
KEYWORDS: 2jmbombadil; allyourprecious; balroghotwings; bearspamandeggs; blowitoutyershorts; breecheese; buffdragons; cartonofspam; cherofthedog; closetsneakers; corinhonestsnaig; corinspamfunkle; corinspamhands; depraveddwarves; dwarfdeodorant; dwarfdiapers; dwarfgaloshes; dwarfkingcorinspam; dwarfspamwiches; dwarftossing; elffriends; elfspam; elvesruleforever; elvishfootfetish; emoryuniversity; endlesschitchat; foolofatook; frododigspipeweed; funklestormhands; fuzzycritters; giddygnadspam; girlyarmor; gnadbelchspam; gnaddwarfhunk; gnadspam; gnadthreadkiller; gollumthegreat; gondorianspamogram; goodbyeoldhole; greeneggsandspam; hobbitschmobbit; holediggingwomen; hotdogsmartypants; itcomesinpints; itsourhagspam; itsourspamnow; jenbneinerspam; jenmcsspam; keeblerelves; khazaddumdedumdum; ksenlovesspam; ksenshamelessspam; ksensneakspam; ksenspamaddict; latenightfunklators; lilspammer; lordoftherings; lordofthespam; lorenahobbit; menareweak; michaeldobbs; midgetporn; namariejensneak; nanowrimosneak; oblivionspam; orclust; otdefunklator; oversneakspamtax; pints; pippintook; pointyelfshoes; politerosespam; precious; preciousparty; preciousspam; rightwingpsychospam; rightwingspamsneak; rightwingsuperspam; rmdbreakfastspam; rmdlembasspam; rmdospam; rosiespamangel; ruthlesssnootyelves; rwrfannyspam; samwisethebrave; scottish; seamusspamfist; sissyelves; skivielessgondorian; smeagingsneakol; smeagolthesupreme; sneakingspam; sneakle; sneakping; sneakses; sneaktaxoverspam; snoots; snowpants; spameggssausagespam; spamfreesneaking; spamisnotprecious; spamminghair; squarehandspampants; stormsneakspamhands; stormspamsneakpants; superstarsmeagol; teasedhair; threadvandals; toking; tolkien; tricksesthieveses; twerentbear; twopantsdupree; velveeeeeeeta; weescarves; whistlinghobbits
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 46,601-46,62046,621-46,64046,641-46,660 ... 48,321-48,323 next last
To: RMDupree
Back when I was teaching, I had a student with the last name of Anderson and it was our joke when he came shuffling into class to say "Nice of you join us, Missssterrrr Aaaaandersonnnn!"
46,621 posted on 12/10/2002 9:11:18 AM PST by Lil'freeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46620 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
Honestly, tho, I can't think of a replacement. Maybe we could have a Replace Elrond contest Or was that done earlier in the thread? I haven't read it all yet.
46,622 posted on 12/10/2002 9:15:05 AM PST by Lil'freeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46620 | View Replies]

To: Lil'freeper
I am not an original Hobbit Hole dweller, so I don't really know.

I've read the thread since the beginning though and can't recall it ever coming up.

As for a replacement Elrond, how about Steven Tyler? LOL!!!

46,623 posted on 12/10/2002 9:27:34 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46622 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree; Lil'freeper; Corin Stormhands
how about Steven Tyler?

naaaw.... too masculine...

46,624 posted on 12/10/2002 9:28:53 AM PST by g'nad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46623 | View Replies]

To: Paul Atreides; HairOfTheDog
This from CountingDown:

Can AOTC be considered for an Oscar?

The big night is coming for everyone in the movie making business; the Oscars. Back in June there was some debate one whether films that we captured digitally should be able to be up for an Oscar because there is no film involved. The board met and while discussing it Academy President Frank Pierson brought up a great question "Who's going to call George Lucas and tell him his movie can't be nominated for an Oscar?"

HOLLYWOOD -- When director George Lucas made "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones," he recorded the action as a massive string of ones and zeros, captured on digital cameras and augmented with special effects created on computer terminals. In some cases, it was shown in theaters with a digital projector.

" Star Wars" is undeniably a movie. But should the absence of actual film stock disqualify it from competing for a golden statue on Oscar night?

Click here for the full story.

46,625 posted on 12/10/2002 9:35:10 AM PST by John Farson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46547 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
How about Nathan Lane then?

He was great in The Birdcage with Robin Williams! ;)

46,626 posted on 12/10/2002 9:36:23 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46624 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
Actually, for those of us who have not seen The Matrix... Hugh was great as Elrond. So, I'll stick with Hugh.
46,627 posted on 12/10/2002 9:37:48 AM PST by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46626 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
Hair - I must make an admission.

I had never seen the Leonard Nimoy Bilbo Baggins video until 5 minutes ago.

I only got halfway through it before I had to click it closed.

The only thing running through my mind at that moment was: WWWWHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!????

I am traumatized for life.

46,628 posted on 12/10/2002 9:38:15 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46623 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
Jim Nabors?


46,629 posted on 12/10/2002 9:39:39 AM PST by g'nad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46626 | View Replies]

To: carton253
Yup, I agree. It's only people who know Hugo as Agent Smith that have the problem separating the two characters.

I recommend The Matrix though. It is a pretty good flick!

46,630 posted on 12/10/2002 9:41:10 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46627 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
Ack. I'm off to a painfully tedious meeting.
46,631 posted on 12/10/2002 9:41:29 AM PST by Lil'freeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46623 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Wait until Corin gets back and sees that!

46,632 posted on 12/10/2002 9:41:46 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46629 | View Replies]

To: Lil'freeper
My condolences, Lil'freeper.

See you later!

46,633 posted on 12/10/2002 9:42:29 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46631 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
Actually, that type of strong typecasting is only typical of Americans. You don't have that problem in Europe. But Americans can't get past a strong performance, hence typecasting. You aren't the only one who has brought up the Matrix tie-in. Many critics have too. Hugh walks on and he's instantly Agent Smith. It isn't only in the audience, but in casting directors, etc. (who knows how the audience will respond if they see so-and-so on the screen... what's Agent Smith doing playing Elrond) It is so damaging to an actor... What is the actor to do? Should he not take roles for fear that audiences are too shallow to see him as something else? It's a vicious cycle... glad I can't act.
46,634 posted on 12/10/2002 9:53:10 AM PST by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46630 | View Replies]

To: carton253
I believe that the only way to fight typecasting is to take on more roles, critics be damned!

Look at Robin Williams - he was "Mork" for the longest time and now he's someone different to almost everyone. Mel Gibson played a strong William Wallace, but despite that, he went on to play other, just as memorable roles (comedy and drama).

The singular difference with Hugh is that he was a new face to most when he played Agent Smith in The Matrix and he hasn't been in any big name flicks since then. So he has "suddenly" appeared as Elrond in the LoTR trilogy and the association is made instantly.

Add to that, both characters behave seemingly void of human emotion so it adds to the difficulty of separating the characters. If Hugh had played a more light-hearted role, chances are the recognition would still be there, but not the typecasting.

Just my 2 cents. :)

46,635 posted on 12/10/2002 10:03:52 AM PST by RMDupree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46634 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
Heh, Heh!! I love that book! I am allergic to cats; my bronchial tubes just close up tight when I'm around one for very long. I love dogs, but Sir SuziQ isn't a 'pet person'. We like being able to travel and not have to worry about boarding a pet, etc.

When we move down South, and closer to our families, I'd like to get a dog. A shorter trip in the car without any overnights on the road would be fine with a dog.

46,636 posted on 12/10/2002 10:25:26 AM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46554 | View Replies]

To: Corin Stormhands
And what about me?

LOL!! Don't you WISH!! Just funnin wit ya!!

46,637 posted on 12/10/2002 10:28:54 AM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46586 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
is this man enuff fer yuh?

Now we see why those 'Mounties' were suspicious the other day!!

46,638 posted on 12/10/2002 10:29:56 AM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46584 | View Replies]

To: Lil'freeper
When his face appeared on the screen saying words over Frodo all I could think of was "Misterrrr Aaaaaandersonnn" and was yanked back to reality.

When we see him on the screen now, we all say "Misterrr Uuunderhilllll"!

46,639 posted on 12/10/2002 10:34:23 AM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46618 | View Replies]

To: Corin Stormhands
OT for heaven's sake, get a generator!!!! (hope you're OK)

Those things make too much noise....it's bad enough trying to sleep listening to the one down the road.

Well....I still don't have power but now I'm ready whenever the power company is. I've got a spanking brand new meter box on the house, the tree fragments are off the eaves and the way is clear for the power guy to run the lines. I still have to drive under sagging lines to get in and out of the driveway.

Still no power at work. I'm at The House (where the garden is) waiting for words from the power company,insurance company, and work. My sister's VCR got fried when they turned the power on so she wanted me to bring the DVD player (we're watching The Movie now.) Cable service isn't back up and the only thing she can watch during dinner time is Dan Rather (eeewwww!)

BTW, Corin, my sister's playing the Mannheim Steamroller concert at the Richmond Colliseum Saturday night.

46,640 posted on 12/10/2002 10:50:36 AM PST by Overtaxed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46573 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 46,601-46,62046,621-46,64046,641-46,660 ... 48,321-48,323 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson