The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads!

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

Journey to the Cross-roads
The Two Towers Edition

Come on! Come in! -if you would like to have some seedcakes and a pint and relax a while. (If it is a special occasion, we still have a few bottles of the old wineyards left!)

Our first thread ( New Zealander builds Hobbit hole ) reached 4,100 posts, and we thought that was big. Our second thread (The New Hobbit Hole ) held us for over 48,000 posts, and we loved it dearly. We talked about moving to a new thread for the last 38,000 posts, but we are really slow to muster! Finally, the time has come. Tomorrow (at 12:01 am, to be precise!) The Two Towers comes out, and we start a new chapter.

[2Jedismom]

I'll say! What a story! I love hearing people's little unusual stories!

[HairOfTheDog]

The evenings would wear on me too, I am a morning person! - and the other activities you enjoy are what makes your life interesting, not your job, or extra money... so good luck at the college! or whichever you choose! ;~D

[ksen]

Boy, I hope this doesn’t let everyone down. Ok, here goes:

Let me say right off the bat, I loved this film just as much as I loved FoTR. After reading the pros and cons of PJ’s “changes” I think I was more prepared for dealing with them. That said, they really didn’t bother me too much. I’ve said here before that Tolkien viewed his stories as legend and myth, so to see some details of a legend or myth told a little differently, with the end result being the same doesn’t bother me.

Well, there was one change that rubbed me the wrong way, but I’ll get over it. I didn’t like that Hama was unceremoniously eaten by a Warg instead of falling at Helm’s Deep. I liked Hama and I would much rather have seen him die during the fight with the Uruk’s instead of being a Warg’s snack.

The opening scene was wonderful and haunting. I loved how PJ panned over the Misty Mountains while letting us hear hints of what was happening under them. I found myself sitting tensely upright during the whole Balrog sequence with a silly grin on my face as I tried to soak everything in at once.

I was in a certain type of euphoria as we went through our first viewing of the day, I can’t describe (yet) the thoughts and emotions that ran through my mind, but I think all of you know what I am talking about. There was awe at the amazing scenes on the screen in front of me, there was joy in seeing the characters (and actors) that I had grown to love actually progressing in the journey, there were tears in places that I didn’t expect there to be any.

Here are some things that stood out for me:

1.) The hopeless situation that Rohan found itself in. When the mother sends her children off to Edoras to sound the warning, we get a glimpse of what makes up this people: even when faced with imminent death they fight. They know there may be no hope for them individually, but they have hope their country will survive, so they fight.

2.) Frodo’s relationship with Gollum. Sam didn’t understand, actually he couldn’t understand, Frodo’s relationship with Smeagol. Sam saw a slinking, stinking creature that he felt would betray them in a flash if he had half a chance. Frodo, on the other hand, saw himself. When Sam asked Frodo why he was treating Smeagol the way he was, Frodo told Sam that he had to know that Smeagol could be redeemed. Why? Because Frodo understood that he was heading in the same direction that Smeagol was, so if there was no hope for Smeagol, then there was no hope for him.

3.) Smeagol & Gollum. The interaction between these two was one of the more horrific themes of this film (I refuse to call it a “movie”). I teared up with joy when Smeagol had the victory over Gollum (even though I sort of resented the audience for laughing during that scene), only to be deeply saddened with Gollum’s final victory over Smeagol (I am betting that there is a whole lot more added here on the DVD).

4.) Elrond. What can I say about Elrond? He comes across as a meddlesome, manipulative father trying to keep his daughter. Especially the line about “Don’t you have any love for your father?” Bleagh.

5.) Elves at Helm’s Deep. Ahem, I would just like to remind everybody that I was the first to bring this up when the trailer was released near the end of FoTR’s run in the theatres. That said [;^)], I felt a thrill of hope when those Elven archers came to the aid of Helm’s Deep. I felt like hugging Haldir just like Aragorn did. I will reserve my Elf-bashing for Elrond now. The Elves fought, and died, bravely in a fight that wasn’t theirs (I know they weren’t at Helm’s Deep in the books, but I don’t care). What really got me was the death of Haldir. The shot of him dying and seeing all the other fallen Elves around him was devastating. It got me, I’ll admit, I teared up.

6.) Grima & Saruman. I would just like to touch on what Bear already posted above. When I first saw the scene where Saruman shows Grima his army, I saw Grima shed a tear and I thought that Grima was thinking “what have I done?” The second time through, I thought the same thing. I asked my wife later, and she thought that Grima was crying because he was so happy that Saruman DID have an army, but I think if you look at the expression on Grima’s face that you will see that Grima may not have been so happy about what he had done. I think PJ is setting this up as the reason Grima does in Saruman.

7.) Gandalf the White: I can’t wait to see Gandalf the White in more action in RoTK. Ian played Gandalf perfectly. I teared up again (yeah, I know, I’m a big baby) at the charge of the White Rider. All is lost, Theoden and company have ridden out to give their lives in order for the women and children to escape. When over the hill, with the appearing of the rising sun comes Gandalf with about 2,000 Rohirrim to the rescue (as our youth pastor says, “If that doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is wet!”).

8.) Merry, Pippen & Treebeard: I think there will be much more about this storyline in the SE DVD. I enjoyed the time spent with the Ents in TTT, especially the sacking of Isengard (I really liked seeing Saruman scurry about his balcony not believing what he was seeing). The Ents were terrible to behold when they were finally roused. PJ used Pippen to show Treebeard what was happening to the southern edge of Fangorn, so what? The Ents may be the eldest of creatures, but they aren’t omniscient. I have no problem with PJ using this opportunity to more fully develop Pippen.

9.) Faramir. I don’t think I can add anymore to the Faramir discussion. I think PJ did an ok job handling Faramir. You could see the doubt start to creep into his thoughts after his men had captured Gollum (he was Gollum by then) and he had the opportunity to see first-hand how the Ring affects a person. That was reinforced hearing Sam’s outburst about his brother, and I think it was finally cemented in his head seeing how the Nazgul, Frodo, and the Ring interacted.

10.) Frodo & Sam. I just want to touch on the “fight” between Frodo and Sam. There was no “fight”. The Ring was on the verge of returning to Sauron when Sam intervened and managed to get Frodo out of that situation. The Ring resented it and was about to kill Sam. The fight wasn’t between Frodo and Sam, it was between Sam and the Ring, and Sam won.

I’m sure I may have forgotten things, so if I forgot to mention something let me know. I would like to add that I appreciate hearing Sam and Frodo talk about being in a story at the end. I liked that part in the book, and I’m glad it made it on the screen in TTT.

Those are my thoughts, as paltry as they are. ;^)

[Overtaxed]

Don't you think they had Christopher Lee do Gandalf's voice when he reuintes with the Three Hunters?

[HairOfTheDog]

I love your thoughts! - I am refreshed!

I am glad you liked it, you really liked it!

I am all teary thinking about you getting teary! I agree. The start of the film, with the mountains and the voices barely perceptable within, was a definate "spot in time", and after all the hopelessness of the situation at helm's deep, I was very happy to see the elves arrive. When Haldir spoke, and they went to "parade rest"... hup-to. I said... OK, THESE are soldiers! YAY!

Wonderful review ksen, partly because you share my optimism about it, and mostly because you said it very well.

[Lil'freeper]

Your elf-envy is showing.

[Overtaxed]

[Lil'freeper]

Excellent review! Well worth waiting for.

[2Jedismom]

Did you ever find Road to Fingal? I found the notation...

[RMDupree]

Not paltry at all, Kevin!

The third time, I was able to really pick out other scenes that I just adored. For example, when Gimli rushes up the steps to blow the horn and you see the dust blow out the side of the keep - man! I was thrilled!

I did grimace to myself during the film when Aragorn kicked the Uruk-hai helmet, since I know he broke his toe right there. I also smiled in spite of myself whenever I saw PJ's kids in their roles as "cute Rohan children". :)

The audience, for the most part, always laughs a bit during the exchange between Smeagol/Gollum, but I think it is only due to the fact that S/G wears these funny expressions. I do not believe they are laughing at the "battle" itself, because the silence in the same audience when Gollum is seen comforting Smeagol after being captured is absolute. I think that's when most folks realize what was at stake and what is lost at that moment.

[2Jedismom]

Make that Return to Fingal. I have the notation for Return to Fingal.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Great news! Congratulations!

The later hours would not be a problem for me... 10-6 are my ideal working hours! But, work is not everything in life, and neither is money. (Did I really just say that?)

As others have pointed out, consider the benefits, the number of days off, the possibility of overtime work (and pay), etc. $4k more per year amounts to about $80-$100 per paycheck (assuming a bi-weekly check.) Also to be considered is the possibility of advancement, raises, and job security. But you knew all that. :)

Here's wishing you happiness and luck, whichever you decide to take!

[Overtaxed]

Yes! I believe you sent me that one. Still working on the low G....playing scales mostly. I'm trying to get my piper's grip fingering down more consistently.

[2Jedismom]

I like F...Lunasa plays a lot of stuff in F and I like my high F whistle. I don't think I could manage a low F.

[RosieCotton]

I got my brother and sister tickets to a Lunasa concert for Christmas! And of course, as the driver, I have to go first. They're front row seats! To the right, not right in the center, but front row just the same!

[My back yard]

I loved what your wrote. Your summation brought back that awe-filled feeling I had too -- sitting with a grin on my face, not even trying to take it 'all' in, because I will be seeing it many more times. It gets better every one. The first thing that made me catch my breath was when the shot pulled way back to some perch of a view inside the mountain, as the battling wizard and balrog fell through air in the distance. That gave me goose bumps.

[RosieCotton]

Thanks for your input, gang! I don't care much about pay or advancement, though maybe I should. If I can pay my bills, spend some money on fun, and still have something leftover to put in the bank, that's the most important thing. And the college offers free tuition for employees, plus a LOT more time off. Not like teachers get, but a lot more than the average company.

The other thing is that two of my brothers, my sister and I want to start playing real gigs this year. That may not earn much, but it would be something - and I couldn't do that with an evening job.

I think I'm pretty well decided. Not looking forward to having to make the actual phone calls, though.

[2Jedismom]

You're a good sibling!

Matthew is getting old enough to enjoy things like this with me now. I can't wait! Cherish the Ladies may come and if they do, I'm taking Matthew and my mom.

[ksen]

Don't you think they had Christopher Lee do Gandalf's voice when he reuintes with the Three Hunters?

Yes, I do.

[ksen]

Hi Rosie!

I'm glad you're about to join the ranks of the gainfully employed again, but I'm especially glad that you rejoined the Hobbit Hole. ;^)