Lord of the Geeks

Jewish World Review ^ | 3/1/04 | Mitch Albom

[Caleb1411]

And I am now a geek.

So this is what it feels like.

I never thought as a geek before. I never embraced geekdom. But I cannot deny it. During the Academy Awards, while others rooted for serious dramatic fare - serial killers, abuse victims, lonely salesmen - I was rooting for orcs, elves and dwarfs. I will be wishing for wizards. Hoping for hobbits.

"Lord of The Rings" geek?

Guilty.

Let me purge right here and right now: I have seen them all. I have seen them many times. I have actually purchased the short DVD versions and then the long DVD versions. I have returned to "Return of the King," and more than once, even though it is more than three hours long.

Last Christmas, I actually purchased Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit games for my nieces and nephews. And I got in return - and you know I'm doing the full mea culpa here - a Gollum doll. You know, the little alien-looking creature who speaks like he has a fish caught in his throat, and says things like "Master has the precious!"

I know. I know. Geek.

Go ahead. Do your worst.

The thing is, I never intended to end up this way. I don't like science fiction or fantasy movies. I don't track creatures well. I can never remember who is on the dark side or who is in the Matrix. Vampires confuse me, because sometimes people just have bad teeth, you know? And once you get past Earth, I never know what planet anyone is on.

But there is something about the "Lord of the Rings" franchise that sucks you in, mesmerizes you and transforms you into a kid with a pencil holder in his front pocket.

I am tempted to say it's because the heroes (hobbits) are 4 feet tall and barefoot, or that the benevolent mentor (Gandalf) is a white-haired wizard who reminds people of their grandfathers, or that the heir to the throne (Aragorn) is a moral, brooding, heroic king, or that the comic relief (Gimli) is a red-bearded dwarf who at one point actually says, "Toss me!"

But the truth is, the lure of the "Rings" is more than that. At its core, this is a story about friendship. I think that's why kids like it. I think that's why adults like it, too. . . .

[Caleb1411]

BTTT

[RMDupree]

Hi there ping!

[Old Sarge]

Welcome to the Geek Zone...

[old3030]

Amen.

I bought and read my original copies nearly thirty years ago. My daughter got mine and now my granddaughter is old enough to read them.

[bobo1]

I pray that your grandaughter will be blessed and enlightened by them.

Thanks for your input.

Blessings, Bobo

[tiamat]

Got your charachter sheet and 20-sided dice?

I bet my half-eleven magic-user/paladin can beat your human ranger/assasin any day!

;-)

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

The Hobbit Hole :: Troop Support Projects

Anyone wishing to be added to or removed from the Ring-Ping list, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[GeekDejure]

Isle Of Geeks & Isle Of View !!! ;-))

.

[Laserman]

As one who reread the trilogy every year for many years in my teens and 20's, and one who went to each movie on opening day and at least twice after that, I was amazed that the Hollywood crowd actually saw fit to recognize the movies at the Academy Awards. The Lord of the Rings is a story that resonates at several levels- that of friendship and honor, of the power of even the smallest individual, and of the victory of good over evil. All of these undermine the secular and liberal message of the "illuminati" in the entertainment and media industries. That's one of the reasons I love the books so much!

[grellis]

The thing is, I never intended to end up this way. I don't like science fiction or fantasy movies.

I hate it when LOTR gets pigeon-holed in these categories! Aaargh! Can't we come up with something more accurate? Mythological history? Historical mythology? Really imaginative fiction?

[grellis]

Can you add me to the ping, pretty please?

[sneakers]

"I have seen them all. I have seen them many times. I have actually purchased the short DVD versions and then the long DVD versions. I have returned to "Return of the King," and more than once, even though it is more than three hours long."

Wow! That describes me and my husband to a 'T'!!

[ecurbh]

Sure thing!

[Junior]

I am the Alpha Geek.

[DJtex]

Beautiful story, wonderful movies. But realize that ROTK, the blockbuster that just won 11 Acadamy Awards, did not do as much box office in it's first five days as The Passion of the Christ.

[stands2reason]

Does it mean I'm a geek if I tell you people

IT'S NOT A "HOLE", IT'S A SMIAL!!!!

[Alkhin]

Only if you are in Tuckborough...

...and you say that with a Scottish accent!

(geekier than you! LOL LOL LOL)

[Alkhin]

What hobbits do when they Sweep the Academy