Fav/Best of LOTR?

Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:46 am

I wouldn't dissect just parts of a film...

What I would love to do is go back and reread LOTR, then compare/contrast/dissect what the Jackson three chose to do and why, etc.

Post by **Auleliel** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:52 am

That sounds like an interesting idea.

Post by **Zarathustra** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:47 pm

I've read LOTR about 6-7 times, but only once since the movies came out. I was really surprised at how many lines are lifted directed from the text. The opening soliloquy from Galadriel comes from Treebeard. The song they sing (Extended Edition) in the pub comes from actual songs the Hobbits sing on the road. Over and over, I was struck with moments of resonance as memories embedded in my brain from watching the movies 20 times echoed what I was reading, word for word.

I think Fellowship was closest to the original book (ignoring Bombadil's absence), and that's probably why it was the best movie.

Post by **Zarathustra** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:01 pm

matrixman wrote:
jacob Raver, sinTempter wrote:
matrixman wrote: But yes, I agree that Jackson got everything right in Fellowship. An awesome movie from start to finish.

This weekend I might start watching the bonus material on ROTK.
Does the Watch have group...er, watchings?
Nah...but a few years ago, some of us did toss around the idea of "group watching" or dissecting the Matrix films as we watched them, each DVD "chapter" being considered like a book chapter. It was a neat idea, but it went nowhere.

If you and other LOTR fans wish to try something like that with Jackson's trilogy, you'd be more than welcome to.

When the LOTR Blue-ray disc comes out, we should be able to use our 2.0 Profile BD players to watch the movie together, in our own homes, and chat online to each other, like the Hellboy II BD:

BD-Live: Requires Profile 2.0
* My Chat – Connect online to text chat with friends while watching the movie using either an awkward on-screen keyboard simulator, your own laptop, or a PDA. At certain times, Universal may also host scheduled events, such as the chat with Guillermo del Toro that took place on November 23rd, 2008.

Blue-ray rocks.

Post by **Rigel** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:57 pm

Malik23 wrote: When the LOTR Blue-ray disc comes out, we should be able to use our 2.0 Profile BD players to watch the movie together, in our own homes, and chat online to each other, like the Hellboy II BD:

BD-Live: Requires Profile 2.0
* My Chat – Connect online to text chat with friends while watching the movie using either an awkward on-screen keyboard simulator, your own laptop, or a PDA. At certain times, Universal may also host scheduled events, such as the chat with Guillermo del Toro that took place on November 23rd, 2008.

Blue-ray rocks.

Wow, that's so cool! You can use AIM on a Blu-Ray player!

Er... wait, I can already use voice chat on XBox Live. Eat that, Sony!

Post by **wayfriend** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:02 pm

Isn't there a service for gamers that lets you talk to a whole group of people over headphone/mike on your PC?

Just use that, and everyone press PLAY on their DVD at the same time.

Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:04 pm

Do you have to buy a specific keyboard? or just hook up a normal ps2/usb connection? (I don't have Blue Ray yet)

Post by **Zarathustra** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:28 pm

jacob Raver, sinTempter wrote:Do you have to buy a specific keyboard? or just hook up a normal ps2/usb connection? (I don't have Blue Ray yet)

I'm not sure. It's still fairly new, and they keep adding capabilities all the time. But the quote I used did say "your own laptop." If not a USB connection, then wireless?

My blue-ray player is connected to the Internet with an RJ-45 ethernet cable. It's pretty sweet. I've already updated the firmware with the *effortless* update feature. Much better than having to download a file, burn a CD, put the CD in the player, etc.

Post by **matrixman** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:42 am

The LOTR trilogy in hi-def would certainly be on my must-have list.

Post by **wayfriend** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:10 pm

There were rumours, about a year ago, that the trilogy could be re-released in 3D. Just as there are rumours of the Hobbit being released in 3D.

Link: Internal Meeting: Peter Jackson Insiders To Discuss 3D Options

I'm waiting for the 3D/HD version myself.

Post by **wayfriend** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:27 pm

Talk about amazing coincidences.... did someone speak of the devil?

The Digitalbits.com Rumormill wrote:3/16/09

Here's some news that you Lord of the Rings fans have been waiting for. Word from a couple of readers is that select FYE stores had signs up last week revealing that Warner Home Video will be releasing New Line's Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Blu-ray Disc in December. Some stores may even have begun taking preorders. This includes all three films. The titles are not yet listed on the company's website, but our industry sources have informed us that the studio's current plans do indeed call for all three films, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, to be released on Blu-ray in early December on Blu-ray in their original theatrical versions. There will likely be little in the way of extras, as both the extended versions and the special edition material are being held by director Peter Jackson for use in a future "ultimate edition" BD box set, planned for release when the two Hobbit films arrive in theatres and on DVD and Blu-ray starting in 2012. As you know, Warner alluded to the Rings films arriving on Blu-ray in 2009 late last year, in promotional inserts included with some of their recent BD titles. Let's hope they aren't overly DNR-ed. (That's a little message for you guys doing the digital mastering for Warner/New Line HD titles, in case you did realize it. On behalf of Blu-ray fans everywhere, PLEASE get the message and dial back the Digital Noise Reduction knob!) Thanks to Bits reader Dan R. and others for the heads-up.

I just may have an HD TV by 2012...

Post by **Zarathustra** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:59 am

I will not be double-dipping. I'll wait until 2012. I've already got both DVD versions of all three movies. I don't need Blu-ray of the theatrical version.

WF, the TV I bought last July is already 50% cheaper. You should be able to get a very nice TV in 2012 for much less than $1000. I think that's pretty amazing, considering that the TVs we can get now are better than the ones that cost $13,000 just a decade ago.

Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:32 am

yeah...I'll wait, too...

Post by **wayfriend** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:37 pm

Malik, the true cost of going HD is much more than the cost of the display. AFAICT it's the display, the receiver, the sound system, the speakers, the new blue-ray player, new furniture to house your new entertainment system, the new furniture to house your music system because what you have goes with the TV furniture you just got rid of, and a new music system because you just bought an awesome sound system you want to also play music through. And the higher cable bill.

It's not that I can't afford it. It just hasn't crossed the "worth it" threshold yet.

But even if I had all that, I wouldn't want the theatrical release in HD. I'd use netflix and wait for the super deluxe.

Post by **Zarathustra** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:48 pm

WF, good point. Yes, the upgrade bug keeps biting. I'm extremely anal when it comes to purchasing electronics. I scour the web for months (sometimes years) to get the best deal. My three main speakers (front L/R, and subwoofer) were given to me by people who upgraded their system with new, tiny satellite speakers that sound like crap, but they don't realize it. They figure it's new, so it must be good. Meanwhile, I've got their ancient, fat mains which rock. The rest of my system (receiver, BD player, etc.) I got either as an open box special, or the Black Friday sale. And my surround speakers I got used on Ebay.

But I do need a new couch . . .

Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:10 am

Fellowship has the Watch's consensus vote...

Post by **wayfriend** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:51 pm

It's here. Sort of.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Theatrical Editions) [Blu-ray]

7 discs!

Post by **SoulBiter** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:14 pm

One of the other big misses in my opinion is a small part of the encounter with Saruman and its an encounter that gave me chills in the book but left me lukewarm in the movie. The big miss is that it would have taken no more time in the scheme of things and it adds so much to what happens. In the book.. Gandalf doesnt just break his staff but he chides him for not coming clean, then when Saruman tries to leave he says:

"
''Understand one another? I am beyond your comprehension. But you, Saruman, I understand now too well. I keep a clearer memory of your arguments, and deeds, than you suppose."

Saruman turns to leave:

Come back Saruman! I did not give you leave to go,' said Gandalf sternly. 'I have not finished. You have become a fool, Saruman, and yet pitiable. You might still have turned away from folly and evil, and have been of service. But you choose to stay and gnaw the ends of your old plots. Stay then! But I warn you, you will not easily come out again. Not unless the dark hands of the East stretch out to take you. Saruman!' he cried, and his voice grew in power and authority.

'Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council.'

He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice.

'Saruman, your staff is broken.'

'There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman's hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf's feet.

Yet in the movie the dialog is changed:

"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy’s counsel. "

Come down Saruman and your life will be spared!

SARUMAN: Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!
(Directs a bolt of fire at Gandalf which he survives with no ill effects)

Saruman….. your staff is broken!

Post by **matrixman** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:42 pm

I agree, Soulbiter, that was a great moment for Gandalf in the book. I prefer TTT the book to TTT the movie in just about every way imaginable. (Yes I know, there I go again.)

wayfriend wrote:It's here. Sort of.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Theatrical Editions) [Blu-ray]

7 discs!

I will get Fellowship on Blu-ray, both the theatrical and extended versions.

Post by **wayfriend** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:46 pm

TT is my least favorite movie.

But my initial suspicion was that book-Gandalf was a little too imperious for the scriptwriters' taste. He is lording his new superior position over Saruman. Gandalf commands Saruman's presence, then breaks his staff just to show he can.

Whereas movie-Gandalf grants an olive branch, and doesn't strike until Saruman strikes first. Which is more in keeping with the brilliant and tough but compassionate Gandalf the movie portrays.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Fav/Best of LOTR?

Fav/Best of LOTR