Hobbit film sets and such

[Holbytla]

I have heard of such things. So, one could say that this is not inconsistent with reality.

However, there's a world of difference between a guy at a Casino in the 21st century, and Tolkien's quietly humorous book, the Hobbit. In no universe should an adaptation of Tolkien include a character crapping into a custom-made throne-toilet. It is about as far from Tolkien as anything I can imagine.

Even moreso than this:

Agree and disagree.

Modernization notwithstanding, You could draw similarities between Shelob's Lair and its accumulated years of filth and a Goblin throne immersed in self made piles of excrement. Sure that was from a darker Tolkien story, and the language was benign, but it was most certainly Tolkien.

IMO, those are two very different things.

Shelob's lair is described as having accumulated layers of filth, but Tolkien doesn't dwell on it, or elaborate. No scenes of Frodo stepping in poodoo or anything. Nor does Tolkien talk about Shelob's gastrointestinal and bathroom-going habits.

The Goblin King toilet-throne, if featured, is unlike anything Tolkien would ever write about. It is gratuitous grotesquery, which Tolkien never engaged in, in neither the Hobbit, LOTR or any of his other writings.

It would be a PJism, plain and simple.

Before we proceed any further, let it be known that you are dealing with someone who has been a large PJ detractor over the last dozen years or so. I was as angry after my first viewing of the Fellowship as I have ever been at a theater. I wanted to smite PJ with all the smiteness that could ever be smited.

I haven't cooled down all that much either.

Having said that, neither of us has viewed the scene, unless you went to the premiere, so it is all speculation as to the extent of PJ's blasphemy at this point.

The mere matter of fecal matter in Tolkien's works are not only not unheard of, but there is more than an instance of reference to that throughout his writings. Yes his language couched the "matter" in a gentlemanly sort of way, but the subject was still broached.

It is entirely possible that, given the inevitable PG-13 rating and Phil and Fran, that PJ has managed to portray the scene in a manner that is not, but almost, but not quite, entirely unlike Tolkien.

Hope for the best, expect the worst.

[Stranger Wings]

Agree and disagree.

Modernization notwithstanding, You could draw similarities between Shelob's Lair and its accumulated years of filth and a Goblin throne immersed in self made piles of excrement. Sure that was from a darker Tolkien story, and the language was benign, but it was most certainly Tolkien.

IMO, those are two very different things.

Shelob's lair is described as having accumulated layers of filth, but Tolkien doesn't dwell on it, or elaborate. No scenes of Frodo stepping in poodoo or anything. Nor does Tolkien talk about Shelob's gastrointestinal and bathroom-going habits.

The Goblin King toilet-throne, if featured, is unlike anything Tolkien would ever write about. It is gratuitous grotesquery, which Tolkien never engaged in, in neither the Hobbit, LOTR or any of his other writings.

It would be a PJism, plain and simple.

Before we proceed any further, let it be known that you are dealing with someone who has been a large PJ detractor over the last dozen years or so. I was as angry after my first viewing of the Fellowship as I have ever been at a theater. I wanted to smite PJ with all the smiteness that could ever be smited.

I haven't cooled down all that much either.

Having said that, neither of us has viewed the scene, unless you went to the premiere, so it is all speculation as to the extent of PJ's blasphemy at this point.

The mere matter of fecal matter in Tolkien's works are not only not unheard of, but there is more than an instance of reference to that throughout his writings. Yes his language couched the "matter" in a gentlemanly sort of way, but the subject was still broached.

It is entirely possible that, given the inevitable PG-13 rating and Phil and Fran, that PJ has managed to portray the scene in a manner that is not, but almost, but not quite, entirely unlike Tolkien.

Hope for the best, expect the worst.

Just quoting because I like the box-within-box effect that happens on this messageboard.

I understand your point completely. There is a "basis" for it in Tolkien.

My only point, as Voronwë mentioned, is that the "gentlemanly" language that Tolkien uses is very, very important to the story, and the reader's experience of the story. Had Tolkien deployed lots of gratuitous and vulgar language, including long descriptions of gastrointestinal processes, and disgusting implements for aiding in such processes, I doubt his books would still be beloved today.

IMO, a good film-maker engaging in adaptation finds a way of capturing the essence of a textual story in a visual way. Peter Jackson, as it seems you agree, doesn't pull that off. And the main reason, IMO, is style, not substance.

That is why I largely agree that PJ adhered to the key broad themes of Tolkien's work, while utterly failing to capture the spirit of the books.

[Holbytla]

You are preaching to the choir.

Okay let me try it this way;
http://forums.theonering.com/viewtopic. ... hilit=goat

[Stranger Wings]

You are preaching to the choir.

Okay let me try it this way;
http://forums.theonering.com/viewtopic. ... hilit=goat

Oh, I know PCarolino very well. And The Dwarf!

The question for those who have seen the Hobbit is: Does not Bofur throat sing? And, how many goats does Bilbo sell to pay for journey?

[Holbytla]

Just in case that doesn't work;

http://forums.theonering.com/viewtopic. ... 66start=30

[SirDennis]

My only point, as Voronwë mentioned, is that the "gentlemanly" language that Tolkien uses is very, very important to the story, and the reader's experience of the story. Had Tolkien deployed lots of gratuitous and vulgar language, including long descriptions of gastrointestinal processes, and disgusting implements for aiding in such processes, I doubt his books would still be beloved today.

True, and they would be called Game of Thrones (both swipe at GoT and pun intended).

[Stranger Wings]

Just in case that doesn't work;

http://forums.theonering.com/viewtopic. ... 66start=30

My favorite line from ukhem:

do not call me deluded you fish of the stink.

[Stranger Wings]

My only point, as Voronwë mentioned, is that the "gentlemanly" language that Tolkien uses is very, very important to the story, and the reader's experience of the story. Had Tolkien deployed lots of gratuitous and vulgar language, including long descriptions of gastrointestinal processes, and disgusting implements for aiding in such processes, I doubt his books would still be beloved today.

True, and they would be called Game of Thrones (both swipe at GoT and pun intended).

I'm with you there!

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Another encouraging comment from Razerback at TORC:

One more bit from my friend... she said that her friend (a dude) thought the first half of the movie was kind of boring. But she loved that stuff (similarly how I love all the hobbit stuff in the extended edition of FOTR). They both agreed that once the movie starts rolling along that it is as good, if not better than FOTR.

She is hyping me up!

[Dave_LF]

I'm glad the first half is boring. It just means they aren't rushing through the setup to get to the action.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Exactly why I called it "encouraging".

[Stranger Wings]

I'm glad the first half is boring. It just means they aren't rushing through the setup to get to the action.

Agreed 100%. Lots of "dudes" think the first half of FOTR, both the book and film, are boring, yet for me it's the absolute best part of both the book and film.

I have to say that I am quite encouraged by this. I also have to say that the more leisurely pacing may be due to the three-film decision, which I was always a fan of for this very reason. Hopefully these films breathe a lot more than LOTR did.

[Elentári]

Oscar Nominees Talk Hobbit Set Design

On Saturday February 23rd, the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard was the venue for “The Art of Production Design,” jointly sponsored by the Art Directors Guild, the Set Decorators Society of America, and the American Cinematheque. and featuring a panel made up from the production designers for Lincoln, Anna Karenina, Life of Pi, and Les Misérables, as well as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Dan Hennah was there as production designer along with Ra Vincent and Simon Bright, the set decorators.

Dan Hennah assured the audience that the designs for The Hobbit were not just a return to The Lord of the Rings. There were new challenges involved in what he called a “long and relentless journey.” A great deal of pre-production had taken place during the period when Guillermo del Toro was on board as director. Once Peter Jackson took over, everything was revisited.

[Elentári]

New video up on Jackson's FB page:

New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth

The cast talk about their experience and enjoyment of location filming in NZ...

[Alatar]

Does anyone else feel like we're going to have seen all the EE DVD Extras by the time the set comes out?

Not that I'm complaining, mind.

[Elentári]

Yeah, though someone on TORn reckoned it was among the extras on the Blu-Ray. It's not on the UK version I bought...

It was the same with the "A Hobbit's Tale" video you could get if you bought the Blu-Ray from Best Buy - WB seem to be encouraging suppliers' exclusives, rather than letting fans have everything in one place. Doesn't bode well for the EEs...

[Elentári]

Hobbit set fires up for new movie shoot

Filming on The Hobbit trilogy will resume this month on Mt Crawford in Wellington, where a patch of bush has been transformed into a gutted citadel.

Sir Peter Jackson's spokesman, Matt Dravitzki, said the site on Miramar Peninsula was being prepared for a few days' filming as part of 10 weeks of final-cut shooting for the last two instalments of the trilogy.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

See the complete Dale set from above

[Frelga]

To quote Gandalf, it's quite cool.

[Elentári]

Great article on the Lake-Town and Dale sets...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/fi ... back-again