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May 05, 2007 - May 13, 2007

News for May 13, 2007

Sideshow Collectibles Newsletter

5/13/07, 3:59 pm EST - Xoanon

Be sure to check out our weekly Sideshow Collectibles update! Each week we provide an update on your favorite Sideshow goodies, from busts to premium figures and more! Take a look! [More]

Inside the Hobbit House

5/13/07, 3:05 pm EST - Xoanon

Asked to design a fitting repository for a client’s valuable collection of J.R.R. Tolkien manuscripts and artifacts, architect Peter Archer went to the source—the fantasy novels that describe the abodes of the diminutive Hobbits. “I came back my client and said, ‘I’m not going to make this look like Hollywood,’” Archer recalled, choosing to focus instead on a finely-crafted structure embodying a sense of history and tradition. The site was critical too—and Archer found the perfect one a short walk away from his client’s main house, where an 18th-century dry-laid wall ran through the property. “I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to build the structure into the wall?” [More]

Ring cycle

5/13/07, 3:02 pm EST - Xoanon

It is the most expensive theatrical production in history. Now The Lord Of The Rings musical is coming to Britain. Tanya Gold ventures backstage to find a smoking Gandalf, giant spiders and Frodo wondering where he put that ring. This is the story of how some hobbits danced, died and maybe - just maybe - came back to life. It begins in 2001, when a producer called Kevin Wallace sees a script for a musical of The Lord Of The Rings. Wallace has never read the book, but he wants a smash show to launch his production company and so, with an oedipal snap at his former boss, Andrew Lloyd Webber, he goes to Saul Zaentz, the legendary producer who owns the rights, and begs to stage the monster. Zaentz agrees, Wallace raises £12.5m, and in March 2006 his musical version of Tolkien's trilogy makes its world premiere in Toronto. [More]

News for May 12, 2007

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™ Is the #1 Selling PC Game ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE

5/12/07, 12:26 pm EST - Xoanon

WESTWOOD, MA and CHICAGO, IL – May 10, 2007 - Today, Turbine, Inc., Midway Games Inc. and Codemasters Online Gaming announced that The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is the #1 selling PC title across North America and Europe based on the most recent industry reports. The Lord of the Rings Online has outsold all other PC games across North America, Germany, United Kingdom and France according to data from NPD (NA), Chart-Track (UK), GfK (France) and Media Control (Germany). [More]

Trilogy screening in California

5/12/07, 12:19 pm EST - Xoanon

rohtireth writes: As a follow-up to your notice about the trilogy screening in New York, here in California there is a screening of The Fellowship of the Ring on June 7th (8pm) at the UA Clovis Towne Center in Clovis (near Fresno). This is part of the Flashback Flicks series, and if we have a good turnout, perhaps they will schedule The Two Towers and Return of the King later in the summer.

Dirty Dancing tops most watched film poll for women

5/12/07, 12:17 pm EST - Xoanon

A survey involving viewers of the Sky Movies Sci-fi & Horror channel revealed that some films are a hit with both sexes - including Star Wars, Jaws, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Top 10 Most Watched Films By Women: 6 'The Lord of the Rings trilogy'

Top 10 Most Watched Films By Men: 10 'The Lord of the Rings trilogy'

'Children of Hurin' Sells out in Portugal

5/12/07, 12:13 pm EST - Xoanon

Rute writes: Just to let all the fans know that in Portugal the book, 'The Children of Hurin' (in portuguese 'Os Filhos de Húrin') is going on it's 4th edition, being relaced on april 27. The publishing house responsible for publishing Tolkien's work, says that the book is a huge sucess, and it's nrº 1 on the top of best selling books.

Weta's Richard Taylor one big kid

5/12/07, 12:08 pm EST - Xoanon

Weta Workshop 's new animated series Jane and the Dragon brings out the playful side of director Richard Taylor. He talks to Grant Smithies. Richard Taylor grins a goofy grin. His eyes shine brightly behind his wire-framed specs. This being New Zealand Music Month, the special-effects whiz and director of Weta Workshop in Wellington is remembering the Kiwi bands that blew his mind as a teenager. The Gordons. Mangaweka Viaduct. The Screaming Meemees. "My favourite Meemees' song had a line that went something like, 'My girl's got pointy ears, oh yeah, shake shake!'," he says, beaming. [More]

Lords unite over lovely bones

5/12/07, 12:05 pm EST - Xoanon

STEVEN Spielberg will join forces with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson for the New Zealander's new film. Spielberg's DreamWorks film studio won the right to finance Jackson's film The Lovely Bones after fierce bidding by three other major US studios last week. DreamWorks will put at least $79 million into the film, which is an adaptation of Alice Sebold's best-selling 2002 novel about the murder of a 14-year-old girl and the impact it has on her family. Spielberg, who has reportedly been wanting to work with Jackson for some time, said he had been passionate about securing the film. [More]

Visual Effects Society Names LOTR Trilogy on '50 Best' List

5/12/07, 11:52 am EST - Xoanon

The Visual Effects Society has named the entire LOTR Trilogy on their list of the most influential visual effects film of all time! From a select list of 50 titles, LOTR came in at the following numbers:

19. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
33. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
36. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' was named 38th on the list, the original Star Wars comes out on top. Click here for the whole list. [More]

Boyd's 'Beecake' Video and Images

5/12/07, 11:43 am EST - Xoanon

Mehtariel writes: I was wondering if you were interested in telling folks about the Collectormania party in Milton Keynes (England) last weekend where Beecake (Billy Boyd's band) played. There are many photos now online and video clips too. I do not mind sharing my pics. I also want to thank you for all that you have done to keep everyone informed about what our favorite LOTR folks are up to these days. I appreciate your dedication to the site. [More]

News for May 09, 2007

'Children of Hurin' Review Roundup

5/09/07, 7:43 pm EST - Xoanon

Anon-a-mouse sends along these links to the many many many reviews of 'Children of Hurin' over the past few weeks. [More]

The West End meets Middle-earth

5/09/07, 7:22 pm EST - Xoanon

The Lord of The Rings stage musical opening in London this summer has cost £8m, needed a crew of 80 to build it and a cast of 50 to perform it. The historic Theatre Royal, Drury Lane had to be refitted so completely that English Heritage oversaw some of the work. The new stage alone has 17 pneumatic lifts and three turntables, the wardrobe uses 500 pieces of armour and the actors playing talking trees need 10ft stilts. [More]

Making medieval magic at Weta

5/09/07, 5:25 pm EST - Xoanon

A knight in shining armour, a mythical creature and a medieval court? It all sounds a bit twee for an animated children's series in 2007. But what if the knight was a feisty 12-year-old girl, the creature was a clumsy dragon and their living quarters were designed by the team who gave us Gollum in Lord of the Rings? Weta Workshop's first TV series, Jane and the Dragon, premieres in New Zealand on Saturday. It is hoped the early evening timeslot will entice a family audience to what is being heralded as a massive achievement for the Oscar-winning company. [More]

Weta Workshop 3D modeller named Supreme Winner

5/09/07, 2:40 pm EST - Xoanon

Weta Workshop 3D Modeller Lucy Cant won the Supreme Award at last night’s Zonta Awards. The event, held at Massey University, celebrates the top female graduates from the Massey School of Design. The awards are sponsored by Zonta, an international club of business women who recognize women who have shown potential in design. Zonta rewards the aspiring designers with a cash prize of $1000 for the four runners up, and a $5000 cash prize for the Supreme Winner. [More]

Rings gets a fix, but is it enough?

5/09/07, 2:31 pm EST - Xoanon

LONDON — Saruman, that grizzled old necromancer, is caught in a spotlight, sounding a battle cry to his army of orcs: “I have trained you and equipped you! I know your hearts beat with a single purpose!” The orcs scuttle purposefully as the martial score swells and Saruman brandishes his staff (very old-school, price unknown) while rising up, borne aloft on a nifty piece of stage technology (very new-school, price at least $1-million). The music fades, Saruman (also known as Brian Protheroe) thunks down to stage level, and the assistant choreographer comes out to have a word with her orcs. In an instant, their body language changes from rampaging chimpanzee to off-duty actor: shoulders slumped, legs splayed, chins on spears. The stage they're on, at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is framed by creeping branches that reach out into the auditorium, partly obscuring a couple of the boxes. [More]

LOTR Back on the Big Screen in NY

5/09/07, 2:29 pm EST - Xoanon

Geoff writes: I have learned about another screening of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, in Albany NY on 06/30. Spread the word! I've got links at my blog, where I try to help people find their favorite movies Back on the Big Screen. [More]

News for May 08, 2007

Raimi: The Hobbit 'still Peter Jackson's movie'

5/08/07, 1:13 pm EST - Xoanon

From Wired: In the wake of Spidey 3's record breaking weekend, Sony Pictures plans to make more Spider-Man movies - - no surprise there. But Sam Raimi, who says he's "exhausted" after seven and a half straight years in the Spidey tunnel, has not yet committed to directing the next one. "The wheels aren't spinning," he told me a few days ago during a conversation about the making of Sandman...Given Peter Jackson's feud with New Line over the fate of a big screen "Hobbit," Raimi, a longtime J.R. R. Tolkien fan, seems a natural heir to the middle earth throne. "I love the book but that's all I can say honestly at this point," Raimi says. "I did speak to (New Line boss) Bob Shay once, but I'm not sure the rights are sorted out yet. It's still Peter Jackson's movie so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to say if I even had intentions. First, an offer would have to be made to me." [More]

Bloom Hits the Stage

5/08/07, 12:18 pm EST - Xoanon

LONDON - Orlando Bloom will make his debut in London's West End in veteran Brit playwright David Storey's 1969 drama "The Contractor." The play will be directed by Anna Mackmin and produced by Sonia Friedman. [More]

News for May 07, 2007

Cate Blanchett in TIME

5/07/07, 8:53 pm EST - Xoanon

So many actresses in their early prime seem in arrested adolescence. Their coquetry and little-girl voices suggest they're campaigning for prom queen, not great film roles. Cate Blanchett is gloriously different. She's a grownup, radiating an aristocracy that has no fancy airs, just a warm, alert intelligence. Beauty helps, and height (she's 5 ft. 8 1?2 in.), but what's crucial is that regal poise. Onscreen her magic can ennoble those in her orbit (when she's a virgin queen in Elizabeth or the Lady of Lórien in The Lord of the Rings). Sometimes it dashes them on the rocks of malice (as in Veronica Guerin and Notes on a Scandal). Either way, as an icon or a threat, the Blanchett woman is a prize worth fighting, scheming, dying for. [More]

Children of Hurin Cannon Comparison

5/07/07, 7:52 pm EST - Xoanon

Galadhorn writes: Hyalma (Moscow), our co-redactor presents only here (and in print in next Simbelmynë #28) her analysis of the text of The Children of Húrin compared with The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and HoMe. This is a very interesting list of divergences which should be known to everyone who is interested in the similarities and differencies between these books. Thanks to Hyalma’s work you can find out what new can be found in the newest Tolkien’s book. [More]

Vote Eowyn for 'Miss Entertainment'!

5/07/07, 7:50 pm EST - Xoanon

Sunday Times Magazine TTT Daniel writes: I'm writing to let you know about a chance for your readers to vote for Eowyn in the Miss Entertainment online pageant. I was hired as a freelance editor to put together a campaign ad for Eowyn, and I think it came out looking pretty good---whether or not you want to vote, I think you'd appreciate it as a fan video. I had a really good time cutting together footage from Two Towers and Return of the King to really tell the story of who Eowyn is and how she grows in the course of the movies---it's a good time to watch (I hope). [More]

DVD Tuesday: 4400, Battlestar Galactica, Donnie Brasco Extended!

5/07/07, 11:02 am EST - Xoanon

Take an early look on our 'DVD Tuesday' feature...every Monday! Check out some TV on DVD goodies like '4400 Complete Third Season', 'Battlestar Galactica : Seasons 2.0 & 2.5' & 'Everybody Loves Raymond: Complete Eighth Season'. There are a few compilations out tomorrow including; 'Pirates of the Golden Age Movie Collection' & 'John Wayne Action 4pk Collection'. The big releases of the week are 'Breaking and Entering', 'The Painted Veil' & 'Catch and Release'. Personally I'm interested in 'Donnie Brasco (Extended Cut)' & 'Deliver Us from Evil'! Check out the whole list here! [More]

News for May 06, 2007

Tolkien Society Seminar News

5/06/07, 11:32 am EST - Xoanon

Ian Collier sends this along: In response to calls for more events around the world the Tolkien Society Seminar for 2007 is happening in two parts, one “up here” and the other “downunder”. The seminars are being arranged by the Tolkien Society in partnership with The Cambridge Tolkien Society and Tol Harndor: The Australian Tolkien Society. [More]

Sideshow Collectibles Newsletter

5/06/07, 12:01 am EST - Xoanon

Be sure to check out our weekly Sideshow Collectibles update! Each week we provide an update on your favorite Sideshow goodies, from busts to premium figures and more! Take a look! [More]

News for May 05, 2007

Liv Tyler Goes Green

5/05/07, 10:27 am EST - Xoanon

Mary writes: I was checking out Entertainment Weekly's website & found this update on Liv Tyler. She's set to star in the next Incredible Hulk, playing Betty Ross, opposite Ed Norton. Here's the link to the article. [More]

Happy Birthday John Rhys-Davies!

5/05/07, 10:18 am EST - Xoanon


Today is John Rhys-Davies' Birthday! John was born on May 5th, 1944 in Salisbury, England. That makes him 63 years old today! Happy Birthday John!

BBC Radio 2 Talks Tolkien

5/05/07, 10:15 am EST - Xoanon

Nick writes: "The Weekender" is BBC Radio 2's Friday night arts programme. This week there was a review of the LOTR musical and also a long interview with Alan Lee, talking about his involvement with the films and illustrating the books, including recently "The Children of Hurin". You can listen to the programme (the Tolkien bits are in the second hour) by going to the Radio 2 page, to the Listen page and scrolling down the page to fine "The Weekender". [Radio 2]

Dreamworks, Peter Jackson unite

5/05/07, 10:13 am EST - Xoanon

Committing at least $65 million, DreamWorks in association with Film 4 has won the bidding for Jackson's bigscreen adaptation of Alice Sebold's best-selling 2002 tome "The Lovely Bones." Announcement came early Friday evening, capping a weeklong auction that had three other majors vying for Jackson's project as well-Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal and Sony. Jackson is set to begin lensing in October in Pennsylvania and New Zealand from a script he co-wrote with "Lord of the Rings" collaborators Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. Paramount, which owns DreamWorks, will distribute "Bones" worldwide, with Jackson promising to deliver the film by the fourth quarter 2008. [More]

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