2-20-01

Lurtz in Costume Calisuri @ 4:34 pm EST Ringer discussion guru Gorel (http://www.geocities.com/dinambar/) sends us this tidbit: "In the picture about fight choreography (at the official site), it looks like the mysterious Lurtz (Lawrence Makoare) might be training for a fight scene with Boromir. It's certainly a big orc looking dude." Thanks Gorel for sending us this pic!

2-19-01

Lurtz is... Calisuri @ 4:48 pm EST The answers are here! Check out this great report from Gloin! "Lurtz is played by New Zealand actor Lawrence Makaore, who played a Gang Leader in NZ film What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (sequel to Once Were Warriors). Lurtz is the Leader of a band of Uruk-Hai at the battle of Amon Hen.   He personally killed Boromir in one of the most dramatic scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring. Lawrence Makaore is a VERY big man (I can't remember exactly, maybe 6'4")  and has a very powerful voice which he used to command the Uruk-Hai. I think Aragorn beheaded him later in the battle, I wasn't around for that part." WOW! Talk about some great info. UPDATE Another ringer spy, Suomynona chimes with more information on this scene. "He (Lurtz) shot about 4-5 arrows into Boromir, point blank. Boromir stayed alive long enough to make peace and talk to Aragorn - he completely redeemed himself."

2-16-01

Toy Fair Report on LOTR Footage Calisuri @ 10:46 pm EST Ask and you shall recieve! Ringer fan Elestivine sent us this passed onreport of the Footage shown at Toy Fair 2001: "Scenes in trailer didn't include dialogue, but the regular ol' orchestra music and war cries, etc. In trailer were orcs, trolls, and (yes!) Gollum- being described as having huge eyes, green skin and dressed in rags. Also was a battle between Gandalf and Saruman, including telekeneesis (pardon mispelling) light flashes, and one of the two being slammed against the wall. Also was a lot of army a battle scenes-including one which seemed to be at Helm's Deep- and almost all were very bloody.  The scene we've already saw with Arwen being chased by Ringwraiths was in there again, and there was a new clip of Legolas knocking down some board, then sliding down it and shooting arrows at the same time (cool!). That's about all I can remember but do note there were many war scenes." Wow, sounds really cool! New Line, let the fans see too!!!

2-13-01

More Details from the 20-minute LOTR Preview. Tehanu @ 9:33 pm EST A few months ago we heard from Ozscot, who was lucky enough to see a 20-minute preview that was being shown, if I remember rightly, to movie distributors and people like that to pique their interest. Ozscot sent a review immediately but now with less haste he's since remembered more details that would be of interest to Tolkien fans. Here's his report: Aragorn This has been a popular subject in the chat rooms and I for one was very impressed with Viggio (nothing I have read or heard since has caused me to doubt this). A scene most vivid to me is a close sweeping aerial shot of Aragorn walking purposefully around a big rock and engaging about 20 orcs. What made this exciting to me was the mutual recognition between these bitter enemies and the way Aragorn removes Anduril from its sheath whilst walking , coolly without breaking step towards some very large and mean looking orcs. They walk towards him in a similar fashion and were 'taking no prisoners'. There is no dawdling on close-ups and other cliches it's just 'down to business ' between mortal enemies. This conveyed to me a number of things. One is that the visual treatment and understated aspect of the meeting is accurate to my interpretation of the book ( and there will be a number of fans who will see this as I do and some that don't). I love the book and have high expections so hopefully that will reassure a number of you. Secondly , the expression on his face as he walks towards them is so appropriate ; a haunted , hunted look ,if you will. This is a good indication in one scene, of this actor's ability to communicate the necessary breadth of emotions he will have to display during the movies. I like the understated treatment of this material when you consider the alternative. Thirdly , I think you will find the camera work very complimentry to the director's interpretation of the book. It's different but appropriate. By the way, just as he draws Anduril and walks towards them the scene cuts (much to my disappointment) , but what I saw gives me incredible hope for the films. In several other scenes with Aragorn and the hobbits the tonalty and acting are great ; at Bree where Aragorn gently handles Sam's challenge as a spy, the breaking of the fellowship with Frodo and an exchange with Borimir as they climb in the snow. I for one , look forward to the first movie with confidence. Authenticity As you have seen from all the released photos and published reports, I think you'll agree it delivers the goods. The inn at Bree is terrific and includes a fleeting cameo from PJ. and a shot of Barliman. And from all the footage I saw the detail is impressive right down to family portraits on the wall at Bag End ( smoking relatives, I might add). Orcs The orcs I saw convey extreme danger and malice, especially the fighting U. They are as tall as men but built very stockily. There voices are gutteral and very unpleasant on the ears. The newly hatched orc in Orthanic , the footage doesn't indicate whether he is hatched or from a coccoon or whatever , is asked by Saruman 'whom he serves?', the answer to which is " the White Hand of Saruman'' , of course. Lee has 'nailed' the part in my opinion. This the only scene shown with him in it. The Black Riders When they burst on to the screen , a lady next to me screamed with fright...enough said , what more can I add ? Accents All the hobbits have an english accent except Pip who is broad scots. Borimir has a broad Sheffield accent ( North of England) which is Sean Bean's native tongue. I know these are pretty trivial facts , but some people may be at least mildly interested. By the way , none of the footage I saw was shown in the trailer so I was delighted to see this extra 2 mins ...making it a total of 22! Sorry to rub it in." Many thanks to Ozscot.

2-12-01

Unexpected news about the music! Tehanu @ 2:33 am EST This just came in from the band ''Glass Hammer": While the composer for the upcoming Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies was chosen months ago, (It's Canadian Howard Shore) Tolkien fans may still see their favorite group playing a limited role in one of the films. According to the 'buzz', certain well-connected 'lords' of the sci-fi \ fantasy community are placing Glass Hammer's music directly in the hands of director Peter Jackson. Another rumor floating around points to a meeting between Jackson and Glass Hammer writers Babb and Schendel that is to occur later this year. These are only 'rumors', and the band will not confirm or deny their validity. Steve Babb of Glass Hammer did give us this much... "Our first connection with Mr. Jackson fell through. However, something has opened up lately; something we weren't actually expecting." In other news, the new album "Live From Middle Earth" is expected to be available sometime this spring. Get the full story at Glass Hammer

Toy Fair 2001: Elvis Duke Scores some Pics! Calisuri @ 12:54 am EST Ringer Fan Elvis Duke sends us this report and a few images from this year's Toy Fair 2001: --------- "I just got back moments ago from toy fair 2001, the world's biggest convention of toy manufacturers. A number of companies were showing their new LOTR wares and I'd thought I'd share a little with you: ** Sideshow Toys had a bunch of amazing polystone figures. Some of the ones on display were Saruman & Gandalf standing figures, an amazing model of a Nazgul on his steed, and busts of Aragorn and Gandalf. The figures are very high quality and look amazing. I have attached several .jpg files showing what a few of them look like. I couldn't take photos of the actual models, but these fliers should give you a good idea of the quality. Sideshow also had small-scale replicas of armor and weapons, all very impressive. ** Games Workshop (the makers of WARHAMMER) had a display of miniatures and games from LOTR. The GW rep said they haven't finalized the designs, and they haven't finalized the licences yet, but they all looked great. The plan is to release a couple of small, scene-inspired game sets along with the first movie, with figures of the hobbits, etc, and pared-down battle rules. When the subsequent movies come out, GW will release massive game sets meant to simulate the epic battles in the book- think a giant WARHAMMER game, but instead of space marines you've got Riders of Rohan. ** Decipher has a LOTR card game in the works. There weren't any examples there, but these are they guys who make the STAR TREK and STAR WARS customizeable card games, so we can kind of know what to expect." ----------

2-06-01

Samwise Talks 'Lord Of The Rings' Xoanon @ 1:31 pm EST From: Jebus I found this on the popcorn website (popcorn.co.uk). Sean Astin (Sam) talks about the LOTR films, and his time in New Zealand. One of the stars of the three 'Lord Of The Rings' movies has been speaking exclusively to Popcorn about the upcoming trilogy, saying he hopes it "lives up the the hype". American actor Sean Astin plays gardener Samwise Gamgee in all three films, and he's full of praise for director Peter Jackson's epic vision. "It was really hard work but it was really good, important work," the 29-year-old son of John Astin (aka Gomez in 'The Addams Family') says. "What Peter Jackson has tried to accomplish - and what he has accomplished - is so massive that it's staggering." While Astin admits that life as a hobbit was gruelling, he says the delights of New Zealand were a major compensation. "New Zealand is one of the last unspoiled splendours on the face of the Earth, so we were working in Middle Earth - with the green lush forests and the rolling hills and the fjords and the snow-capped [Southern] Alps." "It was amazing," Astin adds, "helicopting to the top of these mountains or working on an active volcano for six weeks - it was pretty spectacular."

1-30-01

NZ Listener Article Xoanon @ 11:23 am EST From the NZ Listener, thanks to Silmarien