9-12-03

Indian Fans Wait and Wait.... Tehanu @ 4:07 am EST If German fans think they have it bad over there, with no word that the Extended Edtions will show in any theatres there, give a thought to the fans in India. Rulinian writes, as other Indian fans have in the past, with some irritation, because there are no EE DVDs available of either film. And they really want them! "The FotR DVD was released here - in the April of THIS year. Just as TTT released in cinemas nationwide." Yes, TTT theatrically released here only in April 2003. And with the cuts, as you probably already know." [FOTR opened in India with the infamous cuts that were apparently not approved by PJ or New Line, and which made a nonsense of the story line We got word later that New Line acted to correct this where possible. - T.] "And most possibly, the TTT DVD will NOT RELEASE here until next year. What is this? "Extended versions? Pfft. Not in another hundred years."

9-08-03

So, What's Happening With the ROTK TRAILER? Xoanon @ 12:17 pm EST So, we hear the ROTK trailer will be shown with Secondhand Lions, which was supposed to open September 26th but was bumped UP to September 19th, so will the ROTK trailer be shown then? Apparently not, read on from our anonymous tipster for all the details. As you know, the plan all along has been for the (stunning) ROTK trailer to be attached to SECONDHAND LIONS (SL), which was previously scheduled for release on 9/26. However, SL got moved up a week to 9/19 (as it was finished early and has been testing incredibly well), but the ROTK trailer still won't be ready/mass-produced until the original 9/26 date. Hence, it will be sent separately to theater owners to screen with SL its _second_ weekend (9/26). New Line (NL) apparently will be promoting this, and also plans to expand the release of SL its second weekend. And by the way... I may be biased, but I think SL is a _fantastic_ movie that LOTR fans will adore, with or without the ROTK trailer. (It's written and directed by Tim McCanlies, who wrote THE IRON GIANT, and stars Michael Caine, Robert Duvall and Haley Joel Osment.)

9-07-03

So...Want Details on the ROTK Trailer? Xoanon @ 8:54 pm EST BilboFett has sent us a few interesting tidbits in the past. This one comes from someone who knows someone who knows someone who.... well you get the picture. Who knows if it's true, but if it is...oh boy! September 19th can't come soon enough! Shelob's in the new RETURN OF THE KING Trailer!!..Just talked to someone,... and the word is, "GIANT SPIDER." He had no idea what he was looking at it. I asked him how it was, and he just said, "Dude... GIANT SCARY SPIDER. What the hell is that thing?!" The source confirmed that the ROTK trailer is *indeed* in front of Secondhand Lions (released by New Line) on September 19th

8-25-03

E! Entertainment RoTK Preview - The Lowdown Demosthenes @ 11:35 pm EST Ringer Bethany sent in this very brief report describing what went to air: E! news live did air a teaser to RTOK in the last minutes of the show - several images of RoTK, as I'm sure many have been discussed in the spoilers and what you all saw in the actual teaser this morning - good stuff none the less. Some commentary with Elijah Wood and Sean Astin - reaffirming how the story affects Frodo and Sam. Ringer Mattforce has this much more extensive report: First it starts out with Jackson saying, "At the end of The Two Towers, Gandalf says that the battle for Helms Deep ...", and then it cuts to Ian MeKellen actually saying that in that part of the movie. We see the logo for RoTK, then Jackson in the editing room watching some clips of Frodo in Shelob's Lair. Then it cuts to Aragorn, Theoden, and the rest of company riding off for the Muster of Rohan. Then we cut back to the editing room. Frodo turns around, and he gets this horrified look on his face, most likely when he first really sees Shelob. Then we cut to a WETA guy talking about how he thinks it will be just the best battle ever seen on film. There's a vast number of horses charging across the Pelennor, and its just an amazing epic shot, even though it's a behind-the-scenes camera filming. It actually looks like a battle. Then it shows drawings of Oliphants charging towards Minas Tirith, probably during the Pelennor Fields battle. Jackson starts talking about how powerful the story becomes, and how it is immensely driven by the spirit of every one involved - the emotional power is a key factor. Sean Astin also talks about how this story is from the book, and how the book and the movie are both so alike, and that the story is just what Sam and Frodo are going through. What Sam has to live up to, to carry on, and what's happening to Poor Mister Frodo - his exact words. They show some pictures of Sam and Frodo, looking up at something, and then that amazing picture of Frodo on the new RoTK poster, where he's just in tears. That alone got my heart pumping. Elijah Wood comes in and says that it's truly better than film one and two combined: "Some people call me crazy, but (sighs) thats just the truth." It also shows a majestic shot of Gandalf riding up to the hill looking towards Minas Tirith, and then it continues on to show him riding up a set of stairs at Minas Tirith, and looking out at a vast number of orcs approaching for battle. It shows the Cross Roads, Pippin saying, "Is there any hope Gandalf? For Frodo and Sam?" Then Gandalf replies, "There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope." There was a little more, but nothing we haven't seen.

8-16-03

Making A Noise For LoTR! Demosthenes @ 4:30 am EST Ringer Spy NZBoy reports: Today at Westpac Trust Stadium in Wellington, Wellington was playing Southland in a normal NPC rugby game, which Wellington won. After the game, the LOTR sound crew came out, and one the big screen there they got the crowd to chant out the sayings on there while the sound crew were around the outsides of the stadium. The first chant was 'DEATH' a human chart. [What's the odds that this will be something screamed by the Rohirrim at the Pelennor Fields? - Dem.] The following chants are Orc ones - GROND, KATMUDA, GURUT. When the crowd got going, it sounds really cool!! Even though in the pics it doesn't look like a lot of people where there, there were a lot on the side I was taking the pics, that side is the cheap seats. The guy in sunglasses was the guy leading the chants. Other pics are of what was chanted, and the sound crew. I have also included a sound recording of Katmuda, not the greatest but you get the idea. You can listen to the chanting right here!

8-13-03

ROTK Preview Transcript! Xoanon @ 12:41 pm EST Scott sends along this paraphrased look at what was said during the 10 minute RETURN OF THE KING preview on the TTT DVD! Take a look! Opens with Peter Jackson in cutting room, there was a picture on the door with him with a chainsaw...he talks about the editing process as he sits on the couch in his usual shorts...after his introduction, he promises the Shelob scene will be worth the wait from the Two Towers... Gandalf with Aragorn & others on horseback: "The battle for Helms Deep is over, the battle for middle earth is about to begin" Jackson says that lines sums up the Return of the King, helms deep was just "an opening skirmish", and now the future will be decided, will Sauron and the orcs prevail? Is mankind going to prevail? Gandalf talking to Aragorn: "Understand that things are now in motion that cannot be undone, if the ring is destroyed, Sauron will fall. But if Sauron regains the ring, his victory will be so complete that none can foresee the end of it while this world lasts" Aragorn (before he looks into the Palantir): "He has gone unchallenged long enough" PJ talks again about how the title of refers to the situation with Aragorn becoming king. Viggo talks about his character coming to terms his "destiny" Phiippa Boyens talks about the responsibility of being the king? PJ talks about how Aragorn, Gimil & Legolas go into a "haunted mountain called the Dwimorberg" and face a horrific test. PJ explains the Stewards and how they are caretakers for the throne. Denethor: "Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North." PJ talks about Mordor threatening Denethor & Gondor, mention Sauron thinks Pippin has the ring. Merry to clueless looking Pippin: "Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's coming for you" Billy Boyd talks Gandalf taking Pippin to be safe in Minas Tirith. PJ talks about the Minas Tirith set being built in the same quarry as Helms Deep only weeks later, then the giant miniature of the city is shown. More talk about Minas Tirith battle, Alan Lee comments the battle at Pelennor Fields are probably 200,000 strong compared to the 10,000 at Helms Deep,(cool drawings of Minas Tirith during battle). PJ talks about the battle and how they used computer to map out the battle with all the orcs and others. Christian Rivers talks about the formation of the orcs, groups of 1000 groups of 200 etc. and how they'll attack from around the city. PJ talks about how they are basically planning a real battle strategy. Alan Lee thinks it will be the most spectacular battle ever filmed. Dominic Monaghan talks about how you don't see war through a hobbits eyes much but Merry becomes a warrior and he finds himself in the army. PJ talks about the summoning of the Riders of Rohan to Gondors aid and how Merry is there with Eowyn, Eomer and Theoden. Benard Hill talks about the Rohan and the horsemen they provide more horse stuff about how people came from all over to help. PJ talks about motion capture of horses.. So they could do things with them that real horses couldn't. PJ & others talk about how the battle is a distraction for Frodo to destroy the ring. Sean Astin hints about what happens to poor Mr. Frodo Elijah explains how we see the complete deterioration of Frodo Sean talks about the battle of good and evil, "at what cost will good win? Who will have to suffer? What will be lost? What kind of pain will have to be endured by the characters that people have grown to enjoy?" Viggo: "There are some victories but there are great losses as well. Everyone will have suffered. Some will not have survived." Elijah says its better then 1 & 2 combined, it's better than he could have hoped it to be. PJ: "Everybody that we know, in some form or another, comes out of it different. I mean, it is an immensely affecting experience for them, and I hope for the audience as well. Fade to 2 minute trailer some have seen........

8-12-03

TTT DVD Review! Xoanon @ 9:33 pm EST Elanor writes: Last year before Fellowship was released, a friend tipped me off to a store in my neighborhood that sells DVD's earlier than the official release date. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to check this year either. I went in yesterday and to my utter delight the guy said yeah we're getting it tomorrow. So today I am the proud owner of the theatrical widescreen DVD of The Two Towers. I had always planned to buy it, eiven though I am even more eagerly awaiting the special extended version due in November. Hopefully I'll get that early too and review it as well. But I was dying to see the Return of the King preview. And now I have. I wanted to get this news out to all those salivating for ROTK news. Hola to all my AICN tailend pals. It's worth it, oh yes. It's worth it. What a relief! I finally have some ROTK footage to swoon over. Well here is as much of a review as I can muster since all I really want to do right now is watch it over and over. So far all I have watched is the ROTK preview (3 times) the Extended version preview and the Gollum's Song video. I think the preview may be the very same thing as was shown at Comic Con. Be prepared though, this is not a trailer per se but a behind-the-scenes preview with actual snippits of footage interspersed throughout. Some amazing snippets but nothing that lets you get emotionally involved. Lots of interview snippets with PJ, Viggo, Elijah, Alan Lee, etc. Some cool looks at 'how they did it' but I would rather see that later, after I see the movie itself. The last few minutes is straight footage (the sequence I never saw online but lots of you have) which is all superb, especially the Frodo, Sam and Gollum stuff . For those enamored of Tolkien's melancholy the preview gave me the distinct feeling that the filmmakers have NOT missed that element. Nor do they seem to have forgotten that it's Frodo's story. WARNING SPOILERS: Mumakil with horses running between its legs! The Reforging of Narsil into Anduril which PJ once said would open ROTK seems to take place in a cave-like forging room Rivendell as it should, which makes me speculate again that Elrond will sub for Halbarad and bring it to Aragorn, rather than Arwen's banner (he could bring both I guess, poncy elf that he is) Cool scene with Aragorn and Gandalf talking strategy. Denethors bitterness seems ratcheted up and more personally against 'upstart Ranger' Aragorn. Dialogue spells out that Sauron mistakenly thinks Pippin has the Ring (more subtly done in the book) but it looks like PJ is getting some bonus emotional mileage from it via Merry and Pippin. Not sure yet how this jives with Nazgul/Frodo; did he see/sense the Ring in Osgiliath but I will wait to see. It looks like the Three Hunters are alone at the Paths of the Dead - and it looks foreb oding as hell. One shot I can't figure out of something, someone walking into Barad Dur. Shelob's cave looks less dark (how could you film that anyway?) but absolutely creepy and terrifying. Gandalf and Shadowfax galloping up the stairs only to see the immensity of Sauron's army on the Pellenor. END SPOILERS Yes, I would say this makes buying this version worth it, even if I do still wish I had gotten the type of trailer we were treated to of Two Towers at the end of Fellowship's run. But then again, I am now satisfied that they were not holding out on us. In the back of my mind I kept thinking they HAVE a trailer, they are just not showing us one. But now I see, they really never made one. HOWEVER, for those like me who love seeing footage, we have the preview of the Two Towers SEV. Now THAT is far more satisfying. I saw lots of juicy morsels that have not been talked about yet and far be it from me to spoil any of it for the next Rings geek.