December 22, 2003 - December 28, 2003

News for Dec. 28, 2003

Heather writes: I'm submitting some photos and a write-up from the Andy Serkis signing in Times Square (the one at Toys R' Us that was held on 12/18). Please post when you have the chance. Thank you very much. [More]

LA Line Party Pics

12/28/03, 7:42 pm EST - Xoanon

Lets Get This Line Party Started!

Suzanne sends along these great pics of TORN Staffers Calisuri & Asfaloth having a great time in LA with the one and only Sala Baker. [More]

'The Art of The Return of the King' Images

12/28/03, 7:05 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Spy Sidhe sends along these great images from the forthcoming book 'The Art of the Return of the King'! Take a look! [More]

'King' continues box office reign

12/28/03, 6:32 pm EST - Xoanon

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Hobbits held sway at movie theaters around the world over the Christmas holiday weekend as the final installment in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy powered towards $500 million after less than two weeks. According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" has grossed $492.1 million from North America and 38 countries elsewhere. [More]

Lord Of The Rings guide book one of the country's best sellers

12/28/03, 6:27 pm EST - Xoanon

The Lord of the Rings wave of popularity is bringing a tidy financial bonus for Wanaka man and devoted JRR Tolkien fan Ian Brodie. Mr Brodie's Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook on the 100 New Zealand Middle Earth locations at which the film was made, is rapidly becoming one of the country's best-sellers. [More]

Pick up your copy today!

In Which The Captains Of The West Debate The Completion Of The Film Epic

12/28/03, 5:27 pm EST - Tehanu

This is a clever review from Michael Locke at Chattanooga.com - he certainly knows his Tolkien! [More] Thanks to Hammer of the Valar for the link.

Woman's Day Magazine Talks Cate & ROTK

12/28/03, 2:36 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Spy Nessa sends along these scans from the latest issue of Woman's Day Magazine featuring two articles on Cate Blanchett and The Return of the King. [More]

'Rings' finale top pick

12/28/03, 1:35 pm EST - Xoanon

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was crowned the best movie of the year by the Southeastern Film Critics Association. Its director, Peter Jackson, was named best director. The Southeastern Film Critics Association is one of the largest film critics groups in America, with 43 members in media outlets from Louisiana to Florida to Virginia, including The Times-Dispatch. [More]

Elijah Wood's Ring of Friendship and Education

12/28/03, 1:15 pm EST - Xoanon

With The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in theaters, the epic trilogy has come to an end. For ELIJAH WOOD (Frodo Baggins) and the other cast members, it's as if they've graduated from their four years of filming and bonding. Not unlike college, there were many lessons learned, journeys traveled, and friendships forged. [More]

New Commemorative LOTR Stamps in UK Soon!

12/28/03, 1:02 pm EST - Xoanon

Alan writes: Great Britain is releasing a set of 10 stamps se-tenant, on 26th February, commemorating the 1954 publication of FOTR and TTT. There will also be first day cover options as well as a presentation pack and the usual post office cards. Stamps have the following titles: Map of LOTR, Forest of Lothlorien, Fellowship of the Ring, Rivendell, Hall at Bag-End, Orthanc, Doors of Durin, Barad-Dur, Minas Tirith and Fangorn Forest. The drawings for the stamps are from the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

ROTK Premiere: Colombia

12/28/03, 12:51 pm EST - Xoanon

Gladriel writes: I just talked to my sister, and she told me that ROTK was sold out on the 25th, opening day. People lined up to buy the tikets, and at the end of the movie people clapped and cried. In Bogota (pop. 8 000 000) all theatres were sold out, and still are. people have to line up at 10am to get tickets.

LOTR Exhibit Moves to Singapore

12/28/03, 12:40 pm EST - Xoanon

Ella writes: The LotR Motion Picture Trilogy Exhibition is going to be held at the Singapore Science Centre next year from March 13th to June 4th. The Singapore Science Centre is currently the ONLY venue in Asia to present the exhibition, which is on its third leg of it world tour following its success in New Zealand and London. Advanced booking has already started, from 20th December 2003, through three ticketing agents. [More]

For Your Consideration Ads

12/28/03, 12:36 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Spy Emma sends along these 'For your Consideration' Ads seen in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter recently. [More]

Trapped with Tolkien

12/28/03, 12:34 pm EST - Xoanon

hartfordadvocate.com has this wonderful article from a reporter who survived Trilogy Tuesday. Take a look! [More]

Movie studios living by the sword -- and profiting by it

12/28/03, 12:29 pm EST - Xoanon

It's as if the movie industry has been taken over by gun-control advocates, though if less violence was the goal, the ploy has flopped. Multiplexes (and DVD players) are now filled with broadsword-brandishing, epee-parrying action-adventure epics. [More]

Lord Of The Cuts

12/28/03, 12:21 pm EST - Demosthenes

Ringer Issy sent us this translation of an interesting article from German magazine Spiegle with Peter Jackson talking about theatrical versus extended releases. The orginal article can be found here. [More]

Toronto Ice Exhibition Goes Geek Again!

12/28/03, 12:21 pm EST - Xoanon

The three-day ice-carving exhibition and competition in Toronto is a 21-year holiday tradition showcasing the work of Ontario's top ice carvers. Watch the carvers chisel more than 20,000 kg of ice into magnificent sculptures inspired by Peter Jackson's final fantastic theatric masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King established in partnership with Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution. [More]

Holy Hobbits! Fans take umbrage

12/28/03, 11:53 am EST - Xoanon

In your TV review of "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," you made mention of Gandalf's unusual physical prowess for a seemingly "old man." From the books, I know that Gandalf is not really "human." All wizards are actually ancient spirits given human form, which accounts for their powerful magical abilities (as opposed to the "subtle" magic of the elves and such). [More]

PVP Talks ROTK

12/28/03, 11:51 am EST - Xoanon

Lannon the Wizard writes: Scott Kurtz at PVP has drawn a great comic about the Return of the King. It is definately worth checking out. [More]

What An Actor

12/28/03, 11:49 am EST - Demosthenes

Link from Ringer Curious on the messageboards. When Sir Ian McKellen strides into the Four Seasons hotel for afternoon tea, one almost expects him to be accompanied by a rousing musical score. It's easy to forget that in real life he doesn't walk around with a long white beard and carry a giant staff, screaming: "You shall not pass!" He is, after all, just an actor. [More]

Year left us 'Spellbound' with 'Splendor,' 'Sisters,' and 'Rings'

12/28/03, 11:45 am EST - Xoanon

2003 was the year in which old genres became new again -- two high-seas movies? And both of them good? -- great books fought against Hollywoodization, and Peter Jackson's insane gamble paid off. [More]

Age behind beauty: Older stars dazzle in best recent flicks

12/28/03, 11:39 am EST - Xoanon

Older folks, sexy? Yes, Hollywood finally realized this in 2003 with a slew of high-profile films featuring vibrant turns by actors and actresses (some nude!) older than 50. [More]

Trrilogy Tuesday Featurette In Some Cinemas?

12/28/03, 11:38 am EST - Demosthenes

Via CHUD - thanks to Ringer lHeller for the heads up. As the movie climbs towards 310 million dollars internationally and probably breaking 200 million this weekend, AMC theaters is putting a little featurette about Trilogy Tuesday in their "Interminable Series of Advertisments Disguised as Pre-Show Entertainment" reel. [More]

BBSpot Amusement

12/28/03, 11:32 am EST - Demosthenes

Eleven (more? - Dem.) ways Peter Jackson could have ruin Return of the King. [More]

RoTK Smashes Oz Opening-day Record

12/28/03, 11:29 am EST - Demosthenes

We've already reported this, but here's another perspective. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King has smashed opening-day records for a film in Australia, becoming the biggest box-office success. [More]

McKellen Greets Oz Fans

12/28/03, 11:25 am EST - Demosthenes

Acclaimed Lord of the Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen stepped out of Middle Earth into Sydney yesterday, to the cheers of elated fans of the cult film trilogy. [More]

Gandalf's Magic Show

12/28/03, 11:22 am EST - Demosthenes

With his leather pants, hippy-style T-shirt and purple dice beads, Ian McKellen looked anything but Gandalf-like at an appearance in Sydney yesterday. [More]

News for Dec. 27, 2003

RoTK Film Of The Year?

12/27/03, 11:09 pm EST - Demosthenes

BBC's Talking Movies program has just named Return of the King its film of the year. The website hasn't updated yet, but you'll probably find more information here later on. [More]

Hall Of Fire Chats This Weekend

12/27/03, 6:58 am EST - Frode

It seems that the hottest topic among those that have seen 'The Return of the King' is Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Those that haven't seen the movie can stop reading now and get themselves to a theater pronto.!!!Spoilers!!! [More]

RoTK Publicity Stills

12/27/03, 5:37 am EST - Demosthenes

Some of these may be new; some of these may not be new. All the Wellington premiere press (including myself) received a Digital Press Kit as part of the research material - these are the publicity stills from this kit. [More] !!!Major Spoilers!!!

King Of Box Office

12/27/03, 5:33 am EST - Demosthenes

The final instalment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy set a new Australian opening day box office record yesterday, taking more than $5 million, the film's distributors said today. [More]

Prize winners for TORn Line Party contest

12/27/03, 12:21 am EST - maegwen

A little post-Christmas bonus for a lucky few who participated in the Line Party, Royal Selangor contest. Hundreds of LP3 participants registered for the giveaway and five were lucky enough to be awarded prizes. [More]

News for Dec. 26, 2003

More Behind-The-Scenes Pictures

12/26/03, 9:07 pm EST - Demosthenes

Earlier today we posted a small bunch of behind-the-scenes photos from Return of the King. Now, we have a bunch more courtesy of Cinematrix.hu. There's also a couple of production publicity still mixed in. [More] !!!Spoilers!!!

TV Watch: McKellen on Conan Tonight

12/26/03, 8:06 pm EST - Xoanon

Ian McKellen will be on the Late Show with Conan Obrien tonight. The Late Show airs at 12:35AM...so get that coffee ready! [NBC.com]

Final Gallery of Trilogy Tuesday & Line Party Images

12/26/03, 5:53 pm EST - Xoanon

Trilogy Tuesday & Line Party Images Worldwide - New York City

New York City Fans

Here is the final batch of images from Tuesday Trilogy and Line Parties all over the globe. These images include places like Salt Lake City, Calgary, Hampton, New York City, Olathe, San Jose, San Diego, Seattle, Singapore, Tyler, and Westbury. [More]

Be sure to view our other galleries! Over 230 images in all!

[Gallery 1] - [Gallery 2] - [Gallery 3]

Can't Stop Ringing

12/26/03, 5:24 pm EST - Demosthenes

It's all Lord of the Rings, all the time, in this week's column. First a report from a diehard fan, and then news of an early big win for the film, which indeed looks to be an Oscar favorite in a couple of months. Thanks to Ringer Proudson for the link. [More]

Big Day In Middle-earth

12/26/03, 3:23 pm EST - Demosthenes

In 2001, the producers of Pearl Harbour managed to commandeer an aircraft carrier for their world premiere in Hawaii. That was peanuts compared with what was going on here. Director Peter Jackson and his team had not only commandeered an entire city for their cause, but the entire country. (It's amusing to see a Fell Beast described as a dragon) [More]

Rings Tops Critics List

12/26/03, 3:15 pm EST - Demosthenes

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has announced its Top 10 list and other awards for 2003. What's top? Return of the King. [More]

'Leaves You Gasping, Exhausted And Exhilarated'

12/26/03, 8:23 am EST - Demosthenes

The final, war-torn instalment of Tolkien's trilogy is a cracker, writes the Sydney Morning Herald's Paul Byrnes. (This is a thoughtful review that I quite enjoyed) [More]

Tickets Rarer Than Rings

12/26/03, 8:07 am EST - Demosthenes

How busy was the opening day for Return of the King in Australia? Very busy! I was at a 5.30pm session in Brisbane and it and the following 9.30pm session were fully sold out. Buzz is that it may come close to matching Titanic's grosses here. More from the Sydney Morning Herald. [More]

Net Pedants Savage RoTK

12/26/03, 7:54 am EST - Demosthenes

The Register is back biting the hands that feed it. But, what else did you expect? Target this time? Net pedants picking out the continuity holes in RoTK. [More] !!!Spoilers!!!

RoTK Behind The Scenes

12/26/03, 7:31 am EST - Demosthenes

Courtesy of Cinematrix, we have this bunch of behind-the-scenes pictures from RoTK. Enjoy. [More] !!!Spoilers!!!

News for Dec. 25, 2003

IGN Interviews Sean Astin

12/25/03, 7:08 pm EST - Demosthenes

IGN does great in-depth interviews. Here's one with Sean Astin. Go read it. [More] !!!Spoilers!!!

Naughty or Nice?

12/25/03, 4:17 pm EST - Tookish

USA Today checks in with three LotR cast members. Looks like Billy Boyd is the only honest respondant! From Ringer ShelaghC: [More]

RotK DVD Release Date Rumors

12/25/03, 4:05 pm EST - Tookish

From Ringer Palant'r! ... SF Norway... the Scandinavian distributer for LotR have announced that the theatrical version of RotK will be released on May 25th... They also report that the extended edition will be released in November.

CNN Puts RotK in Top Ten Films of '03

12/25/03, 3:58 pm EST - Tookish

Alisha Davis ranks RotK in her top ten this year. Thanks again to Ringer ShelaghC for the news. [More]

Sean Astin has an Eye towards Politics?

12/25/03, 3:55 pm EST - Tookish

According to this little bit sent in from LEH, Astin says, "I like the sort of Roman sense of duty, in which after one career, one can move slowly into service." They don't call us the rumor mill for nothing... [More]

Tolkien's 'Rings' finds relevance in today's world

12/25/03, 3:49 pm EST - Tookish

Thanks to LEH for the link. It's difficult to imagine a more important time for a most important story, the one J.R.R. Tolkien brilliantly penned, to be beautifully retold on screen... [More]

Upset over RotK Trailer Spoilers in Japan

12/25/03, 3:46 pm EST - Tookish

One of our Japanese Ringers wrote in to express upset over some major spoilers present in the RotK trailer: [More] Spoiler!
UPDATESpoiler! Madhatter writes in also from Japan to explain the problem more clearly. I know New Line once considered the Japanese market a gamble, but whose idea was it that revealing the ending and most important conclusions to the story would help drive up audience numbers? [More]

What Happens Next?

12/25/03, 10:20 am EST - maegwen

Displaying an admirable willingness on the part of a reporter to actually research Tolkien's world, the Charleston Gazette offers a story (albeit a snarky one) examining the fates of LOTR's primary characters. [More] Spoilers?

Christmas Brings Elves of a Different Sort to Oz

12/25/03, 9:58 am EST - maegwen

Once again, the festive season brings us Tolkien's elves as well as Santa's. For the third year in a row, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings saga sails triumphantly into cinemas in late December. [More]

ROTK Set to Open Down Under

12/25/03, 9:47 am EST - maegwen

It is expected Lord of The Rings: The Return Of the King will break box office records when it opens today, but it will have to collect mammoth takings to take the shine off one special fish. [More]

The Ring returns to lord it over Tassie

12/25/03, 9:39 am EST - maegwen

WHILE little kids counted down the sleeps to Santa Claus, the rest of Tasmania seems to have been waiting for today's arrival of the real fantasy of the season. [More]

Ian McKellan's everywhere these days

12/25/03, 12:31 am EST - maegwen

Acting knight Ian McKellen is somewhat bemused by the toy images of himself as Magneto in X-Men and Gandalf in Lord Of The Rings that are on shop shelves. [More]

'Return of the King': more than a movie

12/25/03, 12:24 am EST - maegwen

There are some who say the perfect movie does not exist. I would say that if a movie can take an entirely fictional plot and create a fantasy world that captivates an audience in such a way that the setting becomes home, the characters become dear friends, and the fictional battle between good and evil becomes a cause to die for, what else is required in order to achieve "perfection?" [More] SPOILERS

News for Dec. 24, 2003

Britain's dilemma: Read the book or watch the movie?

12/24/03, 11:33 pm EST - maegwen

It was billed as an eight-month-long national "read-athon." But the "Big Read," a quest to find the favorite novel (and encourage reading) in the land of Shakespeare, had a somewhat counterproductive effect. [More]

Saving theater seats is a hot topic

12/24/03, 11:20 pm EST - maegwen

From The Deseret News in Utah: Some moviegoers want the right to save seats for friends and family. Others can't stand seat-savers. Who knew it was such a divisive topic? [More] Thanks to Robin for the link!

"Yes, Elanor, There Really is a Gandalf"

12/24/03, 8:30 pm EST - Quickbeam

Greetings, Quickbeam here. For those who are familiar with Frank Church's famous Christmas editorial, written back in 1897 (Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Santa Claus), perhaps you will also enjoy the Middle-earth twist that I gave it a few years back.

From all of us at TheOneRing.net, we wish you the most splendid holiday season! Be safe, be content, and may the stars ever shine upon you in 2004....

Trilogy Marathony Goodness For Australia

12/24/03, 4:23 pm EST - Demosthenes

Selected Australian cinemas will be subjecting patrons to a movie marathon on December 28 - one of the choices will be an LoTR fest screening all three films in succession. However, Towers and Fellowship will not the extended editions. This is a theatrical screening only. [More]

There And Back Again - Part II

12/24/03, 4:17 pm EST - Demosthenes

Ringer Spy Pippin Skywalker attended the world premiere of Return of the King in Wellington on December 1. Okay, this report is a little late (my fault), but this was her experience. [More] !!!Spoilers!!!

Submissions Open for Tolfilm Fanfilm Exhibition

12/24/03, 3:49 pm EST - Tookish

The Northwest Tolkien Society is pleased to announce the addition of the TolFilm FanFilm Exhibition to TolCon... We will accept submissions of all kinds, as long as the films relate to the Tolkien universe. [More]

LotR Movie Location Guide Book is NZ Best Seller

12/24/03, 3:22 pm EST - Tookish

The Lord of the Rings wave of popularity is bringing a tidy financial bonus for Wanaka man and devoted JRR Tolkien fan Ian Brodie... Thanks to Ringer Tamar for this one. [More]

DC Goes for ROTK

12/24/03, 3:15 pm EST - Tookish

The city accustomed to siding with Democrats and Republicans takes time out to honor the movement of Gandalf, Aragorn and Frodo. Another from ric! [More

The Wizard of NZ

12/24/03, 3:12 pm EST - Tookish

Columnist Ian Spelling chats with New Zealand special effects maestro Richard Taylor about his fondness for Blade Runner and other DVDs. Thanks to ric for the link. [More]

Director Jackson Revels in 'Rings'

12/24/03, 2:56 pm EST - Tookish

From Ringer Ecthelion II, another nice PJ interview: "They let me do what I wanted to do on 'Return of the King,' which I appreciate enormously. It's possibly the greatest, unrestrained kind of freedom I'll ever have as a filmmaker." [More]

Will 'ROTK' Rescue Time Warner?

12/24/03, 2:43 pm EST - Tookish

The strong box-office performance of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King... may have come as a godsend to Time Warner, which owns New Line Cinema... From Holly: [More]

The Buzz

12/24/03, 2:42 pm EST - Tookish

Ask some people what the buzz on a movie is, and you're likely to get a bewildered look. But ask someone interested or involved in the film industry, and you're off and running... Thanks again Holly! [More]

Prince Dons Modest Crown to View RotK

12/24/03, 2:05 pm EST - Tookish

Prince William made a surprise visit to a Norfolk cinema on Saturday - to watch the latest Lord of the Rings film... from Ringer Bronagh: [More]

Buffalo News Quiz

12/24/03, 1:51 pm EST - Tookish

I don't know if they're looking for some hits or just plain hobbit fun, but thanks to Ringer Beruthiel for the link: [More]

Lord of the Rings Research Project

12/24/03, 1:38 pm EST - Tookish

...This will be the biggest audience study ever undertaken, and is a unique opportunity for lovers of the books and the films to get their views heard. At its centre is a web questionnaire, available in thirteen different languages... [More]

Lord Of The Rings Stars Want To Join King Kong

12/24/03, 1:04 pm EST - Tookish

If you can dodge the pop-up adds, you might enjoy this article sent in from Ringer peregrintook. Oldish news but newish article: [More]

RotK Theatrical Version DVD Release Date Rumors

12/24/03, 12:59 pm EST - Tookish

A few Ringers have written in to say that the RotK theatrical dvd will be out in the end of March. I'm assuming that if the dvd will be out, then the video tape will be too. Reports have ranged from 3/24 - 3/29. Thanks to HB & everyone else who wrote in! [More]

MORE Trilogy Tuesday & Line Party Images Worldwide

12/24/03, 11:04 am EST - Xoanon

Trilogy Tuesday & Line Party Images Worldwide - Baltimore

The beautiful Senator Theatre in Baltimore

Here is the second and third gallery of images from various 'Trilogy Tuesday' and ROTK Line Parties from around the world! Take a look at these parties from Baltimore, Colorado, Hampton, Hawaii, Memphis, Montreal, New Berlin, New Orleans, Olathe, Oslo, Ottawa, Portland, Portugal and the first batch from the MAMMOTH party in Salt Lake City! [Gallery 2] [Gallery 3]

Be sure to check out our first gallery of images! [Gallrey 1]

News for Dec. 23, 2003

NY Times critic falls for lazy gender-typing

12/23/03, 2:26 pm EST - Xoanon

In the latest entry in the "blue is for boys, pink is for girls" school of criticism, Caryn James, in a New York Times Arts & Leisure piece on Sunday, argues that the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy -- up to and including the final installment, "The Return of the King" -- is a big snooze for those of us not blessed with a Y chromosome. [More]

Concerning Trees

12/23/03, 2:21 pm EST - Xoanon

Kevin Hand, Campaigns Director for The Tree Council writes: You might be interested to know that UK conservation charity The Tree Council obtained special permission from New Line Cinema to use a Treebeard photo from The Two Towers on posters promoting Seed Gathering Sunday, their campaign to encourage the collection of tree seeds by families and schools and others. [More]

TV Watch: Serkis on BBC's Breakfast

12/23/03, 2:05 pm EST - Xoanon

Jonathan writes: Andy Serkis was interviewed on BBC's Breakfast programme this morning, during which he demonstrated the Gollum voice, spoke at length about the process of filming his scenes as well as publicising his book. He also mentioned that he will be spending Christmas with his family in Blackpool, England.

At the Center of the Ring

12/23/03, 1:37 pm EST - Tookish

Thirty-five years ago, the graffito "Frodo Lives!" was as ubiquitous on college campuses as "Kilroy was here!" used to be on Army bases. Today, Elijah Wood has made "Frodo Lives!" for new generations of J.R.R. Tolkien fans - and he's done it without minimizing the character's heroic complexity. Thanks to Shawna for the link: [More]

RotK EE Rumored 'longer than 4 hours and 50 min.'

12/23/03, 12:44 pm EST - Tookish

I cannot verify the credibility of this report, but Ringer Andy sends in this exciting news: [More]

FIDM Museum Galleries to Exhibit RotK Costumes

12/23/03, 12:30 pm EST - Tookish

Ringer Meg M with the good news: The Fashion Institute in Los Angeles will exhibit actual RotK costumes this spring. Exhibits of LotR costumes the last two years have been spectacular, with no glass to prevent you from seeing all the magnificent details. [More]

The Money Rake is Out

12/23/03, 12:11 pm EST - Tookish

Actuals are in. 'ROTK' came in at $124.1 million domestic ($1 million less than the Sunday estimate) and $125.9 at 28 overseas markets (beating estimates by nearly $5 million). All told, it pulled in a quarter of a billion dollars, breaking all time opening records in seven countries and propelling the franchise's lifetime box office past the $2 billion mark. Thanks to BG for the news. [More]

Letterman's Top 10 Dumb Guy Complaints about LOTR

12/23/03, 11:59 am EST - Tookish

Finally!! Thanks to Ringer Summer for sending this in. Let's start with #10: "I expected something a little more, you know, hobbity." [More]

Rhys-Davies Featured in LOTR Event in Seattle

12/23/03, 11:31 am EST - Tookish

Join noted British actor John Rhys-Davies in Seattle for a rollicking evening as he talks about the meaning and the making of The Lord of the Rings and answers audience questions about his long career in films and TV at this Discovery Institute event. [More]

McKellen: One of the iconic figures of my lifetime

12/23/03, 11:27 am EST - Tookish

CNN anchor Daryn Kagan interviews Sir Ian! Thanks to Barliman's Chat Operator MadMax for the link. [More]

Orlando On E! News Australia

12/23/03, 2:36 am EST - Demosthenes

Cable viewers in Australia should tune into Fox 8 at 6.30pm (right now in NSW and Vic) to see some RoTK preview stuff as well as an interview with Orlando Bloom. And on the same channel on Friday at 6.30pm, Fox will br broadcasting RoTK: The Quest Fulfilled.

News for Dec. 22, 2003

Trilogy Tuesday & Line Party Images Worldwide

12/22/03, 11:42 pm EST - Xoanon

LOTR Fans in Coquitlam

Here is the first gallery of images from various 'Trilogy Tuesday' and ROTK Line Parties from around the world! Take a look at these parties from Baton Rouge, Boston, Columbus, Coquitlam BC, Denmark, and LA. [More]

Stay tuned for more images from Memphis, Montreal, Olathe, Oslo, Salt Lake City, San Jose and Singapore! If you have images you want us to post, send them along!

Cinefex Talks ROTK Special Effects

12/22/03, 9:59 pm EST - Xoanon

Cinefex Magazine

The December issue of Cinefex Magazine features this look at special effects in 'The Return of the King'. Beware! The images we've selected to show you are FULL of !!!SPOILERS!!! [More] [cinefex.com]

'Rings' Shows Trend Toward Global Premieres

12/22/03, 9:01 pm EST - maegwen

From the New York Times: From Singapore to Stockholm to New York to Mexico City, fans lined up this weekend to see the final cinematic episode of the J. R. R. Tolkien trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," part of a growing global moviegoing phenomenon. This story requires (free) registration. [More]

'Rings' trilogy scores with families

12/22/03, 8:54 pm EST - maegwen

In early 2002, Tucson school teacher Jon Ben-Asher sent a note home with his fifth-graders seeking permission to take them to see "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." [More]

Fake Dvds Seized

12/22/03, 8:30 pm EST - maegwen

More than 2,000 fake DVDs of the latest Lord of the Rings film have been seized at Heathrow airport. [More]

Lord of the Wings -- High School Media Production

12/22/03, 5:43 pm EST - Tookish

The high school Woodinville Falcons would like to show you their tv station episode based on The Lord of the Rings... I hope you enjoy the production I made :-D. Thanks, Bertie Stephens [More]

The long goodbye

12/22/03, 4:15 pm EST - Xoanon

Fans of Tolkien's trilogy approve of extended endings in `The Return of the King'. Even reviewers who raved about ``The Return of the King,'' which opened last week, were put off by - as one movie critic put it, ``an endless parade of false endings.'' !!!SPOILERS!!! [more]

'King' is still smiling at box office with $125 million

12/22/03, 4:13 pm EST - Xoanon

Frodo and the gang wiped the smile off Mona Lisa's face over the weekend, but then, it would have been a banner news story if they hadn't. We still have one. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King took in $73.6 million over the weekend for a five-day total of $125 million, according to estimates from Nielsen EDI box office trackers. [More]

McKellen Unfazed by 'Rings' Phenomenon

12/22/03, 4:09 pm EST - Xoanon

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With a five-day domestic haul of $125 million, the last installment of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" is guaranteed to grab more than just a few headlines for its record-setting box office. [More]

Give the Hobbit a Break

12/22/03, 4:07 pm EST - Xoanon

Poor Frodo Baggins. He just can�t catch a break. It�s not bad enough that many literary critics and readers of J. R. R. Tolkien�s The Lord of the Rings are always elevating one supporting character or another to the position of hero, completely overlooking the gentle, unassuming hobbit at the heart of the story, the one who has to carry an evil, burdensome, corrupting ring to be destroyed. !!!Spoilers!!! [more]

Viggo, Lord Of Everything

12/22/03, 9:00 am EST - Demosthenes

Gary Maddox of the Sydney Morning Herald writes: This movie hunk is a shining overachiever who puts everyone else in the shade. Who could it be? None other than the intensely modest Viggo Mortensen. [More]

Rings To Conquer Globe

12/22/03, 4:54 am EST - Demosthenes

The Return of the King marks the culmination of a bold cinematic gamble that has far exceeded its backers' wildest expectations, racking up billions of dollars in revenue, garnering a fan base unmatched since the first Star Wars trilogy and pushing New Zealand to the top end of the global tourist chart. [More]

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