Fresh from her BAFTA Award win, SAG Award Win and Oscar Nomination Cate Blanchett has just been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her work in 2003's 'Coffee and Cigarettes'. [ifp.org]

LOS ANGELES (CP) - The late Ray Charles proved to be the sentimental favourite at Sunday's Grammy Awards, overshadowing most of the other big nominees. Toronto-born Howard Shore won another two Grammys for Lord of the Rings. The first was for best score soundtrack album for Return of the King - his third consecutive year picking up that trophy. [More]

The 47th Annual Grammy Awards will be presented tonight on CBS. Howard Shore has been nominated for 'Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media' Award for his work on ROTK. He is up against: Thomas Newman (ANGELS IN AMERICA), Danny Elfman (BIG FISH), Jon Brion (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), John Williams (HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN). Also something to catch is Led Zeppelin receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Catch thre Grammys tonight on CBS at 8PM. [More]

The Aviator has won four BAFTAs and Vera Drake has won three at The Orange British Academy Film Awards. Ray, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Motorcycle Diaries won two BAFTAs each. The Aviator received Awards in the categories Film, Actress in a Supporting Role for Cate Blanchett, Make-Up & Hair and Production Design. Mike Leigh won the David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction and Imelda Staunton won Actress in a Leading Role for Vera Drake. The film also won for Costume Design. [More] [Photo Gallery]

Tehanu writes: It’s almost a month since I got off the plane for that fun, crazy weekend that was the One Ring Convention. A bit late to write up anything about it, but my friend Reginald of Ravenswood Leather reminded me that I was going to say something about them, and since the Ravenswood Leather Shop was one of the lasting impressions I got from ORC, that’s what I’ll do. [More] [ravenswoodleather.com]

Leah writes: The Fellowship of the Bags website is up, which tells more about the Fandango parody/Ringers ad that won the award at ORC 2005, shows off some pictures of the puppets, and allows you to download and view the film for yourself (in Windows Media Player format). [More]

He's been named one of Australia's sexiest men. And with major roles in films such as The Boys, two Lord of the Rings instalments, Moulin Rouge and Van Helsing, he is now an international star. But anyone hoping to admire David Wenham's good looks in his next role will have their noses severely out of joint. [More]

The latest newsletter is ready to go! Do you want to receive our free weekly newsletter? Packed with tons of info to keep you up to date on the latest? Plus filled with exclusives from time to time! Join the crowd of over 22 190 mailing list members! Sign up now! [More]

The 'Techie' Oscars are being presented tonight in LA. This even is not broadcast live on TV nor does it have an elaborate red carpet pre-show, but it is just as important! This year Atlanta-based Giant Studios has won a technical achievement award will receive an academy certificate noting the development of the company's motion-capture technology, instrumental in the creation of Gollum. [More]

TORONTO (CP) - Want an autographed celebrity director's chair? Famous Players in partnership with the Directors Guild of Canada is auctioning a series of authentic canvas movie-set chairs personally autographed by renowned film directors and actors - including David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen, Bruce Willis, Ben Kingsley and Morgan Freeman. [More]

'She spoke no word; but being filled with love. Elwë came to her and took her hand, and straightway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word.' What better way to spend Valentine's weekend than with this sweet and enduring love story? [More]

Sideshow/Weta has released high resolution images of their latest statue - The Battle Troll of Mordor. [Click Here]

New Line Home Entertainment's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King--Special Extended DVD Edition delivered a three-peat for the LOTR franchise by winning the category of Best Overall DVD, New Movie. Return of the King won three awards overall. [More]

Sideshow/Weta has just placed the Galadriel Statue for pre-sale. They have also premiered a new product, The Battle Troll of Morder Statue. Check them both out through the following links! [Pre-Order Galadriel] [Preview Battle Troll]

Jeff writes: The battles for Sabertooth Games’ Middle–earth are fought on your tabletop, and the difference between victory and defeat can hang on the roll of the dice! The Lord Of The Rings Tradeable Miniatures Game from Sabertooth Games is played with dice, a lot of dice! These dice, in conjunction with the 40mm, pre-painted figures and full color maps are key for being able to play the game. [More]

Some of Peter Jackson's next film The Lovely Bones will probably be shot in Wellington, Oscar-winning screenwriter Philippa Boyens says. The novel, written by American Alice Sebold, is set in Norristown, a town near Philadelphia. Though decisions still had to be made on where the film would be shot, Boyens said some of the filming would probably be in Wellington. "Peter loves filming here and he has incredible facilities so I assume some of it will be here (but) it is quite an American story," she said. [More]

Stephen writes: The Nerve Centre in Derry, N.Ireland is showing all 3 extended editions of LOTR on Sunday 13th Feb back to back. Admission is £5 and all proceeds go to the Tsunami disaster fund. [nerve-centre.org]

'Sprung! The Magic Roundabout', a kids show turned motion picture is being released today in UK cinemas. Ian McKellen lends his voice to Zebedee. [UK showtimes] ['Sprung' Official Site]

Cedric writes: There's a video available on the Sydney Morning Herald's website about the Lord of the Rings exhibition. You might need to subscribe but it's free. The curator notes that this exhibition has done better than the Star Wars one from 2002. [More]

From the folks at the Powerhouse Museum: Academy Award-winning special effects maestro Richard Taylor will showcase his extraordinary talents and share his experiences from the set of The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy during a weekend program exclusive to the Powerhouse Museum, 26 - 27 February. [More]

miss_understood9020 (as well as many others) writes: I just want to let all Sean Astin fans know that his movie 'Slipstream' will be airing on the SciFi channel Saturday (Feb 12th) at 9:00PM. Enjoy the movie! [More]

Kiran Shah has been confirmed as a Guest of Honor at TolCon. Kiran acted as a hobbit body double (usually Frodo) and is now playing the dwarf Ginarrbrik for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." He's bound to have a lot of great stories to tell, and the NW Tolkien Society is thrilled to have him aboard on May 13-15, 2005 in Seattle. [More]

From movies.monstersandcritics.com: We have added a set of stills from Ian McKellan's(SIC) forthcoming drama "Asylum," which also stars Natasha Richardson, Hugh Bonneville and Marton Csokas. Stella Raphael, a cultured and elegant but restless young woman, lives with her husband, Max, a forensic psychiatrist, and their small son, Charlie, at a high-security mental hospital in rural England. [More]

Deenan writes: Elijah Wood's "Hooligans" and Dom Monaghan's "Shooting Livien" films will be premiering at the SXSW film festival in March. [More]

Kelly of Luthien writes: The Saturn Award Nominations have been announced. Dominic Monaghan has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series for "Lost" and Elijah Wood's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" has been nominated for Best Science Fiction Film. [More]

Christopher Lee will attend the "Cinema for Peace" gala at the Berlin Film Festival on Feb 14, 2005. For the third time, he is participating in the event. Thanks to Tauremorna for the news! Info (in German) [More]

christopherleeweb.com has announced that "Christopher Lee will be appearing live at the Barbican Centre London with Valery Gergiev and the orchestra, chorus and soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre (Kirov opera) from St Petersburg. He will be narrating Stravinksy's musical setting of the Oedipus myth." The concert takes place at the Barbican Centre in London on Fri, Feb 25, at 7:30PM.

It might be hard to believe, but multi-award winning composers Howard Shore and Hans Zimmer have been short listed as one hit wonders. But it's not as bad as it sounds. Joining them on the list are other celebrated classical composers such as Holst and Pachelbel. The list was compiled to show all the composers who only had one entry in last year's Classic FM Hall of Fame Top 300, or as they put it 'the composers who are only remembered by one great work.' [More]

From the folks at the Dallas Comic Con: February 12-13 sees the return of the DALLAS COMIC CON. Special guests include Sean Astin from the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. This event marks Astin's first convention appearance in Texas. He is joined by other big Hollywood celebrities, including THE PUNISHER star Thomas Jane, MEDIUM star Patricia Arquette, and ALIAS star David Anders. You'll also find a variety of popular comic book creators, including legendary artist Bernie Wrightson. The show will be held at the Richardson Civic Center. Hours are Noon to 6pm on Saturday, and Noon to 4pm on Sunday. Astin, Jane and Arquette are appearing on Saturday only. [More]

Ian McKellen has been nominated for a Genie Award for his work on 'Emile'. A Genie is the Canadian version of a Golden Globe, celebrating works of film and television. McKellen was nominated for 'Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role', he is up against: MICHEL C'TÉ (Le Dernier Tunnel / The Last Tunnel), ROY DUPUIS (Mémoires affectives / Looking for Alexander), DAVID LA HAYE (Nouvelle-France), NICK STAHL (Twist). [More]

JB writes: The BFI London IMAX Cinema is holding another all night trilogy screening on the 18th & 19th March. Last year's all nighter was a great night. They are also planning a Matrix Trilogy the weekend before. [More]

Dominic Monaghan's new hit show 'Lost' continues to get better with each episode. Tonight features the first new episode since mid January, entitled 'Homecoming' it promises to be a blast! Catch 'Lost' tonight at 8PM EST on ABC. TORN's chatroom now has a special 'Lost' screening room, login to #lost at 8PM and watch with fans from around the country! [ABC.com] [TORN Chat]

Tim from Lumière Industries writes: Thought you'd like to know about an event on interest which my website, "The Lumière Reader", is involved with. Called "Semi-Permanent", the conference is Australasia's largest design and creative event, taking place first in Auckland, NZ (March 12), and then the following weekend in Sydney, Australia (March 18/19). [More]

Jeff Marchelletta, 'Ringers' Producer writes: So there we are mid-festival week in Park City at the exclusive William Morris party and all we can think of is to get out of there, go back to our log cabin and get some sleep. Our schedule was quite intense and we did not expect all the attention that we (Ringers: Lord of the Fans) were receiving. We were exhausted. Cliff and I had to wake up at the crack of dawn to do a live radio interview on x96 - Salt Lake City’s “Local, Independent, Alternative Radio from Hell.” A very progressive and hip station indeed. Carlene couldn’t attend the interview because of our 9:00am Press Screening that same day back in Park City. She had to introduce the film with Tom DeSanto and do an equipment check with Josh Mandel. [More]

We are catching up on a few of the items that we failed to add the scrapbook - today's addition is Sideshow/Weta Collectible's Wounded Orc Bust. Follow the link for this ugly beauty! [Click Here] [Pre-Order Bust]

For those of you out there who are Narnia fans, here's the second in the series of articles Tehanu wrote about her visits to the Henderson sets for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. [More]

Sean Astin was Bacchus XXXVII at the Mardi Gras parade today (February 8th, 2005). Elijah Wood returned as the 'king from 2004'. [More]

The good folks at McKellen.com give us the word that Ian McKellen will be attending the Berlin International Film Festival on 11 February. He will be at a press conference for his latest film 'Asylum' which is also in competition at the film fest. [McKellen.com] [BIFF]
Asylum also stars Marton Csokas, no word if he will be attending the festival yet.

Two great TV series out on DVD today. First up is the crime drama mini series 'The Grid' starring Bernard Hill as an MI-5 Agent. You can also pick up the award winning first season of Brad Dourif's new show 'Deadwood'. [More]

Sideshow Weta Collectibles released hi-res images of the upcoming 'Lady Galadriel' statue. We've added them to the scrapbook for your viewing pleasure! [Click Here]

Ostadan writes: Carl Hostetter has posted the following announcement which may be of interest to both Elvish linguists and those interested in "Elvish culture" in general. "I am pleased to announce that 'Vinyar Tengwar' 47 will be published later this month. 'VT' 47 presents the first half of "'Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals' and Related Writings", a four-part collection of late texts (c. 1968) by J.R.R. Tolkien, compiled and edited by Patrick H. Wynne." [More]

Ian McKellen's small Canadian indie film 'Emile' is now screening at the Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills, California. For those wishing to catch this film and help boost box office earnings. Follow this link! [More]

Deena writes: I came across this and thought it might be interesting for fans in the Boston area ... a conference at Harvard on Folklore and Mythology, with a specific talk on Tolkien: James Russell "J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: A Russian Liberal Perspective". For the details, this is the site to the department: [More] and the specific site to the conference: [More]

Carmet writes: On this week's episode of Saturday Night Live on NBC, they featured a sketch in which women dressed up as characters from geek culture answer phone calls and try to cater to their fantasies. The first was Dungeons and Dragons, the second was Star Wars, then Star Trek, and the fourth was... yes, Lord of the Rings, dressed as Arwen, with the caller dressed as a hobbit. The caller got "turned on" as the two discussed traveling to Mordor and its geographical features.

With Cate Blanchett's recent win at the SAG awards, and odds looking good that she may get an Oscar, she has been making the TV circuit lately. Take a look at these clips thanks to interviewsrus.com. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, AVI 48.5MB - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, AVI 58.1MB - Good Morning America, AVI 22.7MB - Oprah, AVI 24.8MB Thanks to Pavel for the links!

When you're a guy who makes a living with a successful show that spoofs and lauds "Star Wars" in the span of an hour, what do you do for a sequel? Take a crack at another giant movie franchise, clearly. And Charles Ross' "The One-Man Lord of the Rings" picks up where his "One-Man Star Wars" left off, condensing all 89 or so hours of Peter Jackson's Oscar-winning trilogy into 60 minutes of sweaty, reverent physical comedy. [More]

Richard Taylor has been far from idle since LOTR and even Kong isn't keeping him busy enough. Richard has just announced that Weta Workshops are making a children's animated TV series called "Jane and the Dragon," based on a storybook and characters by NZ author Martin Baynton. [More] The characters will be animated in the same way as was Gollum, using live actors to model the movements. Weta Workshops needs about 30 more animators and technicians - if you're interested in a job, go here.

Good news for LOTR fans in the Wellington region. Adventure Safaris is holding a special one-day tour of LOTR locations around Wellington on February 19th. Included is the chance to meet Arwen riding double Jane Abbot and see her in action on one of the LOTR horses. [More]