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April 17, 2006 - April 25, 2006

News for Apr. 25, 2006

Vacaville's Middle Earth Festival 2006

4/25/06, 7:09 pm EST - Xoanon

Vacaville’s Middle Earth Festival 2006 Celebriel reports: Vacaville’s second Middle Earth Festival, April 21-23, 2006, offered a weekend full of varied activities to appeal to both die-hard Ringers and novices alike, including music and song, crafts, Tolkien discussion forums, and fun stuff including a costume contest, trivia contest, Hairy Foot contest, Gollum impersonation contest (one entry form to be shared by both personalities), evening party, and slide show of the New Zealand film locations. Also on scene were lots of Ren-Faire type vendors, food vendors, and, of course, Downtown Vacaville’s own many shops and restaurants. [More]

Headbanging hobbits?

4/25/06, 6:56 pm EST - Xoanon

So what's with all the head-banging bookworms? Brazilian heavy-metal band Sepultura released Dante XXI, an album based on Dante's Divine Comedy. And Mastodon recently became metal's newest stars with Leviathan, a Moby Dick-inspired album with songs such as "I Am Ahab" and "Seabeast." With its preoccupation with evil, dry ice and alternately shrieking and growling vocals, heavy metal has come by its goofball image honestly. But wearing leather and spikes doesn't mean you don't crack open a book occasionally. [More]

TV Watch: Wood on "Punk'd"...For Real This Time

4/25/06, 10:26 am EST - Xoanon

Deenan writes: OK, the date was rumored wrong. Elijah Wood's stint on MTV's "Punk'd" was not last night (April 24th) but will be aired on Monday May 1st @10:00pm EST. For sure this time. Really! I'll send along the link to the show's website again, but it doesn't show the actual times or guests. But after seeing the previews on last night's episode, they did mention he will be on this Monday the 1st. [More]

Viggo Mortensen Makes Eastern Promises

4/25/06, 10:21 am EST - Xoanon

Viggo Mortensen ("The Lord of the Rings") is reteaming with director David Cronenberg for Eastern Promises at Focus Features and BBC Films, reports Variety. The project, written by Steve Knight (Dirty Pretty Things), is a London thriller that centers on a nurse investigating the identity of a Russian girl who dies in childbirth. The nurse stumbles into danger when she learns the woman was a prostitute involved in sex trafficking. [More]

News for Apr. 24, 2006

Go see David Wenham's (Faramir) latest film FREE! (Newport Beach, CA)

4/24/06, 10:24 pm EST - Calisuri

Fan of David Wenham? Then don't miss this exclusive opportunity to see him at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where he will introduce and stick around for a Q&A with his new movie 'Three Dollars.' [Click Here]

EA's 'Gray' Draws from LOTR

4/24/06, 12:16 pm EST - Xoanon

Nick writes: EA Games is developing a next-gen fantasy RPG entitled 'Gray Company' which has the same exec. producer from The Third Age. At this point, a lot of people are drawing similarities to Oblivion. I checked out the concept art, and it looks a LOT like the LotR movies. Orcs, Uruk-Hai, Trolls, a Rohan type looking villiage, and a Mines of Moria that looks like it's being built! If this has nothing to do with LotR, I'm sure it's going to be art is going to be inspired by the movies. [More]

'Rings' takes over city

4/24/06, 12:15 pm EST - Xoanon

A dark, menacing figure approached a young, cherubic-faced child who was apprehensively holding a gold-colored ring Saturday on the sidewalk of Vacaville's Main Street. The black-cloaked and hooded figure said nothing as he stood stoically with one armored hand on his sheathed sword - ready to take the ring. The barefooted child - dressed positively hobbit-like with dark curls framing his face - and not sure whether to flee or fight, asked the same question that the character he was portraying may have asked. [More]

News for Apr. 22, 2006

Movie Chat tonight: 'Goblet of Fire'

4/22/06, 4:12 pm EST - maegwen

To make up for the short-noticed 'Goblin of Fire' movie watch of last month, and to allow our Australian friends (who finally have GoF on DVD) to join us, we are going to have a SECOND 'Goblet of Fire' viewing tonight, April 22nd!

Join us on our IRC server at 5:30 pm EDT when we pop our copies of the film into the DVD player. After the usual confusion, at around 5.30pm EST we'll all press play on our individual players and proceed to cheer and jeer (or discuss and argue, if you like!) the finer points of the film. [More]

News for Apr. 21, 2006

McKellen, Mortensen and Wenham films screen

4/21/06, 10:21 am EST - Xoanon

Garfeimao writes: Last year at the Newport Beach Film Festival, it was "Ringers: Lord of the Fans" and Billy Boyd's short "Instant Credit" making LOTR fans happy. This year it will be Sir Ian's "Neverwas" on opening night, April 20, Viggo's "Spirit Riders" the following day and David's "Three Dollars the next week. The Newport Beach Film Festival has something for everyone, features, shorts and documentaries from around the world. It even features a legendary Fan Made film called "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation". For an exclusive TORn interview with the filmmakers, please click here! [More]

For the full schedule and ticketing info, please head to the Festival Website.

Vacaville Middle-earth Festival This Weekend

4/21/06, 10:17 am EST - Xoanon

Vacaville, CA - Hear ye! Hear ye! On April 21-23, 2006, the second annual Middle Earth Festival will come to life in historic Downtown Vacaville to celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien and “The Lord of the Rings”. This fun-filled family event includes a fun run and forums on the themes of Tolkien. Saturday and Sunday activities include craft and merchandise vendors, entertainment, and games for the kids, demonstrations of old time skills, music, dance, fantasy and abundant food. Take part in one of many trivia contests or enjoy the antics of the Gollum impersonation contest, and seek the best costumed elf, dwarf, hobbit and other dwellers of Middle Earth! Admission and most festival activities are free. [More]

News for Apr. 20, 2006

Review: The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II game

4/20/06, 8:07 pm EST - Xoanon

Not so long ago it was Star Wars, now it's The Lord of the Rings that gets the real-time strategy (RTS) treatment. In many ways, Tolkien's battle-heavy Middle-earth makes for an even more appropriate setting for the genre than Lucas' galactic conflict. As the title suggests, this is EA's second stab at a The Lord of the Rings-themed RTS game. The original Battle for Middle-earth was a highly enjoyable but in some ways limited strategy game that focused squarely on the epic combat from the three film adaptations. [More]

Toronto run of Lord of the Rings stage show extended until Sept. 24

4/20/06, 8:06 pm EST - Xoanon

TORONTO (CP) - Fans of Frodo Baggins will have a few more months to catch the Lord of the Rings stage play - producers have announced they are extending the show's run until September. A new block of tickets for 12 additional weeks is to go on sale Saturday. The theatrical version of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved book opened in mid-March at the city's Princess of Wales Theatre to immense international fanfare. The theatre was selected as the debut venue after producers said they couldn't find a London theatre large enough to accommodate the technically complex production. The theatre also announced a new entry-level price of $26, intended to lure non-Tolkien fans to the show. The tickets buy seats in the balcony of the Princess of Wales Theatre. The remaining seats sell for between $56 and $125. [More]

Exclusive Te Papa Exhibit Images!

4/20/06, 8:05 pm EST - Xoanon

Te Papa Exhibit Images The kind folks from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa have sent along a select few images from the current Lord of the Rings exhibit. I was lucky enough to attend an early showing of the exhibit and my report is available to read here. Take a look at these photos! [More]

WETA Attends London MCM Expo

4/20/06, 7:37 pm EST - Xoanon

WETA Attends London MCM Expo

Folks from the London MCM Expo write: WETA will be making an appearance at the upcoming London MCM Expo in the UK on the 27th & 28th May 2006, they will be showcasing their upcoming and current range of products to the European fans. This is a very rare appearance from the company its self rather than a licensee. Along with their appearance a lot more is happening with guests from film and TV, stage talks and much more. Updates will come when more comes clear, more information on the event can found at www.londonexpo.com

Happy Birthday Andy Serkis!

4/20/06, 9:52 am EST - Xoanon


Today is Andy Serkis' birthday! Andy was born on April 20th, 1964 in London, England. That makes him 42 years old today! Happy Birthday Andy!

News for Apr. 19, 2006

LOTR Seminar at University of Toronto

4/19/06, 11:24 pm EST - Xoanon

There is going to be a week-long, in-depth seminar on The Lord of the Rings at the University of Toronto from July 16-21, 2006. Part of Classical Pursuits, learning vacations with a difference, the seminar is being conducted by Dr. Glen Robert Gill, Professor of English at Troy University in Alabama, and promises to be exciting affair. [More]

Urban Rides with 'Comanche'

4/19/06, 9:44 pm EST - Xoanon

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Lord of the Rings" veteran Karl Urban has joined the cast of the CBS miniseries "Comanche Moon," a prequel to novelist Larry McMurtry's Western saga "Lonesome Dove." Ryan Merriman ("Final Destination 3"), Elizabeth Banks ("Slither"), Graham Greene ("Transamerica") and Wes Studi ("The New World") have also been cast. They join a lineup that includes Val Kilmer, Rachel Griffiths and Linda Cardellini. [More]

'Sci-Fi Boys' at Tribeca Film Festival

4/19/06, 9:12 pm EST - Xoanon

The folks behind THE SCI-FI BOYS send this in: The link below takes you to the official Tribeca Film Festival rave review of THE SCI-FI BOYS which will be playing four times at the very prestigious Tribeca festival the last week of April (one showing that week) and the first week in May (3 showings). It's an excellent one-paragraph review written by Kellen Quinn which describes the film as a "heartfelt homage to both the genre itself and the people who played a part in its development, from its humble beginnings in stop-motion animation to the multi-million dollar CGI projects." [More]

LOTR Symphony in Albuquerque, NM

4/19/06, 4:59 pm EST - Xoanon

The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce the return of the King! Return to Middle Earth with the Symphony, and hear Howard Shore's Oscar-winning score to the Lord of the Rings trilogy performed live February 24 and 25, 2007, at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque. Tickets will go on sale later this summer. [NMSO.org]

Bruce Hopkins on the Air

4/19/06, 4:55 pm EST - Xoanon

Our pal Bruce Hopkins writes: Just letting you know, if you are up and about at 10pm tonight or tomorrow night tune into Radiolive (100.6fm in Auckland and around the late 90s in most other areas of the country, or online at radiolive.co.nz), I have been asked to fill in for the regular host, so will be doing talk back from 10pm -1am. Tune in and give me a call 0800-723-465, take part in Chance Of A Lifetime, sing a song on air!!! Or just have a chat.

LORD OF THE RINGS EXHIBITION EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS ON OPENING WEEKEND

4/19/06, 4:52 pm EST - Xoanon

The opening weekend for the return of The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy The Exhibition has exceeded visitor targets and surpassed the opening days of the exhibition in 2002. Since opening to the public on Good Friday, the exhibition has already achieved nearly 11,000 visitors, which is 2000 more visitors compared with the first five days of the original season in 2002.

“We are delighted with the numbers so far,” said Mr Paul Brewer, Director Marketing and Communications.

“There continues to be a fascination with the film trilogy. The vision of Peter Jackson, and the creative talents of the many behind-the-scenes people – from model makers Weta Workshop to Ngila Dickson’s costume designs – it has all been so beautifully crafted together to create an entirely holistic Middle-earth. The behind the scenes stories of the extraordinary technology and special effects are also a popular part of the exhibition and one of the reasons it has been in demand from science museums world wide. It helps to make science and innovation in a broad sense popular with large audiences. Te Papa is very pleased to be able to show New Zealand this exhibition for one last time,“ Mr Brewer said. [More]

News for Apr. 17, 2006

Happy Birthday Sean Bean!

4/17/06, 7:30 pm EST - Xoanon


Today is Sean Bean's birthday! Sean was born on April 17th, 1959 in Sheffield, England. That makes him 47 years old today! Happy Birthday Sean!


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