Mrcere writes: DragonCon in Atlanta is all of these and so much more. As one of the largest and most important genre conventions in the world, DragonCon is a red-letter event on any sci-fi or fantasy fan's calendar and if it isn't, it should be. [More]

Kerewyn writes: There is is an article on the uprise of the casting scene in NZ, from a recent issue of Australian filmmakers magazine ‘Inside Film’. Thought it may interest TORn readers, as it speaks to Liz Mullane and other people who cast for LOTR, King Kong etc. [More]

Carla writes: I just found out that Sir Ian McKellen was one of the many celebrities who had designed and signed an envelope for 'Pushing the Envelope', a charity to raise awareness and funds for a literacy program. The auction starts at 11am on 3 October 2005. You can see a picture of Sir Ian's envelope here... I think you'll like it. [More]

Little Fish director Rowan Woods realises his tale of a Cabramatta family and friends isn't an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. "It's not an out-and-out simple commercial tale," he smiles. "I'm not doing myself a service, am I?" He needn't bother. With his cast including Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sam Neill, Martin Henderson, Noni Hazlehurst and Lisa McCune, there's already a frisson of anticipation. Deservedly so. Weaving delivers one of the best performances of his career within a uniformly excellent ensemble and a testing story. "It's a film about the pull of the past and the fact that whether you're a rehabilitating heroin addict or an ageing rugby league footballer or even a criminal kingpin, you have to let go of the past in order to live the present," Woods says. [More]

Turgon writes: I'm getting back into the swing of things after a long summer, and here present not one but two new columns for Green Books. These discuss recent work with Tolkien scholars Verlyn Flieger and Anne Petty, covering new scholarship, new Tolkien, and new fiction by each writer! [More]

Ringer Celebriel attended John Noble’s Saturday presentation at Dragon*Con. Many fans don’t know John as well as other principals in the film, and some may think he’s as fearsome as his character Denethor. Nothing could be further from the truth. John is engaging and personable, and both knowledgeable and highly articulate about his craft. He’s also well organized, starting out by giving answers to FAQs and getting them out of the way. [More]

From Empire Online We've just received a communiqué from our man at the Venice Film Festival, Mr Damon Wise, who in between hobnobbing with stars, being shut out of beer tents, and trying to charge his mobile phone, has by some miracle been managing to send us reports of his exploits in the Italian city. He's been lucky enough to get a few words with Elijah Wood, and while he was there to promote Everything Is Illuminated, managed to get his take on the snippet of King Kong that the actor was lucky enough to have been shown recently. [More]

Switz writes: I just discovered that both Sala Baker and Lawrence Makoare are going to be in Chicago at a non-sport card collector's expo at the Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel on Sept. 15, 16, and 17. I know the person who organizes this expo and he has confirmed for me that both Sala and Lawrence will the there. But to be absolutely certain, one needs to check the site before making arrangements to attend. There will be numerous other celebrities there as well, including people from the Star Wars universe, among them Kenny Baker and Daniel Logan. [More]

Catch Elijah Wood on 'The View' today, and tonight you can see 'Flight of the Concords' (featuring everyone's favorite extra, Figwit) on 'Late Night with Conan Obrien' on NBC at 12:35AM EST. Check your local listings to catch 'The View'.

Mary writes: Since the link to my journal of the Elf weekend worked so well, I thought I would point you to my report on 2 days at Dragon*con. I wasn’t there for the whole event, but I did see Bruce Hopkins and John Noble on Sunday. It is currently the top two entries on my blog, “And they said…” and “Call me crazy but…”. [More]

From IGN: Richard Taylor has been working with Peter Jackson since the beginning. From Meet the Feebles to Braindead, Heavenly Creatures and Frighteners, the two formed a successful working relationship that would carry them through a success beyond their wildest imagination. Some were shocked when Peter Jackson was announced as director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Three films, an Oscar, and some two billion plus worldwide gross, it all looks like the perfect choice. The success of the Rings trilogy also put Richard Taylor's WETA effects house on the map. As the group continues to work on Jackson's efforts, including the upcoming King Kong, Taylor and Co. have also been able to branch out to other projects, including another series based on classic works of literature, the Chronicles of Narnia. The first film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe releases on December 9th. WETA has been hard at work on the project for years now and the results coming together are looking quite impressive. [More]

Ravyneyez writes: I just started watching the Toy Story 10th Anniversary DVD that we got for the kids and guess who pops in! PJ! He makes a special appearance in "The Legacy" section of the DVD talking about the movie. It was a nice little bonus to an already fun filled classic! I think I'll watch the bonus disc to see if he shows up there too! [Buy 'Toy Story (10th Anniversary Edition)' at Amazon.com today!]

The stars of the upcoming, highly anticipated fall movie Elizabethtown will be dropping by for a special edition of Live@Much. Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst will be here live Saturday, September 10 @ 4pm ET. Much VJ Devon Soltendieck will be hosting a full hour of exclusive live interview and fans in the studio and across the nation can get in on the action with a chance to ask questions via phone, email, text and Speakers Corner. [More]

By far the biggest release this week is Dominic Monaghan's hit show 'Lost'. Set on a mysterious island (filmed in Hawaii) survivors of a plane crash must struggle to live together amid strange happenings and bizarre circumstances. Watch the mystery unfold in on the first season DVD, complete with goodies like a 'mocumentary' on Dominic 'Charlie' Monaghan's band 'Driveshaft'. [Order 'Lost: The Complete First Season' on Amazon.com today!]

Ringer Celebriel (pictured here with TORn's Jincy) talked with Bruce Hopkins at Dragon*Con about his new projects. In February 2005 Bruce formed indiPact Films, an independent film production company based in Auckland, with partner Amarbir Singh. They aim to produce films with private investment and help further expand the country’s film making base. Their plans also include TV series, commercials, and music videos. Mr. Singh comes from Bombay, India but has lived in New Zealand for eight years. [More]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - For most actors, having two of their films opening within a week of each other could spell career suicide, but for
Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, it is a stroke of good fortune. The roles he plays in "Green St. Hooligans" and "Everything is Illuminated" are vastly different, and Wood, 24, wants his fans to see him as something other than forthright ring-bearing, pointy-ear, fat-footed Hobbit Frodo. [More]

TORN Regular Roheryn sends along more scans from the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. This time looking at Orlando Bloom's latest film 'Elizabethtown'. Take a look! [More]

TORN Regular Roheryn sends along these scans of Viggo Mortensen in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. Take a look! [More]

Emma writes: My apologies for the delayed report – going Edinburgh straight to Toronto, home for a week, then Hooligans premiere (I’m throwing a line party) followed the next day by leaving for Toronto Film Festival – I’m a bit strapped for time! I arrived in time to see the second showing of Billy Boyd’s “On a Clear Day” with a few other fellow travelers who were there early (others came in later that night or the next day). After the movie, we were lucky enough to be able to still get tickets to a talk with the writer, Alex Rose. [More]

NeoDante writes: I just saw this and wanted to make sure you guys knew about it-donations go to Katrina survivors-and Ringers fans may get the chance to meet Elijah Wood. Two Passes to the Premiere and After Party of Everything is Illuminated staring Elijah Wood in NYC on 9/15. Visit charityfolks.com listed under 'The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Auction' page 4.

Current Bid: $750.00
Next Bid: $800.00
Lot Closes: 9/13/2005 6:03:00 PM EST

Ed writes: Hi, I was at the LOTR symphony in Bergen Saturday Sep 3 at the Festplassen (open-air park stage). I am in Norway for 3 weeks and decided to overlap my stay so I could see this concert. This is my fourth time seeing a LOTR symphony. The first was the very first performance by Howard Shore during the Wellington world premier of ROTK back in Dec 2003. Hard to beat that, honestly. And I saw it in Seattle where I live twice. [More]

Janet writes: Tickets are on sale for The ArcLight Hollywood Cinema's midnight screening of Green Street Hooligans on September 9 here. Also, their is a schedule on the official site for other cities/showings of this movie. Go to the site and click on "see the movie" for locations and show times. [More]

Gregory writes: I went to the New Starcon IV in the Netherlands today (newstarcon.com). At this convention celebrities appeared like Erika Eleniak (Baywatch – and her first convention ever!), Robert Englund (Freddy), Adrian Paul (Highlander), Carl Weathers (Predator, Rocky,…), Brian Thompson (X-files, Cobra,…), John Breck (Jeepers Creepers), and quite a few other names from movies and television series. But my main goals of course, were the two LOTR guests attending. Since John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) cancelled at the last minute, only Jed Brophy (Snaga, Sharku, Ringwraith) and Sala Baker (Sauron) were present. [More]

Join us today for Hall of Fire at 2pm EST as we discuss Isildur and Elrond and Cirdan and why Isildur kept the One Ring.

Diane writes: Many Ringers are familiar with the White Tree Fund and its ongoing efforts to raise funds for tsunami relief. They have now broadened the scope of their appeal. [More]

For a movie set in a world of thugs and violence, Green Street Hooligans has a surprising amount of heart. Part of that might be explained by the fact that it's cowritten and directed by a woman, Lexi Alexander, which might not be such a shock, since the film never loses sight of the humans involved in the amazing fight sequences. [More]

Ringers interested in giving money for Hurricane relief can follow these links to donate. Thanks!! redcross.org or give.redcross.org

Ringer spy Celebriel is in Atlanta this weekend for Dragon*Con. Here's her report and photo gallery covering Friday's events. An Evening in Bree, with its costume contest and two incredible sets by Emerald Rose, was the highlight of the day. During the day a lot of Ringers congregated near the Ringers, Lord of the Fans table, where they could chat with Cliff Broadway (Quickbeam), Carlene Cordova, and others involved in the film Sony is releasing in November, and get some new Ringers merchandise. Right across the way was the table for Arms of Middle Earth, which was coordinating the Dragon*Con Parade registration for the Lord of the Rings contingent. There was also a chance to see John Noble (Denethor) interviewed in the opening ceremonies, and to chat with John and Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) in the Walk of Fame area. [More]

Adele writes: Here are scans from the latest Big Issue magazine, August 29 - Sept 4. Big Issue is sold on the streets of Britain by the homeless to help the homeless. [More]

Bergen, Norway will be the venu tonight (September 3rd) for the LOTR symphony performed by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Be sure to click here for more concert dates and locations. [More]

After 'Lord of the Rings', Elijah Wood could have taken the starry Hollywood route. But not this blue-eyed boy. He tells Craig McLean about his plans to launch a radio station, set up a record label, produce films... and even find time for some acting. Deploying his best vernacular British English, and puffing animatedly on one of his funny clove cigarettes, Elijah Wood pronounces himself "gutted". He's just found out that the happening (but still fairly underground) Glasgow band Sons & Daughters are playing a semi-secret show in Edinburgh at 7pm. "And I have to go to a premiere at 7.30," he grumbles, good naturedly. [More]

MrCere writes: ATLANTA - TheOneRing.net and KongIsKing.net is right in the middle of the action of a typical hot and heavy opening day of Dragon-Con. KiKn (appropriately) kicked off the show's opening at 1 p.m. with an advanced look at Peter Jackson's King Kong. [More]

Ringer spy Chris from pbase.com sends along these images from TORN's latest convention ELF: Weekend of Wonder, held last month in Orlando, Florida. You can also check out Mary's report of the event. Stay tuned for this weekends DragonCon images!

Actor Elijah Wood has landed the role of a young Iggy Pop in a new movie but he's terrified about portraying the outrageous punk icon. Wood will start shooting the top-secret film in 2006 and he admits he's getting more nervous as the start date approaches. [More]

THINGO BAGGINS writes: Things just have not been the same lately. No Lord of the Rings movies to look forward to, no DVD release dates, no extended versions, no new sound tracks, no new TOPPS collector cards sets, no exciting Hobbit announcement. Then, Side Show Toys announced it’s last LotR piece…Jackson as a Corsair. It was like a huge, heavy door shut with a deep thud. [More]

Why on (Middle-)earth was Isildur allowed to keep the One Ring?

Long ago, Sauron wreaked havoc upon Middle-earth. After Celebrimbor first created his rings of power, Sauron forged his own - intent on domination. He took Celebrimbor's rings and used them to seduce nine kings of men to his side and to attempt to corrupt seven dwarven lords. Laying waste to Eregion, he pursued Elrond, who established Rivendell as a stronghold and shelter.

His war of domination was only thwarted by the power of Numenor. [More]