Go back to Main News Archives


September 04, 2004 - September 10, 2004

News for Sep. 10, 2004

GAMING: New 'Third Age' Video Online!

9/10/04, 10:35 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Joe writes: There is a new video on the official site for The Third Age. It's called "From Silence to Cinematics" and is about the audio effects of the game. It's also got some great new game footage! [More] [Gaming Havens]

Ringfest 2005 Announced

9/10/04, 10:28 pm EST - Xoanon

The folks from autographmania write: We are very happy to announce Ringfest 2005 which will take place in Chicago 8/9/10 April 2005. The event will cover all aspects of the Movies and Tolkien world, with guests from the movies, authors, workshops, trade stands, displays, dinner with the actors, parties and much more, more information can be found by going to www.autographmania.com

Vote for Aussie Favorite Book

9/10/04, 10:21 pm EST - Xoanon

Dwarrowdell writes: ABC in Australia are holding a favourite book poll, Aussie ringers may like to vote for LOTR at here! [More]

'Lord of the Rings' exhibit will visit the Midwest

9/10/04, 8:10 pm EST - Xoanon

Middle Earth is coming to the Midwest -- though it's going to take awhile to arrive. Indiana State Museum officials announced Thursday that the museum will open "The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy -- The Exhibition" on Oct. 6, 2005. The touring show features original costumes, jewelry and hundreds of other props, as well as activities based on the blockbuster film series. [More]

Cate: Sexy Down Under

9/10/04, 12:44 pm EST - Xoanon

Phil writes: Thought you might like a scan of a recent copy of "the (sydney) magazine". There is very little text inside about Cate but she was voted the sexiest person in Sydney! [More]

Emerald Rose Dragon*Con Photos

9/10/04, 12:40 pm EST - Xoanon

The folks from Emerald Rose write: We had a great time playing at Bree. It was a very fun party! We also had a lot of hobbit-folk coming to our shows on the concourse. It was a blast - wish you could have made it. Emerald Rose has posted some photos from the Evening at Bree party at DragonCon 04. Feel free to copy it to the One Ring files, but please give credit to our photographer, Donna Governor. [More]

Bruce Hopkins visits Long Beach School

9/10/04, 12:37 pm EST - Xoanon

Robin writes: Attached is the newspaper article in yesterday's Long Beach Press Telegram about Bruce Hopkin's visit and wonderful day at Grant Elementary School in Long Beach, and a few photos. [More]

Utah Lord of the Rings Symphony Gala

9/10/04, 12:25 pm EST - Xoanon

Amka writes: Tickets for this costume encouraged charity dinner and evening at the Lord of the Rings Symphony have gone on sale to the public. Dinner will at one of Salt Lake City's premier restaurants. Seating is limited, so hurry and get your ticket! [More]

Hall Of Fire Chats This Weekend

9/10/04, 9:18 am EST - Demosthenes

The question of questions. The question sages have pondered for decades. The question that has overturned book club meetings and caused riots on message boards. The Question of the Ages. No, it's not 'What's the Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything?'. Nor is it 'Who shot JR?'. It's not even 'Where's the beef?'. Instead, we are going to ponder the imponderable, ask the unanswerable, seek that which has eluded both the wise and the extremely geeky: Who is the greatest Hero of Middle-earth? [More]

News for Sep. 09, 2004

Promo Images from 'Spivs'

9/09/04, 7:37 pm EST - Xoanon

Promo Images from 'Spivs' The folks from Carnaby Films sent along these promo images and a few details on Dominic Monaghan's latest film, 'Spivs'. 'SPIVS stars Ken Stott (King Arthur) in a tour de force performance as Jack, a gentleman among thieves in London's East End. Together with his accomplices Steve (Nick Moran - Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Jenny (Kate Ashfield - Shaun of the Dead) Jack conducts intricate scams that con money out of the hands of villains (who probably got it illegally anyway). No one gets hurt, no swindle takes too long, and everybody's happy (except for those duped of course). That is until the elegant con artist finds himself lumbered with dodgy goods that he didn't really expect, in the shape of two illegal immigrant children.' [More] [spivsthemovie.com]

Miranda Otto Joins Collectormania Con

9/09/04, 7:28 pm EST - Xoanon

Miranda Otto has joined an ever growing list of stars attending Collectormania 6 in Milton Keynes UK being held on the 1st to the 3rd in October. She joins Billy Boyd, Thomas Robins, Nathaniel Lees, Royd Tolkien & Bob Anderson. You can also catch other interesting folks like Carrie Fisher, Nicholas Brendon, Brent Spiner, 'The Troika', Walter Koenig and many others! [More]

TORN Regular Takes Blue Ribbon at Dragon Con

9/09/04, 7:21 pm EST - Xoanon

TORN Regular Takes Blue Ribbon at Dragon Con Altaira writes: Goldilocks Took, a regular on the TORN message boards, took first place in the amateur division of the Dragon*Con 2004 Art Show this past weekend. Goldilocks’ watercolor “Iorhael (Frodo)” was selected by a panel of judges out of over 200 entries. [More]

Tolkien Event in Hawaii

9/09/04, 2:59 pm EST - Xoanon

Isilnáriën writes: Attention Hawaii Ringers! There will be a party of special magnificence on Sunday September 26th: FRODO & BILBO'S BIRTHDAY BASH! Hosted by Tol Andúnë, the Hawaii Chapter of the Tolkien Society, there will be contests, games, songs, and of course, eating (no host lunch) at the Yum Yum Tree Restaurant in Ward Center from 2-4 PM. Hobbit attire (elves, dwarves, and wizards also welcome) For additional information contact us via our website. [More]

Sony: Still in Negotiations to Buy MGM

9/09/04, 2:58 pm EST - Xoanon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony Corp said on Wednesday it was still in talks to buy the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. film studio, which is also talking to Time Warner Inc. Sony's chief financial officer, Katsumi Ihara, said in a speech to investors in Tokyo that he could not go into details but that talks were continuing, a Sony spokesman who was present said. [More]

ROTK Street Date Correction

9/09/04, 2:55 pm EST - Xoanon

From New Line Cinema writes: There is an error that Video Store magazine ran in their current issue and they are printing a retraction next week. If you could kindly pull the Celebriel post and note this retraction we would be most grateful! Thanks!

'World Without Sundays' on Ringers

9/09/04, 1:57 pm EST - Xoanon

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA -- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004 -- Los Angeles-based quartet World Without Sundays has breathed new life into the most derided song in the entire cannon of Rankin/Bass animation: "Where There's a Whip, There's a Way." Sung by an army of bellowing Orcs in the 1980 adaptation of The Return of the King, the tune has since achieved cult-status among Ringer enthusiasts as a guilty pleasure. The producers of RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS asked World Without Sundays to update "Where There's a Whip" with their signature electro-rock sound, and the band soon emerged from the studio with a stunning, dramatic version that is part Radiohead, part Prodigy, and more genuine protest song than ever before. [More]

News for Sep. 08, 2004

More Dragon*Con Images

9/08/04, 8:35 pm EST - Xoanon

Dragon*Con 2004 Images Celebriel and Fiver's Husband send along even more images from Dragon*Con 2004, held in Atlanta last weekend. Take a look and some great costumes, the parade, and a freaky looking Gollum! [More] [Dragon*Con 2004 Gallery]

Howard Shore UK Concert: Tickets Going Fast!

9/08/04, 8:04 pm EST - Xoanon

Tickets are still available for the September 23rd Howard Shore concert at the Royal Albert Hall (the September 22nd date is SOLD OUT). This is an amazing venue to catch this concert, certainly NOT to be missed! Tickets can be purchased through the Box Office: 020 7589 8212, or visit purchase.tickets.com.

Bloom: Sexiest Man Alive

9/08/04, 7:51 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Spy Celebriel writes: Orlando Boom graces the cover of the October 2004 TeenPeople as the winner of their "50 Sexiest Guys Ever" contest. In addition to Pirates of the Caribbean, upcoming Orlando films are The Kingdom of Heaven, now in post-production, and Elizabethtown, currently filming. As an aside, the magazine's young teen readership (mostly age 10-16) skews the results. How else to explain poll results in which Johnny Depp comes in 50th, and Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, and David Wenham don't even make the list?!

Ian Holm Radio Interview

9/08/04, 7:47 pm EST - Xoanon

Lisa writes: Thought you might like to know that Ian Holm did an interview on Ireland's 'The Gerry Ryan Radio Show' on Wednesday Sept 8th. He spoke about filming Lord of the Rings for a few minutes at the start of the piece which was publicity for his new autobiography. It's possible to hear the request the interview here. [More]

Make that 800 Hours of Footage

9/08/04, 4:38 pm EST - Tehanu

Film maker Costa Botes pointed out a gaffe in my review of his "LOTR Behind the Scenes" documentary. Five years of filming on set produced not 21 hours of footage, as I'd said, but 800 hours, from which he "cut 21 hours comprising 180 stories on every aspect of the production. And from that 21 hours (leavened with extra footage so that anyone who ever did get to see all the 21 hours would still find something fresh) we cut the final three feature length docos." Makes you wish, doesn't it?

ROTK:EE Street Date: December 14th

9/08/04, 1:36 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Spy Celebriel reports that this week's Video Store magazine (9/5 -9/11 2004) contains a 2 page spread confirming the street date for the 4-disc extended edition of Return of the King of December 14. Pre-sell date is September 10. [More]

Lee Reads LOTR Poems in Amsterdam

9/08/04, 1:27 pm EST - Xoanon

Gondowyn writes: Christopher Lee will make an appearance in Amsterdam on September 9th at the music theater "Concertgebouw". Lee will join conductor Jules van Hessen and the Dutch Theater Orchestra in a LOTR concert. The concert will feature parts from the LOTR score, but also LOTR music composed in 1978 by Leonard Rosenman and musical adaptations of Tolkien poems. He will be performing as 'storyteller' in Johan de Meij's "LOTR symphony", and will recite "Treebeard's song" which he recorded earlier with the Tolkien ensemble. [concertgebouw.nl]

Shore Begins work on 'Aviator'

9/08/04, 1:25 pm EST - Xoanon

aragornwriter writes: This is taken from a Belgian newspaper: Howard Shore prefers Belgian Radio Orchestra for score “The Aviator”. After eight executive days of hard work, the Flemish Radio Orchestra has finished taping the score for “The Aviator”, the new movie of the renowned director Martin Scorsese with Leonardo diCaprio. The music is from multiple Oscar winner Howard Shore, who also composed the music for “The Lord of the Rings”. Shore personally directed the recordings that took place in Leuven, Belgium. [More]

The Amazing Hobbiton Race

9/08/04, 1:20 pm EST - Xoanon

Hobbiton Fire! WllmWhtng writes: The American TV show The Amazing Race just went to New Zealand in the last episode, and contestants went Zorbing (a New Zealand adventure sport) down the hills of the Shire at Matamata Farms. Unfortunately the US Open will keep the show from repeating on Saturday evening.

Supercomputer for hire

9/08/04, 1:07 pm EST - Xoanon

Peter Jackson's special effects shop Weta Digital has teamed up with Telecom subsidiary Gen-i to establish a world-class supercomputing facility in Wellington which will be rented out to clients worldwide. The New Zealand Supercomputing Centre, which launches today, ranks 80th on the list of the world's 500 most powerful computers and is the largest supercomputing cluster available for commercial hire in the southern hemisphere, according to the firms. [More]

Boyd to Host 'Free Preview Weekend'

9/08/04, 1:00 pm EST - Xoanon

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Encore Group LLC (Starz) and DIRECTV, Inc. are offering an exclusive free movie weekend to all DIRECTV customers from 9:00 p.m. ET on September 17 to midnight ET September 19. Actor Billy Boyd, who starred as Pippin in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, will be hosting the event. Starz is the exclusive pay television home of all three "The Lord of the Rings" movies. [More]

Tolkien letter's a treasure

9/08/04, 12:55 pm EST - Xoanon

A lost letter from Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien has turned up in the North East. The hand-written note explains some of his thinking behind the novels which have won a new generation of fans after their film successes. The letter turned up on TV's Antiques Roadshow when it was recorded in Haltwhistle and the hand writing was recognised by expert Liz Merryis. [More]

News for Sep. 07, 2004

Production Diary: Day 1

9/07/04, 4:27 pm EST - Xoanon

KongisKing.net

Peter Jackson welcomes you to KongisKing.net! Take a look at the video from PJ down in New Zealand. He stands aside the 'Venture', the ship that will bring Kong to the new world. In front of a massive blue screen and waiting for sunset, PJ gives us an EXCLUSIVE first look at King Kong! [KongisKing.net]

King Kong: Principal Photography Begins!

9/07/04, 10:00 am EST - leo

Monday September 6th marked the first day of principal photography on the set of Peter Jackson's King Kong. The BBC and CNN made mention of it though unfortunately no word from the set, just a collection of quotes and stories from last weeks pressconference. [CNN.com] [BBC.co.uk] Thanks to the folks who sent these in!

News for Sep. 06, 2004

Cincinnati Fireworks Extravaganza goes Geek

9/06/04, 8:59 pm EST - Xoanon

Roheryn writes: Shore's ROTK soundtrack concludes Cincinnati fireworks extravaganza! Cincinnati's annual Labor Day weekend "Riverfest" fireworks extravaganza has just ended in spectacular style with the familiar strains of Howard Shore's LOTR:ROTK soundtrack! One of the biggest and best in the country, this is a half-hour fireworks display shot from barges and bridges on the Ohio River choreographed to an eclectic soundtrack of rock music, big bands, symphony, and sound bites. There are certainly many movements of Shore's soundtrack that would make a wonderful accompaniment to such a show -- worthy of Gandalf! -- and the ROTK piece selected had the honor of being the last few measures heard during the blazing finale. They chose the closing passage of "The Fields of the Pelennor," heard as the Riders of Rohan sweep down to rescue besieged Minas Tirith -- a fitting conclusion indeed!!

A star without hype

9/06/04, 8:57 pm EST - Xoanon

Midway through a co-headlining tour with Sting -- only her second cross-country jaunt since leaving the Eurythmics more than a decade ago -- Scottish singer Annie Lennox is reflecting on fans this side of the pond. "Even though I've done so few live dates, the audiences are there for me," marvels the Grammy- and Oscar-winning vocalist, who'll share the bill with Sting on Wednesday at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre. [More]

Boyd on Scotland Today

9/06/04, 8:55 pm EST - Xoanon

Billy Boyd on the International Film Festival for Children and Young People. The Edinburgh festival season may be over for another year, but if you sre a fan of the cinema, and under four foot tall, there's another festival to keep you going a little longer. Scotland's first International Film Festival for Children and Young People kicked off in Stirling at the weekend. [More]

Howard Shore Heads Back to Ontario

9/06/04, 8:52 pm EST - Xoanon

Rose Gamgee writes: Howard Shore is coming to Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto for his multi-media, six movement Lord of the Rings Symphony concert on June 5 & 6, 2005. He will also be in Kitchener on Saturday, June 4, 2005 at the Centre in the Square.

Tolkien Lecture in Virginia

9/06/04, 8:46 pm EST - Xoanon

Dr. Kristine Larsen writes: Since TORN posts info on Tolkien-related talks, I thought this might be of interest: In developing his imaginary world of Middle-earth, J.R.R. Tolkien included numerous detailed astronomical allusions. Some obviously correspond to objects in the real night sky, while others have puzzled Tolkien scholars for decades. Join us on a tour through the astronomical lore of "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion." Pointy ears and furry feet are welcome, but, as a security precaution, all magic rings must be left at the door. [More]

Lord of the Beans in 2005

9/06/04, 8:41 pm EST - Xoanon

Estelian writes: I just heard an interview on the radio and found out that a well known children's video company called Big Idea, which makes videos called Veggietales, is coming out with a Lord of the Rings parody around Christmas 2005. It will be called Lord of the Beans, starring Earacorn, Legolamb, Randalf, and Toto.

Lord of the Rings: Behind the Scenes

9/06/04, 5:03 pm EST - Tehanu

Costa Botes' documentary on the making of FOTR is the next best thing to being on set yourself and watching the movies being made! Just when you think you couldn't be impressed or surprised any more by anything to do with these films, along comes something like this.[More]

Fellowship Festival: Irascian's Report!

9/06/04, 9:29 am EST - leo

In the midst of all the DragonCon-madness one final report on last weekends Fellowship Festival. Irascian finished summarizing his view on the event, and as always accompanied it with some excellent pictures. Be sure to read it here!

News for Sep. 05, 2004

DragonCon Repart: Day 2

9/05/04, 1:26 pm EST - Xoanon

DragonCon Repart: Day 2 Celebriel writes: Saturday began with a DragonCon favorite, the annual parade from Woodruff Park back to the hotels. Ringers were very well represented, with a large and well organized contingent. Star Wars Storm Troopers led off the parade, a DragonCon tradition, and other popular contingents included Pirates of the Carribbean, Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Anne McCaffrey's Pern. The streets were lined with DragonCon attendees and locals, still and video cameras in hand, cheering the parade participants. [More] [Dragon*Con 2004 Gallery]

Who's Grumpy?

9/05/04, 1:15 pm EST - Xoanon

Bonnie M writes: The September issue of the AARP Bulletin carries an article entitled "Who's Grumpy?!!?" and lists the top 10 Grouches, including our own favorite grouch, Gollum. [More]

Trees for Tolkien & PJ - Part II

9/05/04, 1:11 pm EST - Xoanon

Take a look at another batch of images from the TORNsibs tree planting event in NZ. Delyth and Estelwyn were in Wellington to support their TORNsibs, who raised money and organised a treeplanting, in conjunction with Wellington's Commemorative Tree Programme, to honour LOTR, Tolkien, and Peter Jackson. [More] [Part I]

Howard Shore UK Concert: Tickets Still Available

9/05/04, 12:56 pm EST - Xoanon

Tickets are still available for the September 23rd Howard Shore concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This is an amazing venue to catch this concert, certainly NOT to be missed! Tickets can be purchased through the Box Office: 020 7589 8212, or visit purchase.tickets.com.

GAMING: More "Inside the Battle" Goodness

9/05/04, 12:51 pm EST - Xoanon

Ringer Joe writes: The official site for EA's Battle for Middle Earth now has two new "Inside the Battle" videos, numbers four and five! Volume #4 is called "Building Middle Earth" and is abou the game's building and resource management innovations. Volume #5, which is about the game's revolutionary new interface, is of course called "A New Interface". Both videos show a lot more BME footage. This game just keeps looking better! [More] [Gaming Havens]

TORN EBAY: Gigantic 10x38 ft ROTK Movie Banner!

9/05/04, 12:43 pm EST - Xoanon

Need a Giant Return of the King movie banner? TORn is proud to auction off this 10ft x 38ft banner featuring the ROTK cast. We originally planned to have this banner hanging on the back of the stage at The Return of the One Party, but believe it or not, it was too BIG! If you are interested in owning this gigantic piece, the auction will be open for ten days. Imagine the possibilities... you could hang it on the entire side of your house, apartment or office building. (We suggest asking the property owners first!) Happy bidding and good luck! [More]

Also, Don't forget about TheOneRing.net's exclusive auction for a signed 5x10 Return of the King banner, now taking place at eBay.com! [More]

ROTK Wins Hugo Award

9/05/04, 12:41 pm EST - Xoanon

Garfeimao writes: Head on over to the Worldcon website, the con going on right now in Boston, to see this year's winners of the Hugo Award. ROTK won best Dramatic Long Form presentation, while Gollum's acceptance speech at the MTV awards won the best Short form award. [More]

News for Sep. 04, 2004

Anne Petty at DragonCon: “Tolkien’s Dragons”

9/04/04, 10:28 pm EST - weetanya

“Welcome to Sakuracon!” Tolkien scholar Anne Petty joked at the beginning of today's panel on Tolkien’s Dragons. “I say that because I feel like I’ve been abducted by the anime track. Anime dragons and Tolkien’s dragons are a lot alike, of course. And I am a fan of both anime and Tolkien…” [More]

More DragonCon 2004 Images & Report

9/04/04, 12:13 pm EST - Xoanon

Celebriel writes: Here at DragonCon 18 in Atlanta, the mood is good, the energy is high, and even the orcs are polite. It's not possible to generate enough air conditioning to keep over 17,000 costumed enthusiasts cool, especially those in velvet, leather, or armor. Day One got off to a great start with Jincy is our TORn MC giving an overview of the Tolkien-related conference events, which include a screening of the trilogy. [More]

Dragon*Con Report

9/04/04, 6:00 am EST - maegwen

TORn Staffer WeeTanya checks in with a first report from Dragon*Con 2004, which is taking place this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. [More]

Go back to Main News Archives