A few more photos of Elijah Wood & Viggo Mortensen have popped up online from the Toronto International Film Festival. We are still on the lookout for Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Ian McKellen...more coming soon! [More]

Sala Baker & Lawrence Makoare are set to join some other cool folks at the non-sport card collector's expo at the Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel. Other guests include Bondgirls Lana Wood & Maud Adams, Ray Park, Noel Neill (one of the original Lois Lanes), Peter Mayhew, Richard Kiel, Kane Hodder, Mark Goddard & Kenny Baker. [More]

Meghan, Online Community Manager for The Lord of the Rings Online writes: This week, we've posted three new Q4 calendar wallpapers on The Lord of the Rings Online site. We also revised the Q3 wallpapers to remove the calendars and make them general purpose. We have some exciting stuff lined up for the next few weeks, so stay tuned! [More]

From IGN: September 15, 2005 - Actor Liev Schreiber, probably best known for his roles in the Scream trilogy and The Manchurian Candidate, makes his screenwriting and directorial debut with Everything is Illuminated, a film based on author Jonathan Safran Foer's semi-autobiographical/semi-fictionalized account of his journey to Ukraine to investigate the history of his holocaust survivor grandfather. Elijah Wood stars in this offbeat mixture of comedy and drama as Jonathan, an American who hires native Ukrainians Alex (Eugene Hutz) and Alex's Grandfather (Boris Leskin) to be his guides on his trip, ultimately leading to many realizations and changes for all three men. Schreiber, Wood and Hutz all took part in the recent press day for Everything is Illuminated and IGN FilmForce was there. [More]

TORONTO - Frodo Baggins is on another road trip involving a ring, his fellowship this time not elves, dwarfs and wizards but a foul-mouthed old Ukrainian, his America-obsessed grandson and a deranged dog. Elijah Wood, who starred as hobbit Frodo in the monumental "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, leads the cast of "Everything Is Illuminated," a simultaneously rollicking and sober road flick about a young American in search of the woman who saved his Jewish grandfather during the Nazi invasion in Ukraine. [More]

Colleen writes: I don't know if this has already been brought to your attention, but Sean Astin is one of several celebrities who have recorded PSAs for the Humane Society of the United States rescue efforts in Mississippi and Louisiana. Go to www.hsus.org and click on the story slugged "Star Power". You can watch the PSA by clicking on the picture of Sean Astin. Local Stations have to REQUEST this PSA, so call or email your local TV stations to encourage them to run these spots!

Peter Jackson's restored version of the only film taken of the Anzacs at Gallipoli in 1915 will have its New Zealand premiere at a documentary film festival in Auckland and Wellington today/tomorrow. The film Heroes of Gallipoli screens at the DOCNZ Documentary Film Festival in Auckland from September 15 and in Wellington from September 29. Jackson, a World War I buff, approached the Australian War Memorial two years ago to see if technology developed by Weta Digital could be used to restore archival film. [More] [docnzfestival.com]

Today brings a double-whammy of exciting news! Watch the brand new RINGERS trailer in full glory then pre-order your copy from Amazon.com! Prepared and edited by the director herself, click and enjoy the trailer for the award-winning documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, narrated by Dominic Monaghan. Both Windows Media and Real formats are online (hopefully Quicktime will be available soon). Click here to access the Sony RINGERS page and then choose "Trailers and Clips" to watch all the hobbity goodness! [Trailer]

CULVER CITY, Calif. (September 12, 2005) – This November 22, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) invites you to return to the Shire with the release of the feature-length documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, direct to DVD. In association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, Carlene Cordova produced, directed and wrote this award-winning film with executive producer Tom DeSanto (X-Men, X2: X-Men United and Transformers), which charts the incredible influence and ripple-effect that Lord of the Rings has had on worldwide pop culture over the past five decades. Whether you are a fan or first timer, critics agree, RINGERS, stands as the most comprehensive film documenting the ongoing impact of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary achievement. [Pre-Order 'Ringers']

Watch the trailer here!

Ian Collier, Tolkien Society Publicity Officer writes: After a very succesful event this summer with 750 people attending "Tolkien 2005: The Ring Goes Ever On" the Tolkien Society holds its annual gathering Oxonmoot on a smaller scale this weekend 16-18 September at St Peter's College, Oxford. There will be papers, a quiz, a party and of course Enyalië, the ceremony of remembrance on Sunday. Booking is still open and details can be found here. [More]

Rosie writes: Andy Serkis has been confirmed to attend Collectormania G-Mex in Manchester, UK on 11th and 12th February next year! [More]

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)- This September may be the most important month in 24-year-old Elijah Wood's career. The young actor, industry-savvy enough to know that he'll eternally be Frodo the Hobbit for millions upon millions of moviegoers, hits theaters in his first two leading roles since the conclusion of the "Lord of the Ring" trilogy. After taking supporting roles in quirky studio films like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Sin City," the former child star is front and center for both "Green Street Hooligans" (opening in limited release on Sept. 9) and "Everything Is Illuminated" (opening limited Sept. 16 and expected to go wider). [More]

Amy writes: Members of the Lómelindi Smial of the Tolkien Society, the LOTR Tennessee Fellowship, and the Nashville Ringers will join together on September 22 for a Baggins Birthday Bash at 6pm at Mulligan's in Nashville, TN. Mathoms will be shared and toasts will be made in honor of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. [More]

Everyone's favorite extra Figwit will be on 'The Late Late Show' tonight with his band 'Flight of the Concords'. The Late Late Show airs at 12:35AM on CBS. Set those VCRs/TiVos!

Sean Bean & Elijah Wood have joined Orlando Bloom & Viggo Mortensen at the Toronto International Film Festival, each are there to promote a new movie. Set to join them soon are Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Ian McKellen. Take a look at the photos we have for you so far. [More]

Today is Ian Holm's birthday! Sir Ian was born on September 12th, 1931 in Goodmayes, Essex, England. That makes him 74 years old! Happy Birthday Ian!

David Lenander writes: SUNDAY, Sept. 25, the Rivendell Group of The Mythopoeic Society and The Minnesota Tolkien Society will assemble at the home of Margaret Gates to celebrate the birthdays of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins. This is the same home that we've celebrated the party at for some years--but this year we will have to celebrate without host Richard (Dick) Gates, who died last month. I suggested moving the party, but Margaret (my mother) felt that it would be good for her to keep to this tradition, and remembered that Richard always enjoyed having the Hobbit partiers visit his home. [More]

Karl Urban rumoured for James Bond screentest in latest net hype. The latest IGN rumour round-up throws a new name in to the ring: Karl Urban. According to the site, Karl Urban is now said to be a serioius contender after "The Final Four". Urban was cast in the second Jason Bourne film as an assassin. While darkly handsome, he's a bit elfish-looking for Bond according to IGN. [More]

TORONTO — A greeting fit for rock stars awaited the cast of Cameron Crowe's latest film Elizabethtown at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hundreds of screaming fans had waited for up to 14 hours to secure their spot along the red carpet when the film had its North American premiere Saturday night. [More]

Cate Blanchett will make her directorial debut during the Sydney Theatre Company's season next year. The Oscar-winning star has agreed to direct a theatre double-bill with her scriptwriter husband, Andrew Upton, who will also debut as a director. Blanchett will direct A Kind Of Alaska, a play by Harold Pinter about a woman who awakes from a 29-year coma convinced she is 16. [More]

Images of Viggo Mortensen and Orlando Bloom at the Toronto International Film Festival have popped up online. Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean and Ian McKellen are also slated to make appearances. Can you say LOTR reunion party? [More]

His star sure hasn't faded. Not yet, at least. Which can only mean the screams for Orlando Bloom's red-carpet entrance at the Elizabethtown gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall tonight will be as loud and intense as ever. Bloom will attend the Toronto International Film Festival premiere with writer/director Cameron Crowe and actress Kirsten Dunst. But most of the teen-crush yelping will be reserved for Bloom, who's bound to get lots of attention tomorrow night as well, when he drops by the Kate Hudson-hosted One X One charity benefit at the Distillery District. [More]

Ringer Caoil writes: I wondered if you could publicize the Birthday Party we're having in honour of Bilbo and Frodo, on September 24th. Ringers in the Lower Mainland of BC (Vancouver and environs) are congregating in the evening, on Saturday, September 24th at a small pub in New Westminster. More Ringers are absolutely welcome - email for more information. Costumes are going to be optional!

Folks living in and around Toronto may want to stop by the MuchMusic studios today before 3pm. Orlando Bloom and the ever lovely Kirsten Dunst will be there live to answer your questions. [More]

This weekend, Hall of Fire returns to discussing the Silmarillion. Chapter 12 -- Of Men -- begins with the Valar withdrawing more and more from Middle-earth and its inhabitants, both elves and Men. Why is Ulmo -- perhaps the one least suited to the task -- the only one who seems to care? Does this seem like a wise move? If the Valar were at all interested in the Children of Ilúvatar, why do they they turn away and leave them to Morgoth?

Could it be that the Valar themselves are weakening, and less capable of intervening in Middle Earth except as allies? Or having been burnt in trying to befriend the Elves, are they simply wary of the greater pitfalls that may await if they are to meddle with the fate of the more mysterious Second Children? [More]

NEWS FLASH! Pre-Orders For Award-Winning Documentary RINGERS!

The wait is finally over for a worldwide audience eager to see the groundbreaking documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, narrated by Dominic Monaghan and released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment -- Pre-orders for both DVD and PSP format start on Amazon.com next Monday for U.S. and Canada (so be here for a special TORn announcement on Sept. 12th!). A film that has become a growing sensation since January, RINGERS tells the story of 50 years of Tolkien’s influence on popular culture. Audiences found the next “LOTR” film they’ve been craving as RINGERS blew the roof off the Slamdance Film Festival, going on to win Outstanding Achievement Feature Documentary at the Newport Beach Film Festival and then getting snapped up for worldwide distribution by Sony (to be released in late November 2005)! [More]

Peter Klassen writes: On 10th September, the Russian fan-made parody of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy will be released on DVD for purchase worldwide. The project which originated from the Russian LotR website "Henneth-Annun", was created in three years of work, each part following after Peter Jackson's theatrical releases of LotR. The project was realised uncommercially, and the total budget of $5000 (for the whole trilogy!) as well as costumes and props were brought up by enthusiasts and supporters from the forum. [More]

Watch this space for some great 'RINGERS' news coming soon!

Ringer Celebriel attended the Dragon*Con Sunday panel on "Ringers: Lord of the Fans" with filmmakers Cliff Broadway and Jeff Marchelletta. This, the last of their three panels at Dragon*Con, focused directly on the development and forthcoming release of the film. Cliff mentioned that, while "Ringers" is being released on DVD, it is possible there will be theatrical screenings in key markets, which will generate interest in the film (and provide opportunity for line parties and other Ringer events!). The panel opened with a rousing performance by Emerald Rose, whose music is featured on the soundtrack. (There may be a film soundtrack album in the future as well.) [More]

With her ethereal voice, Hayley Westernra seems so much a part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy that Middle Earth would sound empty without her. FARIDUL ANWAR FARINORDIN talks to this best-selling artiste. IF elf king Lord Elrond from The Lord of the Rings trilogy had a female singer in his enchanted kingdom of Rivendell, she would possess Hayley Westernra’s magical voice. It was her angelic voice and ethereal-sounding falsetto range that prompted music composer Howard Shore to feature her in The Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra and Chorus’ concert series in the United States and Canada last year. [More]

From our friends at dvdanswers.com: Universal has announced a director's cut release of The Frighteners which stars Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, John Astin and Jeffrey Combs. This single-disc special edition will be available to own from the 29th November this year, and should set you back around $26.98. I'm afraid we have no word on the extra material for this one yet, but we can confirm the feature runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. The film itself will be presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. The set itself will include over four hours of material, produced by Peter Jackson himself. [Pre-Order 'The Frighteners (Director's Cut)' on Amazon.com today!]

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. - Hardin County will host the first U.S. screening of "Elizabethtown," director Cameron Crowe's nod to his Kentucky roots. The film, starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst, will debut at an invitation-only screening on Sept. 17 at Movie Palace in Elizabethtown, WQXE-FM in Elizabethtown reported Friday. Bloom plays Drew, whose father dies while visiting family in Kentucky. While flying home, he meets Dunst's character Claire, an airline hostess. [More]

Elijah Wood, who starred as the hobbit Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, told SCI FI Wire he was disappointed that he couldn't coordinate a surprise cameo of hobbits for Jackson's next epic, King Kong. "I think that early on we had conceived of maybe trying to get the hobbits out there, maybe Billy [Boyd], Dom [Monaghan] and myself to try and do some kind of cameo: get stomped on by a giant foot or something or maybe even dressed as hobbits way in the background or something," said Wood, who is traveling with director Liev Schreiber at the Toronto International Film Festival promoting his latest little film, Everything Is Illuminated. "We never got to do it, because Dom was super busy on Lost, and Billy has been working," Wood said in an interview. "So we couldn't coordinate schedules to do it." [More]

Keith writes: Sean Astin Will Appear On the National Telethon "Shelter From the Storm: A Concert For The Gulf Coast" tonight (Friday September 9) at 5pm-6pm PDT/8-9pm EDT.

Celebriel writes: The Saturday morning parade through the streets of downtown Atlanta, now in its fourth year, is a popular event among all convention attendees, drawing a large contingent of Ringers as well as fans of Star Wars, Star Trek, pirates, and many other book, film, and game franchises. Several thousand other Dragon*Con attendees and Atlanta locals fill the streets, cheering and photographing each contingent. [More]