The Argentine Tolkien Society is proud to announce its 5th Annual Tolkien Convention; this time dubbed "Tolkien Latino 2004 – West of the Moon, East of the Sun" and the first one to host members of all Latin American Tolkien Societies and to welcome members of all international Tolkiendili communities. The convention will take place in Buenos Aires on October 9-10. The ATA has formed a special commission to help foreign visitors organize a trip to the country "taking care of travel and accomodation issues and assuring the warmest welcome and assistance throughout the entire time of their stay." What a great way to visit a country! [More]

Tauremorna writes: Christopher Lee will be signing copies of Jinnah (DVD Ł19.99) and The Dark Secret (CD Ł14.99) at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2 H 8JR Tel: 020 7420 3666, on Monday 27th September 5-6pm. Please note that Christopher Lee will only be signing Jinnah and The Dark Secret and no other film or TV related items. [forbiddenplanet.com] [mightyrhapsody.com]

The folks from ABC write: We've got some info here for ABC's Lost, including clip and 4 images, if you're interested in using any of it on The One Ring. The show has Dominic Monoghan as one of the stars. The following is the clip for ABC's Lost in both Quicktime and Windows media (in High, Low and Medium resolution).

From J.J. Abrams, the creator of Alias, comes an action-packed adventure about a group of 48 survivors, stranded on an island after a tragic plane crash. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain. But the intense howls of the mysterious creatures stalking the jungle fill them all with fear. Fortunately, thanks to the calm leadership of quick-thinking Jack and level-headed Kate, they have hope. But even heroes have secrets, as the survivors will come to learn. [QT High] [QT Low] [Windows Media High] [Windows Media Med] [Windows Media Low]

Asphodel the PR Hobbit writes: The Ohio Ring Council (ORC) is proud to announce that we will be celebrating the birthdays of our favorite hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, at our version of the Long Expected Party in Canal Winchester, Ohio on Saturday, September 18th. Details and directions are available at ohioringcouncil.com. [More]

Today is Bruce Spence's birthday! Bruce, who plays the as-yet-unseen Mouth of Sauron in ROTK, was born on September 17th, 1945 in Auckland, New Zealand. That makes him 59 today! Happy Birthday Bruce!

Our pathway to archery is lit by luminaries. For some, the iconic bowman is Robin Hood -- especially as portrayed on film by a jolly Errol Flynn in 1938 (don't bother with Kevin Costner's dour, stilted, 1991 version). For others, it's famed hunter and bowyer Fred Bear, clad in his trademark flannel shirt and snap-brim fedora. But for today's youngsters, the lead image is a flaxen-haired elf, nimble, calm and deadly accurate -- whether firing arrows in rapid succession or even a pair of shafts simultaneously. [More]

Narwen writes For the Narnia fans, Barnes and Noble University is having a "Chronicles of Narnia" course starting October 4th. [More]

"The dragon is coming or I am a fool!" he cried. "Cut the bridges! To arms! To arms!" Thus the people of the lake-town, Esgaroth, are warned of their approaching doom. As Smaug vents his fury on these innocent villagers, it seems that nothing can save them from the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities. But things are never quite as bad as they seem. [More]

If you haven't been keeping up with the amazing events taking place at our sister site KongisKing.net, you might want to start! Peter Jackson is keeping fans of King Kong up to date, on an almost daily basis, with short 2-3 minute videos behind the scenes on the production. These videos are premiereing only on KongisKing.net and as far as I can tell, the first time a Director (and his cast/crew) has been so forthcoming and inclusive with his fanbase. [Click Here]

Rasputin the Evil Balrog writes: I was checking up on the official site for the new film production of Peter S. Beagle's "Last Unicorn" today, and I saw that they've announced Kiwi Geoff Murphy as the director. He was the Second Unit director on LOTR, and now he'll be directing Christopher Lee as King Haggard. Can't wait for this film! [More]

The Lord of the Rings has become synonymous with the breathtaking New Zealand landscape thanks to the enormous success of the film trilogy. The world of Tolkien’s imagination, however, was much closer to home. In There and Back Again, Mathew Lyons explores Tolkien’s true inspiration for Middle Earth, England. [More] [TORN Bookstore]

Karl Urban, who played the assassin in "The Bourne Supremacy," will star in "Doom" for Universal Pictures. The video game adaptation is being directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, with Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and John Wells producing. "Doom" was written by Dave Callaham. Urban will play John Grimm, the leader of a special ops team that is at the center of the futuristic action-adventure film. When dealing with alien demons, he is forced to cross paths with the organization responsible for his parents' deaths. Production is slated to begin late next month, with an Aug. 5 release planned. [More]

TORN Digital presents a first ever behind-the-scenes look at the 'Return of the One Party' preparations on Oscar night. TORN's party was called 'the place to be' by the Hollywood Reporter and other publications the day after. Follow the links below to take a look at how it came together, and watch as the gates finally open and fans begin to celebrate! [More]

Suzanne & Garfeimao send along these images from Dominic Monaghan's appearance at Disneyland, CA for the premiere of 'Lost'. Take a look! [More]

Ostadan writes: Chris Gilson, editor of the Elvish linguistic journal Parma Eldalamberon, has sent out the following announcement that should be of interest to many TORNfolk. Copies of _Parma Eldalamberon_ issue #12 are available again. This issue contains the complete "Qenya Lexicon" by J. R. R. Tolkien,edited by Christopher Gilson, Carl F. Hostetter, Patrick Wynne and Arden R. Smith. [More]

The folks from Houghton Mifflin write: Houghton Mifflin will be touring renowned Tolkien illustrators Alan Lee and Ted Nasmith throughout the U.S. this fall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. publication of The Lord of the Rings and the publication of a new edition of The Silmarillion. [More]

In all secrecy the folks behind the party that is Ring*Con 2004 have announced some new guests as well as some interesting information on how to aquire autographs. New in the lineup for the event in Bonn, Germany this October are Lawrence Makoare and Thomas Robbins. They join amongst others Craig Parker, John Noble and Billy Boyd. Head over to their website for more and see you there! [Ring*Con 2004]

Vincent writes: I live in The Hague and last week with some friends I attended 'The Lord of the Rings in Concert' in Amsterdam, with of course Christopher Lee starring as the narrator! It was a great evening - both fun and moving. Here is a short summary. [More] [Gallery 1] [Gallery 2]

djdeathskiss writes: I was lucky enough to get tickets to the world premiere of Orlando's new film 'Haven', at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 11th, and got a few photos too. Here is a synopsis of the film, from the TIFF site. [More]

The only spell required to get Gandalf into Saturday night's Fringe Festival performance of Charles Ross' One Man Lord of the Rings was a pre-purchased ticket. In 2002, Sir Ian McKellen, the actor who played the wizard in the film version of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy, was denied entry into the show when he arrived late. [More]

From Stuff.co.nz: When the Lord of the Rings director went to meet the press at the King Kong launch earlier this month, he arrived without his trademark purple shirt, owlish glasses, khaki shorts and scruffy hairdo. [More]

From the South Bend Tribune: He swings and stabs his sword toward his encircling attackers, sneering as he swiftly dispatches each one before adjusting his long locks and swaggering off with a smirk. Jim Hall is playing the part of Arrogant the Stranger in the spoof film "Dork of the Rings," and he is enjoying himself. [More]

Xoanon and leo have been working double time to bring you the most extensive archive of King Kong information on the 'net. Go check it out now! [More]

Irascian writes: "I had an email on Friday telling me that Sean Astin’s book, "There and Back Again – an Actor’s Tale," had shipped... so I guess it might be worth mentioning that Sean’s book, recounting his experiences in making the three movies, is now officially on sale (I believe the official publication date, in the UK at least, is today)"

Ringer Spy REZ tells us that Dominic Monaghan's upcoming series, 'Lost,' was previewed in this weekend's New York Times. (Site requires free registration) [More]

Ringer Spy T writes in with the information that the Sunday cartoon of "Sheldon" featured a reference to LOTR collectors. [More]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Time Warner Inc. said Monday it would no longer pursue film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Inc., saying the entertainment companies failed to reach an agreement on price. "Although MGM is a valuable asset, we have decided to withdraw our bid," Dick Parsons, chief executive of Time Warner, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Time Warner could not reach agreement with MGM at a price that would have represented a prudent use of our growing financial capacity." [More]

Garfeimao writes: I spent the weekend at Disneyland this weekend, and with the heat and long hours involved, I'm surprised I'm still vertical. Anyhow, here is a review of the Q&A session today and the screening of the Pilot episode that followed a few hours later. Let's start at the beginning of the weekend. [More]

As announced a couple of weeks ago, TORn will hold their annual Los Angeles Baggins Birthday Picnic on Sunday September 19th, from noon to 6pm, in Griffith Park next to the Merry-Go-Round! [More]

Hélčne writes: Viggo Mortensen is here filming his new movie "The History of Violence". Unfortunately I didn't get a copy of the paper that day or I'd send in a scan. Toronto is also hosting a movie festival at the moment and the article states that Orlando Bloom is in town for that. Maybe they'll hang out together for a bit? Toronto has lots of stars here for the festival. They have a website for anyone wanting to check it out. [More]

Celebriel reports that one must-attend session for Ringers at Dragon*Con 2004 was The Road Goes Ever Onward, a preview of The Return of the King Extended Edition presented by staffers Balin, WeeTanya and Mr. Cere on Saturday and Monday. !!!SPOILERS!!! [More]

Jon-Paul writes: Thought you might like to mention on your news page that the Shore/Walsh/Lennox composition from ROTK "Into the West" has been covered by a New Zealand based Russian teenage pop/opera sensation "Yulia". Her debut album, aptly titled "Into the West" is released in NZ tomorrow, Mon Sept 13, and her official website has a full length WMA audio stream of "Into the West" in the "Music" section. [More]

Lovely Lembas writes: There is a Lord of the Rings movie marathon being held on Saturday the 18th of September at the Astor theatre in Melbourne, Australia. It starts at 12.00pm and costs $15 a ticket for all three films, $12 for the last two films and $10 for the last film. More information can be found at astor-theatre.com. Buying tickets through Ticketek gives you preferred seating but incurs a booking fee. Hoping to see lots of Aussie LOTR fans there to make it a great day!!

AZ Telcontar writes: MAD TV had a great parody sketch of Family Feud. The contestants? 'Cold Mountain' vs...LOTR! You can view a clip of the sketch here. [More]

Elen writes: A fellow ringer sent me this LOTR-themed Beatle Baily comic. [More]

Today is Ian Holm's birthday! Ian was born on September 12th, 1931 in Goodmayes, UK. That makes him 73 years old today! Happy birthday Ian!

Choice of Lzthien writes: I just got back from the FSF convention in Sydney that had three LOTR guests--John Rhys-Davies, John Noble and Noel Appleby (Proudfoot). It was a great event. Here's a report on their talks. [More]

Dominic Monaghan is scheduled to appear at the "ABC Primetime Preview Weekend" at Disneyland's Californian Adventure (in Anaheim, CA, right next to Disneyland) today. He is there to promote his upcoming Fall show on ABC, "Lost". [More]