THE HOBBIT

[The Vicar]

I'm crazy enough to wait and see it before judging it

Blasphmer!!! Get out the blow torches and wasps!

[Al Shut]

White anglo-saxon protestants?

I do not fear them.

[The Vicar]

White anglo-saxon protestants?

I do not fear them.

In great numbers they can really be a pain in the ass, though. I suggest using .50 cal repellant. IN the spray brand distributor.

[Nachokoolaid]

Good behind the scenes workings of the movie, but I was pretty bored with this one actually.

What? I thought that ending was the best of any of the blogs, going back to the LOTR and KONG. I was rolling laughing when Kiran popped up in that wig, and then it flashed "Coming soon" on the screen. I thought it was great.

[so sorry]

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483133_20608420,00.html

Some new publicity shots on ew.com to gander at.

Nothing to really get overly excited about really. Can't wait for a trailer. And certainly the most anticipated part of these two movie will be Smaug.

[Peven]

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483133_20608420,00.html

Some new publicity shots on ew.com to gander at.

Nothing to really get overly excited about really. Can't wait for a trailer. And certainly the most anticipated part of these two movie will be Smaug.

I am betting we don't see him until the second film, just hear his voice

[so sorry]

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483133_20608420,00.html

Some new publicity shots on ew.com to gander at.

Nothing to really get overly excited about really. Can't wait for a trailer. And certainly the most anticipated part of these two movie will be Smaug.

I am betting we don't see him until the second film, just hear his voice

Oh for sure, that's definelty what's going to happen. Or he'll be high in the sky/barely visible in an opening scene where Thorin is describing the mission to the Lonely Mountain or something like that. That's the hook for the second movie...Smaug is where its at!

[so sorry]

theonering.net's description of the ComicCon sizzle reel

In great detail. Obviously there are spoilers here...

[TheButcher]

‘The Hobbit’ Going For A Trilogy? Say It Isn’t So!

[so sorry]

‘The Hobbit’ Going For A Trilogy? Say It Isn’t So!

Enough already Pete. Go do something else for Christ's sake.

[TheBaxter]

i didn't see anything in Jackson's quote about turning it into a trilogy. he just mentions how he used Tokien's notes to flesh out the existing 2 films. if they did try to stretch this out into 3 films, yeah that would be bad. but there's nothing in that article to suggest it's happening other than "some guy heard something".

[Al Shut]

well, read and weep

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/57247

[TheBaxter]

yeah, that's bad. it wouldn't have been as bad if they'd originally conceived it as a 3-part and written and filmed it that way from the start. but to change midstream and stretch out the 2nd half into two parts just has bad idea written all over it. these movies are going to feel very watered down. but hey, those people who were complaining about not seeing tom bombadil and the scouring of the shire... maybe you'll get your wish!

[so sorry]

yeah, that's bad. it wouldn't have been as bad if they'd originally conceived it as a 3-part and written and filmed it that way from the start. but to change midstream and stretch out the 2nd half into two parts just has bad idea written all over it. these movies are going to feel very watered down. but hey, those people who were complaining about not seeing tom bombadil and the scouring of the shire... maybe you'll get your wish!

I know one person who isn't complaining: the entire country of New Zealand. PJ has probably singly handidly propped up that country's economy for the past 10 years and counting.

[TheBaxter]

yeah, that's bad. it wouldn't have been as bad if they'd originally conceived it as a 3-part and written and filmed it that way from the start. but to change midstream and stretch out the 2nd half into two parts just has bad idea written all over it. these movies are going to feel very watered down. but hey, those people who were complaining about not seeing tom bombadil and the scouring of the shire... maybe you'll get your wish!

I know one person who isn't complaining: the entire country of New Zealand. PJ has probably singly handidly propped up that country's economy for the past 10 years and counting.

the population of new zealand is one?

what happened? did peter jackson eat the rest of them*?










* outdated joke because PJ isn't studly anymore.

[magicmonkey]

FOols , this is awesome news. There shall be more SONG!1!

[Al Shut]

My scepticism about Jackson properly adapting this grows exponentially with the number of movies

[so sorry]

My scepticism about Jackson properly adapting this grows exponentially with the number of movies

X2

[tapehead]

Tom Bombadil stars in Hobbit III: The Wreckoning.

[so sorry]

It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.'
We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.
So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.
It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."
Cheers, Peter J

[Al Shut]

We'll see how this turns out

[SilentBobX]

Here we see Gene Shalit on the right chatting with Martin Freeman while the cast enjoys some hot pockets.

All kidding aside, it's going to be interesting seeing how this all works out. 3 films? Interesting indeed.



Mahalo

[so sorry]

the Hobbit exclusive 3D spectacles

/Elton John Approved/

[TheBaxter]

the Hobbit exclusive 3D spectacles

/Elton John Approved/

looks like they finally figured out a way to make 3D as uncomfortable for the rest of your face as it is for your eyes

[SilentBobX]

the Hobbit exclusive 3D spectacles

/Elton John Approved/

looks like they finally figured out a way to make 3D as uncomfortable for the rest of your face as it is for your eyes

Spot on, Baxter. Those things look as uncomfortable as hell.


Mahalo

[so sorry]

NEW TRAILER!

The sweeping camera shots got tired real fast...

[Al Shut]

I, for one, approve of this

[Fievel]

I read the Hobbit after I saw The Fellowship of the Ring, but before I read the LOTR books, so I have no classic attachment to it - meaning the tonal differences don't affect me one way or the other.
This trailer was a true feeling of sitting in an old favorite chair, putting on an old favorite pair of shoes, or seeing a lengthy post from a long-absent elder Zoner. Very much looking forward to this.

[Bloo]

it's funny, I'm thinking about going to a Ren Fest this weekend (having never been to one...shut up!) and they are doing a Hobbit Day on Saturday. Not really sure what this has to do with the Hobbit Movie, but I thought it was interesting

[magicmonkey]

NEW TRAILER!

The sweeping camera shots got tired real fast...

Word. I went from pretty super excited to OMG, the horror.

[Al Shut]

I'm thinking about going to a Ren Fest this weekend (having never been to one...shut up!)

Nothing wrongh with a Ren Fest

it's an event for Ren & Stimpy fans, right?

[Bloo]

I'm thinking about going to a Ren Fest this weekend (having never been to one...shut up!)

Nothing wrongh with a Ren Fest

it's an event for Ren & Stimpy fans, right?

yes yes it is

[Nachokoolaid]

I break my four month (or whatever) sabbatical from The Zone to say that I REALLY like the trailer for the HOBBIT. Those people complaining that Jackson was going to make it too dark and lose the light hearted tone of the book can now shut the hell up. I really enjoyed the light character moments that seemed to fill the trailer. So stoked for this.

Oh, and hello Zone. It's been too long.

[TheButcher]

From THR:
'The Hobbit:' Inside Peter Jackson and Warner Bros.' $1 Billion Gamble

[so sorry]

Behind the scenes kinda photos

I found this link in a talkback this morning. 150 photos, some just behind-the-scenes makeup stuff, some promotional stills stuff, but its stuff I hadn't seen before (goblins, goblin king).

In particular, photo 118 shows a map of middle earth with some marks on it...I wonder if this map shows us what will be covered in the first film (If so, they will just enter Mirkwood at the end). Which makes sense. Ending the first movie after theescape from the goblins is a good spot to stop.

[Fievel]

So this is it for IMAX theaters showing The Hobbit at the High Frame Rate?

[so sorry]

So this is it for IMAX theaters showing The Hobbit at the High Frame Rate?

My movie theater is on there! I'll let you know how it looks...

[Fievel]

So this is it for IMAX theaters showing The Hobbit at the High Frame Rate?

My movie theater is on there! I'll let you know how it looks...

Lucky bastard! Them's better odds then winning the Powerball!!!

I have a choice to make, and I think it's a choice a lot of people are going to have to make.... IMAX 3D or regular screen HFR 3D....??

[TheBaxter]

doesn't surprise me. considering how expensive it must be to retrofit theaters for that technology for the ONE SINGLE film that's been made that can use it, i'm actually surprised the list isn't smaller.

[TheButcher]

‘Hobbit’: Peter Jackson has ‘absolute belief’ in 48-frame format

When “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” opens in theaters Dec. 14, audiences will have the option of viewing the film in a revolutionary 48 frames per second format — a new projection technique that’s designed to offer viewers a hyper-realistic “immersive” experience, according to director Peter Jackson.

But even he acknowledged that it will probably take a bit for moviegoers to become comfortable with the new technology.

Jackson spoke with Hero Complex contributor John Horn at Comic-Con International in July, just before announcing that the two-film adaptation of “The Hobbit” would become a trilogy. Watch the first part of their conversation above, and look for subsequent installments in the coming days.

In the interview, the filmmaker revealed how he selected the footage that was unveiled at the pop culture expo, describing those scenes as “more character based” while still speaking to the feeling of the story and the tone of the film. He also talked about the decision to screen the early footage at 24 frames per second rather than the new 48 frames per second rate he employed for the shoot.

Jackson had screened 10 minutes of the movie at 48 frames per second in April at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas to mixed reviews.

Jackson said he was frustrated by the reaction but remains a fan of the format, though he acknowledged, “48 frames per second is something you have to get used to. I’ve got absolute belief and faith in 48 frames … it’s something that could have ramifications for the entire industry. ‘The Hobbit’ really is the test of that.”

As for what moviegoers can expect from the first of the three films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved tale, Jackson said, “‘I’ve always tried to make movies that pull the audience out of their seats. … I want audiences to be transported.”

– Gina McIntyre

[TheButcher]

48 FRAMES PER SECOND!

'The Hobbit' will usher in a new technology at movie theaters

The film was shot at 48 frames a second, twice the rate of traditional films. Advocates say the picture is richer and sharper, but critics find it jarring.

Wendy Aylsworth fixed her eyes on a screen at the Landmark theater in West Los Angeles, carefully studying a scene of hobbits preparing a lavish feast.

"We're seeing good detail and a richness in the characters," Aylsworth said. "It's right on."

The Warner Bros. senior vice president of technology was reviewing a test reel for the "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," and a new projection technique that will show the highly anticipated Peter Jackson movie at 48 frames a second.

The controversial new technology could revolutionize traditional movies, which have been projected at a standard 24 frames per second for almost 90 years. Warner Bros. will become the first studio to release a major Hollywood movie in 48 frames a second when its "Hobbit" premieres in the U.S. on Dec. 14.

The studio has been running the test reel in hundreds of theaters from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Madrid to ensure that the theaters are ready for the rollout of the new technology.

Warner is also hedging its bet: The high-frame-rate version of "The Hobbit" will be shown on only about 450 screens of an estimated 4,000 screens in the U.S. and Canada that will show the movie.

"When you have something new, you want to make sure it works," said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution for Warner. "This is unique, it's different and we'll have to see how people adjust to it."

Industry reaction in advance has been a mix of apprehension and excitement.

"We had some theater owners that were disappointed they didn't get more runs," John Fithian, president of the National Assn. of Theatre Owners. "The difference is obvious and dramatic. The question is whether or not it's a difference that drives patrons to the theater."

Jackson and director James Cameron — who plans to release upcoming "Avatar" sequels at the even higher rate of 60 frames a second — have no doubt that it will. They contend that seeing more images each second is more natural because it's closer to what the human eye actually sees, giving a sharper, more lifelike picture and reducing eyestrain for 3-D movies.

"Now, in the digital age, there's no reason whatsoever to stick to 24" frames a second, Jackson writes in a Q&A posted on his Facebook page.

Proponents of the higher frame rate say it packs the screen with far more visual information and makes the moving image super-sharp and detailed. But patrons accustomed to the softer look of traditional film may have to adjust to the higher frame rate.

At a 10-minute preview that Jackson shared at the trade show CinemaCon in April, some attendees found the images jarringly hyper-realistic and too unlike a traditional film.

Warner executives said that was unfair because it was rough footage that had not been color corrected.

"It really wasn't representative of what it looks like today," Fellman said. "I think it will have a big impact on the industry."

Some leading theater executives agree. They view faster frame rates — along with big screens, 3-D and improved sound systems — as a way to stay relevant to younger audiences who are increasingly lured away by entertainment options in the home. Although box-office revenues are expected to reach a record this year, largely because of a crop of hit movies and higher ticket prices, movie attendance levels have been trending lower most of the last decade.

"We're always excited when there is a new technology for our business that widens the gap between what happens in the home and what happens in the theater," said Amy Miles, chief executive of Regal Entertainment Group, the nation's largest theater chain.

[TheBaxter]

NOW WITH REVIEW!!!!


and spoiler alert..............







it's not very positive. everyone who got scared when this thing got expanded to 3 films (which is to say, everyone) apparently had good reason for fear. with the LOTR films, i couldn't wait to get the expanded versions on DVD. with this one, i think i'll be waiting around for the condensed versions.

[so sorry]

NOW WITH REVIEW!!!!


and spoiler alert..............







it's not very positive. everyone who got scared when this thing got expanded to 3 films (which is to say, everyone) apparently had good reason for fear. with the LOTR films, i couldn't wait to get the expanded versions on DVD. with this one, i think i'll be waiting around for the condensed versions.

Yikes. Sounds to me like Beaks was trying his best to not say he hated it. Some pretty scenes here and there, but overall sounds like a borefest. I'll still be there opening weekend, in 48fps 3D glory (already purchased my tickets), but I've had treppidations about this movie for a long time now...

[TheBaxter]

i'll be there, well maybe not opening day but certainly sometime before xmas, but i haven't had a good feeling about this movie(s) really since the start.

1) never much cared for the hobbit; that book is barely a flea on the ass of the big bad wolf that is LOTR
2) my least favorite part of the book is the opening scene with all the dwarves arriving and singing and crap, and it sounds like that ENTIRE SECTION is left intact and verbatim and i may just plan to nap through that part. what happened to the guy who cut out tom bombadil? this scene is like tom bombadil on steroids (or maybe ambien is a better analogy)
3) the decision to expand a rather slight book, not just into two, but THREE whole films (and three LONG films at that, you know these suckers are gonna be 3 hours apiece again) is ALF. this isn't LOTR; there's just not enough there.
4) i was happy about the casting of martin freeman when i first heard it, but since i've been seeing the ads i've started to have my doubts. at least in what they've shown, he doesn't seem to have either the Punky Power or the levity and silliness to play the part. he's too down the middle. hopefully it's just the bits and pieces they've picked out for the trailers/ads, and the performance as a whole will be better/more balanced and diverse. but some of the speeches they've given him (like that whole "you don't have a home, but i'll help you get it back blah blah" line) feel like they lack the weight that was intended.
5) i get the feeling these films are gonna be like a cameo whorefest. making LOTR first basically doomed any potential for this film, besides the fact that it's like making empire strikes back before star wars, they also feel the need to try to shoehorn as many characters from the "first" film series and most of them will feel out of place. i know i'm gonna groan the first time legolas shows up.
6) i really wish del toro had remained on this film. i think i've had my fill of peter jackson's middle earth. i love all the LOTR films to death. but they were enough. when i see the familiar shots of the shire and whatnot in the ads, i don't get all giddy and nostalgia-y, i just get a been-there-done-that sorta feeling. given the lighter tone of the hobbit especially, they needed a different vision for this film or films, and del toro would've been different enough to make these films interesting again.

all that said... i'm a sucker and i'll be there anyway. at least for part 1.

[Lord Voldemoo]

Interesting. It's running at 71% on RT right now with a number of the negative reviews seeming to track Beaks' comments RE too much exposition and tedium.

Of course, sometimes a little tedium in film 1 of 3 can pay real dividends in films 2 and 3. I'm not sure that's the case here as this is a somewhat thin story to begin with.

I'm worried. But one of my few gripes with Jackson's LOTR trilogy is that, even in the extended editions, the travel and scope of the journey feels disjointed and abbreviated to me. Like the characters are being transported magically from set piece to set piece. You don't get an appropriate sense of the miles walked nor the camaraderie formed within the fellowship. I think this is especially true in Fellowship of the Ring. After a nice build up in Hobbiton, Bree and to an extent, Rivendell, the fellowship really jumps from one spot to the next. *Poof* we are at Caradhras...nope bad move. *Poof* we're in Moria...oops worse move. *Poof* we're at Lothlorien.

Anyhow, it's very likely it's just me that feels this way, but given that gripe I guess I can't very well fault The Hobbit for doing the opposite if, in fact, that's what they're doing. It may be that after I watch it, though, I look back on Fellowship with appreciation for sparing us the tedium.

[so sorry]

Not to pile on with the criticism, but from what I've seen my biggest beef with first installment of The Hobbit may be the humor. Are these the dwarves from the Hobbit or from Snow White? I've read the Hobbit more times than I can rememeber, and I know its got more of a children's story vibe than the more serious tone set to work in the LOTR trilogy. And I know that the dinner scene with the dwarves is humoerous in tone in the book, BUT I fear Jackson will have taken it too far. Bofur's the studly one, we get it. The fact that he's holding a plate of cakes with one oozing out of his mouth.... I GET IT. HE'S THE studly ONE WHO LIKES TO EAT. I think in the trailer they show him catching food in his mouth being thrown at him? There is some interpretation from book to film that may have been handled better than what it ultimately looks like I'm going to see.

Again, I'll be there opening weekend, and I WANT to like what I'm going to see, but I'm not holding out much hope that it will just be a few cool looking scenes interspersed between alot of groan worthy scenes.

And like Baxter said, I'm haven't had that excitement factor that I had during the LOTR run.

fingers crossed.

[Fried Gold]

I think after the three Lord of the Rings movies, there wasn't really much more worthwhile to show about Middle Earth.

It's like the Star Wars prequels all over again, but this time from the team that gave us a dull three-hour King Kong movie and that awful mawkish Lovely Bones adaptation.

[Lord Voldemoo]

My brother just got out of an advance screening and texted me. He said he liked it! He said (paraphrasing) that it did take a little time to get going, that it felt like they intentionally included EVERYTHING from the book (to the point of it feeling like filler), etc., so he did confirm most of the criticisms I've heard, but he felt like those weaknesses didn't detract overmuch from an enjoyable film experience.

I respect his taste in film, and he enjoyed the same things about LOTR that I did, so this gives me some hope. Of course, anytime you're FRIST to see something there can be a tendency to see through rose colored glasses, so I take it with a small grain of salt.

I guess I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic. I've also tempered my expectations a bit so that's probably healthy if I want to enjoy the film.

EDIT: Just realized I forgot to ask if he saw it with the increased frame rate. I'm headed into a meeting but will ask him and see if I can get more info later.

with advance screenings now popping up everywhere I'm going to move this to Movie Reviews.

[RogueScribner]

So this is it for IMAX theaters showing The Hobbit at the High Frame Rate?

There goes any hope of me seeing it.

[Cpt Kirks 2pay]

The more I find out about The Hobbit the more I don't wanna see this film. SPOILERS...

Wuddaya MEAN we don't even get to the Spiders in this part? This film ends only at the confrontation with Gollum and the Goblin King??? WAY too early!!!