"The Hobbit"

[peter12]

Originally Posted by sa226

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinion,

But if you don't like the LOTR movies, then you are clearly a member of Al-qaeda.

Is that another name for the good taste club? If so, I am a member in reasonably good standing.

[MrMastodonFarm]

If we can step away from peter12 being peter12 for a minute...
http://www.hitfix.com/articles/ian-m...-hobbit-images

[Bigtime]

Hey it's one of the 3 pictures I posted on page 3.

[MrMastodonFarm]

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

That's okay - it's an awesome picture and it's going to be a fantastic movie!

[banffavenue]

I've only experienced LOTR in terms of the musical/theatre show and Warhammer merchandise. Asides from that I admit my knowledge of the series isn't great, now is this a prequel which I assume it to be or a continuation? I've always wanted to get into the films/books and if this is indeed a prequel it might be a good place to start.

[Bigtime]

The Hobbit was written by Tolkien before he did The Lord of the Rings trilogy. So it is indeed a prequel in that sense, it was also much lighter in its tone than LOTR was.

The events in the Hobbit take place roughly 50 years before The Lord of the Rings (I could be off on that).

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The Hobbit was written by Tolkien before he did The Lord of the Rings trilogy. So it is indeed a prequel in that sense, it was also much lighter in its tone than LOTR was.

The events in the Hobbit take place roughly 50 years before The Lord of the Rings (I could be off on that).

No you're right, 50 years I believe.

That's why Bilbo doesn't look old as fata in this movie. I haven't read them, but these are the movies where he'll actually first find the ring. I think anyway, or would assume. Having never read them it is all wild guesses on my part, but I know a dragon is a villain.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

No you're right, 50 years I believe.

That's why Bilbo doesn't look old as fata in this movie. I haven't read them, but these are the movies where he'll actually first find the ring. I think anyway, or would assume. Having never read them it is all wild guesses on my part, but I know a dragon is a villain.

You would be correct in all that. Of course how Bilbo comes by the ring changed in later versions of The Hobbit as Tolkien had started writing The Lord of the Rings and the original version didn't work with the character that Gollum was to be in the new books. Tolkien ret-conned this change by saying that "The Hobbit" is the tale as told by Bilbo, and even then the influence of the ring made him change the story of how he acquired it in the first place, a clear indication of the power it could hold over all beings.

One thing that I don't think the LOTR movies showed well (specifically The Fellowship of the Ring) was just how much time passed between Frodo being given the ring and when Gandalf returns to tell him he has discovered what the ring is. I believe the time frame is something like 20 years. In the movies it just appears to be a few weeks and he's back.

Edit: It's 17 years between Bilbo leaving the Shire and Gandalf coming back to tell Frodo to leave with the ring. This would make Frodo 50 years old at that point.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Having never read them it is all wild guesses on my part, but I know a dragon is a villain.

You should read it, it's quite good, and not overly long.

Originally Posted by Bigtime

One thing that I don't think the LOTR movies showed well (specifically The Fellowship of the Ring) was just how much time passed between Frodo being given the ring and when Gandalf returns to tell him he has discovered what the ring is. I believe the time frame is something like 20 years. In the movies it just appears to be a few weeks and he's back.

I've never read LOTR, what does Frodo do for all this time waiting for Gandalfs return? Just hang out in the shire?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Hanni

I've never read LOTR, what does Frodo do for all this time waiting for Gandalfs return? Just hang out in the shire?

Yup, he keeps living his life and keeps the ring safe. Then Gandalf comes rushing back and it all starts going down.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Hanni

I've never read LOTR, what does Frodo do for all this time waiting for Gandalfs return? Just hang out in the shire?

If you've seen the end of the 3rd movie you know him and Sam had no trouble finding ways to pass the time together.

[Shades]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

If you've seen the end of the 3rd movie you know him and Sam had no trouble finding ways to pass the time together.

[3 Justin 3]

Aww man. Of course his mouth has to be filled with "foam".

[d_phaneuf]

[burn_this_city]

Can't wait to see Smaug the dragon.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by peter12

I found the LOTR series to be pretty wretched with some small enjoyment garnered from the first one. I really don't even like the novels which I find to be long, dry, and lacking in anything but an attempt at Christian mythology.

What part of LOTR is derivative of Christian mythology? I understood Prof. Tolkien based it on Norse mythologies. I did not consider that much when reading it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R...cal_influences

Tolkien once described The Lord of the Rings to his friend, the English Jesuit Father Robert Murray, as "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.[20] There are many theological themes underlying the narrative including the battle of good versus evil, the triumph of humility over pride, and the activity of grace. In addition the saga includes themes which incorporate death and immortality, mercy and pity, resurrection, salvation, repentance, self-sacrifice, free will, justice, fellowship, authority and healing. In addition the Lord's Prayer "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" was reportedly present in Tolkien's mind as he described Frodo's struggles against the power of the One Ring.[20]

[I might add that these themes are common in many world mythologies, but Tolkein was specifically influenced by Catholicism]

Non-Christian religious motifs also had strong influences in Tolkien's Middle-earth

[parch]

I'm excited to see what Smaug looks like too, but I don't want to see it before the movie and ruin the suprise. I get nervous everytime I check this thread now because I don't want to stumble upon a picture of him. I suppose that means I should stop checking the thread, but I'm just too excited about this movie!

[Bigtime]

Another image released, this one of Oin and Gloin (father of Gimli in LOTR):



I think they really nailed the family resemblance for Gloin and Gimli.

[Bigtime]

Kili and Fili: