Cordelia: I get it now. You're all spies. Probably all Russian. And you've brainwashed me, and want me to believe we're friends so I'll spill the beans about some nano-technology thingy that you want. Gunn: So I look Russian to you? Cordelia: Black Russian. Angel: That's a drink.

'Hell Bound'


LotR - The Return of the King: "We named the *dog* 'Strider'".  

Frodo: Please, what does it always mean, this... this "Aragorn"? Elrond: That's his name. Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Aragorn: I like "Strider." Elrond: We named the *dog* "Strider".

A discussion of Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King. If you're a pervy hobbit fancier, this is the place for you.


Volans - Dec 18, 2003 2:35:32 am PST #155 of 3902
move out and draw fire

So I'm the only one here lukewarm on EW in this one?

In your corner, Jess. I wouldn't even have said "phenomenal" for FOTR. I've been lukewarm on him the whole time. But it's a tough role, and physically he looks right. And I give him full props for exactly recreating Isildur's expression in Mount Doom. He looked great crazy.

Of course, I've also been lukewarm on Viggo too. Fan heresy, I know, and I don't know how much of it is the writing and directing choices for Aragorn and how much is Viggo. Coz dammit, Aragorn wasn't dodging his destiny! He'd spent his life preparing.

Nutty, that run scene got a huge laugh from my crowd, esp. with the line. Wonder why test audiences didn't catch that?

When Arwen saw the kid run across her path, I thought she was remembering Aragorn's arrival at Rivendell. But I guess they didn't want to get into THAT.

The couple that we went with had interesting reactions. They really wanted to see it - hey, they wanted to see the Trilogy. They sat there through the entire thing, not clapping or cheering or crying. On the way home, I said something about Faramir and Eowyn, and they said, "I thought he was her brother." Then one of them said, "You know, I don't think Theoden redeemed himself. I mean, he drags his entire country to war because he's got a death wish? I didn't like him.

There was more, but that will do for an example of why adapting a book (esp. this book) is the hardest thing ever.


Theodosia - Dec 18, 2003 2:41:09 am PST #156 of 3902
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"

Good lord -- I can't imagine submitting myself to 10+ hours of viewing when I'd be missing that much.


Volans - Dec 18, 2003 2:43:56 am PST #157 of 3902
move out and draw fire

I don't get it either. But I figure the pretty scenery kept them happy.


Jessica - Dec 18, 2003 3:35:04 am PST #158 of 3902
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?

Who else didn't need a wig?

PJ's daughter, when she was a Cute Hobbit Child.

Of course, I've also been lukewarm on Viggo too. Fan heresy, I know, and I don't know how much of it is the writing and directing choices for Aragorn and how much is Viggo. Coz dammit, Aragorn wasn't dodging his destiny! He'd spent his life preparing.

Oh, word word WORD. DH mentioned after we saw it the second time that a big non-book thing missing from this movie is Aragorn's "superhero moment" where he decides to become King. It was almost there in the Paths of the Dead, but we cut away before the climax. And as a result, Aragron spends too much of the movie looking worried and confused for me to really buy him as King at the end. Also, he looked really uncomfortable in his robes/armor.


Kathy A - Dec 18, 2003 4:02:25 am PST #159 of 3902
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil

When Arwen saw
the kid run across her path, I thought she was remembering Aragorn's arrival at Rivendell. But I guess they didn't want to get into THAT.

Technically, she didn't meet Aragorn until he was in his early 20s--she was in Lothlorien until then.


Kate P. - Dec 18, 2003 5:08:32 am PST #160 of 3902
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love

I just remembered that the shot from the trailer of Eomer cradling someone (presumably Eowyn, or Theoden) on the battlefield and howling with grief wasn't in the movie. There was very little Eomer at all in the movie, which is sad. But at least that scene must show up on the EE DVD.


tina f. - Dec 18, 2003 5:20:19 am PST #161 of 3902

I know the Golden Globes are considered somewhat of a joke but WTF is up with no acting and no screenplay nominations for RotK?


ted r - Dec 18, 2003 5:21:15 am PST #162 of 3902
"You got twelve, and they got twelve. The old ladies are just as good as you are." -Dr. Einstein

Won't have a chance to see it before Saturday (so I appreciate all the white-fonting). I assume it will still playing then?


Nutty - Dec 18, 2003 5:22:45 am PST #163 of 3902
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."

Yeah, it's sort of weird, having seen all the promo footage, and knowing stuff that hasn't shown up "yet". There were scenes in the TTT previews that didn't turn up till the theatrical ROTK, which was sort of wiggy. Like, people, way to spoil your own movies, more than a year in advance!


§ ita § - Dec 18, 2003 5:23:38 am PST #164 of 3902
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

I don't think they consider promos spoilage. They may consider them appetite whetters, in which case -- way to torture your audience.