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Archive through March 03, 2003

The TVClubHouse: Archives: Movies & Library 2003 -2004: Movies: May 2003 - April 2004: The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers: Archive through March 03, 2003 users admin

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Ocean_Islands

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 8:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's a picky point: Ents are not trees. So they can't catch fire (unless I'm missing something).

Webkitty

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 9:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am proud to say I am a non-purist, and a FOPJ

I'm a happy camper while purists at Imdb are STILL whining and complaining about the omission of Tom Bombadill from last year! geesh.

When we came out of the theater last night, a man next to us was already griping about the deviations from the book, I felt sorry for him that he couldn't just enjoy what PJ gave us, and not nitpick it to death.

Ocean, the Ents. I always thought of them as more trees than anything else.
(I never pictured them with legs, don't know why, it doesn't make sense really)

Just from this small example you can see what an obstacle PJ was up against. What a thankless job.
(the scene where one of the Ents catches on fire and puts it out in the flood at Isengard was great! Glad PJ put that in there)

When I first read the trilogy, a long time ago, in the first age of man (lol) I liked sharing parts of it that I enjoyed with others, but I never got into the nitpickey arguements that some did. It takes away from the magic of it for me. jmo

Halfunit

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 9:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Webkitty, DH has read the books many many many times, and he calls himself a purist with flexibility!!

Hermione69

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 9:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
"A purist with flexibility"

I like that! Like I said, I haven't read the Rings trilogy yet, but I know in the case of the Harry Potter books, there is SO MUCH in the books that is vivid and creative and amazing, why go making up unnecessary things for the movie? Key word- unnecessary. I understand making changes for time reasons and other instances when it is truly beneficial to the flow of the script, but when it is done just to be cutesy, it bothers me! Certainly not to the point where I don't enjoy the movie, but it will cause a few eye rolls at certain times. I rolled my eyes twice at Chamber of Secrets because of cutesy add-ons that didn't happen and were completely unnecessary, but I still loved the movie.

So I don't know what that makes me, but I like that term, Half!

Webkitty

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 10:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good one, Half! A purist with flexibility....I'll have to think about that, I'm so ramped up on PJ right now, maybe after viewing the movie a second time I'll see somthing to nitpick about, lol.

Herm, there wasn't anything cutsey in this movie. I spent half the time with a tissue up to my face. Its not dark (thank goodness, I was worried about that) but its serious, like the first one. The characters and their tragic and desperate situation is heatbreaking. Gollum was much more tragic than I imagined him. Instead of being just a slimy disgusting creature that I didn't care about, PJ brought out the torment that he's suffered for 500 years. You get to see just a tiny a glimpse of what he was before the ring found him, (Smeagol) and how deeply sad he is for that person who was lost to Gollum because of the ring.
When he is singing by the forbidden pool (which last all of 10 seconds) its not cutsey at all, its sad. jmo. He's been reduced to knawling at raw fish to survive and slapping them against a stone in the dark so he can hold one in his mouth without it wriggling.

Gimli falling off the horse was in line with what we were told about dwarves in the Hobbit. They don't like horses, they use small ponies, when they have to. It wasn't a big gag scene, once again, it lasted all of 10 seconds, and wasn't dwelled on.
Gimli belching wasn't far fetched either. Dwarves are supposed to belch!
I could go on and on, but now I am starting to sound like the purists!

(and since I can't keep away from this thread, I guess in a way I am)
Gotta go, catch up with you all later..........

Strawberry

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 5:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
FYI for those of you that missed it - This Sunday on the WB @ 9/8c they are showing a special encore presentation of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Return to Middle Earth, hosted by Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum!

Kady

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 9:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I saw it the first time but I remember alot of people missed it. My son didn't even recognize Viggo. Thanks for letting us know Strawberry.

Mack

Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 6:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wife and I saw the movie Tuesday afternoon. A very good movie. A little slow in the beginning as they worked on character development but it really picks up and is excellent! Better than the first and we're ready for the third.

Gail

Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 1:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I saw The Twin Towers Christmas eve afternoon - the theater was totally packed. I have not read the book but I do have them on CD and am hoping to listen to them in the near future - at least before the third installment of the movie comes out.

I really enjoyed this movie alot. I think the casting was well done and I loved the scenery and music. It just seems like everyone put a lot of heart into this picture and it shows.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 7:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Saw it today and liked it a lot better than the first one, perhaps because I knew what to expect. Gollum was quite fascinating, but I think if you hadn't read the books, you might be bit baffled as to who Gollum is. Indeed, if you saw the movie and didn't read the books, you might even now wonder who I am talking about, since they didn't call him Gollum much in the movie. In the book, this creature was constantly calling himself Gollum. Likewise if you did not watch movie one of this trilogy, I think you would have a very hard time figuring out what is going on.

Scenery was even more gorgeous than before.

Ocean_Islands

Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 10:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
He wasn't 'calling himself Gollum' ... that's the noise he makes and everyone calls him that because of that noise. His name is Smeagol.

Webkitty

Friday, December 27, 2002 - 6:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL, I thought the "gollum" noise he made in the movie sounded more like a smokers hack (or he was coughing up a furball) than anything else, not at all like I imagined, minor thing.

One thing that I wondered about, his eyes didn't turn green in TTT at all, major thing. I have been reading the posts over at Imdb, and I'm surprised that no one over there (or here) has mentioned it. Tolkien used this as an indication when the "gollum" part came out. (his evil side)
Still, a powerful portrayal by PJ.

Strawberry, thanks for posting that. I caught it when it was on before and its very much worth watching. I missed the first 10 minutes of it, so I'll be sure to tape the whole thing this time.

Weenerlobo

Friday, December 27, 2002 - 12:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We saw this movie last Saturday night and look forward to going to see it again. I haven't read the books, yet, but I will. I think I'm happy that I haven't read them yet, so I have nothing to detract from the magic that I'm witnessing on the big screen, and by that I mean books are always better than the movie.

We've seen both movies, and I haven't had any problem following/understanding anything. I think Mr. Jackson is doing a fine job and has shown respect for the quality of these stories. I mean, really, another man in the director's seat might place Justin Timberlake as Frodo, for Pete's sake!

Crazydog

Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Finally saw this movie last night. I thought it was good. I first read the books about 20 years ago and re-read TTT back in August. Amazed at how much I had already forgotten. I'm not going to nitpick too much because I realize there have to be some changes in translation. Still though....

If I had a complaint I'd say it had to do with how the book was organized as three separate storylines. I thought they did a good job with the movie of interplaying each one, although sometimes the switches were a little abrupt.

The whole Aragorn-Arwen-Eowyn "triangle" ...zzzzzzz. I don't recall any of this showing up in the book. And I really didn't think Eowyn was that attractive.

I suppose they saved the giant spider for the third movie. And in the book I could have sworn that Merry and Pippin get reunited with Gandalf and Aragorn et al. Wasn't there a whole thing about some black orb thingy? And wasn't there a scene where Gandalf and company goes to Isengard and Gandalf destroys Saruman's staff? And Wormtongue dies? I think I am remembering some plot points wrong, but I would have thought this scene would have made it in.

The Ents. When I read the book I thought they were more man-like with tree-like features. They were like big trees in the movie, reminded me of the trees from the Wizard of Oz. And in the book I could have sworn there were only 15 of them left and they still kicked major orc tail. The movie made it seem like a gargantuan mass of Ents.

Of the tree storylines, I was most bored by the Pippin/Merry/Treebeard one. Probably because I had a hard time understanding what Treebeard was saying.

And sorry to Frodo fans, but I would probably say Elijah Wood is my least favorite of the main characters. I don't like his accents, or his expressions, or his "I'm so torn inside". I know it's in the book but I find it all slightly annoying.

Overall though, a great movie. Wish that Gandalf had had more of a role, he seemed practically non-existent.

Webkitty

Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 4:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ok! I saw this movie for the second time today and I have a complaint.

I do NOT like the way King Theoden was portrayed in the movie. Indecisive, confused, pessimistic.
Aragorn really had to take over and lead the troops at Helms Deep for him. (if you could call the ragtag subjects Theoden had troops)
The movie never let him fully recover from the influence of Wormtongue. Even my husband, who has not read the triogy said, what a whiney wimp!
I wasn't all that crazy about the actor that played him either. (the only mis-cast so far, imo)
And speaking of ragtag. Rohan was supposed to be a proud warrior kingdom, all the shots of dirty villagers crying just didn't sit well with me. And PJ kept going back to them even after they got to Helms Deep. He took up way too much film space showing this.
I also didn't think Edoras was majestic enough, it looked too rustic to me.
Except for Eowen and Grima, the whole entire Rohan thing bothered me.

I also thought the creatures that the nazgul flew on were geeky and not nearly scary enough.

Other than that, I loved the movie again.
And I have to say that I loved the elves showing up at Helms Deep even more this time. It was just so majestic and well, ELVISH the way they marched in. Glorfindal was awesome and I loved the choice of actor and the way he portrayed him. I was sorry to see him die, especially since he doesn't in the book.

I also loved the whole Arwen/Elrond/Galadriel/Aragorn addition even more.
Cate Blanchette was flawlessly cast as Galadriel, her voice, looks, acting ability, perfect. I have seen complaints at other boards about her showing up in this part of the trilogy, but Frodo and Sam call upon her quite a bit and I hope PJ works in her in for ROTK. (she does show up at the end in the book for the great migration to the Grey Havens)

I felt when Aragorn got thrown over the cliff and was clinging to life, it was Arwen that came to him and breathed life and a renewed sense of purpose as to what his role would be in these last great events of Middle Earth, so this addition didn't bother me.
Loved the Ents and Treebeard even more

Neko

Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 7:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Glorfindal??
I thought it was Haldir??

That's what I've been reading over the web..

Webkitty

Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 8:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ooops! Your right Neko, it was Haldir.

Neko

Friday, January 10, 2003 - 1:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL Not that they said his name anytime during the movie O.o

I only got the new character's names from the internet and the second watching of the movie.

Djgirl5235

Monday, January 13, 2003 - 7:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just watched this on Saturday, after much breathless anticipation, and have read the trilogy, just this summer. Now, I have to agree about King Theoden - really wasn't impressed with the portrayal - way too wimpy for me! There were a few other things that truly bugged me, but I can definitely put them aside and say that this is definitely one of the best movies this year! I will be waiting with bated breath for the extended DVD in November, and not waiting until Christmas to get it... Peter Jackson has the hardest task of bringing these books to life, making them as true to the books as he can, but having to decide what's necessary to the outcome, and what isn't.

Crazydog - I was a little mystified about the whole Merry & Pippin reuniting thing, however, as Helm's Deep is the hugest battle in TT, I can understand why PJ would decide to leave that until ROTK, since it's not truly integral to the outcome of TT... Two Towers is the continuation of the story, and just as he decided to have FOTR end with Boromir's death, whereas that doesn't happen until TT, well, that's the creative licensing that he has, and I am just going to trust his instincts. I've seen some other takes on the trilogy, and was greatly disappointed, but am in love with these movies.

Back to the movie - the casting is absolutely dead-on, and although the love triangle is necessary for movie lovers, it's not an integral part of the story until the very end, and then in the novels, it's kind of confusing with Arwen setting up the kingdom with Aragorn, and the celebration that occurs with her arrival - kind of confusing... just my opinion... Only 11 more months until Return of the King - I for one cannot wait!!!!

Webkitty

Monday, January 13, 2003 - 8:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Djgirl, I'm happy you liked the movie!
And I'm glad that someone other than me picked up on Theoden.
The only reason I can think of why PJ decided to portray him this way is that PJ wanted to make it clear that Aragorn is the last in the line of great Kings that were lost to Middle Earth, and he is the King who comes again to rule the last Age.
He HAS to be the stand-out hero of this last great struggle for Middle Earth. (other than Frodo and Sam) This is fine with me as Agagorn has always been my favorite charactor (even befor Viggo was cast, who is perfect beyond all my wildest expectations)

As far as Arwen/Aragorn goes: (and Eowen)
This was in the book. Tolkien didn't dwell on it, but it was there. These parts always jumped out at me. I have always been intrigued by Aragorn's lonely wandering life, and how he carried his love for Arwen all those long years.
I was glad to see that Tolkein gave us more info on this in the appendix. (and Elronds objection, its all there)
Eowen WAS captivated by Aragorn (who wouldn't be?)
He knew it, but his heart had been given to Arwen long ago.
So, all this was not made up by PJ, and I for one am soooo happy its in the movie.
After the Ring is destroyed, there is great rejoycing in Gondor, and Arwen and Elrond, Gladrial and Cleborn all journey to Gondor as Arwen and Aragron are wed on mid-summers eve.
All the major charactors are there, and I loved this part of the triogy.
I HOPE PJ really plays this up, I can just see the majesty and awe in it. The Elven princess and the King FINALLY wed after 30 years of waiting! Wow.

Crazydog

Monday, January 13, 2003 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh I know the love triangle was mentioned in the book, I just never thought much of it until I saw the movies and it seems to have been placed at the forefront.

I think the wedding scene would make a great final scene to the best trilogy ever made. Seems like it would compare to the medal ceremony at the end of the first (original) Star Wars.

Webkitty

Monday, January 13, 2003 - 9:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think the final scene will be all of them leaving Middle Earth at the Grey Havens.
PJ has already indicated that the Scouring of the Shire will not be included in the theatrical release (but I bet its in the extended DVD version)
This is fine with me. I always thought it was a distraction from the flow of the end of the tale.
This may be blasphemy to some, but I have no qualms about pointing out problems with Tolkiens writing.
I guess PJ felt the same way I do. I thought Tom Bombadil disrupted the flow of tension and really had no purpose. Faramir not being tempted at all by the Ring I never bought either. I always wanted more of Arwen and Aragorn. PJ's wife helped write the script, and I'm glad she did.

After the Aragorn/Arwen wedding, they have to travel to Rohan for the Eowen/Farimir wedding. I would be disapointed if PJ didn't show that too.
(maybe he will make it a double wedding in Gondor, this could work, I'll have to think about it)

I could start a whole debate about how males view the trilogy as opposed to females, but I wouldn't want to be viewed as sexist or anything! lol.

Djgirl5235

Monday, January 13, 2003 - 11:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
WEbkitty - you go right ahead! My brother and I have both read the trilogy as well as seen both movies (and the extended FOTR) so please feel free to share the other side of the fence... He & I had a terrific debate about TTT yesterday...

Webkitty

Monday, March 03, 2003 - 6:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
~Bumping~ for Hermione. Is OC EVER going to come to Richmond? lol. (can't wait to hear your thoughts)

Hermione69

Monday, March 03, 2003 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This month, Webkitty! March 23-25! I AM SO EXCITED!! Thank you for thinking about me! You gave me the warm fuzzies!!

I will probably see it two days in a row like I did Harry Potter and the CoS. :)