Re: ROTK: my mini review (spoilers)
Debbie wrote: If they'd made it clear that he'd been subtly yet dreadfully deceived by Sauron's manipulation of his palantir-viewing, his madness might have been understandable. As it was, I thought him pathetic and insane (not that I am fond of the character - but in the book it is clear that he has some very good qualities, sadly corrupted by his mistaken use of the palantir). But I liked having Pippin light the first beacon fire - that was neat! Yes, that was pretty cool. I also thought that Frodo telling Sam to bugg off on the stair worked fairly well. One more nitpick - Arwen's sacrifice of her immortality was trivialized by having her already dying b/c of Sauron; IIRC she could have sailed West anytime before marrying Aragorn. But the scene where she sees her future son was beautifully done. I had the same thought exactly. I particularly liked the cutting-back-and-forth from massive battle scenes to Sam and Frodo's lonely struggle across Mordor -- very effective. Adored the music, and even the end-title drawings. Well, after panning TTT, I think they did a good job on this one, though I was sitting too damned close to the screen - I may just have to see it again from at least far enough back so that I can see the whole oliphant at once. 8^) Debbi Alas, We Have No More To Look Forward To - Although Hidalgo Ought To Be Good! Maru ;) There's the extended edition, anyway - over an hour longer by all reports. -- Doug ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review (spoilers)
Doug Pensinger [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Debbi wrote: snip Debbi Alas, We Have No More To Look Forward To - Although Hidalgo Ought To Be Good! Maru ;) There's the extended edition, anyway - over an hour longer by all reports. Well, that's true - and a friend wondered if there was room for a sequel with Sam having to write in the Red Book -- but they'd have to flesh out skimpy appendix material to do _that_. Guess I'll just have to watch the three we have now over again a time or 5... ;) Debbi __ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review (spoilers)
In a message dated 12/24/2003 1:58:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If they'd made it clear that he'd been subtly yet dreadfully deceived by Sauron's manipulation of his palantir-viewing, his madness might have been understandable. As it was, I thought him pathetic and insane (not that I am fond of the character - but in the book it is clear that he has some very good qualities, sadly corrupted by his mistaken use of the palantir). I bet that will be in the extended version ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review (spoilers)
In a message dated 12/24/2003 1:58:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If they'd made it clear that he'd been subtly yet dreadfully deceived by Sauron's manipulation of his palantir-viewing, his madness might have been understandable. As it was, I thought him pathetic and insane (not that I am fond of the character - but in the book it is clear that he has some very good qualities, sadly corrupted by his mistaken use of the palantir). I bet that will be in the extended version ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: ROTK: my mini review (spoilers)
--- Bryon Daly [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Jim Sharkey [EMAIL PROTECTED] A few additional thoughts: Denethor was pitch perfect. I thought he was portrayed a being *too* useless and psycho. I read a funny comment from someone saying that Denethor ought to get a lawyer because he'd been libeled. If they'd made it clear that he'd been subtly yet dreadfully deceived by Sauron's manipulation of his palantir-viewing, his madness might have been understandable. As it was, I thought him pathetic and insane (not that I am fond of the character - but in the book it is clear that he has some very good qualities, sadly corrupted by his mistaken use of the palantir). But I liked having Pippin light the first beacon fire - that was neat! Oliphants rule. Yep. I thought they were great. grin Ooh, yeah! (Did anyone else have a momentary flash to the ATATs on Hoth?) Andy Sirkis is *not* a handsome man. But what a way to lead into the film - very well done, I thought. One more nitpick - Arwen's sacrifice of her immortality was trivialized by having her already dying b/c of Sauron; IIRC she could have sailed West anytime before marrying Aragorn. But the scene where she sees her future son was beautifully done. I particularly liked the cutting-back-and-forth from massive battle scenes to Sam and Frodo's lonely struggle across Mordor -- very effective. Adored the music, and even the end-title drawings. Debbi Alas, We Have No More To Look Forward To - Although Hidalgo Ought To Be Good! Maru ;) __ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: ROTK: my mini review
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bryon Daly Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 04:39 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: ROTK: my mini review - I heard a rumor that the version of ROTK originally submitted to the MPAA was 4:40 long. That suggests a *lot* of stuff was filmed, but cut for time. Hopefully it will all show up in the extended edition. *swoon* - If you enjoyed Legolas' acrobatics in the last two films, he has a very cool scene in this one, less silly than the sliding-down-the-stairs-on-a-shield one at Helm's Deep. Overall, though, there seems to be less screen time for Legolas, and for Gimli as well. Color me *very* disappointed in the Legolas effects. My only two gripes about the quality of the CG work is the Legolas on the back of the Cave Troll and Legolas on the back of the Oliphant. Dreadful. ...and why is Legolas presented as the Badder-ass of the Legolas-Gimli pair? Only complaint :) - I just got a chill recalling the beacon-lighting scene. The cinematography is simply amazing. Me too! ..although I had a moment of, Hey.. how did those guys get up there? ;) --- Possible spoliers below: - The House of Healing scene(s) was cut, but was filmed and PJ has stated it also would be on the EE. Its been so long since I read RotK that I didn't even notice. - The Paths of the Dead are still in it, but changed a fair bit. The changes are somewhat for the worse, but not in a way that significantly changes the eventual outcome. Have you heard if they filmed the AotD capturing the ships? - Gandalf's stand-off with the Witch-King at the gate of Minas Tirith is (inexplicably) cut out. My friend says he actually saw the scene in one of the previews, so it was filmed and will most likely show up in the EE. What about the shot in the previews of Merry pledging fealty to Theodin? Any word if that's lost? - We get to see the whole Smeagol/Deagol ring-finding scene, with Andy Serkis (who does Gollum's voice) playing the pre-gollum Smeagol. Very cool. Very, VERY cool :) Maybe /now/ he'll qualify for the Oscar :D - Possibly my biggest gripe is that in the Battle at the Black Gate, the forces Aragorn brings are rather skimpy, to say the least. In the book, it was a much larger, more credible, army. *nod* I think they shrunk the visual size of it to emphasize the hopelessness of their position, and how they were launching a hopeless attack only to buy time for a hopeless cause.. -j- ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: ROTK: my mini review
From: Miller, Jeffrey [EMAIL PROTECTED] Color me *very* disappointed in the Legolas effects. My only two gripes about the quality of the CG work is the Legolas on the back of the Cave Troll and Legolas on the back of the Oliphant. Dreadful. Hmm. I liked the Oliphant scene a lot; the CG ldidn't strike me as CG at all. ...and why is Legolas presented as the Badder-ass of the Legolas-Gimli pair? Yeah. I wish Gimli had been shown to be more bad-ass as well. I just read an interview with John Rhys-Davies, and he was asked about Gimli's lack of bad-ass-ness. He basically replied that in 10+ hours of action/drama/adventure, some comic relief is needed, and Gimli seemed to be the natural choice to provide some of it. - I just got a chill recalling the beacon-lighting scene. The cinematography is simply amazing. Me too! ..although I had a moment of, Hey.. how did those guys get up there? ;) Doh! Now I'm going to wonder that too next time I see it. Thanks a lot! :-) - The Paths of the Dead are still in it, but changed a fair bit. The changes are somewhat for the worse, but not in a way that significantly changes the eventual outcome. Have you heard if they filmed the AotD capturing the ships? No, haven't heard, but I'm guessing that since the arrival of the dead at the Pelennor seemed angled to surprise the audience, I'm guessing they didn't film the capture of the ships. - Gandalf's stand-off with the Witch-King at the gate of Minas Tirith is (inexplicably) cut out. My friend says he actually saw the scene in one of the previews, so it was filmed and will most likely show up in the EE. What about the shot in the previews of Merry pledging fealty to Theodin? Any word if that's lost? Don't know. I'm wondering that myself. And I'm really hoping that since there isn't going to be a LOTR film next year to help promote, they won't make us wait 11 months to put out the extended ed. - We get to see the whole Smeagol/Deagol ring-finding scene, with Andy Serkis (who does Gollum's voice) playing the pre-gollum Smeagol. Very cool. Very, VERY cool :) Maybe /now/ he'll qualify for the Oscar :D I was thinking the same thing! - Possibly my biggest gripe is that in the Battle at the Black Gate, the forces Aragorn brings are rather skimpy, to say the least. In the book, it was a much larger, more credible, army. *nod* I think they shrunk the visual size of it to emphasize the hopelessness of their position, and how they were launching a hopeless attack only to buy time for a hopeless cause.. Yeah, that's what the guys I saw it with suggested as well; so instead of being outnumbered maybe 10-1 or 100-1 as in the books, the movie has it 1000-1. Fair enough, I guess, but I had kinda been expecting another major battle scene, so it was a bit of a letdown. Especially with the Voice of Sauron scene cut as well. (My movie-buff friend assured me later this was also filmed from what he's heard). _ Tired of slow downloads? Compare online deals from your local high-speed providers now. https://broadband.msn.com ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: ROTK: my mini review
From: Jim Sharkey [EMAIL PROTECTED] A few additional thoughts: Denethor was pitch perfect. I thought he was portrayed a being *too* useless and psycho. I read a funny comment from someone saying that Denethor ought to get a lawyer because he'd been libeled. Oliphants rule. Yep. I thought they were great. Andy Sirkis is *not* a handsome man. Well, they probably wouldn't pick Ben Affleck as someone to model Gollum's face after! _ Get dial-up Internet access now with our best offer: 6 months @$9.95/month! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review
In a message dated 12/19/2003 9:30:57 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: (et al) Me too! ..although I had a moment of, Hey.. how did those guys get up there? ;) Doh! Now I'm going to wonder that too next time I see it. Thanks a lot! :-) One mountain top clearly shows a stair to thwe lower right of the pyre. Not all the way up to it though. William Taylor ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review
From: Alberto Monteiro [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bryon Daly wrote: - Another nagging gripe is that while characters discuss the growing darkness, it never really gets that dark, and the darkness (or lack thereof) doesn't really have much effect upon the orcs. The purpose of the darkness was _preventing_ the orcs to fight under the Sun, that would seriously handicap them. Yes, I know. I'm saying that it wasn't very dark most of the time (think overcast day), and at the point in the book where the winds change and it's supposed to get lighter out, it's hard to tell if it actually does so in the movie, but in any case, I didn't notice any reaction shown by the orcs to it. _ Grab our best dial-up Internet access offer: 6 months @$9.95/month. http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: ROTK: my mini review
Bryon Daly wrote: Capsule summary: Awesome. I'm still digesting it, but I'm thinking this was the best of the three. I agree that it was awesome, but I think FotR is my favorite of the three. Perhaps after a second veiwing I'll change my mind. A few additional thoughts: Denethor was pitch perfect. Oliphants rule. Andy Sirkis is *not* a handsome man. Jim It's my birthday, Deagol. Give it to me Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
ROTK: my mini review
I just got back from seeing Return of the King (played hookey from work!), and seeing no one's commented on it yet, I thought I'd post some of my thoughts. I'll try to keep spoilers segregated to a separate section at the bottom for those who are concerned about that. Capsule summary: Awesome. I'm still digesting it, but I'm thinking this was the best of the three. The three LOTR-heads I saw it with felt that even more strongly than I did. There were again some deviations from the book, but they weren't as jarring as those in TTT, and for sure two of the biggest missing pieces were filmed and are certain to be included on the extended edition. Random thoughts: -While the beginning of the movie has a slower pace, once it gets going, it just rips along. It didn't feel like a 3 hour and 20 minute movie at all. - I heard a rumor that the version of ROTK originally submitted to the MPAA was 4:40 long. That suggests a *lot* of stuff was filmed, but cut for time. Hopefully it will all show up in the extended edition. - The special effects were extremely impressive, and better-looking that FOTR and TTT. Some of the Minas Tirith shots that *had* to be models or matte shots looked totally real. The Battle of the Pelennor was very impressive. - If you enjoyed Legolas' acrobatics in the last two films, he has a very cool scene in this one, less silly than the sliding-down-the-stairs-on-a-shield one at Helm's Deep. Overall, though, there seems to be less screen time for Legolas, and for Gimli as well. - Fortunately, while Gimli has some funny lines, he doesn't come across as slapstick as he did in TTT. And, blessedly, no dwarf-tossing references this time. - Bring a hanky with you. There are some very emotional scenes. - I just got a chill recalling the beacon-lighting scene. The cinematography is simply amazing. --- Possible spoliers below: - The Saruman scene was cut, but was filmed and PJ has stated it woul be on the EE. In the movie, Pippin still does find the palantir, gets into trouble with it, and has to leave with Gandalf, so the major course of events remains the same. - The House of Healing scene(s) was cut, but was filmed and PJ has stated it also would be on the EE. - The Scouring of the Shire was cut, and was not filmed. The Shire is in fine shape when they arrive. Despite that, the ending does not feel truncated. The movie continues for about 20 minutes past the destruction of the ring, with Aragorn's coronation, and the some Shire scenes, including Frodo and Gandalf's departure at the Grey Havens 4 years later. Even though I miss the scouring, it's a satisfying ending. - The Paths of the Dead are still in it, but changed a fair bit. The changes are somewhat for the worse, but not in a way that significantly changes the eventual outcome. - Some of Sam's adventure rescuing Frodo is cut out. From the way it is edited, I'm guessing a lot of it was filmed but cut for time. Sam's role as Frodo's protector is highlighted, and very touching at times. I was very gratified to see it wasn't minimized at all. - Gandalf's stand-off with the Witch-King at the gate of Minas Tirith is (inexplicably) cut out. My friend says he actually saw the scene in one of the previews, so it was filmed and will most likely show up in the EE. - The pukel-men are cut out. I have no idea if any of that was filmed. - If you are worried (as I was, as it's a favorite scene of mine) about Eowyn and Merry's confrontation with the Witch-King, don't be. It follows the book closely. - We get to see the whole Smeagol/Deagol ring-finding scene, with Andy Serkis (who does Gollum's voice) playing the pre-gollum Smeagol. Very cool. - The oliphants look awesome - The terrorizing effect of the Nazgul's cries is finally shown in ROTK. One gripe I had about FOTR and TTT was that in those films, it was creepy, but people more or less shrugged it off, whereas here it has a profound effect. - Possibly my biggest gripe is that in the Battle at the Black Gate, the forces Aragorn brings are rather skimpy, to say the least. In the book, it was a much larger, more credible, army. - Another nagging gripe is that while characters discuss the growing darkness, it never really gets that dark, and the darkness (or lack thereof) doesn't really have much effect upon the orcs. _ Have fun customizing MSN Messenger learn how here! http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_customize ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review
Bryon Daly wrote: - Another nagging gripe is that while characters discuss the growing darkness, it never really gets that dark, and the darkness (or lack thereof) doesn't really have much effect upon the orcs. The purpose of the darkness was _preventing_ the orcs to fight under the Sun, that would seriously handicap them. Alberto Monteiro ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: ROTK: my mini review
Bryon Daly wrote: - Some of Sam's adventure rescuing Frodo is cut out. From the way it is edited, I'm guessing a lot of it was filmed but cut for time. Sam's role as Frodo's protector is highlighted, and very touching at times. I was very gratified to see it wasn't minimized at all. Very glad to hear that. Thanks. :) Sam's mother ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
