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The Hobbit Trailer

Damon Houx — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:12:26 +0000

Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit is one of the most anticipated films of next year, but also a big question mark. Now, there’s a trailer. The new film stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, with many returning cast members from the Lord of the Rings films, including Ian McKellan, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and Cate Blanchett. And this trailer wants to remind you how much you liked the original series.

The Hobbit has been in development for so long that Guillermo Del Toro – the original director – left the project, leaving Jackson to take back over. And as impressive as Jackson’s work was with the trilogy, in the interim he made King Kong and The Lovely Bones, two films that are – at best – interesting failures. Now you get a trailer filled with imagery and nostalgia for that trilogy.

Here there is scale, and a sense of the lighter tone of the original book, but then also teases of Gollum’s return and the ring. A trailer’s a trailer, but Gollum’s role in the original story is relatively minor, so it makes you wonder if things connected to the original trilogy are going to get too much screen time. The movie is due out December 14, 2012, so for now it’s just idle (and cheap) speculation. That said, this isn’t a great trailer because it seems to function as a nostalgia button-pusher.

Are you more excited for this or The Dark Knight Rises?

First Footage From ‘The Hobbit’ Released!

traviswoods — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:50:14 +0000

Tolkien nerds, Lord of the Rings movie fans, and Peter Jackson aficionados, brace yourselves—the director is now hosting behind the scenes videos from the set of The Hobbit. Go ahead, I’ll wait while your head implodes. OK, ready to watch it? Here we go, hang on:

So there you go: badass stunt work, painting hobbit feet, dwarf wardrobes, sword-making, set-building, exact copies of LOTR set designs, actor walk-throughs, cast introductions, and Andy Serkis in an awkwardly tight leotard giving a speech to the cast and crew. Amazing! Also, I find it impossible not to stare into the tangled hobbit mess that it Peter Jackson’s hair. It’s… it’s hypnotizing. I dunno, I can’t explain it.

The Hobbit will be split into two films, which will be released in 2012 and 2013 in 2D and (sigh) 3D and IMAX 3D, and stars (deep breath) Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, James Nesbitt, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Mikael Persbrandt, Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Saoirse Ronan, Elijah Wood and Bret McKenzie, according to Coming Soon.

What do you think of the The Hobbit video?

Andy Serkis to Direct Second Unit on The Hobbit

Damon Houx — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:26:44 +0000

Though he’d been acting before, Andy Serkis made a name for himself with the motion capture performance in the Lord of the Rings films. Since then he’s become one of the leading motion-capture actors, and has been constantly working. But besides reprising his role as Gollum in the upcoming Hobbit movies, he’ll be serving as a second unit director for Peter Jackson, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

When the Lord of the Rings films were made, Jackson would sometimes have nine units going at all times to try and get the footage he needed – on the supplements for the film, producer Barry Osbourne talked about he would often get roped into running a unit, while Peter Jackson’s wife Fran Walsh also mentioned that she shot some footage for the film. As Jackson is coming into this having made the three previous films – blockbusters all – he will likely have more resources, but films of this scale require just as much crunch as something smaller.

Serkis will also be returning to play Gollum. Serkis is not that weird of a choice for second unit work as he’s been helping direct on some of his motion capture work, though his role is unknown in total. The IMDb lists him as also working on his feature film debut. Perhaps he’s taking this on as training.

Does this make you excited for The Hobbit?

‘The Hobbit’ Production Begins!

traviswoods — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:04:17 +0000

Well, epic movie fans, Tolkien geeks, and weird hairy foot enthusiasts, your time to rejoice has come—Warner Bros/New Line Cinema and MGM have announced that production on the long-delayed and long-awaited The Hobbit (the prequel film to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the book of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien) has finally begun.

/Film nabbed the press release heralding the new double-movie (it will be split into two parts), which is, like its epic processors, directed by Peter Jackson:

“’The Hobbit’ is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

“The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.”

The film, which will bring back such Rings cast members as Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Cate Blanchett, and Andy Serkis as Gollum, centers around the “title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves… Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.”

I’ll be honest with you—I have no idea what any of that means. But! As long Jackson is directing, as long as Elijah Wood keeps making that goddamn Frodo face for ten or so hours, and as long as Viggo Mortensen doesn’t show up to remind me of how much of a badass I’m not, I’m totally sold on this.

What do you think about The Hobbit news?

Video: Watch the Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion

Krystal Clark — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:41:53 +0000

It’s been 11 years since the hobbit and wizard-filled cast of Lord of the Rings traveled down to New Zealand to film one of the greatest film trilogies of all time. Over at EW, they’re releasing a special reunion edition of the magazine, which features the original casts of some of the most influential and memorable films and TV shows of all time including Back to the Future and Scream. Below we’ve got some video of the stars from Peter Jackson’s Oscar winning epic as they do a photo shoot and interview for the magazine’s special issue. Take a look…

Is it wrong that out of all the fun and inciteful info these guys share during this video, I’m more interested in their escapades with Ian McKellen? He sounds like the best person to hang out with. He taught those boys how to live and have fun. Aside from that, it was cool to hear about their journey as friends and co-stars, especially their joint hate of the hobbit’s hairy feet. According to Astin, they were “claustrophobic.”

The first Lord of the Rings film hit theaters in 2001 but production began in 1999, when little Elijah Wood was still a teenager. And oddly enough, he still looks like one today.

What do you think of the Lord of the Rings reunion?

Cheap DVDs: Lord of the Rings, Transformers, Independence Day

Anet Hovhanesian — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:22:58 +0000

We are back again this week with more of your favorite films, new and classic, at low prices. Great deals are hard to come by which is why you should take advantage of DVDs for as low as $6.99! We have a few great movies for you and some that my editor calls “hang over movies” — they don’t make you think about anything, but keep you entertained enough that you forget your hang over – you know I’m looking at you Independence Day!

Check out the DVDs available at bargain prices on Amazon:

Under $10

Taking Chance | $9.99
The Outsiders | $9.99
The Prince of Egypt | $9.49
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King | $8.99
August Rush | $6.99

Pick of the Week: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King

Peter Jackson brings us the second part of the three story where the Fellowship of the Ring prepares for the final battle for Middle Earth, while Frodo & Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. The Lord of the Rings: The Returen of the King stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Viggo Mortenson. This is the kind of classic film that you have to own. In case you need more proof in 2004 it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and it won all categories it was nominated for.

$10 +

The Princess and the Frog | $13.99
Sweet Home Alabama | $12.49
Step Brothers | $11.49
The Shawshank Redemption | $11.49
Transformers | $14.99

Pick of the Week: Transformers

Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox in a Michael Bay film that gave us hope before the second film crushed all our spirits. Maybe the third will be better? Here’s to drinking before the screening! As much as I hated the second, even I have to admit that the first one was action packed and fun to watch.

Blu-RAY

The Thomas Crown Affair | $11.99
Kingdom of Heaven | $11.99
Independence Day | $12.49
The Fifth Element | $13.49
Edward Scissorhands | $11.49

Pick of the Week: Independence

For the hang over after I’ll have after I watch Transformers 3…

Which film would be your picks of the week?

New DVD Relases: Bad Lieutenant, The Natural, Lord of the Rings Set

Andrew Payne — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:30:40 +0000

After what seemed like an endless stream of great weeks on DVD, all at once they’re falling flat with one of the worst DVD weeks in recent memory. We’re talking a total of one feature film (a small one at that – Bad Lieutenant) and just a smattering of TV on DVD.

There are a couple of Blu-Ray Special Edition releases for you HD Connoisseurs out there, but mostly this looks like a week to enjoy the NCAA Finals, Baseball’s Opening Week, and The Masters.

Still, I suppose you probably prefer DVDs so check out what’s new below…

FEATURE FILMS

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

This was a strange movie in that it was at the same time overrated and underrated.

It was overrated in the sense that everybody who saw it raved about it as though it were the greatest police film of all time. The descriptions of Nicolas Cage’s performance verged on Streepian levels, with many calling it a revelation.

In reality, this is a good movie. Shocking, sure, but not even as crazy as the unrated tag would have you believe. There’s plenty of good stuff, but not nearly as much as the hype would have you believe.

How is it underrated? Well, there’s the fact that nobody saw it, and the fact that Nicolas Cage’s lavish personal life kind of overwhelmed the quality of the film. Than, and all the weird controversy around it, made it seem like something perverse to those who never saw it.

In reality, this is just a good solid cop movie with a fine performance from Cage. Certainly worth checking out on DVD.

TV ON DVD

The Unusuals: The Complete Series

Did you know that Jeremy Renner had a television show on the air last season that was canceled just as The Hurt Locker was being released? Did you know it also stars Amber Tamblyn and Commissioner Gordon’s female assistant from The Dark Knight? Did you know there’s absolutely nothing coming out on DVD this week?

So yes, you can buy this complete series on DVD.

Also:

“Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami” – Buy Now
“Simon & Simon”: Season 4 – Buy Now

SPECIAL EDITION OF THE WEEK

Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Theatrical Editions) – Blu-Ray

Can I interest you in a nine-disc mega-set of every Lord of the Rings movie in Blu-Ray Hi-Def with a bevy of features? Really? There’s finally a DVD release this week you might actually want to buy? Hallelujah!

Bonus Features Include:

Trailers: “The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest” Game Trailer, “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy Supertrailer
Welcome to Middle-Earth: Houghton Mifflin In-Store Special
Quest for the Ring: FOX TV Special
A Passage to Middle-Earth: SCI-FI Channel Special
Finding Hobbiton
Hobbiton Comes Alive
Believing the World of Bree
Ringwraiths: The Fallen Kings
Rivendell: The Elven Refuge
Languages of Middle-Earth
Two Wizards
Music of Middle-Earth
Enya “May it Be” Music Video
Special Extended DVD Edition Preview
Behind the Scenes Preview of “The Two Towers”
Trailers; “The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest” Game Trailer, “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy Supertrailer
On the Set “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” – Starz Encore Special
Return to Middle-Earth: WB Special
“The Long and Short of It” A Short Film Directed by Sean Astin
The Making of “The Long and Short of It”
Forces of Darkness
Designing the Sounds of Middle-Earth
Edoras: The Rohan Capital
Creatures of Middle-Earth
Gandalf the White
Arms and Armor
The Battle of Helm’s Deep
Emiliana Torrini “Gollum’s Song” Music Video
Special Extended DVD Edition Preview
Behind the Scenes Preview of “The Return of the King”
Trailers: “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy Supertrailer, “The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest” Game Trailer
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision
A Filmaker’s journey: Making “The Return of the King”
National Geographic Special – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
Aragorn’s Destiny, Minas Tirith: Captial of Gondor
The Battle of Pelennor Fields, Samwise the Brave
Eowyn: White Lady of Rohan, Digital Horse Doubles
Heart/Frodo, Every Path, Test, Aragorn, Time, Every Step, Sword, Decided
Special Extended DVD Edition Preview
Digital Copies of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King

Now that’s a lot of features.

Also:

The Natural: Director’s Cut – Blu-Ray – Buy Now

What DVD will you be picking up this week?

Ian McKellen Confirms Hobbit Casting

Krystal Clark — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:16 +0000

Sir Ian McKellen is probably one of the few people who’ll make the transition from The Lord of the Rings to The Hobbit. The award winning actor made a recent appearance at London’s BFI IMAX cinema event where they held a Lord of the Rings marathon. While in the presence of the film’s die hard fans, he gave some casting updates on The Hobbit including the status of Bilbo Baggins! More below.

According to /Film, McKellen told the attending audience that he will be returning to his role as Gandalf in the upcoming feature. Filming starts early next year in March, and he will be on set ready for action. The biggest news he spewed that night had to do with the central Hobbit character Bilbo Baggins. He stated that the role had been cast and he believes fans will be “very, very pleased.” Who could it be?

I’m sticking with my original theory of James McAvoy. I can see him as the character through and through. He’s got the talent, the look, and the charisma to carry a film of this stature on his shoulders. The last time I checked, the script for The Hobbit was nearing completion, which is good news considering the March start date. I hope James made the cut, if not him then who?

Who do you think has been cast as Bilbo Baggins in The Bobbit?

Orlando Bloom Heads for the ‘Cross’

Krystal Clark — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:30:16 +0000

Watch out everybody, Orlando Bloom is about to go epic… again. In his latest project he won’t play an elf, a swashbuckler, or a medieval warrior, just an average Joe who wants to go where no man has ever gone before! According to Variety, Bloom has signed on to star in The Cross. The film will be directed by Andrew Niccol, the same guy who brought you the Nicolas Cage blood bath Lord of War. Cross is categorized as a “science fiction escape story,” which will be set in a border town.

ScreenCrave.com » Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit Trailer

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First Footage From ‘The Hobbit’ Released!

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Under $10

$10 +

Blu-RAY

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New DVD Relases: Bad Lieutenant, The Natural, Lord of the Rings Set

FEATURE FILMS

TV ON DVD

SPECIAL EDITION OF THE WEEK

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Ian McKellen Confirms Hobbit Casting

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Orlando Bloom Heads for the ‘Cross’

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