The Fireside

  Many fans consider the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings films to be the definitive version. Peter Jackson, however, considers that to be the case for the theatrical editions. It makes sense - they are, after all, the versions that came out into cinemas and are 'finalized' because of that. Some state that the theatrical editions have better flow and editing than the extended editions. Overall, I prefer the extended editions myself. They aren't just a 'longer' version of the movie, the stuff re-inserted usually has meaning. That being said, there are some things that the theatrical editions does better, and some things that the extended editions do better. In this post, in honour of The Fellowship of the Ring's 20th anniversary, I'm going to use both (and slight hypothetical editing on my part) to create the best version of the films as possible. Well, to me, that is.  Now remember - what works on page doesn't always work on screen. These nee...

  Before I begin typing out my post, here is the summary of what the 31-disc set will include: LOTR Theatrical Editions - 3 BDs LOTR Extended Editions - 6 BDs LOTR 4K Both Versions - 9 4Ks (3 discs per film) HOBBIT Theatrical Editions - 3 BDs HOBBIT Extended Editions - 3 BDs HOBBIT 4K Both Versions - 6 4Ks (2 discs per film) BONUS DISC - 1 BD TOTAL = 31 discs (No Appendices) I knew that it would include different bonus material that isn't the appendices (be sweet if they came too, as it'd be 'all-encompassing'), as it's the 20th anniversary. But only ONE disc, with about 90-ish minutes of bonus content?? And, no WETA statue?? Yeah....no. What happened to the days of old, when The Lord of the Rings had nice extended editions and gift set packages? No cheap 'cases'. No trailers or 'coming soon' at the start of those discs. I don't think there will be anything as nice, packaging design-wise, as The Lord of the Rings 12-disc DVD set (and the separate...

  At long last, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy arrives on 4K! The set that this blog post is about features theatrical and extended editions of the trilogy (though no special features, more on that later) and the gift set features nicer packaging, and a replica of The One Ring (unsure who by at this point). While the set is in 4K, and features Dolby Atmos, these films will likely - this is, as of now, unconfirmed - feature the same transfer that the blu-ray editions did. In 2021, there's going to be a new restoration/remaster, and that set will likely included special features discs. Expect that to be out for the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring at the very latest. The set I'm discussing in this post, though, is due to be out this December. It's targeted at those who want the films on 4K, and don't care for special features or bonus material. If you would like more info, I'd like to direct to TheOneRing.Net's announcement: https://www.theoner...

A few days ago, the news broke that in Europe there is a listing for The Lord of the Rings + The Hobbit film trilogies coming to 4K. The date mentioned was June 2020, however 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring . The article mentions that both theatrical and extended editions would be arriving. Now, what would I like these release(s) to be like? Here are some thoughts on how I'd like to see these released on 4K blu-ray (or UHD blu-ray): - HDR & Dolby Atmos, possibly Dolby Vision as well - both extended and theatrical editions to be included in the same set : not one set for theatrical, and one for extended. - 3 releases: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy, and a set with both - the packaging for The Lord of the Rings to be nearly identical to the 12-disc extended DVD trilogy set from 2004. The Hobbit extended trilogy on DVD also had similar packaging. The blu-ray release had some elements carry over, though it's not qu...

Good day all! Yesterday evening, TheOneRing.Net hosted a live session with Doug Adams, 'musical scholar' for Howard shore's Middle-earth movie scores. He has assisted Howard tremendously with The Complete Recordings (even going so far to do the liner notes, which were expanded into its own book called The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films ). Last night, I asked my question (twice - once at the beginning of the session and properly during question time). I had asked: "Doug - can you provide any updates on either 'The Music of the Hobbit Films' book *OR* 'The Hobbit Complete Recordings?' His answer, to paraphrase is this: The Book: - it is already completed in some form. (My guess is rough version, first draft etc.) He said "I'm looking at it right now, actually." This was during a live video session, so it most likely only exists digitally at this point. Either way, this is great news - the book is underway to some degree, and will be ...

The Hobbit: Part 3  is pretty much headed out of theaters, and should be arriving on DVD / blu-ray etc in a few months. Some web sites, such as Amazon, are offering it up as pre-orders. But, as is custom, this will * NOT * be the extended edition. I am holding out for the extended edition trilogy box set on blu-ray myself, which should come out the same day as the rest of the extended editions for Part 3 . The theatrical version will be arriving on DVD, blu-ray, 3D blu-ray and digital. As of now, there is no trilogy set. This post is to let you know that there is a better version of the film coming out a few months later - just like with The Lord of the Rings , and the first two Hobbit  films.  

Well, this is it. Most likely the final Middle-earth film to ever be released. Herein, I shall review the film, spoiler-free.

There is a strong chance that The Hobbit (Part 3)  will be the last-ever Middle-earth movie. Peter Jackson stated this earlier which clears up any fans' hopes for future films (by him) : "The Tolkien estate owns the writings of Professor Tolkien.  The Hobbit  and  The Lord of the Rings  were sold by Professor Tolkien in the late '60s, the film rights,"  "They are the only two works of his that have ever been sold ... So without the cooperation of the Tolkien Estate, there can't be any more films." So there you have it. As I've known for quite a while, other films such as parts of The Silmarillion, or Children of Hurin  cannot, legally, be made. However, I can see future films as something like.... The Fellowship of the Ring  takes places 60 years after  The Hobbit . If more films are made between those two timespans, or other elements of the story not seen on film taking focus (especially The Lord of the Rings . The book is v...

"End? No, the journey doesn't end here" It is now less than a month to go before myself (and my eight companions) see The Hobbit (Part 3) , the last Peter Jackson Middle-earth film in cinemas. Online, when it comes to the comments users have posted for posters, trailers, etc. they mention 'the end' and they oft refer to Gandalf and Pippin talking about death.  Like Gandalf, I am here to tell you that this is not, indeed, the end.  So once you see the final Hobbit  film, there are some things you could do: - see it again! If anybody could not make it out to see it with you, offer to take them, or join their group.  - watch previous Middle-earth films - look forward to The Hobbit (Part 3)  Extended Edition (or, in my case, the 2D blu-ray trilogy box set; both of which should arrive next November)  - read some Tolkien ( The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion  and  Unfinished Tales  to understand and appr...

Peter Jackson officially made the announcement today: Our journey to make The Hobbit Trilogy has been in some ways like Bilbo's own, with hidden paths revealing their secrets to us as we've gone along. “There and Back Again” felt like the right name for the second of a two film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo’s arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, i t suddenly felt misplaced—after all, Bilbo has already arrived “there” in the "Desolation of Smaug". When we did the premiere trip late last year, I had a quiet conversation with the studio about the idea of revisiting the title. We decided to keep an open mind until a cut of the film was ready to look at. We reached that point last week, and after viewing the movie, we all agreed there is now one title that feels completely appropriate. And so: "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" it is. As Professor T...

I am by no means a Tolkien scholar. There most likely have been better articles and selections of words used to express The Hobbit (Part 2) , as well as the idea of a Hobbit trilogy, and how it 'destroys' Tolkien's work, and "isn't The Hobbit ". This article will examine the 'problem's with The Hobbit films, many of which came to light in the second film, according to the detractors.

On  April 8 ,  The Hobbit (Part 2)  is coming out to own on DVD, blu-ray, etc... but don't buy it!   Much like  Part 1 , as well as the  Lord of the Rings  films, the theatrical version is being released first, followed by an extended edition, later in the year. The extended edition features much more comprehensive special features, as well as a longer version of the film, which will breathe more life into Tolkien's world.  Return of the King  was almost an all-new film, whereas the  The Two Towers  explained and elaborated on some of the changes made by Peter Jackson, as well as why they were made.   I haven't seen the extended edition of  The Hobbit (Part 1)  yet, as I'm holding out for an extended edition trilogy set of all  The Hobbit  films, which will most likely be all three extended editions that exist (then) merely boxed up together. Should it be released. If for whatever reason ...

The birth of my love of fantasy? It's been a bit between posts, I know. The holidays are arriving a bit faster than usual, and I'm going for most of them, so busy busy! Even though I'm off work. My next 'planned' post is my review of Catching Fire (and it will happen!) but I wanted to tell my tale about fantasy.

I saw a few movies lately - Catching Fire, Frozen and The Hobbit (Part 2) . Here is my review of The Hobbit , the rest will follow later.

Now this is what I've been waiting for!! Read more for info... [if more info is announced, pre-orders etc... I'll do a 'reminder post' the day this comes out with all the info.]

Earlier this week The Hobbit: Part 1  came out to buy. And you better not  pick it up....

The Hobbit: Part 3  has been pushed back from July  2014 to December 17 2014 . 

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit". That sentence has been iconic for quite a few decades now, since 1937. 

Today tickets for The Hobbit: Part 1  went on sale...and I got mine. There are many theatres chains, services to get your tickets. Online is most likely the easiest and best through that theatre's website. Of course, there's always visiting the theatre itself.  I got mine through Empire Theatres (Canadian Chain) for the "The Empire Extra" version. Reserved seats. It's pretty sweet - bye bye line-ups. This film is available in a variety of formats. Courtesy to TheOneRing.net for providing this list of what's where : http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/11/07/64780-complete-listing-of-theaters-showing-hobbit-hfr-3d-imax-3d-imax-dolby-atmos/  All in all, make sure you see the film theatrically...as movies such as these is why  we (still) have movie theatres.  If you're not sure what HFR is.... Frequently Asked Questions about High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D): What is High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D)? Frame rates are the number of images (fra...

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer -  http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html#content=video&media=sting