All posts by SailorPlanetos

My favorite Elf ever! <3

You're both welcome! :) I'm sorry to have rambled on a bit, especially about some things which were only semi-related, but it was definitely a very meaningful and memorable time for Tolkien fans, and @Tolkien24 did really seem to want to know how it felt. (Experiences varied, of course! But that was just mine, and I'm happy that people are still enthusiastic about the films.)

It was REALLY great because when you were sitting in the theater, you could sometimes tell who had read the books and who hadn't by how they were reacting to certain things. I remember this one other person (a total stranger) and I locking eyes when we were both cracking up at the, "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little push out the door."

We were both laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. It was just this silent mutual understanding of, "Yup! You read it, too." Or you might hear somebody either appreciate or complain that the Balrog had wings, or make a motion like they were putting on a ring when Gollum appeared onscreen, or something like that. Things like that happened at most of the screenings I attended, and I saw each film 2-3 times in the theaters.

The films were extremely well-received----people would be excitedly talking about the films and Tolkien lore in the lobbies both before and after the screenings----- and since the Internet wasn't quite as popular or commonly used yet, it was still really common for people to hear film adverts on the radio. I remember that one of the more common scenes to hear was Frodo's speech about how he wished Bilbo had never found the Ring, that none of this had happened, et cetera, and Gandalf replies with, "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All that we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

The first film came out less than 3 months after the September 11th attacks, and my country had just recently declared war, so those lines meant a lot to me at the time---and still do.

So, to summarize:

Most people were absolutely amazed.

Ahh, yes! The Wood Elves! THAT was just wrong....

These adaptations were a much-beloved part of my childhood. The music was fantastic, and some parts were...not terrible. That said, they have their flaws. Even if you loved other parts, which moment was the cringiest for you?

(Though if you do start the books and find yourself really curious about something in the Appendices, I would say go ahead and look at them if you want to do so, because there's not much that you can spoil yourself on & Tolkien's world-building is really interesting. I looked back and forth between the Appendices and main story all the way through my first time reading the books. It didn't really change very much for me.)

After. If you read the Appendices first, it can spoil a bit of the rest of the story. You'll also get more of a frame of reference for things like the runes and the family trees.

I probably admire Éowyn more than 2-3 of the 6 characters on the list. I'm not a huge Arwen fan, TBH. I approve of her expanded role in the film trilogy, but she really doesn't do much in the books, Other than the initial 6 listed (all of whom I love), I also really like Bilbo, Legolas, Faramir, Theoden, Éomer, Bombadil, and to a certain extent Gimli, Gwaihir, Boromir, and Haldir. Even Merry,and Pip have some admirable moments, There are just so many great characters! (And that's just from Lord of the Rings alone---among the characters who appear in the main action of The Sil but not in LotR or TH, I probably most admire Nienna, Varda, Manwë, Fingolfin, and Beren.)

I'm not sure which character I admire most, given all of their different backgrounds, actions, and ability levels to take into consideration, but Gandalf is my favorite Tolkien character. He just gives me the warm fuzzies.

Oh, right! Peter Hollens! I love him.

I guess I was thinking more in terms of original music and not covers, but that man is good.

I think they were probably just in recognition of him, unless the victims went on a voluntary basis, which I doubt either Sauron or Melkor would have enjoyed quite as much. As for Sauron builidng a temple to himself, there are accounts of humans turning to his worship, so he likely didn't even have to do it. Although it could also be argued that Barad-dûr was something of a temple to himself....

@FMacias Thank you for the suggestion!

@Samwise Harder Other than the Howard Shore scores, do you have any favorite Tolkien-inspired music collections?

@ArwenUdomiel I love those!

@SassyGryffinclaw I don't know! When should we even call it? @__@ And ArwenUdomiel had some gorgeous suggestions, as well!

High Elf :)

I think that TV series would probably be best, but.....I was almost tempted to say a series of music videos, because how hilarious would that be?

Think Blind Guardian's 'Nightfall in Middle Earth', but with more styles of music represented, and more kinds of scenes attached! :P :P :P

You are very welcome, Fauna! I'm glad you asked the question.

I don't hate you! The Hobbit was written for young children, so a lot of readers don't enjoy the style. LotR also has broader themes.

^^^Pretty much that, though anything that Christopher wrote is also considered canon per J.R.R.'s wishes. I'm not sure who has that right now...? Tolkien made it pretty clear that Christopher had the final word, but now that they're both gone, I'm not sure who's in charge of the literary legacy or what their feelings are on it. It looks like either Simon or Michael Tolkien (i.e. one of the grandsons) probably has that call now, or perhaps Tolkien's daughter, Priscilla. Michael has directorship of the Estate, but I'm not sure who gets the official weigh-in now that Christopher is gone.