Happy New Year! In 2013, to kickstart the blog and give myself motivation to write everyday, I'm going to attempt a 365 Tolkien project, with a short reflection on a quote from Tolkien's writings every day, beginning with a re-reading of The Lord of the Rings.
But to start things off today, I'll use that legendary line that started it all more than a decade before LotR:
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."
Since I just saw the movie this weekend for the first time, some thoughts (and spoilers) below:
Excellent: Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. I think he nails it. And the riddle contest is superbly done. I also like the development of Home as a central thematic concern in the film. (The Ancient Greek "oikos" and "ktisis").
Good: Inclusion (and good composing) of some of Tolkien's original songs; the portrayal of the White Council.
Silly but Fun: Radagast the Brown. Imaginative, if a little over the top.
Foolish: The stone giants.
Tolerable Hollywood Change: Azog's graduation to obsessive (and living) "dwarf scum" stalker, from backstory victim of Thorin Oakenshield's revenge at the battle of Azanulbizar.
Offensive: Bilbo turning into a ninja Hobbit in the last five minutes. "Took" does not equal "violent" or "magically knows how to use a sword."
Unacceptable: Leaving out practically all of chapter 7 and the meeting with the Eagles in their eyries. Could've been movie gold. What excuse is there for making ONE book into THREE movies and still cutting a whole scene? (And the stone giants made it in??)
I can't believe Peter Jackson never called me for advice. :)
"Tolkien 365" is a (hopefully) daily reflection on a quote from the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, beginning with The Lord of the Rings and branching into his other writings as opportunity and inspiration allow. Comments are especially welcome.
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He did the same thing with LOTR trilogy. The movies were already 3 hrs+ Another 10 minutes and he could have included everything.
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