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1. In the South, in Alabama and Georgia, this day was always genuinely a point where I could breathe a sigh of relief. Usually, by December 21st the worst of the cold and gloom was over. I knew that by the end of February there would be signs of spring, and that by April, almost always, the world would be warm and green. But here, instead, December
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I agree. I think it's significant the best parts of these movies so far have been this scene and the riddle scene with Gollum. Just Bilbo confronting another mind. What do you think of Martin Freeman in the role?
the film is showing on four screens, but only one of them is 3D, and the one that's 3D is a broom closet. This is a good thing, and I hope it reflects, to some degree, waning interest in a fad.
I saw it in 3D because it was the only convenient showtime when I got to the cinema. I still say the best parts of a 3D film are the one or two points when you stop noticing the 3D. Which of course makes it pretty pointless.
The Hobbit lags well behind his The Lord of the Rings, and this is primarily because of the former's compromised cinematography.
More complex cinematography certainly sets Lord of the Rings above Hobbit though I also found the writing far more effective in Lord of the Rings. I remember not quite agreeing with their idea of maintaining a focus on Frodo when the books were anything but focused on just one point of view. But I think they should have taken their own advice with The Hobbit. I say that even though I also didn't hate the addition of the elf love triangle. I kind of like the arc it gives to Legolas and I admit I want to see Kili and Tauriel make out.
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What do you think of Martin Freeman in the role?
He's very good. Probably not as good as Ian Holm, but better than Elijah Woods' Frodo (though I did not dislike the latter).
though I also found the writing far more effective in Lord of the Rings
With LotR, the screenwriters had better source material, so....
I remember not quite agreeing with their idea of maintaining a focus on Frodo when the books were anything but focused on just one point of view.
Maybe it's because I've seen the extended version several dozen times, but I'm not sure what you mean. Frodo doesn't get more screen time than the other narratives; not at all.
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It's something they discuss a lot in the DVD commentaries--it's less noticeable in the extended editions because the extended versions contain a lot of scenes they deliberately trimmed in order to maintain focus on Frodo. But it wasn't just sticking to Frodo scenes from the book--they actually altered dialogue at times, like when Frodo solves the riddle on the door into Moria instead of Merry.
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Okay, well...I don't know. I don't see it. Obviously, then, it must be there, but it has never detracted. I'm tempted now to watch it and time the scenes. But, clearly, a screenwriter would have to choose narratives to focus on, when adapting any work with multiple characters and story lines. Simplification is unavoidable. I have always said, Jackson could not film the books. They are, as written, unfilmable. Hell, when I was asked to adapt Threshold (nothing ultimately came of it, but), I began by tossing out two major characters - Dancy and Sadie.
Truthfully, I'm impressed Jackson made good, solid films from LotR. Even the extended versions are very short, compared to the source material.
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Ultimately, it doesn't detract from those films for me, either.
But, clearly, a screenwriter would have to choose narratives to focus on, when adapting any work with multiple characters and story lines. Simplification is unavoidable. I have always said, Jackson could not film the books. They are, as written, unfilmable.
There's a lot in the books that's not anchored to character POV which I think would be difficult if not impossible to create an effective film with, particularly with a director like Jackson whose movies tend to feel like you're riding in a character's coat pocket--you're so tied to the people on screen. Even the opening of Fellowship of the Ring, which would have to be the most removed from POV part of the films, Jackson takes the time to show things like an arrow wizzing quite close to Elrond's eye to give you that sense of touch and tie you for a moment to him. Ian McKellen really praises Jackson over this close-up--in the commentary or one of the interviews, I can't remember, he says it would feel like Monty Python otherwise.
Hell, when I was asked to adapt Threshold (nothing ultimately came of it, but), I began by tossing out two major characters - Dancy and Sadie.
Wow. And Threshold is a much shorter book. I would have liked to have seen how an adaptation would have played out. Well, a good one.
Truthfully, I'm impressed Jackson made good, solid films from LotR. Even the extended versions are very short, compared to the source material.
Yes. They're remarkably tight. Every scene chains well with the next and many characters come across very naturally without fracturing the flow of the story.
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