I must say I’m not that enthused about Peter Jackson spinning out The Hobbit into three parts. He’s taken quite a few liberties with Mr. Tolkien’s untouchable tale, some of them rather benign and some of them (girl elf-Fili, or Kili, whatever, love story) reprehensible. Jackson should have his beard shaved off for that one in the manner of the king’s emissaries who were humiliated at the court of Edom (or wherever).
At any rate, it’s galling that Sir Jackson (Sir Jackson? that’s what people get knighted for these days, as opposed to fighting the Moslems at the battle of Tours?) has gone the route of Kim Kardashian marketing with the good Professor’s wit. Spin it out, enlarge it, hash and dash it and repackage it with something shiny.
Yes, I’m going to go see the movie. Even though I’ll gnash my teeth from time to time (sans popcorn, as it doesn’t seem to agree with my health — little agrees with my health these days; save me, Jonathan Gruber!, or at least let me know when I’m supposed to die so I can schedule my dry cleaning accordingly).
And, yes, I’m almost ready to publish the latest Tormay story. Hopefully before my dry cleaning’s date with destiny. Wait. Am I talking about clothes or closure?
And, yes, winter is coming, and that has nothing to do with George Martin. It’s simply winter, a much more profound and persistent entity than any Stark.
Lol! So much I could comment on here, Chris, but yes! I agree. I’m saddened by how many people I now hear saying they know all about The Hobbit, they’ve seen the movie. NOT the same thing. It’s discouraging really.
As is ongoing pain and sickness. We are praying for your health.
Definitely not the same thing, amen. I’m not sure what all my reasons are for being such a tyrannical purist, but if something has been done very very well, it shouldn’t be tampered with. If somebody feels the need to tamper, shouldn’t they just go out and create their own story?
Thanks for the prayers…
I only half-agree with your views. I like the additions from the Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, but the rest are time-wasters and money-makers. The former being what the public wants, the latter being what the company wants, and neither of which us Tolkien fans really want. Having received the second installment for my birthday (October 31st, AKA All Hallows Eve) and having watched it again, It helped me realized that some of the aforementioned time-wasters actually add some flavor. But I’ll leave with this thought: Should we embellish another’s recipe for our own ends? (As an off-topic afterthought, I would like to add that Andrew Petterson’s Wingfeather Saga isn’t on your favorite books page! I think you need to give them another good read. *Wink*)
Only to find out that my HTML was off by a few characters. Sorry about the italicized text.
I actually enjoyed the Wingfeather Saga a lot. Fun story, endearing writing voice. Definitely a standout, and, yes, I should add them to my favorite books page.
I’m afraid I’m too much of a purist. Amazing works of art shouldn’t be toyed with. We should genuflect before them and then go careening off to write our own stories (or cakes or sculptures or fascinatingly designed kitchens or whatever). Tinkering with recipes for one’s own table is something entirely different. A cake, while wonderful, is not Middle Earth.
Important piece of information: it’s not Sir Jackson, it’s Sir Peter; “Sir” is always followed by the first name, not last. As you would know, if you had read more Georgette Heyer, whose love stories are the ultimate (I know you have no excuse because you have ready access to them). Perhaps said Sir Peter ought to be bathed in them for a while so he could get an inkling that any time he tries to put a romance on a screen he badly, badly screws up. Pink back lighting and violins, gag. The elf chick is quite nauseating, the actress’ origins in my local town notwithstanding. However, in her defence it must be said that apparently when she took the role she requested that there wouldn’t be a love story with her character and Legolas – which proves that she has far better instincts than Sir Peter.
But yes, I’ll go see the movie, too. And will be quietly gagging and/or rolling my eyes a good lot of the time, I’m sure. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Ah, you’re right on the knightly etiquette thing. Sir Peter. What a silly custom that whole knight thing has become. Invent a new cheese? Write some best-selling show tunes? Figure out a new way to compost? Sir You and You and You (sung to the tune of that song from The Sound of Music).
Yes, I’m so not looking forward to the elf-chick subplot. But, I shall be there in spats and hat.