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July 29, 2005 - August 04, 2005

News for Aug. 04, 2005

George Lucas Talks WETA vs ILM

8/04/05, 1:55 pm EST - Xoanon

From CinemaTech: I arrived at the LA Convention Center this afternoon just in time to find a seat in the back of the hall for George Lucas' opening keynote at SIGGRAPH 2005... (George Lucas) talks a bit about Peter Jackson's visual effects shop, Weta Digital, which he visited recently. "Weta is like ILM was 20 years ago." He invited Jackson to come see ILM now, and see if that's really the direction he wants Weta to go. [More]

Actor Wood To Launch Record Label

8/04/05, 1:47 pm EST - Xoanon

From IMDB: The Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood is such a fan of rock music he's decided to launch his own record label. Wood will open the as-yet-untitled label later this year and he's hoping to attract a wide range of acts. The 24-year-old says, "Since I was 13, I've been utterly obsessed with music. There's a wealth of amazing bands out there who have nowhere to go. I want to have the chance to release things that might not necessarily get released otherwise. My taste is pretty eclectic, so my label won't have a specific sound. Though if Radiohead are ever looking for a deal, I'd sign them any time." But, despite his willingness to help musicians secure a record deal, Wood has no plans to release his own album. He tells British magazine Q, "I don't have a great love for bands with actors in them. Me prancing around onstage? That's not going to happen." [More]

News for Aug. 03, 2005

Orlando Bloom (Finally) enters 21st century

8/03/05, 9:03 pm EST - Xoanon

Orlando Bloom, the British heartthrob of "Lord of the Rings" fame, said he's glad finally to lay down his sword as he plays his first contemporary role in director Cameron Crowe's upcoming film. Bloom, who has starred as a warrior in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the epic "Troy" and the Crusader drama "Kingdom of Heaven," plays a young Kentucky aristocrat in "Elizabethtown," due for release later this year. [More]

Sci-fi 'classic' tipped for NZ

8/03/05, 8:58 pm EST - Xoanon

A big-budget Hollywood sci-fi film featuring aliens and Vikings is to be shot in New Zealand – and it is likely to star Kiwi actor Karl Urban. Outlander, set during the time of the Vikings, is the only Hollywood production – other than Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones – known to be filmed in New Zealand in the next 12 months. Urban confirmed Outlander in an interview about his next film Doom, based on the popular sci-fi computer game. Doom is to be released in October. Urban told film website Aint It Cool News he was in negotiations to play the lead in Outlander – a pilot from a distant solar system chased by an alien predator. He crash-lands on Earth at the time of the Vikings. Urban said Outlander would be shot in New Zealand, with Wellington special effects company Weta creating the film's creatures. [More]

'The Lord of the Beans' Trailer Online

8/03/05, 2:01 pm EST - Xoanon

No, this isn't a Sean Bean love-fest film 'Lord of the Beans' is Big Idea Production's newest video release coming out in late October. Take a look at this VeggieTales Production. Thanks to Rachel for the link. [More]

News for Aug. 02, 2005

Alan Lee at Worldcon

8/02/05, 7:09 pm EST - Xoanon

David Stewart from Interaction writes: Just a note to remind you that Alan Lee will be a special guest at Interaction the World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow. The Convention runs from August 4 to 8 and Mr Lee will be present from the Friday to the Sunday of that weekend. To coincide with his appearance, Harper Collins have very kindly made available copies of his new book A Lord of the Rings Sketchbook in advance of its official publication date and Mr Lee will be signing copies on Friday August 5. [More]

LOTR Symphony: Nashville

8/02/05, 7:04 pm EST - Xoanon

The Lord of the Rings Symphony is a musical journey into the realm of Middle Earth that calls to the stage more than 200 musicians and vocalists. Of the work, one writer for The New Yorker said, “[Composer Howard] Shore manages the admirable feat of summoning up a Wagnerian atmosphere without copying the original…Shore’s musical opus is every bit as impressive as Tolkien’s literary one, standing on its own as a sweeping, operatic experience.” [More]

Movies In Fifteen Minutes

8/02/05, 6:58 pm EST - Xoanon

Talia writes: Blogger Cleolinda finally started writing her infamous Movies In Fifteen Minutes for print; the pre-order for the new book (which includes stunning recap/parodies of all three LOTR movies) is available at Amazon.com. [More]

From Hobbit To Hooligan

8/02/05, 6:51 pm EST - Xoanon

From Hobbit To Hooligan Ringer Spy Philippa sent along the latest issue of Empire Magazine that features this article with Elijah Wood. [More]

Artists appeal for stolen puppet

8/02/05, 6:26 pm EST - Xoanon

A group of artists are appealing for help to find a giant Lord of the Rings puppet stolen at the Womad Festival. The 14ft (4.3m) effigy of the character Treebeard was taken from the children's tent on Monday afternoon, along with the troupe's tools, worth £300. The group, from south Wales, spent the weekend helping children make costumes for a parade, with Treebeard the star. Men in a white Ford Escort van were seen strapping the puppet to their roof at the festival in Reading, Berkshire. [More]

Connery Talks Gandalf

8/02/05, 1:27 pm EST - Xoanon

Chris writes: In a recent interview with the New Zealand Herald, Sean Connery talked about how he turned down the role of Gandalf. He turned down Gandalf in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. "Yeah, well, I never understood it. I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don't understand it." He says he is very impressed with both Jackson - "he obviously understands nuts and bolts", and so is obviously not one of the idiots (in Hollywood) - and the movie. "Whereas I would be interested in doing something that I didn't fully understand, but not for 18 months." [More]

UK TV Watch: QVC To Showcase 'LOTR Collectors Hour'

8/02/05, 1:14 pm EST - Xoanon

Darren from Cards Inc writes: Just a quick note to say that the next Lord of the Rings collectors hour on QVC UK is on Sunday 7th August (4pm). [qvc.com]

News for Aug. 01, 2005

Alan Lee UK Book Tour News!

8/01/05, 1:35 pm EST - Xoanon

Sarah writes: To support the release of Alan Lee’s brand new project, The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook, Alan will be signing copies at these exclusive pre-publication events in August event though the book is not officially go on sale nationwide until 5th September. [More]

Project Monaghan Helps TreePeople

8/01/05, 1:24 pm EST - Xoanon

The folks from Project-Monaghan write: project-monaghan.net is planning in participating in a tree care event with the charity that Project-Monaghan and Dominic Monaghan supports, TreePeopleLA. We would like to invite all to participate. Please go to our project-monaghan site, and PM Robin if you would like to help out. Specific directions will be sent to those who have confirmed to go. [More]

News for Jul. 31, 2005

Vote for your favorite op!

7/31/05, 12:05 pm EST - Gamgee

Regular visitor of Barliman's? Check out the new poll on the barliman's page! [More]

News for Jul. 30, 2005

Wood's 'Green Street' Trailer Online

7/30/05, 11:49 am EST - Xoanon

The trailer for the newly renamed Elijah Wood movie 'Green Street' is now online at IGN.com. Take a look! [More]

News for Jul. 29, 2005

ROTK DVD Wins Four VSDA Awards

7/29/05, 2:24 pm EST - Xoanon

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 28, 2005--"Spider-Man 2" last night received VSDA's 2005 DVD Technical Award for "Best Overall Presentation - Theatrical Release" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Special Extended DVD Version)" received four awards for its DVD technology: Best Audio Presentation; Best Commentary; Best Menu Features; and Best Supplementary Materials. [More]

Alan Lee Book Tour News!

7/29/05, 2:12 pm EST - Xoanon

Houghton Mifflin will be sending Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, on a U.S. tour this October to discuss his brand-new book, THE LORD OF THE RINGS SKETCHBOOK. The book presents more than 150 of Lee's celebrated illustrations to show how his imagery for both the illustrated Lord of the Rings and the films progressed from concept to finished art. In addition, the book contains 20 full-color plates and numerous examples of the conceptual art produced for Peter Jackson's film adaptation. Lee's events will feature a slide show, a Q&A with fans, and a booksigning. [More]

Buy the Book

Amazon.com
The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook (Hardcover)

Amazon.ca
The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook (Hardcover)

Got Art? Show it off at ELF!

7/29/05, 2:05 pm EST - Xoanon

With just one month to go before ELF kicks of in Orlando, Florida, we'd like to remind you that we are still taking submissions for the Art Show. Please check the convention website for the appropriate forms here or email the Art Show staff at artshows@gmail.com

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