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September 25, 2002 - October 02, 2002

10-02-02 Latest News

Fellowship of the Ring Bug Reports
Flinch @ 6:17 pm EST

Reports have been coming in from all over the net that both of the games recently released by Vivendi Universal are dangerously filled with bugs and errors on older XBox and GameBoy Advance systems. The Fellowship of the Ring for XBox has been rumored to, as one gamer put it: "It got through the beginning dialog fine, but every time I tried to start the game, it just froze up. Many fans have taken their games to exchange them for new copies, only to have the same problem loading the game.

One such player of the Fellowship of the Ring for GameBoy Advance told us he was not happy with the game at all: "There are some minor bugs and a few major ones as well. The minor ones, such as Gimli being invisible when you try to speak to him in Rivendell, are not so bad. But the Major bug, which has caused quite a few people I've spoken with to write angrily to Vivendi Universal, occurs in Moria. After a battle with an Orc, Gandalf says "The way ahead is blocked. We must go deeper into the mines"; the game freezes up completely.

We'll have more for you as it develops.

Sad News For Viggo Fans
Xoanon @ 1:49 pm EST

The folks at musingsofviggo.com send along this bit of upsetting news, seems Viggo has been overwhelmed with letters and cards that he has to resign to stop answering them all together...sad

This from a man I have yet to meet, but I've heard is one of the most gentle and soft-spoken people you can meet. Considering he's got a massive multi-million dollar trilogy of blockbusters under his belt, a ton of amazing other films, is an accomplished photographer and student of the arts...you'd think he'd have a bigger head and small heart, apparently nothing can be further from the truth. I can only assume his decision was not an easy one to come to, and fans all around the world can't blame him for giving up, sometimes fan mail can be TOO much!

Stay tuned for our EXCLUSIVE interview with Viggo Mortensen while he was in NYC recently, and another video from his LA event! Viggo-mania hits torn!

A message from Viggo:

Over the years I have made the effort to read and answer every piece of fan mail that I received. Lately, however, the volume of mail has increased significantly making it practically impossible to keep up with it all and to respond to each piece personally. Although I am grateful for the favorable response that those of us involved in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy have had, it is simply become a bit overwhelming. I find that I have little or no time left for other pursuits and have little free time left for art projects or for spending time with friends and family.

Therefore, as I do not wish to have mail answered for me by others, I have no choice but to say that I will no longer be accepting fan mail after October 31, 2002.

Please do not send anymore letters or cards as it will not be answered. I will, however, continue to honor requests for autographs in person as I have always done.

I thank you for your support and kind thoughts.

Viggo

The Rendering of Gollum
Xoanon @ 8:32 am EST

Neturina writes: As others I was baffeled by the new TTTTrailer, one of the things that realy
blew me away was the way Gollum looked. I noticed he looked much, much better an detailed than before. I took some screenshots from the teaser trailer and the full trailer and started to combine the two. A few things I've noticed:

-First of all they colour-corrected the entire shot, look for instance at Sam's head and feet, they're more blue-ish.

-Second, the position of Gollums body has changed: he stretches his arm more downward and his right hand is now resting on a rock next to him instead of behind him.

-Thirdly we can see that Gollum must have received some serious whipping between the teaser and the trailer, look what those WETA-guys did to him!

Look at the stripes on his back and the way we now can see his veins and bones through his skin. His hand and hair also look a lot more detailed and realistic!

We can assume that this shot is finished now but to those who think the Ents, Wargs and other Gollum-shots don't look as good as they could look, just wait for the movie. It's clear that the WETA-people aren't quickly satisfied and that's ofcours a good thing!

I've attached a jpg-file in which you can see the differences I pointed out, hope you find it interesting. [More]

10-01-02 Latest News

TWO TOWERS ARENA IS OPEN AT DECIPHER.COM
Lao_of_Gondor @ 2:14 pm EST

LOTR TCG Fans...the moment you have been waiting for is here! The official TWO TOWERS TCG arena is officially open at www.decipher.com

This arena is at the very core of the TWO TOWERS TCG experience. Here you will be able immerse yourself in the latest lore and strategy tips, understand how this format will expand the playability of the game and view/download card packaging, articles from the designers and new card images such as TREEBEARD, EOWYN and an all new THE ONE RING!

So please click here to begin your journey into the incredible world of the TWO TOWERS TCG from Decipher, Inc.

But wait...there's more! How about a few more spoilers? Continuing from the last recently posted spoiler list, here are spoilers 6-10:

SPOILER 6: Dwarven
Gimli, Unbidden Guest
2 Twilight Cost
Dwarven Culture
Companion, Dwarf
Strength = 6
Vitality = 3
Gandalf Signet
4 C 49
Damage +1.
Skirmish: Exert Gimli to make an unbound companion strength +1 (or +2 if that companion is Legolas).
"But a small dark figure that none had observed sprang out of the shadows and gave a hoarse shout: Baruk Kazad!"

SPOILER 7: Dwarven
Khazad Ai-menu
1 Twilight Cost
Dwarven Culture
Event
4 C 51
Skirmish: Make a Dwarf strength +2 (or strength +3 and damage +1 if you spot Legolas).
"'The Orcs are behind the wall. Ai-ou! Come, Legolas! There are enough for both of us.'"

SPOILER 8: Elven
Lembas
1 Twilight Cost
Elf Culture
Possession
To play, spot 3 Elves. Bearer must be a companion.
Regroup: Discard this possession to reconcile your hand.
"Sam thought that it tasted far better, somehow, than it had for a good while..."

SPOILER 9: Elven
Elven Sword
1 Twilight Cost
Elf Culture
Possession, Hand Weapon
+1 Strength
Bearer must be an Elf.
Skirmish: Exert bearer or discard 2 cards from hand to make a minion skirmishing bearer strength -1.
Fine blades forged by Elven smiths are centuries-old heirlooms.

SPOILER 10: Gondor
Faramir's Bow
1 Twilight Cost
Gondor Culture
Possession, Ranged Weapon
4 R 118
Bearer must be Faramir.
He is an archer.
Skirmish: If Faramir is Skirmishing a Man or a roaming minion, exert Faramir to wound that minion.
"'Were I as hasty as you, I might have slain you long ago.'"

More to come!

Lao of Gondor

GAMING: Inquest Gamer Talks LOTR TCG
Xoanon @ 1:39 pm EST

holbytla writes: Thought you'd like to know that the November issue of Inquest Gamer has an awesome, 5-page preview of Decipher's TTT TCG core set. The article details new cultures, key cards, and new strategies, plus a look at what becomes less important in TTT (virtually no Ringwraiths, and no Moria orcs at all, of course, since those don't appear again after FOTR).

Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner to send you pics of the article, but here's the intro written by the IQ Gamer staff:

Headline: "Lord of the Rings' second core set releases Treebeard, a souped-up Eowyn and two new evil races on Middle-earth"

Text: "Shut down the Goblin Armory, cardfloppers. Kiss Arwen good-night. Send your Black Riders home for the holidays. We're headed on a road trip to Rohan and Entwood.

"Just in time to whet your appetite for December's movie release, next month Decipher's The Two Towers expansion promises shots from the upcoming flick and tons of new strategy to boot. Three new cultures -- one good, two bad -- and Treebeard are making their cardboard debuts.

"To prepare you for the new LotR tourney scene, we've ridden with the Rohirrim, pillaged with the Southron and Easterling raiders and lived off rock with the Dunlendings. Here's what's new in Middle Earth ..."


The magazine also notes that the set does not include Sauron orcs or Gollum because the images were held to prevent movie spoilers.

9-30-02 Latest News

MORE TWO TOWERS TCG SPOILERS!
Lao_of_Gondor @ 7:59 pm EST

Well LOTR TCG fans...it's spoiler time again for THE TWO TOWERS TCG. After reading this new list, you will no doubt understand that the game will definitely be more intriguing, more intense and more involved than the "Fellowship of the Ring" and its expansions.

But enough of my jaw-jacking! Here's the list. Salivate and enjoy!

SPOILER 1: Isengard
Weapons of Isengard
2 Twilight Cost
Isengard Culture
Condition
4 R 211
Machine. Plays to your support area.
Shadow: Play an (Isengard) archer to place an (Isengard) token on this card.
Archery: Remove 2 (Isengard) tokens from this card to make the minion
archery total +2. Discard this condition.
Crossbowmen arrived with munitions from Isengard.

SPOILER 2: Shire
Warmed Up a Bit
0 Twilight Cost
Shire Culture
Event
4 C 322
Stealth.
Skirmish: Discard an unbound Hobbit.
"'...we shall be able to stand again, and walk.'"

SPOILER 3: Site
Deeping Wall
Site 5(t)
Shadow Number = 7
Battleground. Shadow: Play Saruman from your draw deck.

Had Enough Yet? It gets even better...

SPOILER 4: Raider
Southron Wanderer
3 Twilight Cost
Raider Culture
Minion, Man
8 Strength
2 Vitality
4 Site Number
4 C 258
Southron. Ambush (1)
Assignment: Exert this minion and spot 5 companions to assign this minion to
the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may add (4) to prevent this.
Some desert warriors have no allegiance and work for any factions that will
pay them.

SPOILER 5: Gondor
Boromir, My Brother
0 Twilight Cost
Gondor Culture
Condition
+1 Vitality
4 R 111
Bearer must be Faramir.
Skirmish: Discard a (Gondor) card from hand to make a Ring-bound Man
strength +1.
"'Where is thy horn? Whither goest thou? O Boromir! But he was gone.'"

Yes...I know exactly how your brain feels about now.

More to come...

Lao of Gondor

Toronto TTT Coolness Exhibit!
Xoanon @ 10:55 am EST

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS EXHIBIT TO BE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED DESIGNING TEAM OF THE EAGERLY ANTICIPATED THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

TORONTO, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution announced today that on October 31, 2002, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS EXHIBIT, an experiential exhibition containing artefacts from New Line Cinema's theatrical production of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS will launch in Toronto for a four-week period at the Royal Ontario Museum's former McLaughlin Planetarium. Toronto is the only city in North America where this exhibit will be presented.

Due to the phenomenal success of last year's record-breaking exhibit for The Fellowship of the Ring at Casa Loma and the staggering box office performance of the film ($53.5 million representing 17.25 % of the North American box office), Toronto will play host to this remarkable event again. This year's exhibit at the ROM's former McLaughlin Planetarium will be more experiential than the last and guests will actually feel as though they are entering the Middle-earth of The Two Towers.

Starting in the greenery of the Fangorn Forest and ending in the opulence of Rivendell, throughout their journey guests will pass through such areas as The Golden Hall; the parapets of Helm's Deep; the Glittering Caves and the Isengard Caverns. Interspersed in these environments will be costumes, drawings, props, exclusive never-before-seen footage from THE TWO TOWERS and of course the One Ring.

The new venue offers a self-contained environment for the exhibit and will permit extended hours into most evenings and facilitate higher attendance numbers than last year. Its ideal location on the subway line also provides easy access for all.

The acclaimed Oscar-nominated visionaries, Dan and Chris Hennah, responsible for the design work of the theatrical trilogy and last year's exhibit are returning from New Zealand to oversee the installation. Joining them is a 10-member crew who helped to develop the specialized techniques throughout the filming of this trilogy.

"Come with us to Middle-earth!" quips art director Dan Hennah, "Using the same technicians and techniques that we utilized in the making of THE TWO TOWERS, we will create small pockets of Middle-earth for you to travel through. While anxious not to spoil the movie experience, we will screen footage from the film that will enhance your journey through the Riddermark and beyond. Props and dressings from the film will be displayed to further enrich the encounter. After living through the Peter Jackson experience, I can assure you that Middle-earth is real!"

Frank Mendicino, VP of Marketing for Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution is elated to present another exhibit. "We are extremely excited to build on the overwhelming success that the previous exhibit enjoyed in Toronto. And to that point, we are pleased to offer this extraordinary new adventure to significantly more fans of this film through additional seating, shows, and an overall spectacular experience."

"Very shortly we will be moving staff and collections into the former McLaughlin Planetarium as we prepare for groundbreaking and construction for Renaissance ROM. We were fortunate to find a window of opportunity to host this exciting exhibit and are confident that it will be of interest to ROM visitors as well as fans of Middle-earth," comments Joel Peters, Vice President, Marketing & Commercial Development.

"Bell ExpressVu is proud to bring the excitement and the entertainment of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS EXHIBIT to Toronto," said Paul Nathanielsz, Bell ExpressVu's Vice President of Marketing. "The Two Towers exhibition is a true reflection of Bell ExpressVu's commitment to deliver great content and entertainment - something we have been doing over the past five years as Canada's largest digital TV provider."

The exhibit is brought to you by Alliance Atlantis Motion Pictures and Bell ExpressVu and through our official media sponsors The Toronto Star, Mix 99.9 FM and Showcase Action. Special thanks to our sponsors Sharp Electronics, the official electronics sponsor, Harper Collins Canada Ltd., and HMV.


The ticket prices are as follows:

Adults (18-59 years) $15.00
Seniors (with valid seniors card) $12.00
Students (with valid student card) $12.00
Children (5-14 years) $7.50

Tickets can be purchased in advance at all TicketKing locations starting October 1, 2002 by calling 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333 or by visiting www.ticketking.com. (Service charges and taxes will be added for advance sales)

New Line Cinema is producing the Trilogy of films based on the much-loved novel. The second instalment of the trilogy, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS will be released across Canada by Alliance Atlantis Motion Pictures on December 18.

Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. is a leading vertically integrated broadcaster, creator and distributor of filmed entertainment with ownership interests in 18 specialty channels, including seven established operating channels: Showcase, Life Network, History Television, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Series+ and Historia; seven recently launched developing channels: Showcase Action, Showcase Diva, IFC - The Independent Film Channel Canada, Discovery Health Channel, BBC Canada, BBC Kids, and National Geographic Channel; and four channels in which the Company has minority interests: SCREAM, The Score, PrideVision TV and One: the Body, Mind and Spirit Channel.

The Company's principal business activities are conducted through three operating groups: the Broadcast Group, the Motion Picture Distribution Group and the Entertainment Group. Headquartered in Toronto, Alliance Atlantis operates offices in Los Angeles, London, Montreal, Dublin, Edmonton, Halifax, Shannon and Sydney. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange - trading symbols AAC.A, AAC.B and on NASDAQ - trading symbol AACB. The Company's Web site is www.allianceatlantis.com.

With more than one million customers, Bell ExpressVu is Canada's leader in digital home entertainment and broadcasts over 275 video digital channels. Bell ExpressVu was launched in September 1997 and since then has become the largest and fastest-growing direct-to-home broadcast company in Canada. Bell ExpressVu is a limited partnership, wholly owned by BCE Inc.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

New TTT Trailer Description
Xoanon @ 12:49 am EST

Screencaps to follow, for now Take a look at these shot by shot images we have now!

Opening Shot: New Line Logo

Flying shot over the Misty Mountains

Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas overlooking Rohan country...vast, greencovers hills with rocky terrain.

Riders approach them over the horizon, surround the three

Eomer: 'What business does an Elf, a Man and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark?...Speak quickly!'

Aragorn raising his hands..

Aragorn: 'We tracked a band of Uruk-Hai, westwards across the plains'

Shot of screaming Uruk Hai

Aragorn: (V/O) 'They've take two of our friends captive'

Shot of Merry and Pippin on the ground looking at eachother

Eomer's men relax their guard around the three...

Eomer: 'Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope, it has forsaken these lands...'

Shot of light coming through trees...

Text: THE FELLOWSHIP IS BROKEN

Shots of the swampy marchland and horrible raggad terrain with Frodo and Sam walking on it

Sam: 'We're lost...I don't think Gandalf meant for us to come this way...'

Frodo: 'He didn't mean for alot of things to happen Sam'

Amazing sequences of Gandalf and the Balrog fighting after the fall in Moria...suddenly a white flash!

And Gandalf is standing with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas in a forest.

Aragorn: 'It cannot be!'

Gandalf, dressed in white stands before them...Legolas bows

Gandalf: 'I come back to you now...at the turn of the tide'

Text: THE POWER OF DARKNESS GROWS

Shots fo the battle of Helms Deep

Gandalf (vO): Sauron's forces have begun their attack, he is using Saruman to destroy your people'

Shots of Barad Dur, with a GIGANTIC eye

Shots of Orcs over rohan fields

Shot of Saruman with his Palantir, the eye within

Shot of Theoden sitting on his throne

Shot of Eowyn overlooking Rohan from up on high...her hair in the wind...

Shot of Orcs rampaging through a burnt out village

Eowyn: 'They were unarmed, they had no warning'

Eowyn looking different from what we've seen

Gandalf (sitting next to Throden): 'This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash'

Shots of Saruman and his Orcs

Shots of Theoden looking distressed

Theoden: 'I will not risk open war'

Shots of armies gathering

Aragorn: 'Open war is open us, weither you risk it or not'

Saruman (with Wormtongue beside him, talking with a massive army): 'A new power is arising! It's victory is at hand!'

AMAZING shot from Orthanc...camera crawls back through a massive amount of men!

Aragorn: It is an army bred for a single purpose, to destroy the world of men'

Shots of Theoden and Aragorn

Text: THIS CHRISTMAS

Shots of Eowyn and Theoden on a horse

Theoden: 'You must lead the people to Helms Deep'

Eomer: (V/O) 'By order of the King This city must empty'

Shots of Rohan, refugees walking about and evacuating

Eowyn walking with Aragorn: 'Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?'

Shot of Aragorn looking at the necklace..

Text: ALL WILL BE SACRIFICED

Shots of Aragorn and Arwen together in a romantic embrace...almost kissing

Elrond: (V/O) 'The alliance between Men and Elves is over, our time here is ending, Arwen's time is ending, let her go'

Text: ALL WILL BE LOST

Shot of GOLLUM (yes Gollum) crawling towards Sam and Frodo sleeping, a 1/4 moon behind him...

Gollum: 'Where is it?'

He reaches for Frodo, the two Hobbits lunge for him and throw him down to the floor, Gollum hisses!

Sam: 'Just tie him up and leave him!'

Gollum: 'No!!!!'

Frodo: 'You know the way to Mordor'

Gollum, on his hands and knees slowly looks up at Frodo

Shots of Frodo, Sam and Gollum in Mordor

Text: UNLESS ALL UNITE AGAINST EVIL

Shot of Theoden looking at Gandalf the white

Shot of Frodo looking up with a mans hand reaching for him

MASSIVE battle scenes at Helms Deep...HUGE EXPLOSIONS and people flying about

Shots of battle at Helms Deep...Aragorn calling orders and Orcs scaling the walls...

Saruman: (V/O) 'There will be no dawn for man...'

Shots of Eomer fighting

Shots of Orcs on WARGS in daylight over the hills

Shot of Frodo with Sting in his hands, very angry

Sam: (V/O) 'It's the Ring, it's taken over you'

Shot of Frodo walking to a pond and falling in, lifeless, into the water...Sam screams

Shots of Eowyn, Aragorn, Arwen...

Arwen: (to Elrond) 'You have the gift of fore-sight, tell me what you have seen?'

Elrond: 'He is not coming back'

Various shots of Aragorn on his horse, looking over hills, wind in his hair...all that

Shot of Merry and Pippin running as a MASSIVE tree scoops them up in it's hands and carries them away!

Gandalf: 'The defences have to hold'

Various shots of battle, including a massive Oliphaunt and Gollum jumping on someone's back!

Aragorn: 'They will hold'

Very quick shots of battle, Sam holding Frodo's hand and crying, Eowyn and Aragorn

Elrond: 'There is nothing for you here, only death'

Shot of Gandalf leading the charge through hundreds of orcs with killer spikes

Arwen: 'There is still hope'

Shot of Shadowfax on two legs high up on the hills

Hero shot of Aragorn opening those doors

TEXT;

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

9-29-02 Latest News

Weekly Cast Watch
Xoanon @ 9:16 pm EST

To get more information, use the sites I use like the ones below. Simply find a movie or actor you want to see, go to one of the sites below and see if the film is playing in your area. mydigiguide.com, tv-now.com and IMDB.com

Note: These are films that are listed as being on TV THIS WEEK ONLY, this is NOT a list of all the films the cast has done



Cast List



  1. Viggo Mortensen

  2. Liv Tyler

  3. Ian Holm

  4. Sean Bean

  5. Ian Mune

  6. Martyn Sanderson

  7. David Weatherley

  8. Marton Csokas

  9. Taea Hartwell

  10. John Noble

  11. Alexandra Astin

  12. Peter McKenzie

  13. Hugo Weaving

  14. Karl Urban

  15. Miranda Otto

  16. Noel Appleby

  17. David Wenham

  18. Cameron Rhodes

  19. Elijah Wood

  20. Cate Blanchett

  21. Bruce Hopkins

  22. Ian McKellen

  23. Mark Ferguson

  24. John Rhys-Davies

  25. Andy Serkis

  26. Stephen Ure

  27. Craig Parker

  28. John Leigh

  29. Timothy Bartlett

  30. Harry Sinclair

  31. Orlando Bloom

  32. Lawrence Makoare

  33. Robbie Magasiva

  34. Ray Henwood

  35. Dominic Monaghan

  36. Robyn Malcolm

  37. Bruce Spence

  38. Megan Edwards

  39. Billy Boyd

  40. Sarah McLeod

  41. Sean Astin

  42. Christopher Lee

  43. Sala Baker

  44. Brian Sergent

  45. Bernard Hill

  46. Nathaniel Lees

  47. Brad Dourif

  48. Howard Shore

  49. Jim Rygiel

  50. Peter Jackson




Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
28 Days (2000)
Albino Alligator (1996)
Crimson Tide (1995)
Prophecy, The (1995)
Ruby Cairo (1993)
Boiling Point (1993)
Young Guns II (1990)
Witness (1985)
Purple Rose of Cairo, The (1985)
Swing Shift (1984)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Liv Tyler (Arwen)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Dr. T & the Women (2000)
Cookie's Fortune (1999)
Plunkett & Macleane (1999)
Stealing Beauty (1996)
Heavy (1995)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Ian Holm (Bilbo)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Bless the Child (2000)
Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The (2000) (TV)
Shergar (1999)
Match, The (1999)
Alice Through the Looking Glass (1998) (TV)
Fifth Element, The (1997)
Sweet Hereafter, The (1997)
Big Night (1996)
Loch Ness (1995)
Madness of King George, The (1994)
Hamlet (1990)
Chariots of Fire (1981)
S.O.S. Titanic (1979) (TV)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Sean Bean (Boromir)



Don't Say a Word (2001)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Essex Boys (2000)
Field, The (1990)
Caravaggio (1986)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Ian Mune (Bounder)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Martyn Sanderson (Bree Gatekeeper)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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David Weatherly (Barliman Butterbur)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
"Potato Factory, The" (2000) (mini)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Marton Csokas (Celeborn)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Monkey's Mask, The (2000)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Taea Hartwell (Child Hobbit)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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John Noble (Denethor)



Virtual Nightmare (2000)
Monkey's Mask, The (2000)
Airtight (1999) (TV)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Alexandra Astin (Elanor Gamgee)



No listings this week

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Peter McKenzie (Elendil)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Hugo Weaving (Elrond)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Matrix, The (1999)
Strange Planet (1999)
Bedrooms and Hallways (1998)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Karl Urban (Eomer)



Price of Milk, The (2000)

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Miranda Otto (Eowyn)



What Lies Beneath (2000)

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Noel Appleby (Everard Proudfoot)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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David Wenham (Faramir)



Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Boys, The (1997/I)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Cameron Rhodes (Farmer Maggot)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Elijah Wood (Frodo)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
War, The (1994)
Forever Young (1992)
Radio Flyer (1992)
Avalon (1990)
Internal Affairs (1990)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)



Charlotte Gray (2001)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Shipping News, The (2001)
Man Who Cried, The (2000)
Gift, The (2000)
Talented Mr. Ripley, The (1999)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)



No listings this week

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Ian McKellen (Gandalf)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
X-Men (2000)
Apt Pupil (1998)
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Richard III (1995)
Cold Comfort Farm (1995) (TV)
Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
And the Band Played On (1993) (TV)
Scandal (1989)
Keep, The (1983)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Mark Ferguson (Gil-Galad)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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John Rhhys-Davies (Gimli)



Scorcher (2002)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Secret of the Andes (1998)
Great White Hype, The (1996)
Marquis de Sade (1996)
Canvas (1992)
Gifted One, The (1989) (TV)
Firewalker (1986)

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Andy Serkis (Gollum)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Pandaemonium (2000)
Career Girls (1997)

Click here to visit the TORN cast page


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Stephen Ure (Gorbag)



no listings this week

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Craig Parker (Haldir)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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John Leigh (Hama)



Atomic Twister (2002) (TV)

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Timothy Bartlett (Hobbit)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Harry Sinclair (Isildur)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Price of Milk, The (2000)
Heavenly Creatures (1994)

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Orlando Bloom (Legolas)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Wilde (1997)

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Lawrence Makoare (Lurtz)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Robbie Magasiva (Mahur)



No listings this week

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Ray Henwood (Man from Rivendell)



Heavenly Creatures (1994)

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Dominic Monaghan (Merry)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Robyn Malcolm (Morwen)



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Bruce Spence (Mouth of Sauron)



Sweet Talker (1991)

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Megan Edwards (Mrs. Proudfoot)



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Billy Boyd (Pippin)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Sarah McLeod (Rosie Cotton)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Sean Astin (Sam Gamgee)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Sky Is Falling, The (2000)
Icebreaker (1999)
Deterrence (1999)
Dish Dogs (1998) (V)
Encino Man (1992)
Toy Soldiers (1991)
White Water Summer (1987)

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Christopher Lee (Saruman)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Feast at Midnight, A (1994)
Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)
Howling II (1985)
Safari 3000 (1982)
Four Musketeers, The (1974)
Death Line (1972)
Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)
Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968)
City of the Dead, The (1960)
Hound of the Baskervilles, The (1959)
Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)
Saraband for Dead Lovers (1948)

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Sala Baker (Sauron)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)

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Brian Sergent (Ted Sandyman)



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Bernard Hill (Theoden)



Going Off Big Time (2000)
Loss of Sexual Innocence, The (1999)
Restless Natives (1985)

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Nathaniel Lees (Ugluk



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Brad Dourif (Grima Wormtounge)



Ghost, The (2000)
Prophecy 3: The Ascent, The (2000) (V)
Storytellers, The (1999)
Sworn to Justice (1996)
Death Machine (1995)
Color of Night (1994)
Amos & Andrew (1993)
Child's Play 3 (1991)
Critters 4 (1991) (V)
Child's Play 2 (1990)
Child's Play (1988)
Mississippi Burning (1988)

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Howard Shore (Composer)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Yards, The (2000)
High Fidelity (2000)
Cell, The (2000)
Cop Land (1997)
Before and After (1996)
Striptease (1996)
White Man's Burden (1995)
Se7en (1995)
Ed Wood (1994)
Client, The (1994)
Sliver (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Single White Female (1992)
Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Innocent Man, An (1989)
She-Devil (1989)
Signs of Life (1989)
Moving (1988)
Big (1988)
After Hours (1985)
Places in the Heart (1984)
Videodrome (1983)
Scanners (1981)


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Jim Rygiel (SFX)



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
102 Dalmatians (2000)
Multiplicity (1996)
Outbreak (1995)
Last of the Mohicans, The (1992)
Batman Returns (1992)
Ghost (1990)
Last Starfighter, The (1984)
2010 (1984)


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Peter Jackson



Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
Contact (1997)
Heavenly Creatures (1994)

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9-28-02 Latest News

Official Video Screencaps
Xoanon @ 12:41 pm EST

Archier was kind enough to send us a whole slew of screencaps from the latest video on the official site. If you are one of those unfortunate souls who can't access the video, it's the next best thing!


9-26-02 Latest News

LOTR continues to attract tourists to NZ
Tehanu @ 6:44 pm EST

There's a long speech by Mark Burton, Minister of Tourism in NZ, over at Scoop.co.nz in which he mentions all the traditional reasons people visit New Zealand - stunning scenery, adventure sports, friendly people etc. He speculated on why NZ is bucking the downward trend in tourism and gaining numbers since last year. He thinks its because there's more focus on promoting its cultural events, wine, art, and the fact that it's a cheap and safe destination.

The part of the speech that interests me is this:

"I believe we should be known as much for our culture and our people as we are for our landscape and adventure tourism.

"And it’s happening. Some of our most unique cultural events are being promoted internationally by Tourism New Zealand. Events such as the Wild Foods Festival, the International Festival of the Arts, the World of Wearable Arts Awards, Pacifica, Masterclass Wine and Food, and the L’Oreal New Zealand Fashion week, are all being showcased overseas, and the world’s perception of New Zealand is changing.

"This year, we have two important opportunities to market ourselves to the world: the Americas' Cup and the release of the second Lord of the Rings film."

I have to wonder how much of the world has any clue what the Americas' Cup is. Not as many as have seen The Lord of the Rings, is my guess. Granted, on average yachties tend to be richer, so if they have a whim to come to NZ to watch the race finals, a lot of them will. But millions of people must see the LOTR films and wish they could go there. Oh well, I'll do my bit for the economy and plug Red Carpet MovieTour's LOTR -fan tours again! [More]

Decipher Introduces New Way to Play
Xoanon @ 2:16 pm EST

New League Program — Race To Mount Doom™ — To Launch in November Presents Exciting Twist on TCG for In-Store and At-Home Play

(Norfolk, VA, September 26, 2002) — This November, Decipher will launch the Race To Mount Doom—The Two Towers™, an all-new league program offering The Lord of the Rings™ TCG players a completely new way to play their favorite game, while providing retailers with everything they need to develop an active player community. Plus, through a specially designed home version, The Lord of the Rings™ TCG players will be able to continue this unique gameplay experience beyond their weekly retail “clubhouse” visit, allowing them to recreate the “Race” experience with friends and family at home.

According to Dan Bojanowski, Organized Play Coordinator for the Decipher Game Management Authority (DGMA), the Race to Mount Doom will be challenging enough for experienced competitive players while remaining a fun stepping-stone for beginner, non-tournament-level players.

How it works: Players will gather for Race Night. They each will play two games in a tournament-like environment, progressing along the Race Path towards Mount Doom. The more games they win, the quicker they’ll advance. However, win or lose, every game that is played will add points to their overall cumulative score. The Race Path itself provides for an exciting new twist on gameplay. As players progress along the Path, they will have to modify their strategies and deck design based on the text of the site they are currently on. This text could provide a benefit for the player or become a challenge they must overcome. Every game will be different since each player will be uniquely affected by the gametext at his or her respective position within the Race. The Race, which will lasts approximately eight to ten weeks for the in-store version, will be completed when one player reaches the end of the Race Path — at Mount Doom.

The Race to Mount Doom will not come to an end with the finish of the first Race, however. Thanks to the League Kit’s innovative reusability and the introduction of static clings and a customizable wipe-off wall mat and marker, the Race can be re-invented by the players over and over again. Plus, with multiple Race Path variations included, the Race organizer can launch a new Race with the purchase of additional prizes through the Race to Mount Doom Expansion Kit. Even after all the Race Path variations are used up, players can continue to customize the Race by inventing their own Race Path with the wipe-off mat and marker.

Players will be rewarded with prizes throughout the Race. In the retail store version, a foil card will be awarded each Race Night, while a collectible “culture” pin will be awarded to both the first- and second-place winners at the end of each Race. Finally, Race participants will elect one player as “Best Sportsman.” This person will also receive a collectible “culture” pin. Exclusive foil cards of “Faramir” and “Éowyn” will be included in each of the three Race To Mount Doom kits.

“Both competitive and non-tournament level players will love the customizability of this new League program. It is unlike anything available in league play today. Players will be able create all-new experiences by developing their own game text for the Race Path, which will affect gameplay in very much the same way as the Adventure Path does to the game itself,” Bojanowski said. “With the introduction of the Race Home Kit, players can create their very own ‘weekly poker night’ using The Lord of the Rings™ TCG as their game of choice. Or, they can get together and play one game after another until they finish up the Race in one marathon Lord of the Rings™ TCG weekend.”

The Race To Mount Doom — Two Towers Base Kit will contain:

· Instruction Manual providing instructions in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish

· Wall mat featuring Customizable Race Path, Players’ Progress and Top 5 Players

· Static cling sheet to customize gametext on Race Path wall mat

· Wipe-off Marker

· 12 Foil Cards for Weekly Prizes*

· 3 Collectible Metal “Culture” Pins for End-of-Race Prizes*

· Exclusive “Faramir” and “Éowyn” Foil Cards

*The Race To Mount Doom Home Kit will contain all contents other than asterisked items.

The Race To Mount Doom — The Two Towers Base Kit will be sold to retailers through Decipher and participating distributors beginning in October, allowing for Races to kick off in stores in early November and coinciding with the worldwide release of The Two Towers™ set on November 6. Retailers will be able to purchase the Race To Mount Doom League Kits for US $30 and the Expansion Kit for US $20. This expansion kit includes an additional 12 foil cards as well as three collectible culture pins for prize support. The Home Kit will be available for US $15 MSRP in retail stores and through the Decipher Online Store beginning in November.

The highly-anticipated second installment of the trilogy from New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, will premiere in December 2002. For more information about The Lord of the Rings trilogy, go to www.lordoftherings.net.

9-25-02 Latest News

A PARTY OF SPECIAL MAGNIFICENCE
Calisuri @ 2:35 pm EST

Ringer Staffer Arwen sends us her report from the Los Angeles celebration of Bilbo's Birthday!:

September 22, 2002. On what turned out to be one of the hottest days in Shire history, a group of approximately 100 citizens of Middle Earth (LA Ringers in the Common Speech) gathered in a little known enclave of Griffith Park called The Shire. Hobbits, elves, wizards and men had all come together to celebrate the birthday of their dear friends Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Rumor had it that it was to be a party of such special magnificence that King Elessar and Queen Arwen themselves were traveling all the way from the realms of Gondor to attend (a rumor that proved indeed to be true).

Preparations began as early as 9:30am, as I arrived in Bag End and started to hang up decorations while trying to keep at bay the occasional goblin intruders. My nice streamers and banners unfortunately did not survive past noon, as a much welcome but quite destructive breeze kept blowing through the trees. I was soon joined by Sarumann and his new roommate who happily helped setting up. Not long afterwards, Calisuri arrived with a cartload of goodies — giveaway prizes generously donated by SideShow Weta, Games Workshop and Houghton Mifflin, not to mention a hundred "mathoms" all personally hand wrapped by Calisuri over the course of the previous nights. Last but not least, he was also bringing our most beloved treasure: a beautiful "Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins" sign, entirely handmade, an almost exact replica of the one in the movie. Needless to say, we were thrilled and amazed. Calisuri is so talented, so dedicated, and most of all such a wonderful person. He is my personal hero.

After hanging the sign, we headed out to nearby Glendale to pick up the birthday cake. This little trip took us much longer than anticipated, as the bakery was incredibly busy at that time of the day. The cake was beautiful though, and totally worth the wait. We dropped it in the coolness of my refrigerator (it would not have survived the heat down there at Bag End all afternoon) and headed back to the picnic grounds.

In the meantime, party guests had begun to arrive, braving the sun and the uphill hike to the site. Food and drinks of all kinds started piling up on the picnic tables. Strangers from distant lands and friends of old gathered on picnic blankets in the shade of the lovely trees. Hardcore trading card gamers began playing a round of cards, while hobbits and elves alike happily picked up their mathom. Meanwhile, the Bag End Coach had started its rounds. For almost three hours without a break, Sarumann drove up and down the hill, picking up guests (and everything they were bringing) and dropping them up at the picnic site. I know his Tolkien namesake turned to the Shadow eventually, but our very own Sarumann is the nicest, most generous and high-spirited of all Istari. Another personal hero.

We had several contests scheduled for the afternoon, but the most unexpected one turned out to be "Best Yellow Jacket Slayer". Unfortunately at that time of the year, these nasty stingers are quite common in the park. We had set up traps earlier on, but this proved quite ineffective as soon as we started unwrapping the food… and before nightfall, the hill was swarming with these earthly equivalent to orcs! Our very own Quickbeam was definitely the fiercest Slayer, mercilessly squashing insects to the cry of "Go back to the Shadow!"; yellow jackets flew from his wrath, stunned by his magnificence. Alas, the armies of Mordor are countless, and more of the flying pests kept invading the food area. But as we all know, hobbits really are amazing creatures, and could never be kept away from any source of food, should Ringwraiths themselves block their path. Everyone filled their plates and cups and began eating and drinking regardless of the bugs. And did I mention we were protected by the Grey Wizard anyway? How else do you explain that nobody got stung?

Their stomachs full and their thirst quenched, partygoers gathered around TORn’s table as the Trivia Contest began, handled by Master of Ceremonies Quickbeam with his trademark mix of eloquence, wit, humor and charm (yes, he’s my hero too — I happen to have many heroes!). Lots of wonderful prizes were won, Houghton Mifflin books and SideShow Weta collectibles. This first contest ended on a very high note, as suddenly Quickbeam pointed to the top of the hill and announced: "Gandalf has arrived!". Sure enough, standing tall and leaning on his staff, came the Grey —or in this case, Blue- Wizard himself, an eerie and magical vision straight out of the Shire.

Throughout the afternoon we made several attempts to cook some barbecue, but unfortunately the BBQ pits in the nearby "Mines Of Moria" had been claimed by various bands of Easterlings who never relinquished the grills to us, once more demonstrating beyond any doubt the evil nature inherent to their kind. Thankfully, there was no lack of food at the picnic tables, including a hearty "Pippin’s Pasta Salad" (tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon), and no one went home hungry.

Our second contest was "Best Impersonation Of a Character From The Movie". A large number of contestants lined up to try their luck. This was positively a hoot! All participants delivered wonderful performances and it was very difficult for the judges (Quickbeam, Saruman, Garfeiamo and your humble servant, Arwen) to select only three winners. We ended up giving consolation prizes, as there was way too much talent there to go unrewarded. Number one prize went to a brilliant lad who acted the entire scene between Aragorn and Arwen (before the Nazgul chase) all in Elvish. Quite impressive! My own personal favorites were the two ladies who played Aragorn and Frodo in the boats at the Argonath, mimicking the two Pillars of the Kings at the end of their skit! All of the contestants demonstrated a lot of creativity and humor, and were praised for their efforts.

At that point Sarumann and myself headed out to my place to pick up the cake, therefore missing the Ring Hunt. I understand it was a lot of fun, but it didn’t take more than ten minutes for the Ring to be found… (after all, the Ring of Power has a will of its own).

I carried the cake all the way up the hill, dragging my feet (the heat and excitement of the day were starting to take their toll). By that time it was almost 6pm and some guests had begun to head back to their hobbit holes. Our cake looked a lot like the one in the movie and was almost as big! Not surprisingly, the remaining guests lined up to grab a slice, and the cake vanished quicker than you can say, "Don’t tempt me, Frodo!".

Temperature was cooling down, orc-like yellow jackets had deserted the area, and everyone was still hanging out, enjoying the party and each other’s company. We had one SideShow Weta collectible left (a gorgeous statue of Gandalf) and since so many guests had showed up in costume, we decided to throw an impromptu Costume Contest. Debbie (Primmy from the LOTR Fan Club boards) read Bilbo’s birthday speech for us, and with that the contest began. Master Calisuri was the almighty judge, and the prize was awarded to none other than the Grey… hmmm… Blue Wizard himself.

Darkness started creeping in, and while we all wished we could hang out a little longer, it was time to wrap up. Quickbeam gave me a ride down to my car on his moped (quite an adventure in itself!). We all felt happy and contented, as things had gone so well and everyone had such a great time. Coming back to the picnic grounds to pickup my stuff, I found the entire area pitch black and silent, except for the crickets and the nightly sounds of the park. Looking down to the lawn, I thought I caught a glimpse of a group of elves dancing on the grass in the moonlight, and I heard their soft voices singing to Bilbo and Frodo. Or maybe I dreamed it?…


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