January 14, 2003

So so busy

Haven't had much time to write here, nor have I had much to say. The house is coming along nicely, with the cabinets, doors, and stucco started this past week.

The Dome was cool, though we were a little close to follow the fast action in The Two Towers. I'd recommend sitting near the back of the middle section or the front of the balcony section. I'll definitely go there again, and am already planning on the midnight showing of RotK when it comes out.

Speaking of the movie, I didn't like it as well as FotR. I'm not quite sure what the esteemed IMDb were watching when they ranked it as the #12 film of all time... it's not even the #1 film of this 2-film (so far) set. Jackson takes way too many liberties with the plot, but I'll probably be called a book snob for saying so. Also, maybe I was just more conscious of it, but it seemed like melodramatic music and moments were lurking around every corner. I'm already sick of those verdammt Elves. OTOH, I agree with my contemporaries on a couple of good points: Helm's Deep was cool, and Gollum was absolutely incredible. Overall, it was good, I'll watch it again, I'll buy it, but I wouldn't even say it was "great".

For my part, I predict that Jackson will take the following liberties with the plot of RotK:

  • Sauron (corporeally played by Russell Crowe) will consider the err of his ways and repent.
  • The "cuteness" factor of Frodo and Sam will not test high enough, so some female hobbits will show up to accompany those two to destroy the Ring. They will end up falling in love and getting married in a double wedding ceremony presided over by Sauron.
  • Sauron will reveal that he is Frodo's real father during an epic sword fight during which Frodo has his finger (with the Ring) cut off. Finger and Ring fall into Mt. Doom. Sauron (Crowe) is overheard exclaiming, "Crickey!", but somehow everyone in post-production misses it.
  • Somehow, some way, Ewoks will be worked into the movie.

How do you think he'll neuter RotK?

Posted by pcg at January 14, 2003 2:29 PM
Comments

Watch it again. I did, and then again, and then once more for good measure. I enjoyed it more each time, if you can believe that. As others have said, maybe it's because I know what's done to the plot, and I can happily ignore it this time around. Conversely, maybe I'm forgetting the plot in the book, and assuming the movie is gospel. I don't know.

One thing that I think Jackson has overused a tad is the "circling helicopter around adventurers running against stunning New Zealand scenery" shot. Although some of those locations are incredible, and he sells it sometimes (like when after a full 180 degrees, we suddenly see Helm's Deep).

Also, I had a realization today -- I'm very, very glad that John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, and some others were otherwise occupied when it came time to score this movie.

Finally: IMDB

IMDB numbers tend to even out after awhile. Titanic, an atrocity thrust upon moviegoers a few years ago (how did it beat L.A. Confidential for best picture, by the way? The same ass-hats that let Dances with Wolves beat Goodfellas must have come back, or something), started off at number 1. I challenge you to find that movie anywhere on the list now. Same with Dances with Wolves.

Goodfellas and L.A. Confidential, however....

Posted by: joel on January 14, 2003 4:43 PM

You left off one important RotK scene: when Jar-Jar helps vanquish the Ring Wraiths. Meesa no likey da Nazgul!

Posted by: alan on January 14, 2003 8:51 PM
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