Movie Review: The Hobbit

Length: 2 hours & 50 minutes
Released: December 14th, 2012
Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Directed By: Peter Jackson
Where I Got It: borrowed from library

SUMMARY:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths ofguile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know. 

TRAILER:

CAST:

Gandalf - Ian McKellen

Bilbo Baggins - Martin Freeman

Thorin - Richard Armitage

Balin - Ken Stott

Dwalin - Graham McTavish

Bifur - William Kircher

Bofur - James Nesbitt

Bombur - Stephen Hunter

Fili - Dean O'Gorman

Kili - Aidan Turner

Oin - John Callen

Gloin - Peter Hambleton

Nori - Jed Brophy

Bert Troll, Dori - Mark Hadlow

Ori - Adam Brown

Frodo Baggins - Elijah Wood

Elrond - Hugo Weaving

Galadriel - Cate Blanchett

Saruman - Christopher Lee

Gollum - Andy Serkis

Radagast - Sylvester McCoy

Goblin King - Barry Humphries

Thror - Jeffrey Thomas

Thrain - Mike Mizraho

Thranduil - Lee Pace

REVIEW:

I am absolutely ashamed of myself...I just seen this last week...I am ashamed. I call myself a HUGE fan of the world of Middle Earth and all that jazz. However, I never seen it in theaters. *head to desk* :(

Okaaaay, self pity time is over.

I am SO glad I finally seen this movie! It may have taken 7 months, but I finally got to see it Huzzah! I'm glad I had a friend pretty  much guilt me into watching it. He pretty much called me out on me being unloyal hahaha. 

I've read the book a couple times and yet again Peter Jackson and his crew has won my approval. This is as close as it is ever going to get without scaring away those that haven't read the book. It is Hollywood people and you have to take somethings out and edit what you have. That's what people don't get...they HAVE to make it so those new fans can know what is going on and are not bored to tears. That is why you go in the movie with clear mind and you have to pretty much forget the book exists. 

Ooooooh how I love Middle Earth! I wanna live there SO bad! The really make the place come to life with the amazing sets and costumes and weapons and music and just everything! They have yet again stunned me. I applaud the entire crew and everyone deserves Oscars. Especially the actors...fantastic job. It may have been many, many years since the Lord of the Rings came out and the old actors seemed to easily slip back into their characters. 

I really enjoyed the inclusion of the Song of the Misty Mountains. Fantastic job. It gave me goosebumps...I wish that they'd have included the entire song/poem...but oh well. I'll take what I can get!

In the end, this was a fantastic movie! I so sad they haven't done this sooner. Perhaps they should have done this before the big three. *shurgs* Oh well, I have it now and I am content. ^.^ The entire crew did a wonderful job and I was completely glued to this film. I could barely look away from it. I would recommend this to those that loved the Lord of the Rings movie/books. Even if you hadn't seen those films and you want a good adventure...go check this out! I will grant this 5 stars. ^.^

Would I re-watch?: 

Heck yeah!

Favorite Charatcer(s): Young Bilbo & Thorin

Not-so Favorite Character(s): The albino orc (*cough*rape face *cough*)

*CaroleRae* 

Book Review: The Return of the King

Author: JRR Tolkien

Title: The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (#3)
Genre: Fantasy, war, adventure, Classics
Pages: 466

First Published: October 20th, 1955
Where I Got It: my shelf (book magazine with the two other books)

"While the evil might of the Dark Lord Sauron swarms out to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggle deep into Mordor, seat of Sauron’s power. To defeat the Dark Lord, the One Ring, ruler of all the accursed Rings of Power, must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way is impossibly hard, and Frodo is weakening. Weighed down by the compulsion of the Ring, he begins finally to despair."


This is the third time or fourth time I've read this book. However, its been about three years since I've read this, so it was a nice refresher. I do recommend that you read the other two books before diving into this. If not you'll be rather stumped as to what is going on. 

As you all may or may not know, I simply am in love with the Lord of the Rings books and movies. The Return of the King is the big finale of the tale of the ring and those that set out to destroy it. There is so much going on, its sometimes hard to recall whats going on, but if you take your time with it you should be fine.

I simply love this book. It is my second out of the three, because it is the conclusion and ending. Though I am sad that the adventure is over, I am happy that JRR Tolkien left a lot of room for further tales that could happen. It's left open-ended in a way. The only thing I don't like about the ending is the conclusion of what happens to Frodo. I understand WHY he went and I understand the symbolism of it, but WHY? WHY? GAH! I wish he just stayed with his buddies. It breaks my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME! 

NOOOO FRODO! DON'T GO!

Oh well....can't win them all.

I can't say too much else about the rest of the book (just in case of those that have not read it or seen the movies). However, I do love the book more then the movie because things were more explained and each character got a few pages of being in the spotlight. Like Faramir and Eowyn. ^.^ I was sooooooo disappointed that they cut out the House of Healings scene in the movie. Gah. Yes, I have the un-directors cut, but still...they should have added it to the movie part too. Oh well....but....Eowyn you are a lucky bitch. hahaha. I also wish JRR Tolkien would have introduced Lothiriel instead of just mentioning her name for an instance. I wish he would have shared how Eomer and her had met. *sighs* Perhaps I'll write a fan-fiction for that. ^.^

In the end, this was my second favorite out of the three book saga. There is a lot of action, drama, fighting, love, romance, friendship, and a nice sense of hope. I would recommend reading the other two books before reading this. Or at least watch the movies. Of course I shall give this 5 stars. Such a great book and such a great world. It's so upsetting that I have to leave that land of Middle Earth. *sighs*

Favorite Character(s): Eomer, Faramir, Eowyn (redems herself in this), Frodo, Pippin, Merry, Legolas, and so much more.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): The orcs, Denethor, Sauron, Frodo (at the end, because he broke my little heart), and Elrond (don't know why...but his character just bugs me). 

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<3CaroleRae

Book Review: The Two Towers

Author: JRR Tolkien
Title: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2nd in series)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Pages: 322
First Published: 1954
Where I Got It: My Shelf (box set)


"The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor - the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring."


This is probably the millionth time I've read this and I pretty much know the story in and out, but while reading I'm still hanging on each and every word that JRR Tolkien wrote. The way that Mr. Tolkien writes makes it feel like you're reading it for the first time all over again. That's why I can continuously re-read  this trilogy and never bore of it. However, it's been a few years since I actually read this. The last time I read it was when I was 16 years-young, I guess.

This is my favorite movie, but my least favorite of the trilogy. You would think it would be my favorite, because it introduces a couple of my favorite characters and it introduces Rohan, but it's not. I don't really like  quickly things occurred and I feel like some of the chapters should have been saved for the next book or put at the ending in the first book. That's just my personal opinion. Also, there isn't a lot of songs or poetry like in the first and last book. Sometimes I felt that JRR Tolkien just threw this together as a last thought. I don't know, but I just felt like that at certain parts when I was reading.

Other than that, I have no complaints! I really love all the books for different reasons. I love how JRR Tolkien  strongly incorporates that idea of nature into the books, especially in The Two Towers. He gives nature a voice in Middle Earth and place. It's not just a setting or props, it's a character. The Ents embody that and literally give nature a voice (instead of figuratively). Since I'm sort of a big nature protector/lover, I highly appreciate this.

Also, I'm always astounded about the depth that JRR Tolkien goes into with each nation. Every area on the map of Middle Earth seems real! I feel like this really happened and all these places really existed. There's so much history and back-story, that when I start reading I feel like I'm reading a documentary. However, it's not boring, it keeps you entertained fascinated!

All-in-all, I still love this book. It's been a couple of years since I've read this, but I find my love for this book hasn't diminished or weakened. The Two Towers may not be my favorite out of the series, but I still love it. Out of five stars, I'm giving this one 4 stars. It would be 4.4 stars, but I don't give decimals. I recommend that everyone who loves to read should read this trilogy or attempt at it.  ^.^

*Favorite Character(s): Eomer, Faramir, and Pippin
*Not-so-Favorite Character (s): Grima Wormtongue

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<3CR

The Fellowship of the Ring Book Review

(It took me a little bit to finish this one.)

Author: Jrr Tolkien
Title: Lord of the Rings: Followship of the Ring (1st in series)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 398
First Published: 1954
Where I Got It: My shelf (box set)

"The dark, fearsome Ringwraiths were searching for a hobbit, Frodo Baggins knew there were seeking him and the Ring of Power he bore, the Ring of Power that would enable evil Sauron to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it is up to Frodo and his faithful servant, Sam, with a small band of companions, to carry the Ring to the one place it could be destroyed: Mount Doom, in the very center of Sauron's dark kingdom, Mordor."

Alright. The last time I read the book was when I was 14 years-young. It was a hard read for me back in the day. It is a little hard to read, to be honest, for those that have no clue whats going on and have never heard of the Lord of the Ring trilogy. However, there is a prologue which helps. Even I the prologue-hater, decided to give it a go. It helps a lot. 

   Its a great book! I simply love the tale and the characters and the world and everything that has anything to do with the book and movie. There is such deep meaning in the words. The world of middle-earth is composed of many different types of beings. Elves, dwarfs, hobbits, men, and so on. This story tells of a dark time in the world and how a band of different beings come together to see the destruction of the Ring that belongs to Sauron the king of evil (thats what I call him in my head). Its a beautiful tale of love, friendship, and trying to save all that's good in the world. The only thing I didn't like about it was Tom Bomabil's part (I don't know why I don't like Tom) and the Boromir's hair is brown instead of red like in the movie. Hahahaha. Oh well.

   The story isn't finished yet, this is a trilogy! There is The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I can't wait for the next one since it was my favorite movie...The Two Towers. I love them all. I recommend that everyone read Professor Tolkien's books. They are a classic. Out of five stars, I grant The Fellowship of the Ring 5*s. *****. Yayy!

<3