New Line delays trailer release to Jan 12 2001

by Michael Martinez, Wednesday, December 20, 2000

In a press release posted on every Tolkien news site in the world, New Line Cinema has announced they will release their theatrical trailer for Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' on January 12. Why the delay? No one knows. The trailer, according to the press release, will be attached to "Thirteen Days", which is due for release this week. Well, someone goofed somewhere. Keep an eye on the Apple.Com trailers page to see if/when it goes live on the Internet. Dean Kish has written a review of "Thirteen Days" for those of you who want to know something about the movie if you're thinking of seeing it. Oh, and that December 14, 2001 release date everyone has been announcing for months? Now, apparently, it's been changed to December 19.

'Thirteen Days' limited release in Los Angeles, New York Dec. 25

by Michael Martinez, Tuesday, December 19, 2000

Well, we've been scratching our heads here at Xenite.Org because New Line has been promoting 'Thirteen Days' for release within a few days on network television. And yet they claim in their latest press release it won't be shown until January 12. So, a quick peak at the official "Thirteen Days" Web site solved the mystery for us. There will be a limited release of the movie (presumably without the first theatrical trailer for Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings") in Los Angeles and New York on December 25. Merry Christmas, curious Tolkien fans. How many of you will see the movie early in order to find out if the limited release includes the trailer? Dean Kish has written a review of "Thirteen Days" which you can read on Xenite.Org.

Where to look for the new LOTR trailer

by Michael Martinez, Tuesday, December 19, 2000

Newline Cinema has been posting trailers like clockwork on the Apple trailers page. It's reasonable to expect that the new LOTR trailer will also be posted there when 'Thirteen Days' opens in theaters later this week. You can check the trailers listings yourself at http://apple.com/trailers/. The new trailer, if/when it appears will have a "NEW" tag beside it. The Internet preview posted on April 7 is still listed there as "Lord of the Rings" and in all likelihood will remain on the site, so be careful not to mistake the old preview for the trailer. Apple Quicktime 4.0 is required to view these trailers. It often helps to download the trailer and then reboot (Windows95/98) before trying to watch the trailer. You can copy the trailers from your cache or "temporary windows files" directory to another directory to preserve it for future reply so you don't have to keep downloading it.

Glass Hammer updates its Web site

by Michael Martinez, Monday, December 18, 2000

Glass Hammer has nearly finished working on their 'Live from Middle-earth' CD and they have posted some astounding artwork on their Web site. In addition to the new artwork, the site also features some inside information, names of new songs (incluing "Sweet Goldberry" and "The Last Ship"), and an interview with a German publication. Glass Hammer first entered the world of Tolkien-inspired music with their popular CD "Journey of the Dunadan" in 1993. Their second CD, "Perelandra", was inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis. "Journey of the Dunadan" was recently re-released. Purchase information is posted on the Glass Hammer Web site. Glasshammer.com.

Ancanar one-sheets for sale on eBay

by Michael Martinez, Sunday, December 17, 2000

What's a one-sheet? Basically a poster used to promote the movie. Elemental Films has posted several for auction on eBay. Xenite.Org was informed of the auction a few days ago but we have delayed announcing the information until we could confirm that this was on the up-and-up. Unfortunately, this being a busy season, it took a while to do that. Check out the list of one-sheets for sale. Some of the auctions end on December 19, others run through December 22. "Ancanar" is an independent film inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's First Age legends. The story concerns a young man (Ancanar) who seeks out a lost city of Elves. The movie has entered the post-production phase. Ancanar.Com is the official Web site.

Where have all the dragons gone?

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 15, 2000

I always thought the movie "Dragonslayer" was a bit goofy and slow in some places but there is one memorable scene that pretty much sells the movie, I think, to anyone who sees it. That's where the dragon's head rises up to dwarf the young magician who really has no clue about what he's up against. I think whoever came up with that scene must have read Tolkien. In the story of Turin Turambar in The Silmarillion, after Glaurung has destroyed Nargothrond and sent Turin north to Dor-lomin on a hopeless quest, Morwen and Nienor leave the safety of Doriath. They are overtaken by Mablung and a company of Elven horsemen who are nonetheless persuaded to accompany the women to Nargothrond. There by the river Narog Glaurung raises a mist and disperses Mablung's company. Morwen is carried off by her maddened horse and the Elves never hear of her again. But Nienor recovers her wits and retuns to Amon Ethir, the Hill of Spies, which stands directly east of Nargothrond (across the river). "And looking westward," we are told in the story, "she stared straight into the eyes of Glaurung, whose head lay upon the hill-top." Now, that is one big dragon. Read the full article here.

Harry Knowles explores Jackson's Middle-earth

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 15, 2000

Harry Knowles over at Ain't It Cool News has posted (as of this writing) two articles about his visit to New Zealand. Check out There and Back Again: A Geek's adventure in Middle-earth, Chapter One and Chapter Two.

Middle-earth online cancelled?

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 15, 2000

Gamespot is reporting that Sierra Online's Middle-earth game has been cancelled. Sierra, a division of Havas Interactive, filed a lawsuit against Tolkien Enterprises earlier this year after Tolkien Enterprises, a division of the Saul Zaentz Company, claimed that Sierra had lost the rights to the game. Sierra picked up the rights when it acquired the Yosemite game development company, but in September 1999 Sierra, under new management, fired the entire development team and started developing the massively multi-player online game over again. Whereas the first development team had discussed their plans openly with the player community, the new development team made no public statements. As of this writing, Xenite.Org has been unable to confirm the report that the game is cancelled. If the report is accurate, then most likely Sierra's lawsuit has failed and the rights have reverted to Tolkien Enterprises. New Line Cinema may therefore announce a movie-inspired game within the next month or two.

Elves by the numbers

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 8, 2000

Every now and then someone will ask how many Elves there actually were at some point in time. There is no correct answer because J.R.R. Tolkien didn't provide us with census figures. All we can do is guess and play number games. It is possible to come up with some reasonable estimates, although such estimates can vary greatly. Some people believe there must never have been more than, say, a couple hundred thousand Elves at any time. I'm of the opinion that they must have numbered in the millions at the height of their civilizations. All discussions of Elvish populations inevitably become bogged down in the weightier issues of what constitutes "canon" and how to interpret some of the not-so-precise passages. And then one must also choose whether to rely upon texts which may not be consistent with each other even if they all seem to be "canonical". After all, the history of the Elves passed through many phases, and is bound up with linguistic decisions as often as not. The starting point for any guestimations lies in the essay "Quendi and Eldar", published by Christopher Tolkien in The War of the Jewels. This material, written late in his life by J.R.R. Tolkien, is mostly consistent with The Lord of the Rings and sort of consistet with the published Silmarillion. "Mostly" and "sort of", however, open the door to all sorts of disputes and debates. But the fact is, if you want to figure out how many Elves there could have been at any point in their history, you either begin with "Quendi and Eldar" or not at all. Read the full article here.

Gentle Giant scanning images for LOTR movie toys

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 8, 2000

TheOneRing.Net has learned that Gentle Giant Studios are scanning actor images as part of their revolutionary action figure design process. The actual toy manufacturing will apparently be handled by Toy Biz.

Mithril seeking fan input on next round of figurines

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 8, 2000

Mithril, the Irish pewter figurine company, is seeking fan input on what they should produce next. J.R.R. Tolkien fans are invited to visit their survey page and indicate what they'd like to see. The company will take a holiday from December 15 thruogh January 2 and will respond to emails sent during that period after their return.

11th Hour looks at horror's possible impact on LOTR films

by Michael Martinez, Wednesday, December 6, 2000

The 11th Hour has weighed in with a reflective article that considers Peter Jackson's background in horror. If Peter Jackson's devotion to the horror genre is coloring his "Lord of the Rings" production, will long-term Tolkien fans be fascinated or intrigued?

Moving Sale: Magic rings and other trinkets half off

by Michael Martinez, Friday, December 1, 2000

J.R.R. Tolkien might not agree with me but I sometimes envision the rebellious Noldor traipsing down the road to Alqualonde in much the same state as Steve Martin appears in that famous promotional poster for his movie, "The Jerk". He's unshaven, bedraggled, his pants are dragging around his feet, and he's carrying a chair, a lamp, and some other stuff. Were the Noldor jerks? One would certainly be tempted to question their wisdom. Regardless of how many Noldor you believe there would have been when Feanor held his anti-Valar rally in Tirion upon Tuna, the sad fact is that most of those Elves who listened to him ended up dead. And they weren't very nice to the Teleri, either. But the passage which brings the similarity to my mind is the one where Tolkien notes (in speaking of Finarfin and Finrod and the Noldor who followed them) that "more than any others of the Exiles they carried thence memories of the bliss they had forsaken, and some even of the things that they had made there they took with them: a solace and a burden on the road." Well, I can hardly imagine why a Noldo would carry a chair along, but maybe they had some really good carpenters who just couldn't bear to leave their work behind. One can almost see Feanor trying to persuade the carpenters specializing in chairs not to carry their works with them. "It may be that we can leave our chairs behind," they might have replied. "But never again shall we make their like, and if we must leave them, we shall break out hearts." Clearly, the chair guys were not numbered among the Feanorians, although their prized possessions would have made for a good bar-fight on the quays of Alqualonde. Read the full article here.

Ancanar goes for Tolkien Elves, not pointy-eared Elves

by Michael Martinez, Wednesday, November 29, 2000

Sam R. Balcomb, writer and producer of the movie 'Ancanar', just released the following statement concerning the Elf ears in 'Ancanar': _______________________ Being read The Lord of the Rings for the first time when I was young, I was curious as to why Professor Tolkien never mentioned the Elves' traditional pointed ears. It was later in life when I realized that he never intended them to appear that way -- it was simply the clichéd vision of other fantasy creators, and that the physical appearance of Tolkien's Elves held a different majesty. In pre-production for Ancanar my producer [Raiya Corsiglia] and I discussed this fact at length, and what approach we would take. At that point it was revealed that Peter Jackson's production would be using the pointy ears, and the reaction was mixed. We did some makeup tests (video of which was used in our prep trailer), trying to decide upon the "look" of our Elves. The Silmarillion Elves are notably different than the LOTR kind (those who didn't return West were mostly Wood Elves who enjoyed song and laughter, whereas the Noldor were grave and fierce). I am happy to say, to those particular on the subject, that the Elves in Ancanar do not have pointy ears. It is our task to create a physical presence for this great race in the style which Tolkien always envisioned, and keep the light of Valinor burning in their eyes. Sam R. Balcomb Director, Ancanar ~ In conjunction with this statement, Ancanar.com has just had a major update, including more pics from the set, and most importantly, FIVE NEW STILLS of major Elven characters. "Ancanar" is an independent fantasy movie inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion stories. Ancanar is a young man who goes seeking a hidden city of the Elves. The story and landscape will seem very familiar to people familiar with The Silmarillion. The film will be theatrically released but will also be made available to interested fans through direct-to-video sales where theatrical releases are not possible.

Press release and photos from Young Peoples Theatre Hobbit Play

by Michael Martinez, Wednesday, November 29, 2000

We asked Young Peoples Theatre in Toronto for a press kit on their Hobbit play, which runs through December 21. The play has received favorable reviews and features an experienced cast of Canadian talent. At least one of the actors, Greg Kramer, has made a number of appearances on US television. Here is the press release accompanied by a couple of photos, including a shot of Greg Kramer as Gollum. He looks absolutely murderous! GOBLINS GATHER, DWARVES DANCE, AND A HERO IS BORN AT YPT! Toronto, ON...Young Peoples Theatre (YPT) is proud to present Kim Selody’s enchanting adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Audiences are invited to share their days with a band of daring dwarves, a wacky wizard, and a humble hobbit on their quest to recover ancient treasure. This return to the world of fantasy is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of children and parents alike. YPT presents The Hobbit from October 21 to December 21, 2000 on the mainstage. The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a simple hobbit, whose life takes an exciting turn when he is summoned to voyage by the wizard Gandalf. Bilbo, reluctant at first, acknowledges his call to duty and joins a band of dwarves, under the leadership of Thorin Oakenshield, on a quest to reclaim stolen treasure from the feared dragon Smaug. Their grand adventure starts far off to the East, beyond the Misty Mountains, to dungeons deep and caverns old. Along the way Bilbo and crew encounter a series of obstacles involving goblins, spiders, trolls, elves, and the not-so-clever creature Gollum. Forced to think and act quickly, Bilbo outsmarts many of his opponents (including Smaug), displays his bravery, proves himself essential to the quest, and unites the citizens of Middle Earth as they prepare to battle greedy goblins. A true hero is born at YPT. “There is no better way for young audiences to experience and appreciate the magic of the theatre than with one of the greatest tales ever told,” says director Jim Warren. “The Hobbit is a classic story that continues to connect generations.” This production will showcase colourful masks, intricate shadow work, and puppetry. “I am quite proud of the dynamic, creative team of designers and actors I have brought together,” says Warren. “The production’s collaboration of ideas is truly unique.” The Hobbit is based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, adaptation by Kim Selody, direction and dramaturgy by Jim Warren. Starring Herbie Barnes, Lorne Cardinal, Greg Kramer, Paul Lee, Ruth Madoc-Jones, Alon Nashman, Michael Spencer-Davis, and Jamie Williams. The creative team includes Set Design by Glenn Davidson, Costume Design by Lori Hickling, Lighting Design by Bonnie Beecher, Composer Cathy Nosaty, Sound Design by Todd Charlton and Cathy Nosaty, Mask and Movement by Mark Christmann, Fight Director James Binkley, Stage Manager Carolina Avaria, Assistant Stage Manager Martin Kenny, and Apprentice Stage Manager Kate Macdonnell. The Hobbit is a magical journey of discovery that is recommended for ages 9 and up. Previews: October 14 & 15, 2000Media Preview: Thursday, October 19, 2000 at 1 p.m. Opening: Saturday, October 21, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.Public Performances: October 21 to December 21, 2000Ticket Prices: $28 Orchestra, $20 Balcony, $18 Mezzanine Birthday Packages & Group Rates AvailableSchool Performances and or School Bookings: (416) 947-1027Young Peoples Theatre: 165 Front St. East, Toronto (two blocks east of Jarvis St.)YPT BOX OFFICE: (416) 862-2222 WEBSITE: www.ypt.ca Pictured (left) Lorne Cardinal as Gandalf and (right) Herbie Barnes as Bilbo Photo Credit: Cylla Von Tiedemann Greg Kramer brings Gollum to life in Young Peoples Theatre's production of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

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