Return to Return of the King
(I just blogged this at BlogCritics.org)
We went to see Return of the King for the second time last night because our 13-year-old wanted to see it for his third time. My pre-VCR generation has trouble being entertained by a movie more than once, but there are exceptions. Lord of the Rings is one: Giant trolls, gargantuan elephants, catapults firing heads, fierce bad guys with faces made out of cookie dough, fire-tipped battering rams, stirring music, flying dragons, all in one scene. What more do you want in a movie? Even though it was my second time, I still had trouble finding a slack time to take a bathroom break. Thank goodness for Liv Tyler (or, as she’s uncharitably known in our household, Mrs. Ed).
I have a small wager with my son. I say that Gollum will be nominated as Best Supporting Actor. He deserves it. So does Sean Astin, but as Best Actor; nominating him for Supporting Actor would confuse his character (Frodo’s support) with his structural role in the movie.
And I will be personally outraged if LongBeard the Ent beats out Viggo Mortensen for the award for Best Acting by an Inanimate Object. IMO, Mortensen was way better, although I realize it’s a topic about which reasonable people can disagree.
vadi eenteresing…sneaky sneaky…big biz is always one step ahead. I never looked at reality tv from this perspective!
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which includes the International Cinematographers Guild and the Motion Picture Editors Guild, is trying to unionize reality shows that are shown by the networks, as well as gritty documentary-style cable shows like “Trauma: Life in the ER.” Arguing that those who work on unscripted programs should receive health insurance, pensions, overtime pay and other benefits, the alliance has unionized “Big Brother,” which is produced by Endemol USA, a unit of Telefónica S.A, and is in negotiations with “Blind Date” and “Fifth Wheel,” produced by Renegade 83. (see my link for complete)
“Giant trolls, gargantuan elephants, catapults firing heads, fierce bad guys with faces made out of cookie dough, fire-tipped battering rams, stirring music, flying dragons”
…and that was just the caucus, imagine what the election is going to be like! ;)
This is the first time I’ve laughed out loud while at JOHO: you really think Liv Tyler has a face like a horse? I know you have a certain weakness for Renee Zellwegger judging by your squinty-eyed art piece from a while back.
DH – Stay Out the Bushes-JJ
Andy Serkis should win some kind of award, I’m just not sure what it is. So should the animators and other technicians who made Gollum happen. Perhaps there should be a new category of award? Also, I agree that Sean Astin was quite good. Not as good as Sir Ian Holm in Fellowship, but still quite good. I’ve always maintained that the LOTR story is largely about Sam anyway. I’ve also maintained that the most fantastic aspect of these films wasn’t the gigantic elephants, the flying dragons, dead armies or other amazing creatures and events; it was the idea that any living man would choose Liv Tyler over Miranda Otto. Peter Jackson had me up till then. I was completely sold but for that laughably impossible plot point.
Just shows you how people can differ. I happen to think Liv Tyler is gorgeous.