LOTR: Two Towers

saw. it. this morning, got up at 7am. and I was pressed up against the door with many University engineers(it was a screening run by the univeristy) about me. it was great, it truly was! It completely fookin' moved me, ah well, go see it! ramble ramble ramble...

Can't wait till it comes out in Australia (26th Dec). I've watched the Fellowship of the Ring three times in the past week preparing myself for The Two Towers.

apparently its all based on the bible isn't it? was an article about it in arena.

also said that tolkein disliked technology, never had a telly & only got a radio very late in life.

Well let me tell I'm feverishly anticipating TWO things: Dec 23: my first viewing of Two Towers Dec 25: finally unwrapping my FOTR special edition DVD!

i guess if you read into it, it can be related to the bible, i never thought about it until recently when i read an article.

no matter what, its a wonderful, wonderful movie..

I'm gonna wait til the weekend, I just have no use for long lines (and plus my coz might finally be back in town, so he might want to go see it a second time)

No time to see it till monday. Jeez, how I wish the week-end would be over right now...

I saw the DVD extended version already 3 times. The new scenes are very good, they make the movie easier to understand for those who might not have read the book.

Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA Well let me tell I'm feverishly anticipating TWO things:Dec 23: my first viewing of Two TowersDec 25: finally unwrapping my FOTR special edition DVD!

You're a better man than I, for I had to get that the day it came out. Gonna wait a week or so before checking it Two Towers, but at least the DVD set had a certificate for a free movie ticket here in the States.

think i'll go this weekend if i get over this damn cold....

I'm off to see it tonite, tho' i haven't managed to see the first one yet, soooo could someone post a 50 word synopsis on part 1 so i have some idea of whats going on

Thanks in advance

Sixty years after the Hobbit,the book where the Ring was initially found, Bilbo Baggins of the Shire is preparing to celebrate his eleventy-first birthday. It so happens that Frodo Baggins, the nephew of Bilbo and the heir to his estate, is turning thirty-three on the same day. The two plan to celebrate both birthdays at the same time. During the party, Bilbo chooses to say a very eccentric farewell to all of the hobbits of the Shire because he has become very tired of day to day life and is feeling a bit stretched. By using his magic ring, which he acquired from Gollum many years before on his notorious adventure, he literally disappears during the party, causing a great deal of commotion. Gandalf, the wizard that had aided Bilbo so much in years past, meets with Bilbo just before he leaves for good. Gandalf speaks with Bilbo, telling him that he will keep both eyes on Frodo for him as often as he can spare them, but asks that Bilbo leave his ring with Frodo. As the ring has been growing on his mind more and more as the years have passed, Bilbo becomes very upset and refuses to leave his precious ring. Yet in the end, Gandalf convinces Bilbo that it is for the best and it is time that the ring passes on. The ring passes to Frodo and Gandalf leaves, but continues to check in on Frodo over the years. After twenty-two years have passed (Frodo is now fifty years old), Gandalf returns with news about the history of Bilbo's ring. In actuality, it is the Ruling Ring originally made to dominate the free peoples of Middle-earth (Men, Elven, Hobbits & Dwarves). And now the Dark Lord, Sauron has returned to his tower of Barad-dur and his seeking It and those that posses It. Gandalf then urges Frodo to leave as soon as possible and make for Rivendell with Samwise Gamgee, his servant-friend who had been eavesdropping on the two while they spoke. Gandalf leaves, telling Frodo that he will meet him at the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree and that Frodo must leave no later than September 22, which was Frodo and Bilbo's birthday.

Frodo did leave the Shire as was planned, he and three other hobbits (Merry, Pippin, and Sam) made the journey to Bree. Fearful of being overtaken by Black Riders, they took a 'shortcut' through the Old Forest. When about to fall prey to an old and bitter willow, they are rescued by Tom Bombadil. Tom Bombadil brought the four hobbits to his home in the center of the forest to keep them safe. After they left Bombadil's house, they proceed through the most dangerous parts of the Old Forest, inhabited by evil wights. After a disastrous encounter, the hobbits are taken prisoner by the Barrow Wights. Frodo wakes just in time to cry out for the help of Tom Bombadil. Bombadil, being a magical being, comes to their aid and destroys the evil wight and guides the hobbits out of the Old Forest.

When they reach Bree, there is no sign of Gandalf. They go to the local inn, the Prancing Pony, for the night. While there Frodo begins to sing and dance from atop a table to divert attention from one of his companions who is about to let Frodo's identity slip. At the end of his song, he slips while he had his hand in his pocket, the Ring treacherously slips onto his finger making him vanish before everyone. After crawling to a corner and removing the Ring, he is confronted by a very mysterious stranger who asks to meet with Frodo in private. In Frodo's room they speak together, the man reveals himself to be called Strider and asks to help Frodo in his journey. Sam is especially distrustful of the cloaked stranger until the innkeeper, Butterbur, enters with a letter from Gandalf that was to be given to him after the had arrived. In the Letter, Gandalf states that the man named Strider is a friend of his and is to be trusted. Merry, who had been taking a walk outside, had an encounter with a Black Rider. Strider moves the hobbits to another room for the night so that the Black Riders would find them in their sleep.

In the morning, the hobbits find that the room they were scheduled to have stayed in was attacked during the night. Strider leaves Bree with the hobbits but not before acquiring a pony named Bill. Along the way they see a flare of fire at night from atop a tall hill named Weathertop. Once they reach the hill they see evidence of a battle. Realizing that Gandalf was there, they soon discover that the Black Riders had been there and still are. During the night they are attacked and Frodo is injured by one of the Riders after he put his Ring on to hide. The Ring did not make him invisible to the Riders, instead is allowed them to see him clearly and he likewise.

At this point their situation is dire, Aragorn does what he can for the wound using his skills in healing, but it does not alleviate the wound enough to heal it completely. Despite their best efforts, they cannot move any faster. A few days later, Frodo's condition becomes much more grave, he is having trouble seeing and is restricted to being carried by Bill, the pony. Soon the meet an elf named Glorfindel from Rivendell. Glorfindel states that Elrond has sent out several members of his household to look for them. Once they reach the ford, the borders of Elrond's land, they are come upon by the Black Riders, Glorfindel sends his horse Asfaloth, who now carries Frodo, ahead to cross the Ford. It comes very close, but Asfaloth accomplishes his task. This does not daunt the Black Riders entirely though, they begin to cross the ford as a still defiant Frodo draws his sword, prepared to hold them off with his last ounce of strength. When suddenly, a great flood which has horses made of water at its front bowls down the Black Riders. The Black Riders had entered the land that Elrond is master of and paid for it.

Frodo awakens to find that his wound has been healed. Gandalf recounts to him of how he had been captured by Saruman the White, the head of the White Council and of how Gandalf had added the horses to the flood.

All at once, several people had begun to arrive at Rivendell all wishing for the wisdom of Elrond. Elrond calls for a council to reveal all that has occurred and decide what to do with the Ring. At the Council, the true history of the Ring is revealed and Saurons obvious movements to reclaim it. Gandalf also recounts the betrayal of Saruman and his rescue by an eagle of the Misty Mountains which had been sent to Orthanc (Saruman's home) after Gandalf had asked before he was captured, still thinking Saruman to be trustworthy, that Radagast the Brown (another wizard) to tell all birds and beasts to bring news to either him or Saruman. Strider is also revealed as Aragorn son of Arathorn and direct descendant of Isildur, the heir to Gondor who had cut the Ring from Sauron's finger and claimed It for his own. Boromir, emissary from Gondor and heir to the Stewardship of Gondor sees this and is very distrustful of Aragorn. The Council decides that the Ring must be destroyed in the Cracks of Doom in Mordor, the seat of Sauron's power, or else all of Middle-earth will be doomed. After Bilbo offers to 'finish what he had started', Gandalf tells him that he would be expected to finish it if he were the one who had started it. Frodo then volunteers to take the Ring to Mordor.

A fellowship is established consisting of nine members: Gandalf the Grey; Legolas the Elf; Gimli the Dwarf; Aragorn the Ranger; Boromir the human; and the four hobbits: Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Before leaving Rivendell, Narsil, the very sword which cut the Ring from Sauron's hand, is reforged and given to its rightful owner, Aragorn.

After proceeding to Moria, the former underground kingdom of the Dwarves (now in ruins), to take a shortcut underneath mountains, Gandalf dies defending the Fellowship from a Balrog, an ancient evil only he himself could hope to stand against. The Fellowship presses on without him and Aragorn, now leader, leads them to the lands of Lothlorien, a forest of Elves. Lothlorien is ruled by Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. Frodo offers the Ring to Galadriel, thinking himself not capable of completing the task laid before him. She refuses to take the Ring, but informs him of Boromir's growing desire for the Ring and shows him and Sam a vision in her magic mirror of water.

They leave Lorien by boat, having each been given a gift from Galadriel. Frodo receives a phial from Galadriel which is to be 'a light for him in dark places'. Aragorn is given a sheath, and any sword that is drawn from it shall never break, and a present from the Lady Arwen, daughter of Elrond. Gimli, having become awestruck by her beauty, asks only to be given a lock of hair from her head, she grants him this gift. The entire Fellowship is also given grey cloaks meant to conceal them from unfriendly eyes and a store of Lembas, waybread of the Elves, which can keep a man on his feat for days on end.

Eventually the decision must be made to go either straight into Mordor or proceed to Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor. Frodo, as the Ringbearer, is given the ultimate decision, he then asks for time to consider his options. While he is alone, Boromir confronts him and attempts to take the Ring by force. Frodo, in a panic, puts the Ring on and flees. Boromir soon recovers his senses but it is too late, Frodo is already too far away to hear him. Frodo then resolves to go to Mordor himself, fearing the the lure of the Ring would soon claim all of his friends. He readies a boat and prepares to leave as Sam finds him and insists to go with him no matter what. The Fellowship of the Ring ends with the fellowship broken; Frodo and Sam leaving to go to Mordor just as the remaining members are set upon by Orcs from Orthanc.

That is about 50 words, methinks

Originally posted by Green > Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA> Well let me tell I'm feverishly anticipating TWO things:> Dec 23: my first viewing of Two Towers> Dec 25: finally unwrapping my FOTR special edition DVD!

You're a better man than I, for I had to get that the day it came out. Gonna wait a week or so before checking it Two Towers, but at least the DVD set had a certificate for a free movie ticket here in the States.

But I HAD it the day it came out! It's just that, being a Christmas gift, it lies dormant beneath the obligatory tree...

Cheers Budvar (& what have you n Shuggie been on today ????)

lordy, budvar. the entire novel wasn't as long as that!

lordy, budvar. the entire novel wasn't as long as that!

So has anyone now seen it?? I saw it and it is not as good as the first only in the sense its harder to follow, what with three stories (maybe 4) going. BUT, and this is a big BUTT, its still very good, and alot better than most of the shite that came out this yr, including the never ending Star Wars: Attack of the Moans. btw I looked like this most of the movie--->

I didn't get around to it like I planned, pure laziness on my part

I guess Christmas afternoon would be nice to go see it, as the whole "family togetherness" mood will have died off by then.

finally saw it last night. the battle of helm's deep was surely impressive, wasn't it!

oh, and i am now confident in my love for orlando bloom.

I saw it on Sunday. I was very immpressed with the Ents. I wasn't sure how they would pull those characters off but if I were to read the book again that's how I would picture them.

Fantastic movie. Well worth the wait.

I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be much worse than the first; it was quite good, however. Gollum was much better than I expected. Nice amount of humor, most involving Gimli.

Originally posted by Patrick I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be much worse than the first; it was quite good, however. Gollum was much better than I expected. Nice amount of humor, most involving Gimli.

aah yes, gimli! in helm's deep, waiting for the onslaught with legolas--'couldn't you have picked a better spot?'

Originally posted by AgentWood > Originally posted by Patrick> I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be much worse than the first; it was quite good, however. Gollum was much better than I expected. Nice amount of humor, most involving Gimli.>

aah yes, gimli! in helm's deep, waiting for the onslaught with legolas--'couldn't you have picked a better spot?'

And the discussion of dwarf women.

And one not involving Gimli: Legolas to Aragorn: "You look awful."

Originally posted by Patrick > Originally posted by AgentWood> > > > Originally posted by Patrick> > I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be much worse than the first; it was quite good, however. Gollum was much better than I expected. Nice amount of humor, most involving Gimli.> > >

aah yes, gimli! in helm's deep, waiting for the onslaught with legolas--'couldn't you have picked a better spot?'

And the discussion of dwarf women.

terry pratchett sure picked up on that storyline, as well!

Okay, after all the false starts, I plan to go see it Monday, for the following reasons:

1. I get my check from work (with 4 hours holiday pay)

2. I just blew most of my Christmas dough on a shopping spree today, so I'd like to conserve what I have left.

Then I will go see it, probably bringing my little brother in tow (he wants to see it as well).

I saw it on monday. It was really great! I just regret that Peter Jackson took more liberty in his adaptation of the book than he did for The Fellowship of the Ring, but he kept the spirit of the book intact, which is enough to forgive everything. It won't be long before I return to the cinema to see it again. And probably again.

By the way, Budvar, you've summarized the book, not the movie!

Originally posted by AgentWood > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > Originally posted by AgentWood> > > > > > > Originally posted by Patrick> > > I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be much worse than the first; it was quite good, however. Gollum was much better than I expected. Nice amount of humor, most involving Gimli.> > > > > >

aah yes, gimli! in helm's deep, waiting for the onslaught with legolas--'couldn't you have picked a better spot?'

And the discussion of dwarf women.

terry pratchett sure picked up on that storyline, as well!

Who?

terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him.

Originally posted by AgentWood terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him.

I have only read a Terry Pratchett's book and I could not understand it's`popularity. It was about Witches or summat and I have never felt more certain an author was laughing AT me (and still laughing all the way to the bank!)

As for the TWO TOWERS:

AMAZING!

Very, very good. Probably the best film I've seen this year. Glued to my seat I was for three hours and at the end I was left wishing there was still more to come. Superb depiction of the battle. The only thing I did not enjoy was some of Gimli's wit which I feel runs against the grain of the character's personality and the "Back to the future" moment when Legolas glides down a staircase on a shield while slinging arrows at the Orcs. Treebeard was ace and so was Gollum. I shall see it a couple more times.

Only one regret: the images of the film have replaced those I had from reading the books. I must admit than mine were worst, though.

Originally posted by Budvar Huber

Originally posted by AgentWood terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him.

I have only read a Terry Pratchett's book and I could not understand it's`popularity. It was about Witches or summat and I have never felt more certain an author was laughing AT me (and still laughing all the way to the bank!)

As for the TWO TOWERS:

AMAZING!

Very, very good. Probably the best film I've seen this year. Glued to my seat I was for three hours and at the end I was left wishing there was still more to come. Superb depiction of the battle. The only thing I did not enjoy was some of Gimli's wit which I feel runs against the grain of the character's personality and the "Back to the future" moment when Legolas glides down a staircase on a shield while slinging arrows at the Orcs. Treebeard was ace and so was Gollum. I shall see it a couple more times.

Only one regret: the images of the film have replaced those I had from reading the books. I must admit than mine were worst, though.

Which examples of Gimli's wit were you bothered by, Budvar? I thought that aspect of the film was quite welcome. It seemed more relaxed than the first one.

Originally posted by Budvar Huber

Originally posted by AgentWood terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him.

I have only read a Terry Pratchett's book and I could not understand it's`popularity. It was about Witches or summat and I have never felt more certain an author was laughing AT me (and still laughing all the way to the bank!)

As for the TWO TOWERS:

AMAZING!

Very, very good. Probably the best film I've seen this year. Glued to my seat I was for three hours and at the end I was left wishing there was still more to come. Superb depiction of the battle. The only thing I did not enjoy was some of Gimli's wit which I feel runs against the grain of the character's personality and the "Back to the future" moment when Legolas glides down a staircase on a shield while slinging arrows at the Orcs. Treebeard was ace and so was Gollum. I shall see it a couple more times.

Only one regret: the images of the film have replaced those I had from reading the books. I must admit than mine were worst, though.

By the way, was it dubbed? If so, was that done well?

Yeahh, it was dubbed, I went with friends and they weren't very keen on surtitles. The dubbing was quite good. Since all the films get dubbed in Spain it is generally very well done. Next week I shall watch it in English, though.

I was in Poland recently and instead of dubbing the films there is someone explaining what the actors are saying, only one person for all the actors. Quite an experience to watch Friends so dubbed and with the original voices still in the background.

Alright, I finally got to see "The Two Towers" last night, and I must say this is up there with "Empire Strikes Back" as an example of a sequel being better than the original. There was more action, new characters introduced (Gollum, for one, was creepy yet sympathetic at the same time), and great effects.

I must say, however, the film could easily be titled "LOTR:Overhead Shots of Men on Mountains" . There was so many sweeping panoramas of breathtaking landscapes that I wondered if this was some sort of tourism film ("Come, see the beauty of Middle Earth {New Zealand}!"). It was very distracting :p but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the film.

Originally posted by Budvar Huber

Originally posted by AgentWood terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him.

I have only read a Terry Pratchett's book and I could not understand it's`popularity. It was about Witches or summat and I have never felt more certain an author was laughing AT me (and still laughing all the way to the bank!)

try reading good omens - pratchett co-wrote it with neil gaiman

i too enjoyed the film, although helm's deep exhausted me. as a fan of the radio 4 adaptation, i couldn't get used to gollum's voice, but the ent's were excellent - i thought they'd end up looking like something off a kids tv programme. my crush on legolas continues...

Originally posted by flo > Originally posted by Budvar Huber> > > > Originally posted by AgentWood> > terry pratchett's an author--he's hugely popular in the UK, although he's never really broken over here, i guess. his genre is sort of tolkien on very strong acid--some real funny sh*t. his 'discworld' series consists of about 30 books now, and i highly recommend him. >

I have only read a Terry Pratchett's book and I could not understand it's`popularity. It was about Witches or summat and I have never felt more certain an author was laughing AT me (and still laughing all the way to the bank!)

try reading good omens - pratchett co-wrote it with neil gaiman

i too enjoyed the film, although helm's deep exhausted me. as a fan of the radio 4 adaptation, i couldn't get used to gollum's voice, but the ent's were excellent - i thought they'd end up looking like something off a kids tv programme. my crush on legolas continues...

Thanks for the piece of advice Flo, I'll try to find it.

Originally posted by Budvar Huber Yeahh, it was dubbed, I went with friends and they weren't very keen on surtitles. The dubbing was quite good. Since all the films get dubbed in Spain it is generally very well done. Next week I shall watch it in English, though.

I was in Poland recently and instead of dubbing the films there is someone explaining what the actors are saying, only one person for all the actors. Quite an experience to watch Friends so dubbed and with the original voices still in the background.

I will be interested to hear your comparisons once you've seen both versions.

Finally was able to see Two Towers today, I didn't really wanna sit in a crowded theater and take a chance on having to listen to the people next to me repeatedly asking questions, which is why the 11 am showing was perfect: hardly any one there.

I also winced a bit at Legolas sliding down the stairs, but that was about the only thing that I can think of, I enjoyed some of the other humorous aspects, such as the burning Ent running into the flood waters of Isengard. Gollum and the Ents were great, and Brad Dourif is such a great character actor, I've loved him in Mississippi Burning and Wise Blood, and he was great as Wormtongue.

Great job Peter and crew: the next 11 and a half months are gonna be hard waiting for Return Of The King.

i really liked Two Towers i must admit, went back and even saw it a second time, even thou that sounds so dorky... 3 hours just fly bye even better than the first. sure, the movies have flaws, how could they not and still get made? too much exaggerated tearful sentimentality maybe, but the movies strike a lot of emotion in me overall, just great epic beautiful specticle of entertainment as it should be

... i just wish i had reread the 3 novels before the movies now because my perceptions will be forever altered and set now.

i just started my third reading of the LOTR (starting with the hobbit). can't get enough....