All Shall Love Me and Despair

From the official PBS twitter:

Surprise! Benedict Cumberbatch sheds the serious Sherlock to share some laughs w/ these 2 - stay tuned! #Counterbatch pic.twitter.com/SWbhLezClX

— PBS (@PBS) January 31, 2014

I hope I'll be able to watch it online somewhere once it aired, as we don't have any TV connection currently.

I know I know, I still need to put together a fandom post... although by now both The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug and Sherlock S3 are almost an old hat (well, S3E3 of the latter aired in the US tonight, but many Americans have seen it already anyway...) but I would still like to put down some of my reactions/thoughts. As much as I remember them, hee. Oh, and Benedict has written the foreward for Weta's upcoming book about the design/creation of Smaug for DoS - can't wait to hold that book in my greedy little hands!

This will likely be the last bunch for a while since I'll have limited internet over the next two weeks.

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ home theater lowdown: dates, covers, exclusives

Dominic Monaghan is a Jungle VIP!

James Franco and Stephen Colbert’s Tolkien showdown

We has the precioussss – getting our hands on a Hobbit Blu-ray!

Hobbit cast and crew answer fan questions

Buzzfeed quizzes Martin Freeman

Weta Digital’s Oscar winners share the tech driving Gollum and Azog

Freeman back on The Hobbit in June and July!

Linguist David Salo now blogging at Midgardsmal

Peter Jackson to reveal peek at second Hobbit film

Watch Sylvester McCoy in IGN’s Google Hangout

Neil Finn talks about songwriting and creativity

Behind The Hobbit: the special effects masters

While I have some time, here are a few Hobbit related news items from TORn:

Letteri talks Weta Digital’s work on ‘The Hobbit’ (video)

‘Hobbit’ nominated for excellence in fantasy film by Costume Designers Guild

‘Hobbit’ up for 3 Golden Reel Awards

Collecting The Precious – Vanderstelt Studio The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Art Print On Sale Now

Possible fake ‘Hobbit’ DVD cover making the internet rounds

THE HOBBIT Nearly Missed Its Special-Effects Oscar Nomination


Loosely related (and of interest to others who like this little town in Somerset/Arthurian legends, etc.): Richard Taylor, John Rhys-Davies tied to ‘Glastonbury’ film


Also (a little belated - sorry), Dominic Monaghan is a Wild Thing! and (THE IMAGE WILL PROBABLY BE TRIGGERING IF YOU ARE ARACHNOPHOBIC!) WILD THINGS With Dominic Monaghan Premiere Night Q&A

Sheesh, I don't update for a week and sure enough there's more than a baker's dozen of Hobbit related news items cluttering up my tabs... Dividing this up in two; the merchandise related links will be in a separate entry.

PJ posts 16 new images from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on his FB Page

Giant dwarves in Manhattan! - I hope I'll be able to go see them while they're there! :D

Stephen Colbert to Cameo in The Hobbit?

Tolkiendrim.com Hi-Res Photo of Bolg! – SPOILERS

Andy Serkis to Direct ‘Animal Farm’ Adaptation

The Hobbit TV spot now available for viewing

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to Feature Dolby Atmos Mix

Empire reveals new, 5-cover Hobbit edition; running time confirmed

Exclusive: The Hobbit Theater Standee Revealed!

Gollum swoops into Wellington Airport

This Saturday, the 22 September, is Bilbo and Frodo's birthday, and PJ announced that this Tolkien/Hobbit week will be An Interesting Week! I guess they premiere the trailer on the 19th (Wednesday) instead of the 22nd so it can be shown in cinemas with films opening that weekend, but either way - a new trailer, wheee!

MSN NZ to “debut trailer first” on Sept 20 (NZ time)

Upcoming Hobbit Trailer To Feature Epic Music From “Quantum”


For those who'd like to celebrate Bilbo and Frodo's birthday in true Hobbit style, A taste of cinematic Middle-earth: official recipes

Six new photos from The Hobbit via USA Today!

Middle Earth is closer to home than you think

Wellington is preparing a big welcome to the world for Hobbit Premiere

http://www.wetanz.com/parchment-map-of-middle-earth


Daniel Reeve's Map of Middle-earth is well known to fans of The Lord of the Rings.

The Shire, Rivendell, Lorien, Rohan, Fangorn, Gondor - they are all there, the familiar milestones along the Fellowship's journey to Mordor, exactly as seen in the films and in the DVD extras.

This map is a direct scan from the original map hand drawn by Daniel Reeve.

Printed right here in Middle-earth (New Zealand) on high quality parchment paper with die-cut deckled edges.

The map comes rolled in a sturdy tube to ensure it arrives in pristine condition.

( Artist info for those who don't know Daniel... )

*drools*

Just dropping a few links here very quickly, as I really do need to go to bed:

I'm sure all of you have heard about the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch from a few days ago. It's heartbreaking for me to read/look at/watch any press coverage about something so tragic happening so close to 'home'... The first three links are therefore both earthquake and Hobbit related:

THR: NZ Quake Does Not Appear to Affect Hobbit Movie

TORn provides links to various organisations who accept donations: New Zealand needs your Help! and WETA unsurprisinlgy are joining in the effort: Weta Auctions in support of The Red Cross Earthquake appeal


To conclude on a lighter note, Ian McKellen was Partying with dwarves (and a hobbit) !

Congratulations to Sir Richard Taylor!!!

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/7355018/another-knighthood-for-weta-stable/

Another knighthood for Weta stable

Five Oscars and four Baftas are recognition for a body of work in the film industry, but a knighthood for Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor is reward beyond the realm of his imagination.

Sir Richard, 45, who has won the movie awards for his work with Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong, has been knighted in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list.

It comes after he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004, and was Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 and 2007, among other honours.

Details and Richard's reaction at the link. I am very chuffed for him! :D



http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/06/06/37064-a-message-from-guillermo/

A Message from Guillermo

June 6th, 2010 by Altaira | Discuss

As Guillermo Del Toro promised on the day the story broke here at TheOneRing.net of his departure from The Hobbit, he stopped by our message boards today with a few more comment for the fans:

Read his message at the link.