Everything We Know About 'Star Trek 3' So Far
Defending 'The Hobbit': We Explain What the Critics Are Missing
New Line
Footage from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" screened last week in Las Vegas to movie theater owners and some journalists ... and shockingly, the reaction was not so positive. The sky is falling — but at least it looks incredibly sharp and realistic.
Too realistic, it seems.
The 10-minute clip was the first high-profile look at a movie at 48 frames per second (fps) instead of the standard 24 fps — and publicity turned sour as some reported the footage was so sharp it was distracting to watch.
"It looked like a made-for-TV movie," wrote The Los Angeles Times. "It was too accurate, too clear."
They're entitled to their opinion, but we have proof the criticism is premature — and possibly a moot point. Get More »
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
Who Will Be the Breakout Star of 'The Hobbit'?
New Line
Here's a shocker: Blockbusters make movie stars. Big films with big action and big, heroic roles can turn actors into celebrities and nobodies into household names -- and films don't come much bigger than the upcoming adaptations of "The Hobbit," with an estimated budget of $500 million.
"Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson seldom gets credit for creating movie stars. Remember that Orlando Bloom fellow? You probably know that, before he was a pirate, he was blonde elf Legolas. But you may not remember that before that he was... a completely unknown acting student.
Jackson also launched the much decorated Kate Winslet in 1994, in a dark little film called "Heavenly Creatures"... and she went on to star in "Titanic." He turned Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn in "LOTR") from just a handsome actor into a bona fide leading man with a fan following.
If you act for a living, you want to work on a Peter Jackson project. Get More »
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
So, You Want to Take a 'Hobbit' Vacation
Larry D. Curtis
As much as it might sound like a tourism come-on, it really is true: New Zealand is Middle-earth. Get your Google Maps ready, "Lord of the Rings" fans, because we're about to take a quick look on how to plan a trip to the home of the Hobbits and it will help — a lot.
Some people (including my editors) noticed in my last Gollumnist entry a mention of New Zealand's beauty subbing for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth for both "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of The Rings." As luck would have it, I know the landscapes of both pretty well. Get More »
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
Why You Want to See 'The Hobbit' (Even If You Don't Love Fantasy)
New Line
The awards season is over, finally giving us the chance to put aside movies past and anticipate what's coming up.
2012 has a lot left to offer, and standing tall in the horizon is December's MVP, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the much-anticipated prequel to director Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
What's that you say? You don't like fantasy?
No worries: Here are nine reasons you'll love "The Hobbit" anyway.
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
Where Will 'The Hobbit' Movies Split?
New Line
Since "The Hobbit" was announced in two parts, one of our NextMovie hot topics has been figuring out just where the story will split.
With nineteen chapters and only a few hundred pages, some might wonder how this book — a children's book, if we're being honest — can possibly fill two films. There was once talk about one film being based solely on "The Hobbit," with a second movie acting as a bridge connecting the first with "The Lord of the Rings." Early in the screenwriting process, that idea was nixed. (Whew.)
Director Peter Jackson and his writing team won't have to scrape too hard for extra material: "Hobbit" writer J.R.R. Tolkien wrote appendices from "The Lord of the Rings" that serve as detailed notes for history and events that he couldn't fit in his books.
Talking with fans across the U.S. and in New Zealand, here are the best theories so far about where "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will end and "There and Back Again" will begin. Be warned, there are plot spoilers ahead! Get More »
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
'The Hobbit' For Beginners...
Warner Bros.
"The Hobbit" films, due in two parts (in two consecutive Decembers), are starting to get a lot of heat. It's a ongoing Twitter topic and it's a stronger contender for one of 2012's biggest movie events, according to numerous sites — including NextMovie.
Well, great, but what if you haven't read the book? What if you didn't watch "The Lord of the Rings" films over and over (or even at all)? What if the thought of 13 hairy dwarves isn't driving you insane with anticipation? Get More »
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
5 'Hobbit' Characters We Can't Wait To See
New Line
Welcome TheOneRing.net veteran Larry D. Curtis, who joins NextMovie as our regular "Hobbit" gollumnist — Larry will explore Middle-earth and all things halfling as we gear up for the December 14 release of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" prequel, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."
It seemed like "The Hobbit" would never come. It's been nine long years since director Peter Jackson delivered "The Return of the King" and won an armful of Oscars — but with last month's teaser released, it's clear the unexpected journey is finally starting.
We've now seen all 13 dwarves and the new Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) — but Jackson's team is still holding a lot back. Here are five characters we can't wait to see... and considering the second half of the film is two whole years away, they might remain a mystery for awhile.
Filed Under: The Hobbit Gollumnist
