It’s release day for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey! On account of which, there are a nearly infinite number of relevant articles and such this week, some of which are aggregated here:
- At The Christophers on Patheos: The Director and Stars of “The Hobbit” Share Thoughts on Bravery, Mercy and Tolkien’s Christianity.
- Mike Ryan at HuffPo talks about the experience of seeing The Hobbit in 48 frames per second instead of the standard 24.
- WhatCulture’s Shaun Munro has an early (possibly spoilerific) review of the movie, titled “The Hobbit: 5 things that were awesome and 5 that sucked.”
- Salon’s Robert Rodi: “Bilbo Baggins says ‘Buy This’.” He says, “Behold the onslaught of Hobbit action figures. Hobbit Legos. Hobbit meals. If only they did this to ‘Anna Karenina’.”
- Artist Donato has some beautiful pieces with Tolkien and his works as subjects.
- Gandalf actor Sir Ian McKellen has revealed he has prostate cancer, and says it is currently being managed and not spreading.
- Having trouble differentiating the dozen dwarves? Check out this flow chart, which distinguishes them by their facial hair.
- The Foxtrot comic strip from December 9 is Hobbit-themed and hilarious.
- Want to dress as an Elf to attend your showing of the movie? OneUpMakeup will show you how to do your makeup.
- Heath Dill has an upcoming cookbook titled Medium Rare and Back Again: A Tolkien Cookbook. Sounds like fun.
- A realistic-looking hobbit pub has opened for business in New Zealand.
- Stopmotion filmmakers Brotherhood Workshop have made a Lego parody video of the Battle of Helm’s Deep, including a blonde moment from Legolas.
- io9 has the 10 most unlikely things that were influenced by Tolkien and Hobbit/LotR cross-promotions that are best off not existing.
In not-so-small Harry Potter news: the stars of the Potter films are getting together to film a Potter mini-movie, which will be shown at the theme parks containing Potter attractions. Over at The Guardian, Ellie Lewis makes a guess at what the movie may be about.
Great news for all pub fans–there’s a stellar new voice in Harry Potter and fantasy conversation: blogger Kelly Orazi has been posting some fascinating stuff. Check out The Hogwarts Sorting Hat: the Struggle of Family Bloodline and Personal Identity in the Chamber of Secrets and Belief and Marvel in C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien Criticism for some great starter posts.
In various news:
WhatCulture’s Christopher Weeks chronicles The Rise and Heartbreaking Fall of Doctor Who. And while we’re talking the Doctor, Kate Atherley over at Knitty can tell you how to make a beautiful Doctor Who-themed scarf.
While Kirkus lists its Best Teen Books of 2012, Scholastic predicts hot trends for 2013, with expectations for lots of sci-fi and resourceful female protagonists à la Katniss Everdeen.
io9 has Your Ultimate Holiday Nerdtainment Guide–”The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Holiday Specials Ever.”
They also discuss the fact that female sci-fi and fantasy authors are still using male pseudonyms–which, of course, includes the androgynous initialing reportedly recommended to J.K. Rowling.
There’s an official trailer out for the latest Superman movie, which film is titled Man of Steel and stars British actor Henry Cavill.
Pan’s Labyrinth is going to become a musical.
Star Trek fans: Adam B. Vary at EW’s Shelf Life reviews David A. Goodman’s book Federation: The First 150 Years.
And lastly, in various funky/weird/wonderful items: artist Jodi Harvey-Brown’s amazing story-character paper sculptures (headlining with a beautiful image of Harry, Ron and Hermione), famous starships made out of old computer parts, BodyOdd reports that Pinocchio was no lie–the nose reacts in measurable ways when you fib, and Star Wars makes it into a random cashier-client conversation on Not Always Working.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Jenna, you’ve outdone yourself! This is one if the most fun-filled AtCRs and will keep me well-entertained as I wait in multiple airports tomorrow.
Thanks! It’s only fair to acknowledge that I have help; Blogengamot members send me links all week, and sometimes a couple of the Pub regulars do as well.
Best of luck for a smooth trip through all those airports!