Turkey day gone

[valis2]

Just eating leftovers and getting ready to pack up a bunch of eBay things.

I had a wonderful time with my parents and sister over Thanksgiving, despite the naughty snow, which made driving a bit difficult. We ended up watching all three of the LotR extended versions, though we had to leave off midway through RotK, just didn't have enough time. Still, it was wonderful to view them again. I must say, the first time I saw the movies, I was quite into Frodo/Sam's journey, but, just like when I reread the books, repeated viewings aren't the same, and I find myself wanting to fast forward sometimes during their scenes. Yes, it's beautiful, haunting, and amazing, but for some reason I find myself much more absorbed in the other plotlines.

We also went to see "Walk the Line", which was quite good. Only thing is, I'm not a Cash fan. It must be difficult to make a movie like that and balance it between fans and non-fans. The musical numbers had my sister and my parents giddy, but I was only half into them, because I only recognized two songs. So it was an interesting portrait of an interesting person, but at the same time, my sister kept having to nudge me to tell me who people were, because I was having difficulty figuring it out. I'm certain that it would have been greatly enhanced if I were a fan of fifties music, but I'm not, so seeing Elvis interact with him wasn't really anything special for me, though the audience was whispering excitedly. So I have to say that while I completely can see that it was a good film, I won't ever watch it again. Not my cup o' tea.

It was great watching the LotR movies with the family. At one point, when the flock of crows is trying to find the Fellowship, we were laughing about how they went back to Saruman:

Saruman: "Where is the Fellowship now?"
Crows: "Fellowship? What's that?"
Saruman: "The league of nine I told you to find!"
Crows: "Huh...nope, didn't see them. But there was this pie on the windowsill at Bree...it was so tasty..."

During the rest of the movies there was much made of crows seeking apple pie. There are crows calling in the background of many scenes, and I would say, "Caw! Pie!"

There was even a crow checking out an ashtray in Walk the Line. "Darn! No pie!"

I guess you had to be there.

Comments

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Those pie comments are just the sort I would make, and continue to reference throughout the day. They made me laugh.

I agree with you about Frodo and Sam's journey. With repeated viewings, it doesn't hold as much interest for me. I really enjoy the Paths of the Dead parts- they just get better somehow.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm loving the Faramir bits, especially the parts that were added. He's just so pretty. Mmm.

And Sean Bean really makes an impression as Boromir. Each time I watch it I wonder at the subtle things he brings to his role.

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Me too! I'm very glad they filmed the Houses of Healing and Eowyn parts. Faramir is very yummy, although not as much out of character as in. Keep on the armor, please!

Sean Bean is quite impressive as Boromir. All of this makes me want to re-watch these soon. I think the weekend has some heavy-duty LotR in store for me!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I have a bit of sadness in how his role was re-written...I wish they had kept the utterly noble man who could resist the ring completely. In the book Frodo is nearly immediately drawn into his confidence.

But movie!Faramir is so delicious...damnit...they knew how to get me involved...cast a hawt guy. I'm so shallow at heart. ;)

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

The casting agents definitely knew how to get our attention on Faramir. Yum. I agree with your lament that he was a stronger character in the books, and I wish they had written that in. However, I understand that they wanted to milk his moments with Frodo for all the dramatic tension they were worth, so making him not quite so trustworthy made sense in that respect. But still, blegh.

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Watched the extended DVD LoTR movies myself last week. Each time I watch I keep picking up on some new nuance. No screen adaptation of a book is perfect but Jackson did so many things right. The movies are so richly detailed - Jackson could have made each of his director's cuts 6 hours long and I'd still be riveted watching the screen each time. And, while I enjoyed Frodo and Sam's story, I too wished that even more time could have been spent with the other characters.

(Did you know that Olando Bloom originally auditioned for the role of Faramir? Thank the gods they went with David Wenham instead. Though Orlando *did* make a pretty Legolas...)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I could have watched eighteen hours of LotR too! *sighs at the thought*

What impresses me most is the detail given to even small shots. In the beginning of FotR, for example, they have a shot of the dwarven kings who had rings of power. Each dwarf has his own look, and the look of the hall is well done...all this detail for a single shot. I think it is no more than five seconds of film time. That is awesome.

Orlando Bloom as Faramir? Hmm...I mean, there is mention of elves in that lineage...he might have done all right...but David Wenham? Oh, delicious. Absolutely delicious.

[ziasudra.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving!

I love LotR myself, both the books and the movies :)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

It really was nice!

When I was growing up I was completely consumed with the Hobbit. I listened to the Bankin/Rass production about 4986247958672439 times, and I read the book over and over again. Reading it now is like coming home; I can hear the voices and songs as I read it. John Huston's voice is so wonderful.

[bell-witch.livejournal.com]

Thanks awfully. I will be thinking that and giggling every time I see that damn scene now.

As for Faramir--I love the casting of the entire family of Stewards. They were all awesome. I actually don't mind what they did to Faramir's character. I know why they did it, and my opinion always was that he didn't want to see the ring not because he didn't want to see it, but because he understood how powerful it was and didn't want to see it lest he be tempted. But that's my take. It makes a more dramatic moment to have him be tempted, and I understand that. The book is too subtle in many ways for it to work on film.

Orlando Bloom as Faramir? Barf! At least I could believe that Bean and Wenham are related, but Bloom? No hway.

Mmmm, pie.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I still have this deep and abiding respect for book!Faramir, but I kind of freaked when movie!Faramir went off-course. Still, he's hawt, and that redeems him for me, because I'm shallow like that. *laughs*

[faramir-hurin.livejournal.com]

bell_witch here. Didn't think you'd mind my replying from my RPG journal. (Why I'd think that, I just couldn't tell you...) I don't know if I simply like Devid Wenham's looks because I like Faramir so much. Probably so. The movie changes were a bit strange, but I understand why they did it and I approve--it makes Faramir even more interesting what with his actually seeing the ring and refusing it. I don't think it makes him weaker at all, like some have said.

Just my opinion, because I really like the guy, too.