Viewing #16 - I got caught up before I went to #17! V good... However, I'm going to wimp out and *not* go to #17 tonight. 4 successive nights of less than 4 hours sleep have left me pretty ragged, and Cate's voice is SO soothing in the opening...

Thank heavens it's been held over for one more week--I went into a panic yesterday when I tried to do a search for next week and no Chicago locations came up. Database must not have been updated yet. So I'll work on getting my LOTR website up tonight--look for additions (see link in right-hand column) besides the Lij's birthday page that's been there for the last month.

Anyway, most of my writing at #16 seems to have been on my jeans (involuntarily). Have I finally reached the point where I have nothing more to say about the movie? Seems unlikely. However, I did go to #16 with Jean and Karen, and I generally take more notes when I'm by myself, so maybe that was it. We were in another new theatre within the Evanston complex, so I'm racking up different theatre points here.

Woo hoo! I finally saw the car (or whatever people think is a car) in the shire. I was looking in *totally* the wrong scene, duh. It's not nearly as distracting as the amazing moving scarecrow in the same segment. Now I can go back to watching Elijah instead...

I love the movement Ian uses as Gandalf, to flip the cover back over Saruman's palantir. Just one of those little kinds of gestures he probably learned on the stage, but it's SO graceful. But then, as you've probably noticed, I worship Sir Ian...

Stupid question for this viewing: When Frodo goes invisible in the Prancing Pony, why doesn't anyone step on him during that extended period where he's seeing the black riders? Seems like he was in a very small clear spot on the floor near the bar, and although they might have backed away initially, everyone seems to have gone on with their drinking by the time he becomes visible again. If he keeps falling on his back like that, someone *is* going to do *something*

Things I'd change: During Elrond's council, when Frodo flinches as Gimli attempts to destroy the ring, Gandalf starts to reach out to him but stops. Too bad--Frodo really needs the support, and Gandalf is the one he most needs it from.
OK, this isn't Gandalf and Frodo, but I love it anyway.

If you like the Gandalf/Frodo photo from the previous entry, you can get a poster of it from New Line, and it's even on sale. The LOTR shop is here

Happy Birthday, Jean!

Viewing #15 - I'm only a week behind now!
Second time to see the movie downtown, on a rainy, cold weeknight. The theatre said patronage was way down, but our little section was well over half full. V good.

Gotta get a screen cap of one of those Frodo-looking-at-Gandalf moments--maybe the one either just before or just after he sets off the fireworks for the hobbit children following his cart and horse. It's partly the usual worship, but blended in with the sort of amused tolerance and strong affection one has for one's slightly eccentric great-uncle. I used to love that look, but lately I find it makes me tense up in anticipation of what is to come later. Which I guess explains why I have TWO versions of the Frodo/Gandalf shot in Moria (the oscar ad and the poster)--see below. Every time I see the movie, I'm also struck by the way Frodo implicitly trusts Gandalf--he holds out his hand for the ring when told to do so, even though he doesn't look like he believes it isn't hot; he drops to the floor almost simultaneously with Gandalf's shout of "Get down." He would (and does) go a lot further than Bree if Gandalf told him to.

Merry and his apples. Is the boy ever without one? Is there some significance to that?

Is that Rosie sitting with Sam at Frodo's table at the birthday party? There are two women there, but it's really hard to make them out. Took me many viewings to even *see* Frodo and Sam in the group shots during Bilbo's speech.

Merry (and to a lesser extent, Pippin) is so protective of Frodo, without really being told. During the escape, on Weathertop, and even afterwards--when Strider asks Sam to help him look for Athalos, Merry immediately take's Sam's spot at Frodo's side. The way the two move in to try to protect Frodo on Weathertop, after Sam is knocked aside, makes me want to hug them every time I see it. (And the way Frodo drops his sword without ever using it makes me want to smack *him*.)

Sir Ian McKellen's timing and phrasing is just so wonderful. I love the way he plays the scenes 1) when Frodo returns to Bag End after Bilbo's birthday party, and 2) when Frodo wakes up in Rivendell. Gandalf appears almost lost in thought, to the point where you expect Frodo to show more impatience (which, interestingly enough, he doesn't). A wizard is never late.... And he uses that pipe *brilliantly* to slow his delivery even more. If this performance isn't worthy of an Oscar, I don't know what IS.

Frodo in that council scene... I do love the sigh when he puts the ring down, but is that pain when the ring is hit by Gimli symbolic of more than just a lingering tie to it? Does he volunteer to take the ring to Mordor, in part, because he can't bear to be parted from it, especially when no-one immediately steps forward with a plan? He seems to take it back rather easily, all things considered. I wonder if he ever really thought he was through with it. He seems in pretty good spirits when all the shenanigans are taking place with the other hobbits joining the fellowship (but of course he's got Gandalf and Aragorn with him, both of whom he trusts implicitly). I love his face at Pippin's "Where are we going?"

Stupid question of the week (Lij fan category): Couldn't Bilbo have waited to go spastic over the ring until Frodo had finished taking off his shirt???


Did I invent this? I thought I saw, just for a second, a chain around Frodo's neck when he gets up after falling in the snow climbing Caradhras. Of course it's supposed to have fallen off... And then I thought I saw one shot just before the avalanche where suddenly Legolas is near the end of the line--of course he's supposed to be out in front, and he's back in place to pull Gandalf back from the edge.

I could use a few more minutes spent in Moria, to give us the idea of time passing. It's not readily apparent, at least at first, that Gandalf is lost, because we haven't really seen him leading them through and picking the passages they follow. And much as I like Gandalf's speech to Frodo, about making the best of the time that is given to us, I'm happy that they used a different version of it for Frodo's flashback at the end--the timing on the line is different, as is Ian's face. Much more effective than trying to make him find some "middle ground" reading that would work in both places.

Speaking of Moria--which always seems to bring me to Boromir--despite the fact that I miss seeing Boromir and Aragorn try to help Gandalf (as they did in the book), I like Boromir being there to restrain Frodo. In pretty much the entire Moria sequence, he is the primary comforter as Gandalf and Aragorn's attention is elsewhere. Frodo doesn't seem so much trying to escape Boromir's arm as he does holding on to it for support. I just wish the following shot wasn't so clearly the double instead of Elijah.

Viewing #14
In a movie full of beautiful things, there's not much more beautiful than Elijah Wood in the Birthday Party scenes. Absolutely gorgeous. Guess we won't be seeing that smile again in the other two installments.

I love Frodo's packing skills (or lack thereof). We do see that he's actually a hobbit--he packs more food than clothes. And stuffs in his clothing totally unfolded--even unfolding the shirt that Gandalf has folded for him.

Those Elrond-Gandalf glances during the council--those two have more going on than we know. Besides the winks and nods, there's the look Elrond gives Gandalf when Boromir begins his "It is a gift" speech. Did they know *someone* would make this argument, or did they know that Boromir, specifically, would?

Frodo looks *so* pleased when Gandalf is the first to join him in the "Fellowship" (which has not yet been named), and seems to lean into him in the group shot (could be a trick of the forced perspective or trick shot, but possibly not). It seems only fair that Gandalf accompany him, doesn't it, since it's Gandalf's fault he's even in Rivendell in the first place. In the shots of them leaving Rivendell and beginning the next stage of the quest, it's always Frodo right behind or beside Gandalf. What a cruel trick to first deprive him of his absolute trust in Gandalf, and then deprive him of Gandalf altogether.

Karen pointed this one out to me: When the fellowship hides from the crabein, where did the horse go? My theory is that the reason Gandalf was the last to hide was that he was "disappearing" good old Bill. We sure don't see hide nor hair of him in that scene, and believe me, I have looked. (Funny how Aragorn manages to hide with Frodo though--pervy hobbit fancier. Sam will kill him if he tries anything...) If you haven't read Cassie Claire's LiveJournal yet, do so immediately!

OK, I think in Moria, the only thing Aragorn yells to Frodo (several times) is "Frodo!" Manages to sound different each time, but I *think* that's it. I could be wrong. I guess this means I'm running out of things to check on!

NOTES ON VIEWING #13
hmmm, change of theatre in Evanston. I wonder how many different theatres I will see this movie in? Not as many as if I'd gone in Lausanne!

Why does Bilbo drop the ring on the floor, anyway? Just for dramatic purposes? We know he can't hand it to Gandalf, but neither he nor Gandalf knew that at the time. Would make more sense for him to do that, or walk back and set it on the table.

Isn't Frodo strangely expressionless coming home to Bag End (after leaving Sam on their way back from the local)? Had a bit too much to drink, tired, or just miles away in thought? And is Sam smoking?

I love to listen to the voices. Frodo's voice doesn't just have an accent where Lij's doesn't, but the whole cadence and timbre is different. He sounds more like Lij when he shouts and the pitch is higher. Viggo's voice bothered me a lot at first--nearly everyone else's is better, especially (of course) the Brits, who are stage-trained. His voice is most effective in a near-whisper, which is very sexy besides. Liv does much better than I expected, given I'm not all that wild about her speaking voice. Ian McKellen **swoon** no comment. Christopher Lee has one of the great voices in the universe, and as Sir Ian says on his webpage, the theatre lost something when Lee chose to concentrate on film. But the scene in particular, when he is standing atop Isengard bringing down the avalanche on the fellowship--what mastery.

OK, so who's writing a decent movieverse history (not just a slash one) about Legolas and Aragorn? They obviously know each other, although we can argue about how well, and that's a departure from the book. Legolas' defense of Aragorn at Elrond's Council gave a lot of people pause. And Leggy always seems to be whispering to Aragorn, usually when he thinks they need to move on (or, at least, those are the ones we hear...)

An additional favorite Council moment: the sigh from Frodo when he sets the ring in front of the council. He's finally rid of it, no matter what they decide. HUGE relief... for a very short time. Poor Frodo.

God, I love Boromir's lines, and the way Sean Bean delivers them. Especially:

Gondor has no King. Gondor needs no King.
Such a little thing.
They have a cave troll.
The lords of Gondor have returned.
My brother, my captain, my king.

Yup, Gimli has the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox. He keeps them in a jar at home.

Did I ask already about Frodo pointing out that Sam can't swim? I always want Sam to reply, "What? Is Mordor an Island then?"

OK, so we don't get as much Legolas/Gimli interaction as people would like. We get more Gimli/Boromir than I would have expected, though. Boromir's hand on Gimli's shoulder at Balin's tomb. Boromir comforting Gimli outside of Moria. And of course, Gimli paying homage when they give Boromir his warrior's send-off. The respect of one warrior to another. I love it.

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Cute photos from Japan
I guess the boys were in Japan late last week, and Orli and Dom flew straight from there back to the UK just in time for the BAFTAs. Some really cute photos posted here. Lots of speculation going on about why Lij looks so chipper after such a long flight, mostly centering on Orli (although my money is on Dom).

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Remainder of notes on #12
I'm falling so far behind on my LOTR notes I don't know if I will *ever* catch up. I just went to viewing #16 yesterday, and I haven't finished posting #12 yet. I also managed to cover myself in ink yesterday--so much for keeping my pen and notebook at the ready!**sigh**

I know Karen and I are never going to agree on what exactly we see in Frodo's face when Boromir picks up the ring on their way up Caradhras. I see the beginning of ringlust--the look on his face is out of all proportion to what Boromir is saying, and in fact is already showing before Boromir has finished picking up the ring. It's more than concern or unhappiness, and borders on hatred. And beyond that, he has started to look more than a little tired of the whole affair--not just tired or distrustful, but really sick of everyone and everything. It still comes and goes at this point.

I still wonder why we don't see Frodo and Sam smoke more. Not to mention Merry and Pippin, although they at least get to smoke a little in Moria. It would help to remind the viewer that hobbits are not children, no matter how small and cute they might be. Merry does seem to be fixated on apples, doesn't he? We rarely see him without one in his hand. Frodo, on the other hand--the only time we see him with food is when he's packing it to leave Bag End. We assume they're cooking and eating on their way to Bree when we see them smoking, and he's helping them unpack for the "second breakfast" that Strider curtails, and Sam brings him a plate of food just before Caradhras, but he never actually eats.

It's been fun finding the "errors" that I didn't see myself, but of course the ones that annoy me are the ones I saw relatively early on, like the positioning of Gimli in Balin's tomb. JRD himself is right up next to the tomb, so that when he leans forward, his helm rests on the tomb. The double is quite a bit further away. ARGH. The only other one that bugs me as much is the amazing disappearing hand of Boromir on Aragorn's shoulder, during Boromir's death scene. That one takes me RIGHT out of the storyline sometimes, I'm so annoyed. It's a shame to have Viggo and Sean doing such a terrific job and something silly like that getting in the way--doesn't compare at all to stuff like a car in the distance.

Poor Orlando gets stuck naming half the stuff in the movie: Orcs! Goblins! Crebain from Dunland! (I'm sure I got that last one wrong--will fix when I can check it.) Not to mention: He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Too bad they took identification of the Balrog away from him (I think it was his in the book) and gave it to Gandalf. Walking dictionary, that boy.

I like the final flight out of Moria--everything gets just that little bit out of control (as if it wasn't already). After the Balrog is spotted and named (and Leggy looks particular terrified--on what level does he feel it, and what does he feel?), Gandalf shoves Aragorn and insists that he "lead them on"--but it seems to be Boromir leading them. I love the way Legolas vaults down the side of the stairs rather than climbing down, to move from the back to the front (and thus be in a position to catch Gandalf). And, of course, there's my favorite bit: the game of Red Rover they all play when the stairs/bridge starts to collapse. "Send Gandalf on over!" Guess Frodo lost that one... Then again, Boromir gets to catch him again--Boromir is always catching or carrying Frodo in Moria.

Lothlorien is indeed magical. Aragorn's grey-green eyes are blue, Boromir's hair is clean, and Legolas glows silver instead of his usual gold. Gotta love it. I love Frodo's whole distrustful stance around Galadriel's mirror--which works much better since it is just him there in the movie, rather than him and Sam as in the book. I wish Frodo got to see Galadriel's ring, though. That's one of my quibbles with the scene--the other is the missing line we heard in the trailer ("You will find your strength") for which we get instead the "Even the smallest person..." line that I do NOT like. Frodo has said he doesn't know if he can do what he must. Why does she assume it's because he is SMALL? I don't think that's it at ALL. Made a cute picture for the ads, but I don't like it. And he should be able to see her ring, so her line about him being a ringbearer would have more depth. "Bearing a ring of power is to be alone." yeah, and being married to Celeborn doesn't help, either.

What else can I say about #12? We had lots of newbies in the theatre, who were more vocally into the fight scenes than us old timers. That was fun. Applause when Aragorn killed Lurtz! (And his eyes look blue again in Boromir's death scene.)

God, I love this shot. Nothing to do with this post, though! Photo taken by Viggo.

OK, this is an experiment. I'd love to add some graphics and links and stuff, but I am SO not good at this. So here's a try at adding a Frodo button to my title bar.

Out of order random note after viewing #15:

When I first heard they'd cast Elijah Wood as Frodo, I thought that his looks were good for the part. All I'd really seen him in was Avalon, in which he was excellent, so I went to IMDB to read up on him. Rather flabbergasted at Ebert calling him basically the best child actor ever (I'd have given that to Christian Bale). However, now that I find myself arguing every nuance of his performance (while still a teenager) in this role, and having it NEVER occur to any of us that Lij might not be conveying, at any time, just *exactly* what he wants to convey--I stand in awe of his talent. I can hardly wait for the second installment.

I think I'm going to use this blog, for now, pretty much for LOTR (my current obsession). Take me at least the rest of the week just to catch up with those notes! For today, I'll repost my notes from viewings #9 - part of #12 (point of reference; I'll be seeing it for the 15th time tonight).

NOTES FROM #9

If I'd had time after work to get a proper notebook instead of writing on the back of an envelope in the dark, this might make more sense! Thanks to everyone who has pointed out stuff to look for--I love trying to see those things.

I didn't think there would be, but there IS one shot that annoys me nearly as much as the "ring in Frodo's open palm" one (Jesus, Lij, put that damn thing away-what is it, 6 shots of that???)--it's that "trusty loyal Sam" shot. You know the one--Sean with the right side of his face in shadow, left side lit, and that beautiful look of adoration. I tried to keep a record of how many times we got that exact shot, but of course I can't read my writing. I know at least: In Rivendell, just after all the hobbits greet and Frodo spots Bilbo; when Galadriel talks about the Fellowship; I think once on the mountain pass, although I can't remember the context; and of course at the end. Ya know, it's a NICE shot, but enough is enough.


NOTE: I swear, on my 15th viewing of the movie, when we get that last shot of trusty, loyal Sam being so conciliatory and supportive (and delivering both his comments in exactly the same tone), I want to change Frodo's line to: "Sam, I'm glad you're with me. But you're a moron."

And speaking of good ideas overdone, how many times does Frodo fall on his back, legs splayed? 1) Down the hill by Farmer Maggot's field, of course; 2) then there's onto Buckleberry Ferry (which has been noted before), 3) in the Prancing Pony, 4) on Weathertop when chased by the ringwraiths, 5) during the incident with the sea monster outside Moria, 6) when fighting the cave troll (several times), 7) when he backs away from Galadriel's mirror... The only time he seems to fall *forward* is when he's propelled that way (such as by Aragorn when he throws him into the room in Bree). OK, this is a REALLY, REALLY nice image, but again--enough. (Except in my fantasies, of course.)

NOTE ON THE ABOVE NOTE: At viewing #10, we caught at least two more of this-when Pippin smashes into him in Farmer Maggot's field, and sliding down the hill running from the Uruk Hai. We counted 10, so I'm still missing one somewhere, or we got carried away and counted the Boromir tackle (in which Frodo actually lands on his stomach but Boromir rolls him over).

Random comment--Is Frodo ever really young in the movie? There was a comment made on some list about the oldest actor playing the youngest hobbit, and vice versa, but that Frodo seemed the youngest in the movieverse. I never got the feeling of him being the youngest--he's always got a bit of an "old soul." The serious change begins to take place with "What must I do?" to Gandalf, of course, but the scene that always takes my breath away as it shows the change in Frodo is the one in Bree, when the other hobbits awake with a start hearing the screams of the ringwraiths, but Frodo has obviously not been asleep. The look on his face, part despair, part accusation, just drives a knife in my heart every time. I hope I can manage to live through parts 2 & 3...


An even more random note--in FOTR (the book), Frodo has a vision of Gandalf pacing in captivity at Isengard (even though he sees this vision NOT when the event is happening, it is still a true vision). In the movie, Frodo calls out to Gandalf in his extremity after being stabbed by the morgul blade. Interesting how PJ kept the psychic connection but in an entirely different manner.

Things you hear better on the 9th viewing: Boromir's "Frodo! I'm sorry!" heard very faintly through the "static" just after Frodo puts on the ring that Boromir has tried to claim. Even listening for it, it's hard to discern. I like that it's there.

Stupid questions:

*Just before Bilbo gives Sting to Frodo (now there's an image.... especially if he's in the leather from "Dune"--OK, I *meant* the sword) we see an elf go by, looking like he's on an errand. Looks like Leggy to me. What's he up to? Off for a quickie before the Fellowship departs?

NOTE ON THE ABOVE NOTE: Someone later told me that there is a deleted scene (which I've seen photos of) where the fellowship gathers to receive a sort of benediction from Elrond-Frodo joins them there after leaving Bilbo. Leggy is obviously going to meet up with the others. I liked my explanation better.

*On Caradhras, when Legolas is doing his "walking on top of the snow" thing--if he was carrying a hobbit (or dwarf), could he still do that?

*As Frodo is rowing away just before the end, Sam tries to wade after him. OK, I know he doesn't want to take *another* boat from the rest of the party, but geez, couldn't he *threaten* to, to make Frodo just come back for him? Not like he probably isn't the stronger rower, anyway. Of course then we wouldn't get the nummy drowning scene. *sigh*

Additional stupid question after viewing #10: Why does Aragorn keep Frodo for LAST at the bridge in Moria? Ok, I realize he was probably going to carry him over himself, but given the circumstances, shouldn't he have thrown Frodo FIRST?

NOTE ON VIEWING #10:

Some are incorporated above. The only other main note was that Frodo's attitude change really becomes major, IMHO, when he loses a little of his hero-worship of Gandalf (which Sam doesn't share, btw). And in going back and rereading this section of TFOTR, I see that they have changed some little things to make Gandalf even a bit more fallible in Frodo's eyes. Points on this:

* Frodo sets out on his mission with only the word of Gandalf (and a whisper from the Ring). He doesn't really question the necessity of going. He drops everything and goes.
* Gandalf doesn't meet Frodo in Bree, as arranged. In the books, we eventually find out that he DID leave a message there. No such message in the movie. I didn't even get as strong an impression of the close relationship between Gandalf and Aragorn in the movie as I did in the book, so in a way, Aragorn meeting them doesn't make up for Gandalf not being there at all.
* I think Frodo is feeling particularly deserted on Weathertop. No Gandalf, and Aragorn isn't there. His wail of "Gandalf" as Aragorn carries him off pretty much says it all... Gandalf does hear it, but Frodo doesn't know that
* Gandalf doesn't stay out of the debate in Rivendell-eventually he wades in, but neither he nor Elrond really makes a decision that everyone can live with-it's Frodo himself who settles the debate. OK, so we can see in the nonverbal interchange between Gandalf and Elrond that things have probably come out the way they hoped and planned for, but Frodo doesn't know that.
* In the books, it is Aragorn who doesn't want to go into Moria and chooses Caradhras, not Gandalf. In the movie, Gandalf tries to defeat the mountain (and Saruman), and fails. Then he asks Frodo to make the decision between the Gap of Rohan and the Mines of Moria.
* Gandalf can't open the doors of Moria, and Frodo figures out how to do so-but in the books, Gandalf figures it out himself. Another instance of Frodo making the crucial call.
* So, IMHO Frodo is feeling more than a little let down by the time in Moria when he spots Gollum, and this prompts his bitter "It's a pity Frodo didn't kill him when he had the chance."-which has actually been moved from MUCH earlier in the book, and I think works better here. Moved here, it gives Gandalf the opportunity to show how much Frodo still needs him, albeit more in a mentor than a protector role.

Gandalf's "death" is about the last straw for Frodo, and he looks like he's walking into Lothlorien with a huge chip on his shoulder. While in the book he is full of awe and wonder, in the movie he seems to be the one least moved by everything, and he looks at Galadriel more with distrust than wonder. It's almost like "what do YOU want from me?" Like Gandalf, she then redeems herself in his eyes, although you can nearly taste his despair as his last chance of getting rid of the responsibility for the ring slips away.

My only other note from #10 is that Boromir seems to spend a lot of time catching and/or carrying Frodo in Moria, as well as comforting Gimli. Hands-on kind of guy.

Viewing #11

We seem to have totally lost that Strider is a close friend of Bilbo. The only remnant of that is Strider reading Bilbo's book (if that IS Bilbo's book).

Ian McKellen is god. I've never seen anyone else who can actually make their eyes twinkle, but he pulls it off. Watch during Bilbo's farewell speech. I also just adore the little byplay between Gandalf and Elrond in the council, when Aragorn pledges himself to Frodo. I also like the way he takes Tolkien's "You cannot pass" line to the Balrog, uses it once that way, then changes it to "shall not." For some reason, I find that stronger.
GO SIR IAN!

Sam doesn't seem to share Frodo's hero-worship of Gandalf. This is played for laughs early on, but it's the case nonetheless. Sam is more admiring of Aragorn, who has a power and authority he can understand and appreciate. Sam overcomes the worst of his fear of Gandalf, but I don't think he ever really trusts him.

What's with Frodo when Boromir picks up the ring from the snow? What is that expression? It's not quite pain, or resentment, but he's very upset. I don't think it's just a precursor of Boromir wanting to take the ring-I think it's also the beginning of ringlust in Frodo. He can't stand anyone else touching the ring, already. It's physically uncomfortable, and emotionally unsettling.

This week's silly questions: Does anyone know what it is that Aragorn yells when the troll goes after Frodo? I never can make it out. Does Boromir realize he's calling more orcs than friends with that damn horn?

OK, so I've had this problem with the way Orlando moves as Legolas. I've finally decided that I just expected longer strides from an elf. So I made my own little determination that he was trying to match his strides to his littler and mortal companions. I'm all right with it now...

I'm still hanging onto my Galadriel theory: that she precipitated the ring crisis between Frodo and Boromir, by pushing ideas at both of them that might have taken considerably more time to come to fruition on their own. To Boromir, she talked about the death of his father and the possibility that there was still a way that Gondor could be saved-we already know the only hope he sees of THAT. Frodo she warned that someone-you know who-would try to take the ring. Why did she do this? Certainly she didn't CAUSE it to happen, but I think she caused it to happen as quickly as it did-I assume because Frodo needed to go on his way without the others at the earliest possible time. After all, "to bear a ring of Power is to BE alone"-and she should know, since she also is a ringbearer.

Viewing #12

They were playing a Depeche Mode song just before the movie on Sunday at the Century Evanston. Considering there are TWO stories featuring Depeche that I've read so far in LOTR, pretty funny.

Stupid questions: Why does the ring make mortals invisible? Would it make an immortal invisible too? Obviously, it didn't do that to Sauron. Does Pippin and/or Billy Boyd have green eyes, or blue? I'm thinking green. Why is it that I find Frodo's tears more believable than Arwen's? Both look like glycerine when you look closely. I guess because no child actor could succeed without the ability to cry on demand. Why is no-one careful of Frodo's shoulder when he first gets out of his sickbed in Rivendell?

I finally caught that the children following Gandalf's cart were actually asking him about fireworks. Took me **12** times to catch that...

Frodo's giggle. SO nice to hear, for such a brief time. Too bad the one at the party was obviously dubbed in-I guess they had a lot of sound problems in New Zealand.

Thanks to Jean and Karen for directing me to the shot of Sam and Frodo with their pipes (in the shire, during the Bilbo flashback concerning going out your front door). There are so many still shots of Elijah with a pipe available, but I couldn't remember ever seeing him with one in the movie. Too bad, in a way, because it helps to emphasize that he is not a child.

When Sam momentarily thinks he's lost Frodo, what is the deal with Frodo's "WHAT did he say?" about Gandalf? It seems to bother him that Gandalf said something to Sam that he (Frodo) didn't know about. Very protective of his relationship with the wizard, isn't he?

Iffy editing moments: The positions of both Frodo and Sam on the Buckleberry Ferry change in the different shots. On Weathertop, at times the hobbit doubles have their hoods up and the hobbit actors have theirs down.

Favorite Billy Boyd/Pippin moment: When they enter the Prancing Pony and he lowers his hood and shakes his curls. I've got to make up a webpage with favorite moments for everyone (already have the Elijah one). And, of course, "It comes in PINTS?"

Favorite Council moment: The moment of dead silence after Elrond says "One of you must do this." Second favorite moment, Frodo's obvious distress when Gimli strikes the ring. Third favorite: Legolas' long-suffering look at Gimli when the dwarf joins the fellowship.

Is it just me, or does Orlando positively GLOW at times in this movie?