Pajiba

I don't know, switching from Jackson to Raimi is equal to going from John Williams to Danny Elfman. A change in tone that I don't particularly care for in that franchise.

Is that Peter Jackson in the picture? If so, I must say he is one who looks better with glasses.

I thought the Philip Morris movie might be a cautionary tale of a love affair with cigarettes before I read the synopsis. Hee.

The Hobbit is scheduled to be shot as two films beginning in 2009, with the first film to be released in 2010 and the second installment in 2011.

Not following how a much simpler, one-book story turns into two films, presumably a couple hours each, while Bible-level epic LoTR gets done in three films at about three hours each. That said, The Hobbit is actually a more amusing and satisfying tale dialogue-wise, with some rich, fun characters.

How about Colm Meany, Brendan Gleason, and Paddy Considine as the three trolls? Ray Winstone as Thorin, King Under the Mountain? Hugh Grant as Tom Bombadil? Clive Owen as the voice of the Dragon? The studio will want Sean Connery, who coincidentally has done a dragon voice character before in that execrable Dennis Quaid vehicle.

It will be interesting to see who plays a slightly younger Gandalf. Theoretically, Ian McKellan could do it, since Gandalf didn't age much visibly over the course of the entire saga, other than the beard turning white.

Bilbo: I think we can safely say that Ian Holm is out. How about Daniel Radcliffe committing career suicide by taking on another iconic fantasy role? That's just "meh" enough to be likely.

Jesus, I'm a nerd.

I thought the Philip Morris movie might be a cautionary tale of a love affair with cigarettes

Hee hee hee

Erratum: Tom Bombadil was not in "The Hobbit."

The Horton trailer shouldn't hurt as much as it does. You would think after the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat I would have developed some sort of immunity.

The bees. The bees are in my eyes, oh god.

Eh, Wanderer, whose house do they visit for the re-supply? I thought Bombadil appeared in both works, but you're right, it's some other guy who turns into a werewolf during the night or something.

Wishful thinking on my part after being deprived of Bombadil and The Scouring of the Shire in Jackson's trilogy.

WOW!!! the Hobbit is finally getting off the ground. I'm so waiting not to see this movie.

Daphne - I think he's lost loads of weight since LOTR...he does look a wee bit strange in that picture.

I was so excited to see that The Hobbit was getting off the ground and now I learn PJ is not directing. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

And he's doing "The Lovely Bones"? Wooo hooo! Can't get me enough movies on child rape and murder...

I think I'll pass on that one.

@socalled: They re-supply at Elrond's before crossing the Misty Mountains and stay with Beorn the skinchanger afterwards, before entering the Mirkwood.

Who's a nerd now?

I'm glad to see The Hobbit is being handled by the same creative team that led the brilliant LoTR series.

I would think that Sir Ian would definitely be reprising the role of Gandalf, but they would have to go in a different direction for Bilbo.

Good news for geeks.

I also thought the Phillip Morris movie was going to be about someone who loved to smoke.

My first thought about The Hobbit being two movies was, "Great way to squeeze twice as much money out of me." Then I thought, "But most novels really get shortchanged in a 2 hour format, so perhaps they'll get the whole book in by doing it as two movies, which would be nice." As far as LOTR is concerned, the extended versions are 4 hours each, which is really 2 movies for each 1/3 of the trilogy, and they still couldn't fit it all in. I'm still pissed about them leaving out the scouring of the Shire, and Gandalf living in Bag End with Wormtongue. Still, can't complain. He got most of it right.

Beorn the skinchanger

That's the one. That Gandalf, he knew where all the generous hosts lived. I get the sense that he just rode from place to place, drinking up all the good mead, deflowering Rohirrim virgins and elf maidens, blazing up all the good Hobbit weed, and just generally wearing out his welcome.

No moist nerdette panties over my idea for Clive Owen as Smaug? Would it be better if they beef up the part of the Lakeman who shoots the special arrow at Smaug, then cast someone like Owen? There's only freaks as major characters in the original story -- hobbit, gollum, dwarves, elves, etc. -- so it wouldn't be a surprise if they feel compelled to create an Aragorn-type role.

And here's a question: Did the word "smog" even exist when Tolkien wrote this story in the 1930's or whenever? I always thought that word started here in the U.S. -- we perfected the concept, after all -- but it would have made sense that London would be smoggy during the Industrial Revolution -- lots of fog, lots of coal- and wood-burning equipment.

Hee hee hee, I'm on vacation till 1/2/08, sipping coffee, noodling with the Pajibans, and waxing rhapsodic about The Hobbit. Life is good.

"I AM the lasht one!!" The only line I can do in a passable Sean Connery.

Hey Socalled: Any particular reason why you chose three Irish fellas to represent the short, hirsute, barefoot rustic types? And then chose the Brits for the more adventurous dashing types? If I were Pookie-ish, I'd be quite insulted by your view of my nation's physical characteristics and your nod to Imperialist Britain. But since I'm not, I'll go back to trimming the nails on my freakishly large hairy feet.

I'm still pissed about them leaving out the scouring of the Shire.

Why? How would you add it to the end of an already three hour movie without confusing the audience and killing the happy ending?

(and don't tell me 'well, just take out all that Arwen crap.' The Arwen crap was a blatant gimme to the higher-ups and I'm just amazed they managed to placate them with so little.)

I'm with the most likely, drunken, Paddy, Slim is against imperialistic stereotyping, in ALL. ITS. FORMS!

So-called, marry me. Let us move to a shire-like place and raise little nerdlets...

Socalled: Yes, the word "smog" existed in Tolkien's time. From Dictionary.com:

Word History: New phenomena require new words, so it is not surprising that smog is a relatively recent coinage. The word followed the phenomenon by perhaps half a century, for air pollution was first noticed during the Industrial Revolution. The word smog is first recorded in 1905 in a newspaper report of a meeting of the Public Health Congress. Dr. H.A. des Vɶux gave a paper entitled "Fog and Smoke," in which, in the words of the Daily Graphic of July 26, "he said it required no science to see that there was something produced in great cities which was not found in the country, and that was smoky fog, or what was known as 'smog.'" The next day the Globe remarked that "Dr. des Vɶux did a public service in coining a new word for the London fog."

Ah crap! I meant, Saruman living in Bag End with Wormtongue. I think I have Gandalf the Bear on the my mind. Still giggling about that from The Golden Compass thread.

Erratum: Tom Bombadil was not in "The Hobbit."
-- wanderer

That's what makes Hugh Grant perfect for the role.

Slim: don't you know your irony is completely lost on my pickled brain?

In a bit of news sure to make your brain throw up in your skull, Jessica Simpson is set to star in a remake of...wait for it...Pretty Woman. What the unholy FUCK?!

Jessica Simpson is set to star in a remake of...wait for it...Pretty Woman. What the unholy FUCK?!

Posted by: Manny at December 20, 2007 1:01 PM

--------------------------------------------------

I'd be willing to download it....if she did a split, across the WHOLE floor, like Mel B.

I'm still waiting for the clip of B-Slim doing splits across the dancefloor, 'cause we all know you can.

Ah, another round-up for another day.

I'm not even watching the trailer for Horton Hears a Who... that was one of my favourite stories to read my kids when they were little and I do not want those warm memories tarnished, thank you very much!
And Manny... are you for real??? I don't think I have ever actually boggled before but I think I truly am at that news... so many questions, so many bashes of the head off of my desk *sigh*

Hi Paddy. You know, it hadn't occurred to me in the front of my brain about the ethnic casting of Irish lads as hairy-footed cave-dwellers, but the back of my brain was probably working on it. In fairness, my kinsmen from 'round Stirling way would make good dwarves -- thick, grubby fingers, ill-tempered, and a propensity to drink all the McEwan's.

Also: Stirling boys are not averse to a wee bit of the Brandybuck Northfarthing wacky weed.

cinekat: I bear only a passing resemblance to Clive; "passing" meaning, of course, that I know who he is. I have resembled Smaug on occasion after too much grog.

I'm loving Pajibakistan today, there's a feeling in the air/net, the feeling of joy from everybody going on vacation.

As for myself, Mrs. Slim was told in no uncertain terms (she allowed me) to jump on the HDTV bandwagon and, being the high-roller that I am I gifted our household with a Sharp Aquos and Panasonic Home theater/dvd combo WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Enjoy your Xmas folks!

B-Slim, please tell me it's the 65" big boy.

B-Slim, please tell me it's the 65" big boy.

Would I lie to my fellow Pajiba readers (other than TK), Zanna? Here you go:

"OK! magazine reports that sources close to Jessica Simpson are saying that the singer/actress has plans to remake Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman."

Courtesy of WorstPreviews.

How's THAT for a mindfuck?

Socalled

Nope, not right now, I got the 37 inch gaming enhanced LC37GP1U, on account that I ordered a Dell XPS gaming Portable (I'm aiming to rid myself of Desktop PCs), Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut that big boy WILL be on my family room by March '08 I reckon.

I'm very impressed by the Aquos picture quality.

i read the LotR because I felt like i should. Watched the movies for the same reason. Except for the first hour of the first movie i think movies and books are completely boring and over rated. Gimli son of whatever who was husband to that thing who was daughter to whoever blah blah blah don't care. The hobbit on the other hand was a totally kick ass story and i can't wait. Dragons are fun.

I am I gifted our household with a Sharp Aquos and Panasonic Home theater/dvd combo
Oh dude, you are going to have suuuuch a merry Christmas.

I gifted our household with a Sharp Aquos and Panasonic Home theater/dvd combo
Oh dude, you are going to have suuuuch a merry Christmas.

Posted by: Jerce at December 20, 2007 1:49 PM
--------------------------------------------------

Hehehehehe thanks!

"OK! magazine reports that sources close to Jessica Simpson are saying that the singer/actress has plans to remake Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman."

Ryan Seacrest and Joey Fatone will fill the roles of Richard Gere and Laura Sangiacomo, respectively. Jason Alexander returns as Jason Alexander.

Slim, we have the 17" Aquos in our bedroom, and it is fab. We went to Sony for our larger plasma, and I regret not going with the Sharp.

Twig: "I'm still pissed about them leaving out the scouring of the Shire.

Why? How would you add it to the end of an already three hour movie without confusing the audience and killing the happy ending?"

If he's going to go to all the trouble of 12 hours of extended edition, in order to fit in more of the book, why not add another hour and do the job properly. The book did NOT have a happy ending. They got back to the Shire and still had crap to clean up. Besides, it's not going to confuse the audience. The audience is nerdlettes like me who've read the books. People who got confused, walked out during film one and never watched the others.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to picture Clive Owen as Smaug, and I'm just not getting a visual on that, given that Smaug was a non-speaking character. Still, I will try my hardest.

Let's see, my dreamcast would be:

Ian McKellen as Gandalf (although it would be fun to cast Christopher Lee just to add confusion).
Ricky Gervais as Dildo (sic)
Deep Roy as all the Dwarves
Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Queen of the Dessert (weren't the Rivendell elves kinda goofy in The Hobbit?)
Ian McKellen again as Beorn the Bear (because he's had so much practice)
There are just too many choices for the Trolls.
Ray Winstone as Beowulf as guy who shoots Smaug.
On second thought, Brendan Gleeson as Bilbo.

Slim, we have the 17" Aquos in our bedroom, and it is fab. We went to Sony for our larger plasma, and I regret not going with the Sharp.

Posted by: socalledonlycousins at December 20, 2007 1:56 PM
------------------------------------------------

Aaaaah, you have nothing to feel bad about IMO, the Sony is a VERY good choice, except for the price, and I do believe it has an edge on the Sharp, the only other one that comes somewhat close to those two is the Samsung.

given that Smaug was a non-speaking character

Doesn't he talk? I remember him calling Bilbo a "thief" after he figures out that one tiny piece of treasure is missing from the gigantic hoard. Bilbo stole a chalice or something like that, then had a conversation with Smaug while wearing the ring. I think he also bragged about how many men he had killed.

"Horton" looks like it will be nothing like the book, but I've never thought that Dr. Seuss translated very well to feature films. It might be charming in its own right.

As for Jessica Simpson remaking "Pretty Woman"...wow. That's seriously stupid. THe only reason that movie worked the first time was because its lead actors had a lot of charisma. Can someone lack something in spades? Because if someone can, Jessica Simpson lacks charisma, in spades. Who are they going to get to play Richard Gere's role? Chris Klein? Zac Efron? Fuzzmuppet?

Wait, wait, wait. Jessica Simpson's supposed to play a woman who sells her body for monetary gain? I don't know if she's ready for such a challenging change of pace.

The only way the Pretty Woman remake will be any good is if it's a documentary.

The audience is nerdlettes like me who've read the books.

Somehow I doubt we have $350 million in viewing power, nice as that would be. I would have happily sat through another nine hours of movie had they felt like filming, but I can see why they made the cuts they did.

I'm also enjoying the pre-Christmas giddyness, except I have one more big document to deliver to a client before I can sign off for a week tomorrow. In case any of you are checking out early today and not bothering tomorrow (when I shall be here in my endowed Pajiba chair albeit drunk as a skunk), have a great Christmas (or whatever you celebrate).

Oh, I hope The Hobbit doesn't suck like a drunk freshman at homecoming...

Unfortunately, if they keep the aesthetic the same from the trilogy, they've painted themselves in a corner with Thranduil and the Mirkwood elves, who are supposed to be kind of badass, drink insanely strong alcohol all the time, and live in an underground castle. They'll all be blonde and state the obvious at any opportunity.

I'll just be in my corner, chanting "pleasedon'tsuckpleasedon'tsuck" over and over...

Socalled: "Doesn't he talk? I remember him calling Bilbo a "thief" after he figures out that one tiny piece of treasure is missing from the gigantic hoard. Bilbo stole a chalice or something like that, then had a conversation with Smaug while wearing the ring. I think he also bragged about how many men he had killed."

Yep, yep, you're right. I'm mixing up Smaug with the Dragon in Beowulf, where the slave steals a golden cup and the dragon goes bonkers on the nearest town. Well they assume it's a cup. According to the translation by Seamus Heany, there's a hole in the manuscript right about there, and he translates it as, "panicked and ran away with the precious (insert hole here) . . ." Hum, where have I seen this before?

Socalled, I thought Smaug was pronounced Sm-ow-g, not Smog. I used to pronounce it like that, but in the LotR movies they pronounce Sauron as S-ow-ron, not Soron, thus making me believe I was saying both wrong.

As for Horton Hear's a Who....wow. That will be...interesting, to say the least. Wow.

I think I heard/read somewhere that the first movie would be the Hobbit, while the second movie would be a film filling in the gap between LotR and Hobbit. Then again, those plans may have changed, so who knows?

"Sm-ow-g and S-ow-ron. Those are consistent and, I think, right. They are pronouncing the a and the u separately, not as one phoneme.

Anyone else remember the animated version of The Hobbit? Orson Bean was Bilbo, Richard Boone was Smaug. I was pretty sure that every line of dialog in the book made it in to the movie.

Based on "S-ow-ron" I think Smaug is pronounced "Sm-ow-g," but it's still so close to smog that it doesn't seem likely to be coincidental. When he falls into the lake, doesn't it go up in a cloud of steam? Plus fire, plus smoke, plus the overall darkness and Tolkien's industry = evil theme. Smaug, baby.

No one wants to argue whether Irish or Scottish lads make better trolls and dwarves? Guess I'll have to wait for Paddy to get back to her Pajiba throne tomorrow.

cinekat, please note that I lay claim to socalled and Vermillion (when they're not stalking Alex The Odd or Alabamapink). Thus, no marriage can be proposed to either of these gentlemen by anyone other than myself. This, I declare. So say we all. By my command. You get the point. Thank you for your consideration.

A Jessica Simpson remake of Pretty Woman? Where are those four horsemen?

One more day 'til temporary freedom! Tis sweet!

Socalled: yeah, really! I need to convince Pookie of the old adage that "the Irish are the Blacks of Europe", coz you know once I get Pookie in my corner, we Micks are going to kick your sorry little miserly Scottish arse into next week. So hang on to your kilt.

On one of my cross country trips, I had The Hobbit on tape to alleviate boredom, and the pronunciation was Sm-ow-g, if anyone cares to put stock in the 'official' version.

Then again, I was the one who was disappointed in the wicked witch's name in WICKED being pronounced ELF-ah-bah instead of elle-FAH-bah like I had always called my monkey(Don't ask).

Man, Chicago 10 looks terrible. The fucking "recreations" look like the worst possible cross between "A Scanner Darkly" and "Beowulf." Fucking hippies.