The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
The SLIGHTLY Extended Edition



tripecac
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 8:09am


Views: 25359
The SLIGHTLY Extended Edition

Is this right:

- 13 minutes extra footage (LotR movies were 30, 42, and 50).

- 1 commentary track (LotR movies had 4 each)

I like the idea of 9 hours of bonus footage. I just hope the "9 hours" does not include the commentary track, the vlogs (which we already have), and all those promotional interviews, featurettes, reels, and TV spots we've already seen.

13 minutes.

Sigh.


(This post was edited by tripecac on Jul 31 2013, 8:18am)


There&ThereAgain
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 8:11am


Views: 21925
i feel

it's best to lower our expectations for The Hobbit EEs. They will be good, but they were never going to be great what with WB mucking about! Crazy

I'm excited for that commentary though!

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair; and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."-J.R.R. Tolkien

"Thanks for the money!" -George Lucas


Carne
Tol Eressea

Jul 31 2013, 8:23am


Views: 21862
I don't think we'll get the great bonus material that LOTR had

New Line seemed to give PJ pretty free reigns when it came to what he wanted to put on in terms of bonus material, but it looks like WB is more "Eh, who really cares?".

Which is a shame, because I love bonus material.


Danielos
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 8:27am


Views: 21839
An expected EE-journey

Hopefully the next two EES will be more extended. I suspect the shift to a trilogy that late meant pretty much everything filmed until Carrock went into the film. The second and third movie will benefit from the pick-ups this summer.

It might also be that WB is unwilling to pay for post-production of that much new material just for DVD. Look at Avatar and King Kong where just a few more minutes were added. Unsure


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 8:30am


Views: 21812
A mistake?

Could it not be 23? Jackson locked the edit by the time he said that so I find it odd that he'd go back and edit about 10 minutes out.


MatthewJer18
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 8:33am


Views: 21742
The official press release says thirteen, so I doubt it.

 


morro91
Bree

Jul 31 2013, 8:39am


Views: 21754
Whats in the features

Special features available on both the 2D and 3D releases of the Extended Edition include:

* The Filmmakers' Commentary - Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens provide their perspective and stories on creating the first film.


* New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth - From Matamata to Queenstown, travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand, transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-Earth.


* The Appendices Part 7: A Long-Expected Journey - A 14-part chronological history of the filming of An Unexpected Journey, covering pre-production in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, the boot camp training for the main cast, and the work done on set chronologically through the three shooting blocks and in the world of its digital effects. Chapters include:

- The Journey Back to Middle-Earth
- Riddles in the Dark: Gollum's Cave
- An Unexpected Party: Bag End
- Roast Mutton: Trollshaws Forest
- Bastion of the Greenwood: Rhosgobel
- A Short Rest: Rivendell and London
- Over Hill: The Misty Mountains
- Under Hill: Goblin Town
- Out of the Frying Pan: The Forest Ledge
- Return to Hobbiton: The Shire
- The Epic of Scene 88: Strath Taieri
- The Battle of Moria: Azanulbizar
- Edge of the Wilderland: Pick-ups and the Carrock
- Home Is Behind, the World Is Ahead

* The Appendices Part 8: Return to Middle-Earth - Another selection of documentaries and featurettes await, further detailing the development, design and production of An Unexpected Journey:
- The Company of Thorin - Explores the characters and backgrounds of the five families of dwarves and the company of actors chosen to play Thorin's company on the Quest of the Lonely Mountain. Chapters include:

Assembling the Dwarves
Thorin, Fili & Kili
Balin & Dwalin
Oin & Gloin
Dori, Nori & Ori
Bifur, Bofur & Bombur

- Mr. Baggins: The 14th Member - A revealing look at the film's charismatic and talented lead actor, Martin Freeman.


- Durin's Folk: Creating the Dwarves - Reveals the journey and process of designing, conceptualizing and physically realizing the dwarves in The Hobbit.


- The Peoples and Denizens of Middle-Earth - Focuses on the realization of new characters and creatures encountered in the first film, from casting to characterization to physical and digital design. Chapters include:

The Stone Trolls
Radagast the Brown
Goblins
Azog the Defiler

- Realms of the Third Age: From Bag End to Goblin Town - Follows the creation of the Middle-Earth locations from conceptual design to set and prop building to fully digital realities. Realms explored include:

Hobbiton
Rhosgobel
The Misty Mountains
Goblin Town

- The Songs of The Hobbit - A look at the realization of Tolkien's songs in An Unexpected Journey.


(This post was edited by morro91 on Jul 31 2013, 8:42am)


Buchanicus
Lorien


Jul 31 2013, 8:40am


Views: 21632
I would say the 9 hours does include the commentary

leaving approx. 6 hours of documentaries for this film. That would match up with what the LotR EEs had.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.


DanielLB
Immortal


Jul 31 2013, 8:42am


Views: 21703
I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't disappointed ...

However much I already enjoy the theatrical edition, I hope they were going to plump up the EE with character scenes. Given all the scenes we've already been told about, I guess they take up the entire 13 minutes. Unsure

The first TORn Amateur Symposium starts this week in the Reading Room! Come and join in!



demnation
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 8:43am


Views: 21637
A little disappointing

I'm not one for bonus material, so there is not much here to justify re-buying the film for a measly (as compared to LOTR) 13 minutes. But as the article says, the home video market has changed drastically. We're probably lucky to get what we are getting.

"In the beginning the Universe was created.This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

(This post was edited by demnation on Jul 31 2013, 8:45am)


Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 8:46am


Views: 21686
13 minutes?

One for each dwarf? Yeeeah....slightly extended is right. Excuse me sir, can I have more please? MOOORE??? What a crock. Very disappointed. I need more Hobbity goodness then that. Perhaps disk space is the limiting factor. Oh well. Kinda' bummed now.

"There is a long road yet," said Gandalf. "But it is the last road," said Bilbo.


sauget.diblosio
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 8:48am


Views: 21622
Very disappointed./

 


Rosie-with-the-ribbons
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jul 31 2013, 8:54am


Views: 21624
But 9 hours appendices

Wooohooo!!! I'm soooo happy with that!

I love the appendices for LOTR. I think I have seen them more than the actual movie (and I can tell you I have seen the movie a lot).
So I can't wait for this.

I think there will be more extra movie time for the next two.
Since it was so close to release of AUJ they decided to make 3 films in stead of 2. So most of the "extra stuff" from AUJ probably was used to make it a movie or moved to the next two. With now the pick ups they will probably have more material and so more extended scenes for later on.

But, wow, 9 hours of appendices!!!



Eldy
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 8:58am


Views: 21562
I'm in it for the Appendices too...

...but the nine hour figure appears to include the Appendices and the commentary track and the "New Zealand: Hone of Middle-earth" feature. Still, if the Appendices to AUJ are even half as good as the ones from LOTR, I'll be a happy camber. Cool



There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West...



jtarkey
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 8:58am


Views: 21726
It's really beyond dissapointing

I'm not buying it this time around. I feel sad to say it, but what else is going to convince WB that they are marketing these films cheap and wrong.

Of course, not all blame can be placed on WB. At this point, It just seems like PJ doesn't care. Sad sad news indeed.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


MediaMalable
Bree


Jul 31 2013, 9:20am


Views: 21637
I don't understand the negativity

We've already seen about 1 minute of the 13, and it's a wonderful scene that adds a huge amount of warmth to the character of Elrond and depth to Bilbo. It sets up his life long love affair with Rivendell, that is a theme of Lord of the Rings.

This is only 1 minute, and by my estimation, is an enormous addition to the film by itself. I'm sure the other 12 minutes will likely also contain a lot of good. 12 minutes is a lot of movie time. For example, the entire Erebor prologue is only about 6 minutes. It's worth noting that, unlike LOTR, there isn't an infinite amount of book material to be thrown up on the screen for this part of the adventure. I think the film will benefit enormously from 13 more minutes, but (quite unlike LOTR) I don't think that wholly vital character arcs were cut out of the theatrical version.

Also, we may not have a cast commentary, but it looks like we'll get an enormous amount of face time with the cast in the many, many hours of special features.


(This post was edited by MediaMalable on Jul 31 2013, 9:20am)


Starling
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 9:25am


Views: 21634
PJ doesn't care?

How does the information about the extended edition demonstrate the he doesn't care? I really don't understand that.


Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 9:25am


Views: 21540
As I said in the other thread...

I am a little upset that it is only 13 minutes but 9 hours is fantastic and I can't wait to get stuck in to that! Wink

THEORY: PJ originally said 20-25 minutes and I reckon he genuinely thought it would amount to that. When he came to edit it he realised there wasn't that much material due to the three film split. If this theory is true the next two films will be much, much longer! Smile

I simply walked into Mordor.


Arandir
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:28am


Views: 21650
The Ultimate Edition

I'm betting (actually, more speculating) that the 'extra' unannounced 10 minutes will be part of the eventual release of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' Ultimate Edition sometime in the future ...

Dunno, but who knows Smile

'A Tolkienist's Perspective' Blog


jtarkey
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 9:29am


Views: 21581
Hmm...

It might be the drastic drop in quality compared to the LOTR EE's...

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


morro91
Bree

Jul 31 2013, 9:30am


Views: 21538
Re

I agree, there seems to be a bit of negativity.

Remember that some scenes that perhaps were meant for the extended edition here might have been saved for the next film(s). For example, Thorin meeting Gandalf at Bree, which may be in the next film at some point, especially with Thrain being in the film.

That happened with LOTR with Smeagol flashback and Saruman death for example. LOTR also often had entire 5 minute sequences cut from the films which often bolstered the running time, eg. Boromir in Osgilith, Saruman death. It seems with AUJ, no big scenes like those were filmed, so all the extensions are little additions here and there.

Finally, other scenes mightve been cut because they might not fit, eg. there was a party scene at Hobbiton with Gandalf and others, which just might feel out of place for whatever reason. Another thing might be because of the criticism of the front of the film for length reasons, PJ may have preferred not to add anything extra there (I suspect he did the same with the last 30 mins of ROTK despite other epilogue scenes filmed)


MediaMalable
Bree


Jul 31 2013, 9:31am


Views: 21554
It hasn't come out yet..


In Reply To
It might be the drastic drop in quality compared to the LOTR EE's...

I don't see how you can judge that without seeing the extended cut of the film or the features on the discs.


jtarkey
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 9:37am


Views: 21559
I can judge it based on the quality of AUJ's home video release

And the quality of AUJ in general. Even the news article on this site dances around the subject of disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there will be some gems here and there. The scene with Elrond and Bilbo is great! But it's frustrating at the same time. Why was dwarven slapstick chosen instead of a beautifully poignant and whimsical scene?

Sorry to be blunt, but if people want to accept any cheap product a company puts out, then don't expect the film industry to improve at all.

I wasted all my positivity in the build up to AUJ. I was nothing but positive.

How can I give them the benefit of the doubt when everything I've seen so far has proven the opposite?

You're right, I haven't seen it yet. But I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than to get my hopes up for a sub-par product.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"

(This post was edited by jtarkey on Jul 31 2013, 9:39am)


Radagast-Aiwendil
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:37am


Views: 21594
Well let's be honest

AUJ really already is an extended version. Some of the scenes really felt like they would have been chopped if the films had only been in two-parts, and that's because some of them *would* have been cut, of course! Really there isn't much more that we can expect from film 1, all the important bits are in there along with much more. They don't need to drag it out unnecessarily, which is why I actually think that less will be more, in this case.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."-Gandalf


Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 9:41am


Views: 21491
Absolutely!

You've actually gave me a new angle to look at it from. If there wasn't the three film split some of these scenes could have been deleted altogether. 13 minutes is actually quite a lot, less WILL be more here and that isn't such a bad thing. Smile

I simply walked into Mordor.


TheHutt
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:43am


Views: 12023
Appendices look good....

...but the absence of the cast commentary is sad. This was the probably most entertaining bonus feature of the original LOTR SEE releases.

Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


Azaghâl
Lorien


Jul 31 2013, 9:46am


Views: 12017
Meh...

I can't help but feel really disappointed by this. I hope for a PJ facebook update some time doing the next 24 hours, with a little bit of explaining. 13 minuttes is hardly extended, especially when we know most of the content. Atleast there is alot of bonus material.

AUJ has really been an UNEXPECTED journey, for many of us fans.. Hopefully the 3 film split is the reason this first installment has been a little.. clunky, at points.

Otherwise: DAMN YOU WB!!! Cool

*Baruk khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!*


Hamfast of Gamwich
Rivendell


Jul 31 2013, 10:06am


Views: 11970
Most of the mainstream audience complained AUJ was too long...

...and now the hardcore fans are complaining that the EE is too short.

Do you think this will inform PJs editing of DoS? Shorted theatrical edition and save more footage for the extended edition?

"Durin's Heir you may be, but even with one eye you should see clearer. If this is victory, then our hands are too small to hold it. We will not enter Khazad-dum. You will not enter Khazad-dum. Beyond the shadow of the gate it waits for you still: Durin’s Bane. The world must change and some other power than ours must come before Durin’s Folk walk again in Moria.”


jtarkey
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:11am


Views: 11953
How about not worrying about the runtime?

Worry about the quality of the footage instead.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 10:13am


Views: 12060
The 13 minutes

Let's recap what we know then:

- Extended Prologue (probably about 1 minute)
- Bilbo in the Marketplace (about 2 minutes)
- Young Bilbo flashback (about 1 minute)
- Bilbo looking at Narsil and meeting Elrond (I'll say about 2.5 minutes in all)
- Dwarves messing around in Rivendell - possibly including Bofur's song and the bath scene (2-3 minutes?)
- More Goblintown (2 minutes in all?)

That adds up to about 11-12 minutes by my calculations. Am I forgetting anything?


Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:15am


Views: 11978
Apparently there is an extra Trollshaws scene? //

 

I simply walked into Mordor.


Hamfast of Gamwich
Rivendell


Jul 31 2013, 10:16am


Views: 11943
Given we have no new information about the quality of the footage, how do you suggest we go about worrying about that?

 

"Durin's Heir you may be, but even with one eye you should see clearer. If this is victory, then our hands are too small to hold it. We will not enter Khazad-dum. You will not enter Khazad-dum. Beyond the shadow of the gate it waits for you still: Durin’s Bane. The world must change and some other power than ours must come before Durin’s Folk walk again in Moria.”


jtarkey
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:19am


Views: 11927
Ummm.....What?

Why would you worry about something you know everything about in the first place?

"Worry" is usually associated with uncertainty...

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


QuackingTroll
Valinor


Jul 31 2013, 10:19am


Views: 11935
Which scenes would have been chopped, in your (or anyone else's) opinion? //

 


DanielLB
Immortal


Jul 31 2013, 10:26am


Views: 11936
Not that I'm aware of. Where did you hear this? :-)

There is yet hope for a talking purse!

The first TORn Amateur Symposium starts this week in the Reading Room! Come and join in!



Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:40am


Views: 11918
Well...

If you look at the extended edition of the soundtrack there is a track called 'The Trollshaws' which does feature in the theatrical film. Also, I swear I saw a post about it in January/February time. I'm not even sure anymore Tongue

I just swear I've heard about it somewhereBlush

I simply walked into Mordor.


malickfan
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 10:48am


Views: 12002
This is very dissapointing for several reasons:

1) No cast or Art Design Team commentraries? Mad 1 Commentary in Total???

2) I was hoping for a documentary exploring The Hobbit's genesis as a kids book, and its relationship to Tolkien's other early stories-Roverandom, Farmer Giles etc

3) It seems very little of my personal list of scenes I wanted to see has made it in:


Quote

More of Dale, Erebor and Thranduil,
The arrows and treasure explanations
Extended song in Bag End
Young Bilbo
Extended riddles in the dark
Extended Battle of Anazzibazur (or whatever it's called) especially the Balrog...
The Dwarves being teased by the elves about their beards
Fili/Kili falling in the river chasing after the horses as in the book
A reference to Bilbo's overisized borrowed cloak in the book
More Rivendell-Bofur's song, the shards of Narsil and (you never know) perhaps a glance at Elrond's mythical libary
Bilbo and co seeing some of the ruins of Arnor along the road
A reference explaining why the eagles aren't just a taxi service
Extended White Council (hated how AUJ treated Christopher Lee)
A reference to the purse (maybe one of the dwarves could pick it up and discard it in the Troll's cave)
A reference to Thorin/Fili/Kili's musical talents (a quick shot or two of the harp in Erebor for instance)

The highly unlikely Gondolin stuff would be very interesting to see

(Also Hoping for Glorfindel, and young Estel cameos-in the background without any dialogue)

And...DAIN IRONFOOT!!

But:
Less Actions sequences
Less Radagast
MUCH Less Azog

I too couldn't care less about the 3d but I'm looking forward to the extras-can't wait to see the behind the scenes stuff, esp. what lame reasoning Phillipa 'Tolkien Expert' Boyens and co had for some of the changes/addtions, and It will be interesting to see whether they include any documentaries on Tolkien, and/or the books genesis as one of his Childrens stories (ie 'Yeah its a short childrens book, so we made three adult films)

It would be cool to see some audtion tapes and outakes this time around (I believe PJ is saving LOTR's for the 'big box set' of the two trilogies), though just for the sake of convinience it would be nice to have the Production Blogs and trailers included as well as the new stuff.


I'm not hoping for that much am I? Wink


PS. A free squeaky talking purse would be cool, just saying.



Oh well there is the Mythical Ultimate cut box set to look forward to...

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 10:51am


Views: 11872
The lack of commentaries on this set is very odd

And will no doubt fuel conspiracy theories that they're being saved for an ultimate box set further down the line, perhaps with other documentaries and - dare I say - an even longer version of each film.


malickfan
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 10:57am


Views: 11878
We still haven't seen deleted scenes, outakes, or cast auditions for LOTR

All of which are things PJ has talked about releasing at some point (there is alot of lotr deleted footage-just check gramaboodawg's list, the scripts, or listen to the commentaries), I also seem to remember reading he shot a few bits of test footage with a 3d camera for LOTR at some point, and I would love to see a joint commentary by a film critic, and A Tolkien scholar (such as Tom Shippey) released on this ultimate cut...

It might be a bit unfair to him but I'd by very curious to see Stuart Townsend's scenes as Aragorn...

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


TheHutt
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 11:01am


Views: 11894
Well, the amount of time is not that relevant...

...if these are 13 minutes of excellent scenes. If they are of any comparison to the released Elrond scene, I am really looking forward to this version!

After all, ROTK SEE had 50 minutes of extended scenes, and a good half of them was utter trash (whereas the other half was excellent).

Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


malickfan
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 11:12am


Views: 11858
True

Most of the new scenes sound great, but I'm not keen on more Goblin stuff-If I wanted crazy overblown CGI action I'd watch Avatar or Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Massive Dissapointement.

Still I can't help but wonder if we will see The Goblin King's toilet, er throne in action...sounds very PJ to me...

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


Nuradar
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 11:27am


Views: 11831
sounds disappointing

LOTR EEs set the bar quite high, I admit, but come on - just 13 extra minutes! It's the same director and crew. I'm waiting an extra 11 months for just 13 additional minutes more than the theatrical release? Very disappointing. I'd rather have more movie than more special features, although I am looking forward to the 9 hours of special features.

I'm hoping the EEs of DOS and TABA have more than just 13 extra minutes.


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 31 2013, 11:34am


Views: 11898
I love the fact that

The Appendices are titled parts 7 & 8. It gives great continuity with the Appendices of the LOTR EE and also gives me great hope they'll be of similar quality AND quantity.

I'm also a bit disappointed that there's only 13 minutes of extended footage. But the fact that we'll get new appendices is enough for me to make up for itSmile


Radagast-Aiwendil
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 11:45am


Views: 11825
Well

I don't think entire scenes would have been cut as such-rather segments of scenes. I think that at half of the Bag End dialogue would have gone, since the film is about 40 minutes in by the end of all that. The conversation between Thorin and Balin *felt* to me like something that would have found its way into the EE rather than the TE-don't ask me why, it just did and does. Other bits include some of the clips in Rivendell, Goblin-town and perhaps some of the bits along the road just after leaving Bag End. Characters such as the Goblin-King, Radagast and Azog would probably have had less to do, Azog definitely since much of his involvement was a last-minute addition to the trilogy.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."-Gandalf


Noria
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 11:58am


Views: 11824
I'm not disappointed.

Thirteen minutes is a lot if they are good scenes. I feel that several of the added scenes in RotK added nothing to the movie and there were a couple in FotR and TTT that weren’t great, IMO, so quality minutes are better than more minutes of lesser material. I also agree that PJ probably used up a lot of potential EE footage in the AUJ TE when the three film split was decided upon.

I loved the LotR EEs and am thrilled that tradition is being continued. Often I watch the documentaries and listen to the director/writers commentary after I watch the LotR movies. The actor’s commentaries were entertaining the first time but I never go back to them, so I won’t feel the lack of them on the AUJ EE.

Ironically, as an avid consumer of director’s commentaries and extra features, I am less inclined to buy DVDs now because there is less of that kind of material on them. If The Hobbit EEs had little in the way of commentary and documentaries, I probably wouldn’t even bother.

PJ is known to like to record and publish his film making journeys. I suspect the difference here is Warner Brothers.

Was it not always the plan that the BOFA would be shot this summer, even before the three film split was announced? Or am I remembering wrong?


Lissuin
Valinor


Jul 31 2013, 12:05pm


Views: 11807
I'm curious to know your source for the features.

Have I missed an earlier post somewhere?
Cheers


morro91
Bree

Jul 31 2013, 12:11pm


Views: 11845
Link

The info is here:

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=11784


dormouse
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 12:46pm


Views: 11785
The Appendices part 7 and part 8?

... according to that blu-ray.com list. I think that's interesting - makes the link between the two three-part films explicit.

And it all sounds good to me. Of course, in the abstract I'd like more than 13 extra minutes - who is there who likes the film and wouldn't - but that little scene between Bilbo and Elrond is lovely and just the sort of thing I'm hoping to see.

I also like the first of the two designs shown on that page. That's new to me.


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 12:46pm


Views: 11791
What are you talking about?

What is disappointing?

That it is only extended 13 minutes? Are you insinuating that PJ should not cut the film to its perfect length? He should just cram as much material into it as possible? I may be wrong but it seems that a lot of people complaining about there being only 13 minutes extra would be the same people complaining that the film is too bloated if there had been, say, 30 minutes added.

And I KNOW you aren't talking about the 9 hours of special features and appendices...because that is shaping up to be perfectly in line with what the LOTR EEs had to offer...

I really don't understand...


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 12:53pm


Views: 11763
Is PJ

the head of the marketing and home video distribution department at Warner Brothers?

I had no idea...


Danielos
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 1:04pm


Views: 10573
Two alternatives

I think it depends on:

1) PJ is satisfied with the EE as it is.

or:

2) WB don´t want to pay for more post-production on extended scenes since they cost too much on a dwindling market.

If it´s alternative two, I´m disappointed.


Rohirrim Rider
Rivendell


Jul 31 2013, 1:04pm


Views: 10696
The "Missing Ten Minutes"

Could also turn up in Dos, surely? For all we know stuff like the Ringwraith tombs scene was originally planned for the AUJ:EE and Jackson as since moved it to Dos. There could be a good handful of scenes like that which could have gone into one or the other.

The shaping of these films is a lot more fluid than it was for LOTR so it makes sense that bits of the trilogy might swap and change between films depending on where Jackson feels suit them better.


Grant
The Shire

Jul 31 2013, 1:06pm


Views: 10530
sounds mostly reasonable

The video blogs and promotional stuff was on the last release. I doubt they will put it on this one.

13 minutes seems okay to me. The movie already plays like an extended edition (I say it's 30-40 minutes too long for a theatrical release) The only scene that feels truly necessary is the Elrond scene on Yahoo.

1 commentary track is disappointing but I kind of feel like there was a lot of overlap in information from the documentaries I'm the previous extended edition, a seperate cast commentary would be nice.

Special edition releases are becoming a rarity with new films these days.


Eleniel
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 1:07pm


Views: 10525
Me, too...

It's a shame if that is the case...I'd rather have had all the character development scenes in the TE and then have had the choice whether or not to buy 13 mins of extra "epic" CGI action... Angelic


"Choosing Trust over Doubt gets me burned once in a while, but I'd rather be singed than hardened."
¯ Victoria Monfort


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 1:09pm


Views: 10542
This is true

If there were going to be extensions to the Azanulbizar sequence say, like Azog carving his name into Thror's head, they could use this to form part of Thrain's flashback in DoS.


AlatarVinyamar
Lorien

Jul 31 2013, 1:10pm


Views: 10527
The eternal optimist strikes!

Maybe there is 20-25 minutes of new footage and they trimmed 12 minutes of warg chase and Goblintown to make room for it! :)


Metal Slug
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 1:10pm


Views: 10575
Holy extended edition,

Batman! Very cool, 'cept the packaging, barf. Price of 35 is decent with me, I am surprised it's coming out on dvd - that'll be 2 discs for sure.


Escapist
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 1:16pm


Views: 10608
I've noticed a couple sources of disappointment and some puzzling comments as well.

  • Differing expectations of length, pacing, characterization, and detail (sometimes even varying within a single person's comments over time) that make it impossible to really give everyone precisely what they wanted or expected to see
  • Disappointment that TH isn't LotR or doesn't match the feeling gotten by LotR 10 years ago when the world was a slightly different place and they were slightly different people
  • Comparison with other movies, especially Star Wars and GoT - and expectations related to those movies filtering perceptions of AUJ

I think this EE sounds like something I would buy and enjoy, nonetheless. If I didn't think so, I just wouldn't buy it. I see no need to try to convince people one way or another.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:28pm


Views: 10526
Bummer about the commentaries

We kinda already know what PJ and PB have to say about the project. Would rather hear from the rest of the production team. And how very odd, no dwarven commentary track. I'd imagine that would be quite fun to hear. I mean, I'm sure everyone is busy...but I'm also sure they were busier during LOTR (which had much more at stake) and they still rounded everyone up for commentaries. And, my man Howard Shore is totally MIA for this project. What a shame.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:30pm


Views: 10545
It's prolly shorter because

they moved the stuff with Thrain and Gandalf to DoS, I think.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:37pm


Views: 10524
How exactly will this "big box set" happen, if...

different studios are handling each trilogy?

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 1:39pm


Views: 10565
They're not

Warner has the home video rights to LOTR as well.


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 1:41pm


Views: 10533
Agreed

But to say that PJ 'doesn't care' because the AUJ EE released 10 years after the LOTR EE by a different studio is almost exactly the same, is not only an incredibly ignorant statement IMO, but also offensive.

If PJ didn't care...he wouldn't be doing this.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:44pm


Views: 10474
Oh.

I didn't know that.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


namarie
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:50pm


Views: 10491
Well, I have to say I am disapointed

Only 13 minutes of extra scenes?
I was expecting around 20.

I hope the extra material is as good as the one on the LOTR EE editions. Probably I will wait to find out more details and see some reviews before buying it.


"The world is not in your books and maps. It's out there!"

"Such is the nature of evil. In time all foul things come forth."


TheHutt
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 1:52pm


Views: 10487
Only in Germany, Eastern Europe, Russia and now USA...

...but not in other countries. There Warner does not own LOTR.



In Reply To
Warner has the home video rights to LOTR as well.


Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


namarie
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 1:54pm


Views: 10474
at least the extra features sound good //

 


"The world is not in your books and maps. It's out there!"

"Such is the nature of evil. In time all foul things come forth."


Escapist
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 1:59pm


Views: 10515
Yeah - things change, times change, people need to adapt some -

slight differentiation from what was done once upon a time before definitely doesn't qualify as "not caring" LOL

Now if he quit or something - then we could talk about "not caring" - but didn't he just give us a blog from like a whole day of filming?


xxxyyy
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 2:04pm


Views: 10508
What a disappointment... expecially when someone said it was more than 20 minutes of extra footage.

Who was that? AH yes, THE DIRECTOR HIMSELF.

I guess we are facing two alternatives here:
1-its a mistake.
2-Warner wants to make a super extended edition sometimes in the future, maybe when the 4k resolution will be available. Now, if this is true, Warner? see my money? Look at them... look at them... BAM! Now you don't see them anymore.

http://energyfromthorium.com/


MasterOrc
Rivendell


Jul 31 2013, 2:21pm


Views: 10514
The funny thing is regardless of all the.....

complaints, compliments, highs, lows, speculation, disappointment, excitement, etc..... you'll all still buy it Wink ...as will I...... just like the one ring...it will call to us....Cool .......The fact is, they had us at "extended".


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Jul 31 2013, 2:23pm


Views: 10445
Agree Totally

I am extremely disappointed with the lack of cast commentary. If twas the one thing in the LOTR EE's that made me feel part of the movie. I really enjoyed those. I enjoyed Peter's and Phil's and Fran's commentary but I really was sold on the cast commentary and it's sad it wasn't done for these. It really helps to get the actors perspective on the scenes. That is a letdown.

Overall, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. These movies have a built in fan base. the cinema made over a billion. Lack of foresight on both WB's and PJ's part in my opinion.

I am going to wait before buying this although I did absolutely love the scene with Bilbo and Elrond. That was a terrific scene and I am one of those who loved AUJ and also thinks it's a shame it didn't make it into the cinematic cut. I get that stuff has to be edited out though. But it is a terrific scene and both Weaving and MF there are just outstanding.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Danielos
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 2:37pm


Views: 10466
Commentaries

The kind of people that are obsessive enough to listen to commentary tracks are pretty few. Four different tracks on the LOTR EE was pretty excessive.

I´m happy we are getting a new one with PJ & Phillippa, but disappointing that Fran isn´t part of it this time around.


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Jul 31 2013, 2:59pm


Views: 10452
Not with this fanbase though

Here's the difference. The Tolkien/Hobbit/LOTR fanbase are fans that really want to see how the movie was made and all the details surrounding that and it's a huge, built in fanbase. I get that four tracks was over the top but this fanbase would buy it. This isn't your normal movie going group of people and the tracks for the LOTR EE were wildly successful.

Plus, we already have PJ's thoughts through vblogs and other spots on the making of the film. I think it was a miss to exclude cast commentary and honestly for me, it's close to being a dealbreaker. I may not purchase it but I am going to wait to see what others report about what's on it before buying it.

I won't be an early buyer this time that's for sure. I'll be wait and see. Don't get me wrong, I loved AUJ and I have the TE. I don't want to fork out money though for something in the end that isn't worth it for me.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 3:13pm


Views: 10474
Run time of 184 minutes = 15 minutes longer?

The press release gives the running time as 184 minutes, which is actually about 15 minutes longer than the theatrical edition (169 mins). Might it be closer to 15 in reality? I can't account for the other minutes otherwise - I can't see why they'd need to add a couple of minutes to the credits.


There&ThereAgain
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 3:20pm


Views: 10396
I'll take that bet again!

Wink

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair; and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."-J.R.R. Tolkien

"Thanks for the money!" -George Lucas


nhui06
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 3:23pm


Views: 11164
Good find

Yeah 13 minutes seem a bit short, but I have a feeling (as seem here have already mentioned), that they tried to stretch AUJ when they announced 3 films, so there were probably a few previously planned deleted scenes already added to the theatrical version.

Also, I remember from the LOTR docs that quite a few of the scenes they did in the pick ups were added to the extended version, so maybe DOS and TABA will have a longer EE.

None the less, we LOTR/Hobbit fans are spoiled, as most movies only have 2-3 minutes extra deleted scenes, and here we are sad about 13?


sycorax82
Rohan

Jul 31 2013, 3:24pm


Views: 11153
AUJ we basically had the EE in cinemas

Remember, AUJ was originally going right up to the barrels. This is why there's not much left to show for the actual EE.

I don't think there's gonna be any surprises, but PJ may well have done slightly different edits on existing scenes, which would be welcome.


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 31 2013, 3:31pm


Views: 11130
Keep in mind

There is most likely going to be some kind of trilogy box with all 3 extended editions inside them, similar to this one. Who knows, maybe they will add extra commentary tracks on that aswell?

Although this isn't a reason why you should buy the AUJ EE, it may give you hope for the future.


TheHutt
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 4:19pm


Views: 11088
Cheapo Warners

...would never remaster preexisting discs. So a trilogy box would be just a repack, as always.

Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 4:23pm


Views: 11177
Strictly speaking for the length of the new footage

13 minutes is disappointing.

Didnt jackson say between 20-30 minutes to harry knowles?

A few days ago i was saying to myself i better find out whats in the extended version before i actually buy it....no love case this time round so...

And now this comes...

I dont know if its even worth my money...

13 minutes sounds more like a few cut scenes from the deleted scenes menu shoved in the movie than a real Extended Cut , such as LOTR s or Kingdom of Heavens which gave them a new life and feel and at least to me, stand out as different films.

Market scene, arrow and gems in the prologue, young bilbo, dwarves doing gymnastics and annoying the elves, bofur singing, bilbo finding narsil and this little scene with elrond, goblin king singing, more goblin town toilet humour or action?

Meh, was expecting more than this.

Did we get a complete list of the new scenes before the Lotr extended editions were available?

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Jul 31 2013, 4:24pm)


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 4:41pm


Views: 11149
The plot thickens?

Apparently Jed Brophy said at HobbitCon that they had already recorded some of the commentary of the extended edition?!

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/...html?page=1#comments


Pousette
Rivendell


Jul 31 2013, 4:59pm


Views: 11105
Sadly, sadly, sadly, sadly...

I have to agree with you.

The conditions were GREAT, I mean - with Martin Freeman as the hobbit (Armitage, Stott, probably Cumberbatch and pretty much everyone else), and a Weta which has continued to flourish and thrive for the ten years since RotK.

Sooooo so so so sad to see WB (we have to blame them in the end, I honestly don't think even PJ has a lot to say these days) completely misunderstand this world, the established brand, and Tolkien fandom in general.

PJ, Fran and Phil might have something to do with the dwarven slapstick, and definitely with the overload of computer enhanced fighting scenes, but still I'd bet WB is to blame for the overall shallow feeling of the theatrical cut.


Nira
Lorien


Jul 31 2013, 4:59pm


Views: 11073
I really wanted some kind of cast commentary :(

Maybe he was confusing audio commentary with interview-type commentary for the documentary sections?

"Why, to think of it, we're in the same tale still! It's going on. Don't the great tales never end?" -Samwise


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 5:08pm


Views: 11101
Catched this

 "Chapters include:

Azog the Defiler "

His very own doc/featurette! Cant wait to hear the writers explain why tolkiens writing was ditched in favour of this Middle Earth version of an 80's Shwarzenegger.


I 'll be back , Thorin son of Thrain.


Next, well see him in LA at the walk of fame.


ARRGHN!

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 5:12pm


Views: 11043
I think we've seen this

I suspect it will be that featurette on the Azog effects process that came out around February. There were ones on other CGI characters also.


QuackingTroll
Valinor


Jul 31 2013, 5:16pm


Views: 11022
Only thing that disappoints me is that it's downloadable two weeks before the blu-ray release

But I guess that means we'll know whether it's worth buying or not, two weeks in advance.


Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 5:19pm


Views: 11025
I think you nailed it on the head.


In Reply To
It's probably shorter because they moved the stuff with Thrain and Gandalf to DoS, I think.


The rest of the "extended footage" made it's way onto TDOS to comprise a third movie. I'm okay with it now that I'm over the initial shock of so short of an extension. I love the new Bilbo/Elrond scene, but now that's one less minute of new we get to experience.

"There is a long road yet," said Gandalf. "But it is the last road," said Bilbo.


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 5:21pm


Views: 11022
could be, but i would love to hear the writers discuss him

Angelic


When azog shows up i react like this at 128 minutes :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8AJdfzCw3U

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Bombadil
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 5:48pm


Views: 11011
Shagrat...Agreed, Bomby used to shoot TV NEWS

and a LOT gets covered in 13 minutes
in any News Cast...
Mostly it has to have a real Flow...
w/Howard's Music.

IT a surprise since we were expecting 23 minutes?
BUT,Bomby is gunna go with THIS!
Currently 13 minutes but MAYBE?
some of what they just shot is Short
Pick-ups from AUJ, TOO!

Don't be TOO surprized if the reporting on this becomes
OUT-OF-Date in the Next 3 Months.
PJ is ALWAYS Tweaking up to Last minute...
...It's his style to add, until the print is send
to Disc-makers around the World in October.

Also, any Reporter often gets it Wrong
since, Bomby witnessed this way too many times..
First Hand.

Do you Believe Everything you read?, Don't...


Olorin2607
Lorien

Jul 31 2013, 5:55pm


Views: 10991
Nope

I think that is really just wishful thinking. It will be 13 minutes.
But I really am happy it is not more.
As it means less opportunity to cram in crappy scenes.
Although the Bilbo/Elrond Scene is nice, the new goblin kIng things could very well be utter trash.


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 31 2013, 6:01pm


Views: 11007
Unfortunately it can't be any longer

Since the MPAA have already seen and rated the extended version. They'd have to re-submit it otherwise, and I can't see that happening.


Arandir
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 6:01pm


Views: 11000
You make me feel better!

Wink ... that sounds most encouraging, I almost forgot about the High Fells sequence being in DoS now - phew!

'A Tolkienist's Perspective' Blog

(This post was edited by Arandir on Jul 31 2013, 6:03pm)


FrodoEyes
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 6:24pm


Views: 11001
Just goes to show...

That the film that we saw was near enough an extended edition anyway, especially after the change from 2 to 3 movies

'I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.'
'So do all who live to see such times but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.'


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Jul 31 2013, 6:53pm


Views: 11012
I'm REALLY disappointed...

Only 13 minutes... Dunno what happened to the other 10 minutes... Such a bummer... Frown


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 7:51pm


Views: 10886
adapt?

To what? A franchise that's much more guaranteed to be successful than the completely untested ground that was LOTR. I don't buy an 'adapt' argument at all. You see the way people throw $$$ at movies these days? Every week a new box office record is set.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 7:57pm


Views: 10884
I disagree

Anyone in a given field of filmmaking would enjoy having a commentary aimed closer to their interests. Sad to say, but this time around I'm least interested in what PJ and PB have to say because they've had the most talking time thus far and I'm kinda still mad that they've yet to acknowledge the changes in ROTK regarding Gandalf vs WiKi. They talked about every little change elsewhere, but when it came to that...*crickets*
I dunno. If they were gonna choose one commentary I would think a cast one would be the most fun.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 7:59pm


Views: 10868
then again you're probably right

Yeah. Now that I think about it (3 seconds later) the numbers are probably small for that kind of thing. However I don't see a need to change the precedence set.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 8:08pm


Views: 10862
true

but the shooting for this movie seems to be eclipsing that of LOTR, so how come we're getting shorter films? I mean, it's obvious there's less "material" to work with (not so if they had shot 'the Hunt for Gollum' *hint, hint*) but it borders on lunacy to me that shorter films require more shooting days than the original trilogy.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


There&ThereAgain
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 8:19pm


Views: 10859
Wasn't the King Kong shoot longer than the LOTR shoot?

Also I think scheduling-wise The Hobbit has been much more convoluted.

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair; and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."-J.R.R. Tolkien

"Thanks for the money!" -George Lucas

(This post was edited by There&ThereAgain on Jul 31 2013, 8:19pm)


Bombadil
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 8:39pm


Views: 10850
What about, the Kiwi Dwarves?

Since, the British, Scottish, Irish, Aussie ones are already back Home and probably on other projects?
So, maybe Dean (Fili) Graham (Dwalin), etc. could still do Cast Commentary once the FinalCUT is in the Can.

It would probably be expensive
unless they Skype it in?


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 8:51pm


Views: 11959
Everyone is freaking out

about the box art...
But I'd be willing to bet that the horrible picture of Bilbo on the front is just a 3D gimmick thing and comes off to reveal a classy front without any photos...and very similar to the LOTR EEs....you just wait.
The discs on the inside look just like the LOTR EEs...the special features are just like the LOTR EEs...and the box even looks pretty similar (without the hideous photo of course)...
Oh ye of little faith


DjU
Lorien

Jul 31 2013, 9:01pm


Views: 11815
shooting length


In Reply To
but the shooting for this movie seems to be eclipsing that of LOTR, so how come we're getting shorter films? I mean, it's obvious there's less "material" to work with (not so if they had shot 'the Hunt for Gollum' *hint, hint*) but it borders on lunacy to me that shorter films require more shooting days than the original trilogy.


Whilst the filming DAYS of the two trilogies are more or less similar [Principal Filming for Hobbit is a week or so longer than LotR, however LotR had three reasonable blocks of pickups Vs the 10 or so solid weeks for the Hobbit, so LotR likely overtakes the Hobbit there]

All that taken into account I'm still not sure the actual MAN HOURS of filming is actually any longer on the Hobbit.

Don't forget from what we have seen The Hobbit seems to a much more rigid and 'professional' shooting regime, as befitting a large studio blockbuster. They had a first unit (PJ) and a second unit (Andy Serkis / Christian Rivers during pickups) there seems to be less dependence on 3rd or even 4th units (they may have happened though)

However as the LotR Appendices quite clearly showed that in showing that at some points of production they regularly had a 3rd and 4th unit running and on some hectic days even a 5/6 units filming. It was very much a big budget 'independent' shoot :)

I reckon that had they filmed the LotR in the same manner as The Hobbit they could have easily been filming for another 100 days.


Eldy
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 9:09pm


Views: 11838
I'd be happy if that's the case

But I'm not going to assume it will happen since I'm trying to keep my expectations low to avoid disappointment. Tongue



There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West...



DjU
Lorien

Jul 31 2013, 9:12pm


Views: 11850
cover art

Of the Three covers (Blu Ray, 3D Blu Ray and DVD) I think the 5 disc DVD set has the best cover.

Aint It Cool is the only place I've seen showing the DVD cover so far;
http://www.aintitcool.com/...tm_campaign=1307_RSS

One thing I've not yet seen confirmed anywhere yet is what is the 5th DVD for. Do the Appendices need a 3rd disc compared to the LotR sets or is a extra unmentioned bonus like 'The Hobbit: A Hobbit's Tale Part 1' which was a BluRay Theatrical exclusive

If the LotR EE are a template then
Disc 1 & 2 The Movie
Disc 3 & 4 The Appendices

Disc 5 ?


(This post was edited by DjU on Jul 31 2013, 9:12pm)


cats16
Half-elven

Jul 31 2013, 9:18pm


Views: 11850
*hops into thread, jumps back out*

I'm happy! I'm of a similar opinion of a previous poster, who spoke of not thinking the ROTK EE has very good quality additional scenes (some yes, some no. Shocking lol). I always love seeing as much ME as possible, but I don't usually seek out that EE. I watch all of them, don't get me wrong. But, I don't see my thoughts on those scenes that as a fault of PJ. I don't believe my personal opinion of the film's quality is reflective of the director's motivations behind the film. They just don't sit as well with me as the TE. But the TE set quite a high bar.

Regardless, I'm glad to see the announcement. Only about 4 1/2 months until DOS!


Eldy
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 9:18pm


Views: 11849
Disc 5

Is most likely an Ultraviolet disc, which allows you to access a digital copy of the movie to watch on a computer or other device. Wink



There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West...



Elenorflower
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:40pm


Views: 11863
this is quite shocking and it makes me angry,

its hard to understand why anyone would pay for an extra dvd for a mere 13 extra minutes, most of it seemingly more made up stuff. A tiny scene with Elrond just doesnt cut it. I think its daylight robbery.


Elenorflower
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:46pm


Views: 11806
I worry about people buying

2 versions one with an extra 13 minutes of doubtful value. Its mind boggling how they have the nerve.


Elenorflower
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:51pm


Views: 11832
let me spell it out

we are being suckered into parting with cash to pay for 2 versions, one of them being a ridiculous 13 minutes longer. its more than disappointing its criminal.


dormouse
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 9:53pm


Views: 11821
!3 extra minutes of film, AND.....

...9 hours of behind the scenes/ documentary material. That's a whole lot extra - isn't it?

Besides, what is there to be angry about? No one will be forced to buy. For myself, I enjoy the background material as much as the film so I'm happy to see there will be so much.


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 9:55pm


Views: 11806
I am sorry

do you live under a government that is taking your money and forcing you to take the EE?
That is robbery.


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 9:57pm


Views: 11796
I remember paying quite a bit of cash for those extended editions

and two of them with statues.


Not this time around im afraid. Not until i get a better look at what constitutes this suplementary edition....


A tidy sum of money for 13 somewhat unimpressive minutes- which will probably end up on youtube anyway-, plus hours of jackson and boyens yapping away and some good documentaries doesnt quite rank highly in my current ART Expenses priority list.Wink

Also, who doesnt expect a Middle Earth Bluray combo pack Final Edition in 2016? Angelic

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Metal Slug
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 9:59pm


Views: 11757
My thoughts too


In Reply To
...9 hours of behind the scenes/ documentary material. That's a whole lot extra - isn't it?

Besides, what is there to be angry about? No one will be forced to buy. For myself, I enjoy the background material as much as the film so I'm happy to see there will be so much.


Lots of bonus marerial plus the commentary. Hopefully Pete and Boyens reveal their ways, I see the third leg of the triumvirate dropped out. If most of the extra footage is as good as the Rivendale scene, I'll be happy.


Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:09pm


Views: 11743
You bought the film on DVD/Bluray

which is 2 hours and 49 minutes long (some editions came with 2 hours worth of production videos). You then complain that you have to pay the same again for the film which is now 3 hours and 2 minutes long as well as NINE hours of behind the scenes? Based on your logic the theatrical edition is robbing you blind! On another note I am sure that those 13 extra minutes will be as amazing as the Elrond and Bilbo scene!

I simply walked into Mordor.


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 10:22pm


Views: 11702
I didnt say i bought the dvd did i?

I didnt. And i wouldnt since i dont enjoy it enough to spend my money on it. I might pay for the EEdition...if its worth it ... From what i see, which is very little, yes i admit , it doenst make me go : Ooooohhh 28 Minutes of extra footage with pivotal scenes, now thats something i need to own!

I take it youre security that they will be amazing is based on your love for the film. As i find it often atrocious and disappointing, overall, i cant put my hand on the fire for these new 13 minutes.

I found the scene to be ok...its obviously just a bit from a larger moment, but i wouldnt say its amazing.

The insistence on constant insertion of music from 10 years ago rather than new stuff, is yet another disappointment. I had hoped that the EEdition might show us more of the other unused themes. One can have too much of something. In this case, im tired of hearing the same thing.

As an absolute lover of film soundtracks TH's movie use of it is one of the most unexpected flaws, for me.Unsure

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Darkstone
Immortal


Jul 31 2013, 10:36pm


Views: 11742
Well...

There's an old joke - um... two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."
-Annie Hall (1977)

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



(This post was edited by Darkstone on Jul 31 2013, 10:38pm)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Jul 31 2013, 10:39pm


Views: 11669
talking of extra bits

I was totally underwhelmed and bemused by the Elrond Bilbo moment. It struck me as being false, Freeman looked obviously like he was on his knees, and the dialogue was off, Elrond didnt look Elven he just seemed like some very tall bloke talking to Martin Freeman. weird. Unimpressed


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 10:39pm


Views: 11703
Thats pretty much

how i feel my life is at the moment.Wink

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Thranderz
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 10:41pm


Views: 11654
You're one of the few people here that didn't buy the

theatrical then! I definitely think that if you want to get a version of the film you should get the extended or if you don't like the film at all then just don't buy it? I do agree that they should have created more soundtracks because I would have really enjoyed lots of different variations of the shire and rivendell themes Smile

I simply walked into Mordor.


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 10:48pm


Views: 11647
maybe i am ha!

I refuse to sell!Wink


I just dont like being constantly hit in the head with the ....ok bilbo hobbit moment : tananaaaa naaaaa nana naaaaann...Shire themes from lotr

Dwarves : papapaaaaaaann papannn pana nanaaaaaann misty mountains ad nauseum...

I feel TH film needs more new, innovative, fresh, music , not the old stuff. On that we agree.

Oh i intended to buy the extended...i hoped it would improve a little my enjoyment of the middle and final sections of the film...Now, im a little less hopefull. If there isnt much that i consider worth it, i wont buy it.

I wish we could get a list of the exact extended and new scenes we will get. That would leave me a little more at ease.



Eleanorflower . You too? I thought it was just my mind but i felt it was abit off as well...the line delivery...bit forced...."the dialogue was off"

I have only seen it twice so far.

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Jul 31 2013, 10:50pm)


Altaira
Superuser


Jul 31 2013, 11:00pm


Views: 11656
Entire sub-thread deleted

Please, let's keep on-topic and post about what's being said, not the motives or mental health of those saying it. Any more comments along those lines will be deleted and warnings and/or bans may occur.


Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.



"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower

"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase





Eldy
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 11:18pm


Views: 11603
I think NL/WB have handled the DVD releases well

They've been open from the beginning that there would be an extended version coming, so there's really no excuse for buying the theatrical edition expecting to get something else. And if the EE doesn't pique your interest, the theatrical cut is still there on the shelf next to it. I can't imagine many people actually buy both editions unless they really want to since information about the difference between the two editions is readily available. Smile



There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West...



AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Jul 31 2013, 11:23pm


Views: 11627
This really stinks of marketing and greed to me. Why? Because a 2:45 minute film can afford 13 minutes of additional footage,

Thus obviating the need for an extended anything. Most of what was in the extended Fellowship should have been in the theatrical because it was THAT good and that much of an improvement.

If this is good footage, and the Elrond clip is, though he is a little too sour faced, it should have just been put in the movie.

In Reply To
Is this right:

- 13 minutes extra footage (LotR movies were 30, 42, and 50).

- 1 commentary track (LotR movies had 4 each)

I like the idea of 9 hours of bonus footage. I just hope the "9 hours" does not include the commentary track, the vlogs (which we already have), and all those promotional interviews, featurettes, reels, and TV spots we've already seen.

13 minutes.

Sigh.


"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


kbdiggity
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 11:32pm


Views: 11619
,,,


In Reply To
Is this right:

- 13 minutes extra footage (LotR movies were 30, 42, and 50).




The plan was 2 Hobbit films.


They are instead giving us 3 Hobbit films.


That is why you aren't getting 30-50 minutes of extra footage in this Extended Edition. A lot of that extra footage was used to stretch this story into 3 films.


kbdiggity
Rivendell

Jul 31 2013, 11:38pm


Views: 11612
..


In Reply To
we are being suckered into parting with cash to pay for 2 versions, one of them being a ridiculous 13 minutes longer. its more than disappointing its criminal.




Speak for yourself.

I only bought one version of LoTR, the extended editions. I'll only be buying one version of The Hobbit.

If anyone buys two versions and feels like a sucker about it, then that person should be angry at himself.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 11:41pm


Views: 12094
Just comparing the trilogies.

Don't know much about KK cuz I saw it in theaters, disliked it and never again thought about it. my point is you'd think PJ would know how to trim the fat by now, and if not it's because he's taping material that's going to the (longer) cut.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 11:44pm


Views: 12105
Me

Since Warner now has distribution rights.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Jul 31 2013, 11:47pm


Views: 12087
even still

imagine the promos...entire middle earth saga, never before seen footage...


i think its inevitable...its a cow whose milk sells well, and they will milk her dry Tongue

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 11:48pm


Views: 12089
Aww, crud

You just made me realize that with a 20 minute expansion I was hoping they would change the music to that of which Howard Shore actually recorded for the film, but with this shortening of the EEs I suspect there won't be any music cue changes. shucks! Unsure

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Jul 31 2013, 11:50pm


Views: 12091
Point being

We could've saved money by just having 2 films of EEs that have approx the same run time of 3 films with slight extensions. That is to say we could've been seeing the conclusion this Dec.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


Soundchaser
The Shire

Aug 1 2013, 12:04am


Views: 12094
Sounds like a good deal to me.


In Reply To

In Reply To
we are being suckered into parting with cash to pay for 2 versions, one of them being a ridiculous 13 minutes longer. its more than disappointing its criminal.




Speak for yourself.

I only bought one version of LoTR, the extended editions. I'll only be buying one version of The Hobbit.

If anyone buys two versions and feels like a sucker about it, then that person should be angry at himself.




Same here. I didn't buy the TE, knowing there would be an EE coming out. And I will relish every one of the 13 minutes of new stuff, and I will immerse myself in total delight as I take in all 9 hours of extras. And I will be happy happy happy.

I'm chasing sound. Has anyone seen any?


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 12:12am


Views: 12047
that was my hope as well

it doesnt appear to be the case...


Maybe that lovely bilbo theme will appear in the market scene? Hum, somehow doubt it if is just a get a fish and escape from the bearded weirdo sort of scene...

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Aug 1 2013, 12:13am)


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 12:15am


Views: 12070
for me

I'm not torqued at all as much by the 13 minutes. I get the fact that it's now 3 films and some of the extra stuff will now be divided into the others. I have supported it being 3 films from the get go and I thoroughly enjoyed AUJ. Im more disappointed in the lack of cast and other commentary tracks and also the rehashing of music (no Howard Shore on this one) etc. It's the extra's. One can say there are 9 hours but what are those 9 hours? Are they simply the rehashing of the stuff in vblogs etc? I'm not so interested in that. And the cover art to me is disappointing as is the overall packaging.

That having been said on this one I will reserve judgment on buying until I see some TORNsibs who have purchased it and get their opinions. Approaching Christmas time (and we have 3 birthdays in the family in November) I need to allot my funds accordingly so I'll wait and see. That having been said, I so look forward to DoS. I loved AUJ and I expect to love DoS even more.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


LordGawain
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 12:18am


Views: 12055
No it's not.

It would be if they hadn't told us. But they told us an extended edition was coming BEFORE releasing the theatrical edition. They did not trick you into buying something you'd later regret, but told you all the options beforehand. Most Hollywood studios wouldn't do that, actually. They'd announce the extended edition 2 months after the theatrical release.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 1:04am


Views: 12062
Too Much Faith: Opposite Extremes?

Is there any criticism you wouldn't defend?

I think the lack of faith in WB is telling.


(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:42pm)


Captain Salt
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 2:17am


Views: 12001
Yeah, what happened to the half-hour(ish) addition in the extended edition?

Was really hoping that we'd be a greater expanded-upon (and improved) film, especially where character development (IE most of the dwarves) was concerned.

And ONE commentary track? Really?

As with everything else associated with this new trilogy, I remain underwhelmed. Ah, for the good 'ole days of LotR-level quality. Smile

My Top 5 Wish List for "The Hobbit"
5. Legolas will surf down Smaug's neck
4. Bilbo will be revealed to a Robot
3. Naked PJ cameo as Ghan-Buri-Ghan
2. Use of not only 3D, but smell-o-vision, plus the inclusion of axes coming out of the seats and poking the audience when appropriate
1. Not only keep the claim that Thorin & Co. ran amok in Mirkwood "molesting people", but depict said incident in vivid detail!!!!!


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 2:25am


Views: 12019
Exaclty. I'm going to take this opportunity to be blunt...

Is anyone seriously IMPRESSED with the details of the EE?

I understand that PJ is probably a good guy, and studios aren't monsters. However, if the public so readily accepts a sub-par product, how can we expect anything of real value in the future?

The fact is, we are the consumers. We are the ones dishing out the cash for this stuff, and making these studios rich.

Why should I pay full price for a table with a wobbly leg?

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


MatthewJer18
Rohan

Aug 1 2013, 2:25am


Views: 12022
So am I the only one pretty satisfied with this?

Thirteen minutes is a generous addition to an already lengthy film, and we have yet to see just what the nine hours of special features includes. One commentary track is a little disappointing, I'll grant that, but if it's a good commentary, then I think I'll be satisfied.


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 2:26am


Views: 12030
Sorry, I don't see the problem...

The Hobbit already had just about everything possible in it...it was pretty close to a (good) director's cut as it was. I'll buy it and I'll be happy with my purchase.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


cats16
Half-elven

Aug 1 2013, 2:31am


Views: 11989
As will I.

No shame involved in buying what I believe to be something of value to me. Smile


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 2:31am


Views: 11999
No, I'm in complete agreement.

The only part that's a letdown for me is the lack of extra commentary tracks. But the rest of the supplemental material seems to be perfectly in keeping with the high quality LotR extended edition material.

As for the 13 minutes, I think it's enough for a film that was already quite long and covering the first six chapters of a short book. It's amazing that so many are complaining about a lack of extended footage when all I heard, when the movie came out, was how unnecessarily long the film was. Crazy

If we get 12 more minutes on par with the clip we saw today, it's going to be a fantastic new cut - and the rest of the package looks utterly sublime.

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 2:43am


Views: 11962
It's not the amount of footage that gets to me

It's the lack of commentaries, the less than stellar packaging, and the fact that half of the extras are things we've already seen. I think there are a lot of things in the theatrical cut that deserve to be on the cutting room floor.

I really enjoyed the scene with Bilbo and Elrond. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it offers character development that the theatrical cut was lacking immensely.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


MatthewJer18
Rohan

Aug 1 2013, 2:47am


Views: 11960
Is there a comprehensive rundown of what the extras include?

 


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 2:47am


Views: 11964
What extras have we already seen?

The appendices will be all new material. So I don't know what you're referring to. I expect it to be on par with the stuff we saw on the LotR EEs.

Though, as I said, I agree about the commentaries. It's the only bit that upsets me.

As for the packaging, I think it looks nice. No, it's not as good as the LotR editions, but it's all just window dressing anyway, isn't it?

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Aug 1 2013, 2:49am)


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 2:49am


Views: 11972
Here you go...

I don't know how anybody could be upset at this (except maybe for the lone commentary track).
  • The Filmmakers' Commentary - Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens provide their perspective and stories on creating the first film.


  • New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth - From Matamata to Queenstown, travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand, transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-Earth.


  • The Appendices Part 7: A Long-Expected Journey - A 14-part chronological history of the filming of An Unexpected Journey, covering pre-production in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, the boot camp training for the main cast, and the work done on set chronologically through the three shooting blocks and in the world of its digital effects. Chapters include:

    • The Journey Back to Middle-Earth
    • Riddles in the Dark: Gollum's Cave
    • An Unexpected Party: Bag End
    • Roast Mutton: Trollshaws Forest
    • Bastion of the Greenwood: Rhosgobel
    • A Short Rest: Rivendell and London
    • Over Hill: The Misty Mountains
    • Under Hill: Goblin Town
    • Out of the Frying Pan: The Forest Ledge
    • Return to Hobbiton: The Shire
    • The Epic of Scene 88: Strath Taieri
    • The Battle of Moria: Azanulbizar
    • Edge of the Wilderland: Pick-ups and the Carrock
    • Home Is Behind, the World Is Ahead

  • The Appendices Part 8: Return to Middle-Earth - Another selection of documentaries and featurettes await, further detailing the development, design and production of An Unexpected Journey:

    • The Company of Thorin - Explores the characters and backgrounds of the five families of dwarves and the company of actors chosen to play Thorin's company on the Quest of the Lonely Mountain. Chapters include:

      • Assembling the Dwarves
      • Thorin, Fili & Kili
      • Balin & Dwalin
      • Oin & Gloin
      • Dori, Nori & Ori
      • Bifur, Bofur & Bombur

    • Mr. Baggins: The 14th Member - A revealing look at the film's charismatic and talented lead actor, Martin Freeman.


    • Durin's Folk: Creating the Dwarves - Reveals the journey and process of designing, conceptualizing and physically realizing the dwarves in The Hobbit.


    • The Peoples and Denizens of Middle-Earth - Focuses on the realization of new characters and creatures encountered in the first film, from casting to characterization to physical and digital design. Chapters include:

      • The Stone Trolls
      • Radagast the Brown
      • Goblins
      • Azog the Defiler

    • Realms of the Third Age: From Bag End to Goblin Town - Follows the creation of the Middle-Earth locations from conceptual design to set and prop building to fully digital realities. Realms explored include:

      • Hobbiton
      • Rhosgobel
      • The Misty Mountains
      • Goblin Town

    • The Songs of The Hobbit - A look at the realization of Tolkien's songs in An Unexpected Journey.


"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


angelclaw
Bree

Aug 1 2013, 3:02am


Views: 11945
My sentiments exactly

The scene with Bilbo and Elrond gives me a tiny sliver of hope. If it's all character development stuff (especially Bilbo) thirteen minutes is plenty. However if it's fart jokes and extended action scenes I'll have to pass.

It also kind of sounds like a lot of the bonus material is going to be duplicated from the vlogs and various promos - I hope that's not the case, but most of it sounds all too familiar. I fear it will be much of the same material, just edited differently. No cast commentary also disturbs me.


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:06am


Views: 11959
They did a great job at not...

showing us anything at all, really, with the production vlogs - while still making them entertaining. How can you think that's all we'll see in the appendices? These will be in-depth documentaries showing us things that we weren't previously allowed to see.

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 3:14am


Views: 11979
The Running Time Defense


In Reply To
The only part that's a letdown for me is the lack of extra commentary tracks...

As for the 13 minutes, I think it's enough for a film that was already quite long and covering the first six chapters of a short book. It's amazing that so many are complaining about a lack of extended footage when all I heard, when the movie came out, was how unnecessarily long the film was.


Just 13 minutes of extra footage and a single commentary track is quite enough to justify my original intention, after the still-unresolved Fellowship of the Ring EE debacle of The Green Tint, to wait for the full Middle-earth Extended Edition set of both trilogies after The Hobbit trilogy completes its run. I'll not waste my money now on anything less.

That might be different if there were figurines included like in the LOTR EE sets. I might buy it with that extra value. But I believe folks who are disappointed will chalk this up to a WB who just doesn't care about or understand their fans as much as New Line did.

Now, as for the running time defense of mediocrity:

Upon looking at various running times for all the LOTR and The Hobbit EEs, I see LOTR was 200, 214, and 240 minutes respectively. The Hobbit EE is 184 minutes. The point that The Hobbit AUJ was already long enough to accommodate only 13 minutes extra instead of 25, which would total 196, less than any of the LOTR films, is too weak to be credible. The abrupt change from the 25-minute expectation sourced by Jackson himself is, I think, why WB is in the spotlight again for a treatment that is inferior to New Line's LOTR efforts. I got the collectible figurines in all my LOTR EE boxes. I hope there will be such a thing offered for The Hobbit films, but I, and apparently others, have a lack of faith in WB to deliver what fans want.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 3:17am)


angelclaw
Bree

Aug 1 2013, 3:39am


Views: 11913
I hope you're right

But I still fear a lot of re-hash. I'm trying to reserve judgment for when it comes out, but I'm also trying not to get my hopes up Unsure


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:40am


Views: 11927
Defense of mediocrity?

Okay...

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:41am


Views: 12750
Why would you doubt?

All of the material is being done by the exact same team who worked on the LotR appendices (Michael Pellerin and his crew). I don't know why you'd expect the material here to be anything less than phenomenal.

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Aug 1 2013, 3:43am)


Captain Salt
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:46am


Views: 12720
All other considerations aside, I still say Woody Allen should have been Bilbo. //

 

My Top 5 Wish List for "The Hobbit"
5. Legolas will surf down Smaug's neck
4. Bilbo will be revealed to a Robot
3. Naked PJ cameo as Ghan-Buri-Ghan
2. Use of not only 3D, but smell-o-vision, plus the inclusion of axes coming out of the seats and poking the audience when appropriate
1. Not only keep the claim that Thorin & Co. ran amok in Mirkwood "molesting people", but depict said incident in vivid detail!!!!!


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 3:47am


Views: 12746
DoM

It has come to mean giving a company a pass on something they have done and could do better, consequently encouraging them to lowering their own standards and expectations.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 3:51am


Views: 12738
The Team

It's not the team folks are criticizing. Folks are seeing past that to understand that it's a different company with different aesthetics and standards running and supporting the team. WB is not New Line. The Hobbit is not The Lord of the Rings. If The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions were phenomenal, The Hobbit Extended Edition is less than phenomenal with fewer than promised minutes and fewer commentary tracks, both popular items.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 3:54am)


FrogmortonJustice65
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 3:54am


Views: 12736
I am fine with this...

Granted, I am likely an outlier and have not purchased the theatrical edition of AUJ, so I am not getting "robbed" by WB/New Line/PJ/whoever. I don't understand the point of buying an inferior product when you know a superior (in this case superior by 13 minutes Tongue ) product is just around the corner if you have patience.

Maybe I just have more patience than some other people. Or perhaps I am cheaper/stingier.

I suppose if I was really hankering to watch AUJ between its theatrical run and the release of the EE, I could just rent it rather than shelling out $20 (or whatever it costs) for a bare-bones DVD. I actually see no need to rewatch AUJ right away - I saw it twice in theaters. There is no point in obsessively re-watching it for me in that interim period between AUJ and DoS. I'll pick up the EE in October and watch it once or twice before DoS and be happy.

People complaining about getting "sucked into paying for 2 versions" are silly. WB and PJ didn't point a gun to your head and force you to buy it. You bought it because you are a good consumer and blindly bought an inferior product knowing that an improved version would be released a few months later. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Have some self control; or if you really cannot help but watch the movie again, rent it or torrent it or find another way to see it that doesn't involve you paying to own the same movie on DVD twice.

I'm *a little*, and truthfully, only a little, disappointed there will only be 13 extra minutes, but I'm sure there will be plenty of bonus content for the next films. And as long as the QUALITY of the bonus scenes is good, I'm not that concerned about sheer QUANTITY. I haven't watched the Elrond/Bilbo scene which is circulating (I hate watching bits and pieces of movies I am anticipating but haven't seen yet, I want to see the entire cohesive product), but it sounds like the scenes they've included for the EE will please fans like me that enjoy character development type of scenes. Bilbo in the Shire, Rivendell, etc, all sounds great.

Not really sure how the extras/documentaries stack up with the LOTR DVDs but that doesn't really concern me. They're of secondary importance; I will watch them once or twice and enjoy them, but I'm really buying the DVD for the movie and 13 extra minutes I didn't see in theaters.

The box art is fine too; a little disappointed that my Hobbit EE's wont perfectly match up with my LOTR ones, but it's not that big of a deal in my mind.

Also, how much longer do you think PJ could even make AUJ if wanted??? It already has a quite lengthy runtime given that it is the first of a three part series based on a very slim book.

 photo cbccab4e-f61e-4be5-aaa1-20e302430c7c.jpg

(This post was edited by FrogmortonJustice65 on Aug 1 2013, 3:56am)


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:55am


Views: 12731
Have you not seen the Best Buy documentary

"A Hobbit's Tale: The Journey Begins" that was included in their exclusive edition of the theatrical cut? It was 30 minutes long and a small tease of what we'll be getting with the Appendices. It was perfectly in line with the quality we've come to expect from the LotR appendices.

I know you all think WB is the Necromancer and all, but Michael and his team shoot and edit the material - not WB.

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Aug 1 2013, 3:58am)


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 3:56am


Views: 12728
AUJ was filmed by nearly the exact same team that made LOTR...

And I wasn't very impressed...

If I found both the film and the original Blu-Ray release itself to be less than phenomenal, why would why expect anything different? Especially when the details thus far don't seem to genuinely impress any one..

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 4:00am


Views: 12696
The alternative is that some of might be sincere in our affection.//

//

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 4:02am


Views: 12708
The Box


In Reply To
Granted, I am likely an outlier and have not purchased the theatrical edition of AUJ, so I am not getting "robbed" by WB/New Line/PJ/whoever. I don't understand the point of buying an inferior product when you know a superior (in this case superior by 13 minutes Tongue ) product is just around the corner if you have patience.

...The box art is fine too; a little disappointed that my Hobbit EE's wont perfectly match up with my LOTR ones, but it's not that big of a deal in my mind.


Folks might be less disappointed if Sir Peter Jackson had not "promised" 25 minutes. Thirteen is better than zero, afterall. But 13 minutes is still shorter than any of the LOTR EEs, and there is far less commentary. So it doesn't add up for folks as solidly as the LOTR EEs.

Box art: Really? This is the first I've heard the boxes are not compatible with the LOTR boxes. That is major deal to many, including myself, whose cynicism about WB's marketing management this time around stoked fears that they wouldn't get even the boxes right. Do you have a source for this box issue? Boy, if true, it really seals the deal for WB Marketing's bad reputation.


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 4:05am


Views: 12715
Where's the 25 minute quote?

I recall hearing PJ say "15...20...25 minutes", in an AICN interview, which I took to mean that he hadn't made up his mind. Where did he definitively say 25 minutes?

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 4:06am


Views: 12689
Still Not On Point


In Reply To
"A Hobbit's Tale: The Journey Begins" that was included in their exclusive edition of the theatrical cut? It was 30 minutes long and a small tease of what we'll be getting with the Appendices. It was perfectly in line with the quality we've come to expect from the LotR appendices.

I know you all think WB is the Necromancer and all, but Michael and his team shoot and edit the material - not WB.


I don't think folks are complaining about the lengthy special features other than a comparatively short 13 minutes of extra footage out of a "promised" 25, and a dearth of commentary (and now maybe the box itself). There's really no issue with what you say above, but that's not the concern.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 4:07am)


FrogmortonJustice65
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 4:07am


Views: 12701
concerning box art


In Reply To

Box art: Really? This is the first I've heard the boxes are not compatible with the LOTR boxes. That is major deal to many, including myself, whose cynicism about WB's marketing management this time around stoked fears that they wouldn't get even the boxes right. Do you have a source for this box issue? Boy, if true, it really seals the deal for WB Marketing's bad reputation.


My source is just people complaining around here. I sympathize with this concern because I am also a collector and value continuity, but at the same time it's not a major disappointment for me. You can't judge a DVD by looking at the box art.

 photo cbccab4e-f61e-4be5-aaa1-20e302430c7c.jpg


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:08am


Views: 12697
The box art is a big deal for me, I'm sorry.

I'm hearing a lot of comments such as "it's not a big deal" and "I can live with it".

Why have that attitude when the LOTR EE's set a standard that most of us assumed would be followed? Why should we so readily brush things aside that are such obvious mistakes in marketing?

If it's really no concern to some people, I guess that's fine?

I just feel it should be. Once again, WE are the ones paying for this. Is it wrong that I expected something on the same level of quality as the LOTR EE's? And I'm not even talking about the amount of footage here. Simply the presentation and details are enough to make me raise an eyebrow.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 4:09am


Views: 12678
Please read the rest of this subthread...

We are indeed discussing the documentaries. Some here are expressing concern that they'll merely be rehashes of the production vlogs.

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Aug 1 2013, 4:11am)


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:12am


Views: 12649
I also don't recall hearing an exact time given...

...people have just assumed that his rough estimate was cold hard fact.

Honestly, it just feels like he's criticized for everything he does, not matter what it is.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:16am


Views: 12673
No, he's critisized because there are some legititmate concerns about the general quality of these films.

Look no further than the comparison between the praise LOTR received and the less than warm welcome of AUJ.

No one is picking on PJ. No one has some vendetta or agenda against his decisions.

Just as some people legitimately love AUJ, some legitimately don't.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


angelclaw
Bree

Aug 1 2013, 4:20am


Views: 12651
Because I don't want to be disappointed

I don't know how much more plainly I can say it. I really want the Appendices to be all new material, and I really want the extra 13 minutes to be pure gold. I just don't want to get my hopes up only to have them crushed, because that's kind of the vibe I'm getting with what we know so far.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 4:23am


Views: 12680
Unbalanced


In Reply To
The alternative is that some of might be sincere in our affection.


Of course. But some folks are more unbalanced than others in their objectivity, offering only praise in a deeply biased fashion and allowing no criticism, to provide a sense of balance, to go undefended. People like me feel the need to provide the critical balance to compensate for those who cannot or are unwilling to provide it for themselves. The decision is still theirs, however, so they are free to remain in their private utopia. Wink


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 4:29am)


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:30am


Views: 12650
But this has absolutely nothing to do with the "quality" of the film...

...this is just people upset because they convinced themselves of one thing and then got another. PJ never said "It will be 25 minutes, definitely"...he gave a rough estimate.

I can be quite critical when I believe criticism is warranted- but I fail to see how that applies in this case.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


(This post was edited by bborchar on Aug 1 2013, 4:32am)


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 1 2013, 4:35am


Views: 12650
It is not anyone's role here to compensate for others' opinions.

If you haven't read it in recent months, please reaquaint yourself with Silverlode's sticky post at the top, 'The courtesy of our hall has somewhat lessened of late', - particularly parts of points seven and eight.

We expect every to stay within our TORnetiquette during discussions.

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:36am


Views: 12637
Yes! My feelings exactly!

Of course I want everything to be fantastic. But since I've already experienced disappointment with this entire production, being cautious is the only safe route.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:41am


Views: 12650
But the length of extra footage isn't the main concern here.

I'm actually satisfied with 13 minutes. That doesn't bother me at all. It also doesn't help either...

What bothers me is the lack of commentaries, the possibility that we've already seen a good deal of the special features, and the disappointing cover.

It just comes across as cheap, and not in the vein of the LOTR EE's at all.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 4:41am


Views: 12650
Momentum

It really seems to me to be more of a WB issue than a PJ issue. Jackson had plenty of good faith momentum going into The Hobbit from LOTR. He is probably not in control of things like making sure the new boxes are compatible with the LOTR boxes. Saying 25 minutes, then changing it to 13 - I think he is in control of that, but with heavy WB influence.

He always makes a good impression on me when I see him in videos despite my complaints. I like Peter Jackson from afar, but I don't know him personally so my objectivity tells me I cannot completely trust videos and interviews. I can see, however, where he has to be politic at times in his position to stay friendly with the studio, government, or whomever else he needs to please, giving less than candid responses. In that sense, I have some sympathy for what he has to deal with every day.

But The Hobbit has turned into something less than LOTR and so any lost momentum, I feel, has only been lost through mistakes on The Hobbit and not anyone's personal opinions of the man. I only hope that the next two films bring it back.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 4:47am)


zombywoof
The Shire

Aug 1 2013, 4:42am


Views: 12688
A new member's perspective...

I can understand why some might feel a bit cheated by this - particularly since many of us paid $30 for the blu-ray as it is. Why didn't they just release the extended edition to start with. Oh, right! They can make more money off of us this way! :-)

Personally, I found the theatrical cut to have the feel of an extended edition as it is, which is why I liked it so much. Like many of you, I'll be buying to see those documentaries and to listen to those commentaries. I really enjoyed hearing PJ and co talk about what he changed and why. It's a bit of a bummer that we won't get cast commentaries, but it's possible that PJ has spoiled us with the LoTR sets!


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 4:43am


Views: 12623
same here

Although I am not disappointed in AUJ, I am disappointed in WB's ham handedness in marketing and the lackluster design of much that surrounds the film. It just feels like WB doesn't care about the fans. The New Line experience was far different. I think that's the majority of the disappointment. The fact that they think they can just throw some red meat out there and people will buy it without any real thought of going first class for a first class fandom.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 4:46am


Views: 12800
My feelings as well

I think it's a WB issue most definitely.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:48am


Views: 12793
It's not even out yet....

...and we've not seen anything on this Blu-ray yet. We've seen the description...but how can we possibly criticize and critique it when it's not even out yet? No one has seen the added footage, heard the commentaries or seen all of the extras. We can't judge "quality" until then...that's my point.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:55am


Views: 12786
This is true

I guess some of us are being cautious.

I'm not impressed by what I know about it thus far. So, because of that, my expectations are lowered for the actual release.

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 4:57am


Views: 12796
Right


In Reply To
But this has absolutely nothing to do with the "quality" of the film... this is just people upset because they convinced themselves of one thing and then got another. PJ never said "It will be 25 minutes, definitely"...he gave a rough estimate.


You're quite right. People know exactly what they're getting with the film - good or bad. So that's not at issue. The included feature content doesn't even appear to be much of an issue - there's plenty. Folks are going simply by two real, published numbers - 13 (minutes) and 1 (commentary track) and now perhaps a bungled box that doesn't match the LOTR boxes (still no real source on that rumor). They are numbers that are inferior to the LOTR EEs. Those two numbers appear more important to this thread than anything else. And THAT comes down to WB knowing, understanding and caring about their fans. If you believe 13 and 1 are insignificant numbers, then WB has a happy place at the table for you.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 4:58am)


Inferno
Superuser / Moderator


Aug 1 2013, 4:57am


Views: 12806
It can always be worse

See, the thing is, it may not be a perfect movie, but it could always be worse. The Rankin/Bass Hobbit, say, or this: http://ezpeleta.elfwood.com/Thranduil.2734760.html

Just because something isn't 100% perfect, or even up to your satisfaction doesn't mean that others won't enjoy it for what it is. And that's just fine if they do. There's no need to try to argue with everyone if their opinion happens to differ from yours.

Inferno.

======================
Good night, tOR.Nados. Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely delete you in the morning.
======================


(This post was edited by Inferno on Aug 1 2013, 4:58am)


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 5:16am


Views: 12868
Sources For "20 to 25 minutes"


In Reply To
Where's the 25 minute quote? I recall hearing PJ say "15...20...25 minutes", in an AICN interview, which I took to mean that he hadn't made up his mind. Where did he definitively say 25 minutes?


Jackson said 20 to 25 minutes. It's not mass hysteria or a collective hallucination. It was at the "Q&A following a screening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at Ain’t It Cool News’ Butt-Numb-A-Thon 14 in Austin, Texas" on December 8, 2012.

I think I saw a more recent video where he repeated this. I might try to find it as well.

Here are a few links to the reports:
http://www.containsmoderateperil.com/...rsion-of-the-hobbit/

http://www.hypable.com/...ed-edition-run-time/

http://badassdigest.com/...on-14-the-lucky-one/

I spent some time on this because I respect the demand for sources. I hope it's appreciated. Wink


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 5:18am)


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 5:24am


Views: 12844
Sorry, I misheard Jackson.

I just watched the video again, and I see that I had heard "fifteen" when he actually said "between". So it's "between 20 and 25 minutes". So I concede that. Tongue

Still, things change. PJ may have just decided to put less back in. The studio is not always the bad guy. Ridley Scott went back and forth as to whether he was going to do an extended cut of Prometheus, with the studio really wanting him to do one. In the end, he declined not to do one and said he was happy with his current cut.

Speaking as an editor, things are pretty much always in motion until you deliver a final product. You're constantly changing your mind and going back and forth on what you want to cut and what you want to leave in, or how long you want something to be. It's the nature of the beast. Wink

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Aug 1 2013, 5:32am)


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 5:39am


Views: 12787
Compensation

Rhetorical question: Is agreeing with, repeating or paraphrasing other criticism congruent with "TORnetiquette?" Probably it is. It's just being agreeable to something with which others may disagree, and the point of view on this very much depends upon your bias. What if my motive is to provide a better, informed balance of opinion in a thread? What if I advocate for the minority regardless of my own opinion? I really don't think there's a basis to fairly judge compensation so long as it is not ad hominem.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 5:42am)


Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 5:59am


Views: 12818
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and their right to be disappointed...

But I think that a lot of the reaction to this news is over-reaction.

it's true, the packaging doesn't match the LotR EEs, which disappoints me, and there is only one commentary instead of four. But to say that this release is "sub-par" or a "rip-off" is mind boggling to me. It seems that anyone who truly thinks that doesn't buy a lot of DVDs/Blu-rays.

95% of blu ray releases (and that's being generous) have SIGNIFICANTLY less features than this set. It's very lucky to get an hour's worth of bonus features...and director commentaries, or any commentary, is never a guarantee. And I can't think of any other release that has 6 hours of making of documentaries. I can't think of any release even close to that. Maybe the Star Wars Blu ray of all six films has close to 6 hours, but I'm not certain it does...and that's 6 movies. There are a lot of people that would pay the price just for those special features, myself included.

Then the issue of "only 13 minutes". Well some people do prefer quantity over quality and seem to think that PJ "promised" at least 20 minutes and that its totally unacceptable that he changed his mind. Well... sigh. We are getting two more movies. And I think that an extended edition at all was in jeopardy when they decided to expand to a third movie. I also think it should be noted that this set is coming down the pipe while the films are still in production. Everyone involved is super busy with this project and still we are getting this release with all this material. With expanding to three movies it completely changed the entire schedule of things for the whole project. I think because of that the chances of us getting ANY commentary at all was at risk. Perhaps the "pick-up" schedule had allowed time for commentaries and things like that but now that the production grew and needed more things to be filmed the time for all that stuff fell to the wayside. Who knows, but we all saw PJs statement on the last vlog about stopping and doing even as "sizzle" reel for comic-con... and the majority of the footage had been shot the year before. He was that busy.

Also, there is absolutely no precedent that any of the special features will repeat from the theatrical bluray release (like the production vlogs), in fact it's just the opposite. NONE of the special features were repeats from the LotR TEs to the EEs.

Hey, I'm not telling anybody how to think or to not be let down or any of that. To each their own, My personal opinion is that this is still a very high quality release...better than 99% than any other bluray release out there. The LotR EEs were extremely special and are the highest quality home media release ever in my opinion. The Hobbit AUJ EE might not quite have as much, but it's nowhere near a complete misfire. And at the end of the day, if you're not satisfied, just don't buy it.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 7:12am


Views: 12746
Most extra stuff seems new...

...with the exception of the dwarves featurettes. They sound like the ones that were posted on some japanese site a while ago.


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 7:20am


Views: 12748
Well, PJ himself at one time said 20-25 minutes...

Can you blame us now for being disappointed? 13 minutes is well short of 20.


(This post was edited by Estel78 on Aug 1 2013, 7:20am)


Eleniel
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 7:46am


Views: 12757
Figurines...

Well, if you check out the thread on the giftset announced in Germany you will see that a Collector's edition does look to be coming our way with a statue of 'Riddles'...

TheHutt even posted an image of the set from the Henneth-Annun.ru site:



There's also a Japanese site that shows a DVD set with a cover far more reminiscent of the LotR sets:




"Choosing Trust over Doubt gets me burned once in a while, but I'd rather be singed than hardened."
¯ Victoria Monfort


(This post was edited by Eleniel on Aug 1 2013, 7:54am)


dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 1 2013, 7:51am


Views: 12717
Isn't it possible also....

... and if you're an editor you would know this - I'm only guessing... Isn't it possible that in re-editing the film to fit the new scenes in they might actually have altered or removed some existing scenes, so that the apparent change in the length of the film doesn't tell the whole story?

I don't know. I'm just crossing fingers that the scene of Bilbo's childhood and some of the other bits they mentioned in the Empire article are there - and if they are, then I'm not going to be timing them while I'm watching. 13 minutes or 30 minutes - if they're all there, then I'm happy.

And as for the 9 hours of extra material, I for one am very impressed, and looking forward to seeing it. Have to confess that the commentaries don't bother me so much. I have tried to watch them but find they frustrate me because they prevent me from getting lost in the film. I'd rather pick up that information from the documentaries.


sharku
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 7:51am


Views: 12722
"Fewer", not "less"


In Reply To
....95% of blu ray releases (and that's being generous) have SIGNIFICANTLY less features than this set.


Correctly, it's "fewer" features. The number of features is a discrete variable, not a continuous one. As a Tolkien fan, one ought to appreciate and demonstrate correct grammar.


sharku
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 7:54am


Views: 12737
Oh

The irony of my post above, is that I was going to say that this whole thread is one large example of a first-world problem. Oh the luxury of being able to decry the lack of extended footage, multiple commentaries and a nice box when food is scarce and war ravages the land.


Joe20
Lorien

Aug 1 2013, 8:40am


Views: 12686
...

http://youtu.be/wBOCHPCYnDw?t=2m10s

Tongue I couldn't resist.


sharku
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 9:42am


Views: 12642
Fried!


In Reply To


Ahhh - no fewer a man than Stephen Fry! That loveable international treasure of comedy and joie de vivre, not to mention of course, the mayor of a certain fictional squalid town by the lake.

There are far too less of his rambunctious ilk! :)


(This post was edited by sharku on Aug 1 2013, 9:42am)


kbdiggity
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 9:45am


Views: 12657
.


In Reply To
Well, if you check out the thread on the giftset announced in Germany you will see that a Collector's edition does look to be coming our way with a statue of 'Riddles'...

TheHutt even posted an image of the set from the Henneth-Annun.ru site:



There's also a Japanese site that shows a DVD set with a cover far more reminiscent of the LotR sets:






Looks great to me. I'm pretty excited to sit that Hobbit DVD set next to my LoTR ones.



People have got to get past this runtime thing. The overreaction to mere number of minutes is staggering.

They took a small book and some appendices plots and planned to give us two films. Then they changed their minds and gave three films. But in stretching that small story into three films, they needed most of what could have become Extended Edition footage. That is simply the price we had to pay to get three films.

So we only get 13 minutes of extended edition footage for AUJ. So what? Big whoop. We are getting THREE MOVIES instead of two.

They are giving us far more than any one else would have ever tried to give us, by giving us three movies. Yet people still want to complain because they aren't getting as many minutes as they think they deserve? What exactly is it you want to see further stretched out? Do you need to see Bilbo brush the hair on his feet for 15 minutes?


jtarkey
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 9:46am


Views: 12656
I like to believe I'm in this position for a reason

If you think about life enough, there's always that "starving children dilemma".

At this point, I just chalk it up to Karma, and the circle of life. If you think about it, we're all in the same place. We are the Big Bang. We tend to think of ourselves as separate and lonely. Quite the opposite. The Universe is still beginning, and we are all The Big Bang in constant progression...

I can't describe the ultimate mystery with words any more than I could drink the oceans with a fork...

Philosophy hour...over. Continue...

"You're love of the halflings leaf has clearly slowed your mind"


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 9:49am


Views: 12647
I didnt buy it. So keep your judgmental comments to yourself.

''People complaining about getting "sucked into paying for 2 versions" are silly. WB and PJ didn't point a gun to your head and force you to buy it. You bought it because you are a good consumer and blindly bought an inferior product knowing that an improved version would be released a few months later. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Have some self control; or if you really cannot help but watch the movie again, rent it or torrent it or find another way to see it that doesn't involve you paying to own the same movie on DVD twice''.


I am not discussing MYSELF, but the thousands of people who rushed out to buy the dvd as soon as it was released. There ARE less than savvy people who DO get hoodwinked by marketing, namely children. Its not as if in these days of financial crisis that folks have a lot of money to throw away. This is a moral question, if you havent yet figured it out. The studios are milking unsophisticated buyers. People that didnt buy the theatrical version because they were waiting for the EE are also a bit peeved. I dont intend to buy either, on principle. so before you accuse someone get your facts straight.


Arannir
Valinor


Aug 1 2013, 10:53am


Views: 12651
Very pleased.

I do not need the EE to be completely bloaded in the end. Rather have a version that still flows nicely as a movie.

Plus the main point for me regarding the EE is PJ & Co's commentary and the extras.

Cannot see the ripp-off/lying/ whatever hyperbole going on here, but whatever. I am a much happier Tolkien and movie fan sine I stay away from certain areas ;)



“A dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.” J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 11:53am


Views: 12609
No, not particularly

The LOTR SEEs and PJ with his statement (20-25 minutes) set a certain expectation in terms of the length. It is not met, it's as simple as that.

What i would want? More character moments, more team banter, stuff like that. I find Bilbo not being present enough after they go on the journey for example. We'll probably get some of that in the 13 minutes (if the Rivendel scene is anything to go by) but 13 is not really that much to drastically enhance the movie.

Just to be clear, i'm not like certain other people, shouting ripoff and whatnot. I'm still looking forward to the SEE.


(This post was edited by dernwyn on Aug 1 2013, 4:13pm)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 12:26pm


Views: 12587
exqueeze me!.. shouting?

a lady NEVER shouts, she just gets a bit huffy.

look at it this way. Why have two versions when the two versions are so very similar? its not as if 13 minutes is going to revolutionize your viewing, or change the story dramatically. As a sign of goodwill they could have released just the EE, but they didnt as they are banking on fans forking out TWICE. As to the added bonus things thats just padding to sweeten the pill. Most of it we probably got in all the blogs and vlogs before. ergo its a rip off.


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 12:35pm


Views: 12592
The normal version

 is for "normal" people, the SEE for the fans. If they had released just one version everyone would have had to pay more, even if you just want the theatrical cut and don't watch extras.


(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:48pm)


dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 1 2013, 1:07pm


Views: 12539
Well.....

Theatrical versions always come out on DVD/Blu-ray. Always.

Extended versions not so much. Mostly the best you can expect is a few deleted scenes tagged on to the main film under the heading 'bonus'. With some production stills and a short 'Making of...'

And for the Hobbit they've produced a theatrical version, as standard. Just to play fair they made it clear up front that there would be an extended version in due course - that way no one needed to be caught out buying two versions inadvertently. If they wanted the extended, they could wait.

But for those who want it there will be an extended version. New scenes properly edited into the film. A whole 9 hours - 9 hours - of bonus material. How you work out that 'most of it' will be stuff from the vlogs baffles me. We've had how many v-logs? Eleven? Twelve? Ten minutes each. If they included them complete it would barely scratch the surface of 9 hours, but my betting is that they won't include them at all. No way is all that material padding. It's a continuation of the Appendix sections of the LotR extended editions - made explicit by numbering the sections 7 and 8, after the 6 that have gone before on the previous films. If you don't enjoy those sections, fine, but lots of people do.

Nobody is being ripped off. Nobody has to buy. The new versions will be on sale for those who want them, with a description of the contents so that would-be buyers know what they're getting. If you don't want it, don't buy it - simples!


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Aug 1 2013, 1:26pm


Views: 11446
Here is the problem with that. While it bears some truth, the flip side is, it doesn't much support the need for extended versions at all.

13 minutes could have been put into the Hobbit film as it was. It still would have been just shy of three hours. Not enough to make a difference in how long it was perceived to be by the average viewer. Shave a minute off of the pointless rabbit chase, and about five minutes out of Goblin Town (a scene that started off magnificently with the near excellent portrayl of the arrival of Gandalf, but that spent more time than was warranted with repetitive violent slapstick, it could have lost five minutes and still gotten across the fighting talent of the dwarves) and viola.

In this light, it has the feel of good content that was cut out just for the purpose of making an EE edition, rather than because there was no way to fit it in to the theatrical version without making the film noticeably too long. No one goes into a film of this sort without expecting to be there for close to three hours.

In Reply To

In Reply To
Is this right:

- 13 minutes extra footage (LotR movies were 30, 42, and 50).




The plan was 2 Hobbit films.


They are instead giving us 3 Hobbit films.


That is why you aren't getting 30-50 minutes of extra footage in this Extended Edition. A lot of that extra footage was used to stretch this story into 3 films.


"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Aug 1 2013, 1:32pm


Views: 11418
Appreciated!

I always appreciate it when people take the time to back up assertions of fact with evidence (although in this case I didn't "need" it because I was also clear about what Jackson had said about the length).

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

The Hall of Fire


Hanzkaz
Rohan

Aug 1 2013, 1:40pm


Views: 11417
I'm getting the DVD set, anyway

- so I'm in agreement with the comment below.


Quote
Looks great to me. I'm pretty excited to sit that Hobbit DVD set next to my LoTR ones.



I am a little disappointed with the 13 minutes, but perhaps 'even' PJ thought that adding more may have been too much. (These 'bloat' remarks may have been getting to him).

On the other hand, he may have decided that some of the 'extra' material may be better suited for the other two films.

___________________________________________________


From the makers of 'The Lord of the Rings' comes the sequel to Peter Jackson's Hobbit Trilogy -
'The War in the North, Part I : The Sword in the Tomb'.



Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 1:59pm


Views: 11419
And...

The... the other important joke, for me, is one that's usually attributed to Groucho Marx; but, I think it appears originally in Freud's "Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious," and it goes like this - I'm paraphrasing - um, "I would never want to post to any message board that would have someone like me for a member."

Wink

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 2:01pm


Views: 11394
I'm thinking Gollum....

...though the scenes between Eowyn and him as Grima would be hilarious.

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 2:04pm


Views: 11393
I do think this is probably true

I think that some of the extra material may end up in film 2 EE or TE. When the film was split in 3 it had to be edited as such and who knows what content had to be taken out or reworked. I'm okay with the 13 minutes. What I'm not okay with is WB's hamhanded marketing, lack of design in the packaging and the lack of cast commentary. WB has not marketed at all like New Line did. They have really not involved the fandom the way New Line did. It is what it is and I can't change that. I just have to decide whether or not to fork over money for something that doesn't contain what I want it to. It's the same with purchasing any product really. I am going to wait and see what the folks here say after they get it about what's on it.

9 hours is a lot of stuff i'll grant you. But if it's 9 hours of stuff that really makes no difference to me then I won't buy it.

I'm just taking a wait and see attitude. For the record I love AUJ and I love PJ's vision. I have no issues with any of that. But if I am going to spend money on something it should be something I want. I'm frugal that way :)

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Welsh hero
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 2:06pm


Views: 11413
I expected the EE, so didn't go out and buy the films

Do I think it's expensive? A little. Seeing I got the EE trilogy for 15 quid. But I waited for this version, and will be getting be it at christmas or before.

-Irfon

Twitter: @IrfonPennant
middle earth timeline FB: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleEarth1


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 2:39pm


Views: 11416
It seems Jackson is becoming a more efficient filmmaker.

Obviously over the past 10 years Jackson has gotten a lot better at storyboarding so now he hardly has any wasted film. Filmmakers such as John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Guillermo del Toro were/are masters of storyboarding. Efficient storyboarding saves oodles of money and makes a director very popular with studios. Of course, the main reason directors absolutely love tight storyboarding is so they can "edit in the camera". That way there's very little, if any, leftover film. As a result it's really, really, really hard for a studio to re-edit your film after they get their grubby little hands on it.

Nice to see Jackson evolving as a filmmaker!

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 3:32pm


Views: 11358
I completely agree with this...

It's just like when a new Doctor is announced, or James Bond...everyone has built up this expectation in their mind of what it "should" be, and are disappointed with the announcement. Then they see it, and wonder why they were ever upset in the first place.

Just go with it :)


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 3:53pm


Views: 11345
la di da , la di da....

Though, there are days, usually in the morning, um, when i feel that, behind my black rimmed glasses lies the coiled sexual power of a jungle cat!

Wink

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Aug 1 2013, 3:54pm)


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 4:00pm


Views: 11338
Agreed on Allen as the romantic, desperate neurotic

dark spirit of Meduseld, but...


I still ponder, from time to time, on a Mr Baggins played by Ricky Gervais. Physically, hes mroe of a Bilbo than Freeman.

As Oin questions him, at the dinner table, " Are you a burglar?" , Bilbo would reply, by questioning Gandalf :

"you avin a laugh? Is he avin a laaaugh??"

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Aug 1 2013, 4:00pm)


Noria
Gondor

Aug 1 2013, 4:04pm


Views: 11351
The TE and the EE

I bought the TE of AUJ knowing full well there would be an EE later on and that the TE had few extras beyond the Vlogs, which I enjoyed seeing again. I bought it so I could enjoy watching the movie between March and late 2013, when I figured the EE would be released.

Next November I will happily be forking out for the EE. I’d rather buy that and skip some other potential optional purchases. Not only does it have additional scenes but it has a director/writer commentary and hours of documentaries. Since I rarely listen to any of the other LotR commentaries, I am content. It looks like the EE has what interests me.

Personally I don’t care what the box and cover art look like but I’m sorry for the disappointment of those of you who are into that stuff.

As has been said, no one has to buy either version.


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 4:06pm


Views: 11362
the SEE is for everybody

, and what the heck is a 'normal fan'? and its nonsense to say everyone would have to pay more, Maybe in a parallel universe paying for one dvd is more than paying for two. But where I live if you pay for two dvds it costs double.


(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:49pm)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 4:11pm


Views: 11321
talking of the Doctor

my money is on Joe Gilgun to be the next incarnation. Cool want to place any bets?


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:20pm


Views: 11313
Ha ha, no bets here XD

Although I would guess that it's not a woman, nor are they already famous. Probably older...although almost everyone is old compared to Matt Smith. I just hope he/she isn't geriatric old.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 4:40pm


Views: 11282
maybe its

John Hurt? Wink


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 1 2013, 4:43pm


Views: 11284
I would actually bet money...

...that John Hurt is the 9th Doctor, between Paul McGann and Christopher Eccleston. There are so many glaring clues about it that nothing else fits.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 4:52pm


Views: 11292
I didn't say normal fan

I thought i made myself clear...

i said normal person.

As for paying more, there are people out there, the vast majority i would say, that just want the theatrical cut and don't care about extras. Forcing them to pay more for the ultra mega edition is not good business practice, many might opt not to buy it.


(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:49pm)


DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 4:56pm


Views: 11301
Regardless, there's no such thing as "normal". ;-)


Quote
I didn't say normal fan, i said normal person.


Are people being forced in to buying it? You will be able to download the film a couple of days before it's released; and you will be able to stream it (illegally) almost instantly. Plenty of (cheaper/free) options. If I didn't want to spend anymore money ... I know what I would do ...

Smile

The first TORn Amateur Symposium starts this week in the Reading Room! Come and join in!



(This post was edited by DanielLB on Aug 1 2013, 4:59pm)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 5:20pm


Views: 11273
by all accounts

they are revealing the next Doctor this Sunday 4th on a live BBC show thing. dont know details, and it may not be true, its a rumour I heard.


(This post was edited by Elenorflower on Aug 1 2013, 5:24pm)


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 5:31pm


Views: 11268
Pfft! Only two different movie editions of AUJ?

I have to have both the TE and the EE! I have to have The Hobbit in Latin, French, German, and Hebrew, not to mention History Of and Annotated, and the special children's format edition illustrated by Peter Sis!! I have to spend 75 bucks for the LOTR edition with the 50 some odd illustrations by Alan Lee. I have to pay 110 bucks for the 50th anniversary edition with slip covers, pullout maps, and Tolkien's hand-colored leaves of the Book of Mazarbul! Every Special or Anniversary Edition of The Hobbit and LOTR!! I have to have Poems From The Hobbit with dozens of Tolkien's own illustrations. The Sil, HoMe, CoH, more, MORE! Am I being ripped off by The Tolkien Estate? Don't know, don't care! Gotta catch em all!

And yes, I'm perfectly normal....

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



Welsh hero
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 5:32pm


Views: 11268
also on price

RRP is usually not the price the the dvd usually goes on sale for

for example, the Doctor Who series 7 box set RRP is 50 quid.

The price on the BBC shop site is 34 quid

-Irfon

Twitter: @IrfonPennant
middle earth timeline FB: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleEarth1


Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 5:48pm


Views: 11225
Well darn.

Typing at 3 am I must have gotten my count nouns mixed up with my mass nouns.Wink

But I agree with you... these are first world problems, and while I love differing opinions, I tend to get a little frustrated with people quickly pointing out all the negatives (especially at 3 am). I do enjoy a good critique and criticism, but speaking in "absolutes" when discussing opinions has always rubbed me the wrong way.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.


Imladris18
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 5:52pm


Views: 11220
Was going to post this

And it seems that everyone is ignoring it, lol.

I'm willing to bet (can can even kinda tell if you get a high resolution picture of the set and zoom) that the "Blu-Ray band" on the top of the box is completely removable as well as the graphic on the front for the US edition as well.


Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 5:58pm


Views: 11239
That's nice!

So I wonder if the release will have a "slip cover" and that's the art we've been seeing til now?



In Reply To
Well, if you check out the thread on the giftset announced in Germany you will see that a Collector's edition does look to be coming our way with a statue of 'Riddles'...

TheHutt even posted an image of the set from the Henneth-Annun.ru site:



There's also a Japanese site that shows a DVD set with a cover far more reminiscent of the LotR sets:



TORn member formally known as ryan1976.


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 6:13pm


Views: 11980
I was responding to the notion that there should just be one edition.

If there would be just one edition, containing the SEE + theatrical cut + all the extras, it probably would not be cheap. What would you say to people that just want the theatrical cut without the extras (and don't download movies), tough luck?


(This post was edited by Estel78 on Aug 1 2013, 6:15pm)


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 1 2013, 6:27pm


Views: 11961
I hate DLC.

It's a great way to put lots of little tracking programs on your hard drive that end up slowing things down worse than deliberate malware.

Besides, I want something that I can hold in my hand, and display on my shelves.

Yeah, I'm a 20th century guy in a 21st century world.

And the more editions the better. It's all about choices!

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



(This post was edited by Darkstone on Aug 1 2013, 6:30pm)


Escapist
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 6:39pm


Views: 11957
I think that there is a chance

that this is related to a possible perception that it is important to be more tight-lipped and careful with unfinished and alternate versions of things - but I can only make a conjecture on this.


Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 6:42pm


Views: 11931
I'm with you.


In Reply To
Besides, I want something that I can hold in my hand, and display on my shelves.

Yeah, I'm a 20th century guy in a 21st century world.

And the more editions the better. It's all about choices!


TORn member formally known as ryan1976.


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 1 2013, 7:56pm


Views: 11893
Unless they've completely changed their approach...

None of the bonus features were duplicated between the LOTR TEs and EEs.

The vlogs were on the special features of the TE, so I do not expect to see them on the EE, which will have the documentary features instead. Will some of the same things be covered in both? Very possibly, since they're covering the same shoot, but I expect the EE features to show much more than we got to see in the vlogs.

Silverlode

"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone."



(This post was edited by Silverlode on Aug 1 2013, 8:00pm)


Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 1 2013, 8:01pm


Views: 11886
I'm with both of you!


In Reply To

In Reply To
Besides, I want something that I can hold in my hand, and display on my shelves.

Yeah, I'm a 20th century guy in a 21st century world.

*****And the more editions the better. It's all about choices!****



Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to here from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








Veridandir
Rivendell


Aug 1 2013, 8:30pm


Views: 11917
What were you expecting

 from an already 170 minute film, the first part of three based on a 300 page kids book?

And why don't we all admit that EE we buy mostly for the extras.


(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:44pm)


Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 8:44pm


Views: 11925
Funny,

Funny, my main interest has always been the actual FILM, not the extras. Thats what people got excited about at the 2004 EEdition event and why people make such a fuss about it. 40 minutes, 50 minutes of new footage is something amazing, its a different experience, its a rediscovery.

Many people like to watch a directors cut but have no interets in sitting through hours of actors, directors and crew talking about how they did it and how amazing and life changing it all was. Also, some people feel it removes the magic out of cinema, to lift the veil.


Plenty of great stuff we could have for an extended edition...Dwarf character development, Bilbo character development, his missing of his comfy home, rivendell expansion, shire stuff, and since jackson said 20-25 minutes, in front of an audience of real people and the King of Movie Geeks Harry Aintitcool Knowles, one cant help but be disappointed...

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Altaira on Aug 2 2013, 2:45pm)


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 1 2013, 9:40pm


Views: 11867
Thread title

It did make me laugh. However, I think what we're getting is going to be really nice and should only make an awesome more more so. So I can roll with the 13 mins and what's on the appendices appears to be more of the same great quality we got with the LOTR EE. All in all seems like we're in for a pretty good treat.

One of the covers I've seen is the LOTR EE matching style so as was pointed out by a friend that I think that is inside the Bilbo Coverd box. I hope.



dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 1 2013, 9:48pm


Views: 11874
You could maybe try not to be quite so disappointed until....

...you've seen it? Surely it's the content of the additional scenes that matters, not their precise minute count.


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 1 2013, 9:52pm


Views: 11853
Buying both

I bought the TE as well and will get the EE. I like having both and when the EE comes out that will be the one I watch when I watch. I don't feel taken advantaged of or anything like that. I wanted both and can afford both so I will get both. If people choose to do something different more power to ya.

I do hope my friend is right with the guess that the LOTR style EE look is inside the case of with Bilbo on it.



Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 1 2013, 9:58pm


Views: 11860
13 minutes of good content vs 25 minutes of good content

What would you take?


Retro315
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 10:06pm


Views: 11834
Re:

I'm honest-to-god not bothered by a half-sized addition of bonus scenes and what looks to be a virtual continuation of the production of the Trilogy's Appendices.

Thirteen minutes is huge. Half-hour TV shows usually don't actually add up to much more than twenty minutes and that's enough time to tell an entire content-packed episode. From that one extra minute in Rivendell I can tell I'll be satisfied - and from what it looks like, MOST of the bonus scenes will be in Rivendell, Hobbiton and perhaps Goblin-town, with very light alteration to anything else. Which is good because 'Riddles' was already perfect, 'Frying Pan' was already bloated with the addition of Azog (despite otherwise being a fair approximation of 'wolves and orcs' chasing them down the mountain). The march through the Weather Hills was bloated with the addition of wizard-lore, historia and goblins west of the mountains, and the quick search for the right path north of the Fords of Isen was the worst culprit what with an entire wolf-chase sequence.

All I really want is 3 minutes more Shire, a good deal more Rivendell, and maybe another 3 minutes of Goblin-town to flesh them out a bit. Dwarf-personalities I can wait on until the sequels, and 'get to know them' the same time Bilbo does (painful as the wait is).

As for versions, it is annoying to see another studio marketing just blow it as far as matching what was the perfect SEE sets for the Trilogy (complete with Alan Lee sketches on the interiors!). It feels like a missed opportunity and an artistic downgrade. HOWEVER it doesn't bother me much either.

I haven't upgraded to Blu-Ray yet. It'll be some time before I can, and I suspect rather than gleefully getting each release each year when they came out like I did with the Trilogy, I'll be waiting. My brother got himself the goregously packaged "Complete Trilogy Box-Set" on Blu-Ray, which both continues the original box set art design but remixes it a little.

It's my intention not to buy until the ultimate "Six-Film Box Set" Edition is released anyway, and I think we can expect that edition will have cohesive packaging design that'll look lovely on a bookshelf.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 10:35pm


Views: 11864
Saving The Film


In Reply To
You could maybe try not to be quite so disappointed until you've seen it? Surely it's the content of the additional scenes that matters, not their precise minute count.


Something I've been meaning to mention is that those who feel the film was missing crucial materials, such as Bilbo falling in love with Rivendell, hung their hopes on 25 minutes of extra footage that could repair a flawed film. Thirteen minutes does not seem to be enough time to fix what is wrong. No matter how good the 13 minutes is, it doesn't make up for what you have to remove, such as the Radagast rabbit chase and much of Goblin Town (I know - sadly, they'll still be there), to still come up with a 25 minute longer runtime. Historically, the LOTR films did much better with the EEs. For these people, it will probably still be a disappointing film and they know it.


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 10:37pm)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 10:43pm


Views: 11830
thats exactly my opinion too

if all the things you mentioned had been flagged up as being in the EE I would have been quite ok about it. As you rightly say, the EEs of LOTR are a rediscovery.
The extra stuff on the dvd is just frills, we must have seen some of the PJ commentary before, the important part is the film itself and 13 extra minutes of fluff just doesnt cut it.


(This post was edited by Elenorflower on Aug 1 2013, 10:44pm)


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 10:47pm


Views: 11823
So no 'From Book to script' or documentaries on JRR himself, yet fan fave Azog gets his own??

Me annoyed.Mad I don't want to see half an hour of Boyens rabiting on about the film needing some 'defiler' energy whilst the book's genesis as a kids story is skipped over becuase Jackson is to embarrsed to admit he change it so dramtically.

Oh of course what was I thinking? The Hobbit book and the name JRR Tolkien weren't mentioned in the Appendices!

(Sarcasm aside it does generally seem like this EE is more of a contratual obligation release than something special

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 10:47pm


Views: 11828
Bill Hunt Of TheDigitalBits.com Comments

I had a fairly lengthy exchange with Bill Hunt of TheDigitalBits.com about the not-so-Extended Edition. It looks like he got enough comments from folks like me to bring it out into his blog article for today. What we discussed in emails is essentially covered by his blog comments (link below). He has asked his sources for more direct comment and suggests "visiting Jackson’s Facebook page and (politely!) communicating your feelings there."

Bill Hunt's Blog Article About TH: AUJ EE:
http://www.digitalbits.com/...wo-cents/080113_1345

Peter Jackson's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ


(This post was edited by JWPlatt on Aug 1 2013, 10:48pm)


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 10:50pm


Views: 11790
Any chance we could see Tom Shippey crop up again?

I found his thoughts and views on the previous films to be very interesting, and the man knows Tolkien like no other-it would be great to see him, or perhaps even John D Rateliffe crop up to share some pearls of wisdom in the behind the scenes stuff.

Still got my fingers crossed those 13 minutes include a shot of Dain Ironfoot

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 1 2013, 11:06pm


Views: 11876
About that 9 hours...

According to the latest email from WB, the DoS preview is part of the bonus features.

So it looks like the 9 hours includes:

1) Commentary -- 3 hrs plus credits assuming they talk the whole time
2) New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth -- 6.5 minutes if it's the same one as on the theatrical release
3) Desolation of Smaug Preview -- about an hour if they use the whole thing
4) Appendices

This means 4 of the 9 hours will be the commentary track plus the stuff we've already seen. No new video.

That leaves 5 hours of "new" video.

I put "new" in quotes because I don't know how much of the Appendix material we've already seen. Hopefully there isn't too much overlap with the vlogs and the other promotional featurettes (e.g., the character profiles might be the same ones posted on the "Eiga" site back in May.)

I suspect that very little of the "new" video will actually feel new to us. There were so many vlogs, featurettes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes reels released before and around the time of the first film's release that it seems unlikely there are many "mysteries" left. In other words, I think we've been thoroughly "spoiled" as far as behind-the-scenes material for An Unexpected Journey.

Fortunately, the media avalanche hasn't applied to Desolation of Smaug, at least not yet. There's only been 1 vlog so far (2 if you count the DoS preview), one trailer, and very little else. Hopefully they will hold back more footage this time, so that when we finally get to see the DoS and BoFA extended editions, there will be some surprises left.

But I, for one, doubt that the An Unexpected Journey extended edition will give us much truly "new" material. I feel that this was inevitable given the glut of supplemental footage we've already received.

Will I buy the extended edition? Of course!

Even if there is no completely new bonus material, I'll still buy the extended edition, because:

1) I want subtitles.
2) I want all the material in high def.
3) I want to be able to delete all those the downloaded videos from my PC.
4) My self-made copy of the DoS Preview isn't very good (low-res, has breaks).
5) I love collecting Tolkien-related stuff.
6) I want to support the production of Tolkien-related movies.
7) I want to support the New Zealand film industry.

Hurry up, November!


hobbitylass
Bree


Aug 1 2013, 11:06pm


Views: 11799
I would love that, and also add Corey Olsen to the list

Those folks could bring a lot of interesting information to the extras, talking about the various revisions, how Tolkien's thinking about The Hobbit changed as he tried to work it into the larger Middle Earth mythology, that kind of thing.


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 11:13pm


Views: 11782
I haven't read Olsen's book yet...

But I hear nothing but good things, from what I gather he explores the Hobbit soley in the light as its publication as a children's story? (A view I generally take when reading The Hobbit anyway)A re-read of my shiny new Annontated Hobbit with his insights would be great.

Wayne G Hammond and Christina Scull would certainly be interesting to hear as. (Though evil as it sounds...I kinda wish we could hear a joint commentary by Christopher Tolkien and Phillpa Boyens-that alone would make me buy the set)Laugh

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


Captain Salt
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 11:16pm


Views: 11789
Agreed with this...

IMO AUJ is badly lacking film - I had hoped close to an extra half-hour of footage might provide what was not present in the TE - does this does not seem long enough do so.

My Top 5 Wish List for "The Hobbit"
5. Legolas will surf down Smaug's neck
4. Bilbo will be revealed to a Robot
3. Naked PJ cameo as Ghan-Buri-Ghan
2. Use of not only 3D, but smell-o-vision, plus the inclusion of axes coming out of the seats and poking the audience when appropriate
1. Not only keep the claim that Thorin & Co. ran amok in Mirkwood "molesting people", but depict said incident in vivid detail!!!!!


Captain Salt
Tol Eressea


Aug 1 2013, 11:18pm


Views: 11787
This seems about on par with the TH thus far...

I'm just gonna go back to 2001-2004 and experience LotR again, thought preferably without 9/11, the wars in the Middle-east, ETC.

My Top 5 Wish List for "The Hobbit"
5. Legolas will surf down Smaug's neck
4. Bilbo will be revealed to a Robot
3. Naked PJ cameo as Ghan-Buri-Ghan
2. Use of not only 3D, but smell-o-vision, plus the inclusion of axes coming out of the seats and poking the audience when appropriate
1. Not only keep the claim that Thorin & Co. ran amok in Mirkwood "molesting people", but depict said incident in vivid detail!!!!!


FrogmortonJustice65
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 11:18pm


Views: 11790
fluff?


In Reply To
if all the things you mentioned had been flagged up as being in the EE I would have been quite ok about it. As you rightly say, the EEs of LOTR are a rediscovery.
The extra stuff on the dvd is just frills, we must have seen some of the PJ commentary before, the important part is the film itself and 13 extra minutes of fluff just doesnt cut it.


"Fluff"? Seriously? You haven't even seen the 13 extra minutes - and we have no reason to think they won't be perfectly enjoyable scenes for those that liked the AUJ theatrical version. Again, measuring the EE on the pure *quantity* of extra minutes seems silly. I will reserve my judgement until I can vouch for the QUALITY of the scenes. I very much enjoyed the EE's of LOTR, so I'm sure there will be some neat extra scenes in AUJ as well.

And as somebody mentioned earlier...what were you expecting? The shift from 2 to 3 films means that yes, the EE of AUJ is going to have relatively fewer scenes, but we are getting a whole other film on top of that. How on Earth do you expect them to satisfy your craving for 30 minutes of bonus stuff when they are already stretching the relatively slim Hobbit book into 3 films already?

Yes, it's disappointing that PJ made some inaccurate statements months ago, but people need to relax. If 13 minutes of *fluff* and *frills* doesn't sound worth the purchase to you then don't buy it.

 photo cbccab4e-f61e-4be5-aaa1-20e302430c7c.jpg


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 11:18pm


Views: 11781
For me the main selling point of the EE, is the chance of any mention of, allusion to or praising of The Talking Purse in all his awesomenss

(Joking...or am I?) Wink

I haven't watched any of the DOS preview or many of the press release junkets so I'm looking forward to it either way, but it does seem like a bit of a scam to pretend 4-5 hours of new footage as the whole 9 hours.

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


Soundchaser
The Shire

Aug 1 2013, 11:20pm


Views: 11440
Wow...10 pages already.

Let me make some predictions pertaining to November, after the EE is released:

There will be another thread, very similar to this one, that is also double-digit pages and hundreds of posts in length;

There will be some who expected to be disappointed and will be.

There will be some who expected to be disappointed and will be pleasantly surprised.

There will be some who expected to be pleased and will be.

There will be some who expected to be pleased and won't be.

Then there are those few, such as myself, who choose to be pleased and will be thankful for the fact that these films got made at all, that they are available in an extended cut with lots of extras, and will appreciate that they are available in a high quality format in which I can enjoy them at my leisure.

First World problems indeed.

I'm chasing sound. Has anyone seen any?


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 1 2013, 11:24pm


Views: 11393
I'll take the fluff

I'd love more but that's just me being greedy. Based on that one scene and reports of what's coming it sounds like an already awesome film is going to be even more so. I'll be snatching it up when it ships in November and have my butt in a seat at midnight in December.



JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 11:27pm


Views: 11409
Saving The Film - The Sequel

Because you make the very same point that I responded to above, maybe you missed it. I repeat it for your benefit:


In Reply To
...those who feel the film was missing crucial materials, such as Bilbo falling in love with Rivendell, hung their hopes on 25 minutes of extra footage that could repair a flawed film. Thirteen minutes does not seem to be enough time to fix what is wrong. No matter how good the 13 minutes is, it doesn't make up for what you have to remove, such as the Radagast rabbit chase and much of Goblin Town (I know - sadly, they'll still be there), to still come up with a 25 minute longer runtime. Historically, the LOTR films did much better with the EEs. For these people, it will probably still be a disappointing film and they know it.



FrogmortonJustice65
Lorien


Aug 1 2013, 11:36pm


Views: 11374
My apologies...

For making you copy paste your argument *to my benefit*. These discussions are a bit hard to follow.

I still find your argument unpersuasive. What is the difference between 13 and 25 minutes in terms of repairing the film? If the chase scenes and other flaws with AUJ are as bad as you claim, why does an extra 12 minutes make or break the film's quality in your mind? There's not much of a distinction between 12 and 25 minutes in terms of repairing the film. The EE is not subtracting scenes you don't like from the movie. There will still be bunnies and chases. You will still dislike those scenes, whether or not they are padded by 13 or 25 minutes of footage. The movie will have the exact same *flaws* you identified with the theatrical edition.

I just think the rush to judgement is premature given that we have not seen these scenes yet...you don't know whether or not these 13 minutes will change your perception of the movie.

You also didn't answer the second component of my argument (unless I have missed it somewhere in this 10+ page thread). What do you think could be reasonably added given that they have split the book into 3 films? They have thoroughly adapted the first several chapters of the Hobbit and then some; how do you suggest they fill that extra 12 minutes now that there are 3 films? The only conceivable way would be to fill it up with more non-canon chase scenes, which is what you are complaining about. Or do you really just have a problem with the split to 3 films itself?

 photo cbccab4e-f61e-4be5-aaa1-20e302430c7c.jpg


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 1 2013, 11:44pm


Views: 11367
There is (just about) enough material in the book(s) for a little more

The Dwarves being teased by the elves about their beards, the elves singing, Fili and Kili's horses bolting off into the river, extended songs, the eagles nest (though I very much doubt that will be in!) extended riddles, more shots of them exploring the ruins along the roads of Arnor, Thorin meeting Gandalf in Bree, Dain Ironfoot being introduced (though me thinks this is switching to DOS as part of the flashback to the flashback at Battle of Anazibarar thingy) additional dialogue from the book-there are a few things that could be padded out I guess

The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 1 2013, 11:51pm


Views: 11377
Saving The Film - The Sequel, Part II


In Reply To
I just think the rush to judgement is premature given that we have not seen these scenes yet...you don't know whether or not these 13 minutes will change your perception of the movie.

You also didn't answer the second component of my argument (unless I have missed it somewhere in this 10+ page thread). What do you think could be reasonably added given that they have split the book into 3 films? They have thoroughly adapted the first several chapters of the Hobbit and then some; how do you suggest they fill that extra 12 minutes now that there are 3 films? The only conceivable way would be to fill it up with more non-canon chase scenes, which is what you are complaining about. Or do you really just have a problem with the split to 3 films itself?


I'm explaining why there is disappointment now - not predicting whether it is rational in retrospect. Thirteen minutes does not seem like enough time to fix what many think is a flawed film. There is little hope of repairing it to the tastes of those who were disappointed without that 25 minutes. They are doomed to be disappointed. Capiche?

I like the split to three films. I'm not quite the purist you might expect. I wanted the White Council storyline. You'll have to read more threads to get the jist what folks who think the film is flawed wanted from an Extended Edition. My wish for an additional running time which included the deletion of stupid scenes was a jest rooted in a realistic expectation that that would not happen, hence my "sadly" aside.


Werde Spinner
Rohan


Aug 2 2013, 12:38am


Views: 11340
Very true.

I usually stay out of threads that debate (sometimes rather heatedly Unsure) the merits of the movie adaptations, since not everyone will ever be completely happy. However, I think you hit the nail on the head here.

I am with you. I am so grateful that there is a Hobbit movie, let alone three, that I cannot find it in myself to complain too much.

"I had forgotten that. It is hard to be sure of anything among so many marvels. The world is all grown strange. Elf and Dwarf in company walk in our daily fields; and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood and yet live; and the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How shall a man judge what to do in such times?"

"As he ever has judged. Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house."


kbdiggity
Rivendell

Aug 2 2013, 12:57am


Views: 11323
....


In Reply To

In Reply To
You could maybe try not to be quite so disappointed until you've seen it? Surely it's the content of the additional scenes that matters, not their precise minute count.


Something I've been meaning to mention is that those who feel the film was missing crucial materials, such as Bilbo falling in love with Rivendell, hung their hopes on 25 minutes of extra footage that could repair a flawed film. Thirteen minutes does not seem to be enough time to fix what is wrong. No matter how good the 13 minutes is, it doesn't make up for what you have to remove, such as the Radagast rabbit chase and much of Goblin Town (I know - sadly, they'll still be there), to still come up with a 25 minute longer runtime. Historically, the LOTR films did much better with the EEs. For these people, it will probably still be a disappointing film and they know it.






1. Historically the LoTR films did a much better job with the EEs removing what was wrong? Really? I must have missed those Extended Editions where Arwen was removed from the Ford of Bruinen, Elves were removed from Helm's Deep, Galadriel and Elrond's psychic connection was removed, scrubbing bubble ghosts were removed from Minas Tirith, and Legolas' shield surfing was removed.


2. Is it at all possible for you to stop pretending to be the voice of a large group of people? "Those people who feel the film was missing crucial materials." "For these people..." You are expressing your own personal opinions. No one hired your to represent a class action suit.




I love this board right now. It is literally like a 10 year anniversary of all the whining and moaning I witnessed on this site during the Lord of the Rings films. The lengths people will go just to complain about anything never ceases to amaze me. Posters are actually pretending like there wasn't major outrage over a ton of stuff with each LoTR film, as they try to use those films to bash the latest film.

You literally have no idea at all what will be within the 13 minutes of extended footage. Yet you are willing to write a couple dozen arguments about why 13 minutes is disappointing. "It does not seem to be enough time to fix what is wrong." You've got no clue what it does or doesn't achieve. One thing is certain... the LoTR Extended Editions didn't come close to fixing what was wrong with the theatrical editions and they had a ton of extra footage. The reality is it is unlikely that anything unpopular will be changed with Extended Edition footage, and that precedent was set a decade ago.


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 1:38am


Views: 11313
It's the third stage of the Kübler-Ross-TORn model of grief.

The following was a hopeful mantra every single time after the outpouring of suffering of Denial and Anger on the boards with each of the theatrical editions of FOTR, TTT, and ROTK:

"The EE will fix everything!"

Of course it never did, so the sufferers went on to the fourth stage, Depression.

However, by the time the next movie was released they'd be in the fifth stage of Acceptance. So after DOS is released expect statements like the following:

"AUJ was PERFECT! How could Jackson have so totally messed up DOS??"

I've seen it happen over and over again just like clockwork.

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



(This post was edited by Darkstone on Aug 2 2013, 1:42am)


Na Vedui
Rohan


Aug 2 2013, 1:46am


Views: 11319
All this...

... makes me feel so old! 'Cos I can remember a time
before there were Extended Editions
before DVDs
before VHS
before our family had a telly
when we saw a film maybe a couple of times in the cinema if we were lucky, and * that was it *.


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 1:52am


Views: 11337
Ah, but back then...

They didn't chase you out of the theater between showings so you could stay all day and see the movie over and over again on the same ticket!

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



JWPlatt
Grey Havens


Aug 2 2013, 2:17am


Views: 11316
Willful Misunderstanding


In Reply To
1. Historically the LoTR films did a much better job with the EEs removing what was wrong? Really?


That's not what I wrote. You'll need to separate what I wish for in jest from what I realistically expect. The LOTR EEs, in terms of what we know about extra minutes and commentary tracks, were far better.


In Reply To
2. Is it at all possible for you to stop pretending to be the voice of a large group of people? "Those people who feel the film was missing crucial materials." "For these people..." You are expressing your own personal opinions. No one hired your to represent a class action suit.


Hey, you're right! I guess I was wrong to start that law suit. Oh, wait, I didn't. Hyperbole, anyone? I try to write objectively even when I include myself. If I am unique in my views, I am wrong to be inclusive.

Well, responding to the rest of your post would be too much fun for a mere human to keep to himself, and it would be selfish of me to try. So I'll just leave it there and share the joy.

Don't be bitter. Wink


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 2:32am


Views: 11294
And..

They were one screen theatres with double features and they had the curtain that went up before the movie started. Bon bons, all day at the movies for 15c. Those were the days! Loved them!

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Oscarilbo
Lorien


Aug 2 2013, 4:52am


Views: 11277
So...

Do you think we are going to get a documentary about Shore's music score, or songs only? I don't see Howard Shore mentioned anywere. Frown

"The World is Changed, I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air"


TheHutt
Gondor


Aug 2 2013, 7:18am


Views: 11201
EE Fixes


In Reply To
The following was a hopeful mantra every single time after the outpouring of suffering of Denial and Anger on the boards with each of the theatrical editions of FOTR, TTT, and ROTK:

"The EE will fix everything!"

Of course it never did, so the sufferers went on to the fourth stage, Depression.


As a matter of fact, I personally think that the expectations towards the SEE were different with the course of the LOTR trilogy.

FOTR: nobody knew what really to expect. True, there were glimpses in the trailers with scenes omitted from the film (Elves giving gifts to the Fellowship in Lothlorien), but I think the majority had no expectations about the SEE. And whereas I think it improved on the overall of the film, making it lest hasty, it did not bring any radical improvements.

TTT: this one, I think, profited the most from the SEE extensions. The character of Faramir got much bashing for the TE and was radically improved over the SEE. Basically, I think this film raised the bar about "The SEE will fix everything".

ROTK: by the time this film came, fans were already hooked on the SEEs and were already having certain expectations - ones that the real extended edition could not fulfill. Whereas several of the additions (mostly to Frodo & Sam's Mordor scenes) grandly improved the film, in my opinion, several of the other added scenes made the movie actually worse compared to the TE: the Wizard Kebab, Gandalf vs. Witchking, Aragorn Dropping The Evenstar, the Corsairs of Umbar and of course the Skull Avalanche(tm). As a matter of fact, several of the reinserted scenes made it obvious to me why they were excluded in the first place.

As for The Hobbit Slightly Extended Edition, I think this is just another loop of the growing expectations, a process already started in the course of LOTR.

Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


Shagrat
Gondor

Aug 2 2013, 8:25am


Views: 11213
Doesn't look the way...

Which probably says something about the way Shore's music was handled in this film.


Arannir
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 11:03am


Views: 11155
Not directed to this last post particularly...

... but in general: Thanks for being a voice of reason in this thread.

I really, really enjoy your often ironic and sarcastic quotes and comments - while always remaining polite even when confronted with complete hostility and snarkyness.

What I do not understand is how some people here who seem to have quite a problem with AUJ anyway have the nerve to tell others how they should behave if they want to be educated and smart consumers. Quite funny actually. But I think I will be happier to leave the thread again ;)



“A dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.” J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.

(This post was edited by Arannir on Aug 2 2013, 11:07am)


Elenorflower
Gondor


Aug 2 2013, 11:50am


Views: 11136
you seem to have missed some important points

ie the LOTR EE didnt add any scenes that had been crucial to the story but had been missed due to running time, the EE additions were more like added scenes to the already well rounded story. (If they had fimed Hobbiton to Bree or Scouring it would have meant a lot more than 30 minutes imo)
The EE of AUJ being 13 minutes seems to be made up of made up stuff rather than crucial character scenes that would bring Bilbo back into focus as the main protagonist. Bilbo is largely absent as regards character development once they leave Hobbiton, the only blip is Riddles, the rest of the time he plays second fiddle to Thorin and Gandalf. The scene between Elrond and Bilbo was pretty meaningless, it just rehashed Frodos old speech about Elves and was just plonked in without much logic, it told us nothing about Bilbo. So if its all like this or worse more action sequences 13 minutes is less than useless.


dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 12:42pm


Views: 11124
25 of course....

Who wouldn't?

But as I'm not in a position to know what extra content they have, or how long it lasts, I'm not about to stamp my feet and sulk because the extra footage Peter Jackson thought would amount to 20 - 25 minutes has turned out to be about 13 minutes. Why? Because I haven't seen the footage. I don't know what it contains. For all I know there may be a segment that he's decided to hold over as prologue material for one of the other films. Or he was only estimating the time taken by the scenes he wanted to add. I'm certain sure he will have included everything he wants to, because all the comments he makes lead me to believe that he enjoys this business of re-editing the film for an extended cut. So at this point all anyone who hasn't already decided to be disgruntled and reject it out of hand can do is wait. Wait and see.

Besides, there's something about the tone of some of the comments I've seen on this (not yours) that really borders on petulance:

"We want an extended cut".

"Here you are, you can have one."

"That's not good enough, we want a LONGER one."

"But you haven't seen it yet."

"We don't need to see it, we just know it's all wrong and you're cheating us."

"????"


Noria
Gondor

Aug 2 2013, 1:12pm


Views: 11120
Dormouse, I couldn't agree more. Petulance indeed.

And also, great posts Soundchaser, Werde Spinner, Arannir.

I don’t think the EE was ever going to "fix" AUJ. I don't think it needs “fixing”, in fact I don’t want it “fixed”.

Thirteen or thirty minutes of added content is not going to fundamentally change AUJ, just embellish it. The movie is not going to be extensively recut, nothing will be removed, nothing will really change because I rather suspect that Peter Jackson likes the movie as it is.

I doubt that there is a huge amount of additional material available after the three-film split was decided upon and I’d bet some of it has been moved to DoS. Too bad if the Narsil scene isn't in though; I’d have liked to have seen that. But then I'd also have liked to have seen Faramir and Eowyn's wedding in RotK.

This is not 2001 or even 2003 and DVD/Blu-ray releases are not what they once were, in my experience. The LotR trilogy EE’s have the most, best content of any special edition that I've ever seen. More would be better on the AUJ disks but would we ever be sated?

Some people are insisting that a good part of the additional content will be stuff we have already seen. Is there any evidence for that or is it just supposition based on similar titles?

I dislike the implication that people like me who are pleased enough with the content to acquire the EE are somehow too stupid to know better and will buy it for some sort of wrong reason. That’s the same implication made about people who like the movie itself. I make my choice for my own reasons.

I wouldn't blame Peter Jackson a jot if he read this thread (not that I believe he will) and decided that there is nothing he is able, or at least willing, to do to please us. He could start ignoring the fans altogether: nor more Facebook, no more Vlogs, and, if the AUJ EE doesn't do well, no Extended Editions of DoS and TaBA. He could be like most other directors and do publicity for the movies at the appropriate time and that’s all.


xxxyyy
Rohan

Aug 2 2013, 1:25pm


Views: 11095
True indeed. I guess I'm pathetic...

For me the EE are JUST for the extra footage.
In fact I have yet too se documentaries that came with TTT and ROTK... let alone all the commentaries.
I just feel cheated. PJ himself said we would get 20/25 minutes of extra footage...
I'm sure there will be a super EE, that's why I'm not buying this "extended edition".

http://energyfromthorium.com/


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Aug 2 2013, 1:47pm


Views: 11096
Even after we see it, we won't know whether it is better or worse than when we thought it was more additional content

I know that for myself, in retrospect I think the ROTK EE would have been much better if had about half of the added content that it actually had (so long as the parts that were excluded were the parts I didn't like, like the horrible skull avalanche). It could well be that Jackson took a final look and decided that some of the added material that he thought he was including in the AUJ EE was on that type of level and decided not to include it. We will very likely never know what additional material would have made up the extra 7-12 minutes, and whether it would have made the film better or worse.

Would it be terrible for me to admit that I actually have found this thread to be quite amusing?

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

The Hall of Fire


malickfan
Gondor


Aug 2 2013, 1:53pm


Views: 11078
True...I have been wondering if Warner Bros is behind this


Quote
This is not 2001 or even 2003 and DVD/Blu-ray releases are not what they once were, in my experience. The LotR trilogy EE’s have the most, best content of any special edition that I've ever seen.


LOTR truely set the benchmark for special features IMO (the only set I've seen come close in the Alien Anthology on Blu Ray), and even If I'm a little dissapointed AUJ is still a pretty decent effort to me, much more then many other films get (In anycase I'm pretty sure I haven't seen all of the LOTR EE extras yet- and I've yet to listen to the art team commentaries, or watch the Costa Botes, or Theatrical extras).

Warner bros has a bit of a history of double dipping DVD's-just look at the Harry Potter films, there were loads of different Box sets released before the final 'wizards collection' in 2012 (even then it still excluded the hours of deleted scenes), so me thinks they might have had some say in this (judging by how bad the marketing for AUJ was)

As for your other points, I can't see why Narsil wouldn't be in, but I agree alot of stuff was probably switched to DOS (If the flashback to Thrain's dissapearance is included I'm banking on Dain being introduced there as well)


The Talking Purse is Awesome, deal with it.

But he isn't quite as aweome as Cirdan.


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 1:55pm


Views: 11078
Ha ha

It has been funny. Most of us have feelings one way or another on initial impression and that's what makes it interesting. You do make an excellent point about the additional content though. I hadn't thought of it that way. I do agree about RoTK also. Of the 3 EE;s, the additional scenes anyway in that addition really weren't that great.

I guess because I like AUJ the way it was just fine and had no issues with it the 13 minutes vs. 20 or whatever isn't an issue. I did like what I saw between Bilbo and Elrond in the scene they put out though.

My main issue is the lack of a cast commentary track. I think I'm going to wait and see before I buy it. I haven't been a big fan of WB's marketing strategy. I do like PJ's vision and think he's done a terrific job though. I have the TE which I enjoy. We'll see what the rest of the content holds then I'll decide.

The thread has been interesting and I have to say when I read people's comments it does make me think about things I might not have considered (like yours) and I appreciate that.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 2:26pm


Views: 11180
Fixing

The FOTR-EE was supposed to fix Aragorn, Saruman, and Galadriel.

The TTT-EE was supposed to fix Treebeard, Theoden, and Faramir.

The ROTK-EE was supposed to fix Sam, Gandalf, and Denethor.


As a matter of fact, several of the reinserted scenes made it obvious to me why they were excluded in the first place.

QFT! (Quoted For Truth.)


For example, many felt the scene at Gilraen's grave in the FOTR-EE made Reluctant Aragorn worse. And many felt the TTT-EE made Faramir even worse with the addition of Smeagol’s extended torture scene as well as Faramir's rather brutal manhandling of Gollum in the Osgiliath sewers.

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 2:33pm


Views: 12754
True, very true....

Of course, what Peter Jackson should have done - it becomes apparent now - was to invite each of us to New Zealand in person to inspect all the material that has so far not been used and select our own additional scenes. Personalised EEs. Would everyone be happy then, do you think.... "I doubt it, said the Carpenter, and shed a bitter tear." Evil

And in the spirit of logical conclusions, dare I point out that we don't actually know that there ever was an extra 7-12 minutes. Perhaps he was just estimating and, like the utility companies when they write their bills, over-estimating. As you say, we will never know (but that's never stopped anyone yet!)

I'm glad you've been enjoying it!


Foromir
Rivendell


Aug 2 2013, 2:36pm


Views: 12760
Indeed. To those who are upset about the deemed shortage of new scenes,

I may advise to imagine the "withheld" 7-12 minutes consisting of scenes involving the rumored Goblin King potty throne, humorous dwarvish bodily noises, food fights or generally more OTT action extravaganza.

It really eases the mind to think that PJ took heart and decided to omit all this fan-feared extra material and to leave only the "pure gold" character-based additions.

Of course that scenario could be proven terribly wrong once the EE actually comes out, but at least in the meantime peace of mind will be more likely to be had. Wink


Altaira
Superuser


Aug 2 2013, 2:56pm


Views: 12746
Elanorflower and Estel

I've edited personal comments out of your replies to each other. If you can't respond to what each other says without including incredulous insults, or commenting about the other person instead of what they said, please avoid the other person.


Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.



"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower

"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase





DjU
Lorien

Aug 2 2013, 3:02pm


Views: 12742
"Missing" footage

I agree. In fact I reckon there is potentially a very logical and rational explanation for quite a chunk of the footage that people deem to be "missing" or that they believe they were "promised" - its the same idea that many people have mentioned and even you have mentioned and that is that some of it has been moved to Film 2. Obviously some people may prefer to believe that we have been lied to and they secretly hiding the footage but then that’s their prerogative.

Two words to keep in mind - High Fells

The comments from PJ about the Extended Cut being 20-25 minutes long were made on December 8th 2012, they had only just finished the final cut of AUJ and Premiered it the week before, so despite the EE 'being finished' then, things could have easily changed once the Pre-production and more importantly script refinements for the pickups took place after Christmas and the promotion of AUJ.

It is also amusing how people are using the upper limit – 25 minutes – for their arguments, the comment was 20-25 minutes, it is highly unlikely PJ had got a stopwatch out and exactly timed the exact run time of the footage, it could have been 20,21,22,23,24 or 25 mins, shucks it could have been 19 minutes or even 26 minutes!

So to the High Fells scene

Until the Live Event on the 27th March it is safe to say the general assumption amongst most that the High Fells scene/subplot would still be inserted back into the AUJ:EE so when they premiered it as a sneak clip from DoS it was a bit of a surprise.
The scene that was previewed in the Live Event was about 2mins 20secs long, it is also clear to anyone who has seen it that it missing its beginning and likely its ending, it just begins with Gandalf inside the Tombs lighting his staff and it does end a bit abruptly.

With some context of where Gandalf is (we know from the art book that they scouted and design the outside of the High Fells) and some more resolution at the end of the scene the whole scene could be well over 4 minutes potentially more but that’s being a bit generous.

We also know from watching the B-roll behind the scenes footage of the White Council that there was more filmed there with a bit more related to the ‘Angmar Blade’. With the High Fells scene omitted until the second movie any expectation of these scenes now being back in the EE are removed as they become little redundant.

Maybe these WC scenes were never going to be put back in but it’s worth keeping in mind, if they were that would also add some time. It’ll be interesting to see if they are in or out (and to hear the commentary).

All of the above would potentially cover at least a good 5 minutes that could easily have been part of the 20-25 back in December.

Obviously this doesn’t account for the full perceived shortfall in footage but the are other minor things that could have been moved (such as more Azanulbizar now that we know that the seem to be bulking that up yet again for DoS or TaBA now that they are going to a bit about Thrain).

And finally maybe there is a scene or two that have been removed completely upon PJ reviewing the EE cut back, we know there is much that never made it into LotR but made it mighty close.

Maybe I’m completely wrong. But I’d like to think it makes much more sense to maybe sit back and think about things we know rather than blindly running around and claiming there is a conspiracy to deny us footage.


Welsh hero
Gondor


Aug 2 2013, 3:12pm


Views: 12766
5 disks so

Disk 1 & 2: Film
Disk 3 & 4: Special features

so what is disk 5. more features? the original cut?

-Irfon

Twitter: @IrfonPennant
middle earth timeline FB: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleEarth1


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 3:30pm


Views: 12734
Not sure

will be interesting to see

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 3:40pm


Views: 12724
I can't imagine it is the UV copy ...

Since that is normally* just a code given in the box. Assuming that will be the case, perhaps:

Disc 1 & 2: 3D blu-ray film
Disc 3: Blu-ray film
Discs 4 & 5: Special features

But that doesn't explain why all the non-3D DVD formats would have 5 discs?

Crazy




* Judging by my AUJ blu-ray DVD



(This post was edited by DanielLB on Aug 2 2013, 3:40pm)


DjU
Lorien

Aug 2 2013, 4:16pm


Views: 12692
Preview

I'd expect the The Desolation of Smaug Preview is the 2 minute High Fells scene that was shown at the Live Event, I doubt it would be the whole Live Event.


TheHutt
Gondor


Aug 2 2013, 5:10pm


Views: 12669
I expect the DOS preview...

...will be something like we had on the TEs of FOTR and TTT. :)

Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 5:22pm


Views: 12692
Thanks!

The thing is, we older TORnsibs have been through all this already with the LOTR films and their respective EEs, so on the one hand it's easy to empathize with (and on the other to get impatient with) the people who are upset, the people who are upset with the people who are upset, the people who are upset with the people who are not upset, and all the other permutations of perturbation.

As Barenaked Ladies put it, "It's all been done before".

I come from a time when it was rare to meet someone who'd even read Tolkien, so when you finally did you were just about automatically friends. I really wish I could think of words to help my fellow fans in Tolkien and/or Jackson calm down, but sometimes the best thing to do is just let people vent.

Namárië!

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



(This post was edited by Darkstone on Aug 2 2013, 5:24pm)


Arannir
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 5:27pm


Views: 12668
I for one will certainly remind myself of your post...

... whenever I get upset. Much healthier approach to the internet in general.



“A dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.” J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 6:00pm


Views: 12668
If only Fox had gotten the film rights to The Hobbit....

...everyone would be happy!!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/...venture-movie-566228

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 6:10pm


Views: 12625
Ah, but think of the arguments -

- sorry, discussions, we would have over whose chosen storyline was the best! Angelic


Cirashala
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 6:16pm


Views: 12646
commentaries

Well, when a film has a principal cast of fifteen very busy people, I would imagine that would cause issues with making sure everyone could get together for three hours to watch and talk.

Not only that, but by the time everyone mentions their thoughts on a specific scene, you will already be two scenes ahead!

Honestly, perhaps they didn't include the cast commentary because the principal cast is just too darn big.

Plus, like I mentioned just above, several of the actors are now on other projects, so why would they spend the time and money to fly halfway around the world (for most of them), risk jet lag, and delay their other projects simply to watch a three hour movie and fight the other fourteen (or fifteen, if PJ is also with them) for the chance to speak?

I would imagine it would honestly be like trying to watch a film with fifteen/sixteen inquisitive first graders and having to pause every two seconds so someone can ask their question or say their mind. Not saying the actors are immature or anything, but two sentences from each person would add up to taking the entire scene if not more on many points.

Not only would it likely drive the cast nuts, but as viewers it would likely drive us nuts to because we would miss whatever they were talking about in order to catch both the dialogue in the film and what the actors have to say about it.

(This post was edited by Ataahua on Aug 2 2013, 8:35pm)


Estel78
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 6:28pm


Views: 12626
As if somebody believes we have been lied to...

Sure, PJ lied to us, just for jest. Seriously? It was an estimate, he changed - or somebody made him change (perhaps WB didn't want to pay for the SFX) - his mind as to which scenes to put in. "Promised"? Also, no. We are adults, i think we know things can change. That doesn't mean we can't be disappointed.


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 6:32pm


Views: 12624
well

Although I see what you're saying i really don't agree. These things are planned out in advance, not last minute. You may not have to have the entire cast but you certainly could have some of the cast or do it in groups. New Line did it for LOTR with little problem and there was a large cast there too with Elijah, Sean, Orlando, Viggo, Hugo, Cate Blanchette, Sean Bean, Ian etc. I think it should have been done.

I will say with Freeman it might be hard because he honestly can't go 20 seconds without dropping the F bomb or another curse word. Maybe they did try it and it was taking too long to get it right. LOL! :)

But honestly, I think it's just that WB didn't think it was needed. Sad really because for me it's the one thing on the EE I really wanted. For me it may mean the difference between buying it or not. But hey that's life. Not much I can do about it. I'm fine with the 13 minutes and all. But that stuff is going to end up online somewhere.

I do think Peter's releasing the VBlogs in a way made the EE somewhat more challenging. A lot of the background stuff we normally didn't see till the EE we have seen in the vblogs so it makes it hard to come up with stuff that's new.

But to me the cast commentary should have been planned and should have been there.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 6:39pm


Views: 12624
Are cast commentaries common features in other DVD releases?

I'm sure they are common, but not all DVDs come with them, surely? What if the LOTR extended editions had never come with them. Would we be questioning it now? Wink

It's that pesky LOTR trilogy that's causing this problem. Too many (natural) comparisons being made with it. Angelic



Elessar
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 6:42pm


Views: 12597
I'm with ya

I don't think AUJ needs fixing either. Sure there are a few things I don't like but I don't need it fixed. I expect the EE to only make things even more better much like the LOTR EE made those films even better.

I dislike the implication myself. I buy and like what I like for me. It's always great when others agree and we can geek out together but I'm not gonna sweat those that don't feel the same.



Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 6:48pm


Views: 12576
Not sure how common

They do seem to be more common on large films like Silence of the Lambs or Pirates. Still there are some directors like Spielberg who don't like them and won't do them. many films have actor audio commentaries though and they are inexpensive and easy to produce.

I'm glad others like the EE and I think that's great. It's just for me it's the one thing I really wanted. It's kind of like buying a car: some things you want in a car, others you don't care. It comes down to personal taste. I think it's a shame though it wasn't added.

I find this line instructive:

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_commentary

"The 2007 DVD for The Fountain did not include a commentary track because Warner Bros. did not feel that adding one would help sales. However, director Darren Aronofsky recorded a commentary track on his own and made the track available for free download on his personal website.[4]"

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13

(This post was edited by Ham_Sammy on Aug 2 2013, 6:53pm)


Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 6:51pm


Views: 12583
I agree with all this Elessar. Looking forward to more footage period.


In Reply To
I don't think AUJ needs fixing either. Sure there are a few things I don't like but I don't need it fixed. I expect the EE to only make things even more better much like the LOTR EE made those films even better.

I dislike the implication myself. I buy and like what I like for me. It's always great when others agree and we can geek out together but I'm not gonna sweat those that don't feel the same.


Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 7:03pm


Views: 12585
i'm the same way

I loved AUJ and don't feel any of it needs fixing or otherwise. I have enjoyed the TE very much, saw it in the cinema 8 times and loved every minute of it.

As I said it's like any product you buy and you have stated it well. If you like it buy it, if you don't then don't. I have said my piece about my feelings but that doesn't make AUJ any less a film for me nor does it mean that the EE is somehow terrible (I still think WB is hamhanded when it comes to design and marketing though). It just means that it wasn't what I was looking for.

Life goes on as it pretty much has this past age though right? All is good. My son is returning from a summer of serving in the slums of Calcutta with the urban poor. I look forward to hearing his stories and I suspect none of the things we are concerned about here are of any concern to him nor to those with whom he worked side by side with. It's all good. It's all about perspective. Sometimes I need a big dose of it myself. Sly

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 7:11pm


Views: 12565
Inset virtual high-five here :)

 



Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 7:23pm


Views: 12570
(*High Five*) Back atcha Elessar!

Always love to geek out with you!

Do you know I actually sort of 'forgot' about the EE coming out, and was quite shocked to see that it is only about 13 weeks away!!!??? So its like an Easter egg to read about it and have it be that close!!!! SmileCool

Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








Elessar
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 7:25pm


Views: 12543
Agreed

You got me by 3. I only saw it 5 times. lol

WB hasn't handled the marketing or packaging as well as I'd like. I guess I expected them to be able to just match what NL did with LOTR. I'm still excited about the EE and the gift set but the styling could be better.

I agree. Most people outside of our circle don't sweat this stuff at all. I guarantee the inner city kids I teach don't care. lol I hear that. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in your little world you need a reminder. Which isn't a bad thing at all. Cool



Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 7:26pm


Views: 12548
(Other issues aside...)

...another *High Five* to your son HS. Good for him! Angelic

Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








Elessar
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 7:31pm


Views: 11617
:-)

Back @ ya Cool

That would be a nice surprise. I kept waiting and waiting for an announcement. I was hoping there would be one at comic-con but when there wasn't I a bit bummed. So getting the news now makes up for it and the images of the gift set make it even better. It being not that far off gives me something to look forward to.



DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 7:35pm


Views: 11626
While I was digging through the archives ...

I realised that the theatrical edition DVDs for the LOTR trilogy came out in August. I had completely forgotten about that. Can you imagine what that would've been like this time around? Eru knows what kind of mess we'd all be in. Wink

The countdown begins!



Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 7:46pm


Views: 11582
Wow! Was it that late?!?


In Reply To
I realised that the theatrical edition DVDs for the LOTR trilogy came out in August. I had completely forgotten about that. Can you imagine what that would've been like this time around? Eru knows what kind of mess we'd all be in. Wink

The countdown begins!




Haha, as you say Daniel, what a mess it could be! And with these wonky release agreements it probably would have been even later in other places, like NZ and AU to name two.

I do think I remember seeing FOTR I *believe* as late as April (maybe even May (?) in the morning matinee, second run theater at the Mall, I can remember wearing shorts)... I crammed a lot of views towards the end of the run in as I had gotten a late start on seeing it the first time.

So those TEs and EEs were really released rather on top of each other (funny how I don't remember it!). I suppose in these days the idea is to get it out there before the piracy kicks in too badly (as far as the TE goes.)

Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








Shagrat
Gondor

Aug 2 2013, 8:02pm


Views: 11593
You appear to be correct

The Amazon.fr listing seems to confirm that the High Fells scene is the DoS preview featured on the discs:

http://www.amazon.fr/The-Hobbit-An-Unexpected-Journey-3D-Blu-ray/dp/B00E9CWSIM


This also lists the running time as 195 minutes. Has to be a mistake.


(This post was edited by Shagrat on Aug 2 2013, 8:04pm)


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 8:37pm


Views: 11562
There would have been a total meltdown

complete and total. Good reminder.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 2 2013, 8:46pm


Views: 11591
LOL!

"Permutations of perturbation" just made my day. Thanks, Darkstone. LaughHeart

Silverlode

"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone."



Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 2 2013, 8:51pm


Views: 11575
well since

i am not overtly fond of most of auj, WB etc...i dont have my hopes up, and feel in the mood for cheering up and be happy about it...


My main interest in the EE is on fixing one of aujs major flaws, IE sidetracking the hobbit himself to a secondary character role after the Trolls, and some more dwarvish and elvish character development.... If these 12 minutes turn out be just about the main character, mr baggins and then we had the other stuff, i would be more satisfied and might enjoy the film a little more...

But i dont expect them to be just about Bilbo...do you?

So, the minute count does count, for me, since i feel the film is seriously lacking in some regards and 25 minutes gave me some more hope that some flaws would be addressed and the characters would have more room and time to breathe and be better developed...

If we had a list of the new scenes....that would help...

Besides, having a Pro Jackson and the Evil Coven stance is not my style , you know that TongueEvil

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!

(This post was edited by Lusitano on Aug 2 2013, 8:52pm)


Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 9:18pm


Views: 11538
np

HeartGlad to put a smile on your face!Smile

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



Darkstone
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 9:26pm


Views: 11566
No Viggo.

Viggo said he preferred that the LOTR films speak for themselves.

As for other audio commentaries:

http://www.avclub.com/...racks-of-the-damned/

******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”



DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 2 2013, 9:57pm


Views: 11525
12 minutes? Don't forget that extra one!

It might make all the difference, Lusitano. Wink

Shagrat did a splendid job here, of guesstimating known extended scenes and their length. They seem to be all the major changes, but I'm sure there will be 30 seconds here and there.

At least there are >6 hours of film left to go. If one doesn't like 1/3 of the trilogy, then maybe the other 2/3 will make up for it. Who knows!

Smile



dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 10:04pm


Views: 11514
Expect the new scenes to be all about Bilbo?

No, I don't. Some of them will, like the scene with Elrond that they've shown us.

But then, I don't accept that Bilbo is a secondary character so for me there's nothing to 'fix'. In the film I saw, Bilbo was central right through. So I'm just happy to have extra scenes, and right now I don't think I really want a list of them - though I have read the outline in the Empire article. I just want them to be a surprise, and if they show any more 'sneak peeks' I hope I'll be strong enough not to look.


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 10:10pm


Views: 11512
same here

I felt AUJ was entirely Bilbo centric. I never felt like he was second fiddle at all.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Starling
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 10:11pm


Views: 11499
I really don't like commentaries

and I never listen to them. I don't find them at all interesting, and for me it is like sitting in a movie and having an annoying person sitting beside me and talking through the whole film.
Although some of the commentaries on the link you posted look like real treats.


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 2 2013, 10:28pm


Views: 11504
Not all commentaries are created equal.

It really depends on the people whether the commentary is fun, like hanging out with friends who know all the inside stuff about the thing you're watching, or boring and annoying like a technical lecture on watching paint dry. Commentaries on re-releases that are filmed long after the original filming tend to be fairly uninteresting, as everyone has forgotten most of the details and they can't remember why "X" was done, or why "Y" did that other thing, or even who guest star "Z" was. And some directors go on and on and on about technical issues with camera lenses and filters and use jargon that only camera buffs know about or are interested in. Cast commentaries depend a great deal on the chemistry of the group. Some just spend the whole time goofing off with each other and don't pay much attention to things onscreen. Others have nothing to say. But some tell great stories and talk about stuff that went on behind the scenes and that can be lots of fun. You just never know until you try them.

Silverlode

"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone."



Lusitano
Tol Eressea


Aug 2 2013, 10:31pm


Views: 11504
DanielLB

Bah, but that minute's off the schedule Wink Even the smallest minute can change the course of a film!

Well if the extended edition were fat and juicy enough, one could raise one's hopes to celestial levels, as far as the underworld of purist edits go Angelic

If that list is accurate, and i agree it seems to be, then for me its a bit disappointing. I guess hoping for a much more filled with bilbo rivendell, is just a fools hope. One or two scenes most likely. I dont suppose the elves making fun of the dwarves beards is a possibility...unless thats what sets the dwarves off into the nastiness jackson mentioned....

If the other two thirds were as good as the misty mountains scene, then yes, they might please me more. But someone else directed that section so...Tongue

I see your point dormhouse. But i feel it needs to be fixed.

For me, post trolls, i remember some warg chases, a lot of yelling, some elves and dwarves being nasty and making fun of each other, thorin yet again asserting the importance of his legacy, elrond being his grumpy self, a joke between balin and bilbo, azog being a bad boy, the entire white council section and then Bilbo ressurfaces from the mist of the valley with a yearning and an expression of affection, revealing some unseen -by us- connection between him and the elves down below...

For me, he took the role of a secondary character until the riddles...

So i was hoping that would be fixed!

Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 2 2013, 10:39pm


Views: 11497
This is very true

I'm not real fond of the commentaries on the older films (like This is Spinal Tap) etc. It does very much depend on the chemistry and I agree it can be totally boring. It tends to be interesting when they talk and intersperse comments about the scene or things they were observing etc. versus a lot of technical stuff.

I really felt though The Hobbit needed a cast track. Maybe it just didn't work out.

One thing I had not considered and just thought of a few minutes ago is because of the scaling involved so much of the filming had to be done slave motion with the actors on different sets being filmed at the same time. Maybe that made commentary more difficult because really they were not talking with each other in the scene but to a tennis ball. I don't know. That may have been some of it.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Starling
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 11:29pm


Views: 11497
That is certainly true

I just don't like commentaries full stop, because I don't like people talking over movies. So for me, it really makes little difference how good the commentary is.


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 2 2013, 11:41pm


Views: 11478
Commentaries

I never use them myself for the same reason. I want to hear the movie not someone talking about while it plays. Now, give me those people talking about it in a seperate interview and we're golden.



Starling
Half-elven


Aug 2 2013, 11:48pm


Views: 11487
Exactly

Who's bringing the popcorn? Cool


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 3 2013, 12:46am


Views: 11466
I can.

Lets do this!! Cool



Starling
Half-elven


Aug 3 2013, 1:08am


Views: 11483
Okay

Just the small matter of plane tickets to arrange...


angelclaw
Bree

Aug 3 2013, 2:43am


Views: 11455
The best commentary ever

Was the in-character commentary on This is Spinal Tap, IMO. I would love an in-character commentary on AUJ or any of its successors, but sadly I doubt that will ever happen. Unsure

Now that I've thought about it more, I believe most of the cast was so busy during the time between the release of the TE and the EE that perhaps it just wasn't feasible to have a cast commentary, and that I can kind of understand, although I'm still disappointed. I just hope someday, or at least on the next two films, we'll get a cast commentary as I usually find those the most entertaining - especially with a great ensemble cast like this that obviously has some great chemistry!


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 3 2013, 4:57am


Views: 11413
Maybe......

Ole William Shatner can find me a good deal. Lol



Rosie-with-the-ribbons
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 3 2013, 9:30am


Views: 11382
I "listen" to them

while I do cross stitch. I can't really watch tv, too focused on the cross stitch. So I listen to the commentaries, sometime looking up, seeing what they are talking about, and than back to my stitching.

So to me it is more a seperate interview, which happens to have moving images in it Wink.



dormouse
Half-elven


Aug 3 2013, 10:30am


Views: 11363
Same here...

I've tried to listen to them, but I always end up wishing they would stop talking so I can enjoy the film. I really enjoy the documentary sections but that's different - if I'm watching the film itself I want the film, not the chatter.


Noria
Gondor

Aug 3 2013, 12:22pm


Views: 11354
Commentaries

I enjoy director/writer commentaries so I'm content to have just that on on the AUJ EE. If I really like a movie, I'l listen to the director's commentary afterwards and if I really, really like a movie I might watch it again after that.

The director/writer commentaries for LotR were very good, IMO, very interesting. I listen to them pretty well every time I watch the movies as well as watching the documentaries. In fact those documentaries helped get me through a bad time some years back when I needed distraction but was incapable of doing much.

For me the actor commentaries on LotR were fun, mostly because a number of the actors were witty and interesting. That's not always the case. But I've only listened to them a couple of times so I won't miss them.

I don't think that I ever got through all of the other LotR commentaries.


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 3 2013, 3:11pm


Views: 11331
Cool

That's one way to use what's given to ya. In that instance you're basically treating them as a seperate deal.



Elessar
Valinor


Aug 3 2013, 3:12pm


Views: 11340
Same here

That's why I can't watch and listen. I want to see the movie not here them talk about it while I watch.



Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 3 2013, 5:16pm


Views: 11305
I really enjoy them

I am interested in the different perspectives. I do watch the film separately without but I love listening to the different perspectives of the actors on a scene, what was going through their minds, how they had to prepare, how they saw the other actors in their roles etc. The commentaries for me aren't about the movie as they are about the way it's made. I can see though where it would bother you if you were not that interested and wanted to just see the movie.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 3 2013, 5:38pm


Views: 11285
That makes sense

I got ya. I do find the process interesting but instead of it being while the movie is playing I prefer it separately. I can see where in the process if watching the movie it would be cool to hear how they felt doing that scene.



Brethil
Half-elven


Aug 3 2013, 6:10pm


Views: 11279
I like the crafting perspective too H-S


In Reply To
I am interested in the different perspectives. I do watch the film separately without but I love listening to the different perspectives of the actors on a scene, what was going through their minds, how they had to prepare, how they saw the other actors in their roles etc. The commentaries for me aren't about the movie as they are about the way it's made. I can see though where it would bother you if you were not that interested and wanted to just see the movie.




But I have to have really seen the film quite a few times and 'gotten' all the major plot bits and such that I wanted to internalize before I can commit to a commentary. But then - for the reason you say - I really enjoy it. So its on two levels, so to speak. I do like all of the LOTR tracks for that reason, depending on what mood and what level of detail I want to hear about.

Because of the number of views beforehand though, for me its only feasible for something I have a real commitment to.

Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!








nuck
Rivendell


Aug 3 2013, 7:10pm


Views: 11254
All the important bit and much that aren't:)


In Reply To
AUJ really already is an extended version. Some of the scenes really felt like they would have been chopped if the films had only been in two-parts, and that's because some of them *would* have been cut, of course! Really there isn't much more that we can expect from film 1, all the important bits are in there along with much more. They don't need to drag it out unnecessarily, which is why I actually think that less will be more, in this case.



They jammed so much action into AUJ compared to FOTR I can't see the space for much more either. The right 13 minutes could help it though. I think their scene selection for the final cut was way too CGI centric (and they took criticism for this) so it makes sense that what they add would not be more of the same. Maybe they put in the classic first meeting of the individual dwarves at Bilbos door. Loved it in the book, but the movie kind of lost the first big smile of the story, and traded it for an extended play dwarven durge. Frown I am buying it no matter what, but one can hope.


Ham_Sammy
Tol Eressea

Aug 3 2013, 8:38pm


Views: 11246
Oh i'm the same way

I will view the movie several times and then some before I do the commentary track. I like to kind of take it all in, look at all the scenes etc. then listen to the commentary. As you said it depends on what I'm in the mood for really. If I want to watch the artistic/production details I like the commentary. If I just want entertainment and to enjoy the story I watch the movie. But yeah I don't watch the commentary track when I want to just watch the movie that would be a total waste.

Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Aug 4 2013, 7:49am


Views: 11207
Here is the problem. . . aside from a little more blue and blast to Gandalf's pinecone magic, a nod to The Balrog's role in the ruin of featured Moria,

and maybe a nod to Glorfindel rather than Lindir, The Hobbit wasn't missing very much of anything, at least where the chapters covered were concerned. The problem was the severly altered and often superflous addenda.


Leave Azog dead at Azanulbizar, replace him with Bolg, have Radagast clean his face, drop the orc chase, downsize The Stone Giants, and get the details right about Angmar (and the hierarchy of The White Council), and you would have a film I would rave about endlessly, and which I might well call a more accurately faithful representation of the first third of The Hobbit than some of the Rings films were of their subject matter.

In Reply To
IMO AUJ is badly lacking film - I had hoped close to an extra half-hour of footage might provide what was not present in the TE - does this does not seem long enough do so.


"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


elostirion74
Rohan

Aug 4 2013, 2:34pm


Views: 11175
This looks very promising!

I didn't really expect a lot of additional scenes or extended scenes, given the long run-time of the theatrical edit of AUJ.

The extra-material looks very promising, right up there with the extended editions of the LoTR films. I suspect and hope that they are not as tightly scripted and edited as the video-logs, which really weren't my cup of tea, just a form of light entertainment giving very small snippets of information from lots of different sources. I guess that was probably the purpose anyway, not to reveal too much. From the list of extra material I see here it looks like we're in for in-depth material in generous rations; it's very rare to see that now, seeing how little extra material there usually is on most dvds.


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 5 2013, 2:46am


Views: 11144
Interesting omission in TORN's "in-depth" breakdown of the EE!

Note that TORN's "in-depth" breakdown of the extended edition doesn't even include mention of the 13 additional minutes of footage!

http://www.theonering.net/...the-auj-ee-contents/

Funny how those 13 minutes are so easy to overlook!


(This post was edited by tripecac on Aug 5 2013, 2:51am)


DanielLB
Immortal


Aug 6 2013, 10:51am


Views: 11043
I thought it would be fun to ...

Make a word cloud out of the 335 replies this thread has received, to see if anything interesting came up. If you're interested click here. It's the top 100 words which appear 20 or more times in this thread. Two things I found interesting:

1) LOTR came up 146 times - showing how we're comparing The Hobbit trilogy with its predecessor
2) Disappointed came up more than any other "positive" remark.


Cool



hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:30pm


Views: 11032
no over-reaction

Doesn't seem like each department is getting either their own commentary or appendix. That's a huge disappointment for me-especially glossing over Howard Shore's contribution. There is def. big changes in the product and to quote Gandalf "...not entirely for the better."

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.

(This post was edited by hutch on Aug 6 2013, 2:35pm)


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:37pm


Views: 11000
They did do that to FOTR

which I was always a little sad about since I liked Gandalf and Frodo's exchange more than Bilbo's narration.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:40pm


Views: 11010
Commentary.

Singular.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:42pm


Views: 11005
Commentary


In Reply To
Singular.


And we need more than one?


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:43pm


Views: 11004
The EE versions

are kinda sorta supposed to make much more satisfying changes to the viewing experiences. The idea that they
re just being nice by adding a few pointless scenes is a bit odd.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:44pm


Views: 11012
Absolutely

PJ and Philipa have done a good deal of talking already. I want more representation from Howard Shore. Actors want to hear the actors talk. Production people. Post production people, etc. Different people have different focal points for these films. LOTR understood that. Apparently TH crew does not. I feel like PJ and PB are just gonna talk about what a good decision it was to "connect" the 2 trilogies by shoe-horning as much music and gags from the original trilogy into the present one. The next commentaries will be all about how "more feminine energy was needed", so congrats to us for Tauriel. I can see it a mile away. I still love PJ, I just think he made some poor decision this time around. As great as I think he is and however hard I think he has worked I still won't pander.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.

(This post was edited by hutch on Aug 6 2013, 2:48pm)


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:50pm


Views: 10996
Wow...

...I didn't know you already had listened to it. But you must have, since you know what will be said during a 2+ hour commentary.

I don't like jumping to conclusions, myself. And I've listened to the LotR commentary precisely once, so I don't see the point of a ton of different commentaries when people usually only listen to them once or twice.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:55pm


Views: 10993
no.

legitimate concerns exist. But ultimately we will just have to put up with because WB will do what they want....unless they 180 like Microsoft did on their new gaming system...

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:57pm


Views: 11001
that's such specious reasoning

People can make pretty good prejudgments. Like when I said way back it was a little odd for 2 films to be shooting as much as 3 and VOILA! 3 film announcement. Did I know for sure? No. But it seemed obvious. And what will you say if we are correct after you've seen the finished product?

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 2:59pm


Views: 10992
You may not see the point

But as I've said, different people have different reasons for tuning in. People that work in different parts of the industry have different interests i.e. production, post production, film scoring, writing, adaptation, stunts, acting, etc. Your opinion (nor mine) of how many commentaries is necessary is the center of the universe.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


bborchar
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:12pm


Views: 10996
I will say...

...that you made an assumption based on your own opinion of Peter Jackson...which is what you just did.

This argument is getting old, though. Jumping to conclusions and hating something before you've even seen it is ridiculous. That's my point, and has been all along. And you know what? You are completely free to not buy it. But I will buy it and I'll be happy with it, because I want to own the extended edition, and I had planned on it before anything was ever announced about it.

And I'll keep in mind that it's just a movie.


The Doctor: ... No! No! Nonononononono, it's... not like that. That's not what I'm like!
Amy: Then what are you like?
The Doctor: I dunno, Gandalf. Like a space Gandalf. Or that little green guy in Star Wars...


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:18pm


Views: 10989
Total bummer, huh?

I remember Shore had all sorts of featurettes and extra dvd dedicated just to him and the music process. His absence so far I think speaks volumes alone to the differences between LOTR and TH. Sad but true.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:26pm


Views: 10992
I was hoping the EE versions

would replace the old music with the new. That is one thing I thought would get "fixed".

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:28pm


Views: 14975
Movies were still in theaters longer 10 years ago

and piracy wasn't as easy.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:31pm


Views: 14964
which is funny

cuz there was plenty of Viggo in the docs. ha ha ha.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


hutch
Rohan


Aug 6 2013, 3:33pm


Views: 14967
exactly

diff commentaries have diff purposes. People have different interests and reasons for tuning in. I know people that can't stand LOTR but tuned in to hear about technical accomplishments.

Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


dernwyn
Forum Admin / Moderator


Aug 6 2013, 4:08pm


Views: 14958
Subsequent subthread removed

*sigh* Please refrain from getting personal, folks! Unsure


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I desired dragons with a profound desire"






Shagrat
Gondor

Aug 6 2013, 4:13pm


Views: 14954
Update from TheDigitalBits


Quote
Finally today (following up on our post from last Thursday), I’ve heard back unofficially from my sources regarding the running time of Warner’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended Edition release. Essentially what I’ve been told is that director Peter Jackson’s estimate (given in select interviews a few months back, that 20-25 minutes of footage would likely be added back into the film for the Extended Cut) was essentially just a guess at the time, as he hadn’t yet even started to cut the longer version. So there’s nothing sinister going on with the fact that the Extended Cut turned out to only be 13 minutes longer – the cut is exactly the way he wanted it and it’s just the way it worked out in the editing room. The production team is seriously under the gun at the moment working to finish Desolation of Smaug for its December release, so Jackson may comment officially on this or not. In any case, recognizing that this information probably isn’t going to satisfy some fans, that’s the deal



tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 6 2013, 4:22pm


Views: 14962
Thanks!

Thanks for creating that word cloud! Before I saw it, my guess was that "minutes" would be a top word, and it looks like it was certainly up there.

I think we all deep down agree that the quality of the extra footage is more important than the quantity, but until we've seen it, we can't judge the quality, so all we can judge is the quantity. The same goes for the commentary track(s).


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 6 2013, 4:40pm


Views: 14952
Top 10

Here's another quantitative figure for you:

This topic is now in the Hobbit forum's top 10 in terms of most posts.

Does that make it a "good" topic? Or merely a "long" topic?


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 6 2013, 5:09pm


Views: 14958
Quantity vs quality

Personally, I prefer long albums to short albums, long books to short books... and the same goes for movies, games, hikes, bike rides, etc.

For me, the scale or "epic-ness" of an activity (including entertainment) definitely contributes to my overall perception of quality. I like to be immersed in the activity, and can endure long stretches of tedium as long as an occasional tidbit of enjoyment comes along.

Perhaps it's "attention deficit surplus disorder" or something like that, but for me, quantity is definitely a component of quality. Maybe this is a feeling most collectors share. We like large amounts of stuff, and like to immerse ourselves in our hoardings. Like Smaug!

So as a collector, I get much more excited about collecting 23 extra minutes than 13 extra minutes. And I think the marketers know that, and that's why they are strongly pitching "9 hours!" of extra features.


Rembrethil
Tol Eressea

Aug 6 2013, 5:13pm


Views: 14960
Thoughts

I generally agree. I am sometimes disappointed by short stories,(I want them to go on with the great story), but sometimes they are cut at just the right point of believability. Any longer, they'd be rubbish, and I just have to remind myself of that.

I should be glad that we get anything extra, but I will reserve judgement until I see it.


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 7 2013, 1:12am


Views: 14923
Music

I thought they might include even more of the CD but its got a pretty fair amount in it now.



Elessar
Valinor


Aug 7 2013, 1:24am


Views: 14942
To be fair

We've had several posts about it recently that mentioned the 13 mins.



tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 7 2013, 3:17am


Views: 14902
"Extended"

I just think it's interesting that in TORN's description of the "extended" version, they don't actually mention the extended footage!

Perhaps if the amount of extended footage were more significant, it wouldn't have gotten forgotten (or deliberately omitted). :)


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 7 2013, 3:25am


Views: 14921
We've talked about it before.

If not in one of these recent posts one of them in the most recent past. Well, mentioned what we know at least right now is included.

Edit: As a matter of fact a post on the FP Mrcere that mentions the 13 mins in the first paragraph. I don't think we need to mention it every time we post about it. Especially if we post about it 4-5 times on the FP in a short amount of time.



tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 7 2013, 3:37am


Views: 14909
FP?

What does "FP" mean?

First Post? Free Press? Forum P-something?


Elessar
Valinor


Aug 7 2013, 3:57am


Views: 14906
Front Page

It means Front Page. Sorry, I just figure people know what that means without thinking I should use the whole thing. lol



Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 7 2013, 4:03am


Views: 14906
Interesting

That seems to show what the main source of this discussion is. or at least why the two sides are getting a little frustrated with each other.

I think that there is a huge difference in being disappointed that the Hobbit EE is not exactly like the LotR EEs, including the same features and what not, and that this particular release is terrible or sucks or not worth it. Whereas some are combining the two (not all). Just to me, those are two different things.

This set still contains a huge amount of material for one film. Compared to other bluray sets, this could be considered a lot of content for a whole trilogy of films.

At the end of the day this set contains 13 new minutes, a director's commentary, and 5+ hours of documentaries. I can't even think of anything that comes close to that, including the 6 film Marvel phase One set and the Star Wars 6 movie set. If you were to consider the LotR EEs the greatest home video release ever (and I personally do), then based on what is listed then the Hobbit would fall to number 2 on that list. It's still providing more than 99% of all DVD/Blu ray releases. Is it disappointing that its not a mirror image of the LotR sets? Yes, sure it is. But this is still quite an impressive release.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.

(This post was edited by Buchanicus on Aug 7 2013, 4:13am)


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 7 2013, 4:21am


Views: 14889
Makes sense

I see what you mean...

Funny, I just got the Star Wars set today. Another set I have my eye on is Bond 50. Unfortunately, the pricing for that is a bit wacky at the moment.


Buchanicus
Lorien


Aug 7 2013, 5:03am


Views: 14901
To be fair...

That Star Wars set may have more total special features, but a lot is archival previously released stuff.... but you get my point Wink

And I really want that Bond 50 set too, but the price makes it hard for me to pull the trigger. I keep hoping it'll be one of Amazon's insane deals of the day. I got the Alien Anthology Blu Ray box set last summer for under $20 last summer as one of the DotD.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.

(This post was edited by Buchanicus on Aug 7 2013, 5:03am)


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 7 2013, 6:40am


Views: 14882
Bond

The US version of Bond 50 blu-ray is now down to $109.99 -- better grab it quick before it shoots back up again!

http://www.amazon.com/...u-ray/dp/B006U1J5ZY/


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 8 2013, 11:47pm


Views: 14801
Bond 50 Region info?

I'd love to snatch the Bond 50 set for $109.99 (from Amazon US), but I'm worried that the discs won't work on my New Zealand (region 2) blu-ray player.

Has anyone confirmed whether or not the Amazon US Bond 50 blu-rays are region A only, or region free? (I know the UK ones are supposed to be Region Free except for Quantum of Solace).


tripecac
Rivendell

Aug 10 2013, 2:36am


Views: 14863
Bond 50 Amazon UK update

Today Amazon UK finally made Bond 50 available again. The price is £90.00.

Whenever I order from Amazon UK (from New Zealand) it deducts tax, so the total ended up being £75.00 plus £3.58 shipping, for a total of £78.58 which is currently $126.85 (USD). Not bad!