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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
May 22 2015, 1:45am
Post #1 of 37
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Is it okay to like the movies?
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Okay, this is a rant, and I know I could be doing better things (like running on my treadmill) than writing this, but I can't help it. I LIKE the movies better than the book, okay? There, I said it, so sue me! Yeah, someone on another post just got all condescending with me over the fact that I didn't much care for the book. Well, some people just don't care much for the movies, and that's fine, really. I don't think you're a terrible person for feeling that way, we all have our tastes and preferences and they aren't always going to agree. I know that a few people really didn't like Richard Armitage as Thorin - and of course, if you've read ANYTHING I've posted you know how I feel about THAT! I admit I'm a huge fangirl where RA/Thorin is concerned, and no I don't see how anyone can think another actor (for instance, Ian McShane) could have done better. BUT that doesn't mean I think someone is stupid or blind for feeling that way. I'm sorry, I sometimes can be like a bulldog that gets ahold of a bone and won't let go. If I have EVER said something to anyone along those lines, let me apologize now. IF you didn't like Richard as Thorin, so be it. As an American, I had never heard of either Richard or Martin Freeman before "The Hobbit." I really think that Peter Jackson did a terrific job casting those two - and the fact that I think their performances were so amazing is probably the main reason I love these movies so well. And then there's Ian McKellan. I wouldn't have seen the movie at all if they'd re-cast Gandalf, no way. And I think all of the actors did a fantastic job, whether I liked the characters or not. If there is one thing I haven't read hardly anyone on TORn say, it's that any of the actors were awful. Complain if you must about the script or storyline, but you really can't fault the acting. I also believe that the same care and perfection went into the costumes and set design that LoTR had. I won't argue with anyone about OTT action and CGI; yes there was quite a bit in both movies and it's not everyone's cup of tea. Again, you are entitled to your opinion, but please, think about the way you may be saying something. Surely we are all reasonable people and therefore can disagree without calling the other poster an idiot. Okay, I said my peace, and nobody needs to comment. I probably need to get on my treadmill and let go of this bone of contention that I'm yammering about.
Proud member of the BOFA Denial Association
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Bracegirdle
Valinor
May 22 2015, 2:18am
Post #2 of 37
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Misinformed here, or not up to date… for when you get off your treadmill. . .
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No judgment but, You don’t say how long ago you read the books and how many times etc. before you saw the movies.
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Pandallo
Rivendell
May 22 2015, 2:35am
Post #3 of 37
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Read the book three times, once when young, when I was older, and before the movies came out...
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I find it to be too thin, there's not enough meat on it to really engross me. It's still a fantastic piece of work, but even Tolkien described it as a "rabble" when he was thinking of a way to incorporate it into his larger mythology. For that I like the movies much more. Thorin is a well-rounded character moreso than in the book. Bilbo is a lot less fussy and his motives are clearer. Bard is a character rather than deus ex machina, Thranduil has a darker edge to him which is more welcome than the rather plain version of him from the novel. What the book has going for it is a little bit more lore, but the movies have the heart and character that I find the short book has in limited supply.
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
May 22 2015, 3:13am
Post #4 of 37
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It was a matter of respect. To answer your question, I am sure I read the LOTR books in 7th grade (more than a few years ago), and probably when I was in the Air Force back in the 1980's. Whether that included The Hobbit I couldn't tell you, although the collection I bought back then had the 4 books in it. I definitely read The Hobbit after the first Hobbit movie came out, that was the last time. I have definitely NOT read the Simarilion - sorry, but I was told it was awful - or any other books, though I'd like to read the Lost Tales someday. But again, my point is just that if someone doesn't agree with me, it doesn't mean I have the attention span of a cat, or that I loved the "Transformers" movies or beheadings in general. It doesn't even mean I hated the book (the ending, yes, but not the book itself), it just means I like the movies better. My opinion is not meant to disrespect anyone on TORn that feels the opposite; in fact I can understand many of the criticisms of the movie. If I have EVER said anything hostile or disrespectful to you or anyone else, I apologize profusely. That was the ultimate point.
Proud member of the BOFA Denial Association
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Bracegirdle
Valinor
May 22 2015, 4:01am
Post #5 of 37
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In short ,my question was simply curiosity not judgmental or meant as criticism.
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I read H., LOTR, Sil. back in 1969. I read H. and LOTR at least 50 times BEFORE the first PJ movie came out. So, of course I examined every jot and tittle, and was enthralled with the absolute beauty of the tale and the exquisite writing, and have been involved since that time with all phases of this wondrous work. After that many readings (pre-movies) perhaps you can understand why some of us ‘book-firsters’ were a bit disappointed with the inaccuracies of the films. I find nothing disrespectful in your enjoyment of the movies and I’m sure there are many many folks who take to the movies rather than the books. Hopefully the movies will direct some to read the books and find the real beauty of the written word. Cheers and happy watching! BG
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DanielLB
Immortal
May 22 2015, 6:28am
Post #6 of 37
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Okay, I said my peace, and nobody needs to comment. Isn't that what a forum is for? Let's not just limit this to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. There are movies (i.e. Iron Man and any other superhero movie) and book-to-movie adaptations (i.e. 2001: A Space Odyssey) which are traditionally admired by many that I dislike, while there are some movies (i.e. The Star Wars prequels) and book-to-movie adaptations (i.e. The Time Machine) which are traditionally disliked by many that I love. If everyone agreed about everything, there would be no discussion. Everyone shares valid opinions on The Hobbit movies. P.S. I can't help but think these two comments are contradictory:
Complain if you must about the script or storyline, but you really can't fault the acting. ... Again, you are entitled to your opinion, but please, think about the way you may be saying something. I really can complain about some of the acting. Anybody can say anything about anything they want. Opinions are opinions.
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CathrineB
Rohan
May 22 2015, 8:44am
Post #7 of 37
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Of course it's alright to like the movies more, but I know indeed there are people in the fandom that feel entitled because they prefer the books and has read it all. I have for most part been able to enjoy the books for what they are and the movies for that and not been able to decide which one I prefer more. I have simply loved both versions, you know? The Hobbit I always enjoyed because it's a cute story and funny written, BUT it lacks depth so for me the movies has made the book better in regard of the characters. The dwarves in particular were just identical dwarves with colorful hoods and long beards. After the movie I can actually (and gladly do so) imagine James Nesbitt as loveable Bofur with his hat rather than a faceless character. Why can't we be allowed this opinion? I'm not less respectful of Tolkien's work. I'm not telling anyone else to feel the same afterall.
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Bombadil
Half-elven
May 22 2015, 10:57am
Post #8 of 37
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Looking back, the Year, 1967 was ALL about the LOTR. Had my Mother make me a Hooded Hobbit Habit for me & 2 two close friends... We painted a Pick-up Truck with Smaug & other images from the Books on it, therefore we became our town's "HobbitHippies"..? Once out of High School in 1968 & in College found many more OBSESSIVE Compulsive TolkienFREAKS. Influenced Bomby to get a College degree in Film-making. {With the secret desire to make Tolkien Movies} BUT real life won... SSOoo.. when a funny little Boy from a obscure Bay in a Far Green Country over the Western...Horizon? TOOK upon himself this... Insurmountable TASK..! Bomby was personally Afraid he might MUCK it up.. NOT.. Thank goodness.. Like Tolkien PJ, is One?... for the AGES...
www.charlie-art.biz "What Your Mind can conceive... charlie can achieve"
(This post was edited by Bombadil on May 22 2015, 10:59am)
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adt100
Rohan
May 22 2015, 11:04am
Post #9 of 37
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Wait a minute..... you LIKED that star wars prequels!?!?!
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dormouse
Half-elven
May 22 2015, 1:19pm
Post #10 of 37
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I certainly do (I don't suppose anyone round here has noticed this yet, but... ) Alright to like, alright to dislike, alright to share all shades of opinion. And yes, sometimes other posters can seem a bit condescending but I try (try) to look at it this way. Nine times out of ten they don't mean it. Wouldn't be sensible - or fair - to take offence where none was intended, would it? And on the rare occasion that they do mean it, why give 'em the satisfaction... Just stick to your guns, like what you like and enjoy liking it, and let the rest wash over your head. Or find a nice teapot to take refuge in (though there's not a lot of room for doing cartwheels...) When it comes to the books, The Hobbit is a very old friend. But I like Lord of the Rings better. In some moods I like the Silmarillion even better than that. When it comes to the films I love all six. And though I'm going to duck straight back into my teapot after saying this AND pull down the lid (and probably block the spout as well) I've never even seen the Star Wars prequels - or any Star Wars film except the original... There - I said it! Bye!
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Elarie
Grey Havens
May 22 2015, 1:22pm
Post #11 of 37
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I've certainly watched the movies a lot more than I've read the book, so does that mean I like them better? I think I do, but I place them in separate categories and really don't compare them in terms of "better" or "worse". Thanks to Tolkien's sense of humor and the wry comments of the Narrator, the Hobbit book is funny, charming and delightful as well as a great adventure, but the movies sweep me away to the same Middle Earth as LOTR in a very grand way and really bring the characters to life for me. They are so different in media and tone and scale that they are bound to affect people differently, so I just don't see the point in name calling or rudeness just because different people like different things.
__________________ Gold is the strife of kinsmen, and fire of the flood-tide, and the path of the serpent. (Old Icelandic Fe rune poem)
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Bracegirdle
Valinor
May 22 2015, 1:53pm
Post #12 of 37
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Ooo, Ooo! Never knew the dormouse to block her spout
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I too have seen only the original Star Wars. No excuse! Can’t really say why. The original was most enjoyable. Could I blame it on JRRT? Na! I don’t have a teapot to “duck back into” but I’ll say it anyway. . . and attempt to temporarily block up my Hobbit Smial entrance - I haven’t seen the last two parts of The Hobbit! YET… Must be a flaw in my upbringing? There – I said it! Bye!
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Thrain II
Lorien
May 22 2015, 2:22pm
Post #13 of 37
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That is preposterous! I will call the lawyers at once!
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Glorfindela
Valinor
May 22 2015, 2:29pm
Post #14 of 37
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It's OK to like (or dislike) both or either
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It's all right to like both the books and the films. For instance, in the case of FotR I like both, but I've simply never been able to compare them because for me they are two completely different animals (with a thin thread of a story that is reflected from books to films). For me the characters, for instance, are completely different from book to film – apart from, perhaps, Gandalf, the Black Riders in FotR, and old Bilbo.
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
May 22 2015, 3:32pm
Post #15 of 37
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Minor point of correction, Daniel
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This doesn't really address the topic at hand, but I'm not sure to what extent Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey can be considered to be a book-to-movie adaptation. The starting point was one or two short stories written by Arthur C. Clarke, but the novel and film were both produced more-or-less at the same time.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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RosieLass
Valinor
May 22 2015, 3:35pm
Post #16 of 37
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I just think they're terrible adaptations of the book.
"Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it." --Joyce Meyer A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP --Leonard Nimoy
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Bombadil
Half-elven
May 22 2015, 5:04pm
Post #17 of 37
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Doesn't the word "Adaptation" mean Different..?
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A word-for-word Film of the Book would NOT have Pleased bomby... ...Cowardly Dwarves? who don't go inside the Mountain until Forced to.. by Smaug ...But then he flies off to Laketown to be killed with NO interaction between them at all....WHAT? That wholesale ADDITION to the Book was necessary, @LEAST from a ... Protagonist to antagonist Power play..A... Point-of-View that Put us right inside? their conflict. Nose-To-Nose Literally, when Thorin is standing there on the tip of Smaug's Snout . { Bomby was giggling inside @ that SHOT!...,thinking THAT izz SSOoo..PJ!} bomby is a fan of the Forges for Metaphorical reasons, as well as the Intense action sequence. Especially, since it is still Bilbo as a key element to progress the Plot {"Barrel Rider?"} The fact that Bilbo is caught in the Middle of Both sides parallels his position between the Elves/Men against Dwarves, in the next Movie...just like in the Book. ONCE again, "Every Great Story DESERVES some Embellishment!" OR, do we NOT listen to what Gandalf said? Bomby feels PJ {The One who owns the Rights to an Adaptation} put that dialogue in, early in his... Adaptation, ON PURPOSE just to Answer critics in ADVANCE...in a sorta critical Discussion like this years later. "...Sneaky little director, Precious..".
www.charlie-art.biz "What Your Mind can conceive... charlie can achieve"
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shadowdog
Rohan
May 22 2015, 5:32pm
Post #18 of 37
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Book was actually written from the movie script and thus after the movie.
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
May 22 2015, 5:53pm
Post #19 of 37
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From what I've read, Kubrick and Clarke collaborated on the project using Clarke's stories "The Sentinel" and "Encounter in the Dawn" as inspirations. The novel was developed first and then the screenplay, with some significant differences between the two.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
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Bishop
Gondor
May 22 2015, 6:25pm
Post #20 of 37
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And Kubrick and Clarke wrote the screenplay together for 2001. The book was published shortly after the release of the film.
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RosieLass
Valinor
May 22 2015, 7:16pm
Post #22 of 37
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Not "unrecognizably different." //
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"Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it." --Joyce Meyer A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP --Leonard Nimoy
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Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea
May 22 2015, 8:50pm
Post #23 of 37
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//
"The danger with any movie that does as well as this one does is that the amount of money it's making and the number of awards that it's got becomes almost more important than the movie itself in people's minds. I look at that as, in a sense, being very much like the Ring, and its effect on people. You know, you can kind of forget what we were doing, if you get too wrapped up in that." - Viggo Mortensen
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lonelymountainhermit
Lorien
May 22 2015, 8:57pm
Post #24 of 37
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It's alright to like the movies as their own thing ...as long as you don't include "an accurate portrayal of Tolkien's vision" as one of your reasons.
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
May 22 2015, 9:39pm
Post #25 of 37
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so no reply was necessary, but yes this is a forum where things can be discussed. Last night, however, I read a snotty, condescending reply to one of my posts and it really set me off. Although I might write contradictory things, I think I am at least reasonably polite to people when I do so. Just curious - do you REALLY have a problem with the acting, or were you playing Devil's Advocate?
Proud member of the BOFA Denial Association
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