Hobbit Trailer looks crap

[Tidesson]

Well, this is what happens when you opt to put a long book story into major feature films. In my opinion, it may have been better if PJ opted to make The Hobbit - even LOTR - into a miniseries. Or perhaps in George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" format on HBO.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Tidesson

In my opinion, it may have been better if PJ opted to make The Hobbit - even LOTR - into a miniseries. Or perhaps in George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" format on HBO.

I couldn't agree more.

Just thinking about it: the LotR in six seasons (one season per book) where one season would be ten times one hour episodes!

And well, a decent director would have been needed as well...

Or to go into a full phantasy mode then: let's see the stories of Silmarillion as series - with six seasons one would get... oh, only in my dreams...

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Tidesson

Well, this is what happens when you opt to put a long book story into major feature films. In my opinion, it may have been better if PJ opted to make The Hobbit - even LOTR - into a miniseries. Or perhaps in George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" format on HBO.

Forgive me as I might be getting old and my memory may be faulty, but wasn't The Hobbit a short little book that could have nicely been done in one movie? No need for a miniseries of it.

Originally Posted by Noggie

They probably even know it - but consider those people a marginal matter compared to their views of the more desired audiences.
. . . .
If you just check what kind of films are the blockbusters and bring in the most revenue... Now there sure are exceptions to that, but they are insecure aka. they can't be predicted. So when you are basically just making money (instead of art) you take the more safer road and rely on action and advertising.

See, the real problem is that those "desired audiences" just have way too much disposable income compared to the rest of us.

[Mithalwen]

There are other demographics with cash. The grey pound can be very strong and there have been some very successful films in the past couple of years that have benefitted. Even with the stellar cast I doubt Marigold Hotel cost many Hobbit minutes. Of course though they dont attract the peripheral merchandising tat.

The Hobbit is not a long book and i oo not know to laugh or cry when film apogists iwho defended the omissions of tne Rings (with some justification~ it is the additions I minded more) claim that the Hobbit needed expanded. Yes it isa episodic but it was designed to be. have always thought it would work best as the sort of Sunday teatime classic serial that the BBC used to do when I was a child. Now they seem to think children dont have the attention span to follow a story over several weeks. However it is still how I would wish it done..couple of chapters per shortish episode each ending on a mini cliffhanger.

[Mithalwen]

The thing about CGI for me is that it has little magic because I have seen the making of type programs. Might appreciate the cleverness but not astounded. Now when I saw the LOTR musical and Bilbo disappeared without any blaze of light or plume of smoke..well l might as well have been a bemused Breeland peasant. I hearn an interview with the effects designer and he didn't squeak.

[Pervinca Took]

I put the LOTR musical on a par with the BBC dramatisation (possibly even higher). For slightly different reasons, perhaps, but both magical and breathtaking pieces of art.

[Mithalwen]

They are hard to compare not least because the musical was one magical and memorable night whereas I have known the Radio series for thirty years (eeeeek) and have heard it many times since, and had the privilege of getting to ask Brian Sibley about it...I think both are great adaptations within the possibilities and limitations of the media.

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

There has to be some recompense for seeing it.

And this is why we'll have Premiere Moot. Welcome one and all!

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Well, he did make a video with him, John Howe, and Alan Lee for the Tolkien Society's Return of the Ring con last summer, meant to welcome us to the event.

Meant to extend a hand to us and remind us that he'd also like to serve nitpickers of the canon.

Originally Posted by Alcidas

I suppose you can say that it is 'somehow sweet'. Like having seven spoons of sugar in your tea.

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Why ARE Tauriel's ears so big? Much larger than the male elves... really distracting.

PJ said in response to Stephen Colbert that he does plan to differentiate between the Sindar and the Nandor, and a fan theory I've seen is that Tauriel's ears mark her as a Nando. I must say I prefer the Sinda ears. Which might be the only thing ever where I'm on the Sindar's side.

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

I imagine several blocks of 6-8 episodes, each telling a single story with largely its own set of characters (Flight of the Noldor, Beren & Luthien, Turin, etc.), with a few standalone episodes for things like the story of Eol and Aredhel.

Well, if you insert one or two of Fëanor's sons in most episodes, they should be able to tell it's still the same story.

[Aiwendil]

Originally Posted by Tidesson

Well, this is what happens when you opt to put a long book story into major feature films. In my opinion, it may have been better if PJ opted to make The Hobbit - even LOTR - into a miniseries. Or perhaps in George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" format on HBO.

I'm with Bethberry here. The last thing we need is to give Jackson more time to fill with pointless action and new characters. The Hobbit is a short book; I'd say that the optimal length for a cinematic adaptation of it would be something like three hours. The Lord of the Rings could work better as a miniseries, though not a long one.

For The Silmarillion, on the other hand, a miniseries probably would be the optimal form of adaptation. It would be a fairly unconventional one, though - I imagine several blocks of 6-8 episodes, each telling a single story with largely its own set of characters (Flight of the Noldor, Beren & Luthien, Turin, etc.), with a few standalone episodes for things like the story of Eol and Aredhel. Perhaps a few of those standalone episodes could even be in the style of a historical documentary (e.g. The Great March, The Coming of Men into the West).