The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug support thread. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

elvet · 12-11-2013, 01:06 PM

Oh, for god's sake.
Despite a specific request to just talk about things we liked or are looking forward to, every single person who replied (except for the mod) has made it clear they are a) not interested in seeing the movie or b) quibbling about how a positive Rotten Tomato score is not valid.

Bêthberry · 12-11-2013, 02:34 PM

Sorry to be negative, apparently yet again, but Nerwen is not the mod for this forum. Estelyn Telcontar is. You can check out who the forum leaders are here: Barrow Downs forum leaders.

I'm sorry you find it offensive that I object to reviews of movies that are not yet released. I find them all part of marketing strategy. Now, reviews after the movies are released I think might be worth considering as legitimate reviews.

Michael Murry · 12-11-2013, 03:26 PM

My youngter brother once played for a college football coach who had to pull the starting quarterback after he had five passes intercepted and team morale had plummeted. Meeting the dejected player at the sideline the coach kindly told him: "I always like to find something positive to say about any situation, and I'm positive that I've never seen you have a worse game."

Or that old joke abot the U.S. Marines starving and down with malaria and jungle rot on Guadalcanal: "I felt truly horrible but people told me to cheer up because things could always get worse. So I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse."

So keep that quarterback in the game and joyfully revel in every pass he throws -- to the other team. Which reminds me of all those times in high school when our enthusiastic but clueless cheerleaders would shout: "block that kick" whenever our team lined up to punt.

There is positive, and then there is Pollyanna.

Mithalwen · 12-11-2013, 03:29 PM

The reviews I have read have been published on the websites of national broadsheets so I wouldn't dismis them merely as hype. The Telegraph one slated the film, the positive ones concede padding and major digression but express enjoyment of it as an adventure film. The Telegraph reviewer clearly really knows and loves Tolkien and minds more that Bilbo's story has been nigh on overwhelmed, less able to just go along for the ride.

mark12_30 · 12-11-2013, 08:42 PM

I have read the spoilers.

Nevertheless I have tickets for a 3d double feature. Six hours of PJ' s pricey alternate universe fan fiction with a redhaired Mary Sue.

I plan on having a rollicking good time.

And after that we will discuss how the movie differs from the book (which we have as a family just begun reading together) while my youngest draws anime Fili (very odd, but it's definitely movie Fili, I can tell by the braided moustache).

My oldest asked me the other day where Strider came from on the map.

Neither of them would have tackled the books, were it not for PJ' s movies.

Popcorn?

Morsul the Dark · 12-12-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

I have read the spoilers.

This made me laugh. I think we've all read the spoilers it's the book

MCRmyGirl4eva · 12-12-2013, 11:40 AM

I'm going to see DoS with my boyfriend tomorrow. I dislike Tauriel already, but I'm still stoked for the movie. I also feel guilty for neglecting this site for so long.

Aganzir · 12-12-2013, 12:52 PM

Give Tauriel a chance. After all, she and Legolas are the best characters in the film. (Says someone who generally loves dwarves through and through and utterly disliked Legolas in LOTR.)

Lalwendë · 12-13-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

This made me laugh. I think we've all read the spoilers it's the book

Errrr...nope.

I've read the books more times than I've had celery (not more times than I've had hot dinners, that would be silly), and the film is full of spoilers. Why? It is most definitely not a translation of text to film.

That doesn't mean it's rubbish though...as I shall explain.

elvet · 12-13-2013, 06:42 PM

Well, no surprise. I enjoyed the movie - what a rush! Seeing Smaug took me back to the wonder I felt when I watched Jurassic Park for the first time. The basic Hobbit story was there, but it was condensed down to a string of action packed scenes. The barrel race was especially well done, and I liked how the camera switched from close-ups to long shots to under water. It was very effective, especially in 3D IMAX. The addition of Tauriel and Legolas enriched the film. IMHO, Tolkien's greatest legacy is to have been the inspiration for readers, authors, and artists ( including film makers). I feel lucky to be able to have such a great time at the movie, and not be bothered by the differences between it and the source.

Morsul the Dark · 12-13-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Errrr...nope.

I've read the books more times than I've had celery (not more times than I've had hot dinners, that would be silly), and the film is full of spoilers. Why? It is most definitely not a translation of text to film.

That doesn't mean it's rubbish though...as I shall explain.

True I just had a chuckle over it is all.

Nerwen · 12-11-2013, 08:57 PM

Oh dear. Seems I’ve been accidentally impersonating Esty! How did that happen?

Look, I am myself quite pessimistic about this film, and I agree that it’s best not to get too excited about early reviews, good or bad. I said what I did because to me a lot of the comments here really do come across like “everyone jumps on elvet”.

Besides, I don’t think it’s such a bad idea to have a praise-only thread– might help dissipate the heat this time around.

Boromir88 · 12-11-2013, 10:07 PM

I've got tickets to the midnight showing tomorrow with a friend...I'll just wait and see. (someone glue my eyes shut so I don't go peeking into Agan's Desolation thread. Or maybe if I know in advance what to expect it will reduce the shock and get my head wrapped around more realistic expectations.

elvet · 12-12-2013, 09:16 AM

I got my copy of the Limited Edition soundtrack and gave it a quick listen.
Usually I buy the soundtrack after I've seen the movie a few times, so it was different hearing the score and not having the visuals to go with it. There is a neat ios feature that gives additional content when you scan the insert, but I couldn't get it to work last night.
Songs that stood out for me:
The Woodland Realm
Feast of Starlight
The Forest River
Durin's Folk
The Courage of Hobbits
Kingsfoil
Smaug
I See Fire (this one is by Ed Sheeran)
Beyond the Forest.

12-11-2013, 02:34 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Sorry to be negative, apparently yet again, but Nerwen is not the mod for this forum. Estelyn Telcontar is. You can check out who the forum leaders are here: Barrow Downs forum leaders. I'm sorry you find it offensive that I object to reviews of movies that are not yet released. I find them all part of marketing strategy. Now, reviews after the movies are released I think might be worth considering as legitimate reviews. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-11-2013, 03:26 PM	#3
Michael Murry Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 85	The Positive and the Pollyanna My youngter brother once played for a college football coach who had to pull the starting quarterback after he had five passes intercepted and team morale had plummeted. Meeting the dejected player at the sideline the coach kindly told him: "I always like to find something positive to say about any situation, and I'm positive that I've never seen you have a worse game." Or that old joke abot the U.S. Marines starving and down with malaria and jungle rot on Guadalcanal: "I felt truly horrible but people told me to cheer up because things could always get worse. So I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse." So keep that quarterback in the game and joyfully revel in every pass he throws -- to the other team. Which reminds me of all those times in high school when our enthusiastic but clueless cheerleaders would shout: "block that kick" whenever our team lined up to punt. There is positive, and then there is Pollyanna. __________________ "If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." -- Tweedledee

12-11-2013, 03:29 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	The reviews I have read have been published on the websites of national broadsheets so I wouldn't dismis them merely as hype. The Telegraph one slated the film, the positive ones concede padding and major digression but express enjoyment of it as an adventure film. The Telegraph reviewer clearly really knows and loves Tolkien and minds more that Bilbo's story has been nigh on overwhelmed, less able to just go along for the ride. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

12-11-2013, 08:42 PM	#5
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	I have read the spoilers. Nevertheless I have tickets for a 3d double feature. Six hours of PJ' s pricey alternate universe fan fiction with a redhaired Mary Sue. I plan on having a rollicking good time. And after that we will discuss how the movie differs from the book (which we have as a family just begun reading together) while my youngest draws anime Fili (very odd, but it's definitely movie Fili, I can tell by the braided moustache). My oldest asked me the other day where Strider came from on the map. Neither of them would have tackled the books, were it not for PJ' s movies. Popcorn? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

12-12-2013, 11:40 AM	#7
MCRmyGirl4eva Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: The Elvenking's Halls Posts: 425	I'm going to see DoS with my boyfriend tomorrow. I dislike Tauriel already, but I'm still stoked for the movie. I also feel guilty for neglecting this site for so long. __________________ "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit..." "'Well, I'm back.' said Sam."

12-11-2013, 01:06 PM	#1
elvet Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 16	Oh, for god's sake. Despite a specific request to just talk about things we liked or are looking forward to, every single person who replied (except for the mod) has made it clear they are a) not interested in seeing the movie or b) quibbling about how a positive Rotten Tomato score is not valid.

12-12-2013, 12:52 PM	#8
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	Give Tauriel a chance. After all, she and Legolas are the best characters in the film. (Says someone who generally loves dwarves through and through and utterly disliked Legolas in LOTR.) __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

12-13-2013, 06:42 PM	#10
elvet Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 16	Well, no surprise. I enjoyed the movie - what a rush! Seeing Smaug took me back to the wonder I felt when I watched Jurassic Park for the first time. The basic Hobbit story was there, but it was condensed down to a string of action packed scenes. The barrel race was especially well done, and I liked how the camera switched from close-ups to long shots to under water. It was very effective, especially in 3D IMAX. The addition of Tauriel and Legolas enriched the film. IMHO, Tolkien's greatest legacy is to have been the inspiration for readers, authors, and artists ( including film makers). I feel lucky to be able to have such a great time at the movie, and not be bothered by the differences between it and the source.

12-11-2013, 08:57 PM	#12
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	Oh dear. Seems I’ve been accidentally impersonating Esty! How did that happen? Look, I am myself quite pessimistic about this film, and I agree that it’s best not to get too excited about early reviews, good or bad. I said what I did because to me a lot of the comments here really do come across like “everyone jumps on elvet”. Besides, I don’t think it’s such a bad idea to have a praise-only thread– might help dissipate the heat this time around. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo.

12-11-2013, 10:07 PM	#13
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	I've got tickets to the midnight showing tomorrow with a friend...I'll just wait and see. (someone glue my eyes shut so I don't go peeking into Agan's Desolation thread. Or maybe if I know in advance what to expect it will reduce the shock and get my head wrapped around more realistic expectations. __________________ Fenris Penguin

12-12-2013, 09:16 AM	#14
elvet Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 16	I got my copy of the Limited Edition soundtrack and gave it a quick listen. Usually I buy the soundtrack after I've seen the movie a few times, so it was different hearing the score and not having the visuals to go with it. There is a neat ios feature that gives additional content when you scan the insert, but I couldn't get it to work last night. Songs that stood out for me: The Woodland Realm Feast of Starlight The Forest River Durin's Folk The Courage of Hobbits Kingsfoil Smaug I See Fire (this one is by Ed Sheeran) Beyond the Forest.

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