Cracked article on LotR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 12-13-2009, 03:40 PM

It wasn't that bad, nor was it really that funny.

Although, I must say the writer has a point about letting Gríma go. That was merciful, for sure, but somewhat stupid - in the movie at least, because there he gives the crucial information to Saruman whereas in the books his words don't have an effect like that.

Maybe this proves all we who want to criticise the movies can do so.

There are a lot of stupid things there anyway, for example Aragorn's horse is of the wrong colour.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 12-13-2009, 04:39 PM

The No.1, about Sauron and his finger, is a point I made on here years ago, in the debate about how Sauron died on Dagorlad.

The Witch-King one is explainable, of course. The Gandalf one is pretty funny, in the context of the films - one would be hard-pressed to argue that Gandalf was useless in the book, mind!

Grima and Legolas examples are interesting enough to discuss in the movies-section.

Bêthberry · 12-13-2009, 05:15 PM

But the point about letting Grima go: if the writer thinks this was a serious mistake, (and wasn't just being hilariously silly) then said writer didn't get the point about Gandalf's talk with Frodo about showing mercy to Gollem.

Gandalf sensed that Gollem might still have a role to play and should not be killed. Grima, strangely enough, works into the same sense of predestination or kharma or, to use the Old English word, Wyrd. Grima does what no hero in the trilogy would consider doing: he rids Middle-earth of Saruman. He does so out of hatred, revenge, retaliation--all the wrong motives. So in fact Aragorn is not wrong to let Grima go. There are things at work in Middle-earth that no man can account for.

(Of course, said writer might be very well aware of the book and understands just how terribly PJ misappropriated them for his action flick.)

Thanks for the link, Eomer. I did laugh.

The Might · 12-15-2009, 06:59 PM

Well, nothing new really.
Some are just movie-related, which makes them uninteresting.
And those that do apply to the books have already been discussed a thousand times... probably funny for non-LotR fans, but for me personally it's... meh.

Though, I must admit, I have read some really funny lists on Cracked.

12-13-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	It wasn't that bad, nor was it really that funny. Although, I must say the writer has a point about letting Gríma go. That was merciful, for sure, but somewhat stupid - in the movie at least, because there he gives the crucial information to Saruman whereas in the books his words don't have an effect like that. Maybe this proves all we who want to criticise the movies can do so. There are a lot of stupid things there anyway, for example Aragorn's horse is of the wrong colour. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

12-13-2009, 04:39 PM	#2
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	The No.1, about Sauron and his finger, is a point I made on here years ago, in the debate about how Sauron died on Dagorlad. The Witch-King one is explainable, of course. The Gandalf one is pretty funny, in the context of the films - one would be hard-pressed to argue that Gandalf was useless in the book, mind! Grima and Legolas examples are interesting enough to discuss in the movies-section. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

12-13-2009, 05:15 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	But the point about letting Grima go: if the writer thinks this was a serious mistake, (and wasn't just being hilariously silly) then said writer didn't get the point about Gandalf's talk with Frodo about showing mercy to Gollem. Gandalf sensed that Gollem might still have a role to play and should not be killed. Grima, strangely enough, works into the same sense of predestination or kharma or, to use the Old English word, Wyrd. Grima does what no hero in the trilogy would consider doing: he rids Middle-earth of Saruman. He does so out of hatred, revenge, retaliation--all the wrong motives. So in fact Aragorn is not wrong to let Grima go. There are things at work in Middle-earth that no man can account for. (Of course, said writer might be very well aware of the book and understands just how terribly PJ misappropriated them for his action flick.) Thanks for the link, Eomer. I did laugh. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-15-2009, 06:59 PM	#4
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Well, nothing new really. Some are just movie-related, which makes them uninteresting. And those that do apply to the books have already been discussed a thousand times... probably funny for non-LotR fans, but for me personally it's... meh. Though, I must admit, I have read some really funny lists on Cracked. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown