Re: The Desolation of Smaug pre-release thread [2] [SPOILERS]

[Norc]

oooh, neverwhere ^^ the radioplay was goooood

[bungobaggins]

Someone suggested I read the Game of Thrones books today.

The first three are god-tier.  The fourth is disappointing and overwritten.  I haven't read the fifth yet but I hear it's better than the fourth, but still overwritten and slow.  The first three though, for as long as they are (and the third one is over 1300 pages; for reference, all of LOTR fits into a mere thousand), have excellent pacing with something always happening or about to happen.

They're depressing as hell, though.

I think I'm looking for something a little more uplifting. Are the R.A. Salvatore books that Sin suggested not as "heavy" (in terms of death and what not) as Game of Thrones? I've been stuck half way through Stephen King's Dark Tower series for about two years now (I'm half way through the fourth book, and I just can't get past the fact that the entire book is a flashback (I don't like flashbacks.)). So I'm wondering if I should try something fresh or try to finish The Dark Tower series.

Lance, for all the TOS and TNG I've watched I've never seen a full episode of DS9. I'll have to give it a shot.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

[Eldorion]

It's been a long time since I've read RA Salvatore's books, but as best as I can remember, they're not as depressing as George RR Martin's. There's plenty of violence and death in them, but it's presented in such a way that it felt less ... serious, if that's the right word. Maybe it's just that I wasn't as emotionally invested in all of the characters, but I think it's more that many elements of the Dark Elf society are so over the top evil that it's not as bothersome. Whereas A Song of Ice and Fire is deliberately modeled on Wars of the Roses and the atrocities and horrible characters there feel much more believable, human, and therefore disturbing.

[halfwise]

Why not read Dune? The first one is absolutely awe inspiring; the others decline in quality but are still good. Under no circumstances should you pick up the continuation books written by his son, Brian Herbert. The apple falls so far from the tree you may as well call it a rutabaga.

[Eldorion]

The DOS hype train rolls on with a new live event coming up on November 4.

Peter Jackson's Facebook

Hi everyone! Less than two months 'til we open “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” on December 13, and we're in the midst of an intense post-production.

However, we have got a pretty cool fan event planned for Monday, November 4, and I would like to invite you to join me and many members of the cast in a special live presentation. We’ll be appearing before live audiences in cities around the world, including London, New York, Los Angeles and, of course, here in Wellington – which, for Kiwi fans, is going to be Tuesday, November 5.

This is how it's going to work: the 4 host cinemas will all have members of the "Desolation of Smaug" cast on stage, and we'll all be satellite-linked to allow everyone to participate in a simultaneous Q&A ... as well as present a few special surprises. Additional cinemas will be set up in select locations worldwide where fans can gather and watch the events unfold live.

If you can’t be there in person the event will also be streamed live on the internet.

But for those that do show up in the cinemas... let's just say that I'm going to have a special "thank you" from me for making that extra effort.

Be sure to check the official Facebook and Twitter pages for details on locations, timing, and how to sign up for a chance to join us.

We're working around the clock at the moment, so I'm not going to get a lot of sleep between then and now, but I am looking forward to this. Hope to see you there!

[malickfan]

Hmm. I'll give it a miss.

I hate London at the best of Times, watching this would likely p*ss me off even more.

Still...Jackson sure does make the effort for his fans, compared to other directors he really is quite a nice bloke.

In anycase...it's cheaper and easier to get the info from TORn.

[Norc]

Hm.... What is this specail thing? Also.. Looks like im gonna stream it lol.

[malickfan]

Maybe the special thing is a Teaser from TABA? A signed copy of the script? Something else rather rude and sarcastic I'm sure Petty will type when he reads this thread?

[bungobaggins]

More info. http://www.thehobbit.com/fanevent/

With Peter Jackson, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis, James Nesbitt, Lee Pace and Luke Evans - Hosted by Anderson Cooper

Hosted by Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper

Strange. I always thought highly of Anderson's reporting.

I'm sure the event will be used to advertise the extended edition as well, because I think the US release is the following day.

[bungobaggins]

And in case y'all forgot who the movie is really about.

[Sinister71]

The DOS hype train rolls on with a new live event coming up on November 4.

Peter Jackson's Facebook

Hi everyone! Less than two months 'til we open “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” on December 13, and we're in the midst of an intense post-production.

However, we have got a pretty cool fan event planned for Monday, November 4, and I would like to invite you to join me and many members of the cast in a special live presentation. We’ll be appearing before live audiences in cities around the world, including London, New York, Los Angeles and, of course, here in Wellington – which, for Kiwi fans, is going to be Tuesday, November 5.

This is how it's going to work: the 4 host cinemas will all have members of the "Desolation of Smaug" cast on stage, and we'll all be satellite-linked to allow everyone to participate in a simultaneous Q&A ... as well as present a few special surprises. Additional cinemas will be set up in select locations worldwide where fans can gather and watch the events unfold live.

If you can’t be there in person the event will also be streamed live on the internet.

But for those that do show up in the cinemas... let's just say that I'm going to have a special "thank you" from me for making that extra effort.

Be sure to check the official Facebook and Twitter pages for details on locations, timing, and how to sign up for a chance to join us.

We're working around the clock at the moment, so I'm not going to get a lot of sleep between then and now, but I am looking forward to this. Hope to see you there!

Sounds like he has another couple gallons of Kool-aid for all his rabid fans

[bungobaggins]

This is going to be me in the theater watching DOS.

[RA]

When I think of all the apologists and fanboys and these movies (over on torn and elsewhere), it makes me want to distance myself from liking Tolkien based stuff. I feel like I need to find something else. I don't know why. I just don't want to be associated with it.

But there's not much left that I'm interested in. Breaking Bad is over, all the new Star Trek stuff sucks, I don't want new Star Wars movies. Everything I liked is either over or it sucks now.

There's always the Elder Scrolls franchise...

[malickfan]

I'm starting to think of DOS as The F*ckit: (it being the book) Desolation of Canon...

Lee Pace's Thranduil is looking ever more brilliant by the day.

[bungobaggins]

I like to call it "The Desperation of Smug." Because Jackson and Boyens always seems so smug.

[Pettytyrant101]

I like to call it "What the fuck? Do you really want me to come over there and slap you into the middle of next week with this buckie bottle, cause I fucking will you know"

[malickfan]

If only we worked on the marketing team...

Maybe they should release a 'Where's Wally?' book for Bilbo.

[Pettytyrant101]

 

[Sinister71]

If only we worked on the marketing team...

Maybe they should release a 'Where's Wally?' book for Bilbo.

Sadly Where's Waldo isn't that far off the mark for the marketing of DOS so far. Honestly a 3rd grader could come up with a better marketing strategy than WB has done so far. I mean really DOS digital download was supposed to be released on the 22nd and there have been a ton of problems at least on that date with people downloading it. Really they can't get their shit together to honor dates they promised?  

   RANTING BELOW!!!!   

For gods sake AUJ made over a billion dollars and they can't make things happen with that kind of money? Honestly I don't think AUJ would have hit the Billion dollar mark if it weren't for inflation and higher prices due to 48fps, 3D, and Imax showings. When LOTR was released it wasn't 3D, and was, from my area at least, only limited in IMAX. Which meant regular ticket prices, 2001 average ticket prices were between 5 and 6 dollars. 2013 average ticket prices are between 8 and 10 dollars. Not taking into account 3D or 48fps showings which are generally 3 to 5 dollars more per ticket.  So if the ticket prices were the same as the time of LOTR, the box office take would have been much lower. I mean there is a 3 to 5 dollar difference in ticket prices from 2001 to 2013. Which is not including HFR, 3D, or IMAX showings which Jackson conned enough people into "giving it a shot" making them think it is a better experience. (which for me it wasn't) There are reports of ticket prices as high as 21 dollars a ticket for 3D HFR or IMAX viewings. $21 DOLLARS A TICKET!!!! How does that not effect to income made by this film? If this film were just in normal release it would have made no where near 1 Billion. But with morons willing to pay 21 dollars a ticket So with ticket prices between 15 and 21 dollars a piece for 3D or HFR. Which for The Hobbit AUJ 49% of all tickets sold were 3D or HFR, it's no wonder AUJ made this kind of money.

END OF RANT!

[malickfan]

Good...if slighty scary point Sin.

I'm not sure of the exchange rate at the moment but where I live in the UK tickets can be anywhere from £6-£15 depending on 2/3d or IMAX, I didn't see the LOTR at the cinema but I do distinctly remember tickets being much cheaper, now all the hoopla has died down over the 48 frames rubbish I wonder hwo much impact this will have on ticket sales for DOS.

I've got to admit there is some attraction in being able to reach out and pretend to punch Orlando Bloom in the face in the cinema...

[malickfan]

And just out of interest why 'Where's Waldo'? is that an American name or is 'Wally' also in use?.

[Lancebloke]

Is Waldo not the original name? Is that not why the baddie is called Odlaw (Waldo backwards).

[Sinister71]

And just out of interest why 'Where's Waldo'? is that an American name or is 'Wally' also in use?.

In the USA its called Where's Waldo.. It's exactly the same thing though.  

[Eldorion]

You're absolutely right about ticket price increasing, largely due to inflation but also 3D, which was not widespread until after Avatar in 2009.  The massive recent expansion of the global movie market outside of North America is also a factor.  I disagree that people who shell out for current movie ticket prices are morons (I do that whenever I want to see a movie in its opening weekend), but it's well-known that the bar to get to a billion worldwide has been considerably lowered.  Of the 15 movies that crossed a billion or more in the original run in theatres, 11 of them have done so in the last four years.  And none did so before 1997 (Titanic).

This is all unadjusted for inflation, of course.

[bungobaggins]

Technically AUJ underperformed at the US box office. Adjusting for inflation it's $303,003,568 would yield $233,593,349 in 2001. FOTR had a US gross of $315,544,750 in 2001 which would yield $409,306,109 in 2012.