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28
Jan 12

For Every Good Scene

Let’s make sure to have someone crying in slow motion. Maybe Peter Jackson should have gone to film school. I think I’ve hit upon a new drinking game. Every time you have a close up of someone who looks like they are about to cry, take a drink. Every time it’s hobbit, dwarf, or horse, drink twice. If there’s an important New Zealand landmark in the background, finish your cup.

Minutes Watched: 2.1:27.39

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 31

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28
Jan 12

Because It’s Been A While

The movie is really starting to drag. We’re just past the hour mark, and we’re getting a lot of conversation, some voice overs, a story about the Ent-wives, and, just because, a slow motion close-up of Eowyn crying.

Minutes Watched: 2.1:15.25

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 30

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28
Jan 12

The Less You Say

When you are adapting a novel for the screen, some things should be left out. Not everything translates well from one medium to the other. You want your adaptation to be tightly focused, while staying true to the original. That means a lot of side stories should be left out.

Every scene in a movie should do at least one of two things: further the plot along, or develop the characters.

Having Pippin and Merry drink magical water and grow a few inches, then get slowed by the roots of the tree serves neither function.

Minutes Watched: 2.1:11.17

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

The Little Annoyances

It’s not that I don’t like the idea of an elven cloak that camouflages you from a few feet away. It’s when you first put it on when the people looking for you are only a few feet away that bothers me. Even an invisibility cloak doesn’t work when you’re not wearing it.

Minutes Watched: 2.1:07.09

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

A Tree Monologue, The Most Boring Of All Monologues

Pippin and Merry aren’t the only ones who want to fall asleep right now.

Minutes Watched: 2.1:00.37

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

Gandalf The White

It is probably my favorite moment in the book. Gandalf returns and we can all rejoice. It would be hard for the movie to live up to this emotional highpoint, and would be foolish to expect Peter Jackson to be up to the task. Sometimes, a slow motion close-up of someone crying is not enough.

But this scene reveals how clumsily Jackson handles his characters. It’s no wonder he gets some of them 100% wrong. When Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli need to be brave, heroic, and larger than life, they are. And when they need to be foolish, recalcitrant, or stupid, they are as well, often as a group. There characters are at the service of the plot, and whatever that scene calls for in terms of dramatic weight, that’s what they provide. I’m not saying characters should always be consistent. Character growth and internal conflict are the key ingredients of a good story. But if you are simply using your characters to move the story along, rather than allowing the characters to drive the story, than you fail as a story teller.

Yes, they should be fooled by Gandalf’s return. But they should not be foolish. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are not fools, despite what Gandalf might say of them. At least they shouldn’t be.

Minutes Watched: 2.0:55.38

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

Just When Things Were Looking Up

So far, I’ve been happy with the second movie. I’m thinking that Peter Jackson has it figured out now. There’s no Liv Tyler. We haven’t had that many montages or slow motion close-ups of people crying. Gollum has been a pleasant surprise.

But here comes a black rider, this time riding a dragon of some sort, and I’m reminded of how badly I disliked the first movie. I have to remind myself to keep an open mind.

Minutes Watched: 2.0:50.52

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

There Was A Mighty Duel

Was anyone else reminded of the world’s greatest tracker, Prince Humperdinck, as Aragorn magically pieced together the hobbits’ movements on the battlefield?

Here’s the problem with this sequence. First, we’ve already established that Aragon is a mystical tracker who can listen to the ground and know how fast their prey is traveling. We know that Legolas has superior hearing and eyesight. And we know that Gimli is short.

And yet for all that, the trio is caught unawares by the Riders of Rohan, who surprise them coming over a hill at full gallop. I think they would have heard them coming long before they got close. Then, during the conversation with the Riders, Eomer points out the plumes of smoke from the dead orcs. Somehow, none of the three had noticed until that moment.

It’s stupid things like this that really piss me off.

For the really picky, if you watch closely, you’ll see the scar on Merry’s head switch from one temple to the other.

Minutes Watched: 2.0:39.31

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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28
Jan 12

A Prancing Pony

Poll: When Peter Jackson cut away from Pippin just as he was about to be crushed beneath the horse’s hooves, did any of you think he was going to die?

Because he doesn’t die.

Minutes Watched: 2.0:31.27

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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27
Jan 12

Peter Jackson’s New Zealand

The diversity of the New Zealand landscape has been a draw for filmmakers and travelers from around the world. Many activities and attractions offer the chance to see the film locations for yourself, as well as the many other experiences New Zealand is known for.

New Zealand’s mix of extraordinary geography, sense of adventure, Māori culture, and cosmopolitan cities all offer a hugely diverse range of unique experiences. New Zealand makes it easy for you to actively experience the breathtaking landscape in all its purity.

Be swept off your feet by chains of stunning alps, volcanoes, lakes, fiords, native forest and perfect beaches. From its breathtaking mountains and fascinating geothermal activity, to its award winning vineyards and cuisine, you’ll have plenty of unforgettable activities on your next vacation. The best way to explore the country is by walking from one place to the next in a serious of intercut scenes that actually take the place of film narrative. Riding on horseback is acceptable too. Or perhaps you would enjoy some canoe camping.

Come to New Zealand and be a part of the montage for yourself.

Minutes Watched: 2.0:23.04

Number of Montages: 9

Number of slow motion close-ups of people crying: 29

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