I already posted this in the Ongoing Discussion, but TheDigitalBits.com has their review of the new LOTR Blu-rays online. If you're still on the fence about buy the Theatrical Editions, maybe this will tip you over one way or the other.

It has been decided that our fine readership should proceed with an en masse review/discussion of The Hobbit. This series of Hobbit Talk threads will now refresh bi-weekly as a new chapter of the book is introduced.

For the sake of clarity, let's please use this thread solely for Hobbit Talk, and the Ongoing Discussion for our general chitchat.


And now, on with Chapter Eleven, On the Doorstep!

Quick note: The Return of the King: The Complete Recordings is once again out of stock at Amazon.com. It is not, however, out of print. I don't know the exact production timeline, but you can expect to see it returning to Amazon's stockroom in the near future.

Good news for us, bad news for the fellow currently trying to sell a set for $670.53 on Amazon. Of course, if he succeeds, I will be releasing the book at the SRP of $674.99, and will soon be retiring to a French villa. But I'm not counting on it.

Preliminary book layout is now done. Currently reviewing notes and part way through our second go-round. Amazing process. I'm surrounded by the best team on earth!

Possibly coming up for air next week. Will post some updates if brain cells allow ...

It has been decided that our fine readership should proceed with an en masse review/discussion of The Hobbit. This series of Hobbit Talk threads will now refresh bi-weekly as a new chapter of the book is introduced.

For the sake of clarity, let's please use this thread solely for Hobbit Talk, and the Ongoing Discussion for our general chitchat.


And now, on with Chapter Ten, A Warm Welcome!

It has been decided that our fine readership should proceed with an en masse review/discussion of The Hobbit. This series of Hobbit Talk threads will now refresh bi-weekly as a new chapter of the book is introduced.

For the sake of clarity, let's please use this thread solely for Hobbit Talk, and the Ongoing Discussion for our general chitchat.


And now, on with Chapter Nine, Barrels Out of Bond!

My computer is giving me a complex!...

Radio station KDFC in San Franciso has just released its voters' Top Oscar-Nominated Scores. And the winners are...

1. The Lord of the Rings - Howard Shore
2. Out of Africa - John Barry
3. Star Wars - John Williams
4. The Mission - Ennio Morricone
5. Lawrence of Arabia - Maurice Jarre
6. Dances with Wolves - John Barry
7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - John Williams
8. The Magnificent Seven - Elmer Bernstein
9. Schindler's List - John Wiliams
10. The Godfather - Nino Rota
11. Raiders of the Lost Ark - John Williams
12. Gone With the Wind - Max Steiner
13. The English Patient - Gabriel Yared
14. Doctor Zhivago - Maurice Jarre
15. Pirates of the Caribbean - Hans Zimmer
16. Sense and Sensibility - Patrick Doyle
17. Cinema Paradiso -Enio Morricone
18. Gladiator - Hans Zimmer
19. Shakespeare in Love - Stephen Warbeck
20. Braveheart - James Horner
21. The Big Country - Jerome Moross
22. Atonement - Alexandre Desplat
23. Pan's Labyrinth - Javier Navarette
24. The Last Emperor - Ryuichi Sakamoto
25. Pride and Prejudice - Dario Marianelli
26. The Right Stuff - Bill Conti
27. The Adventures of Robin Hood - Korngold
28. Legends of the Fall - James Horner
29. Saving Private Ryan - John Williams
30. The Natural - Randy Newman
31. Last of the Mohicans - Joel McNeely
32. The Piano - Michael Nyman
33. Jurassic Park - John Williams
34. To Kill a Mockingbird - Elmer Bernstein
35. Once Upon a Time in America - Ennio Morricone
36. Superman - John Williams

Some thrill me, some... well, don't. And hey, Marianelli scored Atonement, not Desplat ... and McNeely conducted a recent re-recording Last of the Mohicans but otherwise had nothing to do with the score!

But it's wonderful to see our precious right at the top! Thanks so much to Laura for the heads-up.

You may or may not already be aware, but the world lost a wonderful photographer this week. Pierre Vinet, whose beautiful LOTR pictures Gary and I have been digging through for the better part of 2010, has passed away.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for sharing your gift, Pierre.

RT @GaryDayEllison : Gandalf's staff from @TheLordoftheRingsTrilogy is sitting on my studio floor!

Previous discussion board here.

Latest book update here.

See the right sidebar for the most recent Hobbit Talk!

In the thick of book layout now. More details when I come up for air!

-Doug

It has been decided that our fine readership should proceed with an en masse review/discussion of The Hobbit. This series of Hobbit Talk threads will now refresh bi-weekly as a new chapter of the book is introduced.

For the sake of clarity, let's please use this thread solely for Hobbit Talk, and the Ongoing Discussion for our general chitchat.


And now, on with Chapter Eight, Flies and Spiders!