August 2009

The Red Book of Westmarch (Archives)

Features, Hobbit Report
The Hobbit Report: August, 2009
08.26.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | 1 Comment

Director Guillermo del Toro has confirmed, in an interview with BBC Radio 5, that Sir Ian McKellen will reprise the role of Gandalf in the upcoming two-part film version of The Hobbit. Del Toro also revealed that Hugo Weaving will return as Elrond Half-elven, and Andy Serkis will once again provide the voice and movements for the computer-generated character Gollum.
News
Chinese version of LOTRO to launch in September
08.16.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

CDC Games, which operates a number of Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), including EVE Online, in the People’s Republic of China, has completed a successful closed beta test for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar.
Features, Humor
If LOTR Had Been Written By a Game Developer
08.11.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | 3 Comments

“Frodo!” Gandalf cried, as the old man rose up suddenly proud and strong like an elf king of old. “The armies of Mordor stand at the gates of Minas Tirith! Rohan has fallen, and Erebor is is besieged! The hour is late, and the Ring must be destr—is that really a Silmaril?”
Web Links
Sauron’s Blog #49: Melkor 1, Noldor 0
08.11.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

First off, we finally — finally — launched a finished, fully-functioning Flying Fire-Breathing Monster version 1.0. On the official paperwork these things are called Úruloki; I wanted to call them the Great Worms, although they don’t look very much like worms. But when the first one attacked the Elves, they all ran away yelling “dragon! Dragon!” Which I think means “I’m crapping my pants in fear!” in elfy-talk.
Language
Tolkien word of the day: ‘mathom’
08.11.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

A mathom is an item, usually received as a gift, which has no genuine use, but cannot be thrown away because it is too valuable, or because the gift-giver will be offended.
Collectibles, News
Limited edition of ‘Sigurd and Gudrún’ now available
08.11.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

Publisher HarperCollins has made available a special deluxe hardcover edition of The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, each signed by editor Christopher Tolkien, and limited to 500 copies worldwide. Each copy includes a facsimile page of the original manuscript. The book is hand-bound in goat-skin and features raised spine ribs and pages edged in gold.
Features, Tolkien 101
Tolkien 101: How does one pronounce ‘Tolkien?’
08.06.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

Type “pronounce tolkien” into Google, and you’ll find a lively debate on how to pronounce the surname of the beloved author of The Lord of the Rings. There are two main camps. One insists on “tol-kenn.” The other will argue that “Tolkien” is a German name, properly pronounced “Tolk-een.”

They’re both wrong.
Collectibles, News
Weta Workshop unveils new line of LOTR movie collectibles
08.06.09 | Kunochan | Permalink | Speak, friend and comment!

Weta Workshop, the special effects company based in Miramar, New Zealand, has acquired a new license from Warner Bros. Consumer Products to create a new line of fine art collectibles and memorabilia based on The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.