tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post302939814008580687..comments2023-11-06T13:07:23.645-05:00Comments on The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment: Several Things About The Hobbit: A Review (of Sorts)Matthew MacNishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-56966533052241119672013-01-03T14:28:53.362-05:002013-01-03T14:28:53.362-05:00First, about the zillion versions of this movie......First, about the zillion versions of this movie... umm, Okay! And good to know about the "some kind of special 3D," as I call it--LOL! :D<br /><br />As for the story, you know The Hobbit is the only of these books that I read. But I haven't seen the movie. I'm sure I will at some point b/c of JRM, so it's good to be forewarned there are "moments" that drag. I already knew there was no kissing... :D<br /><br />Happy New Year to you, my friend! <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-52545458690056808102013-01-03T14:23:00.872-05:002013-01-03T14:23:00.872-05:00I agree about the impossible scenes being the only...I agree about the impossible scenes being the only thing that really bothered me in the movie (I mean, really, they got to a crevice just small enough to slow their block of bridge but not jar it to a stop fast enough to flatten them, just a second before landing?). For the most part, I loved it! Can't wait for Desolation of Smaug.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255542706153393206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-79892427509762337972013-01-03T08:10:49.170-05:002013-01-03T08:10:49.170-05:00Good morning to you, Matt!
I saw it in 2D because...Good morning to you, Matt! <br />I saw it in 2D because 3D gives me headaches. Can't wait for the next installment. :)<br />Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-29957153518330676162013-01-03T00:53:42.855-05:002013-01-03T00:53:42.855-05:00I love this post, Matt! I've not read THE HOBB...I love this post, Matt! I've not read THE HOBBIT, though my husband is a lifelong fan. We went to see the movie a few weeks ago on his birthday, and my assessment was pretty similar to yours. It was visually stunning and wholly entertaining, but YES. Some parts were really slooooow. No joke: I nodded off during that first 45 minute dinner at Bilbo's house. Holy hell. Katy Uppermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07725740174190514869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-45373720076142170502013-01-02T21:56:28.813-05:002013-01-02T21:56:28.813-05:00You certainly are an expert. I know nothing mysel...You certainly are an expert. I know nothing myself, only what I saw in the LOTR trilogy. I guess that means I'll wait for the DVD. But even if I did see it in the theater, all those effects are lost on me as I have seriously poor vision. Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-15347653714498272392013-01-02T21:10:53.352-05:002013-01-02T21:10:53.352-05:00Won't see it till it's on TV, but every ti...Won't see it till it's on TV, but every time I've seen a commercial for it I've wondered how you liked it, so thanks for cluing us in.Steve MChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15026970188928733645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-81741206310088825012013-01-02T16:40:47.920-05:002013-01-02T16:40:47.920-05:00We are going to see it this weekend! I can't w...We are going to see it this weekend! I can't wait, although I AM feeling pretty skeptical about the whole stretching it into three movies thing. It just didn't feel like that ind of book. But we shall see what we shall see. I'll share my thoughts afterward. :-)Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-6810184314523160092013-01-02T14:44:02.936-05:002013-01-02T14:44:02.936-05:00I have no idea what film version I saw except it w...I have no idea what film version I saw except it wasn't 3D. I kind of skipped your first part because my brain started to explode.<br /><br />I did enjoy your second part, though. While I was watching the movie and noting all the detail (like I mentioned before, my husband is reading it to my son aloud so I knew a lot of it was extra stuff not actually in The Hobbit per-se), I thought of you! I was like, "this movie was made for Matt and people who know as much about this world as he does." <br /><br />I loved it. Loved it. Agree that the dishes scene was a bit long, and wondered who swept the floors of the hobbit hole...<br />But loved it. Loved especially how at the end Freeman as Bilbo says, "I wouldn't have trusted me either." Or whatever that line is--in just that perfect Bilbo-ish way.Kristen Wixtedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06270464973842125576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-79289951349848164482013-01-02T14:05:24.816-05:002013-01-02T14:05:24.816-05:00Haven't seen all versions but my daughter and ...Haven't seen all versions but my daughter and I went to see it opening weekend and we were, like two of about seven females in the audience.<br /><br />On a side note, my first dog was named Thorin Oakshield. He was a black lab that I got when I was eight :)Johanna Garthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515478890074610814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-37964782041974289662013-01-02T14:05:13.335-05:002013-01-02T14:05:13.335-05:00I think Martin did a fabulous job as Bilbo. The sc...I think Martin did a fabulous job as Bilbo. The scene with him and Gollum was amazing! Thorin was so emo. I mean, talk about a drama queen. I did enjoy the other hot hobbit though, who is apparently 6 feet tall IRL. Radagast was mostly just annoying, as you say - I hope it ends up being subterfuge. Ha, and when I first read LOTR, I totally thought pipe weed was pot. You are right, it is so funny in the book.<br /><br />Good review!alexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07122487552931794871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-45382940673964539782013-01-02T13:45:58.124-05:002013-01-02T13:45:58.124-05:00Very good review, Matt. Hubby and I saw it in 2D a...Very good review, Matt. Hubby and I saw it in 2D and only heard later on about the HFR (from David Powers King, actually, at a social function we both attended). <br /><br />Hubby loved the stone giants because he's into that kind of thing. I would have enjoyed a shorter dwarf dinner in the beginning, though it did "feel" like I was reading the book.<br /><br />I loved the beginning that tied it to the LotR trilogy movies. And I think Gimli misled us (no offense to John Rhys-Davies) . Who knew there were any cute dwarves?Donna K. Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15763832177263927311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-14660047898478901032013-01-02T13:29:33.232-05:002013-01-02T13:29:33.232-05:00Well, now I want to see it even more than before. ...Well, now I want to see it even more than before. The Hobbit was my introduction into reading fantasy!<br />D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-90151327664274250142013-01-02T12:54:03.261-05:002013-01-02T12:54:03.261-05:00Your friend is wrong about Radagast (and for the r...Your friend is wrong about Radagast (and for the record I agree with you). Radagast was purposefully done that way to mimic the popularity of Jar Jar Binks among young viewers. So Jackson went out of his way to make Radagast "bumbling" and that will continue anytime we see him (whether or not it's in Dol Goldur).<br /><br />So just think "Jar Jar" every time you see him and you get what the director intended.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-25642225594945303432013-01-02T12:38:55.558-05:002013-01-02T12:38:55.558-05:00I reviewed the film recently and spent most of my ...I reviewed the film recently and spent most of my time discussing the hfr thing too. I think I said BBC production on PBS though. Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-53650078350755487742013-01-02T12:13:43.543-05:002013-01-02T12:13:43.543-05:00The part with the stone giants was idiotic. Especi...The part with the stone giants was idiotic. Especially, the being on the knees of the one. That and the thing with the domino trees at the end. Bah.<br /><br />Azog is still bothering me.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-48628448717007618442013-01-02T11:35:18.045-05:002013-01-02T11:35:18.045-05:00I didn't mind Radagast's silliness or the ...I didn't mind Radagast's silliness or the frivolity at the beginning. To me, the Hobbit always was a bit silly (compared to LOTR) and i feel it was well captured in these moments.<br />Things i liked included Thorin (natch) and Bilbo not being such an ass. As a child i always felt he was too mean to Gollum, so i was glad when i didn't feel that way in the movieSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-38383765353752385952013-01-02T11:14:52.301-05:002013-01-02T11:14:52.301-05:00Did not see the 3D version and aside from the fact...Did not see the 3D version and aside from the fact that, yes, it was a little slow and it really wasn't necessary to throw in those over the top action scenes (this isn't Die Hard or Mission Impossible after all, it's Tolkien!) my only real complaint was the scene in the mountains. It was just ridiculous, annoying, unbelievable, and unnecessary. Not that it will stop me from seeing the next installment. But I do wish someone would stand up to these directors when they get carried away with stupid shite like that - and yes, George Lucas I'm talkin' to you! mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-3583333747705362712013-01-02T10:47:12.622-05:002013-01-02T10:47:12.622-05:00I loved it. Yes it wasn't perfect - the dinner...I loved it. Yes it wasn't perfect - the dinner scene was way too long, for one thing. But it's been years since I read the Hobbit, which probably helped my enjoyment of the movie.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-70996408078886583422013-01-02T10:35:24.508-05:002013-01-02T10:35:24.508-05:00I LOVED it, but ultimately, I really feel like thi...I LOVED it, but ultimately, I really feel like this is a LOTR prequel and not a true representation of The Hobbit. I don't necessarily think that is bad, it just is. <br /><br />You are 100% right on the dinner scene (was thinking to myself "oh this is how they will get 6 hours our of one book") and I actually hated Radagast. Reminded me of eiher the old man that finds Atreyu in The Never-Ending Story, or worse, Billy Crystal as Miracle Max in the Princess Bride. Neither one seemed ot fit. ShaunaKelleyWriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04654367734305011629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-33097266510235701502013-01-02T09:23:17.714-05:002013-01-02T09:23:17.714-05:00It is a good thing that I don't watch many mov...It is a good thing that I don't watch many movies--I would be seriously confused.<br /><br />That fact limits my technical choices to: 1) Read the book; or 2) Read the Kindle version of the book.<br /><br />Compreshensive review Matthew--thanks for sharing.Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-89713870672130454932013-01-02T09:06:35.079-05:002013-01-02T09:06:35.079-05:00I saw the regular version. My only problem was th...I saw the regular version. My only problem was the thing where three of the dwarves looked human and not dwarvish while the others looked almost cartoonish. <br /><br />I loved it. Tonjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08652479946102909276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-33907490736097055362013-01-02T09:04:23.407-05:002013-01-02T09:04:23.407-05:00I opted for 2D, but your points about the story we...I opted for 2D, but your points about the story were right on. I thought the movie picked up speed as it went along, but some scenes (the stone giants, etc) just made me tune out. I'm hoping the next one will be a little tighter.Anna Staniszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09316883819771607655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-82377470264958736082013-01-02T08:15:21.656-05:002013-01-02T08:15:21.656-05:00I agree with your points, on all sides. I loved th...I agree with your points, on all sides. I loved the film, though the 3D annoyed me. (I'm not too tech savvy, but I'm pretty sure it was the standard frame version.)<br />And, yes, Radagast was kind of silly....but I think it worked. It may just have been that the guy's acting was so darn good. Which pretty much sums up my opinion of most of the characters. The acting was just stellar.Faith E. Houghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823750019164801104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-34334792582189743742013-01-02T08:05:06.683-05:002013-01-02T08:05:06.683-05:00I saw it in 2D, and I enjoyed it. BUT I went in wi...I saw it in 2D, and I enjoyed it. BUT I went in with zero expectations, having had my expectations crushed bitterly in the LOTR trilogy (I still can't talk about Faramir without shuddering - change plot points all you want, Jackson, but leave the characters alone, would you?). I figured I would be able to have more fun in the movie if I wasn't expecting anything at all, and I did. Martin Freeman blew me away, and Richard Armitage's looks aside, he does a tremendous job of bringing depth and sympathy to an easily-misread character. <br /><br />I am of similar mind to you about Radagast - portrayed as too silly, but gives hints of having far more depth to him. The fact that he is played by the Seventh Doctor tips the balance in his favor, for me!Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17840731400749105419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-89277907871332221582013-01-02T07:44:38.214-05:002013-01-02T07:44:38.214-05:00Will be seeing the Hobbit this weekend! All I know...Will be seeing the Hobbit this weekend! All I know is that it's a 300+ page book made into 3 nearly 3 hour films... hmmmmm!!!! And done in that funny way everyone's going on about (the frame thing here that you explained!). Like I commented on Capn' Ninja's blog - will be seated next to the exit doors closest to the loos! LOL! Can't wait!!!<br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.com