The Hobbit Is On Tap For 2010 Release. Tap Dancing Time Folks.
By Lon S. Cohen
Looks like Peter Jackson will be doing the Hobbit after all and not in one movie but two. Drawing on the prolific works of J.R.R. Tolkien's notes that have been published posthumously Jackson will expand on the original book's events.
The Hobbit tracks the adventure of young Bilbo Baggins as he goes out into the big wide world of 
Middle Earth seeking adventure. It is, in a sense, a prequel to the Lord Of The Rings trilogy but in fact it was written first and LOTR was the follow up sequel. Billed as a children's book by many, The Hobbit movies are sure to be enhanced by the additional material and probably made a little darker by Jackson.
The kernel of the story is when Bilbo finds the One Ring of power in Gollum's cavernous home. There is also a battle with a dragon named Smaug, dealings with elves and trolls, and of course, Gandalf plays a major role. No word is available yet as to whether some of the original cast will return to reprise their roles.
The films are set to start production immediately and will be released in 2010 and 2011. This resolves a long-standing and infamous feud between the studio, New Line, and Jackson over the fate of The Hobbit. With the job he had done with LOTR, it would have been heresy to do this film without him. While Fran Walsh will executive produce along with Jackson, no director has been slated to take the reins but rumors abound.
Howard Shore, the composer who did such a brilliant job with the LOTR trilogy had been rumored on Ain't It Cool News to be toying with thematic ideas for the Hobbit music.
Sam Raimi, the Spiderman director is also pegged to be one of the possible directors. Personally, after the mess that was Spiderman 3, I'm not sure Raimi is the best man for the job of such a large epic story with many characters to keep track of. His specialty seems smaller, personal stories set on an epic backdrop, but perhaps that's the direction of this film. Who knows?
According to the official release, Peter Jackson said that he is "very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”
MGM and New Line will finance and distribute the films together with New Line distributing in North America and MGM internationally.
“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”
Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy."
The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, “Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.
After this, Jackson can finish off by tackling The Silmarillion.
Lon S. Cohen is a copywriter and columnist. His company, AHA!, helps business communicate effectively on the web and beyond. Call him at (631) 371-9044 or email at aha@lonscohen.com.
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Hobbit In Two Parts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Soldier's Angel
Audrey Fitzpatrick is proud to have been a Soldier's Angel for over three years now. Soldier's Angels is an organization that has been supporting our nation's military men and women since 2003 with cards, letters and care packages. Audrey says she joined the community because she realized that the men going over to fight were her sons' age and she wanted to show them her support and love.
"Just think about that," she said. "Young men protecting me and my family overseas in a very scary place."
Many of the soldiers just need to hear a kind and supportive voice. What Audrey is doing provides an uplift for our soldiers, boosting morale, showing gratitude for a job well done and further still, helping to keep America safe by ensuring that our soldiers know what they do is important, thereby helping them do a better job.
"The Soldier's Angel motto is 'May no soldier go unloved' and as far as I am concerned I love them all," Audrey said.
Audrey is involved in more than just one cause. She backs up her words with any number of selfless deeds. She collects phone cards every month to send over to the troops so they can call home. Her care packages contain much needed supplies like special boots and even air conditioners. She sends items specifically requested by the soldiers, even snacks that the guys may be missing over there that can only come from home.
At the same time, she never forgets that there are families left behind when a soldier goes off to war. She has helped some soldiers and their families get insurance and doctor visits for their children. In one instance, Audrey went to her fellow employees at Edge Electronics and asked them to put a collection together for the family of a soldier who passed away and left behind a brand new baby. To honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Audrey visits Calverton Cemetery to put flags down for the fallen.
Another of Audrey's efforts enables everyone to be a part of the effort. Another favorite organization of hers is Fishers House. Supporting America's military in their time of need, Fishers House provide "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
"I ask everyone that is going to give me a gift to donate to Fisher
House in my name," she said. "Edge donated for my birthday."
Audrey Fitzpatrick does the work of ten people to help restore and support the soldiers and we are all very proud of her here at our company. Her actions stand as a symbol of what one person can do to help others in their time of need. She is an unsung hero in the war effort. But Audrey is very humble about the work she does. It took much wrestling to get her to come forth with all the details of her efforts. Her selflessness is a trait we admire and respect and wish to see her honored for her charitable work. Her actions within the many charitable organizations she belongs to and her personal efforts that she undertakes go a long way to cheer up those soldiers stationed thousands
For more information goto the Soldier's Angels Homepage.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
But For The Love Of God, Keep Shopping!
From The New York Times Webpage Bits:
Walmart.com to Customers: Stop Calling
By Katie Hafner
When it comes to customer service, who needs a human touch? Not Wal-Mart’s online customers, apparently.
As part of what Wal-Mart is calling its “Customer Contact Reduction” program, by next week, Walmart.com, the company’s online arm, will no longer give customers a toll-free phone number to call–or any phone number, for that matter–if they have a question. Instead, they will have to rely solely on the Wal-Mart Web site as their guide to the solution for whatever problem they might have, whether it is a question about a credit card charge or the status of an online order.
We’ve made a significant investment in the enhancement of our online customer “self-help” tool at Walmart.com to better serve our online customers,” said Amy Colella, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman.
Read the rest here.
