Whatever bug I had passed through me like a freight train last night, I spent a very uncomfortable evening, stomach cramps and fever. Today doing much better and only suffering the cold and clammy side effects of recuperation.
Just in time, my son and I received the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Edition via NetFlix. Adds an extra hour to the three hour finally, comes in two disks.
I loved the original. You know, big fat burly dude or not, there is a part at the end where my eyes get all glassy like, not gonna say I cry (biting lower lip), but maybe a tad teary. I'm such a pansy. I really really loved the Extended Edition, makes me wish they would have released this one in the theaters, but 4 hours is a long time for sure. Even we took a few breaks. There are so many additional scenes that really add to the story line, too many to mention here. Much closer to the book. I wonder if you can guess which one of the characters in the book/movie is my favorite?
Somewhere in the middle of watching it, it occurs to me that this could be a movie about the struggle of obsession or addiction. Here Frodo has to carry this burden to be destroyed, "his precious". He knows it is evil, he knows it will turn him into evil, he knows it will turn him against all the things he loves and that love him, but he just can't help himself. Then the scene comes where he is holding it over the fires of Mt. Doom, and his friend, Sam says.."What are you waiting for? Just let it go"! As if you ever can. He can't and of course the struggle ensues. Frodo doesn't actually ever give it up, it is only the fact that Golum's obsession is stronger that it is finally destroyed. Looks like an intervention to me!
As the movie draws to a close Frodo is writing about the adventure in his book, he says;
"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on when in your heart you begin to understand...there is no going back. There are some things that time can not mend. Some hurts that go too deep... and have taken hold"
Hmmm, sounds familiar.
Okay, which character is my favorite? Sam. He just seemed to be the strongest of everybody, he always seemed to me to be the one with his feet firmly on the ground, and his mind focused on the priorities ahead. Loyal, steadfast, strong, kinda fat. He couldn't carry the ring, but he could carry the ring bearer. My kinda guy. Who wants to be the King when you can get married, have kids, drink pints and live in a little hut under the ground?
Yeah, the Hobbit was OK, but kinda just a prolog to the trilogies. I say skip it and get right into the first Lord book, The Fellowship of the Ring. Try to buy three separate books if you can, though you can get them in one beautiful volume with maps and such, it is wicked heavy, it left an indentation in my chest (reading in bed) for about a year!
Posted by: FB | June 09, 2005 at 22:41
I never could get more than halfway through The Hobbit. Now you are making me want to read the whole shebang. You make it sound so glorious.
Cry away. Tears release toxins from your body. Really.
Posted by: Michelle | June 09, 2005 at 22:13
It makes me want to watch it, even though I am a huge crier at any sad parts in books, movies, or TV. I would probably sob for days. I don't watch many films because my attention span is zip. (or is it my kids' fault?) I think I'll blame the children...
Posted by: Margaret | June 09, 2005 at 18:19
LOVE the extended version. I cry through the whole thing, but the scene you mention is a pretty wrenching one.
I've had the exact same thought about The Ring. It's a pretty damn good metaphor for addiction.
Posted by: Faith | June 09, 2005 at 17:39