Top Ten: Family Shows!

Welcome to our new Top Tens series in celebration of I Think, Therefore I Review's Tenth Anniversary! These monthly lists will highlight special themes and topics from our extensive archive of reviews.

This time I Think, Therefore I Review presents in chronological order...

 

Our Top Ten Family Friendly Shows!

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella (1965)

The Addams Family

The Bob Newhart Show

Jem and the Holograms

Quantum Leap

A Bear Named Winnie

Lord of the Rings

Dinotopia

Merlin

Please see our Kid Friendly and Fantasy tags for more or browse our Television page further analysis! 

 

I Think, Therefore I Review began as the blog home for previously published reviews and reprinted critiques by horror author Kristin Battestella. Naturally older articles linked here may be out of date and codes or formatting may be broken. Please excuse any errors and remember our Top Tens will generally only include films, shows, books, or music previously reviewed at I Think, Therefore I Review.

More Blu-Ray Evidence!!

More Blu-Ray Evidence! 

By Kristin Battestella

 

Be it period and medieval drama, science fiction and intergalactic battles, or epic fantasy, the blu-ray format has once again renewed the panache of these titles both young and old.

Beckett – One has to be in the mood for this lengthy two and a half hours of 1964 epic medieval history and bromance starring Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia), Richard Burton (Anne of A Thousand Days), and the brief but charming John Gielgud (Arthur) thanks to lots of soliloquies and a decidedly Shakespearean vibe. From clashing Normans and Saxons and swashbuckling humor to saucy affairs and swordfights, the mix of stage presence and grandiose film scope works. While audiences today may focus on the homosexual subtext, there are excellent one on one debates on women, religion, and even food from the three Oscar nominees here. King Peter is wonderfully snotty and tormented while Burton is surprisingly subtle as the chancellor who knows how to rein in his prince – until he gets a case of religion, that is. The colorful photography, great costumes, beautiful horses, sweeping architectures, and scenic landscapes all look made to look old delightful on the restored blu-ray, and Latin chorales, wonderful orchestrations, and big crescendos rise or disappear as needed. Though a Best Adapted Screenplay winner, contemporary viewers may find some of the inaccurate plotting and old speaketh a little dry. Subtitles are essential, but the scrollwork blu-ray interface is cool.  After being out of the home video market for so long, period piece lovers, fans of the cast, and history buffs should indulge here – with O’Toole’s reprisal as Henry II in The Lion in Winter for good measure.

Elizabeth – Granted, this 1998 biography from writer Michael Hirst (The Tudors) is not super accurate historically, but dang if this isn’t as fine a period film as they come. The orchestral music is perfectly fitting, and the stunning costumes, medieval sets, and colorful photography all look brand spanking new on blu-ray.  Yes, liberties were taken; some of the stylized scenes are pretty for the sake of it and don’t always advance the plot. It’s often tough to tell who is who and Joseph Fiennes (Camelot) is insipid as always. However, Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings) was 110% robbed of the Best Actress Oscar – we knew it then. The sharp editing, solid pace, assassination dangers, and regal plotting still make this a better picture than that other Elizabethan movie that unjustly ruled the Academy that year coughshakespeareinlovecough. It’s also delightful to see the excellent supporting cast, from stalwarts like Richard Attenborough (The Sand Pebbles) and Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean) to charmers like Vincent Cassel (Eastern Promises) and James Frain (True Blood) and then-unknowns like current Bond Daniel Craig and ex-Doctor Christopher Eccleston. For scholars, Tudor lovers, fans of the cast, period connoisseurs, indie film audiences, and Oscar should-have-won trivia fans, there’s no reason not to like this one.

 

Elizabeth: The Golden Age – We wrote on this 2007 sequel at length previously, but after seeing this again on the dual blu-ray set with its predecessor, it’s time for a digital glory update. Once again, Cate Blanchett rules the hour, simply put. Yes, this follow up is slightly weaker thanks to some cartoonish King Philip (Jordi Molla, Colombiana) scenes and an uncharismatic Clive Owen (Closer) as Sir Walter Raleigh in love. Though there are panoramic, sweeping paces and this sequel also plays with historical facts, it isn’t as artsy as Elizabeth was and feels more toned down and mainstream in its construction. Quibbles aside, the naval battle with the Spanish armada is worth the wait. Rightfully so, one doesn’t want the whole film to be about the battle. However, the depiction is just the right amount of epic – and the gore, fire, and stylized strengths are simply smashing on blu- ray. And the Oscar winning costumes? Wow. Fans of the first film, period audiences, and Elizabethian students will simply have to see this pair together for complete scope and Regina reflection, and it would be awesome if we yet saw a third film to finish this set.

The Last Starfighter – Nothing can be done about the old gaming graphics and arcade plots in this 1984 SF adventure, but the space battles, reptilian aliens, and galactic clichés are colorful and bigger than ever on this 25^th Anniversary blu–ray edition. 80s retro chic trailer park fashion is always fun to see, too, and the heroic, sincere tale is actually quite entertaining and memorable. Yes, it’s preposterous that a video game would unite a poor town – and that’s before the over the top megalomaniac aliens and need to save the galaxy enter the scene! Fortunately, the primitive computer animations, imaginative space equipment, and dated futuristic technology have the flavor needed, although well-schooled old school fans might see a lot of references or rip-offs from other science fiction films. Director Nick Castle (The Boy Who Could Fly), however, makes sure the 80s names and recognizable faces such as Lance Guest (Halloween II), Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet), and Robert Preston (The Music Man) are able to laugh at the absurdity of it all – from doppelgangers and playboy snooping little brothers to fake intergalactic speaketh and DeLoreans.  The epic, lively music by Craig Safan (Cheers) ties all the rousing fun together, too. Though the blu-ray interface is a tad annoying, the making of feature, commentary, and other behind the scenes treats complete this renewed, nostalgic trip – it’s perfect for the whole family.

 

And a Split Decision Wait and See…

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – I confess, I’m not sure how I feel about this 2012 first installment in Peter Jackson’s prequel trilogy to Lord of the Rings. This is a great story, yes. This is a fine cast, true. However, it doesn’t feel as if all the players or the heart of the tale get their due time because the audience is too busy trying to keep up with the 48 frames per second fast rate and the in your face 3D battle scenes – which honestly don’t look good on blu-ray.  While it’s lovely to return to Middle Earth and see this dwarf attention, there’s simply too much other prequel stuff and extra Tolkien ephemera such as the necromancer and white council clouding the story. It’s nice to see these nods and winks bridging the gap to the Lord of the Rings films, but it’s tough to do both a children’s book adaptation and darker mature fantasy material justice with all this off kilter CGI thrown in to boot. I mean, is Frodo seriously there just to pick up Bilbo’s mail? It’s wonderful that the Gollum riddles scene remains rightfully uncut, but the intercut goblin town battle and completely cliché Azog creation look and feel like a real mess. The dwarves don’t really look like dwarves, either. Well, the ones who don’t have any speaking lines do, and the accents here are all over the place, too. Most of the time, it’s tough to remember Richard Armitage (MI-5) is not playing a man about Middle Earth. Do you think John Rhys Davies – who had allergic difficulties to the facial prosthetics as dwarf Gimil in Lord of the Rings – was upset that these dwarves just get big axes, floppy hats, and beards to accent their pretty faces? The script here also adds unnecessary difficulty to itself – flashbacks with more flashbacks within them are what make The Lord of the Rings such a frustrating modern read. When the viewer can tell what’s going on, the pattern here feels like a slower, sillier retread of The Fellowship of the Ring. Ultimately, this first installment can’t decide if it is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings films, a faithful adaptation of the titular children’s book from the thirties, or a new fantasy film trying to keep up with all the other blockbusters via high frame rates, in your face 3D, and too much CGI.  I personally also found The Fellowship of the Ring slow to start and muddled with too many characters and only came back to the Lord of the Rings trilogy after it was completed. I’d like to hold out hope that the story and heartfelt adventure will dominate the next two Hobbit films. However, it seriously looks like a faithful, youthful Hobbit adaptation could have been done in one film.

 

On Atticus, Jesus, and Frodo

While house cleaning at my website, I found this old article I wrote for The Reminder Newspaper. Dating back to December 2005, I thought it was reviewish and analyzing enough to be of interest here. Enjoy!

On Atticus, Jesus, and Frodo

By Kristin Battestella

Last month a BBC poll from Britain’s top librarians presented an intriguing debate. According to the statistics, audiences favorite books are the following:

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

The Bible

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

To Kill a Mockingbird. The Bible, The Lord of The Rings. Although my Father disagrees with The Bible being second, I find these results fascinating. Besides, I’ve read all three and he hasn’t.

Racial injustice in the south; the most published religious book ever, and an evil wizard destroying Middle-Earth with powerful jewelry. At first glance, the three titles presented have nothing in common, but I implore you to look deeper. Many universal themes and elements unite these three masterpieces.

Despite its fantastical elements (Maybe people ignore it because it’s deemed fantasy), The Lord of the Rings has many human threads that have continued to make the hefty book popular. I just read it for the first time this year. It’s not only good versus evil, The Lord of the Rings offers hope, friendship, and strength in all shapes and sizes for audiences both young and old. The ring represents the penne ultimate evil power yet it is bound by its so small gold confines. Frodo is also small-a hobbit caught in a big man’s world-yet his strength cannot be measured by his small stature. Tolkien’s massive work tells readers that big or small and good or evil, anyone who rises to the challenge will determine his own fate.

Lord of the Rings almost has a David and Goliath feel, which of course leads to Number Two on the list-The Bible. I don’t think I need to go into much detail here. Everyone has at least some vague idea of both the Old and New Testaments and what they teach. God helps the faithful, valiant, loyal, and true. Jesus gives hope to the meek where there is none. Like The Lord of the Rings, many sections of The Bible are very dark and dense-full of wrath and doom. In the end of course, evil falls and justice and peace prevail.

Although similar to its pollmates in its moral tones, To Kill a Mockingbird was also voted the Number One Unhappy Ending in a separate BBC poll. Even if it is sacrilegious to place another book above The Bible, I can see how To Kill a Mockingbird reached Number One. For decades social change has been on the rise, and for the Boomer generation To Kill a Mockingbird must have been a whirlwind. An unapologetic exposure of racial injustice thrust right into the segregated mid century American society. Books that give birth to radical social change only come along once in a blue moon.

Even the American Film Institute named Gregory’s Peck’s Oscar winning 1962 film portrayal of Atticus Finch as their Number One Great American Hero. Harper Lee’s tale of white lawyer Atticus Finch defending an innocent black Tom Robinson in 1930s Alabama continues to open our eyes to a world we’d like to think we aren’t part of, but of course, not enough change has come.

I don’t understand how today’s youth can use the N word-affixed with an ‘a’ on the end instead of an ‘er’. My instant thought is always, “Have they not read To Kill a Mockingbird?” My honey-by some error in his high school required reading-has never read the Harper Lee classic. I tried to explain it, but what makes it over the top is the ending. Now, you can’t give away the ending, can you?

For three books that seem so different on the surface, The Lord of the Rings, The Bible, and To Kill a Mockingbird all present both the characteristics of how we should be and also how not to be. Gollum succumbs to the ring, but Boromir redeems himself. All can be redeemed by obeying God in their own way, and Atticus gives us hope that he made the word one step closer to a better place for his children.

To Kill A Mockingbird is the only book I had to read for school that I actually liked-now that’s saying something. If I had to pick three books to take if I was stranded island…but more likely if I had to recommend three books every person should read once in his lifetime, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bible, and The Lord of the Rings are tough to beat. Impossible, Frodo!

Fantasy and Your Family

Fantasy and Your Family-Practical Ideas, Weak Book

By Kristin Battestella

Shocker of shockers I’ve never read Harry Potter. I love The Lord of the Rings and thus my purchase of Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Modern Magick by Richard Abanes was fueled by my current obsession for all things Tolkien. After reading Finding God in The Lord of The Rings by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware a few years ago, I found Fantasy and Your Family discounted online. I took the plunge.

I don’t like to say there are ‘bad books’-well of course there are, but I prefer the term ‘bad reads’. Abanes runs thin early, and the format of the book is unusual. Although it was meant to be user friendly, Abanes’ categories jump from Christianity to the Occult, Tolkien to Rowling. This format makes Abanes’ case weaker; his pros and cons are mixed together. Only Professor Abanes strong voice and harsh writing define which side he’s on.

The educational chapters, however, are wonderful. For the uninitiated, Abanes dutifully explains the facts and fiction of modern Occult practices. From Pagans, Wicca, Spellcasting-even Witchcraft defined by the capital or lowercase W. An entire section of the book is dedicated to the man and myth of JRR Tolkien. Although I enjoyed this essential back story, I was disappointed to find no such chapter dedicated to the rise of Rowling. Very little details are given about her life pre-Potter-except Abanes ambiguous debate on Rowling’s religious orientation. Whether JK Rowling is a witch is not important to me. As a writer, I would like to know her opinion on the craft, her upbringing, her family life. Fans looking for this will be disappointed with Abanes dedicated attack against Rowling.

For my tastes Abanes spends too little words on what makes The Lord of The Rings great, but the Professor wastes valuable pages with information that is not his own. Most of the FAQ provided, appendices, or breakdowns of Harry Potter are citations from other sources. Quoting or referring to other works, books, websites is one thing-but Abanes’ book holds little of his own commentary. He agrees or disagrees with his sources and rewords what the other experts say, often in lengthy long winded hyperbole.

Abanes’ religious argument is also very uneven. We learn the ins and outs of the real Occult and how Harry Potter is supposedly manipulating kids towards unnatural practices. Whether that is the case or not, some readers of Potter or modern witches might be very offended by Abanes approach, and the Professor misses the opportunity to fully explore how The Lord of The Rings could be the healthy alternative. Instead of an offshoot against R.L. Stine, Fear Street, and Goosebumps, Abanes should have explained the basics of Christianity and how The Lord of The Rings parallels Biblical teachings. Abanes spends too much time trying to draw a line in the sand and not enough time clearly defining his right and wrong. He assumes his audience is on his side and knows the good he mentions in passing. That may not always be the case.

Fantasy and Your Family seems out of place in the book format. On one hand, the material seems too weak and thin for a full length book. Then again, it feels as if Abanes could release Fantasy and Your Family Part 2 with all the materials excluded. Abanes might have been better off creating a professional website or online database. Users could click at their leisure, and all the websites Abanes refers to in the books-and even screen captures- would be right there for the linking. Maybe a website would make no money for the Professor, but a website from Abanes could reach thousands more kids, young adults, and parents. I doubt a book discounted to $2 turned many a child away from Harry Potter.

Instead of focusing on the negative and what’s bad about popular fantasy trends, Professor Abanes missed the opportunity to showcase what’s good about creativity, imagination, and exploration. Like a lecturer trying to make a joke, many of Abanes chuckles fall flat. He comes down too heavy handed and misses the chance at having some fun with his topic. Isn’t that what fantasy’s all about?

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Book or Movie, Return of The King is a Must See (or Read)

By Kristin Battestella


My interests in The Lord of The Rings first peaked with I saw Return of the King. Not after waiting in line at a theater, but when it came out on DVD. I was a cashier at Sears, and the electronics department broadcast the 3 hour epic on all the display televisions. My stranglehold on playing Bee Gees DVDs was out voted, but I was willing to watch. Even though my first viewing of The Fellowship of the Ring was ambiguous, and I hadn't even seen The Two Towers, my first reaction after seeing Return of the King was Wow! Oh, and I cried, and I don't cry.


Despite all the special effects, big battles with ancient elephants- oh excuse me oliphants- and girls swooning over Orlando Bloom as Legolas, the big payoff of Frodo finally getting that albatross of a ring to Mount Doom is so emotional, powerful, masterfully done-spin the wheel of adjectives! In the beginning of the trilogy, faithful Gardner Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) is portrayed as equally insignificant as the small golden ring chained about Frodo's neck should seemingly be. Sam's power, however, is equal to, if not greater than the One Ring. Samwise's loyalty, honesty, friendship, and integrity are uncorruptable, and Sam is directly involved in the Ring's destruction. In the original book, Samwise is also the ring bearer for significantly longer than in Director Peter Jackson's telling.


Although some feel the ending of Return of The King drags on (Jack Nicholson famously so, as Elijah Wood tells on the extended DVD’s appendices), Peter Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens remain true to the book's conclusion. All the endings are resolved, from Aragorn's coronation to the Hobbits' return to the Shire and Frodo's final trip to the Grey Havens. Most of the book's five chapters after the destruction of the ring are attributed to, even hints of the Scouring of the Shire are found in the original Fellowship of the Ring movie. Despite its length, the theatrical version of Return of the King earned a slew of Oscars, including Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay.


My obsession with Return of the King was solidified with the Extended Edition DVD. Indeed now I can't watch the 'short' version without noticing something's missing. Christopher Lee enthusiasts will enjoy Saruman's reworked, relocated, and restored death scene, and Viggo Mortenson lovers will enjoy the extended Paths of The Dead scenes.




At over 4 hours the extended third film definitely requires a comfortable seat. Extra dialogue (better with subtitles on), extended scenery and looks add to the depth and characters. My favorite additions are most definitely the Houses of Healing scenes. Beautiful music with vocals by Arwen actress Liv Tyler, gorgeous sets, and lush costumes highlight the resolution of Eowyn and Faramir's characters. Here two seemingly dead end supporting characters unite for another happy ending. It’s not wholly surprising considering the relationship between Aragorn and Arwen, but in the middle of the battle to end it all, Tolkien gives these people some sorely need romance. I can’t believe I said that!


Fans and skeptics alike have claimed The Lord of the Rings to be unfilmable. Peter Jackson comes close to perfection, but the gems left on the cutting floor and later found in the extended edition showed me there is indeed more in the book than cannot be filmed.
I'm a used book hunter. Why pay full price for a book when-if you search enough- you can find just about any book for under a dollar? The Hobbit- library sale. The Fellowship of the Ring- thrift store. The Two Towers- another library sale. The third part of JRR Tolkien's Lord of The Rings Trilogy Return of the King, however, has been elusive. Of all the books I've gotten for a dime a piece-Dickens, Shakespeare, Bibles to The Exorcist- Return of The King is one classic fans don't want to give up.


When I finally got my old, glorious, used paperback copy of Return of the King-for a dollar mind you-I was still reading The Two Towers. I couldn’t help but peak at some of my favorite movie scenes in the third book. The appendix and index also found after Return of the King are essential reads as well. Back story such as the love of Aragorn and Arwen and more invaluable history Tolkien himself could not fit into his epic are found here. As a writer myself part of me finds this footnote of Aragorn and Arwen inexcusable. Such meat of a story belongs in the story. Tolkien’s choice however, is masterful. The way other people in the books mention Aragorn and Arwen forbidden love strengthens the characters and the subtext.


Blossoming fans upset that they can’t search Google in Elvish will also love the Appendices. These treasure troves of information include Tolkien’s linguistic basics-everything from alphabets and runes to pronunciations. Beginner fans confused by the out of sequence storylines will also find a timeline of The War of the Ring. What happens to the Fellowship after the book is over is also touched upon, and these nuggets are worth the extra read. These are the kinds of characters you don’t want to leave behind.


The film and novel versions of Return of the King have their own nuances to be appreciated. Some of Tolkien’s wordiness and convoluted sequences I can do without. The Lord of the Rings as a whole is in many ways a very poorly written book. Repeated names, numerous flashbacks within flashbacks, here then gone characters, and even poor grammar. The quirks of foreign and aging language from Linguist Tolkien can however be forgiven. He does play up the idea that he is merely translating an ancient text, and The Lord of the Rings does read like history. This tone and language give the book its tag as an infamous hefty read.


One of the most difficult things one can do is recommend a book. What if he hates it? What do you tell her? Despite those fears, I take the plunge. The Lord of The Rings is one of a handful of books I recommend everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. Even considering the handful of significant differences between the novel and the movie, both are equal and accurate reflections of Tolkien’s world, just in different mediums. As I wept at the end of the movie, I also sniffled at the completion of reading Return of the King. I can’t believe I waited until I was 25 to read it.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Potential Life Changer: The Two Towers Extended Edition

By Kristin Battestella

I always end up on the backend of a phenomenon-not really getting into something until everyone else has. Recently I’ve gotten involved with The Lord of The Rings fandom. Neh-I am certifiably obsessed! At least I am not obsessed alone. You know we are obsessed with The Lord of The Rings when my future husband found out my ring size by trying his replica One Ring on my finger. (A replica I bought him.) How did this craziness come about? Repeated viewings of The Two Towers Extended Edition that’s how.

I didn't see The Two Towers in the theater. I didn't see it when they came out on DVD. I watched the culminating third Return of the King movie before the middle Two Towers film. Only when both my father and future husband insisted I watch The Two Towers did I succumb. I liked it well enough, as I did the Fellowship of the Ring and more so Return of the King. My Tolkien obsession, however, did not really begin until we bought director Peter Jackson’s Extended Trilogy.

Fellowship’s extended scenes were exceptional enough. Tidbit book info here and there and additional character development. Nothing in the extended films is excessive, redundant, or unnecessary fluff. Jackson cut the film's only for length, I'm sure-the extended version of The Two Towers clocks in at over three hours. The extended footage of Eowyn, Faramir, and Boromir ice the extended version.

Although it is much more subtle in the books, Jackson's cut footage of Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Eowyn (Miranda Otto) develops the crush subplot into a full-blown love triangle. In the extra scenes, you get the feeling that Aragorn does generally like Eowyn, and were it not for Arwen, or the Ring, or his destiny, he could settle in Rohan. We of course know different, and the bittersweet feel of the scenes is just the right flavor.

The real treat of the extended Two Towers is a lengthy flashback sequence involving Boromir (Sean Bean) before he journeys to the Council of Elrond. Denethor, Steward of Gondor and Boromir's father, wants The Ring for himself. Favorite son Boromir protests, but abides his father's wishes. Despite a loving relationship between Boromir and Faramir, Denethor nearly loathes his second son. Now that Boromir’s dead, Faramir wishes to take Frodo and The Ring simply to prove his worth to his father. Although they differ significantly from the book, these insights into the Steward family are exceptionally done. Skillfully acted and directed looks and glances do in 10 minutes what takes the book 10 pages.

These scenes and two key scenes added to Return of the King involving the relationship between Eowyn and Faramir impressed, shocked, and intrigued me so much, I started reading The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson's vision presented in the extended Two Towers is truly worthy if he can get me to read the books. I never felt I had the time to invest in the epic. Not that I really do now, but the tidbits restored in the extended Two Towers have me wanting more of Tolkien’s world. Who says books and movies have to compete?

Not only are the movies superior, but the extended trilogy also hails two discs of behind the scenes appendices per film. The wealth of material here alone is worth the price tag (about $80) of the trilogy. Visit your favor retailer for the Extended Editions of The Lord of the Rings, available individually or as a box set.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring Novel Worthy of Film Fans

By Kristin Battestella

I always said I didn’t have the time to read The Lord of the Rings. Perhaps part of me thought it was too tough, long-winded, or overrated. But as a science fiction, fantasy and horror enthusiast, I felt I must have some sort of opinion on JRR Tolkien's definitive fantasy epic. The lives and legends of Middle-Earth took Tolkien a lifetime to produce, and since its first publication in 1956, millions of fans have read The Lord of the Rings-and demanded Elvish be declared an official language.



After seeing the Peter Jackson’s extended Lord of The Rings film trilogy, I finally yearn for more Middle-Earth. I dug out my thrift copy of the first installment, The Fellowship of the Ring. Those millions of fans worldwide were correct. So far for round one, the print has surpassed the film. In fact, I also recently saw the 1978 woefully bad cartoon version of The Lord of the Rings. Although it cuts off abruptly halfway through the story, some details in the cartoon are actually truer to The Fellowship of the Ring, and some details animated were dropped from Peter Jackson’s films altogether.



Even though there are countless writing mistakes and absolutely noncommercial storytelling early on in The Fellowship, Tolkien’s slow opening and back story set up the immensities to come. When I first started reading, I thought hobbits were little more than pothead drunkards. Now that I'm through The Fellowship, Frodo is like an old friend. His internal monologues and struggle with the One Ring are so much greater in the novel and truly can be captured on film.

The Elvish line drops dispersed throughout The Fellowship I can take, Tolkien's insistence on including hobbit songs and lyrical Elvish tales, I do however find irksome. I'm sure he means them as a back story narrative and additional character descriptions, but it's tough to read the words to a song without a tune. Tolkien's technique also slows down the linear narrative, sometimes with two or three pages of poems. For someone like myself, who is coming from the films and is not well versed in the history of Middle-Earth, these parts are almost skippable. On the other hand, Obsessive Luthian and Simrallion fans will enjoy Toklien’s attention to detail.



The early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring describe The Shire in detail, but after the introduction of Strider in Bree, I was an able to put the book down. I carried it everywhere. Work, Bathtub, and to bed when I couldn't hold my eyes open. I skipped meals, and turned lunch breaks into silent sustained reading. I stayed up all night with a gallon of ice cream. Even though I knew the story, I had to continue. I didn’t know I could read so fast! The evil Ringwraiths pursuit of Frodo and their lust for the Ring are perfectly honed by Tolkien.



Novel fans of old already know The Fellowship of the Ring is good, an excellent work of humanity with the odds against them. If you are merely a fan of the films, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of the complete Lord of the Rings, available were most books are sold. Although younger fans might enjoy the more juvenile centered prequel entitled The Hobbit, and scholars may revel in starting at the beginning with The Simarillion, If you are a moviegoer and need a risk-free plunge, pick up the first installment of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. The Fellowship of the Ring is but the page turning tip of iceberg.