One of the many things that I love about the end of the year is reading the “best of” and “favorites” lists of professional, semi-professional and amateur writers. Frankly of anyone willing to give their opinion of what grabbed hold of their attention and lingered on in their memories long after the final credits rolled.

This is my list of the favorite things of which I partook on screen over the past year. It will encompass films released in theaters in 2016, films I watched in my own home theater in 2016, and television shows I enjoyed over the past year, regardless of their release date.

I do hope that fellow bloggers will take the time to post links to their favorites lists, and that those of you who don’t blog your lists will feel welcome to add yours to the comments.

If a title is highlighted, clicking on it will take you to my review.

With no further ado, on with the show(s).

Continue reading Favorites of the Screen in 2016 →

(Christopher Lee and Andrew Lesnie, Photo Credit)

“PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.

GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.

PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?

GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN: Well, that isn’t so bad.

GANDALF: No. No, it isn’t.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Two of our friends have taken “another path” in a little less than a month. Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, who won the Academy Award for his work on The Fellowship of the Ring, passed away on April 27th and we lost Christopher Lee, famous for many roles in addition to his unforgettable portrayal of Saruman, on June 7th.

For most of us, Andrew and Christopher were not “friends” in the truest sense of the word. We did not share even the most passing of acquaintances. However, Peter Jackson gave us such unprecedented access to the filming of the six film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, that it is difficult to not feel that our dear friends have journeyed on.

And thus we grieve with those family and friends who knew and loved Christopher Lee and Andrew Lesnie.

And we remember.

Continue reading Rolling Back the Grey Rain-Curtain →

I am one who enjoys a good groan-worthy pun, but though I appreciate the pun-ish fun of the annual May the 4th Be With You celebration of Star Wars Day, I’ve never done anything to join in the celebration…until now.

Tonight Mary and I are going to host a couple of young ladies from our church who are, God bless them, Star Wars fans themselves. Always does the heart good to see the next generation down from yours embracing the same geek goodness that you fell in love with as a child.

So after work I’ll do a little thematic decorating, pop some popcorn, and fire up the home theater system to enjoy one of the Star Wars films. We’ve left it up to our guests to decide which film.

Your assignment for the day: find a way to work the phrase “I have a bad feeling about this” or “It’s a trap!” into normal conversation.

What about you, are you doing anything to celebrate May the 4th?

It has been a busy few days, with Peter Jackson and company tantalizing fans with first a teaser poster and now a teaser trailer for the upcoming middle film in the Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, due in theaters on December 13th.

None of this will be news to you. The internet has been flooded with this information for days; posts blowing up all across social media as the trailer was released world-wide today. I was able to get my first glimpse of the trailer not long after noon, CST. My immediate reaction: “Wow!!!”

There is a school of thought out there that one should not blog about the same things everyone else is blogging about, and adding to the fray could be seen as white noise. But then I thought, “I’m a fan of this. A BIG fan!” Just a few weeks ago I was sitting in a restaurant having lunch with John Picacio and Tara Smith on the verge of going full-blown Ringer maniac as I told them how the extras on the extended editions of the films are a source of true inspiration regarding how I want to approach my work, my passions, and my life. Cheryl Mahoney just read the books for the first time and her posts have had me re-reading all of my own Lord of the Rings-related posts. Every year I immerse myself in Tolkien-related reading and viewing, often during a few different periods of the year.

I’m no expert, nor am I a super-fan. My devotion pales in comparison to many. Nevertheless, the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and the work done by the film-makers in bringing his creations to the big screen have had and continue to have an enormous influence on my life.

So why wouldn’t I post about this and share my own excitement with the rest of my dear friends who are also no doubt excited too? If you haven’t seen the trailer, or need to get another dose, come along after the jump.

Continue reading The Dangers of Teasing a Dragon →