I issue the greatest challenge of them all!

[BuddMan]

Yeah, but Tolkien's idea wasn't original. The notion of dwarves and elves were already known before he was even born. In fact, I'm not even sure where those notions started....

But as far as the story goes and his world, well that was pretty original, epscially all of the languages he created.

[Gurm]

Actually Buddman,

You have something of a point, albeit a limited one. Tolkien's world borrowed NAMES but not necessarily descriptions. Goblins before Tolkien were small creatures that carried off children - not 6-foot-tall sword-wielding monsters.

Elves were tiny and pixie-like... not taller than men and immortal.

Dwarves remained much the same as in popular legend, as did Trolls and of course Dragons.

Tolkien is merely the modern extension of ancient legend. That was, after all, his first specialty.

- Gurm

[BuddMan]

Errrmm, his first specialty was languages. That's probably the main reason why so many people consider his book amazing. Writing fantasy allowed him to use those languages. I agree though that he more or so "modernized" some of fantasy.

[Gurm]

*ahrm* sorry. His first major WORK was in translating ancient legends. Languages of course was a major part of that.

- Gurm

[thop]

In Return of the King, the final film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the climactic battle—yes, the Battle of Helm's Deep is just a run-up—is rumored to employ more than 100,000 characters.

I cant wait

[Umfriend]

Saying that Jordan's work is almost a 100% derivative of Tolkiens work gives too much credit to Jordan. I think he did 10 now…. It IS a far bigger challenge than reading LOTR though, which was the point.

When is it fair to say that something is a derivative of Tolkien? Mr. and Mrs. Eddings I would agree soon enough, but Feist is less clear in my book.

George R.R. Martin? How? Robin Hobb, Modesitt Jr, Goodkind?

So, what is essentially the thing with Tolkiens work that is the basis of all this derivative work?

Umf

[Byock]

Originally posted by Umfriend

When is it fair to say that something is a derivative of Tolkien? Mr. and Mrs. Eddings I would agree soon enough, but Feist is less clear in my book.
Umf

Ok, here I have to draw the line. Many literary works can show "Tolkien" influence, but Eddings? The Belgariad, and the Malloreon had NOTHING in common with Tolkien. There are no elves, no dwarves, magic is based on the Will and the Word, and everything is derived from the 7 gods. There are no monsters, just different races of man.

Please explain how this could come from Tolkien??

And Yes, WOT is long, and is not finished yet, 10 books, but it is a good story, if long winded.

/rant

[Umfriend]

1. Composition of a party with individuals from different backgrounds
2. A clear sense of a quest (what is the objective of Pug, Rand etc)?
3. Tolkien had more than 7 gods, granted.
4. Main character disliked/was burdened by the quest

But it may indeed be thin. I stand corrected.

Umf

[cjolley]

I issue the greatest challenge of them all!

Well, ok. Maybe it's more like the pen-penultimate challenge.

GO READ "BORED OF THE RINGS". (Harvard Lampoon)

RIGHT NOW. *

I'M NOT JOKING.

Chuck

* Realy, wait till after you've read the trillogy.

[Umfriend]

I heard on the radio there is now a motion picture called "Die Hure der Ringe" (Whore of the Rings).
The challenge now is: find the movie and watch it!
Umf

[ZokesPro]

Have you guys seen the easter egg on the new 4 disc set? It's a short parody with Jack Black. I hear it's hilarious!!

[Tempest]

Originally posted by ZokesPro
Have you guys seen the easter egg on the new 4 disc set? It's a short parody with Jack Black. I hear it's hilarious!!

Is it this one? (56k alert: 8.5 megs ahead)

Edit: Apparently this is the parody, but not the easter egg: http://www.dvdbulletin.co.uk/eastereggs/32/
Edit2: Apparently this is featured on the Region 1 DVD, but not Region 2.

[ZokesPro]

How big is that file? I can only download 700K of it.

Edit: Neverimind, you edited you post. Anyways, yes that's the one!

[thop]

hehe, found the whore movie. probably shouldnt post a link to it here

[lurqa_MU]

Tolkien

Originally posted by RedRed
Read it - perhaps 4 times..... Best in class


A REAL read is the Sillmarillian -(SP) Describes the first and second ages - finished by Christopher Tolkien - and written in a 'Middle English' style...... Truly AMAZING - back in the first age - Sauron was Morgoths servant! They made real SUPER villians.....

YES!

And I am still hoping to see some of Tolkien's stories from 'Unfinished Tales' make it to the movies. Generally, these are also stories from Middle earth, but they have no Hobbits. - and the plots and contrasts are stronger than LOTR and The Hobbit. Only downside being that the stories are shorter.

Regards,
lurqa