The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies Review

**Minor Spoilers Ahead**

     I just got back from seeing this movie tonight (12/19). We saw it in 3D and it was well worth the extra money! Having re-read the book recently, I knew what to expect in terms of story-lines and character deaths. I was not disappointed at all in how the book was portrayed. I felt that it was fairly accurate, minus the stuff that they had changed in the previous movies. 

    The movie started off with the death of Smaug, which in my opinion, really should have been the ending of the second movie. It was called The Desolation of Smaug after all. Oh well, still an awesome part of the movie. Seeing it in 3D just made it all the more real. Bard is extremely sexy too ;) thank you Luke Evans!

     

     I think that my biggest issue with these last two Hobbit movies was the love story. Everyone who has read the books knows the Kili is going to die at the end. To have a love story featuring a character that doesn't even exist in the books was annoying. I do really like Tauriel, a strong female character was needed. Galadrial fits that role but she is not featured nearly enough in either trilogy. Now my favorite character of all time is Legolas. Yes, he isn't supposed to be in the Hobbit either but he is just such a great character. His reason for being in the movie makes way more sense in BOTFA. 

     I really liked the ending to this movie. It ends with Bilbo coming back home to the Shire, I'm not going to share many details as to not ruin it for anyone. It ends almost the exact way LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring begins. It truly brought all 6 movies together in the very last couple of minutes. 

     I am pretty sad that these movies are over. I really don't see any more Tolkien adaptations happening. I really hope that they do not ever re-boot these movies. I don't think it will happen, just like how I doubt Harry Potter will ever be re-booted. The LOTR movies/books really started to kick off my love of all action movies and nerdy things. Now after watching the Hobbit so many years later, I am glad that this was one of the first fandoms (before it was called a fandom) that I became a part of. Thank you Peter Jackson for brings these amazing books to life! 

Weekly Etsy Find #11

I told you guys I would get away from Harry Potter Etsy Finds. I actually told the truth too.  This is the third week in a row where it hasn't been HP themed.  Cecelia said I needed something for you Lord of the Rings fans.  Its personally not my favorite fandom.  I've seen the first three movies.  I will say this weeks item is cute though and I would so buy it.
This week I give you this adorable scarf.  I don't know why, but I am finally jumping on the scarf bandwagon this season.  I would wear this gem.

This scarf is a map of middle earth.  It is also an infinity scarf.  So no worrying about tying the scarf in a cute fashion.  This beauty comes from Nerd Alert Creations.  First off I love the name.  Secondly, this look well made.  It also look as if they have other great items to look at and buy.  Click on the link above to check out this particular item as well as the remainder of the shop. 

Next week I may return to my Harry Potter roots.  We shall see.  Until next time. 

  

New Zealand Air's LOTR Themed Safety Videos

Air New Zealand debuted a new airline safety video last week. 

Here it is below! 

Below is the first safety video that they debuted a couple of years ago. 

While looking for these two videos, I noticed that Air New Zealand has made quite a few awesome videos. They have used Sports Illustrated swim suit model, Bear Grylls and Betty White. Those are just a few of the different videos. 

I would love it if every airline would do something like this! Enjoy all of the videos, I know I did!

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies Character Posters

    The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies is coming on December 17th. Character posters have all been released and they are amazing!

Legolas and Thranduil have to be my favorite posters. Legolas is my favorite character in the whole world of Tolkien. Thranduil's picture is just stunning with his bright, blue eyes.

Gandalf and Galadriel will be very interesting to watch in this next movie. Judging by other posters that I have seen, there is going to be some focus on their relationship. 

Bard and Tauriel, I feel are kind of underrated characters. For Tauriel that makes sense because she doesn't exist in the real Tolkien world. I still love that they added her in. Bard will have some glory in this movie, which I am excited about. 

Bilbo and Thorin, if the movie stays true to the book then these too will have a difficult relationship. Decisions will be made and lines will be crossed.

Peter Jackson, I love that he has a poster. This is a nod to his recurring cameo in the movies LOTR and The Hobbit. It's something that true fans will get right away. 

There are more posters that were released last week, but I wanted to focus on the character portraits. They are just beautiful photos. I cannot wait for this movie but at the same time I am a little sad. This will be the last Hobbit movie which means the last movie that has anything to do with Lord of the Rings. Let's hope it goes out with an amazing movie!  

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Trailer!

The new Hobbit trailer is here!!!

I about died, it was just so good. I love how they put Pippin's song in it. It fits so well even though it's from the original trilogy. That song is just so haunting and sad that it fits so well with the images in the trailer. 

I just finished rereading the book, so everything is fresh in my mind for the movie. It's going to be extremely intense and sad and I really hope that Peter Jackson does it justice. I have faith that he will do an amazing job though. 

Take a look at the epic trailer below!

The Hobbit: There and Back Again Vs. The Battle of the Five Armies

Peter Jackson recently announced that he has changed the name for the final installment of The Hobbit.
It used to be called "There and Back Again".

I personally hate the name change. I thought that the original title fit much better for the last movie. I mean it's the title of Bilbo's boom after he completes his journey! This title just seems more fitting for the last movie. It is reflective of Bilbo's journey. From there (Shire) and back again (to the Shire). It is the culmination of the previous two movies. That he is finally going back to the home that he missed so much.

The five armies title only means something to those whom have read the book. I personally read the book in high school, almost 8 years ago. I am re-reading it now just so that my mind is refreshed for the movies. I don't fully remember the battle, I know a little bit about what's going to happen. A vast majority of the audience most likely hasn't either read the book ever, or not for a long time.

Chances are this new title doesn't mean anything to them. For those that have seen Lord of the Rings, they had already heard the title, There and Back Again before. It brings back those memories of the first trilogy. Yes, this new title sounds cooler, but it doesn't evoke any emotion. It doesn't make the connection between all 6 of the movies. To me it sounds like they changed the title to sound cooler and sell more tickets.

Regardless of the name, I am still very excited about this movie. I know that it is going to be sad, but I am excited to see how Peter Jackson brings this latest installment to life.