The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

Wasn't expecting to watch this movie but since opportunity came a knocking, so why not!

Was at Lido, and while waiting for the movie, saw some caucasian kids who had dressed up as their favourite characters. Saw one girl who was dressed in grey and she was Gandalf the Grey, complete with the wizard hat, and beard~! Hahahaa! Then, her friend who was late, came running in ala Bilbo Baggins (with the curly hair with a tinge of reddish brown), complete with Bilbo's coat (somewhat) and his sword. Next came another friend, who at first glance looked like any average teenager except for the fact, that she was carrying a backpack that looked like Gollum, hanging on her back. Kakaka! So fun!

for photo opportunities

Also found a guy, who was in costume as Gandalf (complete with wizard staff).

Gandalf, the Grey

Movie started at about 8:30pm and lasted till 11:15pm. And, that was just for Part 1. Two more parts to go in two years time. WOoohOOOo! Cool!

Cinematography was great, although there were some scenes where the eyes couldn't catch up so those pretty much looked like a blur of motion. There were also a few scenes where one can feel the camera jerking downwards for a second.

The story was supposed to be of Bilbo Baggins, but to me, it is really telling the story of the dwarves. Thirteen dwarves of individually distinct look and personalities, banding together in their quest to reclaim their homeland, and led by their enigmatic prince, Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin. When not in costume, Thorin played by Richard Armitage, looks like this. Bilbo is 'volunteered' (by Gandalf) to be the fourteenth member of this Company of Dwarves, and his role is as the Burglar.

There was never a dull moment in the show, although there were many cliche scenes. It was good to see familiar characters on screen again. Lord Elrond of Rivendell (Elf), Queen Galadriel (Elf, also known as Lady of Lórien), Gollum and Saruman (White Wizard), and those fugly Orcs, trolls and what-nots.

Lots of running, lots of fighting and lots of CGs. Fun, fun, fun!!

Memorable quotes that I liked:

"Bagginses? What is Bagginses? Is it soft? Is it juicy? Can we eat it?" Gollum, when he saw Bilbo in the cave, for the first time. 

"Run! Run for your lives!" Gandalf shouted when they were ambused.


The Hobbit soundtrack: Misty Mountains Cold (Richard Armitage and the 'Company of Dwarves'), music composed by Howard Shore

the tourist (movie outing)

A movie starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, why not? Sounds interesting. "The Tourist" is a remake based on a French movie, "Anthony Zimmer".

The overall movie experience.. seems like a whole lot of frames on Angelina as Elise, and yes, the director threw in a gratuitous shot of her showing abit of cleavage by the balcony, for the boys... and alot of Venice landscape, or rather waterscape, and oh.. not forgetting, the memorable Paul Bettany in a rather clueless role. Haha. Paul Bettany who was very noticeable in films like "Master and the Commander" and "Da Vinci Code", was casted as Inspector John Acheson. The bumbling inspector. And yes, there was Timothy Dalton as well! WoohOo! Mr Bond, indeed. I was wondering who in the living daylights was this chief inspector.. looked sooo familiar!

Johnny as Frank Tupelo is charming, acting out as a hapless tourist, but in the end, turns out to be the real "AP". Such thin, not very logical plot that is, non? As though Elise would surely pick him of all people seated in the train. I suppose if she didn't pick him, then the story will rewrite itself... and that, may be a good thing! Just a thought, but the movie would've ended in a more logical manner if Frank remained as, well.. just Frank, the math teacher from Wisconsin. That, will be a more plausible ending, and Elise can love two different guys. One from her past, and the present heroic Frank that she began to like.

Haha, go and see the movie if you like Venice, Johnny and Angelina. In that sequence.