The Hobbit

The Pinterest Wormhole

| LizT.

Have you ever got caught in the inevitable Pinterest wormhole? You know what I’m talking about. One little picture of Tom Hiddleston’s face and you are knee deep in pinning every expression he’s ever made. Which leads you to that one photo of him and Benedict Cumberbatch together. Which is just about the most perfect man sandwich ever invented in life.

Two of my most favorite people ever(: Tom Hiddleston and Bennie Cumberbatch....

Of course, once you are in the land of Cumberbatch you end up with a brand new board called “I am Sherlocked” because one pin of that handsome face is not enough. And then you’ve brought Martin Freeman into the mix. Which brings you around to The Hobbit. Soon you have a board called “Over the Misty Mountain” which brings in Dominic Monaghan (and leads to a board called “The Hatch“), Richard Armitage (and a board aptly titled “Sherwood Forest“), and Ian McKellan which reminds you of how much you love wizards!! And once wizards enter the mix, you can’t go on in life without creating a board called “The Boy Who Lived.”

That is a ticking time bomb of new boards about to explode on the Pinterest-sphere. Then you’re just pinning left and right (3 hours have now gone by and you’ve forgotten to eat.) Once you’ve pinned Potter you say to yourself, “There are so many other fandoms I love that are not yet represented.”

Then comes more boards with titles like “1.21 Gigawatts,” “007,” “Glitch in the Matrix,” “We Named the Dog Indiana,” “Timey-Wimey,” “Walkers,” “Stormborn,” “Shiny,” “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” And so on. Being the gigantic nerd you are, you need a “Star Trek” and a “Star Wars” board. Fandom is not complete without these two… duh!!

All of sudden you think to  yourself (cause there is no human in sight amid all this pinning) “What about superheroes? They aren’t represented yet either. That’s not even fair of me.” So you come up with boards like “DC vs. Marvel (everyone wins)” and “The Evil League of Evil.” And soon you find that perfect picture of Loki smiling with that devilishly handsome face of his and somehow you’ve ended up right back to pinning the many grins of Tom Hiddleston.

Just gradually more mischievous. And there's still people who don't get this fandom. bwaahaha

The circle is now complete. And an entire day has wasted away… but if we’re being honest with ourselves… do we really think wasted is the proper word? Nope!

Tomorrow let’s start with a young Harrison Ford and see where that takes us!! The possibilities are endless.

Young Harrison Ford

PS… I’m not even kidding. Head over to my Pinterest profile to explore the many wormholes that await you. And happy pinning!

Channeling Katniss

| LizT.

On Saturday my partner in crime, Grace Kelle of Lean Girl’s Club, and I went for our first archery lesson at Big Apple Archery in Flushing Queens.
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And while she always tries to find the fitness aspect in things like this, I’m on the lookout for the nerdities.

Whether the odds are in your favor and you’re channeling Katniss Everdeen or you’re into saving the world from an onslaught of evil aliens, a la Hawkeye of the Avengers, archery is fun for all.

Maybe the hooded hero is more your speed like the Green Arrow or you are saving Middle Earth from a pack of Orcs like Legolas. Perhaps you are a fierce Scottish red-head like Disney’s Merida.

Big Apple Archery may be a bit off the beaten path in Flushing Queens, but the instructors are patient, knowledgeable and funny. They let you shoot from a variety of distances and if you ask they will take some seriously bad ass looking pictures of you with your bow.
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Don’t worry if you don’t hit the bullseye, it’s more about consistency than accuracy, both of which I lacked, by the way.

But the most important factor was fun! And that was certainly had. Grace and I got this deal off Living Social making it just $15 a person instead of $20, but honestly I would pay $20 to go back for more range time. It was that good!!

Plus this is definitely a skill that will come in handy when the apocalypse hits.

25 days of (nerdy) Christmas!

| LizT.

“O Nerdy Night!”

Day 13: Holiday Movies

Every Christmas my family and I go to the movies. It’s a tradition and we always look forward to the holiday releases. This year the options are:

 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (The most likely choice as it is the nerdiest!)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

 

 

Saving Mr. Banks (Second most likely choice. We love Disney and this is a family friendly movie!)

Saving Mr. Banks

 

 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (The underdog of choices as it seems really heart-warming, but will most likely not have a chance against The Hobbit)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

 

 

47 Ronin (Looks awesome, but action rarely makes the Christmas cut.)

47 Ronin

 

 

American Hustle (The big NO! Not one member of my family wants to see 5 of the most attractive movie stars look like 1970’s trailer trash! No matter how much critical acclaim it garners.)

American Hustle

 

 

Justin Bieber’s Believe (No one saw the first one and this is what… a sequel?)

Justin Bieber's Believe

 

 

Walking with Dinosaurs (We may all be giant children, but none will be tempted by this film about talking dinosaurs.)

This is going to be the best movie ever. I know it!

 

 

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (My personal choice. With the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, this is both important and inspiring. Sounds like Christmas to me!)

MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

 

 

Frozen (Strong possibilities. It will still be in the theaters, but I have yet to see it, and chances are the members of my family haven’t seen it yet either. And I mentioned the deep love of Disney!)

Frozen: Elsa the Snow Queen, coming this Thanksgiving. Excited!

 

 

Grudge Match (Again with the big no! Granny would never go for this film about 2 old timers duking it out years past their prime!)

 

Grudge Match | Poster

What will you be seeing this holiday season?

25 days of (nerdy) Christmas!

| LizT.

“Geekin’ around the Christmas tree!”

Day 6: Book Christmas Tree

Who says you have to have a conventional Christmas tree? This year try something off the beaten path and I’m not talking a bright pink plastic abomination. Think outside of the box. Got a lot of books (perhaps a slightly unnaturally large collection?) stack them tall and wrap some lights around them. Creating a very unique and particularly nerdy Christmas tree. Sorta like this one. (Top with something perfectly geeky such as dork rim glasses!)

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All my favorites are represented in the tree. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Star Wars Expanded Universe, Ender’s Game, Narnia, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, history books, Robert Kennedy biographies, etc.
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30 Days of Nerdy Hair

| LizT.

Day 10: Legolas from The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Legolas from The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit is my choice for today. With the release of the new Hobbit 2 trailer, I am very excited to see Orlando Bloom return to his role as Legolas.
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This one is pretty simple. Start with very straight hair and tie it half up. Then create small french braids on each side starting from the side of your head, past your ears and let the rest of the braid just hang.
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LOTR Christmas Recap

| LizT.

On Christmas Eve 2012, my family and I gathered for our unique Christmas tradition.
In the past there was Harry Potter Christmas, Narnia Christmas, Star Wars Christmas and now Lord of the Rings Christmas.

The younger generation is not the only one to get into the spirit of Middle Earth. From me to my mother to my sister-in-law to my 92 year old Granny. No one is immune from the fun of LOTR Christmas.

We take photos in front of our huge green screen and have even incorporated themed gingerbread construction.

It is a festive affair.
Take a look at the continuing tradition:

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First a stop at Denny’s for their Hobbit inspired menu… in full costume, mind you.

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I dressed as Legolas.

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Many came as Hobbits.

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My dad was Gandalf the Grey.

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All the Hobbitses.

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Balrog and Shelob living the villain life.

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The dwarves Gloin and Gimli.

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My little Granny as Bilbo Baggins.

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And Grandma as Rosie Cotton.

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My mom dressed as Pippin.

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My brother as Gloin father of Gimli.

Then there was gingerbread and cookies:

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The Shire.

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The ‘happy place.’

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Tower, eye of Sauron and the one… 3 rings.

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The dwarves and Gandalf.

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Minas Tirith.

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The eyebof Sauron.

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Assorted LOTR shapes.

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And the waterfalls of Rivendell.

Stay tuned for edited photos of everyone in true Middle Earth scenery. (We don’t play around!)

Also, next year will br Doctor Who and I will be a weeping angel.

The Hobbit: an exceedingly expected delight

| LizT.

Let me preface this and any future review by saying that I am not a movie critic. I will basically be telling you what I love about the movies and tv show i watch and see. Seldom do I walk away from a movie hating it. Actually that is an almost never. I love pretty much everything. (People can attest!)

With that being said…
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The Hobbit opens to familiar scenary (the beauty of New Zealand clearly remains the unchanged), music and faces. Honestly, it felt like I had returned to the company of dear forgotten friends. And I had a tear in my eye at the reunion.
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Richard Armitage brings the kind of epic majesty to Thorin that Viggo Mortensen brought to Aragorn. It’s a quality that without being told, lets you know these characters are more that what they seem. He is the eager hero, the reluctant leader at times but always the stength of the travelling pack.
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Martin Freeman is beautifully endearing. Long have i been a fan of his body of work. Fron The Office to Hitchhiker’ Guide to Sherlock. He brings a quality to Bilbo that i believe no one elae can match. Bilbo’s fear of adventure lends to the bravery to take on the journey despite said fear. And he becomes the hero we all know he is meant to be. Even though a Hobbit may travel the lands virtually unseen, Bilbo’s heart is what drives everyone forward and equally allows him to shine.
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The cast of dwarves work in perfect harmony. Even taking time to ‘whistle as they work’ in true dwarf fashion. They all weave and work together like the braids on their beards.
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And as far as Ian McKellan… well it’s no surprise that he is as stalwart and Galdalfian as he ever was.

I personally have no interest I  hearing or reading one negative syllable about it and also cannot wait to see the sequels. For I know that they, respectively, will hold the same magic that this film does.

Today’s Imaginary Schedule…

| LizT.

Even though I can’t make it to the blessed event, that hasn’t stopped me from creating an imaginary Comic Con schedule for myself. And here’s what today’s day would’ve looked like, had I made it to San Diego this year…

10:15-11:15 TheOneRing.net: The Truth About The Hobbit— The Hobbit movie is imminent just at the book turns 75. With on-set visits, intrepid reporting, and the pulse of fans worldwide, the TORn staff shred rumors, answer questions, share New Zealand images-but not as part of the official publicity machine. Also featuring a special visual presentation from Weta Workshop and an account of Fandalf traveling the world and (all that is the tip of the iceberg!). Featuring Cliff Broadway (Ringers: Lord of the Fans) and Larry D. Curtis(Hobbit embedded reporter) and additional staff and guests. Room 6DE

12:00-1:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Once More, with Comics: How the Whedon Universes Continue in Comic Book Form— Authors Katrina Hill (Action Movie Freak, GeekNation.com), Jennifer K. Stuller (Ink-StainedAmazon, GeekGirlCon), and Traci Cohen (CSU-Sacramento) examine how comic books and graphic novels provide a new form of media adaptation in which the graphic novel form furthers the canon or official continuity of television series as sequels to the original material. Creator Joss Whedon’s television universes enjoy new life in print (e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9). Sharing their own thoughts on these Whedon comic book follow-ups are comic book writer/actress Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara), writer/producer Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Torchwood), writer Chris Gage (Angel & Faith), editors Scott Allie (Dark House) and Mariah Huehner (IDW), and actors Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bring It On) and Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cabin in the Woods). Room 26AB

Now, I am a Twilight fan, but the mere thought of trying to get into the Twilight panel, sends shivers of fear down my spine. So I most assuredly would skip it! And head for a quick bite to eat instead. After which…

2:00-3:00 Power Rangers: 20 Years and Beyond— Saban Brands and Shout! Factory officially kick off the 20th anniversary celebration of Power Rangers with a discussion featuring Elie Dekel (president, Saban Brands), Paul Schrier (“Bulk”), and other on-screen talent and members of the creative team. Moderated byBrian Ward (DVD producer of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Complete Series), the panel will dive into the origin and evolution of the Power Rangers franchise, including the long-awaited debut of the series on DVD and the show’s resurgence on Nickelodeon with Power Rangers Super Samurai and much more!Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

3:30-4:35 Beauty and the Beast— Kristin Kreuk (Smallville) and Jay Ryan(Terra Nova), along with executive producers Jennifer Levin (Without a Trace), Sherri Cooper (Brothers and Sisters), Brian Peterson (Smallville) and Kelly Souders (Smallville discuss the new CW fall show: a modern adaptation of the beloved fairy tale. Centering on Catherine Chandler (Kreuk), a tough-minded NYPD homicide detective, who is haunted by witnessing her mother’s murder nine years ago and the murderer’s quick demise at what she perceived to be the hands of a beast. After years of searching, Catherine finally discovers the beast is Vincent Keller (Ryan), a survivor of a military experiment that went disastrously wrong and left him in hiding to lead a secret life. Join the cast and producers for an exclusive viewing of the first episode, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dalton Ross(assistant managing editor, Entertainment Weekly). Ballroom 20
5:00-6:00 Legendary Comics— Legendary Comics presents a behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming slate of must-read projects. Get first-look access to new content, grab limited-edition giveaways, and ask questions of your favorite creators. The panel is hosted by the nerdist himself, Chris Hardwick. Panelists include The Tower Chronicles creators Matt Wagner (Grendel, Mage) and Simon Bisley (Lobo, 2000 AD), Shadow Walk creators Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide, G.I. Joe: Hearts & Minds), Mark Waid (Kingdom Come,The Flash), and Shane Davis (Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns, Superman: Earth One). Joining this all-star cast are co-creator of The Tower Chronicles and Shadow Walk, Thomas Tull (founder and CEO of Legendary Entertainment) and editor-in-chief Bob Schreck (All-Star Superman). Don’t miss breaking news regarding our next project from an elite creator in the comics industry who will be making a surprise appearance. Room 6A
The end of the night would be a tough decision between Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog and Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope.
Regardless, after whichever of the two I ended up choosing, I would head over to The Nerd Machine’s NerdHQ for The Nerd Army Party. To end the day in the best of ways. With hundreds of nerds and dancing!!!