Mordor’s going about it all wrong, incidentally. Harness all that geothermal energy, sell it to the humans, LIVE LIKE KINGS.
November 27, 2011 11:20 AM Subscribe
SF author and Mefi's Own Jscalzi was alone one night during a LOTR marathon and decided to live-tweet a running commentary.
Oh, hey, a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. Suddenly all my plans for industry fall to the wayside.
I have had this exact experience - and I ruined several other evenings by posting something similar on facebook. It's really pretty much impossible to be productive when the alternative is a LOTR marathon on TV. This is one of the reasons I don't have cable.
posted by lunasol at 11:37 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
I have had this exact experience - and I ruined several other evenings by posting something similar on facebook. It's really pretty much impossible to be productive when the alternative is a LOTR marathon on TV. This is one of the reasons I don't have cable.
posted by lunasol at 11:37 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
That should have read "I ruined the productivity of several other people's evenings by posting something similar on facebook."
posted by lunasol at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by lunasol at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is pretty hilarious, actually.
posted by FirstMateKate at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by FirstMateKate at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
And oh man, now that I think about it, if such a thing could be accomplished, that could be a whole new thing: downloading timed, running Twitter commentary tracks from random people who love a movie, delivered to your phone in real time, synced with the film(s).
When this is implemented, I'd like royalty checks, please.
posted by LooseFilter at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [6 favorites]
When this is implemented, I'd like royalty checks, please.
posted by LooseFilter at 11:39 AM on November 27, 2011 [6 favorites]
I wonder what ents do when they come across a book. I imagine there’s a lot of screaming.
Gold.
posted by Jubal Kessler at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2011 [7 favorites]
Gold.
posted by Jubal Kessler at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2011 [7 favorites]
*fires up Twitter, checks torrents, pulls Dark Side of the Moon out of its jacket*
posted by maudlin at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
downloading timed, running Twitter commentary tracks from random people who love a movie, delivered to your phone in real time, synced with the film(s).
It would be pretty trivial to convert Tweets with time offsets into an srt subtitle file, then play it back in VLC.
posted by benzenedream at 11:44 AM on November 27, 2011 [12 favorites]
It would be pretty trivial to convert Tweets with time offsets into an srt subtitle file, then play it back in VLC.
posted by benzenedream at 11:44 AM on November 27, 2011 [12 favorites]
do a little curation and you've invented Make Your Own Pop Up Video.
Someone tell the Rifftrax people.
posted by The Whelk at 11:46 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Someone tell the Rifftrax people.
posted by The Whelk at 11:46 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Helm’s Deep explosion: One of the top five explosions in film history. Discuss.
I'll add in the ape explosion at the end of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. If I could recommend films only on the basis of Ape Explosions, that would get the highest marks.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 11:55 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'll add in the ape explosion at the end of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. If I could recommend films only on the basis of Ape Explosions, that would get the highest marks.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 11:55 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
tweet trax?
posted by ian1977 at 11:55 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ian1977 at 11:55 AM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
tweet trax?
Well I know what I'm doing this winter.
posted by The Whelk at 11:56 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
If he was livetweeting the Encore channel presentation, he did it a day early.
Today, Sunday November 27, they're airing all three EXTENDED EDITIONS back to back.
He merely livetweeted a standard edition marathon.
What a slacker.
posted by hippybear at 11:57 AM on November 27, 2011
Today, Sunday November 27, they're airing all three EXTENDED EDITIONS back to back.
He merely livetweeted a standard edition marathon.
What a slacker.
posted by hippybear at 11:57 AM on November 27, 2011
If I could recommend films only on the basis of Ape Explosions, that would get the highest marks.
This would be a rating scale I would pay attention to.
posted by LooseFilter at 12:08 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
This would be a rating scale I would pay attention to.
posted by LooseFilter at 12:08 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nothing about the part where Frodo rolls around in bed with all of his friends? I saw RotK in the theatre with my dad, and during that scene I was slinking so low in my seat I got stuck.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:09 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:09 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
You mean this scene i'msosorry
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:10 PM on November 27, 2011 [10 favorites]
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:10 PM on November 27, 2011 [10 favorites]
one of the top 5 explosions
No. And I adore the movies.
If you wanted to propose the sudden wide shot of Gandalf and the Balrog plummeting into the cavern for the top 5 "plummeting into chasms", I would second the nomination. Or even the fall of Sauron's tower in Mordor for the top 5 "villains's lair collapses".
But the Helm's Deep explosion is not of that caliber. YMMV.
posted by Trurl at 12:22 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
No. And I adore the movies.
If you wanted to propose the sudden wide shot of Gandalf and the Balrog plummeting into the cavern for the top 5 "plummeting into chasms", I would second the nomination. Or even the fall of Sauron's tower in Mordor for the top 5 "villains's lair collapses".
But the Helm's Deep explosion is not of that caliber. YMMV.
posted by Trurl at 12:22 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
One does not simply blog into Mordor!
posted by ardgedee at 12:33 PM on November 27, 2011 [17 favorites]
posted by ardgedee at 12:33 PM on November 27, 2011 [17 favorites]
Godfather Trilogy? What are you talking about? There were only ever two Godfather movies, and they were both great.
LalalalalaIcan'thearyouIcan'thearyoulalalalala
posted by hippybear at 1:01 PM on November 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
LalalalalaIcan'thearyouIcan'thearyoulalalalala
posted by hippybear at 1:01 PM on November 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
This is pretty fun to read. But what I want now is to be able to have the whole feed sent to my phone in real time while I watch an LOTR marathon
Time code synced running commentary. I smell a dot com startup!
posted by StickyCarpet at 1:03 PM on November 27, 2011
Time code synced running commentary. I smell a dot com startup!
posted by StickyCarpet at 1:03 PM on November 27, 2011
Love it. "Pervert McTraitorpants" - name for next band?
posted by greenhornet at 1:09 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by greenhornet at 1:09 PM on November 27, 2011
Godfather Trilogy? What are you talking about? There were only ever two Godfather movies, and they were both great.
That's an entire movie just waiting for someone with the quick wit of Scalzi. Shame on you for ignoring a comedy goldmine.
posted by Fizz at 1:09 PM on November 27, 2011
That's an entire movie just waiting for someone with the quick wit of Scalzi. Shame on you for ignoring a comedy goldmine.
posted by Fizz at 1:09 PM on November 27, 2011
Godfather Trilogy? What are you talking about? There were only ever two Godfather movies, and they were both great.
This is the movie universe I live in, too. Also, The Matrix was a brilliant, stand-alone film and it's too bad that The Clone Wars cartoon series is the only new Star Wars content we've gotten since Jedi.
posted by LooseFilter at 1:15 PM on November 27, 2011 [18 favorites]
This is the movie universe I live in, too. Also, The Matrix was a brilliant, stand-alone film and it's too bad that The Clone Wars cartoon series is the only new Star Wars content we've gotten since Jedi.
posted by LooseFilter at 1:15 PM on November 27, 2011 [18 favorites]
Time code synced running commentary. I smell a dot com startup
Sounds doable, from a technical standpoint. Send a TXT to some number with the name of the movie you are about to watch when the film company logo appears, and then get TXT TRACKS sent back to you throughout the film.
posted by fings at 1:19 PM on November 27, 2011
Sounds doable, from a technical standpoint. Send a TXT to some number with the name of the movie you are about to watch when the film company logo appears, and then get TXT TRACKS sent back to you throughout the film.
posted by fings at 1:19 PM on November 27, 2011
Time code synced running commentary. I smell a dot com startup
Too bad I'm a musician and not a business man.
posted by LooseFilter at 1:26 PM on November 27, 2011
Too bad I'm a musician and not a business man.
posted by LooseFilter at 1:26 PM on November 27, 2011
This is the best thing.
Any hopes I might've had for productivity today have now been completely quashed by my desire to watch LoTR. OH WELL.
posted by clavier at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2011
Any hopes I might've had for productivity today have now been completely quashed by my desire to watch LoTR. OH WELL.
posted by clavier at 1:34 PM on November 27, 2011
Our local theater hosts "Hecklevision" once a month (this week is Jurassic Park 2!) and it's basically this only in a theater with beer, in real time with a bunch of people only some of whom are funny. But still pretty hilarious even if the humor is less even.
Rachael
posted by R343L at 1:53 PM on November 27, 2011
Rachael
posted by R343L at 1:53 PM on November 27, 2011
And yet Netflix only has The Two Towers. Who DOES that?
posted by NoraReed at 2:00 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by NoraReed at 2:00 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
why did I sign that post? I really don't normally. Sigh.
posted by R343L at 2:09 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by R343L at 2:09 PM on November 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
jscalzi is funny as hell and that was well done but oh god, bunny's youtube link? The dogs thought I was dying I laughed so hard. I'm still giggling and my shirt sleeves are all wet from the tears.
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:10 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:10 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Today, Sunday November 27, they're airing all three EXTENDED EDITIONS back to back.
He merely livetweeted a standard edition marathon.
Yeah, I had this on for a bit last night and they didn't even show Saruman's last words.
posted by homunculus at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
He merely livetweeted a standard edition marathon.
Yeah, I had this on for a bit last night and they didn't even show Saruman's last words.
posted by homunculus at 2:29 PM on November 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
The men of Helm’s Deep are saved! The League of Bowie Impersonators has arrived!
Eponysatisfied.
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:32 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Eponysatisfied.
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:32 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I had this on for a bit last night and they didn't even show Saruman's last words .
Well, you had it on last night. That's the problem. They're showing the extended editions right now.
posted by hippybear at 2:33 PM on November 27, 2011
Well, you had it on last night. That's the problem. They're showing the extended editions right now.
posted by hippybear at 2:33 PM on November 27, 2011
Some of them are almost funny.
posted by fleacircus at 3:11 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by fleacircus at 3:11 PM on November 27, 2011
“You shall not pass!” — The Balrog’s algebra teacher.
Frodo just admitted to being in a same sex relationship with Gollum. Sam will kill him!!
The One Ring is bad for your teeth. Pass it on.
Wow, these are terrible.
posted by euphorb at 3:18 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Frodo just admitted to being in a same sex relationship with Gollum. Sam will kill him!!
The One Ring is bad for your teeth. Pass it on.
Wow, these are terrible.
posted by euphorb at 3:18 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
I knew Osgilliath was doomed when the Starbucks closed up. All 16 of them #OrcsHateCoffee
Come on, that's amusing.
posted by A dead Quaker at 3:29 PM on November 27, 2011
Come on, that's amusing.
posted by A dead Quaker at 3:29 PM on November 27, 2011
I love the fact that he asked for a Smeagol "Fish Batter" dubstep and within 24 hours somebody made one.
posted by Megafly at 4:45 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Megafly at 4:45 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Wow, these are terrible.
And yet they're completely free. How does that work?
posted by dhartung at 4:55 PM on November 27, 2011
And yet they're completely free. How does that work?
posted by dhartung at 4:55 PM on November 27, 2011
Holy shit there are a lot of pre-existing LOTR dubstep videos.
posted by benzenedream at 5:12 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by benzenedream at 5:12 PM on November 27, 2011
I'd like to see him livetweet the OMW movie someday.
posted by dragonplayer at 6:50 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by dragonplayer at 6:50 PM on November 27, 2011
I saw RotK in the theatre with my dad, and during that scene I was slinking so low in my seat I got stuck.
My dad introduced me to LOTR. He gave me his set of books from the 1960s to read, along with the Tolkien Companion from the late 70s. He refused to see the movies at all because Tom Bombadil wasn't in it. This, along with a lot of other subtle hints over the years (including a D&D-sounding nickname he used for one of his email accounts), made me think he used to be a nerd, but you'd never know it now. I have a feeling that some day in the distant future I'll discover a set of action figures of his or something.
posted by Hoopo at 7:31 PM on November 27, 2011
My dad introduced me to LOTR. He gave me his set of books from the 1960s to read, along with the Tolkien Companion from the late 70s. He refused to see the movies at all because Tom Bombadil wasn't in it. This, along with a lot of other subtle hints over the years (including a D&D-sounding nickname he used for one of his email accounts), made me think he used to be a nerd, but you'd never know it now. I have a feeling that some day in the distant future I'll discover a set of action figures of his or something.
posted by Hoopo at 7:31 PM on November 27, 2011
So... when's the metafilter tweet trax kickstarter going up?
posted by stratastar at 7:37 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by stratastar at 7:37 PM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
We discovered when Fellowship came out that it's possible to have a lot of fun just stating the various parts of Moria. "Hm, crumbling masonry... OF MORIA! It must not have been up to the building codes... OF MORIA!" We went on for quite some time like this.
posted by JHarris at 8:44 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by JHarris at 8:44 PM on November 27, 2011
I'm fond of saying 'what do your elf eyes see?' because that is the greatest line ever.
posted by h00py at 10:20 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by h00py at 10:20 PM on November 27, 2011
A red dawn. Blood has been spilled this night.
Or, y'know, s'gonna rain.
posted by Sebmojo at 11:37 PM on November 27, 2011
Or, y'know, s'gonna rain.
posted by Sebmojo at 11:37 PM on November 27, 2011
I wonder if it's mere coincidence that StevenBrust is livetweeting a Firefly marathon right now?
posted by hindmost at 11:44 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by hindmost at 11:44 PM on November 27, 2011
Frodo just admitted to being in a same sex relationship with Gollum. Sam will kill him!!
This is, I think, a reference to the Very Secret Diaries of the LotR characters. That kept me amused for quite a while when I was 16.
And while I'm reminiscing about my teenage years, that reminds me of a story my friend Chris told me. He went to see The Two Towers when it opened, and was sat in a row with a couple of my other friends either side of him. And he was really enjoying it, which caused problems when he started feeling the call of nature an hour or so into the film.
He reckoned he could tough it out, but unfortunately made the mistake of letting my other friends know about the situation. So for the next little while, he had Lucy on his right whispering "d'you need a wee, Chris? D'you need a wee?" near-constantly, while Zoe on the other side was quietly hissing "sssssss..." into his ear.
But Chris is both mentally and physically strong. (He's a black belt in karate now.) He could take it, despite the mental torture.
Well, right up until the Ents destroyed Isengard, anyway, and Treebeard roared in shuddering, rumbling tones:
"BREACH THE DAM! RELEASE THE RIVER!"
It was too much, and he had to run for it. I'm not sure he's forgiven either them or Treebeard yet.
posted by ZsigE at 5:03 AM on November 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
This is, I think, a reference to the Very Secret Diaries of the LotR characters. That kept me amused for quite a while when I was 16.
And while I'm reminiscing about my teenage years, that reminds me of a story my friend Chris told me. He went to see The Two Towers when it opened, and was sat in a row with a couple of my other friends either side of him. And he was really enjoying it, which caused problems when he started feeling the call of nature an hour or so into the film.
He reckoned he could tough it out, but unfortunately made the mistake of letting my other friends know about the situation. So for the next little while, he had Lucy on his right whispering "d'you need a wee, Chris? D'you need a wee?" near-constantly, while Zoe on the other side was quietly hissing "sssssss..." into his ear.
But Chris is both mentally and physically strong. (He's a black belt in karate now.) He could take it, despite the mental torture.
Well, right up until the Ents destroyed Isengard, anyway, and Treebeard roared in shuddering, rumbling tones:
"BREACH THE DAM! RELEASE THE RIVER!"
It was too much, and he had to run for it. I'm not sure he's forgiven either them or Treebeard yet.
posted by ZsigE at 5:03 AM on November 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
Orcs vs. Stormtroopers. GO. On second thought, never mind. Neither side aims well enough for it to be interesting.
Change "side" to "movie" and you have a good encapsulation of how both LOTR (the movies) and Star Wars ultimately fail.
posted by mrgrimm at 9:21 AM on November 28, 2011
Change "side" to "movie" and you have a good encapsulation of how both LOTR (the movies) and Star Wars ultimately fail.
posted by mrgrimm at 9:21 AM on November 28, 2011
Oh god yes, the Diaries. "Went all the way to the Gap of Rohan only to find there is no Gap in Rohan."
posted by zadcat at 4:40 PM on November 28, 2011
posted by zadcat at 4:40 PM on November 28, 2011
One Author to Rule Them All: Fantasy fiction writers are still following J. R. R. Tolkien’s formula.
posted by homunculus at 11:50 AM on December 4, 2011
posted by homunculus at 11:50 AM on December 4, 2011
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posted by LooseFilter at 11:37 AM on November 27, 2011 [2 favorites]