The Hobbit

[Kerry]

I've just enjoyed listening to the episode on The Hobbit and Life of Pi. I smiled at Juliana's (I hope I spelled her name right) comment about disliking the dwarves' song about that's what Bilbo Baggins hates. I did as she was suggesting in the last few months and gave The Hobbit to my 9 year old son to read. He loved it and I think that was his favourite part of the entire book. He'd be reading it in bed and we'd hear gales of hysterical laughter coming from his bedroom. We'd then be called in to listen while he tried to read/sing it to us. He never got far before dissolving into giggles. So I can say from experience that that is something better appreciated when you're 9.

In response to Luke's comment about audiobooks being easier than books, I'll have to say that it's the exact opposite for me. I love audiobooks but always lose concentration and miss bits. I also live a life that doesn't include commuting and things like that, so I don't get a lot of listening opportunities. I once did one of those "how do you learn" tests and came out so heavily on the read/write response even the guy giving the test was surprised, so that is probably also a factor. It's great so many audiobooks are now available for those who are aural learners and take in information really well that way. I keep trying, but I'm not really one of them myself.

I really enjoyed the episode and you're geek/nerd cred holds up with me, Luke.

[Luke]

Good to know your son enjoyed the songs! I don't mind them, though I think the movie could have done without the plate juggling as well as the accompanying song.

As for audiobooks, I don't mean they are easier than paper books. My point is that if I've read a book before, and just want to re-read the book, it's way easier for me to fit it in if I listen to it. I already know the story, or probably remember most of it, that I don't mind being distracted a little.

Also, because about half of the audiobooks are titles I've read before, I have a good handle on what I get from an audiobook that I don't from a paper book, and also what audiobooks lack.

My geek/nerd cred in regards to Lord of the Rings is sketchy. I'm sure I could do better with other geek fiction topics.

[Keith]

Strangely enough, I thought the "That's what Bilbo Baggins Hates" song was handled really well. Didn't feel forced. Sure, they're a bunch of rude, ungrateful buns, and I would probably be driven half-mad if I had to deal with them, but the song didn't feel forced. Didn't feel "oh, right, we've got to include this for the kids."

PS. No, I'm not going to make sure I've spelled the Hobbit's name correctly. That would take work. Okay, fine. I checked, and I think I've got it right.

[James]

I enjoyed the songs and plate juggling. It's the boring action sequences, lack of jeopardy and the nemesis silliness that the movie could have done without for me.

[Luke]

As a juggler I dislike fake depictions of juggling in movies. The Hobbit actually wasn't so bad. The cartoonish nature of the juggling and singing set it up well as a danger-free movie for the remainder.

The worst movie for fake juggling was King Kong by Jackson. 250 million dollars, and none spent on teaching Naomi Watts haw to look convincing as a juggler.

[T.L.]

Right, enjoyed the episode a great deal. In fact, every episode with Juliane in it has been great. You have a really good dialogue together that adds to the podcast. She gives a great fresh and contrasting view point, that works particularly well because she's read less Sci Fi. Keep it up! I love hearing well thought out viewpoints from people who aren't as thoroughly indoctrinated. Helps with my writing.

Also, totally agree with you that Life of Pi (book, haven't seen the movie) is not a fantasy, or even a mystical realism. I'd love to hear what you have to say or chat about it, but to do so would be a spoiler and you dodged that bullet very nicely in your discussion.

Compliments aside, I thought I'd totally geek out and note a couple of points that were left hanging in your review. In the book, Azog is not the orc that leads the goblins in the Battle of the 5 armies... he's not in the Hobbit at all, but rather appears in the appendices of the LOTR as the head of the Orcs of Moria, who kills Thorin's Grandfather at the gates (his dad looks in the gates, sees the Balrog and wanders off to be captured by the Necromancer (i.e. Sauron)). In the book, Azog is then killed by Thorin, and thus Bolg has a grudge to bear against Thorin. .

Now, I'm sure you're right that he WILL be the Orc who leads the armies at the end of the trilogy, but when Peter Jackson put him in, he was pretty clearly turning the tables on the grudge element, and so adding a bit of dramatic tension to the end which, to be honest, I felt was missing in the book. After all, the whole thing was a huge build up to killing off Smaug, which then happens off screen and by someone we barely know. Then, Tolkien throws in this kind of random battle at the end (metaphor wore WWI?) that has no real build up earlier on. Put Azog in it as the orc who kills Thorin's father, and the dramatic build up through three movies might make it work better.

Anyway, geeking over. Good episode. Keep bringing Julianne back for specials. It works really well.

Oh yes, and PS. I think Juliane was completely correct, that even in the movie, they need to have thirteen dwarves even to have a chance to kill off the dragon at the end. Besides, Jackson would have been crucified by the fans if he reduced the number of dwarves.

[Juliane]

T.L. wrote: "Right, enjoyed the episode a great deal. In fact, every episode with Juliane in it has been great. You have a really good dialogue together that adds to the podcast. She gives a great fresh and ..."

Thank you, T.L., for your nice feedback.

It's good to know that the SFBRP listeners enjoy listening to Luke and me talking about the books we read together. Also as I am not native english, it's sometimes quite a challenge, but it is nice to chat with Luke about my Science-Fiction experiences.

Hope you'll enjoy the next episodes as well!