The Proper Way To Watch Lord Of The Rings

Bilbo & Frodo

It’s very easy to view The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films as a ‘complete story’ that is ‘told in a chronologically-sequential order’, but are you really getting the most out of the series? Sure, you can watch it the way that Peter Jackson, JRR Tolkien and basic linear causality intended, but where’s the fun in that? There are probably heaps of little secrets and easter eggs that reveal themselves if you mess with it.

For those unfamiliar with the books, I have developed a viewing order that will absolutely enhance your experience. Next time you’re having a Middle-earth movie marathon with friends, try this out:

  1. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
  2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
  4. Willow
  5. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (again)
  6. Eastern Promises
  7. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

It may seem weird at first, but it will totally make sense in context, and your friends will be impressed with your clever reimagining!

The Proper Way To Watch Lord of the Rings

(NB – on the night, make sure you serve the refreshments in the following order: cheese, then gin, then After Dinner Mints, then vermouth, then the crackers for the cheese, then a whole roast chicken, then olives on toothpicks, then Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.)

The Best Films of 2012

Cover 2012

It’s possible I took this list a bit too seriously this year.

I may balk at the constant ranking and award-giving that seems to occupy so much of the discussion that surrounds film, but it’s at this time of the year that I remember that the film lovers who don’t see practically every new release are likely overwhelmed by the increasing number of new titles that appear in multiplexes, arthouse palaces, film festivals, video stores (remember those?) and online. If a ‘best of the year’ film list has any use to anyone, it’s pointing them towards the gems worth seeking out.

Before we get started, I’m going to confess that my approach to release dates is somewhat inconsistent. Because you are reading this on the World Wide Web, this list is, where possible, made up of films that were originally, internationally released in 2012. This was not always possible; I was unable to view some 2012 films that are being released in Australia in 2013 (Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook, for instance), although I made a bigger dent in them than I ever have before. Some 2011 films made it into here by sheer necessity; others did not. Hugo, Shame and some others which were released in Australia in January made it onto my Best of 2011. It’s really best not to think too hard about it.

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A Christmas Carol

I’m probably leaving this a little late, but those of you who wanted to catch my father’s one man show – now in its tenth year – should know that the Melbourne leg of the tour begins tonight!

After touring Shanghai last month (and winning an award from the Shanghai Contemporary Theatre Festival) and New Zealand, he’ll be playing the Athenaeum in Melbourne for six shows before heading off to Europe until the end of the year.

For those who don’t know, he plays Charles Dickens performing A Christmas Carol from start to finish. Dickens himself used to do this show, and it was massively popular back in his day. It probably sounds dull, like someone reading at you for two hours, but it feels like a full production, with every single character distinct and unique.

As one of the two essential Christmas stories*, it’s one you simply have to see.

Dec 5 – 6:30pm (Preview)

Dec 6 – 8pm

Dec 7 – 8pm (Special Charity Gala)

Dec 8 – 2pm & 8pm

Dec 9 – 4pm

Click here to book.

Those in Europe should keep an eye on the website for information on the 2012/2013 tour.

* The other is It’s a Wonderful Life. Sorry, Jesus.