So... who's dressing up for TTT?

[WallRocker]

I'm personally going to wear a gold ring around my neck on a silver chain. Not very elaborate, I know, but at least it's something:)

[Ërendil]

I do that anyway :) I love my one ring replica.

[Varda Oiolosseo]

I want to dress up in a elven dress! A really pretty one like Arwen!
I am going to make it myself but I havn'tdone it yet so i might wear it for Return Of The King!

[Ërendil]

I want to make one too! Tell me when you make yours ok? It would be so cool turning up to the cinema in an elven dress >imagines the look on people's faces< lol

[Varda Oiolosseo]

hmmm! especially the people we knew!! They would never speak to us again! Well some of them!!
Mine's going to be white and it's gonna look really nice but it's kinda hard to explain so I'll leave it at that!

[Ërendil]

If i were making one it would either be dark green or, like you Varda, white. It would be really cool.

[ArwenEvenstar]

hmmm I think me and my friends will prolly go with rings on a chain. I think I'll take a sword, security would just love me!

[Celebréiel]

me too! My cheap one ring replica on a chain, some leather cuff thingy, green clothes...just for the spirit of it all. ;)
~Celebréiel

[Sister Golden Hair]

You know, you guys are going to hate me after this post, but I am going to the movie opening night against my better judgement. I hate this whole dressing up stuff and I hated it with Star Trek too, which I am a big fan of.

Why can't you just love the books and be a fan of the story without going to such an extream? A normal intellignt person would not do that. The story is in its own way sacred. The movie is fine, but don't take it to an extream of where it commercializes the story and changes its appriciation by people that have been devoted to the books for years.:(

[Shadowfax]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
Why can't you just love the books and be a fan of the story without going to such an extream? I agree with you totally about that. Why dress up? To prove you are a "true" fan or something? I don't think so!

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
I agree with you totally about that. Why dress up? To prove you are a "true" fan or something? I don't think so! Thank you. It takes something away from its true value, and it's just plain silly.

[bropous]

I would have to agree that dressing up for the film is pretty moronic. Talk about chances of being cool being ruined for life....

[Arathorn]

I'm dressing up in my finest mystic dwarven clothes on top of my casual attire. :rolleyes: You won't be able to see it unless you have mithril in your possession.

[Draken]

Umm I don't think anyone was saying dressing up was compulsory so far as I know. Personally I'll be going in my standard jeans and a rugby league replica shirt of some description, but if others want to dress up, fine.

Loosen up, folks, it's only a film!

[Miranda]

Originally posted by Draken
Umm I don't think anyone was saying dressing up was compulsory so far as I know. Personally I'll be going in my standard jeans and a rugby league replica shirt of some description, but if others want to dress up, fine.

Loosen up, folks, it's only a film!

Hey boy!!! I'm dressing up!!!! Mx

[WallRocker]

~ Originally posted Shadowfax ~ Why dress up? To prove you are a "true" fan or something? I don't think so!
No offense, but I think dressing up is just part of the fun for some people. But if it's not for you, then I don't have a problem with that!

[Sister Golden Hair]

Loosen up, folks, it's only a film! It is a film based on the greatest fantasy novel ever written. It's bad enough that the movie is never as good as the book, and that it has left out IMO some essential charachters without turning this masterpiece into a commercial joke. Burger Kings promotion of the last movie in selling glasses and action figures is just a way to capitalize off of a classic that should remain in the genre that it always lived in before the movie. It's like having your favorite band turn pop. It's going to be a good movie, I have no doubt of that, and I think it was always Jackson's intention to do honor to Tolkien, not to turn his masterpiece into a halloween party.

[Nibs]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I think it was always Jackson's intention to do honor to Tolkien, not to turn his masterpiece into a halloween party. I would have dressed up (http://mr_delish.tripod.com/isdelf.html), were I able to actually see the film within the next two years (long story, check out the signature), and I think you're going a bit too far when you say

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
It takes something away from its true value, and it's just plain silly.Not to say everyone should dress up, mind you (because not everyone makes up for a dashing young elf warrior, as I do :p ), but I wouldn't call that a farce of Tolkien's work, as you've hinted. I actually consider my costume part of my own reverence for his work. But if you decide that's not for you, it's okay... it's just not cool to eschew others on that basis.

One could call this board silly, and the discussions thereof as taking away from the true value of Tolkien's work, but that doesn't make sense. Nor does saying that dressing up detracts from those same works. Well, that is, unless you have a good explanation, although I don't think anyone has hated the books since I've created my costume. But I just may pique someone's interest in them.

[Blackboar]

I'm wearing a ring! (Like nearly everybody:( )
And I'm going to take a dagger and wear a curly wig! (I'm small enough so I'll look just like a hobbit!)
Oh how everyone will stare at me!!!!
;)

[Ms. Undomial]

I am going to dress up. I am going to wear this REALLY pretty and "Elf-Like" dress, with a shirt with bell sleeves, and a really pretty cape type of thing. and I am going to do my hair exactly like Arwen's (in the movie). I am doing it cause I thought it would be neat, and fun! :rolleyes: :D

[Sister Golden Hair]

Nibs, you misunderstand. When I read the books many years ago, its popularity was there, but it was a less broader group of people. It always sat high on the scholarly chart and the majority didn't even know it existed, or if you mentioned it, they had heard of it, but knew little or nothing about it. It thrived in a special class all its own. What I am saying is that the movie to a degree has exploited the story and movie fans and I mean fans that have not read the books yet, are taking it to an uncomplimentary extream IMO. It just takes it out of that classy level it has always been in and puts it in a (just another passing fad) category. I don't care if others drees up, I just think it isn't necessary to be a true Tolkien fan.

[Nibs]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
What I am saying is that the movie to a degree has exploited the story and movie fans and I mean fans that have not read the books yet, are taking it to an uncomplimentary extream IMO. It just takes it out of that classy level it has always been in and puts it in a (just another passing fad) category.I disagree. The movies have already interested some people enough to read the books, if only to know what happens at the end. Shouldn't that be the desirable outcome of the movies and this board, even?

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I just think it isn't necessary to be a true Tolkien fan.I agree.

[Sister Golden Hair]

I disagree. The movies have already interested some people enough to read the books, if only to know what happens at the end. Shouldn't that be the desirable outcome of the movies and this board, even? I agree that the movie has also had positive effects and it is great that it can generate the interest that will draw fans to the books. I'm all for that. I'm just saying that fandom should be kept at a sensible level that does justice to the story instead of turning it into a circus, so that Tolkien's works will always be viewed as a serious piece of literature like it deserves.

[Nibs]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I'm just saying that fandom should be kept at a sensible level that does justice to the story instead of turning it into a circus, so that Tolkien's works will always be viewed as a serious piece of literature like it deserves. So, considering that I would have dressed up, I would be adding to the "circus" atmosphere and therefore would be mocking the inherent seriousness of Tolkien's work, right? It doesn't matter that I've read the books and love them, it just matters that I'm wearing a costume and with that you can say that I'm debasing his literature to the effect of a circus. Okay...

So you just don't think that dressing up is "sensible", but "just plain silly", as you put it. Well, I could easily fall prey to that same premise and claim that you're afraid to let go and have some fun. Which would not be true, I hope.

It's just a matter of opinion, but it bugs me when you state it as fact:

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
It takes something away from its true value, and it's just plain silly.

So call me silly, insensible, classless, and a circus performer, while you're at it.

[Celebréiel]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I agree that the movie has also had positive effects and it is great that it can generate the interest that will draw fans to the books. I'm all for that. I'm just saying that fandom should be kept at a sensible level that does justice to the story instead of turning it into a circus, so that Tolkien's works will always be viewed as a serious piece of literature like it deserves.
ok, I do see your point now. I can understand where your coming from. It is a little weird seeing lord of the rings stuff on MTV and people almost disregarding how great and special the books were to most people.( I think thats what you meant anyways ;) ) And its totally weird to overhear someone say tolkien is 'trendy' (which unfortunatly ive heard too many times) I wouldnt go as far to say dressing up turns it into a circus or takes away from the wonderful work that it is. I think the people that havent read the books, or refuse too and regard tolkien as a 'new' trend are the ones turning it into a circus. Those are the people that are taking away from some of the glory of tolkien. But I dunno, im just rambling, as far as dressing up goes I think its ok! :cool:
(sorry If i got a little off topic)
~Celebréiel

[Sister Golden Hair]

It's just a matter of opinion, but it bugs me when you state it as fact: I said, IMO.

Read the post above. That states pretty well, what I am getting at. I am refering mostly to people who have not read the books and have swept them more or less under the carpet, and are only seeing the story as it is in the movie.

I Would never say people don't have the right to dress up nibs. It is something I wouldn't do and yes it is silly to me and IMO it puts the story in the movie in the limelight and lets the books and Tolkien take a backseat so to speak.

[Nibs]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I said, IMO.But not in the particular post I was quoting from.

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I am refering mostly to people who have not read the books and have swept them more or less under the carpet, and are only seeing the story as it is in the movie.How many people do you think dress up that haven't read the books? Very few, I'd wager.

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
The movie is fine, but don't take it to an extream of where it commercializes the story and changes its appriciation by people that have been devoted to the books for years.So, is the real issue merely that you consider dressing up silly or do you still maintain that it cheapens the story in some way? Or are you saying that some of the people that dress up haven't read the books and are depriving themselves of a wonderful literary experience?

I just don't see how dressing up "changes its appriciation by people that have been devoted to the books for years".

As for myself, it will take more than movies and even the commercials for plastic Burger King chalices to degrade my opinion of Tolkien's works. That has only improved, even with the rampant commercialization.

[Lief Erikson]

I was looking over the last page of this thread, and found myself very surprised that anyone here disapproved of people's dressing up to seeing these films.

Some people get excited in different ways from others, and different people express it in different ways. My family is full of LoTR fanatics, yet some of them display that in different ways from others. My two younger brothers buy LoTR cards nonstop; they must have spent over a hundred dollars on them now, between them. They fight orcs all over the house and inflict orc noises on us :rolleyes: :). My sister Sarah watches TTT previews that we have nonstop. My older sister Elysha loves the character developement, but takes that to the extreme that she would like to completely skip Moria. My mother watches the movies whenever she gets the opportunity, and has read the books multiple times.

I meanwhile, am the only one of our family who has read the Silmarillion, and enjoys getting into debates about it and the theology and myth of Tolkien's work.

That some people like to dress up for LoTR doesn't surprise me in the slightest- it's just that such a person, being different from you, likes to express their enthusiasm for LoTR in a different way. It's an expression of enthusiasm, not an affront on the genius of the books.

Dressing up isn't necessary to show appreciation. On the other hand, of course, it doesn't show anything wrong with your passion for Tolkien's work either.

[Wayfarer]

Well, it's not like anyone wants to buy into a franchise that sucks! ]: )

I have a jacket which I like to wear draped over my shoulders cloak-style, I'll probobly wear that.

[Lollypopgurl]

I'm just wearing normal clothes. But the ring thing is a good idea....

[Sister Golden Hair]

Nibs, everyone, dress up, enjoy the film. I am not saying you are not true fans of the books. I just think it isn't necessary and I wouldn't do it. I wonder if Tolkien were alive if he would be flattered by all the attention.

[Nibs]

There ya go... HAVE FUN.

Too bad that I'm not even seeing it in the theatre. I would be dressing up :( . My fanaticism knows few bounds.

[Turgon]

Nibs I know you’re a Mormon and all but what does that have to do with the Two Towers? They have no theaters in El Salvador? Give me your address down there I’ll mail you a T.V., DVD player, the Two Towers when it comes out on DVD (that was a given), a generator (for electricity) and a gallon of gas for the generator (wonder if that will make it through customs). You know us Tolkien geeks have to stick together!

As for the dressing up thing, I wouldn't do it but I would also never stop someone from smiling. :)

[cassiopeia]

I am not going to dress up, but I might wear my ring on a chain. If I see anyone dressed up, I will probably have a good laugh (no offense to anyone dressing up here). :) And if there is any fan girls giggling whenever Legolas comes on screen I am going to get really angry. :rolleyes: People used to dress up before the movies as well.

[Rían]

DO you think if I took my (real) bow and (pointy and lethal) arrows with me to TT, anyone would object? :eek:

Maybe I'll just take an empty quiver....

[Turgon]

Originally posted by RÃ*an
DO you think if I took my (real) bow and (pointy and lethal) arrows with me to TT, anyone would object? :eek:

Holy $h*t that’s too funny. I have a quick story to tell you.

It was my friend’s birthday (about a week ago) and a bunch of us made a piñata and filled it with all this candy. We also made this bag full of all this random stuff like a bathroom carpet shaped like a duck, an M&M poster (the rapper and my friend hates him), some pink power puff girl hats, an obnoxiously orange hunting hat. Just some random stuff for some good laughs, oh I almost forgot the best part, a bow arrow set to break open the piñata.

You see a bat or stick would have been to easy so we found a beginners bow and arrow set, all shrink wrapped for like 10 bucks, it was pretty cool. Well we go to the bar where my friend is hanging and go to walk in and the bouncer says “wooooow, you can’t bring that in here,� pointing at the piñata.

So we were like “we’re not going to break it in here, it’s a present for our friend.� So the bouncer was hesitant but reluctantly says ok. So I show him my ID, I’m also the one holding the bag full of random crap and the bow and arrow. He’s like “ok looks good.� We walk away and start hysterically laughing, we were like ‘piñata bad, bow and arrow good’ dude we could have killed someone with that and the bouncer was more concerned about the floor.

Well that’s my story. And about that bow and arrow at TTT it is possible, $h*t I brought it to a bar and it was no costume party.

[Khamûl]

I briefly considered it, but I decided I wouldn't run the risk of being disowned by my family and friends.;) I think I'll leave the dressing up to Halloween.

[Lief Erikson]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
I am not going to dress up, but I might wear my ring on a chain. If I see anyone dressed up, I will probably have a good laugh (no offense to anyone dressing up here). :) And if there is any fan girls giggling whenever Legolas comes on screen I am going to get really angry. :rolleyes: People used to dress up before the movies as well.

My younger sister, Sarah, is doing the same thing. She created a ring out of wire, paper, tape and glue, and she's planning to bear the burden to TTT.

[Elfhelm]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair

A normal intellignt person would not do that.

It's like having your favorite band turn pop.

It always sat high on the scholarly chart ...

It just takes it out of that classy level it has always been in and puts it in a (just another passing fad) category.

... fandom should be kept at a sensible level...

... so that Tolkien's works will always be viewed as a serious piece of literature...


normal intelligent: isn't that an oxymoron? I gave up worrying about being normal years ago.

favorite band: Isn't it amazing how the minute some people's favorite band actually achieves success a few snoots stop listening to them and call them cheap? If you ask the artists, they will tell you they didn't change a thing. I saw this recently happen to Shakira. When I was a kid a lot of people stopped listening to Aerosmith when Toys in the Attic came out. The band didn't change. What changed was the "special attention" and the sense of being in on something cool that others didn't posess. Once that was lost, they had to dislike the band. Very sad.

scholarly: Yes, underneath it all some of us know how detailed and scholarly it is. But for most fans over the years it was addictive escapist reading. You can maybe try to revise that history to those who weren't there, but I have been re-reading it for 27 years and I know myself enough to realise what attracts me the most.

classy: Would you be surprised to know that most people at Oxford were unaware that Prof. Tolkien had ever written anything? He was not exactly ashamed of it, but he didn't flaunt it. Those were different times. Yes, I agree, in comparison to sword and sorcery / Conan / Tarzan / and other contemporaries, the High Fantasy genre as a whole, and especially LotR is classier. But it was never "revered" except within the small in-group of fellow writers and wannabes (I include myself in this latter group).

passing fad: See, I feel very similar feelings, but I have to temper them. Maybe it is passing to some people, but it will not be changed. Did "A Fifth of Beethoven" diminish Beethoven's 5th? Did "The Theme to 2001: A Space Oddysey" diminish Also Sprach Zarathustra? No way! Mozart heard street musicians playing his opera arias and it made him weep for joy. Genius cannot be damaged even by feeble productions. I was worried about the Bakshi movie because it sucked so bad, but it did no harm to Tolkien either. The books will last as long as humanity. That has already been decided. Nothing can change that.

sensible fandom: another oxymoron, surely.

serious literature: If JRRT were concerned with being serious he would never have written The Hobbit. He pokes too much fun at people who are worried about being serious to be confused with someone who has the same malady.


Please understand, I fully empathise with your frustration. But there is a "but". The pleasure of JRRT's books comes in part from not being too serious, and imagining, while you blow some smoke rings as you sit on the hill on a beautiful spring day, that Gandalf might be there with you once again.

I fail to see how dressing up in costume for LotR movies has any negative effect on Tolkien's work, and I think it is possible to be too serious about it. There comes a point where being so serious is even sillier than being silly. But neither the silly nor the serious can harm JRRT's work in any way.

[bropous]

Well, if you're in the third grade, dressing up in a costume or theme to go and see a film at a public theater is okay.

Anything above third grade, and you're treading seriously close to being a dork.

Rocky Horror Picture Show notwithstanding, people who dress in themes and go in public places are usually seen as loons, nuts, weirdos, or even worse, Trekkies.

When you get of a certain age you begin to relive some of your less-than-brilliant decisions. What if that really cute girl/guy sees you in costume and writes you off as a freak? What if you end up sitting across the interview table with someone who saw you trying to look like a modernized Aragorn and laughed?

There comes a point where love for a thing must be balanced with your needs to interact in a society. In a small town, or even a medium-sized city, your actions follow you.

I say, just for clarification, that anyone above the age of eight or nine who wears costume to The Two Towers, or any other movie, are just being affectatious. Doesn't bother me for folks to dress up if they choose, but it does bring a few possibilities to mind:

Your chances of being cool will be ruined for life.

Life may be colorful as "the eccentric", but much less fun.

Standing out in a crowd is never a good idea. Blend in.

It is better to observe than to be observed.

They are not laughing WITH you, they are laughing AT you.

I don't set societal standards, ladies and germs. I just report 'em. It's a rotten world, and sometimes the schmucks get to set the rules.

[Elfhelm]

Never let fear run your life or you will be doomed to mediocrity. If dressing like an elf is fun for you, do it and live without regret.

"rumoresque senum seueriorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis." - Catullus

[Ërendil]

Well said Elfhelm :)

[Nibs]

I don't care what people think about my actions that only affect me. But when it comes to others, like if my friends would be embarassed if I dressed up, then I'd decline, out of respect for them. But I wouldn't change just because of public opinion.

I mean, I'm certainly not going to lay on my deathbed wishing I had fit in more...

Originally posted by bropous
It is better to observe than to be observed.Well, I have observed many many others trying to fit in. I don't envy you.

I find the road less travelled to be more sparse but well worth it. I tried the other, but was nearly trampled.

No one noticed.

[Wayfarer]

Originally posted by bropous
Your chances of being cool will be ruined for life.

Life may be colorful as "the eccentric", but much less fun.

Standing out in a crowd is never a good idea. Blend in.

It is better to observe than to be observed.

They are not laughing WITH you, they are laughing AT you.

I don't set societal standards, ladies and germs. I just report 'em. It's a rotten world, and sometimes the schmucks get to set the rules.

broupous, you're skirting dangerously close to the brink of idiocy here.

*/stands proudly with mismatched socks, massive fro, facial hair, and duplicate monochrome outfits.

[Turgon]

Originally posted by bropous
Anything above third grade, and you're treading seriously close to being a dork. If you're so worried about what society thinks of you, I'd call you a dork.
Your chances of being cool will be ruined for life. I don’t believe in cool, the only way it can exist is being yourself. If you’re still trying to be cool then your still in high school.
Standing out in a crowd is never a good idea. Blend in. Blend in. LOL I haven’t heard that since, well, umm, never. Blending in are for the mediocre, those too scared to be them selves. If your normal your boring. Crazy is cool, keeps you on your toes. and being wierd is just fun! :)
It is better to observe than to be observed. They are not laughing WITH you, they are laughing AT you. Who really cares what others think of them. My life is too hectic to bother with others opinions of me.
I don't set societal standards, ladies and germs. I just report 'em. It's a rotten world, and sometimes the schmucks get to set the rules.
What is the societal standard? Our society is F***ed up anyway, we are more concerned with money than love. We’d rather live a miserable rich life than a humble love filled dream.

To sum it all up, don't bother with what others think, they're just picking you apart because 'being different' is an easy target.

Cheerio!

[Coney]

Originally posted by bropous


Standing out in a crowd is never a good idea. Blend in.



What a horribly disgusting peice of advice:eek:

*listens intently to the Newspeak broadcast to find out how Oceania is doing in the war*

[WallRocker]

Wow... I didn't mean to start a thread like this! I must say that I really don't care a whole lot about what people think about me, and if they write me off for acting insane for three hours, they're not worth my time.:) (my philosophy for life is in my sig.)

[-elfearz-]

Originally posted by bropous
Rocky Horror Picture Show notwithstanding, people who dress in themes and go in public places are usually seen as loons, nuts, weirdos, or even worse, Trekkies.

and i'm sure they give a rat's arse


Originally posted by bropous
Your chances of being cool will be ruined for life.

cool by whose definition? some of the greatest, imho coolest ppl i know are great ppl simply because they're not afraid to be themselves, so they have so much more personality than your average zombie like clone of a social stereotype. what i think is sad is when someone has a distinct personality, but makes a concerted attempt to suppress it just to become a zombie like clone of a social stereotype.

having just emerged from high school (intact - the normal people treated me well) i know that some circles of society can be really cruel to some people, but i think that, as much as i hate to admit it, turgon's right and that is to a large extent a high school thing. maybe there are some people who will never be incredibly 'popular' or part of the in-crowd, but ultimately people will stop being petty and horrible towards them coz they'll realise they have better things to do. and they can be assured that the people who do befriend them love them for who they really are, not for some mask of 'normalcy' which they're trying to pull of.

that said, i don't think that dressing up as glorfindel the absent elf lord from rivendell or even groin the dwarf will trigger your instant social isolation. at worst, a few people who you've never seen before and will probably never see again might snigger. and believe it or not,

Originally posted by bropous
They are not laughing WITH you, they are laughing AT you.

but then again, so what?

:confused: :p

[LuthienTinuviel]

alright, what have you done with bropous you imposter.
i always thought you were "cooler" than that. (haha)

bravo to SGH, Nibs, Bropous and wayfarer (and everyone else) your all keeping cooler than i would.

your all right, of course, because it is a matter of opinion. im not going to try and change anyone's opinion. i will merely voice my own about this friday night (regretably) because i have to work on wednesday, and my boss thinks that seeing a movie i have been waiting for since i heard that they were thinking about the notion of starting to pitch the idea isn't a good enough reason to have someone fill in for me (needless, to say, he doesn't read much, one of those eminem kids)

but enough of that. i am not only going to the movie on friday in my elf-garb, but im going to school that day too, the whole "literature club" (that's in "" because it's really a LOTR club and everyone knows it) is going, but i know without a doubt that i would do it myself if no one would go along with me. and actually, people expect this of me, they completlely expect me to do things like this. in fact, because i haven't been following bropous' advise people think that something's wrong with me if i don't do these odd things.

well it's been about an hour since i left the computer sitting here with this window in the taskbar, and, i've forgtten what i was talking about. i need to go make some finishing touches to my dress. see you all later, (i'll post up some pictures... hmm we should have a thread for just that...)


EDIT: welcome to the moot elfearz (sp?) that's basically what i was getting too, if i hadn't of seen that shiny thing, and wandered off... :D

[-elfearz-]

thx luthien :D
you have a literature (read: lotr ;) ) club at school??
i'm soooo very jealous
:p

[Coney]

Originally posted by Elfhelm
favorite band: Isn't it amazing how the minute some people's favorite band actually achieves success a few snoots stop listening to them and call them cheap? If you ask the artists, they will tell you they didn't change a thing. I saw this recently happen to Shakira. When I was a kid a lot of people stopped listening to Aerosmith when Toys in the Attic came out. The band didn't change. What changed was the "special attention" and the sense of being in on something cool that others didn't posess. Once that was lost, they had to dislike the band. Very sad.

Hmm...this brings back some memories (albeit from books and TV documentories).

Being a Tolkien fan in the UK in the mid-late '70's was just the coolest thing possible:D ..... The biggest band of that era was, arguably, T-Rex (aka Tyrannosaurus Rex). Marc Bolan and his band were absolute Tolkien fanatics, two of the band members, whose former names escape me, even changed there names to Meriadoc Brandybrook and Peregrin Took:D .......... apparently many of their fans would dress as Tolkien characters at their concerts/tv appearances etc...............it's been a long time since being a fan of Tolkiens works has been seen as particularly high-brow in the UK;)

Still regarding the whole dressing-up business...........Probably the most respected Tolkien scholars in the world are an organisation called the Tolkien Society, based in Oxford (sorry, no link, can find them using Google tho'). I've seen pictures of their members (including proffesors in their 50's) dressed in the full Istari, Elf, and Gondor uniforms at their annual meeting at the grave of Tolkien...........they also recite Elven poetry at these meetings (apparently they've been doing this every year since 1974 to commemerate Tolkiens birthday, the Tolkien estate objected to them meeting on the anniversary of his death)...........I don't see any reason why being a Tolkien scholar and having a little fun cannot be combined :rolleyes:

So dress up, have fun, and if any of the "Grey Clones" laugh or stare, just whack 'em with your rubber sword:p ;) ............ you'll not be the first folks to do it............and certainly not the last;)

[-elfearz-]

Originally posted by Coney
I don't see any reason why being a Tolkien scholar and having a little fun cannot be combined :rolleyes:

aye, aye

Originally posted by Coney
So dress up, have fun, and if any of the "Grey Clones" laugh or stare, just whack 'em with your rubber sword:p ;) ............ you'll not be the first folks to do it............and certainly not the last;)

aye, aye

if it feels good do it, that is my motto. hoom :rolleyes:

[Rían]

Originally posted by Turgon
We walk away and start hysterically laughing, we were like ‘piñata bad, bow and arrow good’ dude we could have killed someone with that and the bouncer was more concerned about the floor.

Funny! I guess because it was shrink-wrapped, he thought you weren't going to open it and start shooting?! Now did you really use a bow and arrow to open a piñata? How in the world were you planning to do that in the middle of a bar?? (Gets an idea for her son's next bday party....OMGoodness, would he love shooting a piñata!!)

I don't plan to dress up, but I have no problem with people that do, unless they are obnoxious while they're in line.

[Sister Golden Hair]

May I ask a question? When is the last time any one dressed up to go to the bookstore and buy Lord of the Rings?

[Arathorn]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
May I ask a question? When is the last time any one dressed up to go to the bookstore and buy Lord of the Rings?

I dressed up in my civies when I bought my single-volume book. It's not cool to go there naked.

Seriously, I think if I did dress up as a hobbit or an Istar, people might approach me to ask where the Tolkien section is or ask to have their picture taken with me. I'm not paid for that. Hmm...There's an idea! :D

[Sister Golden Hair]

My point being that in the 31 years that I have been involved with reading Tolkien, never has this dressing up in costume occurred until now, and it all revolves around the fandom generated by these movies. It is not about Tolkien's work, but Jackson's IMO.

[Starr Polish]

Some of the managers at the theater half-seriously suggested that we begin promoting movies by dressing up as characters. It may be hard clean butter pumps in a white dress though. :D

[olsonm]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
My point being that in the 31 years that I have been involved with reading Tolkien, never has this dressing up in costume occurred until now, and it all revolves around the fandom generated by these movies. It is not about Tolkien's work, but Jackson's IMO. People have been dressing up as 'hobbits' and 'elves' since the sixties. Tolkien thought it was a bit odd. :D

[Arathorn]

If you really want to stand out, you could dress up in a wetsuit and put dots all over your body and face and say you're Gollum before post-prod. LOL! :D

[bropous]

Good points, Sister Golden Hair. I guess it takes a bit of experience to realize some of these things we're talking about.

You folks go right ahead and make total fools of yourselves by dressing up like third-grade halloweeners to go see a movie. It ain't a hair off my foot. Personally, my reaction would be the same as Eric Cartman's when they came across the kids dressed up playing Harry Potter.....

However, I think it rather sad that some folks have to go through life with a big neon sign on thier heads saying, "Hey! Look at me!" as though they can't be satisfied without blurting to the world what they like and don't like. "Blend in" and "observe" does not mean surrender individuality, it means not acting like an attention-starved spotlight hog who has to tell the world how much they like a movie [remember, it ain't Tolkien, it's Tolkien-BASED entertaiment]. Golden Hair has a VERY salient point: How many have put on their costume to go and buy the book?

"Tolkien thought it was a bit odd."

I would have to agree with Ronald.

[Elfhelm]

For two people who are so serious about reading, you both seem to have ignored Coney's post.

I refuse to let serious people force me to conform to their narrow definition of appropriate behavior.

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Elfhelm
For two people who are so serious about reading, you both seem to have ignored Coney's post.

I refuse to let serious people force me to conform to their narrow definition of appropriate behavior. Oh my, I would never try to force anyone to conform to my definition of appropriate behavior except my kids. I have my opinion and am entitled to it. If you don't like my opinion that is your business, but it changes nothing. We can agree to disagree. Sounds like a nerve has been struck. Oh well.

Now, I am off to see the Two Towers. I am wearing blue pants, and a black sweater. Not very movie fashionable but hey, when I go into the theatre, it will be Tolkien's works that will be first and formost in my heart, not Jackson's, but I will still enjoy the movie because it is a good movie and worth seeing.

Tell ya what I thought of it later tonight when I get in. Maybe after I see all the people in their funny costumes, I can come back and give you some ideas for your trip to the movie.:D

B-bye

[Elfhelm]

Oh no, don't misunderstand me. I enjoy your posts very much. Personally I am not wearing anything out of the ordinary to the show tomorrow night.

My points are:

1. I like to see people have fun.
2. People have been dressing in LotR costume for a long time and it has never diminished the Professor's works.
3. If Tolkien were overly concerned with being taken seriously, he would have stuck with old English renderings of his imaginary world, and he would never have written The Hobbit.
4. A character who takes himself too seriously is frequently treated as an object of humor in Tolkien's works.
5. Those who wish to create a solemn and scholarly environment are the minority here. Appealling to some imagined majority as a source of peer pressure is tacitly absurd.

But please understand that I consider myself one of the serious students. I just feel it necessary to defend the right of others to be weird if they want.

But then, I'm just "a very stupid man." :p

[WallRocker]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
I have my opinion and am entitled to it.


Well spoken, SGH.

[Starr Polish]

Originally posted by bropous
Your chances of being cool will be ruined for life.
Since when was being "cool" something important? Oi, I thought that ended in high school. In fact, my mentioning dressing up a bit for ROTK next year actually got some 'favorable' responses from a friend who isn't a Tolkien fanatic. Her eyes lit up and she said "Can I come with and dress up too?" Of course, the only dressing up I can do this year is wear my One Ring. I wore it during school all day today and got only good comments, if it was even noticed. As for the bad ones I probably didn't hear, who cares, I didn't hear it.


Life may be colorful as "the eccentric", but much less fun.
Speak for yourself.

Standing out in a crowd is never a good idea. Blend in.
Why would you want to blend in? We're all different. If people hadn't stood out of the crowd, life would be very different today. Heck, Tolkien "stood out of the crowd", so to speak, by taking what used to be considered a genre only for children (Fairy Tales) and making into something is taking fairly seriously by adults.


They are not laughing WITH you, they are laughing AT you.
I don't set societal standards, ladies and germs. I just report 'em.

They laugh because I am different. I laugh because they are the same.

[Coney]

It seems as tho' Tolkien created a fantasy that all walks of life can, and do, enjoy:)

SGH: Of course people do not dress up to go and buy a copy of LotR.......reading is a private pastime whereas going to see a movie based upon LotR is, for many, a social event and the dressing in costume is just another facet of enjoying the occcasion.........Yup, can certainly agree to disagree tho'.

Cartman....oops......I mean Bropus:If we all blend what on earth is there left to observe? I think the world needs more folks who yell "HEY LOOK AT ME!!":D ...........the world could definitely use less "Eric Cartman" types who pre-judge and criticise people for living how they want to:rolleyes:

[Varda Oiolosseo]

I have just got back from seeing TTT! It is fantasic!!
There were these two boys at the cinema who were about 10 and they were dressed as Hobbits!! They looked really good! They had the hairy feet and everything!!

[samwiselvr2008]

I'm not dressing up to much. I have a Strider shirt, I pounted my ears for the elves, my friend made me a The Lord of the Rings bead braclet, and I'm wearing The One Ring! Yay!!!!!!! :) I can't wait untill it starts! My friend is picking me up at 6:45 to take me to the theater, but they don't start the movie untill 7:45, I am sher that I'll have time to buy popcorn, soda, use the bathroom, ect.! I can't wate!

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Elfhelm
Oh no, don't misunderstand me. I enjoy your posts very much. Personally I am not wearing anything out of the ordinary to the show tomorrow night.

My points are:

1. I like to see people have fun.
2. People have been dressing in LotR costume for a long time and it has never diminished the Professor's works.
3. If Tolkien were overly concerned with being taken seriously, he would have stuck with old English renderings of his imaginary world, and he would never have written The Hobbit.
4. A character who takes himself too seriously is frequently treated as an object of humor in Tolkien's works.
5. Those who wish to create a solemn and scholarly environment are the minority here. Appealling to some imagined majority as a source of peer pressure is tacitly absurd.

But please understand that I consider myself one of the serious students. I just feel it necessary to defend the right of others to be weird if they want.

But then, I'm just "a very stupid man." :p Ok, I'm back from the movie, and it was wonderful. Very well done and should win quite a few awards. I saw one person only in costume, and it was a little girl around 8 years old I'd say. She was a elven princess. She looked very cute. Cuter than I would have at 47.

Now, Elfhelm, I just want to say that Tolkien's works are full of serious characters and I don't recall them ever being the object of humor, nevertheless, I don't have a problem with humor at all. I just don't see the significance of going to a movie in costume to show your fandom. And as for what Tolkien expected in degree of seriousness regarding the Hobbit, he wrote the Hobbit as a children's story mainly for his own children, and it was taken as that. LotRs was a different matter, and yes, by far a more serious work.

With that said, again, we will agree to disagree, and no hard feelings.

Go see the movie and enjoy. It is awesome.:)

[BeardofPants]

You know, I really do think that people who wear costumes are the least of our worries. I'm personally more worried about the computer games, and the ads, and the merchandise. Today I heard an ad for mitsubishi cars "One Car to Rule them All." I am NOT kidding. What would Tolkien say?! :eek:

[-elfearz-]

lol here there's a cadbury/two towers radio promotion:
'The biggest event this summer: the 2 dollars off! .
it's just a really dodgy ad :rolleyes:

[Arathorn]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
You know, I really do think that people who wear costumes are the least of our worries. I'm personally more worried about the computer games, and the ads, and the merchandise. Today I heard an ad for mitsubishi cars "One Car to Rule them All." I am NOT kidding. What would Tolkien say?! :eek:

LOL! :D I wonder if someone would try burning it and seeing if it is still quite cool to the touch. :D Nah, it would probably release evil fumes into the environment and doom us all! :eek:

[Coney]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
You know, I really do think that people who wear costumes are the least of our worries. I'm personally more worried about the computer games, and the ads, and the merchandise. Today I heard an ad for mitsubishi cars "One Car to Rule them All." I am NOT kidding. What would Tolkien say?! :eek:

CHARGE 'EM THEY SCATTER.........Tolkien was a notoriously bad driver;)

But.....'tis true wot your saying.......does commercialism really diminish Tolkiens works?

Personally I think not.

[The Ringbearer]

I'm going to dress in full Frodo regalia, my sister is Sam, and my Dad just needs to let his hair grow out a year or so, and he would look JUST like Strider, who he is dressing as! And hopefully, a friend or 2 will come along: I have Eowen, Galadriel, and a Jedi/hobbit/spy friend who might come with me!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D

Darn it! You guys got me hyper again!! ;) :D

[Millane]

SGH i think you are getting this wrong if i may be so outgoing and say so... you said somewhere that this is not about Tolkiens work but Jacksons, very very correct as if youll just scroll up a bit it is in the Movie forum
it is just a bit of fun and games, not proving anything at all.
im not planning on getting dressed up, but as im going to the first screening down here with all my very big tolkien friends i was planning on buying one of those little toy stings and while we're in the queue i would run around and start screaming "FOR THE SHIRE" and the sort, i dont think ill do it as my friends would probly beat me but it would be funny... if any one has any less violent friends or family give it a go...
why shouldnt people be all excited about the movie i am getting DAMN EXCITED!!!
and the first movie did get me into the books more full on (before that i had tried on a number of occasions and had only got as far as the house of Tom Bombadil)
sometimes people just need a bloody good film to get them into an even better book

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Millane
[B]SGH i think you are getting this wrong if i may be so outgoing and say so... you said somewhere that this is not about Tolkiens work but Jacksons, very very correct as if youll just scroll up a bit it is in the Movie forumI am well aware that this is the movie forum. But for Tolkien's work there would not be a movie forum.
why shouldnt people be all excited about the movie i am getting DAMN EXCITED!!!
and the first movie did get me into the books more full on (before that i had tried on a number of occasions and had only got as far as the house of Tom Bombadil)
sometimes people just need a bloody good film to get them into an even better book I never said that people shouldn't be excited about the movie. I was very excited about it. Loved it, and will go see it again. I think it's wonderful that the movie has brought people to the books. I never said anything to the contrary on that.

One more time. I don't think it is necessary for people to dress up to show their appriciation for Tolkien and I think that that is a lame excuse, because it is all about the movie, not the books. It is my opinion that it degrades the books and takes away the element of importance and appreciation that the books hold. Maybe I would have felt otherwise had I seen the movie before reading the books, but fortunately the technology didn't exist to do that when I read them.

Again, the movie is awesome. It is doing well, and I have no doubt it will continue to do well with or without anyone dressing up.

[Ërendil]

I didn't dress up this year, but at the cinema I saw two lads and they were dressed as hobbits. They looked so cool. They even were walking about in bare feet complete with hair stuck on. The boys were only about 10 and they looked amazing. Next year I am 100% dressing up as an elf. All I need is to get my costume sorted.

[Starr Polish]

Didn't see anyone in costume last night. Ah well...I did meet a few guys who had read the books, most of them in their thirties, I'd guess. I showed one of them my One Ring and he laughed. Not AT me, mind you. He also said "That's pretty cool." Maha... I guess it's good to know some of us teenagers have read the books. :D

[samwiselvr2008]

I am so glad that I dressed up last night! It was awsome! I am going to see the movie agian *hopefully* this Saturday. Lots of people were dressed up, mostly pounted ears, wich seemed to be a favorite. There were two people, probaly eather teenagers, or in there 20's, that were dressed up as Galadriel and Arwen. They had speacial dresses made, and the one dressed up as Galadriel was very happy when my friend offerd her her "galadriel head peise", it was actually just a deceration, but it was really close, and later I heard her tell the one dressed up as Arwen how nice it was of her, and how happy she was to have it. There was a cute little girl with pounted earse that must have been taped on, they were adorable, I wish that I had a pear! :) Lots of people licked my "One Ring" wich I were on a chain around my neck, but they were mostly impressed with how we made there ears! Ones agian, I over heard someone ELSE repeating how we told her to do her ears with only tape to her friend! I wear my hear up to make the ears more seable! No one commented on my Strider shirt :( oh well! Lots of people (mostly friends from school) commented on The Lord of the Rings bracelet that my friend from church made me for Christmas! It was great going and seeing that there are alot other LOTR fans where I live, I thought that I was one of the only ones, but I was rong! It was great, can't wate to see it agian, next time, if I complete my costume, I'll go as Quickbeam/ Treebeard, I'll probally tell most of the people that ask that I am Treabeard, b/c Quickbeam isn't in the movie, but I wont trully be Treabeard because I am to hasty!:eek:

[Elfhelm]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
Now, Elfhelm, I just want to say that Tolkien's works are full of serious characters and I don't recall them ever being the object of humor

SGH, I said "people who take themselves too seriously" not "serious characters". What about the miller, Sandyman? But should I pursue it even further? It would be a waste of time because I'll just get misquoted again.

In fact, my only problem is with the guy who is telling kids to act like clones, not with you, who I consider a fellow fan who doesn't want Tolkien's work cheapened by silly nonsense. I don't think we actually disagree.

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Elfhelm
SGH, I said "people who take themselves too seriously" not "serious characters". What about the miller, Sandyman? But should I pursue it even further? It would be a waste of time because I'll just get misquoted again.

In fact, my only problem is with the guy who is telling kids to act like clones, not with you, who I consider a fellow fan who doesn't want Tolkien's work cheapened by silly nonsense. I don't think we actually disagree. Well thank you Elfhelm. If I have taken any of your words out of context, I truely apoligize. It was never my intention to do so.

[LuthienTinuviel]

erendil, look up the thread clothes, it should come up witha search engine, it has a great link near the end for great costume ideas.

i just wanted to pop in and say that right now i am sitting in full costume at school. everyone reacted as i expected, and people think im back to myself (haha normal me is weird me.)

:p , bropous:D :D

[Millane]

I don't think it is necessary for people to dress up to show their appriciation for Tolkien and I think that that is a lame excuse, because it is all about the movie, not the books. It is my opinion that it degrades the books and takes away the element of importance and appreciation that the books hold
People arent dressing up to show there appreciation for the books they are doing it coz it is a little bit of light fun and i dont see how doing something that is just that is taking anything away from the books or degrading them in any way

[Sister Golden Hair]

OK. I do though, so that's the way it is for me. You don't have to agree.

[Millane]

ohhh yeah sure its not that i dont agree i just dont see how.
why for you do you think it is degrading to the books?

[Starr Polish]

For an update on the employees dressing up for TTT...

It happened! Today we had a two random women , a random elf shieldmaiden, a random peasant man who looked like Frodo, minus the One Ring adn with shoes (all supervisors). We also had an orc, who was sweeping the hallways and scared a little boy, a concessionist as Gandalf, a young knight, a Ringwraith and another random woman (the last three were part of a promotional deal). Oh yes, and Legolas, but his hair was quite a muss. Much fun was had. :D

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Millane
ohhh yeah sure its not that i dont agree i just dont see how.
why for you do you think it is degrading to the books? I've explained that.

[BeardofPants]

Click here (http://homepage.mac.com/aishafenton/LOTR.jpg), to see a pic of the ticket to the xmas bash I went to at the Auckland Museum... (http://www.bardsband.com/aukmus.htm)

[eowyngirl14]

I saw the movie on wednesday with my two best friends. They were two embarresed to dress up. Although one of my friends did wear her one ring around her neck.
I don't mean to brag... but i wore my 'Frodo Lives' tee-shirt over a green long sleeves shirt. I braided my hair and put a barrete with righting that looks elvish in my hair. I also wore the one ring on a chain around my neck. I painted Frodo LIves on my finger nails. (Yes it fits, five letter on each hand) For Haloween I dressed up as Eowyn, so I wore my brownish-grey cloak as well.
People in line to see it came up to me and asked my about my costume. It made me feel good because people seemed to admire me for it.:D :) We talked all about the books during the halfhour wait to go into the movie theater. I was proud that I wore my costume!:)

[samwiselvr2008]

I did it! I FINALLY got to dress up as and Ent! I saw it today for the 3rd time, I allready told you what I was the first time, the second time my brother refused to take me home after the movie if I was dressed up, and said that he would never give me another christmas present again (the movie was my christmas present from him). So, today I saw it for the 3rd time, and I dressed up as an Ent! I claimed Quickbeam, because I am hasty! It was great! Lots of people gave me looks like: :) :D :cool: :eek: ;) :( :o :p :mad: ! I love being an Ent, it makes me and the tress one, it makes me understand the trees, and to be friends with the trees, forever, me and the trees will now be at peise with eachother, ;) ! I am still in the costume, wich has long arms, lots of brown spots, was stained with tee, coffie beans, and coke, and has leaves pinned to it. I was an Ent for halloween, but this time I added to my costume, I havemy finger nails painted brown with the nailpolish going on to the skin to make it look more treeish, and I took make- up and smotherd it onto my face. I looked great, alot better then I did on halloween, I'll try to find my halloween pictures and post one of them here...

[bropous]

Maybe if some folks would spend less time dressing in costumes to see a movie and spend more time studying spelling and grammar.....

And I do know the Professor would have agreed on this point.

However, apparently some folks think that I am telling you folks to abandon being an individual and to follow the norms absolutely. I'm not. I just offer a few words to the wise about long-term consequences ftrom actions taken today. Take it as you will.

I will repeat two lines from Sister Golden Hair with which I wholeheartedly agree:

"I just don't see the significance of going to a movie in costume to show your fandom."

-However-

"With that said, again, we will agree to disagree, and no hard feelings."

I hope everyone enjoyed the film, dressed up or not. Hope that assuages some raw nerves.

A Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to one and all!

[Coney]

Originally posted by bropous
Maybe if some folks would spend less time dressing in costumes to see a movie and spend more time studying spelling and grammar.....

And I do know the Professor would have agreed on this point.

*Shakes head* That was just a cheap shot Bropous. Very sad.

[Sister Golden Hair]

Ok folks. We will agree to disagree on this topic and let it go at that. This is turning into flame bait which is against posting policies. If we can't disagree in a civil manner, then this thread will be closed.

[Merlin]

Umm... What do you mean? I dressed up like Gandalf, Mithrandir, whatever you please, for Halloween. I thought it was pretty close to what it should look like. If you're talking about going to the movie and dressing up, I might wear my gray blanket with my old leaf pin I got for my Birthday last year. That was part of my Halloween costume, even though Gandalf did not get to go to Lothlorien, (I've read all the books, I know he's alive!).

[WallRocker]

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
Ok folks. We will agree to disagree on this topic and let it go at that. This is turning into flame bait which is against posting policies. If we can't disagree in a civil manner, then this thread will be closed.

Thank you, SGH. I didn't realize this would get into this kind of discussion when I started this thread:)

So, if anyone wants to post on what they actually wore to TTT, that'd be cool:cool:

[samwiselvr2008]

Originally posted by bropous
Maybe if some folks would spend less time dressing in costumes to see a movie and spend more time studying spelling and grammar.....

And I do know the Professor would have agreed on this point.


I don't know how many times I have posted in spelling and grammer threads all of the diffrent things that I have tried, and how much time I have spent trying to improve my spelling and grammer, but if you need the list, PM me, and I'll send it to you! :mad:

Sorry Sister Golden Hair, it could not be helped.

[Starr Polish]

I wore normal clothes...shirt and jeans...and The One Ring the first night I saw it.

Second time I wore my beloved "Pinky Shirt". It's a black shirt with pinky holes that I love.