Middle-earth

Three Times Samwise Gamgee was the true hero of The Lord of the Rings

By the Collectress

Perhaps it’s because I just booked my trip to New Zealand, or because the soundtrack is on repeat all day while I work, or maybe because my friend Lacey was part of the most epic LotR cosplay group ever, but Samwise Gamgee has been on my mind lately. In particular, Sam’s earnest goodness and unrelenting sense of hope has been a beacon in my life, and pretty much the reason I finally caved and decided to go to Middle-earth with the option of never returning. 

Samwise Gamgee has always been my most favoritest of hobbits, and I think it’s about time I did a shout out to all the wonderful things he accomplished in the story that maybe don’t get as much appreciation as he deserves. So, without ado, here are three things we should all love Sam for doing.

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The Collectress Picks 5: Middle-earth Moments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Or, if you’re not American, happy Thor’s day!

giphyThis year, I’m still thankful that Peter Jackson cast Martin Freeman as the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, and with the new retrospective trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, I’m just really filled with Middle-earth feels.

I recently rewatch the two Hobbit films and The Fellowship of the Ring while on a Air New Zealand flight to Los Angeles for BurCon, and, well, I’ve put a lot of thought into what my favourite moments from the Middle-earth films might be. So without any ado, here are my top 5 moments.

Riddles in the Dark

This is the most important moment in the Third Age of Middle-earth. Who knows long Gollum would have kept the One Ring hidden in his cave if Bilbo hadn’t been shoved out the door on an adventure and ended up lost in the Misty Mountains. Everything that follows from this point is because Bilbo has the One Ring. This is my favourite scene in book and it translated perfectly to film. Also, Andy Serkis’ Gollum is creepily perfect. 

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Villains of Note: Morgoth

This week, my villain of choice was the Dark Lord before there was a Dark Lord (wasn’t that just hipster of him?).

Man esselya ná?

Originally known as Melkor of the Ainur (which is Quenyan for ‘He who arises in Might), he is more commonly known as Morgoth or Morgoth Bauglir. He has been known by many names such as:

  • the Foe of the Valar
  • the (Great) Enemy
  • the Dark King
  • the Dark Lord (sometimes called ‘the Lord of the Dark’)
  • the Dark Power of the North
  • the Evil of the North
  • the Black Hand
  • the Master of Lies
  • the Hunter and the Rider
  • Dark Enemy of the World
  • Black Foe of the World

His faithful servant, Sauron (yes, that Sauron) referred to him as:

  • the Lord of the Darkness
  • the Lord of All
  • the Giver of Freedom

Morgoth referred to himself as “the King of the World.” Me thinks he had a bit of an ego trip.

Ma istanyel? Or, Morgoth in 10 words or less:

Evil. Insatiable lust for power. Megalomaniac. Dark Lord.

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Geek Chic: This is How We Roll in the Shire

‘Quel re, my dear collectibles. In celebration of MartinFreemanthe premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug later this week, I’ve decided to unofficially make The Collective blog hobbitized (translation: The Collectiva Diva and the Collected Canadian have no part in my obsession…for now).

Today’s focus: Middle-earth fashion. Since the release of LotR: FotR twelve years ago (wow I feel old), the world has been inundated with Tolkienish clothes, accessories, knibknobs and whatsamacallits. Here are some of my favorites, and, as a bonus, they also make excellent holiday presents (hint hint).

  • The Lord of the Rings My Precious t-shirt $25.00
    Precious not included.

     

  • The One Ring skirt, custom-made $58.94, RoobyLane on etsy.com

    For the fashionable Dark Lord
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The Collectress is Thankful For…

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American Collectibles out there. For everyone else…happy Thursday! So what am I thankful for?

Martin Freeman, of course.

But not just Martin Freeman. I’m particularly thankful for Martin…

martin freeman gif 2

Now, dear readers, you may not have noticed–I’ve been pretty good at keeping it under the wraps, but I’m a true Tolkienite. Not a Ringer, because there’s a huge difference. A Tolkienite. Meaning I fangirl more than I will ever fangirl over all things Middle-Earth. So when I read that Martin had been cast in The Hobbit as the hobbit, well, my reaction was something like this:

fangirling

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