Every so often one has to stop and think about what is actually on TV. Beyond the normal and constant flow of scenes that have a variety of plot devices and general concepts to keep us entertained. Sure, I fall for a few shows here and there (Dexter, True Blood, The Walking Dead, Hung) that touch my fancy. But every now and again there is a rare treat to feast the eyes and soul on.

To celebrate my finally getting myself the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Blu-ray set (c'mon, USPS!!!! I want it in my dirty little hands noooowwww!!!!), here's the trailer for the film that started it all! As corny as it sounds, I honestly think that this trilogy changed my life for the better. My faith in filmmaking, visual storytelling, costuming, and acting were all restored thanks to these movies. One little exchange between Gandalf and Pippin in Return of the King also influenced/confirmed my belief in the afterlife, and it brings me to tears every time I hear (or even think about) Gandalf describe the journey into death in the eerie calm during the battle for Minas Tirith:

Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it.

Pippin: What? Gandalf? See what?

Gandalf: White shores...and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.

Gandalf (with a knowing smile): No... No it isn't.

So, it's not a secret that I have absolutely no love whatsoever for Kristen Stewart. Not just because of her involvement in the godawful Franchise-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, but because her acting ability is next to nonexistent. She seems to only know two expressions: no expression and confused. Her performance in The Runaways seems to have been nothing more than a fluke.

It seems I just can't leave Middle Earth alone nowadays for some reason. I've been listening to the soundtracks non-stop at work (loud in the morning before we open, toned down when I'm around customers), studying and re-studying various maps of Middle Earth regions (don't judge me), and am currently going back over my plans to make a costume from the films. Ain't It Cool News has been given special permission to photograph and report on the daily comings and goings of the cast and crew while filming for the Lord of the Rings prequel is going on down in New Zealand. I normally don't read AICn articles because of the overabundance of spoilers, but this particular piece is pretty free of those. Quint writes with such love and respect for the material and the people involved in making the dream of the film become a reality; it's very hard to not be envious of him milling around with Frodo and Gandalf and the rest (seriously, I want so badly to switch places with him right this very moment). The first report by Quint came online Halloween morning, and I'm very excited to read more!

It's Hobbiton! IT'S FREAKIN' HOBBITON!!!!