My New Guilty Pleasure - Fav Clips from 60 Seconds with Richard Armitage and Martin Freeman

I love that Martin makes Richard laugh

From RichardArmitageNet.com

Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas Everyone

When I was young at every Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), in the old days when we were all together as a family, at some point in the evening my uncle would put an album in the record player, and play this song:

This one is for my fellow Richard Armitage fans! 

Happy Hobbit Christmas

http://nomellamesfriki.com/post/27978044688/thorin-oakenshield-thorin-oakenshield-from-the

A special thanks and hugs to all my blog followers! Happy Holidays!

Thank you to all that visit here, and read, and thank you for your wonderful comments - All much appreciated. 

 

Meeting the Men Behind the Dwarves: The Hobbit New York Premiere Part II

Many months before I even hoped that I would meet most of the cast of The Hobbit, and be in the same room with Peter Jackson, I worked on a series of Voices posts featuring the cast, especially the men behind the dwarves.  

If you are interested in knowing a bit about the actors and their work  before world fame with The Hobbit, click on the links below. (There is a bit of Richard Armitage too).


http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2011/08/voices-vii-more-middle-earth-dwarves.html


http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2011/05/voices-part-iv-some-of-hobbit-cast.html

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/search/label/Voices


During the after party, that I've already discussed in my previous post about meeting RA, we met others in the cast. We met them either alone or together with one of the other Dwarves. 

Who did we meet? Meeting Jed Brophy, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, and Adam Brown was a delight. They were wonderfully friendly all. We were happy to talk a bit more at length with William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, and Mark Hadlow during the course of the evening. They all talked very highly of Peter Jackson as a director and the collaborative spirit on the set.  I also saw John Callen several times as we were circling the party crowd, but never got a chance to talk.

Turn a corner, and who do we find, Frodo and Bilbo - oh yes - Martin Freeman and Elijah Wood in conversation together. That was quite thrilling to briefly say hello to both of them and meet them. Martin did all the talking, but I can't even remember what he said, and Elijah said not a word, but smiled sweetly. I even have a photo of me standing next to Elijah (it's a group photo, so won't post here). 

I'll never forget December 6 - it was truly my Christmas present

 Photo of Some of the Cast  and PJ at NYC Premiere Dec 6

 

 

More About The Hobbit New York Premiere - and Thoughts on the Movie

Love this video clip of another Hobbit interview. The Voice. 

 

The Hobbit New York Premiere, December 6, 2012

 

The Press Tent -  Getting Ready for the Evening

Subway Station

December 7, 2012- All Traces of Hobbit Gone - for Now

I saw The Hobbit on December 6 in 48fps 3D.  I'm not a big fan of 3D films, to me the added layer and the "gimmick" of it all adds very little to the movie experience. But I was impressed by this new 48fps. Visually it is stunning.  However, I'm going to see the film again regular 24fps on Sunday, and will let you know which version I like best.  I did miss the effect of being immersed in another reality that traditional film gives you.   

The first half of the film that some critics have criticized as being overly long is my favorite part of the film. I love the story of the dwarves and Thorin, how they were before Smaug and then after. It really gives so much more depth to the story. 

As an LOTR movie fan I was thrilled to see Frodo and old Bilbo again, and Peter Jackson did a great job of joining the old and the new with those scenes.  Then I laughed and cried at Bag End with Bilbo being brought together with the dwarves by Gandalf. Though not all the dwarves had lines in this first film, I disagree that they didn't come across as individuals.  by the end when they all head off to their adventure, I felt I knew a little bit about each of them and I know there's more to come.

I have to say that from the first time I listened to the book, The Hobbit, my sympathies have always been with the dwarves and their story. You see I have a Smaug in my own personal family history.  I agree with Peter Jackson's decision to expand the story of the dwarves, I think it will make for a more interesting trilogy. Remember, this is only part 1, or chapter 1 if you will. 

The film benefits from three great actors as the leads: Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, and Ian McKellen. Martin is initially subdued and set in his ways as Bilbo, but as the film progresses you see him blossom, not only because of his adventures, but because of his growing friendship with the dwarves, and Thorin especially. Freeman moves seamlessly between comedy and drama. 

Ian McKellen is a great actor, and you can tell he loves being Gandalf. He is the man, or the wizard, in the middle between innocent Bilbo and serious Thorin. 

Richard Armitage is a revelation as Thorin. I probably have watched almost every TV show and film he's ever done, several times each, but he surpassed what I expected of him. He is dashing and heroic and conflicted as a lost prince and possible king. You can see and feel the pain and the weight of responsibility on the shoulders of his character, even in the rapid fire action sequences. Armitage moved me emotionally so many times during the film, often at unexpected moments, that I am in awe of him.  I can't wait for the other two films and how Thorin's story develops. Bravo Richard! 

Just a few words on the villains of this unexpected adventure. My only real negative of the film is Azog. He's the only CGI character that looks CGI and, though I understand why they felt it was necessary to add him as the chief enemy of Thorin's here, I find the suggestion of evil in the necromancer and the almost unseen Smaug as more interesting enemies. Hope they tone Azog down in the next film. 

Thorin has the most beautiful blue eyes of any dwarf prince, but there is another blue eyed one that grabbed my attention.  Andy Serkis once again makes us believe in Gollum as real and even makes us feel sympathy for  Smeagol. 

If I were giving stars, I'll give The Hobbit 4 Stars out of 5 and I can't wait for the story to continue.

  

 

 

Meeting Richard Armitage at The Hobbit New York Premiere Gala Party December 6! Meeting Others in the Cast Too

 Richard Armitage, The Hobbit New York Premiere. Not my photo!

It was some enchanted evening, December 6, 2012.  I will try to write about my impressions of the New York and US Premiere and Gala Party for The Hobbit now when still fresh in my mind.  I’m not going to write any detailed conversations I had or was part of with Richard Armitage, or any of the other actors. First because it was a private party, though I know the cast was there because it was part of their PR/Marketing duties for the film. Second because I didn’t take any notes on our conversations or interactions and my memory is imperfect and I don’t want to misquote anyone.  I will write about what I most remember, or moments with meeting the cast that touched me, surprised me, or made me laugh.  But first here,  below, the highlight of the evening, meeting Richard Armitage!

The afternoon tea with those going to the red carpet and evening film and party would not have been so delightful without sharing the experience with lovely RA friends.  I hope that we have other opportunities to meet again.  Richard Armitage is a very lucky man to have such wonderful fans.

I arrived early morning in New York City on December 6 after only three hours of sleep and over three hours of travel, looking forward to seeing The Hobbit and hopefully meeting some of the cast, and one cast member in particular. It’s no secret to anyone that even drops in accidentally on my blog that I’m a fan of Richard Armitage. First thing I did was walk from my hotel to the Ziegfeld Theater to see the preparations. The marquee had Bilbo and The Hobbit in all its glory, the press tent was under construction, and they were starting to put up the barricades for the red carpet. (Photos later once I get them out of my camera!). Excitement is building for the night to come.

I’ll cut the long story of how we all got to this point, but that evening, after what seemed like weeks of planning, three of us found ourselves sitting in the Ziegfeld Theater waiting to see The Hobbit in all its new 3D, 48fps, glory.

We have popcorn and 3D glasses in hand waiting for Peter Jackson and the cast to walk in and take the stage for an intro.  What seems like a long wait, all of a sudden there’s Peter Jackson and all the cast, including Ian McKellen , Martin Freeman, and Elijah Wood. Then we spot the very tall man with a gray checked suit.  Richard Armitage has entered the theater.  Peter Jackson and the studio executives make their intro speeches and then the entire cast comes on stage. (See really bad photo below from my old phone).  Then they move out and spread out throughout the theater. We hope Richard will sit in the empty seat in front of our row, but though he does sit on our side of the theater,  he grabs a seat halfway down.  The lights go out and the film begins.

(I’ll have my thoughts on the film the weekend it opens here in the US)

After three hours that seemed to go by in half the time, the lights come up and we’re ready to move out to the buses taking us to the Gala after party.  But before we wait to see if we spot RA or any of the cast coming near us or behind us (we are seated  at the last orchestra row in the back).  As Andy Serkis comes by behind me, I tell him Gollum was great, and he smiles and thanks me. Then I spot Ian Mckellen and also tell him how wonderful it was. He also smiles and thanks me.  I don’t see anyone else near.  We leave and get on a bus for the gala after party at Gustavino’s.

 

I was lucky that my fellow RA friends attending with me are all young and attractive women, and in a room full of men I hope they don’t mind me saying that it helped us meet so many of the cast. Big old me was very happy to tag along and share in all of this.

 

One of the first of the cast we meet is Graham McTavish, who plays Dwalin.  We have a very animated group conversation with him about his character, working on the movie,  the brotherhood of dwarves, and our impressions of the film. McTavish is an attractive man in person and very much the charmer. I think someone needs to cast him in a film as a leading man. He’s not at all intimidating in person, very friendly.  During the course of our conversation with him, without any prompting from us, he brings up Richard.  As if by magic, Richard Armitage, who I didn’t notice in the room before, is now in an open alcove adjacent to the main party room where we all are.  One among us, asked Graham if he will introduce us to Richard. Next thing we know we’re being whisked by McTavish to the alcove, and he personally does introduce us all to Richard.

What happens when fantasy meets reality? I’m not quite sure what Richard said in the first few moments we saw him, since my brain and body had a brief total meltdown. There I was, we all were, standing only a few inches from him.  I’m  5’5” and I think the top of my head may have reached his shoulder at most. We identified ourselves as fans and he seemed genuinely happy about that.  I believe I joked with him that we were about to shout “Look Back at Me” across the room to him, and he laughed a bit nervously.  But what followed was truly amazing.  

We had what we all described afterwards as a real conversation together. Imagine a group of people gathered after a film to discuss what they had just seen, and what scenes were their favorites, and just sharing the experience.  That’s the way it was.  

 I have to say that after that first meltdown moment Richard put me at ease right away.  I think I actually involuntarily touched him twice in his arm, something I tend to do with friends when I’m trying to acknowledge my understanding or agreement of something they said.  Somehow it didn’t seem awkward at all, and he was perfectly comfortable and enjoying our conversation with him.  He really loves this film, and the entire experience of filming it. We even got a little insight into a particular scene in a future Hobbit film that I will not divulge here, but maybe when the film comes out.**  He has a beautiful smile, he should smile more often in films. 

I could have talked to him for the entire evening,  but after a while his PR person, who was standing next to him (I think the same blonde woman we've seen with him at other premieres) signaled that they had to move on.  Richard apologized for having to leave us because he now had to “go to work.”  It was really a charming way to tear himself away, flattering to be excluded by his words from the “meet and greet” work of the evening. Always the gentleman it was his polite way to close this encounter and move on. 

How did he look in person? Richard Armitage is a beautiful, beautiful, man. The word handsome does not do him justice.  Even the word gorgeous is inadequate.  Does he look more handsome in person? He is thinner than he seems to be on television or movie screens, long and lean.  I think standing next to him you feel his warmth and humor as a person, and that enhances his physical beauty.  Add charm, wit, and intelligence  and Richard is in a category all by himself.

We didn't take his picture or ask for an autograph at that moment, and I think we all agreed it would have been wrong.  We had been having a genuine conversation with him and asking him for either would have broken the spell.  I felt we all parted really as friends who happened to meet up at a party. 

I didn't take any photos that evening, except for the bad one you see above taken with my terrible phone. We weren't allowed to take cameras to the gala, and as a matter of fact we were told when we entered the party we couldn't take photos.  But the other ladies in my group did take photos, and two of them with Richard later in the evening, and I’m sure they will share.   

At the end of the evening,  two of us who didn't have a photo with Richard, decided we really wanted one.  I had last seen him, and I’m talking maybe close to 1:00am at this point, turning the corner just a few feet from me towards the stairs. We went down to the bottom level of the party to see if he was there. The cast seemed to have a private area somewhere, because all of them would come and go from the main party room where we all were.  We sat for a while, but decided he must have left.

 

I had my special moments!

Going back upstairs, we ran into Dean O’Gorman (Fili) and Aidan Turner (Kili). It was fun to see they were hanging out together at the party.  Two handsome men in person too, Dean had an informal tuxedo (my limited knowledge of men’s fashions) and Aidan a dark suit. Aidan had his back to us, and was in conversation with someone else, so we started talking to Dean.  He’s very charming, on the quiet side,  also very natural, no pretense at all in him.  At one point in our conversation I was telling him how I liked him so much as Fili and he leaned down and kissed me, twice, one on each cheek.  You don’t know how surprised I was at that moment! Dean O’Gorman kissed me! 

Stay tuned for shortly you’ll see a Dean O’Gorman tab at the top of my blog.  I’m going to follow this charming and handsome man’s career from now on.

I turned to Aidan at that moment, didn't want to leave without talking to him. He had his back to me and I touched him on the shoulder.  He turned around and at first I thought he was a bit annoyed and was not going to talk, but then he turned around fully and we all had what I can only describe as banter with Aidan Turner.  He’s a wild man that one,  same as his marvelous curly hair.

It was a magical evening.

Right now as I sit writing this there is one moment that is in my heart.  Only a few seconds in a long evening that will be with me forever. During our conversation the four of us had formed a semi-circle around Richard, and I was on the end, closest in the alcove to the larger party area just beyond. As Richard Armitage was departing from us in my “direction” after our group conversation I said to him something like “It was truly a pleasure to meet you.”  He stopped and looked into my eyes. Time stopped. To my surprise he took my right hand in his left hand. He then wrapped those long fingers around my hand and gave me a strong yet gentle and affectionate squeeze.  He let go, merging into the larger party to meet and greet.   

** Dec 27, 2014: Wasn't sure if I should recall this part of our RA conversation that happened over two years ago now. It has stayed with me waiting for the moment to see the scene on screen, but of course filtered through two years. I think we had asked Richard about working with Peter Jackson (this was during Hobbit AUJ premiere) and as an example he talked to us about filming the scene we all knew from the book of Thorin finding out Bilbo has betrayed him with the Arkenstone and in a rage almost throwing him off the the top of the mountain.  Richard said they had many takes, filming the scene in different ways, that is PJ's way. But he thought there was one take, one time, when he and Martin had let their emotions take over and it had been very real (I'm paraphrasing of course from what he said) and Richard hoped PJ would use that take. Watching the scene now I of course have no way of knowing, and no way of asking RA, and I'm sure it's a conversation he has no memory of whatsoever now. I do wonder though. 

(Stay tuned, I’ll have a future post on meeting almost all the other dwarves, Martin Freeman and Elijah Wood, and others at the party)

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2012/12/meeting-men-behind-dwarves-hobbit-new.html

12/9/2012 - One of my premiere companions shares her own experience of the magical night:

http://heiress2nothrone.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/my-own-unexpected-adventure-attending-the-hobbit-premiere/

Note: This is only my side of the story of that night, there were four of us there together, and countless others in attendance. I only speak for myself, and no one else. Everyone has their own story to tell, I just happen to have a blog. Thank you for reading. 

  

Richard Armitage Talking About His Fans Again - My Response

For more of Richard Armitage talking about his fans:

http://youtu.be/zQ7b_ltD4Tk

The Lucas Look and Found A Guide to Wearing Shiny Suits

I don't really know if Richard Armitage's stylist has been inspired by his well known characters, but I see some resemblance to what he wore as Lucas North in several of the Premiere ensembles . Lucas is my favorite character and I loved how Armitage looked in Spooks. 

Here are some of the Lucas Looks I've noticed, and liked, in the Magical Mystery Hobbit Tour.

 

 

By the way,  he wore a waxed wool Calvin Klein suit for the Tokyo Premiere.

 

 Did you know there is a guide to wearing a shiny suit:

 From: http://www.mensitaly.com/shiny-suits-tips.htm

Show Off Your Elegance with Shiny Suits

It is very important that what you wear enhance your style and personality, as dressing determine man’s impression. When you meet someone first time, your dressing plays an important role in making impression. You can dress according to time and events. It is vital to make a "good" and strong first impression. It is easier to make a great first impression with your appearance and then follow up by showing what a capable, impressive and trustworthy person you are, with a winning performance. The clothing we choose makes a significant impact. This is such an important area, in which we can build the greatest impression. What you wear makes a difference in how you influence the world. Few Tips: • The fit factor for men’s shiny suits should fit comfy, but not tight around the upper body. • Make sure there is just enough room to slip a hand inside the breast flap of your shiny suit. Jacket sleeves should drop to just above the palm of the hand. • Wide lapels, shirt collars and neckties can overwhelm a slender physique in double breasted suit. • Conversely, narrow shoulders, tie and collars magnify the proportions of fuller-figured men. And the width of a necktie also should be in proportion to coat lapels. • Standard cuffs, with functioning buttons, ticket pockets and side vents are small touches that can add a lot to a linen suit. • Pleated pants tend to make legs and hips appear wider, while flat-front pants create the opposite effect. • For long-term value, invest in one suit that can easily transition from business to formal occasions. • Navy looks great in the office, and it works at night as well. • The best color for a shiny suits is black. And with Black shiny suits, you have a choice of wearing black or brown shoes and accessories. • Double vents in the rear can billow unflatteringly on men with prodigious backsides. • Patterns such as plaids and stripes tend to exaggerate the proportions of large men, while making the contours of a slender man more prominent. • Cuff-free slacks tend to elongate the look of the leg. Cuffed pants have a truncating effect because the vertical line is disrupted. • shiny suits have a slenderizing effect on portly men, while that extra panel of fabric can appear to swallow the physique of slender men.

 

Pics thanks to RichardArmitageNet.com and Richard Armitage Central

The Magical Mystery Hobbit Tour continues with Toronto, New York, possibly Dublin, and London ahead. Looking forward to seeing Richard Armitage continue to look dashing, handsome, and fashion forward.

___________________________________________

I have to confess that a tiny part of me is a bit nostalgic for the old and more innocent fashion days. He's a very handsome and charming man and we can clearly see that no matter what he's wearing.

A Small Tale to Tell at Barnes & Noble

So I took a trip today to my local Barnes & Noble. I've been meaning to go to purchase the two items you see above. However, the bookstore is not on my usual daily circuit and requires a special trip. (Didn't use to be that way, but these days brick and mortar bookstores are rare indeed.) So today, after I tore myself away from Twitter and Hobbit news and ran a few needed errands, I headed to B&N.

My first stop was the magazine area and the Entertainment section. I found Rolling Stone right away and happily picked up my copy. Then I looked for Empire and on the main display I saw only the Gandalf covers. I was a bit sad, and angry at myself for not making the trip to the bookstore sooner.  I picked up Gandalf and continued my bookstore browsing. Somehow something in the back of my mind made me think I had missed something. Empire couldn't have been on the shelf long, since we get it a month later here in the US. And why only Gandalf of the five covers? So I walked back to the magazines and looking all around I spotted, underneath the main display with a bunch of other magazines, a stack of the Empire magazine Hobbit Issue, with Bilbo looking up at me. I started to go through the small stack and my heart leaped when I found three with Thorin on the cover.  

I was so happy that I had followed that little voice in my heart that said "look again". I picked up one of the Thorin cover copies to buy, but I also picked up a second copy. I took that one and put Thorin in front of Gandalf on the main display area.  Mission Accomplished.

Two Favorite Interviews from World Premiere of The Hobbit in New Zealand

Love him looking so happy. Love his laugh, I've never seen him laugh and smile so much. 

Below are two of my favorite interviews so far, and both interviewers ask him the "sex symbol" question in different ways. In the video I just love the feedback from Martin Freedman and Andy Serkis about Richard's answer!  

As a shy person myself, I understand why this question makes him uncomfortable (though in my case, I'm in no danger of being called "hot"). Beautiful that in both of these interviews his answers, and the reaction of those around him, also give us a glimpse of his sense of humor. 

Audio Interview - The Hobbit World Premiere - November 28, 2012, New Zealand - click on the link. 

http://zmonline.com/player/ondemand/listen-drive-richard-armitage

 Next Stop on The Hobbit Magical Mystery Tour - JAPAN!

(Sat) Japan Hobbit Festival December 1, 2012! 
On the day we will live in a two-part delivery

Press conference
30 minutes at 11

Premier event
Roppongi Hills Arena 18:00

A (tentative)
Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Peter Jackson

Thanks to Kuropika02 on Twitter.

King Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) - Poster for The Hobbit

 

From Screenrant

Richard Armitage and The Hobbit Cast. Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, in front of The Hobbit Plane- Love this Photo

Photo Thanks to Air New Zealand

 

My Crop 

Update:

Update - Interviews: