The MovieByte Podcast #119: Benjamin Button Legolas

And now for the review of the Trilogy based on a book, which is a prequel to the trilogy based on three books! This week, TJ, Joe, and Clark review ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies’. While all three liked it in some ways, some liked it more than others. TJ found significant challenges and issues with the films, while Joe has become a heretic and prefers Peter Jackson’s films to the book (is burning at the stake still allowed?). Clark takes a somewhat more moderate position. Listen in to hear them hash it out! Also up for discussion, Justin Lin will direct the next ‘Star Trek’ film which has been set for a release date of July 8, 2016, the sony hacking, and a quick overview and thoughts of the latest trailer for ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’.

• Told You So. That Is Andy Serkis’ Voice in the ‘Star Wars VII’ Teaser TrailerYes, that is his voice in the film’s teaser trailer. Although this has been roundly confirmed, particularly after a brief period of time when everyone was convinced that the voice belonged to Benedict Cumberbatch—who isn’t even in the film! probably!
• Justin Lin Will Direct the Next ‘Star Trek’ Film...we finally know who will be the next leader of Trek on the silver screen. Justin Lin, who directed ‘Fast and Furious 6′ has reportedly taken over the role.
• BREAKING: Next Star Trek Film Set for July 8, 2016Paramount has a Christmas present for the fans with the announcement of a release date for the next Star Trek feature film, which is now set for July 8th, 2016.
• Op-Ed: Kim Jong-un now controls HollywoodWe are deep into uncharted territory. It doesn’t look like a place we should stay.
• Paramount Stops Screenings of ‘Team America: World Police’The Daily Beast reports that Paramount has ordered cinemas not to show “Team America: World Police,” perhaps in the fear that Kim Jong-il might return from the dead, or possibly that Kim Jong-un doesn’t know it exists.
• Hackers Now Say Sony Can Release ‘The Interview’ With ChangesUSA Today reports that the hacker group known as Guardians Of Peace issued a message last night, stating that “The Interview” could be released…but only if changes were made.
• The Interview will be in select theaters on Christmas DayThe Interview is making it out for Christmas. After a week of drama surrounding hacking, threats, and Presidential disses, Sony has decided to give The Interview a limited theatrical release on December 25th.
• Belcourt Theatre, Franklin Theatre to screen ‘The Interview’The Belcourt in Hillsboro Village and the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin announced that they will be two of the independent theaters screening "The Interview" on its original release date of Christmas Day.
• Hollywood Cowardice: George Clooney Explains Why Sony Stood Alone In North Korean Cyberterror AttackAs it begins to dawn on everyone in Hollywood the reality that Sony Pictures was the victim of a cyberterrorist act perpetrated by a hostile foreign nation on American soil, questions will be asked about how and why it happened, ending with Sony cancelling the theatrical release of the satirical comedy The Interview because of its depiction of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
• ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ International Trailer and FeaturettesFebruary has typically been a dumping ground for not-so-great films. But I want to believe that Kingsman is not a dumping ground film.
• Honest Trailer: ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’Awww yeah! This is the one we’ve been waiting for. This is why Honest Trailers exists. This one does not disappoint.
• Director Peter Jackson Laments Franchise & VFX Driven Hollywood"I don’t really like the Hollywood blockbuster bandwagon that exists right now. The industry and the advent of all the technology, has kind of lost its way. It’s become very franchise driven and superhero driven."
• The Lord of the Rings Mythology ExplainedBefore you see the final Hobbit Movie, learn about the mythology of The Lord of The Rings universe
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — IMDbBilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — Rotten TomatoesCritics Consensus: Though somewhat overwhelmed by its own spectacle, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies ends Peter Jackson’s second Middle-earth trilogy on a reasonably satisfying note.
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies — Box Office MojoDomestic Total as of Dec. 22, 2014: $98,138,554 Distributor: Warner Bros.Release Date: December 17, 2014 Genre: FantasyRuntime: 2 hrs. 24 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13Production Budget: N/A
• Devindra Hardawar — TwitterSo glad to be done with the Hobbit films, and hopefully with 48fps as well. Movie was ok, but I didn’t give a lick about anything in it
• Devindra Hardawar — TwitterAlso, can we all agree CG orcs were a huge mistake? What a step down from the LotR trilogy
• Devindra Hardawar — TwitterTo be clear, I’m sure Smaug and Five Armies used a ton of CG orcs, not just the lead dude. Feels like a video game compared to the LotT orcs
• Dain Ironfoot CGI or not?He was, apparently made CGI because Connolly, a man suffering Parkinson’s disease, could not remember his lines while filming. So the character was created digitally and he was able to do his lines later. That’s according to a redditor who claims to have a relative who worked on the shoot