Monday, April 14, 2014

Retro A to Z Challenge: L – Lord of the Rings 2001

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – 2001

The three-movie saga launched with Fellowship, and the world fell in love with epic fantasy again. Director Jackson brought the story to life, creating a trilogy that was even better than the books. Nominated for ten, it won three Oscars and paved the way for the two remaining installments.

2001 fun facts –
*Cost of new house - $136,150.
*Cost of a gallon of gas - $1.46
*The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after eleven years of repairs
*Wikipedia went live
*Apple released the iPod
*The MIR is decommissioned and re-enters the atmosphere, landing in the Pacific
*Microsoft released the Xbox

Movies released – 
The Fast and the Furious
Ocean’s Eleven
Donnie Darko
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Shrek
The Others

Music released –
Static X – Machine
Gorillaz
Tenacious D

Games released –
Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Serious Sam: The First Encounter

And why is 2001 special?
It’s the year David Walston got married, on August 11. (Because all his friends had run off married and he was lonely.) It was also when Carrie-Anne was in her senior year of university and having a great time on the social scene.

David is a certified geek and Dr. Who fanatic. Married with one son, he hails from Texas. Or perhaps outer space? Either way, if you are missing your Tardis, David probably has it. He’s a funny guy and an awesome friend. Find David at Blah Blah Blah Yackity Smackity.

Carrie-Anne is a writer and focuses on epic historical fiction. She is well-versed in Russian history, font styles, and historical names. She claims she was born in the wrong decade and enjoys classic rock, books, and films. She’s one sharp young lady and you’ll learn a lot from her! Carrie-Anne blogs at Welcome to My Magick Theatre

Last Days on Mars Movie Review

It’s the end of the first mission to Mars, and the crew’s discovery of bacteria leads to infected, zombie-like people and many deaths.
This is your typical people-stranded-on-a-planet story and an average science fiction film at best. It’s not terrible, but might not be worth ninety-plus minutes of your life.
Live Schreiber is the star and does a good job with what little he’s given. The special effects are also quite good.
Available on NetFlix if you’re bored…

A to Z Challenge Insanity

How is everyone holding up? I know a lot who aren’t participating this month have gone into hiding or are working on the next book. (Good idea.) But for the rest of us – are you having fun?

I apologize again if I don’t get to all of my blogger buddies on a given day. I’m trying to return comments from new people and visit new followers, plus visit my section of the list. But I appreciate all you who stop by here and hope you are still enjoying the retro theme. The Ninja is trying to keep up!

Big fan of LOTR? (Ever spent a Saturday watching all three extended editions?) Following David and Carrie-Anne? See Last Days on Mars? Having a good time with the Challenge? And what do you remember about 2001…?

151 comments:

ilima said...

My oldest went to a preschool called "Seagull School", but if you asked her the name of her school back then she'd say, "Smeagol School". That's how obsessed we were with LOTR, haha.

SK Anthony said...

OMG I love, love, LOVE The Lord of the Rings trilogy! I've lost count of how many times I watched them...I want to do it again now lol

I saw and liked all those movies except Donnie Darko, now I feel like I'm making it sad. I should watch it...eventually. I have to look it up first.

And the A to Z Challenge Insanity? Loving it...barely surviving with everything else going on, but loving it all the same. I'm glad I decided to participate for the first time this year. ;)

Elephant's Child said...

I think the books were better - and will slink back into my corner now. Books almost alwayss ARE better for me - the images on screen don't match the ones in my head.

Unknown said...

It has been 13 years since LOTR came out. It only seems like five years or so. I'm getting old.

Kyra Lennon said...

I jumped into A-Z at the very last minute, and I do usually get a little tired mid-way through, but this time, I'm really enjoying it a lot!

Unknown said...

I'm struggling with AZ-- feeling quite desperately sorry I haven't visited many bloggers-- impossible with my slow Internet connection :(

Anonymous said...

This challenge is sure keeping me busy. :)

This was the year I was finishing my master's degree. Those movies barely seem old.

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy definitely hooked me on Fantasy again. I still watch the DVDs about once a year.

Keeping my head above water for another week, Alex.

Gail visiting for AtoZ

Suzanne Furness said...

Yay for LOTR - was it really that long agao? I admire all you A-Zers keeping up this month and yes I am taking some time out to write more this month.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

David has the best avatar in blogland. And he's as nice as he is weird. I'll go visit Carrie-Anne. Thanks for the intro.

Cheering all you A-Zers on from the sidelines. You're almost halfway there and going strong.

xoRobyn

Empty Nest Insider said...

The Others was a surprisingly scary movie. The acting was very good too, but I don't remember it being in theaters very long. You've really gone all out again this year with A to Z, Alex!

Julie

The Angry Lurker said...

Spent a long weekend at work with others watching all three but came to hate Frodo!

Ted Cross said...

Better than the books? No. I do love the movies (the extended versions only), but the books are still much better. There are some movies out there that are better than the books, such as The Pricess Bride, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Godfather, though.

Rhonda Albom said...

Of course we are big fans of LOTR, it put New Zealand on the map! My teen and her friends do movie marathons. They have done one for LOTRs and another for Harry Potter (really, they started at midday, stopped at midnight, started again before I got up in the morning and saw all but the last movie. As for the challenge, I am having fun, but really busy.

Unknown said...

You visit more people than I'm even sure is possible in one day. I try but am seriously lacking in that department.

I really enjoyed LOTR and I love your facts. Thanks for sharing

Ellie Garratt said...

I'm 50:50 on watching Last Days on Mars. I think I'll wait until it's on the TV.

A to Z is going well for Untethered Realms!

Untethered Realms
Ellie Garratt

Natalie Aguirre said...

So love LOTR. Maybe some wintery Saturday I'll watch all three. Fun facts from that year too.

Anonymous said...

Great post Alex though I didn't see any of the films. Yes, I am enjoying doing the A to Z though not much traffic coming my way it's the taking part that counts.
What do I remember about 2001?
Well first and foremost my grand daughter was born 10 weeks early....on my birthday and I went on a sponsored walk with Danny Boy at Blackpool.
Have a nice day.
Yvonne.

Susan Scott said...

Fessin' up - haven't seen the LOTR trilogy ...though I have read the books ages back! (when Moses was a boy).
Hope YOU'RE having fun with the A-Z!
Garden of Eden Blog

Li said...

I'm one of the few who never read LOTR, so I'm happy that they made the movies. I love them! (Yes, I have watched the DVDs back-to-back.) The challenge is going well for me, and I've learned a lot from the various posts!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ilima, that's funny.

SK, glad you jumped in this year!

Elephant, usually that's true, but this was one time I liked the movies better.

Damy, I'm sorry!

Medeia, I know the feeling.

Suzanne, smart woman!

Julie, yeah - you'd think I would learn.

Fran, he wasn't my favorite.

Ted, I just think the books are too long-winded.

Kane, I do my best...

Yvonne, just keep at it. And that was a great birthday present.

Susan, you need to see them!

Liza said...

Happy Monday, Alex. Gas, $1.36? And I'm sure I thought that was a lot then!

Frankie Miller said...

Shrek was the funniest.
We understand, Alex - have some time off visiting us, you need it.
I'm enjoying the A-Z but struggling trying to keep up.

Cathrina Constantine said...

My entire family is big time Lord of The Rings Fans. Since I prepared this year for the A to Z it's much easier and enjoyable. I try to visit old and new blogs which is time consuming, but it's fun.

Jemi Fraser said...

2 of my favourite movies - LotR & Harry! A great year and choices! :)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

LOTR is one of those trilogies that never get old. I don't know how many times I've seen it.

Kirsten said...

It's hard to believe it's been more than a decade since the first LOTR movie came out! What a game changer for the fantasy genre, IMO.
As for A to Z, I'm so glad I took this on. Yes, it's challenging, but I'm finding my groove, and the best part has to be all the new blogs I'm discovering.
I won't be mad if you miss visiting my blog though. It's really hard to keep up, and I honestly don't know how you do it! :)

Julie Flanders said...

I'm having a much harder time keeping up this year then in years past, not sure why. It's hard to believe we're almost to the halfway point though - the month is totally flying by.

I didn't realize Wikipedia was this old!

Mason Canyon said...

Oh, if we could only go back to 2001 gas prices. :) It's amazing how many movies from that year went on to have sequels. Haven't seen Last Days on Mars, but it sounds interesting.

Sherry Ellis said...

David is hilarious. I love reading his posts!

2001 is the year I got married, and the year my daughter was born. I remember it well!

Suzi said...

Yup, big LOTR fan. Although when I watched them in the movie theater, my butt got a little sore from sitting too long.

They've been playing a lot on cable reruns this last year or so and I'll usually watch some of it here or there, but I haven't sat down to watch a whole movie for a while.

Kim Van Sickler said...

"My precious!" one of the creepiest refrains from moviedom!

Jo said...

I have all the videos of LOTR and love them. In VHS though. One of my favourite comments about #2 was from the GMA critic Joel Segal I think, commented about the elves speaking and then leaving the scene and he said he was relieved when "elvish had left the building".

Saw some of those movies. I sympathise with you having to keep up. Too many commenters, too many blogger buddies. Glad it's not me.

Donna K. Weaver said...

We're huge LotR fans. AND Baldur's Gate. I wish they made more multiplayer RPG games like it.

CA Heaven said...

My little boy was born in 2001, which means he's not a little boy anymore. Buy he's become a good skier, and we're enjoying this day on the slopes. Right now: lunch break >:)

Cold As Heaven

Luanne G. Smith said...

2001 was a good year. Those first iPods seem so quaint now compared to the phones and iPads.

Tonja Drecker said...

Wow - no wonder I've had time to watch LOTR so often.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lisa, I've learned a lot from yours!

Shari, I've seen it many times as well.

Kirsten, glad you're enjoying it!

Sherry, very cool!

Jo, gee, thanks!

Cold, you're blogging from the slopes - wild!

LG, mine still works even!

Karen Lange said...

Wow, look at the price of gas in 2001! How things have changed, right? Thanks for the fun facts and links. Happy Monday!

kjmckendry said...

I enjoyed LOTR, but I don't think I've seen the third one, yet.

In 2001, we moved to Philadelphia.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

A-Z is wearing me down! I'm still enjoying it but I'd better get a second wind soon. I'd also better get those last few stories written….

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

Gossip_Grl said...

Your post reminds that although September 11th occurred that year that some great things also happened that year with books, music, video, games and especially Lord Of the Ring.

Liz Blocker said...

YAY LOTR!!! Yes, I'm a huge fan. I've loved the books since childhood and I love the movies.

Oof, there's a reason this is called a "Challenge," eh? It's definitely fun, but definitely a lot!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see David highlighted here, Alex. I recently found his blog and I'm a big fan. He's funny!

If my hubby and sons had their way, LOTR would be on a forever loop in our house.

A-Z is going well over here. I've found a bunch of new blogs to follow. Well worth it!

Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

Hart Johnson said...

I love that Lord of the Rings trilogy. I think they did such an excellent job with it. And it's crazy--2001 doesn't sound like so long ago, but when I think about life before Harry Potter and Wikipedia it seems like a lifetime!

Shah Wharton said...

Oh I loved all of those 2001 movies! The Mars movie looks a bit pants though. Might swerve that one. Watched I' Frankenstein last night - I recommend swerving that one too. :) X

shahwharton.com

Nicki Elson said...

I did a LotR marathon a couple of summers ago - NOT extended editions though. It was fun. And long. When my daughter dresses as a Hobbit, she looks EXACTLY like Elijah Wood.

Sounds like Carrie-Ann & David both had great 2001s.

Lynda Dietz said...

Great post on all counts! I hadn't realized how many great movies came out that year. When Fellowship came out, the Hubs & I sat through it behind two guys who had obviously never read the book, & at the end, one of them said, "I don't know how they're going to stretch this into three movies. They're practically to that mountain thing already!" I almost punched a stranger that day. Instead, I leaned over and said, "You don't read, do you?"

I'm loving the craziness of A to Z even through the exhaustion of it, because I'm meeting and following some incredibly nice bloggers. Your efforts to make everyone feel welcome are great and I'm always tickled to see you in my comments because I can only guess how much time you put into making us all feel like an important part of the gang.

Unknown said...

Not only did we spend all day watching the extended versions, we played the board game and I made hobbit food. I guess that officially makes me a nerd. :)

A Beer for the Shower said...

Wait, Wikipedia was actually around in my last 2 years of high school? I wish I had known this...

Also, I loved Lord of the Rings so much I saw that 3 times in theaters. It was the epic fantasy movie my young inner geek had been long, long awaiting.

Tyrean Martinson said...

My youngest daughter was born in 2001, so it was a great year! :)

Birgit said...

LOVE Lord of the Rings and have the set with all the extras which I love!! I am enjoying the A to Z Challenge even though I suddenly realize how much time I am on the computer:) It's fun to visit new sites and read what other people are doing and know. 2001??? I am happy to say I don't recall much:) That means nothing truly bad-mom was well, everyone was good and family and friends were there-life was good that year:)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Madeline, that's why I eased back this weekend.

Gossip Girl, I'd decided I would only focus on the good.

Elsie, forever loop sounds great.

Shah, I will avoid it...

Nicki, you should post a photo.

Lynda, that's hilarious! And thank you, I am trying.

Melanie, that sounds awesome.

Brandon and Bryan, the research opportunity you missed!

Bob/Sally said...

I still remember sitting in the theater watching Fellowship - the first time we saw a Ringwraith, I knew Jackson had it nailed.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to add some Static X into my morning mayhem music mix!

Jay Noel said...

2001? Wow. I didn't realize that LOTR is that old. Sheesh. 2001 was a rough year for a lot of people, including me.

But now I have an inclination to go watch LOTR again!

Shell Flower said...

I may have spent a weekend or three watching the extended editions of LOTR. Good luck keeping up with your blogger buddies. I'm definitely in the "hiding out" category. Love Donnie Darko, too. Best soundtrack ever.

Pat Hatt said...

Lord of the rings was awesome indeed, can believe that and fast and furious have been around so long. The cat is still surviving indeed, just a couple dozen more blogs to visit a day

Maurice Mitchell said...

It's hard to believe Wikipedia is barely a decade old. Congrats to David since he and his wife are very happy. Finally, I might catch that film since I love Liev Schreiber.

Rusty Carl said...

Love LOTR! Like always, I'm feeling behind almost from the starting gun. A-Z tends to beat me up.

Stephen Tremp said...

Loved the LOTR series. And I remember when the Leaning Tower of Piza was closed for repairs for years. Have to keep these links to the past in good shape.

Suze said...

Wikipedia is one of those things that it's hard to imagine a point in time when it didn't exist, even though, for me personally, it hasn't even been around for half my life. Somehow, I picture myself having all that info at my fingertips in high school and find it strange to concede that, no, I didn't. I had to work harder for it!

Michael Di Gesu said...

LOVE LOTR! Both books and movies!

David is a hoot and always smiling.. lol

Well 2001 was quite the year, wasn't it? I'll never forget the 9/11 attacks on my home town of NYC! IT was frightening, scary, and INTENSE.

It was also the year my dad died... So for me, 2011 holds tension and upset... HOWEVER... as you know I LOVE to keep positive, shortly after my dad's service, I strolled along the city and saw the Marquis for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Desperately needing an escape, I slipped into the theater and was transported into the most incredible and magical world I had ever scene on screen.

This was the beginning of my passion for reading again and eventually brought me to writing. So you see there's always something good in horrible situations...

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Love having movie marathons and watching all the movies in a series at once. Great for rainy days and pizza nights!

You guys are real troopers for doing the A-Z. And I wouldn't worry about the comments. We all know you do your best. You da man...the nonja man!

Bevimus said...

I have, in fact, marathon-watched all three films and Dave and I recently re-watched them (not all in one day) after finishing the Lego game and remembering all these great scenes we just had to watch again.

Both David and Carrie-Anne are new to me- thanks for the introduction!

Charles Gramlich said...

Donnie Darko, what a strange little movie.

Loni Townsend said...

The year 2001 was my first year in college after a year off from high school. My brother (who lived a half-hour away) took me to LOTR as a Christmas present, since I wasn't returning to my parents' house for the holidays. It was a great gift. :)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Hearing you write about Baldur's Gate makes me wonder why there aren't any Pathfinder video games. Maybe video games are just too hard to do for Dungeons & Dragons. I'm not looking for an mmorpg either. I'd rather have one that I could play without needing a connection to the internet.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I am almost having fun and almost holding up. If I didn't have so much going on this month, I would enjoy it more.

I hate to tell you, I've never seen Lord of the Rings. My son loves The Fast and the Furious. I haven't seen that either.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Bob, you really rock...

Shell, I've not heard the soundtrack!

Maurice, he's the best part.

Suze, we had to research the hard way. Although Wikipedia is not accurate.

Michael, that movie came at just the right time for you.

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Michael, they all seem to need Internet connections or must be played online now. Annoying.

Unknown said...

WOW! I'm honored to be mentioned in the same post as Fellowship of the Ring! Thanks!

Rachna Chhabria said...

I have not read LOTR, everytime I think I must read it, other books jump out of my TBR pile and grab my attention. Finally, I can say, yay I saw two movies from the list of 2001 movies: Shrek and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone.

Chrys Fey said...

I'm a huge fan of LOTR!!

A lot of good movies came out in 2001. The only one I haven't seen that you mentioned is Donnie Darko.

cleemckenzie said...

I just ordered Fellowship of the Rings on Netflix. It won't be as exciting as it was on the big screen when I first saw it, but I'm in need of a Tolkien fix.

I'm still in sticker shock when it comes to gas. We'll be right up there with Canada and GB very soon.

Still holding up under the A to Z. I'll make it, and I'll keep smiling as I meet new people.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I confess, I have spent a Sunday with hubs watching all three editions of Lord of the Rings. It's one of those movies that totally immerse you in it's created world. Each time I watch it (more than a few times, lol!)I catch something new or different. I think the first time you're so involved with the visuals--which are pretty dang good--and you miss some of the nuances.

2001, hmm. Well I had a rambunctious 6 year old running me ragged. Movies I fell in love with? Pearl Harbor and Serndipity. Loved Rush Hour 2, Along Came a Spider, Shrek, and Fast and The Furious.

Sia McKye Over Coffee

David P. King said...

Big LOTR fan? Pretty much, but I've mellowed out a little. That's the year I graduated HS. To be honest, one of the more treasured years of my youth (did I just say that out loud?). ;)

Jennifer Hawes said...

Love LOTR and so do my boys. This year (2001) should be their favorite year--the year of the X-Box;-)

S. L. Hennessy said...

HUGE fan of the LOTR series. Not so much The Hobbit trilogy, but Jackson did a wonderful job with LOTR.

Arlee Bird said...

I need to start over on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I never got around to watching #3 and now I want to watch the first 2 to see them in sequence. They're so darn long though. I can't see my wife and I watching all 3 in one day.

Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - LOTR made a huge splash with many of us putting NZ on our bucket list interesting that Wikipedia and the ipod both started that year ..

I hate to admit it but I haven't read the books or seen all the movies ..

A-Z I'm moving along - happily enjoying myself ... cheers Hilary

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

2001. What would we do without Wikipedia? Now, it seems like it's been around forever!

Mary Montague Sikes

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

David, you're welcome!

Lee, ten bucks a gallon would be shocking.

David, that's when you graduated high school? I feel so old...

Lee, you have to watch the third one - it's the best!

Susan Kane said...

2001--gas was that cheap?? And the Lord of the Rings opened then? We have watched so many times, that it still seems current.

The new Millenium, my daughter went to University, I was recovering from an injury that ultimately took me out of the public school system, migraines became even more serious...So much happened.

Mina Burrows said...

I can't believe it's been that long since Lord of the Rings movie released. I'm a little depressed now.

Ella said...

A great year for film! I want a marathon of these movies~

I hope you are fighting the pollen and feeling good, on this Monday.

Missed a few of your posts so will go back in time. A vault of memories surface around your posts-thank you Captain!!

Anonymous said...

LOTR is my all time favourite book - and yes it has parts that are slow, but it has wonderful passages and evokes so much. Peter Jackson captured that and took it to another level, as the best remediation does. Can watch the Extended Edition as often as I can pick up my 1969 editions of the books - hardback of course. (Sad aren't I).

Donnie Darko has to be one of best cult movies that came from behind - still leaves me thinking.

And Baldur's Gate - I and II - was my first real immersive taste of gaming.

Thanks Alex

Brandon Ax said...

I have to say I had a lot going on this year, including the birth of my first child. Lord of the Rings was a big turning point for me in my writing. It really made me buckle down.

Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

SpacerGuy said...

I get why the Tardis doesn't need a hot rod engine, it can shift between dimensions in the blink of a eye, but its hardly a match for the fast and furious.

Unknown said...

Oh, Lord of the Rings... don't even get me started. Love love love =-) And thanks for introducing us to David and Carrie Anne. Loving their blogs.

P.S. In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit... :)

Huntress said...

I've seen the trilogy and the first Hobbit movie and they're good. But I still favor the books. Maybe it's because I read them so long ago.

Insane? Of course. But then I'm a writer. so...

Stephen A. Fender said...

I could have lived without LOTR, but NOT without my Xbox!

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I've only watched the first Hobbit movie. Must see the rest. I don't remember what happened in 2001. Barely remember what happened this weekend. :)

Cherie Reich said...

Love LOTR! 2001 was a great year for fantasy movies (LOTR and Harry Potter).

A-Z Challenging at Untethered Realms

Andrew Leon said...

We have tried a couple of times to watch the extended trilogy on a Saturday, but kids make that difficult. We've never made through more than just Fellowship.

Anonymous said...

OMG so many hours of my life wasted watching the LOTR trilogy again and again. Doing a marathon of the extended edition is too much for me though, had to split them up into two days as I recall. Hmm...it's been a few years since I last saw it. Dare I waste more hours of my life on it?!?

Leovi said...

Delicious fun, sweet pictures! Hugs!

Definitely Lord of the Rings trilogy is a most spectacular and fantastic history of cinema!

Mark Means said...

I've never been a big LotR fans...either in print or on the silver screen. Funny thing is, though, I love the Hobbit movies...go figure.

I remain totally impressed with all the info you have in each post and can only bow to your hard work, but being the "Blogfather" does come with a heavy burden, I suppose :)

I'm sure I'm like everyone else in saying I wish gas still cost as much as it did back in 2001! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry about the migraines, Susan.

Ella, I finally washed my car yesterday. It was a green mess!

Roland, Donnie Darko was a good film until the end - then it became a great film.

Beverly, you and me both!

Caffe - yes!

Leovi, that it is.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

Well, LOTR. !!!

Well. Donnie Darko!

Well, Skrek!!!

what more to say?

Am I having fun ? I don't know yet!!! How about you???
I am very stubborn and the challenge...let's just say I take it personally that I finish it!

I wanted you to know we finally saw Pacific Rim--I think you mentioned it the other day...and Jim and I LOVED IT.

THANKS, jean

mooderino said...

As a big fan of the LotR books I found the movies a little sterile, not sure why. Looked great but too long and waffly. Luckily he sorted that out in time for the Hobbit movies (not!).

mood
Moody Writing

Crystal Collier said...

2001? Wait, that was like, yesterday. What year is it now? ;)

I think we saw LOTR in the theater about five times, and I can't count the number of hobbit fests we've had since. (A hobbit feast while watching the movie.) Yeah, we're geeks, and proud of it.

True Heroes from A to Z

Unknown said...

Yay for 2001 - for fun movies and music and best of all Wiki!! Big yay for free info on the net, available to everyone. :)

I hadn't heard about that Mars movie. Sounds like a high budget "B" monster movie! lol

I'm not exactly having "fun" on the A-Z, but I'm already pondering themes for next year, so I guess the A-Z is addictive!

L.G. Keltner said...

In 2001, I turned 16, which was pretty exciting for me because that also meant getting my driver's license and first car. I also love the LOTR movies, and of course the Harry Potter movies, so 2001 was significant that way. Donnie Darko is also one of my favorite movies. Wow, it generally seems to have been a good year for movies.

Laura Clipson said...

I love Lord of the Rings, although I've never had a marathon of them before. I remember watching the first one with my mum - we didn't know it was a trilogy, and at the end when Frodo and Sam are looking out and seeing how far they have to go, mum said "They won't get all that way in 10 minutes!" It's like a running joke now, we say it every time we watch it.

Choki Gyeltshen said...

Love the Lord of the Ring!

Michelle Wallace said...

I must surely be the only person who hasn't read LOTR... and there's little chance of me seeing the movies... LOL
I'm enjoying the A to Z... and I'm trying to work out how on earth you're managing to visit new bloggers...?

Carrie-Anne said...

Thanks for the shout-out! 2001 was a really great year for me.

It's hard to remember what it was like to do research without Wikipedia as a jumping-off point. I used to have to rely on my dad's old 1965 encyclopedia, and some "updated" addendum volumes from the early Seventies. Now there's a modern encyclopedia online, with lots of great links pointing to more informative outside sources.

Unknown said...

I was ok for the first two weeks of the challenge but I'm finding it harder now. I like the idea of hiding out and concentrating on the novel. But I do enjoy April :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I'm a huge of LOTR. The film released at the time my home burned to the ground. My friends at SUNCOAST gave me a poster of the first movie which I later got autographed by the main stars and Peter Jackson.

Like Rebecca, I may hide out next April and write whatever novel is next on the slate!

Christine Rains said...

David and Carrie-Anne are awesome folks! The Challenge has been so much fun so far. Almost half done! :)

Brian Miller said...

was it only 2001 that the ipod came out...wow, i did not realize it was only that long ago..cant wait for the next hobbit movie...what an ending to this last one....

Dean K Miller said...

2001 was the year I became addicted to fly fishing, having figured out the basics over the previous two years. This lead me back to my writing...and all is well.

Hanging on to A to Z Challenge. The A to Z winery's Rose was a boast over the weekend. Almost to the downhill slide of the challenge.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Big, big fan of LoTR along with all my children. Nothing like your teenagers wanting to see a movie with mom instead of their friends and we've definitely done the Saturday marathon.
Having fun and trying to keep up with A to Z.

Heather M. Gardner said...

I liked LOTR but I don't rewatch them like I do other movies.
I guess I only needed them once.
:)

We saw the Captain.
It was freakin' awesome. Chris Evans is just doing great. I'm so impressed with his demeanor. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to go right back in and watch it again.

And, give yourself a break! Everywhere I go I see you've left a comment. I don't know how you do it!

Heather

Tony Laplume said...

Yay for Walston!

J.L. Campbell said...

Eleven years for repairs? But then the tower has been around a mighty long time.

Trying to keep up on the Challenge. Reading some inneresting posts.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mark, expectations are high, that's for sure.

Jean, glad you enjoyed it! And you have to finish now.

Lexa, you are hooked now...

LG, big year for you!

Laura, that made me chuckle...

Michelle, not visiting many I'm afraid...

Carrie-Anne, you're welcome!

Roland, that is just amazing...

Dean, save any for the rest of us...?

Heather, knew you'd enjoy it!! And I need to do some editing, so I will take a break tonight.

Joy, it was a fixer-upper.

J E Oneil said...

I can't believe the first LOTR is already going on thirteen. Plus that's the year that gave us the XBox and the iPod. Boy a lot happened in 2001.

PK HREZO said...

LOTR became an instant fave. I got married the following year and had the ring bearer (who was 3 at the time) walk down the aisle to the LOTR hobbit theme. I painted him a special ring box with elvish symbols. Everyone loved it.
Excellent fellow bloggers, David and Carrie-Anne! I always enjoy visiting them. :)

mshatch said...

Wow, Donnie Darko, such a great movie. And I can't believe you keep up as well as you do!

Helena said...

Your lists of housing prices back in the old days make me sigh -- here in Denver the cost is now way higher.

I enjoyed LOTR but I've never been a huge fan. Harry Potter has always been more appealing to me.

Jocelyn Rish said...

Whoa! I actually did one of those whiplash-inducing double-takes seeing that LotR came out in 2001. And the first Harry Potter? Dang, now I feel old. Or should I say even older, since my knees were already kind of achy today. Love all the fun facts!

Hope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
Jocelyn

Karen M. Peterson said...

I had to google Donnie Darko after I finished watching it because I just didn't get it. I still don't.

Robin said...

Any time my days get crazy IRL... oh the pain of the A to Z. I feel so terrible not making the rounds, but there is only so much time in the day. :(

Kelly Polark said...

I've never seen any of the Lord of the Rings, but have seen both Hobbits with my youngest son.

Shrek was released that long ago?? And gas was just a buck and a half?! It's over 4 dollars now! (which is why we just bought a Prius.)

susan e. schwartz, ph.d., Jungian analyst said...

The archetypes in the stories are so inviting and enchanting.
Thank you,
Susan
Garden of Eden Blog

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

PK, you just elevated yourself to a whole new level of cool!

Jocelyn, I already felt old...

Kelly, insane, isn't it?

Patricia Stoltey said...

I'm hanging in there, Alex...sort of.

Truedessa said...

Alex,

Who doesn't like Lord of the Rings? What is not to like a great fantasy
adventure of epic proportions?

Another great post from the Ninja
Wannabee..Oh, and I like your moves
over at Pat's place..haha..now you see him,now you don't. I hope you have a great week.

klahanie said...

Hey Alex,

David Walston, a heck of a nice guy and yep, a Dr. Who freak. Somebody send him off in the Tardis.

It shouldn't be about how everybody is holding up in the A to Z. This is what concerns me about the challenge which I get a number of emails about. Folks get stressed and feel guilty when they cannot keep up. That's just not right. Hope a better balance could be found for all participating.

And Alex, you do more than enough. I just want you to have some relax time. Please and thank you.

LOTR is a daily occurrence in my town.

Gary

Kristin Smith said...

I can't say I've watched all three LOTR movies is a row. Yet. But they are great films!

2001 was a great year--I finished college and found out I was pregnant with our first son.

I'm enjoying A to Z and it's been great meeting new people. I wish I could find the time to visit more new blogs though. I'm glad I decided to participate!

Nicole said...

I've been following along on all the A-to-Z posts, and I'm getting caught up on comments. I had to give this one a shout out - love LOTR! I definitely remember the excitement when it first came out. Hard to believe it was that long ago already.

SC Author said...

I love LOTR!!! Some of e best movies made, in my opinion.

SC Author said...

the*

Door2Lore said...

I enjoy reading your fun facts Alex! I'm a newly retired public school library so I always push the books first, then the movie and that gives the kids a great opportunity to compare and contrast - great discussion. I've got to say the Fellowship of the Ring Trilogy was just as satisfying as the books and I don't say that much at all!

Cheers, sue

Anonymous said...

I remember being so excited when Lord of The Rings came out. It was epic. Although the constant extended editions was bit irritating.

~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

LotR movies are not better than the books. Not even close. Sorry. Don't get me started about the dodgy special effects, the poor colour matching, the fail lighting, and the inconsistencies!!! lol. PS don't ever go to the movies with me unless you want it thoroughly dissected by me afterwards. ;)
Oh, I might be slightly tougher on the movies since I've read the books four times.

Pat Tillett said...

I am a big fan of the trilogy and have watched them back to back to back, twice. The second time to introduce my granddaughter to them. She was awestruck and I was happy...

John Wiswell said...

I'll have to agree with the tide that doesn't consider the films superior to the books. More readily consumable, definitely, as visual media usually is above prose. And a fantastic adaptation. But hardly superior works of art - they're fundamentally different mediums.

Leslie S. Rose said...

Read LOTR for the first time when I was 12. Had orc nightmares for years. I think I've read it at least 15 times since then, including aloud to my kids. It took a year, but they are LOTR lifers.

Leslie S. Rose said...

Read LOTR for the first time when I was 12. Had orc nightmares for years. I think I've read it at least 15 times since then, including aloud to my kids. It took a year, but they are LOTR lifers.

Unknown said...

Fellowship of the Ring was an excellent movie.

Lisa said...

Yes fan of LOTR, own theater version and extended version and have done the weekend marathon thing... Having a great time on the challenge, but like you, the real challenge is keeping up with responses and visiting more blogs! Heading over to David and Carrie-Anne's blogs now! Read about Last Days on Mars and bypassed it. Now I'm glad I did, even though I like Liev...

randi lee said...

It's going to sound really silly, but there was seriously a year-long (if not more) period where I was watching that movie every night before I went to bed. The intro and the section at the Shire were like sleeping pills, and the sounds/voices always knocked me out!!

Anonymous said...

Oh LOTR, my love. When I first think about it 2001 doesn't seem that far away and then I realize that is was 13 years ago and that so much has happened since then (I was 8).
Nice blog post as always Alex. 2001 was a good year.

Krista McLaughlin said...

Lord of the Rings, epic.

And yes I have had an entire Saturday of all three movies, but I did the extended editions! A true fan can sit through almost 12 hours of LOTR. :)

The Happy Whisk said...

I only know a few A/Z Heads and have made a special blog roll for you guys. It works for me because I easily fall behind, and this makes it quick to catch-up.

Cheers and boogie boogie.

Tina said...

On the A-Z question? Completely overwhelmed. More blogs to visit than hours in the day. Loving it, but wow, how did I do this the last few years? I can't seem to find that groove...just plowing full steam ahead. One blog at a time. Have met so many wonderful people!

Love David. He had me at Dr. Who, and keeps me with his zany humor. Great blog. I've met Carrie-Ann,, but don't know her well yet. Like I said, so many blogs...
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

Robyn Campbell said...

I'm just trying to get caught up with your A to Z, Alex. (I figured you might be wondering.) Love your posts. Some I haven't commented on. Like the one in 2012 and Rush. I LOVE THAT BAND! So great.

And LOTR. Who doesn't love them. And in 2001, it should have won more than three awards. Gas = $1.46? For real? Gosh. I bet I complained about the high cost. If only I could have known.

It's great that you're featuring folks on your posts. That's you alright. *waving*

Oh yeah, and SSSOOOOOO excited for How to Train Your Dragon 2. That trailer is awesome.

Unknown said...

Thanks for being an awesome blog friend, Alex. I don't know what I would do without your encouragement sometimes. These are great choices for L and LOTR continues to be my favorite escape film.

Fe said...

I can't believe 2001 was sooooo long ago. It's amazing what 13 years can do in one's life.

LoTR marathons are a regular. I stock up on munchies and just veg which is not something I do regularly... :)

Deniz Bevan said...

Did you just say 'better than the books'?!?!?!?!?
Ah well, to each his own.........