Housekeeping and Profanity

Those two can certainly go together, and when you blog about a celebrity who is potentially making his way to the ‘A’ list, there’s going to be some profanity. Oh, not from me most of the time, and not about the housekeeping on this blog. I’ve loved that, and long said Richard Armitage should bottle his ability to make housekeeping fun. What I’m talking about are the search terms from people trying to figure out ‘who the hell is Richard Armitage,’ or more so lately ‘who the fuck is Richard Armitage.’ The latter one I hadn’t seen until after ‘The Hobbit’ trailer making me conclude that the incidence of that phrase is directly proportional to his rise in fame. The MTV interview definitely escalated the occurrences.

It had crossed my mind to change the title of my page about him because I do laugh when I read the question, but I can’t do that to him. I’ll leave that to the Tumblrs. :D For those who frequently access the ‘Tumblr’ page, I’ve consolidated it with the ‘Addict List’. ‘Admin Notice’ has also been added to the left sidebar, so if something seems wonked up, check there to see what may have been done. If there’s no notice of a major change, then the site might have a problem, so please send me a note to let me know as I might be the one who’s wonked.

I’m also debating about getting rid of some categories. I’m not sure they’re used much, but tags are limited on the home page. So maybe I’ll start a tags page? It’s amazing how I get on this blog to escape mundane tasks, and I still can’t get away from them.

I was going to embed a picture, but my header is sufficient. It sums up the mood.

January 12, 2012
Categories: Housekeeping, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 1 Comment

Going Mainstream

There is a new interview with Richard Armitage at MTV. Wow! I never thought to use those two names in the same sentence.

Jan 11 2012 5:00 PM EST
Richard Armitage’s Journey To ‘The Hobbit’ Best ‘By Far’
The U.K. actor is Middle-earth’s most badass dwarf and One to Watch in 2012.

By Kevin P. Sullivan

This winter, director Peter Jackson will deliver the long-awaited return to Middle-earth. “The Hobbit,” which will unfold across two films, begins with “An Unexpected Journey,” as Bilbo Baggins leaves to win back gold stolen from his companions. But these are not just any friends. Bilbo is accompanied by 13 dwarves, each with a larger-than-life personality.

The leader of these adventurers, Thorin, will be played by Richard Armitage, who made a brief appearance in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” but will get his biggest Stateside break in “The Hobbit.” The British actor played a key role in last month’s trailer and will soon join the illustrious ranks of Tolkien alumni, alongside Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean and Orlando Bloom.

We spoke with Armitage about traveling to Middle-earth, the difficulty of working under pounds of makeup and leading a band of treasure-seeking dwarves.

MTV: Congratulations on being named to MTV’s Ones to Watch!

Richard Armitage: Thank you very much!

MTV: Where are you currently in the filming schedule?

Armitage: We just finished up our second block, so we start again at the end of January, and then we go — we think it’s the end of July. Then there’s a bit more in 2013, we reckon.

Read the rest here.

Wonder how all of this is going to look when we get the full court press.

January 11, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 24 Comments

In Case You Were Wondering

There has been a lot of talk in RA universe about the significance of Richard Armitage’s character to the Hobbit movies. Would he be as major a character as many hoped? I’ve witnessed countless discussions and yes, debates about this subject, and now it seems that someone a bit on the inside has given an answer:

‘The Hobbit’ Countdown, Character Guide: Who Is Thorin Oakenshield? (And We Don’t Just Mean Richard Armitage)
By Larry D. Curtis Jan 10, 2012

Larry D. Curtis, as part of the team at TheOneRing.net, has been comprehensively covering the works and adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien for more than a decade, making the not-for-profit site the leading source about The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings for fans and film makers world wide. Curtis is one of the lead content producers for the site and represents it at conventions and press functions. You can read his The Hobbit Countdown here at Movies.com every other week. You can reach him at MrCere@TheOneRing.net.

One crazy thing about the two Hobbit movies coming out the next two Decembers: it has one giant cast. Sure Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films had a Fellowship of nine to deal with, but they were different races (elves, dwarves, men, wizards and hobbits), and there were fewer of them while these new films are stuffed with mostly dwarves! And, the Fellowship splintered near the end of the first film, allowing us to cut from one group to another. (And to be honest, some viewers confessed to being occasionally confused between Merry and Pippin.)

snip….

So when we see Thorin in Bilbo’s house, he carries with him the physical remnant of his family’s legacy: a map showing the secret entrance back into The Lonely Mountain. He also carries with him the failure of his fathers and the hope of his people. Like his father before him, he is taking his kinsmen and heading back — with a burglar and a wizard — to reclaim his kingdom. He will drive the dwarves, and the film, with this desire that may at times boarder on obsession. But hey, if a dragon burned and ate your family, lived in your underground castle (not the one that a balrog lives in during The Lord of the Rings) and slept on your pile of gold and jewels, you might obsess a little as well.
Audiences for the newest Middle-earth films will have 13 of these bearded dwarven fellows to keep track of and they will nearly always be together. Making each a distinct character is a big challenge for Jackson and company and the images released so far make it clear that the design team went to great lengths to help the audience tell at a glance which of the revenge-minded adventurers is which.

That doesn’t mean readers will need to wait for the films though because Movies.com has you, and the collection of characters, completely covered. We know the difference between Bifur and Bofur and Fili and Kili and if you stick with us, so will you. But the dwarf who is most likely to become a household name is the more fully titled Thorin Oakenshield and we think not only will we have an unforgettable character on the first Hobbit day (Dec. 14, 2012, the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) but also the actor Richard Armitage will become a household name. While there are many who know and love the English actor, that day and the films, will change his career forever.

Read all of it here.

emphasis mine

Thoughts?

January 11, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 18 Comments

A Few Items of Note From Down Under

[Note: It’s come to my attention that I have misapplied the description of Oz to NZ and neither parties like it! So this post is now titled “A Few Items of Note From Down Under and Slightly to One Side.” Thank you for the suggestion, Maegwen. :D]

I was awaiting the return of Joanna Scarratt and her report from New Zealand. In my head the report had taken on a life of its own. For those not familiar, Joanna is part of the Brand Partnership Department at United Agents, and my snark gene wants to go off on what it means to develop Richard Armitage as a brand. Tough work but someone has to do it. And the report? Wonderfully brief. You can read here. It confirms the idea that the first rule of branding is to leave the public wanting more. :D Maybe a shirt color would have been welcomed. It’s amazing what my mind can do with that little.

The bidding on Peter Jackson’s offer to host two people on ‘The Hobbit’ set is final, and the amount was a bit surprising to me. I made the assumption it would end with a much higher figure. Surely someone will take issue with my expectations, but I can’t help my gut reaction: c’mon, people! it’s Peter Jackson! Then again Peter Jackson is more low key and under the radar at times than I first imagined, and I suspect this unassuming demeanor is part of his charming heritage as a Kiwi. Net: if I had known the bidding was within my capabilities, I might have bid. SO has always wanted to go to New Zealand.

If I ever do go to New Zealand, I have to visit Lake Wanaka. The area is very familiar since friends and some acquaintances have visited, and it’s also the home of Jossi Wells, who spends a lot of time in my neck of the woods and is very well known here:

New Zealand has been on my bucket list for years. It’s obviously a beautiful place, but frankly, so is the area where I live. So the attraction to the country is not just its beauty, and no, this has nothing to do with Richard Armitage. Of all the people I’ve met from New Zealand (both face to face and online), to a person they have been down-to-earth. That is quite a statement about the country. I may have said this before, but it doesn’t matter. It’s significant enough that it bears repeating.

January 9, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 13 Comments

People, People, People

I know Peter Jackson won’t allow any photography from the winner of the Charity Auction! I was kidding about getting some pictures. It was just a joke. Honest.

Although if I were a winner, I might be tempted to take one of these to NZ:

No, not the matchstick. That thing above it — the camera. :D Of course I would also have to get a fake id and board a plane under false pretenses, so that I wouldn’t have to sign my real name on the non-disclosure agreement. LOL!

Watch someone take this seriously. Haven’t you learned anything about this blog?

Maybe a disclaimer to Sir Peter will soothe you:

Dear Sir Peter,

I like to tease which you may not realize since you have absolutely no clue about me or this blog. Thank Heaven! But if for some reason you do, ignore me.

Signed,
A fan, but I am not at liberty to say who I am a fan of at the moment. It’s all very secret so that no one will feel funny, ever, about anything.

So the letter to Sir Peter didn’t work?

Maybe a picture will put you in a better mood:

Oh, you’re still reading, Sir Peter. Well, pay no attention to the picture. It’s just a photo of a pleasant looking chap who could pass for some guy named Richard Armitage.

Photo of the camera courtesy of some site selling spy equipment. Screencap is mine.

January 5, 2012
Categories: Movies, Rumors, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 23 Comments

Let’s Do Lunch?

If you have ever wondered what RA frenzy really looks like, see what Calexora is proposing. I just have one thing to say about it. If you go, get some pictures and video for us! :D

But candidly, this is so majestic and lush (click to enlarge photos):

not to mention this:

that Callie might not be that crazy. :D

Hobbit Press Conference screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com. Hobbit trailer screencaps are mine.

January 5, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 7 Comments

A Thought to Close the Year

I was just reading a story at TheOneRing about an unreported act of kindness. “MrCere”, the author of the piece, was so moved by what he was made privy to on his trip to New Zealand to cover ‘The Hobbit’, that his urge to somehow capture it for posterity seemed barely contained. Mostly the piece was about the effect the revelation of the kindness had on him. It was ineffably sweet, and I was relieved he refrained from giving many particulars. The kindness needs no unveiling in order for it to edify. It’s enough to know that it happened. Besides, kindness always was best done intimately.

Happy New Year to everyone.

December 31, 2011
Categories: Movies, Tangents, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 31 Comments

What a Year for Richard Armitage

With the release of ‘Captain America’ where he only had a few lines, he was still on the promotional tour. This seemed to be the first tangible sign that his star was really on the rise from ‘The Hobbit.’ Despite all of it, I’m still flabbergasted that Peter Jackson selected him. Of course this has nothing to do with RA’s abilities and everything to do with my taste almost never matching what the masses like. And then for him to end with such a great ranking on IMDb! Phew! The wave he’s been riding will no doubt go for another year and more. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Yeah, I know we don’t really know him. I’m talking about his public persona, which is damn fine. :D

This post obviously has nothing new in it, but I have to exult.

And I have to share this wallpaper made by Tanni Tanni even if some of you have already seen it. It sums up the mood:

Click to enlarge and then save.

December 31, 2011
Categories: Captain America, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 13 Comments

What Do You Do When You’re 52?

Bccmee just posted on Twitter that the current ranking of Richard Armitage on IMDb has gone up 882 points. He’s now at 52. Phew! That means lots and lots and lots and lots of people are checking him out. I wonder what he’s thinking. No, I can’t help it. I really do wonder how he must be processing this, or if he’s already processed it to be prepared. I’m betting on “prepared.” Yep, he is so anal that he’s more than likely run it through his head a few times since he got the part in ‘The Hobbit.’ Probably just took the reaction from ‘North and South’ and multiplied it several times, and if he’s really thinking ahead, he will take that number and raise it to a power when the movie hits the theaters. LOL!

Yeah, ride off on that horse! We’ll follow. :D

Screencap is mine

Darn! Twitter was overcapacity when I tried to get a copy of bccmee’s tweet. Until I can get it, here’s a partial cap of RA’s pro page. Check out the statistic next to his head shot on the right.

edit: Ranking capped by bccmee for posterity.

December 31, 2011
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 15 Comments

Tolkien Juxtaposition

No, this isn’t going to be heady. I’m too busy being heady in real life to bring it here.

Onward.

How wonderful it’s been for us Richard Armitage fans to brush up against the Tolkien fans. The association has had definite advantages with the most important being the diminishing of my self-consciousness. I thought I was rabid. Ooooh, I am nothing. I don’t even know how to er, fan properly, and really none of you do either. We are so lacking by comparison. We don’t have a YouTube channel, we don’t have an annual convention, we don’t have tours. So relax, we’re not quite there.

Give it time. :D

One thing we do have is a wicked sense of humor about the object of our affection, and our “object” returns it. Go here to begin. And I have to say thank you again to Richard.

Dear Richard,

Thanks for the laughs. In keeping with your admonishment, I forgive you for not making a verbal message. It wouldn’t have been nearly so much fun.

Signed,
A crazy fan, who enjoys Tolkien but not quite as much as I enjoy your version of it. :D

We also have better pictures:

Wait! That’s one of their pictures. See what I mean?! ;-)

This is better:

As always, you can click on any photo to enlarge, and then click again for the original size, which is even larger.

Top photo is from my stash of screencaps of Hobbit Vlog #5, which might make you go blind looking for RA.

Bottom photo courtesy of KuchingGirl and enhanced by Sheepa.

edit: before anyone takes me too seriously, I have to say that I love the last Vlog by Sir Peter. He’s a class act, and it’s only fitting as such that he would highlight his crew.

December 26, 2011
Categories: Fandom, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 36 Comments

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