Hello Aelin. Welcome to TORC (as this forum is known, for "The One Ring.Com"). I shall do my best to answer your questions.
How long have you been a fan of LOTR?
Almost as long as I can remember. I was introduced to
The Hobbit when I was about five and I was hooked on Middle-earth. I tried to read
LotR when I was about eight and failed; I got as far as Frodo meeting Gildor Inglorion and I couldn't mentally pronounce the elvish names in my head, so I had to stop. I returned to it when I was about fourteen and went on from there.
Have you read the books?
As will already be obvious, the answer is "yes".
I've also read
The Silmarillion, several books in the
History of Middle-earth,
Unfinished Tales,
History of The Hobbit, and various other non-Middle-earth books by Tolkien.
You'll find that most people on this forum have read the books, and often many years before the films were produced (like myself). So just for future reference and avoidance of confusion, when people talk about
LotR or
The Hobbit, unless they state otherwise, they're probably talking about the books.
Which is your favourite film?
Assuming that you're talking about the films of Middle-earth (and remember that there are more than just the Peter Jackson ones
) I'd have to say that "Fellowship of the Ring" is my favourite. It is closest to the books and has the best tone.
Favourite character, why?
This is a tricky one, and actually depends whether you are talking about the films or the books, because in many cases there is a lot of difference. I will be talking about the books, because that's what I was introduced to and of course is also the source material.
For me, I think I'd have to plump for Gandalf. I loved his sarcastic, dry humour in
The Hobbit as a child, and couldn't shake that when I read
LotR. Purely from
The Hobbit I'd go for Balin - his character just tickled me as a child. Purely from
LotR I'd have to say Glorfindel. Although he isn't in it for much, he epitomises for the mysterious elf, with his fabulous horse and powerful magic.
What did you think about The Hobbit being done in three parts?
I can understand why it was done, but it shouldn't have been. However, I'm a purist when it comes to the films, particularly
The Hobbit as it is a childhood love. All that fluff and nonsense that was elaborated on and made up to extend the story into three was just rubbish. The entirely made-up stuff involving Gandalf and Dol Guldur I quite liked, and understood why it was done, however the story could have been done almost straight from the books and been a fabulous film (or perhaps two, but certainly not three).
What would you like to have seen in the films that wasn't included?
To be honest, not much. There was a lot of stuff in the films I'd like to take out, on the other hand!
I wish I could live in Rivendell or Hobbiton, I can't choose!! You?
I'd have to go for the Last Homely House. Rivendell is so homely (not so much in the films - I imagine without any windows it'd get a bit cold in winter!) and the inhabitants would have plenty of stories to tell. I might have to visit Hobbiton occasionally, though.
I still remember going to the premier of Return of the King, best day ever! My friends and I made special matching LOTR t-shirts and when Legolas and Gimli were competing in who killed most Orcs we were going crazy.
Did any of you do costumes?
No, not really a costume person.
~*~*~*~
Hope that helped and sparks a discussion.
Again, welcome.
Post on Your Phone!
, Alex 
