Topic: J.R.R. Tolkien

'The Hobbit' trailer: 5 signs that Peter Jackson is back to his best

'The Hobbit' trailer is a testament to the best qualities of director Peter Jackson's filmmaking, from weaving together various J.R.R. Tolkien tales to the signature look of the film. 

'The Hobbit' movie trailer: what it tells us, what it leaves a mystery (VIDEO)

'The Hobbit' movie trailer is out, and it answers some questions while leaving others unclear. Did we just see Dol Guldur? Probably. What will Smaug look like? No idea.

'The Hobbit' trailer provides a glimpse into a new Middle-Earth journey (VIDEO)

'The Hobbit' trailer gives a preview of memorable moments like Bilbo Baggins meeting Gollum, shows familiar faces from the original trilogy.

Geek wisdom goes mainstream

Hard-core nerds impart teachings of 'Star Wars' and Tolkien.

3 series I'm giving my 9-year-old after "Harry Potter"

He says nothing will ever be as good again. So I'm handing him "How to Train Your Dragon" and "The Lord of the Rings."

Tea-party hobbits? Hardly, say indignant Tolkien scholars.

Sen. John McCain's disparaging comparison between tea-party politicians and the small contented creatures from 'Lord of the Rings' has brought scholars, Gandalf-like, to the rescue.

Harry Potter is just like ... what? Five leading templates for comparison.

Harry Potter fans just know they love the record-breaking series of books. But everyone from academics to mythologists, classicists to historians, and literary critics to, well, geeks have a special “template” they perceive at the heart of the tale.

From positing Albus Dumbledore as the infamous Richard III to taking us aloft the scaly back of St. George’s dragon, here are five of our top takes on what’s going on behind the scenes in the Harry Potter narratives.

Orlando Bloom will return in 'The Hobbit'

Peter Jackson has confirmed that ‘Lord of the Rings’ star Orlando Bloom will be returning as elf warrior Legolas in ‘The Hobbit’.

'The Hobbit' begins filming in New Zealand

'The Hobbit': Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson have plagued pre-production on the $500 million, two-movie project.

J.R.R. Tolkien as fictional character – fair use or a step too far?

The Tolkien estate hopes to block the publication of “Mirkwood," a novel somewhat critical of J.R.R. Tolkien.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows': Do the films stand on their own?

The cinematic versions of 'Harry Potter' lack the 'oomph' of the books. Film critics say some have been too derivative. Potter fans say they aren't faithful enough.

Classic review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

What better way to prepare for the movie than to read the book again?

Martin Freeman: The perfect Bilbo Baggins for "The Hobbit"?

Martin Freeman has been cast as Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming film version of "The Hobbit" and some fans are cheering.

MGM bankruptcy plan announced. What does it mean for James Bond and 'The Hobbit'?

MGM bankruptcy: Privately held production company Spyglass Entertainment, a co-financier of such recent films as "Star Trek" and "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," will contribute some assets and merge two subsidiaries into MGM for a 4.69 percent stake in the company, according to the plan.

Christine O'Donnell and Tolkien: the strange place where politics meets literature

Christine O'Donnell's praise for Tolkien subjects her to scorn from Maureen Dowd.

Classic review: The Discomfort Zone

Jonathan Franzen probes his past and finds an abundance of discomfort to explore.

Amazon e-book tipping point: Is the death of books upon us?

On the strength of the popular Kindle, Amazon says it now sells more e-books than hardcovers. What's being lost is the messy tactile narrative of how books are made manifest and cling to our lives, as "The Hobbit" did to mine.

Top Picks: 'Afghan Star,' Sistine Chapel, 1% Music, and other recommendations

Insightful 'Afghan Star' on DVD, the Sistine Chapel up close online, 1% Music compilation to help save the planet, and more top picks.

The Silmarillion

READER RECOMMENDATION

Why is Vatican paper reviewing Avatar, the Simpsons?

L’Osservatore Romano, the famously staid semi-official mouthpiece of the Catholic Church, has been seeking to remake its image, panning the blockbuster 'Avatar' but praising Homer Simpson and forgiving John Lennon for his 'more popular than Jesus' comment.

A fairy tale garden for a hobbit

Inspired by Tolkien's book, Sleeping Beauty's castle, and an abandoned medieval town, a fairy tale garden in Texas would be just right for hobbits.

Guest blog: "Twilight" moves into "Nightlight"

Hollywood turns to children's books