My World of Film: Lord of the Rings and Titanic

The Lord of the Rings

As a Media Studies student, it would be hard to categorize one favorite film genre. My favorites range from fantasy, to noir, to war, to historical. My absolute favorites are The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Titanic. I like them for separate reasons: I love LoTR as it takes me to a completely different place. I also love everything about the film: the music is absolutely amazing; I don't think I know a better soundtrack for a film. It plays with my emotions and that is the ultimate job for movie soundtrack. The costume of the film could not be any better. Ranging from Arwen's blood-red gown to Eowyn's white 'Lady of Rohan', to Frodo's velvet vest, Ngila Dickson creates the most beautiful pieces of attire for each character.
The narration of The Lord of the Rings can be heart-breaker. Frodo's heroic choice to destroy the Ring and the Fellowship's union to make the world a better place to live cannot be more human.

The Fellowship of the Ring

Being the first story of the triology, The Fellowship of the Ring focuse on two journies: the forming of the Fellowship, and Frodo's personal battle with the bearing of the Ring.
We are introduced to the main characters: these characters being the heroes and villains of the Middle Earth who will change the face of the earth. There will be many more important characters introduced in the later film.


After Gandalf's requests for Frodo to be the one who bears the ring, the decision to destroy the Ring becomes absolute. Despite knowing its dangerous powers, Frodo volunteers to be the one who takes the Ring to Mordor to cast it in the fires of Mt Doom. Touched by Frodo's bravery, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimili, Boromir and the three mischievous Hobbits, Merry, Pippin and Samwise. They become the Fellowship of the Ring. This is the beginning of the quest of the Ring's destruction.



The Two Towers


We are taken to a new location, Edoars, where we meet three key characters of the Lord of the Rings trilogy who will make a difference to the narrative. King Theoden, his niece and nephew Eowyn and Eomer.

The Fellowship has split into three groups: Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimili. They are led by Gandalf into Edoras where they soon fight a battle of Helm's Deep against the armies of Mordor.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to a very important character; a fomer Ring bearer: Gollum. He becomes Frodo and Sam's guide as they keep heading to Mordo. Frodo holds true trust in Gollum, but Sam feels doubt.

The Return of the King

The final chapter of JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson's tale of the quest of the Ring. This is where each character's jounrey must come to a finale, as we follow the tracks of Frodo to Mordor, Aragron, Legolas and Gimili into another battlefield of Pelanor Fields, and Merry and Pippins riding into battle.

Frodo, the Ring and Middle Earth's fate is decided in this part of the narration.

Titanic

Partially based on a true historical event, Titanic is the story of the largest ship in the world that sank on April 14th 1912. James Cameron introduces two fictional characters, Jack and Rose, who unexpectedly fall in love on their three day sailing in the Titainic.

Rose was arrangely married to Cal Harkley, a man of her worst nightmares. He only cares of honour and looks at Rose as his property. Rose on the other hand loves adventure and wants to enjoy life for what it should ber. She doesn't appreciate being rich.

Attempting to commit suicide, Rose approaches the back of the ship and attends to jump off the ship. Jack comes to her rescue and changes her mind. Slipping on her dress, she slips and nearly falls to her death, where Jack pulls her over.

The night the Titanic sinks, Rose chooses to not use the life-boats, instead to rescue Jack from below deck. They both end up going down with the ship, and barely making it to the surface of the water. Rose finds a floating piece of wood and lays on it until the life-boats return. Rose is one of the 700 survivers who were saved from the Titanic. Jack was one of the 1500 who went down with the Titanic.

For more information on what I am studying about film in University, visit http://sukaynasworldoffilm.blogspot.com

My World of Books: Girl with a Pearl Earring

As an Art History student, I pay particular attention to historical novels about art. After watching the movie, I was attracted to the story of Girl with a Pearl Earring, a mysteriuos painting by Johannes Vermeer. I actually had no idea the film was based on a book until my Art History teacher mentioned it. In life, we have no historical records about the girl in the painting, but Tracy Chevalier writes of an awkward relationship a maid develops over the period time she works in the household if this painter.

It is a fascianting story, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who takes interest in History, Art History or life in Holland during the 1600s.

For more information on this book and Chevalier's other works, visit: www.tchevalier.com.

Hayley's new album: TREASURE!

Hayely Westenra's new album Treasure will be released worldwide in the first quarter of 2007. It contains original songs written by Hayley herself as well as old and new Irish and Maori folk songs. Recorded in Dublin, Ireland, this album seems to be her best yet, with her voice developing and becoming more pure.
For tracklinstings, audio samples and official Treasure gallery, visit www.hayleywestenra.com.

Photos Copywrite and property of hayleywestenra.com

Good luck with the success of your new album Hayley!

We are here to support you!

Hayley Westenra's previous albums: Pure

Her first international album, Pure blew the world away, ending up as the world most sold Classical album in history of Classical music. This album was a mixture of Classical, pop, chorals and charols. Her trademark song Pokarakara Ana made her album very successful, presenting Hayley Westenra as a pure New Zealander. Her angelic voice made Pure sell over $2 million copies, until today.

Hayley Westenra Always Pure!

Hayley Westenra's Previous Albums: Odyssey

Hayley Westenra's second international album Odyssey showed her maturing voice and huge growth from her first album Pure. Co-writing one of the tracks, What You Never Know, this album shows Hayley's true musical journey through different genres of music. A mixture of classical, folk hyms and pop, Hayley takes upon a path to include songs that will be of interest to anyone. Her cover of Enya's May It Be from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring represents her Kiwi spirit and pride of being a New Zealander.

Photos Copywrite and property of hayleywestenra.com