Baggins' and Bubbly.....

Baggins' and Bubbly
So it's 6.15 pm Monday 10th December and I'm walking from the Hotel in
shoes that should be made illegal or at the very least implements of
torture!! It's not a long walk to The Odeon Leicester Square but it
feels like miles, there are people everywhere, but what did I expect it
is the World Premiere of the first Lord of the Rings movie, The
Fellowship of the Ring. We are told to walk through the barriers on
through the crowds and straight up to the cinema which we do, leading
us past a ravishing purple vision that turns out to be Dominic Monaghan
who is talking to a member of the press! We walk into the cinema and
are shown to our seats, which are about eight rows from the front on
the left hand side, we sit and wait for the place to fill up, it does
slowly and whilst this goes on the huge screen is filled with the
images from outside as stars talk about LotR and its impact on them, We
see Elijah Wood chewing gum as he talks about making the film and the
interviewer comments that he made it two years ago and wasn't he ten
then, Elijah laughs heartily not at all phased by the dig at his age
and youthful appearance. Sean Astin too laughs off a small jibe at his
character and before long the cinema is filled with whispering voices
and excited Tolkien fans. Once everyone is inside people from the Film
company appear on the stage and talk a little and then Peter Jackson
emerges to riotous applause and approaches the mic. I feel as though
there is someone behind me so I glance to my left and to my surprise am
confronted by the fact that the entire cast is standing beside me in
the isle watching Peter talk.
It suddenly becomes very real indeed.
One by one Peter introduces them and they run up on stage, Orlando
Bloom, dazzling with his cheeky Mohawk, makes burring noises as his
co-stars run ahead of him, and soon the whole cast stand before me on
the stage giggling and nudging each other like children. It is a site
to behold. There are more applause and then all of a sudden it's time
to watch the film. The lights dim the cast make their way back up to
the celebrity filled balcony and then its here.
The curtains pull back, the screen comes to life again, New Line Cinema
presents.....
I'm really seeing it this time. It's not a trailer or a barrage of
clips but the actual film, I take a deep breath and await the
wonder.
My first sight of Frodo sends a chill down my spine and as the film
grows warmer I find myself looking up at it with the wide eyed
excitement of a child at Christmas, I am anticipating every twist and
turn in the story, every line and joke from the pages I've grown to
love.
Frodo (Elijah Wood) is every bit the Hobbit I'd imagined him to be, Sam
(Sean Astin) the faithful friend he deserves. Pippin (Billy Boyd) is
the cheeky soul I love and steals every scene he's in with his quirky
dialogue and warm Scottish brogue and his grief after leaving The Mines
of Moria was very moving. Merry (Dominic Monaghan) is slightly more
cheeky than I had imagined but he too lights the screen with a crooked
smile and a sparkle in his eye. Gandalf (Sir Ian Mackellan) is quite
simply Gandalf, no more no less he is as he should be.
The scenery is stunning, the cinematography breathtaking. From the
gentle warmth of The Shire to the stunning beauty of Rivendell to the
terrible tower at Isenguard, every inch oozes atmosphere and wonder and
the races themselves breath with all the creativity that Tolkien
injected into them.
Legolas (Orlando Bloom) is lithe and swift of movement.
Gimli (John Rhys Davies)is rough and hard of nature.
Boromir (Sean Bean) is a noble man with a troubled heart
And Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson)is a King in rangers clothing. Tall and
proud yet mysterious and strange. I cannot fault the Fellowship at
all.
I am still not wholly convinced of Arwen's (Liv Tyler) expanded role,
she was not irritating when on screen but I could not yet fully accept
her new position. My only qualm was the portrayal of Galadriel. Cate
Blanchett looked perfect and sounded perfect but where as I had always
seen Galadriel as this quiet strong mysterious force in Middle Earth it
seemed in this film she was something different, She was strange and
overly dramatic, especially in the scene where Frodo offers her the
Ring. And I felt not at ease with her infact she felt almost mad
instead of serene as I thought she should be. But this did not take
anything from the film itself. And although there is alot missing some
of which I felt was integral to the story, like the insisted
blindfolding of Gimli to pass into Lothlorien, when he says he will be
happy if only he and Legolas go unseeing I thought this a big step
towards their future friendship, but this is not in the film and
neither was Gimli's awe of Galadriel herself. The jumps from one place
to the next often seem quite abrupt and yet I could not take my eyes
away from the screen. I was watching the tale I have known forever come
to life albeit in a slightly different manner than I had known. The
story that mattered was all there and the reworking of it did nothing
to quell my wonder as I watched it unfold. I wanted to laugh and cry
and fall apart and scream in all the same places and as The Fellowship
stood at Amon Hen I could not believe it had been three hours
already.
It was too soon.
I was not ready to leave.
Surely after all my waiting I could not walk away from the story
now?
But alas the time came for the Fellowship to break apart and although I
knew every step each one was to take I still found my hand clutched to
my heart as Sam tried to make it to Frodo and Merry and Pippin were
taken by the Orc's. There was a unanimous round of applause after a
scene in which Aragorn beheads a foe in battle, and then as the story
came to a close and the credits began to roll the cinema erupted into
applause and whistles and whoops like I have never heard.
I could not stop clapping even tho my hands began to hurt, had I had
the ability I would have clapped until my hands fell off. I could not
stop smiling, and yet I wanted to cry. There just aren't the words to
express the depth of what I felt in that moment. I was truly blown away
by it. And I cannot wait to see it again. I loved the imagery when
Frodo put on the Ring, It is exactly how imagined but I have no doubt
there will be those who dislike this adaptation, alot has been left out
or altered but for this Tolkien fan it was a visually stunning creation
that brought to me the wonder of something that is beyond words but now
thankfully not beyond film.

THE AFTER SHOW PART-AY
I was supposed to be taken to the green room to meet the cast and crew
but as is the way the PR woman never showed up!!!!! so we didn't get
that opportunity something that they will not be hearing the last of
believe me!!! So we decided just to head to the party. There were
coaches laid out to take us, and it wasn't a long trip, and so soon we
were making our way through a wonderful smelling courtyard, where
various meats were being roasted on spits and where roasted chestnuts
were being handed out. There was fire and the Elvish words that were
inscribed on The One Ring were being projected onto the floor twice and
rotating through each other. We move slowly into the building up the
red carpet and past all the press, with the predictable 'ooh look Sky
news' or "Oh wow CNN' and then finally we were inside and a small girl
dressed as a wench hands me a program that tells me where I can find
what foods in the various parts of middle earth such is the way the
place is laid out, to our left is Lothlorien Feast, so my sister pulls
me there straight away and it's straight to the bar for an Archers and
Lemonade for her, ah the nerves eh? We wander deeper into the people
infested party, Rivendell Banquet lies on our right with Rivendell Bar
on our left, up ahead there is the village green where trees stand with
lights strung in them and barrows of real fruit lying here and there
and benches where the weary or high heel wearing guests can sit, There
is Bilbo's Bakery and up ahead is the Prancing Pony where the bar is
huge giving you the feel of a hobbit as u approach it and on the other
side is the Green Dragon where the bar is tiny making you feel rather
large indeed between them there is a balcony that over looks the dance
floor in the corner of which stands a large statue of a Nazgul on
horseback, a live band plays but the dance floor is as yet
unused.
Over another balcony opposite Rivendell Banquet there stands the
statues of three giant trolls, a familiar scene and worthy of a
photograph lol
We wandered around for a while and then who should we bump into by the
village green but that vision in purple once more Mr Monaghan, he is
one big crooked smile and greets us with the warmth of an old friend.
He stands and chats about the film and we tell him he was brilliant
(hey I'm allowed one stupid fanlike moment okay!!!) he seems really
chuffed and says "Awwwww thank yoouuuuu!" in his soft northern voice.
We talked a bit about what was supposed to happen and when we mentioned
the PR woman's mysterious absence his response was
"Dissssgraaaaycfuul!!!" lol Anyway we asked for a pic and he obliged
being the nice fella he was and he put both arms around me and held me
tightly!! it was rather...nice. Then after another big hug and a quick
peck on the cheek he told us to go and mingle and if we wanted to talk
to anyone to just go and talk to them coz everyone was really nice, so
we did and were once more lost in the crowds.
We wandered around some more and who should saunter by deep in
conversation but Frank Skinner, and even though he was deep in
discussion with someone he did manage to check out my cleavage!!!
For the Brits out there we saw Max from Hollyoaks, that really funny
guy from Human Traffic and Is Harry on the Boat I forget his name, and
then we met GRAHAM NORTON!!! How cool is he?? lol he's soo funny, we
got a pic of him too lol
Anyhoo we were walking around and I finally bumped into Stewart the guy
who runs Billy Boyd's official website BillyBoyd.net, we have spoken a
lot online and I was quite excited to meet him. He was one of Billy's
guests, he was very sweet and funny and as we talked Mr Boyd himself
walked by and gave us a big smile, after Stew went for a beer we walked
about a bit more and introduced ourselves to Billy, he was really sweet
and I told him I thought he stole every scene he was in (fanlike moment
#2) and he was thankful, we talked about his site and stuff and then a
tiny little man came up to us and Billy introduced him as the man who
arranged it all, the man couldn't have been much more than 3ft tall, he
was very charming. Billy had his own camera (bless) and wanted a
picture of himself with the little man who's name I cannot remember for
the life of me!! then we took our pics with Billy which he was more
than happy to do, then after more hugs and another kiss on the cheek it
was back into the fray once more, we got more drinks (I don't drink
alcohol but my sister sure can!!) sat down at every opportunity (damn
shoes damn u to hell!!) we walked past the enclosed interview room
where Jonathon Ross was interviewing the stars for Film2001 (when we
arrived it was Orlando now it was Viggo Mortenson) when all of a sudden
Orlando was right in front of us, his Mohawk standing to attention, his
jacket gone. He is surrounded by people and seems to be buzzing, he is
being spoken to from every direction but he is smiling and trying to
deal with it as best he can, in a brief moment of peace we approach him
and say hi and get the usual pics done I tell him he was great as
Legolas (fanlike moment#3) then he is swept away into the crowd and
remains perpetually swept for the rest of the night, not once do I see
him sitting or standing, he is constantly gliding around like a cartoon
being followed by a group of chattering people.
He seems the only one with this affliction!!!
As we walk through the village green we meet Dom again, we tap him on
the shoulder and he turns around with arms open wide and embraces us in
a huge hug after which we take the opportunity to wish him a happy
belated 25th Birthday for Saturday and he is quite happy but says he
has a sore throat from it and doesn't want to give it to anyone, but he
talks cheerfully about the night and says that Elijah is around
somewhere and if he sees him he'll tell him to come talk to us and
after a few more hugs we go to find blessed seating on the way to which
we bump into Sean Astin who is a perpetual smile. He is extremely sweet
and good natured and looking at him I can only see Sam with maybe a
little bit of Mikey from Goonies thrown in for good measure, he is
charming even though he is being talked to by several people at once, a
real gent but too soon he was swept off again and we returned to our
hunt for chairs!!
By now the live band is gone and the dance music is pounding around the
place and the dance floor itself is now gathering a few members ,
although I think it has more to do with the flow of drink than the
music. We spot Sir Ian Mackellan leaning over the balcony with his chin
rested on it watching the dancers, he seems quite in a daze and I fear
he may be quite drunk lol!!!! We see Stewart again and he drops names
like a ships drop anchor lol We see Ioan Gruffudd sitting in the
village green chatting away and as we move thru the crowd Viggo
Mortenson suddenly blocks our way, he is a force within himself and is
very tall, and intimidates the hell out of me lol but he merely says
Hello in a soft voice and steps aside to let us pass, oh my he is
rather mesmerizing I must say it took me a few minutes to get myself to
start walking again.
I don't see Sean Bean or Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo) anywhere nor do I see
Christopher Lee (Saruman) whom I had so wanted to meet as he was my
mothers favourite actor and I felt I had to meet him for her sake, she
would have been so excited If I'd have met him but alas he like the
other two were nowhere to be seen!! Liv seemed almost to hide herself
away and she seemed to be downstairs most of the time but when we did
speak to her she was so sweet and polite and soft spoken you couldn't
help but like her regardless of how iffy you think Arwen has
become!!!!
As we climb the stairs we see Peter surrounded by people asking him for
autographs, so as not to bother him we simply slide in and pat him on
the back and say "Congratulations" he turns and smiles and says "Thanks
it's really appreciated," and we leave him to his fans.
Finally my sis had to eat so we stopped at Bilbo's Hog Roast stall by
the village green and she got a roast pork and chicken wedge with sage
and onion stuffing, ohh scrummdiddlyumptious, speaking of which after
she had eaten and we'd had another drink who should we spot in the
village green but Frodo Baggins himself Elijah Wood. My sis was out of
her seat and beside him before I could even stand up. He watched me as
I walked over to him and thankfully the look on his face wasn't that of
alarm!! He reached out and took my hand and leaning in kissed me on the
cheek (oh my merry wood!! excuse the pun!) his face was filled with
warmth and his eyes shone. I looked at him and a thousand witty
intelligent things flashed in my head I opened my mouth and said "You
were great by the way!" (fanlike moment#4) he smiles sweetly and thanks
me.
I'm standing next to Elijah Wood and it feels like all the air has gone
out of the room!!! We talk for a bit and once again I tell him of the
predicament we found ourselves in with the missing PR woman to which he
replies "SH!T" in his new found British/Australian
/American accent which is adorable, I laugh and he reaches out and
rests his hand on my arm, oh my.... My sis asks if we can take a pic
and he says absolutely but then my mouth steps in front of my brain
again and I give him a copy of my Poem that he inspired entitled 'Those
Eyes' (fanlike moment #5 and the biggest one of all!!!) It is my
favourite poem, (It's in my What in a name? ABC should anyone want to
check it out!!) it has made ppl cry and I am very proud of it
regardless if u don't like Elijah or Poetry, and u only live once
right?!?!?!? He takes it and starts to read it then seeing me wince he
rolls it back up puts it into his jacket pocket and says "I'll read it
back at the Hotel so as not to embarrass you" I believe he will.
We talk a bit more and I lean in and say to him "So I hear you have a
thing for the 'C' word?", he looks up at me with wide eyes and a soft
innocent smile and just says "C**T?", It was so funny. "It's a great
word" he says laughing. I am so in awe of him, there isn't a single
false bone in his body he is one of THE most genuine people I have ever
met in my life, sorry for those who don't like him but he is. We talk
and he looks me right in the eyes as he speaks or listens, and it's
hard to look away. Outside I'm conversing with him, inside I'm wanting
to dive into his eyes and let myself drown!!
After a while though more cockroaches approach him, cockroaches?? he he
I mean press! sorry, and pull him away!! he gives me a big, long, tight
hug and I feel his stubble on my cheek and then after another peck he
is lost in the world of celebrity once more!
It is almost the end of the night at this point and we know if we want
to get a coach back we must leave soon so seeing Stew in the village
green we walk over and say bye, then move onto Billy who is sitting at
one of the benches beside him, Billy keeps taking my hand as we speak,
rubbing it gently and his hands are so warm and soft. He laughs about a
little in joke we have and then pulling me down he kisses me again on
the cheek and says bye. With the others already gone we leave and walk
out with Elijah. First stopping to get our LotR World Premiere Party
goodie bags which contain One LotR circular holographic mouse mat! One
tube of Evolu body lotion with a first class Air New Zealand tag
hanging from it, One Crystal body Tattoo (yes it's a bit of a girlie
goodie bag and Elijah didn't take one lol!!!) One Frodo and Gandalf toy
soldier set, One AOL disc with free LOTR footage and trailers, One copy
of the LotR Soundtrack!!!! It was the end of one of the best nights of
my life. We got on the coach to go back to the hotel (Max from
Hollyoaks also got on said coach!!) and Elijah went his way and so came
an end to my dream come true. It was a remarkable evening even with the
absentee PR woman, I have never met such a group of nice, sincere, down
to earth people, and the film itself was the crowning glory to them
all.
I feel so unbelievably lucky to have experienced it all with them and I
hope you enjoyed reading about my little adventure into the world of
the Rich and Famous as much as I enjoyed living it, I shall leave you
now to return to my fantasy world where on leaving the part-ay with
Elijah I went HIS way instead of to the coach !!!!!!!! (*_~)
Ahhh the power of the vivid
imagination&;#8230;&;#8230;&;#8230;.........