The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum


Visit The *EVEN NEWER* Barrow-Downs Photo Page

Go Back   The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum > Middle-Earth Discussions > The Movies
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-21-2003, 10:11 AM   #1
Lush
Fair and Cold
 
Lush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: the big onion
Posts: 1,803
Lush is a guest of Tom Bombadil.
Send a message via ICQ to Lush Send a message via AIM to Lush Send a message via Yahoo to Lush
Silmaril Oh no she didn't! Oh yes she did!

I have been wondering whether or not there is a certain <I>brand</I> of dislike for Liv Tyler on this board that stems from her past movie career and the roles she had previously chosen. <P>Liv Tyler has appeared nude and nearly nude in several of her films, and her characters were not always of the most restrained sort. <P>Is there something about the fact that you have seen Liv Tyler's more revealing scenes or heard about them that doesn't jive with you when you think of her in terms of Arwen?<P>Or, on the other hand, is there something about the fact that Liv Tyler is a lovely human specimen (this is largely a matter of taste, but a great deal of people do find her attractive, myself among them) that makes her endearing?<P>Let me know.<p>[ September 21, 2003: Message edited by: Lush ]
__________________
~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
Lush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 11:15 AM   #2
Sauron 666
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Sauron 666 has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

the main reason for my dislike of Liv Tyler is because she's one of those people who use the fact that they, out of coincindence really, are related to a celebrity to get ahead. The fact she's a poor actress is only secondary to me.
__________________
Ash Nazg Durbatuluk
Ash Nazg Gimbatul
Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk Arg Burzum-Ishi Krimpatul
Sauron 666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 12:02 PM   #3
Niluial
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
Niluial's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: In the darkness of white
Posts: 631
Niluial has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Niluial Send a message via MSN to Niluial
Boots

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> The main reason for my dislike of Liv Tyler is because she's one of those people who use the fact that they, out of coincidence really, are related to a celebrity to get ahead. The fact she's a poor actress is only secondary to me. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I feel the same! But she is good looking (only with make up on… but aren’t they all?) but she cant really act. Oh well each to his own…<P>~ Niluial
__________________
Life is not about how many breaths you take but about how many times it leaves you breathless.
My rants, moans and groans in other words my Blog
My Magical Site
Niluial is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 12:13 PM   #4
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Up a tree somewhere in Caras Galadhon...or England
Posts: 364
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Well, being female...<P>Anyway, I think she did a good job of Arwen, as much as I disliked what she was made to do...that Arwen voice is a hell of a lot more pleasant on the ears than her normal one! I noticed she used it in her Givenchy advert. She looks pretty good in that. (Do Americans have this ad? Basically she's the new face of Givenchy).<P>Talking of actresses without make-up, have you seen Christina Aguilera in he ad? Ok, so that's a singer...but man, that was scary.
__________________
'"Forweg can lead you no longer; for he is dead...I slew him...I will govern this fellowship now, or leave it."
"As it was when he joined us, so it is again. He kills to make room."'
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 01:30 PM   #5
HCIsland
Zombie Cannibal
 
HCIsland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,000
HCIsland has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

I haven't a problem with her. I think she's doing a decent job. As for her personally or her past films, I couldn't give a rat's behind about that.<P>I think she's become a bit of a scapegoat for changes that Jackson has introduced that some people have a hard time accepting.<P>H.C.
__________________
"Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs."
-Denethor
HCIsland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 02:07 PM   #6
Imladris
Tears of the Phoenix
 
Imladris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby.
Posts: 1,494
Imladris has just left Hobbiton.
Tolkien

I don't like Liv because I don't think she portrayed Arwen like Tolkien portrayed her (whether if this is a director's problem or script writer's problem, I don't know.) Besides, I don't think she's very pretty (well, in some shots she is). Tolkien described her very well...I don't remember the exact words, but I do know that Liv doesn't fit in it. About her other films, I haven't seen them.
__________________
I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns.

Imladris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 02:07 PM   #7
Meela
Denethor's True Love
 
Meela's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... *swoon*
Posts: 2,118
Meela has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Liv is a good actress in my opinion. And we shouldn't give her grief because PJ gave her a role that some people aren't happy with. She didn't like the warrior princess or whatever aspect of it, so I give her credit for at least wanting the right sort of Arwen. (Apologies if this is incorrect. I'm just assuming that I remembered the interview correctly.)
__________________
'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age?
2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.
Meela is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 02:10 PM   #8
Gorwingel
Beholder of the Mists
 
Gorwingel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now
Posts: 1,436
Gorwingel has just left Hobbiton.
Eye

I don't mind her. I additionally I don't really care about what her prior film roles were, I never saw any of them. The only time I had ever seen her on screen before LOTR was in the Aerosmith video "Crazy", and that performance did not bother me at all.<P>I have to agree with H.C. because I do think that she is a scapegoat for the criticisms to the changes in the films. Because of all the characters in the books, her character went through the largest change, though it could have been worst.
__________________
Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance
Gorwingel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 02:16 PM   #9
QuickSlash
Wight
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Not here.
Posts: 121
QuickSlash has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to QuickSlash Send a message via Yahoo to QuickSlash
Shield

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I think she's become a bit of a scapegoat for changes that Jackson has introduced that some people have a hard time accepting. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I agree with that entirely. I think she did a wonderful job as Arwen, though I don't entirely agree with Arwen's role. But I'm not one of the people who think that PJ interpreted it all wrong. There's going to be disagreements, which people should understand. They also shouldn't take out their anger on one character.
__________________
We're here and now, but will we ever be again? / 'Cause I have found / All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade, away, again. -Shimmer, Fuel
QuickSlash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 03:18 PM   #10
Finwe
Deathless Sun
 
Finwe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos
Posts: 2,609
Finwe has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Finwe
Sting

Just because PJ made a bunch of changes is no reason to blame Liv. I mean honestly people, we're acting like a bunch of prejudiced, uptight Puritans. So what if Liv appeared in a few nude or nearly-nude roles? More power to her! Would any of us have consented to take off our clothes in front of the camera? No. We wouldn't. Just because she is a strong, bold woman, who is comfortable with her sexuality, is no reason to go all Puritan on her. I thought we were past that stage where you were considered a slut for showing off your ankles! If you want to blame someone, blame PJ. Don't blame Liv, who didn't even agree with those changes. It's not as if she could do anything about them. She wasn't the director. She could have been booted off the film for arguing about her role. In fact, most of the time, actors and actresses clamor for greater roles, and here, Liv was actually trying to get a smaller one. I do believe that she is a woman of great integrity, even if some of her movie roles seem to be otherwise, and even so, since when did movie roles define a person's character? I really think we should stop harping about changes and realize what a beautiful movie PJ has made, and be grateful that he is going by the book. <P>*slinks off before she explodes with righteous indignation* <P><BR>P.S. I'm sorry if my post offended anyone. This is just one of my pet peeves.
__________________
But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
Finwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 03:27 PM   #11
Niluial
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
Niluial's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: In the darkness of white
Posts: 631
Niluial has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Niluial Send a message via MSN to Niluial
Sting

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> that Arwen voice is a hell of a lot more pleasant on the ears than her normal one! I noticed she used it in her Givenchy advert. She looks pretty good in that. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yea I agree she has a nice voice!<P>If anyone wants to see the add go to <A HREF="http://www.givenchy.com/default.php" TARGET=_blank>Givenchy Add</A>
__________________
Life is not about how many breaths you take but about how many times it leaves you breathless.
My rants, moans and groans in other words my Blog
My Magical Site
Niluial is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 07:06 PM   #12
arianrod
Wight
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Wandering Hobbiton, smiling at the hobbits & trying to sell them vacuum cleaners
Posts: 215
arianrod has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to arianrod
Shield

I don't know exactly what it is I don't like about her, but there's deffinatly something. Part of me just thinks she's TOO feminine as a person. Not only does that not fit my view of Arwen, but it also just downright annoys the hell out of me. I've always been a Tom-boyish kinda girl mainly because I can't stomach the highly made up, perfectly prepped girls I've met. So maybe I'm just steryotyping her and grudging her unjustly, but tough luck; she doesn't exactly float my oyster.
__________________
Eenie, meanie, Samwise Gamgee, Staring after pretty Rosie, If she calls, watch him blush, then turn and leave in a rush.
You want to join the Citadel... You know you do...
Do the Wave for Boromir the Disco King!
arianrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 07:40 PM   #13
Liriodendron
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
Liriodendron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Indiana
Posts: 532
Liriodendron has just left Hobbiton.
Thumbs up

I like looking at her! I love her "lush" voluptuous looks, the pale winter skin with deep jewel tone lips and dark hair. Very nice! I have only seen her in "That Thing You Do" and enjoyed looking at her there also. I always assumed the "dislike" was because of the non book Arwen role she was given, and a little cattiness thrown in for fun. I like the fact that they used a very beautiful (but not trendy beauty) woman, but a little more age wouldn't have bothered me. The shots where the Fellowship is leaving Rivendell make her look a little too young. Still, I am happy with her. Of course, I am looking forward to seeing how beautiful she looks, and fills out the character of Arwen in RoTK! <P>The story of her famous father was a media bonanza! I don't blame her for that. She can't help it! I always thought her mother (Bebe Buell) was gorgeous back in the early seventies. It's nice to see her daughter is so lovely also! With Steven Tyler as a dad, well...he's about as ugly as Mick Jagger! Mick and Jerri Hall's daughter is a model also...amazing! <p>[ September 21, 2003: Message edited by: Liriodendron ]
__________________
http://www.lizmargason.com
Liriodendron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 08:54 PM   #14
Knight of Gondor
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
Knight of Gondor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 744
Knight of Gondor has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via Yahoo to Knight of Gondor
Silmaril

Hello, I believe Lush is probably referring primarily to my attitude towards Liv Tyler, so let me break this down for y'all.<P>I think it's very demeaning for a woman - any woman - to go to Hollywood and take off her clothes for an audience. And it sort of disgusts me that Liv Tyler, the person chosen to play our lovely Elven princess is also the one who has made so many different movies wherein she acts out all sorts of sexual scenes. Be assured I've never seen any of them, but I read reviews.<P>One of the many concepts I love in LotR is the concept of honor. And any woman should feel dishonored to be taking part in being a guy's mental plaything.<P>To bring balance to it, I'm not quite that happy that Ian McKellen is gay, or that Elijah Wood swears like a sailer. But these are the guys that have come together to bring our favorite (and only) Tolkien trilogy to life. They do a darn good job of it, I just wish that some of the actors and actresses that are chosen would be a little more of something to look up to, something of a role model for kids.<P>I hope my opinion isn't too off-topic, and doesn't offend too many of you. There are a few other issues with Arwen that some of us have - such as not thinking that someone else might possibly have been better for Arwen, because Liv Tyler really ISN'T that pretty when it comes down to it. (Mirinda Otto is prettier...) That whole thing with being interchanged for Glorfindal, and possibly going to Helm's Deep before the cut that was obviously not her fault, and I don't blame her for that.<P>Anyway, that's my two (million) cents worth.
__________________
Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16
Knight of Gondor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2003, 10:43 PM   #15
Lyta_Underhill
Haunted Halfling
 
Lyta_Underhill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules
Posts: 844
Lyta_Underhill has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>And it sort of disgusts me that Liv Tyler, the person chosen to play our lovely Elven princess is also the one who has made so many different movies wherein she acts out all sorts of sexual scenes. Be assured I've never seen any of them, but I read reviews.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>But these are the guys that have come together to bring our favorite (and only) Tolkien trilogy to life. They do a darn good job of it, I just wish that some of the actors and actresses that are chosen would be a little more of something to look up to, something of a role model for kids.<BR><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><B>Knight of Gondor</B>, it does seem that, from the disparity in the tone between these two statements, that there is somewhat of a bias in your attitude towards the male vs. the female members of the cast, at least on the surface it appears so. Forgive me if I misunderstand. Sir Ian and Elijah do a good job, despite their personal flaws, while Liv is to be looked down upon for hers...hmmmm...<P>Personally, I do not look down on any of them and I rather admire Sir Ian for his forthrightness and candor concerning his preferences. Much better than hiding them behind Hollywood doubletalk, IMO. <P>And another IMO in this area, I do not believe a woman appearing in a sexual scene for an audience is demeaning unless SHE feels demeaned by it. To some women, it is a show of power, rather than something shameful to be hidden in the closet and only brought out in back rooms for the furtive males to enjoy without their having to admit it in mixed company. <P>Forgive the ranting tone, but, to get back on topic, I believe Liv Tyler to be a beautiful woman, strikingly so, and, although I disagreed with her replacing Glorfindel at the Ford, I understand the reason for it and do not fault her for the directing choice. <P>Cheers,<BR>Lyta
__________________
“…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”
Lyta_Underhill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 05:50 AM   #16
Evisse the Blue
Brightness of a Blade
 
Evisse the Blue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: wherever I may roam
Posts: 2,740
Evisse the Blue has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via MSN to Evisse the Blue Send a message via Yahoo to Evisse the Blue Send a message via Skype™ to Evisse the Blue
Sting

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>To bring balance to it, I'm not quite that happy that Ian McKellen is gay, or that Elijah Wood swears like a sailer. But these are the guys that have come together to bring our favorite (and only) Tolkien trilogy to life. They do a darn good job of it, I just wish that some of the actors and actresses that are chosen would be a little more of something to look up to, something of a role model for kids. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Whoa! This sounds like the Robert Powell-bashing for being a drunk or whatever, so he's unsuitable to play Jesus. Character does not equal actor.The only virtue I expect of actors is their talent (and all the LOTR actors happily have plenty of that; I do not care about their other vices. <BR>That goes for Liv as well as the others. When I see her on screen, I see Arwen, I do not think of her 'flaws', whatever those may be. She is a beautiful woman, and whatever you think of her performance in other films,you have to admit that in this one she shone. On the other hand, I am not happy at all with her expanded role, but this can't be helped. I'm just happy she was played with such grace and loveliness.
__________________
And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass.
Evisse the Blue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 07:56 AM   #17
Bêthberry
Cryptic Aura
 
Bêthberry's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 6,159
Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.
Boots

Well, I haven't seen as much of her as you have, Lush. Judging solely on TTT, I don't think she fakes it well at all.<P>The alleged love scenes with Aragorn were devoid of passion, intensity, any chemistry.
__________________
I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
Bêthberry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 09:40 AM   #18
Mister Underhill
Dread Horseman
 
Mister Underhill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Behind you!
Posts: 2,752
Mister Underhill has been trapped in the Barrow!
The Eye

My own misgivings about Liv as Arwen were always based on the fact that she struck me, both in past performances and in the few interviews that I had seen with her, as a callow young girl. Arwen is nearly 3000 years old; you expect her to have commensurate presence, dignity, and wisdom. You want to have someone in the role who can project a little life wisdom and the feeling that she’s been around the block a time or two, you know? An actress that is a woman rather than a girl. <P>I’ll be the first to say that I thought she did an okay job in FotR, but on the other hand, scenes of Arwen crying into her pillow in TTT were exactly the sort of thing that I feared might happen. You can’t put the blame all on her, certainly – those scenes between Arwen and Elrond were poorly conceived, written, and executed in my opinion – but an actress with a bit more maturity might have fought those scenes or at least been able to bring them off more convincingly. Ingrid Bergman was 27 when she did <I>Casablanca</I>, only a few years older than Liv when she did LotR, but when she cries, she’s a <I>woman</I>. <P>To show I’m not just picking on Liv, I have similar problems with Elijah as Frodo.
Mister Underhill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 10:07 AM   #19
Eomer of the Rohirrim
Auspicious Wraith
 
Eomer of the Rohirrim's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 4,992
Eomer of the Rohirrim is a guest at the Prancing Pony.Eomer of the Rohirrim is a guest at the Prancing Pony.
Sting

Knight of Gondor,<P> You say that some members of the cast (I presume you are including Ian McKellan in this list) should try to be better role models for the kids. I happen to think that Ian McKellan is a fantastic role model for the kids. He sees no need to be ashamed of who he is, despite the opinions of some small-minded people out there.<P>As for Liv Tyler, I think she looks fantastic in the films and her voice is very good. She is not, however, a great (or even a very good) actor, and I think she was probably recruited to add a bit of star power to the cast.
__________________
Los Ingobernables de Harlond
Eomer of the Rohirrim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 10:44 AM   #20
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh
Spectre of Decay
 
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Bar-en-Danwedh
Posts: 2,206
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh is a guest at the Prancing Pony.The Squatter of Amon Rûdh is a guest at the Prancing Pony.
Send a message via AIM to The Squatter of Amon Rûdh
Sting

To be quite honest I don't really think about Miss Tyler at all. Whether or not she can portray Arwen properly will never be put to the test, since she isn't required to play her in the New Line films; and her prior acting career is a matter of supreme indifference to me. I don't know enough about her to make any personal judgements, and I was too busy being annoyed by other elements of the films to be particularly troubled by her acting. As for becoming successful because of her relatives, a name can only get one so far in the world. Whatever I may dislike about Peter Jackson's films, I don't think that he'd have chosen someone for such an important part solely on the basis of their being related to a member of Aerosmith.<P>I'll go further and throw in my lot with the people who value actors on talent alone. I wouldn't care if Jackson's entire cast had come to him straight from filming pornography, since all I expect of actors is that they can act. Since the whole basis of acting lies in pretending to be what one is not, I fail to see why an actor's previous roles or private life should be considered even vaguely relevant to their portrayal of an unrelated character. All of my complaints about the films to date can be attributed solely to the script, not to the director and certainly not to the actors. I disliked the Arwen of the films because she was a Hollywood archetype rather than the character that Tolkien portrayed. I don't think that there could be a better reason than that.
__________________
Man kenuva métim' andúne?
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 11:55 AM   #21
Faramir Fan
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 72
Faramir Fan has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

I am just curious as to why you are dissapointed that Ian McKellan as an openly gay man was cast.<P>Personally I think it is wonderful. As a parent of an 11 year old son, who knows "the actor who plays Gandalf" is gay, I find it facinating to see how his reaction to it is so different than mine would have been at that age. I probably would have giggled or made a face. But times have changed and it can be seen in the opinions in our youth. The fact that Ian McKellan is gay means nothing to him...and I think that is pretty cool.<P>As far as Liv and Elijah, what they do in real life or have done in other movies means very little to me, I only care about how they portray their respective characters...
__________________
"A new character has come on the scene (I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him, but there he came walking into the woods of Ithilien): Faramir, the brother of Boromir..." J.R.R. Tolkien, Letters No. 66
Faramir Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 12:55 PM   #22
elf-girl-63
Haunting Spirit
 
elf-girl-63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Osgiliath
Posts: 58
elf-girl-63 has just left Hobbiton.
Tolkien

I have no problem with Liv Tyler- I think she suits the character of Arwen and portrays her well. What happens with Glorfindel shouldn't be held against her- the films are to be films in their own right as well as adaptations of the books. If Glorfindel had been used, it would've taken up time and is (quite frankly, sorry to offend anyone) unnecessary. The description Tolkien writes can't be used in a film- there is only dialogue and pictures. Therefore when he writes that Frodo sees Arwen at the feast and explains who she is, one can't do that in a film as no one is narrating (except Galadriel at the beginning but that is necessary) so she must be shown in another way and in my opinion PJ chose the right idea.<P>Sorry to offend anyone...<P>Oh yeah: what is wrong with anyone being gay etc? That shows a closed mind- the actors/actresses do their job and do it well. I am sure when you sit and watch the films you do not think 'He's so obviously gay. He can't possibly play Gandalf.' Or 'He swears too much- not right for Frodo' or even 'A woman who plays Arwen shouldn't have appeared nude previously. It just ain't right.'<P>Now, come on. I don't believe that for a moment.<p>[ September 22, 2003: Message edited by: elf-girl-63 ]
__________________
~*Nuinyulma*~

All that is gold does not glitter...
elf-girl-63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 01:14 PM   #23
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Up a tree somewhere in Caras Galadhon...or England
Posts: 364
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Now I <I>think</I> that is 12 for, and 8 against. But I'm not sure about the for, because I got distracted. That thought is comforting, because I too had thought everyone disliked her. And I cannot personally see anything wrong with being gay- it isn't like they choose to be...but this might be too sensitive to bring up, and it isn't on topic. But PM to explain what the problem is- being fairly young (ie still at school) I don't really understand...
__________________
'"Forweg can lead you no longer; for he is dead...I slew him...I will govern this fellowship now, or leave it."
"As it was when he joined us, so it is again. He kills to make room."'
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 04:44 PM   #24
Bêthberry
Cryptic Aura
 
Bêthberry's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 6,159
Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bêthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.
Boots

I fail to see what being gay has to do with the topic of this thread. Please stay on topic, folks.<P>I think both Underhill and Squatter have suggested a very plausible way to arrive at a reasoned understanding of how successful Tyler was/is as Arwen. It comes down, really, to grasping the essence of the character in the book. I think that is why McKellen did such a fine job as Gandalf in FotR; he didn't need the pyro technics for his temptation scene that Blanchett did for hers. Or that were used for hers as well.<P>Underhill's idea of maturity runs up against many stereotypes in the characterization of female characters.
__________________
I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
Bêthberry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 04:44 PM   #25
The Only Real Estel
Raffish Rapscallion
 
The Only Real Estel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-(
Posts: 3,025
The Only Real Estel has just left Hobbiton.
Pipe

I don't hold anything PJ did against Liv (or PJ for that matter), & the only slight complaint about her is her tendency to 'breathe' her words. Perhaps she/PJ thought it neccessary to make it sound Elvish, but I don't think it sounds very good. Better than her real voice though .
The Only Real Estel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2003, 08:34 PM   #26
Knight of Gondor
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
Knight of Gondor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 744
Knight of Gondor has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via Yahoo to Knight of Gondor
Sting

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Knight of Gondor, it does seem that, from the disparity in the tone between these two statements, that there is somewhat of a bias in your attitude towards the male vs. the female members of the cast, at least on the surface it appears so. Forgive me if I misunderstand. Sir Ian and Elijah do a good job, despite their personal flaws, while Liv is to be looked down upon for hers...hmmmm...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>No, you misunderstand me. When I say "guys", I mean the whole cast, no gender bias at all.<P>I don't expect you guys (and gals) to agree with me, but the reason I'm not happy that Ian McKellen is gay is because I'm a Christian, and according to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin. I know that's not the issue at hand, I just wanted to clear that up.
__________________
Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16
Knight of Gondor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 09:06 AM   #27
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Up a tree somewhere in Caras Galadhon...or England
Posts: 364
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Okey dokie, I'm not going to argue...<P>But yeah, what an actor has done previously shouldn't matter as long as the acting is effective.
__________________
'"Forweg can lead you no longer; for he is dead...I slew him...I will govern this fellowship now, or leave it."
"As it was when he joined us, so it is again. He kills to make room."'
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 01:46 PM   #28
Lush
Fair and Cold
 
Lush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: the big onion
Posts: 1,803
Lush is a guest of Tom Bombadil.
Send a message via ICQ to Lush Send a message via AIM to Lush Send a message via Yahoo to Lush
Sting

<B>Beth</B> is right: This thread was not intended as a venue for discussing Ian McKellen's sexuality. <P>Do it on your own time.<P><B>Knight</B>, now that I think about it, it makes sense that your attitude toward Liv Tyler's portrayal of Arwen might stem from her past work, but the decision to start this thread is a culmination of my obsevations of people that post on this forum for the past year and a half.<P>"Liv Tyler?" People have said. "Wasn't she that naked chick from 'Stealing Beauty'? That's not good enough for our Arwen!"<P>Or,<P>"I can't take her seriously because she's that chick from that stupid Aerosmith video."<P>I am curious to discover just how much of the negative attitude toward Tyler stems from the fact that she is, above all else, Liv Tyler. <P><B>Underhill</B> brought up a good point that she seems too immature to play Arwen, especially in TTT (Tolkien wrote that Elrond and Arwen's parting would be "bitter," but a scene that smacked of something you'd see on Oprah, complete with a needless plot-twist, was not something I, personally, had in mind). <P>At the same time, does this seeming immaturity stem from Liv Tyler's persona as a whole? Remember, Arwen's character was much more "together" in FotR. Do you agree with <B>Underhill</B> that bad direction and bad lines are <I>also</I> to blame for what we saw in TTT?<P>Overall, is there something that makes it ultimately impossible for some audience members to judge Liv Tyler's performance solely by what they see on the screen at that particular moment?<p>[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: Lush ]
__________________
~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
Lush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 02:53 PM   #29
Silmiel of Imladris
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
Silmiel of Imladris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing
Posts: 395
Silmiel of Imladris has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Silmiel of Imladris
Sting

:shrugs: I think she is doing a good job. For those of you who make you opinion on her past works you must realize that she is not the only one. No one seems to be complaining that Hugo Weaving played a drag queen in Pricilla Queen of the Desert. I hope I never see that movie but if I do it won't change my opinion that he made a great Elrond.
__________________
Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me.

Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?
Silmiel of Imladris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:02 PM   #30
the phantom
Beloved Shadow
 
the phantom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Stadium
Posts: 6,121
the phantom is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.the phantom is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.the phantom is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.
Send a message via MSN to the phantom
Eye

When an actor makes his first appearance in every film, it's natural to immediately think "Who is this actor and what has he been in before?". For example, when I saw Patrick Stewart in XMen I immediately thought "Oh, there's Patrick" and I thought of him as Captain Picard from Star Trek. That lasted until he became Professor Xavier in my mind and basically erased Captain Picard (which didn't take him long, he's a great actor).<P>You see, an actor (or actress) needs to be able to become different people. If he does not do a good job, then it really screws things up. I remember watching a bad Sylvester Stallone movie one time and just thinking of him as Rocky trying to pass himself off as a cop. Do you get what I'm saying?<P>Well, I think that might be what's happening with Liv Tyler. Sean Astin, Sir Ian, and Sean Bean are actors that I've seen in other roles, but their masterful portrayal of their characters made me forget about who they were before the movie. While LOTR is playing, Sean Bean is Boromir, not a real life actor.<P>Liv doesn't become Arwen though. Her role is thoroughly unimpressive, possibly because 99% of her role is completely made up. Maybe my view is slanted because I read the books first, in other words for Liv to become Arwen she would have to play the part the way it is in the book. Just like I don't think the actor that played Faramir was Faramir in TTT, because it's not the Faramir I know.<P>As far as Liv's previous roles, I haven't seen a single one of them (not even the music video), but I can imagine that I'd probably have trouble with her playing Arwen if I had seen her in raunchy roles, mainly because her role in LOTR is so blah that it wouldn't erase my memory of her in the other role. She wouldn't be Arwen, she'd be some girl from a raunchy movie trying to play Arwen.<P>You guys get what I mean?
__________________
the phantom has posted.
This thread is now important.
the phantom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:08 PM   #31
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MirkWood
Posts: 73
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Eye

i think liv tyler is a good actress and shes pretty much what i imagined arwen looking like (or fairly close anyway) im not very famaliar with her movie history...ive only seen her in a few other things...
__________________
"when all is said and done and dead does he love you the way that i do?"
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:09 PM   #32
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MirkWood
Posts: 73
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Eye

acutally...now that i think about it...her voice is kinda annoying. but anyway...should have said that the first time. sorry yall
__________________
"when all is said and done and dead does he love you the way that i do?"
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:14 PM   #33
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MirkWood
Posts: 73
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Eye

sorry...last time ill do this... lol<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I don't expect you guys (and gals) to agree with me, but the reason I'm not happy that Ian McKellen is gay is because I'm a Christian, and according to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin. I know that's not the issue at hand, I just wanted to clear that up. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>*dude, way to stand up for what u believe in...i completely agree with you...AMEN and PREACH IT...* ok, im going now...i promise
__________________
"when all is said and done and dead does he love you the way that i do?"
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:24 PM   #34
Lush
Fair and Cold
 
Lush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: the big onion
Posts: 1,803
Lush is a guest of Tom Bombadil.
Send a message via ICQ to Lush Send a message via AIM to Lush Send a message via Yahoo to Lush
Sting

*Lush nudges MirkwoodPrincess toward the "EDIT" button on her posts*<P>*As an afterthought, Lush nudges MirkwoodPrincess toward Lush's previous post, the one that <I>politely</I> asks whoever responds to this thread to discuss the issue of Ian McKellen's homosexuality in another venue*<p>[ September 23, 2003: Message edited by: Lush ]
__________________
~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
Lush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:56 PM   #35
Galadrie1
Shade of Carn Dûm
 
Galadrie1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: The wrong place at the wrong time.
Posts: 399
Galadrie1 has just left Hobbiton.
Silmaril

It wasn't Liv Tyler that bothered me, it was just the way they made Arwen's character (which I blame on the script writers). I found myself saying "Oh, get off the screen, Arwen!" not "Get off the screen, Liv Tyler!" It always bothers me when people mistake characters with real people (for example, people called me Petra for about a year after I was in a play of 'The Chrysalids'). You should judge Liv Tyler's performance on her performance, not on what she's done in the past.
__________________
"For this is what your folk would call magic, I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem to use the same word of the deceits of the Enemy. But this, if you will, is the magic of Galadriel."
Galadrie1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 05:04 PM   #36
The Saucepan Man
Corpus Cacophonous
 
The Saucepan Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: A green and pleasant land
Posts: 8,468
The Saucepan Man has been trapped in the Barrow!
Silmaril

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Arwen is nearly 3000 years old; you expect her to have commensurate presence, dignity, and wisdom. You want to have someone in the role who can project a little life wisdom and the feeling that she’s been around the block a time or two, you know? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Ah, Mister Underhill, I believe that you have put your finger on just how I feel about, not just Liv Tyler's performance, but the portrayal of Elves generally in the films.<P>I too think that she was fine in FotR. She only had a few lines, prior to the chase to the ford (a sequence which I personally think looks great - I am not one who mourns the absence of Glorfindel in the films) and then again briefly at Rivendell, but to me she looked the part and delivered her lines well (in both English and Elvish). Mind you, at that point, I had not read the books for many many years and had not really noticed her much as a character then, so I didn't have a lot of preconceptions.<P>I too am less convinced of her performance in TTT. I do not begrudge her her scenes. She has been brought out as one of the key characters, necessarily so in my opinion if Aragorn's "rejection" of Eowyn is to make any sense to a (non-book reading) film audience and if their wedding at the end is to have any meaning for said audience. So it was equally necessary that she feature in TTT, and I personally am quite glad that she stayed put in Rivendell rather than riding out to do battle at Helm's Deep (as was apparently originally planned). Of course, Jackson and co didn't have much to go on for the scenes in Rivendell. I agree that they could have been better scripted, but they are not one of my major gripes about the film. If anything, I am more distressed by the portrayal of Elrond as a selfish and domineering father.<P>You are right that, as an actress, she lacks the depth to portray a 3000 year old Elf. But for me, that is true for most of the "Elvish" actors in the films. I mean, for all his boyish good looks, "cool" stunts and obvious fan base, Orlando Bloom is hardly the best actor in the world (certainly not the most experienced). In my opinion, he certainly does not have the depth, quality or experience convincingly to portray an Elven Prince. Not even Cate Blanchett quite gets there, although she makes a good fist of it. Indeed, the only actor who gets close to portraying a convincing Elf for me is Hugo Weaving. Unfortunately the Elf he portrays is not Elrond (well not my conception of Elrond from the books, anyway). As for the other "bit-part" Elves, any attempt to portray their "other-worldly" nature seems to have involved using rather effeminate actors in long blonde wigs. <P>The problem, I think, is that Elves are an ancient and wonderous race. Human in appearance and yet not human. And, for that reason, I think that it is extremely difficult for any actor, even a very experienced and skilled one (which neither Liv nor Orli are), to portray them as those of us who have read the books imagine them to be. However much lighting effects might be used to bathe them in a radiant glow, or SFX might be used to make them seem superhuman, they are still manifestly human.<P>Now this is not going to be an issue for the majority of people who go to see these films. As long as Orli looks good, shoots his arrows heroically and does the odd bit of somersaulting and shield surfing, and as long as Cate and Liv are beautiful and wear gorgeous dresses, they will not mind. For me, it is an issue only to the extent that the Elves that I saw on the screen were not the Elves that I imagined in my head. But, then again, neither were Frodo, Faramir, Merry, Pippin, Gimli and countless others the characters that I encounter when I read the books. Since I have got to the stage now where I can divorce the films from the books and enjoy them for what I consider them to be - great films - these things do not really bother me anymore. My point is, however, that it seems unfair to single Liv Tyler out for her inabilty to portray a convincing Elf when few of the "Elvish" cast are able to do so either.<P>And no, it matters not a jot to me what she, or any other members of the cast, do in their private lives, or what other films they have been in previously. When we are talking about their performances in the LotR films, we should of course judge them on those performances alone.
__________________
Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!
The Saucepan Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 10:48 AM   #37
Lyta_Underhill
Haunted Halfling
 
Lyta_Underhill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules
Posts: 844
Lyta_Underhill has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>You are right that, as an actress, she lacks the depth to portray a 3000 year old Elf. But for me, that is true for most of the "Elvish" actors in the films.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think you have hit upon an inevitable flaw here, <B>Saucepan Man</B>. Just how does one play a worldly, yet otherworldly being of an Elder race? I, personally, think Cate Blanchett did rather well in her portrayal of Galadriel, and that Weaving's Elrond seemed a bit too grumpy to me. In fact, it seems that the interplay between Elrond and Arwen in TTT suggests less that Liv's Arwen is immature than that Weaving's Elrond knows where to poke her to get her to do what he wishes her to do. Her abundance of tears would seem to point to the unique ability of parents to needle the proper place in their children, even when nothing or no one else can faze them. Elrond simply knows where to poke his daughter to get her to listen to him. I thought Elrond to be grumpy and a little bit jealous in these scenes. Surely Arwen must have known what would be her destiny should she choose a mortal life with Aragorn; but the way Elrond tells it makes her despair and follow his wishes. <P>As for being thousands of years old, I found it interesting that the Elves had an amazing capacity for immaturity, even at their great ages, as illustrated by the endless strife between them in the Silmarillion. Beren had a point when he upbraided King Thingol for his petty wish to have a Silmaril in exchange for his daughter's hand! <P>Perhaps they mature more slowly in mind and body, as would befit a race that lives for many, many years. I would think Arwen to be the least jaded and worldly of the Elder race, simply because she is their Evenstar, a younger, more freethinking being who does not seem to hold all the history of the Elves in Middle Earth in her heart, but can make the choice to be a fleeting part and seed of the future (through her contribution to the line of Elessar), rather than a relic of the Third Age to be lost with its passing. <P>Cheers,<BR>Lyta<p>[ September 24, 2003: Message edited by: Lyta_Underhill ]
__________________
“…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”
Lyta_Underhill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 03:58 PM   #38
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MirkWood
Posts: 73
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess has just left Hobbiton.
Send a message via AIM to Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess
Eye

oops...sorry yall...i have a problem with doing that. i tend to read the question and then read a few other posts and then say whatever happens to come out of my fingers and thru the keyboard and so on and so forth. liv tyler seems to only have become famous because of her parents though... for some reason people that do that seem to bother me...
__________________
"when all is said and done and dead does he love you the way that i do?"
Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 05:53 PM   #39
The Saucepan Man
Corpus Cacophonous
 
The Saucepan Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: A green and pleasant land
Posts: 8,468
The Saucepan Man has been trapped in the Barrow!
White-Hand

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> i have a problem with doing that. i tend to read the question and then read a few other posts and then say whatever happens to come out of my fingers and thru the keyboard and so on and so forth. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Well, Aduyuldaiel-MirkwoodPrincess, that is a problem easily fixed. All you have to do is read through the other posts before posting yourself. Many who post here put a lot of thought and effort into what they say. If you expect people to read your posts, it is only fair to do them the courtesy if reading theirs.
__________________
Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!
The Saucepan Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 06:19 PM   #40
Lord of Angmar
Tyrannus Incorporalis
 
Lord of Angmar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: the North
Posts: 833
Lord of Angmar has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

No offense Lush, but this does not seem to be the most Tolkien-related topic on the site. I personally have no problem with Liv Tyler, and she is one of the actors whose face I willingly picture in the books as I read them (as opposed to Eowyn and Barliman Butterbur, among others, who I try to think of as the same way I did before the movies arrived). People have argued that Arwen was not particularly strong in her Two Towers performance, but I beg to differ; the scene in which Aragorn attempts to give back the pendant, the scene in which she has a heart-to-heart with her father Elrond, and the close-up on her face when Aragorn walks away, were all (at least to me) particularly poignant. I will be the first to admit that I have never seen a Liv Tyler movie before the Lord of the Rings came out, but had I already seen one or all I would not have that fact weigh in on my evaluation of her performance as Arwen.<p>[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]
__________________
...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.
Lord of Angmar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:23 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.