JRR Jokien

1 week ago | jrrjokien.com | JRR Jokien

A common criticism (or occasionally praise) of Tolkien I have encountered repeatedly on the internet is that The Lord of the Rings is a story of capital-G Good versus capital-E Evil, with none of the "morally grey" ambiguity that characterizes much of modern fantasy. But such a criticism (or celebration) of Tolkien reveals a basic lack of familiarity with or understanding of Tolkien.

1 week ago | jrrjokien.com | JRR Jokien

Happy May the 4th! May the Fourth be with you!Since today is a day where fans celebrate everything and anything Star Wars related, I thought I’d join in on the fun and have some fun imagining Middle-earth meeting that Galaxy Far, Far Away.

3 weeks ago | jrrjokien.com | JRR Jokien

ELROND: The One Ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this. FRODO: I will take the Ring! Though I do not know the way. ALL: *silence*FRODO: If only someone who'd been to Mount Doom before could guide me... ELROND: .... FRODO: Oooookay. Perhaps someone who has fought a Balrog before then? GLORFINDEL: I’m sorry but facing a Balrog and dying once is plenty for me.

1 month ago | jrrjokien.com | JRR Jokien

There’s a scene from The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies that Peter Jackson left on the cutting room floor1 that I mulled over for weeks after I first saw it. Gandalf, Bilbo, and Bard are in a small pocket of calm in the midst of a battle. Gandalf tells Bard to send bowmen to a specific position and Bard replies that there are no more bowmen to send. The battle seems lost.

1 month ago | jrrjokien.com | JRR Jokien

Characters from all across Middle-earth have faced off in the first few rounds of Middle-earth March Madness. And what was once a group of 32 contestants narrowed to the Company of 16, then to the Fellowship of the 8, and most recently to the Four of Power!In the Four of Power, Éowyn took on Helm Hammerhand and Galadriel from Rings of Power went toe-to-toe with LĂșthien: who won each matchup and advances to the finals?