10,000 Pageviews!

GUYS!  I just checked my stats and I just made 10,000 pageviews!  AHHH THAT'S AMAZING!  Thank you all so much for reading and for putting up with my slow postings.  *gives internet hugs*

I shall put up another post just as soon as I can think of a topic.  It'll probably be a poem, methinks.

The Great Tolkien Debate

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I've spent the last half-hour reading Christopher Tolkien's opinion on the LOTR movies, and then a bunch of comments.  [Note: if you don't want your faith in humanity destroyed, don't read comments.  Ever.]  So now of course I've got to give my opinion.

First, to the commenters (who obviously aren't reading this...): have some respect.  Christopher Tolkien was extremely close to his father and made maps, advised, and acted as his copyist for years.  The man knows what he's talking about.  He's the next-best thing to having Tolkien himself available for criticism.  (Tolkien père would probably have been much more communicative and explanatory, but that's beside the point.)  And Christopher Tolkien is eighty-seven years old.  You can't expect him to be either active in the LOTR phenomenon or accepting of changes to his father's beloved work.

At any rate, in principle I agree with Christopher Tolkien.  There is a great "chasm between the beauty and seriousness of the work, and what it has become."  The changes and many of the choices made by Peter Jackson do make a Tolkien purist, or anyone who understands his vision of his works, cringe.   

However.  First of all, one cannot expect perfection, least of all from Hollywood. Also, there is a huge gap between the culture of the era in which the books were written (and hence Christopher Tolkien's era) and modern culture of the era in which the films are made. I think it would probably be literally impossible to make a film that grasped Tolkien's ideas, was accurate as to characterization and events, was stylistically accurate, and didn't leave anything out.  Peter Jackson is guilty on multiple counts, but he did get some things right - sometimes amazingly right.  Considering what he was up against, he did a fairly good job.  Sometimes.  Agh, I don't know.  It is very confusing.  And I actually haven't even seen The Return of the King.  Anyway, what I wanted to say is that the films, in and of themselves, are gorgeous, glorious works of fantasy.  It's just when you compare them to the books that you run into issues.  But of course, every bookworm knows the maxim that the book is always better than the movie.
 (Note: now I feel a slight bit guilty for my positive-ish review of The Hobbit.)

So yes, Christopher Tolkien is right in condemning the film franchise's deviations, but I think that if you realize that the films are flawed (and make sure you don't get too wrapped up in them), you're fine.

Just in case anyone was wondering, yes, I have had a slight (oh, very slight) relapse into active Tolkien fangirling.  It has to do with reading The Silmarillion and seeing a certain independent film which I shall post about another time.

So, comment and give me your opinion on the LOTR books-vs-movies debate.  I love to discuss these things and hear others' opinions.

Honoring Mary in May

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My little prayer book,The Catholic girl's guide, has a special section for the month of May, and it had a nice list of little ways to honor Our Lady during the month dedicated to her.  I thought you all might like to see some of these ideas and maybe use a few of them yourself!  There are a ton, so I won't post all of them.

• Rise punctually in the morning, invoking her as the "Morning Star."
• Say three Glorias in honor of the saints and Doctors who have explained and defended her prerogatives.
• Gain indulgences for the soul in Purgatory most devoted to the Blessed Virgin in life; offer Mass and communion for this purpose.
• Perform some act of kindness with inconvenience to yourself.
• Say three Hail Marys in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her.
• Burn a candle before her statue or picture.
• Shun idleness during the day in imitation of Our Lady at Nazareth.
• Say a Hail Mary in honor of the Archangel Gabriel, who brought it to earth.
• Say a Memorare to obtain Mary's help at the hour of death.
• Keep silence for a short time, and with Mary ponder God's words in your heart.
• Say a Hail Mary before going to bed, in order to prevent one mortal sin committed during the night.

May Our Lady bless you during her special month!