The Lord of the Rings Really Does Rule Them All

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This Sunday I’m thankful for the 25th anniversary theater release of the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions.

I was lucky enough to get the last seat in the house Friday night for The Fellowship of the Ring.

Yesterday I watched The Two Towers.

Today I’ve got The Return of the King lined up.

I saw all three theatrical versions at their midnight release showings in ’01, ’02 and ’03. And I’ve watched all three of the extendeds a number of times over the years of course, usually back-to-back. They’re like spending a day with an old friend. I’ll put them on and make dinner and paint or work up something in Photoshop.

But I haven’t seen them on the big screen since those early aughts.

One thing that struck me last night is how many shots looked like they were torn straight out of 1970s and ’80s Brothers Hildebrandt Middle Earth calendars.

I’ve never done a deep dive on it before so I took a quick look this morning and figured out why that is.

Turns out one of the chief concept artists for the films — John Howe — was inspired greatly by those very same calendars. Couple that with the brilliant work of the movies’ cinematographer — Andrew Lesnie — and you get those incredible shots, frames, stills and scenes one after another. Banger after banger!

It really has been an amazing experience. And, as the man says,:

 

Local Conventions Are Fun

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This Sunday I’m thankful for Trumpeter Salute.

It’s the biggest annual gaming convention in Vancouver.

Last year — 2025 — I ran a game on Saturday that I’ll talk about later.

But the games I played on Friday night and Sunday morning are why I really like local conventions.

Friday night I played in a game of Freikorps vs Communists.

It was a fun 15mm Rampant variant.

We fought the reds to a standstill. Would’ve preferred to vanquish, but alas.

Then on Sunday morning I played in one of the epic games of Wild West that has been a staple of Trumpeter meets for years, decades. Another 15mm masterpiece, running classic Boot Hill.

I got to play the Man With No Name.

The Trumpeter monthly game nights have expanded over the years to include roleplaying and board games. Hell, there’s even some HeroClix now.

So if you live in the GVRD I recommend you check Salute out come April.

 

Bottle Battles

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This Sunday I’m thankful there are men in the world who don’t allow even the mortal danger of organized violence to come between them and a good piss-up.

A few months ago, in the March 2020 issue of Miniature Wargames magazine, I learned about the Battle of Tuttlingen.

Tuttlingen

I thought, “Cool, that’s a well written Thirty Years War scenario; and one side being loaded does make it VS.” Then, as is my wont, I carried on.

Fast Forward to last week. My awesome Mailman delivered my copy of the Medieval Warfare 2019 Special Edition: Rise of the Gun (which is excellent, by the way!). Therein is an article titled, “The Good, the Bad and the Intoxicated.” That’s when I found out about the Battle of Beverhoutsveld.

Beverhoutsveld

The moral of the story is this: if your enemy’s tight as an owl you’ll likely carry the day.

[Addenda: DRUNKTIONARY!

Also this.]

 

OK Now this Plague is Really Getting in the Way

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Lamentations of the Flame Princess (US Store) just released a handful of new titles.

For virus-related reasons he’s unable to ship to a few countries, including Canada.

If you’re up here and want any of the new books I recommend you go through a freight forwarder.

Going through a forwarder will add shipping costs to your order for sure, but if you want the books sooner than later and are willing to foot the bill it’s a solid option.

I’ve been a customer of Can-Amer Freight in Blaine, Washington for years. They’re good people; I’ve never had anything but great service. Their receiving fee is nominal and they get me the lowest price available on postage to slingshot my stuff up here.

There are probably forwarders all along the border. Check for your province.

Find one, contact them to learn their procedures, then place your order with Lamentations. Boccob’s yer uncle!

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