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KnockBack, Episode 174 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (film)

During episode #167 of KnockBack, we spent nearly three hours gushing about Peter Jackson's 2001 rendition of The Lord of the Rings' first book, Fellowship of the Ring. Naturally, we couldn't merely stop there. The following year -- in 2002 -- the second of three Lord of the Rings movies came out. It's called The Two Towers, and this is the flick and book alike that many people consider the best in Tolkein's Trilogy. But does the film hold up, particularly with a heavy mix of special and practical effects? How about the performances and the story? We've much to discuss, of course. So join us as we delve back into Middle-earth, where things are just starting to heat up...

KnockBack, Episode 174 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (film)

Comments

Great podcast! But I think it should’ve been mentioned how Two Towers, in the book, is in two disjointed parts—beginning with Aragorn/Helm’s Deep storyline in the first half and then Frodo’s & Sam’s journey in the back half. It’s weird, and arguably better, pacing with the film. Colin also mentions there are big moments from the book that were omitted from the film, maybe referring to the spider confrontation.? Where in the book, that conflict finds resolution, but the film leaves it as a cliffhanger. And again, I’d argue it’s better placing in the film to leave the viewers at the edge of their seats.

Kid-Organic

Glad to be here for you. <3

Colin Moriarty

Good stuff!

Colin Moriarty

It doesn't look good, IMO.

Colin Moriarty

Oh man what a treat. I really needed this today.

Cooper Bibaud

This.

Michael Size

I can see how that might be an interpretation. When he stated that though it was in reference to Jews and Gentiles. To the Jews of that day, the idea of a prophet or savior helping anyone who wasn’t a Jew wasn’t really in anyone’s mind. Jesus (the good shepherd) was stating that not only would he herd his fold (the Jews) but those of another fold (the Gentiles). I hope that helps!

Dick McFarmhouse

Jesus even says "I have sheep in other pastures" when he leaves Earth. Which to me is definitely talking about life on other planets.

Jeremy Seal

The Bible does not state that we are alone in the universe. It does however state that we are unique and made in image of God and for his purpose for his glory. It does warn against contacting spirits in other realms/dimensions stating that it leads to demonic presences and to confuse and mislead humans. If you look up alien contact experiences some of the most popular are people discussing contacting other dimensions and speaking to aliens via DMT, meditation, etc. The belief we are alone in universe from some Christians is because of nature of the redemption story of Gods people through Christ and the nature of sin. Also for some additional perspective, Angels and Demons are extraterrestrial beings. Sorry for the knowledge dump but I hope that help the religion question.

Dick McFarmhouse

Failing in my search for that quote, I did find the interview with Jackson on his process for remastering the movie in 4K. So I must be misremembering something. I want to se the 4K version to judge the quality for myself.

Stefan Catinella

So before the 4k version of the movie was released I read somewhere that Peter Jackson did not want the movie released in 4k because they did not render the CGI to look good at that quality. I was surprised when the 4K blue-rays were released despite reading this. I will try and find the quote and post it here. I haven't purchased the 4k version yet myself, but I plan to watch it on my PS5 and see for myself.

Stefan Catinella

If you're an alien race that's paying attention to shit in your galactic neighborhood and you suddenly pick up spectra indicating nuclear bombs were detonated, you'd be very intrigued!

Colin Moriarty

They definitely do, to me.

Colin Moriarty

Heh heh.

Colin Moriarty

The star wars prequels look better? That's a take

Phil Walker

“Shadowfax…yeahhhh” lol. Leave that horse alone. Legolas on the shield is super random but I enjoy it. I’m just like there’s Legolas being all cool again. 😅

NeO JD

I specifically liked when Colin mentioned aliens arriving after we started playing with nuclear power. It made me think of the Star Trek movie First Contact where the catalyst for Vulcans reaching out to humanity because of hyperdrive technology.

Omar

Was wondering this myself. I haven't seen the latest 4k transfer of the trilogy yet though, so maybe the cg effects stand out more than they did in lower resolution versions?

Greg Ohlenforst

Colin is it possible that you had the smoothing setting on your tv turned on when you watched the movie? I've watched the Two Towers recently and true some of CG doesn't hold up I don't remember it being that bad.

jamill payne

Nice quote. =)

Colin Moriarty

Listening to this right now, and I gotta say that each time you guys mention allegory it reminds me of an excerpt from the foreword in LOTR that Tolkien wrote: "I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true or feigned– with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse applicability with allegory, but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author." J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)

Dustin Shaneyfelt

Thank you. Maybe one day!

Colin Moriarty

They're very cool.

Colin Moriarty

What?!

Colin Moriarty

Heh heh.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Would be fun.

Colin Moriarty

Hey, whatever you say, Greg!

Colin Moriarty

Hope you enjoy(ed) our discussion.

Colin Moriarty

We touched on this movie in a very early episode, but it will be fun to do it proper.

Colin Moriarty

That would be fun, though we'd have to structure it a certain way.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Absolutely love the conversation about Aliens, the impact of discovering them would be massive. Fascinating topic. If that report is remotely interesting I'd love to have an episode about it 😊

Michael Robinson

I'm with you guys - I love the Ents and their last march. I typically am drawn to those world-building elements that are briefly touched upon and leave so much for the imagination to fill in. It also helps that I am also a lover of forests and the woods. Great episode!

Justin Matkowski

Dwarf on golf, great movie lol

Michael Thew

You’re right. I have a bad memory haha

Madshibs

They kinda talked about it in an earlier episode. "Movies we watched too young" or something like that

Jar_Farters_inc

Literally forgot this was a Two Towers podcast I was that enthralled by the UFO conversation.

Quinn

guys guys guys, don’t worry about aliens! Dan Aykroyd got drunk off his vodka with Larry King and confirmed aliens have no interest in us because terrorism!

Jacob

Love the UFO/ Alien talk. I always say it when it comes up, but you two need to do a whole episode on this subject I think.

Aurang

Two towers is my fav after a few times through the trilogy as well. There’s something magical about the cream in the lotr Oreo

Greg Mocha

Can’t wait to listen. The two towers is probably my favorite film of all time and my favorite of my favorite trilogy.

Will Ellis

Boys, after hearing your discussion on UAPs, UFOs, aliens and communists, I’d LOVE to hear a Knockback about Fire in the Sky, the 1993 movie about the alleged alien abduction of Travis Walton and a movie that had me absolutely petrified of the idea of extraterrestrial encounters. Colin mentioned how terrifying it was and I think it’s be interesting to see how the conversation jumps around between the movie, it’s concepts, and the real-world events happening now around the military and the mysterious encounters we’re hearing about. Thanks dudes.

Madshibs

We need a UFO episode now

Brian Comstock

Sweet!

Brett the Illustrator


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