The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Went to see the Hobbit last night. It was awesome.

It was really great to take another trip into the Middle Earth as imagined by Peter Jackson (and Alan Lee, and the rest of the minds behind this work)

I'm not 100% convinced of Martin Freeman in the role, he brings a little too much Arthur Dent to his Bilbo, at least for this the first of the trilogy, but I hope as the character evolves over the next 2 films, that this becomes less of a thing.

Saw it in 3D 48 fps (frames per second), or whatever the new technology is. I think it worked rather well. I had listened to a review before going where it said this technology meant that, with some of the slower scenes, it was like being at a live production at the theatre, rather than being in a cinema. i think I agree with this statement, although I am not perfectly comfortable with the 3D glasses yet, and wouldn't mind the chane to see the film in 2D, just to be sure.



Cracking hat Bofur!



Some other thoughts:

I want a hat like Bofur's.

I thought that Balin was played by Ken Stott, then wasn't so sure. Turns out I was right.

The Golum scene rocked, and was almost (if not exactly) word for word from the book. Especially in 3D, it really was like being in the room with the two as they matched wits.

It hasn't so much made me want to buy into the Hobbit wargame, as is currently being pedalled by GW (although, I do fear that if/when they release a Thranduil mounted on an Elk figure, I will have to buy it), but it really really took me back to my youth, where me and a few friends would sit round a table each and every Sunday (for quite a few years) playing MERP. As GM, that meant I was steeped in Middle Earth lore, if not from the primary sources, then at least from the I.C.E modules for the game, of which I had a rather impressive collection. Those were the days!

Off to rewatch the first trilogy.

I leave you with Thranduil on an Elk, just because!

Source, as the film stills I found online were not so great.

Urban War: Viridians

This was what you could call an exercise in speed painting, this whole squad was painted in less than 3 hours. Somewhat of a record for me. I think even a record in that I have a whole squad of anything painted.

The reason for painting them is as follows. I bought a pot of P3 Battledress Green, with the aim of using it to finish off these guys, but I wanted to see if it dried to a khaki colour, or a darker green. This unit was sitting at the front of the cupboard, all based on their fancy bases,and undercoated ready to go, so I figured, why not? It's a fair enough colour to use for urban camouflage. 2 evenings later, and here we have a fully finished, (tabletop quality) Urban War Strike force.

In answer to my original query, I think it's a little too dark for the khaki colour I was going for, especially as my Infinity minis are undercoated in black (these were in white geso). Back tot he drawing board for that one.

I bought these about 1-2 years ago, along with a box of Syntha, with the intention of being able to run demo games for Urban War. I've been playing the Urban War family of games (including the predecessor Void) for quite a few years. In fact, I used to live around the corner from their bricks and mortar shop, when they had one in Edinburgh (nice way to spend too much money). I have a few painted minis (but not a completed force) sitting in my parents attic back in the old country, which I plan to pick up the next time I'm back over there, thereby having at least 4 basic forces to chose from. At least now one for those forces will be fully painted. That may be enough to attract the odd opponent.

More pics after the cut

New face

Whilst mixing up some flesh tones to paint up the Devil Dogs, I pulled this little mini out to touch her up. I posted about her here, but after I saw the closeups, I was really unhappy with how grainy and patchy her face was. I feel better about it now, although it looks much smoother in real life. The pics under the cut just go to show how I need better lighting for my photography.

Ogrun Bokur WIP

A WIP from my Highborn Covenant Mercenary army. An Ogrun Bokur to accompany Ahslynn's Army in the ousting of the Khadoran occupiers from her homeland. With the help of Menoth who just happen to be there on their Northern Crusade. This large gent is not the Bokur as sold for WM, but the Ogrun adventurer from the Iron Kingdoms range. The simplest conversions I feel are the best. In this case, I snipped off the gun that came with him, to make space for the Khador MoW Kovnik shield he as picked up from a fallen foe. A menoth Exemplar shoulder pad adds a little more armour to his weapon arm. Both items he'd find close by, according to the fluff. He's armoured in the Purple and White in other places to tie him in with the theme of my Highborn Army. I like the design of the original armour on this mini. It almost has a bamboo/oriental feel to it in places. I was almost sad to cover it up on the arm plate, but I feel I have improved upon the original, at least as far as using him in WM is concerned.

Painting Everblight 2

Two minis to show off here. My first painted Legion model was also my first Legion 'Lock. Lylyth. The mini is simple and yet does everything it needs to. It's not as spindly as the Nyss models that followed, and as befits a warlock, has presence on the table. I'm rather proud of this one, especially the mud on the back of the cape, and the use of the white and blue feathers on the cloak to draw the eye to an otherwise drab coloured mini. The skin tone isn't one I have since used on my Legion troopers, not preferring a bleached look, but it kinda works enough for me to leave as is.

 

 

The second Legion mini to show off is my Blighted Ogrun Trooper. I bought this just before the release of the Blighted Ogrun Warlord, who in MKI kicked all kids of ass with the Rhyas list I was running into the ground at the time. There's a slight conversion in the addition of a spare Nyss Hunter head as a trophy. I think there's just enough gore splattered to be effective. The snow is white glue and baking soda. Works like a charm.

Crane Courtier

A Crane Clan Courtier from a Legends of the 5 Rings range, possibly by Reaper. An old mini, but I have a passion for L5R, and although I have never played the card game, nor the minis game. Nor do I use minis for RPGs in general, I couldn't pass on this mini. A lot of the ranges that came out for L5R over the years have been rather lacking, but this one is simple, and yet with nice clean lines and sharp features. I notice that with my new camera, I'm able to pick up on flaws in my painting that I can't make out with the naked eye. Maybe I should get one of those magnifying light up goggles thingies.
Yes, the base is to be finished. Maybe some floorboards, as a courtier like this shouldn't be walking around in the mud.

Painting Everblight

A couple of years or so ago now, I decided to finally get round to painting my Everblight army. I got as far as doing this harrier as a test model. I was quite pleased with the result, although I really should have made a note of what I did to achieve this scheme, as it's been a little too long now, that if I wish to go back and do the rest of my beasts, I really would be starting from scratch.

Also, I need to work on my photography, the pics are a little bleached out compared to the mini in real life.