I join “CTV News Toronto at Five” with host Zuraidah Alman, to talk about the antihero story of “Kraven the Hunter,” the thriller “September 5,” and the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Watch the whole thing HERE! (Starts at 14:57)
I sit in with hosts Jim Richards and Deb Hutton on NewsTalk 1010 to play the game “Did Richard Crouse Like This?” This week we talk about the antihero story of “Kraven the Hunter” and the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
I join CP24 to talk about three movies hitting theatres today, the antihero story of “Kraven the Hunter,” the thriller “September 5,” and the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I join the CTV NewsChannel to talk about the antihero story of “Kraven the Hunter,” the thriller “September 5,” and the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I sit in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with guest host Andrew Pinsent to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the antihero story of “Kraven the Hunter,” the thriller “September 5,” and the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
What did The Hobbits drink after a long days of searching for the One Ring? I join the Bell Media Radio Network national night time show “Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift” for Booze & Reviews! This week we have a look at the big entertainment headlines and “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” I’ll review the movie and suggest the perfect tipple to enjoy while visiting Middle Earth.
Listen to the story of a cat friendly Christmas tree HERE!
Listen to Booze & Reviews HERE!
Fast reviews for busy people! Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to do a high five! Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the thriller “September 5,” the epic “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” and Daniel Craig in “Queer.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
SYNOPSIS: “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” a new anime action-adventure film now playing on theatres is the story of Helm Hammerhand, a legendary king of Rohan, and his warrior daughter Hera as they defend their kingdom against an army of by Wulf, the clever and merciless Dunlending lord.
CAST: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Miranda Otto, Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwudike, Bilal Hasna, Janine Duvitski and Christopher Lee (posthumously). Based on characters created by J. R. R. Tolkien and directed by Kenji Kamiyama.
REVIEW: “This is a story we don’t see in the old songs.”
An anime prequel to “Lord of the Rings” films, “LOTR: The War of the Rohirrim” takes place 183 years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and provides an entertaining backgrounder on the history of the kingdom of Rohan and Middle Earth, told through the point of view of Hera (voice of Gaia Wise).
A sweeping epic, it’s not simply an animated version of the world Jackson created for his films. Legendary director Kenji Kamiyama puts his own visual stamp on the movie—but longtime fans will want to be on alert for easter eggs and callbacks to the “LOTR” books and movies, including a posthumous appearance by Christopher Lee as Saruman—while stealthily operating within the familiar territory fashioned by Tolkien and Jackson. The style works well within the framework of “Lord of the Rings,” bringing Helm’s Deep to vivid life and visualizing impressive images of armies preparing to do battle.
The fluid, eye-popping animation, utilises a variety of tools—CGI, old school 2D animation and motion capture—and is enhanced by voice work from a strong cast.
Brian Cox is a standout, bringing a commanding presence to Helm Hammerhand, the ninth King of Rohan. Imagine a Middle Earth Logan Roy and you’ll get the picture.
As Hera, the daughter of Helm who helps defend their people, Gaia Wise captures the rebelliousness and the vulnerabilities of the young character who isn’t quite as sophisticated as other “Lord of the Rings” heroes like Éowyn and Arwen.
Miranda Otto, who played Éowyn in the second and third installments of “The Lord of the Rings,” returns to this film as the narrator.
Based on just three paragraphs in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings, which contains historical background of the events in Middle-earth prior to the War of the Ring, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is a war film, but one concerned with more than just the action.
Family ties, loyalty and the responsibility of power all play into the texture of the story, deepening the portrayal of the conflict.
Ditto the portrayal of the villain Wulf, voiced by Luke Pasqualino. He’s not a supernatural being, a wizard or dark lord, which is usually the case in the “LOTR” world. Instead, he’s very much human, which producer Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote Jackson’s film trilogy, says makes him relevant to “a lot of the crises that we’re facing today.” His thirst for vengeance and power is very human indeed.
You don’t have to be a “Lord of the Rings” fan to enjoy “The War of the Rohirrim,” but if you are, this should serve as a welcome stop gap until “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” hits theatres in 2026.
