Sean Astin, the 33-year-old actor who won fame playing the title rtole in "Rudy," has been named Bacchus XXXVII. Astin will lead the 38-float procession along the traditional route on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. A special new feature of this year's parade will be the return of actor Elijah Wood, who served as Bacchus XXXVI last year. Wood will ride a Returning King's float. [More]

LOS ANGELES - Jamie Foxx's uncanny re-creation of Ray Charles in "Ray" earned him the Screen Actors Guild Award for best actor Saturday, while Hilary Swank won the best-actress prize for "Million Dollar Baby," playing a spirited boxer whose life takes a tragic turn. The cast prize for best movie ensemble went to the road-trip comedy "Sideways." Cate Blanchett won the supporting-actress honor for her role as Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator," and Morgan Freeman took the supporting-actor prize for "Million Dollar Baby," playing a sage-like ex-prizefighter. [More]

erather writes: TORN regulars will be interested in the upcoming 2005 William S Paley Television Festival, put on by the Museum of Television and Radio in LA March 2-16. There will be 11 panels on popular TV shows featuring most of the cast of each, including "Lost" (with Dominic Monaghan) and "Deadwood" (including Brad Dourif). Tickets go on sale to members today (Feb. 5), and you can purchase membership with your tickets. General public sales begin Feb. 11, but my guess is that the really popular shows will sell out to members. [More]

Along with the release of the Wounded Orc yesterday, Sideshow Weta also premiered their Lady Galadriel statue with an article from Daniel Falconer of WETA Workshop. The article gives us a little history behind Galadriel as well as a profile of the sculptor who created the piece. Check it out. [Click Here]

Sideshow Weta Collectibles has finally posted one of the collectible polystone busts that were often shown a conventions and trade shows, but never seemed to make it onto the market. Now the Wounded Orc is online, limited to 1,500 pieces and available for pre-sale. [Click Here]

Cate Blanchett will be on the 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' show today. She will no doubt be talking about her recent Oscar nomination. [More]

We continue our examination of the Silmarillion this weekend with a close look at Aule's creation of the dwarves, the wakening of the Elves and the subsequent chaining of Melkor. Be sure to come along for what will be a fascinating tour through some of the seminal events that shaped the future of Middle-earth. [More]

Ashley T. Amato, Production Assistant at Vin Di Bona Productions writes: I am a prodcution assistant in southern California researching show topics for a new prime time reality special. We are seeking Lord of the Rings fans with children and are offering a large cash prize if people fit the bill. Specifically we are casting for a show about America's most outrageous parents. The goal of this show is to be a light hearted, family oriented, comedy-reality show. [More]

Lhunsarniel sends this in (via landmarktheaters.com): 20th Anniversary! New 35mm Print! While always a well-liked family adventure film, this tale of suburban kids battling frighteningly funny bad guys for the claim to an ancient pirate treasure has become a popular cult favorite in recent years. Whether you're a grown-up nostalgic for the '80s, or a youth yearning for a respite from smarmy post-ironic humor, there's enough high energy and gee-whiz optimism to make you both laugh at and cheer with the teens (Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman and Martha Plimpton) who take down the nasty cutthroats. Co-written and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. From Richard Donner, director of Superman. [More]

The folks from herenistarion.org write: Within the last few days we welcomed world reknown Tolkien-illustrator Ted Nasmith to the event, today we are happy to announce from ANCANAR.com: Now that Ancanar development is in full swing, a brand new trailer will be premiered at Ringbearer's Day this March, featuring a full scene from the newly completed script! Soon after, it will be screened here on Ancanar.com. [More]

Elanor1013 writes: I was pleased to come across this while traveling--American Airlines has a little snippet in American Way magazine about cool geeks: "Remember when being called a geek was an insult? Now the term geek is tres chic..." They picked PJ as one of their 5 geeks (also including Jon Stewart and Steve Jobs): "Movie Geek: Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He's hairy, he's unfashionable, and he's tech-obsessed, but his magical Rings movies made sci-fi cool for everyone."

Michael Idato visits the set of Lost, the hit drama series that starts with a bang and just gets better. In the explosive opening scenes of the American drama series Lost, a passenger jet crashes on a remote Pacific island, off-course and off-radar, leaving 48 survivors amid the smoking wreckage with little hope of rescue. hey realise they are at the mercy of the elements and an unseen menace: a "monster" roaming the nearby jungle whose precise nature has fans, and the internet, humming with theories. [More]

Roheryn writes: Here's a bit of fun from this week's TV Guide. Dom Monaghan's fictional rock band from "Lost" is taking on a life of its own! [More]

Neil writes in: "Heart of the City's Dean, our fellow LOTR geek, describes how even the ultra-cool 007 is no match for Isildur's Heir..." [More]

Tonight's episode of 'Lost' starring Dominic Monaghan is a repeat, HOWEVER it is one of the BEST episodes of the season so far! 'Raised By Another' is a hair raising episode featuring the 9 month pregnant Claire, and the mysterious circumstances that got her on that fateful flight. [Lost]

The always lovely Cate Blanchett will be on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' tonight at 11:35PM EST. This is her first talk show stint since being nominated for an Academy Award for her work in 'The Aviator'. [Tonight Show]

Work is almost complete on a retro facade to Peter Jackson's $55 million hi-tech, post-production facility Park Road Post in Miramar, Wellington. The facade, which includes chimneys and Frank Lloyd Wright-style windows, is reminiscent of a Californian ranch. The style inside reminds some visitors of a boutique hotel. Star Wars director George Lucas owns a hi-tech production facility in California on 1900 hectares. It also features a large historic-looking home. Jackson's, on a much smaller area next to the California Garden Centre, will soon be landscaped with trees and a garden around the driveway. [More]

Charlie Ross' "The One-Man Lord of the Rings," Middle-earth in a matter of minutes, packed out the Apollo Theatre at lunchtime Sunday even as treacherous snow blanketed Lakeview's actual terra firma. Ring-heads — or is it Ring-worms? — are not easily deterred. No sir. They have the sacrifices of Frodo to honor. [More]

Sam's too.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean, Michelle Monaghan and Richard Jenkins are joining Charlize Theron in a fact-based movie about sexual harrassment at a mining company. New Zealand director Niki Caro ("Whale Rider") will start shooting the untitled Warner Bros. project -- previously known as "Class Action" -- later this month in New Mexico and Minnesota. [More]

Two are Oscar nominees, and all are beauties. In its 11th annual Hollywood issue, Vanity Fair gathers 10 gorgeous female stars for a cover shoot by Annie Leibovitz. Cate Blanchett is nominated for best supporting actress for channeling Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator, and Kate Winslet has a best-actress nomination for playing kooky Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. [More]

Robert writes: I had the chance to interview John Noble. He speaks about his love for Tolkien and Shakespeare, gives interesting insights about his character in LOTR, talks about the extended versions and his favourite scene in it and reveals something about the chances we have to see The Hobbit on screen. [More]

Paul writes: I thought you may be interested in featuring this ad for a charity auction, the item being a autopgraphed Gandalf the grey statue. All funds from the sale of this item will go to KidsReach, a Christian organisation, who will use all the money given to offer grief and trauma counseling to child survivors of the Tsunami and train locals to continue counseling over an extended period. trademe.co.nz is a NZ based auction but overseas collectors are welcome if they can get their funds accross into NZD.

UPDATE: Paul writes: I noticed there was a small flaw on the statue. I told weta and they are generously replacing/fixing it. So Ive removed the auction. Until then could you remove that news notice and I will update you once they give it back to me. Thanks!

Lee Ann writes: Last night my family and I had the privilege of attending the world premiere of "Songs of Journey's End," a song cycle of nine of Tolkien's songs and poems with music composed by Christopher Palestrant and sung by mezzo-soprano Drea Pressley, with piano, viola, and oboe accompaniment. [More]

Ringer Spy caoil sends along these scans from The Vancouver Sun, take a look! [More]

Anette writes: The auction house I am working in recently received a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to a fan to sell at auction. The letter reveals the real life setting of Gondor, and tells of the problems he is facing getting the third and final book published. A full transcript as well as pictures are available from our web site. [More]