Captain Pirate Man

You are correct, I DID forget about video games. To be fair though, as popular as video games are, I would still put them well behind, even Rings of Power, as far as mass appeal is concerned. We have both the Lego Hobbit and LOTR, we still wish they had finished the promised DLC for the Hobbit... As for Rings of Power, I just gave it a second watch this past week, and it's not as bad as people make it out to be IMO. The biggest issue is, like you said, the show runners not having proper respect for the source material. I completely agree there. But having said that, I would argue that the show is still decent, and FAR better than pretty much anything Disney has done with SW. The highlights for me are Durin and Elronds relationship, seeing Mordor get created, and the crafting of the rings of power. Having said that, the show DOES have some issues, specifically how they handled Sauron and Galadriel in season 1. I'm hopeful they will do better with season 2, but I understand if most people have just out right written it off at this point. One interesting fact though... The Tolkien estate seems to prefer Rings of Power OVER what Jackson has done. They are legally NOT allowed to be connected to Jackson's films, that was a major stipulation. Having said that, they DO seem to want to be in the same continuity, even if not allowed to do it legally.

To my understanding, that is not true. I have looked into this very topic, and unless the Internet is lying to me, the estate HAS given Jacksons team the rights to the Silmarillion. Not only that, but Rings of Power was also granted access to use things from the Silmarillion in this upcoming season 2. Christopher Tolkien was VERY much against the Jackson films, for whatever reason. So he refused to give anyone rights to the Silmarillion, for any reason. But he has passed on, and has been gone for a few years now. Those that hold the rights, are not as against giving access, as Christopher was. I read a lot of people saying "They don't have access to the Silmarillion" but from what I have researched, that is no longer the case. If someone can provide some proof to the contrary, I welcome it. https://www.cultureslate.com/news/peter-jackson-will-return-to-middle-earth-to-direct-the-silmarillion

I respectfully disagree. ALL things Middle-Earth are so far and few between, and its SUCH a rich, and amazing world that Tolkien created that at this point any piece of content is better than none. This "Franchise," if you want to call it that, isn't in the same position as say Star Wars, for example. Star Wars has been mined SO MUCH for stories at this point, that its just becoming a parody of its self IMO. For Middle-Earth content, only 4 outlets REALLY exist: 1. the Books 2. The 3 old animated films 3. The Jackson Franchise 4. Rings of Power. But that's it, nothing else exists. So when I think about the upcoming films, I'm SUPER excited to go back into that world again, I can't get enough. So IMO, YES a two hour Hunt for Gollum film sounds FANTASTIC!! As far as The Hobbit films go... If you know the behind the scenes stuff, it's an amazing feat that they turned out as well as they did. Guillermo Del Toro was the original director of those films, but due to studio interference, left the project while production had already begun. So Jackson had to step in, and basically save the day. So from that perspective, I'd argue they are a pretty remarkable accomplishment. As good as the LOTR films? No, but still a REALLY solid trilogy. If Jackson had been the director from the start, it COULD have rivaled the LOTR trilogy IMO. I'd also argue that Desolation of Smaug has the BEST dragon sequence EVER seen on film, so that has to carry some weight as well. The biggest "issue" this franchise has is that Tolkien purists will always find faults with any film or show that gets released. Tolkien's work is so MASSIVE and historical in nature, that it makes them nearly impossible to turn into films as is, so some changes are required. It would almost be like trying to turn a history book into a film, you would HAVE to cherry pick certain stories, and "alter" time lines to a certain degree. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Tolkien's work, I HONESTLY believe it was the single GREATEST work of fiction of the 20th Century, in any medium. It's so great... it's almost untouchable. The Silmarillion in particular, that would be like trying to turn the entire Bible into a film. There is just so much there... Something will get missed or over looked. To bring this full circle, I LOVE this franchise, and I LOVE the Lego sets. So I want it to succeed, because I want more LOTR Lego.

Here is our LEGO Lord of the Rings MORDOR MOC!! I originally started building this MANY MANY years ago, with Orthanc in the center. But of course, Barad-Dur makes it SO MUCH BETTER!!

I'm just working with the given space that I have. Orthanc has a relatively small foot print, so I had to work it in where it can fit. I also have the shire and Rivendell next to each other, as well as Helms Deep and Erebor. So having things in there proper place (canonically), went out the window a while ago, lol. I just liked the idea of the Two Towers next to each other. We have a rather large Lego room and display tables, and tbh if I got rid of our City, we could do things more accurately. But I enjoy having a city and trains as well as LOTR, Castle, Pirates, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and more. Lego makes so many fun themes, it's fun to do more than one display. So you have to sacrifice space and "accuracy" for having multiple themes.

Thank you 😊

WIP, just started working Barad-Dur into my Black Gate/Mordor section. I previously had Orthanc in there... But it had to go. Lots of work still to do, the big battle is going to take place outside the gate, I moved the minifigs for the time being. I also plan on putting some trans colors over the lava (like in the official set). But I don't have enough of those to REALLY do it justice... For now, lol.

Here is my REVIEW for LEGO LOTR Barad-Dur. This is a NONLAN review, so ALL views are my own!! Thanks for watching!!

Episode 3!!

Episode 3!!

Thank you!! I appreciate it!! I am working on Episode 3 as we speak!!

I'm assuming you said that just for kicks, lol. If not, I'll explain how D&D works, for those that are perhaps curious. As the DM (Dungeon Master), I provide "adventure hooks." They function like NPC encounters from any number of video games. Players encounter these NPC'S, and they provide information. The players then can choose to act on that info, ignore it, or something in-between. So I have OFFICIALLY provided players with their first official Pirate adventure hook, but at the time of writing this, the players have not acted on that info yet. But what separates D&D from video games is that I won't just leave ALL of the NPC's sitting in the same spot, waiting for the players to decide to act on the info that was given. Much like the REAL WORLD, players can only act on one "adventure hook" at a time, and whichever ones they decide to ignore, will have NEGATIVE repercussions. Long story short, just because the players have chosen to ignore the Pirate adventure hook, doesn't mean that "hook" will ignore them. They just made it harder on themselves, without realizing it, lol.

Thank you sir, I REALLY appreciate it!! I was actually working on the NEXT video in this series today. We have been continuing the game behind the scenes, and now it's time to bring it to the audience!! If all goes as planned, the video will be released this Friday. I'm going to be splitting up this session into two separate videos, Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 2 the players learn about some troubles on the high seas. As the Dungeon Master, I can only guide the players, ultimately it is up to them on "what they are going to do next?" Having said that, this series has truly been a labor of love. This content is FAR more labor intensive than my "regular" content, hopefully it will continue to grow its own audience (which is my hope). But worry not, ALL of us involved with it are having a BLAST playing it. In true D&D style, the adventures almost have a mind of their own, they write themselves, as opposed to being written by me. Sure as the DM, I set the table, but how it all plays out, I don't have much control over.

In this video I move the Tower of Orthanc and make room for Barad-Dur in our massive LEGO LOTR display!! Thanks for watching!!

Good luck!!

Here is our LOTR/ The Hobbit Erebor MOC!! I've seen some AMAZING MOC's of this over the years, but this one fits in our LOTR display perfectly. I hope you enjoy it!!

I didn't mean to upset anyone, so if I did I apologize. At the end of the day, it all doesn't really matter much to me. It's just an interesting talking point, so I share my thoughts on it. Anyways... Back to LOTR.

Again everyone, this is something I FIRST HAND experience with. You might not like what I'm saying, but that doesn't make it wrong. Also I will say, yes there are PLENTY of content creators that are in LAN that make good content, and are knowledgeable, etc. I could go on and name quite a few that I have a TON of respect for, and watch their content myself. But unfortunately that's not everyone. I've watched creators go from being VERY pro fan, really engaging with their audiences, and overall being a GREAT Lego channel. Then they get into LAN and it all changes. The things that got them there are gone, they become more "corporate." Spending time with there fans used to be something they enjoyed, now it's like "I'm too important for that." Which unfortunately LAN has kinda become this badge of honor they all wear. If you are NOT in LAN, you are not one of the cool kids, essentially. It's ALL very high school, unfortunately. Which this response isn't Lego's fault, but it is a by product of it. Also, let me add that through LAN, Lego IS controlling the narrative. The LAN people get the news first, the sets first, the reviews first, etc. So it makes it VERY hard for other voices to be heard. It's not impossible, but VERY difficult. When you are making content, and you are essentially "competing" for views with people that have a push from Lego themselves, it feels... Insurmountable at times. That's the side of it that I think people in this thread don't understand. Which these feelings have helped foster the "antiLAN" sentiment. When a certain group of people have power, there will be another group that is the opposite of the group in power. It's just human nature. BTW, I am only talking about LAN members that make videos, whichever platform they choose. I understand there are LAN members from LUG groups or blogs, etc. That's a different thing all together. My FINAL point on this topic is Jang NEVER sold out and went to LAN. I have MAD respect for him for that. I wish more content creators followed his lead. But that just isn't reality. So many JUMP right to LAN.

Fair enough

I'm passionate about Lego Castle, Pirates and LOTR. So will I "gatekeep" when I see a review by a reviewer that doesn't know what they are talking about? Guilty as charged. I look at like this, I don't collect SW. So are my opinions, views or thoughts REALLY relevant in a LEGO SW review? Not really. I'll call myself out, as well as take appropriate criticism from others. So I'm just holding others to that standard. Which perhaps you don't agree with, which is fine. But that's just how I see it. I would also add that "gatekeeping" isn't a bad thing, it's necessary. Otherwise people put out false information "fake news." Plus Lego themselves are "Gatekeeping" this theme behind massive pay walls. So at VERY least we should be getting reviews from people that know the theme. Since ONLY hardcore LOTR fans are going to buy this set anyways. On a side note, many LAN members will say "my audience, I built my audience, etc." Which I agree and disagree with. Sure, they have a large following, which I'll give them that. But in regards to set review on the scale of Barad Dur, if I were given this set to review, I could post a BRAND new video on a brand new channel, and get a TON of views, because it's a hot topic. So audience size doesn't matter as much as timing, when it comes to a video like this. Early bird gets the views, period.

While I agree, that is probably a factor, I still contend it's laziness on Lego's part. I've been making Lego content since before LAN even existed. LOTR Lego channels do exist (Brotherhood Workshop) for example. But the problem with LAN is, content creators run to LEGO to join LAN, as opposed to Lego approaching content creators. That's a MAJOR difference. Lego holds all the cards this way, which works out great for them (I get it). But if LEGO were reaching out to content creators on a set by set or theme by theme, scenario things would be MUCH different. The way things currently stand, you just have a bunch of hungry content creators willing to do whatever they can to get the set (for free), and then get those views and subs. So you end up with the situation as it currently stands. But if LEGO were the ones reaching out to content creators saying "We really like the content you make for LOTR, would you be interested in this ONE TIME offer of a free Barad Dur in exchange for a review? It gives both parties more equal footing for one, plus it would allow sets to be in the hands of more appropriate content creators. Before someone jumps down my throat saying "I don't know what I'm talking about, etc." I will say this, I have had zero contact with Lego in regards to LAN. Having said that, I was in a similar situation with an Arcade manufacturer known as iiRcade. I was in their LAN equivalent. So I know how these things operate, and I was glad to be free of it (after the company went out of business). They would send me news or insider info or free game, and I was expected to drop what I was doing, and hurry up and make content on it. Which can be pretty time consuming, tbh. It didn't matter what was going on in my personal life, or if I was already in the middle of creating a video, I had to stop and make my over lord's happy. All while I was called a "shill" by the regular Joe's of the community. So NO I don't want to do that again for a free Lego set. If Lego reached out to me, yes I would listen to whatever offer they would make. But I'm not reaching out to them, that's the difference.

Well, I think I'm probably a little more qualified to speak on this topic than you are, since I AM in the mix of it all, as a YouTuber. I will tell you as a FACT that there is a LARGE section of the Lego fan base that absolutely can not stand the LAN channels. Is it the majority? IDK? But it's a large section of it, I will tell you that. I will also add, that this section of Lego fans tends to be FAR mor knowledge (from my experiences) with Lego themes, Lego building techniques, Lego history, etc than those that you can find in a LAN members audience. So I don't feel like I'm gate keeping, I'm calling it like I see it. You might not agree, and that's fine. But at the same time, I'm not just making this stuff up.

As a general rule, I don't "mind" LAN members. Will I EVER join LAN myself? No. Even though I AM a content creator, I don't like "having" to make content in order to appease anyone other than myself. Having said that, the LAN members are a joke, and the whole thing needs a MAJOR over haul. Lego needs to do a MUCH better job vetting who they are giving sets to. This is two years in a row, LOTR fans have been forced to suffer through LAN reviews by people that don't know the difference between Barad Dur, Orthanc, Moria, Erebor, etc. These reviewers are literally just getting the set because it's a big set they can get for free. Why Lego, why send a free review set to LAN members that don't know the theme? Would they send a friend's set to a SW reviewer? Or a HP to a Ninjago channel? No they wouldn't, but yet they send LOTR to people that are either uniformed about the films/books, or are unwilling (too lazy) to some proper home work on the set and theme. Surely in the Vast chasim known as YT, they can find ONE reviewer that knows the source material... It just causes MORE divide between REAL Lego LOTR fans, and the LAN community. There is already a BIG divide between REAL LEGO fans, and LAN members. REAL Lego fans don't like LAN channels, and this is NOT helping.

Orthanc is 28.5 Inches, so Barad Dur is a little taller.