peter jackson

Lynne Douglas stood frozen some 100 yards shy of the finish line at the Boston Marathon when the second bomb exploded, bringing the race to an abrupt and chaotic end. Like dozens of other Maryland runners, she shares a desire to create a new memory in place of the images of fallen runners, rising smoke and utter panic that gripped last year's event.

December brings holiday parties, subfreezing temperatures — and, not infrequently, the release of a new Peter Jackson movie based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Whenever this happens, a low-simmering debate among lovers of Tolkien's works bubbles to a full boil. Friday's release of the second installment in Jackson's trilogy of "The Hobbit" is no exception.

Now begins the new school year and the gang at West Friendship Elementary is ready and filled with enthusiasm. Principal Carol Hahn and Assistant Principal Ann Steger expect to welcome students on opening day which is Aug. 26. School hours are 9:05 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Documentary boosts Maryland death penalty repeal

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has split the critics, creating a gulf as vast as the one separating Bilbo Baggins and Gollum. Such criticism could be expected from a movie that kicks off a trilogy -- yet is drawn from a novel that ran all of about 330 pages.

Good morning and welcome to an extra robust Friday online trends report. So did you see that awesome Meteor Shower? No, I didn't either, but thanks to Internet our ignorance and laziness will not be punished because the photos are plentiful and popular. Thanks Internet!

It was annoying enough when Harry Potter and Twilight books were split into two movies -- a blatant attempt to squeeze more money out of feverish fans -- but now "The Hobbit" is going to be split into three movies.

In an industry that has morphed into a multi-billion dollar cultural force, organizers of the first annual Annapolis Comic Con hope to restore a more intimate vibe.

3-D technology can still boost a film's fortunes, but audiences have started to balk at high ticket prices and lackluster releases