There was plenty to be annoyed with in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. That makes sense because, at 169 minutes, there's plenty of The Hobbit, which plays more like a filmed bestiary of Middle-earth creatures than a movie with any kind of narrative thrust. We get to see trolls, wizards dolloped with bird shit,…

You might remember from this morning that the set of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been deemed a "death trap" for animals by four wranglers working on the project—and the outrage has subsequently been picked up by PETA. Today, Peter Jackson and the film's producers released a statement in which they roundly…

So, this is the worst! Up to 27 animals died in their farm facility during the making of The Hobbit trilogy, which the wranglers involved in the production claim was "a death trap." Although the American Humane Association says no animals were harmed during the actual filming, they acknowledge that the wranglers'…

If you're wondering why every nerd you know is bleary-eyed and unfocused today, it's probably they were up late analyzing the new trailer for the first installment of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. In the clip, we learn that Martin Freeman looks great as Bilbo, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett are back, and the…

• Today the gossip world took a break from shaming Teen Mom stars Amber and Jenelle to discuss Maci Bookout. The 19-year-old recently befriended Jersey Shore cast members, but insists she's kicked her raging beer bong addiction for good.

• Charlie Sheen was hospitalized this morning after an alleged 36-hour drug and booze bender. He reportedly had a "briefcase full of cocaine" delivered yesterday, and had to be removed from his home on a stretcher.

A British woman of Pakistani heritage was told "we're looking for light-skinned people" at an extras casting for The Hobbit, and now, according to reports, "the crew member in question has been dismissed."

Naz Humphreys stood in a line for three hours in Hamilton, New Zealand, hoping to be in the new Hobbit movie. When she finally got to the casting director, he basically told her that her skin was the wrong color.

• Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz welcomed a baby boy into the world on Thursday and named him Egypt Daoud Dean. [Reuters]