Journal: LOTR:ROTK

Saw ROTK this evening. Went to the Entertainment Cinemas on Miracle Mile in Lebanon, NH. The 7:30 show was sold out, bought a ticket for 8:00 and trudged across the icy parking lot to the P&C to buy some peanut M&Ms and a 1 L Sunkist to sneak into the theater (cost $3.36). Threw off the hounds by laying out $4 for a regular popcorn in the theater lobby, after waiting in line behind this chick with the most amazing cantelevered torso I've seen in a while..... Went in the theater 15 minutes before showtime to find seats over 3/4 full. Snagged one by the wall 2/3 the way down the aisle and proceeded to start snacking. The moview was really absolutely phenomenal. I've seen the first two episodes and really like them as well. I've compared these all to both the books and the animated movies I saw on tv as a kid in the 80's. These movies did far better than even my own imagination when I read the books. My only complaint is a lack of Tom Bombadil, however I can understand the lack. Old Tom always seemed to me to be out of place in the book and the animated movie, kind of an addition to satisfy the odd british need for showtunes... The characterization of Gollum more than makes up for it. Little burbling bastard ought to win an oscar for this performance. Truly tragic character. The end kind of didn't know when to end, if you know what I mean. There were two or three good false endings (I am sure there are another two that will come out on the DVD directors cut)...