Thought a new thread was called for. Boyens has written an article for Empire.
spoilers alert
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=40463

Dime, I just got the extended edition of the first hobbit. How is it?

this one get's the oscar, mark my words

I still have to finish Return of the King.

It's hard to carve out time for a 3 1/2 hour movie, eh Harry?

I'm gonna get a little Big Bang theory and say the extra 11 mins or whatever it is, actually does add a lot! Especially Elrond and Gandalfs conversation.
I've only watched it twice, not recently but I do remember enjoying it more than the theatrical version.

The extras & behind the scenes/making of docos as always, are really enjoyable but my only quibble, and it probably doesn't apply to you but dont watch the commentary. It made my blood boil. But you might get more out of it.

The DOS DVD is out April 8th I think. Looking forward to watching that commentary

Naw, I just found it difficult to get invested in Sean Astin.

I shouldn't say that. I'm sure he's a decent guy.

There is a fascinating book titled The Last Ringbearer, written by the Russian author Kirill Eskov and published in 1999, which offers an alternative perspective of the story in the Lord of the Rings. The main idea is that the original account of the War of the Ring was “written by the victors” and that Mordor was in fact a rather peaceful country.

Instead of recapping the story here, I encourage you to read it. The book has been made available in English translation for free, with blessings from the author, and you can download it here.
http://ymarkov.livejournal.com/280578.html

the behind the scenes stuff in the extended edition is wonderful. There is so much love and joy that went into these movies. It makes me appreciate everything a lot more.

Yeah the really all seem to have had a really great time making these, both cast and crew.
Freeman sort of seems like he'd rather be anywhere else in some parts but Maybe that's just his dry humour.

Stip, (lookit that! My phone now autocorrects to your name!)
My huge quibble with these was the lack of all the different commentaries! Probably impossible to do a cast one given the number of dwarves but on the LOTR commentaries they just recorded the cast in small groups separately and edited together in relevant parts.
Real shame the production art design etc aren't on the commentaries.

you know, I've never actually heard any of the commentaries. I've always felt that if i was gonna sit down and watch the movie I want the actual movie. are they good?

The cast commetary on all three LOTR are pure fucking gold. Hysterical and informative of the experience and all the intricacies of each of their input.
Same wit the production commentaries.

The hobbit just has Jackson and boyens and that's all. And all they do is make excuses for all the changes.
A huge missed opportunity.

So they might be changin the title of this to 'into the fire'

that's kind of lame. this was the one title they should have kept

Also have they just not dealt with 'the fire?'

This suggests to me that Smaug is somehow going to be dragged out a lot possibly to the end of this film.

well this will definitely be the first bad decision anybody has made in the development of this acclaimed hobbit movie series sarcasm ends here.

that would be fine with me (in theory)

You really, really don't.

That bit towards the end where they all bow down to the Hobbits is one of my top 3 moments in that whole trilogy.

It's a long ending, but it's like an 11 hour stretch of movies. At that point it might as well cross every T.

Stip, if he can't hurt a dwarf who is literally standing on his lip, I have difficulty seeing how they can reestablish him as a threat for the town. Another of the strange decisions in this film.
He does destroy a large part of laketown in the book but that damage happens when he's been shot down more than any flaming he does I think.


I also loved that scene with the hobbits at minas tirith. It doffs its cap to the idea that the hobbits are known by all to have saved the world, yet this is unknown in their own land and they're still just hobbits upon their return, shown via the dismissive snort gaffer gamgee gives them as they ride by in all their finery.

The scouring of the shire was one omission I was ok with Jackson making.
There ate things in ROTK that could have been shortened or omitted to make room for it but after the big wedding and celebration in Minas tirith it would be hard for SOS to not be anti climactic plus it would also take another hour to show.