Maybe I should have clarified that over here the "show" starts at 16.45hrs, meaning 15 minutes of commercials before the actual movie starts. So it did start at 17.00hrs. Sorry about that.

Good thing I read to the last post... the theater I went to had showings every hour on the hour - I went for the 2pm showing. I wish they did advertise times like your times... the commercials at my showing lasted for almost 10 minutes, then previews. I think it was 2:22 when the movie started. But in all earnest... I still think its worth it to show up early and get a good seat, rather than fumbling in the dark finding a seat near the front on the side. The Z commercial was pretty cool, though.

I bought my ticket online - first time I had done so. It was very quick, I just gave the guy my credit card and he handed it back to me with the ticket... that was it.

As far as the movie, its definitely worth the time. I thought Gollum was an amusing little character, and well done (CGI-wise), no Jar Jar Binks here.

Anyone notice how Frodo's cape assumed the shape of a fake rock outside the gates of Mordor, protecting him and Sam? I thought that was pretty cool. The false boulder did sort of look like a rock from the set for the original Star Trek... but I guess the two warriors didnt watch much... Ahh nevermind.

I think this second installment of the trilogy was better... I didn't feel as tired after watching it as the first, but it is still a 3 hour movie (plus commercials and previews.. pushing 3 1/2). The level of action is much higher. I don't want to re-iterate too much of what has already been said, so I'll stop there.

Oh, one other thing - its been quite a long time since I read the books, and I'm not all up to what types of technology they were up to... but given the medieval aspect I thought I would have seen some hot oil being dumped from the walls of Helms Deep, and some Trebuchets would have been nice. Not a complaint... on second thought these things probably wouldn't fit, but trebuchets are still cool (hey, I'm an AOE2 guy...)

Thats enough for now!