Started on Friday and it was for the first films 25th anniversary. My local cinema is small and locally owned so it does fun things like this from time to time.

Crowds were small but it was a good time.

That's nice!

Did they play the theatrical or extended versions?

Theatrical cut.

My local also had the trilogy on a month ago, the extended editions at that. They were absolutely phenomenal. I'm glad I didn't watch them at home beforehand. Incredible story, worthy of the big screen.

I thought for sure the recently dubbed Samwise the Brave would have to shove his friend to his death, especially once Frodo claimed the ring.

Wish there would have been intermissions though haha.

Wasn't the 25th anniversary like a month ago?

So that was your first time watching? And you started with a cinematic viewing of the extended editions? Amazing.

My local cinema did the same (it's in my basement)

Yeah, my local cinema is a bit behind on releases.

Yep. I managed to go in knowing relatively little. Knew a couple names, but no details of the story. Sort of considered it to be DnD: the movie.

For example, I didn't know men were part of it at all. I assumed it was elves and hobbits and wizards and that's it. I've never connected with 'one does not simply' memes over the years. I recognized Sean Bean, but never looked into what the origin was.

Funnily enough, I'd heard about Smaug, the dragon in the mountain, but I didn't know he was responsible for killing Gandalf. It surprised me when (a) he didn't speak, and (b) he got so little screen time relative to what I'd expected. It wasn't until I rewatched the films and realised no one called it a dragon nor by name that I figured out the balrog ≠ Smaug.

It definitely surprised me how good the films were, even how good they looked given their age. A great story, and despite the length, I'm sure there's been a lot cut from the books. I have a document of notes I made during a rewatch. I'm sure the books have answers to the dozens of questions I have from watching the films. Hopefully I'll have time to read them later this year.

Well you're in the right place if you want to ask questions

my local cinema shut down early yesterday mid movie