The extended version is really excellent - when you buy it, it includes 4 DVDs. My 13 yr old daughter is firmly committed to becoming a film director, she's watched the DVDs a dozen or more times (scary - she can lead the dialogue for most of the movie by a few seconds) - but she also loves the director's and actor's commentaries, they are fascinating.

I think you'd like The Two Towers, Bowser, if you ever go to theaters. Saw it for the second time last weekend, it was on the IMAX screen and was wow. Gollum is amazing.

And just wait until Return of the King comes out - it will of course complete the actual 9+ hour theatrical movie, and promises to be excellent. Watch for a lot of awards.