There is a new edition of the Silmarillion out, with larger text and some really nice artwork. I flipped through it the other day, but haven't bought it yet.

Count me amoungst the geeks.

I've read it a half dozen times, and it gets better every time. I love the Ainulindale, because I have an interest in creation myths. But the whole thing is great: from the birth of the Elves, to the Noldor in Valinor, the killing of the trees of light, the exile, the battles, the kingdoms of the Elves....so much in there that a single chapter could be a whole novel or movie. Understanding the first two ages is important for understanding LOTR. (When recomending the Silmarillion to new readers, I recommend reading the part on the Third Age first, then Numenor, then back to the First Age.)

I just read that Jackson was almost forced out when he refused to condense the trilogy into just one film, the way the idiots at Miramax wanted to do it. Jackson was holding out for two films until New Line got involved and said that it should be three films.

And I am glad Jackson listened to the fans. Arwen in Helms Deep would have been a huge mistake. Aragorn fighting Sauron at the Gates? That would have been awful. It was bad enough that the Mouth of Sauron was killed.

BTW, for all things Tolkien, I go to TheOne Ring.net.

As far as the movies go; I have to give them an 8 out of ten. I had some serious problems with the added material, and with the subtracted. No one would have sat through the Scouring of the Shire, but it is one of my favorite parts of LOTR. But overall it is great to have the visuals to add to my own imagination as I read the books, which I will always prefer to the movies. From my very first reading in 1978 I had wanted to see movies made, and I am delighted that they came out as well as they did.