FoxTrot Classics by Bill Amend for June 21, 2022

LOTR is not Star Wars.

Diehard fans

God this makes me feel old because I remember seeing Fellowship in the cinema.

I remember thinking, how can they cram LOTR into 3, three-hour movies? and then thinking How can they stretch the Hobbit beyond one three-hour movie?

I was right in both cases.

I liked the movies, but I like the books better. I normally do.

They knew there was no line. They’re just here to torment Jason’s brother.

Still waiting for the Foundation trilogy movies

I remember my girlfriend and I almost ODing on Burger King combos to get us and our moms a complete Lord Of The Rings goblets. A lot of Burger Kings had trouble keeping them in stocks, so we had to bounce around to different Burger Kings.

Though I didn’t camp out for Fellowship or Two Towers, a group of Ringers and I camped out for Triple Night — when the extended versions of the first two films were shown in the afternoon and evening, and then the premiere of Return of the King at midnight. We also brought canned and boxed food for the children’s shelter. New Line provided a swag bag for each of us.

This certainly brings back fond memories. My wife and I went to see Fellowship during the middle of the day, and couldn’t stop smiling, and saying “Wasn’t that great?” to each other. Considering how awful earlier attempts had been, it was wonderful to see someone do a good job. I still read the books, and love them, but the movies have enhanced my appreciation for the story.