The other friend I went with is a mid-level Tolkein geek (read the books several times but has never bothered with any of the appendices) didn't cry at all and said he didn't even kind of get misty.

Soulless freaks.

On another note - I love Arwen in the books. I didn't read the appendices until my third or fourth time reading the books and when I found the Aragorn/Arwen story there I was THRILLED. Now, I loved Eowyn in the books too - but I wanted Aragorn and Arwen to be together forevah!!1!. I think one of the saddest things Tolkein ever wrote was Arwen's death in the appendices. Breaks my heart to think of her just walking through the forest alone.

but it was at a weird point

Was it when Shelob was flailing about in her death-throes?

Can we stop whitefonting now that Aimee's seen it?

Hec, I think we're waiting through the weekend. But don't quote me on that.

Hec, he chocked up when Aragorn was walking to the elves and then Arwen looks out from behind the screen. He thought it would be Legolas. Cried like a baby he did.

Nah, Hec. It was the charge of the Rohirrim at Pelennor Fields.

Not Theoden King's speech. Not the clanging of the sword against the spear and the whole rigamarole.

But somehow, when their charging down that hill towards the orcs and the music swells and all that...well, I got a little lump in my throat is all.

Stop looking at me.

Aragorn was walking to the elves and then Arwen looks out from behind the screen. He thought it would be Legolas. Cried like a baby he did.

Did not! You cried. Ya crybaby.

Oh! If I had not read here that the Rohirrim are chanting "Death" as they attack the Fields I would not have heard it (I couldn't make it out the first time and only did the second time because I already knew.)

Dude. That is some heavy shit. It was perfect.

New Line marketing chief Russell Schwartz said young girls have, in fact, become among the "most ardent supporters" of the "Rings" series, right up there with the hardcore Tolkien freaks.

Somebody needs to show that to Caryn James.

MovieHim fails to resist the ring's desire to subvert the mission of the ringbearer and plays on his daddy approval issues to get him to misuse his power and force the ringbearer a) from his path and b) to Gondor where it will cause the destruction of the last bulwark of men in the west. Can you imagine Denethor with the ring? Faramir knows in his gut the old man isn't right in the head.

Aaaah! But don't misunderstand me, JS. I know that if he sends the Ring to MT and Denethor, the mission of the ringbearer is over and Sauron has won.

What I am saying is that the reason Film!Faramir is ultimately able to release Frodo to return to his mission is because he does not take the Ring for himself.

Very important distinction in my mind. (Which is, of course, the one with all the correct thoughts...) ;)

I managed, on second viewing, to get by with only sniffles and no actual falling tears until Theoden says, "I know your face. Eowyn." Arrrgghh.

I was really upset by how still the theatre audience was. I wanted to cheer and clap and sniffle audibly--the other viewers were apparently carved from stone, although I did see some surreptitious tear-wiping. I'm planning on seeing it again this week or early next, alone or with a friend. DH won't be ready to see it his second time until after New Year's.

t sweeps out a corner, puts up 'Souless Freaks over here' sign.

I was moved by a lot of the common cry points, but went more for the grim nods of 'Hell, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it'. Pippen's song was bloody amazing.

I kept getting pulled out of things during the battle though. I got all charged up during the speech and such, and the first charge was gold, but when the Oliphaunts took the field and Theoden said 'Meet them head on' my Warhammer brain said 'Geez, Theoden-King, as plans go that's kinda long on the testicular fortitude, short on the tactical foresight.' Suffice to say that as a general in general, I think Theoden is more than a little suspect.

My favorite effect in the film is a draw between Aragorn's Big Dead Army. and The Witch King of Angmar. That guy was fearsome and a half.

One of my biggest worries about TT was that they wouldn't manage the thin line between Badass!Gimli and ComicRelief!Gimli, and I was glad when they did such a good job of it. Here, NSM.