Just had to comment; even though we knew what was going to happen at the end of Titanic, getting there was still quite a thrill-ride.
I might as well make this comment here as anywhere: the DEFINITIVE way to watch the LOTR will be late in 2004, when all three extended-version DVDs are out. Then you'll want to go somewhere (I need a friend with a superb home theater system), get a good breakfast, and then watch the whole thing end-to-end with as few breaks as possible. Pack a lunch.
This "total immersion" approach will be amazing.
Yup. Another good thing will be for the various big Cinerama-type 70mm houses to do the same thing. Show all of the extended versions back to back with only intermissions between them as a day long event. People would pay big bucks. Make it a first class affair with catered meals, T-shirts and paraphenalia. I'd do it. They could pack the house and charge a couple hundred a seat.
It might even become a recurring event, like Wagner's Ring series. This story is essentially that: Wagner for a new generation.