[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

I think there are ways to work more of Lorien in, though you do have a point, they don't "do" much there. The very reason so much of it was cut. Actually, all we need is Sam's comment, looking up at the moon, and saying waitaminute, we were in Lorien a month? That's what Tolkien did, to great effect. The theme of a thousand years passing in the outside world while someone passed an hour in fairyland is common enough to a) add to the Lorien mystique and b) make it clear they are really rested, and perhaps a bit soft. 10 bucks says the Director's Cut has exactly that scene you describe with Gollum slipping away.<P>I'm off to see the movie and start timing what we can cut! I haven't figured out how to keep my stopwatch from beeping, but I think since it's Easter I may be able to find an unpopulated section in the back (Easter's not a holiday for my religion though I am quite partial to easter baskets). I bought a stopwatch with a pretty quiet little beep fortunately, but yes, I wanted a "beep-free" setting. <P>Will get back to you later. I'm off!