A sad experience

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Son of Númenor

The first time I saw it in theaters, it was the most moving cinematic experience I ever had. I was totally immersed in the mythic canvas, and found it putting me in touch with what must be an innate ancestral longing for the landscapes and cultures which inspired Tolkien's epic, as well as that intangible, transcendental feeling which Einstein aptly calls the "mystical emotion".

Beautiful description, and I wholeheartedly agree. I feel the same way when I watch The Fellowship, and I even felt it when I first saw it in theatres.

Yet, I know what you mean. The magic of PJ's films has been a bit dimmed due to my harsh critique of what he should have done, what he shouldn't have done, etc. It's been a while since I just sat down and enjoyed the movies for what they are. I do not think the movies have lost their illuminate beauty, but I understand what you are saying and I feel like to return to that beateous feeling of first encountered mysticism maybe a little break from the movies is best. I always found that if I take a break from the movies and read the books, even if I just read a few chapters- soak in the magic of the books -then that very similiar magic returns when I put on the movies, The Fellowship in specific.

Great post!