Have you been dreaming of the chance to watch all three legs of THE HOBBIT Trilogy in Extended Edition form over several nights at a nearby theater? Of course not. No one has. But that doesn't seem to matter to Warner Bros., as they're going to give such an experience to the masses anyway.
Come October – the 5th, 7th and 13th, to be precise – you'll be able to see AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG and THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (the R-rated version) in a series of one-night-only special events, complete with all the extra footage not included in the theatrical cuts and with special greetings from director Peter Jackson.
I would think this would have been better served in one long marathon, because when you're already there, your chances of doubting the choice to sit through 29 more hours of HOBBIT after the first film is done are less than if you have to keep coming back night after night, but apparently Fathom Events believes otherwise.
This truly is for the hardcore of the hardcore Tolkienites, and more power to them if they've got the will to make it through the entire trilogy. I know I don't have the stomach for it, but that's the beauty of fandom. Those who really love something are willing to do crazy things, and I think this would qualify. Good luck to all those brave souls who set out on this adventure. You may not have my companionship on this insane endeavor, but you do have my respect.
For those of you compelled to sit through the torture of some or all of the trilogy, tickets are now available, so have at 'em.
But remember…