“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” January 1 2004 (2002), video. This is part two of the trilogy. It’s Frodo’s attempt to get the ring to Mordor but intercepted by men; the uprising of the trees (the Entwives), the stand of the horse people and the renewed alliance of the elves and men. Bronwen was rather bored with all the violence, but I loved the movie. It’s full, beautiful and really rather inspiring about comradeship, the willingness of people to overcome their divisions for the common good. The dwarf is great, I love the visuals, and love the plot despite the disgusting reactionary qualities of the trilogy. It is the ultimately anti-industrial, anti-modern (not post-modern) vision. The acting is fine, like I said I love the dwarf and Arrogon. This is where Gollum comes into his own. He’s amazing in the movie, wonderful schizophrenic and tortured, eminently humane and warped by the ring. Obsessive, evil and sympathetic. It is a marvelous performance (if computer enhanced in his eyes). I know the film is taking a hit for violating the novel, but it’s been 30 years since I read it, and I found this film quite winning. I really want to see the new one.