[HCIsland]

I think the appeal of LoTR is far broader than the Matrix. While I'm sure younger movie fans may be divided between these two films (maybe even leaning to the Matrix) folks my age (40ish) tend to be far more interested in LoTR than the Matrix, if they are in to fantasy films at all. In fact, with a few notable exceptions, among my friends the Matrix isn't even registering. <P>Personally, I don't much pay attention to box office hype. Very rarely are my favourite movies of the year the same ones that top the box office, LotR being the notable exceptions. For me movies are a very personal experience, the theatre could be empty for all I care (though I doubt film makers quite feel that way).<P>H.C.