Judging part one of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" prelude "The Hobbit" is a bit like reviewing a film after seeing only the first act.

It’s called “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” But with director Peter Jackson back at the helm, this 2012 blockbuster figures to be yet another epic along the lines of Jackson’s three “Lord of the Rings” takes.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Comic-Con International, the four-day pop-culture celebration that takes over the San Diego Convention Center each summer, runs Thursday to Sunday. Here's a look at some of the hottest films, TV shows and video games expected at the sold-out 43rd annual convention:

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

Movie buffs and fans of “The Lord of the Rings” films will have an opportunity to watch the first movie like never before. The Munich Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Chorale and the Phoenix Boys Choir are bringing to life the music from the film, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings” in concert live Oct. 12 at Jobing.com Arena.

Movie buffs and fans of “The Lord of the Rings” films will have an opportunity to watch the first movie like never before. The Munich Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Chorale and the Phoenix Boys Choir are bringing to life the music from the film, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings” in concert live Oct. 12 at Jobing.com Arena.

Up until recently my only knowledge of Thor was through the little girl in "Adventures in Babysitting" who idolized the character. In terms of comics, Thor never intrigued me as much as icons like Batman or Spider-Man. When I heard Thor would be getting the big screen treatment, I honestly wasn't expecting to be blown away. I'm content to declare, however, that the mighty Thor's feature film debut is nothing short of sensational, leaving me to believe that I've severely underestimated the character all these years.

Up until recently my only knowledge of Thor was through the little girl in "Adventures in Babysitting" who idolized the character. In terms of comics, Thor never intrigued me as much as icons like Batman or Spider-Man. When I heard Thor would be getting the big screen treatment, I honestly wasn't expecting to be blown away. I'm content to declare, however, that the mighty Thor's feature film debut is nothing short of sensational, leaving me to believe that I've severely underestimated the character all these years.

 'Captain Louie’

Itzhak Perlman performance

On Sunday, the internet witnessed the release of ‘The Hunt for Gollum.’ It’s not Peter Jackson or even Guillermo del Toro, but if you’re jonesing for another trip to Middle Earth, it’ll do nicely. The short movie follows events briefly mentioned in ‘Fellowship of the Ring.’ We see how the ranger Strider tracked and captured Gollum after his escape from the dungeons of Mordor.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf the Wizard in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is hoping to reprise the role in another tale from Middle Earth.

NEW YORK - Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."

We have grown taller and heavier since the 1960s, according to a new study, but compared with a newly discovered human species, we are really, really huge.

The video game industry was once an afterthought in Hollywood, at most, an ancillary source of revenue like action figures. The people passionately developing the computer-based form of entertainment were seen as dorks compared with the celebrities.

LOS ANGELES - They slew beasts, toppled tyrants and destroyed a ring of ultimate evil, becoming lords of the Academy Awards for their troubles.

LOS ANGELES - Movie audiences shelled out a king's ransom for one last trip to Middle-earth. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" raked in $73.6 million in its first weekend and put up a five-day haul of $125.1 million since debuting Wednesday, according to studio estimates Sunday.

LOS ANGELES - Call it return of the cash.

Unless they've dropped some clear hints, choosing a gift for the die-hard video gamers in the family could be overwhelming this holiday season.

Holiday traditions are supposed to last more than three measly years, but in the case of Peter Jackson’s phenomenally popular "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, a longer engagement just wasn’t under the tree.