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We begin our post-500 reviews with a tribute to actor, writer, and director Rob Reiner who was murdered in December of 2025. We have already done seven of his first ten films where he acted as director, this will be number eight. In 1985, Reiner led the story of a young man named Walter "Gib" Gibson (John Cusack, in his first film role) who begins college at an east coast Ivy-League school where his usual charisma isn't quite cutting it... in the classroom or in his social life. In his English class in particular, his sense of humor isn't enough to excuse his lack of grammar and spelling. But he also meets Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), a priss who has a masterful grasp of the mechanics of writing, but creates hollow and empty stories with no heart. After Gib blows his shot with Alison, the two find themselves on the road together, headed toward California. Alison is headed out there to spend the holidays with her boyfriend Jason (Boyd Gaines), while Gib is on his way to visit his best friend Lance (Anthony Edwards) who has promised him a sure thing (played by Nicollette Sheridan, also in her first film role). The trip out, however, is not uneventful, and sparks fly between Alison and Gib over and over and over... but is there something else going on beneath it all? Also starring Tim Robbins, Lisa Jane Persky, and Viveca Lindfors!

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The third and final part of our 500th episode celebration is the culmination and conclusion to the Lord of the Rings saga: "The Return of the King!" Once more with Peter Jackson at the helm, the film begins by showing us Gollum/Smeagol's (Andy Serkis) backstory and how he came to possess the ring all those years before. The original fellowship reunites, sans Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) but with King Theoden (Berhard Hill), at Isengard after the Ents have made their feelings known. After some chicanery from Pippin, the group heads out toward the capital of Gondor, Minas Tirith. Frodo and Sam, with Gollum still in tow, are captured by soldiers from Gondor, but ultimately released to continue their journey. At this point, apart from following the hobbits and the ring, the film is all about preparing for Sauron's army to arrive at, and lay siege to, Minas Tirith. The effects are spectacular (especially for 2003), and the battle is extensive! But that's just the start of the end of this historic saga that blazed the path for more than half a century of epic fantasy stories (and the OG of tabletop role-playing games) to follow! Also starring Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, and Miranda Otto! Plus, the trio announce which two Rob Reiner films they'll be reviewing as they honor this legendary director in the next pairing!

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Part two of our three-part celebration of our 500th episode is the second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy: "The Two Towers!" Again directed by Peter Jackson, the story picks up right at the end of the previous film, showing the result of Gandalf (Ian McKellen) taking on the horrific Balrog in the depths of Moria while the rest of the Fellowship escapes back to the surface. Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) discover Gollum (Andy Serkis) pursuing them and end up making him travel with them. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) set off to rescue Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) from the orcs. Add to that a sentient tree known as Treebeard (also John Rhys-Davies), the Riders of Rohan, led by Eomer (Karl Urban), King Theoden (Bernard Hill) who is under the sway of Saruman disciple Grimma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif), the unleashing of Saruman's (Christopher Lee) orc and uruk-hai army, and the resurrection of Gandalf the Gray into Gandalf the White, and the story spins off in several directions, culminating in the sacking of Isengard!

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It's our 500th episode, and we decided to do something different! Instead of a pairing, we present our first triadic! Many of you have asked why we haven't done these three films, well, now we are. To celebrate reaching our 500th episode, it's time to look at the Lord of the Rings trilogy! First up, 2011's "The Fellowship of the Ring," directed by Peter Jackson. The film stars Ian Holme as Bilbo Baggins, whose birthday celebration brings Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) to town. Bilbo departs after his party, and leaves his home and belongings, including a mysterious ring, to his nephew Frodo (Elijah Wood). Gandalf meets with his old teacher, Saruman (Sir Christopher Lee) and is betrayed. Gandalf escapes Saruman's tower and returns to Frodo, instructing him to leave immediately. Frodo is accompanied by his friend Samwise (Sean Astin), and fellow hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd). At an Inn, they encounter Strider (Viggo Mortensen), a ranger who accompanies them toward the home of the Elves, and the next stop on their quest. Along the way they meet Arwen (Liv Tyler) who saves Frodo's life. At Rivendell, Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving) calls a council, and we meet Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), and Boromir (Sean Bean), who decide to accompany Frodo as he heads toward Mount Doom to destroy the ring. Also starring Cate Blanchett and Peter McKenzie.

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