Tag Archives: enhancements

Middle-Earth 6-Film 4K Blu-Ray Collection Is $100 For Cyber Monday

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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’s move to 4K UHD resolution is fittingly marvelous. Middle Earth’s sprawling fields, rolling hills, and scenic vistas come alive with the help of HDR and modern surround sound technology. All three films support Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound, offering an immersive viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike.

If you haven’t watched the extended cuts, you’re in for a treat. The extended trilogy adds a full two hours to the theatrical versions, which is impressive considering the theatrical trilogy already eclipsed nine hours in theaters. Specifically, *The Fellowship of the Ring*’s extended cut is 30 minutes longer, *The Two Towers* is 44 minutes longer, and *The Return of the King* is 51 minutes longer. Notably, *The Return of the King*’s extended version is one of the rare movies that surpasses four hours in length.

This release comes as a 9-disc box set, with each film’s extended cut spread across two discs, while the theatrical cuts are contained on a single disc each.

### Runtime Details (Excluding Credits)

**The Lord of the Rings Theatrical Cuts**
– The Fellowship of the Ring: 2 hours 58 minutes
– The Two Towers: 2 hours 59 minutes
– The Return of the King: 3 hours 21 minutes
**Total runtime:** 9 hours 18 minutes

**The Lord of the Rings Extended Cuts**
– The Fellowship of the Ring: 3 hours 28 minutes
– The Two Towers: 3 hours 43 minutes
– The Return of the King: 4 hours 12 minutes
**Total runtime:** 11 hours 23 minutes

At $100, the Middle-earth 6-Film Collection currently costs about the same as purchasing the combined 4K Blu-ray editions of *The Lord of the Rings* Trilogy ($49.49) and *The Hobbit* Trilogy ($50). If you’re interested in both trilogies, the Middle-earth 6-Film Collection is the better value, as it includes everything from those sets plus 1080p Blu-ray and Movies Anywhere digital editions.

It’s worth noting that audio commentaries by Peter Jackson for all six extended cuts are exclusive to the standard Blu-ray and digital editions of both *LOTR* and *The Hobbit*, so these are not included in the 4K-only trilogy sets.

### What’s Included in the Middle-earth 6-Film Collection?

– 15 4K Blu-ray discs
– 15 1080p Blu-ray discs
– Digital codes to download/stream both trilogies
– Theatrical and extended cuts for all films in all formats

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### The Hobbit Trilogy in 4K

The *Hobbit* Trilogy in 4K supports the same impressive visual and audio enhancements as *The Lord of the Rings*: Dolby Vision / HDR10 and Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound. The extended cuts add roughly an hour to the total runtime.

**The Hobbit Theatrical Editions**
– An Unexpected Journey: 2 hours 49 minutes
– The Desolation of Smaug: 2 hours 41 minutes
– The Battle of the Five Armies: 2 hours 24 minutes
**Total runtime:** 7 hours 54 minutes

**The Hobbit Extended Editions**
– An Unexpected Journey: 3 hours 2 minutes
– The Desolation of Smaug: 3 hours 6 minutes
– The Battle of the Five Armies: 2 hours 44 minutes
**Total runtime:** 8 hours 52 minutes

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Overall, the 4K releases of *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Hobbit* trilogies deliver stunning picture quality and sound, making this the definitive way to experience Middle Earth at home. Whether you opt for the individual trilogy sets or the comprehensive 6-Film Collection, fans are sure to enjoy hours of immersive storytelling in breathtaking detail.
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-the-hobbit-trilogy-4k-blu-ray-box-set-deals/1100-6529053/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f

OUTDOORS: Bois d’Arc is a bucket list visit

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**Lake Bois d’Arc: Northeast Texas’s New Fishing Hotspot**

Lake Bois d’Arc in Fannin County has been open to the public since April 2024, and it’s quickly earning a reputation among Texas anglers. This newly-constructed lake has been on my wish list ever since the gates opened. With more design enhancements during construction than even Lake Fork, Bois d’Arc sets a new standard for fishing lakes in the region.

**Unmatched Habitat Enhancements**

During construction, Lake Bois d’Arc received a host of fish-friendly upgrades. Crews installed multiple brush piles and PVC fish attractors, and acres of timber and brush were left to be inundated with water. Several brood ponds were stocked with Florida Bass, resulting in a jaw-dropping 9-pound bass being caught within the lake’s first few weeks open. Rumor has it that the current lake record is slightly over 12 pounds, though it has yet to be officially certified.

**A Paradise for Crappie and Catfish Anglers**

Bois d’Arc is rapidly becoming a hot spot for crappie anglers. A quick internet search turns up plenty of local guides posting cleaning-table photos loaded with limits of big slabs. Catfish enthusiasts will also find success—recent whisker-fish stockings have been a hit, with catches coming in fast.

**Planning Your Visit**

I’m part of a group that gets together annually to spend a weekend at the lake—fishing, cooking, eating, and, most importantly, relaxing by the fire. At our age, rolling is easier than walking thanks to arthritis and other old age maladies, but those stories just get better with time.

While we’ve visited Toledo Bend, Falcon, and Fork, none of us have ever been to Bois d’Arc. For lodging, we found the Bois d’Arc Bungalows, several Airbnb options near the lake, and motels in nearby Bonham. If you prefer RVs or camping, there are several campgrounds in the area, including Bonham State Park.

**Boating & Facilities**

Lake Bois d’Arc features three public boat ramps: one at each end of the FM 1396 bridge, and another at FM 896. All are new and well maintained, with excellent day use and picnic areas for family or friends to enjoy.

**Current Fishing Conditions**

There’s plenty of vegetation and brush in the shallows right now—the next few weeks look especially promising for shallow bass. Buzz baits, surface lures, and squarebills worked along the edges of vegetation are producing consistent bites. While there is deeper action available, the surface bite remains my go-to until colder weather moves in.

Crappie anglers are reporting fish suspended 15–20 feet deep in 20–30 feet of water around the trees. Most are using forward-facing sonar, and the results are impressive: limits caught and excellent-sized fish. One online photo even showed a cooler full of magnum bream—still unconfirmed if it’s Bois d’Arc, but if so, it’s an incredible catch.

**Ready to Explore?**

Look for pictures and a detailed trip report coming soon. Lake Bois d’Arc is roughly a two-hour drive from Longview, so make plans to check it out soon!

For guide services and more information, contact Chris Smith at cksoutdoors@aol.com.
https://news-journal.com/2025/11/07/outdoors-bois-darc-is-a-bucket-list-visit/