Yeah the movie sucks compaired to the book, the movie cuts out alot of important parts...I guess sucks is a strong word as if it did remain true to the book you would be in the theater for a week not just nine hours when the trilogy is over....
I must say while the book was a little long, it was well worth the read (well I got the book that had all three books in one, and I read the hobbit before so it was all in all a great tale)
I am debating whether or not it is worth reading the Similarian or whatever it is by him....oh well it is either that or back to Stephen king.