I haven't read any of Tolkien's books or any book before it was turned into a movie except for the Percy Jackson series and Heroes of Olympus [I only started reading after the second movie]. And the only reason why I think I can relate to most of the readers' frustrations is because I've watched the live actions of some animes [Detective Conan, Initial D, Samurai X], and a manga [Kimi ni Todoke]. 

But let me just share my take on this. I do think we should treat them as separate works. We read the same book but we interpret it differently. Because we imagine things differently. Our brain processes information differently. And I'm certain that my version is not 100% similar to that of the author's.  Remember that the author leaves 50% to our imagination. 

So what I'm trying to say is that, the movie is just one interpretation of a reader or group of readers [director plus script writers]. 

Also, directors and script writers have to fit one book in a two- or three- hour movie. I can watch a movie the whole day [did a LOTR marathon before] but I doubt others can last that long. Time is another factor to consider.

While reading Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters, I played a game of finding the scenes that were chosen for the movie. Then, I tried to understand why that scene was included instead of another, or why was the sequence altered. Aside from time, they also have to cater to a wide audience - both readers and non-readers. Tell the story as interesting as possible to non-readers without boring them with the details, add something new to the readers [or else why would they go see a movie when they can just read it], and still remain true to the storyline, to some extent, for the fans.

Try doing that.

I know we're just going to frustrate ourselves if we don't realize this and expect things that are not going to happen. Let go.

Moreover, we can't all like the same thing. Preferences.

I noticed that all people do is complain about this and that - but have they actually produced a movie? Or have they participated in their school production? I was one of the script writers for our musical Once on this Island, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and our very own Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Try compressing one novel into a one-hour play. And then sign up to be a member of the Props Committee, Lights Committee and Sounds Committee. Then multiply all the hardwork by a hundred or more. That's how much effort is put in a movie.

Some people really piss me off. 

1. They should go ask Wikipedia and find out why The Hobbit was released ten years after Lord of The Rings.

2. And while they are at it, they must stop comparing the two books. It was written by the same author and was set in Middle-Earth. That's where the similarities end [plus a few characters]. Everything else is different. One even commented that LOTR lost the lighthearted tone and quick pacing of The Hobbit. LOTR was originally named the New Hobbit because some people asked for a sequel. The Hobbit is a children's book and obviously, LOTR is not.

3. PEOPLE SHOULD ALSO STOP STEREOTYPING. The dwarves are different from Gimly just like how us Asians do not look, speak or act the same. Why do you expect the thirteen dwarves to be the exact copy of Gimly? Why do you want to see thirteen Gimlys?

4. And Legolas lives in Mirkwood. He is the elf prince, the son of Thranduil. His name was not mentioned in the book but he is in the movie. Get over it. You can't edit him out. [I like him there :p]

5. And Tauriel is a good addition. She is no damself in distress. She saved Kili three times. And unlike her kind, she won't turn a blind eye and hide in the safety of their kingdom. She is willing to go the extra mile to help others because she can. No matter how much you whine about it, you can't edit her out either.

The movie wasn't for you. Move on and stop ranting about it. You are not reviewing the movie. You are ranting. Do yourself a favor. Build a bridge and go over it.

And I'm letting go of my annoyance. LOL. This is not really what I expected after watching the vlogs of The Hobbit. It was such a huge production and my jaw is hurting at the moment. It must be awesome to be part of it. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.