THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG I'm still astonished that he agreed to do it, but The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien reviewed Peter Jackson's new Hobbit movie for the Mercury! I did not expect him to like this movie as much as he did!

THE ARMSTRONG LIE In news that will surprise no one, Lance Armstrong does not come off great in Alex Gibney's documentary about how and why he lied about his cheating. The structure of this thing—Gibney was one of the people Armstrong repeatedly lied to, and Gibney went back to him for answers—makes it fascinating. Plus there's all sorts of creepy shit in it, like how riders in the Tour de France SWITCH OUT THEIR BLOOD.

IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY? Michel Gondry makes the Michel Gondriest-sounding movie ever; naturally, it is about Noam Chomsky. Hey, Twee Portland! Here's a movie made just for you!

There's more, as ever—including a ton of Xmas-related movies, from Die Hard to Black Christmas—in Film Shorts. And here are your Movie Times.