[Kat Five Knives]

I agree it is hard to choose because I like them both. I also have to agree with Tue's assessment. LOTR was developed over years of painstaking work by a distinguished linguist (Tolkien) and the depth and breadth of the stories, plots, and characters is so deep, it just could not be adquately put to the screen (although Jackson did an awesome job in whittling the stories to do them justice)
I love POTC because it is pure fun and entertainment. I have not tried the LOTR Online game and have no intention to do so as I have made so many friends here and do not wish to leave them. I also think POTCO is fun and entertaining (like the movies).