Legend of Earthsea

If hours of hemorrhoid-inducing Lord of the Rings DVD bonus features haven't repelled you from epic fantasy flicks forever, then reach for the nearest donut ring and settle in for Legend of Earthsea. Based on Ursula K. Le Guin's first two Earthsea novels, this miniseries is an enjoyable fantasy adaptation that combines the spirit of Tolkien (minus the annoying Elijah Wood) with the magic of Harry Potter (minus the annoying voice cracks). Shawn Ashmore (X-Men) plays Ged, a reckless young wizard who travels an island-filled planet on a quest to fulfill his destiny: to save the world…oh, and hook up with Smallville hottie Kristin Kreuk. Though Earthsea's sparing display of magic and lack of epic battles hurt the action, the LOTR-influenced sweeping landscapes and meandering stories should be enough to keep you clutching your official Gandalf replica staff through the commercial breaks.