I too was a bit hacked off by the changes PJ made in LoTR, although I do not regret the loss of Tom Bombadil (hey ho! I also found the slapstick element inappropriate and annoying. Nonethless, I managed to enjoy them and I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy the Hobbit too. I like the idea of exploring the goings on in Mirkwood with Gandalf and the White council - I always wondered about that, and I think its makes sense from a timeline perspective.