Nothing will ever trump a well told story though. Jackson's proven he can tell Tolkien's classics well. I'm pretty excited for these. I recall you have recently re-read the Hobbit, I'm guessing your excited for these as well.
The rest of the dwarf humor isn't nearly as bad, but it was Jackson own addition to the story, one that he would have been better off making.
When I went to see the Hobbit I definitely noticed a difference with it being filmed at 48fps, it seemed a lot smoother and different but not necessarily good or bad, just different to me and after the first half hour I stopped noticing it. So to me it wasn't really a big deal whatsoever.
I truly dislike 3D. Gimicky is a compliment. 48fps? ok - but make sure your theatre is equipped if not - it will just be a 24fps circus. I personally don't like the look of higher frame rates. I'll still see it (despite the 3d) because frankly, I loved the trilogy. fingers crossed that 3D doesn't ruin it... like it ruins everything else (except Avatar - which was ruined to begin with). Dwarf Tossing? It's a tie between that and the elf shield surfing.