Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
NN REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
Pffftttttttttt!!! Still a massive bowel movement. 3D is fine, doesn't improve or take away from the experience. That's my review.
Friday, January 20, 2012
YOUTUBE: I'm now contemplating buying a Volkswagon.
Not really, but after seeing yet another incredible Star Wars themed commercial from the folks at VW I'm honestly starting to consider considering them when I purchase my next vehicle. The most recent entry which, I believe will air during the Super Bowl, has a host of dogs barking a familiar theme. I didn't recognize it for the first few seconds but then it clicks. Pure brilliance. So check it out!
Monday, January 9, 2012
TELEVISION: Is a new Star Wars show coming to TV?
No, not anytime soon at least. For as long as I can remember there have been murmurs of a live action Star Wars television show in the works. Today Collider has posted an article talking about where the show currently stands. The show is currently titled Star Wars: Underworld and it apparently tells a story that is somewhat similar to a Godfather type set in the Star Wars universe. As expected, the biggest hurdle for the show's production right now is money; not just a matter of having money to fund the thing, but the fact that television ratings are so fickle makes the show a huge risk. The series would take place in the twenty year period that between episodes III and IV and the stories focus on the criminal underworld at the time. Apparently there are a full 50 scripted episodes ready to be made but the problem is that making each episode for less than $5 million is impossible due to the special effects needed for each one.
Now here's my gripe with all of these issues. First of all, if the movies have taught McCallum (the producer of the prequels and the would be show) anything it should be that people will watch the show, even if it's a steaming pile of s**t. In fact, all of us fanboys are waiting to see the prequels ONCE MORE in theaters simply because they're coming out in 3D. Why are we doing this? I have no idea because I hate the prequels and I don't care too much for 3D, but I feel that I am obligated to take part in anything major bearing the Star Wars logo so of course I'll be there.
Second, if they realize that special effects aren't needed to make the episodes great, they could probably cut the cost of each episode significantly. Look at incredible shows like Firefly. Joss Whedon understood that we care more about the characters and the story that's being told than we do about special effects. That's why he focused on making set pieces and limiting the special effects to a minimum and it worked! Now yes Firefly quickly got cancelled for lack of viewership but that's because no one knew what the heck it was! Everyone knows what Star Wars is! I think the success of The Clone Wars television show and the newly found success of Star Wars: The Old Republic has proved that there is still plenty of interest in the Star Wars universe! So will the show ever be a reality??? Only time will tell.
Now here's my gripe with all of these issues. First of all, if the movies have taught McCallum (the producer of the prequels and the would be show) anything it should be that people will watch the show, even if it's a steaming pile of s**t. In fact, all of us fanboys are waiting to see the prequels ONCE MORE in theaters simply because they're coming out in 3D. Why are we doing this? I have no idea because I hate the prequels and I don't care too much for 3D, but I feel that I am obligated to take part in anything major bearing the Star Wars logo so of course I'll be there.
Second, if they realize that special effects aren't needed to make the episodes great, they could probably cut the cost of each episode significantly. Look at incredible shows like Firefly. Joss Whedon understood that we care more about the characters and the story that's being told than we do about special effects. That's why he focused on making set pieces and limiting the special effects to a minimum and it worked! Now yes Firefly quickly got cancelled for lack of viewership but that's because no one knew what the heck it was! Everyone knows what Star Wars is! I think the success of The Clone Wars television show and the newly found success of Star Wars: The Old Republic has proved that there is still plenty of interest in the Star Wars universe! So will the show ever be a reality??? Only time will tell.
Here's a video of the interview with McCallum and the full story is on Collider HERE!
Friday, December 30, 2011
VIDEO GAMES: Well that was quick!
If you're anything like me or the millions of other Star Wars nerds out there, you've been getting lost in the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic over the last week or so. Well I'm still only at level 25 and am taking my sweet time leveling up to 50. The amount of content is more than enough to keep me satisfied for months and months but Bioware is already talking about releasing their first content patch next month! That's right, according to their official SWTOR website, Bioware announced that they are shooting to release the patch in January and it will feature a new flashpoint as well as an expanded operation. It sounds like the new flashpoint will send players on a journey to stop a plague from spreading that could be seriously bad news for everyone in the galaxy. They also said the expanded operation will take the current Karagga palace scenario and "more than triple it in size" with three new boss monsters. I'm on vacation up in Oregon until the third so unfortunately I'm on a hiatus from SWTOR but rest assured, I'm hitting it hard for the rest of January once I get home.
Check out the last boss they're throwing into the expanded operation. Yea, that's gunna be fun!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
NN REVIEW: Star Wars: The Old Republic (First Impressions)
Do you remember the first time you ever watched a Star Wars movie? I do. I was about 6 or 7 years old and I watched A New Hope with my parents in our living room. They gave me a toy Millennium Falcon to play with before the movie started and I was flying it around backwards because I thought the big blue part was the front. Then the movie began and I remember being completely awestruck from beginning to end. Never before had I so badly wanted to live in a fantasy world. The idea of flying my own ship, traveling from planet to planet, wielding a lightsaber or blaster and saving the galaxy became something that would forever be one of my dearest fantasies. Well, with Star Wars: The Old Republic, Bioware has fashioned an experience that honors the things that make Star Wars great and offers the most in depth, realistic Star Wars experience we have ever seen.
I stepped out of my space cruiser and ventured onto the remote, swampish planet of Hutta. Rarecandy, a cyborg bounty hunter who somewhat resembled Anakin had been born and I was ready to wreak havoc on anyone who got in my way of attaining credits. The main storyline quickly unfolded before me as I fought to gain the sponsorship of the local Hutt for something called The Great Hunt. A tournament where a bounty hunter could earn eternal glory and riches by being both the hunter and the hunted. Immediately the revelation that SWTOR is completely voice acted sank in and the gravity of that statement took hold. I have played WoW for about six years and the idea that a game even close to that size could feature voice acting not just for the main story line, but for each and every side quest is something that I still cannot fathom. Also, it's not cheaply done! Sometimes in Skyrim the voice acting would be somewhat cheesy or clearly the same voice as another character, but the range of behaviors, voices and emotions from the people in SWTOR is almost too much to comprehend.
One of my first quests sent me to fetch a woman's son from her husband who had kidnapped the boy. All this loving mother wanted was for her son to be shipped off to the Sith academy so he could be trained in the dark side of the force. She had credits to offer, so I asked no questions. Upon tracking down the husband and son I discovered that the father had in fact been to the Sith academy as a youth and was lucky enough to escape. In an attempt to free his son from the torture and probable death that the academy entailed, he begged me to allow them to escape the planet and lie to his wife that I had convinced him to send his son to the academy. As his lifeless body fell to the ground, I told his son to run home to mommy where he would be shipped off to become a Sith. Then I felt something that very few games, much less an MMO have ever caused me to feel...confliction and remorse. But it was too late for Rarecandy, I decided at that moment I would do whatever earned me the most credits and whatever sent me down the dark side. Now my character is level 25 and as he delves deeper into the darkness, his face begins to show signs of shadows and black veins creeping in from beneath. I am becoming evil to the core.
Upon completing the first planet I had reached level 10 and I chose between being a Mercenary who could focus on either dealing damage or healing or being a Powertech who focused on dealing damage or tanking. I chose the side of Mercenary and was presented with three talent trees to choose from while leveling up. The system is straight forward and easy to understand so it's simple to build your character to play the way you desire. There are 4 classes to choose from (Jedi Knight/Sith Warrior, Jedi Consular/Sith Inquisitor, Trooper/Bounty Hunter or Smuggler/Imperial Agent) and each class offers two, more specific designations to choose from at level 10 which results in basically 8 different classes to play. Obviously the Sith and Jedi are the most popular but there are still a respectable amount of Bounty Hunters, Smugglers, Imperial Agents and such running around. Each class offers a unique type of gameplay and everyone should have no trouble finding a class and specification that fits their play style.
Then there are the planets. Each a respectable size offering a good amount of quests and people to interact with and each with a unique, intriguing environment to truly make you feel like you're on a different planet. You can use your own private ship (which acts as a place to rest, do space missions and even store items) to travel from destination to destination and this is one of the things that makes it feel the most like you are in the world of Star Wars. When you choose a planet to visit you access your ship's holographic map to select a new destination. Upon making your selection, you look out of the cockpit window as you turn away from the planet you are leaving and blast into hyperspace towards the next location. As you come out of your blue tunnel of awesomeness, the next planet materializes in front of you and it really feels like you've experienced what travel in the world of Star Wars would be like. It's the little things like this that Bioware didn't need to put in the game but they make you stop and marvel at the depth and realization that this world offers.
This is starting to get pretty long so I'll wrap it up. Like I said earlier I'm only level 25 so I have a long way to go before I've even experienced a majority of what the game has to offer. Leveling does take a while and it seems like getting to level 50 will eventually take some patience and we may tire of listening to dialogue for each and every quest. I've yet to try the PvP but from what I've heard it's pretty fun but still lacking in player participation from the Republic side at times. Some of the servers are full and at times you may experience a wait time before you can log on but expect this to go away as more servers are created and current servers' maximum capacities are raised.
I can't stress enough to you how great SWTOR truly is. It's the Star Wars game that we have wanted for so long and it finally feels like we may have a lasting environment that we can be swept into for years. The implications of how the game can be expanded are encouraging and the fact that a majority of player complaints are all issues that can be easily fixed in the future is something I think Bioware should be extremely proud of. So if you haven't already, get out there and start your adventure in one of the greatest video games we've had in a long, long time.
I stepped out of my space cruiser and ventured onto the remote, swampish planet of Hutta. Rarecandy, a cyborg bounty hunter who somewhat resembled Anakin had been born and I was ready to wreak havoc on anyone who got in my way of attaining credits. The main storyline quickly unfolded before me as I fought to gain the sponsorship of the local Hutt for something called The Great Hunt. A tournament where a bounty hunter could earn eternal glory and riches by being both the hunter and the hunted. Immediately the revelation that SWTOR is completely voice acted sank in and the gravity of that statement took hold. I have played WoW for about six years and the idea that a game even close to that size could feature voice acting not just for the main story line, but for each and every side quest is something that I still cannot fathom. Also, it's not cheaply done! Sometimes in Skyrim the voice acting would be somewhat cheesy or clearly the same voice as another character, but the range of behaviors, voices and emotions from the people in SWTOR is almost too much to comprehend.
One of my first quests sent me to fetch a woman's son from her husband who had kidnapped the boy. All this loving mother wanted was for her son to be shipped off to the Sith academy so he could be trained in the dark side of the force. She had credits to offer, so I asked no questions. Upon tracking down the husband and son I discovered that the father had in fact been to the Sith academy as a youth and was lucky enough to escape. In an attempt to free his son from the torture and probable death that the academy entailed, he begged me to allow them to escape the planet and lie to his wife that I had convinced him to send his son to the academy. As his lifeless body fell to the ground, I told his son to run home to mommy where he would be shipped off to become a Sith. Then I felt something that very few games, much less an MMO have ever caused me to feel...confliction and remorse. But it was too late for Rarecandy, I decided at that moment I would do whatever earned me the most credits and whatever sent me down the dark side. Now my character is level 25 and as he delves deeper into the darkness, his face begins to show signs of shadows and black veins creeping in from beneath. I am becoming evil to the core.
Upon completing the first planet I had reached level 10 and I chose between being a Mercenary who could focus on either dealing damage or healing or being a Powertech who focused on dealing damage or tanking. I chose the side of Mercenary and was presented with three talent trees to choose from while leveling up. The system is straight forward and easy to understand so it's simple to build your character to play the way you desire. There are 4 classes to choose from (Jedi Knight/Sith Warrior, Jedi Consular/Sith Inquisitor, Trooper/Bounty Hunter or Smuggler/Imperial Agent) and each class offers two, more specific designations to choose from at level 10 which results in basically 8 different classes to play. Obviously the Sith and Jedi are the most popular but there are still a respectable amount of Bounty Hunters, Smugglers, Imperial Agents and such running around. Each class offers a unique type of gameplay and everyone should have no trouble finding a class and specification that fits their play style.
Then there are the planets. Each a respectable size offering a good amount of quests and people to interact with and each with a unique, intriguing environment to truly make you feel like you're on a different planet. You can use your own private ship (which acts as a place to rest, do space missions and even store items) to travel from destination to destination and this is one of the things that makes it feel the most like you are in the world of Star Wars. When you choose a planet to visit you access your ship's holographic map to select a new destination. Upon making your selection, you look out of the cockpit window as you turn away from the planet you are leaving and blast into hyperspace towards the next location. As you come out of your blue tunnel of awesomeness, the next planet materializes in front of you and it really feels like you've experienced what travel in the world of Star Wars would be like. It's the little things like this that Bioware didn't need to put in the game but they make you stop and marvel at the depth and realization that this world offers.
This is starting to get pretty long so I'll wrap it up. Like I said earlier I'm only level 25 so I have a long way to go before I've even experienced a majority of what the game has to offer. Leveling does take a while and it seems like getting to level 50 will eventually take some patience and we may tire of listening to dialogue for each and every quest. I've yet to try the PvP but from what I've heard it's pretty fun but still lacking in player participation from the Republic side at times. Some of the servers are full and at times you may experience a wait time before you can log on but expect this to go away as more servers are created and current servers' maximum capacities are raised.
I can't stress enough to you how great SWTOR truly is. It's the Star Wars game that we have wanted for so long and it finally feels like we may have a lasting environment that we can be swept into for years. The implications of how the game can be expanded are encouraging and the fact that a majority of player complaints are all issues that can be easily fixed in the future is something I think Bioware should be extremely proud of. So if you haven't already, get out there and start your adventure in one of the greatest video games we've had in a long, long time.
MY EARLY SCORE: 9.5/10
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
YOUTUBE: One of the most epic mash-ups ever.
Dear Lord this is absolutely incredible. Someone has made a video that combines Vader's final moments from Return of the Jedi, clips from The Clone Wars TV show, music from Inception and Charlie Chaplin's final speech from The Great Dictator. Seriously this is so epicly nerdy and awesome that I can't stop watching it. Check it out if you like any of those things listed above.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
MOVIES: Ugh
Whelp I finally found a good version of the first official trailer for The Phantom Menace in 3D. I'm kind of hoping that seeing this movie at midnight will mean that me and a ton of other nerds will be booing the movie together. You know, like throwing stuff at the screen when Jar-Jar Binks opens his fat mouth. Or laughing every time Jake Lloyd speaks. Stuff like that would make it so much more of an enjoyable experience. I mean I know I'm going to see the thing anyways; it might as well be to hate the movie with others who share a common hatred.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
VIDEO GAMES: Ready your wallets and clear your schedule!
Well Battlefield 3 has hit stores nationwide and for the most part it's blowing peoples' minds. Although there has been some server problems and minor glitches with the game (this is why you don't rush release dates) the feedback from those who have been playing BF3 has been nothing but positive. So there you have it! There's nothing else to look forward to this year...oh wait. Actually there's so much to look forward to before this year finishes that it literally keeps me up at night. Like seriously, there are so many games coming out within the next couple months that are going to be incredible.
Here's my list of what I think are the most notable games hitting shelves before the end of 2011!
November 1st:
Title: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Platform: PS3
For any of you PS3 owners out there this is going to be an absolute must buy. The Uncharted series has been what I believe to be the posterboy series for PS3 exclusives and I'd be lying if I said I was never close to running to Gamestop to buy a PS3 almost only to play Uncharted. The absolutely rave reviews for all three games have always intrigued me and it seems that almost everyone who has played the games is in love with Nathan Drake. This one is less than a week away so get ready PS3 owners!
November 1st:
Title: Sonic Generations
Platforms: 360, PS3, 3DS (December 8)
Remember when Sonic was an awesome game? Well I barely do because I was like 6 years old when I played it on the Sega Genesis. Apparently Sonic Generations brings the beloved hedgehog back to his glory days with an impeccable combination of side scrolling and 3D gameplay. I personally can't wait to play Generations on my 3DS but I'm not sure if I'll be purchasing it as soon as it hits shelves; this may be a Christmas title for me.
November 8th:
Title: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC, Wii
Do I really need to say anything? I'll see all you guys at Gamestop on the 8th!
November 11th:
Title: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC
I am about 99% positive that this will be my game of the year. With the promise for breathtaking landscapes, and a completely immersive world I literally cannot wait for Skyrim to come out. I have spent recent nights struggling to fall asleep as I battle with myself over what kind of character I will play in Skyrim. Will I be a lightning chucking mage, a warrior with proficiencies (not sure if that's a word) in sword and shield or two handed weapons or something else entirely? Once Skyrim hits shelves it is likely that I won't play anything else for quite a long time.
November 13th:
Title: Super Mario 3D Land
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS is finally starting to heat up. With Sonic Generations and Super Mario 3D Land both hitting within the next couple weeks and Mario Kart 7 just around the corner I am finally getting excited to play the thing consistently. Mario 3D Land promises to be a gorgeous Mario game that combines everything we love about past Mario games into one awesome experience. I mean come on, you get to use the Tanooki suit while experiencing game play like Mario Galaxy! I for one am pumped!
November 15th:
Title: Assassins Creed: Revelations
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC (on 12/29)
Now I've never gotten into the AC games so I'm not even sure which game in the series this is but I know a ton of people are excited for it. Unfortunately that's about all the information I know. So yea, if you're into being a hooded badass who roams the streets killing bad people in awesome ways then you might want to check this one out!
November 15th:
Title: Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary
Platforms: 360
It was a decade ago when the first Halo graced Xbox systems everywhere and introduced us to what is no doubt the most popular and successful Xbox exclusive title out there. It started a series that has produced almost no weak games and has consumed hours upon hours of our lives experiencing awesome multiplayer. This anniversary edition brings back everything we loved about the first game but brings the graphics up to date offering an experience much like the one the developers imagined but couldn't give us with their current technology. I'm expecting this game to sell very well.
November 18th:
Title: Minecraft
Platforms: PC (for now)
What?? I thought Minecraft was already out? Haven't people been playing it addictively for months creating incredible worlds and such? Well yes, but believe it or not Minecraft is still in beta! Personally I have put quite a few hours into my little world and I'm excited for the game to finally actually be released in all its glory so hopefully more people can experience its awesomeness.
December 4th:
Title: Mario Kart 7
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
How could you not love Mario Kart? I mean honestly every Mario Kart game in the series has been completely awesome. Whether or not they tread new ground is irrelevant to me since the game is always so damn fun anyways. But it does look like 7 does tread some new ground with underwater portions of tracks as well as extremely customizable karts! This is one I'll definitely be getting on release date as I'm sure it's going to be completely absorbing on the 3DS!
December 20th:
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Platforms: PC
Could this mark the end of World of Warcraft? A Massively Multiplayer Online experience set in the world of Star Wars? Where you can be a Sith, Jedi, bounty hunter, pilot, etc. and follow your own unique story line in a galaxy far, far away! This is perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the year and to be honest I think the expectations are getting a little high. The concept of the game is brilliant and intriguing but I can't help but feel that EA may be rushing its release like they just did with BF3 which translates into a lot of problems in the first month which is when most people will decide whether or not they'll play the game. I'll be checking it out for sure but I'm not sure where I'll end up with ToR.
Here's my list of what I think are the most notable games hitting shelves before the end of 2011!
November 1st:
Title: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Platform: PS3
For any of you PS3 owners out there this is going to be an absolute must buy. The Uncharted series has been what I believe to be the posterboy series for PS3 exclusives and I'd be lying if I said I was never close to running to Gamestop to buy a PS3 almost only to play Uncharted. The absolutely rave reviews for all three games have always intrigued me and it seems that almost everyone who has played the games is in love with Nathan Drake. This one is less than a week away so get ready PS3 owners!
November 1st:
Title: Sonic Generations
Platforms: 360, PS3, 3DS (December 8)
Remember when Sonic was an awesome game? Well I barely do because I was like 6 years old when I played it on the Sega Genesis. Apparently Sonic Generations brings the beloved hedgehog back to his glory days with an impeccable combination of side scrolling and 3D gameplay. I personally can't wait to play Generations on my 3DS but I'm not sure if I'll be purchasing it as soon as it hits shelves; this may be a Christmas title for me.
November 8th:
Title: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC, Wii
Do I really need to say anything? I'll see all you guys at Gamestop on the 8th!
November 11th:
Title: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC
I am about 99% positive that this will be my game of the year. With the promise for breathtaking landscapes, and a completely immersive world I literally cannot wait for Skyrim to come out. I have spent recent nights struggling to fall asleep as I battle with myself over what kind of character I will play in Skyrim. Will I be a lightning chucking mage, a warrior with proficiencies (not sure if that's a word) in sword and shield or two handed weapons or something else entirely? Once Skyrim hits shelves it is likely that I won't play anything else for quite a long time.
November 13th:
Title: Super Mario 3D Land
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS is finally starting to heat up. With Sonic Generations and Super Mario 3D Land both hitting within the next couple weeks and Mario Kart 7 just around the corner I am finally getting excited to play the thing consistently. Mario 3D Land promises to be a gorgeous Mario game that combines everything we love about past Mario games into one awesome experience. I mean come on, you get to use the Tanooki suit while experiencing game play like Mario Galaxy! I for one am pumped!
November 15th:
Title: Assassins Creed: Revelations
Platforms: 360, PS3, PC (on 12/29)
Now I've never gotten into the AC games so I'm not even sure which game in the series this is but I know a ton of people are excited for it. Unfortunately that's about all the information I know. So yea, if you're into being a hooded badass who roams the streets killing bad people in awesome ways then you might want to check this one out!
November 15th:
Title: Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary
Platforms: 360
It was a decade ago when the first Halo graced Xbox systems everywhere and introduced us to what is no doubt the most popular and successful Xbox exclusive title out there. It started a series that has produced almost no weak games and has consumed hours upon hours of our lives experiencing awesome multiplayer. This anniversary edition brings back everything we loved about the first game but brings the graphics up to date offering an experience much like the one the developers imagined but couldn't give us with their current technology. I'm expecting this game to sell very well.
November 18th:
Title: Minecraft
Platforms: PC (for now)
What?? I thought Minecraft was already out? Haven't people been playing it addictively for months creating incredible worlds and such? Well yes, but believe it or not Minecraft is still in beta! Personally I have put quite a few hours into my little world and I'm excited for the game to finally actually be released in all its glory so hopefully more people can experience its awesomeness.
December 4th:
Title: Mario Kart 7
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
How could you not love Mario Kart? I mean honestly every Mario Kart game in the series has been completely awesome. Whether or not they tread new ground is irrelevant to me since the game is always so damn fun anyways. But it does look like 7 does tread some new ground with underwater portions of tracks as well as extremely customizable karts! This is one I'll definitely be getting on release date as I'm sure it's going to be completely absorbing on the 3DS!
December 20th:
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Platforms: PC
Could this mark the end of World of Warcraft? A Massively Multiplayer Online experience set in the world of Star Wars? Where you can be a Sith, Jedi, bounty hunter, pilot, etc. and follow your own unique story line in a galaxy far, far away! This is perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the year and to be honest I think the expectations are getting a little high. The concept of the game is brilliant and intriguing but I can't help but feel that EA may be rushing its release like they just did with BF3 which translates into a lot of problems in the first month which is when most people will decide whether or not they'll play the game. I'll be checking it out for sure but I'm not sure where I'll end up with ToR.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
MOVIES: No...I am your father.
Perhaps the single most recognizable line in movie history. This scene is so pivotal in the Star Wars trilogy that for most of us, the memory of first hearing Vader's great secret is etched into our memories. The pure shock that Vader could actually be Luke's father and the way that that one line instantaneously changed the dynamic of their relationship. A new level of confliction Luke would feel as he struggled to either do what he knew was right or give into his father's temptation of ruling the galaxy as father and son. I wish my initial reaction was caught on tape because I'm sure it was priceless. Much like the boy's in this video. I'll probably do the same thing with my kids someday because hopefully they have a reaction similar to the one in this video. Just such an epic moment in this boy's life, awesome to see.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
NN ORIGINAL: My top 5 movies of all time!
This is impossible. If you're anything like me, you freaking love movies. The act of picking a definitive 5 that I define as my favorite movies of all time is absolutely ridiculous. Much like "My top 5 games of all time" list this one changes almost day by day. I also don't put movies on this list that have recently been released. The movies that I consider my top 5 favorite of all time I have visited time and time again and even after countless views I still love them. Regardless, here are my top 5 favorite movies right this minute!
5. The Dark Knight
Despite the recent video that showed some continuity issues in some of The Dark Knight's sequences I don't freaking care. This movie is everything that we want in a comic book movie. Batman has always been my favorite super hero for several reasons. The first being that he doesn't actually have any powers. Bruce Wayne is a self-made superhero and that, to me, is awesome. But he is also conflicted as perhaps one of the darkest heroes we have ever met. He constantly struggles with the complexity of Batman and what that symbol must represent to the city of Gotham. He sacrifices his personal life and relationships to save this city that shows him nothing but disgrace in return. The Dark Knight captures this essence of Batman perfectly. Heath Ledger's turn as The Joker is one of the most memorable performances in the history of Hollywood and rightfully so. Every single person who has seen the movie remembers how they felt when he smashed the guy's face into the pencil, or the disturbing irony of seeing him applaud commissioner Gordon from his prison cell. He represented such an incredible foe for Batman who attacked from the inside. Forcing Batman to break his own rules and finding a way to corrupt the great Harvey Dent. The ominous tones set by Hans Zimmer's score set The Dark Knight in motion and its brilliant pacing and character development send us ever deeper into Christopher Nolan's Gotham City. Needless to say I can't wait for The Dark Knight Rises.
4. Little Miss Sunshine
Most of my favorite movies of all time are fantasy or sci-fi or something that doesn't represent real life at all. I generally enjoy the movies that let me escape from responsibility and serious thoughts. That being said, the story of a dysfunctional family traveling to California in a VW van is such an incredible portrayal of real problems that it's hard to not see ourselves somewhere in the story. The dinner scene towards the beginning of the film is so beautifully real and relatable that we realize this family is dealing with some of the same problems we all face at times. Money issues, marriage problems, a girl starting to be influenced by outer beauty, a boy who feels shut out from the world, a gay man and a grandfather who has seen so much in his lifetime that his perspective on life is to do whatever makes him happy. I've always loved how the movie is paced and the beauty pageant at the climax of the film truly delivers an emotional finish with a strong message. No matter who our family is, no matter how often we may not see eye to eye with them or how much we may hate them at times, at the end of the day our family is something we should always be able to depend on.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Although it's extremely difficult, I'll keep individual movies on this list rather than trilogies. Although if I included entire trilogies it's certain that the other two Lord of the Rings movies would be on my list. Is there any more perfect conclusion to an epic trilogy than Return of the King? Sure Return of the Jedi was still incredible but it was still considered by most to be the least favorite of the original Star Wars trilogy. Not the case with Return of the King. It's absolutely incredible how well Peter Jackson was able to adapt the massive Lord of the Rings novels to film and truly capture the magic of Middle Earth. Obviously it helps that Jackson himself was a massive fan of the books, but still when you try to tackle something with the scope of Lord of the Rings even the greatest directors have to get weak in the knees. Return of the King was damn near perfect in every sense of the word. Bringing the characters we had grown to love in the first two films and growing them even more as they fought for their world. Who among us wasn't choked up for almost the entire last hour of the film. As Sam carries Frodo up the fiery facade of Mount Doom, as King Theoden draws his final breath on Pelennor Fields, as Gandalf says farewell to his brave little hobbits at the shores of the sea. The way Peter Jackson balanced the incredible scope of the battles with the small, intimate moments with the characters showed an absolute mastery of his craft. The entire Lord of the Rings trilogy was so well done it's almost impossible to pick one film as my favorite, but Return of the King finished the series so perfectly I have to pick it.
2. Toy Story
In 1995 Disney changed animation forever. What happens with our toys when we leave the room? What if they live lives of their own? Toy Story is so brilliant that it's hard to find anyone who doesn't love it. That first shot of Woody coming to life on the bed is perhaps the most memorable shot in animated film history. For kids and parents alike, Toy Story represents the importance of imagination. That ability that we once had to sit down with a pile of toys and entertain ourselves for hours. Even today, over 15 years after the movie first came out, I still find myself drawn to the story. The idea that a boy's birthday represents the threat of being replaced to his toys, the image of the toy soldiers sliding down a jump rope for a reconnaissance mission, the devastating challenge of getting from one house to the house next door. It's a different world for these toys, but it's also the same world we live in. They have problems with friends, love, betrayal, rejection and they face dangers that are just as big as ours. In the end Toy Story is a movie about the importance of friendship and never losing the kid inside of us. The toys realize the importance of being there for Andy when he needs them and even more importantly they see that whenever the day comes when Andy goes out on his own, they will always have each other. This is another trilogy where all three entries were phenomenal, but what the first one did for both animation and storytelling was unprecedented and it opened up the door for so many great movies to follow in its footsteps.
1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Oh Star Wars. What can I say about you? Three of the greatest films of all time and three of the biggest disappointments of all time. But I like to focus on the positives which means the original trilogy. I still remember the first time I ever saw A New Hope. I was probably 5 or 6 years old and my parents decided it was a good time to show it to me. They bought me a toy Millennium Falcon and before the movie started I was flying it around backwards because it looked like the blue-glowy part would be the front. I remember asking why it said Episode IV in the beginning and I remember that they didn't have an answer. And then I remember this blur of awesomeness as Luke first ignited his lightsaber, as the Falcon docked in the Death Star, as Luke blasted down the trench with Vader in hot pursuit. There is no film that I have ever or probably will ever watch more times than A New Hope. Although most people pick Empire as their favorite film of the trilogy, for some reason I find myself drawn to Episode IV more than any other entry. I don't even know why really. I guess Luke just represents so much that we can all relate to. Wanting something more in life and hoping for some great adventure but once you get it realizing that accepting your responsibility is never easy and much must be sacrificed. I think his development through A New Hope shows us the early stages of becoming a hero and learning to face your fears. I also think it's the same effect that Toy Story has on me, the fact that it was the first one makes it all the more incredible. If you've ever watched the behind the scenes stuff for A New Hope you know how much almost went terribly wrong for this movie and how close we were to never knowing Star Wars. This is my favorite movie of all time and although my top 5 movie list changes from time to time, this will always be my favorite.
5. The Dark Knight
Despite the recent video that showed some continuity issues in some of The Dark Knight's sequences I don't freaking care. This movie is everything that we want in a comic book movie. Batman has always been my favorite super hero for several reasons. The first being that he doesn't actually have any powers. Bruce Wayne is a self-made superhero and that, to me, is awesome. But he is also conflicted as perhaps one of the darkest heroes we have ever met. He constantly struggles with the complexity of Batman and what that symbol must represent to the city of Gotham. He sacrifices his personal life and relationships to save this city that shows him nothing but disgrace in return. The Dark Knight captures this essence of Batman perfectly. Heath Ledger's turn as The Joker is one of the most memorable performances in the history of Hollywood and rightfully so. Every single person who has seen the movie remembers how they felt when he smashed the guy's face into the pencil, or the disturbing irony of seeing him applaud commissioner Gordon from his prison cell. He represented such an incredible foe for Batman who attacked from the inside. Forcing Batman to break his own rules and finding a way to corrupt the great Harvey Dent. The ominous tones set by Hans Zimmer's score set The Dark Knight in motion and its brilliant pacing and character development send us ever deeper into Christopher Nolan's Gotham City. Needless to say I can't wait for The Dark Knight Rises.
4. Little Miss Sunshine
Most of my favorite movies of all time are fantasy or sci-fi or something that doesn't represent real life at all. I generally enjoy the movies that let me escape from responsibility and serious thoughts. That being said, the story of a dysfunctional family traveling to California in a VW van is such an incredible portrayal of real problems that it's hard to not see ourselves somewhere in the story. The dinner scene towards the beginning of the film is so beautifully real and relatable that we realize this family is dealing with some of the same problems we all face at times. Money issues, marriage problems, a girl starting to be influenced by outer beauty, a boy who feels shut out from the world, a gay man and a grandfather who has seen so much in his lifetime that his perspective on life is to do whatever makes him happy. I've always loved how the movie is paced and the beauty pageant at the climax of the film truly delivers an emotional finish with a strong message. No matter who our family is, no matter how often we may not see eye to eye with them or how much we may hate them at times, at the end of the day our family is something we should always be able to depend on.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Although it's extremely difficult, I'll keep individual movies on this list rather than trilogies. Although if I included entire trilogies it's certain that the other two Lord of the Rings movies would be on my list. Is there any more perfect conclusion to an epic trilogy than Return of the King? Sure Return of the Jedi was still incredible but it was still considered by most to be the least favorite of the original Star Wars trilogy. Not the case with Return of the King. It's absolutely incredible how well Peter Jackson was able to adapt the massive Lord of the Rings novels to film and truly capture the magic of Middle Earth. Obviously it helps that Jackson himself was a massive fan of the books, but still when you try to tackle something with the scope of Lord of the Rings even the greatest directors have to get weak in the knees. Return of the King was damn near perfect in every sense of the word. Bringing the characters we had grown to love in the first two films and growing them even more as they fought for their world. Who among us wasn't choked up for almost the entire last hour of the film. As Sam carries Frodo up the fiery facade of Mount Doom, as King Theoden draws his final breath on Pelennor Fields, as Gandalf says farewell to his brave little hobbits at the shores of the sea. The way Peter Jackson balanced the incredible scope of the battles with the small, intimate moments with the characters showed an absolute mastery of his craft. The entire Lord of the Rings trilogy was so well done it's almost impossible to pick one film as my favorite, but Return of the King finished the series so perfectly I have to pick it.
In 1995 Disney changed animation forever. What happens with our toys when we leave the room? What if they live lives of their own? Toy Story is so brilliant that it's hard to find anyone who doesn't love it. That first shot of Woody coming to life on the bed is perhaps the most memorable shot in animated film history. For kids and parents alike, Toy Story represents the importance of imagination. That ability that we once had to sit down with a pile of toys and entertain ourselves for hours. Even today, over 15 years after the movie first came out, I still find myself drawn to the story. The idea that a boy's birthday represents the threat of being replaced to his toys, the image of the toy soldiers sliding down a jump rope for a reconnaissance mission, the devastating challenge of getting from one house to the house next door. It's a different world for these toys, but it's also the same world we live in. They have problems with friends, love, betrayal, rejection and they face dangers that are just as big as ours. In the end Toy Story is a movie about the importance of friendship and never losing the kid inside of us. The toys realize the importance of being there for Andy when he needs them and even more importantly they see that whenever the day comes when Andy goes out on his own, they will always have each other. This is another trilogy where all three entries were phenomenal, but what the first one did for both animation and storytelling was unprecedented and it opened up the door for so many great movies to follow in its footsteps.
1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Oh Star Wars. What can I say about you? Three of the greatest films of all time and three of the biggest disappointments of all time. But I like to focus on the positives which means the original trilogy. I still remember the first time I ever saw A New Hope. I was probably 5 or 6 years old and my parents decided it was a good time to show it to me. They bought me a toy Millennium Falcon and before the movie started I was flying it around backwards because it looked like the blue-glowy part would be the front. I remember asking why it said Episode IV in the beginning and I remember that they didn't have an answer. And then I remember this blur of awesomeness as Luke first ignited his lightsaber, as the Falcon docked in the Death Star, as Luke blasted down the trench with Vader in hot pursuit. There is no film that I have ever or probably will ever watch more times than A New Hope. Although most people pick Empire as their favorite film of the trilogy, for some reason I find myself drawn to Episode IV more than any other entry. I don't even know why really. I guess Luke just represents so much that we can all relate to. Wanting something more in life and hoping for some great adventure but once you get it realizing that accepting your responsibility is never easy and much must be sacrificed. I think his development through A New Hope shows us the early stages of becoming a hero and learning to face your fears. I also think it's the same effect that Toy Story has on me, the fact that it was the first one makes it all the more incredible. If you've ever watched the behind the scenes stuff for A New Hope you know how much almost went terribly wrong for this movie and how close we were to never knowing Star Wars. This is my favorite movie of all time and although my top 5 movie list changes from time to time, this will always be my favorite.
So there ya have it. My 5 favorite movies of all time...for today. What movies do you find yourself returning to over the years?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
VIDEO GAMES: Release date and price points for The Old Republic
Whelp, there's one more game we'll have to buy before the year is up! The official North American release date for Star Wars: The Old Republic is December 20, 2011. It's safe to say that this is perhaps the most highly anticipated game in a long time. Some are saying it will be the replacement for WoW but I don't think anything will be certain until we've all had a chance to sit down and play. I love the concept and I'm pretty happy with what we've seen from the game so far, but you never know until you actually play it. Purchasing the game will get you 30 days free but from there on out it will cost $14.99 a month which I think we all saw coming. You may also pay $41.97 for a 3 month package or $77.94 for a six month package saving you a little change. Will you take part in the MMO in a galaxy far far away?
Friday, September 23, 2011
MOVIES: Lucas can give us the middle finger all the way to the bank.
Why? Because despite my well thought out and articulate article about how terrible some of the changes to the Star Wars Blu-Rays are and why we want and deserve an original original trilogy in high-def, apparently some people still went out and bought the Blu-Ray set. And by some people I mean $84 million worth. Yup, in one freaking week the Star Wars: The Complete Saga has sold $84 freaking million dollars worth of copies. So yea, I'm sure when Lucas read my article he was all, "Yea, $84 million says that the rock in front of R2-D2 is f**king brilliant."...shows what I know.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
MOVIES: An important announcement for all you parents.
We know we'll most likely have to deal with it at one point. If done incorrectly, it can cause long term damages to your children. What if one day you asked your child who their favorite Star Wars character was and they responded with a bright eyed "Jar Jar Binks! He's so silly!" Imagine the devastation that would bring you as a parent. The following video talks about the importance of introducing your kids to Star Wars and how carefully it must be done. Obviously Star Wars can peak their interest from a very very young age but you have to cautiously explain to them that just because the double-sided lightsaber looks cool, the fact that we know nothing about the man carrying it or why he's attacking the Jedi is what makes the prequels inferior to the original trilogy. If they start to doze off as Luke is trained by Yoda in Empire, how do you let them know that this is actually much more involving than one billion clones fighting one billion robots in a fight that we don't really understand? I'm extremely nervous about the day I introduce my kids to Star Wars because my love for it is so intense it would be a huge blow if they don't share that interest, or even worse, like the prequels better than the original trilogy...dear God.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
EVERYTHING: What will you do this weekend?
Today has been pretty quiet by way of news but there is certainly a lot of stuff happening within the next week. Here's what you need to know!
1. Drive, starring Ryan Gosling hits theaters at midnight tonight and it sounds like this one is going to be a serious Oscar contender. Currently sitting at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, Drive follows Ryan Gosling's character as a wheelman for hire. If the price is right, no matter the circumstances, he'll be your driver. Critics are raving about Gosling's performance and the movies deftly blended combination of action and modern noir storytelling. I'll definitely be seeing it within the week.
2. Tonight It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns for a seventh glorious season on television. The gang from Paddy's Pub returns with an overweight Mac and, from what I've seen, a new fad of drinking hard liquor out of suntan lotion bottles. Expect the hilarity to continue with this season.
3. Tomorrow the 4th season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars begins and although I've only seen the first two seasons of the show I can tell you that it is indeed awesome. If you ever decide to get into it, stick through the first ten episodes or so because the creators realize that the droids aren't funny in the slightest and turn to a bit of a darker type of storytelling.
4. The Lion King, one of the greatest movies of all time, hits theaters tomorrow in 3D! Before Cars 2 they showed the first 5 minutes of the movie in 3D and honestly it looked awesome. It will only be in theaters for two weeks so if you have any interest in experiencing it on the big screen you don't have time to delay!
5. Although not this weekend, Gears of War 3 hits stores next Tuesday and the early reviews are in. The conclusion...epic. With a 9 on IGN, 5/5 stars on Joystiq and a 9.5 on Gameinformer I think it's safe to say that this is not only going to be an epic sendoff for our characters, but an emotional one as well. You should know by now I'm in love with the Gears series and you probably won't hear much from me for a couple days following Tuesday.
6. Go outside! Seriously, step away from your TV/computer/Xbox/PS3/3DS or whatever else keeps you glued to Nerdtastic. Technology is so awesome that it's often addicting. So take some time off and prepare to be utterly consumed by Gears on September 20th.
1. Drive, starring Ryan Gosling hits theaters at midnight tonight and it sounds like this one is going to be a serious Oscar contender. Currently sitting at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, Drive follows Ryan Gosling's character as a wheelman for hire. If the price is right, no matter the circumstances, he'll be your driver. Critics are raving about Gosling's performance and the movies deftly blended combination of action and modern noir storytelling. I'll definitely be seeing it within the week.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
MOVIES: Han and Leia getting hot on Hoth.
I know I've spent the last few days flipping out over the ridiculous changes George Lucas has been making to his original trilogy in the upcoming Blu-Ray set but today EW has posted a video that has nothing to do with Lucas getting his grubby little paws on what I love. The video today shows a deleted scene from Empire Strikes Back that is an extended version of Han and Leia arguing on Hoth before Han takes off to go pay Jabba a visit. I'm glad the scene was taken out of the original movie since it's a little too sexual for the characters at that point in time. It's still cool to see any extra footage that wasn't used in the movies. This is much different than Lucas going in and changing things to the films.
Check out the video at EW HERE!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
TELEVISION: What are you doing this Labor Day weekend?
Well if it's relaxing inside then you might want to watch a little Spike TV. Running a Star Wars marathon all weekend. Enjoy your long weekend everybody!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
MOVIES: The Force is freaking sucky with the Blu-Rays of Star Wars
Gosh freaking dangit. Why? Why why why? I'm trying to articulate the reasons why these changes being made to the original trilogy in the Star Wars Blu-ray set are so offensive to the movies. I suppose we can go through the major changes one at a time and talk about how sad they make me...read on for depression and anger.
1. R2-D2 now hides behind an obnoxiously big rock.
Why does this suck? Well it doesn't make any drastic changes like the whole Han shooting first thing...but it begs the question...why? Why do we need this clearly CGI'd rock covering half of R2's body? Let's ignore the fact that with that rock in place HE COULDN'T FREAKING FIT INSIDE THERE! How did he get behind it? He can't effing fit! What is the point?!? It's like the special ed edition of A New Hope when Luke and Obi-Wan arrive at Mos Eisley and Lucas just shoves more and more crap on the screen to the point where a dinosaur LITERALLY covers the entire screen! Gosh dangit George, WHY?!
2. The call Obi-Wan now uses to scare away the Sand People is the least scary sound I have ever heard.
What the hell is that sound? Like seriously it sounds like the exact opposite of something that would scare Sand People away. I'm pretty sure that Sand People, the ruffians that pillage and murder on the outskirts of Tatooine wouldn't be afraid of one old hermit. That's why I always felt Obi-Wan made a supernatural sound in order to trick the Sand People into thinking he was something truly frightening. But apparently the fact that there's three of them, armed to the teeth does nothing to boost their confidence against a tired old man who is apparently drunk. Also, it's clear that Obi-Wan hasn't proven himself a killer of Sand People since after he rouses Luke he warns that they must leave quickly before more Sand People arrive.
3. The door on Jabba the Hutt's palace in Return of the Jedi is freaking monstrous.
Because bigger is better. At least that's what 4 year olds and George Lucas think. This is similar to the R2-D2 rock scenario. What is the freaking point? We now have a ridiculously huge obviously computer generated door to distract us from the scene for no reason whatsoever. The outside of Jabba's palace isn't supposed to be anything special or intimidating in my eyes. It's the palace of the lead gangster on the planet. In Batman Begins, when Bruce Wayne goes to find the leader of the crime ring Carmine Falcone, he's not in some elaborate mansion, he's in a regular old restaurant in the middle of the slums of Gotham. This is how the villainous live, they hide in the shadows and once you enter their domain you see the filth and darkness that rules their territory. Jeeze does Lucas really not understand these things?
What number am I on...ok 4. Ewoks are now 10 times more creepy.
Say what you will about Ewoks but I've always liked them. I remember thinking they were cute when I was a kid and they were vital to the success of the rebellion whether you like it or not. But I'm also the first to admit that they're a little creepy. Tiny little bear things with fat lips...well now they have creepy eyelids too. Because, you know, George Lucas thinks that for something to be relatable it must act as close to a human as possible, including its physical features. DEAD WRONG. My biggest problem with the eyelids is that they look so obviously tacked on in post-production. They're so clearly computer generated when everything else on the Ewok is glorious costume design that it's freaking distracting every time those computerized light brown things slide over the Ewok's eyes.
5. So. Freaking. Lame. Darth Vader's NOOOO! when killing the Emperor.
Remember that great scene? You know the one at the climax of Return of the Jedi when the Emperor is pissed that Luke won't succumb to the Dark Side so he starts torturing him. Blasting him with lightning bolts while Luke gives his one last plea to his father to save him. When you SEE Vader's internal struggle as he deals with the idea that his life is already lost to the Dark Side "It is, too late for me, son." Remember when he finally sees the light and raises his former master, who had corrupted him from his youth, high above his head to finally cast him into the abyss where he belongs? Remember that? Remember how emotionally involving that was? Without any words, the movie conveyed the struggle going on as Vader had to decide between the son he had already betrayed and the man he had followed blindly for years. It's like the opening shot of A New Hope when the ill-equipped rebel ship flies on the screen immediately pursued by the terrifyingly massive Star Destroyer of the Empire. With absolutely no dialogue we know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. That's one of the things that I loved in the original trilogy, how much story was actually told even without dialogue. But no, now this scene needs Vader to verbalize his conflict because clearly it's not evident enough. Not only is he verbalizing it, but he shouts his horrendous NOOO! which is one of the most hated scenes from Revenge of the Sith, the only prequel that fans of the original trilogy thought was at least decent. Gosh dangit I get that Lucas loves the idea that the two trilogies have a "poetry" between them but this is ridiculous. It's just these painful reminders of how lucky George was that the first movie actually worked, and how Empire and Return of the Jedi had different directors who knew what the hell they were doing. Just makes me sad.
These aren't even all the changes but I don't feel like writing about this anymore...it just sucks. Give us the ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY IN BLU-RAY OR CLEANED UP DVD FORMAT AND YOU WILL MAKE A BAZILLION DOLLARS GEORGE LUCAS. I GUARANTEE IT!!!
1. R2-D2 now hides behind an obnoxiously big rock.
Why does this suck? Well it doesn't make any drastic changes like the whole Han shooting first thing...but it begs the question...why? Why do we need this clearly CGI'd rock covering half of R2's body? Let's ignore the fact that with that rock in place HE COULDN'T FREAKING FIT INSIDE THERE! How did he get behind it? He can't effing fit! What is the point?!? It's like the special ed edition of A New Hope when Luke and Obi-Wan arrive at Mos Eisley and Lucas just shoves more and more crap on the screen to the point where a dinosaur LITERALLY covers the entire screen! Gosh dangit George, WHY?!
2. The call Obi-Wan now uses to scare away the Sand People is the least scary sound I have ever heard.
What the hell is that sound? Like seriously it sounds like the exact opposite of something that would scare Sand People away. I'm pretty sure that Sand People, the ruffians that pillage and murder on the outskirts of Tatooine wouldn't be afraid of one old hermit. That's why I always felt Obi-Wan made a supernatural sound in order to trick the Sand People into thinking he was something truly frightening. But apparently the fact that there's three of them, armed to the teeth does nothing to boost their confidence against a tired old man who is apparently drunk. Also, it's clear that Obi-Wan hasn't proven himself a killer of Sand People since after he rouses Luke he warns that they must leave quickly before more Sand People arrive.
3. The door on Jabba the Hutt's palace in Return of the Jedi is freaking monstrous.
Because bigger is better. At least that's what 4 year olds and George Lucas think. This is similar to the R2-D2 rock scenario. What is the freaking point? We now have a ridiculously huge obviously computer generated door to distract us from the scene for no reason whatsoever. The outside of Jabba's palace isn't supposed to be anything special or intimidating in my eyes. It's the palace of the lead gangster on the planet. In Batman Begins, when Bruce Wayne goes to find the leader of the crime ring Carmine Falcone, he's not in some elaborate mansion, he's in a regular old restaurant in the middle of the slums of Gotham. This is how the villainous live, they hide in the shadows and once you enter their domain you see the filth and darkness that rules their territory. Jeeze does Lucas really not understand these things?
What number am I on...ok 4. Ewoks are now 10 times more creepy.
Say what you will about Ewoks but I've always liked them. I remember thinking they were cute when I was a kid and they were vital to the success of the rebellion whether you like it or not. But I'm also the first to admit that they're a little creepy. Tiny little bear things with fat lips...well now they have creepy eyelids too. Because, you know, George Lucas thinks that for something to be relatable it must act as close to a human as possible, including its physical features. DEAD WRONG. My biggest problem with the eyelids is that they look so obviously tacked on in post-production. They're so clearly computer generated when everything else on the Ewok is glorious costume design that it's freaking distracting every time those computerized light brown things slide over the Ewok's eyes.
5. So. Freaking. Lame. Darth Vader's NOOOO! when killing the Emperor.
Remember that great scene? You know the one at the climax of Return of the Jedi when the Emperor is pissed that Luke won't succumb to the Dark Side so he starts torturing him. Blasting him with lightning bolts while Luke gives his one last plea to his father to save him. When you SEE Vader's internal struggle as he deals with the idea that his life is already lost to the Dark Side "It is, too late for me, son." Remember when he finally sees the light and raises his former master, who had corrupted him from his youth, high above his head to finally cast him into the abyss where he belongs? Remember that? Remember how emotionally involving that was? Without any words, the movie conveyed the struggle going on as Vader had to decide between the son he had already betrayed and the man he had followed blindly for years. It's like the opening shot of A New Hope when the ill-equipped rebel ship flies on the screen immediately pursued by the terrifyingly massive Star Destroyer of the Empire. With absolutely no dialogue we know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. That's one of the things that I loved in the original trilogy, how much story was actually told even without dialogue. But no, now this scene needs Vader to verbalize his conflict because clearly it's not evident enough. Not only is he verbalizing it, but he shouts his horrendous NOOO! which is one of the most hated scenes from Revenge of the Sith, the only prequel that fans of the original trilogy thought was at least decent. Gosh dangit I get that Lucas loves the idea that the two trilogies have a "poetry" between them but this is ridiculous. It's just these painful reminders of how lucky George was that the first movie actually worked, and how Empire and Return of the Jedi had different directors who knew what the hell they were doing. Just makes me sad.
These aren't even all the changes but I don't feel like writing about this anymore...it just sucks. Give us the ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY IN BLU-RAY OR CLEANED UP DVD FORMAT AND YOU WILL MAKE A BAZILLION DOLLARS GEORGE LUCAS. I GUARANTEE IT!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
MOVIES: God, please NOOOOOO!!!!
I try really freaking hard to keep this blog family friendly. With PG rated language and nothing too offensive. So maybe skip the next sentence if you want. Are you f**king kidding me? There the star things help right? It is becoming increasingly evident that not only has George Lucas realized his prequels were some of the worst movies in history, but also that he has been seriously offended by all the hate he has received. Why do I think this? Because sometimes when someone continuously makes fun of you and says that they hate you, it gets tiring so you try to find ways to upset them even more...you know, like you do when you're 8 years old. Collider is reporting (please God let it be false reporting) that George Lucasshole has added the horribly horrible NOOOOO! that Darth Vader shouts at the end of Revenge of the Sith. WHAT?!?! The one prequel that most people said was at least decent and you choose to take something from one of the scenes that received the most ridicule? The scene was laughably terrible at what should have been a pivotal emotional moment and he chose to add it to Return of the Jedi????? Gosh dangit I need to stop typing because it's about to get ugly. Freaking hate this guy. Oh and also a rumored change to the call Obi-Wan uses to startle the Sand People in A New Hope...because, you know, he f**king can.
Full story on Collider!
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