Top Ten Things I Love About Episodes I-III

Now, at this point, I’ve more or less eschewed the notion of May the 4^th, or Revenge of the 5^th/6^th (whichever pun is better), and decided that May is Star Wars Month. George Lucas was born in May, and all of his Star Wars films (including Empire and Jedi) came out in May. That being said, when the Star Wars Prequel AppreciationSociety dubbed this Friday “Prequel Appreciation Day” (traditionally May 19^th, the release date of Phantom and Sith, but moved a day over so people can celebrate on a Friday) and called out to friendly bloggers to share the love by posting their Top Ten favorite things about the films, well I felt inspired to write about Star Wars for the first time in many months. Now it goes without saying, I will be repeating myself here, and these are going to be mostly subjective to my experience. But as I said in my previous post those many weeks back, we need positivity now more than ever.

Speak Up, Speak Out!

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

So it’s been a while since I typed anything out. I will admit that everything about Force Awakens kind of burnt me out on Star Wars for a while, for the second time. Not to mention a couple of major personal upheavals that I won’t bother you with.

I will say that in general, it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to retread old ground when I talk about Star Wars. I’ve mentioned many times, in fact, that sometimes I feel like I’ve said what I had to say. Unfortunately, while there is still hate against George Lucas and his vision from those who claim to be fans of Star Wars, and even within his own former company, I can’t just stay quiet.

Well, I should just say “WE” can’t stay quiet. Because it’s really not about me, is it?

The Force Awakens: First Impressions

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

Well, I saw it. Sooner than I had intended, but with the world ready to spoil everything I’m glad I was still in a relative vacuum.

I had originally wanted to wait until a second viewing to put my thoughts down like this – we all know how first impressions are, and how talking about them with other people can cloud our memory. However, my financial situation won’t allow it and any of you who are regular readers are I’m sure dying to know what I thought.

I’m going to split this into bullet-pointed sections because that’s how my brain is best processing everything that I saw and everything that I feel.

First, I’m going to stress that 99.9999etc% of these are my own personal opinions, and even the rare moments where I speak on an objective technique level are open to interpretation. I have no quarrel with people who feel differently unless they are the type of hypocrite who would put me down for disagreeing, and I reserve the right to change my mind about ANY of this with time, study, and distance.

Part 1: Spoiler-Free Summary of My Feelings

·         * Loved the basic story, hated the presentation.

·         * As a film, it’s well-made and enjoyable, if a bit generic. I ultimately enjoyed myself.

·         * As a Star Wars Saga film, it’s immensely disappointing, and if it still counts it’s my current least favorite.

·         * As a Star Wars Expanded Universe Story, it’s at least above-average and I like this direction a little better than the original after-Jedi EU.

·         * Would still have preferred George’s vision by a country mile.

Warning: Spoilers from this point forward.

Existential Quandry

(NOT originally written for Jedi News because they would probably never post this, nor would I ask them to)

Should I go see The Force Awakens?

Why I Almost Left the Star Wars Fandom – And Why I Came Back

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

Hey, remember me?

Thought Experiment: The Phantom Menace 1977

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

One question that gets brought up every once in a while when debating the merits of I-III verses IV-VI, usually by people claiming the later films to be inferior: Would Star Wars be as successful if I-III had been released first?

Your Turn

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

This is a call out. This is a call to all I-III lovers out there. And this call is:

HELP!

"You almost got us killed, are you brainless?!"

Repeat Repeat

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

Human memory is a funny thing. It often plays tricks on us. In US legal systems, eyewitness accounts are considered some of the flimsiest pieces of evidence because someone’s perceptions can cloud their recollections. What you’re doing and how you’re feeling can potentially warp your memory of events. Everyone has a different point of view.

What I Want for Life Day

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

"Meanwhile, on Druidia..."

Life Day is almost upon us! But before you grab your red ceremonial robes and enter the…umm…weird vortex thingee (seriously, what WAS that?), I have my wish list of the Eight things I want most this Life Day and for the year to follow:

Never Trust a Trailer

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

Boy, I picked the right week to return from my sabbatical, didn’t I?

"I'm awake! I'm up!"

Geekdom Madness: The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

Only one will survive. I wonder who it will be?

Geekdom Madness: Semi-Final Left Victor

I was not able to get on the computer last night, so sorry the poll was up longer than it should have been.

The Victor for the first Semi-Final, and the first competitor going to the final is....

Jar Jar Binks

"Mesa accept dis with muy muy humility!"

It was a 10 vote match that Jar Jar won 60%/40%. He licked Luigi. He has what it takes.

Here's the breakdown. Check Back Tomorrow!

Left Side Full!

My Troubled Relationship with Empire

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

When I submitted my first May the 4^th Saga reviews a year and a half ago, I maintained that Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was my personal second favorite film of the Saga.

About a month later, it was my fifth favorite.

A few months after that, it was third.

Geekdom Madness: Semi-Final Left

Here it is folks, the Semi-Final! Just two short weeks until the deciding vote, but you all have to choose who gets there. This is crunch time! Only four remain, and only two can move on.

Let's begin!

Geekdom Madness: Quarter-Final - Foils Victor

Another unexpected turn!

The Victor for the third round of the Quarter-Final is:

Luigi

"Here we go!"

Out of 14 votes, Luigi received 64% of the vote, while Indy only got 36%. This competition is constantly surprising me even in the late game, which is awesome.

Here's the breakdown. Check back tomorrow!

Was it the death glare?

Geekdom Madness: Quarter-Final - Foils

Yeah, I was looking forward to this the least.

Tale as Old as Space

(Originall Written for Jedi News)

 

 

 

It’s storytime! Today, I want to tell you one of the greatest fantasy tales I’ve ever heard. It’s a long one, and you have to make the pictures up in your head, so please bear with me.

 

Geekdom Madness: TRG - ...*Blank Stare*....

Ummm......bwuh?

Quadruple-Feature: YOU'RE. MAKING. ME. BEAT. UP. GRASS!

Guardians of the Galaxy

Spoilers Ahead

LOTR is the New Star Wars

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

I love Star Wars. I talk about Star Wars all the time. It’s my most favorite of favorite things in the world.

But it’s not my only favorite thing.