Announcing May the 4th Reviews of the Star Wars Saga

(Originally written for Jedi News.)

So I was thinking a number of things. 1. How was I going to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Return of the Jedi? 2. What can I write for this space that waxes nostalgic while still looking hard at the subject matter? 3. What can I do to keep positive amidst the latest surge of negativity?

Well, I decided to throw my hat in the ring and bring full reviews of the Star Wars Saga.

Anatomy of a Scene: Grievous Challenges Kenobi

(Originally written for Jedi News.)

I got a comment on last week’s article from a frequent reader of this blog. This particular poster doesn’t think much of Episodes I-III, but since he’s (usually) respectful and we’ve agreed in other areas he’s earned my utmost respect as a passionate film fan, even when I think his criticism misses the mark.

Staring into the Abyss

Regarding yesterday's SW/Disney post: Perhaps "Dead" is too strong a word.

Oh I'm angry. Angry and hurt. Not the least because I trusted Disney to do the right thing and they let me down flat again and again, even after I defended them. If they had done just one of the many things they've been doing, I'd be shaken but still cautiously optimistic. But no, each new bit of news is like a kick in the gut.

However, as I was trying to explain my anger and my outrage, I almost said the unthinkable. I started with "They're..." and then I stopped cold. I was one step away from saying the most offensive and hyperbolic of the hateboy memes. One I've been personally trying to ban from the lexicon for years.

But I will not say it. I'm throwing my lightsaber away on this one. I'm putting down the deathsticks to go home and rethink my life.

The last month or so has been very tough. I don't talk about news of the world here because this is the place to get away from all that, but things like the gun debate and the tragedy in Boston do weigh heavily on me and my heart goes out to all the victims (I also humbly request people keep politics out of the comments). Add all that on top of my own financial worries, time management issues, and just overall daily struggles most of the time, and I've been in rather a blah place. Now, on top of everything, this stuff happens. I was legitimately depressed yesterday. No matter what I did, and how much fun and good and relaxation I took, I still couldn't get happy.

I just needed a little bit of perspective.

What Disney has been doing is still not okay with me. Unfortunately, there's no real way to tell them that in a way they'll take seriously except with my wallet. I knew yesterday, however, that there was no way I'd be able to totally boycott Disney. There's too much I want, too much I love, that will wind its way back to them. The best I can do is be even more selective with what I spend my money on than I already am, show them there's a market they may not believe exists. At the very least, I plan on producing a number of I-III t-shirts, wearing them proudly, and if anyone gives me stink about it say I'd gladly pay for authentic ones if they existed. Keep my merchandise collecting strictly to I-III and Clone Wars era characters (except for Tarkin - I've been waiting for him for too long) until I'm satisfied that the entire saga will be kept in tact. I've been avoiding Angry Birds Star Wars because it always felt like Angry Birds Half Star Wars, but if they do decide to add levels for I-III I'll not only get it, but I will PAY for the full version. I urge any like-minded fans to do the same: pay only when they give you what you really want and don't settle, and perhaps they'll come around.

However, I can't take any of this personally, because it's not personal. In fact, it's as insultingly impersonal as it gets. If George Lucas Owes Me Nothing (tm), then neither does Disney. That's what we all need to remember as this goes on.

R.I.P. Richard LeParmentier

If you don't recognize the name, you'll recognize the face. I never really knew his name, but he played two small but memorable roles in two of my favorite films of all time.

I first saw him as Lt. Santino, Eddie's police contact in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"

Of course his most memorable role would be Imperial Admiral Motti, whose lack of faith Darth Vader found disturbing in "A New Hope."

This past Monday, Richard died suddenly at age 66. None of my sources mentioned cause of death, but I'm sure that information will be available soon. In any case, it doesn't matter. What matters is that he was a talented actor and he will be missed.

So This Is How Liberty Dies: With Thundrous Applause

I was having such a good day. I read a great Grievous meme on Memebase, my Jar Jar Mimobot came in (and it's #66!!!!), I came up with some great I-III t-shirt designs I'm going to make if I can.

Then I read this.

So not only is Star Wars continuing to go to hell (thanks, hateboys), but the traditional Disney animation is gone too.

Disney, you're dead to me. I don't know at this point how much I'm going to be willing or able to give up seeing as you own so much that I love, but somehow, some way, I need to show you that this is NOT okay.

And We Did All That Without Computers

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

One of my favorite non-SW films is Jurassic Park, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year and seeing its very own 3D rerelease.

Like What You Wanna Like! Defenses of Underappreciated Films (And More!) Part 2!

Last week I asked you all to write in with media and franchises you love that seem to have a sizable hatedom (aside from I-III, since I always talk about them). I swore that I would talk a little bit about each with the following rules:

1. If I liked it too, I would praise it for its greatness.

2. If I didn't like it, I would be honest with my criticism while still emphasizing both your right to like it and its right to exist, plus finding at least one genuinely nice thing to say about it (and not dismissing it as alltogether "bad" regardless of how I feel).

3. If I haven't seen it, I'll explain why while refusing to pass too much judgement and, again, emphasizing both your right to like it and its right to exist.

You all gave me a lot of great things to talk about that fall into all three categories. You gave me so much that, while I envisioned this as a single post, Blogspot wouldn't let me put all the necessary tags on it requiring me to split it into two. Yesterday I gave you all the superhero stuff, and now it's time for the thrilling conclusion!

Some Spoilers ahead.