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David McK (3172 KP) rated Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Flagship entry in Marvel's take-over of the Star Wars comics, this is set between the events of 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strikes Back' and, I have to say, is also a pretty enjoyable read!
It probably helps, of course, that the opening panels start with the iconic crawl, before moving to an expanse of space, with a spaceship then passing overhead - as close, in short, as you can get to the opening of the films in comic form! It also helps that all the main character - Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C3PO and R2D2 all make a return, all looking pretty much as they did on the screen back then
OK, it's not perfect, with the reveal of Han's secret past (in particular) for me falling a bit flat, and with the story losing it's pace after the somewhat spectacular early pyrotechnics, but if this is anything to go on? We're in good hands.
It probably helps, of course, that the opening panels start with the iconic crawl, before moving to an expanse of space, with a spaceship then passing overhead - as close, in short, as you can get to the opening of the films in comic form! It also helps that all the main character - Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C3PO and R2D2 all make a return, all looking pretty much as they did on the screen back then
OK, it's not perfect, with the reveal of Han's secret past (in particular) for me falling a bit flat, and with the story losing it's pace after the somewhat spectacular early pyrotechnics, but if this is anything to go on? We're in good hands.
David McK (3172 KP) rated Solo Command (Star Wars: X-Wing, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Released pre Episode I, the Star Wars: X-Wing books are, I believe, amongst the first EU ('Extended Universe') novels that do not focus on the main protaganists of the films as their central characters, taking instead LucasArts X-Wing/TIE fighter games of the 90s (as an aside - somebody really REALLY needs to re-make those for modern machines) as their inspiration.
This is the 7th book in the X-Wing series, and the 3rd to focus primarily on the activities of Wraith squadron, after both <i>Wraith Squadron</i> and <i>Iron Fist</i>. Unlike the previous novels in the series, this also includes a larger role for some of the characters from the original film series - the 'Solo' of the title actually refers to Han Solo, and not to Solo as in 'single'. As well, this also includes members of the first 4 X-Wings books (i.e. Rogue Squadron) in the story.
Blasted through this one in about 2 days flat.
This is the 7th book in the X-Wing series, and the 3rd to focus primarily on the activities of Wraith squadron, after both <i>Wraith Squadron</i> and <i>Iron Fist</i>. Unlike the previous novels in the series, this also includes a larger role for some of the characters from the original film series - the 'Solo' of the title actually refers to Han Solo, and not to Solo as in 'single'. As well, this also includes members of the first 4 X-Wings books (i.e. Rogue Squadron) in the story.
Blasted through this one in about 2 days flat.
David McK (3172 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is now part of the Star Wars 'Legend's (i.e. non-canon stories) following Marvel's acquisition of Lucasfilm; however - in many respects - I also feel that this is/was a strong candidate for remaining as part of the lore (or, like Grand Admiral Thrawn, being integrated into it).
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Ten Thousand Doors of January in Books
Jan 11, 2020
I have NO IDEA as to why I thought this YA book may be different from all of the other recent ones I've read, and subsequently sworn off.
There was way too much about race in this, it was so distracting. The main character, vanilla-boring January's physical appearance was mentioned at least every few pages. It's just bizarre to me, this book needed an edit.
The description promises a fantasy, well, there was a lot of fantasy that was talked about, but none that I saw. Show me, don't tell me.
Then, there was the introduction of a story within a story. I stopped reading, then thought to myself, wow, this is pretty crappy, but I'll keep on. After ten minutes, I officially returned the digital copy to the library.
This book was not magical, it was boring, and there was too much exposition. I am NEVER reading another YA book, unless it's a Star Wars one. I've learned my lesson, yet again.
There was way too much about race in this, it was so distracting. The main character, vanilla-boring January's physical appearance was mentioned at least every few pages. It's just bizarre to me, this book needed an edit.
The description promises a fantasy, well, there was a lot of fantasy that was talked about, but none that I saw. Show me, don't tell me.
Then, there was the introduction of a story within a story. I stopped reading, then thought to myself, wow, this is pretty crappy, but I'll keep on. After ten minutes, I officially returned the digital copy to the library.
This book was not magical, it was boring, and there was too much exposition. I am NEVER reading another YA book, unless it's a Star Wars one. I've learned my lesson, yet again.
Industrial Society and the Sci-Fi Blockbuster: Social Critique in Films of Lucas, Scott and Cameron
Book
Can blockbuster films be socially relevant or are they just escapist diversions to entertain the...
Shakespeare, Not Stirred: Cocktails for Your Everyday Dramas
Caroline Bicks and Michelle Ephraim
Book
Let the Bard into your lounge and have him whip up some sharp cocktails and soothing snacks for the...
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Art of Star Wars Rebels in Books
Jun 21, 2020
By far, Rebels is the best thing to come out of the Disney takeover of Star Wars (sorry, not sorry Mandalorian). Dave Filoni knows what he's doing, since he obviously learned from the Master.
This art book is around 200 pages, and filled with beautiful art. I knew that some of the design choices were taken from Ralph McQuarrie's original artwork, i.e. Zeb being a form of Chewbacca and the thinner lightsaber design, and I was glad a lot of that was incorportated in.
Maybe I was expecting too much? I wanted more commentary and insight. There were some pretty big omissions, and it was a bummer. I really want to know more about Jacen, and there was no mention of him (boo). Hopefully that means he's going to appear in something else?
Overall, I'm glad I purchased it, and now I want all of the art books, including the prequel costuming one that costs almost $1k.
This art book is around 200 pages, and filled with beautiful art. I knew that some of the design choices were taken from Ralph McQuarrie's original artwork, i.e. Zeb being a form of Chewbacca and the thinner lightsaber design, and I was glad a lot of that was incorportated in.
Maybe I was expecting too much? I wanted more commentary and insight. There were some pretty big omissions, and it was a bummer. I really want to know more about Jacen, and there was no mention of him (boo). Hopefully that means he's going to appear in something else?
Overall, I'm glad I purchased it, and now I want all of the art books, including the prequel costuming one that costs almost $1k.
David McK (3172 KP) rated Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) in Movies
Jul 12, 2020
I don't know why, but for some reason Asia (and Japan in particular) seems to have a thing for Giant Monsters (think Godzilla) and for Giant Robots (think BattleTech).
Or, as they're called in this series (and elsewhere? I don't know) Kaiju and Jaegers respectively.
This is a sequel to the best non-Godzilla Godzilla movie (in all but name), this time starring Star Wars own John Boyega as its reluctant hero, as the son of the "we're cancelling the apocalypse" hero from the first move, and who gets drawn back into the whole military training around the Jaegers 10 years after the events of that last movie.
Just in time, then, for him to be in place as the undersea breaches reopen and more of those Kaiju to come through ...
Dumb fun, but seemingly lacking something (although you can actually see what's happening in the battles this time around!) compared to the original, or to the various 'official' Godzilla/King Kong/etc movies.
Or, as they're called in this series (and elsewhere? I don't know) Kaiju and Jaegers respectively.
This is a sequel to the best non-Godzilla Godzilla movie (in all but name), this time starring Star Wars own John Boyega as its reluctant hero, as the son of the "we're cancelling the apocalypse" hero from the first move, and who gets drawn back into the whole military training around the Jaegers 10 years after the events of that last movie.
Just in time, then, for him to be in place as the undersea breaches reopen and more of those Kaiju to come through ...
Dumb fun, but seemingly lacking something (although you can actually see what's happening in the battles this time around!) compared to the original, or to the various 'official' Godzilla/King Kong/etc movies.
Terry Crews recommended Aliens (1986) in Movies (curated)
Infinite Stars
Book
The seductive thrill of uncharted worlds, of distant galaxies… and the unknown threats that lurk...
Science fiction