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John Carter (2012)
John Carter (2012)
2012 | Action, Family, Horror
6
7.1 (23 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I saw this not knowing too much about it, although heard it got bad reviews. It's impressive in terms of scope, production and cast. The plot and story seem to have been made up of quite a few well known plots from other sci-fi films. Definitely felt like a mix of Stargate and even Star Wars attack of the clones at times. The big budget visuals and action does keep your attention though as do the actors on show. Overall it was quite enjoyable.
  
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Up there with the rest 9/10
For someone who has only ever watched the first three star wars movies from way back when and never seen any of the new ones, watching this was a first for me. But after getting some info that may be needed to watch this film from my husband I actually really enjoyed this film.

I love films that show the back stories of characters and I feel this did it really well.

May watch again some time soon.
  
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Jon Savage recommended American Graffiti (1973) in Movies (curated)

 
American Graffiti (1973)
American Graffiti (1973)
1973 | Comedy, Drama

"A total classic from George Lucas, pre Star Wars. It's the start of pop culture going retro, as it created a whole kind of rock & roll revival with records being reissued and that double LP soundtrack being released. It's the past informing the present so it's important in terms of pop culture and teen films. It influenced a couple of other movies that we're going to talk about later. And I love the music – 'I Only Have Eyes For You' and all those tunes. Fantastic."

Source
  
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Bill Gates recommended Growth in Books (curated)

 
Growth
Growth
Luke Norris | 2016 | Film & TV
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"When I first heard that one of my favorite authors was working on a new book about growth, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. (Two years ago, I wrote that I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next Star Wars movie. I stand by that statement.) His latest doesn’t disappoint. As always, I don’t agree with everything Smil says, but he remains one of the best thinkers out there at documenting the past and seeing the big picture."

Source
  
Star Wars: The Destiny Path
Star Wars: The Destiny Path
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This comprises the first 6 issues in Marvel's latest run of Star Wars tales, set in the period between 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi'.

Han Solo is frozen in Carbonite; Luke is still reeling from the shocking revelation of his parentage and Lando is still viewed with suspicion by Leia, Chewbacca and the rest following the events on Cloud City.

An enjoyable enough read, with some fancy art, and - unlike the sequel series - this actually seems to have a defined overarching plot
  
The Mandalorian - Season 2
The Mandalorian - Season 2
2020 | Sci-Fi
Bigger, better and badder the the 1st series (1 more)
Returning characters
This is the way... It should be!
I'm finally catching up with the series after getting Disney+ recently. The first series was good but not great for me. This series though is much better, more action, bigger battles, tons of stormtroopers and the Jedi.
Great to see some other big characters appear. Still has some short episodes but generally they are longer than the first series. This is the way a Star Wars series should be done.
  
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
"Satisfying Enough" Conclusion
I am a fan of the STAR WARS films. Ever since I first went to a place A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY I have enjoyed the adventures of the ragtag group of rebels taking on the evil Galactic Empire. Like most folks, I was blown away by the first STAR WARS film, LOVED the sequel, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, thought the concluding film in the original trilogy, RETURN OF THE JEDI was "good enough", hated the prequels and have been cautiously optimistic when both THE FORCE AWAKENS and ROGUE ONE were good films. Finally, of course, I was disappointed (like everyone else) with THE LAST JEDI and SOLO. So...I was going to go to THE RISE OF SKYWALKER no matter what anyone else says.

And...I was satisfied.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is an above average, "good enough" conclusion to the Skywalker saga of Star Wars, bringing enough action, energy, adventure and character moments - and character cameos - to satisfy my appetite for all things Star Wars.

Directed by returning Director J.J. Abrams, ROS picks up events after the events of THE LAST JEDI. Rey is training to be a Jedi and Poe, Finn, Leia and Chewie are fighting Kylo Ren and the First Order. The film starts out rapidly - perhaps too rapidly - as multiple events take place with action pieces and fast pacing that does leave you slightly breathless - it also feels just a bit rushed, as if J.J. is trying to pack 10 lbs. of movie into a 5 lb bag. By gosh, he was not going to accused of delivering a film that was not "fast-paced".

The performances of the leads are strong - Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo), John Boyega (Finn) and Oscar Isaac (Poe) all know their characters by now and they are able to play in them well. Joined by the expected CGI and costumed droids and aliens (C3PO, R2D2, BB8 and good ol' Chewie), I was happily entertained to see them all together on screen - along with "veterans" like Lando (Billy Dee Williams) and General (not Princess) Leia (the late Carrie Fisher). The filmmakers put a loving tribute to her in this film that is effective (though I could see where they had to use a body double in places), but it is still well done. And, of course, there are plenty of callbacks and cameos to make any StarWars afficianado happy.

Ultimately, the emotional stakes of the denouement fell a bit short for me (as the "big bad" in this didn't have the emotional heft of Darth Vader), but it was a "good enough" emotional ending buried in an above average "final space battle" to have me leave the film satisfied.

And...that's all you can ask for from the 9th film of a series...enough to keep you "satisfied".

Letter Grade: B+

8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
  
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
2017 | Action, Sci-Fi
I was disappointed... sorry
I can't believe I'm writing this, but The Last Jedi was a big disappointment for me. I saw it last night and it still hasn't quite sunk in. After the triumphant return to the Star Wars universe with The Force Awakens, expectations for this were pretty high, and the trailers for this next episode didn't disappoint either. More Rey! More Kylo! More Snoke! And Luke is back!!

It's difficult for me to describe exactly where my problems with the movie lie. Very early on in the movie there is a very odd attempt at comedy which just didn't sit right for me. Yes, there has always been moments of humour in Star Wars movies, but this is different. This comedy continues throughout the movie, with varying levels of success.

For two thirds of the movie I found myself slightly bored. Continuous changes of tone and none of the thrills or goosebump moments that I got when watching The Force Awakens. Even the return of Luke is an anti-climax and disappointment for such a huge chunk of the movie. And it is a long movie too, one which could have seriously benefited from a trimmed down run time.

All of this sounds a little harsh. I guess The Force Awakens was more of a nostalgia trip for me, and for many others too, but at some point you have to move on. The Last Jedi is all about doing away with the old to make way for the new, and there's still a big old universe of characters and stories out there to explore. At the end of the day, this is still an enjoyable Star Wars movie, which I'll hopefully appreciate more on repeat viewings.
  
Show all 4 comments.
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Dean (6927 KP) Jan 3, 2020

Thankfully rise of skywalker was better than this!

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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) Jan 4, 2020

By like a little bit, rise of skywalker is watchable.