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David McK (3728 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Mar 29, 2020)
BB-8 (2 more)
Harrison Ford
Return to practical effects instead of an over excess of cgi
It's no coincidence that one of the earliest lines in the film is 'this will make everything right'.
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in TV
Jun 3, 2019
Some of the best Trek
Deep Space 9 is almost the Marmite of Star Trek. You (generally) either love it or you hate it; however, unlike Marmite, it is absolutely possible to love or hate whole seasons of DS9.
Personally, Season 1 and Season 2 are generally pretty poor. A few good episodes, and a chunk of character development goes some way to making it, but it isn't really until part way through Season 3 and even into Season 4, with wars against the Klingons, the Cardassians, the Marquis, and ultimately the Dominion, that it really takes off. And even then, it's probably seasons 5-7 which are actually excellent (although there are some "meh" episodes).
Some of the story arcs take several episodes to really have an impact, but when they do have an impact, they really get you - whether its disbelief, or sadness, or adreneline, the season-long arcs introduce a totally new method of watching Trek.
Personally, Season 1 and Season 2 are generally pretty poor. A few good episodes, and a chunk of character development goes some way to making it, but it isn't really until part way through Season 3 and even into Season 4, with wars against the Klingons, the Cardassians, the Marquis, and ultimately the Dominion, that it really takes off. And even then, it's probably seasons 5-7 which are actually excellent (although there are some "meh" episodes).
Some of the story arcs take several episodes to really have an impact, but when they do have an impact, they really get you - whether its disbelief, or sadness, or adreneline, the season-long arcs introduce a totally new method of watching Trek.
Michelle (114 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) in Movies
Mar 16, 2018
Loved this film even though all three of the original films were filmed and seen before the first part of the Star Wars series. Mark Hamell, Harrison Ford, The late Carrie Fisher were the best as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Lai she soon should everyone that she was not some helpless princess who let everyone else do things while she sat back and did nothing. Her costumes were amazing, she was right in there fighting along with them to save their homelands/worlds from the Dark Lord Darth Vada. The ariel battles were fantastic. Storm Troopers were meant to be menacing when in fact they were quite funny at times. R2 D2 and 3PO where hilarious and Chewie adorable. The Jedi training was good. The shock about Luke's father I mean who would not be shocked and disgusted at finding out your father is Darth Vada and the girl you love turns out to be your sister.
David McK (3728 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 (3728 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 (3728 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 (17789 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 (17789 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.