The Swamp

I like that droid theory for sure but I will also disagree that R2D2 isn't looked at twice in the movies. He's the goddamned reason everything happens or works out!

That said, I really enjoyed that article. Thanks, TB. I have softened a little on my harsh stance, but it's more in anticipation than in thinking the movie is better. It's fine, enjoyable even, and even if I wanted a little more, that's OK.

He's promising parts 2 and 3 to that lengthy piece, which I will look forward to reading. I enjoyed the movie even more on second viewing, as the characters felt more familiar, and was able to appreciate the banter, etc. more as I was more ready for it.

How is everyone on the "Snape theory" for Kylo Ren? I don't buy it myself, but it's out there.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up somewhat redeemed by the end of this, but if he's playing a long game undercover to take down Snoke, again it (to me at least) really leaves Luke open to looking like a dick just hanging out on a Jedi island in the sun while is nephew does all of the hard-awful work.

rass wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up somewhat redeemed by the end of this, but if he's playing a long game undercover to take down Snoke, again it (to me at least) really leaves Luke open to looking like a dick just hanging out on a Jedi island in the sun while is nephew does all of the hard-awful work.

Yoda much?!?!

Murdering your dad and protecting a weapon that's about to blow up the planet where your mom lives is a pretty extreme commitment to cover.

A_B wrote:

rass wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up somewhat redeemed by the end of this, but if he's playing a long game undercover to take down Snoke, again it (to me at least) really leaves Luke open to looking like a dick just hanging out on a Jedi island in the sun while is nephew does all of the hard-awful work.

Yoda much?!?!

Hmmmm.

Yoda did come out of hiding once Luke was in play.

I guess if you make him Yoda, that puts Rey in the Luke role and makes R2 Obi-Wan.

I still don't think we'll see KR's situation being a true "Snape"-ing. Unless the downfall of Luke's academy was much different than has been suggested, he did too much dark shit.

I don't think they will because they don't want to steal it from Harry Potter.

And you can argue (there may even end up being an explanation) that Yoda had to go into hiding to reinvigorate the force. Feed it from afar.

What I really liked about that write-up was the theory that the Force is not just something out there that certain people can harness, but an actual "living" thing that can push people into action. I had never really thought of it that way, but like it. It's not just some inanimate thing, but something that actively impacts the galaxy.

I also liked the line that said if you can't handle Rey being able to fly the Millennium Falcon, maybe Star Wars isn't for you. A reminder not to take too seriously a story where so many crazy things happen.

That was really good and just reinforces that I have to see it again.

vandwagon wrote:What I really liked about that write-up was the theory that the Force is not just something out there that certain people can harness, but an actual "living" thing that can push people into action. I had never really thought of it that way, but like it. It's not just some inanimate thing, but something that actively impacts the galaxy.

You mean like God?

rass wrote:The droid thing, especially (or maybe just specifically) R2 has been a pet theory of mine for a long time. At least until the prequels gave him rocket boosters and ruined my childhood.

The rocket boosters fucked with my head so badly. Unless Lucas wanted to claim that between Ep. 3 and 4 there was a REALLY QUICK dystopian thing that was magically averted... Technology isn't regressive. Where did his boosters go!!?

Sabo wrote:

vandwagon wrote:What I really liked about that write-up was the theory that the Force is not just something out there that certain people can harness, but an actual "living" thing that can push people into action. I had never really thought of it that way, but like it. It's not just some inanimate thing, but something that actively impacts the galaxy.

You mean like God?

You could look at it that way if you like, but that would go against the free will aspect that many believers believe.

The Calvin and Hobbes/TFA mash-ups here (right at the top as of this posting) are pretty great.

h/t

Saw it yesterday finally. I had the Han thing spoiled for me, but I figured when it was announced that Ford said "look, one more fuckin' space thing and I'm out".

I share most of the thoughts already expressed. I enjoyed it for the most part. There were some glaring plot holes, but the whole thing was pretty fun throughout which is what I was hoping for. Not everything needs to be "The Dark Knight" to be entertaining. Keeping it light was in the movie's best interests and led to some fun interactions between characters. Chewie complaining about the cold and pretty much everything with BB8 in it were great high marks.

My major complaint would be the necessity to include some overarching point of impending doom that all of these blockbusters seem to need now. I don't need a SKB storyline to enjoy the story. Much discussion was had afterwards about why that likely makes tESB the best of the originals, because it focuses so much more on the interpersonal relationships than the "OMG, Death Star in range in 15 minutes" aspect of it. But I guess sometimes you gotta blow something up to keep people engaged?

I hate Adam Driver. I did watch the first season and some other eps of Girls. I just don't care for his look or his acting. KLRen would have been such a much better character had he never taken the mask off.

Daisy Ridley killed it. Love her as Rey. Love that they took the route of a female being the lead. I'm not huge on the political implications of these things, but someone actively said "hey, how about we have an empowered female lead instead of another white guy do it this time?", which I think is super cool.

Poe reminded me of Dash Rendar. Finn was a cool character, but I think they really pressed the limits of "let's make sure everyone knows this guy is black. He has to say some black things in the movie so everyone knows about his blackness".

I'd like to see it again once it comes out on DVD. I was entertained. It wasn't so long as to have me looking at my watch. and the mix of practical sets and CGI was done nicely. 7.75/10.

Release date for Episode VII pushed back from summer to December of 2017.

Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this a while ago. Just a year and a half between releases of the main series sounded really, really ambitious.

Johnny Carwash wrote:Release date for Episode VII pushed back from summer to December of 2017.

Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this a while ago. Just a year and a half between releases of the main series sounded really, really ambitious.

LOTR did it every year.

A_B wrote:

Johnny Carwash wrote:Release date for Episode VII pushed back from summer to December of 2017.

Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this a while ago. Just a year and a half between releases of the main series sounded really, really ambitious.

LOTR did it every year.

Yeah, but they were filmed all at once, and it was just post-production (and minor re-shoots) done between films.

rass wrote:

A_B wrote:

Johnny Carwash wrote:Release date for Episode VII pushed back from summer to December of 2017.

Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this a while ago. Just a year and a half between releases of the main series sounded really, really ambitious.

LOTR did it every year.

Yeah, but they were filmed all at once, and it was just post-production (and minor re-shoots) done between films.

And?

A_B wrote:

rass wrote:

A_B wrote:

Johnny Carwash wrote:Release date for Episode VII pushed back from summer to December of 2017.

Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this a while ago. Just a year and a half between releases of the main series sounded really, really ambitious.

LOTR did it every year.

Yeah, but they were filmed all at once, and it was just post-production (and minor re-shoots) done between films.

And?

So a large portion of the work on all three movies was done before the first one even premiered?

so..they shoulda done that too!

Too late!

Pretty awesome fan movie.

That's pretty impressive cloning young Madonna on a limited budget.

Family portrait

Suck it, Leia

The trailer for the first "anthology" film will premier later this morning.

ETA: No Vader. I hope there is Vader.

That looks really, really good.

I like the idea of what is hopefully a self-contained story that just tries to be a good movie on its own and doesn't just exist to set up other sequels and spin-offs.

It's set just before a New hope, so surely vader will appear at some point.

And that was a great trailer. And it's good to see Forrest Whitaker getting work.

Also, I think I'm going to waive the normal waiting period and induct Felicity Jones into the Rosanna Arquette Memorial Hall of Fame for Hot Women with Overbites.

I was unaware of the existence of this. Looks neat!

rass wrote:The trailer for the first "anthology" film will premier later this morning.

ETA:

No Vader. I hope there is Vader.

Wow. Ok. Yeah, didn't care about that movie but now I do. They can have my monies.

Given the number of people bitching on Twitter about yet another Death Star being built, I guess the trailer didn't do the best job of firmly establishing the movie's placement in the general SW timeline.

At least it can't end with a death star being blown up, right?

rass wrote:The trailer for the first "anthology" film will premier later this morning.

ETA:

No Vader. I hope there is Vader.

I thought I heard the "Vader Breathing" sound during the last shot of the trailer (where she turns around, looking alarmed)...

DaveInSeattle wrote:

rass wrote:The trailer for the first "anthology" film will premier later this morning.

ETA:

No Vader. I hope there is Vader.

I thought I heard the "Vader Breathing" sound during the last shot of the trailer (where she turns around, looking alarmed)...

Just rewatched it. Yup. Faint, but there.

A_B wrote:
Just rewatched it. Yup. Faint, but there.

Probably just all the nerds breathing hard.

Johnny Carwash wrote:Also, I think I'm going to waive the normal waiting period and induct Felicity Jones into the Rosanna Arquette Memorial Hall of Fame for Hot Women with Overbites.

Threadjack. You mean the one with all that shit in her face?




(That was trippy!)