Posts Tagged ‘Star Wars’

Pop Culture Nostalgia: A National Concern

October 29, 2010

I’m gonna strap on this guitar here and just JAM for a second. Feel free to pick up that bass and join in!

Leafing through my “Junk” feed on Google Reader this morning, as I do every morning, I clicked on a post featuring fan-made Star Wars posters. This is pretty standard — the sites I subscribe to means new Star Wars posters pretty much every day — and in most cases, something I look forward to. The Internet has only democratized creativity, to the point where anyone, anywhere can share their work and expect some kind of feedback (even if it’s from a family member). A good thing! But then Glass-Half-Empty Henning perked up, remembered some questionable developments of the past few months, and considered the posters in another context. An ALARMING context. The bullet points came all too quickly:

– Back to the Future celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new Blu-ray release, videogame, and…Playboy spread.
– The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 35 years old, recreated for no real reason on Glee. (Editor’s note: …And it is — shockingly! — still NOT VERY GOOD.)
– The Sound of Music (45!) cast reunited on Oprah. Because that’s just something the people want? Okay.

It only gets worse after the jump!

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Gripes & Tirades, Movies, Technocentricity, TV | 4 Comments »

Haiku Review: ‘Avatar’

April 26, 2010

Lifting Fog continues its (belated) Academy Awards countdown roundup today with a review of another Best Picture nominee (…loser): HMFIC James Cameron’s ‘Avatar.’ “We see you,” jerks!

Story? …Just enough.
But who cares! Special effects
Will make you shit bricks
and
So is it Star Wars
For a new generation?
I mean kind of, but…

Say what you will about G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, but 2009 was a pretty great year for movies. And across the board, too: boundary-pushing sci-fi in District 9; the (hilarious!) revisionist history of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. The Hurt Locker, Precious, Watchmen, Up. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER?!? Really just one of the more thoroughly satisfying — and amazingly diverse — array of films assembled in recent memory. We’re spoiled. But one movie unquestionably stands out even in that accomplished crowd, a movie that pushed the technological edge of filmmaking farther than it’s ever gone and silenced critics (…including me) who had written it off as “that Ferngully sequel” months before its release. The movie in question, of course, is Avatar, directed by a guy so ego-maniacal even his baseball cap seems to YELL at you. And while the story isn’t much, there’s no denying one thing: it sure looks great in blue.

Now hop into that Avatar-linking neuro-chamber and let’s GO.

Tags:, , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Reviews | 9 Comments »

Decision 2008: Calrissian vs. Palpatine

November 4, 2008

It looks like a video player, doesn't it?

It looks like a video player, doesn't it? Click to see the image move.

Apparently, even elections in galaxies far, far away suffer through brutal campaign seasons.

Not much of a debate here if you ask me: while technically “inexperienced” in the realm of galactic politics, General Calrissian (yes, he served in the military) comes with undeniable charisma, a strong advising staff, and documented success in community organizing. Claims that his ties to radical friends may compromise his judgment are patently ludicrous. He is more than qualified to lead. Senator Palpatine, well, he called for the eradication of the Jedi. Plus he’s just OLD.

Calrissian-Chewbacca ’08!

(Editor’s Note: I don’t think Senator John McCain bears any resemblance, in image or disposition, to Senator/Emperor Palpatine. Those who would claim that he does – or would top that with comparisons to Mussolini, Stalin, or Hitler – are out of their f*cking minds. Calm down, people.)

Tags:, , ,
Posted in "Politics", Movies | 1 Comment »

Welcome Back To Your Desks!

September 2, 2008

Hope everyone had a balls-to-the-wall “farewell to summer” weekend in a beachy, preferably needle-free, environment. You’re tan? You’re happy? Good, now get back to f&*#!n work.

Leave it to a 3-year-old to explain the original Star Wars more clearly than George Lucas or any member of his droid army ever could. Succinct. Well thought-out. And 2 cute 4 words. You’ve probably already seen this (it has somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 million hits on YouTube) but I figured that post Labor Day, we could all use a gentle pick-me-up. Only 270+ days ’til next summer!

Tags:,
Posted in Junk Drawer | Leave a Comment »