Star Wars Episode III: 2-Way Review
June 30, 2005 | Leave a Comment
On opening night, as expected, I was in line for the midnight showing of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The next day I started reading the novelization by Matthew Stover. Upon completing the novel, I then went for a second showing. My hope was to be able to compare how the movie did standalone, and then how it does when adding in the character insights in the novel, hear is my assessment.
First, I really like the movie. I’m a huge Star Wars fan and did actually like the other two prequel films. Now that we’re past that, I’ll also admit the new trilogy is nowhere near as good as the original, but any additional stories in the Star Wars universe is welcome to me.
Stover adds a pile of thought and characterization to many of those we are interested in. Notable additions include: Dooku, Windu, and Padme. The other huge addition is in his handling of Obi-Wan. Ob-Wan is one of the greatest jedi, yet the film paints him as a bit of a blunderer always needing to be saved by Anakin. Stover makes it clear that Anakin is the most powerful jedi, so in comparison he pales a bit. However, he does fight (and win) two significant lightsaber battles in this story.
Upon watching the film a second time, I felt like many of the pieces fit together nicer than previously. I hadn’t actually noticed any problems on the first viewing, but in the second, innuendoes and intentions were suddenly much more clear.
If you are a Star Wars fan, and want to squeeze just a bit more depth and fullness from this story, I highly recommend the book, I was not at all disappointed.
Tags: book, books, dooku, episode 3, episode III, fan, movie, movies, obi-wan, revenge of the sith, sith, star wars, windu. padme
Batman Begins
June 29, 2005 | Leave a Comment
I went and saw Batman Begins this weekend and wanted to add to the chorus of people who love this movie. After Tim Burton was replaced by Joel Schumacher to do “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin” in the late 90’s, like most I was certain Batman was a dead character for at least 20 years until people could adequately repress the memory of that trash.
However, Chris Nolan (Memento), managed to bring us another dark interpretation of the Batman franchise. This is loosely based on the “Batman: Year One” comics, co-authored by Frank Miller. Miller is most known for his creation of the Sin City comics, three of which were recently compiled into a film released this spring. Miller is clearly on a hot streak, I guess I need to look at what else he’s written…
The one downside to this is the weak villains. Ra’s Al Ghoul and Scarecrow are both played very well, but both have light involvement. Certainly neither holds a candle to Jack Nicholson’s Joker. In fact that brings me to another potential concern. It would seem Joker is intended to be the villain in the next movie, who’s going to play this role and do it justice? Stay tuned, I’m gonna watch this one.
Back to the positive, Hollywood clearly realized that selling happy meals is not the most important thing about making a movie. I cross my fingers and hope history doesn’t again repeat itself.
Tags: batman, frank miller, movie, movies, scarecrow
Protected: Visual directions to Camp in Croydon, NH
June 28, 2005 | Enter your password to view comments
Shawn Budro a pansy?
June 27, 2005 | 16 Comments
Is this dude cool, or a pansy? Comment and let me know. I’m pretty much leaning towards pansy myself.
Tags: bude, pansy, shawn budro
Spider-Man Blue
June 26, 2005 | 6 Comments
I mentioned in a previous post that I hoped to get my hands on and read “Spider-Man Blue”. I read the trade paperback which combines the book mini-series.
The basic premise is Peter is talking to the late Gwen Stacy on a tape recorder, retelling the story of him falling in love with her and the love triangle of him, Gwen, and Mary Jane. The artwork and story telling are fantastic. This is a story extracted from the best era in Spider-Man history, retold with updated art and more detail. The character development and emotional insight here is well told and far more insightful than what can normally be included in a standard comic. For Spider-Man fans, this is a must read.
For more detail and reviews, SpiderFan.org.
Tags: comics, gwen stacy, mary jane, peter parker, spider-man, spiderman, spiderman blue, trade, trade paperback
Serenity/Firefly
June 25, 2005 | 5 Comments
My good friend Jenny introduced me to Firefly. For this, I love and hate her. The series is great, but was cancelled after 13 episodes. This means that about the time you start to really get into it, the show starts to develop intriguing questions, BAM! It’s gone.
However, there is a small reprieve. Joss Whedon has now also created a movie extending the series. This movie is Serenity. Serenity comes out September 30th, but I got to see a screening on Thursday night in Boston! The movie rocks, same great character development and story writing, tons of sweet action. This is a must see movie for anyone who likes action/adventure flicks. Especially if you also have seen the series.
Of course if you’ve actually watched the series, I don’t need to tell you…
Tags: firefly, joss whedon, movie, movies, scifi, serenity
Buckeye
June 24, 2005 | 3 Comments
I worked with this great guy out in Pittsburgh, Scott Hylbert, who also turns out to be a super-talented musician/songwriter. While we were living out there we got the opportunity to see him a pile of times, mostly at Club Cafe.
Scott has a alternative/rock/country sound. Currently his website is at MySpace. I’m trying to get him to post more music or put some up for sale somewhere.
Tags: band, buckeye, club cafe, country, music, myspace, nashville, pittsburgh, Scott Hylbert