This is awesome!
http://sithsense.com/flash.htm
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
Episode III: The Movie Saga Ends on a High Note
The stakes were high with Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith after the fairly disappointing Episodes I and II. This one HAD to be better. We get to see Anakin become Darth Vader. We get to see the mythic lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan, and we see the stage set for the greatest movie trilogy of all time (sorry Lord of the Rings fans, but they were books first, and Godfather III just brings that whole saga down).
Well, congratulations, George Lucas, you redeemed yourself -- big time! Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back. Sure, it suffered from most of the same weaknesses as Episodes I and II – specifically, hokey writing and wooden acting, but this time, action spoke much louder than words. Except for Natalie Portman, who despite just receiving an Oscar nomination (for Closer), comes off really poorly here. Her dialogue is so horrible, her scenes so heavy-handed, and the poor girl has nothing to do but look radiantly pregnant and pine away for her dark little Annie. After the way she kicked butt in Episode II, the character and the actress both deserved a better send-off.
But enough of the negative. From this point let’s focus on what was good about the movie. And boy is there a lot of positive – right from the beginning. I thought I would no longer be impressed seeing space battles by now. After all, they’re just more special effects. But I was wrong. The opening space battle, led by Obi Wan and Anakin, was epic – in detail, scale, and kicking tail! Hundreds of ships (prototypes of X-Wing and TIE fighters!) battling while mechanical gremlins tore ships apart one at a time, spectacular crash landings – with our heroes leaping out of their cockpits, light sabers blazing, taking down enemy troops. Just unbelievable. Picking up where the animated Clone Wars left off, Anakin and Obi Wan set about their rescue of the Republic’s influential Chancellor Palpatine, but not without resistance from Christopher Lee’s Count Dooku, who in Episode II chopped off Anakin’s hand in their first showdown. This latest faceoff is the first of many light saber duels, each more intense and impressive than the last, all building to an incredible climax that you know is coming, which only makes you anticipate it all the more. And the scene that’s been talked about for almost 30 years is every bit as phenomenal as you could ever picture it to be.
Hayden Christensen no longer pouts, he glares, growing into the role, as you watch Anakin’s ideals, goals and dreams get twisted away by dark manipulation taking advantage of his ego and savior complex.
Ewan McGregor becomes Sir Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi in this movie, as one of two actors who transcend the melodramatic script and direction. The other, of course is Ian McDiarmid, as Palpatine, whose role has grown exponentially with each prequel. Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu gets to kick butt, as does Yoda. Chewbacca is introduced to the saga here as well, as is the entire Wookie planet. And, most importantly, we hear the heavy breathing and the voice of James Earl Jones that are signatures of Darth Vader. Then, there’s R2D2, the mobile Swiss army knife - wow! That little droid rocks, especially in the opening scenes. His fantastic feats are only diminished by the fact that you can’t help but wonder what happened to all those great capabilities in his later years.
That’s the first question that hits you as you try to put the prequel trilogy together with the original trilogy. In this, the last chance to tie the two tales together, a lot of questions do get answered, but a lot more do not, and many new ones arise. But you shouldn’t think about that too hard – if we complain about the inconsistencies too much, Lucas might go back and tinker with the original trilogy even more. The movie ends exactly as it should – setting up the characters, settings and situations for the opening scenes of Episode IV: A New Hope.
Thanks George. The Force is strong in this one.
Well, congratulations, George Lucas, you redeemed yourself -- big time! Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back. Sure, it suffered from most of the same weaknesses as Episodes I and II – specifically, hokey writing and wooden acting, but this time, action spoke much louder than words. Except for Natalie Portman, who despite just receiving an Oscar nomination (for Closer), comes off really poorly here. Her dialogue is so horrible, her scenes so heavy-handed, and the poor girl has nothing to do but look radiantly pregnant and pine away for her dark little Annie. After the way she kicked butt in Episode II, the character and the actress both deserved a better send-off.
But enough of the negative. From this point let’s focus on what was good about the movie. And boy is there a lot of positive – right from the beginning. I thought I would no longer be impressed seeing space battles by now. After all, they’re just more special effects. But I was wrong. The opening space battle, led by Obi Wan and Anakin, was epic – in detail, scale, and kicking tail! Hundreds of ships (prototypes of X-Wing and TIE fighters!) battling while mechanical gremlins tore ships apart one at a time, spectacular crash landings – with our heroes leaping out of their cockpits, light sabers blazing, taking down enemy troops. Just unbelievable. Picking up where the animated Clone Wars left off, Anakin and Obi Wan set about their rescue of the Republic’s influential Chancellor Palpatine, but not without resistance from Christopher Lee’s Count Dooku, who in Episode II chopped off Anakin’s hand in their first showdown. This latest faceoff is the first of many light saber duels, each more intense and impressive than the last, all building to an incredible climax that you know is coming, which only makes you anticipate it all the more. And the scene that’s been talked about for almost 30 years is every bit as phenomenal as you could ever picture it to be.
Hayden Christensen no longer pouts, he glares, growing into the role, as you watch Anakin’s ideals, goals and dreams get twisted away by dark manipulation taking advantage of his ego and savior complex.
Ewan McGregor becomes Sir Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi in this movie, as one of two actors who transcend the melodramatic script and direction. The other, of course is Ian McDiarmid, as Palpatine, whose role has grown exponentially with each prequel. Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu gets to kick butt, as does Yoda. Chewbacca is introduced to the saga here as well, as is the entire Wookie planet. And, most importantly, we hear the heavy breathing and the voice of James Earl Jones that are signatures of Darth Vader. Then, there’s R2D2, the mobile Swiss army knife - wow! That little droid rocks, especially in the opening scenes. His fantastic feats are only diminished by the fact that you can’t help but wonder what happened to all those great capabilities in his later years.
That’s the first question that hits you as you try to put the prequel trilogy together with the original trilogy. In this, the last chance to tie the two tales together, a lot of questions do get answered, but a lot more do not, and many new ones arise. But you shouldn’t think about that too hard – if we complain about the inconsistencies too much, Lucas might go back and tinker with the original trilogy even more. The movie ends exactly as it should – setting up the characters, settings and situations for the opening scenes of Episode IV: A New Hope.
Thanks George. The Force is strong in this one.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Star Wars Week Day 4: Comics!
Well, today is opening day of the last Star Wars movie. Going through withdrawal yet?
Dark Horse comics may be just what you're looking for. Check out their Star Wars site for all the stories they've published set before, during, after and instead of the movies.
Read about Dark Horse's future Star Wars plans here.
Dark Horse comics may be just what you're looking for. Check out their Star Wars site for all the stories they've published set before, during, after and instead of the movies.
Read about Dark Horse's future Star Wars plans here.
Da Vinci Code Teaser Trailer
It opens exactly one year from today, and it doesn't show a whole lot, but here's the teaser trailer for The DaVinci Code, starring Forrest Gump, Magneto and Doc Ock, and drected by Richie Cunnigham.
Fantastic New Trailer
The new Fantastic Four trailer that debuted last night in theatres along with Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is already online at Yahoo Movies. Enjoy.
Fantastic Four opens July 8 (despite what the pic above says).
Fantastic Four opens July 8 (despite what the pic above says).
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Star Wars Week: Day 3 - Spoiler Wars
You might have heard there's a new Star Wars movie opening this week. You may have also heard/read/seen just about every major plot point from the movie.
Books, comics, toys, video games, soundtracks and other related merchandise, which hit shelves over a month ago, reveal most of the storyline of the final chapter in the Star Wars saga. (I read the novelization a month ago!).
USA Today (which has a survey on the left-hand side of the page that could also be considered a spoiler!) covers the issue here.
Books, comics, toys, video games, soundtracks and other related merchandise, which hit shelves over a month ago, reveal most of the storyline of the final chapter in the Star Wars saga. (I read the novelization a month ago!).
USA Today (which has a survey on the left-hand side of the page that could also be considered a spoiler!) covers the issue here.
No More Riddles: Frank Gorshin R.I.P.
On Tuesday, actor/impressionist Frank Gorshin passed away. He was 72. He was, of course, best known as "The Riddler" on the 1960s Batman series, playing the character with such glee that the character once again became popular in the comics.
His last TV appearance will be on Thursday's CSI season finale, playing hiimself, alongside Tony Curtis. He will be heard as the the voice of Prof. Hugo Strange in upcoming episodes of the Kids' WB/Cartoon Network's The Batman cartoon. He recently appeared in the TV movie Return to the Batcave, which was released this week on DVD.
He also recently expertly played George Burns in a one-man show, proving even in his later years he was much more than the Riddler.
He also recently expertly played George Burns in a one-man show, proving even in his later years he was much more than the Riddler.
Sneak Peek at Smallville's Batman preview
During tonight's 90-minute season finale of Smallville, there will be an 8-minute preview of Batman Begins. The official movie site has released a teaser of what's in store. Check it out here (see bottom of page)
FYI -- This week, the WB announced that Smallville will air Thursdays at 8 next season.
FYI -- This week, the WB announced that Smallville will air Thursdays at 8 next season.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Star Wars Week: Day 2 - Behind the Breathing
As we prepare to witness the birth of Darth Vader this week, let's take a look at his inner-most thoughts. What goes on in the mind of a Dark Lord of the Sith?
Monday, May 16, 2005
Star Wars Week: Day 1 -- Lego Wars
Only 4 more days until Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Until then take a look at the Lego version: Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick, a not-so-serious take on the saga -- all in Lego, of course, with a great gag at the end.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Star Wars Fan Film A Cut Above the Rest
In anticipation of Episode III, one ambitious fan set out to add his own chapter in the saga. Fan-made Star Wars films are nothing new, but this 40-minute film was a little more ambitious than the rest.
Read about the film and filmaker here and see the trailer (cheesy acting, great special effects) here.
Read about the film and filmaker here and see the trailer (cheesy acting, great special effects) here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
New Harry Potter trailer
If we can think past summer movies like Star Wars (only a week away!) and Batman (more than a month!) for a minute, this November, the 4th Harry Potter movie -- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -- hits theatres.
See the first trailer here.
My, the kids are growing up.....
See the first trailer here.
My, the kids are growing up.....
DC introduces first new logo in decades
The logo will debut on comics on May 18 with DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy. An animated version of the logo will be included with Batman Begins, opening June 18.
From the press release:
As both a distinguished publisher and a vital creative development source, DC is a unique asset in the media world for both Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC has the ability to create properties that appeal to a wide-ranging audience, from preschoolers (Krypto) to adults (Constantine), and everyone in between. For decades, DC characters have permeated pop culture around the world and cutting edge graphic novels such as Watchmen and Sandman have altered the public's idea of the medium. 2005 marks the beginning of the next stage of the ongoing evolution of one of the media world's gems, DC Comics.
DC talks about the logo and new branding initiative here.
Clone Wars to be Fought on Saturday
This Saturday, the Cartoon Network will show all 25 chapters of the animated Star Wars prequel series, Clone Wars, from 7-10 pm ET. The events in this series take place after Episode II and lead directly into Episode III (which opens next week). Get psyched for the movie and catch a really cool animated series this Saturday night.
Elvis: What Happened?
So, Part 1 of the 4-hour Elvis mini-series aired on Sunday night.
The guy looked pretty good, and the movie is OK. I find the use of the actual recordings to be very distracting. In most of the cases, he’s supposed to be singing live and he obviously isn’t.
For instance, The Dorsey Bros and Milton Berle appearances. You heard piano, but didn’t see it. And I’ve seen and heard the original TV appearances often enough, that it just came across as fake. Inexplicably, they used real footage of the Army draft. If they’re going to mix in footage, the time to do it would have been the TV appearances.
I am unfairly comparing it to the Elvis TV series, which didn’t use the real music, but it was close, and sounded live when it needed to. That show was great, but it got into more day-to-day stuff, and hadn’t even gotten to the point where he made Love Me Tender before it was cancelled. That guy looked so much like Elvis, and the guys playing Scotty and Bill looked like them. If it comes out on DVD, I may get it.
This was much broader. The guys doing Scotty and Bill here, there’s not even an attempt to resemble . In fact, they should have switched actors, it would have been a little closer. I like how the Dad is played, but I think both his mother and Col. Tom are being way overplayed as the ones who ruined Elvis. Granted, they did, but there are no shades of gray here at all. The music was the one area the Col. stayed out of – except for Scotty and Bill, because they had too much influence on Elvis.
I think that in the beginning. Col. Tom was good for Elvis – he got him on TV, got him national attention, got him to RCA., got him the movie contract (a mixed blessing, that)
Actually, the interesting take I got from it was, that Parker never expected Elvis to last more than a few years at best, and was trying to get all the money they could while he could do it. Things like consequences to a long-term career were not a consideration.
In retrospect, he seems like this awful human being (and he probably was), but his decisions were sound, business-wise. However, he didn’t know how to sustain the popularity properly. He never adapted his style, and never evolved beyond a carnival huckster. And he never cared about Elvis as more than a product.
But Elvis should have dumped him when he got out of the army. Almost everything between 1961 and 1968 was awful. His first album after the army was good (with "Such a Night", "Mess o’ Blues", etc), but until the Comeback Special and the album now known as "Suspicious Minds" (originally “From Elvis in Memphis” I think), it was just bad. Viva Las Vegas is campy fun, but not really good – in 1964, the same year the Beatles hit America!. Elvis was SO irrelevant.
Part 1 skipped over Jailhouse Rock and King Creole, movies where Elvis showed potential as an actor. The next movies they’ll probably show is GI Blues and Blue Hawaii (skipping over Flaming Star and Follow That Dream, where he tired to stretch a little ). Then they’ll probably do a bad movie montage until they get to Viva Las Vegas, so they can do stuff with Rose McGowan as Ann Margaret. I wonder if they’’ show the Sinatra special, or that first post-army album
I think Part 2 will be more interesting, though all the reviews said Part 1 is better. The clips they showed of the Comeback Special looked pretty cool actually. Col. Tom is going to come off even worse here – the bad movies, the lack of touring, the ignoring of the drug problem.
I give it a C+.
The guy looked pretty good, and the movie is OK. I find the use of the actual recordings to be very distracting. In most of the cases, he’s supposed to be singing live and he obviously isn’t.
For instance, The Dorsey Bros and Milton Berle appearances. You heard piano, but didn’t see it. And I’ve seen and heard the original TV appearances often enough, that it just came across as fake. Inexplicably, they used real footage of the Army draft. If they’re going to mix in footage, the time to do it would have been the TV appearances.
I am unfairly comparing it to the Elvis TV series, which didn’t use the real music, but it was close, and sounded live when it needed to. That show was great, but it got into more day-to-day stuff, and hadn’t even gotten to the point where he made Love Me Tender before it was cancelled. That guy looked so much like Elvis, and the guys playing Scotty and Bill looked like them. If it comes out on DVD, I may get it.
This was much broader. The guys doing Scotty and Bill here, there’s not even an attempt to resemble . In fact, they should have switched actors, it would have been a little closer. I like how the Dad is played, but I think both his mother and Col. Tom are being way overplayed as the ones who ruined Elvis. Granted, they did, but there are no shades of gray here at all. The music was the one area the Col. stayed out of – except for Scotty and Bill, because they had too much influence on Elvis.
I think that in the beginning. Col. Tom was good for Elvis – he got him on TV, got him national attention, got him to RCA., got him the movie contract (a mixed blessing, that)
Actually, the interesting take I got from it was, that Parker never expected Elvis to last more than a few years at best, and was trying to get all the money they could while he could do it. Things like consequences to a long-term career were not a consideration.
In retrospect, he seems like this awful human being (and he probably was), but his decisions were sound, business-wise. However, he didn’t know how to sustain the popularity properly. He never adapted his style, and never evolved beyond a carnival huckster. And he never cared about Elvis as more than a product.
But Elvis should have dumped him when he got out of the army. Almost everything between 1961 and 1968 was awful. His first album after the army was good (with "Such a Night", "Mess o’ Blues", etc), but until the Comeback Special and the album now known as "Suspicious Minds" (originally “From Elvis in Memphis” I think), it was just bad. Viva Las Vegas is campy fun, but not really good – in 1964, the same year the Beatles hit America!. Elvis was SO irrelevant.
Part 1 skipped over Jailhouse Rock and King Creole, movies where Elvis showed potential as an actor. The next movies they’ll probably show is GI Blues and Blue Hawaii (skipping over Flaming Star and Follow That Dream, where he tired to stretch a little ). Then they’ll probably do a bad movie montage until they get to Viva Las Vegas, so they can do stuff with Rose McGowan as Ann Margaret. I wonder if they’’ show the Sinatra special, or that first post-army album
I think Part 2 will be more interesting, though all the reviews said Part 1 is better. The clips they showed of the Comeback Special looked pretty cool actually. Col. Tom is going to come off even worse here – the bad movies, the lack of touring, the ignoring of the drug problem.
I give it a C+.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
Will Ferrell to Star in Land of the Lost Remake
And the TV remakes continue. After appearing in the movie version of Starsky and Hutch and following his starring role in this summer's Bewitched, former Saturday Night Live cast member Will Ferrell is now set to star in the movie remake of kids' TV show The Land of the Lost. Ferrell will star as Rick Marshall, who with his children, Will and Holly, get transported back in time to a world of dinosaurs and Sleestaks.
This is the second connection Ferrell has to the old TV show. He played "Marshall Willenholly" in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
This is the second connection Ferrell has to the old TV show. He played "Marshall Willenholly" in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
More Star Wars
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith may be the last Star Wars movie, but it's by no means the end of the story. Over the weekend, George Lucas officially confirmed two television projects in the works: a 30-minute 3D animated series based on the recent Clone Wars animated series seen on Cartoon Network, and a live-action series similar to his Young Indiana Jones Chronicles series.
Lucas announced these projects at last weekend's Celebration III, an official four-day gathering of Star Wars fans, and one of the few fan-based events where Lucas has ever personally appeared. USA Today covered the convention and Lucas' appearance. Here's what the article said about his future Star Wars plans:
USA Today also blogged at the convention.
Lucas announced these projects at last weekend's Celebration III, an official four-day gathering of Star Wars fans, and one of the few fan-based events where Lucas has ever personally appeared. USA Today covered the convention and Lucas' appearance. Here's what the article said about his future Star Wars plans:
Lucas has given the green light to two Star Wars television series. First up will be a 3-D animated half-hour series based on his popular Clone Wars cartoon shorts. The second and most ambitious project will involve a live-action series. He wants it to be similar to the serialized The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series he executive-produced in 1992. Lucas plans to film the entire first season all at once, with shooting to begin in about a year. Lucas says he will set up the show, but then plans to step back and move on to other projects. Lucas also plans to remaster all the films in 3-D. The first film is set to be released in 2007, the 30th anniversary of Star Wars.
USA Today also blogged at the convention.
Dates That Matter!
A little while back, I posted a calendar of upcoming events of note to me -- and maybe you. Because it was so handy, I decided to post it again with updates. So here it is:
April 26: Blade: Trinity hits DVD
April 30: Man-Thing debuts on Sci-Fi
May 1: Family Guy returns to Fox
May 7: Free Comic Book Day!
May 8/May 11: Elvis TV biography on CBS
May 13: Elvis by the Presleys documentary on CBS
May 18: Smallville season finale (with Batman Begins promo footage!)
May 19: Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith opens
May 19: Quentin Tarantino directs CSI season finale
May 25: Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 3 arrives on DVD
June 3-5: Wizard World Philadelphia comic convention
June 15: Batman Begins opens
July 8: Fantasic Four opens
July 16: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hits bookstores
April 26: Blade: Trinity hits DVD
April 30: Man-Thing debuts on Sci-Fi
May 1: Family Guy returns to Fox
May 7: Free Comic Book Day!
May 8/May 11: Elvis TV biography on CBS
May 13: Elvis by the Presleys documentary on CBS
May 18: Smallville season finale (with Batman Begins promo footage!)
May 19: Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith opens
May 19: Quentin Tarantino directs CSI season finale
May 25: Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 3 arrives on DVD
June 3-5: Wizard World Philadelphia comic convention
June 15: Batman Begins opens
July 8: Fantasic Four opens
July 16: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hits bookstores
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