In defence of Episode 1

Disclaimer: This was a spontaneous, rant type post written at 2am after a few glasses of wine. But that doesn't make it any less valid, maybe just a little less concise, and eloquently expressed.

Be forewarned, this post is saying good things about the new Star Wars trilogy, so if you aren't a fan of Episodes 1, 2 & 3, and don't have an open mind to hear about it, just stop reading now. I'm not saying everyone has to love it, but I feel like people expect it to be something other than it is. So with that said, here we go...

Here's the thing about Episode 1- it's a kids movie. Over 20 years had passed since the original, and it was time for a new generation to have their own version for it. I can defend this because I was a child at the time. The first time I ever saw Star Wars was the 20th anniversary re-release in 1997. And I loved it, it was awesome, but I didn't become obsessed until I saw Episode 1 on it's release date. My brother pre-ordered tickets for us, and that was it. My life was changed. Episode 1 was what introduced me to the extended universe, for all the possibilities that Star Wars was presenting. I read the Expanded Universe books, collected the action figures and studied visual dictionaries. The original trilogy made me want to play around with a light sabre and simulate Darth Vader's voice, but seeing the Ep. 1 made me want to find out how light sabres are made and why Vader has that voice.

Sure, they didn't have the same sort of fun, clever originality of Ep. 4, 5 & 6, but we got the opportunity to see a world so beautiful, vast and extensive that we could barely have imagined. The acting might not have felt as genuine (except for Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, that was just fantastic) and we didn't have the same connection with the characters, but we had the opportunity to literally discover a universe. We have the best light sabre fights, chase scenes and visuals that we ever could have asked for.

And I may be condemning myself for it, but I'll say it anyways. I don't really have a problem with Jar Jar Binks. There. I said it. But before you ridicule me, let me explain why. I was 10 years old when Episode 1 came out, and while Jar Jar may not have been my favorite character (in fact, I think even I, as an impressionable youth, didn't like him that much) I know many children who loved him. At the time, I was a lunch monitor or something of that nature for a kindergarten class. As my wild and crazy self, I decided that rather than call the kids by their names, I was going to name them each after the Star Wars Characters they most reminded me of. So what did everyone clamber to be? Not to be Vader, Han, Lando or Boba Fett. They all wanted to be Darth Maul, Jar Jar or Qui-Gon. The child I eventually nicknamed Jar Jar (who was thrilled with his new identity) would love to imitate the klutzy gungan. His favourite was to re-enact the scene where Jar Jar preforms and acrobatic jump into the lake on Naboo. So while he may have been an immature and annoying character to you or I, to the 5 year old that George Lucas wanted to appeal to, he was perfect.

So for me, seeing the battles on Mustafar, traffic on Coruscant, the sleekness of a Naboo cruiser or to have Yoda actually pick up a light sabre was just awe inspiring. And I know, perhaps the same thing could have been achieved while still staying more similar to the original trilogy. But the last thing we needed was a carbon copy of 4, 5 & 6. It's a different story, being told to a different generation, with different technology and different expectations. And I believe George Lucas intended it as such. It's a freaking kids movie. So to everyone hating on Lucas for all his changes, while I don't necessarily agree with all of them, I do have to say: Lay off. I know it hurts to see him change the trilogy you love, but face it. It's not your trilogy, and it wouldn't exist in the first place without him. So if you don't like the changes, you don't have to watch them, it's as simple as that.

Basically, it's a kids movie, that's what it was meant to be, and it worked. A new generation was introduced to it and they loved it. Even if all it managed was to segway that generation into watching the original trilogy, there's nothing wrong with that. If that upsets you, just go watch the original trilogy again. No one it forcing you to re-watch the new ones.

Maybe I'm just being naive, (and I guess this sentiment is in the same vein as being angry at Lucas) when someone insults something I love, I take it personally. And the love I have towards Star Wars is unconditional. UNCONDITIONAL. So as cheesy as it might be, as altered as it might get, I don't think I'll ever bite the hand that feeds me. Well, I might nibble... or stab with a fork. But lovingly. At the end of the day, I'm going to find some part of it to appreciate, and I would suggest you do the same.

Don't be a hater!

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The Hobbit trailer is out, and my mind is blown

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^That is how I feel like celebrating right now. The first trailer for the first hobbit movie is out, and if I do say, in my expert opinion... It's incredible.



I am unbelievably happy that Peter Jackson ended up directing this movie, and this trailer is evidence why. I definitely feel that ultimately, middle earth needs to be in his hands. No one can bring it to life like he can.

This trailer brings me back to the original FotR trailer (speaking of which, happy 10th anniversary to that movie, as of yesterday). Every time I watched it (and like most in nerd culture, obsessive doesn't even begin to describe my love of it), I got a feeling that I can only describe as engrossing. Or tingly, and deeply confusing. Mostly just engrossing. This world and these characters I had been imagining were coming to life in a way even my vivid imagination couldn't fathom. It wasn't just a trailer, and it wasn't just a movie. It was an experience, that I was a part of. And seeing the trailer for The Hobbit: An unexpected journey makes me feel the exact same way.

Needless to say, I'm counting the days- hell, the minutes until it's release. And I'll definitely be at the midnight premiere. And I'll feel incredibly nostalgic for 10 years prior, and unbelievably happy that I'm experiencing that all over again.

Until next time, Namarie

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Is Star Wars being illegitimitatizeding?

For starters, no illegitimitatizeding is not a made up word. Look it up.

Anyways, Just read this little bitty at FilmDrunk

And I hadn't considered it before, but it's kind of a good point. Is Star Wars no longer nerdy? It really is all over the place. Maybe, it's not what I originally thought, that nerdy things are becoming mainstream. Maybe they just aren't nerdy anymore. Is this what inception feels like?

Anyways, I know I have more thoughts on this somewhere... But they're hidden, and I'll find them when my brain reactivates. It would appear that my brain (and the rest of my body) is suffering from the black plague or something.

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Rather than offer actual content

All I've got is a picture of me on halloween!



A lot of people seemed confused by this costume. I didn't think it was that complicated of an idea. A Vargas girl, an army pinup. I know the soviet pin on the hat is a little confusing, but that was the best I could find (also, it allowed me to come up with an awesome double agent back story). Anyways, the response was as positive as I hoped, so next year, I'll just stick to Marvel characters again. (Really tho, how hot would Spider Woman be?).

I was at the Charlotte room, btw. The Silver Snail (Toronto's major comic mecca) hosted a party there. It was a pretty awesome party all in all, pool, drinks and awesome music, surrounded by like minded nerds. It was great to see dedication and great costumes instead of the usual crap. Unfortunately, I did feel as if the venue stifled the party in some senses. Nothing wrong with it, the Charlotte room was great, and so were the people there. But it was hard to watch the costume contests, and difficult to get around (although that was likely due to how crowded it was, which I enjoyed). Some of the great costumes seen include: Swamp Thing, Chef Bender, The Muppets, Alex Delarge, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, Han and Chewie, and many awesome badass others. If you haven't been before, I would seriously encourage you to check it out next year.

I've been pretty busy lately. But it's that kind of busy where it doesn't feel like you're accomplishing anything. Which is the most frustrating kind. But today has been pretty awesome. I've been rearranging my living room. I know, doesn't sound so complicated, does it? But when you've got shelves full of dvds, books, action figures, photos, memorobilia, busts, plushies and more... Well, it takes a lot of disassembling and reorganizing.

The good news about all of this is, I've been making it bearable by having an awesome movie marathon. Some of which includes Ghostbusters, Zombieland, Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Oh Star Wars. You can make anything delightful.

I'm hoping to be back soon with a review of Force Unleashed 2, and maybe next week with a little Black Ops. Only if I can pry myself away from the controller. Which is a lot harder than it sounds.

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So sexy, I posted it twice.

I already tweeted it, but damn- this needed extra attention.

Zombie Stormtroopers.

Yeah, I just called zombies sexy. What of it?... K, I see your point.

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They asked for it!

I caught a cold. Likely while working another 12 hour day thursday. It hit me yesterday, and full force today. Colds suck. Like, monkey balls. But the one good thing about them is the marathons. Not like Boston marathon, but movie/tv marathons. I like to focus on one particular thing each time I'm bed ridden by fever, sore throat and runny nose *shudder*. This time, it was the oh-so-magnificent Star Wars.

It made me think of a few things.I brought one up on twitter already. Anyone Imperial who got force choked by Vader had it coming. I mean, let's think about it. Take for example Admiral Motti. First off, he doesn't get killed, just like... a warning choke. But really, he should have been. So Motti is the guy who runs his mouth off, mocking Vaders "devotion to that ancient religion" etc. Really?!? He's an Admiral, he isn't new to the Imperial army, he knows who Vader is and what he's capable of. I'm sure he's seen a bitch get force choked before. What, like Vaders gonna be cool with you smack talking him? Think he won't mind you insulting him and his way of life infront of the Empire's top ranking men? You're just asking for it, Motti. Same goes for Ozzel, who thinks he knows better than Vader. Really?.... Really?!?! How do these idiots become Admirals? Clearly, the Empire isn't as badass and well organized as they seem, when someone like Admiral Ozzel can become the man in charge of Vader's flagship.

Secondly, so much on these movies relies on mere chance. It never occured to me before, but think about the ending of A New Hope. Han doesn't shoot Vader, he shoots in his general direction, then a TIE pilot flips out, and banks into Vader's TIE Advanced. That's when Luke gets his opportunity. So if this one pilot hadn't been such a panicky moron, the Rebels would have likely never succeeded, Vader might have killed Luke and the next two films certainly wouldn't have happened.

Or, what if, when on Endor, Chewie hadn't investigated the dead animal carcass that was a trap set by the Ewoks? I mean, let's assume Chewie did so because he was hungry. Or maybe he just has an insatiable curiousity like my dog, Kenobi. Seriously, this dog needs to sniff everything. He often then proceeds to licking or barking. Anyways, lets say Chewie chose to for those reasons. That's how they find the Ewoks, get reuinited with Leia, and form their alliance which allows them to blow up the shield generator and destroy the second Death Star. I know a lot of people might hate to admit it, but they couldn't have done it without the Ewoks. So lets say, instead Chewie packs himself a couple of protein bars and is full, doesn't give a damn about this hanging deer... thing. They wander around Endor for a while, don't find Leia, attempt unsuccessfully to blow up the Shield generator and the Rebel fleet gets oblirated. Seriously, a whole lot depends on Chewie's stomach.

Well, that's all I thought of for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions for you later.

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Just click the link

Except for the fact that I firmly believe that chewie wouldn't waste his time with this bullshit, totally hilarious article.

Star Wars Status Updates

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Sith Babies!

Well this would save us from that awkward "Nooo" moment...


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It makes me laugh, it makes me cry.

I love this, but I'm also so profoundly hurt and offended by it.

Here's Star Wars Retold by someone who's never seen it.

Deeefinitely good for a laugh.

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P.S.... Nuclear Wessels