Gaming, Reading, Movies, Star Wars and other Geek Culture

Movie Review – Star Wars: The Last Jedi

On December 16, 2017

Star Wars The Last Jedi

Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill

My Rating: [rating=5]

Simply put, I think The Last Jedi is marvelous! I am really confused as to why audiences are not responding well, but that is typical for the middle movie of a trilogy. I admit that this movie is quite different from any other Star Wars movie. It’s dark, with some light humor (often delivered by Oscar Isaac). It has some pretty intense moments; apparently I was, unknowingly, squeezing my wife’s hand throughout most of the film.

It was so awesome to see Mark Hamill reprise his most iconic role and he was spectacular! Luke’s demeanor is exactly as I expected considering what happened to Ben Solo. Daisy Ridley is still amazing as Rey and Adam Driver’s performance is equally as amazing! We also see new ways in which the Force is used, including a dramatic moment when Leia uses the Force.

Carrie Fisher’s Swan Song

I’ll admit that there were a few scenes that were difficult to watch when Leia was the focus. There is a great moment where Luke and R2 share a nostalgic moment that clearly pays homage to “A New Hope”. It’s also a great tribute to Princess Leia.

The last thing Luke says to Leia, in the movie, is perfect (and eerily fitting). Carrie Fisher’s death was unexpected and sudden but this movie is an unexpected tribute to her. Shortly into the credits a line was added (obviously in post-production) in which the film was dedicated to “our beloved princess”.

Star Wars The Last Jedi Opening Night

The last time I saw a Star Wars movie on Opening Night was Revenge of the Sith. When you have a toddler, arranging the night to be toddler-free often becomes difficult. I was very excited to finally see an opening night release and I was rewarded with a couple collectibles.

The AMC theater we went to were selling limited edition, opening night, metal popcorn tins (see picture). Naturally, I had to buy all three as souvenirs to commemorate the occasion.

I cannot wait to see it again, hopefully before its Blu-ray release. There are also quite a few “theory-inducing” plot twists that I will discuss at a later date. More people need to see it before I talk about those. If you can get to a matinee, that seems to be the best option to avoid large crowds. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

/MTFBWY

The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

Ready Player One Trailer

By Biggs

On December 11, 2017

In Gaming, Geek Canon, Movies

First things first, here is the newest Ready Player One Trailer. Watch It! NOW!

Ok, so now that I have your heart beating wildly, lets consider what we just saw. If you haven’t read the book then SHAME ON YOU! It’s good. You need to go read it before March! I saw some references in there that I was a little skeptical on because this movie is supposed to be an homage to the 80’s. It was not only the inspiration for the “OASIS” but for the book in-and-of-itself. The references to the things I grew up loving is one of the things I love about the book.

Why Is Tracer There??

So, as I said, this book is supposed to be an homage to the 80’s so I was a little confused to see Tracer, from Overwatch. If you missed it, here is a screenshot I grabbed for you:

Now, I might be wrong, but I don’t think Tracer was around in the 80’s but perhaps this is Ernest Cline paying respect to Blizzard. However, to be fair, The Iron Giant was from the late 90’s and is mentioned in the book. Honestly, I am going to err on the side of caution and say I’m pretty excited for the movie. Far more excited than I was when the first trailer came out; and I know Ernest Cline has been involved with the production of the film. I should “hope” that he will veto anything that doesn’t meet the spirit and nostalgia of the book.

/cheers

“The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.”
– Stanley Kubrick

Setting Expectations for The Last Jedi

By Biggs

On December 10, 2017

In Movies, Star Wars

We are less than a week away from the release of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. It is time for the obligatory Star Wars movie post about setting expectations for The Last Jedi. In addition to the same expectations I spoke about regarding The Force Awakens, there are a few other factors we should also consider. I do this because even as an avid fan, it’s important to set a reasonable bar before going to see the movie. After all, we don’t want it end up like the Justice League movie.

The Force Awakens Box Office Numbers

If you have forgotten, let me remind you. The Force Awakens demolished the domestic box office numbers after making nearly a billion dollars. It’s the most money any movie has ever made in MPAA history. While I would love to see history repeat itself two years later, let’s be realistic. The Force Awakens was so highly anticipated, and so well done, its unprecedented box office numbers are not surprising. This is probably the biggest obstacle The Last Jedi would need to overcome and I’m not sure it’s going to be possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Rian Johnson will do a great job. I think he has approached this project with the same joy and enthusiasm we have to see it. However, Disney has inundated us with Star Wars. It’s what Disney does and it’s a blessing and a curse. Star Wars is now in our homes is nearly every way imaginable. There is a new movie nearly every year until 2020 so it has become less of a rare treat. This is another tough obstacle that Rian Johnson will need to overcome.

Story/Plot Expectations

I already talked about the theories regarding Luke and his ominous line about the Jedi ending. The trailer left little for us to glean and a lot for us to ponder. Rian Johnson cut together the perfect bits of dialog and juxtaposed the perfect scenes to spark an amazing array of fan theories. Personally I doubt we are going to see Rey going to the dark side to become Kylo Ren’s apprentice. I do believe that this movie will be divided into two acts. Act 1 will be Rey training with Luke in which we will find out just how extraordinarily powerful Rey will become. Act 2 will be the all out war between the Resistance and the First Order.

Will Luke die? I don’t think so. I find it difficult to believe they would kill two major characters in back-to-back movies. Although, what if Luke has already died and he is just the Force incarnate? Let that bake your noodle for a little bit. The trailers do not reveal a lot about the film so anything is possible but that sets up some pretty exciting expectations. I have my tickets for the 15th, how about you?

/MTFBWY

The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

Justice League Bombing and I’m not Surprised

By Biggs

On November 24, 2017

In DC, Geek Canon, Movies

I don’t know what DC is thinking. Releasing the Justice League movie right before a major holiday. I cannot imagine too many people decide to go see a movie the weekend before the largest travel week of the year. While I do find it mildly disappointing its doing so terrible in theaters, I also find it not terribly surprising. Justice League bombing has a few flaws with the movie, other than Ben Affleck, and I haven’t seen the movie yet.

It’s Isn’t Just Ben Affleck

It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Ben Affleck as Batman. I have made many DC comic nerds heads implode with my constant trolling of “Batffleck”. However, in this case I do not think its all because Ben Affleck is a terrible Batman. Keep in mind that I have not seen this movie yet, and I probably won’t pay to see it in theaters. The reason is for the same reasons I’m about to get into.

I freely admit that I wanted the movie to do well in theaters. I enjoy the fact that comic book movies are the only movies that seem to be doing great in theaters. What was once considered lame when I was growing up is now some of the most successful franchises.

Depictions Failing Expectations

So far Wonder Woman is the only successful member of the Justice League. Gal Gadot is nailing the role as the Amazonian warrior, but the success ends there. I don’t understand why Ezra Miller was cast as Barry Allen/The Flash after the success Grant Gustin is having in The CW’s series. I don’t think I can watch the Grant Gustin impostor and no feel disappointment.

I know all the women are swooning over Jason Momoa as Aquaman, but he doesn’t fit all the depictions of Aquaman. He was never some sex symbol. He is often depicted as a blond imbecile, and perhaps that is why he was changed for the film. Maybe it’s because I’m a guy but it just isn’t working for me. I think Ryan Hansen would have made a better Aquaman.

I think the Cyborg adaptation looks pretty good but I would have liked a stand alone film first. Perhaps we all would have benefited from individual movies for the other members. It is working for Wonder Woman and The Avengers. Clearly DC is rushing these characters because Marvel is far more successful. Sadly, I will most likely wait until Justice League is on Netflix before I watch it.

“The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.”
– Stanley Kubrick

Book Review: Isle of Dragons

By Biggs

On November 22, 2017

In Book Review, Fantasy

Isle of Dragons by C. Greenwood
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to read on Goodreads.)

This book is another solid start by C. Greenwood. She is beginning to remind me of other great fantasy authors like R. A. Salvatore and Robert Jordan. It didn’t occur to me until I finished this book is that the name of the main character is rarely mentioned.

In fact it may have only happened twice, three times at most. I know its peculiar to mention that fact but you become so invested with the story and what will happen that the name of the main character becomes irrelevant. You know she is a humanoid race of dragonkind (this makes sense when you read the story), whose wings have been clipped because of her rank in society. Her curiosity causes a terrible tragedy and now she’s on a quest to try to reverse what has happened.

Isle of Dragons is a good read. There were a couple of parts where I became so lost in the adventure I hadn’t realized people were talking to me. As a final note, I really like the art design for the book covers; again its very Robert Jordan-esque. It’s a quick read, like most of her books, so one could easily read it in a weekend.

View all my reviews

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

WoW: World of Warcraft Expansion Theories

By Biggs

On October 24, 2017

In Gaming, World of Warcraft

BlizzCon 2017 is only a few days away and everyone is positive that Blizzard will announce the next World of Warcraft expansion. Nobody, outside of Blizzard, officially knows what the next chapter will be about. We all have a pretty good idea. I could delve into different World of Warcraft expansion theories but that seems moot. Jaina has been eerily absent since the beginning of the expansion. She clearly doesn’t care for demon hunters. Bitch. Ever since she teleported out of Stormwind Keep, nobody has seen hide nor hair of her. So where has she gone? What has become of her?? Perhaps these are the expansion theories we can discuss.

There is also the fact that the recently unveiled BlizzCon 2017 key art featuring Jaina (see left). I think this is the biggest clue we all have as to the context of the next expansion. Perhaps a visit to Jaina’s home world of Kul’Tiras will be part of the new journey. The location of this human city-state is unknown as well as the status of its occupants. Perhaps Jaina has returned there to fight for the survival of her father’s legacy? Given her state of mind when she left Stormwind, who knows what has happened to her, especially if Kul’Tiras is in peril too.

Evil Jaina

Dreadlord Jaina HotS skin

The popular theory is that Jaina has completely lost her mind. The death of Arthas, Gul’dan, the death of Varian and now demon hunters may have pushed her beyond her breaking point. Many think that she may be the new villain. The evidence that seems to support this theory is the Dreadlord Jaina skin in Heroes of the Storm. I think this is just wishful thinking, perhaps even a bit of player trolling. Rarely, if ever, has Blizzard used another title to prognosticate the future content of another title.

I agree that the Dreadlord Jaina skin looks amazing but I just don’t see how that fits into the lore. If Jaina does “go to the dark side”, I doubt it will be in the form of a dreadlord. In fact I’m more inclined to believe that she’s had her mind corrupted or controlled by some other nefarious being; which leads me to another Jaina theory.

Damsel In Distress Jaina

Perhaps, while stewing in her grief from death and betrayal, she is captured. If Kul’Tiras is under siege, perhaps it is the nefarious beings razing the city that capture her. It will be up to us to seek her out and free her then assist her in restoring her father’s legacy and bring peace back to Kul’Tiras. I know there are probably some horde players that are just itching to take out Jaina; therefore to appease those neanderthals she could be mind-controlled whom we have to fight to free her mind.

A raid encounter in which we fight Jaina would be really interesting. Some of the more interesting fights have been echo’s of heroes (like in the End Time dungeon) or disillusioned heroes (like Cenarius in Emerald Nightmare). Or we could all be completely wrong and Jaina just returns in the next expansion, but has nothing to do with Kul’Tiras or her.

The truth will be known November 3rd.

If zombies attack the world, everyone will run and hide. Except for us gamers, of course. We’ve been waiting for this all our lives!

Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Movie Review – Star Wars: The Last Jedi