Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Star Wars Page 28 of 39

Happy Star Wars Day 2020

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On May 4, 2020

In Geek Culture, Star Wars

Star Wars Day 2020Today is the biggest holiday of the month. I always wondered why the 25th wasn’t “Star Wars Day” since that is the anniversary of the release of A New Hope. However the clever and aptly named “May the 4th” is sufficient credence. I will begin my Star Wars re-watch of the 11 movies today (in chronological order). Also happening today is the epic conclusion of Dave Filoni’s Clone Wars series and the release of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, an eight episode documentary about the making of The Mandalorian (only available on Disney+). The year is off to a horrible start so Star Wars Day 2020 is the perfect opportunity to forget about it for a while.

Of Course There’s Merchandise

To be fair, the deals on all things Star Wars is what I look forward to the most on Star Wars Day. The Star Wars website already has a post of the available deals. Here are a few of the notable deals (some of which started a few days ago):

  • Best Buy – a percent is not mentioned, just a general sale on entertainment, toys and collectibles
  • Target – the new go-to spot for Star Wars merchandise. 20% off (except LEGO)
  • Her Universe – Ashley Eckstein’s (aka Ahsoka Tano) fashion line for girls. 30% off
  • GameStop – Up to 50% off merchandise including The Mandalorian Funko Pops!

The most disappointing “deal” this year is LEGO. They are not offering any sale on Star Wars LEGO items, instead they are giving away a Death Star II kit but you have to spend $75 in order to receive it. I’m also mildly disappointed, though not terribly surprised, that the Disney Store doesn’t have any specials.

If anyone spots other deals for Star Wars Day 2020 that are not listed in the StarWars.com post please feel free to leave a comment with a link to said deal. I’m especially interested in apparel and books.

/MT4thBWY

Breathe. Just breathe. Now reach out.

Star Wars Month and the 501st

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On May 1, 2020

In Geek Canon, Star Wars

I’ve made the argument before that May should be Star Wars month. There are numerous days in May that have some kind of Star Wars relevance. Therefore most of the posts this month, if not all of them, will be Star Wars themed. There is one day this month that is a bit of an exception. May 25th is Geek Pride Day because its the anniversary of the first Star Wars movie and Towel Day.

Despite the negativity from the “so-called” fans about the sequel trilogy, I’m excited for Star Wars month. This year is particularly special because it is the 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back (most common fan favorite). Today, as it turns out, is the first of the Star Wars themed days in May, the 501st day.

What Is The 501st?

Click to Enlarge ImageThe 501st Legion is a stormtrooper squad, often seen in The Clone Wars, but canonically known as “Vader’s Fist”. Outside the Star Wars Universe, the 501st is a real life organization. Fans all over the globe are apart of this group of people with a passion for Star Wars. Their mission is to help facilitate the love for the franchise through elaborate and, often times, extremely accurate and life-like costumes. In fact the stormtrooper costumes were so accurate several members of the 501st were brought in to be extras in the final two episodes of season one of The Mandalorian. The actors in the show were also impressed with the quality of craftsmanship.

I wish I had the fabrication talent these folks have for making Star Wars costumes.

In addition to all the other celebratory days, the 21st marks the 40th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back. As is my usual plan, I will be doing the first ever 11 movie re-watch during the month of May. I may also try to finish watching Rebels and Star Wars Resistance. If I finish all of that in a timely manner, I will be re-watching the first season of The Mandalorian.

It has been a challenging and tumultuous start to this year, so I’m looking forward to making this May fun and exciting. I’m going to try hard to show my Star Wars pride!

How will you spend your Star Wars month?

/MTFBWY

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

 

Book Review – Thrawn: Treason

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On March 3, 2020

In Book Review, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Thrawn: Treason (Star Wars: Thrawn, #3)Thrawn: Treason by Timothy Zahn
My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to go to Goodreads instead)

The man that brought us the original Thrawn Trilogy brings us a new trilogy, set before Star Wars: A New Hope. In fact these books predate Rogue One. Each book in the series describe a moment in Thrawn’s rise to power. The first book, Thrawn, talks about how the Empire first discovers this mysterious, and alien being. The second book, Thrawn: Alliances, takes place several years later in which he must work closely with Darth Vader to locate a disturbance in the Force on behalf of the Emperor.

This book follows events that involve the Emperor’s Stardust plans. Thrawn clashes with Director Krennic himself as his unique tactical talents are put to the test. During his mission he discovers a treasonous plot against the Empire.

Biggs’ Review

It’s so exciting that Zahn wrote a Thrawn prequel. Reading a Star Wars book doesn’t always have to involve the Jedi and/or the Rebels. A view from the side of the Imperials is equally as interesting. This series fulfills that perspective. Zahn makes me love Mitth’raw’nurudo over again. I’ve been a fan of the Chiss species since I read the original Thrawn Trilogy so many years ago. I think what I enjoy most about this particular book is its place in the Star Wars timeline. It’s not only directly linked to the events that unfold in Rogue One but leads directly in to one of the animated series.

Now a third Thrawn trilogy is in the works for Timothy Zahn. He announced the Ascendancy Trilogy late last year; Book 1 is due out this May!

View all my reviews

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

HMDYK About Peter Cushing

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On February 6, 2020

In HMDYK, Movies, Star Wars

How Much Do You Know about Peter Cushing? Star Wars fans know him as Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin from A New Hope. If you’re not quite “Star Wars savvy” to know which one is Tarkin, he is the Imperial leader that ordered for the termination of Leia and the destruction of Alderaan (see picture on the right).

“I try to consider what the audience would like to see me do and I thought kids would adore Star Wars.”
– Peter Cushing

I’m sure it’s a generation thing but Tarkin is the only role I know Peter Cushing played. Granted, he was 64 years old when Star Wars was released so, obviously, he’s had many roles in his career. I was curious, so I dug into his filmography. He has quite the distinguished career.

From Darcy to Sherlock

Peter Cushing passed away in 1994 and over the course of his 81 years he’s been in 130 movies or TV series. What I found most surprising is, of the 130 films/series, 50 of them were horror films. It seems he had a penchant for the creepy and scary. In fact, among his horror accolades, he played some iconic characters. Baron Frankenstein and Van Helsing are two of the more well known characters in the genre.

It seems that when he wasn’t trying to scare the audience, he was sleuthing. Yes, Peter Cushing was Sherlock Holmes in several well known Sherlock stories (including The Hound of Baskervilles). His archetypal portrayals also extended to the prideful Mr. Darcy in a Pride and Prejudice series in 1952 and the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1960.

However, I think the role that surprises me most of all was that of Doctor Who. In 1965 and 1966 two Doctor Who movies were produced: Dr. Who and the Daleks and Dalek’s Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. in which Peter Cushing was the beloved Doctor. Hopefully I can track down these movies and watch them.

In fact, I think I need to track down several of his other films; and not just the well known characters. If there is any Peter Cushing film you’ve seen and would recommend, please leave a comment.

“The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” – Aristotle

 

Star Wars Is More Than A Movie

By

On January 3, 2020

In Geek Culture, Movies, Star Wars

This Is Not A Review

I’m not going to write a review for The Rise of Skywalker. My loyalty to the franchise creates a bias which doesn’t provide you with accurate incentive. The only suggestion I have is to ignore everything you read on Facebook and Twitter. As with any movie you need to try to go in with open eyes and open expectations. I know that’s hard to do with so much toxicity from myopic fans and critics. Also, as with any Star Wars film, I think this movie falls under the “critic proof” classification. It wasn’t made to win an academy award.

It wouldn’t matter to me if this movie only made a million dollars or if it makes a billion dollars; I love it. It’s an extremely satisfying end to a sublime saga. Regardless of the box office tally, the critics and the dissenting fans, Star Wars is more than a movie to me.

Star Wars Goes Beyond The Movies

There are fans that just watch the movies and there are fans that indulge beyond the movies; I am the latter. I was about 8 years old the first time I saw Star Wars, and I don’t think my parents quite realized what they had started when those yellow words first appeared on the screen. These films not only fuel my fascination with how movies are made but also my love for science fiction and fantasy.

Star Wars is also a unifying bond between family and strangers (assuming we can all agree to disagree on controversial subjects). When I attended the Star Wars Celebration last April, I felt welcome in a sea of strangers. However, we were all there for a common purpose, to celebrate the franchise we all love. In fact I would go so far as to say I was more comfortable among 10,000 strangers than I am among 30 members of my own family. It’s an indescribable sense of community.

It’s Relatable, Like Sports and Politics

I’m trying to put into words why my enjoyment of Star Wars goes beyond the movies. I’m struggling to explain it in more relatable terms. It’s like talking about sports. You cannot control the outcome of any sporting event (as a spectator), but you can regale about the past or imagine possible futures. Also, the more knowledge there is between folks the greater the enjoyment and a more interactive dialog.

I’ve played many of the games (video games and board games). I’ve watched many of the other series and I’ve read many of the books (novels and comics). There is so much to enjoy about this franchise than what you see in the theaters. Perhaps this is the reason I can find so much enjoyment even in the movies other folks like to disparage. Perhaps this is why I enjoy involving my family, including my daughter, who is just beginning to experience it herself. The amount of official canon outside the films is almost endless (I’m excluding fan-fiction and fan theories).

The divisiveness of the fanbase now is practically a microcosm of our country’s political state. We are too busy trying to tell the other side what is wrong with their point of view. Nobody seems interested in digging deeper into the details to find there might actually be common ground and facts to support it.

I invite anyone who has canonical issues with any of the movies to reach out to me, especially if your knowledge is limited to just the films. I’d love to have an open and honest dialog about it and see if we can’t come to some kind of mutual appreciation. I’m not going to try to change your mind, but I do hope you will see why I love Star Wars to the most minute of details.

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

The Calm Before the Rise (of Skywalker)

By

On December 17, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

After tomorrow, the countdown to the final Skywalker Star Wars movie ends. It’s been 40+ years in the making, and I’ve been a fan of ALL OF IT since I was 8 years old. I never imagined that I would have a passion for something as trivial and trite as a movie franchise. Thanks to George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy and Disney I get to share that same passion with my kid and that is priceless.

Anxious, Excited and Scared

I don’t know what to expect from this movie. I’m anxious, excited and scared. I’m anxious for it to finally be here and excited to finally see the conclusion. I worry about the reemergence of more “fan” toxicity (which is why I will be on a social media black out for a few days). I love Star Wars. I’ve loved every moment of every movie, animated series and live action series. The fact that I get to mention “live action series” is practically a dream come true. I have zero doubts that I will feel the same for this movie; and TO HELL with the fanbabies.

I’m man enough to admit that I will walk into this movie knowing that I might tear up a bit. In fact, in the trailer when C-3PO “takes a last look at his friends”, that hits me “right in the feelz”. Every. Single. Time. Is this the end of C-3PO? What will happen to the Millennium Falcon? Will Chewbacca survive? What will happen to him? The future of the new characters feels trivial compared to my questions about those that have been around since 1977. I love the new characters. Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose, BB-8, D-O; they are worthy additions to canon. However, they’re not Luke, Leia, R2-D2, Han, Chewie, and Lando. How do I want their stories to end? Granted we already know how it ends for a couple of them, but will they all meet similar fate? I think, above all things, I just want to know if this is the end of their journey, or just the end of this one.

So screw the fanbabies! They cannot ruin this for me. This movie will be a defining film of the franchise and of the decade, and a milestone in my life.

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

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