Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Darth Highlander

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On January 5, 2016

In Star Wars

darth-highlanderAfter 10 years of loyal service, I sold my Saturn Vue and upgraded to something a little more current. A 2015 Toyota Highlander. I don’t usually like to buy foreign cars, I like to drive a vehicle that is American made (although that’s probably a relative term since there are foreign cars manufactured in the United States). Be that as it may, the Highlander had the best safety ratings and Consumer Report ratings and I liked the way it drove. Actually I was on the fence about it until I went on a test drive and it just felt great driving one. Once the test drive was over, I knew that I had found my next car.

So why Darth Highlander?

It was actually my wife that started calling it “Darth”. As you can see from the picture, it’s black and even the profile of the car is a little “Vader-esque”. I think Darth quickly became quite fitting; however a Sith Lord is never simply just “Darth” and since it’s a Toyota Highlander, Darth Highlander just seemed to roll off the tongue.

If you take a look at the gallery, after the break, you can see all the accoutrements I added to give my new car that “Darth” feel.

/MTFBWY

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Are You Declaring 2016 Intentions Or Resolutions?

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On January 5, 2016

In General Cogitation

Happy New Year!!!

fireworks_HIDid you make the proverbial resolution again this year? I did not. I haven’t declared any New Years resolutions for quite a while. Typically they have simply been broken promises to myself. I emit enough hot air, why exacerbate it more with hollow declarations.

“Because New Year’s resolutions, as most people think of them, are hollow” – Nerd Fitness

A new concept seemed to emerge this year, however, where some folks are declaring “intentions” instead of the boring resolutions. I guess if you say “I intend to lose weight” it gives you an escape clause when you fail to do so, whereas “I will exercise more” and not committing to it might feel like an even greater failure.

bg_fireworkI prefer to set goals for myself. Last year I wanted to complete a walk challenge and I’m going to do that again this year. At first the concept of setting “intentions instead of resolutions” seemed intriguing, but the more I thought of it setting an intention is actually more flimsy than a resolution. After all, if you are setting a resolution then you should be resolute about fulfilling it.

Regardless of your resolve or intentions, I hope everyone has a great 2016. I suspect that I will be making a change this year; I can’t say for sure what nor when it will happen. Recent evaluations have left me thinking about potentially making a change, but don’t worry, it won’t negatively affect any of my family or friends.

/cheers

Star Wars: My Inner Child Awakens

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On January 4, 2016

In Geek Canon, Movies, Reviews, Star Wars

I have been working on this post (whether its written or in my head) since I saw The Force Awakens December 24th. The thing I struggled with the most was giving this post a proper title that not only reflected how I felt about the film but also what this post is going to be about (other than simply my nerdy review). I settled on “My Inner Child Awakens” because not only is it a play on the film’s title but it’s how I felt watching the movie.

If you have talked to me in person or followed any of my Twitter or Facebook posts then you already know what I thought of the movie. I was, literally, trembling before the movie started and I was trembling for hours after. I really liked it. It may be my second favorite movie of the seven (because Empire will always be my first). star-wars-like-kid-againI think I also had to tone down the pride a notch or two since I was correct on one of my story arc predictions (which I can talk about in a bit – I want to save the spoilers until later in the post). I found the picture to the right on Facebook and I had to include it in this post. It accurately reflects how I felt walking out of The Force Awakens.

I realize The Force Awakens didn’t appeal to everyone’s inner child, and I certainly appreciate their opinion. I am in the minority that enjoyed all three prequel movies so it’s nice to be among the majority for episode seven. The box office numbers have certainly proved that The Force Awakens was a huge success not only among the avid fanatics (like myself) but also among the middle-of-the-road fans and the regular moviegoers. I’ve had several friends waiting for me to see the film because they wanted to know what I thought about it as a big fan of the franchise. This is when I will get into spoilers so if, for some unearthly reason, you haven’t seen the movie yet I wouldn’t keep reading. I also want to warn you that this is one of my more lengthy posts so I hope you don’t file this under TL;DR.

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A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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On December 17, 2015

In General Cogitation

A Very Merry Christmas You Will HaveAs we sit on the brink of one of the most epic movie releases of the new millennium (falcon) and Christmas just around the corner I don’t know how busy things will become for me as I prepare my family for my favorite holiday. I wanted to make sure that I get a post out wishing all my family, friends and readers (the few of you there are, if any) a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!If you’re Jewish then I wish you a VERY HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!

I hope Santa Yoda brings you and your families all that you desire! If you only see Star Wars once or a dozen times, please be considerate of other folks who may not have the same opportunities you have and spoil it for them. I have already heard stories of cretinous trolls posting spoilers on social media because they know some people have to check their Facebook page every 12 seconds. I’m not one of those people as I could go all day without checking any social media webpage, but I will likely be too busy over the next 10 days to pay much attention to Facebook and/or Twitter. Besides it’s not really spoilers that I’m worried about as I am about finding out how many people will have seen the movie before I do (I’m not going to have a 3-hour window available between now and the weekend following Christmas). Be that as it may just show some respect for your fellow Star Wars fan! #DontBeAHomer

So with all that said, we will see you all on the other side of Christmas!

/cheers

Star Wars: Jar Jar Binks Is An Essential Character

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On December 15, 2015

In Geek Canon, Star Wars

Jar Jar Binks

Yes, let’s talk about the most controversial character in Star Wars (since the Ewoks – yes, back in the day the Ewoks were also hated). In fact, not only am I going to talk about him, I’m going to defend the fact that Jar Jar Binks is an essential character to the prequels. I liked Jar Jar and I think all the adults that hate him have lost something within themselves.

I was also inspired by this polygon article, which is an excellent read and I agree with the author 100%. He does an excellent job defending Jar Jar so there isn’t much else I can say he hasn’t already mentioned. I do understand why many people dislike Jar Jar, which the author also mentions. I get it, but Jar Jar deserves some additional support, so I will justify Jar Jar’s existence from a different perspective.

Jump In My Time Machine

Let me take you back to the first time you saw Star Wars, whether that was in 1977, 1980, and 1983 or perhaps in the 90s (which is when I saw them for the first time). Try and channel your 7-year-old self and remember what it was like seeing Star Wars for the first time. Go beyond the space battles and the lightsabers and think about the characters that you found endearing. The awkward antics of C-3PO and the cunning of the Ewoks as they use archaic conventions to thwart the Empire. Admit it! These characters are some of the reasons you are now a fan.

Find that inner child and watch the prequels again. I remember watching The Phantom Menace in the theater (which I did seven times) and hearing the laughter of children after one of Jar Jar’s goofy antics. In fact, did you know that Disney’s Goofy was George Lucas’ inspiration for Jar Jar? I can kind of see that now. Also, Lucas’ adopted son, Jett Lucas, named Jar Jar and inspired the Gungan species. What a neat way to include your children in your legacy and life’s work!

So if Jar Jar is based on Goofy, and you hate Jar Jar, then by the inference rule, you hate Goofy! Seriously, how can you hate Goofy?? “Gawrsh!”

Jar Jar Is For the Kids

All joking aside, I honestly do understand why some folks hate Jar Jar. Perhaps, if it weren’t for his voice and some of his dialog, he may have been more endearing to adults. I ask you this: don’t we want our children to like Star Wars as much as we did when we were young and give them the same cinematic experience?? Jar Jar is to our children as Wicket was to us. The prequels needed that delightful character that would become one of the reasons our children are now fans.

So I think instead of laughing at depictions of cutting off Jar Jar’s head, maybe it’s time we cut Jar Jar some slack.

/MTFBWY

Star Wars: Let’s Keep the Expectations Realistic

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On December 14, 2015

In Geek Canon, Movies, Star Wars

Star Wars The Force Awakens - Kylo RenThis should be declared “Star Wars Week”. If someone hasn’t done that already, then I’m declaring it despite the fact that I do not have the clout nor the viral influence to make it official. So, with that said, lets get on with it.

The obvious reason I would make such a declaration is the release of the seventh installment of the most beloved Star Wars franchise. I am beyond excited for the movie’s launch and I don’t even have a ticket to see it yet. I’m just excited for the continuation of the story and the characters that I have loved since I was a child. All the hype, however, does have me a little worried. I hope folks are not expecting this movie to be a cinematic masterpiece, especially those folks that are not big Star Wars fans like the rest of us.

I don’t have any inside knowledge, nor do I know J.J. Abrams or Kathleen Kennedy personally, but I’m still pretty sure neither one of them are trying to release the next Gone With the Wind or Titanic. Abrams just wants to tell the next chapter in the story. I think it would be pretty naive to expect this movie to be considered for a “Best Picture” Oscar. I’m certainly not expecting it (I am, however, expecting perhaps some technical Oscar nominations). I am also expecting it to have some pretty huge box office numbers (but that should be obvious to anybody).

In the end, folks, remember, it’s just Star Wars so keep your expectations realistic. It’s going to be science fiction, it’s going to have something that will appeal to children, there will probably be plots within plots. It’s not a biopic, it’s not based on true events, it’s not going to adhere to the laws of Physics, its fantasy. In other words, don’t read what the critics say, just go see it for yourself and remember, it’s just a movie (although for most of us, it’s much more than “just a movie” 🙂 )

/MTFBWY

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