Category Archives: Star Wars

Star Wars

Book Probe: Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Tales of Hope and Courage

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Book Probe eliminates the petty concern that many humans have: what to buy. Book Probe tells you. Obey Book Probe. 

Star Wars Forces of Destiny: Tales of Hope and Courage

Of course, Star Wars fans should own this book, an anthology of stories about female heroes in all the Star Wars time frames, from Padme to Jyn Erso to Princess Leia.

The stories are thrilling and inspiring, with action, humor, and good triumphing over evil.

You know, Star Wars stuff.

As the dad of a daughter, these stories really poke me hard in the emotions. My daughter loves them. They’re the kind of stories that will be read and reread a jillion times.

For the younger young-uns, they’re suitable for bedtime stories. OK, I’ll admit it. They’re suitable for bedtime stories for any age.

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Bomber Command

This is a novel starring Paige Tico, sister of Rose from The Last Jedi. Author Jason Fry digs into Paige’s character in this all-ages novel, as is the traditional style of the movie tie-in. Kids of any age are going to dig this story, a brand-new adventure with a terrific hero in the time frame of The Last Jedi movie.

The illustrations and the haphazard, fun journal-style design of the book will pull in younglings who are not quite ready for page after page of text.

All books should have design schematics for space bombers. There, I said it.

Bonus Review: The Dragon Inside by Alex Sapegin

This is a very fun fantasy novel, where a human from our own humdrum, dragon-free world discovers a fantasy realm that has all the elves orcs, quests, and mythos that one requires from such a thing.

The author beautifully reveals the world as the book’s hero discovers it, and by that I mean, I want to go there now.

The world has Eleraffs, a cross between an elephant and a giraffe. Eleraffs are my new favorite thing, and I want them to be in every book.

“The dungeon is not a spa” is the funniest quote I’ve seen in awhile.

This whole story is fun, with heroes, villains. You know, the good stuff. Highly recommended.

Fun Christmas Songs of Geeky Interest

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Children, people from a hundred years ago, and Vegas lounge singers and people at the “Christmas party hop” are not the only people who have performed and created delightful songs and performances tied to the holiday season.

Enjoy this list of songs and performances, bursting forth with geeky references and nerdy notions. ‘Tis but a smattering, however.

You are guaranteed to find enjoyment hereupon, or face another season of songs about buying shoes for dead mothers and having yourself a condescendingly “little” Christmas.

Christmas Greeting From Jabba The Hutt by Paul and Storm

Vader Did You Know by Vic Mignogna

I’m Gonna Spend My Christmas With a Dalek by The Go-Go’s

(Not these Go-Go’s.)

Batman Smells (A Rebuttal) — John Anealio

Chiron Beta Prime — Jonathan Coulton 

Baby It’s Cold Outside (Hoth Edition) — Kirby Krackle and The Doubleclicks

https://youtu.be/uTYeFvVMYGE

Let’s Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas ( as performed by an awesome choir).

(Here’s the original. You keep Christmas in your way, let me keep it in mine.)

All I Want For Christmas Is You

https://youtu.be/E9xAcYSIxQ4

What Can You Get a Wookiee For Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb? — Star Wars VoicePlay cover

(It says “Give him love and understanding.” Come on. Chewie doesn’t want that.)

“Here Comes the Ice Cream Bunny” — Kevin Murphy from the Rifftrax of “Santa Claus And The Ice Cream Bunny.” (buy it here!) 

 

 

 

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi reviewed

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By Stanley Clarke

Star Wars: The Last Jedi shattered expectations with its epic drama, humor, acting, plot twists, and originality. The film starts where The Force Awakens ended with Rey seeking Luke’s guidance as a Jedi master and the Resistance in a war with the First Order.

The movie continues by creating relationships between the characters Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as well as Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). Snoke (Andy Serkis) continues to sway his pupil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) closer and closer to the dark side throughout the film.

Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) quarrel over strategies to fight the First Order. While The Last Jedi does makes nods and references to other Star Wars films, it maintains a uniqueness seen through its plot twists and creative uses of the force, however it does not go without fault.
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The Last Jedi clocks in at an exhausting 2 hours and 32 minutes. Many of the subplots, especially those not featuring main characters, were underwhelming.  While the introduction of Tico and Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) added much welcome character depth and development, the stories themselves failed to spark much interest. Rey’s relationship with Skywalker, Ren’s continuing conflict between light and dark, and Snoke’s evil leadership offered far more intriguing plot points.

Rian Johnson expertly directed this eighth installment. His vision offers hope for the future of the franchise, since he is writing and directing the new Star Wars trilogy.

Easily the most humor packed Star Wars movie, the film hits the audience with genuine comedy throughout.  Unlike previous chapters, the comedy does not come just from the droids, but emerges from from the likes of Dameron, Skywalker, and other humanoids.

The acting in The Last Jedi is uniformly good. Even the much maligned Hamill was much better than his previous Skywalker portrayals. Driver’s standout performance as the menacing yet conflicted Ren creates some epic and emotional moments throughout the film.

The stunning visuals of the diverse planets, creative creatures, stunning space battles, and epic lightsaber fights create enjoyable moments.  Atoning for his lackluster The Force Awakens score, John Williams’ excellent music fuels much of the emotion, drama, and action in many scenes.

My favorite parts of The Last Jedi are the creative uses of the Force.  The film explains and uses the iconic mysticism in original and unique ways that leads to the unexpected. Unexpected also applies to The Last Jedi’s enjoyable and welcome plot twists.

Rian Johnson, John Williams, and the cast create an amazing movie that must be seen. The Last Jedi’s stunning acting, deep plot points, and genuine humor make it one of the best in the saga.

 

Born not that long ago and in this very galaxy, lifelong Star Wars fan, Stanley Brandt eagerly awaits the next chapter. Until then, he’ll have to brood while rehashing the past and dreaming about celluloid futures.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer: 4-Word Reviews

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We watched the Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer. These are all the thoughts we could muster as we sat agape before it. 

(Watch it for yourself. DO IT.) 

Porg!

I couldn’t think of four words, so I gave you a thousand instead. — Michael Falkner, @womprat99

 

Chewbacca finally uses conditioner. — Deanna Toxopeus, @ubalstecha

Where are the Ewoks? — Jayme Blaschke, @JaymeBlaschke

 

Blergh? Nrrgh! HRNNNN! HRRRRRRNNNNHHH!!!! –KC Ryan-Pierce

Is Finn a Porg? — Nathan Laws, @42Cast

March of the Porguins. –Geena Phillips, @GeenaCanBlowMe

Definitely needs more Porgs. –Tegan Hendrickson, @Artful_Username

I’m Locuteness of Porg. — Michael French, @RetroBlasting

Star Trek Discovery Trailer Probe: 4-Word Reviews

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Star Trek: Discovery! There is a trailer, and the RevolutionSF collective watched it.  The show will air “this fall” on CBS Access if you pay them money so you can watch it. (Sidebar: It will be on CBS Access whether you pay them money or not.) 

Watch it here!

We challenged each other to review the trailer using only four words.

If anyone wrote more than four words about the trailer, we made them read the comments from men’s rights activists about the trailer. That’s right. ALL OF THEM. Send us yours at RevolutionSF.

Yes! Yes! Oh YES!!!! –Gary Mitchel, @Gary_Mitchel

Make bigoted nerds cry! —Tegan Hendrickson, @artful_username

Pretty trailer. Ugly Klingons. –Jayme Blaschke, @JaymeBlaschke

Those are Klingons? OK. –Sue Kisenwether, @spaltor

Exciting trailer. Ugly fandom. –Michael Falkner, @womprat99

 

 

Michelle Yeoh. MICHELLE YEOH. –Van Allen Plexico, @vanallenplexico

Michelle Yeoh. Effing Finally! –Mark Finn, @FinnsWake

Passing Bechdel? Flying colors. –Sue Kisenwether, @spaltor

We have Doug Jones! –Tegan Hendrickson, @artful_username

I miss Jonathan Archer. –John S. Drew, @drewshi2000

Automatically better than Voyager. –Mark Finn, @FinnsWake

Found anything yet?

 

Thank you, Internet

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The Internet is many things: a place where I spend a lot of time, a water cooler, a public square, the Wild West, a dystopia.  But what it has been for many of us is the place that spoil us on the movies, books and TV shows that we haven’t yet enjoyed. I have friends that go into lock-down two months before a large property is released so they can enjoy it with out knowing the “twist”. I avoid Twitter when my shows are on. Even with these precautions the twist revealed before someone gets a chance to see/read/listen to. Then we hear cries of “SPOILERS!” and “YOU RUINED IT!”

So it was with some trepidation that all of us approached Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We all looked at the Internet with suspicion, worried that we would be spoiled by a passing comment from a good friend or favourite website. We all heard the story of the guy who saw the movie on opening night and then spoiled it for a line full of movie goers. Turns out that was false, but it summed up what we were all feeling.

But something miraculous happened. The Internet bit its tongue. Spoilers were out there, but they were carefully hidden behind warnings, and did not appear in the mainline of stories. People published spoiler free reviews and discussions. Discussion groups were formed, but carefully hidden from casual eyes. There were even spoiler free guides for parents who wanted to know if they could take their kids to see this movie.  A week and a half passed before I saw something that revealed the BIG SPOILER of the movie.

It’s now two weeks on and the spoilers, while out there, aren’t in your face. It’s as if the Internet came to a mutual agreement to behave well. And it’s refreshing.

So I want to take a minute to thank the whole Internet for their good behaviour. You did good kid. I’m proud of you.

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