Post: #201

(12-21-2015 03:33 PM)LeeEnfield303 Wrote:  

Quote:Jeez, let the deceased rest in peace! Enough of this parasitism!

RE: 'strong female characters,' I remember Leia in 1977..... 1) uploading the Death Star files into R2D2 while her ship was being boarded 2) shooting a Stormtrooper in the chest 3) giving as good as she got when accused by Darth Vader 4) resisting torture in her cell 5) watching Tarkin blow up her home planet after lying to protect the Rebellion 6) wisecracking at Luke when he came to rescue her 7) kicking Han into a garbage chute 8) shooting random Stormtroopers 9) all while kibitzing and bantering with Han.

So, who was weak when? Help me here?

If she was a strong woman she'd have been married with children and raising them well while being a loyal imperial subject.

Since, she was weak, she was "strong" woman who didn't need no man, she becomes romantically involved with a murderous deadbeat drug smuggler, gets captured trying to spring him from his lawful imprisonment, is used as a sex slave, before going on to help her "boyfriend" and her terrorist brother destroy the galaxy defense spheres, that the Emperor overthrew the Republic to get built, to fight the Yuuzhan Vong (knowing about their coming 27 years before the battle of Yavin), with their worldships, and ability to terraform worlds into shipyards in mere months.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Far-Outsiders

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Outbound_...28novel%29

Her son with the drug smuggler, who grows up and becomes aware of all this, rejects his parents and his Jedi (mind control cult) indoctrination by his terrorist uncle, and takes the name Kylo Ren and tries to undo all the death and chaos wrought by his family by joining "The Order."

Post: #202

Yuuzhan Vong? :o What are you talking about?

Post: #203

(12-21-2015 01:41 AM)southern120 Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 10:11 PM)CactusCat589 Wrote:  ...

I found out Harrison Ford is 73 right now, which is astonishing. He basically has the same build from almost forty years ago. Very strong hairline and still in shape, I'd have put him in his late 50s from watching him. Mark Hamill is younger and looks much worse, although in the end scene looked amazing as a sagacious old Jedi Master in exile.

I saw some of his more recent films, and I got to say this was the first signs of life I've seen from Ford. It does seem like he was unwilling to sign on at first, but I can't but help but wonder if he rediscovered the desire. He broke his leg in an accident on set, and pushed through. And he's changed as an actor too. When he bellows Kylo's real name, that's Harrison who has his life experience as a stern father to draw upon.

I wasn't a huge fan of Harrison Ford's performance this time round, but undoubtedly he has done the work to look after himself and maintain his physical and innner strength, unlike MH and CF who have fared worse with time than the Brady Bunch children. It just goes to show that early success is not a pass that allows you to stop the hard work. That's why people like Damon and Wahlberg will have another solid 25 years of employment to look forward to, despite being good but not great. A lesson for the rest of us as it surely applies outside the rarified world of hollywood.

No argument there. Ford in TFA is almost a decade older than Alec Guinness was when he performed as Obi-Wan in the original series, and Guinness wasn't exactly the most athletic-looking dude on screen. 73 years old, and through the filming of TFA he had a broken ankle and possibly a pelvic injury. For many guys a bit older than him in shittier shape that would've been a death sentence. He got over that injury and was back filming six weeks later. One year later, he fucking crashes an airplane and this time does do his pelvis. And his ankle. And he's still up and mobile and doing the promos for TFA.

On the other hand, Ford's had more motivation than Hamill or Fisher to keep his looks together and stay in shape. Ford hasn't been out of work in a good, what, 30 years of being in Hollywood? Compare Carrie Fisher who basically retired to pursue a career as a drunkard (and Christ doesn't it show - even after the crash diet she went on for TFA, she sounds like Ma Clampett, not Princess Leia. Even the accent has changed.) And Mark Hamill essentially shifted into voiceover work where his looks don't matter ... although I think a weatherbeaten, stricken look for him works well given his character is essentially the Grand Jedi Teaching Fuckup of the Galaxy from all we know about the backstory now.

(12-21-2015 02:27 AM)frozen-ace Wrote:  If you lived on a small, remote island for 15 years, with no supply runs and no contact with the outside world, what do you think you would look like? I was expecting crazy hair and a huge beard, and dirty, functional clothes. Instead he had a nice robe, a trimmed beard and stylish hair.

What does Luke eat? He looked well-fed. As far as I could tell the only thing he could eat would be moss-covered rocks, an occasional sea bird and maybe some shoreline shellfish. Based on the nature of the island it would be a pretty meager existence at best, and at worst he should have died from malnutrition.

Don't forget about his Force powers. If he's living on fish that's more or less sustainable, and who knows what other wildlife there is out there. Telekinesis and being able to sense the presence of living beings are frigging god mode for fishing Or he could just be throwing thermal detonators into the water, fishing Crocodile Dundee-style.

(12-22-2015 05:48 AM)CactusCat589 Wrote:  Yuuzhan Vong? :o What are you talking about?

Oh, you remember the Yuuzhan Vong: the guys the Emperor was really uniting the galaxy to stand against and all that cackling and Sith stuff was just a prelude to putting together the biggest starfleet in history for a knock-down, drag-out fight somewhere in intergalactic space.

(That said, Timothy Zahn did convey, chillingly, some nature of the threat: how Thrawn had calculated that victory against the Vong was a fifty-fifty thing even with every fleet in the galaxy put together and Thrawn leading it into battle personally.)

...On second thought, let us not go to the EU. It is a silly place.

Post: #204

Luke has been living in hiding much like Master Yoda was. Yoda was also in seclusion.

Post: #205

I should've posted my review here, it's in the other thread but here goes:

(12-22-2015 02:13 PM)kaotic Wrote:  Where to even start on this thing - I know what I'm going to write is going to reinforce what others have said:


***MAJOR DETAILED SPOILERS AHEAD ! - DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE***









This Star Wars seemed to be overly try hard funny also. YES there were some pretty funny scenes, but you can tell they were overdoing it with some scenes.

There wasn't enough back story on any of the characters, as in:

-How did Ben become Kylo Ren?
-Why didn't they start at the Jedi Academy that Luke started ?
-Where the fuck did Snoke come from ?
-What about Rey ? How was she separated ?
-The list goes on.

The same tired old story:

-SURPRISE another fucking planet killer.
-Another Sith Lord and servant.
-Another similar way to blow the planet killer up.

It was cool to see some throwback vehicles, the action scenes, new vehicles, dogfights, the new storm trooper designs, a more expanded universe of alien races, however, Jesus H. Christ the plot was mangled and the characters left me saying "Seriously?"

Rey - SURPRISE ! Another Hollywood "GIRL POWER !" Hack job just like Mad Max.



"Don't hold my hand" basically punking Fin's paternal instinct in trying to protect her. I don't need no man !

She somehow knows the Millennium Falcon like the back of her hand ? Why the hell is she scavenging then ? Keeping a low profile ?

So let me get this straight, she's a scavenger, and then suddenly after being interrogated by Kylo Ren she suddenly has force powers awakened that Luke didn't even have until Return of The Jedi ? Suddenly she can control storm-troopers, handles a light saber well, and almost defeat a sith in training ?

This is Princess Leia on steroids with the added bonus of Jedi powers. It'll be interesting to see what she turns into.



Finn - Jesus fucking christ, could he more of a fucking pussy for most of the movie ?



He had maybe a handful of redeeming scenes. Most of the time he was a try hard to be funny guy that JJ made him be. He played below Rey and second major guy in the movie. I like his part towards the end battling Kylo Ren.

He reminds me of a mild Jar Jar Binks.



Kylo Ren - SURPRISE ! Another Darth Vader wannabe. The sith with the most PUNCHABLE face in the fucking galaxy and reminded me of this guy from Grandmas Boys:



The over emotional temper tantrum teenager who thinks he's a bad ass with a fucking mask. They literally couldn't of casted a worse person to play Kylo Ren. Even the voice over for him with the mask on was horrible. He just looks like a little bitch who can't control his emotions. The outfit was pretty cool but the man beneath him wasn't.

Who knew Han Solo's son could be such a pussy.

What he did to Han Solo was dirty as fuck, I'll never forgive Disney for that, more on that later.

I have a feeling he'll either completely fall to the dark side and get killed by Luke and/or Rey OR he joins the lightside and Luke becomes his master along with Rey. We'll see.


Han Solo - Still the same cool, calm, collective SOB in all the galaxy. He's just a bit more older and a bit more wiser.



He has always been my favorite character in all of Star Wars with Luke being a close second. This time around he needs a little help with some new friends aka Finn and Rey. Chewbacca is of course his best friend and sidekick still.

He's still that cocky funny, with a more than the usual try hard being funny to him, you know JJ scripted that in.

I was so pissed at Kylo Ren doing him dirty, I can't believe they killed Han off. No other man will be able to take his place, I'll never forgive JJ for this.

Suddenly Chewbacca's is Rey's sidekick now ? There also needs to be more backstory on Han's son Ben aka Kylo Ren.

I wont write too much more but about him, but I'm gonna miss you Han:





Chewbacca - Chewie was his same old self but after Han died you think they could of shown him being more fucking sad, I mean the dude owed a life debt to Han but was his BEST FRIEND. You don't just up and get another best friend like that out of Rey.



I'm surprised Chewie didn't die in this one, since he did sacrifice himself in some of the Expanded Universe Stories.

He'll probably in all 3 of the series installments.


Leia - She was the kind and genuine self she was - but she wasn't a hardened smart ass anymore.



She's had some deep hurt happen since Return of The Jedi. Still a leader but I'm VERY surprised they didn't show a scene of Chewbacca hugging Leia after Han died - or some mourning scene.




General Hux - The Imperial First Order CO's didn't seem that professional at all - they seemed more emotional whether scared or angered.



Especially Hux, he seemed like a try hard angry ginger mad man, not cool or calm like Admiral Piet or General Moff Tarkin. Cool, cold, and collective. The dude annoyed me.



Supreme Lead Snoke - NOT impressed if this is the new face of the Sith, only 2 or 3 scenes, we'll need more background on him and where he came from and how he seduced Kylo Ren. Snoke reminded me if Smeagle from Lord of The Rings and Voldemont from Harry Potter had a kid.



Poe Dameron - Seems like the only Alpha in the movie, and shows up at the beginning and towards the end. Seems like a certified bad ass and guide to Finn. I have a feeling their relationship is going to be a lot like Solo's and Luke's.

I look forward to seeing him in action in the next 2 installments. Reminds me a lot of Luke's wing mate Wedge Antilles.





Captain Phasma - Bad ass looking female Storm Trooper captain with only a handful of lines and we don't know if she's dead or alive after a run in with the main characters.

For the sake of the series, I really hope she's still around.





Luke Skywalker - Mentions of him in this movie, but he isn't in this movie, only until the very end does he have a single scene. The whole movie was about looking for him, everything led up to the search.

I look forward to him in the next one.



Overall:

Alot of recycled material, things get a bit more personal, and hollywood is making Star Wars into a PC SJW Sci-Fi movie. They're ruining it - JJ's camera and editing just aren't the same as I liked in in 4-6. This just seem looser is the only way I can explain it.

Post: #206

***SPOILERS***

Saw this yesterday and all in all I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would.

Rey and Ben's fight scene made zero sense.

I understand he was injured but how can someone who can force choke someone 15 feet against a tree get his ass handed to him by some scavenger girl with rudimentary force knowledge and an antique light saber? Ben has wildly inconsistent powers.

Han solo's death was very anticlimactic and there was very little set up in why we should actually care about Ben's turn to the dark side. There's not enough dramatic build up or character development.

Carry Fisher looks like she was phoning it in hard. Her acting ability seems to have hit the wall too.

Post: #207

Here is an article about Neil deGrasse Tyson fact-checking the movie:

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/neil-degrasse...06254.html

Post: #208

Random thoughts:

1. I was sadden by Han's death and really would have liked to see more of Chewie going all out raging; ripping body parts in half and shit. They showed like 2 seconds of him being pissed.

2. Rey piloting like a badass randomly?

OK... I get it. Kid Anakin rocked a pod-racer. She has some untapped force power

2a. Rey being a bit of hard-ass/don't touch me?

Ok... I get it . She is an attractive woman on a desert planet. Bitch-shield level 9000.

2b. Rey having some basic fighting skills?

Ok... I get it. She had to stop would-be rapists probably and is a survivor.

2c. But Rey being able to force mind control someone and take on Luke's/Snokes apprentice who can force stop a fuckin blaster shot mid-flight when she was clueless about the force the day prior?

Just fuck no. Makes no sense within the context of Star Wars (at least given what we know). If Rey had held her ground for a minute and lost a limb (like Luke in ESB), that would have made sense.

If Finn and Rey tag-teamed Ren for a minute and one got seriously injured and they were both only saved by the ground splitting, that would have made some sense.

Edit: I know Ren took a bowcaster shot to the ribs and everything, is emotional and prone to stupid decisions, but still... he force tossed Rey a few moments prior like it was nothing.

3. I thought the red-head first order leader guy was a dweeb. His big speech just kind of fell flat for me. They really should have gotten someone older with more gravitas. I suppose the logic is that a lot of the empire got wiped out in ROTJ so there isn't many 50+ dudes around.

4. Ren was mostly a wild badass until his mask came off. The guy playing him looks and talks like a bitch though. This is the guy who successfully double-crossed Skywalker and killed all the Jedi Trainees and killed many others? Killed his old man? The actors presentation/look/demeanor (mask off) just isn't convincing as someone who capable of such things. He just seem way too soft for someone with his background and history. Although, maybe that was the point. He was mostly gone to the dark side already but by killing his father and getting his face cut up bad, now he can become the evil bastard he hopes to emulate? (Vader). I don't know, something just didn't sit right with me with masked off Ren. Maybe it will make more sense when Ep 8 and 9 come out.

5. Where was the post-Han death mourning? I didn't expect any giant fanfare but a scene between Leia and Chewie would have been decent.

6. The look on Luke's face was money.

7. I thought the middle part kind of dragged in places as well.

Overall, I thought it was fun but a bit inconsistent. As a standlone movie, it's a bit weak but this is the beginning of a trilogy in the age where movies are dragged out for multiple sequels/spin-offs (think the Avengers and all spin-offs). There will probably be a TV show that ties in into the movie universe and I wouldn't be surprise if there was an Ep 10, 11, and 12. There are three standalone movies already planned: A young Han Solo movie, one about the guys who steal the first Death Star plans, and I don't know the either.

At least Lucas doesn't have control anymore!

Post: #209

The New Left and SJWs are the establishment pretenting to be rebels and Mavericks. It's an important aspect of the control system.

At least in Dune Muad'dib and the Fremen became the establishment when they defeated the emperor.

Post: #210

Did anyone else root for the bad guys? After all of the lame throwbacks I was hoping for the bad guys to start winning.

Post: #211

(12-25-2015 06:27 AM)The Beast1 Wrote:  Did anyone else root for the bad guys? After all of the lame throwbacks I was hoping for the bad guys to start winning.

No, you have to wait until they do a carbon copy of ESB's script for that.

Post: #212

(12-22-2015 04:56 PM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  Carrie Fisher looks like she was phoning it in hard. Her acting ability seems to have hit the wall too.

Although a bit of a butterface even in her hey-day, I had a hard time not cringing during her scenes, just thinking how fast she must have lived her life since ROTJ.

Yeah, people age, but she looks quite damaged, brought on by all the drugs and alcohol no doubt. I also read that she is bi-polar, so for that I at least have some sympathy.

Post: #213

(12-25-2015 03:58 AM)N°6 Wrote:  The New Left and SJWs are the establishment pretenting to be rebels and Mavericks. It's an important aspect of the control system.

At least in Dune Muad'dib and the Fremen became the establishment when they defeated the emperor.

Dune needs to be remade. More relevant than ever.

Post: #214

They couldn't think of a fucking original story? Over half of it seemed to be borrowed from the old movies. It's not a death star it is much bigger whoopty fucking doo.

All those high ratings on imdb are just from the mindless fucks that are ruining this world.

That girl was a poor choice. Her calves are bigger than mine and people tell me I have big calves. She is going to be a big girl when she gets older. No way she doesn't pack on the pounds.

Only thing that bugged me was Han solos death. It did strike me as a Millenial killing his father. Lol.

Post: #215

I was just talking with some forum guys about Dune a few days ago. The imagination and detail in that book is so far superior that this crap. But what director would even be worthy of being given the movie that wouldn't muck it up by making the characters all one dimensional?

Post: #216

It was a fun movie, but stupid like I expected. How was the girl apple to fly anything well, especially a brand new ship? The force was shit on, and apparently women automatically know everything.

The movie did have a souless feel since it ripped off all three movies, I think. The movie dragged on too long too so it could have bee shortened and not much plot would have been lost.

Poe should have been the lead. The actor had so much charisma and I could see him becoming a Jedi or a smuggler. He was in the ex-machina movie with the red headed commander guy.

I'm glad the silver storm trooper did not have much part. She wasn't intimidating and I know she will end up being the first lesbian in the Star Wars.

There was no decent villain. Kylo Ren started off as promising, until he took off his mask and went to the hipster side. I'm surprised Lena Dunham doesn't show up as the Sith Lord. The big guy who could be small since he was a projection, was less menacing than Palpatine.

Post: #217

(12-25-2015 07:32 PM)Slim Shady Wrote:  I was just talking with some forum guys about Dune a few days ago. The imagination and detail in that book is so far superior that this crap. But what director would even be worthy of being given the movie that wouldn't muck it up by making the characters all one dimensional?

Definitely should not be a Hollywood 'type' considering the Islam vs decadent Europe underbelly in the book.

Plenty of good European directors, Guillerme Del Toro would be great, Danny Boyle, Luc Besson, probably several others. If a Hollywood name then why not James Cameron, considering his Avatar, there's some strong similarity there, but I doubt he'd convey the political and religious messages.

The worst thing to do would be to Spielberg it or some other Hollywood director turning it into black-white storytelling.

Post: #218

(12-25-2015 07:32 PM)Slim Shady Wrote:  I was just talking with some forum guys about Dune a few days ago. The imagination and detail in that book is so far superior that this crap. But what director would even be worthy of being given the movie that wouldn't muck it up by making the characters all one dimensional?

David Lynch?

Post: #219

(12-25-2015 06:29 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  They couldn't think of a fucking original story? Over half of it seemed to be borrowed from the old movies. It's not a death star it is much bigger whoopty fucking doo.

All those high ratings on imdb are just from the mindless fucks that are ruining this world.

That girl was a poor choice. Her calves are bigger than mine and people tell me I have big calves. She is going to be a big girl when she gets older. No way she doesn't pack on the pounds.

Only thing that bugged me was Han solos death. It did strike me as a Millenial killing his father. Lol.

Hollywood raised the white flag on originality a long time ago.

If I need a Star Wars fix, I'll watch one of the original three. I'll save money and watch something of quality.

Post: #220

Ahsoka Tano. a female jedi, from the Star Wars TV series had more character growth than Rey. She started off as an impulsive padawan who over the course of the series became quite competent in the force. Her skills she had to to work for more so than Rey. I'm not sure why they couldn't do something similar in the movie. Hopefully Rey was trained as kid as a Jedi, memory wiped, and taken away to give some reason why she is able to use the force so well. If she keeps up at this pace, Kylo will be totally useless as a villain next time she fights him.

Post: #221

Well David Lynch already tried to do Dune in 1984. Give it to Peter Jackson? I don't know. Dune is a lot more complex than Lord of the Rings.

The person who can do it correctly would have to have the grinding patience and perfectionism of Kubrick.

(12-25-2015 10:58 PM)Windom Earle Wrote:  

(12-25-2015 07:32 PM)Slim Shady Wrote:  I was just talking with some forum guys about Dune a few days ago. The imagination and detail in that book is so far superior that this crap. But what director would even be worthy of being given the movie that wouldn't muck it up by making the characters all one dimensional?

David Lynch?

Post: #222

(12-25-2015 10:58 PM)Windom Earle Wrote:  

(12-25-2015 07:32 PM)Slim Shady Wrote:  I was just talking with some forum guys about Dune a few days ago. The imagination and detail in that book is so far superior that this crap. But what director would even be worthy of being given the movie that wouldn't muck it up by making the characters all one dimensional?

David Lynch?

(12-26-2015 01:55 AM)Slim Shady Wrote:  Well David Lynch already tried to do Dune in 1984. Give it to Peter Jackson? I don't know. Dune is a lot more complex than Lord of the Rings.

The person who can do it correctly would have to have the grinding patience and perfectionism of Kubrick.

Yeah, i was being fecetious. Here's some trivia for those that didn't know - Lynch actually turned down the directing role for ROTJ.

On a serious note though, Nicolas Winding Refn would get my vote.

He already has a serious interest in it too.

Odd thing, I thought of Winding Refn before actually knowing about the documentary (just discovered it this minute when looking at his film credits).

Post: #223

Winding Refn could be art director, but he sucks as a director. Each of his movies basically have mute characters to hide the fact he has no clue how to use dialogue.

Post: #224

(12-26-2015 03:26 AM)nomadbrah Wrote:  Winding Refn could be art director, but he sucks as a director. Each of his movies basically have mute characters to hide the fact he has no clue how to use dialogue.

I don't know about it being a case of incompetence with dialogue as much as it is about restraint employed for setting the tone he wants to achieve.

We're so used to films that come at us at all directions these days, that subtlety and nuance often go unappreciated, even derided.

Look at Drive for example. The general masses were up in arms because it was a "boring" film - not the action-packed mindless drivel that they'd expected it to be.

It's a fucking great film, not for everyone of course, but the backlash takes nothing away from it's appeal as a meaningful arthouse piece of film-making.

And do we want a Dune for the masses? We obviously got a recent Star Wars for the masses, which seems to have satisfied them (and those with financial concerns) on almost every level; except it didn't reach the dizzying heights that hard-core fans had hoped for, but I guess that's the trade-off and is to be expected.

Post: #225

(12-26-2015 12:42 AM)kbell Wrote:  Ahsoka Tano. a female jedi, from the Star Wars TV series had more character growth than Rey. She started off as an impulsive padawan who over the course of the series became quite competent in the force. Her skills she had to to work for more so than Rey. I'm not sure why they couldn't do something similar in the movie. Hopefully Rey was trained as kid as a Jedi, memory wiped, and taken away to give some reason why she is able to use the force so well. If she keeps up at this pace, Kylo will be totally useless as a villain next time she fights him.

The easiest way out of this box canyon they've ridden her character into would be to (heh heh heh) agree and amplify: in Ep 8, portray her as capable when stressed but suicidally overconfident once she's had a bit of training from Luke.

Remember Luke's path in ESB: he's drawn out of his training because Vader is torturing his friends. The conversation basically goes:

Luke: But I can help them! I feel the Force!
Ben: But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you - when you will be tempted by the Dark Side of the Force.
Yoda: Yes, yes, to Obi-Wan you listen! The cave - remember your failure at the cave.
Luke: But I've learned so much since then - Master Yoda, I promise to return and finish what I've begun, you have my word.

To his credit, by the end of this conversation and scene, Luke understands that he's facing Vader alone, without Ben interfering, and at least has some notion of how dangerous what he's doing is.

You could run almost a parallel scene with Rey arrogantly deciding after a month or two of training that she's got what it takes to beat Ren outright, and declaring Luke's taught her everything she needs to know and she's heading off to end Ren's threat once and for all. This would send a chill down Luke's back and drive a nice, hot conflict-driven scene where Luke begs her not to go and make exactly the same mistake he did, or even worse since at least he did it out of having no alternative.

The following scene being a curbstomp by Ren, who is much more settled, much more capable, and much better able to handle her. This would even be a necessary step on the path for Rey if we wanted to be kind and allow her to develop into a more fucking humble human being and balanced heroine.

The problem being, of course, that this sort of scene is pretty much unfilmable politically now. As Rey's been thrown in as a hero for all those "downtrodden" fictional second fiddle female characters everywhere, you basically cannot spit in her eye without inviting a dreadful feminist backlash for beating up on a chick. I don't know if Rian Johnson is quite up to writing such a movie, or having enough clout to get it past Disney.

(12-26-2015 01:55 AM)Slim Shady Wrote:  Well David Lynch already tried to do Dune in 1984. Give it to Peter Jackson? I don't know. Dune is a lot more complex than Lord of the Rings.

The person who can do it correctly would have to have the grinding patience and perfectionism of Kubrick.

I'd like to see Fincher's take on it. He's at least unswerving on his vision and he's perfectly willing to turn in pretty disturbing films.