Review: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

  By Brother Bob

Note: This review is free of the Larger Spoilers - but does cover some other specific story points, reveals and events. Read at your own risk.

     Disney bought STAR WARS from George Lucas for 4 billion dollars - give or take a few hundred million. Disney took on the task of making a movie that would fit in the universe while avoiding the errors of the past (cough *Jar Jar* cough.) Disney had to make a movie that would appease a rabidly loyal, world-spanning fan base or their investment would go down the drain. To ensure they recoup their $$$ as fast as possible, Disney had to do this while making a movie that would lead them down a path which would allow those at the helm breathing room to be creative with the material in the future and not feel constrained by the universe they work in. In a nutshell, Disney had to make a movie that was both safe and good or potentially damage their image as relatively consistent purveyors of quality family entertainment. 

"Dude, nobody found our stash!"

    That is exactly what they delivered.

     It is clear to me that JJ Abrams, who did an excellent job, looked to the original trilogy for inspiration, liberally taking cues from them when needed. As a result, STAR WARS VII feels both familiar and new from beginning to end. 

The story both ties the original characters to the next movie or 2 either thru physical presence or by bloodline, and creates what seems to be a familiar a path to the future with new cast members. 

"All these laser swords are making it hot in here..."

    The movie is not without its flaws, however.

     The original trilogy cast members are looking their age and in an action movie, that is not a good thing. Han Solo moves around like he forgot to apply the Ben-Gay before the shoot sometimes and Leia sounds old and tired at times, as well as looking like the make up person applied her foundation with a trowel to hide wrinkles. Kylo Ren seems like a huge wuss. This is probably for character development. I believe in the next film he'll become more evil due to events in this film but him being a bit of a weakling here, did take away from my enjoyment a little. Also, this film opens similarly to Episode 4: A New Hope, so when I saw him for the first time I was expecting to see those in scene fear him the way Darth Vader was feared. New cast members Finn, Rey, Poe, and BB-8 are all solid, reasonably well developed for this point in the story line and bode well for the future. By movies end you’ll know who’s role each is replacing from the original cast and you'll be looking forward to seeing more of them.

"We're NOT clones? I could have worn something different?!?"

   Let's talk about other changes made. The “evil empire” (used here as a general term) has been reborn in a new form and the way storm troopers are created is quite different. Assuming these weren’t George Lucas’ original ideas, both change the universe in ways that are potentially significant... and both of these bother me for different reasons. The storm trooper change wasn’t needed in my opinion and ultimately reduces Boba & Jango Fett into story extras. I tend to think the change of the “evil empire” would/should lead to different looking ships - but we get the same tie fighters and battle cruisers. 

"Without you BB, we'll never win the volleyball championship."

    Another area of contention is the mechanic of using a new “death star.” There are differences of course but the use of this plot mechanism for a 3rd time in the series deflates this movie. There are other little issues with this movie as well, mostly concerning science, communication logistics, etc some of which would not be noticed by the average viewer since we are usually too busy enjoying the ride.

     The bottom line is that this is the STAR WARS movie Disney had to make. It’s flawed, yet it’s fun, it tells a story that is both familiar and new. People will either love it or hate it because of this, but it will lead us into the future of this franchise. It’s because of this, I choose to look at it as a good film and an overall positive experience which I believe will take us on another great ride. 

"OK, I get it! You guys are better at cammoflage! Gaahh! Leaving!"

As someone who tends to be a picky movie viewer, I went into this one only looking to enjoy the ride and after seeing it I think you should too, but because there is so much in it that can be contentious to some, if you go in looking for that stuff, it will be enough to potentially have you feeling like disney screwed up. 

Enjoy it for the good (and there is plenty) and you will leave hopeful for the future of the franchise which is what this movie set out to do. Pick apart the next one. Be sure to see this one at least once on the big screen. 

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Top 10 (Pop Culture) Wicked Theories Of 2014

By Bill Sweeney

Sure, it's my web domain/twitter/tumblr but what does "Wicked Theory" actually Mean? How the hell could I make a Year End Top Ten out of it?

While I chose it originally as just wordplay on the phrase "bad idea", over time I've come to fashion more of a meaning out of it. A "wicked theory", as I spin it, is a bad idea gone right. Or more to it, an idea or belief, that seems unlikely (or just plain wrong) when you hear it, but in retrospect, turns out to be really good. The most badass ideas are the one that shouldn't work - but do.

And for me, here, in my head, it's a thing I look for and see everywhere. And for what I do here, on the web, I keep it to the context of pop/geek culture.

So, rather than call this "The Top Ten Things In Pop/Geek Culture That Seemed Like Bad Ideas At First But Turned Out To Be Pretty Smart This Year", or "Hey Internet, You Were Wrong About Stuff" let's just go with the short version above, okay?

Comics Review: UP THE RIVER 2130 #1

 By Bill Sweeney


Up The River 2130 #1
Written by Travis McIntire
Illustrated by Michael Wren
21 pages Full Color 
Horror

Available from IndyPlanet


Up The River brings together interesting elements from horror and superheroes to form a world where everything went wrong a long time ago and it never really recovered. A world where water has turned red as blood and to drink it will either turn you into the living dead or imbue you with fantastic abilities.

Quite the temptation.

With world building that shows our planet (or region, at least) suffering from societal breakdown, Up The River, presents us the story of Syl, a young man searching for answers.

Comic Review: THE GREAT UNKNOWN #1

By Bill Sweeney

Small Batch Comics is a new, creator owned, non-profit comic publisher featuring only the work of previously unpublished talent. Born from one of the many sub-levels of the vast and growing structure that is Reddit. com, this new indie voice has a clear message and ideal that could have only sprung from our current times of wide spread technological socialization and collaboration. It's a bold move in this uncertain comics market, but bravery and earnestness are rare and should be rewarded.

Enough about them (you can learn more about them here and submit your own stuff here), let's take a look at their first book, THE GREAT UNKNOWN,  a FREE an anthology that seems to have a bit of everything from Nazi Scientists to Ancient Astronauts to Deep Space Action...

Leah LaBelle's "SEXIFY": Not All That Sexified

By Lauren White

Oh Tumblr, you are a great time-waster, but also one of the main means I use to keep up with U.S. pop culture. I was scrolling through my dashboard and was met with this gif set. There was a young woman grooving along and singing to what I would soon find out was the bridge. A look at the tags revealed that her name was Leah LaBelle, the song she was singing was “Sexify”, and either the Neptunes or Pharell had a hand in producing the song. Of course, my curiosity was piqued and it lead to a quick visit to our favorite video sharing site to learn more about Miss LaBelle and her debut single “Sexify”, let's listen....

SPOILER REVIEW: The Cabin In The Woods

First, here's the "Spoiler Free Review" portion of all this:

"THE CABIN IN THE WOODS works on quite a few levels and works very well on each. Scary, funny, refreshing, twisty and smart. Ultimately, perhaps what it's best at, is that it leaves you in a state more movies should: Thinking About It Later! If you like movies, go see it! If you dig Horror movies especially, see it twice! 3 AND A HALF STARS!" 

            - Bill Sweeney, Wickedtheory.com

Okay, done. Now, go see it. The less you know the better. Seriously. It's rare that I feel that about a movie and THE CABIN IN THE WOODS begs this of you. Don't even watch this trailer I've put up right here, it's far too spoiler-ish in hindsight now that I know what I know. Instead, go to the theater with a few friends, get some popcorn, watch it and come back here. Afterwards.



For beyond this point lies SPOILERTOWN where everything is discussed as if you've SEEN IT ALREADY and where everything that's cool is about to be RUINED for you. UNDOUBTEDLY.

Remember, we gave you a chance to go. We'll wait...