darksnowman Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Saw it when it came back in 3D. Don't think I'll put myself through it again—even for the Ballymena Jedi.
Julius Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 2 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said: The Phantom Menace returns to theaters this year to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Had been looking ahead to next year (Revenge of the Sith's 20th and The Force Awakens' 10th) that I'd completely forgotten this year was the 25th for TPM! Man I really hope RotS gets a re-release next year and I don't need to wait another 6... Anyways, yeah, I'll be there, absolutely (assuming the re-release arrives over here, which I'm assuming it will). Going to see ROTJ in cinemas for the 40th last year was really special, but to experience Duel of the Fates in cinemas? Can't wait 2 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said: Amazing movie poster. Absolutely an S-tier poster Matt Ferguson never misses with Star Wars, loved his ROTJ 40th one last year: ...and just like that, I find myself in a Star Wars mood again 1
Julius Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 Per Collider, The Acolyte is set to release this summer: Feels like it's been virtual radio silence on the show since Celebration last year, and even that was just an event-exclusive trailer and a handful of interviews. It was a pretty damn good trailer, mind you! Would be reeeeeeeeeally smart of them to put a trailer for this in front of the TPM 25th anniversary showings, could really lean into setting it up with "100 years before The Phantom Menace" (so it's almost certainly not going to happen ) 1
Julius Posted March 18 Author Posted March 18 (edited) We get the first publicly released trailer for The Acolyte tomorrow, and it's teaser poster goes hard. Up there with the teaser poster greats in the series for me of The Phantom Menace... ...Revenge of the Sith... ...and The Last Jedi... Can't wait to see what they've got in store for us with this trailer, the one they showed at Celebration last year was hype as hell it's time to set the tone, Headland! Edited March 18 by Julius 1
Julius Posted March 19 Author Posted March 19 (edited) First trailer for The Acolyte, which gets a two-episode premiere when it starts June 4th! And apparently it's back to business as usual with tame and boring Disney+ posters already: Edited March 19 by Julius
Julius Posted March 19 Author Posted March 19 22 minutes ago, Happenstance said: Looking good. I assume it's set in the High Republic? Yep, that's right. They've said before that it takes place towards the end of the era (100 BBY), too, so I imagine there's going to be some potential connective tissue in places to TPM (32 BBY), which I'm very excited about. Ahem, *Plagueis*
Julius Posted March 21 Author Posted March 21 In the US ticket sales for the 25th anniversary re-release of The Phantom Menace go on sale tomorrow, and it will include an exclusive look at The Acolyte. Still no word on when and where in the UK these are going to be held, but I'll be shocked (and ready to riot) if the re-release doesn't make it over here
Julius Posted March 22 Author Posted March 22 Tickets for Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 have been announced as going up at the start of May, and the key art is a thing of true beauty. This next month figuring out if I'm going to go or not is going to be very fun and not at all stressful
Julius Posted March 23 Author Posted March 23 Tickets for TPM's 25th anniversary screenings are now up most places got mine, looking forward to it!
EEVILMURRAY Posted April 4 Posted April 4 Finished playing Fallen Order last night. Story was good but I had to take it down to easy mode because the combat is an absolute mess. Blocking/parrying seems to work only when it wants to, which is rarely never, as opposed to your opponent who seems to have a guard meter going all the time, and this is when they're gangbanging you with attacks with multiple opponents. That aside the metroidvania-esque exploration I quite enjoyed, although some fast travel points in the worlds. When it gets a bit cheaper I'll delve into Jedi Survivor
Julius Posted April 4 Author Posted April 4 (edited) 1 hour ago, Hero-of-Time said: I'm tearing up lmao. Waited, what, a decade for them to pick up the Barriss thread? And they just throw her in the thumbnail Super hype trailer, though I guess that's not a surprise. Tales of the Jedi was a bit of a mixed bag I found, hoping this is a little more consistent, but at least with Barriss confirmed it looks like it could stick to revealing some darker secrets like the Dooku episodes in TotJ. This and TPM anniversary screenings the same weekend, can't wait ETA: Edited April 4 by Julius
Julius Posted May 3 Author Posted May 3 (edited) Caught up on The Bad Batch S3 last weekend ahead of the finale on Wednesday, which I've also watched. Damn onion cutting assholes over at LFL Animation I swear, that ending got my eyes watering. Overall I'd say the show is the most consistent in terms of quality between it, TCW and Rebels, and I think all of its episodes are probably in the top 60% or so of animated episodes by LFL. There's nothing terrible about any of them. It's also the best looking of the bunch for me, it's insane to compare this and S1 of TCW to see how far they've come! And the music was great as always from the Kiners, too. Despite the *actual* ending scene getting me a bit choked up, I do think it falls short of the epic and emotional journeys that both TCW and Rebels took you on in their finales. Look, not everything can end with a 10/10 episode, but it did feel like they downed tools on certain ideas they'd been pushing on the audience throughout much of the show (which I won't spoil but should be very apparent if you've seen it) and it ended up being a bit of a backdoor pilot for potentially another series (or two?) set in the period between Episode III and Episode IV. To which I say...urgh, really, again? There's also a bit of an Occam's Razor (Lightsaber?) thing going on here where so many of your first and simplest instincts about what's going on are probably right, which I don't think we've had in Star Wars for a while, but makes me glad I didn't tune in weekly or I would've felt a bit letdown, honestly. Anyways, I loved The Batch, and loved Omega. Her theme is one of the greats in the GFFA. The character arcs are solid and I love how much The Batch felt now compared to when I watched them on animation rigs all those Celebrations ago. And, speaking of Celebrations...my ticket is booked for Japan 2025 Edited May 3 by Julius 1
Julius Posted May 4 Author Posted May 4 (edited) Just got back from watching TPM at the cinema and it was awesome to be back in a cinema watching Star Wars! First prequel I've seen in the cinema (finally!!). Did I nearly fall asleep during the podrace, like I always do? Damn right. The lack of music and focus during that scene on pure sound (for Ben Burtt to have his moment) combined with how boring the action going on is just, urgh, it's frustrating. And so is some of the dialogue. But the final duel/Duel of the Fates more than made up for it, as did the soundtrack - I was listening to my favourite (now defunct) podcast, Star Wars Oxygen, last night, specifically the TPM episodes, and I just love how much richness is there. Weaving the Imperial March into the end of Anakin's Theme is GENIUS, and there are so many examples of that in the prequels where John Williams is basically going back in time and setting up the archaeological finds we get with the soundtracks in the original films, just brilliant also Jabba's theme and Qui-Gon's, but of course, nothing topped that final duel musically. Also got to point out to my friends some of my favourite things about the film having watching it so many times, like Mace Windu being an extra when the council first arrive on Naboo towards the end of the film, Vader's solitary breath at the end of the credits, and Jabba the Hutt being played by 'Himself' in the credits. What I really enjoyed and went in trying to reframe the film as being is that George went into this film knowing it would be the lightest, and made it the most hopeful and childlike. Do some of the poop jokes go a bit too far with this? Sure. But I think I get the intent a bit better now, even if - like much of the rest of the film - it wasn't executed in the best way. Think I'll be rewatching all of the other films in the coming week, but for now...I think I'm going to stick with my previous rating of 6/10 for The Phantom Menace. It's so close to being a 7 for me, in all honesty, but the fact that the most boring part of the film to me is in the middle of the film is such an egregious sin and it's the closest I ever get to falling asleep in a Star Wars film EVERY. DAMN. TIME. Attack of the Clones is the weakest of the prequels for me, but I'll gladly go and watch it in cinema because, well, it's Star Wars, whenever the time comes (probably 2027 for its own 25th...URGH). Revenge of the Sith turns 20 next year and is by far the Star Wars film I most want to see in cinemas, but I'm likely waiting for the 25th anniversary in 2029 or something 50th franchise anniversary screening I'm 2027 for that? Meanwhile I guarantee The Force Awakens get re-released for its 10th (!!!!) anniversary next year, which, well, I'll go to...but come on! We then stuck around to watch the preview for The Acolyte, which was only a couple of minutes - basically just the wuxia-like fight we've seen set up in the trailers between Indara and Mae, very heavy Matrix vibes when you get Carrie-Anne Moss saying "we've got an unidentified Force user" and by the way, emphasis on the wuxia-like nature of the fight: Indara basically floats up the banisters on a staircase in a couple of steps. This was then cut with a few shots we've seen from trailers before and some new stuff as a bit of a stinger, it wasn't AMAZING but it felt awesome to get a preview for a Star Wars thing! Dialogue was CLEARLY cut during/around the fight and so they're certainly hiding something. 12 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said: Incredible trailer, much better than the preview we got to see following TPM imo. That "Sith"'s helmet looks awesome with the teeth! And also we can see a potentially newer model of Vector starfighter (the Jedi starfighter of choice during the era) than I think we've seen elsewhere in High Republic stuff, unless this is just how it's being adapted to live-action? I do actually wonder, with us now seeing this helmet-wearing "Sith" – assuming, based on the footage we've seen, Mae is the titular Acolyte and being tested (she tries to steal Indara's lightsaber during their fight which makes me think she's being tested to get a lightsaber to bleed the crystal? Idk) I wouldn't be surprised if this guy is the apprentice and the first season/show ends with the reveal of the master. Or, if this guy isn't for real, he'll get killed by the true Sith at the end. Really curious to see how it shakes out, just knowing any Jedi that come across an *actual* Sith can't really be allowed to survive. We also got another poster for the series, which again, looks great: Last thing, I've had a theory about a certain character for a while now, but I'll throw it in a spoiler tag just in case I'm right (which doesn't happen too often, but often enough that I know an educated guess I make about Star Wars normally isn't a million miles off)... Spoiler ...I think Mae might be a twin? And there's the Acolyte and her sister who have had different upbringings, but both being Force sensitives, they've been picked up and trained to whatever degree before leaving. I've thought this for a while now, but I mean just look at that poster: that could be Mae before and after she left the Order/joined as an acolyte, but Star Wars posters pretty much NEVER have the same character on the poster twice. So yeah, I think there *could* be twins and a misdirect of sorts going on here. Oh, and also, Manny Jacinto's character Qimir saying "But that peace...is a lie?" Hmm. Sounds awfully Sith-ish to me... Super excited for The Acolyte, think I might do a bit more High Republic reading before it drops Edited May 5 by Julius 1
Hero-of-Time Posted May 8 Posted May 8 On 04/05/2024 at 11:36 PM, Julius said: Super excited for The Acolyte, think I might do a bit more High Republic reading before it drops I was dabbling with starting to read the High Republic stuff now that the first 2 phases are complete (is phase 3 still going?) but it looks to be a mess if you want follow everything. Novels, comics, audio books, kids books....it's all a bit over the top.
Happenstance Posted May 8 Posted May 8 5 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said: I was dabbling with starting to read the High Republic stuff now that the first 2 phases are complete (is phase 3 still going?) but it looks to be a mess if you want follow everything. Novels, comics, audio books, kids books....it's all a bit over the top. From what I've seen for the most part you are fine to start with just one type then if you enjoy it you can move onto more but it's fine to skip some. My plan was always to just read the main novels and the comics. I did start the first book but found the delluge of new characters a bit much to keep track of so stopped. I still plan to restart it at some point. 1
Julius Posted May 10 Author Posted May 10 (edited) Been in a Star Wars-heavy mood following the Celebration news and TPM viewing last weekend, so... I watched Tales of the Empire in one sitting on Sunday morning. Loved it. Both arcs felt meaningful and not at all stale, so I'd definitely give it the edge over Tales of the Jedi. Getting to see Thrawn and the Grand Inquisitor in TCW style was awesome, they looked PERFECT. Also have to highlight this: Been obvious they've been using matte paintings for a while in the animated series now, but taking this physical miniature and utilising it in an animated series like this is unreal - and just for one shot, too! Some seriously talented people out there! Also, not really spoiler-y considering who it involves I don't think, but for the first time EVER in this style we go beyond the realm of the prequel trilogy and it's subsequent years and then beyond the original trilogy and into the years between ROTJ and Mando/Ahsoka for the final episode focused on Morgan Elsbeth, for the first time I think really a clear hint that this team might be open to reusing this art style beyond it's original prequel era scope. I think with how much time has clearly been invested into it and the tools they use, a bit of tweaking aside to make things feel fresh in terms of proportions, I would love for them to use it for the next show, if only so we can kick on with it already! Really have my fingers crossed that it's not yet another show set between III and IV. I've been tired of that era being mined for years at this point... Anyways, we also got the official release of this OST, The Bad Batch S3's, as well as the OSTs for Rebels S3 and S4 - after years of waiting! Which means I finally get to listen back to some of my favourites in an official capacity Last night I re-watched Attack of the Clones. Meh. It contains the only scenes I can't go without cringing through in the series, it's a bit of a mess pacing-wise (okay, a lot of a mess pacing-wise), and well, yeah - up until Rise of Skywalker it was the weakest Star Wars for film for me, and now it's just second to it. Across the Stars deserved so much better than the romance that film served up considering that it's Williams at his best, and while there's a good bit of recycling going on from TPM, the use of Duel of the Fates while Anakin tracks down his mother, the new recording of the Trade Federation theme when unveiling the clone army (which might seem lazy but is a musical way to scream at the audience that Palps is behind both) and the Imperial March kicking into full swing at the end as the new Grand Army of the Republic is dispatched are the musical highlights for me. Oh, and the best detonation sound effect of any film, ever, during that asteroid chase sequence - Ben Burtt at his best! And, lastly, today I re-watched Revenge of the Sith. I haven't much new to say about it that I haven't before...except that this happened: (damn you Letterboxd and your "four favourites"!) I think Empire is objectively the best Star Wars film, and I think the only other film really in with a shout is A New Hope. To me you can take the Star Wars aspect of it aside and they're still two of the best films ever put to film. But - I've said it before, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise - Revenge of the Sith is my absolute favourite Star Wars film. I can watch it over, and over, and over again; it has, in my opinion, by far and away the best single soundtrack of any Star Wars film; the best duel (sorry, Duel of the Fates); the immolation scene is one of the best-acted moments in the entire Saga; and the CGI still looks great 80% of the time today, as does much of the background art done for the film, which is some feat. That final shot you get of Naboo towards the end is otherworldly. Planning to revisit Solo for the first time (yup, I've only watched it once before!) this weekend, as well as go in to experience the glory of Rogue One once again I am in a VERY Star Wars-y mood, it's safe to say! Edited May 10 by Julius 2
darksnowman Posted May 10 Posted May 10 On 04/05/2024 at 11:36 PM, Julius said: Did I nearly fall asleep during the podrace, like I always do? Damn right. Unfortunate as that's quite possibly the high point of the film you're snoozing through every time. The "this is podracing!" line towards the end will be lost on you. Against my better judgement, I went to see the Phantom Menace again last weekend. First time since it last did the rounds in 3D. Oh well. Holds it's own in the context of the latest trilogy but that's a low bar if ever there was one. Thought the acolytes was another CGI-fest so for it to be Star Wars Matrix? Colour me interested. I may well give it a look once all the episodes are out. Though I still need to catch up with the last series of Mandalorian and Ashoka so no guarantees. On 08/05/2024 at 12:02 PM, Happenstance said: From what I've seen for the most part you are fine to start with just one type then if you enjoy it you can move onto more but it's fine to skip some. My plan was always to just read the main novels and the comics. I did start the first book but found the delluge of new characters a bit much to keep track of so stopped. I still plan to restart it at some point. Can sympathise. Some normal names like Luke and Leia would help with this hurdle, imo. 1
Happenstance Posted May 10 Posted May 10 Been on a bit of a Star Wars kick again myself recently but mines been veering more towards the comics. Finished reading the first Thrawn (canon) comic and Darth Maul Son of Dathomir. I'll be moving onto the next Star Wars omnibus next. 1
Julius Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 According to Deadline, Sigourney Weaver has signed onto The Mandalorian & Grogu in an as yet undisclosed role: She's totally playing Grogu, right?
Recommended Posts