saw these pics this morning...the general greivous pictures look awesome...what's up with the "x-wing" type fighters though? they appear to have an extra wing in the middle...
the wookie going for nookie picture at the top of the page cracked me up...
--
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson
I dunno about these pics. In this one, it looks like Hayden and his bestest buddy just completed a succesful assault on a cheap costume shop in order to get ready for Thursday's bitchin' Halloween kegger down at the Tri-Lams.
-- When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
I believe those are the legendary *-Wing fighters. The extra wings make it more powerful. The cheap X-Wing was only the result of a budget cut that made the great Asterisks unaffordable.
Well according to Star Wars Insider, Dook is supposed to be killed early in the show. And I can assume these pics show that anakin kills Dooku, this is probably when he takes his masters side. According to other sources and star wars insider, palpatine changes form, once he un-clouds the vision the dark side is shrouding. I'm not sure if that means he physically changes, or that he can hide is appearance so well, he can jedi mind trick everyone into looking the way he does (its not really jedi mind trick, it's some sort of spy technique, where you look different from what you are)
General Grevience, is supposed to also die early in the movie as well, I think Star Wars insider shows this. He is basicly a proto-type for Palpatine. Not sure who kills him. All I know is he can fight with 3 light sabers. And he can kill jedi quickly. Samual L Jackson also dies of course. I think he also bites it early in the movie. I think either palpatine kills him, or grevience does.
One of the later battles will be between Anakin and Obi-wan, where somehow obi-wan gets the upper hand, and somehow anakin's body falls or gets hit with lava (aka his dark life support suite).
After this I have no idea if we get to see him in his vadar suit killin jedi, but if we did I'd imagine it wouldn't look good, and hopefully they don't use CGI vadar.
anyways, thats about all I know
Re:Is it just me...
by
buraianto
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· Score: 0, Offtopic
It's not just you. Chewbacca is groping her too. But dude, I'd back off. Wookies pull people's arms out of their sockets when someone messes with their girls.
When I saw that pic, I thought to myself "damn, that would make a *badass* wallpaper!"
Then when I right-clicked on it a little java dialog popped up saying "She did it all for the wookie!"... Clever.
For some weird reason, it only saved a horizontal slice of the pic to my hdd. Anybody know where I can just download the damned thing, and thus avoid splicing all the slices together just for a silly wallpaper?
-G
-- I use friend/foe to signal strong [dis]agreement instead of mod points. What else are f/f good for?
Re:Is it just me...
by
glarbl_blarbl
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· Score: 2, Informative
Most people agree that the first two movies were pretty much a disgrase to the fanchise. It seems Lucas has decided that special effects should be the focus of the story, instead of the story. The originals were groundbreaking in their look, but also magnificently told a story. The new movies lack that.
With that said, the second one was slightly better than the abortion that was Episode 1. From early word, the new movie will be dark and full of action, and hopefully it will be worthy of the name Star Wars.
The movies are what created the franchise in the first place, and Lucas can take the movies _AND_ the franchise in whatever direction he wants.
I think what you mean is that the first two episodes are a disgrace to _YOUR_ impression of what Star Wars is supposed to be. But this isn't your movie, it's Lucas's. If you don't like it, don't watch it.
I gotta disagree with you i have seen them many times, and i still think that they are by far the greatest movies made yet.
I just think it sad how they afterwards have done everything they can to pump all the money the possibly can, out of the Star Wars name.
The original Star Wars movies are damn good movies, but I think alot of people here forget that when they were first released, they were children or teenagers.
I've said this before and got modded down for it, but screw it. The new Star Wars films aren't really geared towards children any less than the originals were. Sure, Jar Jar is a stupid and annoying character to watch, but C3P0 was also an irritating bastard in the first films, providing childish humour and no-brainer script to the movies.
As for everyone claiming they know they will be dissapointed by this movie, you will only be dissapointed if you go in thinking the movie is going to be a great film. If you know that it won't, they you won't be dissapointed.
Take the movies at face value. They are all certified for younger audiences, even the originals, therefore its pretty safe to assume alot of the content will not only be suitable for younger viewers, but also more enjoyable for them.
Yeah yeah..... mod me down as troll or flamebait just like every time I don't just spit out "Lucas is evil and has destroyed my life" on Star Wars related discussions:P
-- She's built like a steak house, but she handles like a bistro....
Sorry to disagree with YOUR imperssion of HIS imperssion but MY imperssion and many OTHER peoples imperssion match the original posters comments. The first movie was fairly bad, the second one better and the third.. well we will see wont we.
Your comparison might be a little more apt if it were Lucas's kids or some other person that were doing the newer movies, but it isn't... it's Lucas himself, the _SAME PERSON_ that invented Star Wars in the first place.
And this, class, is a form of what we call a "strawman". You see, the grandparent post was referring to George Lucas having the right to make Star Wars movies how he wants. Parent, on the other hand, is putting forward a strawman (creating a position and attacking it), by putting forward the analogy of a the decendant of the creator of a work of art changing of a series his ancestor created. There is a difference.
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
And this, folks, is what we call a four-eyed spaz completely missing the point.:-P
"Oh please. There's no such thing as a 12-inch pianist!"
My original post was mostly in jest, but the argument that Lucas is "the same guy" doesn't hold any water. Flesh and blood, perhaps. Spiritually, and in his soul, definitely not.
C'mon, how many 60+-year-olds do you know who are the "same guy" they were in their 20's? Or haven't you noticed how conservative Dennis Miller has become?
Just because he's the same DNA doesn't make him the same person. This is the Evil George we're seeing now.
A little fire for your strawman: if Orson Welles were alive today and wanted to make a sequel to "Citizen Kane" in which Jason Biggs fucks a pie, would you have something to say?
I agree with you. Like it or not, it's his brain-child. Since when does someone's own design become a product of the masses? Yes we all went to see the originals, but it's still his to do with as he pleases.
If Kubrick(sp) were alive and owned any of his movies still, he could do the same thing.
Just like Metallica creating a new version of our favorites, put to strings and horns. You expect the artists to listen to e-polls that say things like, "Nooo! Don't destroy my child-hood memories of Enter Sandman."
Get real. There's no strawmen here. Just people that live in the real world, where real people own real things. Like property, and art.
-- "Thoughts are more powerful than any weapon, and I don't even let my people own guns."--Joseph Stalin
Re:Movies
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
So what you say is one shouldn't critisize anything which one hasn't done himself? That's idiotic.
A movie made for a younger audience doesn't have to be crap, though. Hayao Miyazaki and Walt Disney's films, and the Pixar movies are all very fine works.
-jcr
-- The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
He didn't say that Lucas wasn't *entitled* to disgrace the frachise.
Of course Lucas can toss another Jar-Jar in there, and even turn him into Darth-Darth Binks (as Brad Templeton suggested), but why should anyone refrain from criticising him?
-jcr
-- The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
"it's his right because he has the legal right to do it! You're just the paying customer, so shut your piehole and fork over the $$$$!"
Yes, it is the artist's right [or whoever has inherited the rights to the piece] to modify the work later. I agree with that. Why do you think that the customer has no right to voice his dislike for the new work and refuse to pay for it? Last time I checked, I didn't have to go see Episode III.
-- THIS ACCOUNT IS OFFICIALLY RETIRED/RETARDED.
Re:Movies
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
What are you on about? The only reason Lucas is able to make the changes is because we paid to see the movies. He's making the changes with OUR money so I say it's our privelege to let him know when he's fucking up. You say so yourself: if you don't like it, don't watch it. Extended: if I don't like it, do I get my money back? Fuck you dumbass.
I'd say it'd suck, and I wouldn't see it, but it still wouldn't be in the same league as the Prequels (more along the lines of "Manos").
Now, if Oliver Stone decided to drop the game and do a movie "Scarface 2: The Return of Tony Montana", or a Prequel, "Scarface: The Cuban Years" that'd be accurate (especially considering that Oliver Stone has gone to crap since the 70s and 80s, just like Lucas has, to some extent.).
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
The movies are what created the franchise in the first place, and Lucas can take the movies _AND_ the franchise in whatever direction he wants.
Clearly, but that doesn't mean a person can't CRITICIZE the moronic decisions that Lucas makes.
If you don't like it, don't watch it.
That is an absurd suggestion, and one that *YOU* can't even follow (which would have been "if you don't like the poster's criticism, don't read it").
The *fact* is that Star Wars can belong to Lucas all he wants, he can do whatever he wants with it, but *the* *moment* he puts it out for the public to consume, he gives away part ownership. He still owns the legal and creative rights to it, certainly, but he no longer has a monopoly on the entirety of Star Wars. If he did, he could demand you and I not talk about it, and more so, could dictate how you even feel and think about the movies. Clearly he cannot, and *THAT* is what he does not, and can never, own, and *THAT* is *EXACTLY* what the poster you replied to was complaining about.
... Lucas has decided that special effects should be the focus of the story, instead of the story. The originals were groundbreaking in their look, but also magnificently told a story.
I agree. I've said many times before that the orginal movies told a great story against a scifi backdrop. And the new movies tell a so-so story against a great scifi backdrop.
Also in the orginals, there was build up and then an action scene. Then more build up and another action scene. They were paced like that. Contrast that to Esp. I. Almost the whole movie was build up. Then at the end there is several battles going on at once.
-- Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
Nice attempt at sophistry-- but a tad obvious. It's a really dumb analogy... and is not convincing at all. First George Lucas's son is not making these movies- Geroge is. Second- Michaelangelo was forced to paint the chapel and probably wasn't interested in it very much, he never owned it, and he did paint the figures naked- boobies included. Third- they are not selling Sistine Chapels- you are not a paying customer. Anyways kudos for trying.
That doesn't even make any sense. The ratings do not indicate the quality of the movies. Jar Jar was abominable, the reliance on CGI (which is not as natural, even, than stop-motion) was a mistake, and the story was not as complex (by the time you get to Ep. IV, there's already three episodes of back story. But at Ep. I, there really isn't much at all).
The movie wasn't targeted at kids (no more so than anyone else), but it was *about* a kid, and *that* was the biggest problem Lucas faced with Ep. I. It's *really* hard to make a movie about a kid that isn't childish. If he acted just like a little boy, it would have been boring, so they had to make him a pod-racing, star fighter-flying top gun war hero, which was *really* asking a lot of the audience. I would have made the film primarily about the Jedi, the Sith, and the Republic, with the rise of Anakin as a minor role, but Lucas wanted it to be primarily about Anakin. Oops.
Had Ep. II been released as Ep. I, things would have been a lot better.
Just because he is getting older doesn't make his work any less his.
I disagree with your basic premise that people become completely different as they age.
Take Isaac Asimov for example. Look at some of his work in the 40's, then look at "The Gods Themselves" from the 70's (one of his only science fiction novels from that decade).
Also look at his later robot series and compare them to the first. You can find things to criticize, if you want, but it's without a doubt the same writer (My favorite is The Robots of Dawn).
Admittedly, I don't know what Lucas was thinking with his midichloreans or whatever,
but I'm not going to 1/5 his last Star Wars
movie before even seeing it!:)
Re:Movies
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
I would have just made Anakin older in episode 1. That way when Obiwan first met him he could already be an accomplished pilot (like Obiwan said in Ep IV), and he could have been trained by Yoda (as said in the originals) rather than Obiwan.
Re:Movies
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Apparently he wants to stick them straight up his ass...
People seem to be hung up on the premise that I was driving that Lucas had the mere legal right to muck around with Star Wars as he did. That wasn't my point
The post to which I was originally disagreeing may have had a point if it had been someone other than Lucas (even one who had a legal right and title to do so, assuming Lucas had passed away and the rights sold to someone else) which had done this. It wasn't... it isn't. This is Lucas's work, and for better or for worse, it's only disgraceful to some people's _ideal_ of what Star Wars is supposed to be, not the Star Wars franchise itself.
You can really only disgrace a work when you violate the intent of the creator of the work. The creator of Star Wars is very much alive and is the one who is actually pushing Star Wars in the direction it's going. It's not for you, me, or anyone else to presume what Lucas's original intent actually was, so it's impossible to conclude that the current films are a disgrace to the franchise itself. Otherwise it's not the work being disgraced, it's the impression that people had of what _THEY_ thought the work was supposed to be that is being disgraced. While there may be an argument that the artist may, having initially offered a work, be obligated to not interrupt the public's appreciation and perception of that work, even if he does, that's still not disgracing the work itself (since it is still clearly the artist's intent).
Well the basic problem here is that we're working from uncommon ground. I have no idea what you think is crap. Perhaps you think Jar-Jar was the greatest gift of recent cinematic history. Most would disagree, but...
That's actually one of my two biggest complaints about the new Star Wars movies. Although they suck (and yes that is a completely subjective statement, but COME ON) some people not only like them, but vigorously defend them. They defend Jar-Jar. They defend C3PO and R2D2 running on a conveyor belt and jumping (and, presumably, collecting valuable coins and mushrooms). They defend "deathsticks". They defend Haydn Christensen.
My other big complaint is the people who realize these movies suck, but keep going to see them. Their philosophy is usually the same: "I have to see how much he screws it up!", or "It can't be as bad as the last one!"
Obviously there are exceptions to the rule of people changing as they age. But it's very rare that a person at 50 is anything like the person they were at 20.
The great works of art that we all love are the product of the creators being willing, at some point, to put down the paintbrush/guitar/camera and say "this is my statement". Seems like Lucas is just incapable of doing that.
I was a young teenager when Star Wars was first in theatrical release. I loved it... absolutely adored the film... and saw it 17 times. My father, in contrast, couldn't get past the concept of "The Force" finding it childish, unnecessary, and an irrational appeal to the mindless masses. It (obviously) didn't bother me. Although I certainly didn't take any ken to the idea, the fact that people in the story had some hokey ideology and mythologically-based religion wasn't a sticking point.
Now that I'm older, and more cynical about what is done to make movies appealing to the broadest possible audience, I find watching Star Wars to be bearable only because of the nostalgia: like my father, I find The Force to be as distasteful as any other form of magic, paranormal activity, or fantasy used to currently sell books and movies. Star Wars (both the original movie, and the entire story arc) could have easily been written using the idea, "trust your finely honed skill and ability," rather than, "trust The Force," sending a much better message to the public, while being just as enjoyable as entertainment.
So, yes, take these movies at face value, and remember that your fond memories of them were formed at a different point in your psychological development: they aren't written for adults.
--
Put my fist through my alarm clock
with its ding-dong death inside my ear. - The Blackjacks.
When you get older and mature, you never get to be the same person you was in your youth. People change and you're not likely to enjoy to do the same things as you did in the past.
Lucas seems to have lost that magical touch of old.
Possibly, but it's not up to you or me to judge whether or not the direction he's moving Star Wars today was not actually part of his original intent.
That's the point I was originally trying to make. Lucas can no more disgrace Star Wars than if he were inventing it today for the first time... at worst it wouldn't be a disgrace to itself, it would simply be utter tripe.
It could, however, be considered a disgrace to the art of cinema in general.
Don't go see the movies, but whatever you do, don't complain! Don't give the movies a bad review! Don't tell other people how bad you thought the movies were!
Get real. Member input is what created the Slashdot franchise in the first place, and group discussion can take the forum _AND_ the franchise in whatever direction it wants.
I think what you mean is that complaining about Star Wars is unacceptable to _YOUR_ impression of what Slashdot is supposed to be. But this isn't your forum, it belongs to everybody. And if you don't like it, don't read it.
Kind of an all purpose comment isn't it? Let's try another one:
I think what you mean are that security flaws are a disgrace to _YOUR_ impression of what an operating system should be. But this isn't your operating system, it's Bill Gates'. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
and if you talk to the 'non-DS9 watching public' or other people many will agree.
The originals are fun, entertaining, and exciting but great filmmaking they are not, though they do have great things in them (like the AT-AT's and Darth Vader and Jabba). Ewoks?
SW is good stuff but not Great Stuff, however much they market it.
While it is true that George is no Akira, it is also true that Akira is no George.
Then again, George really is no George anymore.
It's a common problem, take a young hungry artist and give him fame, fortune, success and riches and his works quickly go to sh*t. You don't even have to wait 20 years for it to happen usually.
Also, there was much more collaboration with the original trilogy much as there was more collaboration with original Trek.
-- A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
That makes no sense. Just because he did the original trillogy as well doesn't mean the prequals can't be be a disgrace. A person can easily disgrace themselves or thier prior works of art.
I wouldn't say he's completely disgraced StarWars, but he has cheapened them.
Not because the prequals are so bad, thier o.k.ish middling fare. But when seen in light of the original masterpieces, thier mediocracy becomes rubbish and looks really bad by contrast. If we had never had the original trillogy the prequals would have just been another also ran bunch of sf summer big budget sfx movies, possibly worth going to see, but thats about it.
Actually it was Obi Wan who was 'trained by Yoda' in the first trillogy, but in the prequals was trained by Quai Con.
It's these little inconsistancies that bug me. Possibly more than Jar Jar, who if kept as a minor part for the occasional sight gag would have worked fine. Jar Jar had the potential to be the C3PO character of prequals, and that may have been the intent, but they blew it and made him way to important and campy.
Of course they can be a disgrace, but they can't be a disgrace to themselves... they can't even be a disgrace to the franchise because it's not for anyone else to say with authoritative certainty that this wasn't where he originally intended things to go anyway (and whether or not he did is not an argument I want to get into). All anyone who is disatisfied with the newer films can say for certain is that the new movies suck in comparison to the old. But to bring disgrace to the franchise itself is to assume that in some way the franchise was ever supposed to be something other than what it is becoming. That's only for Lucas to say... not you or I.
If it's used just to sell the movie,story,breakfast cereal, whatever, I would agree with you.
But almost all works of fiction in a sense start with what-if? and explore the possible results of answering that question.
The point of most stories isn't "can this really happen" but rather to tell a story based on "what if this did happen".
Every like a sf show with ftl travel? that's as much magic as gandalf or the force based on our current understanding. I strongly suspect it's the trappings of the genre involved rather than the 'fantasy' aspects that you don't like.
Personally I sometimes find it harder to watch more 'realistic' movies because they frequently don't fact check thier history or science, yet part of thier 'what if' depends on some thier facts and science which are presented as matching the real world, and don't.
The new Star Wars films aren't really geared towards children any less than the originals were.
C'mon! Anakin introduced as some obnoxious cutsey child? Jar-Jar? Lucas intending to include the members of some cheesy boy-band in one of the scenes in Ep 2??? If that ain't pandering to the kiddies, than what is? Of course Lucas is gearing his movies to the kids and the reason should be obvious: There's a ton of additional money to be made licensing and merchandising Star Wars Toys, and you don't market that stuff to grown-ups (except as the would-be buyers for their whining offspring).
--
You're using her as bait, Master!
Re:Movies
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
I'll agree that the man is certainly wasn't born to hold a pen, but to say that he is not a good director? The man is a genius... Anyone who can command such poor performances out of people with such refined acting talents as Liam Neeson, Samuel L. Jackson and Ewan McGregor has to be.
"Disgrace to the franchise" meaning a disgrace to George Lucas and the hundreds, if not thousands, of other creative people that their their efforts to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return, of the Jedi, Ewoks, Battle for Endor, Droids, and all the cool toys, dolls, and other and fast food tie-ins.
Many an artist has disgraced himself in his dotage, but few have tainted the collective creative efforts of so many with his own degneration. It's on an even bigger scale than Paul Hewson's self-destruction and robboing of enjoyment of his past work by fans of U2.
Why don't you ask everyone else (besides George Lucas) who was involved in the creation of the Star Wars movies if they don't feel that what Lucas has done with the franchise (which included their creative efforts as well, he just happens to own the copyright) is a disgrace?
"Why do you think that the customer has no right to voice his dislike for the new work and refuse to pay for it?" --Jane the Great
Alas, the most ignorant post on all of slashdot (not to mention the most ignorant person on all of slashdot). The end is finally here. I can go rest now.
P.S. Do you really hate liberals that much? Maybe you should find a new hobby.
And why didn't he just shoot Gandalf with the Golden Gun (since magic certainly didn't work).
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:Found you!
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 1, Funny
Heheh. Make that "Alec Guinness" and "Obi-Wan".
Or, as he put it himself, "Which line would you rather be remembered for: `If you prick us, do we not bleed?' or `These aren't the droids you're looking for.'?"
As I recall, from one of the extras on the DVD, Lee has been a life-long fan of LOTR. In fact he claimed that he has read it once a year for many years now. I suppose if I was a huge fan of a book, and was an actor with some influence, I'd try to get in on the movie project for the book.
Yet Ben Affleck gets criticised up the wah-zoo over Daredevil. Yes, his acting was wooden in the theatrical cut of that movie, but apparently he was and is an enormous fan of the comic. The director's cut was better, IMHO, anyway (we get a lot mroe Nelson and Murdoch scenes, and the Biker Bar fight scene is extended).
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Maybe being a big fan is not good for an actor, as they are coming to the project with all their own ideas on what is going on. It's probably better for the director to be the big fan, and then share his vision with the actors. There might be fewer conflicts that way.
The extras indicated that the actors on LOTR often went to Lee for more info about the story. Maybe it would have been better for them to go to Peter. Who knows.
Re:Found you!
by
kin_korn_karn
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· Score: 2, Insightful
From watching countless movies over the years I've come to the conclusion that actors need to be inspired by a good screenplay more than by direction. No matter who they're working for, no actor looks or feels like a genius when uttering lines or going through plot motions that would make George Lucas look like Tennessee Williams.
As you can see Mr. Baggins, we've been keeping our eyes on you for some time. It appears you have been living . . . two lives. On the one hand you are Frodo Baggins of the Shire. Mild mannered hobbit with a keen interest in the brewing of ales, the smoking of pipeweed and a love of all things that grow. You even help your neighbor take out the garbage . . . hmm.
On the other hand you are the ring bearer. A wanderer, adventurer and general savior of the world.
One of the lives has a future Mr Baggin.
For a second there I read "Christopher Reeve" and "Superman".
-- Visit http://ringbreak.dnd.utwente.nl/~mrjb/growingbettersoftware to download your free copy of the book
Re:Found you!
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Lee is actually related to Tolkien in some way. Don't know the exact connection. They did correspond many times through the post.
Re:Found you!
by
coupland
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· Score: 2, Interesting
And thank God for that, because I can't picture a better casting choice for Saruman than Christopher Lee. And with an equally impressive choice of Ian McKellen as Gandalf, the showdown in FoTR was nothing less than spectacular.
In fact, if you ask me we've seen three of movie-making's best "clashes of the Titans" all in recent years. Christopher Lee and Ian McKellen in LoTR. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in X-Men. Alan Rickman and Gary Oldman in HP:TPoA. All examples of fantastic casting, IMO.
Re:Found you!
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
"Lee is actually related to Tolkien in some way. Don't know the exact connection"
Nope. Christopher Lee met Tolkien once, and they are not related.
OTOH, Lee is related by marriage to Ian Fleming, and was Fleming's choice for Dr No.
In the same DVD (possibly the commentary, possibly the extras), Christopher Lee claimed or was able to produce a letter saying that Tolkien wanted him as Gandalf, but he was too old to be up to the task, so it went to Ian McKellan instead. Christopher Lee still did an absolutely brilliant job as Saruman and was perhaps the best possible casting choice.
>Christopher Lee still did an absolutely brilliant job as Saruman
And how... I have to admit I'm a "new-school" fan of Christopher Lee, the oldest film I've seen him in is Sleepy Hollow. But my gosh, this man has been brilliant in everything I've ever seen him in. I've since learned that he was a film legend long before I was born, I'm glad to see he's getting his due from a younger generation as well.
Personally I can't imagine LoTR without him. And he was certainly the best actor in Star Wars Episode II. Considering most of the other actors in Ep2 have vaguely hinted that Lucas insisted they act wooden and stiff, one can only assume Lee simply flaunted the direction he was given and acted brilliantly in spite of Lucas' requests.
I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
JoeLinux
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· Score: 5, Insightful
"Episode III: The last chance for Lucas".
Seriously...is anyone going into this thing with high hopes? Episode I was like watching my childhood melt into easily-marketable claptrap, and Episode II felt like the actors had full-body botox.
Who is going to see this expecting a wonderful, rounded, well-acted movie? Don't get me wrong, I intend to see it, but mostly because of morbid curiosity.
I dunno...I guess I'm still bitter about LucasArts cancelling Sam and Max for more Star Wars Title. Damn them!
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
E+IS+mC(Square)
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· Score: 5, Funny
It took Lucas 2-3 decades to achieve what Wachowski brothers achieved in 2-3 years - undoing of great movie-making for money!!
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
fr2asbury
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Oh, I don't think I ever go to a Star Wars movie for a "well-acted" movie, even the original ones. But from what I've seen the eye candy in this up coming one looks like it'll succesfully make me go "Ooo" and that's the extent of my hopes and expectations. I think I will be pleased.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Full-body botox?
You need glasses. Natalie Portman was Naked and Petrified in the movies.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
NormalVisual
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· Score: 5, Funny
Don't know about the movie, but I'm sure I will find Natalie Portman to be wonderful and rounded in Ep. III.
-- Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
AceCaseOR
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· Score: 1
I didn't know you had a thing for pregnant women (even if it's not-pregnant women posing as being pregnant).
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Couzin2000
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Well-acted? Ok, well I guess Mark Hamill got all these great acting jobs after Episode IV because of his amazing talent.
Not to say anything, but this has always been the problem with me vs all Star Wars fans. The thing is, when you guys saw it in 77, you were "hypnotized" by it because it was all new. But all in all, it's Spider-Man with a laser sword. (Trust me, I'm not trying to diss Star Wars, I'm a huge fan myself)
I just think the thing was so overblown back then that people now have made it their own movie. But this is Lucas' movie. You either like it or you don't but this is his creation. You couldn't very well show up at his doorstep and tell George Lucas "I think the 3rd episode Luke Skywalker needs to be back as a dark Jedi". That's something that would never work for George, and he would never do it.
This movie has gotten to the point of fanatism by so many, and look at what happens when fans become fanatics: Dimebag Darrell from Damageplan/Pantera died for what again? Yes, that's right -- for a FAN. An unstable, crazed-out, Pantera fanatic.
People write stuff on the internet as though they are throwing their own thoughts straight out onto a diary, but others read it and then it becomes this HUGE thing. "Morbid curiosity"... does that mean Jar-Jar Binks killed your Star Wars dream of seeing Han Solo naked in the forest? Are you mad at George Lucas? I think you should call him.
See how stupid this sounds? I'm a fan, not a fanatic. I know LOTS of trivia about Star wars, but I take what Lucas gives me, and deal with it. So why can't the rest of geek nation?
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
sdo1
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· Score: 5, Insightful
Episode I was like watching my childhood melt into easily-marketable claptrap
You know, I've felt the same way about Episode I. I hated it.
But then this past week I had a revelation. In the years since it was relesed, I had a kid. He's about four and a half years old now. We've watched the first (original) three together (including pausing at the Guido scene to explain that Han shot first), and he's loved them.
Then we watched Episide I last week. And while I was sitting there squirming and re-living the pain, he was REALLY loving it. Jar Jar... "He's funny!". He cracked up at the pod race announcers. Anikin accidentally destroying the space station was met with "That was AWESOME!".
Episide I was not for me. It was designed to satisfy the intellect of a four year old. Well, "designed to" may be to strong, but that's where it succeeded, whether that was the intention or not. Everying I loathed about it, he loved. It's sad that Lucas smashed my dreams of a satisfying first chapter, but my four year old thinks differently.
-S
-- ---
What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
> So why can't the rest of geek nation?
You're not a geek - you're are a loser. A complete failure.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Ok, well I guess Mark Hamill got all these great acting jobs after Episode IV because of his amazing talent.
Hey man! Corvette Summer ruled. I remember seeing that in a double-feature with The Deep and...
... mmmm, Jackie Bissett in a wet t-shirt...
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
And the first three movies WEREN'T "easily-marketable claptrap"? Or did I imagine all the toys, cartoons, Christmas specials, etc. that followed their releases?
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
You need to slap the stupid out of your kid NOW! Before its too late.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Have you watched Ep 4-6 lately? Sure, they're fun, but in their way, they're just as bad or worse than Ep. 1-2. Ep. 1 and 2 are much better movies, as far as _art_ goes, though I can't say that I cared for them very much as _entertainment_. What are the "great movies"? "Casablanca", "Citizen Kane", "Vertigo"? Most movie critics will agree to at least the first two as the best, but I don't care to see them again.
We older geeks (who are doing most of the complaining) remember Episodes 4-6 through the lens of nostalgia. I imagine that the younger fans who watched 1-2 without seeing 4-6 first think that the latter 3 movies are cheesy and dumb. The same happened with the "Matrix" movies. Everyone loved the first movie because it as different and groundbreaking (by throwing in a bunch of anime conventions into the pseudo-cyberpunk), but the last two movies didn't push the envelope like the first one did... so people were disappointed that Reloaded and Revolutions didn't thrill them as much as the first movie. Thus, it was crap to them (I agree that we were let down by the writng, especially the end of Revolutions).
I think Lucas could have done things better, but what does it matter? _Someone_ will be unhappy, no matter what he does. So, he should make his movies the way he wants to make them. The idea that "we're the customers, so we should have the things the way we want them" destroys art.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
KlomDark
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· Score: 1
Weird, I find the last 15 minutes of Revolutions the best part of the two shitty "sequels". Surprised you were let down by it - the re-emergence of the black cat to bring in the full reset of the matrix with the rainbow sky was about the only part that made me think "Wow".
But then again, that's just me...
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
LMariachi
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· Score: 5, Interesting
Your assumption that you can appeal to four-year olds or adults but not both is a false dichotomy. From an interview with Pixar's Craig Good:
NRO: The father of five, I'm something of an expert on animated feature films, if I do say so myself -- and Pixar productions are simply and incomparably the best. Your stuff delights my three-year old, my thirteen-year-old, the three kids in between, and their parents and grandparents. How do you guys do it?
Good: Simple. We don't make movies for kids. We make movies for adults, actually ourselves, and then just make sure there's nothing in them that the little ones shouldn't see. The local cineplex is littered with movies made by studios who want to second-guess what the audience wants. We find we get better results by making what we want, and then assuming that there are other people like us out there.
If audiences in general are underestimated, kids really get the patronizing treatment. Two things are often forgotten about kids. One: They have no taste. They will watch just about anything. This is normal and healthy. Taste comes later. Two: They are not stupid! Kids are born intelligent, and there's no good reason to make dumbed-down entertainment for them.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
spac3manspiff
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· Score: 1
The Wachowski brothers are young and it's easier for them to be consistent in making good movies. (This holds true only if their next movie is good)
It really isnt Lucus's fault because his time is over.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Daengbo
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· Score: 1
If your childhood didn't melt with episode VI, then you were either still a child, or didn't watch it carefully.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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spac3manspiff
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· Score: 1
Natalie Portman is the hottest woman!
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
TRACK-YOUR-POSITION
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· Score: 1
I dunno, surely all that trade federation political/economic stuff isn't aimed at your four year old, is it? You can say Lucas succeeded in entertaining your four year old, but Episodes I and II were way too pretentious for anyone to claim that was Lucas's only goal.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Actually, it IS Lucas' fault. When he made the original trilogy, his ego was much smaller and he allowed others to refine his creative "vision", and even contribute their own ideas. Now his ego is bigger and the new trilogy is exactly what the old trilogy would have been if not for the influence of others.
I used to think Lucas was engaging in revisionist history when he said "I never wanted Han to shoot first. That was never part of my original vision." Now, I'm pretty sure he's right. The reason Han shot first was probably because someone else decided he should.
After all, Lucas didn't even want Obi Wan to die until his wife told him his villains were cartoonish and nonthreatening unless they killed a good guy. Now cartoonish is all we get.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Lemmy+Caution
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· Score: 1
Hey, you're still going to see it, right? Then why should Lucas care? He's still getting your dollars - and Wes Anderson and/or a dozen other deserving film makers aren't.
Seems like people are getting exactly what they deserve.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
When I was a kid Return of the Jedi was my favorite, and I HATED Empire Strikes Back.
As a teenager Star Wars was my favorite, I still hated Empire Strikes Back but I agreed that maybe Leia was a little hot so I could understand the inclusion of the romantic interests.
Now as an adult I think Empire Strikes Back is easily the best of the 3 basically for the story twists, and I can't imagine why I ever liked ROTJ except maybe the final battle scenes.
I'm sure kids like Episode 1, but the thing about the other Star Wars movies is that there was a bit of something for everyone. So far in ep 1/2 it's been very weak. The foundations for a good movie are there, but underplayed and dumbed down.
I hope he gets ep3 right or he's ruined everything.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Howski
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· Score: 1
Interesting. I hate Revolutions with a violent passion, but I loved Reloaded from start to finish. I thought it was brilliant. It was like the first movie, but with a brilliantly complex plot (by the same token, I found the original Matrix to be brilliant in its simplicity). Still, there were parts of Revolutions that made me really really WANT to like it:
The cat.
When Trinity takes the Logos (I think) above the clouds, revealing the sun and the sky.
Trinity's death. Keanu's acting in that scene is uncharacteristically good. A long way from Ted "Theodore" Logan, to be sure.
The dude who played Bane. A better Hugo Weaving impersonation you will not see.
For the record, though, I still vehementy deny that the brothers W ever finished the trilogy. Under normal circumstances, I deny the very existence of "The Matrix: Revolutions," even as it sits on my shelf.
What really pisses me off about it is that it makes me like the other two movies less. Well, it doesn't affect my love for The Matrix as much, but it really makes it hard to watch Reloaded.
Yeah, yeah, I'm offtopic...
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
If he was a couple years younger he'd probably poo-poo it tho...
ouch!!
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
And in twenty years, when he's rewatching Episode 1, he's going to turn to you and say "I use to like this? This is utter crap." That's the difference between the old and the new. We liked the old when we were kids and we still like the old today. We may have liked the new stuff as kids, but it's quite obvious that we wouldn't like it today.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
RevAaron
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· Score: 1
You must've been asleep for most of your childhood, if you missed all the cheap=crap SW marketing that came before the prequels were announced.
--
Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
SpacePunk
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· Score: 3, Informative
Quite a few of the movies and tv shows that seem to be, or thought to be 'aimed' at children tend to be made by and for adults originally. Take "The Muppet Show" (which may have not been made for adults, specifically), for example. It's hilarious to a kid to watch, but it's even funnier to adults that get a lot of the 'in' jokes that only adult experience catches. Same for Looney Tunes cartoons.
I just have to say, I asked my parents not to go see it because it would make me blush.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
kubrick
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· Score: 1
Episode I was like watching my childhood melt into easily-marketable claptrap, and Episode II felt like the actors had full-body botox.
The first three films were easily-marketable claptrap, but after seeing Episode I it was clear that Lucas was taking himself way too seriously. I didn't see II and I'm skipping III.
-- deus does not exist but if he does
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
filth+grinder
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· Score: 1
This movie has gotten to the point of fanatism by so many, and look at what happens when fans become fanatics: Dimebag Darrell [damageplan.com] from Damageplan/Pantera died for what again? Yes, that's right -- for a FAN. An unstable, crazed-out, Pantera fanatic.
Dimebag died because of a lunatic. Dimebag did not die because of a "fan". The lunatic happened to be a fan, but that was the least of his issues. If Pantera never existed, he's insanity would have manifested elsewhere. He was hospitalized previously.
This guy believed Pantera was stealing his song lyrics and his identity. He didn't just go, "wow, my favorite band broke up, I need to shoot this guy". He was mental. It's sorta like a guy thinking the TV is talking to him. You don't go, "wow, this guy is a huge TV fan".
Dimebag was killed because people go nuts and they do crazy things. It sucks, but thats what happened. Blaming his death on fandom going to far is missing the point and a lie.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
rainman_bc
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· Score: 1
Mark Hamill got typecast. I've watched documentaries on him. He tried to do some plays and stuff afterwards, and people kept yelling "Luke" out at him.
Doesn't help anyeone's career to be typecast.
Interesting that Harrison Ford made it - IMO he got luck and Indiana Jones really helped save his career.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
dumdeedum
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· Score: 1
I dunno, surely all that trade federation political/economic stuff isn't aimed at your four year old, is it?
Don't worry, Daddy will pause the movie at the appropriate spot and explain all that. There may be a test afterwards as well.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
darkmeridian
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· Score: 1
Natalie Portman? Well-rounded? Are you sure we're talking about the same person?
Flame away.
-- A NYC lawyer blogs. http://www.chuangblog.com/
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
jedidiah
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· Score: 1
No, they were remakes of saturday morning serials.
The problem with the prequels doesn't seem so much to be that they are easily marketed but that merchandising seems to be the prime mover instead of just being a side effect.
-- A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
dswensen
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· Score: 1
Well-acted? Ok, well I guess Mark Hamill got all these great acting jobs after Episode IV because of his amazing talent.
Tee-hee-hee! Snarking on Mark Hamill is easy, and also wholly inaccurate. The man has one of the biggest voice acting portfolios I've ever seen, and has worked nearly every year since Star Wars. No, he wasn't fortunate enough to get as stellar a movie career as Harrison Ford, but then again, no one else in Star Wars was either. Bottom line, he's working steadily and everyone still knows who he is after twenty-five years. That's more than most actors ever get. He's doing just fine.
As for the rest of your post: It's not Lucas's movie alone. Lucas got as rich and powerful as he is because of the tickets, action figures, and breakfast cereals -- all paid for by his fans. The fans made Lucas, and for that I think they (not we; I'm not a fan anymore) deserve better than the rank indifference Lucas has given them. He's said flat-out he doesn't care how much his fans enjoy the movies. If they hate it, that's just too bad, because it's his and his alone, the money for producing it apparently having come out of nowhere. It's George's world, and he could give a fuck about anyone's childhood memories.
Star Wars doesn't have to be King Lear to be important to people. It unleashed a lot of kids' imaginations, and I think that's a good thing. Also, being a kid has nothing to do with it. Yes, being young and seeing Star Wars for the first time is like nothing else, but watching the Lord of the Rings adaptations taught me that I don't have to be ten to be blown away by a movie, or to rediscover a sense of wonder. I think Lucas has lost sight of what made the original Star Wars great, but can't realize it because he's determined to do exactly as he pleases, regardless of how poor his decisions regularly seem to be these days. Yes, it's not the most important issue in the world, but these are beloved films that are getting butchered and their original forms lost. It's not fanatical to object to that.
I feel that Star Wars is too big and influential a piece of pop culture to be so crassly handled by one man with a runaway ego. Millions of kids grew up with this stuff, and Lucas is twiddling with it like he's a kid with a home movie in his basement. Only he's messing with something that millions of kids have very fond memories of, and, yeah, whether it's rational or not, people have problems with that. That's completely irresponsible, and I won't support it with my dollars anymore. You go ahead and "take what Lucas gives you;" I don't feel I have to.
That's just the original trilogy though. The prequels -- they're just mediocre. In my opinion, no one will really remember them, not like they do the OT.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
happyhippy
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· Score: 3, Insightful
There is only ONE Matrix movie. Got it?
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
kaedemichi255
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· Score: 1
She's got a bachelors degree from the best university in the world, a respectable acting career, and still manages to maintain a modest life and stay out of the tabloids. I'd say that's well-rounded by hollywood's standards.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Genrou
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· Score: 2, Funny
Well, in the extras in the trilogy box, Lucas says he likes to use concepts and scenes of other movies in the new ones. Like the trailer in Episode II, apprentice fighting dark evil lord, starship battle in an asteroid field and so on.
So, I have great expectations for Episode III: Natalie Portman in Gold Bikini!!
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Genrou
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· Score: 3, Funny
Here is a half complete list of future changes when the six movies are released in a DVD box next year:
In Episode IV:
The face of Ewan McGregor is digitally aged and imposed over sir Alec Guiness face.
Darth Vader is digitally shrinked to fit Hayden Christensen, and his voice is now done by Rick Moranis.
The dialog between Han and Greedo changes. Now Han tries to convice Greedo to abandon his life of crimes. Greedo shoots himself.
In Episode V:
Darth Vader's lightsaber is not red anymore, but violet, with yellow sparks.
There is a new and very emotional scene of Boba Fett gathering with stormtroopers, whom he calls brothers.
Since it might shock people, Luke's hand is not chopped off. Instead, he throws his lightsaber out and cries for mercy.
In Episode VI:
Leia's gold bikini is replaced with a dress hiding everything from neck to ankles.
Includes now a shot of the Magical World of Oz, with munchkins singing "Ding, dong, the witch is gone."
Jar-jar Binks appears as a ghost beside Obi-wan, Yoda and Anakin.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
"So, I have great expectations for Episode III: Natalie Portman in Gold Bikini!!"
Oh, we can do much better than that. Go see Closer for Natalie Portman in a thong. Highly, highly recommended. And the movie was actually really good. Preview makes it look like a chick flick. It's not. It's dark and twisted and quite good.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Give me a break. There were three very good Matrix movies, with the last two not appealing to a small subgroup of people who then proceeded to bitch about them non-stop for months.
Just because you don't like the last two doesn't mean they weren't good.
Personally, I can't stand anime. But you know what? I at least understand that my views are not the only correct views on anime. I can accept that many people love various forms of anime, and find great enjoyment in it.
Art is subjective. It would be good to learn that lesson now, while you're still young enough not to come across as an asshole.
(And, yes, I understand the irony in defending the Matrix Trilogy, while admitting to not liking anime:)
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
ahdeoz
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· Score: 1
You obviously hate Star Wars and have a disingenuous and ulterior reason for claiming to like the new George Lucas movies.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
ahdeoz
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· Score: 1
There is an emerging pattern here of apologists for George Lucas claiming they are fans of Star Wars, but that the rest of us have no right to our opinion and it is only a few of us raving losers who think the new movies are at least twice as good and it turns out by the way the the apologist thought-nazi posters really have hated star wars all along but they're going to enjoy the new one so why don't we stop comparing Hitler and Stalin or at least stop mentioning Lenin in the same sentence.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Karma+Farmer
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· Score: 1
The original Star Wars was decent a (but not great) movie. That's actually saying quite a lot right there -- ninety percent of everything is crap. And, frankly, I don't think they were made for kids.
But there were two things that made Star Wars memorable: Han Solo and Darth Vader. Han Solo is a very good character -- I'd rank him in the top 100 all time best characters in film. Nothing short of Mifune himself playing Han Solo could have made him better.
Darth Vader, on the other hand, simply has no equal as a film villian.
The new Star Wars movies are not decent movies. Frankly, they are crap. And, I have to think hard to name even a single character in there. Not to mention, of course, that I have absolutely no fucking clue what The Phantom Menace was even about.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Who is going to see this expecting a wonderful, rounded, well-acted movie?
Geez, you must have been disappointed with Episodes IV, V, and VI.
Or maybe the expectations of your childhood were lss than yours as an adult, and Lucas is still targeting the former. i.e. you've outgrown it.
(that being said, I got screwed too, and yes - this episdoe is going to suck even more than the last two. good luck)
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
There is only ONE Matrix movie. Got it?
They made The Animatrix, too. It's good they left it at that. I bought that to go along with the movie.
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
CAIMLAS
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· Score: 1
If you treat a child as anything less than sheer terrifying genius, they will grow up behind your back with you fully in the dark as to their actual behaviors and personality.
Furthermore, if you treat them in such a way, they will grow up to be simple, small-minded people, having never been chalenged to be an adult.
Children become adults by seeing the challenge of being an addult intentionally set before them, and then striving to meet it. This is why small children will constantly do 'cute' things that immitate the behavior of adults: talking on "phones" which are really just blocks or toy cars, getting into their parents' closets and try on their clothing, and various other things. All of these things are in the aspiration of becoming a complete person.
My son is just now 1 year old this past week. He can climb both up and down stairs, say "mom" and "dad", loves to cuddle with people, will give you a hug when asked, and is fully able to communicate which solid foods he wants and which he does not (by shaking his head, pointing, frowning, smiling, etc.). He's 1 year old and is already developing a sense of humor, understands subtle things like "dad hid the cell phone under the couch pillows, and I'm not being fooled by that 'it looks like he put it in his pocket' bullshit".
I say all this not because I think my son is anything particularly stellar, but because he's a child. Yes, I love my son to death, but he's not all that great simply because he's my son. He's great because we've taken the time to challenge him, to give him attention, and most importantly heeded his needs at a very young age.
Now, I'm not saying that you're a bad parent, or that your child is stupid. I just got off on a tangent (long day, little sleep, shouldn't be slashotting, yadda). I am saying that, even at an incredibly young age, kids demonstrate the potential for incredible intelligence. My son started walking at 9 months. Part of that is due to the fact that we encouraged him, let him roam, and didn't keep him in a play pen. My son hardly ever cries and is commonly refered to as a "perfect child" by friends and family, with constant statements of "I can't believe he's not fussing" - and it's because we never let him "cry things out" or cry to sleep, but heeded his needs when crying was the only way he knew how to communicate that he was unhappy.
Anyway AGAIN, I guess I'm just trying to say that kids are more than able to appreciate a good epic which is enjoyable for 'all ages' (ie, the original SW), just as well as they are a bad one which caters to children.
In addition, some of the other comments under your post about the Pixar guys are also along my line of thought - or would be, were I not so bone tired that sequential thoughts with meaning are painful.:P
Anyway, longwinded... sleep. Now.
-- ~/ssh slashdot.org
ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Exatron
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· Score: 1
"The Muppet Show" definitely had adults in mind at some levels. It's second pilot was titled "The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence".
-- "I think so, Brain, but 'instant karma' always gets so lumpy." - Pinky "Decepticons FOREVER!!!" - Ravage
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
Luigi30
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· Score: 1
Kids are born intelligent, and there's no good reason to make dumbed-down entertainment for them.
Tell that to the people who make things like Barney or decided that cartoons must contain no death. Death is a fact of life, what's wrong with teaching kids about it? Sesame Street's Mr. Hooper episode proved that kids could handle it.
The "think of the children! won't somebody think of the children" media is driving me crazy.
-- 503 Sig Unavailable
The Signature could not be accessed. Please try again later or contact the administrator
Re:I've got a better title for Episode III:
by
KlomDark
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· Score: 1
Weird, glad you liked reloaded, but seems very strange from my point of view. It seemed very uncreative, a lot like Back to the Future II where they were so busy with BTTF III that they didn't polish BTTF very well and we ended up with a sucky middle episode.
i dont fear...
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
but maybe you should, for the slashdot hordes cometh, and few web servers are prepared to serve up that many pictures...
Aint it incorrect..
by
Turn-X+Alphonse
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· Score: 5, Insightful
Personally after the HHGG (Zaphod's second head is up his nose) and Zeta Gundam (A real Gundam is being made for a movie! Here's some pictures which are infact a 1/2 scale Gundam model been around for 10 years!), incidents. I think I'll hold off on any "leaked" or "hot new news" untill it's been comfirmed by a source I trust.
A gundam is large robot from the series (Theres about 15 series), Mobile suit Gundam. It's extremely popular in Japan and usually refered to as "the star trek of Japan". Google it or goto mahq.net and look at some of the stuff.
The 1/2 scale gundam you were talking about was actually 1/3 scale of the hyper zeta gundam. which an artist created in his garden. definately NOT working. ya. resident gundam nerd raises hand.
-- I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting be
There are just pictures of the star wars kid photo shopped/ 3d edited to death.
he will think twice of photoshopping after his bandthwidthh bill's come in.
lowered expectations
by
t1nman33
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· Score: 4, Insightful
Saw these pics this morning...they look good.
Which pretty much sums up my expectations: it looks neat from the previews, and probably will disappoint me in the end. I was in line at Blockbuster with my girlfriend the other night, looking at recent releases, and noting how many of them had excellent trailers, and how many of them actually turned out to be worth watching. Almost anything looks good when your interaction with it consists of a trailer, some stills, a few out-of-context quotes and maybe a rough plot.
I'll get my ticket, I'll see the movie, I'll be disappointed, and, you know, whatever. And so will you.
-- ---
Where's my car, and why are these grass stains on my pants?
Re:lowered expectations
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
I find your lack of faith is disturbing
Re:lowered expectations
by
dema
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· Score: 4, Insightful
I'll get my ticket, I'll see the movie, I'll be disappointed, and, you know, whatever. And so will you.
I sure won't. I got my ticket, saw Episode I, was dissapointed, didn't buy the DVD, and haven't seen Episode II. If you don't want people like Lucas to pull crap like this, why do you pay to see movies you know won't live up to your expectations?
Re:lowered expectations
by
singpolyma
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· Score: 1
I actually find that I like the movie better than I thought it would be from the trailer. I have watched many trailers and thought "Well that movie isn't going to be worth watching", and then watched it and it was pretty good. I do not find I am often disappointed by movies for which I have seen the trailers. They may pick the most exciting parts of the movie for the trailers, but often they have decent filler too, despite what you may have read on Movie A Minute.
Almost anything looks good when your interaction with it consists of a trailer, some stills, a few out-of-context quotes and maybe a rough plot.
Actually I'm starting to think that a really _bad_ trailer is often the sign of a good movie. As you suggest there is a formula to trailers and some films just can't be made to fit it. American Beauty was the best example I've seen. The trailer makers clearly didn't have a *clue* how to get that across in a trailer.
L.
Re:lowered expectations
by
Ralph+Wiggam
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Episode 2 is worth renting to see Yoda get busy with a lightsaber.
Is anyone else really disturbed by the fact that there is nobody to root for in the prequel films? The "good guys" like Yoda and Obi Wan are fighting along side stormtrooper 1.0s for the people who will later become the Empire . The whole idea of prequels is just stupid because we know exactly what the situation is going to be at the end. The minute I saw Samuel Jackson on screen I knew that he was going to get waxed sooner or later.
George Lucas has one chance to turn the ship around. He can turn over all writing and directing duties to other people and let them run with Episodes 7-9.
Just rambling.
-B
Re:lowered expectations
by
Dutchmaan
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Episode 2 is worth renting to see Yoda get busy with a lightsaber.
Maybe it's just me, but it didn't really sit right with me that Yoda, "got busy" with the lightsaber. First of all getting all acrobatic just isn't his style.. not to mention hopping around like a mexican jumping bean.
Yoda is calm and reserved with great mental control. IMHO Yoda should have fought with a completely defensive style... Dooku.. (or whatever his name was) should have been fighting Yoda in vain...
Just like the emporer on the dark side, Yoda should be "beyond the light saber". I suppose it could be argued that this was taking place at an earlier time when Yoda was less disciplined... but Yoda IMO is to the light side what the emporer is to the dark..
You would never have seen Palpatine pick up a light saber.. he's more into manipulating people to do his bidding. Yoda is more about cultivating the light side in the people around him.
Some good trailers do mean that the moview ill be good though: Teaser Trailer for "The Incredibles", Trailer for "Once Upon A Time In Mexico", trailer for "Bad Boys 2" (yeah, it's not high art, but it's a fun movie, and Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have great chemistry on screen).
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:lowered expectations
by
PalmKiller
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· Score: 1
Actually my friends and I all sat there and laughed our asses off and that silly light sabre scene. It was badly done and so unrealistic. I know Yoda is not a real species, but come on it could have been better. When Yoda was spinning in the air, it looked like the way a small child would play fight will his toys.
Re:lowered expectations
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 2, Funny
"I was in line at Blockbuster with my girlfriend.."
Wait, stop right there. You're aware this is Slashdot, right? At least try to relate to the audience you're posting to.
I also did not see Episode II. Instead I spent the money on a cheap laser disc player and bought the original Star Wars laser discs, Hans shoots first and all.
From the pictures, it sure looks like Palpatine picks up a lightsaber.....
From the way Lucas has butchered the series, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Re:lowered expectations
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
That was one of the things I did like about Episode 1. It's a nice happy ending and all, until you realize that the "bad guys" won. The whole fight with the Trade Federation was irrelevant once Palpatine was elected chancellor.
Re:lowered expectations
by
digitalgiblet
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· Score: 4, Funny
Wow, you never saw Ep 2??
Dude, that was the one where it all starts to make sense!
You mean you never saw the epic battle between Anakin and Darth Jar Jar? One of the best sequences in ANY film EVER!
"Meesa gonna cut yousa, Annie! Meesa gonna cut yousa real good! Yousa not gonna see dat sun come out tomorrow! Yousa gonna feel the power of the dark side!"
Man that was cool. Then Darth Jar Jar KILLED Anakin and assumed his identity. Wicked. THAT's why Darth Vader wears that damned mask that filters his voice! Ep 5 would have sounded pretty weird if Vader had said, "Luke, meesa you fadder!" Ep 4 would have sucked if he had said "Meesa find yousa's lack of faith distoobin!"
Re:lowered expectations
by
RatBastard
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· Score: 1
Episode 2 is worth renting to see Yoda get busy with a lightsaber.
No, it wasn't. A CG Yoda spinning around like a psychotic BeyBlade wanna-be was not worth even the loss of a queu spot from Netflix.
Ep 5 would have sounded pretty weird if Vader had said, "Luke, meesa you fadder!" Ep 4 would have sucked if he had said "Meesa find yousa's lack of faith distoobin!"
The way Lucas re-edits already released films, expect to hear this in an "extra-special" edition a few years from now.
it's not what happens, it's HOW it happens. anyone who has a clue knows this. don't dismiss the prequels JUST because you know the end result. it's the details that count.
I hope it doesn't spoil anything to say that Yoda's fighting amounts to a spinning ball with a lightsaber sticking out. Like a tootsie roll pop but green. I wasn't that impressed.
-- When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
sure thats what i means, but it also means to kill, it also means a vinyl record check here http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wax &r=f the urban dictionary has many entries for wax, and isn't the point of slang that it is not the actual meaning of the word, thus there is NO really incorrect way to use a word if it is being used a slang?
-- steal this sig
Re:lowered expectations
by
pinchhazard
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· Score: 0
sure thats what i means, but it also means to kill, it also means a vinyl record check here http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wax &r=f [urbandictionary.com] the urban dictionary has many entries for wax, and isn't the point of slang that it is not the actual meaning of the word, thus there is NO really incorrect way to use a word if it is being used a slang?
Totally agreed, dogg. Also to help you see why I said what I did, realize that in this small way I am trying to control the established slang meaning of the word. Of course you can use any word any way you want and have it make sense in your own head. I'm simply expressing my displeasure for that use of the word, while promoting a much better (IMO of course) use.
Go ahead and use "wax" to mean "to kill," IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN ASS OF YOURSELF!
-- Do you love freedom??? Do you love freedom!!! DO YOU LOVE FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
Maybe it's just me, but it didn't really sit right with me that Yoda, "got busy" with the lightsaber. First of all getting all acrobatic just isn't his style.. not to mention hopping around like a mexican jumping bean.
I agree, Yoda should have never fought the way he did. I wanted to watch Ep.2 mainly for the reason to watch Yoda kick butt. Not as the jumping bean but more like Neo did with Agent Smith in the hallwall. The whole "I don't even have to look at you to fight you and I'll do it with one arm" was what I would expect from Yoda. Then there was Yoda unable to concentrate to levitate objects, even though he later trains Luke to concentrate on multiple objects. Definitely made Yoda to be weaker.
In the new movie Palpatine, does in fact use a light saber, I believe the saber being used is a red one, (as shown in the trailer,) I believe the seen is showing him strike down a foe with a deathblow, (S.L. Jackson?) Anything more than the single strike he would have to be very good with the saber or I will once again be disappointed.
What is really bugging me is with S. L. Jackson with a purple light saber? I would give a better explanation than he wanted a diffrent coloured light saber. The rules Lucus set was Blue and Green are for the Light-side and Red was for the dark-side. Then a new colour is introduced without a proper definition in the show? At least say that the Jedi Council elects a Jedi leader and the purple light sabre signifies this. Also give Palpatine another colour light saber. Yellow, (Gold), White, Orange... To signify his status.
Dream, dream, dream... only a few months left before Lucas wrecks the rest of my Star Wars dreams.
"The whole idea of prequels is just stupid because we know exactly what the situation is going to be at the end."
I disagree. Prequels give a talented writer an opportunity to do incredible things with the story, like actually changing the meaning of what you've already seen. For example, if Lucas (who, sadly, is not a talented writer) had done something like what David Brin suggested, the prequels could have been spectacular, completely changing the storyline of the existing movies. The movie Memento is an excellent example of doing the same idea within a single movie. The movie shows the ending first, then works its way back to the beginning, slowly revealing to the viewers that what they've already seen isn't quite what they thought it was.
Prequels give talented writers this kind of power. Lucas is just not that talented.
--
"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein
Re:lowered expectations
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
"You would never have seen Palpatine pick up a light saber.. he's more into manipulating people to do his bidding."
Wrong. Sidious has one hell of a saber duel in the third movie..Against Yoda no less.
Sidious is one bad fucker. He can swing a blade just as good as Yoda. Don't let the frail facade fool you.
While I agree that both should be beyond the light saber, this isn't the way either of them were written in the end. Something I suppose we have to live with.
I feel the need to cue the usual "geek comment" regarding Yoda and his "Lightsaber Skillz!".
He looks like Sonic the Hedgehog on crack.
It's completely ridiculous. And if I could travel back in time, I'd tell myself : Self, don't bother.
Re:lowered expectations
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Actually lightsaber coloration went out with the door with SW: Extended Universe. The only thing that holds true is the reason darksiders get Red. When they imbue a crystal with the force by meditation with darksiders the internal conflict withen themselves always corrupts the crystal and turns it red.
http://www.idontfear.com/
by
Turn-X+Alphonse
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· Score: 3, Funny
Okay lads, this guy is asking for it! With a URL like http://www.idontfear.com/ , surely he's mocking the slashdot effect. Bring out all your Amigas and C64s and we'll have his server linched by dawn!
-- I like muppets.
Re:http://www.idontfear.com/
by
wwest4
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· Score: 2, Informative
Joking aside, "I don't fear" was a supposed EP3 spoiler quote from one of the LFL production folks.
Re:http://www.idontfear.com/
by
mr_z_beeblebrox
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· Score: 1
http://www.idontfear.com/
in Yoda voice: "You will, you will"
Re:http://www.idontfear.com/
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
it's already slashdotted
Re:http://www.idontfear.com/
by
drinkypoo
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· Score: 1
Apparently he doesn't fear because instead of charging him when he goes over his bandwidth quota, his web host just pulls the plug.
-- "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
i'm holding out hope
by
aoasus
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· Score: 1, Insightful
I'm really hoping that Lucas has listned to the critics and will make this one a lot less for the kiddies than the last two.
He's really come to rely upon the whiz-bang way too much and left a lot of the storytelling out. The money has gone to his head and at this point it's less about the film itself and more about the marketing opportunites. What he fails to realize is that the average movie going audience is vastly different today than they were in the late 70's. I can see better special effects anywhere, but a compelling story?
At least there are no photos of Jar-Jar.
Re:i'm holding out hope
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Well, considering describing this movie as genocide is the best metaphor I think this one will not be for the little ones. The dialogue that's known is also very dark. I think this will be PG-13.
I'm really hoping that Lucas has listned to the critics and will make this one a lot less for the kiddies than the last two. He's really come to rely upon the whiz-bang way too much and left a lot of the storytelling out. The money has gone to his head and at this point it's less about the film itself and more about the marketing opportunites.
Lucas is insane. I was suspicious after the first two movies, but I saw him on Charlie Rose justifying his DVD set abomination of the original movies and now I am completely convinced. I suspect that thing on his neck is some kind of mind control parasite or at least is cutting the blood supply off to his brain.
FuzzNutz
Google cache version
by
nazgul000
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· Score: 1, Informative
How exactly is it helpful to link to the text-only cache of a site of images?
Re:Google cache version
by
SpaFF
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Well that doesn't do us much good since the google cache doesn't include the pics...
-- -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GIT d? s: a-- C++++ UL++++ P++ L+++ E- W++ N o-- K- w---
O- M+ V PS+ P
Re:Google cache version
by
saintp
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· Score: 3, Informative
Gee, that's really useful, since Google doesn't cache pictures, people! It never has, and probably never will, which makes it largely useless for stories like this.
Not sure what they were, but they were not starwars.. They were garbage..
Really a shame, as they could have been great..
-- ---- Booth was a patriot ----
What the new movies are lacking...
by
Lorean
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Anyone notice how the first three movies all had a good chunk of time allocate to space/ship battles? While the new movies have practically none? I hope those X-wing looking thngs are indicative of things to come. Though, I am disapointed at not seeing any Z-95s.
Re:What the new movies are lacking...
by
_PimpDaddy7_
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· Score: 1
After watching the first 3 movies what did everyone want to see more of??? Light saber battles.
While I agree with you, some of the flight battles were awesome, but I for one always wanted more light saber duels/battles.
The light saber kicks ass and one always wanted to see ANYONE wield one and kick some ass....
Re:What the new movies are lacking...
by
TrippTDF
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· Score: 1
I agree with you. Including the Z-95 would have been perfect since A) real SW fans know they are the precurser to the X-Wing and B) those that don't know will easily identify that it's an early version on the X-Wing.
I'm hoping for some good space battles, too, but I guess Lucas decided it's not interesting anymore. However, outside of TV shows, you don't get good space battles anymore... unfortunate, because there is a lot of room there with SFX these days...
Re:What the new movies are lacking...
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Later in the production run, the Z-95-AF4 (Assault Fighter 4) featured twin engine clusters that split into a total of four engine thrusters, much like the modern X-wing. These later Headhunters also had the capability of splitting the foils into attack position, widening the coverage area of the wing-mounted weapons.
I used to play loads of X-Wing and Tie Fighter, and so I'm also interested in seeing some of the game's fighters included in these movies:)
Now, which classification do those Star Destroyers fit into?
It's disapointing that someone posted an honest criticism of lucas' films, and he is labeled as flamebait.
Seriously, moderators try to be impartial and neutral. One can comment negatively on linux, mac, ipod, and star wars and be flameing.
Now to cover my butt from being called a flamer from the moderators: Linux rules, I love Mac, I love Ipods! MS sucks!:)
Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the link
by
Xpilot
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· Score: 5, Interesting
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care? Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
Now, I'm not defending George Lucas (I didn't think the prequels were great... nor did the acting make me want to care about any of the characters). But still, it wasn't horrible. I could still enjoy watching the story unfold into what we know happens in Episodes 4-6. It is backstory, but I admit I had fun discovering what happens to the galaxy as a whole before the empire. It's fun to know about the Jedi order in its heyday, talked about in the original trilogy.
But hey, this is Slashdot. Continue your bashing.
-- "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
Does anyone really believed such pictures leak out without the consent of the studio and producers? That anyone in production would risk his/her job my copying them and distributing them?
The SW III PR troups are gearing up, and these are the first PR shots. A few anonymous e-mails to a few fans running fan sites, and voila, lots of attention.
Re:Just a PR Stunt
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Why yes i think they would... Have you not seen the previous morons who have leaked the whole film weeks in advance? Wouldn't you want to make movie history by leaking pics of the most antispated movie of the year?
Re:Just a PR Stunt
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Leaking complete movies happens at other stages, by other people than production.
Re:Just a PR Stunt
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Since when did Star Wars need a publicity stunt to get people exited about it?
Re:Just a PR Stunt
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
1 and 2 weren't that great. Many of the '70 fans were disapointed and grew up, while 1 and 2 didn't attract a new fan base. 3 is maybe the largest box office risk of the franchise, except maybe 4. But 4 was cheap compared to 3.
Re:Just a PR Stunt
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
The release of Revenge of the Sith will probably be accompanied by the largest merchandising assault in movie history. I would guess this is where all the PR activities will concentrate on. And not around leaking pictures.
"No guarantees on accuracy..."
by
jayhawk88
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· Score: 1
When, oh when will someone be able to guarentee wild-ass internet rumors and fanciful speculations?
I'm confused about these pics
by
adzoox
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· Score: 3, Informative
I posted this in my/. journal last night so I'll give you guys a crack at it:
I'm a big Star Wars fan... not a nut, but a fan.
I didn't like the 1st prequel, although it wasn't as bad as many of the people on/. slice and dice it.
The Attack Of The Clones was pretty good. I would rank it with Jedi
The Revenge Of The Sith is shaping up to be pretty awesome looking. As many are putting it - this movie BETTER be good because it's the whole reason Episodes 4,5, and 6 were done. I think in a way, this proves that Lucas was right to do 4,5,6 rather than 1,2,3 first.
I have enjoyed seeing the story behind the story and the elaborate plot of the emporer to wage war to be able to wage war and slowly kill off the "good troops and jedi" to be able to control the weak and lord over the ruthless.
I am quite confused though about the new leaked images that have surfaced on the net.
http://www.idontfear.com/
I thought Palpatine WAS the emporer! And all along I thought it was Palpatine behind that hood when talking to Dooku and Darth Maul. The pictures would indicate otherwise, unless it is telling that the dark side in it's truest form transforms you into an ugly creature. Was Maul just a black guy? Then when he was consumed by the dark side - grow horns and intricate red tattoos? It seems this way. Either that - or the emporer is NOT Palpatine - maybe he is a clone? Maybe Palpatine is a clone of the emporer??
Why isn't Dooku all crazy creature fangy snarly?
I would also like for it to be explained how Anakin looks like he does in Episodes 5 and 6 (behind shot in 5, full head shot in 6) - because if he was consumed by the dark side - where is his evil look?
The only hint, so far, that I have seen is in the teaser trailer - Anakin (Hayden Christenson) turns around and his eyes are yellow.
-- Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
bje2
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· Score: 1
you were right before...Palpatine = Emporer...that's why he's Emporer Palpatine in 4,5,6...
--
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
FXSTD
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· Score: 1
One of those "black arts" jedi aren't supposed to use.....
Perhaps they use the force to alter or mask their looks making it easier to blend in or to look mean and evil for intimidation - which begs the question - which is their true form/identity?
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
nagora
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· Score: 2, Funny
Why isn't Dooku all crazy creature fangy snarly?
Man, he's Dracula! What more do you want?
TWW
-- "Encyclopedia" is to "Wikipedia" what "Library" is to "Some people at a bus stop"
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
dafz1
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· Score: 4, Informative
According to the Star Wars: EU, Palpatine had the power/ability to "transfer his consciousness" into a clone, basically to be able to live forever.
My guess is the younger looking Palpatine is a clone that either is directly controlled by Darth Sidious/Emporer P. or a clone that was educated by the elder Palpatine as a "people friendly" version. It would also be the target of the next consciousness transfer.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
I don't understand the fat Palpatine either. Maybe it'll be explained with midichorians or something.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
kakos
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· Score: 1
Wait... you just made a critical error. You're assuming Lucas actually cares about anything in the EU and that the prequels aren't taking a huge giant dump on the entire Extended Universe.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
SamSeaborn
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· Score: 4, Interesting
I'm a big Star Wars fan... not a nut, but a fan.
Me too.
The Attack Of The Clones was pretty good.
CLONES fails on nearly every cinematic level except production.
The actors deliver their lines like it's their first run through the script. The only one with any life in him is Lee. The body language is non-existant like a high-school play (remember Han Solo running around in Empire, ducking, weaving, waving his finger, barking his lines -- NO actor in CLONES delivers this kind of energy).
The pacing of the picture is frigid -- it is such a colossal bore, plodding from one fx sequence to another. The pauses and gaps between every line of dialoge are exhausting. What ever happened to Lucas' famous direction "faster and more intense"?
Beloved characters like Yoda are characitures of their former selves ("really says EVERYTHING backwards, Yoda does?"), the beloved wise, mysterious wizard from EMPIRE was once awe-inspiring but is now laughable. (Go back and watch the scene from EMPIRE where he's telling Luke about the force and raises the X-WING from the swamp -- it's compelling and inspiring, there's *nothing* in the prequels that comes close to that scene.)
The "lead" actors Christianson and Portman... <sigh>... there's better acting on SAVED BY THE BELL. And their romance is painfully trite. In their defense, they had nothing to work with as their script was pathetic; the most hackneyed writing in recent memory.
The entire plot is an uninspired first draft of a second rate saturday morning cartoon. Each and every sub-plot is completely contrived; Boba Fett and son, Threepio's partnering with R2, the intro of Uncle Ben and Aunt Beru, Shme Skywalkers death. This is all bad, bad, amateur stuff.
I can't wait for the scene in Episode 3 when Anakin says "I want my son to have my light-sabre when he's old enough." Owen replies, "I WON'T ALLOW THAT!". Kenobi whispers to Anakin, "Give it to me, I'll care it" and winks.
Give me strength, honestly.
Factoring in budget, talent, and expectations, CLONE is literally one of the worst movies ever made.
Sam
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Why everyone in this thread is talking about "Emporer"? Can really no-one write "EMPEROR"? Here: Emperor . Copypaste from that!
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
"I thought Palpatine WAS the emporer! And all along I thought it was Palpatine behind that hood when talking to Dooku and Darth Maul. The pictures would indicate otherwise, unless it is telling that the dark side in it's truest form transforms you into an ugly creature. Was Maul just a black guy? Then when he was consumed by the dark side - grow horns and intricate red tattoos? It seems this way. Either that - or the emporer is NOT Palpatine - maybe he is a clone? Maybe Palpatine is a clone of the emporer??"
Palpatine is the emporer. When he utilizes the dark force to its full potential, it changes him. He morphs in a way. As far as Maul goes, it's tough to say. We've never seen another of his kind. And Vader..Well, he wore the mask, so we never got to see what happened to him when he got pissed.
Rest assured though, that is Palpatine. The dark side has many forms.:)
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
|/|/|||
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· Score: 1
Hear hear! The most accurate assessment of AOTC I have heard yet. Too bad I don't have any mod points.
And yes, I also consider myself to be a star wars fan. I used to be a real star wars fan - now I'm just a bitter fan of the original trilogy.
-- [javac] 100 errors
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Don't you mean:
Why is everyone in this thread is talking about "Emporer"? Can no one write "EMPEROR"? Here: Emperor . Copy and paste from that!
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
CLONE is literally one of the worst movies ever made.
That sounds like an opinion.
Here's another one: AOTC was perfectly enjoyable.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Hassman
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· Score: 1
You're telling me. After seeing Portman in these films I thought she was a crappy actress at best.
Then I saw Garden State. Wow. That movie restored my faith in her. Then I saw Closer. Wow. She is a really good actress given a director that is half competant and a script that wasn't written by a 5 year old.
Go see Garden State if you havn't seen it yet. That movie will change your perception on life.
-- -Mark
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Man+in+Spandex
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· Score: 1
The "lead" actors Christianson and Portman...... there's better acting on SAVED BY THE BELL
Now you really went too far. Yes they suck but I'd put it as the following.
The only acting that you can find equivalent to Clone is from Steven Seagal's movies! *ducks & hides*
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
SamSeaborn
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· Score: 1
>> The "lead" actors Christianson and Portman...... there's better acting on SAVED BY THE BELL
>Now you really went too far.
Okay, let me retract -- their acting is AS GOOD as on Saved By The Bell.
Sam
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
SamSeaborn
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· Score: 1
>> CLONE is literally one of the worst movies ever made.
>That sounds like an opinion. Here's another one: AOTC was perfectly enjoyable.
Yes, mine is a thought-out opinion of a guy who knows a little bit about movies. Here's some more opinions:
"Acting? Hard to tell. McGregor comes off best, and Lee is always a pleasure to watch. Poor Samuel L. Jackson, as the Jedi Mace Windu, mostly has to stand around looking stoic. Christensen may be a pretty good actor, but nobody could be expected to deliver these lines without looking like an idiot."
-- Kansas City Star
"I spent half an hour after the screening chattering away in an embarrassing spasm of denial--breathlessly fixating on the stuff that worked, hoping that maybe sheer willpower would carry me over the finish line into the bliss I had so dearly anticipated. But the long drive home was a solitary, unpleasant one, and I eventually mustered enough gumption to admit the ugly truth--my precious new Star Wars movie is a lumbering, wheezy drag.
This film is a mess. It's dour, unpleasant, badly acted and revolting to look at."
-- Philadelphia Weekly
"very close to the most inept piece of hubristic garbage I've ever had the alarming misfortune to see realized."
-- Film Freak Central
"in a film with a built-in audience, why not go for the high notes? Why not allow the dialogue to be inventive, stylish and expressive? There is a certain lifelessness in some of the acting, perhaps because the actors were often filmed in front of blue screens so their environments could be added later by computer. Actors speak more slowly than they might--flatly, factually, formally, as if reciting. Sometimes that reflects the ponderous load of the mythology they represent. At other times it simply shows that what they have to say is banal. "Episode II-- Attack of the Clones" is a technological exercise that lacks juice and delight."
-- Roger Ebert
Sam
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Nah, it's nothing that complex. Fact is, Sidious is Palpatine. But when the dark side takes over, it consumes him. It's part of his special ability, I guess you could say. Anakin had fast reflexes. Kenobi could see things before they happened. Sidious "transforms" when he is enraged and uses the dark force.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Heoko
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· Score: 1
No, no, no you got this all wrong, First off Darth Sidious IS, IS Princess Amadala, See the picture with the bitch titties on Sidious?
That just proves my point, Evil Amadala cloned herself and became the emporer, leving her clone to think she was a "rebel", a 1984 ish tune to trick Anikin into the darkside AAAND babymaking.
George Lucas is planning to Re-Release the first 3 movies and introduce that "Luke I am your father" and then when the Emporer uses "her" lightning attack "I am your Mother!" and they cry and reminice on what they would have done.
Hes planning on changing the lightsabers into candy cane flashlights. the end
-- Pie, A magical delicetessant!
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
If you're going to correct someone's spelling at least fucking get your own grammar right!!!
Why is everyone in this thread is talking about THE "Emporer"? Can no one write "EMPEROR"? Here: Emperor . Copy and paste from that!
Re:I'm confused about these pics
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Blow me. He was talking about the word Emperor. When talking about the word Emperor, you don't need the fucking THE.
You are a dickless bastard.
Re:I'm confused about these pics
by
adzoox
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· Score: 1
Alexander got critical raves too.
Most good reviews are paid, most bad reviews are either revenge/paid/or come from people totally out of touch with the public.
Lemony Snickets and Phantom Of The Opera have gotten bad reviews... very good movies , if you ask me.
-- Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
Posting this on slashdot ...
by
JollyFinn
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· Score: 2, Funny
Is just one of lucas films dirty tricks to bring that site down.
-- Emacs is good operating system, but it has one flaw: Its text editor could be better.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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AceCaseOR
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· Score: 4, Funny
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Tavor
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· Score: 1
Umm... I saw them just now. There is still some life in his server yet! Quickly, we must quash this!
-- Windows has detected an undetectable error.
More Deals with Lego?
by
955301
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· Score: 2, Funny
Okay, I know Lego does Star Wars themed sets, but now Star Wars is doing Lego's Bionicles? I guess it's only fair. And my nephew will probably stop calling what was a staple of my youth "hecka lame".
I wish I could see the virtual tidal wave of traffic hurtling toward that site. It would be a terrifying sight to behold...
-- honnold.org - sometimes-rock band, all the time awesome forum
It's a good thing they got slashdotted...
by
slungsolow
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· Score: 1
Cuz in reality they stole the spoiler images from another site (which is mentioned in the AICN article).
In related movie spoiler news, I think its time that someone 'leaked' the Jessica Simspon as Daisy Duke images on slashdot. I would, except I like my bandwidth bill just the way it is.
Re:It's a good thing they got slashdotted...
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sjaskow
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Um, they are "leaked", here but it's definitely not a work-safe page.:)
Re:It's a good thing they got slashdotted...
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ChoGGi
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· Score: 1
One can comment negatively on linux, mac, ipod, and star wars and NOT be flameing.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
I saw the first prequel and hated it. Of course, I never liked the original three star wars films that much, either. The story and plot are *very* basic and uninteresting, as are the characters. I can see how a bunch of dorky teens in 1977 and 1981 could have gotten caught up with it, but it's nothing special thirty years later.
It's just incredibly dull and lame. I started to watch the second prequel and gave up after a half hour. I was just bored to tears. I mean, I couldn't care any less about the characters or the plot of Star Wars even if they were replaced with characters directly from OC or some other inane pop culture show.
I think that Star Wars has become a "status symbol". It's to geeks what leet-speak is to script-kiddies. If you speak the language (leet-speak in one, star wars in the other) it makes you feel like and gives SOME people the impression that you belong in that culture and know what the hell you're talking about. Or, alternately, it's like people who stick a light-stick and a window in their PC and call themselves hard-core modders. Or people who have been on the internet "since way back in 1998" calling themselves "veterans" and "techies". Much in that same flavor.
For the rest of the clique, Star Wars is as uninteresting as an egg-drop script for an IRC channel is to a software developer who's writing his own OS.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
NoTheory
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· Score: 1
Dude, just because the first two movies sucked horribly, doesn't mean that people aren't hoping that the third one doesn't suck. You've answered your own question, people don't genuinely dislike them (as can be seen by the comments and slashdotting), they're in fact more incensed because they feel let down. If you're not defending lucas, and you're interested (as everyone else is) in how epIII will tie into epIV, then why are you so hung up about people riding down the first pair of films?
Oh well, this is Slashdot. Continue your bitching.
-- There are lives at stake here!
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care?
Slashdot is not a gestalt entity. The people who are
visiting this photo site and are genuinely interested in the movies are not necessarily the same people who post comments to Slashdot. This is not a difficult concept.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
That's+Unpossible!
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· Score: 0, Flamebait
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care? Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
Holy fuck are you stupid. Sorry, you are. You are confusing the website, Slashdot, with the readers -- many of whom have differing opinions on EVERYTHING!
-- Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.
"Aint It Cool" and Star Wars in the same sentence
by
dfn5
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· Score: 0, Flamebait
What's wrong with this picture.
-- --
Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
Something sure stopped them up. I wonder what that could be?
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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AceCaseOR
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· Score: 2, Insightful
True, but Star Wars-bashing (and especially prequel-bashing), tends to take a large volume of posts, and often gets modded up.
-- Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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east+coast
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada...
The Slashdot community is fairly large. The number of bashes vs. the number of people who keep quiet is really high. Not to say that every user of SD sits on either side of the fence but it's not what it appears to be. It's like the LA riots years ago; the news never reported that 18 million or so LA residents didn't riot. You only seen those who did.
and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed.
I'm sure this access to the site isn't a slashdot only type of deal. These previews are going to cause a buzz elsewhere.
Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
I personally don't like them, just my two cents. Why do you bash the bashers? You don't have to read our comments just as we don't have to see the new films. The door swings both ways.
Now, I'm not defending George Lucas
I think that defending Lucas at this point is even beyond the powers of the Jedi.
But hey, this is Slashdot. Continue your bashing.
Thanks for the permission.
-- Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Harry Knowles is a Media Whore
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 1, Funny
As always with leaked pics, no guarantees on accuracy.
Shouldn't this read:
As always with AICN, no guarantees on accuracy.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
That site has been slashdotted for the same reason so many people slow down to a crawl on the freeway to view a horrible, limb-twisting car wreck. But then, that's just my feeling about George Lucas films. YMMV.
appropriate domain name...
by
enrico_suave
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· Score: 1, Funny
is it gonna suck?
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
fair enough, Phantom Menace was complete garbage, AotC was rather better, but happily for us, Lucas has trapped himself in a position where the film cannot possibly have a happy ending.
The republic falls, the bright young hope of the jedi turns into Space Hitler and enslaves the galaxy, so with luck there shouldn't be a whole lot of room for Jar-Jar-sodding-Binks and dancing Ewoks, what with all the fighting that'll be going on....
Re:is it gonna suck?
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
What does Jar Jar have to do with grass (sodding) ?
The real revenge of the Sith
by
sphealey
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· Score: 1
The real revenge of the Sith would be for noone, and I mean not a single person, to go see that movie when it is released.
sPh
Re:The real revenge of the Sith
by
I7D
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Look, my view of Star-Wars is that its really cool and I enjoyed every single movie, probably because i'm not such a die-hard fan. I got angry about the Han shooting second thing only because everybody else did.
That said, the most die hard fan to the most passive fan will go see this movie, theres no stopping it. Its like gasoline. We hate to pay for it, know its a waste of money, but we neeed it.
-- Neil is that you? Yeah yeah, it's me... Neil...
-- Bypass Compulsory Web Registration -- http://bugmenot.com/
A bit about some of new stuff
by
nomadicpuma
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· Score: 2, Informative
General Grievous:
http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/general grievous/
If you haven't seen the cartoon series that ran on Cartoon Network a bit ago, he's the jedi-killing droid. Judging by the site, it seems he'll be the main baddie in Episode III.
As for the 6-winged X-Wings, I was a bit suprised - I thought they'd show Headhunters (2-winged), which, according to the books, are the proto-X-Wings.
Re:A bit about some of new stuff
by
FuturePastNow
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· Score: 1
Obviously, George Lucas knows what the z-95 really looks like. You're the one who is mistaken (as am I, I blew away so many Headhunters in Tie Fighter that they're burned into my brain).
Sigh. I thought the books, comics, games, etc. were an "official" part of the Star Wars universe. Hopefully, Lucas will finally realize we all hate him, and hire Zahn to write episodes 7-9 and someone else to direct them.
-- Give a man fire, and you warm him for the night. Set a man on fire, and you warm him for the rest of his life.
Re:A bit about some of new stuff
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Warlock7
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· Score: 1
"The Z-95 has changed throughout the years, eventually evolving into the T-65 Incom X-wing starfighter."
But that doesn't mean that there weren't similar vehicles being developed by Incom during the Clone Wars. The ARC-170 isn't a one man fighter, like the Z-95 and the T-65, it's a three man fighter. There is an eighteen year gap between ROTS (Ep3) and ANH (Ep4) and that a lot can happen in that time frame. The X-Wings are considered to be outdated by the time of ANH.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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east+coast
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· Score: 1
I can see how a bunch of dorky teens in 1977 and 1981 could have gotten caught up with it, but it's nothing special thirty years later.
Agreed. I had seen Star Wars at a drive in in 1977 at the tender age of 4. It was big and it rumbled and it had pretty lights. I was so into it. But as time went on and I found films that came a bit closer to "real sci-fi"* like Close Encounters, the Trek films and Dune it just seemed like Star Wars was plastic and dull plastic at that. Once I started to really get into science fiction and started to read works by the likes of Asimov, Clarke and Niven I really had no time for what was really nonsense, in my mind.
People have to accept that those of us who were drawn into Star Wars at a young age are now jaded by it and in some cases I know of those who feel robbed by Lucas and his new films. Eh... it really doesn't bother me that much. I just like to see people beat up on Lucas.
* Meaning they are as close to sci-fi as I can hope from the likes of Hollywood.
-- Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Episode one was, um...
by
hobbsbutcher
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· Score: 2, Informative
Just for the record, I didn't think "episode one" was bad - just boring.
We love Lucas, which is why we go
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
And he continues to disappoint us with his rediculous JA-JA type characters.
Too bad he is given over to the dark side
maybe this fellow is blind
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
It is important to remember that a lot of blind folks surf the web.
I get your point, though
episode 3...
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
a last hope
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
Xpilot
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· Score: 1
Once I started to really get into science fiction and started to read works by the likes of Asimov, Clarke and Niven I really had no time for what was really nonsense, in my mind.
Asimov had this much to say about Star Wars : he thought it was fun. "Leave your sophistication at the door and have a thrilling ride". The films are fun movies for kids, and they don't try to be anything more. He was less kindly to "Close Encounters", because it tried to pose as "real sci-fi". This offended Isaac more than the campy fun of Star Wars.
-- "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
Re:Movies - mod parent down!
by
charlesbakerharris
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· Score: 2, Insightful
No, the parent comment doesn't hold up. If there is widespread agreement that the movies sucked, and that the original 3 movies were far better, than it's grandparent-poster's right to call it a disgrace.
Did parent somehow think that "disgrace" was anything but a person's opinion? Or that the grandparent somehow didn't know that they could not watch the movie if they didn't like it? That's like telling me that I need to "get real" because I don't like to eat bell peppers (I don't, really.) Of course it's his opinion - pointing that out didn't add anything to the discussion. He's far from alone in his opinion, and he has a right to post it without being told to "get real" by someone who posts a canned, tired response.
Sure, Lucas can take the franchise in any direction he wants. In the minds of an large number of people, he took it in a sappy, thinly-plotted, clumsily scripted direction, marked by brilliant special effects, uneasy scenes, mediocre editing, and some poor acting from otherwise-usually-good actors. Lucas has the freedom to do this because he knows he has a franchise that will sell no matter what; it's just too bad that he did it in this fashion. (Yes, parent, this is my opinion. You need not point that out.)
Parent's arguments are specious and scarcely relevant; mod accordingly.
unhand me, you fiend.
by
sammy+baby
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· Score: 4, Funny
Let's look at a selected history of lightsaber injuries here. First, Dooku removes one of Anakin Skywalker's hands. Then, if these pics are accurate, Anakin returns the favor by removing both of Dooku's. In Episode V, Anakin (as Vader) removes one of Luke's hands. And finally, Luke returns that favor by removing Vader's prosthetic hand.
You'd think that at this point, some Jedi genius would have come up with at least a hand guard for those goddamn things.
On a different note, I propose a caption contest for the picture of Yoda, prone on the floor with his cane several feet away. My entry is, "When nine-hundred years you reach, as many push-ups you will not be able to do."
Re:unhand me, you fiend.
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 1, Funny
On a different note, I propose a caption contest for the picture of Yoda, prone on the floor with his cane several feet away.
Fallen I have. Get up I cannot
-- Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to!
Re:unhand me, you fiend.
by
identity0
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· Score: 1
(Frued-mode on) It must be Lucas's subconcious assault on those who masturbate to thoughts of Leia or Amidalia, who he sees as his mother, combined with a castration complex he gets from his cold parents.
On a more serious note, I've heard that the most common battlefield injury during the middle ages was a missing hand, from when people tried to block swords with their hand after being knocked down. If you remember from the series, Vader loses his doing that against Luke.
Re:unhand me, you fiend.
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Some poor saps server will melt for this...
Oh, wait.
Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
by
Yaztromo
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· Score: 4, Insightful
Okay -- I don't have any special inside information or anything, but I have been watching the commentary on the new Star Wars DVDs this past week, and after looking at these pictures have some thoughts to share.
Many of these pictures look to be of the type that are taken for marketing purposes, and at least one of them looks to be unfinished. Take a look at the pictures of General Grevious (sp? -- the robot with the lightsabres). All computer generated of course, with what you'd expect a lightsabre to look like. Now take a look at the shot of Darth Sideous/Anakin, in particular their sabres. Note they are just coloured poles -- no "glow". It would appear that these photos haven't gone through post processing yet, as I can't imagine Lucasfilm's marketing department releasing them that way.
This is important, as it's a vector upon which Lucasfilm will probably focus to try to track the source of the leak. Expect someone to get sacked. Some of the photos are obviously unfinished, and it won't be hard to get a list of people who have access to the originals.
Now I'm going to hypothesize about a few things here which, if correct, may turn out to be spoilers. Or they might be worth less than the electrons used to transmit this message. You've been warned. If you don't want to risk potentially reading about something that happens in the film, stop reading here.
With that out of the way, the other photos I find interesting are the ones of the Emperor in the background with Anakin and Darth Tyrannus in a lightsabre duel. It appears to be shades of Eps 6 (Return of the Jedi), with Luke facing off against Vader. In this case, however, I'm presuming that Anakin wins (looking at one photo, apparently by cutting off both Tyrannus' hands, again much like Eps. 6). Thus, it appears to be somewhat of a redux of Return of the Jedi, but with the difference that where Luke wouldn't turn towards the dark side, Anakin (obviously) did.
Which brings up a few interesting questions. Apparently Lucas is going with the whole concept that there can never be any more than two Sith at any given time -- a student and a master. And that as the student gets older, Sideous/Palpatine gets an up-and-coming Jedi to kill them off for him, becoming the new "student" in the process. This could put the whole duel in ROTJ in a new light.
It also adds some new evidence to something I've long wondered about in the prequels, having to do with Anakin being the one prophisized to "bring balance to the Force". Qui-gon, Yoda, and the other Jedi appear to have made the assumption that this can only be a positive thing. However, look at those who are the masters of the Force. There are at least a dozen (or more) Jedi, but only ever two Sith at any given time. If the Force is out of balance, it would appear to be in favour of the "light" side, in which case the imbalance is a good thing. To bring balance to the Force could entail equalizing those who are its masters. If Anakin kills Tyrannus, that leaves two Sith. And from the original trilogy, we know after Eps 3 there are only two Jedi left (Obi-wan and Yoda). Perfectly balanced.
It's good to see Kit Fisto makes another showing, at least:).
Yaz.
Notes from a non-sci fi/star wars fan
by
hkb
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· Score: 3, Interesting
I have virtually no interest in science fiction or star wars or any of that cruft. I thought the first two movies (Phantom Menace? and Attack of the Clones? I think?) were okay... mediocre.
I saw the sneak preview trailer for the third movie when my gf and I were watching Meet The Fockers (great movie). The sneak preview for the third movie looked pretty damn cool, and I must say got me eager to want to see it.
Looks like a lot of cool plot unfoldings and lots of action. I remember seeing the preview trailers for the other movies and they didn't really do much for me. Here's hoping that Lucas or whoever's making them now, finally listened to the people and went back to the drawing board to develop something decent, so it doesn't turn into a mediocre Matrix trilogy flop.
Too bad they didn't get the LOTR guy to make these three movies.
-- /* Moderating all non-anonymous trolls up since 2004 */
Re:Notes from a non-sci fi/star wars fan
by
dnaumov
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· Score: 1
I thought the first two movies (Phantom Menace? and Attack of the Clones? I think?) were okay... mediocre.
Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones were not the first 2 movies. The first 3 movies were A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back followed by Return of the Jedi.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
georgelucas
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· Score: 1
"Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada..."
They can Trash my prequels all they want as long as they buy a ticket... thats right boys and girls buy a ticket for episode III so that I can finance episode 7.
My plan for conquering galaxy.
Step 1: Inspire you and fill you with hopes and dreams with episodes 4,5,6
Step 2: crush your childhood memories with Episodes I and II.
Step 3: give you a little hope back with episode III
Step 4: Mass ritual suicide by everyone that sees episode 7 ("Star Wars VII:Revenge of the Pissed off Director/producer")
Correct link to General Grievous
by
TurretMaster
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· Score: 2, Informative
just because Lucas has the right...
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Doesn't mean it isn't a disgrace.
I mean, Lucas has the right to make a disgrace. So he did.
There's a clear gulf in the quality of dialogue between the first three and the most recent two. Also, in the aim of the movies. There weren't pod races thrown into the first two to tittlate the kiddies and create merchandise to sell.
The first movies tittleated without specific tangential scenes. And they sure generated plenty of merchandise to sell without going out of their way to do it.
Lucas is a hack. He has the right to be a dumbass, and he is excercising it.
I'm glad to see Lucas keeping up the tradition of having no less than 387 spaceshps in one 3-second space battle clip. Who cares if the audience can actually tell what's going on as long as they say "Wow!" it's all good.
--
--I'm not talking about dance lessons. I'm talking about putting a brick through the other guy's windshield.-
I was going to make a crass joke like "leaking pictures from Revenge of the Sith is like issuing a Tsunami warning" but, you know, a couple of hundred thousand people died here, so I think it's better I don't.
Star Wars is dead to me
by
SethJohnson
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· Score: 1
I agree. I refused to see episode 2 after watching episode 1. Lucas is surrounded by Yes Men and has lost the artistic vision responsible for THX-1138 and Star Wars IV. None of his inner circle of assistants had the guts to tell him that Jar Jar Binks was a really stupid concept.
How appropriate that the first Star Wars movie worth a damn was called, "A New Hope." If you watch from Episode 1, I can see people saying, "A New Hope... hmm.. maybe there is reason to keep watching these movies. Up until now, it's been pure garbage."
As you fall more and more to the dark side it begins to physically transform you. You age and start to physically decay. Ducu had not fallen as far as Palpatine so the effects had not occured yet. Darth Maul was a Zabrak. The colors and shapes are tribal tatoos and ritual scarring that that race does.
i thought maul was iridonian the race that has horns and look exactly like darth maul??
to the parent of this thing, there are more than just one sith lord at a time, as evident in having darth vader and emperor palpatine. as of yet palpatine was still a chancelor or something so that ugly bastard is prolly just some other sith guy. the dark side doesnt necessarily age u, or make u physically decay. however constant battle and mental trauma would do that to anyone, force sensitive or not. my take is that is just some crazy looking sith guy who doesnt take much stock in his physical appearance, he is also prolly alien which would explain his crazy ugly look.
I believe that we will find the following information out in RotS:
Palpatine is indeed the Emporer.
Palpatine has been using dark force powers to mask himself as a "public friendly" charactor.
Palpatine is actually wickedly old.
Remember, the Jedi's force abilities are diminished, and it would be easy for palpatine to mask himself like this. He has merely been using Dooku as a pawn to draw Anakin closer to him. Just as he tried to use Luke to "destroy" him so that he may become one with the force.
But I could be wrong.
-- Never argue with an idiot. They will just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
What would have been better....
by
EmagGeek
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· Score: 3, Funny
If Peter Jackson had done the Prequels..
Han: We have to get to the death star to destroy the evil empire
Luke: Oh Han, I'm so happy we're together. I Love you!
Han: I love you too, Luke. Let's embrace and hold eachother a bit too long to be straight
Luke: Allright! As long as we're together, we can do anything!
Vader: I will kill you all!
Obiwan: So much death!
argh... continue, I cannot..
Re:What would have been better....
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
If Peter Jackson had done the Prequels...
Han: I love you too, Luke. Let's embrace and hold eachother a bit too long to be straight....
Well, Tolkein's books were heavily influenced by his experiences in WWI. Warfare encourages camaraderie.
Note this is in the context of Bionicles...he can HAVE those.... >8p
-- When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
Epistax
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· Score: 1
and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed
It got slashdotted in a mere 6.4 parsecs.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
by
east+coast
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· Score: 1
Asimov had this much to say about Star Wars : he thought it was fun. "Leave your sophistication at the door and have a thrilling ride". The films are fun movies for kids, and they don't try to be anything more.
Perhaps the films didn't present themselves as anything more but the fan base sure as hell tries to.
He was less kindly to "Close Encounters", because it tried to pose as "real sci-fi". This offended Isaac more than the campy fun of Star Wars.
A few thoughts on this...
First I will remind that I did have a basic disclaimer over the use of the words "real sci-fi". I feel that giving CEOTTK credit as a "sci-fi" film is a bit of a reach but I also feel that it's a good starting point in the discussion of real science like SETI. It's something that is, as far as we know, probable within the settings we have around us today (or some 25 years ago if you want to see it that way). So, sure, Close Encounters can't touch even a lukewarm sci-fi story but it does open questions into the ideas of ETs in our time and environment. Star Wars can not present itself in such a way, it works on pure fantasy. Good sci-fi deals with a bit of what we know and what could be.
Did he actually say "offended"? I can understand that Asimov did sci-fi as a job. Maybe his idea of entertainment wasn't being presented something that he would have to critique as a sci-fi author. Perhaps he felt it was easier to dismiss Star Wars because of it's fantasy base.
And ultimatly, and not to sound trollish but, so what? Asimov has just as much a right to shrug off Close Encounters as I do Star Wars. Being a fan of his work doesn't make me a drone to his personal tastes. This reminds me a lot of the arguement that Pearl Jam fans somehow owe something to Led Zeppelin because of the influence. Thinking in that way sooner or later we're going to owe it all to some guy beating on a hollow log with a stick.
This is like my outlook on H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft is by far my favorite writer bar none. But Lovecraft was a racist who also hated boardgames and film. I don't feel the need to embrace the same values/hobbies as Lovecraft simply because I enjoy his works. Don't think I'm throwing away my chessboard and joining The Klan anytime soon.
People kept asking me if I wanted the new star wars DVD set and I always replied with a no. They point out that the only movies I watch on my VCR are my star wars non special edition set. And so I say with a sad look on my face "Star Wars is dead to me.". I know that when my VHS tapes disintigrate it will have been the last time that I watch star wars. As a film buff more than a star wars fan boy this irks me on more levels than just "my childhood has been raped" because honestly it is Lucas' baby he can run it over with a truck if he wants. But it doesnt change the fact that a milestone in cinema is lost to us now. The original 1977 release which is the most important sci-fi film ever will fade and be lost forever.
Note: Jar Jar does not bother me, I don't see what the problem is with him, the problem i do see is horrible horrible acting from hayden christensen. Unbelievable(unbelievable in the sense of I can't believe he got paid for this crap), snivling, no magic with natalie portman at all, its unbearable to watch.
Re:Christmas Story
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Pull your head out of the sand dewd. Knowing GL, he will re-release the orginal unaltered triology for an extra buck in the coming years. It's a cycle of abuse he performs on those of us who grew up loving the orignials...
the problem i do see is horrible horrible acting from hayden christensen.
Watch the Making of... Episode I in the EPI DVD to experience some major heart ache. They actually walk through the casting process for Anakin (kid), and show the audition tapes for the last two candidates. One of them does a fantastic job acting opposite Portman. The other kid flubs lines and has no emotional range, across takes and re-takes. Guess who Lucas cast? It's like they had no real sense of what is necessary to be a good performer. Lucas seems enamored with the bad actor and no one contradicts him. The rest is history.
There are so many painful behind the scene tracks where the kid can't get his lines straight. There's on in particular where they are all in a table eating, and he does so poorly they have to ask him to stop trying to simulate eating so he can just concentrate on delivering his two sentences.
The story was pretty bad, but man the acting blew in both movies.
In defense of Hollow Log Stick Man...
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thegnu
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· Score: 0
He did some really great work. Have you ever seen what is considered his best work, "Fire"?
Let me just say, WOW!
-- Please stop stalking me, bro.
Re:In defense of Hollow Log Stick Man...
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east+coast
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· Score: 1
He did some really great work. Have you ever seen what is considered his best work, "Fire"?
That has just summed up what I think about episodes 1 and 2.
We were kids when we watched the original Star Wars episodes. We didn't expect much of a movie, and the bad animations and bad acting were not problems then. In ep. 1, we have great CG graphics and all the bad acting, but now it seems to bother us. Guess what, we're grown ups now.
I, too watched Episode 1 with my 2 nephews (5 and 6 yo at the time), and they thought it was awesome too.
People just seem to take bashing at Lucas as a sport. He did episodes 4-6 for money too, didn't he?
I'm surprised you had to go with so many foreign films. What with Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Ashton Kutcher all under the asylum of the US. How about Gigli, The Butterfly Effect, Daredevil, Pearl Harbor (a double whammy), etc, etc, etc.
I am really disappointed and more than just a little surprised that "Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000" didn't rank in the top 10 of the worst films.
That was film a mega-scale turd.
-- "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
Lucas kept the retard JarJar but tossed away Maul
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 1, Funny
who was more evil and frightening than Vader. A suitable 'replacement' for the movies series.
And all he can come up with to replace this potentially great lost enemy is a fucking robot with a retarded name?????
Go back to Howard the Duck you checkered shirt cheeto eating hack.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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freeweed
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I'm curious how many people, like myself, went and checked out each and every link the parent had in it:)
Baby Geniuses *TWO*????
One wasn't bad enough???
Oh well, at least you missed the Problem Child series.
-- Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
MOD PARENT UP
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Anonymous Coward
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Why was this modded down? This is a very insightful, on-topic post. Get real, mods. Not everyone will have the same opinion as you.
Re:MOD PARENT UP
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Anonymous Coward
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Why was this modded down? This is a very insightful, on-topic post. Get real, mods. Not everyone will have the same opinion as you.
Not was the post NOT modded down, this was a cheap and transparent attempt to get a post modded up. It wouldn't take to much to guess who posted it (rd_syringe, bonch, Overly Critical Guy--all the same person) gauging from the fact that it contained an outright lie and an utter overstatement of its importance.
He yells about trolls following him but he's one of the biggest trolls on Slashdot today--how obsessed can someone be to post trolls to Slashdot from three separately maintained accounts?
We can only hope that when Taco implements the new moderation system that it will weed out the uninspired, idiotic, blatantly wrong and incindiary jerks like him.
I disagree
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Anonymous Coward
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"honestly it is Lucas' baby he can run it over with a truck if he wants." There are certain laws that prohibit these acts. That is called child abuse. could we possible impose similar laws to other things? Man I hope not! It is bad enough that these rules apply to animals. Next it they might apply to computers... computer abuse... I can see it now.... Microsoft will be in a lot of trouble then.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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ratnerstar
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Bull, although your post isn't a troll
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freeweed
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For you, maybe, the prequel movies are on par with the originals. But for millions of others, they simply aren't. Why do I say this? It all became clear to me when my parents watched the Episode I DVD.
To make things clear, my parents were somewhat older in 1977 as I was in 1999 (by about a decade). They saw Star Wars back then, thought it was a great movie for its time. They most certainly were not children. They did not go to see it because of their children (I never saw Star Wars in the theatre until 1997). They went because of the hype back then, because friends told them about it. And they LOVED IT.
Since then, they've seen the rest of the original trilogy in the theatre, owned LD, VHS, and now DVD versions of it. And still think the original trilogy were good movies. They're now in their 60s.
When I showed them Episode I, they hated it. They found it dull, boring, and pandering to children in a way that IV-VI never did. In fact, seeing as they now have grandchildren, you'd think they would more enjoy things like Jar-Jar, for the kids' sakes.
I've since talked to a LOT of people who were adults back in the 70s/80s, and they pretty much echo my parents' opinions.
The general negative opinion towards the prequels has nothing to do with us all having seen them back when we were kids. The prequels are, to most people I know, simply worse movies. Sure, the originals were aimed at teenagers - and thus not bad movies even for adults. But the prequels are aimed at 5-8 year olds, as far as I can tell. And that's a big difference.
-- Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Anonymous Coward
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There are three big light saber duels in the next movie. The first is between Anakin and Tyrannus. The second is between Yoda and Sidious - Yes, another Yoda duel. And the third is between Kenobi and Anakin.
Samuel Jackson will make an appearance as well, although you won't see him in any real duel. He just sorta gets tossed out a window. Boom, dead. No big fanfare or dramatic exit for him.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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teh*fink
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It appears to be shades of Eps 6 (Return of the Jedi), with Luke facing off against Vader. In this case, however, I'm presuming that Anakin wins (looking at one photo, apparently by cutting off both Tyrannus' hands, again much like Eps. 6).
perhaps...dooku is anakin's father? ha HA!
-- "I DARE you to make less sense!"
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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GReaToaK_2000
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I agree. I actually enjoyed the information portrayed in the prequels. I enjoyed some of the "new" things we learned about the Jedi, the galaxy before the empire, etc. I think the movies were too fast and hopefully the DVD's will have the cut bits that will make the movie even more enjoyable. SideNote: LOTR:ROTK is MUCH, MUCH better in it's extended form. I was bored in the movies watching ROTK with Sam crying all the freaking time. Then, I saw the extended version (Yule gift), boy was that a GREAT movie.
I am not a "fanboy". I don't study all aspects of the movies I watch to find errors with the plot line, story or universe of the story.
It's a movie. Did you enjoy it? I did. I look forward to E3. It will be interesting.
The ONLY things I have to bitch about would be... o The "virgin birth" thing. That just sickened me. Oh and NO, I do not believe Jesus was a virgin birth either. (flame me if you must, I don't give a Sh*&, I won't respond to the christian freaks) o Jar Jar was annoying. o The actor chosen for Anakin was and is TERRIBLE. Brings the whole movie down. The other, more credible actors, keep the movie decent. Ugh! Could you PLEASE choose someone who doesn't act like the standard annoying teen with two emotions? happy and angst. I know that is part of the character but the actor did such a HORRIBLE job.
My 3 cents.:)
Allow me to "take the hit" for Lucas....
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StressGuy
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So many people are worried about George Lucas ruining thier childhoods because his latest work is not up to thier expectations. It's a horrible burden to bear. So, as my good dead for the day, I'll just ruin everyone's childhood right here and now... . {ahem} . [to the tune of "Christopher Robin"] . Christopher Robin and I ran along under shell-burst from our M-16's Blowing up hephalumps, owl and eeore, for the pleasure of hearing them scream but we've wandered much further today than we should and Christopher's hit in the back pretty good so . help me if you can, I've got to get back to that rut of cold-blooded killing you've no idea what mayhem I'd bring burning a village for kicks flaying the natives with sticks ohhh, back in the trenches with Christopher Robin and Pooh..... . Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do, he's got napalm all over his clothes so he came to me asking help and advice, so I shot him before he go close. but Christopher would try to help his poor bear, so they both went up in a bright orange flare so, . help me if you can, I've got to get back to that rut of cold-blooded killing you've no idea what mayhem I'd bring burning a village for kicks flaying the natives with sticks ohhh back in the trenches with Christopher Robin.... watching a flare, that is Christopher Robin...... Warming my hands over Christopher Robin.... and cooking s'mores over Pooh..... .
-- A goal is a dream with a deadline
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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east+coast
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I still find it a hoot that Manos The Hand of Fate's cover art on IMDB is taken directly from the MST3K box... what more can you say?
While I do agree it was probably the most honest and fair way to get the worse films I was still hoping for a Bruce Willis film in there somewhere.
-- Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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aafiske
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I bet some of the people thought it was for KOTOR III, not the movies. (At least I did, and I would like some company in my idiocy.)
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Junta
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Generally insightful, but it wouldn't really be shedding new light on the ROTJ duel, in the movie the message from the emperor to luke is 'finish him and take his place at my side'. This is just a sort of reaffirmation of what has already been the case. It in all likelihood is as you say, an identical, ritualistic practice set up as a foil to Luke's duel in ROTJ.
-- XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
Darth Maul's appearance...
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DesScorp
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· Score: 1
All of the red and black shapes on Maul were indeed tattoos, but the horns are natural to his race. You can see one of his people in this add for the new game from lucas arts. It's also illustrative of the effect that the dark side of the force has on the physical body. As you can see from the artwork, choose the dark side, and your body changes, making you grayish-wrinkly ugly.
I've put some thought into this and I think that there are several reasons that Ep1-2 don't sit well in our (the average geeks) stomach.
The first trilogy was inovative, and while I sadly was not old enough to see any of them except VI, even I could recognize that they were something new. This might be because of Joseph Cambell being involved, or just because it was the best black vs. white epic out there, with enough backstory and depth to make it good meme material. I-II does not have this, Lucas seems to have gone for the awe factor, instead of some deep arctypcial story. Same old little stupid boy inadvertantly saves the world, think Home Alone with lightsabers, and a couple Jedi.
Then we have the fact that we geeks are inherently elitist snobs. Of course this new stuff can't be as good as our old stuff! This is especially true for Star Wars, which has been raised to some special iconic geeky stature. Hell, I would go so far as saying that Star Wars is a necissary elemen within the definition of geek, you can't be a geek unless you actually CARE that Han shot firt.
Then, as almost a corollary to my first point, is that I-II lack artistic merit. The stories lack depth, the characters don't garner much empathy, the special effects subtract from plot. They are movies where you can oooohhhh and ahhhhh at, but when you leave the theater you are left feeling somewhat empty, you didn't get anything out of it except entertainment.
Then we have the fact that most of this audience GREW UP with the originals. This is important, since media preference seems to become rather fixed with age. I still compare childrens movies to Labrynth and The Dark Crystal, and they, for the most part, don't seem to compare. I compare I-II with their older counterparts, and cannot take them on their own. This might be because of the Lucas marketing empire that surrounded us as children, teens too. But to children I-II are shiny and new, and the old ones go against what they expect in movies (due to their enviroment), flash and CG, not story (story is BORING!).
And for me personally, I generally HATE CG in movies, since it hasn't reached the level of perfection to be unobtrusive. When I watch the first 3 Alien movies, I am in awe of the special effects, so much better than what we can now spew out of our technilogical arse with computers. To me CG in movies gets this odd "Hey look its CG" reaction, which completely breaks down the fourth wall. Though LoTR did rather well with it, but even at times it was quite cheesy. For petes sake, what was wrong with muppets? Does Lucas really have to make a CG Yoda? The muppet worked quite well, and seemed more realistic to me.
Now if III comes out, and, as it might, has the mythical story arc, the depth, and slightly less happy crappy eye candy, I still doubt that your average (older) geek will like it much, since it conflicts with my second point. Nothing can compare to IV-VI, since we grew up with it, we're a bunch of elitists.
My 2c.
-- A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
Actually, it's because Lucas got into the whole Joseph Campbell in Bill Moyers Own Words, ipso post facto, that the new star wars stuff sucks. He was trying to impress Leonard Maltin and other pop-critics (who got no respect from "real" critics in their own time) five years after Return of the Jedi went to video. The whole pseudo-intellectual tack-on is what made the new movies suck.
As always with leaked pics, no guarantees on accuracy.
No, because they're from a George Lucas production after all, and he'll probably break a new record as the first producer that messed things up so badly that he didn't even managed to stay true to his own universe.:-P
-- Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
Re:Accuracy...
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Anonymous Coward
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Once again, you have to hand it to the Wachowskis as the first to really do this properly.
on the contrary
by
WotanKhan
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· Score: 2, Insightful
The success of the original trilogy (and I mean their quality as well as commercial) is largely a result of the talented people Lucas assembled to make them. Not the least was the work of the then relatively unknown Harrison Ford, and of the masters Sir Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing (as Tarkin) and the voice work of James Earl Jones. I thought Anthony Daniels as C-3PO was believable and humorous. The rest of the cast was quite adequate to the task.
I don't fault the actors for their performances in the new trilogy, except perhaps Hayden Christianson. It was truly disheartening to watch the valiant effort made by Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor to bring some life to a truly abysmal script, only to be deliberately upstaged at every turn by a megalomaniac director and his hideous cgi.
You're right. I was intentionally ignoring Harrison Ford, and focusing primarily on Carrie Fisher and Mark Hammil who to their credit got better throughout the series. There were some really cheesy lines though. "Walking carpet." for instance.
Liam Neeson was very good and is also very good in the recent film Kinsey. I'm impressed with Ewan McGregor in part because he must have been fimling Ep II back to back with Moulin Rouge and the emotional difference between Christian and Obiwan is incredible.
Don't be too quick to blame Hayden for the way Anakin comes off. He's done a much better job at being young and sinister in other roles.
-- A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Anonymous Coward
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The Force is out of balance BECAUSE of the Sith. The Jedi "use the Force for knowledge and defense" whereas the Sith use the Force for however they want. That's the balance that is referred to. With the Sith in existence, the Force is out of balance. Once the Sith are destroyed in ROTJ, balance is returned.
It's really got nothing to do with how many light side/dark side there are on each side.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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TheNumberSix
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Apparently Lucas is going with the whole concept that there can never be any more than two Sith at any given time -- a student and a master. And that as the student gets older, Sideous/Palpatine gets an up-and-coming Jedi to kill them off for him, becoming the new "student" in the process. This could put the whole duel in ROTJ in a new light.
Lucas says this straight up in the ROTJ commentary on the newly released DVD set.
Darth Vader was the "old & busted" while Luke was the "new hotness" and Palatine thought that Luke would be a much better apprentice than Vader. Especially since the emperor felt that Vader's reliance on his mechanical suit made him less useful than Luke would be.
-- Never confuse feeling with thinking.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Omestes
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How the hell could a damn droid use lightsabers? I thought there was some form of force sensativity needed (to use the terms from the RPG)? Or perhaps that is only needed to do all the whiz-bang tricks with 'em.
Hell, perhaps they injected the droid with those pesky mitichlorines, or whatever they were.
-- A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
Re:Speculation on Emperor vs Sith Lord
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Anonymous Coward
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For some reason I speculated that perhaps Dooku was telling the truth to Obi Wan about Palpatine and that it would be later revealed that the Sith Lord and Emperor Palpatine were two different persons.
It would make sense...
2 Sith and Why that is-
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Anonymous Coward
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After the last Civil war the sole remaining Sith Lord declared that there shall be only 2 Sith at any given time. Master and Student. When there are more than that there is a constant struggle for power. The Sith have done more damage to themselves than the Jedi ever have.
Re:2 Sith and Why that is-
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glorf
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· Score: 2, Funny
OK, so how did Sidious, Maul, and Tyrannus all exist at the same time? And frankly, calling yourself a "Lord" when there are only 2 of you reminds me a lot of Calvin declaring himself Supreme Dictator for Life.
Re:2 Sith and Why that is-
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MixmastaKooz
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Siduous is the Sith Master/Lord and Maul was his student, but Maul died (about 10 years before Episode II). I forgot how old Anakin was in Episode one and two (10 and 20? or was it 12 and 22?) Siduous must have been working on Dooku before Maul died, but after Maul died, Dooku slid in and became Tyrannus. Maul and Tyrannus never existed at the same time as sith...
However, if any of them would come up to me and said they were Lords, I wouldn't argue with them or else I would have a lightsaber stuck up my arse....
"Maybe it's just me, but it didn't really sit right with me that Yoda, "got busy" with the lightsaber. First of all getting all acrobatic just isn't his style.. not to mention hopping around like a mexican jumping bean."
Exactly. I would have expected Yoda to fight with a form of Aikido. I'm sure he would have if they had enlisted the services of swordmaster Bob Anderson, the foremost fight director in the business. It was his work (and doubling for Darth Vader) that gave the duels in The Empire Strikes Back their authenticity. His recent work on the LotR trilogy was stellar as always.
Unfortunately the Hong-Kong theatrical combat has become the rage ever since the success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Anderson is only fight director resisting this trend, even when it is hideously inappropriate.
At last, people who see the light! This has bothered me for quite some time, but it really shouldn't. Nor should it suprise me in light of the other crowd-pleasing stuff that was put in there. Kendo would also have been great.
My completely unsolicited vision would have been Yoda's opponent madly striking, almost flailing away while Yoda calmly deflects each one with economy of motion. It just occurred to me that's what was missing--economy of motion. Yoda doesn't boince around, Yoda is old and moves only as much as he needs to as a master should.
Anyway, as I was saying before the sidetrack, Yoda should have deflected for a while, without making it look easy, and then made one offensive slash and ended it. I almost want to say that he'd just do the "kill the enemy as you draw your sword" thing and kill him as soon as the lightsaber comes out, but there's no tension at all there.
The idea is not to make the opponent look easy, but to make Yoda look like the venerable master he is. But nobody asked me.:P
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Yaztromo
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· Score: 1
How the hell could a damn droid use lightsabers? I thought there was some form of force sensativity needed (to use the terms from the RPG)? Or perhaps that is only needed to do all the whiz-bang tricks with 'em.
I would think the latter is probably the case. You probably need the Force to be able to make a lightsabre useful in combat against blasters (if you're a humanoid at least).
But let's not forget -- Han Solo used Luke's lightsabre in Empire Strikes Back to open the stomach of his tauntaun, and Han certainly isn't a Jedi.
Yaz.
Re:Protest George W. Bush's Inauguration: +1, True
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secretsquirel
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· Score: 0, Offtopic
Dammit you ruined it!, I was trying to avoid finding out who won the election for 4 years so that under uncertainty theory the result would just remain unknown uintil we had a new president.
Re:Google cache version - Google acts evil.
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zapadoo
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· Score: 1
They fired a guy for having an idea (drives for caching images)? Gee, sounds like they invalidated their informal corporate mottoe "Don't be evil"
One or two tie ins are nice. But when the entire movie is a tie in, it tells me you're afraid to hang your ass out on the line (like you did with the first trilogy) and take the risk. Either that, or the technology isn't holding back your "original" vision, and we're seeing just what kind of crap that original trilogy could have been had you waited until now to make it.
Sounds like you've had kids, Georgie, and you're trying to be a good grandpa. This isn't the series you're trying to fumble though. You can go back to your business of leeching royalties on that ranch of yours.
Move along. Move along.
Re:Christmas Story: There is another..
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KyderdogDan
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· Score: 1
The Unedited original 1977 version was released on Laser Disc.. Start Checking Ebay and you should be able to come up with a Player and a disc set..
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Warlock7
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Grievous is:
"A twisted melding of flesh and metal, General Grievous' body is a deadly weapon forged by the cutting edge developers of the Confederacy. Within the hardened carapace beats the heart of a remorseless killer. Grievous hunted Jedi for sport and proudly displayed his victims' lightsabers around his belt as trophies of his conquests. His unorthodox fighting form and mechanical enhancements gave him an edge in close-quarters combat, and his strategic ingenuity and flawless cunning rendered him almost invincible against the Jedi."
"A twisted melding of flesh and metal, General Grievous' body is a deadly weapon forged by the cutting edge developers of the Confederacy. Within the hardened carapace beats the heart of a remorseless killer. Grievous hunted Jedi for sport and proudly displayed his victims' lightsabers around his belt as trophies of his conquests. His unorthodox fighting form and mechanical enhancements gave him an edge in close-quarters combat, and his strategic ingenuity and flawless cunning rendered him almost invincible against the Jedi."
Not only did I get the reference, but I have the limited edition (I think it was only available through Bantha Tracks) Revenge of the Jedi poster hanging in my bedroom.
Classy I know, but its still better than the stock Ikea art in the living room:)
Me: "Spelling Nazi's. I hate Spelling Nazi's. " You: "Gruppenfuhrer, get that cars license plate number. We're gonna kill that son of a bitch."
Re:unhand me, you fiend -- true in combat w/weapon
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Helevius
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I've trained in stick fighting, and one of the major objectives is striking the opponent's weapon hand. If you make contact with that hand, the opponent is likely to drop the weapon. Also, a damaged hand is less likely to be able to hold a weapon again during the fight.
Helevius
STFU RD_SYRINGE ERR BONCH ERR OVERLY CRITICAL GUY
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
since noone is actually discussing the pictures
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chill182
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· Score: 1
1. Is that robot thing with the blue and green lightsabers the same one from the clone wars cartoon?
2. Palpatine and Darth Sidious look like two different people. I thought they were the same. Does Palpatine replace Sidious or does Sidious become the Emperor?
Re:since noone is actually discussing the pictures
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Warlock7
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· Score: 1
1. Yes, that "robot thing" is General Grievous and he is the one that was in the Clone Wars cartoons.
2. Don't know what the details are yet. The name of the Emperor from ROTJ is Palpatine. I wouldn't be surprised if one is a clone of the other or vice versa.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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MixmastaKooz
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· Score: 1
You're exactly right about the duel being an audition to be an apprentice: both in 3 and 6. However, don't forget that Vader was also trying to betray the Emperor way back in Empire when he asked Luke to be his apprentice. SO, when the time comes, either the Master gets a new apprentice by killing off the old one or the apprentice becomes the master (a shade of the line from epidsode 4!!)
But, I think you're off with your balance of the force explaination. I don't think it's a numerical balance but a balance of power. A true jedi does not seek power, and when one does, it throws the balance off. Anakin DID bring balance to the force: not by dwindling the number of Jedi, but by killing the Emperor. Not only did Anakin redeem himself in this act, but he brought balance back to the Force by removing the source of the imbalance and cleansing himself of the imbalance.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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damiam
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Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed.
News flash: Slashdot has multiple users, capable of holding seperate opinions.
-- It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
I thought ALL the star wars movies were great, and cant wait till the next comes out, I loved ep 4,5, and 6 when they came out, i loved 1 and 2 when they came out, and i will LOVE ep 3. If you bunch of whiners are going to constantly complain, here's a hint DONT GO SEE THE MOVIE, leave more room for me and my kids to go, i am taking the day off work, just to go see ep 3 when it comes out. Shesh!!! Lucas IS star wars, if he decides to put JAR JAR in there then guess what HE CREATED IT, HE CAN DO IT, AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Except of course dont go see the dern movie. Man I thought my 4 kids did alot of whining!!!!!!!
that the pic is supposed to be superimposed over some sort of neato sci-fi background. And the sabers should be glowing. It could also, since it is a leaked pic, be a reject.
ONKBIOAOMKYK (One never knows, but if one asks, one might know. You know?)
-- Please stop stalking me, bro.
Before you judge this picture.
by
thegnu
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· Score: 0
Remember, it's before they add the CG............. . . . . . (I'm kidding)
The original trilogy was okay, when we were KIDS. Get over it. The new Star Wars movies are nothing but poorly written trash aimed at pre-teens. George Lucas is a money-sucking faggit and you nerds continue to blow your money on his pathetic movies.
And this is Slashdot, we're supposed to have the RIAA and MPAA, why do you continue to support those who want to control the Internet.
Tolkien, along with about six of his best friends fought in WWI, only two of them surviving.
Tolkien wasn't a coward.
So are you talking about you? Are you admitting you don't know whether that is true because you are a coward?
Re:What? Half a dozen replies...
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Anonymous Coward
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Naked and petrified not being mentioned is even more depressing. Too bad she looks like my sister.
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Bambi+Dee
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"Virgin birth"? That's interesting, actually. I'm assuming this refers to the scene in Ep 1 where Shmi says something along the lines of "There was no father. I can't explain it"*? With the troubled look on her face I was nigh-convinced that she had been raped and was unwilling to talk about it - Qui-Gonn refrained from asking further questions, which seemed "understanding" at the time. Now I realise this interpretation doesn't really fit the movie. Hm.
*I don't remember the exact words. Nor am I sure I know how to spell any of the names.
Knights of the Old Republic.
by
mbourgon
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· Score: 1
Instead of drooling over still from a movie that will (in all likelihood) suck, go play Knights of the Old Republic. The first one, to be honest, was better than 3 of the 5 Star War movies. It had an engaging storyline, an awesome twist, you got to choose light side or dark side, you were a Jedi, turn-based combat, force powers, etc, etc. You were _in_ the movie. Utterly amazing.
The first one's about $15-$20 these days (for Xbox or PC), and the second one will be out shortly on the PC. (Both are equally worth it - deep RPGs in the Star Wars universe, with tons of cutscenes, moral dilemnas, and a lot more)
-- "Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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GReaToaK_2000
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Thank you.
This is going to sound bad, but I don't care I feel better when I admit err.
I hadn't even thought of her being raped. I was in the "mode" of thinking about the "StarWars" prophecy of Anakin. So, my mind didn't even think of the rape possibility. It is plausible, not necessarily fitting within the storyline, per se, but it could be who knows.
In any event, thank you for that thought.
~G
wouldn't it be cheaper...
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Anonymous Coward
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...just to wait for global warming?
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Omestes
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But according to the RPG, he was force senstive, hence he prowess with the turrent on the MF.
Lord I'm a geek. I'm using an RPG to back up a comment on Starwars... I'm going back to my basement now.
-- A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
Re:Slashdotted! Why are you guys clicking on the l
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Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
"Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care? Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?"
Don't let a few slashdotters give you a bad impression of our community as a whole. When you consider how many visit this site daily and how many accounts there are, all the whining and complaining you see is only a small fraction of this community's voice. We're not all the same. Some are more vocal than others, mind you. But that hardly constitutes group think. For every whiner, there are 20 more who are interested.
Re:Movies - mod parent down!
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Anonymous Coward
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"He's far from alone in his opinion, and he has a right to post it without being told to "get real" by someone who posts a canned, tired response." --charlesbakerharris
So people have a right to voice their opinion without anyone else having the right to disagree with said opinion? And you are somehow not ignorant how?
get real, buddy.
Jane_the_Great [Foe] (email not shown publicly)
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Anonymous Coward
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It would appear that a certain Slashdot user who really enjoys bashing President Bush has an affection for Adolf Hitler. Obviously, this was meant to be posted anonymously but someone forget to hit that checkbox. It's a shame when liberals are shown for their true colors.
It's really disgusting the way some people behave.
severed limbs + midgets = star wars
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Slowcurl
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Star Wars has always been good for two things: (1) providing employment to midgets & dwarves and (2) showcasing an array of severed limbs (more blood = better film, too, it would seem). A solid and equal mix of midgets and gore is the key to a satisfying adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Allow me to demonstrate.
EPISODE 1 only featured one good severing as I recall (Darth Maul), but it was misplaced. In an alternate universe, the Frog Man gets it, too, squirting slimy fluids in slow motion for at least five minutes of the film. The fans of that universe are happy fans. Jedi Master Ponytail's end in OUR universe, however, is probably the ONLY gore moment in this film with any weight. Plus, unless you consider children in the same pool as midgets-- and I don't-- Episode 1 was sorely lacking in real non-CG midgets aside from the Willow cameo. A severed CHILD might have put this film back on track, but alas...
EPISODE 2 had at least 1 severed limb obviously, but no real gore. And the midgets were few and far between. Some rock solid beheadings, but of the rated-G variety. Okay, well, yeah, Klieg's (sp?) sporting a cool stump (too broke to afford a robo peg leg, apparently). And Momma Vader's pretty busted up. Yeah, and I suppose the beheading of Jango is okay, but the beheading of 3PO as fodder for comedic levity is lame. Above all, however, the midget vacuum is obvious & tragic.
EPISODE 3 has at least two confirmed severed limbs. That's a good sign. The midget factor remains to be seen, however. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Jack Pervis. You're my only hope.
EPISODE 4: bloody cantina limb, 3PO loses a limb, Chewie (in a roundabout way) threatens to rip out limbs, Ben gets cut in half, we get not one but TWO smoldering skeletons (still waiting on the inevitable post-autopsy Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru playset, by the way)... plus, this picture is swarming with employment opportunities for the height-challenged to don weird-ass constumes. PLUS Han says "hell." DING, DING! Sounds like a classic!
EPISODE 5: Bloody clawing, belly-slicing, de-limbing of wampa (in slow motion!), beheading (in slow motion!), excellent loss of a hand shortly after a series of metal crates to the spine & head, 3PO gets his head and ALL of his limbs severed... Han says "hell" again and MEANS it... and best of all, we get to see midgets aplenty as nightmarish Mickey Rooney-type pig people. PLUS we get a swearing robot (F-U2?). Rock on! DING, DING! Another winner!
EPISODE 6: Their heart was in the right place, but squirrel people are nowhere near as cool as pig people, no matter how many you try to throw at us. The midget factor is so out of control and out of whack in relation to the level of gore here that it has warped the scale. It fact, there's no gore at all, really, beyond a laser-fried hand and some head scabs. Don't CHOKE him, Leia! For our sake, stab him repeatedly with one of those dime-a-dozen vibroaxes, why don't ya? The gate smash and lost limb are very rated-G, too. No, thank you.
Peter Jackson was wise to study these films beforehand and use the gore/midget equation I've outlined here to his advantage.
Not quite..
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Anonymous Coward
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There are six wings..
They're clearly "Sex-Wing" fighters.:)
Star Wars needs competition.
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Anonymous Coward
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I love how the Star Wars books took the universe in different directions.
For all the rah-rah and carry on about the rise of independant media, there still just isn't much competition movie-wise. I'd LOVE to see a credible movie in the Star Wars universe from someone other than Lucas.
Let's face it, Lucas couldn't really do much about it as long as the movie doesn't use a few trademarked keywords. If he decided to sue, he would be publically castigated among Star Wars fans and it's the kind of case that the ACLU would probably salivate over.
I agree wholeheartedly with anyone who thinks the first two prequels sucked. There is nothing more disappointing than having an icon of your childhood tarnished by it's egomaniac creator. Lucas is so deemed because only an egomaniac would put his personal political views ahead of a 100% consensus fan base disagreement over his decision to fundamentally alter Han Solo's character development by making Greedo shoot first.
Lucas needs more criticism. I would have liked to have seen Saturday night live do some skits putting Yoda into a washer/dryer to agitate the load, make Jar Jar Binks a pimp or drug dealer, etc.
Wow. No wonder your opinions suck. You don't even understand math. Your dumbass opinion doesn't constitute one hundred percent, you stupid fucking twit.
You also demonstrate your stupidity by acknowledging that you watch SNL, which hasn't been tolerable since Belushi died.
I find this amusing: people actually believe the "Episode IV" in the title of the original movie was meant to be taken seriously. Like as if it was already all in the mind of the creator, and he was already planning some 20 years down the road to make the lame prequels in all computer graphics glory. Of course, we know what Lucas wanted -- and succeeded -- with SW and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was to relive the old adventurous theatrical series from the 30's and 40's. If SW "Episode IV" didn't make a ton of cash, there would be no sequels nor prequels. And Lucas would be best remembered for that weird scifi movie from the 70's. The same is true for Matrix. Or Back to the Future...
The "Episode IV" was there just to set the mood and to best emulate the feel of continuation from the old cinema series...
-- I don't feel like it...
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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Warlock7
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Let's not forget his incredible piloting skills too...:)
Who's the idiot moderator?!?!?
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Anonymous Coward
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When I first saw this, I thought, hmmm, cool. These look awesome. Next, I get home and look a second time and thinks yeah, these are neat, but there is something weird about them.
Ah HA! I got it! I have seen most of these pics before. Yet they were in actual videos that I have seen. That's right, They are from a trailer actually. The pics from the duel and space battle scene are from the Episode III game trailer. Notice have the people look animated? herehere and hereand the space battle.
David Brin (author or the Uplift Series, The Postman, etc...) has put together an interesting review of episode II. Particularly noteworthy are his ideas regarding how to save the whole storyline from its current debacle.
Re:Warning: here (may) be spoilers.
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WhatAmIDoingHere
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I don't believe Sam Jackson goes out like that.
He said on Conan that he told Lucas he would only be in Star Wars if he doesn't go out "like some suckah" He said that his character was going to die, but it would be a glorious death. Also, we were told we would see Mace's dark-leaning lightsaber style.
Slashdot Mirror
saw these pics this morning...the general greivous pictures look awesome...what's up with the "x-wing" type fighters though? they appear to have an extra wing in the middle...
the wookie going for nookie picture at the top of the page cracked me up...
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson
these are not the most real.
Or is Chewbacca groping Leia?
Most people agree that the first two movies were pretty much a disgrase to the fanchise. It seems Lucas has decided that special effects should be the focus of the story, instead of the story. The originals were groundbreaking in their look, but also magnificently told a story. The new movies lack that. With that said, the second one was slightly better than the abortion that was Episode 1. From early word, the new movie will be dark and full of action, and hopefully it will be worthy of the name Star Wars.
Dude, what is Saruman doing there? I knew he didn't really die. You have to watch those slippery ones all the damn time.
"Episode III: The last chance for Lucas".
Seriously...is anyone going into this thing with high hopes? Episode I was like watching my childhood melt into easily-marketable claptrap, and Episode II felt like the actors had full-body botox.
Who is going to see this expecting a wonderful, rounded, well-acted movie? Don't get me wrong, I intend to see it, but mostly because of morbid curiosity.
I dunno...I guess I'm still bitter about LucasArts cancelling Sam and Max for more Star Wars Title. Damn them!
but maybe you should, for the slashdot hordes cometh, and few web servers are prepared to serve up that many pictures...
Personally after the HHGG (Zaphod's second head is up his nose) and Zeta Gundam (A real Gundam is being made for a movie! Here's some pictures which are infact a 1/2 scale Gundam model been around for 10 years!), incidents. I think I'll hold off on any "leaked" or "hot new news" untill it's been comfirmed by a source I trust.
I like muppets.
anyone would want star wars pix. ;) Let's see here... Avy Scott... or Star Wars... tough choice.
http://dont.spam.me.anymore.com
revenge of the photo shoppers.
There are just pictures of the star wars kid photo shopped/ 3d edited to death.
he will think twice of photoshopping after his bandthwidthh bill's come in.
Saw these pics this morning...they look good.
Which pretty much sums up my expectations: it looks neat from the previews, and probably will disappoint me in the end. I was in line at Blockbuster with my girlfriend the other night, looking at recent releases, and noting how many of them had excellent trailers, and how many of them actually turned out to be worth watching. Almost anything looks good when your interaction with it consists of a trailer, some stills, a few out-of-context quotes and maybe a rough plot.
I'll get my ticket, I'll see the movie, I'll be disappointed, and, you know, whatever. And so will you.
--- Where's my car, and why are these grass stains on my pants?
Okay lads, this guy is asking for it! With a URL like http://www.idontfear.com/ , surely he's mocking the slashdot effect. Bring out all your Amigas and C64s and we'll have his server linched by dawn!
I like muppets.
I'm really hoping that Lucas has listned to the critics and will make this one a lot less for the kiddies than the last two. He's really come to rely upon the whiz-bang way too much and left a lot of the storytelling out. The money has gone to his head and at this point it's less about the film itself and more about the marketing opportunites. What he fails to realize is that the average movie going audience is vastly different today than they were in the late 70's. I can see better special effects anywhere, but a compelling story? At least there are no photos of Jar-Jar.
Google's cache of the site...
Too bad the last 2 movies were not..
Not sure what they were, but they were not starwars.. They were garbage..
Really a shame, as they could have been great..
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Anyone notice how the first three movies all had a good chunk of time allocate to space/ship battles? While the new movies have practically none? I hope those X-wing looking thngs are indicative of things to come. Though, I am disapointed at not seeing any Z-95s.
It's disapointing that someone posted an honest criticism of lucas' films, and he is labeled as flamebait.
:)
Seriously, moderators try to be impartial and neutral. One can comment negatively on linux, mac, ipod, and star wars and be flameing.
Now to cover my butt from being called a flamer from the moderators: Linux rules, I love Mac, I love Ipods! MS sucks!
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care? Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
Now, I'm not defending George Lucas (I didn't think the prequels were great... nor did the acting make me want to care about any of the characters). But still, it wasn't horrible. I could still enjoy watching the story unfold into what we know happens in Episodes 4-6. It is backstory, but I admit I had fun discovering what happens to the galaxy as a whole before the empire. It's fun to know about the Jedi order in its heyday, talked about in the original trilogy.
But hey, this is Slashdot. Continue your bashing.
"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
A Long time ago in a galaxy far far away....
After the death of the Loyal representative from Naboo Jar Jar Binks,
the entire gungan race was wiped out by a Seperatist invasion of Naboo.
Does anyone really believed such pictures leak out without the consent of the studio and producers? That anyone in production would risk his/her job my copying them and distributing them?
The SW III PR troups are gearing up, and these are the first PR shots. A few anonymous e-mails to a few fans running fan sites, and voila, lots of attention.
When, oh when will someone be able to guarentee wild-ass internet rumors and fanciful speculations?
I posted this in my /. journal last night so I'll give you guys a crack at it:
... not a nut, but a fan.
/. slice and dice it.
I'm a big Star Wars fan
I didn't like the 1st prequel, although it wasn't as bad as many of the people on
The Attack Of The Clones was pretty good. I would rank it with Jedi
The Revenge Of The Sith is shaping up to be pretty awesome looking. As many are putting it - this movie BETTER be good because it's the whole reason Episodes 4,5, and 6 were done. I think in a way, this proves that Lucas was right to do 4,5,6 rather than 1,2,3 first.
I have enjoyed seeing the story behind the story and the elaborate plot of the emporer to wage war to be able to wage war and slowly kill off the "good troops and jedi" to be able to control the weak and lord over the ruthless.
I am quite confused though about the new leaked images that have surfaced on the net.
http://www.idontfear.com/
I thought Palpatine WAS the emporer! And all along I thought it was Palpatine behind that hood when talking to Dooku and Darth Maul. The pictures would indicate otherwise, unless it is telling that the dark side in it's truest form transforms you into an ugly creature. Was Maul just a black guy? Then when he was consumed by the dark side - grow horns and intricate red tattoos? It seems this way. Either that - or the emporer is NOT Palpatine - maybe he is a clone? Maybe Palpatine is a clone of the emporer??
Why isn't Dooku all crazy creature fangy snarly?
I would also like for it to be explained how Anakin looks like he does in Episodes 5 and 6 (behind shot in 5, full head shot in 6) - because if he was consumed by the dark side - where is his evil look?
The only hint, so far, that I have seen is in the teaser trailer - Anakin (Hayden Christenson) turns around and his eyes are yellow.
Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
Is just one of lucas films dirty tricks to bring that site down.
Emacs is good operating system, but it has one flaw: Its text editor could be better.
I have to agree. There are worse movies than the prequels.
Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
mirrordot.org
Umm... I saw them just now. There is still some life in his server yet! Quickly, we must quash this!
Windows has detected an undetectable error.
Okay, I know Lego does Star Wars themed sets, but now Star Wars is doing Lego's Bionicles? I guess it's only fair. And my nephew will probably stop calling what was a staple of my youth "hecka lame".
You are checking your backups, aren't you?
I wish I could see the virtual tidal wave of traffic hurtling toward that site. It would be a terrifying sight to behold...
honnold.org - sometimes-rock band, all the time awesome forum
Cuz in reality they stole the spoiler images from another site (which is mentioned in the AICN article).
In related movie spoiler news, I think its time that someone 'leaked' the Jessica Simspon as Daisy Duke images on slashdot. I would, except I like my bandwidth bill just the way it is.
One can comment negatively on linux, mac, ipod, and star wars and NOT be flameing.
I saw the first prequel and hated it. Of course, I never liked the original three star wars films that much, either. The story and plot are *very* basic and uninteresting, as are the characters. I can see how a bunch of dorky teens in 1977 and 1981 could have gotten caught up with it, but it's nothing special thirty years later.
It's just incredibly dull and lame. I started to watch the second prequel and gave up after a half hour. I was just bored to tears. I mean, I couldn't care any less about the characters or the plot of Star Wars even if they were replaced with characters directly from OC or some other inane pop culture show.
I think that Star Wars has become a "status symbol". It's to geeks what leet-speak is to script-kiddies. If you speak the language (leet-speak in one, star wars in the other) it makes you feel like and gives SOME people the impression that you belong in that culture and know what the hell you're talking about. Or, alternately, it's like people who stick a light-stick and a window in their PC and call themselves hard-core modders. Or people who have been on the internet "since way back in 1998" calling themselves "veterans" and "techies". Much in that same flavor.
For the rest of the clique, Star Wars is as uninteresting as an egg-drop script for an IRC channel is to a software developer who's writing his own OS.
Dude, just because the first two movies sucked horribly, doesn't mean that people aren't hoping that the third one doesn't suck. You've answered your own question, people don't genuinely dislike them (as can be seen by the comments and slashdotting), they're in fact more incensed because they feel let down. If you're not defending lucas, and you're interested (as everyone else is) in how epIII will tie into epIV, then why are you so hung up about people riding down the first pair of films?
Oh well, this is Slashdot. Continue your bitching.
There are lives at stake here!
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada... and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed. Why do you even care? Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
Holy fuck are you stupid. Sorry, you are. You are confusing the website, Slashdot, with the readers -- many of whom have differing opinions on EVERYTHING!
Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.
-- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
Something sure stopped them up. I wonder what that could be?
True, but Star Wars-bashing (and especially prequel-bashing), tends to take a large volume of posts, and often gets modded up.
Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada...
The Slashdot community is fairly large. The number of bashes vs. the number of people who keep quiet is really high. Not to say that every user of SD sits on either side of the fence but it's not what it appears to be. It's like the LA riots years ago; the news never reported that 18 million or so LA residents didn't riot. You only seen those who did.
and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed.
I'm sure this access to the site isn't a slashdot only type of deal. These previews are going to cause a buzz elsewhere.
Do you genuinely dislike them, or s it just some kind of slashdot groupthink conformity that makes you bash something you don't have to see if you don't want to?
I personally don't like them, just my two cents. Why do you bash the bashers? You don't have to read our comments just as we don't have to see the new films. The door swings both ways.
Now, I'm not defending George Lucas
I think that defending Lucas at this point is even beyond the powers of the Jedi.
But hey, this is Slashdot. Continue your bashing.
Thanks for the permission.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Shouldn't this read:
As always with AICN, no guarantees on accuracy.
That site has been slashdotted for the same reason so many people slow down to a crawl on the freeway to view a horrible, limb-twisting car wreck. But then, that's just my feeling about George Lucas films. YMMV.
"Idontfear.com" (the slashdot effect?)
oh you will (be)... you WILL (be)!
=)
e.
Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &
fair enough, Phantom Menace was complete garbage, AotC was rather better, but happily for us, Lucas has trapped himself in a position where the film cannot possibly have a happy ending.
The republic falls, the bright young hope of the jedi turns into Space Hitler and enslaves the galaxy, so with luck there shouldn't be a whole lot of room for Jar-Jar-sodding-Binks and dancing Ewoks, what with all the fighting that'll be going on....
The real revenge of the Sith would be for noone, and I mean not a single person, to go see that movie when it is released.
sPh
http://www.idontfear.com.nyud.net:8090/
Bypass Compulsory Web Registration -- http://bugmenot.com/
General Grievous: http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/general grievous/
If you haven't seen the cartoon series that ran on Cartoon Network a bit ago, he's the jedi-killing droid. Judging by the site, it seems he'll be the main baddie in Episode III.
As for the 6-winged X-Wings, I was a bit suprised - I thought they'd show Headhunters (2-winged), which, according to the books, are the proto-X-Wings.
flaming ;)
I can see how a bunch of dorky teens in 1977 and 1981 could have gotten caught up with it, but it's nothing special thirty years later.
Agreed. I had seen Star Wars at a drive in in 1977 at the tender age of 4. It was big and it rumbled and it had pretty lights. I was so into it. But as time went on and I found films that came a bit closer to "real sci-fi"* like Close Encounters, the Trek films and Dune it just seemed like Star Wars was plastic and dull plastic at that. Once I started to really get into science fiction and started to read works by the likes of Asimov, Clarke and Niven I really had no time for what was really nonsense, in my mind.
People have to accept that those of us who were drawn into Star Wars at a young age are now jaded by it and in some cases I know of those who feel robbed by Lucas and his new films. Eh... it really doesn't bother me that much. I just like to see people beat up on Lucas.
* Meaning they are as close to sci-fi as I can hope from the likes of Hollywood.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Just for the record, I didn't think "episode one" was bad - just boring.
Jonathan B.
Haha, i just caught that too.
:)
Also, another typo, it should be fflaming
And he continues to disappoint us with his rediculous JA-JA type characters.
Too bad he is given over to the dark side
It is important to remember that a lot of blind folks surf the web.
I get your point, though
a last hope
Once I started to really get into science fiction and started to read works by the likes of Asimov, Clarke and Niven I really had no time for what was really nonsense, in my mind. Asimov had this much to say about Star Wars : he thought it was fun. "Leave your sophistication at the door and have a thrilling ride". The films are fun movies for kids, and they don't try to be anything more. He was less kindly to "Close Encounters", because it tried to pose as "real sci-fi". This offended Isaac more than the campy fun of Star Wars.
"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
Did parent somehow think that "disgrace" was anything but a person's opinion? Or that the grandparent somehow didn't know that they could not watch the movie if they didn't like it? That's like telling me that I need to "get real" because I don't like to eat bell peppers (I don't, really.) Of course it's his opinion - pointing that out didn't add anything to the discussion. He's far from alone in his opinion, and he has a right to post it without being told to "get real" by someone who posts a canned, tired response.
Sure, Lucas can take the franchise in any direction he wants. In the minds of an large number of people, he took it in a sappy, thinly-plotted, clumsily scripted direction, marked by brilliant special effects, uneasy scenes, mediocre editing, and some poor acting from otherwise-usually-good actors. Lucas has the freedom to do this because he knows he has a franchise that will sell no matter what; it's just too bad that he did it in this fashion. (Yes, parent, this is my opinion. You need not point that out.)
Parent's arguments are specious and scarcely relevant; mod accordingly.
Let's look at a selected history of lightsaber injuries here. First, Dooku removes one of Anakin Skywalker's hands. Then, if these pics are accurate, Anakin returns the favor by removing both of Dooku's. In Episode V, Anakin (as Vader) removes one of Luke's hands. And finally, Luke returns that favor by removing Vader's prosthetic hand.
You'd think that at this point, some Jedi genius would have come up with at least a hand guard for those goddamn things.
On a different note, I propose a caption contest for the picture of Yoda, prone on the floor with his cane several feet away. My entry is, "When nine-hundred years you reach, as many push-ups you will not be able to do."
As always with leaked pics
Some poor saps server will melt for this...
Oh, wait.
Okay -- I don't have any special inside information or anything, but I have been watching the commentary on the new Star Wars DVDs this past week, and after looking at these pictures have some thoughts to share.
Many of these pictures look to be of the type that are taken for marketing purposes, and at least one of them looks to be unfinished. Take a look at the pictures of General Grevious (sp? -- the robot with the lightsabres). All computer generated of course, with what you'd expect a lightsabre to look like. Now take a look at the shot of Darth Sideous/Anakin, in particular their sabres. Note they are just coloured poles -- no "glow". It would appear that these photos haven't gone through post processing yet, as I can't imagine Lucasfilm's marketing department releasing them that way.
This is important, as it's a vector upon which Lucasfilm will probably focus to try to track the source of the leak. Expect someone to get sacked. Some of the photos are obviously unfinished, and it won't be hard to get a list of people who have access to the originals.
Now I'm going to hypothesize about a few things here which, if correct, may turn out to be spoilers. Or they might be worth less than the electrons used to transmit this message. You've been warned. If you don't want to risk potentially reading about something that happens in the film, stop reading here.
With that out of the way, the other photos I find interesting are the ones of the Emperor in the background with Anakin and Darth Tyrannus in a lightsabre duel. It appears to be shades of Eps 6 (Return of the Jedi), with Luke facing off against Vader. In this case, however, I'm presuming that Anakin wins (looking at one photo, apparently by cutting off both Tyrannus' hands, again much like Eps. 6). Thus, it appears to be somewhat of a redux of Return of the Jedi, but with the difference that where Luke wouldn't turn towards the dark side, Anakin (obviously) did.
Which brings up a few interesting questions. Apparently Lucas is going with the whole concept that there can never be any more than two Sith at any given time -- a student and a master. And that as the student gets older, Sideous/Palpatine gets an up-and-coming Jedi to kill them off for him, becoming the new "student" in the process. This could put the whole duel in ROTJ in a new light.
It also adds some new evidence to something I've long wondered about in the prequels, having to do with Anakin being the one prophisized to "bring balance to the Force". Qui-gon, Yoda, and the other Jedi appear to have made the assumption that this can only be a positive thing. However, look at those who are the masters of the Force. There are at least a dozen (or more) Jedi, but only ever two Sith at any given time. If the Force is out of balance, it would appear to be in favour of the "light" side, in which case the imbalance is a good thing. To bring balance to the Force could entail equalizing those who are its masters. If Anakin kills Tyrannus, that leaves two Sith. And from the original trilogy, we know after Eps 3 there are only two Jedi left (Obi-wan and Yoda). Perfectly balanced.
It's good to see Kit Fisto makes another showing, at least :).
Yaz.
I have virtually no interest in science fiction or star wars or any of that cruft. I thought the first two movies (Phantom Menace? and Attack of the Clones? I think?) were okay... mediocre.
I saw the sneak preview trailer for the third movie when my gf and I were watching Meet The Fockers (great movie). The sneak preview for the third movie looked pretty damn cool, and I must say got me eager to want to see it.
Looks like a lot of cool plot unfoldings and lots of action. I remember seeing the preview trailers for the other movies and they didn't really do much for me. Here's hoping that Lucas or whoever's making them now, finally listened to the people and went back to the drawing board to develop something decent, so it doesn't turn into a mediocre Matrix trilogy flop.
Too bad they didn't get the LOTR guy to make these three movies.
"Seriously, Slashdot keeps trashing the prequels, saying you'll never see them coz they suck, yada yada yada..." They can Trash my prequels all they want as long as they buy a ticket... thats right boys and girls buy a ticket for episode III so that I can finance episode 7. My plan for conquering galaxy. Step 1: Inspire you and fill you with hopes and dreams with episodes 4,5,6 Step 2: crush your childhood memories with Episodes I and II. Step 3: give you a little hope back with episode III Step 4: Mass ritual suicide by everyone that sees episode 7 ("Star Wars VII:Revenge of the Pissed off Director/producer")
http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/general grievous/
Now, that's a bad guy with an attitude !
Doesn't mean it isn't a disgrace.
I mean, Lucas has the right to make a disgrace. So he did.
There's a clear gulf in the quality of dialogue between the first three and the most recent two. Also, in the aim of the movies. There weren't pod races thrown into the first two to tittlate the kiddies and create merchandise to sell.
The first movies tittleated without specific tangential scenes. And they sure generated plenty of merchandise to sell without going out of their way to do it.
Lucas is a hack. He has the right to be a dumbass, and he is excercising it.
But that does mean this shit doesn't stink.
I'm glad to see Lucas keeping up the tradition of having no less than 387 spaceshps in one 3-second space battle clip. Who cares if the audience can actually tell what's going on as long as they say "Wow!" it's all good.
--I'm not talking about dance lessons. I'm talking about putting a brick through the other guy's windshield.-
+3
Intel Inside. Idiot Outside.
Kinda like Jack Ryans 'canary trap' concept mentioned in a few Tom Clancy books.
I was going to make a crass joke like "leaking pictures from Revenge of the Sith is like issuing a Tsunami warning" but, you know, a couple of hundred thousand people died here, so I think it's better I don't.
I agree. I refused to see episode 2 after watching episode 1. Lucas is surrounded by Yes Men and has lost the artistic vision responsible for THX-1138 and Star Wars IV. None of his inner circle of assistants had the guts to tell him that Jar Jar Binks was a really stupid concept.
How appropriate that the first Star Wars movie worth a damn was called, "A New Hope." If you watch from Episode 1, I can see people saying, "A New Hope... hmm.. maybe there is reason to keep watching these movies. Up until now, it's been pure garbage."
I certainly won't buy a ticket to see episode 3.
$5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
As you fall more and more to the dark side it begins to physically transform you. You age and start to physically decay.
Ducu had not fallen as far as Palpatine so the effects had not occured yet.
Darth Maul was a Zabrak. The colors and shapes are tribal tatoos and ritual scarring that that race does.
I believe that we will find the following information out in RotS:
Palpatine is indeed the Emporer.
Palpatine has been using dark force powers to mask himself as a "public friendly" charactor.
Palpatine is actually wickedly old.
Remember, the Jedi's force abilities are diminished, and it would be easy for palpatine to mask himself like this. He has merely been using Dooku as a pawn to draw Anakin closer to him. Just as he tried to use Luke to "destroy" him so that he may become one with the force.
But I could be wrong.
Never argue with an idiot. They will just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
If Peter Jackson had done the Prequels..
Han: We have to get to the death star to destroy the evil empire
Luke: Oh Han, I'm so happy we're together. I Love you!
Han: I love you too, Luke. Let's embrace and hold eachother a bit too long to be straight
Luke: Allright! As long as we're together, we can do anything!
Vader: I will kill you all!
Obiwan: So much death!
argh... continue, I cannot..
The Lego cross marketing with star wars is certainly nothing new...but it usually is preceded by the movies!
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
and yet that site got slashdotted quicker than lightspeed
It got slashdotted in a mere 6.4 parsecs.
Asimov had this much to say about Star Wars : he thought it was fun. "Leave your sophistication at the door and have a thrilling ride". The films are fun movies for kids, and they don't try to be anything more.
Perhaps the films didn't present themselves as anything more but the fan base sure as hell tries to.
He was less kindly to "Close Encounters", because it tried to pose as "real sci-fi". This offended Isaac more than the campy fun of Star Wars.
A few thoughts on this...
First I will remind that I did have a basic disclaimer over the use of the words "real sci-fi". I feel that giving CEOTTK credit as a "sci-fi" film is a bit of a reach but I also feel that it's a good starting point in the discussion of real science like SETI. It's something that is, as far as we know, probable within the settings we have around us today (or some 25 years ago if you want to see it that way). So, sure, Close Encounters can't touch even a lukewarm sci-fi story but it does open questions into the ideas of ETs in our time and environment. Star Wars can not present itself in such a way, it works on pure fantasy. Good sci-fi deals with a bit of what we know and what could be.
Did he actually say "offended"? I can understand that Asimov did sci-fi as a job. Maybe his idea of entertainment wasn't being presented something that he would have to critique as a sci-fi author. Perhaps he felt it was easier to dismiss Star Wars because of it's fantasy base.
And ultimatly, and not to sound trollish but, so what? Asimov has just as much a right to shrug off Close Encounters as I do Star Wars. Being a fan of his work doesn't make me a drone to his personal tastes. This reminds me a lot of the arguement that Pearl Jam fans somehow owe something to Led Zeppelin because of the influence. Thinking in that way sooner or later we're going to owe it all to some guy beating on a hollow log with a stick.
This is like my outlook on H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft is by far my favorite writer bar none. But Lovecraft was a racist who also hated boardgames and film. I don't feel the need to embrace the same values/hobbies as Lovecraft simply because I enjoy his works. Don't think I'm throwing away my chessboard and joining The Klan anytime soon.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
"Correct you were, Obi Wan; much improvement Anakin's piloting needs. Tell me, my kidneys around here have you seen ?"
//Information does not want to be free; it wants to breed.
I predict that by midnight UMT, that jumping robot with lightsabers picture will be the desktop background image of, like, 1.4 million geeks...
Note: Jar Jar does not bother me, I don't see what the problem is with him, the problem i do see is horrible horrible acting from hayden christensen. Unbelievable(unbelievable in the sense of I can't believe he got paid for this crap), snivling, no magic with natalie portman at all, its unbearable to watch.
He did some really great work. Have you ever seen what is considered his best work, "Fire"?
Let me just say, WOW!
Please stop stalking me, bro.
That has just summed up what I think about episodes 1 and 2.
We were kids when we watched the original Star Wars episodes. We didn't expect much of a movie, and the bad animations and bad acting were not problems then. In ep. 1, we have great CG graphics and all the bad acting, but now it seems to bother us. Guess what, we're grown ups now.
I, too watched Episode 1 with my 2 nephews (5 and 6 yo at the time), and they thought it was awesome too.
People just seem to take bashing at Lucas as a sport. He did episodes 4-6 for money too, didn't he?
It's a scene from the final song and dance number in "The Empire Strikes Back Holiday Special"
Does anybody remember the "leaked" picture from RotK showing Jar Jaromir: http://bbspot.com/News/2003/01/jaromir.html?
For a nice date: Call strftime(3C)!
I'm surprised you had to go with so many foreign films. What with Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Ashton Kutcher all under the asylum of the US. How about Gigli, The Butterfly Effect, Daredevil, Pearl Harbor (a double whammy), etc, etc, etc.
Please stop stalking me, bro.
And all he can come up with to replace this potentially great lost enemy is a fucking robot with a retarded name?????
Go back to Howard the Duck you checkered shirt cheeto eating hack.
I'm curious how many people, like myself, went and checked out each and every link the parent had in it :)
Baby Geniuses *TWO*????
One wasn't bad enough???
Oh well, at least you missed the Problem Child series.
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
Why was this modded down? This is a very insightful, on-topic post. Get real, mods. Not everyone will have the same opinion as you.
"honestly it is Lucas' baby he can run it over with a truck if he wants."
There are certain laws that prohibit these acts. That is called child abuse. could we possible impose similar laws to other things? Man I hope not! It is bad enough that these rules apply to animals. Next it they might apply to computers... computer abuse... I can see it now.... Microsoft will be in a lot of trouble then.
Strangely, IMDB recommends Miller's Crossing to people who enjoyed From Justin to Kelly. I can't get my mind around that.
Just because you sold your soul to the devil that needn't make you a teetotaler. --The Devil and Daniel Webster
For your viewing pleasure.
I've fallen and I can't get up?
For you, maybe, the prequel movies are on par with the originals. But for millions of others, they simply aren't. Why do I say this? It all became clear to me when my parents watched the Episode I DVD.
To make things clear, my parents were somewhat older in 1977 as I was in 1999 (by about a decade). They saw Star Wars back then, thought it was a great movie for its time. They most certainly were not children. They did not go to see it because of their children (I never saw Star Wars in the theatre until 1997). They went because of the hype back then, because friends told them about it. And they LOVED IT.
Since then, they've seen the rest of the original trilogy in the theatre, owned LD, VHS, and now DVD versions of it. And still think the original trilogy were good movies. They're now in their 60s.
When I showed them Episode I, they hated it. They found it dull, boring, and pandering to children in a way that IV-VI never did. In fact, seeing as they now have grandchildren, you'd think they would more enjoy things like Jar-Jar, for the kids' sakes.
I've since talked to a LOT of people who were adults back in the 70s/80s, and they pretty much echo my parents' opinions.
The general negative opinion towards the prequels has nothing to do with us all having seen them back when we were kids. The prequels are, to most people I know, simply worse movies. Sure, the originals were aimed at teenagers - and thus not bad movies even for adults. But the prequels are aimed at 5-8 year olds, as far as I can tell. And that's a big difference.
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
Samuel Jackson will make an appearance as well, although you won't see him in any real duel. He just sorta gets tossed out a window. Boom, dead. No big fanfare or dramatic exit for him.
It appears to be shades of Eps 6 (Return of the Jedi), with Luke facing off against Vader. In this case, however, I'm presuming that Anakin wins (looking at one photo, apparently by cutting off both Tyrannus' hands, again much like Eps. 6).
perhaps...dooku is anakin's father? ha HA!
"I DARE you to make less sense!"
I agree. I actually enjoyed the information portrayed in the prequels. I enjoyed some of the "new" things we learned about the Jedi, the galaxy before the empire, etc. I think the movies were too fast and hopefully the DVD's will have the cut bits that will make the movie even more enjoyable. SideNote: LOTR:ROTK is MUCH, MUCH better in it's extended form. I was bored in the movies watching ROTK with Sam crying all the freaking time. Then, I saw the extended version (Yule gift), boy was that a GREAT movie.
:)
I am not a "fanboy". I don't study all aspects of the movies I watch to find errors with the plot line, story or universe of the story.
It's a movie. Did you enjoy it? I did. I look forward to E3. It will be interesting.
The ONLY things I have to bitch about would be...
o The "virgin birth" thing. That just sickened me. Oh and NO, I do not believe Jesus was a virgin birth either. (flame me if you must, I don't give a Sh*&, I won't respond to the christian freaks)
o Jar Jar was annoying.
o The actor chosen for Anakin was and is TERRIBLE. Brings the whole movie down. The other, more credible actors, keep the movie decent. Ugh! Could you PLEASE choose someone who doesn't act like the standard annoying teen with two emotions? happy and angst. I know that is part of the character but the actor did such a HORRIBLE job.
My 3 cents.
So many people are worried about George Lucas ruining thier childhoods because his latest work is not up to thier expectations. It's a horrible burden to bear. So, as my good dead for the day, I'll just ruin everyone's childhood right here and now...
.
{ahem}
.
[to the tune of "Christopher Robin"]
.
Christopher Robin and I ran along under shell-burst from our M-16's
Blowing up hephalumps, owl and eeore, for the pleasure of hearing them scream
but we've wandered much further today than we should
and Christopher's hit in the back pretty good so
.
help me if you can, I've got to get back to that rut of cold-blooded killing
you've no idea what mayhem I'd bring
burning a village for kicks
flaying the natives with sticks
ohhh, back in the trenches with Christopher Robin and Pooh.....
.
Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do, he's got napalm all over his clothes
so he came to me asking help and advice, so I shot him before he go close.
but Christopher would try to help his poor bear, so they both went up in a bright orange flare so,
.
help me if you can, I've got to get back to that rut of cold-blooded killing
you've no idea what mayhem I'd bring
burning a village for kicks
flaying the natives with sticks
ohhh back in the trenches with Christopher Robin....
watching a flare, that is Christopher Robin......
Warming my hands over Christopher Robin....
and cooking s'mores over Pooh.....
.
A goal is a dream with a deadline
I still find it a hoot that Manos The Hand of Fate's cover art on IMDB is taken directly from the MST3K box... what more can you say?
While I do agree it was probably the most honest and fair way to get the worse films I was still hoping for a Bruce Willis film in there somewhere.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
I bet some of the people thought it was for KOTOR III, not the movies. (At least I did, and I would like some company in my idiocy.)
Generally insightful, but it wouldn't really be shedding new light on the ROTJ duel, in the movie the message from the emperor to luke is 'finish him and take his place at my side'. This is just a sort of reaffirmation of what has already been the case. It in all likelihood is as you say, an identical, ritualistic practice set up as a foil to Luke's duel in ROTJ.
XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
All of the red and black shapes on Maul were indeed tattoos, but the horns are natural to his race. You can see one of his people in this add for the new game from lucas arts. It's also illustrative of the effect that the dark side of the force has on the physical body. As you can see from the artwork, choose the dark side, and your body changes, making you grayish-wrinkly ugly.
Life is hard, and the world is cruel
I've put some thought into this and I think that there are several reasons that Ep1-2 don't sit well in our (the average geeks) stomach.
The first trilogy was inovative, and while I sadly was not old enough to see any of them except VI, even I could recognize that they were something new. This might be because of Joseph Cambell being involved, or just because it was the best black vs. white epic out there, with enough backstory and depth to make it good meme material. I-II does not have this, Lucas seems to have gone for the awe factor, instead of some deep arctypcial story. Same old little stupid boy inadvertantly saves the world, think Home Alone with lightsabers, and a couple Jedi.
Then we have the fact that we geeks are inherently elitist snobs. Of course this new stuff can't be as good as our old stuff! This is especially true for Star Wars, which has been raised to some special iconic geeky stature. Hell, I would go so far as saying that Star Wars is a necissary elemen within the definition of geek, you can't be a geek unless you actually CARE that Han shot firt.
Then, as almost a corollary to my first point, is that I-II lack artistic merit. The stories lack depth, the characters don't garner much empathy, the special effects subtract from plot. They are movies where you can oooohhhh and ahhhhh at, but when you leave the theater you are left feeling somewhat empty, you didn't get anything out of it except entertainment.
Then we have the fact that most of this audience GREW UP with the originals. This is important, since media preference seems to become rather fixed with age. I still compare childrens movies to Labrynth and The Dark Crystal, and they, for the most part, don't seem to compare. I compare I-II with their older counterparts, and cannot take them on their own. This might be because of the Lucas marketing empire that surrounded us as children, teens too. But to children I-II are shiny and new, and the old ones go against what they expect in movies (due to their enviroment), flash and CG, not story (story is BORING!).
And for me personally, I generally HATE CG in movies, since it hasn't reached the level of perfection to be unobtrusive. When I watch the first 3 Alien movies, I am in awe of the special effects, so much better than what we can now spew out of our technilogical arse with computers. To me CG in movies gets this odd "Hey look its CG" reaction, which completely breaks down the fourth wall. Though LoTR did rather well with it, but even at times it was quite cheesy. For petes sake, what was wrong with muppets? Does Lucas really have to make a CG Yoda? The muppet worked quite well, and seemed more realistic to me.
Now if III comes out, and, as it might, has the mythical story arc, the depth, and slightly less happy crappy eye candy, I still doubt that your average (older) geek will like it much, since it conflicts with my second point. Nothing can compare to IV-VI, since we grew up with it, we're a bunch of elitists.
My 2c.
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
As always with leaked pics, no guarantees on accuracy.
:-P
No, because they're from a George Lucas production after all, and he'll probably break a new record as the first producer that messed things up so badly that he didn't even managed to stay true to his own universe.
Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
I don't fault the actors for their performances in the new trilogy, except perhaps Hayden Christianson. It was truly disheartening to watch the valiant effort made by Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor to bring some life to a truly abysmal script, only to be deliberately upstaged at every turn by a megalomaniac director and his hideous cgi.
The Force is out of balance BECAUSE of the Sith. The Jedi "use the Force for knowledge and defense" whereas the Sith use the Force for however they want. That's the balance that is referred to. With the Sith in existence, the Force is out of balance. Once the Sith are destroyed in ROTJ, balance is returned.
It's really got nothing to do with how many light side/dark side there are on each side.
Apparently Lucas is going with the whole concept that there can never be any more than two Sith at any given time -- a student and a master. And that as the student gets older, Sideous/Palpatine gets an up-and-coming Jedi to kill them off for him, becoming the new "student" in the process. This could put the whole duel in ROTJ in a new light.
Lucas says this straight up in the ROTJ commentary on the newly released DVD set.
Darth Vader was the "old & busted" while Luke was the "new hotness" and Palatine thought that Luke would be a much better apprentice than Vader. Especially since the emperor felt that Vader's reliance on his mechanical suit made him less useful than Luke would be.
Never confuse feeling with thinking.
How the hell could a damn droid use lightsabers? I thought there was some form of force sensativity needed (to use the terms from the RPG)? Or perhaps that is only needed to do all the whiz-bang tricks with 'em.
Hell, perhaps they injected the droid with those pesky mitichlorines, or whatever they were.
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
For some reason I speculated that perhaps Dooku was telling the truth to Obi Wan about Palpatine and that it would be later revealed that the Sith Lord and Emperor Palpatine were two different persons.
It would make sense...
After the last Civil war the sole remaining Sith Lord declared that there shall be only 2 Sith at any given time. Master and Student.
When there are more than that there is a constant struggle for power. The Sith have done more damage to themselves than the Jedi ever have.
Exactly. I would have expected Yoda to fight with a form of Aikido. I'm sure he would have if they had enlisted the services of swordmaster Bob Anderson, the foremost fight director in the business. It was his work (and doubling for Darth Vader) that gave the duels in The Empire Strikes Back their authenticity. His recent work on the LotR trilogy was stellar as always.
Unfortunately the Hong-Kong theatrical combat has become the rage ever since the success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Anderson is only fight director resisting this trend, even when it is hideously inappropriate.
I would think the latter is probably the case. You probably need the Force to be able to make a lightsabre useful in combat against blasters (if you're a humanoid at least).
But let's not forget -- Han Solo used Luke's lightsabre in Empire Strikes Back to open the stomach of his tauntaun, and Han certainly isn't a Jedi.
Yaz.
Dammit you ruined it!, I was trying to avoid finding out who won the election for 4 years so that under uncertainty theory the result would just remain unknown uintil we had a new president.
They fired a guy for having an idea (drives for caching images)? Gee, sounds like they invalidated their informal corporate mottoe "Don't be evil"
http://www.google.com/governance/conduct.html
To tie it into the first trilogy.
One or two tie ins are nice. But when the entire movie is a tie in, it tells me you're afraid to hang your ass out on the line (like you did with the first trilogy) and take the risk. Either that, or the technology isn't holding back your "original" vision, and we're seeing just what kind of crap that original trilogy could have been had you waited until now to make it.
Sounds like you've had kids, Georgie, and you're trying to be a good grandpa. This isn't the series you're trying to fumble though. You can go back to your business of leeching royalties on that ranch of yours.
Move along. Move along.
The Unedited original 1977 version was released on Laser Disc.. Start Checking Ebay and you should be able to come up with a Player and a disc set..
And I thought "Jagr" when I saw this name, and started getting wistful for Hockey Night. And depressed, since there will be no NHL season this year.
Thanks for the memories, fucker.
--- The American Way of Life is not a birthright. Hell, it's not even sustainable.
I'm still waiting for the last-minute name change to "Return of the Sith".
(If you got that, you're older than I am.)
"Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
Me: "Spelling Nazi's. I hate Spelling Nazi's. "
You: "Gruppenfuhrer, get that cars license plate number. We're gonna kill that son of a bitch."
Helevius
1. Is that robot thing with the blue and green lightsabers the same one from the clone wars cartoon?
2. Palpatine and Darth Sidious look like two different people. I thought they were the same. Does Palpatine replace Sidious or does Sidious become the Emperor?
You're exactly right about the duel being an audition to be an apprentice: both in 3 and 6. However, don't forget that Vader was also trying to betray the Emperor way back in Empire when he asked Luke to be his apprentice. SO, when the time comes, either the Master gets a new apprentice by killing off the old one or the apprentice becomes the master (a shade of the line from epidsode 4!!)
But, I think you're off with your balance of the force explaination. I don't think it's a numerical balance but a balance of power. A true jedi does not seek power, and when one does, it throws the balance off. Anakin DID bring balance to the force: not by dwindling the number of Jedi, but by killing the Emperor. Not only did Anakin redeem himself in this act, but he brought balance back to the Force by removing the source of the imbalance and cleansing himself of the imbalance.
News flash: Slashdot has multiple users, capable of holding seperate opinions.
It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
I thought ALL the star wars movies were great, and cant wait till the next comes out, I loved ep 4,5, and 6 when they came out, i loved 1 and 2 when they came out, and i will LOVE ep 3. If you bunch of whiners are going to constantly complain, here's a hint DONT GO SEE THE MOVIE, leave more room for me and my kids to go, i am taking the day off work, just to go see ep 3 when it comes out. Shesh!!! Lucas IS star wars, if he decides to put JAR JAR in there then guess what HE CREATED IT, HE CAN DO IT, AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Except of course dont go see the dern movie. Man I thought my 4 kids did alot of whining!!!!!!!
My contact lenses somewhere around here left them did I.
Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
that the pic is supposed to be superimposed over some sort of neato sci-fi background. And the sabers should be glowing. It could also, since it is a leaked pic, be a reject.
ONKBIOAOMKYK (One never knows, but if one asks, one might know. You know?)
Please stop stalking me, bro.
Remember, it's before they add the CG. ... ... .. .. ..
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(I'm kidding)
Please stop stalking me, bro.
Well, Tolkein's books were heavily influenced by his experiences in WWI. Warfare encourages camaraderie.
WHAT WOULD A COWARD KNOW OF WAR!!!!
Please stop stalking me, bro.
...does not an argument make.
You're using her as bait, Master!
Is it me, or is Lucas ripping off the robot design from the Ratchet and Clank games? Or maybe it's the other way around?
Try here to get a copy from the Coral network.
--
Long-term effects of Bush deficits
...to a post about Natalie Portman and not one refrence to "Hot Grits"? You guys are slipping...
You're using her as bait, Master!
Star Wars is STUPID.
The original trilogy was okay, when we were KIDS. Get over it. The new Star Wars movies are nothing but poorly written trash aimed at pre-teens. George Lucas is a money-sucking faggit and you nerds continue to blow your money on his pathetic movies.
And this is Slashdot, we're supposed to have the RIAA and MPAA, why do you continue to support those who want to control the Internet.
Tolkien, along with about six of his best friends fought in WWI, only two of them surviving.
Tolkien wasn't a coward.
So are you talking about you? Are you admitting you don't know whether that is true because you are a coward?
Naked and petrified not being mentioned is even more depressing. Too bad she looks like my sister.
*I don't remember the exact words. Nor am I sure I know how to spell any of the names.
Instead of drooling over still from a movie that will (in all likelihood) suck, go play Knights of the Old Republic. The first one, to be honest, was better than 3 of the 5 Star War movies. It had an engaging storyline, an awesome twist, you got to choose light side or dark side, you were a Jedi, turn-based combat, force powers, etc, etc. You were _in_ the movie. Utterly amazing.
The first one's about $15-$20 these days (for Xbox or PC), and the second one will be out shortly on the PC. (Both are equally worth it - deep RPGs in the Star Wars universe, with tons of cutscenes, moral dilemnas, and a lot more)
"Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
Thank you.
This is going to sound bad, but I don't care I feel better when I admit err.
I hadn't even thought of her being raped. I was in the "mode" of thinking about the "StarWars" prophecy of Anakin. So, my mind didn't even think of the rape possibility. It is plausible, not necessarily fitting within the storyline, per se, but it could be who knows.
In any event, thank you for that thought.
~G
...just to wait for global warming?
But according to the RPG, he was force senstive, hence he prowess with the turrent on the MF.
Lord I'm a geek. I'm using an RPG to back up a comment on Starwars... I'm going back to my basement now.
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. -edward abbey
Don't let a few slashdotters give you a bad impression of our community as a whole. When you consider how many visit this site daily and how many accounts there are, all the whining and complaining you see is only a small fraction of this community's voice. We're not all the same. Some are more vocal than others, mind you. But that hardly constitutes group think. For every whiner, there are 20 more who are interested.
"He's far from alone in his opinion, and he has a right to post it without being told to "get real" by someone who posts a canned, tired response." --charlesbakerharris
So people have a right to voice their opinion without anyone else having the right to disagree with said opinion? And you are somehow not ignorant how?
get real, buddy.
Hello. 25/F here - just trying to sort through the mess that is Slashdot. I would appreciate if it someone purchased me a subscription to Slashdot. Thank you.
Liberal Nazi: Or Is That Nazi Liberal? Tue Dec 14, '04 10:51 AM [ Add Friend | 8 Comments | #92896 ] User Journal
It would appear that a certain Slashdot user who really enjoys bashing President Bush has an affection for Adolf Hitler. Obviously, this was meant to be posted anonymously but someone forget to hit that checkbox. It's a shame when liberals are shown for their true colors.
It's really disgusting the way some people behave.
*sniff*...read my post...*snuffle*...and the title...*hic*...and look at your name.
Dude, it's a joke. I, in fact, agree with you, Sir Coward.
Please stop stalking me, bro.
I just saw "Return of the Jedi" again this weekend since it originally came out. It definitely wasn't the movie that I remember.
At least I always hated the Star Trek franchise, especially the tv shows.
(ducks)
its GREEDO.. repeat after me.. GREEE-DO
now go to your room.
suchetha
and Han Shot First
learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow, party tonight
or one out of three ain't bad
"Return of the Sith"?
- Tjp
I am in wallow with my inner money grubbing capitalistic pig. ... Oink!
Reminds me of Maddox
Star Wars has always been good for two things: (1) providing employment to midgets & dwarves and (2) showcasing an array of severed limbs (more blood = better film, too, it would seem). A solid and equal mix of midgets and gore is the key to a satisfying adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Allow me to demonstrate.
EPISODE 1 only featured one good severing as I recall (Darth Maul), but it was misplaced. In an alternate universe, the Frog Man gets it, too, squirting slimy fluids in slow motion for at least five minutes of the film. The fans of that universe are happy fans. Jedi Master Ponytail's end in OUR universe, however, is probably the ONLY gore moment in this film with any weight. Plus, unless you consider children in the same pool as midgets-- and I don't-- Episode 1 was sorely lacking in real non-CG midgets aside from the Willow cameo. A severed CHILD might have put this film back on track, but alas...
EPISODE 2 had at least 1 severed limb obviously, but no real gore. And the midgets were few and far between. Some rock solid beheadings, but of the rated-G variety. Okay, well, yeah, Klieg's (sp?) sporting a cool stump (too broke to afford a robo peg leg, apparently). And Momma Vader's pretty busted up. Yeah, and I suppose the beheading of Jango is okay, but the beheading of 3PO as fodder for comedic levity is lame. Above all, however, the midget vacuum is obvious & tragic.
EPISODE 3 has at least two confirmed severed limbs. That's a good sign. The midget factor remains to be seen, however. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Jack Pervis. You're my only hope.
EPISODE 4: bloody cantina limb, 3PO loses a limb, Chewie (in a roundabout way) threatens to rip out limbs, Ben gets cut in half, we get not one but TWO smoldering skeletons (still waiting on the inevitable post-autopsy Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru playset, by the way)... plus, this picture is swarming with employment opportunities for the height-challenged to don weird-ass constumes. PLUS Han says "hell." DING, DING! Sounds like a classic!
EPISODE 5: Bloody clawing, belly-slicing, de-limbing of wampa (in slow motion!), beheading (in slow motion!), excellent loss of a hand shortly after a series of metal crates to the spine & head, 3PO gets his head and ALL of his limbs severed... Han says "hell" again and MEANS it... and best of all, we get to see midgets aplenty as nightmarish Mickey Rooney-type pig people. PLUS we get a swearing robot (F-U2?). Rock on! DING, DING! Another winner!
EPISODE 6: Their heart was in the right place, but squirrel people are nowhere near as cool as pig people, no matter how many you try to throw at us. The midget factor is so out of control and out of whack in relation to the level of gore here that it has warped the scale. It fact, there's no gore at all, really, beyond a laser-fried hand and some head scabs. Don't CHOKE him, Leia! For our sake, stab him repeatedly with one of those dime-a-dozen vibroaxes, why don't ya? The gate smash and lost limb are very rated-G, too. No, thank you.
Peter Jackson was wise to study these films beforehand and use the gore/midget equation I've outlined here to his advantage.
There are six wings..
:)
They're clearly "Sex-Wing" fighters.
I love how the Star Wars books took the universe in different directions.
For all the rah-rah and carry on about the rise of independant media, there still just isn't much competition movie-wise. I'd LOVE to see a credible movie in the Star Wars universe from someone other than Lucas.
Let's face it, Lucas couldn't really do much about it as long as the movie doesn't use a few trademarked keywords. If he decided to sue, he would be publically castigated among Star Wars fans and it's the kind of case that the ACLU would probably salivate over.
I agree wholeheartedly with anyone who thinks the first two prequels sucked. There is nothing more disappointing than having an icon of your childhood tarnished by it's egomaniac creator. Lucas is so deemed because only an egomaniac would put his personal political views ahead of a 100% consensus fan base disagreement over his decision to fundamentally alter Han Solo's character development by making Greedo shoot first.
Lucas needs more criticism. I would have liked to have seen Saturday night live do some skits putting Yoda into a washer/dryer to agitate the load, make Jar Jar Binks a pimp or drug dealer, etc.
The third movie will suck.
I find this amusing: people actually believe the "Episode IV" in the title of the original movie was meant to be taken seriously. Like as if it was already all in the mind of the creator, and he was already planning some 20 years down the road to make the lame prequels in all computer graphics glory. Of course, we know what Lucas wanted -- and succeeded -- with SW and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was to relive the old adventurous theatrical series from the 30's and 40's. If SW "Episode IV" didn't make a ton of cash, there would be no sequels nor prequels. And Lucas would be best remembered for that weird scifi movie from the 70's. The same is true for Matrix. Or Back to the Future...
The "Episode IV" was there just to set the mood and to best emulate the feel of continuation from the old cinema series...
I don't feel like it...
Let's not forget his incredible piloting skills too... :)
Informative?!?!?! WTF is that?!?!
When I first saw this, I thought, hmmm, cool. These look awesome. Next, I get home and look a second time and thinks yeah, these are neat, but there is something weird about them.
Ah HA! I got it! I have seen most of these pics before. Yet they were in actual videos that I have seen. That's right, They are from a trailer actually. The pics from the duel and space battle scene are from the Episode III game trailer. Notice have the people look animated? here here and here and the space battle.
Here is the game trailer
Some pics may be legit, but mostly, they aren't. But the game trailer does seem to give a little too much of the movie away.
Never argue with an idiot. They will just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Don't forget this instant classic!
Slightly off topic (mod me down... whatever)
David Brin (author or the Uplift Series, The Postman, etc...) has put together an interesting review of episode II. Particularly noteworthy are his ideas regarding how to save the whole storyline from its current debacle.
I don't believe Sam Jackson goes out like that.
He said on Conan that he told Lucas he would only be in Star Wars if he doesn't go out "like some suckah" He said that his character was going to die, but it would be a glorious death. Also, we were told we would see Mace's dark-leaning lightsaber style.
Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.