DEAD to Rights

I went to DEADPOOL the other night. Had to see the late movie, because (inexplicably) the early show had sold out. I don't know why it was so popular when, in comparison, I barely had to line up to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which I saw twice in it's opening week. I am, furthermore, unclear in understanding why it's being sold out even occurred. Until the buzz was first initiated a year or so ago, I'd never even heard of Deadpool, and comprehend why he's so popular. Thankfully, Tuesday night, I had friends who were flexible enough to trade in their tickets for the later show. Overall, it was an okay movie. It was humorous in places, I'll admit, but feel it never warranted the laugh-out-loud hysteria that surrounded me. I smiled and chuckled in a couple places, but never flew off the handle like my cohorts or the crowd around me, who were laughing insanely. In my opinion, Deadpool is simply a movie where RYAN REYNOLDS is the smart-ass that he always is in every other movie he appears in, the only difference being that there's a lot more fucks in his vocabulary. The cursing, however, is purely for shock value and not intricately placed within the dialogue for emphasis, as any swearologist would do. I'm all for swearing and anyone who either knows me or has read this blog before, knows that I rarely shy away from cursing and swearing, but god damn it, doing it without rhyme or reason, simply because you can do it, isn't a legitimate reason in my book. I believe that if anyone else had starred as Deadpool, other than Reynolds, the movie might have registered stronger in my eyes, but as it stands...  The story was weak. The plot, weaker, and can't understand why anyone with half a clue, would walk out of the movie saying "It was fucking awesome!" because, tt really wasn't. I'm curious as to what established critics are saying about this film. I can't imagine anything good is being reported. Not by anyone respectable, anyway. So if you haven't seen the movie, I'd say don't bother. Save your two hours for something more interesting like clipping your toe nails or something. If you do go see it and I know most will, then that's your fault. Have a nice day! I'm going to go read how this dreadful movie is getting raked over the coals.

Breathless

STAR WARS: The Force Awakens, is probably the most highly anticipated film of this century.  The hype for this movie has been steadily building since it was announced that it was going into production.  The excitement really hit it's pinnacle in the past couple of months, as the stars have begun promoting the film.  Everyone has caught a scorching case of Star Wars Fever, for which there is no cure, but a $12 movie ticket.  I'm not usually one to get all caught up in the excitement, like this, but I have to admit that I was infected, too.  So when the opportunity arose to attend the very first showing, the day before the official movie release, I leaped at the chance.

I promise to not reveal any SPOILERS, in this blog entry, except that which is the obvious.  This film is F*CKING SPECTACULAR!!  For me, personally, it meant so much more than just another chapter in a story of science fiction. It was a revisit to a younger, happier self that was long lost to the annuls of time.

Last night I listened to a podcast where Kevin Smith describes the overwhelming experience he had when Star Wars VII director, JJ Abrams invited him to the set at the Pinewood Studios in Great Britain.  Smith describes walking onto the set, which was by his estimate, about three football fields in size, and the entire area was decked out with practical scenery.  Everything was actually built, all the buildings were real.  Smith remarked that he walked up to one of the central structures and knocked his fist against it, smiling that he would remember months later when he'd watch the film, that he had knocked on that wall.

Smith had arrived just in time to witness the filming of one of the movie's epic battle scenes.  He stood with JJ Abrams watching the carefully choreographed action unfold on eight video screens.  Smith comments in his podcast, the irony of literally being a stones throw away from his childhood heroes and watching all the action on video monitors.

After calling "CUT!" and ending the scene, JJ engaged in pleasantries with the Clerks director, before asking his assistant if she'd taken Kevin to Studio M, yet.  She said she hadn't and the two were immediately dispatched to do so..  Smith's description after this is what I identified with the most.  He walked into the dark studio, not knowing what to expect and in an instant, the lights come on and he sees "her".  It's the Millennium Falcon.

From working in the movie industry for over twenty years, Kevin admitted a little bias, knowing how sets can appear to be real, even though most are just artificial facades propped up from behind.  It was when he was invited to actually step aboard the Falcon, is when he realizes that Abrams had an actual Millennium Falcon.  With every step he took, he reverted back to his youth, finally stopping on that seven year old who sat in the theater with his family and looked upon those infamous words: A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.  Kevin admitted that he was overwhelmed with joy, so much that he was moved to tears.

I had a similar experience from the moment the dark theater lit up with those epic words written in gold: STAR WARS Episode VII.  Although, I wasn't overwhelmed to the point of crying, I did recognize the significance of what I was witnessing.  I knew from that point forward, I wasn't just watching a movie.  I was experiencing a historic moment.  My eyes were among a sliver of those who had ever watched the film.  I was completely and fully invested.  In fact, so excited, was I, that I never actually read any of the words scrolling across the screen.  I was, instead, lost in the magic of STAR WARS.  By the time I saw the first stormtrooper walk into the scene, I was that little boy again, staring up at the screen, in awe.

It goes without saying, this is a MUST SEE movie.  Everyone will experience it differently.  Some will laugh and applaud.  Some may be moved to tears, just as Kevin Smith was on the day he visited the set.  Some may simply experience the movie.  STAR WARS has meant something different to everyone throughout the last thirty-eight years, and it's nice to see that it will continue to do so for another thirty-eight years.

HAGGARD: 19 Years of Hard Living

With every breath that is expelled, we draw closer to the release date of this decade's most anticipated motion picture, STAR WARS: The Force Awakens.  The masses are overwhelmed with excitement and panic.  What if it doesn't live up to the six predecessors?  What if it sucks?  I can say with good faith, that with director J.J. Abrams at the helm, the seventh chapter of the Star Wars saga, will be legen... wait for it...... dary!!

I'm sure that many are doing exactly what I've been doing over the past week, which is watching the first Star Wars movies in succession.  I have the first three securely under my belt.  This time around, I'm not making the mistake that I've done in the past, which was to watch all six back-to-back-to-back.  Dedicating an entire day to watching all movies.  For someone who's as critical as I am, this is a huge mistake.  There are so many holes in the first three movies, which creator George Lucas filmed decades after the fourth, fifth and sixth "episodes", that enjoying them purely for entertainment is impossible.  Timelines don't match up, nor do some B-story lines, not to mention the poor execution of casting.  The last, which I just noticed on this most recent pass on Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

The close of Episode III shows Anakin Skywalkers bride, Padme, giving birth to twins, Luke and Leia.  For increased safety from the Sith, the children are separated, to be raised apart.  Obi Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor), is instructed by Yoda to place Skywalker's son, Luke with his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen, on Tattoine.  There, Kenobi volunteers to live in solitude, while keeping a watchful eye over young Luke, as he matures.

A dry climate, two suns looming overhead and sand getting into everything, life on Tattoine must be rough.  The added stress must expedite the aging process.  In Episode IV: A New Hope, the estimated age of Luke is about nineteen years old.  Actor Mark Hamill exuded all the traits of a frustrated and rebellious young Luke Skywalker, but the years weren't so kind to Obi Wan or Skywalker's aunt and uncle.

Nineteen years on Tattoine will add about fifty years to your complexion.  By the time the rebellion is roaring in it's infinite glory, Obi Wan is a decrepit old man, barely able to walk, though he's still pretty handy with a light saber and still young enough to engage in one more adventure across the galaxy.  As for Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, the years had left them weak and feeble, and no match for the Imperial Stormtroopers when they came a callin' in search of those two troublesome droids.

Of course, STAR WARS: A New Hope was released in 1977, when Ewan McGregor was just six years old.  Getting an acclaimed actor like Sir Alec Guiness to star in a little know film called, "Star Wars", was a huge catch for George Lucas, who like the studio helping to produce the movie, never knew what a Goliath the franchise would eventually become.  I'm sure that Lucas had no comprehension of a sequel, at that time, let alone two trilogies telling this confusing story.

Reports and speculation on the new flick are coming out in droves as the release date draws closer.  December 18th, next Friday, all theories and speculations will be answered, and hopefully, with fingers crossed.  Like I stated before, I have complete faith in J.J. Abrams and I'm sure this installment of Star Wars will being larger than life.  My only real concern is Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.  It is set to open on the same day, offering up some real competition to Han Solo, Chewbacca and the rest of the gang.  I'm curious as to who will take the Box Office record, this weekend...?