Again, not anywhere 3 years after watching Episode V, I was able to watch Episode VI. Lucky me! In fact, straight after watching Episode V we started on Episode VI... But not the whole thing. It turned out we watched maybe a third of it though. For the proper showing of Episode VI I asked to go back to the start of the movie - my brain works better with completes. Like the other two, I'm assuming everyone reading has either seen it, or has a really good idea of what happens. So, some points:
The big 'reveal' stunned me. Simpsons, you have failed me! I had no idea about the familial relationship (no, I'm not going to give it away for any 'under-the-rock' people like myself). My jaw dropped. Of course it makes sense, but still! Plus, getting to meet more well-known characters (while saying goodbye to some) helped the Star Wars experience feel more complete.
The music was, again, fabulous. This time as we watched we were pointing out sources, which included Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev and Stravinsky. Excellent stuff. (Yes, I like the Russians).
I do like the variety of settings. So few movies these days involve such scope, tending to sit in one city, or a city and countryside. None of this multiple planets thing. From a reviewer's point of view, this makes it a little more awkward in remembering just how we got from one planet to the next. Yes, I was trying to be more sociable in these viewings, not pausing the movie to write down any notes.
The whole Jabba bit had me giggling. And a bit horrified, but mostly giggling. Jabba is such a cliche of a pimp! Big and lazy and overtly wealthy and powerful. Minions who are well-trained and willing to do his bidding. Constantly shifting boundaries - what he wants, what is acceptable, how much he will allow. And, of course, the stereotype of having a sex slave. This is when I finally realised why all these boys are so in love with Princess Leia. At first I thought it must be because of her apparent absence of any undergarments (in Episode IV). But the harem/bikini thing certainly cleared up that little mystery. And, I guess, as she's practically the only female and quite gorgeous and willing to do her bit, that would help too.
Princess Leia's hair is stunning. This has been quite a theme - and one that started long before I ever saw a Star Wars movie. If the plot ever tires, I start working out just how those hairstyles are done. It's not as complicated in this episode, but the first 2... I admit - this is partly from a long-standing fascination with hairstyles on my part, and partly from my rocking the Princess Leia/German milkmaid look as a 5-yr-old. I remember tantrums... (Sorry mum. You did a great job!).
Again, it's fun spotting all the sources of future popular culture references. This one was huge though! Such a big portion of it was practically The Incredibles. Love it. A few others were apparent, too, but that was so, so obvious. It's like The Incredibles have wondered, "What's a great adventure movie" and come up with this one. They haven't even tried to be discreet - similar uniforms for the guards, the entrance to the place, the forest, the ride through the trees (so exciting!) - it's all there!
I have a feeling the next I'll see is Episode II. I've seen a review (very entertaining!) of Episode I, and it doesn't inspire me. So I'll be doing 'machete order' - 4, 5, 6, 2, 3, 1.
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Movie #33 - Star Wars Episode V
Unlike those poor folk a few decades ago, I didn't have to wait 3 years between movie releases. After watching Star Wars (Episode IV), I only had to wait about 10 days before Episode V. There are benefits of being the last person in the world to watch a series.
Again, I'm assuming everyone who might read this has either seen the movie, or at least knows the basics thanks to pop culture references. I was a little underwhelmed with the big revelation of this episode. Not the revelation itself (although it wasn't a surprise - thank you, The Simpsons), but its delivery. Something so huge delivered so simply. Although I guess it could have been totally overblown and then lost its import, so knowing hardly anything about making movies, I guess I'll leave that one alone. There were quite a few questions after Episode IV. These included things like, when are we going to find out all those things I already know but have to pretend I don't already know? And when are we going to meet those characters I'm pretty sure are Star Wars characters but haven't appeared just yet?
The plot had that good old adventure theme, with a spot of damsel-in-distress - which sounds like it could be so outdated, but so not. Who doesn't like a good adventure?! Good versus bad. Personal journey. Looking past your past and living your own life regardless of expectations. All those universal themes, really, it's just that they happen to be set in an alternate, space-y universe.
The stand-out feature of this movie, though, was the music. Amazing. From the beginning it hit me - this is stunning! Not just ripping themes, but used operatically. Sometimes movie music is so subtle you can't notice it - and sometimes that's what you want, a soundtrack that doesn't overpower the movie. Sometimes the music is so annoying it detracts from everything else, or is so derivative that I spend my time thinking "oh that's from movie X... ooh quote from movie Y" etc. So satisfying here, though, that I had thoughts like "Oh, nice leitmotif usage there... BASS!!" Even better - having the urge to listen to Prokofiev symphonies a couple of days later, and thinking for a moment that I was listening to the Star Wars soundtrack (about 12 minutes into the 1st movement of Symphony 2, if you're interested).
Having to wait a bit for Episode VI... I'm so impatient! But now I just want to get them all seen, have the series complete. Yeah, you know what I'm like.
Again, I'm assuming everyone who might read this has either seen the movie, or at least knows the basics thanks to pop culture references. I was a little underwhelmed with the big revelation of this episode. Not the revelation itself (although it wasn't a surprise - thank you, The Simpsons), but its delivery. Something so huge delivered so simply. Although I guess it could have been totally overblown and then lost its import, so knowing hardly anything about making movies, I guess I'll leave that one alone. There were quite a few questions after Episode IV. These included things like, when are we going to find out all those things I already know but have to pretend I don't already know? And when are we going to meet those characters I'm pretty sure are Star Wars characters but haven't appeared just yet?
The plot had that good old adventure theme, with a spot of damsel-in-distress - which sounds like it could be so outdated, but so not. Who doesn't like a good adventure?! Good versus bad. Personal journey. Looking past your past and living your own life regardless of expectations. All those universal themes, really, it's just that they happen to be set in an alternate, space-y universe.
The stand-out feature of this movie, though, was the music. Amazing. From the beginning it hit me - this is stunning! Not just ripping themes, but used operatically. Sometimes movie music is so subtle you can't notice it - and sometimes that's what you want, a soundtrack that doesn't overpower the movie. Sometimes the music is so annoying it detracts from everything else, or is so derivative that I spend my time thinking "oh that's from movie X... ooh quote from movie Y" etc. So satisfying here, though, that I had thoughts like "Oh, nice leitmotif usage there... BASS!!" Even better - having the urge to listen to Prokofiev symphonies a couple of days later, and thinking for a moment that I was listening to the Star Wars soundtrack (about 12 minutes into the 1st movement of Symphony 2, if you're interested).
Having to wait a bit for Episode VI... I'm so impatient! But now I just want to get them all seen, have the series complete. Yeah, you know what I'm like.
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Movie #32 - Star Wars
A couple of weeks ago, I watched Star Wars for the first time. One friend is adamant that I've seen this before. I maintain that if I fall asleep in the first scene of a movie and have no recollection of the rest of the movie, that doesn't count as having seen it. This wasn't even my second attempt - it was at least the 3rd. I'm not sure why I was so resistant to seeing this until now. That said, a lot of it wasn't really new, thanks to The Simpsons and countless other references in popular culture. Some things that would have been such a question mark when it first came out were no mystery at all.
I have a friend who really wanted me to see Star Wars. It was only a matter of time before I caved. That, and the promise of dinner. I was advised to watch this with the mind of a 7-year-old boy, forgetting all the movies and the advances in movie technology that have occurred since 1977. That might sound really weird, but it worked. I stayed awake for the whole movie!
One of the aspects I found off-putting before was the unknown. The whole space ship thing is just not for me. Determined to stay awake this time, though, meant I made it to the Tunisian planet, and more familiar (just) territory. And by then, there was enough character development and storyline happening that I wanted to see what happened next. And to find out when the whole Luke/Darth Vader thing happened, and all that jazz. And I got used to the weird creatures.
I'm going to assume that most people have already seen this, so I won't go into plot intricacies and such. A few things I enjoyed:
Well, intricate plots. It's simple enough on the surface, but enough going on that you don't get bored. And a whole lot of different characters to remember and follow.
As mentioned before, finding out the origin of all those references in popular culture.
The Shakespearean element - I almost expected a 'poor Yorick' moment or something similar from C-3PO.
Seeing all these actors much younger!
Music. It's so good! Really full, and dramatic, and a part of the movie instead of being a flimsy add-on. Not to mention the bonus effect of full symphony in context. Rather different from many of my experiences (think, 10-yr-old boy who begs to learn how to play it on the violin...).
I cheated - I got to see Episode V only a week or so later. Nothing like the 3 years between releases. More on that, soon.
I have a friend who really wanted me to see Star Wars. It was only a matter of time before I caved. That, and the promise of dinner. I was advised to watch this with the mind of a 7-year-old boy, forgetting all the movies and the advances in movie technology that have occurred since 1977. That might sound really weird, but it worked. I stayed awake for the whole movie!
One of the aspects I found off-putting before was the unknown. The whole space ship thing is just not for me. Determined to stay awake this time, though, meant I made it to the Tunisian planet, and more familiar (just) territory. And by then, there was enough character development and storyline happening that I wanted to see what happened next. And to find out when the whole Luke/Darth Vader thing happened, and all that jazz. And I got used to the weird creatures.
I'm going to assume that most people have already seen this, so I won't go into plot intricacies and such. A few things I enjoyed:
Well, intricate plots. It's simple enough on the surface, but enough going on that you don't get bored. And a whole lot of different characters to remember and follow.
As mentioned before, finding out the origin of all those references in popular culture.
The Shakespearean element - I almost expected a 'poor Yorick' moment or something similar from C-3PO.
Seeing all these actors much younger!
Music. It's so good! Really full, and dramatic, and a part of the movie instead of being a flimsy add-on. Not to mention the bonus effect of full symphony in context. Rather different from many of my experiences (think, 10-yr-old boy who begs to learn how to play it on the violin...).
I cheated - I got to see Episode V only a week or so later. Nothing like the 3 years between releases. More on that, soon.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Running Over Bridges
It's been a while since I've changed my running route. Last term was not my greatest for fitness, and I generally kept to my river runs. I have a new running route in mind - but, with the heat, and my parents staying, today was not the day for this new route. Instead, I added some bridges. Brisbane is not short on bridges.
My plan was to run to the Go Between, cross the Go Between, run along to the Kurilpa Bridge, cross the Kurilpa, and come back along the bike path. All was going well, until I realised (about halfway across the Kurilpa) that I couldn't envisage how to get from the end of that bridge back down to the bike path. Instead, I retraced my steps, making the whole run a little longer (about 10.5km).
Leaving as the sun was nearing the horizon, a blazing ball of fire in a smoky sky, the jacarandas bright in the fading light, the river smooth; seeing the river from above, stretching out in both directions; returning as the sky is nearing indigo and the air cooling - I love running.
Also, as I haven't been able to do longer runs recently, I have been trying to run faster. I'm not sure it's actually been faster running, but I feel like I'm doing more work. And it's still having the mental health benefits, so that's a plus. On my way back (not great signage around that part between GBB and Kurilpa), I also realised that bridges are great for incorporating a bit more inclined running. Short of running up a mountain (which I intend to do quite a few more times), bridges have that extra bit of upward-ness that make your legs work a bit harder (with a great view to boot), and break up the monotony. And as my next running goal is rather hilly, this is a good start.
Today's photo:
The gig today was in the Roma St Parklands. It took forever to find the Sunset Glade (no maps handy - thanks, Roma St). In the process of wandering the gardens, I came across a Star Wars party. My first thought was that this was a wedding party gone to extremes. Then I found a whole lawn full of costumed people. If it was a wedding, it wasn't the wedding at which I was playing!
My plan was to run to the Go Between, cross the Go Between, run along to the Kurilpa Bridge, cross the Kurilpa, and come back along the bike path. All was going well, until I realised (about halfway across the Kurilpa) that I couldn't envisage how to get from the end of that bridge back down to the bike path. Instead, I retraced my steps, making the whole run a little longer (about 10.5km).
Leaving as the sun was nearing the horizon, a blazing ball of fire in a smoky sky, the jacarandas bright in the fading light, the river smooth; seeing the river from above, stretching out in both directions; returning as the sky is nearing indigo and the air cooling - I love running.
Also, as I haven't been able to do longer runs recently, I have been trying to run faster. I'm not sure it's actually been faster running, but I feel like I'm doing more work. And it's still having the mental health benefits, so that's a plus. On my way back (not great signage around that part between GBB and Kurilpa), I also realised that bridges are great for incorporating a bit more inclined running. Short of running up a mountain (which I intend to do quite a few more times), bridges have that extra bit of upward-ness that make your legs work a bit harder (with a great view to boot), and break up the monotony. And as my next running goal is rather hilly, this is a good start.
Today's photo:
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