Red Five

Check out my Star Wars Mashup!

Posted by Roger at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The version of the trailer at starwars.com has better quality.

I think it looks awesome. I'm interested to know exactly what ground the series is going to cover... from the scenes shown in the trailer, it appears to include a lot of the same stuff as the original cartoon (Obi-Wan in clone gear, Asajj Ventress) so is it new material interlineated with the old stuff? A visual revisiting of the original cartoon? It can't really be a "sequel" since the cartoon ended right where Revenge of the Sith picks up, and it there isn't much room for "prequel" since the cartoon picked up right after Attack of the Clones. Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see, in 2008!

Posted by Roger at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is an awesome tribute to the lightsaber duels throughout the entire sage:

And don't miss this site:
Leia's Metal Bikini
In case you want to learn how to build your own gold bikini or learn the official belly dance.

Posted by Roger at 02:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With Celebration IV kicking off this week, and with the official 30th Anniversay just around the corner, there is a lot of Star Wars buzz out and about:

Anakin Skywalker: Borderline Personality, Bipolar or Narcissist?
Ultimate Star Wars Fanboy Stashes a Galaxy of Cool Collectibles
30 Most Memorable ‘Star Wars’ Quotes
Empire's 30 Star Wars Anniversary Covers

Posted by Roger at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are the changes I would have made to C-3PO's story in the PT:

1. When we first meet him, he is just an anonymous protocol droid serving in the Senate delegation from Naboo (under Palpatine). This would be a nice parallel to R2's origins, and it would allow us to see him "in action."
2. As a corollary to #1, give him something to do! In the OT, he's translating and interfacing between people. And in doing so, there is the natural chance for some comic relief. In the PT, he doesn't have anything "to do," so attempts at comic relief are forced upon him.
3. Also, if he is the translator for Naboo senators, that would allow for his friendship with R2 to mature organically, since R2 is Padme's (then Anakin's) droid.
4. No head-swapping-battle-droid crap.

I also wish there were a way around the whole "memory erase" thing, but I'm afraid there is not. I really like the idea of R2 and 3PO meeting on Coruscant for the first time (after Queen Amidala flees Naboo), and then remaining friends until the end. But, I can't think of anyway to have him actively participate in the PT and keep any measure of plausibility and character in the OT unless he gets "rebooted."

Posted by Roger at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I had never heard of this outlet before (not like that means anything), but apparently it is an Indian financial newspaper. So it's not surprising that they would publish a story on management tips, but it is surprising that they would use Star Wars as their source:

8 management lessons from Star Wars

My favorite:

Thus, Obi Wan Kenobi’s relationship with Anakin Skywalker is an example of Suicidally Comprehensive Mentoring, where he teaches him everything, including very poor dress sense. The relationship to emulate is the one between the Emperor and Darth Vader, where the boss keeps his junior pretty much in the dark, and periodically administers severe electric shocks.

Also:

Throughout the Star Wars series, members of the Jedi Council spend their entire time in meetings, looking gloomy and thoughtful. Apart from Yoda, you will never see any of them outside their meeting room. Ultimately, Darth Vader wipes out the whole lot of them, except for Yoda, who spends the next 30 years in a tree, and Obi Wan, who spends the next 30 years in a smelly robe.

True, that.

Posted by Roger at 09:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Empire magazine is creating 30 different Star Wars covers for its May 24th issue

Check back every day as they unveil a new cover!

Posted by Roger at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... but not that strong.

Every couple of months I get a Star Wars catalog from Brian's Toys. Even though I prefer to do my action figure hunting in person (or eBay as a last resort), I always enjoy the catalog because it gives me a chance to see how figures are priced in the secondary retail market, and because they have lots of pictures of old toys which you can't get in stores anymore. So, bascially, it's Star Wars action figure porn.

Anyway, the part of the catalog that always blows me away is the "carded vintage" section. As an example:

Vintage SW Darth Vader Telescoping Saber

$20,000??? I could almost buy my own ship for that. Even though I consider myself to be a reasonably serious collector, that is completely unjustifiable. Probably the reason it always in the catalog every month, and never sells. :)

Posted by Roger at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Skywalkers in Korea cross Han solo

Posted by Roger at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I wish that R2's "hero" scene in Attack of the Clones was better. Really, the only thing he did in the whole movie was save Padme from molten steel in the droid foundry, and that felt really tacked-on. It was like, "whoops, we forgot the R2-saves-the-day moment, better come up with one quick." Plus the fact that it was our introduction to his (controversial) rocket boosters made it all the more suspect.

I have an idea for how to make it better, but I think that post will need to wait for another day.

Posted by Roger at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to good ol' eBay I was able to get my hands on this R2 variant. This figure was only available at Woolworth's in the UK as part of a Revenge of the Sith multipack.

I don't why they keep making "silver" R2s (they've done it before), or why I think they look cool. This particular version is the best yet—the VOTC sculpt, with an excellent paint job. (Even though it's all one color...) They did a good job of preserving his light-up eye, and keeping the paint from clogging his joints.

Anyway, it's one more notch in my belt as seek to collect all variations on R2-D2. But, if you're not a serious R2 fan, this one is skippable.

Posted by Roger at 07:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From left: Commander Thire, Darth Sidious, Commander Bow, Darth Vader.

Posted by Roger at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)