Rogue One - the opportunity of "Star Wars Stories"

With the new Disney launch of the Star Wars cinematic universe, there was much speculation as to how they will handle production of the movies. Now it's clear that there will be a new trilogy every few years and in between there will be these "stories" interwoven into the narrative. It is pretty much a dream for a die hard Star Wars fan to see great storytelling not bound by the current trilogy's constraints. The first example of that is Rogue One, trying to tell the tale of those who have stolen the Death Star plans essential to the Episode IV's climax.

This movie had a lot to prove, as the anticipation was at very high levels. Would it ruin the Episode IV or complement it in a nice, gracious way? I think that it did neither - fans will definitely be thrilled, but some concepts and cameos can turn off the viewer. It did address a particular problem in the IV's script, but at the same time attacked with unnecessary quotes and characters that made no sense, in order to please long-time fans. But they did not want that! I myself were cringing through some of the scenes where characters reference something from the original trilogy and try to play it off as something normal. You could almost hear the stock sitcom laughs and that's a problem if you have the most serious Star Wars movie on your hands.

You can say that I'm bashing the movie, but in reality I really liked it. It's just that a movie you had a lot of fun watching doesn't have to be perfect and pointing out it's shortcomings is a sane thing to do. Let's talk about some of the positives - and there were many. This is Disney's peak achievement when it comes to technical execution of a movie. Numerous talented people from Lucas Films and other places, combined with never ending stream of cash resulted in a cinematic marvel and an eye candy. Special Effects nomination is a must here, as there were so many scenes and shots where I simply went still in awe. This is how you do space battles, not to mention terrific action scenes on the ground.

Look at that charming smile!

Recreating Grand Moff Tarkin required extensive computer
mapping and prosthetics on an actor with similar face structure and voice.

It features very good practical effects, which are blended with CGI to form a good looking and well balanced image. There are, however, some areas where the amount of money got someone on the decision-making chain drunk. Bringing back characters from the original trilogy is fine, but at what cost? Recreation of the Grand Moff Tarkin was the single most expensive CGI undertaking in the cinema history. To what effect? He looks acceptable, but still takes the viewer out of the experience. The same thing happens to Princess Leia and I cannot help it but think that it was a bad idea. Still, it was better than the crappy Tarkin we got at the end of Revenge of the Sith, so there's that.

This guy was funny. Alan Tudyk, who voiced him, is also known for a fan-favourite show Firefly.

So what's the future of Star Wars Stories? I must say that it looks bright, as there are a lot of great talents working on them, backed by enormous amounts of money. After several of them closely related to known characters and events from the trilogies (for example young Han Solo, which I'm not particularly looking for), there will come time for some crazy ideas and exactly those will expand the universe in the best way, at least in my opinion.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are the other Star Wars Stories projects in the works right now? Are you excited for any of them?

2. Do you like the idea of a new Star Wars movie coming out every year?

How to sabotage a franchise - the story of prequels

After 16 years of waiting, the hype was real. The anticipation for Episode I was the biggest in the history of cinema. And then this mess of a movie was shown. After the premiere, every die hard fan was trying to persuade himself that the movie was pretty good. To this day, if a hugely hyped movie turns out to be terrible and fans blindly defend it, it is called "The Episode One Syndrome". Of course, in time everyone realised how bad of a movie it really was. Its a shame, really, because many talented people were involved in this project, especially well done were the special effects. It was a tough battle with The Matrix for the special effects Academy Award. The marketing was also perfectly guided, promising something entirely different from the final product.

"We are going to sell so many toys!"

The main problem with the prequels was that George Lucas had a status of a god among filmmakers and could not have been said "no" to. He was surrounded by people, who didn't dare to confront him and call him out on any bad ideas. The results could have been anticipated. George decided to write the entire script by himself, dialogues and all - for all three movies. As I mentioned in my previous post, he's not a good writer and it shows here so much. Bad dialogues, contradictions and bad pacing were all problems that marked every prequel Star Wars movie. Does anyone ever forget Anakin's obsession with sand in episode II? Exemplary bad writing is what it is.

Everyone's most hated movie character in full glory.

Do you remember this guy up here? Yes, he really happened. Why make a movie that interests kids through enchanting and adventurous storytelling if we can simply create an offendingly stupid character that would feed off slapstick comedy of the worst sort? You see, George knew that the real money lies in merchandise, not the ticket sales. What he didn't anticipate however, was that such characters are annoying to everyone above the age of 5. Where is Jar Jar now? No one wants to buy him. But don't feel too bad about George, Star Wars made tons upon tons of money on everything Star Wars related, it was practically shoved up everyone's throat - actually very much like it is now, but at least we don't need to see his stupid face on every coffee mug in the store.

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Can you find any Jar-Jar Binks related merchandise in stores?

2. What actor was met with the most praise when it comes to the prequels?

Star Wars was supposed to be a flop - why did it not become one?

 

We have come to believe that Star Wars was some kind of prodigious project, a focused effort of numerous talented people who firmly believed in its success. The reality was somewhat different and we can trace the humble beginnings of this massive franchise to the early years of George Lucas's career. This is not going to be a post about the whole history of how Star Wars came to be, but more of a reminder that great things often happen through connection of multiple coincidences that don't seem to be working out until they really do.

George Lucas, the man responsible for the success of Star Wars?

After making American Graffiti, George Lucas was a very seeked-out director and his plans involved creating a remake of the old school 1930s film "Flash Gordon", but he got scooped by the 20th Century Fox in order to create the next movie. Since the license for Flash Gordon wasn't available, he moved towards other ideas, which finally led him to Star Wars.You can definitely see Flash Gordon influences in the story, for example in the fight against an evil empire.

Evil Emperor on a throne was also derived from Flash Gordon

Although Lucas is often considered a brilliant ideaman, someone with powerful imagination and creativity, he lacks sober judgement and is prone to making bad decisions. We can see that now clearly through his numerous idiotic additions in re-releases of the original trilogy, but back in the day he was just considered a mediocre screenwriter. His first draft was very rudimental and had to be reworked by people passionate about the project to the point of usability. So was the case with many elements of the movie, including the art direction, which undergone a serious change for the better from campy to epic thanks to Ralph Mcquarrie, whose concept images still make for an amazing viewing.

One of Ralph Mcquarrie's concept arts for Star Wars

Even the main cast was making fun of the movie, not believing in its success. Since most of them were young, time spent on set consisted mostly of laughing, joking and pranking each other. Sir Alec Guinness, a prominent british actor portraying Obi-Wan Kenobi, could not believe what he got himself into.

The set often looked like a college campus

All in all, it worked out fine. Star Wars became what it is today, because of conjuction of multiple coincidences that happened to form into something of great value. Hard work of everyone passionate about and involved in this project should not be forgotten!

QUESTIONS:

1. How did the main three actors ended up playing their roles?

2. What was the movie that was coming out around the same time and was expected to rule the movie theaters?

After Creepy Serialkiller(s), time for a fairytale...

Of course, no fairytales with me.,,
Ok there  was 1927, there was also 1991. Now, Let's move to our century. Please welcome 2013 and New point of view. Snow White? Yeah, classic story with a pretty girl with seven dwarfs. What if it isn't so obvious?
Here is Snow White and the Huntsman. Ok. I need to be honest from the beginnig. This movie is good because of the stunning Charlize Therone. Look a the poster and think who steals the show?

My answer: Defenetely not Kristen Stewart (aka forever open mouth Bella Swan) Chris is just handsome, but Charlize she plays. No she is the Evil Queen.

Other proves: Posters:

Ok this story itself is not about our lovely Snow White, but about evil Queen, how and why she did what she did. However, my idea is to look at this more deeply, we should not watch is as fairytale for adults. In my opinion this film had a great potential, but was destroyed by really bad acting of our infamous Bella, sorry her name was Kristen. Who cares?

Charlize is a class herself, Chris has great potential, but... You know...

Few scenes:

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who is fairest of them all?"

Stunning even if she's screaming

Her always open mouth

He is here to fight.

not so gloomy

Defenetely the best scene of Kristen Stewart

Dwarfs! 

Look like she is trying to walk like a girl :)

Ok this is the only scene from classic Snow White

Kristen is better whitout the dress

Characterization and cotumes are  pretty-awesome. Just to take a look at the diferences

Okey I still got the feeling that I forgot about something...

Now Music. In this movie there is one and only song: "Breath of Life" by Florence and the Machine. My dear God- this is the music, this is the voice. Choir plus strong voice of Florence Welch equals MAGIC!!!

This is how it should be good movie music be done!

Shivers...

I know I didn't write anything about the plot. But really I don't have to. Watch the trailer:

Oh I know. I forgot about the prince, which is completely irrelevant and boring.:)

Few questions as always.

1. Was it a nice idea to make Snow White such a strong woman?

2. What about the title of this movie? Is it acceptable?

3. What would you have changed (except Kristen Stewart of course)?

4. Is it really such a difference between the classic Story and this Film?

Poof. And I'm gone. :)