Good morning, gentle readers, and welcome to Tuesday, October 3rd! Here's hoping that now that your God-awful Monday is done and over with that your week is shaping up quite nicely! I know mine's looking good!
Had to run a few quick errands this morning, so this post is a bit behind schedule, as they say. I did come back to a nice email from a reader who wondered what my "predictions" might be for the season finale of Star Wars Disney+'s Ahsoka series, so I thought I'd sound off on that prospect for just a wee bit.
Now ... don't take this the wrong way, folks, but I'm not really in the predictions business. Because I consider myself somewhat trained in the art of thinking and reacting to art, I've never found it easy to prognosticate about stories, twists, and the like. Sure, I suppose I might have an insight or two every now and then that bears fruit, but as I've made no bones about anything other than finished products I'm just not comfy postulating what we might see develop in finales. I will say that I can't even begin to imagine any way that Dave Filoni can successfully answer all of the questions he's kinda/sorta dangled along the way, and I suspect the design of the show is to keep viewers guessing on some points in order to entice them to come back for another season. At this juncture -- as I've even hinted in reviews -- I think I'm done with the show as of tonight's big finish. While it's had a few tidbits I've enjoyed here and there, I've been overall disappointed with its tone and general goofiness. Who knows? Maybe I've finally gotten too old to enjoy some elements of Star Wars ... or I've grown disinterested in what the Mouse House is telling us is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Also, I've often had to remind readers that -- unlike other outlets -- I've no Hollywood spies or industry insiders feeding me any amount of private content. Hell, I don't even have much interest in things like 'sources,' mostly because I do like to go into stories with a reasonable degree of blindness. It just helps me enjoy the developments a bit more, and it certainly shows me whether or not such twists are more authentic than anything else. Such is just the way my brain is wired.
Lastly, I will venture to guess that those of us who have been mostly disappointed with the show are likely going to go out on that same note. The fan contingent -- those who either refuse to see flawed writing and/or curiously out-of-place performances -- that has worshipped the show will likely christen it the greatest thing to come from that galaxy far, far away in decades; and each and every one of us is entitled to his or her opinion. I just see no way for that to change in what's purported to be one more 45-minute episode ... but who knows? Maybe Filoni will surprise us all.
Had to run a few quick errands this morning, so this post is a bit behind schedule, as they say. I did come back to a nice email from a reader who wondered what my "predictions" might be for the season finale of Star Wars Disney+'s Ahsoka series, so I thought I'd sound off on that prospect for just a wee bit.
Now ... don't take this the wrong way, folks, but I'm not really in the predictions business. Because I consider myself somewhat trained in the art of thinking and reacting to art, I've never found it easy to prognosticate about stories, twists, and the like. Sure, I suppose I might have an insight or two every now and then that bears fruit, but as I've made no bones about anything other than finished products I'm just not comfy postulating what we might see develop in finales. I will say that I can't even begin to imagine any way that Dave Filoni can successfully answer all of the questions he's kinda/sorta dangled along the way, and I suspect the design of the show is to keep viewers guessing on some points in order to entice them to come back for another season. At this juncture -- as I've even hinted in reviews -- I think I'm done with the show as of tonight's big finish. While it's had a few tidbits I've enjoyed here and there, I've been overall disappointed with its tone and general goofiness. Who knows? Maybe I've finally gotten too old to enjoy some elements of Star Wars ... or I've grown disinterested in what the Mouse House is telling us is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Also, I've often had to remind readers that -- unlike other outlets -- I've no Hollywood spies or industry insiders feeding me any amount of private content. Hell, I don't even have much interest in things like 'sources,' mostly because I do like to go into stories with a reasonable degree of blindness. It just helps me enjoy the developments a bit more, and it certainly shows me whether or not such twists are more authentic than anything else. Such is just the way my brain is wired.
Lastly, I will venture to guess that those of us who have been mostly disappointed with the show are likely going to go out on that same note. The fan contingent -- those who either refuse to see flawed writing and/or curiously out-of-place performances -- that has worshipped the show will likely christen it the greatest thing to come from that galaxy far, far away in decades; and each and every one of us is entitled to his or her opinion. I just see no way for that to change in what's purported to be one more 45-minute episode ... but who knows? Maybe Filoni will surprise us all.
While we're on the topic of Mr. Filoni, can I just give the proper birthday/anniversary shout-out to his incredible television property, Star Wars: The Clone Wars?
I know, I know, I know: not everyone out there is a fan of the animated incarnations of this intellectual property, but I remain a huge, huge, huge fan of The Clone Wars. I think it was a solid return to form for all of Star Wars -- one that didn't have to so much concern itself with filling the holes left in the movies and, instead, could just focus on delivering good stories against the backdrop of a galaxy in conflict. The vast array of episodes gave writers the chance to focus on main players as well as some familiar faces who always deserved a bit more screen time; and that flexibility meant that fans were treated to some of the greatest explorations of these people, places, and events possible. In fact, I'd argue that it's a format that never really has to end: new side stories -- ones involving other planets and other people -- could go on into perpetuity if the producers were so inclined. I'd love to see more of it.
Readers are encouraged to take a gander at the show's IMDB.com profile for further details. Its run consisted of an astonishing 133 episodes, and it racked up an impressive number of awards and nominations across the entirety of its existence.
The Force was strong with it. Indeed.
I know, I know, I know: not everyone out there is a fan of the animated incarnations of this intellectual property, but I remain a huge, huge, huge fan of The Clone Wars. I think it was a solid return to form for all of Star Wars -- one that didn't have to so much concern itself with filling the holes left in the movies and, instead, could just focus on delivering good stories against the backdrop of a galaxy in conflict. The vast array of episodes gave writers the chance to focus on main players as well as some familiar faces who always deserved a bit more screen time; and that flexibility meant that fans were treated to some of the greatest explorations of these people, places, and events possible. In fact, I'd argue that it's a format that never really has to end: new side stories -- ones involving other planets and other people -- could go on into perpetuity if the producers were so inclined. I'd love to see more of it.
Readers are encouraged to take a gander at the show's IMDB.com profile for further details. Its run consisted of an astonishing 133 episodes, and it racked up an impressive number of awards and nominations across the entirety of its existence.
The Force was strong with it. Indeed.
Six years ago today, the unthinkable happened when writer/director Denis Villeneuve tapped into the dire straits of tomorrow: Blade Runner 2049 brought back Harrison Ford to a role he made famous all the way back in 1982, and another chapter exploring what it means to be alive unfolded in the dark world of a bleak future. Like the original, I think the sequel will likely require a bit of time before its true greatness is recognized, but society sometimes requires a bit of space to catch up with where the rest of us might be.
For what it's worth, I wasn't a huge fan of the original when I first saw it on the silver screen. What can I say? I was young, and I needed a bit more time to digest the ideas at play throughout so much of it. I've always loved its style, but I believe that its message of trying to find peace with who and/or what you are just didn't resonate with me then. In fact, it wasn't until I watched it again and again (and again!) on laser disc that it grew to me vastly more relevant. Some stories just work that way.
Naturally, I think folks who love the follow-up right away did so because the road was already paved with the original, meaning that they didn't have to go on any journey of discovery the way I did back in '82, '83, and '84. The beauty to all of this is that the two films definitely complement one another in remarkable ways, and I'm glad someone had the stones to even attempt a sequel.
For what it's worth, I wasn't a huge fan of the original when I first saw it on the silver screen. What can I say? I was young, and I needed a bit more time to digest the ideas at play throughout so much of it. I've always loved its style, but I believe that its message of trying to find peace with who and/or what you are just didn't resonate with me then. In fact, it wasn't until I watched it again and again (and again!) on laser disc that it grew to me vastly more relevant. Some stories just work that way.
Naturally, I think folks who love the follow-up right away did so because the road was already paved with the original, meaning that they didn't have to go on any journey of discovery the way I did back in '82, '83, and '84. The beauty to all of this is that the two films definitely complement one another in remarkable ways, and I'm glad someone had the stones to even attempt a sequel.
Well, well, well ...
That's all I have for now, folks. I do have a few flicks downstairs that are just begging for my attention, so I might be up to that this afternoon, along with a few chores around the house. Laundry is always worth filling up some free time, and what better way to space out the movies?
As always, thanks for reading ... thanks for sharing ... thanks for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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