Topic: The Movie Thread

@Werehog haha oh, I am proud, otherwise i'd pretend not to like things. I just like to frame things in a certain way to embrace my self-own/self-cringe humour as well 😁 if we can't show off who we are, though, what is the point 😄

Speaking of Ahsoka, I found and ordered a new copy of s1, but fingers crossed it isn't a very bent and dented previously returned edition 🤞😬 I think there was still a plan for S2, and then a Filoni movie of some description that is set to close out a bunch of stuff. Whether it is a cinema or Disney plus movie is maybe up in the air like you say, as Mando has been more successful online rather than box office, I think? I feel like trying to shove it all into s2 might be a bit difficult, though. I think maybe cameos for s2 and then a culmination movie/special event of some kind would be nice.

2027 is going to be huge for Star Wars though, right? Maybe we might find out a bunch of things. I think they are releasing the 4k scans of the original (first cut/non altered) trilogy in 2027, at least 2 blockbuster movies, hopefully some show or other and some announcements and some other physical releases would be nice to fill the gaps with 😁 i'm sure they like people spending money, so why not?

Ooh, Jedi Survivor 3 would be nice, although it always releases in a right state. But starting with a pretty powerful Cal is something I very much look forward to. Although there might be some classic toning down of the abilities to start as happens in games. Narritively I think they can make it work, either way they choose.

Again, timeline stuff, but those games are kind of concurrent to Obi Wan and the lead up to A New Hope. I always wanted to see them combine the live-action and the game, but then Obi Wan didn't do as well as they wanted, so I doubt it ever will happen. But if Ewan Mcgregor wants to plop himself in the game, i'm sure that could potentially happen that way 😅 There was the one main shared storyline of the (i'm going to have to look up the in-universe name, but the Star Wars equivalent of the underground rail-road) The Hidden Path! That i'm really quire interested in, so I can't wait for more of that in any form. I mean, would it really take extreme mental gymnastics to ponder if Hidden Path and Andor cross paths too? (Apparently there was an easter egg) If we could somehow converge and squeeze Andor, Cal and Obi Wan into something, i'd be as giddy as a giddy thing, honestly. Saw Gerrera cameos are one thing, but if they could get the whole combined cast together for one collective thing, oof! Of course this is pure hope and fan-fantasy but still... rebellions are built on hope.

Anyway, I clearly trailed off into various daydreams, but hopefully it is still readable.

Out of interest, what are your thoughts on each of the "lead up to the battle of Yavin" productions (I think it technically spans eras so I have no idea how to put that better) So stuff like the Rogue One, Obi Wan, Fallen Order and Andors of this world, and anything else more directly leading towards episode 4? I kind of love how much they have been able to squeeze out of this era, to be honest.

@Ravix As long as "Andor" Season 2 gets a steelie, I'll be happy!

@Ravix Oh, sweet! Here's hoping it arrives safe (and yes, dent-free). Out of all the box art, I think that one's the most gorgeous. The off-white colour really sells it.

I mean, there's no accounting for executive turmoil and stupidity, so I'm really hoping the plans are still firmly in place, and we get what was always intended. I could see them delaying Ahsoka S2 (which I think it already has been anyway, as it was supposed to be out this year) to add an extended, almost feature-length final episode on the end, wrap everything up that way. Given the sheer cinematic spectacle they often create for these shows, it might not have to be all that compromised to fit, either.

2027 should be huge, yeah. It's the 50th Anniversary, so they won't let it slide, not when, let's be honest, the franchise is powered by merch sales. Fingers tightly crossed for those steelbooks!

The Obi-Wan series did very well where it counts, namely in Disney+ viewership figures and subscription generation, a.k.a. the only kind of reception Disney cares about. And it owed a lot of that to Jedi: Fallen Order and the bits it borrowed, so I wouldn't take anything off the table with regards the third game, as they both helped each other out. Same as Jedi: Survivor sharing elements with Andor. The animated shows have also played in that sandbox, both The Bad Batch and the recent Maul: Shadow Lord contributing to that whole era. The Hidden Path runs through it all, whether you see it or not, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we get more insight. Quinlan Vos has been name-dropped and used as a cameo way too much lately, and apparently he's a part of it, so there's something going on there!

What, my own personal reactions to those things? It's mixed, but as you say, it's been a surprisingly rich vein to tap, hasn't it? My opinions are always in flux, but I'm confident in saying that my love for Rebels, Fallen Order, The Bad Batch and Obi-Wan is pretty much locked in forever. Maul: Shadow Lord is off to a strong start, but I'll reserve judgement until it's finished telling its story. I really, really like about 90% of both Rogue One and Survivor but take minor issue with some specific elements. Andor isn't for me.

What's been your favourite? Or is it all Star Wars and therefore all awesome to you?

Just turned off Sam Raimi's absolutely dreadful "Spider-Man 3" at about the halfway point (all of the movies are currently on the BBC iPlayer) because (somewhat ironically) I'd completely forgotten about the godawful amnesia subplot. Joint worst with "Amazing Spider-Man 2" for me.

@Werehog I vary, I guess. I really like Andor, especially later into s1 where the tension builds (I assume you watched both even if it wasn't for you, or did you skip some?) And I really liked some of s2, as well. I need to rewatch it to be honest, as once isn't enough. I was a little disappointed with the direction of one character, or at least the final destination of it (it kind of added to the awful pointlessness of war messaging, though) I just had a slightly different arc in mind. Also Yennefer of Vengeburg/Denise Gough is in it, which is supremely cool, clearly, and she is awesome in it. And I really like the 'Andy Serkis section' of the show, too. I can see how some may think it is not very Star Wars in those aspects (is that why it isn't for you? I feel like we may have discussed reasons at some point but my brain is not reliable) but I think what it does do is show the human/living cost of the Empire in a way that is kind of hard to do in movies. We know they are bad, they do bad things, but seeing those who are living under this empire and dealing with the ramifications is something I enjoyed as it allowed for more human performances. I also loved Mon Mothma's arc in it. It allows for more emotional insight to how these characters think, and i'm a very emotionally driven person.

I also think the games and Cal are interesting, and always want to see them do even more with that. Fingers still crossed for more than just a game. And as mentioned the Hidden Path is an aspect I want to see expand in tv, game or movie, and it has been going that way, which is nice. They also aren't tied in to any particular direction for Cal, we know he doesn't feature in A New Hope, and there can be more than one reason for that being the case. I'll spoiler tag for the games, just in case people are skim reading as I will mention some of the end of Survivor Obviously it could be a simple retired and out. He could be truly underground and hidden away but helping from afar. He could be Deceased. He could be Betrayed or suffer great loss and lose control of his emotions in some way and all the things that can lead to could happen. Oh, if they dare touch Witchy Merrin or Kata we are in for a wild ride to whatever destination we end up at, too! But even the raising of a child brings it in line with it even more classic Star Wars stories. And if they want to milk it beyond the Cal trology there is a new character right there ready to take over in a different set of stories (that's how it usually works, isn't it 😅) so, as always... "there is another"

I feel like I started watching some of the animated shows a few years ago, but I honestly can't remember which, I think the ones with Anakin and Clones, so more in line with the prequel trilogy, I suppose.

I liked Obi-Wan, but need to rewatch that, too. I'm glad people watched it, but I remember the reviews weren't great and so I assumed it didn't perform.

Shadow-Lord again I don't even know much about it. Is it pre-prequels? Or post prequels more in line with the Solo story. This is my brain going to mush again. But I suppose Solo is in it's own way leading up to Episode IV as well, so it kind of counts anyway.

I guess overall I enjoy the traditional Star Wars type Jedi focused stories just much as the in-universe other 99% of existence stories, but it depends on the overall qualities of each and mood. The tone of many are different enough to tickle different fancies. And I do think Andor helps set a mood for the rest of everything that goes on BBY.

Which elements of those that you mentioned do not sit well with you are to blame for that feeling? Did you ever watch all of Andor or just know it isn't interesting for you?

Oof, I should probably do more to separate BBY shows and ABY shows in my mind, as I now have the urge to watch Obi Wan and Ahsoka. Both Jedi focused, but different eras. I won't even consiser which era I prefer as that will just mess with my mind 😄

Now thinking this should be a full on dedicated Star Wars thread with the anniversary coning up, too.

@Ravix A little while ago there was a dedicated Star Wars topic in the forums.. Not sure if it's still active (or how to find out).

@LN78 really need those steels for sure. Maybe we can remake a thread for the anniversary if it's gone.

@Ravix I'm a Star Wars fan but only in a limited fashion these days - I love the OT but precious little else - the stuff from the prequel era and the shows and movies off the Disney content conveyor belt just doesn't float my boat at all. Andor was a different beast altogether - a fantastic TV show (I completely agree with your assessment of it) irrespective of the fact that it was set in that universe. In terms of the forum topic, pop a question in the "ideas for the site" thread and I'm sure somebody on the tech side will be able to find/re-activate it.

The Odyssey - After seeing it twice (including in all its 70mm imax glory) and taking some time to really process it, I have to say that - provided you can get on board with it very much being ‘Christopher Nolan’s’ The Odyssey - it might just be one of best films I’ve seen. Just wanted to encourage anyone interested in it to see it on the biggest and loudest screen you can. It’s an experience.

@Metonymy

Thankyou.
You have convinced me to go and watch “Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey” on the big screen, in a few days time.

I have read reviews that have savaged the movie, and call it “cultural desecration”. (Political reasons). But I will see it, the way it was intended, and make up my own mind about it.

It might actually convince me to reread the book. It is certainly easier to read than the Iliad, at least, when I read them both many years ago.

Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy is getting a 4k special release, in about a month. Would make a good pairing.

@Matthewnh I rewatched Troy the other day as a primer for/point of comparison with The Odyssey and I was astonished by how bad the acting is - Pitt, Kruger, Bloom and Bana are all excruciating. Brian Cox and Peter O' Toole fair better (as you might expect) and the cameo from Julie Christie is nice, but not enough to save the movie. Needless to say, the 4K blu-ray is not on my shopping list.

@Matthewnh I wouldn’t argue that “cultural desecration” is an invalid perspective. I would, however, argue that such a conclusion misses the point of this particular iteration, which I felt from its first seconds makes abundantly clear that it will be embracing the spirit of the oral tradition of the poem while putting a modern spin on it. The film does not take a historically accurate approach; it’s a fantasy. I feel the contemporary dialect is emboldened by its abstract production design to create something that feels timeless and relevant. Though if you can’t get on board with what they’re doing here, at least the movie has the spectacle where you can check your brain at the door and simply enjoy some incredible set pieces 😊 I’m curious to hear how it lands for you. Hope you enjoy your rewatch of Troy!

@Metonymy @Matthewnh I went to see "The Odyssey" yesterday morning with my other half, as we've been on holiday this past week. I tend to drag her along to the majority of movies I go and see. She said that she thought it would be boring and dreaded the close to 3 hour run time. She was happy to be proved wrong as it flew by and she enjoyed the film and the many great performances. It was at 20 past 10 in the morning and had quite a turnout which I was surprised at. Usually if you go at that time there are maybe 2 or 3 others if you aren't by yourself.

@MightyDemon82 I also went with my other (better) half, who was pretty unsure about it (mostly, she felt a little intimidated by her unfamiliarity with the poem and Greek mythology in general) but her first words after seeing were, “Well, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen, so there’s that.” This is high praise, contextually. 😂

I think one of the biggest risks with adapting Homer’s Odyssey to film is audience burnout, with it becoming nothing but set piece after set piece connected by bits of dialogue. Rinse and repeat. The clockwork construction Nolan employs here is a brilliant solution. In some ways, it’s also the film’s greatest flaw.

The second showing I went to was a morning one as well and it was fairly full. It’s great to see.

Watched Masters of the Universe. Genuinely not bad. Very well shot, Nicholas Galitzine is massively watchable though I knew that already from Bottoms. Idris Elba is pretty much perfect casting as Man At Arms, he doesn’t need to do much other than just be Idris Elba. It was always going to bomb, I don’t see why they thought it would make money but it ended up a fun movie.

Just watched Barbie. It was actually quite good. Margot Robbie is simply unreal.