Last week provided us with parallel stories that ended in tragedy. This week, we continue on Bo-Katan’s journey for discovery. Joining her is Grogu, who must examine his own past in order to embrace his future. Both are lost in their paths after decades of survival. With Din, they may have found their path. Directed … Continue reading The Mandalorian – “Chapter 20: The Foundling” Recap
The Mandalorian – ‘Chapter 19: The Convert’ Recap
After Bo-Katan observed a genuine ancient being in the Living Waters, it was clear something had awoken in her. Whether years of fighting alongside and against fellow Mandalorians had taken their toll on her. Yet diving back into the ancient customs of her people, even observing a mythological beast, does wonders. While she remains jealous … Continue reading The Mandalorian – ‘Chapter 19: The Convert’ Recap
‘The Mandalorian’ – ‘Chapter 17: The Apostate’ Recap
It’s been 2 years since the events of Season 2. Those who only watch The Mandalorian need a recap. The last time we saw Grogu, he left Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) to join Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and become a Jedi. Favreau, Filoni and co. reversed during The Book of Boba Fett, which reunited the … Continue reading ‘The Mandalorian’ – ‘Chapter 17: The Apostate’ Recap
Review: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Builds Bridges Between Two Pasts, Missing the Chance to Innovate
As LucasFilm continues to thwart its name to produce television series, the ideas continue to get smaller. The Star Wars experiment on Disney+ once felt like a genuine way to expand the surprisingly tiny narrative from a galaxy far, far away. A universe beholden to one family's destiny was shaken off within the first season of The Mandalorian, resulting … Continue reading Review: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Builds Bridges Between Two Pasts, Missing the Chance to Innovate
We Bought a Movie Pod – 3. The Mando, The LBY, and Rise of Skywalker – Star Wars in 2019
Star Wars content dominated the end of 2019. Now that we've had time to process, let's jump into The Rise of Skywalker and The Mandalorian. Rise of Skywalker Review (with Spoilers) 58:55 - End - The Mandalorian Also, we recorded this in late December, so we missed all the news about Colin Trevorrow "Duel of the Fates" and concept … Continue reading We Bought a Movie Pod – 3. The Mando, The LBY, and Rise of Skywalker – Star Wars in 2019
Ranking ‘Star Wars’: #1 – ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ Ranks Among the Best Sci-Fi Films of All-Time
Deepening and expanding the lore of any fantasy story requires commitment. Sometimes these choices to change the lore can destroy a fanbase. Other times, they can completely upend the perception of that series. For Star Wars, expectations were extremely high as it entered its second chapter. Empire Strikes Back faced the challenge of living up to … Continue reading Ranking ‘Star Wars’: #1 – ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ Ranks Among the Best Sci-Fi Films of All-Time
Ranking ‘Star Wars’ – #2 – ‘A New Hope’ Launches a Phenomenom, Based in Classic Storytelling
George Lucas had just come off the first critical and financial success of his career. American Graffiti was the first piece of nostalgia to resonate with the culture in any meaningful way. After all, the dissemination of popular culture had only really taken hold in the past thirty years with the advent of television. The movies had … Continue reading Ranking ‘Star Wars’ – #2 – ‘A New Hope’ Launches a Phenomenom, Based in Classic Storytelling
BONUS: ‘The Star Wars Christmas Special’ Will Give You the Opportunity to See the Eyes of God (In the Worst Ways)
Roaming the rows of a convention, you find the weirdest things. At a horror convention in 2014, I wandered off from my wife as she paid for commissions we picked up from a local artist. I perused the Star Wars section of DVDs, mostly filled with the Special Edition series. Suddenly, a salesman approached me … Continue reading BONUS: ‘The Star Wars Christmas Special’ Will Give You the Opportunity to See the Eyes of God (In the Worst Ways)
Ranking ‘Star Wars’ – #3 – ‘The Last Jedi’ Challenges What It Means to Be a Star Wars Film
Undeniably the most divisive of the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi sought to challenge the very foundations of the property. Building off of the events of The Force Awakens, director Rian Johnson chose a different path than many of the films that came before. Yet at the same time, his mechanisms for crafting the story created the rhyme that remains … Continue reading Ranking ‘Star Wars’ – #3 – ‘The Last Jedi’ Challenges What It Means to Be a Star Wars Film
Review: ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Goes For Fan Service Over Substance
To call the dialogue around Star Wars deafening would be an understatement. No franchise on Earth inspires as much frustration or anger at the drop of a hat. The audience for the sci-fi epic has seemingly been at odds with itself since Empire Strikes Back, but the ferocity at which we consume the content has never dwindled. The most … Continue reading Review: ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Goes For Fan Service Over Substance