*Editor's note: This article was posted on Observationdeck.kinja on 4/09/19
And in a blink of an eye, we are at the end of the first trilogy! All we have left are, *Looks at notes* The movies no one likes, the one that’s a reboot/sequel/remake and umm, That One. This is going interesting. But enough of that, let’s get into Return of the Jedi!
*Editor's note: This article was originally posted on Observationdeck.kinja on 3/19/19
Some personal history with this one: I first watched A New Hope when I was six years old. My big sister and I was at my aunt’s house during one of the brief periods where she had cable, I was sick and we found the marathon right before they started it (Incidentally, these were the same condition when I first watched The Princess Bride). It was the first time I had really seen or even heard anything Star Wars. What a lasting impression it left. I watched all three movies in one day and the lengthy commercial break between episodes 5 and 6 was excruciating for my young heart. I fell in love that day.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Gif:Greyscale-Starwars.tumblr.com
After years of consuming Star Wars media, it’s hard to see the franchise with fresh eyes. Even rewatching them now, it’s quite tricky to separate the future movies and Rogue One completely and watch this as a solo movie (No pun intended). Nevertheless, I watched A New Hope and finished it with some interesting thoughts.
One of the things I’m most struck with now is how old A New Hope feels. No, this is not an attempt to make older fans feel ancient but rather it feels older than its 1977 release date. Watching it reminded me of the old black and white from my parents’ childhoods that I watched with them on Saturday afternoons, like Tarzan or The Day The Earth Stood Still. (“Mark Hamill looks like an extra from a surfer movie” might have been a note I made while watching). I could easily see both the movies and shows that influenced A New Hope as well as the media it would go on to inspire.
This experiment also allowed me to really appreciate the movie from a more technical side, such as the sound designs. The Williams score is frequently praised but this viewing gave me the chance to enjoy the ambient noises in the movie, such as on the Death Star, the layering of sounds aboard the Jawa transport unit, the chattering in the Mos Eisley bar. These factors working along the score help fill in the universe the crew worked so hard to build.
The cinematography and sets are also working overtime in greyscale. I’ve watched this twice and both times, I constantly noticed and remarked over new details. Even with most of its color stripped away (No blue milk, guys!), A New Hero is a pulpy, sci-fi flick with stunning visuals. Vader looks even more like an unstoppable wall of black menace as he seemingly absorbs all light around him. Leia’s stark white is a beacon of innocent in the cold, evil Death Star and the infamous two suns setting scene remains a moving iconic moment. As for the special effects added in the restoration, my past feelings of annoyed acceptance turned to actual anger because they’re so jarring and gratuitous in greyscale.
Use the force, Luke
Gif:Greyscale.starwars.tumblr.com
The attack on the Death Star didn’t really wow me but mostly because even in color, the scene is primarily in black and white, save the rebel flight suit and other splashes of color.
The lightsaber fight also looks a little goofy and not in a fun way but I’m hoping that’s a problem the prequels won’t encounter (Especially since the prequels are goofy for entirely different reasons)
Some random bulletpoint thoughts of the movie.
*I’ve just noticed how long it takes for our heroes to appear onscreen. Leia and Vader don’t show up until minute 6, Luke until minute 18, and another 30 for Han. The movie cleverly uses R2-D2 and C-3P0 to lead up to our second protagonist, Luke. I mean, people complain often about how the hero doesn’t suit up until the third act but waiting nearly 20 minutes for our protagonist to show up is unique
*I can see how people didn’t trust Obi-Wan. In the past, I’ve noticed how he constantly tells half-truths (the occasional outright lie) but now I see how manipulative and shifty he is.
Gif:Greyscale.starwars.tumblr.com
*Anyone else notice that Millie Bobby Brown looks like a young Carrie Fisher?
*I adjusted my brightness to its original settings as the credits were rolling and somehow had forgotten how colorful it is. I went back to Luke saying goodbye to Han and it maybe melted my brain a little.
Next up is Empire Strikes Back, which I feel l won’t thrive in greyscale as much as A New Hope did but more on that next week…..
*Editor's note: this was originally posted on Observationdeck.Kinja on 3/05/19*
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, (or in this case, 1970’s California) George Lucas, inspired by some of his favorite 1940s serials, wrote of the fantastical adventures of Young Luke Starkiller, which in turn was told by ancient beings called the Whills (hence the “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” at the beginning of the story every movie).
EARTH: Planet comprised mainly of water, magnesium, silicon, aluminum and various other materials, all native resources. Mostly used but in working condition. Has experienced multiple wars but still sustainable. Comfortable housed billions of families over thousands (Or millions, depending who of the current tenants you ask) of years. Occasional earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and other natural events occur but rarely any permanent damages. Am willing to negotiate price and/or trades. If willing to trade, must be ready to move IMMEDIATELY. Due to the rush of the sell, no refunds.
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything but hopefully, this week's stories (I'm working on a second story now) will make amends.
Inspired came from this picture by Julie Dillion:
Halcyon materialize
in the copilot chair, laid back with his virtual legs up on the
console. “Lucas, in all of the years of my artificial life, you
are the only pilot I know who's not creeped out by her.” Lucas
looked up from his star map and out of the deck window. “A huge
mass of helium and star dust is something to be afraid of. By the
way, it's not a 'Her'.” “You know that's not why pilots are
afraid.”
Halcyon stood up and stared out into the space. Before
them glowed bright yellows and blues, swirling and drifting together
and into the darker edges of the stars. In the central of it all held
the eponymous Siren, a form the color of a dark wine hue with stars
pulsing in her body like diamonds. She loomed over another form,
holding its face close to her own. The second form was dim compared
to the siren's. “Have you ever heard the legend of that inspired
her name?”
Lucas nodded. “Of course. Sirens were mythical
creatures that were stuck on an island or something and sang a song
so beautiful that compelled any person passing them to come closer.
The poor saps were so out of their minds that they didn't realize
that the sirens' island was surrounded by sharp rocks and leading
them to their deaths.” Halcyon shook his head. “It wasn't that
simple. The Sirens' song gave you visions of your greatest dreams:
riches, fame and love, glory itself, anything. It also gave showed
you your greatest flaw, your Achilles heel one could say.”
Halcyon never turned
from the window as Lucas walked next to him. “The first time I flew
here, I thought my sensors were malfunctioning. I thought there was
no way I could have just flew through her form. Even now, they're
going haywire. There's something about almost...Primordial about it.
As if the sirens abandoned their island for the stars, hoping to
luring new travelers.”
As they stared out,
the second form seemed to dim, as if its energy was slowly pulled by
the siren's grasp. “Be careful not to fly to close, my friend. You
never know what lurks.”
Their heavy, metallic steps still grew closer. No matter how fast I was, I still saw their shapes, lurking. Helicopter swirled above me while searchlights pierced the gray darkness around me but none of that worried me as much as the voices behind me. Cold and distant yet seemingly submissive as it they were helping me. They tried to fool me but I kept running. I wouldn't be like the others.
They finally cornered me, their soulless eyes as they analyzed my weakened form. I tried to fight as one approached me but two of them came from behind me and held me still. I was no match for them. "Penny for your thought?" It asked. It didn't worry about my answer. They never did.
The one in front of me reached and touched my head. I felt its palm heat up and screamed. A sea of eyes glowing eyes stood before me as they slowly processed my thoughts. I closed my eyes and focused on one thought. A thought that would calm me, a thought that would make me stronger, a thought that could possibly overwhelm their simple minds and possibly end this bloody war.
I know it's been a while since I've posted anything here. Part of me wants to blame it on the year I spent on school, finding work and general life stuff but I also know that it's been because writing is terrifying and hard and I've let those things get in the way. Recently, I was explaining to my sister why I prefer writing things in my notebook rather than on my laptop and called it a "Literary oxidation", where the moment it leaves my head, it turns to crap. I know that other writers feel the same way but man, it's so hard to overcame that feeling. It gets even where when I realize that by putting it out into the world, other people might be subjected to my terrible writing. Granted, I think I have 3 followers on here but it's still out there and thus, the panic attack starts.
So, in an effort to get over this feeling, write more (Because being a published writer is a pretty big goal of mine) and improve my writing skills, I'll be posting short stories that I've written for Creative Challenge, a writing prompt over on io9. Stories will be inspired from pictures, prompts that I've found online, words or just some strange thing that I've seen that day. Hopefully, I'll be posting one at least once a week.
Advice, critiques, words of encouragement are welcomed. Anything troll-y is not and will be deleted.
Here are the links to the two I've done so far (Week one and two).
The room went still after the Councilwoman’s verdict. Diana was so stunned by it that she jumped when Mara spoke. “General. Ladies and Gentleman of the Council, I do realize that this is a singular situation but we wouldn't be here if I believe that her training was adequate. She has the potential for so much more but it's beyond my knowledge. Please reconsider For her sake.” Mara turned her back and reached for Diana to follow her but Diana stepped forward. She wanted to try something before they left.
“Excuse me, but is this about what happened with the guy in the hallway because I swear, I can explain. First Balex ran in the hall, all panicked about someone following her and the next thing I know, that guy had shown up, looking ticked off. He started threatening both of us. I tried reasoning with him but I guess he was past the Listening stage and came towards Balex.” Diana threw a glance at Balex for her to vouch for what happened. Balex nodded her head. “She speaks truth. I take full responsibility for it. She was only doing what she thought was right.”
Diana smiled in relief. “See? I didn't catch what the guard just told but it was an accident. I've never used my powers against anything in my life. I don‘t know my own strength and I‘m sorry.”
The Councilwoman lifted her hand to silence Diana. “Young child, this has nothing to do with what transpired in the hall. While the incident in the Grand Hall was rather, shall we say, energetic, there are many reasons why our academy would not be the best place for your training.” The Councilwoman shifted in her chair to leave but Diana felt a wave of panic in her chest and something told her to kept trying.
“That might not be true! Mom’s been trying to help me for years and I can barely move a book more than 5 feet. She’s a Colonel and probably one of the best students you've had here if she can’t help me then that must mean I need serious help, right?” "Young lady-" "Please! I know I've started off on the wrong foot but I can learn. I can improve! Please-"
"Young lady!"- The room fell silent after the Councilwoman's outburst, making slightest sound painful.
The Councilwoman let out a huff of air and stared down at Mara. “Colonel Gallenos, you and your daughter are more than welcomed to walk the grounds. We will discuss this matter at another time and give you our ruling then.”
“Why? So that you can tell us ‘No’ after you have lunch?“ Diana said, returning the stare.
The Councilwoman jumped up from her chair, her voice strained with self control. “What did you just say, child?“ Her body tensed and Diana readied herself against what was to come when a hearty laugh broke the tension. “I want to see what she can do.”
Everyone in the room turned toward the voice and saw the owner: the bored councilman Diana noticed earlier. He leaned back in the chair with a smile on his face. The Councilwoman cleared her throat. “General Davellir, now is not the time for such displays. It’ll do nothing but delay us and.... encourage others." She said, her tone coldness and calculated.
General Davellir seemed unfazed by the Councilwoman‘s tone and stood up. “Perhaps that’s what she needs.” He picked up a nearby glass and held it for all to see. “The proper incentive and encouragement. Tineh Gallenos, I would like to see you lift this glass and bring it over to you. As a demonstration of your skills.” He chuckled to himself. “Or rather lack thereof.” He held the glass out to her on palm of his hand.
Diana's frustration was replaced with nervousness. The glass was about 30 feet away from her. “I’m sorry but I can’t. It’s too far.”
Davellir cocked his head to the side and stepped towards to the stairs that lead to where she stood. “Too far? First, you knock one of our students, a young man two heads taller than you, over 20 feet across the room but then you say that you have only a meager training. You say you can only move a book 5 feet distance but you don’t know your own strength. Now you tell us without even trying that you can‘t do move this glass.” He placed the class on the table and climbed down the stairs. "Too many contradictions, Tineh. Speaking in riddles rarely gets you what you desire." He walked over Diana and pointed at the glass.
“Do what you just did. Plant your feet, stand your ground, be determined. Knowing your family, that shouldn't be hard for you to do.” Diana studied the glass on the table and did what Davellir said.
The glass started to wobble from side to side but stayed on the table. “I asked for you to bring it to you, not to tip. Keep trying.” Diana clenched her jaw and concentrated. It’s all in my head. It doesn't weigh anything, she repeated in her head. Soon the glass levitated and moved its way to Davellir. During the last few feet, her concentration slowly waned and the glass wavered. Davellir snatched it from the air before it fell and handed it to her. Diana studied it. It was as if someone else moved it but the glaring headache proved her wrong. She did it.
“Impressive, Tineh Gallenos. I expected the glass would shatter on the table. It appears none of us know your strength. Wouldn't you agree, General Gallenos?” Diana focused past her headache and followed his gaze to the Councilwoman. “Galleno? But that would means that...” Diana's words trailed to a stop.
Davellir turned back to her and beamed. “Oh, the General? She’s your Grandmother, of course. Surely, you knew.”
It didn't take long for the guards to find Diana. After all, she was a confused girl dressed in funny clothes lost in the labyrinth of hallways.
Diana turned towards the sounds of the boots booming down the hall and saw two guards. The one guard looked jittery and hung back while the second guard approached Diana cautiously. The second guard spoke first. “Tineh Gallenos?” Diana furrowed her eyebrows. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand you.” His expression softened as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small device the size of a deck of playing card. He began pushing buttons on it as he spoke again. “Are you Diana Gallenos, daughter of Xiomara and Rioden Gallenos?” Um, I think so.”
Both guard visibly relaxed. “We've come to escort you back to your mother. People are asking for you. Would you please follow us?” A feeling in the back of Diana’s mind told her that something wasn't quite right but she pushed it aside because she just might be feeling paranoid after the confrontation in the Grand Hall. “Thank you. My mother isn’t too worried about me, is she?” “No, Tineh Gallenos. Please, if you could follow us,” said the guard, speaking as he guided her down the hallway.
Diana gathered her thoughts together to figure out a way to explain all that happened to Mara with minimal chances of hearing a lecture about her combative attitude. She hardly noticed that the guard had fell behind and followed her for small distance.
From the other end of the tunnel, Diana saw the Blonde girl from the Grand Hall being identically escorted. Wordlessly, the two companies combined and turned down another hall. She realized that this wasn't a act of kindness, they were marching her back because she was in trouble. She looked to the girl with a regretful look only to see a pair of round, blue eyes in a resigned face. Diana decided to break the silence by whispering to her. “Hello again.” The blond girl did not respond so Diana tried again. “I know it might be a bit late for this but I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Diana Gallagher or Galla-something. I forgot what my last name is.”
She felt a bit foolish for trying until she heard the girl reply. “My name is Balex. I am sorry that I got you involved in all of this. I am not quite sure how this escalated.” “Don’t worry. I’m kind of confused too. Where are they taking us?”
“Well, I suspect we have summoned before the High Council.” Diana’s heart sank as she grimaced. “And that would be the same council that my mom is talking to right now, isn't?” Balex nodded. “I‘m afraid so.” Neither of them spoke for the rest of the walk.
At last, they reached a set of ornate double doors, much like the ones Diana saw earlier with Mara. Two guards came forward and opened the doors, revealing a room Diana could only describe as hallow. The auditorium felt almost like a cathedral, ancient and sacred with a large skylight, making the room seem even more impressive.
In the midst of the room, Diana could see a group of 15 people sitting at a large table in a half circle with a vast window that overlooked much of the academy’s rolling grounds and looming trees. Standing in front of them was Mara with a frustrated tension in her body, speaking in rapidly strange language. As Diana drew closer to Mara, Diana saw all of the council members but only two of them stood out to her, a man and a woman. The Man had a boyish face that compliment his peppered cropped hair. He didn’t appear to be anxious or upset like the other in the room but bored stiff.
The Woman, however, never took her eyes from Mara. She had a caramel complexion and had the sort of face that made it impossible to guess her age. Though she was too sitting, she sat with a proud and dutiful posture. As Mara implored and argued, the people seated squirmed and cough, trying their best to avoid Mara’s gaze, the Woman only appear to be humoring her.
One of the guards stepped forward towards the Council and bowed sharply. The Council members shifted their attention to the guard and he began to speak. Mara walked over to Diana and looked at the remaining guards and Balex. “Diana, what happened?”, she asked.
Diana gave her a sheepish smile. “Good question. Um, this is Balex. We met in the Grand Hall after you left and then we um, ran into a bit of trouble and then the guards find us and told us to go with them and now we‘re here! You probably didn't think that was a funny or interesting story but I found it very thrilling.” She noticed the guard getting more animated as he spoke and that members of the council glancing at her and speaking to each other in hushed voices. Even the Man who was bored seemed more interested.
Diana leaned over to Mara and whispered. “What is he saying?” Mara whispered n returned “He’s saying you attacked someone in the Grand Hall but I might be hearing it wrong.” Diana frowned. “Oh.” The guard finished his tales and bowed again to the council. The Councilwoman waved her hand in his direction and the guard took his leave. The councilwoman smiled at Mara and spoke in the foreign tongue in a haughty tone. Mara crossed her arms and replied in a stony voice. “It might be best to speak in the Earth’s language. She doesn't quite understand the Tayven language and she should understand what we’re saying.”
The Councilwoman straighten her posture and her voice flowed with false sympathy. “As we were suggesting before your daughter appeared, we think it best that she should remain on Earth to train. It would be one thing if she had been more… in tune with the atmosphere of the school. Now you tell us that she cannot even speak the language of her own people? A few years ago, this might have been possible but now? It would be near impossible for her to acclimate herself into our culture, into our world. We merely want what’s best for her and I apologize but it is not with us.”
T his has been a playlist I've wanted to do. Before 2012, a Kpop idol who wrote/produced their own music was a rarity, and sometimes tha...