Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, 1983

I'm going to need to clarify about the different versions I'll be talking about here and whenever I watch the other two: original theatrical versions, special editions released in 1997, and the DVD versions released in 2004 (aka the bastard children of the original movies). I watched the original theatrical version for this, but I'll probably talk about all three.

I've been watching Star Wars since before I can remember. My first real memory of Star Wars was when the special editions came out in 1997 when I was 10 but I had seen it countless times before then. My parents saw A New Hope on their honeymoon and love all three of them so Star Wars has been in our family as long as our family has been our family.

It was fantastic watching the original theatrical version. After the special editions came out, that's what we owned and that's what I watched. I then saw the DVD editions when they came out and was heartily disappointed and flat out mad when Hayden Christensen showed up at the end of Jedi. Then unfortunately, several years ago I bought the DVDs with two versions thinking they were the special editions only to find out that it was the bastard children tagging along with the original theatricals. And for some strange reason, I watched the bastard children. I thought the remastered look was worth the jumbled, distracting, and downright awful additions that Lucas thought necessary. Oh how wrong I was. It was amazing to watch the original theatrical version of Return of the Jedi. Not seeing Hayden Christensen at the end alone was enough to make me oh so happy (not to mention no horrible music number at Jabba's, no galactic celebrations and no "wesa free!"). I don't know why I kept watching the 2004 versions but I can promise you that I never will again.

One more thing on this subject, is anyone else pissed that Lucas isn't releasing the 1997 versions on DVD? Apparently he says it's too expensive. I'm calling BS on that. If he can afford to change all 6 movies into 3D and release them in theaters (2012-2015) he can afford to put the remastered versions on DVD. I think it's just his way of sticking it to us because people like those better than the bastard children.

Now specifically to Return of the Jedi. I don't have a lot to say because I love this movie and I think it speaks for itself. This one actually used to be my favorite when I was little, probably because of the Ewoks. However, as soon as I developed abstract thought I saw the clear superiority of Empire Strikes Back. Since I've been there, I can understand why children like Return of the Jedi best, but once you reach about 12, there is no excuse. However, I can't be sympathetic at all to kids who like Phantom Menace because of Jar Jar.

Now that I'm older I see Ewoks as kind of a cheap trick to sell toys and appeal to children (not unlike Jar Jar). It seems a bit far fetched that The Empire could be "brought to its knees by small, furry creatures" (another Spaced reference, but not the first one). It's not a horrible idea, since the storm troopers had been living with the Ewoks for some time and didn't consider them a threat. It makes the surprise aspect seem realistic, jut not the logistics of everything that goes down. In all honesty that's probably my only real beef with Return of the Jedi. Oh, that and when Chewie yells like Tarzan when he and two Ewoks swing from a vine to an imperial walker. I sigh every time I hear that. I feel like that's the first big indication of what Lucas will eventually become. But who knows, maybe it was Richard Marquand's idea (I'm guessing not though).

Hands down my favorite part in this film is Vader's speech to Luke while he's hiding:

"Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your friends. [Here you see Luke's   struggle to repress his thoughts and feelings in the hope that Vader won't read them.] Yes, your thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for...sister! So, you have a twin sister! [Luke's face is filled with dismay and fear.] Your feelings have betrayed her too. Obi-wan was wise to hide her from me, and now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."

I get chills every time I hear this, most notably when Vader learns of Leia. This moment (and the one directly following) is one of my favorites out of the entire trilogy. It might even be my flat out favorite. It's written beautifully, James Earl Jones executes the lines flawlessly, and you can read everything you need to in Mark Hamill's expressions to all but read his mind.

Another awesome moment is not long after when the Emperor says, "So be it, Jedi." Based on this scene alone, the Emperor my favorite villain of any movie. He's just pure unadulterated evil. He's not even sinisterly enjoying the act of torturing and killing Luke. He doesn't even have that.

One more random observation before I go: Darth Vader always reminded me of Humpty Dumpty with his helmet off. It's supposed to be a tender moment, but because I made that association when I was little and never let it go, I will forever think of that. I'm trying to kick the habit though.

Next on the list is Titanic. I'm still trying to decide if I will actually watch that one again because there are just some things you won't subject yourself to twice.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991

Disclaimer: I read and watched a lot of feminist material today so my mind is a little more geared that way right now and that's kind of what I focus on here.

Let me begin this post by saying that I haven't seen Terminator. I read the synopsis online. I saw part of one of the movies once at a friend's house in college, but the plot sounded too confusing to jump into the middle. It might have been The Sarah Connor Chronicles now that I think about it... Anyway, I know the plot line way better now and I was not a bit confused when I watched the second movie (although Arnold playing the good guy TOTALLY threw me like it was supposed to. Good job, James Cameron).

Here are some random observations I made about this film:

1. The lasers and blasts in the beginning are way too quiet for what the scene looks like. Granted my speakers aren't great and there isn't any surround sound, but still. After Star Wars I expect louder lasers than "pew" and "zoink."

2. As John was running from the T-1000 in the hallway towards the beginning, I FINALLY got the part in Wayne's World where Robert Patrick pulls over Wayne and says in a stern voice, "have you seen this boy?" while holding up a picture, causing Wayne to scream in his face and into the camera and go speeding off. I saw that movie in the theater when I was 5 and I've seen it countless times since then and I've never understood that part. That realization and understanding was accompanied by a fantastic feeling. It made me happy.

3. It's a shame it was the token black person who had to die.

4. The helicopter chase scene was freaking awesome. I love not being distracted by CGI.

5. The reference made in Spaced is Tim saying that he "cried like a baby at the end of Terminator 2." I got a little teary when Terminator said, "I understand now why you cry," but it was hard to get sad about a robot with no personality sacrificing himself.

Now I'll talk about something that really impressed me: Sarah Connor. She was probably a stereotype in the first movie (I'll find out later - Terminator is on the list), but she sure wasn't in this one. I'll admit, I was totally expecting her to play the role of the helpless but oh so nurturing mother overcoming trials and sacrificing all for her child. Ok, so the last part's kind of true, but nothing else was. Her opening scene totally took me by surprise and the phrase "bad-ass" passed through my mind more than once.

Let me tell you what is so fantastic about Sarah Connor's character in this movie: she's real. She's not a sexist stereotype like just about every woman is in almost every movie (ESPECIALLY action movies). She's not a sex object. She's not very nurturing. Her mind set and long term mental state have been altered because of trauma and emotional stress. She doesn't even hug John when they break out of the hospital. She checks for wounds and scolds him for coming after her. Think of almost any woman in almost any action film (especially more recent ones) and she'll defy every stereotype save one:

Her sole existence is to build John Connor into the leader he will become (and this is what is not fantastic about her character). This stereotype has been done and redone and is cliche and sexist. Female characters being there just to help the male protagonist through something. It's been done time and again and I'm finding it more and more distracting. The most recent example from what I've seen is the woman in Captain America. Her character was so forgettable I can't even remember her name. She wouldn't have been there in the first place in real life (but then again neither would the black or Asian guys) and she has no purpose but to be an empty love interest for the male lead. Either give these women some character or don't write them at all. Anyway, I'm willing to let it slide when it comes to Sarah Connor since she's freaking awesome otherwise and we clearly see her motivations and emotional struggles. She's an interesting character without the male lead and that doesn't happen very often for women.

Another awesome thing about Sarah Conner is it was really Linda Hamilton doing those pull ups! She beefed up a TON for this movie and she looks like she could really kick butt. I honestly can't think of any other actress that has done that recently. I'm looking forward to Alien cause I have a feeling Sigourney Weaver is buff too, but other than my hunch on that one, I've got nothing. Sarah Michelle Gellar was toned in Buffy cause she did Tae Kwon Do and kickboxing throughout the 7 years, but she wasn't anything to Linda. Let's think about this though. Uma Thurman, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu... none of them look the part of an action hero. They're fit, but they're mostly just super skinny and toned. Contrast that to people like Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Chris Evans, and Robert Downey Jr. It's not a huge issue, cause who wants to see a Bane sized Uma, but it would be awesome to see more really buff women on screen. It might even help body image for girls to see more than two body types (super skinny and obese) every now and then.

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed Terminator 2. I'd totally watch it again.

I told you this blog would be random :)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Project Begins

Welcome to this blog. If you haven't already, read the pages about this blog first cause I'm not going to explain anything here.

I finally have all of the film references made in Spaced. Here they are in order of episode:

1.1 
Terminator 2, 1991
Return of the Jedi, 1983
Titanic, 1997
Green Card, 1990
The Shining, 1980
2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968

1.2
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977
Night Shift, 1982
Misery, 1990
Fantasia, 1940
Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981
9 and a Half Weeks, 1996
When We Were Kings, 1996
Field of Dreams, 1981
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977
2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968
The Magnificent Seven, 1960
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
Betty Blue, 1986
The Blues Brothers, 1980
The Big Blue, 1988
Blue Velvet, 1986
Reservoir Dogs, 1992
The Evil Dead, 1982
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977

1.3
The Evil Dead, 1982
Dawn of the Dead, 1978
Army of Darkness, 1993
The Conversation, 1974
Psycho, 1960
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn 1987
Taxi Driver, 1976
Showgirls, 1995
Fatal Attraction, 1987
Shaun of the Dead, 2004 (future film reference)
Army of Darkness, 1993
Wild at Heart, 1990
Showgirls, 1995

1.4
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, 1987
First Blood, 1982
Rambo: First Blood Part II, 1985
Rambo III, 1988
Taxi Driver, 1976
Commando, 1985
Predator, 1987
Aliens, 1986
Raw Deal, 1986
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, 1987
Phantom Menace, 1999 (teaser trailer)
Psycho, 1960
Lethal Weapon 2, 1989
Platoon, 1986
The Killer, 1989
Hard Boiled, 1992
Every war film ever
The Terminator, 1984

1.5
2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968
Odd numbered Star Trek movies (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: Insurrection, 1979-1998)
Jurassic Park 2, 1997
The Shining, 1980
Return of the Jedi, 1983
A New Hope, 1977
Cujo, 1983
Don't Look Now, 1973
A New Hope, 1977
Star Wars Trilogy, 1977-1983
Saving Private Ryan, 1998
Desperado, 1995
An American Werewolf in London, 1981

1.6
Apocalypse Now, 1979
The Village of the Damned, 1960

1.7
A New Hope, 1977
The Shining, 1980
An Officer and a Gentleman, 1982
The Fifth Element, 1997
The Shining, 1980
The Shining, 1980

2.1
Manhattan, 1979
Goodfellas, 1990
Platoon, 1986
Manhattan, 1979
Pulp Fiction, 1994
Pocahontas, 1995
Casper, 1995
Return of the Jedi, 1983
The Phantom Menace, 1999
Apocalypse Now, 1979
Midnight Express, 1978
The Matrix, 1999
Scarface, 1983
The Karate Kid, 1984
Empire Strikes Back, 1980

2.2
E.T., 1982
Back to the Future, 1985
Mulan, 1998
Phantom Menace, 1999
Hawk the Slayer, 1980
Krull, 1983
Phantom Menace, 1999
Shaft, 1979
Phantom Menace, 1999
Phantom Menace, 1999
Silent Running, 1971
Phantom Menace, 1999
Phantom Menace, 1999
A New Hope, 1977
Hawk the Slayer, 1980

2.3
Robocop, 1987
Saving Private Ryan, 1998
Grease, 1978
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 1975
Waterworld, 1995
Bottle Rocket, 1996
Fight Club, 1999
Blue Thunder, 1983

2.4
The Sixth Sense, 1999
The Matrix, 1999
Taxi Driver, 1976
Terminator 2, 1991

2.5
Phantom Menace, 1999
Jurassic Park, 1993
The Shining, 1980

2.6
The Omen, 1976
Logan's Run, 1976
The Blair Witch Project, 1999
Bugsy Malone, 1976
Empire Strikes Back, 1980
The Shining, 1980
Fatal Attraction, 1987
Jurassic Park, 1993
Say Anything, 1989
The Thing, 1982

2.7


Obviously there are duplicates and I won't be watching any of the movies more than once, but other than that I will be watching them in this order. That's a total of 95 movies not including every war film ever. I'll probably skip over that one. As for season 2 episode 7, there were no film references. This threw me off so I'll check again sometime. 

If any of you see corrections to be made or know of a movie referenced in the homage-o-meter that I missed, please let me know and I'll take care of it. 

Let the great time-wasting project begin!

Next post: Terminator 2