DominicCobb

Netflix

This is probably about rogue squadron, right? Of course the title could be more simple than it sounds - i.e. Han Solo is a "rogue one" - but I'd imagine that's not the case.

Are we going to see Felicity Jones as an X-Wing fighter? Will this be during the OT? Still a lot of questions. Some say she might be playing Leia, but I doubt that.

Jones's casting does make me happy. She's as talented as she is gorgeous, and the more female leads in this franchise, the better.

The curious thing about this is that it's released a mere five months before Episode VIII. I do wonder if all these Star Wars movies will confuse viewers and/or oversaturate the market. There's no good analogy for this, Marvel comes closest but their films are so different that it doesn't matter. Time will tell how this will shake out I suppose. I'm looking forward to it.

^Yep.

Also, if his comments in this interview he did with Christopher Nolan is any indication, he'll be trying to use even more practical effects than JJ, including rear projection instead of green screen.

First spin-off entitled Rogue One.

Episode VIII will mark the return to the Memorial weekend release date.

March 10:

A.D. 2015: RicOlie2 suddenly realizes how long it's been since he last updated this thread.

Certainly the majority will be stuff that we won't even notice exists (all the kids things), but the novels and comics will be of some interest, as this is newly uncharted territory.

We can probably expect at least a few adult novels and comics that will fill in the gaps, and likely even more in the future. The article said they're working with the film's screenwriters, so I'm sure these stories will be carefully crafted by the new story group so as to not make any messes. Making up the history of post-ROTJ is especially important now, much more so than what happens in between the OT movies (where the new comics have been taking place).

I probably won't delve into any of this material until after I see the film and figure out what stuff is worth investing in. But it's cool to know that there'll be a new batch of content for the empty spaces of the new canon.

AKA the new EU gets interesting:

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/09/star-wars-release-20-books-journey-force-awakens

20 new books and comics out this fall to bridge the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

Sounds like fun!

Well it finally showed up (I don't get it, they've routinely posted episodes online anywhere from a day to a week early, but for this it's a day late?), and I watched it.

And it was fantastic! Wow, I actually really love this show!

All Things Star Trek

Random Thoughts

General Star Wars Random Thoughts Thread 

Parroty Threat

starwars.com has a GROOT image!

Worst Cliques in Films

All Things Star Wars

Why is the finale not online?!?!

To be clear, there is no new Star Trek film this year. I was making a joke.

2014 actually ended being a great year for science fiction films (US release dates).

Edge of Tomorrow was supposed to be good, been meaning to watch it.

Godzilla wasn't as good as it could have been, but was still enjoyable.

Robocop was surprisingly not bad.

X-Men: Days of Future Past and Guardians of the Galaxy were comic book movies at their most sci-fi (and most fun).

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was one of the best installments of one of the best sci-fi franchises.

Jodorowsky's Dune was an intriguing documentary about probably the best sci-fi movie never made.

Under the Skin and Snowpiercer (and The Double but I'm not 100% if it was sci-fi) were absolutely fantastic sci-fi films that went under the radar, but are/will hopefully gain some attention on streaming sites and home video.

And Interstellar was of course one of the greatest sci-fi films ever.

So yeah, good stuff.

Looking forward to Chappie, Jurassic World, Tomorrowland, and I suppose that new Star Trek flick.

Not sure about the others. Surely there will be some clunkers and some pleasant surprises. 

Going to see Terminator Genysis but I'm not entirely sure it won't be shit.

Sad times.

I had a feeling it was coming with his failing health, but it's still a shock and hard to believe it's true.

I had the opportunity to view a gallery of his and participate in a group Skype conversation with him on his last birthday (we sang to him, it was quite fun). He was very kind and gracious. He signed off with a live long and prosper, something I believe I will never forget. 

Very sad.

Is Planet of the Dinosaurs a Star Wars spin-off???

I think Joe Johnston wants to direct a Star Wars movie:

http://twitter.com/jjsketchbook/status/569354157208965120

Been doing it recently. Feels more right to me, for whatever reason.

Well, yet again it's taken forever for me to post my LMS. So this is what I've watched so far this year. I will try to be as brief as possible.

Unbroken (2014) - Rather unfortunately not good depiction of a great story. Beautiful cinematography can't make up for clunky structure/pacing and character development. C

Wild (2014) - Surprisingly great. Expected a cheesy nature walk movie but got a compelling, introspective character study. A-

Star Wars (1977) - Cool movie, you guys should watch it. A+

Boyhood (2014) - Fantastic. Love it when a film lives up to its hype. An emotionally engaging film experience like no other. A

Selma (2014) - Highly commendable film in most regards. A little anti-climatic, though. A-

Road to El Dorado (2000) - Fun, but slight in every sense of the word. B-

Inherent Vice (2014) - Crazy good time. Very funny, very weird, very enjoyable. Not for everyone, but I loved it. A

School of Rock (2003) - Quality picture, wished I hadn't taken so long to watch it. Very entertaining. A-

Murder by Death (1976) - Structurally inept (the first act is half the movie) and politically incorrect, but funny nonetheless. B-

Knife in the Water (1962) - Finely crafted and tense film. Impressive debut film for Polanski. B+

Hoop Dreams (1994) - Quite unlike any documentary I've seen before. Comprehensive and moving. A

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) - Sad, but sweet and funny. Great cast and killer ending. A-

American Sniper (2014) - Not very good at all. Don't even know where to start. Bradley Cooper is the only thing that makes it worth watching on FX in two years. C

Five Easy Pieces (1970) - Well made film with some great performances. B

Closely Watched Trains (1966) - Strange but enjoyable film. Interesting take on the lives of people in an occupied country. B

A Man Escaped (1956) - Involving film portraying a prison break as a personal experience. B+

Blade Runner (1982) - Final Cut on the big screen, 35mm print. A film that just gets better every time you watch it. Amazing. A+

Life Itself (2014) - Absorbing tale of everyone's favorite film critic. I wish they could have gone more into his favorite films and his thoughts on film in general, but this is a nice (and somewhat moving) summary of his life. B+

The Interview (2014) - Kind of wish they'd swapped out some of the silly humor for more serious satirical criticism, but I still enjoyed it. B

Ghost in the Shell (1995) - An extremely interesting film that brings up some thought provoking concerts and themes. Just wish they'd realized how hard it is to understand what's going on. B+

Run Lola Run (1998) - Like a roller coaster. Don't care much for the characters, but, it's such a fun ride, I don't mind. B+

Jodorowsky's Dune (2014) - Such a cool movie. Passion and excitement are bursting at the seams. Makes you wish for what could have been. B+

Akira (1988) - Superb film in every way. An instant favorite. A

A Most Violent Year (2014) - Engrossing crime thriller like no other. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain are in top form and prove their status as some of the best working actors. A

Obvious Child (2014) - Sweet and funny vehicle for up-coming star Jenny Slate. B

Grave of the Fireflies (1988) - Sad. So very sad. Perhaps too sad. A-

Two Lane Blacktop (1971) - Very weird film. Interesting filmmaking going on in the 70s. B

Chef (2014) - Charming, but slight picture. Some laughs, smiles all around, but not entirely satisfying plot-wise. B-

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - Your standard Wes Anderson fare. Great character dynamics and performances. A lot of fun. Don't know why it took me so long to watch, but now I have seen all his films. A-

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - Way ahead of its time in cinematographic technique. Thrilling, iconic film. A

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) - So much fun! A pitch-perfect homage/parody of one of my favorite film franchises, James Bond. A little cliche, but the humor and spectacle more than make up for it. B+

The Last Laugh (1924) - Another cutting edge silent film. Impressive lack of inter-titles. It's a little drawn out, and the ending is very silly, but you have to appreciate the art of it. B+

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015) - I was really hoping this'd be good. The first one was, and this had Adam Scott, a favorite of mine. But... it wasn't. D+

Virunga (2014) - Finely crafted and captivating documentary. Some beautiful shots in there and a particularly well edited sequence towards the end. I wish it was a bit longer so we could learn more about the gorillas and the wildlife of the park (the emotional hook) but the political issues that drive the film are provocative enough that you still feel affected at the end. B+

Hope I didn't forget anything!

Ah man, movies based on board games suck. Remember Clue? Oh wait, that movie was awesome. But still, movies based on stuff like toys suck. Remember The Lego Movie? Oh wait, that was awesome.

Don't judge a movie by the box it was born out of.

I don't want to encourage the necrobumping of this thread, but Rocky 7 is a spin-off of sorts called "Creed" and about Apollo's grandson. Silly idea but he's played by the always fantastic Michael B. Jordan and it's directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) so I'll likely see it when it comes out later this year.

Harris Wittles, one of my favorite comedians and a writer/producer on Parks and Rec, has died. I am very sad this day.

Oh wait, skyjedi2005 has me on ignore? Not sure why, I think I might have called him an idiot or something.

Pixar, for the first time ever, has two films out this year. Guess how many are sequels. 

Wait, what? Zero? They have two original movies coming out? Well shame on them for ruining a perfectly good rant about the state of the modern blockbuster.