Star Wars - Episode 7: The Force Awakens (2015) - #Movie #Review

This one is a fun one!

Ok, so I am going to be honest and say that I was one of the handful of people who seems to have actually liked the prequel series... I mean Jar Jar Binks was incredibly irritating, but the rest of it... Well I thought it was pretty good... 

But I have to admit that I have really been looking forward to finally getting in to the future of the Star Wars universe... and that is why I am glad to have seen, Star Wars - Episode 7: The Force Awakens (2015)! 

A great movie, and a fantastic poster! 

Written by: Lawrence Kasdan (Kin), Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) & J.J. Abrams (Star Trek). Starring: Harrison Ford (Raiders Of The Lost Ark), Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series), Carrie Fisher (Family Guy), Adam Driver (The Simpsons), Daisy Ridley (Lifesaver), John Boyega (Attack The Block) & Andy Serkis (Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes). 

"This is the ship that made the Kessel Run in 14 par secs?" - Rey (Daisy Ridley: A quote from: Star Wars - Episode 8: The Force Awakens.) 

Ok... So I am going to say it.... This movie is basically a decent movie... I mean the story is pretty alright (except for the fact that it is fairly un-original...) Ok, so what I mean by this is this... Ok... So basically this movie takes place about 20 years after, 'Return Of The Jedi'... 

The Universe is now a very different place... The Empire is gone... Replaced by, 'The First Order'... And even though they aren't as big as the, 'Old Republic,' the, 'New Republic' is working on it... 

During this time, Storm Troopers are basically no longer recruited, but born in to service, and then kept drugged up to keep them there! And instead of Darth Vader bringing fear to the Galaxy, it is, 'Kylo Ren' (Played by: Adam Driver) 

Kylo Ren and his shrine to Darth Vader...

Now after a massacre on a world, one of the Storm Troopers gets out of their power and decides to escape... And with the help of a crafty girl who salvages stuff on a back water planet... And with the help of the people who helped end the reign of tyranny of the Emperor, will now work together to stop the next big plot from the Empire's successor! 

Ok so plus points... 

1. Awesome cast and getting to see the characters that made this series... Was awesome! 

2. The special effects are amazing! 

3. And for what it is, the story is alright. 

Now for the main minus point... This movie is fairly unoriginal... It is like J.J. Abrams decided to take the best of the original series (which was basically everything,) and then threw a few little perks in there... 

Don't let that discourage you though... It is a fun one that is worth checking out! 

Batman Vs. Darth Vader... A Battle Royale We All Want To See!

The battle we have been waiting for!

So crossovers, no matter what the genre for decades have been something that has been really popular for decades... Rather you want to see the crew of the, 'U.S.S. Enterprise' teaming up with the, 'X-Men', or if you want to see Ash fight just about every big bad movie villain to have come out in the last 30 years!  Fans have wanted it... And mostly in written form they have gotten it!
Well a few months ago I was looking around at videos on youtube and I found a video of the evil, 'Galactic Empire's', 'Dark Lord Of The Sith', 'Darth Vader,' fighting Gotham's own, 'Dark Knight', 'Batman'... And it wasn't some weird mashup, or some one with no budget trying to have some fun... 

This particular video is a total blast, and although it is definitely indie, you could tell that some serious thought, and some serious capital went in to making this the best that it could be, so check it out! 

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Technology From Movies That Scientists Are Working On Developing ForThe Real World

Someday... This could be a reality!

I don't know if I have told you guys this, but besides being a huge horror and science fiction fan, I am also a huge fan of technology! I mean if used correctly and appropriately, technology can benefit every one the world over, as well as make sure that the planet we live on is still the planet we live on!

With all of that said, I have noticed myself as time has gone on that there has been a very fascinating turn in inventions... That is that at least some inventors have headed in to the realm of, 'Science Fiction' or more directly to Movies and TV Shows when it has come to some of the inventions that these geniuses are working on!

A great example of this is the, 'Tricorder', now this is a device that was originally created as part of the TV/Movie series, 'Star Trek', it is a hand held scanning device that scan through just about anything that it has on record! Now this device once created in the real world, will have far reaching applications! It will revolutionize everything from, 'Science' to, 'Security' and even to, 'Medicine'... And you know what? Scientists are working hard to make it happen!

Seen at the top left hand corner is a tricorder that you could say is the first evolution of what will later become a fully functional real world tricorder that is on par with Star Trek!

As a matter of fact Qualcomm currently has one of their Xprizes listed for some one who has built a legitimate, 'Tricorder', and there is even an entire project dedicated to it's invention... And where as it is true, the Tricorder inherently has been invented... We are not quite at Star Trek level... But considering what is out there now... Forget about it! A huge evolutionary leap!

But there is so much more! I mean the Military is working with making robotic replacement limbs for  disabled Soldiers that have lost a limb in combat that as time goes on seem to be headed more and more toward becoming more like the robotic replacement that Luke Skywalker had from, 'Star Wars', then just the more customary prosthetic!

And I have also recently heard that NASA is beginning to look in to the potential for Warp Drive as well!

A NASA design for their Warp Ship!

The last one that I thought that I would mention here is, 'Teleportation'... Now I will be honest with you guys and say that when I first heard about this, I was pretty certain that this would never happened besides who would want to get their atoms scrambled anyway... Right?

Well the exciting news is that Scientists have been working for years to crack the code that may some day make, 'Planes', 'Trains' &  'Automobiles' obsolete!

There is so much more that I could say on this subject, but I thought that these might be a few things that might wet your whistle... And where as it maybe true that we may not be, 'Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before'... Yet, but with the progress that Science is making... You never know!

Five Of The Most Recognized Intro Songs In Horror or Sci-fi Movie AndTV History

One of the things about movies and TV history is the fact that their soundtracks can almost become just as important (or in some cases more so,) then the movie or TV shows themselves!

With that in mind, and with the fact that I am a huge fan of all 3 mediums, I thought that you guys would enjoy these: Five Of The Most Recognized Intro Songs In Movie And TV History!

At number 5: The theme song to the TV show: 'Angel':

The cast of season 1... By the end of the series, most of them may have been gone, but none of them will ever be forgotten!

Now this one maybe the lesser of the lot, but for a time, even people who had never seen this show recognized this song, and thus I am going to have to give it to this one... And even with the show having been off for nearly a decade... Well it is still pretty easily recognized by fans of the show.

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 4: The theme song to, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer':

The opening theme for, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', another great song, from a classic Horror TV series!

The truth is, is that at this point it is probably pretty safe to say that this song may not be heavily recognized by the younger generation (I mean this show has been off the air for quite a few years now,) but in the late 90s, and really up till this show went off the air, this song was one of the more recognizable songs on TV!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 3: The theme song to, 'Halloween':

Besides being legend in horror movies, John Carpenter is also an accomplished musician who had scored the theme for, 'Halloween' (1978)!

Now I will be absolutely honest with you guys and say that this song is probably more for the Horror fans out there, but the truth is, (and I know this to be true, because I have known people who can't stand horror that have recognized this song,) but I am going to say that as far the world of horror goes, that this is probably one of the more famous songs in horror movie history!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 2: The theme song to, 'Star Wars':

The song that John Williams did for Star Wars... Well this song is probably one of the most famous songs in motion picture history!

Let's be honest... It is Star Wars... This song is one of the most famous songs in cinematic history to one of the most famous movies in cinematic history!

For more information on this song, please enjoy!

At number 1: The theme songs to, 'Star Trek':

The cast of the original series... They started a phenomena in TV & Movies as well as Music that will never be forgotten!

Alright, this one may seem a little obvious... Well some times the obvious choice is the best, and I am including all of the songs, because in all honestly, all of these songs, created the musical theme to the most famous entertainment franchise in American history!

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Donald F. Glut - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_322" align="alignright" width="258"] Official Score = 1 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know a lot of people I think tend to discount novels based on movies, I mean it is true that movies based on books are usually not as good, but can it be true that books based on movies are as good?

Well I am hear to say that some times yes they are and some times they are not...

I hate to say it, but Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back just isn't one of them... Don't get me wrong, this novel is not all that bad, the problem is, is that Donald F. Glut did not bring anything new to this story!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="200"] This book just is not as good as the movie![/caption]

What I mean by this is the fact that he did not answer any questions that people may or may not have had about the movie, and the story was basically the same...

So well I guess if you love the movie, then you might like this, I know I did enjoy it some, despite the fact that it is not inherently original, and if you give it a try you might enjoy it as well!

 

A Major Contribution To Horror And Science Fiction Movies: The Soundtrack

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] James Horner composing music for a soundtrack to a movie.[/caption]

You know I will be honest with you and say that one of the biggest contributions that the music industry has given to the world of film, rather it be on the big screen or on the small screen is the, 'Soundtrack'!

You might be asking yourself though... Well what about, 'Musicals'? Well the truth is, is that there are some great musicals out there, I am going to have to say though that Soundtracks really take the cake when it comes to the more important of contributions... There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. Universally, rather it be on the big screen or on the small screen Soundtracks compliment the movies or TV series that they are supposed to go to pretty nicely!

2. Now this is just my opinion, but almost every musical TV episode, or music based TV show that I have ever scene has always and so far from what I can tell, will always universally suck!

And this is pretty universally true for the horror & science fiction genre as well!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Believe it or not, a truly fun soundtrack![/caption]

What I mean by this is that rather it be on the small screen or on the big screen, Soundtracks tend to play an extremely important role in the production they are connected to. A couple of great examples of this:

A: Psycho (1960): Universally, the arrangement that music composer, 'Bernard Hermann' put together for this classic horror/thriller by: Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo) was so well made that in a lot of respects, I think with out this maestro's work, this movie would never have become the insane cultural icon that it is today!

B: Star Trek... I know, I know, I do tend to use this example an awful lot, but it is true! I mean no matter who the composer or musicians are, who are associated with the latest movie or TV series, generally speaking truly help make the movie the historic epic that we all see on the big screen!

Now those are a couple of great examples of some soundtracks that have totally helped make these Horror or Science Fiction movies the true masterpieces that they were when they first came out, and the cultural icons they are today!

And there is another side of soundtracks that I thought that I would mention here that are really important... That is the talent they bring in to work on these movies!

Rather they be composers like, 'John Williams' (Jaws), or heavy metal super stars like, 'Rob Zombie' (Halloween), producers generally bring in some truly amazing talent! A couple of examples are as follows:

John Williams' score from, Star Wars - Episode 3: A New Hope (1977):

http://youtu.be/2Mo0dSHFGPg

Rob Zombie's 'House Of 1,000 Corpses' from the movie he directed with the same title:

http://youtu.be/WT_f2UFNj3U

Charles Bernstein's famous score from, A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984):

http://youtu.be/tn_DjzN8410

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 (2010) - Video Game Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

When I first got in to the new (well for me new at the time), XBox 360, one of the first couple of games I was able to get my grubby little mits on was, 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' (2008)...

And where as I have to admit that this game was really hard to figure out how to control, one of the things that I will say, is that I had an awful lot of fun playing it... I mean it had a great story that incorporated some of the elements of both the original movie series and the prequel movie series... It also had some great characters that were very well created and voiced... I mean all and all that game was a lot of fun!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="460"] The first, 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' was a blast, but the second one was even better... As seen above when the player is fighting, 'Darth Vader'![/caption]

The reason that I mention this is because when I got in to the sequel, I actually found it to be better... I know... I was shocked as well!
This sequel in my opinion was better developed story wise then the first one, I like the more intense character development and conflict in this one. I also liked that the universe for this one was drastically expanded... And last but not least, (I will admit that to some extent this is a little lame but it is true)... I thought the two lightsaber thing was real cool!

In the end, this game is a total blast, and if you get a chance to try it, I think you might find out why!

http://youtu.be/ChVXYSU89fs

Young Adult Horror Novels... Why They Are Fun For Adults As Well

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="604"] A great example of a fun young adult, 'horror' novel![/caption]

Young adult novels, rather they be the, 'Sweet Valley High' novels, some of the 'Star Trek' novels, or even the, 'Goosebumps' series of novels... These novels generally are written with the idea of teenagers in mind, (i,e... Leaving out a lot of the adult themes that come with novels from such authors as, 'Anne Rice' & 'Stephen King'...)

Well I am here to say that these young adult novels... Despite the fact that they generally tend not to have the size-able portions of adult themes that authors put in to their more adult novels... There are definitely a decent sized portion of young adult, 'Science Fiction' novels, and young adult, 'Horror' novels that are definitely fun!

Now don't get me wrong, Like any category, there are some good and there are some bad... And in the case of young adult novels, you will have to discover for yourself which ones you are either going to like or dislike... But there are some truly fun ones out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="260"] A fun example of a young adult, 'Science Fiction' novel![/caption]

A great example of a novelized series that I found to be an awful lot of fun is the, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' novels... There are a couple reasons for this:

A: Despite the fact that these novels were generally written with the idea of teenagers in mind, most of the stories that I have read thus far from this series of novels, has kept to the core values of what made, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' a truly amazing TV series, including: genuinely cruel big bad guys, that the authors oft times go in to fun detail as Buffy and the Scooby Gang have to fight off the monsters.

B: They also have the relatively easy to kill vampire.

C: Last but not least they go in to the legitimate drama and tackle as many of the issues that they can, that people the age of Buffy and her team would normally face...

And Buffy is just one example of some of the great horror novels for young adults that are out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="118"] Christopher Pike... A great author who has produced some awesome, 'young adult' horror novels![/caption]

A great example of young adult Science Fiction novels happens to be the, 'Star Wars' & 'Star Trek' series!

A couple of examples of this are:

A: In both series, the author generally does good by these 2 series by maintaining the basic overall stories of these series, really quite nicely!

B: Reading these novels and going through as we continue on with the saga of these characters in my opinion is like imagining an episode of, 'Star Trek' or a new, 'Star Wars' movie in your head as you are reading one or the other!

C: The adventures that the characters have in their respective series, are both entertaining, and remain true to the forms upon which they were originally made, (Being the various TV series of, 'Star Trek' and the various movies of, 'Star Wars'.)

So the next time you are in the book store or looking for something to read on your, 'e-Reader', don't skip past the, 'young adult books' you might find one that will keep you both entertained, and maybe even at the edge of your seat as you read through it!

Star Wars (The Thrawn Trilogy Volume 2): Dark Force Rising (1992) - Timothy Zahn - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Believe it or not, I have actually been a fan of Star Trek novels for quite a few years, (long before I had ever become a fan of Star Wars novels.) You see Star Trek novels, despite the perceptions of them by a lot of people. Star Trek novels, like their big or small screen representations, are novels that kind of give a positive view of humanity that from what I can see, it generally seems that humanity really believes could happen... But not just that, but it also continues the Star Trek universe in such a way that some times the movies or the TV shows couldn't expand in to... And so knowing that is the case with Star Trek novels, you would think that it would be the same thing with Star Wars novels right? Wrong... For me, for some reason I was under the preconception that Star Wars novels would not only not be fun, but that they would also be kind of cheesy as hell, and that the novels that could be closely related to an, 'Adult' novel, would be more like the young adult novels... Boy was I wrong! You see, I was given a Star Wars novel called, 'Dark Force Rising'... Now at this time I didn't know that this was a trilogy in and of it's self, but the truth is, is I found this novel to be quite fascinating... It was fun to see where, Luke, Leia, Han & the gang were at years after, Star Wars Episode 6: Return Of The Jedi (1983) ended up at...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Luke, Leia, Han & the gang celebrating the battle that took down, ‘The Emperor’, ‘Darth Vader’ and, ‘The Death Star’.[/caption]

You see this novel is actually the second in a series of 3, and tells the story of how years after the fall of Emperor Palpatine. Darth Vader & the Death Star in, 'Return Of Jedi', A New Republic is born, and the old Empire has been routed to a small corner of the Galaxy... But during this time the last of Palpatine's major warlords, 'Grand Admiral Thrawn' has marshaled the remnants of the Imperial Military...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Some of the, 'Imperial Navy'.[/caption]

Well in this story it turns out that the Old Republic had created a fleet of Dreadnoughts (the predecessors of the, 'Imperial Star Destroyers'... This would be a huge boon for either side if they could get their hands on them, due to the fact that despite a virus that killed the living element of these ships, that for the most part are automated and would require very little people to control! Well the good news is that Talon Karrde (A smuggler who played a major role in the previous novel and would become an important figure in the expanded universe), had found out their location years ago... The only problem is that not only does Talon know about it, but Grand Admiral Thrawn also has found out where they are and has sent a clone army after the ships! During this time Han and Lando are trying to recruit a veteran former Republic Senator who after a falling out with one of the leaders of the Rebel Alliance and later the, 'New Republic', has been fighting his own private war against the Empire... But the interesting thing is that this guy apparently seems to have control of at least some of the, 'Dreadnoughts.' And also during this time, Leia, Chewie, C3PO, and R2D2 go on a mission that will expose a plot that will help get a new race to join the, 'New Republic'... But in the end, it turns out that Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose forces seem to be growing, also now has the majority of the Dreadnoughts! And it will be up to Luke, Leia, Han and the rest of their gang to stop Grand Admiral Thrawn, before Thrawn has the chance to restore the Empire to it's former glory!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="200"] This book is a blast, but I do recommend starting from the first in the series... It will make more sense![/caption]

In the end, this book was a total blast... I mean you maybe wondering why I mentioned this book as the first one before I mentioned Book 1... Well the truth is, is this is the first Star Wars book that I had ever read, and the truth is, is it was so good that it has given me a life long love of those novels that I still enjoy today!