Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (USE SPOILER TAGS!)

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

Judging from his work that really doesn't surprise me. The burger was a good analogy. He's the director equivalent of Mcdonalds , pretty tasty but cheap and useless in the long run. Star Wars is a much lighter franchise and doesn't seek to do as much as Star Trek on the intellectual side so maybe Abrams will be a better fit here.

I really see these films being like the prequels. They'll be best remembered by kids and adults will like them well enough until they think back on the empty plots.

I liked star trek into darkness, then I watched it again. Damn.

Well Star Wars is modeled after old b-movie serials so that makes sense.

I'm not much of a Star Trek fan, but I've seen enough to know that Star Trek has both a more intellectual side AND a b-movie sci-fi side with Captain Kirk punching out aliens with zipper costumes and nailing green-skinned alien babes.

I think Abrams went back to that side of it, and for my part I enjoyed the films and the characters a lot. But I also have really liked the more thought-provoking side as well-- I know the original show had writers who also worked on The Twilight Zone so there were a lot of cool and strange episodes with social commentary infused in them.

Now that the actual "5 Year Mission" on the Enterprise is starting in the films, it would be really interesting to see if they do capture that aspect of the series. And maybe Abrams isn't the right man to head that kind of film, so his timing with Star Wars works out really well.

[kobol]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I hope we get Fringe, Alias seasons 1 and 2 JJ Abrams and not everything else JJ for Star Wars The Force Awakens.

JJ's hack writing buddies: Cuse, Lindelof & Orci are not involved in this which means it has a great chance of being excellent.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Well Star Wars is modeled after old b-movie serials so that makes sense.

I'm not much of a Star Trek fan, but I've seen enough to know that Star Trek has both a more intellectual side AND a b-movie sci-fi side with Captain Kirk punching out aliens with zipper costumes and nailing green-skinned alien babes.

I think Abrams went back to that side of it, and for my part I enjoyed the films and the characters a lot. But I also have really liked the more thought-provoking side as well-- I know the original show had writers who also worked on The Twilight Zone so there were a lot of cool and strange episodes with social commentary infused in them.

Now that the actual "5 Year Mission" on the Enterprise is starting in the films, it would be really interesting to see if they do capture that aspect of the series. And maybe Abrams isn't the right man to head that kind of film, so his timing with Star Wars works out really well.

Well put. This is a dream and it wont happen but I would love the creepier aspect of star trek to crawl back into the 5 year mission films. Unsettiling unfamiliar stuff, instead of explodey things with the klingonz and them romulans you know and love.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by DJMcNiff

End of 2019? Unless the date got moved up, the distribution argeement expires in May 2020.

1999 + 20 = 2019. Even if it is May 2020, it's a fairly simple waiting game for Disney to ride out. They just bought out Paramount for any and all rights to Indiana Jones. They're going to control Star Wars. People need to just deal with it and stop kvetching about it.

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

Star Wars is a much lighter franchise and doesn't seek to do as much as Star Trek on the intellectual side so maybe Abrams will be a better fit here.

I wouldn't go that far. Star Wars is a very smart franchise. The films are full of symbolism and allusion and reconstituted archetypes that aren't too obvious to casual viewer but resonates with them on a subconscious level. That's why the films are so popular. Lucas was very diligent in his research. My fear is that with him gone the films will become just another fast-food type film. Kasdan's involvement gives me hope.

[DJMcNiff]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

1999 + 20 = 2019. Even if it is May 2020, it's a fairly simple waiting game for Disney to ride out. They just bought out Paramount for any and all rights to Indiana Jones. They're going to control Star Wars. People need to just deal with it and stop kvetching about it.

I was simply pointing out that the disturibution deal expires in 2020 not 2019.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Man, we disagree a lot on here but I don't think we've ever disagreed more. Abrams' films are NOT Star Trek.

Of course they are. They are what they set out to be: a modernization.
Personally, I think they were both fantastic. If I want the original TV series I'll watch that. If I want the original films, I'll watch them. If I want the new films...you guessed it, I'll watch them.
Hate to say it, but times change. Films change right along with them. I know purists find this a tough pill to swallow(Jesus, look no further than the SW thread for that ), but that's what happens when you reboot 50 year old tv show.
I was highly entertained by both films, and eagerly await a third one.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by kobol

JJ's hack writing buddies: Cuse, Lindelof & Orci are not involved in this which means it has a great chance of being excellent.

So I take it you are one of those Battlestar Galactica fans who hates Lost? I'm a huge fan of both and can't stand the negativity towards Cuse, Lindelof, and Orci.

Lindelof and Cuse (especially) are both excellent writers who have achieved more in television history within the last ten years than many writers who have worked in the industry for decades. Obviously a lot of this boils down to opinion, but I can never grasp the degree of hate some direct towards them. Lost alone should prove that they are writers with an immense degree of talent in the craft and are not "hacks" as you say. Even if you disliked the direction Lost ended up taking in the end (I presume you watched it?), it's hard to deny that they stood by their creation and made the series that they wanted it to be.

[kobol]

Originally Posted by GenPion

So I take it you are one of those Battlestar Galactica fans who hates Lost? I'm a huge fan of both and can't stand the negativity towards Cuse, Lindelof, and Orci.

Lindelof and Cuse (especially) are both excellent writers who have achieved more in television history within the last ten years than many writers who have worked in the industry for decades. Obviously a lot of this boils down to opinion, but I can never grasp the degree of hate some direct towards them. Lost alone should prove that they are writers with an immense degree of talent in the craft and are not "hacks" as you say. Even if you disliked the direction Lost ended up taking in the end (I presume you watched it?), it's hard to deny that they stood by their creation and made the series that they wanted it to be.

I'm a Battlestar Galactica fan who loves most of Lost, except 50% of the final season which was absolutely pointless & poorly written, executed & thought out. I dislike immensely their writing on the Transformers films, and their treatment of Star Trek 2009 (which was for the most part a lot of fun, but didn't have a brain it it's head), & Star Trek Into Darkness (after the first 20 minutes becomes insultingly bad). Not to mention Orci's treatment of those who called him out on the terrible writing of "Into Darkness" (which took him & others a YEAR to write, & apparently could not re-read what they wrote!!?).

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

I wouldn't go that far. Star Wars is a very smart franchise. The films are full of symbolism and allusion and reconstituted archetypes that aren't too obvious to casual viewer but resonates with them on a subconscious level. That's why the films are so popular. Lucas was very diligent in his research. My fear is that with him gone the films will become just another fast-food type film. Kasdan's involvement gives me hope.

Great points. Your assessment is exactly why Star Wars is so awesome and popular. It's well beyond the average bumbling crap out there.

Let's hope they maintain the standards that have been set.

[kamphausd1]

The problem often with JJ Abrams isn't his directing, it's the writers he typically works with.

[Det. Bullock]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

I wouldn't go that far. Star Wars is a very smart franchise. The films are full of symbolism and allusion and reconstituted archetypes that aren't too obvious to casual viewer but resonates with them on a subconscious level. That's why the films are so popular. Lucas was very diligent in his research. My fear is that with him gone the films will become just another fast-food type film. Kasdan's involvement gives me hope.

Smart, yes, but it's fantasy with starships while Star Trek is more golden age era science fiction (Asimov and Clarke, to give you an idea) dressed up as an adventure series.

Abrams' Star Trek is the dressing up without the classic science fiction soul underneath it, and sometimes it feels a lot like a parody, his Kirk feels a lot like Zapp Brannigan rather than the original Kirk (which I never particularly liked in the first place).

Originally Posted by rickah88

Of course they are. They are what they set out to be: a modernization.

No it isn't, as a trekkie I would have liked a more radical approach instead of an anthology of the more superficial elements of the franchise.

Hell, for example I wouldn't have minded if they did away with the transporters, originally they were only there because of budget constraints and they are one of the less "sciencey" things in the original series, nowadays even on TV transporters as a mean to cut on the budget wouldn't really be necessary (see Firefly).

Sincerely, as a trekkie I felt somewhat insulted while watching it, it's almost like JJ thought of Star Trek as the series with the half-naked green skinned space babes, the straw vulcan (eh) with pointy ears, the redshirt that dies first, etc without even giving a glance at what really defined the franchise in the first place.

[Himmel]

Hunt for the Hunters at Celebration!



Continuing a tradition that started in 2005 and has carried through all U.S. Celebrations since, six regional Star Wars collecting clubs will be giving away custom patches at their booths at Celebration Anaheim 2015. Each Lucasfilm-approved patch is fully embroidered and depicts an action figure from the vintage Star Wars line by Kenner. Collect all six to complete your set of Bounty Hunters from The Empire Strikes Back!


The patches will be available free of charge, and only 1000 sets will be produced. Each club will set their own distribution schedule and policies. You can find the patches at the following booths:

California Vintage Star Wars Collectors' Club (IG-88) - Booth 1065
Indiana Star Wars Collecting Community (Boba Fett) - Booth 1067
Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club (4-LOM) - Booth 1076
Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society (Bossk) - Booth 1077
Star Wars Grand Florida Alliance (Dengar) - Official Pix Autograph Drop-Off Table
Washington DC Area Star Wars Collecting Club (Zuckuss) - Booth 976

[Himmel]

Members of Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club are excited to present this special collecting opportunity at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim: A LucasFilm approved 15-piece patch set that, when assembled is over 15” tall and comprises a vintage Darth Vader action figure carrying case. The assembled set is the actual size of a vintage Kenner Vader case insert and will fit nicely inside an actual case.




Forming the top of the helmet, the OSWCC patch will be available for trade at the Archive Party, the Club Collectibles panel, the Meet the OSWCC panel, and intermittently at the OSWCC booth itself on Sunday.

The other 14 pieces, sponsored by individual club members, represent vintage action figures to "fill" the case. Celebration attendees can go on a very unique toy run to find the following individual OSWCC members to trade for and collect these action figure patches, and each member will be wearing a black badge with a Vader Case symbol on a lanyard showing who they are and which piece they have. Good luck and happy hunting!

Admiral Ackbar (Mark Schnack)
Stormtrooper (Matt Erickson)
AT-AT Driver (Chris Crothers)
Chewbacca (James Simkins)
A-Wing Pilot (Dan Flarida)
B-Wing Pilot (Joe Ilagan)
Darth Vader (Troy Lindsay)
Emperor’s Royal Guard (Bryan Arbogast)
C-3PO and R2-D2 (Tracey Hamilton)
Boba Fett (Bobby Sharp)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Zac Schneider)
Luke Skywalker (Dave Brown)
Blue Snaggletooth (Doug Hott)
Bossk (Kevin Lentz)

[Himmel]

If you are interested in posing for a quick photo with your favorite Star Wars celebrity while attending Celebration Anaheim, you can now pre-order your preferred session times. Don't miss the first ever "Skywalker Twins" photo-op offer and more click link below.

https://store.epicphotoops.com/star-...n-anaheim/2015

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by kobol

I'm a Battlestar Galactica fan who loves most of Lost, except 50% of the final season which was absolutely pointless & poorly written, executed & thought out. I dislike immensely their writing on the Transformers films, and their treatment of Star Trek 2009 (which was for the most part a lot of fun, but didn't have a brain it it's head), & Star Trek Into Darkness (after the first 20 minutes becomes insultingly bad). Not to mention Orci's treatment of those who called him out on the terrible writing of "Into Darkness" (which took him & others a YEAR to write, & apparently could not re-read what they wrote!!?).

So, you loved "most of Lost" but you consider the writers behind it hacks? Just because you disliked 50% of the final season? Also, only Orci was involved on Transformers. (I can't stand those films, either.)

As for Star Trek, I disagree with you. It did have a brain and heart. Maybe it's not as "smart" as some Star Trek iterations. I think it's a great summer movie and a wonderful film in it's own right. I also think the second one is great fun. You didn't and that's unfortunate but a few works which you consider misses doesn't mean a writer is a hack. You yourself like things written by these writers.

I also think criticizing writers for spending a year writing a script is sort of silly. Can scripts be written faster? Of course they can. But good writing often take longer and there's no definitive time-table for some projects.

As to the other part of your comment, Orci probably felt offended that people were insulting his writing directly to him. It's one thing to have opinions on the writing quality and like/dislike a movie. It's another to be blatantly rude to someone in person who worked hard on a project. It's a difficult job being a writer. As far as Orci was concerned, he did a good job.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by GenPion

So, you loved "most of Lost" but you consider the writers behind it hacks? Just because you disliked 50% of the final season? Also, only Orci was involved on Transformers. (I can't stand those films, either.)

As for Star Trek, I disagree with you. It did have a brain and heart. Maybe it's not as "smart" as some Star Trek iterations. I think it's a great summer movie and a wonderful film in it's own right. I also think the second one is great fun. You didn't and that's unfortunate but a few works which you consider misses doesn't mean a writer is a hack. You yourself like things written by these writers.

I also think criticizing writers for spending a year writing a script is sort of silly. Can scripts be written faster? Of course they can. But good writing often take longer and there's no definitive time-table for some projects.

As to the other part of your comment, Orci probably felt offended that people were insulting his writing directly to him. It's one thing to have opinions on the writing quality and like/dislike a movie. It's another to be blatantly rude to someone in person who worked hard on a project. It's a difficult job being a writer. As far as Orci was concerned, he did a good job.

Orci went to that Star Trek forum looking to pick a fight, and said things such as "This is why I get to write movies and you don't." Orci is also a 9/11 truther, and as if that's not bad enough, on the day of the bombing tragedy in Boston, he even sent out tweets asking if the U.S. military was behind the Boston Marathon bombings. His Star Trek Into Darkness screenplay is a thinly veiled 9/11 conspiracy movie, so while JJ did a great job staging it, it's still an annoying bit of kookbattery.

[StingingVelvet]

Lost, NuTrek and Transformers sounds like the unholy trinity of bad writing to me.

I didn't know they were involved in Galactica, but that would make some sense. Galactica is a show with scattered episodes of brilliance swimming in a bowl of stupidity and wasted potential.

[dvdmike]

Mission 3 was pretty solid

[octagon]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Galactica is a show with scattered episodes of brilliance swimming in a bowl of stupidity and wasted potential.

[Show spoiler]