The Roast of Weed

Funny stuff.

RUSH Into R'N'R Hall of Fame

It' about bloody time, too!  Now, if only the complete morons at the HOF Inductee Committee would come to their senses and rightfully induct KISS.
Heart, Public Enemy (Another rap group in the ROCK and ROLL Hall of Fame) Bluesman Albert King, Lou Adler, Randy Newman (pop) Quincy Jones (pop producer) and disco queen Donna Summer.

In my opinion, at least three inductees don't belong in a rock and roll hall of fame.  There are numerous artists in the Hall already who shouldn't be there like Madonna, ABBA and any and all rap groups.  Yes, the same argument applies, it's the ROCK and ROLL Hall of Fame, not the disco Hall of fame, not the pop Hall of Fame, not the rap Hall of Fame, it's not even the music Hall of Fame.  Jan Wenner, you suck!

Flying Russian Girl?

A nice little hoax, if indeed it is one.

A Russian was out with his dog and while filming nothing in particular, he came across a peculiar sight.  A little girl out for a walk with nature ( I am assuming) with her mother (or guardian of some sort) seems to be floating in the air.  She doesn't seem to be totally stationary and there are no ropes or pulleys evident.
Her "mother" also doesn't appear to be tossing her in the air in a playful manner as most parents do with small children, or if she was, the girl certainly stayed up there for some unexplainable reason.



I know this is 99% scam, but still, isn't kinda cool when these little "mysteries" make their way to us?

Star Wars Episode VII Already Written?

A report by the website, Screenrant, says that Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt has already written the script for the new, as yet untitled, Star Wars Episode VII film.  The film franchise, under the auspices of Lucasfilm Ltd, is now owned by Disney since the late October acquisition by the family-oriented entertainment company from Star Wars creator George Lucas for $4.05 billion.

Although the piece maintains that the completed work is simply a "treatment," Ardnt has reportedly already written the synopsis points for episodes VIII and IX as well.

In other related news, actor Ewan McGregor has stated he would be "happy" to reprise the role of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi if the producers of the new films come calling.
"I guess, yeah, of course. If they need me, yeah, I'd be happy [to go back]," McGregor said.

New Ideas for Star Wars Episode IX?

Now that Disney has purchased the Star Wars franchise from creator George Lucas for a whopping $4.05 billion (that is just under what Lucas has earned from the previous six feature films, plus merchandising profits) and Disney has apparently found a writer to start off the next three episodes (the first due out in 2015) the next question is, what will be the plot and who will be the next villain?

New Star Wars Trilogy Finds Its Screenwriter; Still Waiting on Director

The folks at Disney, now the owners of all rights to the Star Wars franchise since the purchase of all Lucasfilm holdings from George Lucas two weeks ago for $4.05 billion, have apparently found their screenwriter who will take the reigns of the SW franchise into the future, for one film at least.

Michael Arndt, who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine, has been hired by Disney to write the first instalment of the new trilogy due out in 2015.

Conversely, the brass at Disney are still hunting for their new director that producer Frank Marshall has hinted is close to a conclusion.  Plenty of names have been mentioned such as Star Trek director J.J. Abrams, although he has recently ruled himself out of the running.  As have Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro and Steven Spielberg.

More Star Wars news has it that an interesting, if not confusing rumour has been mentioned about the possibility of Darth Vader being resurrected for the new trilogy, although I have no idea how they'll pull that off seeing that Vader, armour and all, was burned to a cinder at the end of Return of the Jedi (Episode VI). However, this is the universe of clones running amok.

Ford Open to Reprising Solo Role in New Star Wars Film

Maybe it was the fact that he is older, or that recent films in his otherwise lengthy and successful career, such as Cowboys and Aliens, haven't been exactly blockbusters, or maybe it's the fact that there are new owners of the Star Wars franchise since Disney bought out Lucasfilm and all its subsidiaries that might allow Harrison Ford to reprise the role of the ever-popular Han Solo.  Although there are reports that Ford is "open" to the idea, there are also reports that he may want a cause in his contract that mandates a death scene for the Han Solo character, something that he felt was warranted for Return of the Jedi (Episode VI for you younger readers)  Lawrence Kasdan, co-writer of The Empire Strikes Back along with the deceased Leigh Brackett, agreed with Ford that "someone had to die" in the darker 1980 sequel.  Kasdan thought it should be Solo since "he had no family, and at this point he had no story obligation."  He should die as a result of self-sacrifice."

But George Lucas didn't want to give up the guaranteed merchandising sales that came with the Han Solo action figure, which at the time was the best selling one. 

But I wonder, should this come to fruition-with Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill reportedly also interested-where this is going to go?  I mean, are they going to make it 30 years in the future?  They would have to, wouldn't they?  I mean they can't very well CGI 70 year-old Harrison Ford into a 40 or even 50 year-old Han Solo, right?  Actually, they probably could.  Aren't visual effects awesome?

Lucas Sells Star Wars Franchise for $4 Billion; New Trilogy to Be Made

Star Wars creator George Lucas has sold his famous space opera franchise to Disney for a whopping $4.05 billion.  Lucas made his name through bringing the Star Wars universe to multiple generations of movie-goers with his sci-fi/fantasy tale that spanned six movies, an CGI-animated show, a couple of made-for-TV movies (including the 1978 Star Wars Christmas Special that neither fans or Lucas himself ever wish to discuss, and rightfully so-it is a-w-f-u-l) plus billions of dollars worth of merchandising sales since 1977.  He is also the innovator of Pixar, the company born out of Graphics Group in 1978 (which itself was begat by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) in 1977 that was sold to Apple in 1986 and then finally to the Walt Disney Company in 2006.  The franchise has to date brought in $4.4 billion combined global box-office receipts.

But enough about the history of George Lucas and his business offshoots, he has sold his baby and he himself was quoted as saying, ""I've always believed that 'Star Wars' could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime,"
New Star Wars movies on the way, baby!!

With new producers and directors at the helm, will this mean the end of corny lines and bad acting?  Maybe. But maybe not.  After all, that is part of the whole SW universe is it not?  Of course we could all have done without Hayden Christiansen as Anakin Skywalker, midiclorians and of course, Jar-Jar Binks.  But really, do even the most die-hard SW fans really care?  Did they ever?  Or were they like me and just were almost orgasmic that three brand new movies would allow us to relive our collective childhoods at the same time introducing the greatest movie trilogy to our children?

Maybe the piece I wrote a while ago has something to it.

But there is a downside...a big one.  What if Disney over-saturates the SW universe and makes either too many or just plain bad ones?  I mean look at movie franchises such as Friday the 13th, Halloween or Police Academy that just went on too long in pursuit of the almighty dollar and ruined even the first couple of movies that many might consider gems or even classics.  There are exceptions, such as the Harry Potter series, but that is a big exception.

But again, who cares?  Unless the above happens and Disney totally soils every memory and all those hours upon hours of my time spent alone (proudly) creating new stories (but mostly just re-creating scenes from Star Wars through Return of the Jedi-that right! the franchise was originally three movies and they had actual names, not this silly "Episode 1," "Episode 2" crap) I'll be happy to see what they do with it.  Maybe some OLd Republic stories, maybe a contuing arc with cameos by Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford or Carrie Fisher.  Don't hold your breath on that one, but theoretically, it could happen.

Yay, new Star Wars movies.

Worst NHL Logos...Whattya Think?

Since there is no real hockey news to discuss thanks to the inexcusable lock-out of National Hockey League players by the owners due to everyone involved needing more than their $5 million/year (at least) contracts and $2 billion revenue for the league itself, I'm relegated to link to a article about the worst NHL logos.  Fortunately, this type of thing interests me, so I'm hoping it has at least some sort of entertainment value because watching KHL or American Hockey League games from Russia on-line just isn't cutting it.

Why Just the NHL?

When the National Hockey League made an arrangement with the Board of Trustees of the Stanley Cup (the people responsible for maintaining and protecting it) in 1947 (and again in 2000) it was determined and agreed upon that Lord Stanley's mug would be the de facto championship of the NHL after the demise of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (later the Western Canada Hockey League, then finally the Western Hockey League) in 1926.  Many think that since the cup was originally presented to the "amateur hockey champions of the dominion" (Canada) that Canadian teams have the right to challenge for the cup if there is a labour dispute or work stoppage that would result in the cup not being awarded to a NHL team, much like what happened in 2005.

Two Toronto beer-league hockey players launched a legal challenge during the 2004-05 lockout to amend this aspect of the agreement between trustees and the NHL, leading to an out-of-court settlement a year later.  The court ruled in the players favour, however the powers of who ultimately decided who gets to compete for the cup remained with the trustees and they say no team outside the NHL will hoist the cup.

1. The Trustees hereby delegate to the League full authority to determine and amend from time to time the conditions for competition of the Stanley Cup, including the qualifications of challengers, the appointment of officials, the apportionment and distribution of all gate receipts, provided always that the winners of this trophy shall be the acknowledged World's Professional Hockey Champions.
2. The Trustees agree that during the currency of this agreement they will not acknowledge or accept any challenge for the Stanley Cup unless such a challenge is in conformity with the condition specified in paragraph one (1) thereof.
3. The League undertakes the responsibility for the care and safe custody of the Stanley Cup including all necessary repairs and alterations to the cup and sub-structure as may be required from time to time, and further undertakes to insure the Stanley Cup for its full insurable value.
4. The League hereby acknowledges itself to be bound to the Trustees in the sum of One Thousand Dollars, which bond is conditioned upon the safe return of the Stanley Cup to the Trustees in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and it is agreed that the League shall have the right to return the trophy to the Trustees at any time.
5. This agreement shall remain in force so long as the League continues to be the world's leading professional hockey league as determined by its playing caliber, and in the event of dissolution or other termination of the National Hockey League, the Stanley Cup shall revert to the custody of the trustees.
6. In the event of default in the appointment of a new trustee by the surviving trustee, the "Trustees" hereby delegate and appoint the Governors of the International Hockey Hall of Fame in Kingston, Ontario, to name two Canadian trustees to carry on under the terms of the original trust, and in conformity with this Agreement.
7. And it is further mutually agreed that any disputes arising as to the interpretation of this Agreement or the facts upon which such interpretation is made, shall be settled by an Arbitration Board of three, one member to be appointed by each of the parties, and the third to be selected by the two appointees. The decision of the Arbitration Board shall be final.^[13]

-SOURCE: Wikipedia

I get all the agreement stuff and legal mumbo-jumbo.  The NHL essentially owns the cup (if not officially) and even if there is a work stoppage or another entire season wiped out, no team from the amateur ranks (say the competitors for the Allan Cup-the successor to the Stanley Cup as Canadian amateur supremacy) or juniors, no other kids that have dreamed of hoisting hockey's Holy Grail, unless they're a member of an NHL team, will never get that chance.  Somehow, I doubt that was the original intention of Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston when he purchased the sterling silver punch bowl to crown Canada's hockey kings.

But think about it.  Wouldn't it be an exciting time for hockey, professional or otherwise, if any team could have a chance to challenge for the Stanley Cup?  Not juniors.  They have the Memorial Cup and the Stanley Cup was never meant or advertised for junior hockey competition.  But pro-am and minor league teams?  Why not?  Imagine the intrigue if minor league or amateur team were told they had the opportunity to be hockey's club world champions?  A kid that had dreamed of playing in the NHL only to be cut, injured or otherwise told his dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup one day was done was now in the running to have his name etched on the cup with the heroes of yesteryear.  Maybe even a true world tournament.  Much like the World Championships or Olympics, the best or best available could compete from all over the globe.

Isn't the Stanley Cup, regardless of who or what league supposed to be the emblem of hockey's best?  Isn't that better than having the greatest symbol of hockey supremacy, and the oldest and hardest team trophy to win collecting dust because a decision can't be made on what millionaires should make the most money?

Could It Be?

I'll believe it when I see it (or them) litteraly.
But, oh what happy days it will be.  Except, hey George, no more Jake Lloyds, Haden Christiansens and for the love of everything decent, please nothing even remotely close to resembling Jar Jar Binks!

The Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years

After 50 years of blues-oriented rock and roll, the Rolling Stones are still filling stadiums and influencing young rock and rollers all over the world.  eveybody who has ever picked up a guiter, or ever wanted to, know the ensemble of Mick Jagger, Kieth Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood.  Before the modern incarnation of the band, there were members Bill Wyman who left the band in ???? and the late Brian Jones, who died accidentally at the age of 27 in 1969.  Ian Stewart played piano for a short time and Dick Taylor, Mick Taylor and Tony Chapman also served in other capacities for a time.  Since 1993, Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) have applied their trade in studio and live performances.

Everybody know the iconic tounge and lips logo even without any wordmarks indicating the signature logo belongs to the world's most famous rock band.  That is if you don't count The Beatles, or perhaps even if you do.

KISS/Motley Crue Tour Press Conference

A little late with this post, BUT, better late than never.  Here is the press conference announcing the 2012 summer "Monster" tour of KISS and Motley Crue.

Unfortunately I'm going to miss this one as I recently moved half way across the country (Canada) back home from the hub of concert access in Windsor, Ontario where I could either go to Detroit and anywhere in Michigan or five hours up the 401 to Toronto to see any concert I wanted.  Hopefully the tour will come back this way in the fall or early next year in a "lost cities" tour (as KISS did last fall with Sonic Boom/Hottest Show on Earth) after touring in Europe.

Director Nolan says He is Forever Done with Batman

According to his wife and business partner Emma Thomas, director Christopher Nolan says he will never again be at the helm of another Batman movie.

Alex Trebek Hospitalized for Heart Attack

Seventy-one year old Jeopardy host Alex Trebek is in a  Los Angeles hospital recovering from a mild heart attack he suffered on Saturday.  He is expected to fully recover.

Ray Bradbury Dead at 91

Ray Bradbury, the prolific writer that gave us such literary classics as Something Wicked This Way Comes, Dandelion Wine and Fahrenheit 451 has died in Los Angeles at the age of 91.

Mobster that Inspired "Goodfellas," Henry Hill Dead at

Henry Hill, the man who brought to light the real life inside of the mob that wasn't romanticized like in films such as The Godfather and was played onscreen by Ray Liotta in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas based on his life and autobiography, Wiseguy: Life In A Mafia Family written by Nicholas Pileggi, has died at the age of 69 of natural causes.

Salma Hayek:" I'm Addicted to Breastfeeding"

 Imagine how the kid felt. And by the way, YUM!

Bombers Introduce "New" Helmet and Logo

It's back to the basics and tradition for the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they unveiled their not-so-new logo and helmets for the upcoming 2012 season.  The bold white "W" that will emblazon the helmets is the same logo the club used between 1965 and 1995.  it replaces the lightning bolt logo that I never liked in the first place, but was forced to embrace.  I guess I have to buy a new baseball cap with the "new" logo, since I the one I just got last year has hardly been worn what with me wearing the colour out of my Jets cap since their re-birth.

I hope this will be a re-introduction to the classic "W" over the football and word-mark I grew up with:

American Bandstand Icon Dick Clark Dead at 82

Dick Clark, the seemingly ageless rock 'n' roll mogul that brought rock 'n' roll into the mainstream and countless homes across the world, as well as kick-starting the careers of numerous bands and solo artists over the decades has died of a "massive" heart attack at the age of 82.

The Titanic: 100 Years Later

It's been one hundred years to the day that the world's biggest "unsinkable" luxury liner, the RMS Titanic, hit an iceberg and sunk to the bottom of the North Atlantic taking with it 1,514 souls.

It feels weird to post this on an "entertainment" blog since it was and continues to be one of the most tragic, if not the most romanticized occurrences in nautical as well as human history.
It's hard to believe that 1oo years ago today (and as of this writing, about two hours to the hour) that the once thought-of "unsinkable"RMS steam liner Titanic hit an iceberg in the still, freezing waters of the North Atlantic and within two hours, slipped beneath the waves after tearing in two, taking with her 1,514 souls. Only 710 survivors that either were lowered onto the collapsible lifeboats from the ship's deck, or picked up from the water after the sinking.

I, like a lot of people, have been pretty avidly interested in the Titanic and all her stories all my life, whether they be myths or not. Everything from the unimaginable horror, to the bravery, chivalry, myths and human arrogance of the tragedy. It wasn't really until Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreck in 1985 that made it real for everyone. Although documented history let us know the the "greatest" marine disaster ever did happen, it had that romanticized myth about it that almost put it in mind of Greek mythology. I think the discovery of the wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland finally made it real for everyone that had heard about it throughout their lives, other than the survivors and those like Ballard that made it their life work to find the famed, doomed vessel.
"The first reaction was celebration, we all jumped up shouting because we were near the end of the expedition and we thought we were going to fail," Ballard said when he and his crew saw the image of a boiler in the sand 12,000 feet beneath the surface signaled the discovery of the Titanic. "But that was followed quickly by a realization of where we were, that we were on a gravesite. We started seeing where the bodies had landed, that this was a cemetery, and it changed our emotional wall. It went from pure joy to thoughtful reflection."

There have been a plethora of books written on the subject and there will continue to be hundreds more written in the coming years. But I think, because of this milestone anniversary, the fascination of the tragedy will never be as high as it is right now. Mine started when I read one of the first written in the modern age, A Night to Remember by Walter Lord. I couldn't put it down and have been engrossed by the subject ever since. The tales of bravery and sadness as well as the the mysteries of exactly how and why the ship was destined to flounder has always kept me on the lookout for almost anything to do with the ship and her stories. I have read almost anything I can get my hands on and have seen countless documentaries. Last summer I went to the Titanic artifact exhibit, complete with mock passenger ticket and short biography of an actual passenger. At the end of the exhibit you wen to a big list and checked to see if the person you had the name of survived or not. Mine didn't. He was third-class male and like most steerage passengers, he didn't have much of a chance.
Most people tend to forget that this horrific event actually happened and happened to real people that suffered the greatest horror that even the best Hollywood writers couldn't imagine. But one story of the Titanic wasn't about the Titanic at all. It was called Wreck of the Titan (aka Futility) by Morgan Robertson and it was a work of fiction about an unsinkable ship that didn't have enough lifeboats for everyone on board, hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic in the month of April. It was published in 1898. That means it predated even the designing of the Titanic by about 12 years. Creepy. The similarities are down right eerie. I mean this has to be the preeminent tale of
coincidence in the history of history.
As mentioned, there are countless books and documentaries about the Titanic. Here is a short one found on YouTube with footage and survivor interviews.





There are many more videos on YouTube about the Titanic, its survivors and their tales. You can just go the the YouTube website and check them out.

Director James Cameron who gave us probably the best description of what happened to the Titanic both in how the ship hit the iceberg and what detailed damage it did to cause it to sink with an animation that was seen in his 1997 feature film, Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. But even though it shows the best re-enactment anybody has given the general public to date, a recent documentary he hosted with Titanic experts of the last 20 or so years shows, as Cameron readily admits on air, that there were mistakes made in that animation and he would correct them. However, Cameron stated he would not "fix" the film with the updated information since he is still quite happy with the final product.



The disaster reached far and wide and touched people in seemingly every country and language. This is a memorial plaque in my hometown of Winnipeg that is dedicated to those form here that were lost.



For a sample of the numerous stories permeating the internet this week, I have linked a few of them for your viewing.

Titanic Sinking Remembered

Robert Ballard

Futurama

Archives Contain New Fragments of Tale of Ship’s Fateful Voyage

Tragic Tale Endures Test of Time

Human Remains Embedded at Titanic Site?

The Force Unleashed

O.k. Here are the endings to both the light side and dark side endings to both The Force Unleashed games. I just couldn't resist posting them after the last post that went on and on after it was supposed to be just a simple post after a simple thought. And if I post the same endings as the last post; ah, well. Sai la vie.

Forced unleashed I-Lightside Ending:


Darkside Ending:


The Force Unleashed II-Lightside Ending:


Darkside Ending:

Star Wars: Video Games to Movies

Ok, so I love Star Wars right? So I'm thinkin', why not make another Star Wars trilogy? Prequel, sequel, it doesn't matter, but this time make it awesome and not Jar-Jar Binks crappy. Actually, except for Jar-Jar I enjoyed The Phantom Menace. Yes. Honestly, I did. I mean, c'mon, it was the first Star Wars movie in 16 years, and no, I don't count those pathetic Ewok TV movies. Now Attack of the Clones was the weakest link in the chain of the prequel trilogy, admittedly, but it did not totally suck either. Again, it's a Star Wars movie, how really bad could it be if your a Star Wars geek? And I'm assuming most of us are. Revenge of the Sith tried to recapture the brooding atmosphere of what is arguably the best episode in the SW saga, The Empire Strikes Back. It pretty much succeeded I think, but it wasn't able to dethrone Empire as the best movie.

Anyways, the point of all this is I was just checking out some Star Wars YouTube videos and came across the intro vids for the Old Republic games. Put aside the fact I still haven't played any of these (that's because I still stubbornly refuse to "generation-up" out of my PlayStation 2-I used my PS1 for 10 years, and I'm only on four with the PS2, so good luck with that) but what I am thinking is take the exact same concept of these intros and make movies out of them. And I mean with the exact same animation, if not a tad better. Not like the Clone Wars feature film (or for that matter, the Cartoon Network's adaptation of the Clone Wars in 2005) but just like these intros. If you haven't seen them, I think you'll agree they're pretty awesome. They are in chronological order and tell the tale of the time (as the title indicates) of the Old Republic. Before Emperor Palpatine, before Darth Vader. heck, we're talking about 2000 years before Yoda. Yeah, a long time. Check em' out:



And then there's more in the still ongoing OR saga:



Cool huh? Wouldn't they make awesome flicks? If you're a stickler for live-action sci-fi actors, well then go away. You would get used to computer-generated action pretty quick, especially if it's this great. Imagine the lengths you could go to. There would literally be no limitations. And they could do this forever. I mean, there are endless Old Republic stories. Personally I would love to see prologue stories such as putting Timothy Zahn's 1990's Heir to the Empire trilogy (or Thrawn trilogy, referring to probably the best villain in a Star Wars story since Darth Vader) on the big screen. That would most definitely rock. You couldn't do it with live-action for obvious reasons such as Harrison Ford, Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher being too old for the roles now. It could have been done in the 90's, because all of them would have supposed to have been a bit older after the events (five years after the destruction of the second Death Star according to the time-line) with Han and Leia married with kids (paternal twin toddlers plus a young infant) but not now. Too much time has passed.

If you haven't read this original book series that started it all (yeah, don't tell of the original Star Wars books adapted from the screenplays, supposedly written by George Lucas or Splinter of the Minds Eye, I know about that too-who doesn't? And although the chronological time sequence may suggest otherwise, this was the original story) I really suggest that you do. The inside flap of the first book reads,

Here is the science fiction publishing event of the year: the exciting continuation of the legendary Star Wars saga. Picking up where the movie trilogy left off, Heir to the Empire reveals the tumultuous events that take place after the most popular series in motion-picture history—masterfully told by Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn.

In spring 1977 a film called Star Wars was released—and a cultural phenomenon was born. Its epic story, about a young man named Luke Skywalker, whose destiny was to save the galaxy from conquest, caught the imaginations of millions and broke all box-office records. Today Star Wars and its sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, are acknowledged as the most popular series in movie history, and rank among the top ten films of all time.

The three Star Wars films form a spectacular saga of bold imaginations and high adventure. But the stories of its characters did not end there. Now for the first time, Lucasfilm Ltd., producer of the Star Wars movies, has authorized the continuation of this beloved story. In an astounding three-book cycle, Timothy Zahn continues the tale of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the other characters made world famous by Star Wars, as he brilliantly expands upon George Lucas's stunning vision, "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."

Heir to the Empire begins five years after the end of Return of the Jedi: the Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and driven the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet back into barely a quarter of the territory that they once controlled. Leia and Han are married and have shouldered heavy burdens in the government of the new Republic. And Luke Skywalker is the first in a hoped-for new line of Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light years away, where a few skirmishes are still taking place, the last of the Emperor's warlords has taken command of the remains of the Imperial fleet. He has made two vital discoveries that could destroy the fragile new Republic—built with such cost to the Rebel Alliance. The tale that emerges is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale—in short, a story that is worthy of the name Star Wars.

There's one testimonial on the back cover of the first book, Heir to the Empire (the other two are Dark Force Rising and The Last Command) that reads, "...moves with the speed of light tempo, you can almost hear the John Williams soundtrack." I concur. Zahn really gets the Star Wars universe. May I add you could also almost see the editor's "wipes" that separate the scenes. Zahn is obviously a Star Wars fan...or just a really, really good writer.

Well, this was supposed to be an advocating of a video game-turned-movie. Instead it seemed to progress into an everything Star Wars post. Ah well. Sue me.

So while I'm at it, how about this one as well. Again, if you're a Star Wars fan, you undoubtedly know about the game The Force Unleashed, the story of the secret apprentice of Darth Vader set between Episodes III & IV. That was followed in 2009 with The Force Unleashed II.



YouTube has all of The Force Unleashed II's cinematic cut-a-ways. Hey, this isn't about spoiling, it's about the quality of animation for possible theatrical releases, so there. Embedding disabled (the cretins) so...Part 1 and Part 2 have to be viewed directly from YouTube.

Seriously. Could you imagine these as full-length feature films? Or at the very least, direct to DVD and/or Blue Ray? I predict there will be a Star Wars project released in this version. Although it wouldn't be the first (there was the feature film release of Final Fantasy) It has to happen sometime.

And just for a bonus, take a look at these "What if?" horrible scenarios. I have no idea where they came from, but they're a little disconcerting.





They do say "RisingGamer.com at the end, but I couldn't locate it online. Whatever. The bastards.

MLB Adds More Wild Cards to It's Playoff Format

Major League Baseball will add one more wild card team from each league starting next season.

Starting this October the division winners plus two teams with the next best records in each league will graduate to the post season. Although this may negate last day pennant-race thrillers such as last season involving the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves when they both suffered late-season collapses.

The only thing is, and this is probably due to time constraints involving cooler weather in October, especially on the east coast, the wild cards in each league will only play a one-game playoff (exactly like what would happen if two teams are tied with identical records at the end of the season) to determine who advances to the division playoff against the regular season division winner.

All in all though it does give more teams a better chance to advance to the playoffs and should create more excitement come early October.

Finally, Some Class at the Oscars

It's about time some actor reminded us of how Hollywood used to be; elegant, classy and humble-well, the performers anyway. Here's about-time-Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actor winner Christopher Plummer and his acceptance speech doing justice to the old-time thespians. sagacious brevity, theatrical elegance, and understated humor.

It calls to mind other memorable Oscar speeches given by Hollywood legends such as Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne, whose well-chosen words continue to teach and inspire.

The Oscars: 2012 Edition

Ok, really. Other than Christopher Plummer finally winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, as for the rest of the Academy Awards (aka "Hollywood Elitist and Millionaires Patting Themselves on the Backs Night") Who cares?! Not only do these Tinseltown Bubble Elitists (TBE's) have absolutely no idea what goes on beyond their entourages and "Yesmen," besides what they're told and read in their gossip rags (assuming that they see their own names in it) but they make worse and worse movies year after year.

I can name a handful of actors that can actually act, but they usually stay out of the spotlight, so the attention then goes to other celebrities who Hollywood thinks we give a rat's ass about. And when we don't care, they try and tell us that we do. There's a reason why movies suck now and re-hashing television shows and now flicks based on board games isn't going to change that.

Hours and and hours of boring, "Look how great we are" television, telling people to go to the movies more while honoring movies no one knows or cares about isn't going to garner you ratings, fans or ticket sales. Here's a novel idea: Make better movies!! I know. What a concept, huh?

Anyway, if your interested for some reason as to who won these seemingly inconsequential statuettes, here's the run down.

Gary Carter Dead at 57

Not only is this perhaps number two of the three of "celebrities" to pass within the last few days (although Gary Carter had more class and was most certainly not a vain whiny know-it-all like most famous personalities these days) but Gary Carter was my favourite baseball player. I used to love to watch him play with the Montreal Expos growing up. I even was lucky enough to see him play at Olympic Stadium in my very first Major League ball game on a trip to Montreal in 1981. It was the year of the Expos' phenomenal pennant run in that strike-shortened split season. It sure was awesome to see the Great #8 play live. I'm also glad he went back to the Expos and played his final year there in 1992 before they were sold and moved to Washington. Gary Carter, the three-time Golden Glove and two-time All-Star MVP succumbed to brain cancer at the all-too-young age of 57.

That's two of my childhood favourites to pass in the last year or so. It probably won't be long before they're all gone. That's when you really examine your own mortality. Bummer.

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Pop star Whitney Houston, who had become more famous in the last decade or so for her problems with domestic violence and drug abuse than her singing and songwriting has died. She was 48.

You Want Superheroes, You Got Superheroes

Woolley Mammoth Found Alive?

So by now you've all probably heard that some Russian government-employed engineer shot some footage of a supposed woolly mammoth (that have been extinct for 4,000 years) last summer in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug region of Siberia.



It's a bear, folks. A big damn bear with a fish in it's mouth. Case closed.

Lightsaber Duels

I'm bored. So I thought I would just put together the best STAR WARS lightsaber battles. Which is to say all of them. Plus, there's a little bonus at the end.
I was contemplating which order to put them in. Chronologically? (episodes I-VI) or in order in which I saw them originally? I decided to go with the latter, starting with Obi Wan Kenobi v/s Darth Vader in A New Hope.

I know others have done this, but I haven't...so there. Enjoy.

OBI WAN KENOBI v/s DARTH VADER


DARTH VADER v/s LUKE SKYWALKER I


DARTH VADER v/s LUKE SKYWALKER II


OBI WAN KENOBI & QUI GON GINN v/s DARTH MAUL


OBI WAN KENOBI & ANAKIN SKYWALKER v/s COUNT DOOKU, YODA v/s COUNT DOOKU


OBI WAN KENOBI & ANAKIN SKYWALKER v/s COUNT DOOKU II



OBI WAN KENOBI v/s GENERAL GRIEVOUS


MACE WINDU v/s EMPEROR PALPATINE


YODA v/s EMPEROR PALPATINE


OBI WAN KENOBI v/s ANAKIN SKYWALKER



And in case you haven't seen these (but what STAR WARS/YouTube geek hasn't?) check out these awesomely choreographed duels.










Pretty cool, huh?

How to Save Hollywood

Many of you may think that Hollywood is fine, still makes great movies and is in no need of saving. Well, I suppose it's all relative since what's "great" to one person is pure unadulterated crap to another. That's fair and I totally get that. But there is a problem with Hollywood when actors bring their personal or political views into the public arena and insult half or even over half of the same people who keep them working. No butts in the seats means no paydays for them. It's that simple.

Take a look at today's films. How many can you mention that have been made in the last 10 years that can be considered classics? I mean real classics such as Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia, Citizen Kane or The Wizard of Oz? I don't mean your favorites, I mean real movies that can and will stand the test of time?

Some are loved and revered because of plots, some are because of character development and others simply because of the great acting. That more rare than ever before. I can list my personal favorites such as Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Sandra Bulloch, Tom Hanks and Paul Giamatti as well as proven favorite Hollywood staples Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. Some of these are favorites of half the world and others, such as Giamatti, are underrated and may forever be so. Again, this is all relative. The point is I think Hollywood is in trouble because not only have they run out of ideas and are making quality films like they used to that people want to see with great acting, but because they're simply not listening to what the people want to see. They're pretty much telling them. How is this? They're not making stars anymore, they're making brands. You've heard of product placement? Well, it seems now the whole film is based on a product. The latest of which is comic book-based movies. Not that these movies aren't any good, it's just that you can only do so much with material people already know and can tell where and when it ends. The same goes for bio-pics. Yes, Patton was great. But then over the years you have Nixon, W, The Doors and so on. The problem could be anything from historical accuracy to miscasting.

But the real problem lie in the way films are made. Political messages in children's films, skewed political messages in general, bad casting, cronyism, rehashed and tired ideas ( including needless sequels and prequels) and above all else bad stories. The biggest-selling movies in history (other than special effects-laden ones-except when the effects helped to tell the story) have primarily been about the stories; and feel-good stories at that. No one wants to leave the theater feeling bad about what they just saw. Another big problem is marketing. Learn from history what people want to see, not from out-of-touch "critics" and "researchers" who get their tickets for free and are clearly are not movie fans.

So when I recently saw this column by Big Hollywood's John Nolte (I don't know how recent the column is) an noticed he mirrored a lot of my own concerns, I had to link it here. A great top 10 list and it has to be one of the most profound articles about why Hollywood doesn't work anymore.