Darth Vader IS returning . . . in a prequel.

Darth Vader IS returning . . . in a prequel.

Historically, Darth Vader and Star Wars prequels don’t go well together, but maybe this will work. In any case, I would love to see more Vader, and I only hope he’s not as “behind the scenes” as the article suggests. Really, what’s the point to having Darth Vader in your movie and not using him?

In fact, I think this could be a backdoor way to bring Vader into the sequel trilogy. See if my logic follows. In Rogue One, the prequel, they set up some way that he could be brought back to life after his death, whether willingly or not, or perhaps they introduce some entity that would have a motive to bring him back, then, in Part Two of the trilogy, they give the payoff to that set up by actually bringing him back.

What do you think — possible? After all, JJ Abrams has gone on record saying that “Darth Vader IS Star Wars”, so you know that’s at least on his mind. And, in a broader sense, I doubt they’re going to be able to outdo Darth Vader as a villain. That’s an awfully steep hill they’d have to climb.

I’m not say I’d want this to happen, but it would be annoying to have them keep giving us villains in terrifying masks in an effort to ape Darth. If they could think of a compelling reason to reintroduce him into the story, and write him well, I’d rather just have Darth.

Check out the io9.com article HERE.

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Thoughts on Sense8, a new science fiction series on Netflix

Thoughts on Sense8, a new science fiction series on Netflix

Has anyone else seen Sense8? I just finished watching it the other day and found it a fascinating meditation on narrative, character and gender. If you enjoyed Cloud Atlas, Sense8 is probably for you. It is very much a continuation of those themes and that style of storytelling–different characters in different parts of the world, blurry gender roles and sexuality, shadowy forces out to get our heroes, etc. It’s a bit slow, but deliberately so, and beautifully realized. It’s not for everybody, but it is unlike any other television show that has gone before. I didn’t love it, and I didn’t devour it as eagerly as I do some other genre shows, but I found a lot to admire about it, even if I did have to look away during the mass-birth montage. It is certainly an epic piece of art, and kind of brilliant.

That said . . . to enjoy the show, you do have to have a strong tolerance for certain things, like gay stuff and a slow build-up, and that’s why I say it’s not for everybody. But if this is the sort of daring, quality stuff that Netflix intends on producing, I’m excited for what comes next.

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About Stephen King’s epic fantasy (ish) “Under the Dome”

About Stephen King’s epic fantasy (ish) “Under the Dome”

Okay, so I just finished Stephen King’s epic fantasy / sci-fi novel “Under the Dome”, and my reaction is very mixed. A lot of the book was fun and remarkably fast-paced for King. But then we get to the ending . . . ugh. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read it, but it left me deeply unsatisfied–and quite annoyed. Think “The Stand” levels of terrible endings, but maybe even worse. I’m used to King being unable to stick the landing, but . . . dang. Has anyone else out there read the book (s) and come away with a different impression?

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Just got back from “Mad Max: Fury Road” . . .

Just got back from “Mad Max: Fury Road” . . .

It was awesome. Mad Max: Fury Road was the most testosterone-charged, explosive madhouse of a movie that I’ve seen in a long time.

It was so good it made me want to get into a car chase. Anyone up for some road action?

Will have to see Mad Max: Fury Road again. Soon.

There’s a lot more I could say about the movie, and some nits to pick, but really, why bother? It was amazing and has been seared into my brain in a way most movies can’t dream of doing. I hope and pray they make an immediate sequel to this. Hell, I hope they’ve already made it and that it comes out tomorrow.

Long live George Miller. Love live Fury Road. It is a lovely day.

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Is Darth Vader alive in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”?

Is Darth Vader alive in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”?

So does Darth Vader come back to life for the new Star Wars trilogy? In the new trailer, Luke’s voiceover uses the present tense when describing his father. At first I just thought that since that passage is taken from Return of the Jedi, that it didn’t mean anything. But that LAST line, “and so do you”, indicates that the passage may actually be taken from the NEW movie. Which means that Luke considers Vader to still be alive. And then there’s that melted helmet. Why bring the helmet into this if Vader doesn’t actually show up? At the moment I’m thinking Vader DOES come back to life in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

And that rocks.

Star Wars rocks.

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