Long ago, in a galaxy far away...

There’s something of a cultural imperative about the Star Wars movies. It’s almost a law that people have to go and watch them when they are released.

Back in 1977 when the first one came out, it was definitely something of an event. I was at college and I was blown away by it. Didn’t see the other two at the movies, mind, until the mid or late ‘80s when the Prince Charles in Leicester Square screened the (then) trilogy in a single sitting. Of course, by then I wasn’t 18 any more, and the sophisticated brane of a man in his mid 20s was already picking holes in them. Nonetheless, they were enjoyable. Hell, even Mum, approaching her 77th birthday loves the original trilogy. She’ll watch them at the drop of a hat; not even her beloved 007 can make her do that.

Sadly, the high water mark with Star Wars was reached twenty years ago. Since then it has receded like the Dead Sea, and despite the odd downpour* of interest, is now almost Gobi-dry, and becoming more arid as I type.** We are now in one of those momentary downpours, where the very act of releasing a movie gives fandom temporary amnesia, as they forget the overwhelming evidence of the past few years that George Lucas cannot write dialogue, cannot plot a movie, and can only coax plank impressions from otherwise talented actors.

Back to the start we are. Wasted our time we did.



*This section has been put forward for this year’s Violet Awards which recognise and tag (though not necessarily approve of,) pointlessly purple prose.
**Unlike this prose which is developing a life of its own. HELP ME!

Long ago, in a galaxy far away...

There’s something of a cultural imperative about the Star Wars movies. It’s almost a law that people have to go and watch them when they are released.

Back in 1977 when the first one came out, it was definitely something of an event. I was at college and I was blown away by it. Didn’t see the other two at the movies, mind, until the mid or late ‘80s when the Prince Charles in Leicester Square screened the (then) trilogy in a single sitting. Of course, by then I wasn’t 18 any more, and the sophisticated brane of a man in his mid 20s was already picking holes in them. Nonetheless, they were enjoyable. Hell, even Mum, approaching her 77th birthday loves the original trilogy. She’ll watch them at the drop of a hat; not even her beloved 007 can make her do that.

Sadly, the high water mark with Star Wars was reached twenty years ago. Since then it has receded like the Dead Sea, and despite the odd downpour* of interest, is now almost Gobi-dry, and becoming more arid as I type.** We are now in one of those momentary downpours, where the very act of releasing a movie gives fandom temporary amnesia, as they forget the overwhelming evidence of the past few years that George Lucas cannot write dialogue, cannot plot a movie, and can only coax plank impressions from otherwise talented actors.

Back to the start we are. Wasted our time we did.



*This section has been put forward for this year’s Violet Awards which recognise and tag (though not necessarily approve of,) pointlessly purple prose.
**Unlike this prose which is developing a life of its own. HELP ME!

(no subject)

Gad. We’re meeting up in the Royal Oak after work for BEER. Two lots of friends have independently arranged similar things in the same place at the same time. It never rains but it pours.

I reckon that I shall have to push back another couple of mugs of coffee before going – I feel quite tired right now, although that will disappear pretty much as soon as I leave the office. I have just done my regular housing finance talk on the Housing Seminar and that always leaves me a bit drained/

Last night I watched a one-eyed copy of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, procured from a friend by DT sans LJ. Very enjoyable; I don’t understand how people could not like it, despite its admitted plot holes. Do they not understand the pulp genre at all? I can see the movie making my DVD collection – once it has hit the bargain bins, admittedly. I like it, but it ain’t no Oscar winner. Mind you, winning an Oscar isn’t much of a recommendation these days anyway. Forest Gump, j’accuse.

Tomorrow, the belated trip to see Kingdom of Heaven. I shall pack tranquilisers to calm Mr Townsend, as the historical inconsistencies and downright inaccuracies build. It could get nasty, otherwise.

Best get and do something now, I guess.

Or I could nip downstairs and have a smoke.

(no subject)

Gad. We’re meeting up in the Royal Oak after work for BEER. Two lots of friends have independently arranged similar things in the same place at the same time. It never rains but it pours.

I reckon that I shall have to push back another couple of mugs of coffee before going – I feel quite tired right now, although that will disappear pretty much as soon as I leave the office. I have just done my regular housing finance talk on the Housing Seminar and that always leaves me a bit drained/

Last night I watched a one-eyed copy of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, procured from a friend by DT sans LJ. Very enjoyable; I don’t understand how people could not like it, despite its admitted plot holes. Do they not understand the pulp genre at all? I can see the movie making my DVD collection – once it has hit the bargain bins, admittedly. I like it, but it ain’t no Oscar winner. Mind you, winning an Oscar isn’t much of a recommendation these days anyway. Forest Gump, j’accuse.

Tomorrow, the belated trip to see Kingdom of Heaven. I shall pack tranquilisers to calm Mr Townsend, as the historical inconsistencies and downright inaccuracies build. It could get nasty, otherwise.

Best get and do something now, I guess.

Or I could nip downstairs and have a smoke.