star wars
Star Wars is a science fiction franchise set in a universe far far away.
How 'Star Wars' Changed the Paradigm
Hot on the heels of Star Wars' 40th anniversary, it's an opportune time to look back on the ripple effect . . . nay, scratch that . . . the tsunami effect it had on cinema history, and how it propelled science fiction into a juggernaut genre at the box office.
Why 'Star Wars' Is My History
I was only 4 when the original Star Wars movie bowed in theaters on May 25, 1977, and so, I don't really have a solid memory of seeing it. I do, however, remember watching it several times over on recording over the years, and becoming more eagerly involved in the entire saga as I grew with it. I remember feeling utterly gutted when in Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo disappeared into the carbon freezing chamber, looking so anguished as he tried to capture Leia's face in his memory, fighting to keep her gaze until he was no longer able to see. I also remember the utter fun and joy that Return Of The Jedi was, from the first introduction of Wicket the Ewok to the Battle of Endor, and how heartstopping I felt the action between Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and the Emperor was at the time. It was 1983, and I was 10; I'd been an avid collector of all things Star Wars already for several years - I'd gotten my collectors' badge in Brownies because of my rather impressive and mounted collection of Star Wars trading cards.
Christina St-JeanPublished 7 years ago in FuturismThe Guardians of the Galaxy - Superheroes or Space Opera?
Watching Guardians of the Galaxy 2 leaves me in no doubt that this is a new space opera in the making. And if the sequel doesn't have the classic mythicmcguffin story arc of the first (where the infinity stone takes the place of Tolkien's One Ring as the cosmic artifact that can destroy the world/universe), it focuses more on character development, and revealing the Guardians as a classic team of oddballs that come together as a surrogate family just to get by (and, this being a blockbuster movie, save the galaxy).
M Alan KazlevPublished 7 years ago in FuturismBest 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Funko Pop! Figures
Star Wars: The Force Awakens begins approximately thirty years after the destruction of the second Death Star. Luke Skywalker is the last known surviving Jedi Master but he has disappeared. Both the First Order, a successor to the fallen Galactic Empire, and the Resistance, a military force backed by the New Republic and led by Luke's twin sister, General Leia Organa aka Princess Leia (duh), scour the galaxy in an attempt to find him. New and old characters join the Force or are also lured to the Dark Side in this continuing story of the Star Wars universe. Like any geek who goes gaga for anything geeky, Funko Pop! has made your obsessive toy hoarding dreams come true with their release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Vinyls. I'm sure the most hardcore Star Wars fans have either collected all these or these on the list to get. Don't let these slip from you, they won't last forever. Below are the must-haves to add to your Star Wars Funko Pop! collection!
George GottPublished 7 years ago in FuturismA Tale of Two Star Wars
The teaser trailer for the next Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, slated for release on December this year, was quite underwhelming. A large part of the two minute trailer was either black screen or Lucas film logo, with Williams' lingering score pulling the nerd heartstrings in the background. There's a few lines of dialogue, a couple of action scenes, the obligatory Kylo Ren's red flaming crucifix lightsaber, some rather dull island scenes, and do we really need another pod race?
M Alan KazlevPublished 7 years ago in FuturismGreatest Science Fiction One-on-One Battles Ever...and Their Spoofs!
When they engaged me to do a piece on Greatest Science Fiction Battles, I was not only honored but sweaty with fear. I eyeballed my anxiety meds, but knew that wasn't the answer. Rather, I asked for an extra shot of espresso in my coffee then texted a friend to chew her fingernails as my surrogate, since mine were cut too short, and then I asked for proof via Instagram that she was doing it (but she ignored me).
Matt CatesPublished 7 years ago in FuturismScience Fiction as Modern Myth-Telling
When I was a kid, I used to be enthralled by reruns of those Ray Harryhausen Sword and Sandal epics like Jason and the Argonauts and Sinbad, which featured a fearless hero embarking on a quest and fighting terrifying monsters. A decade later, I was equally enthralled when George Lucas' Star Wars hit the big screen, for very much the same reason. And it seemed to me that, other than triremes being replaced by spaceships, and swords by blasters or light sabers, there really wasn't much of a difference between these two.
M Alan KazlevPublished 7 years ago in FuturismWeirdest Characters in 'Star Wars Legends' Canon
With Star Wars: The Last Jedi fast approaching, it is clear that the Star Wars universe will be expanding and growing in the next years to come. However, for many growing up in the 80s and 90s in the aftermath of Return of the Jedi, the future of the Galaxy Far, Far Away looked far less than glamorous.
Anthony GramugliaPublished 7 years ago in FuturismNew 'Star Wars' Trailer 'The Last Jedi' Is Released
Star Wars fans have been anticipating the release of the new The Last Jedi trailer since the rolling credits of The Force Awakens appeared on the big screen. Unfortunately, Disney took their time and they made us wait – more than one year –for the trailer. Fortunately, we had Rogue One and a few Untitled Han Solo Film photographs released. All I have to say is, thank goodness Disney didn't wait until May The Fourth to release the trailer. I wouldn't be able to go another month until knowing who The Last Jedi is (or, are). Since The Force Awakens premiered in December 2015, fans have speculated over the lineage of Rey, the fate of Han, the mysteries surrounding Luke, and who the hell the Last Jedi is (Is Jedi plural? Is it Luke? Is it Rey?).
Natasha SydorPublished 7 years ago in Futurism'Star Wars' the First Draft - What Could Have Been
When George Lucas set out to create Star Wars, he thought up a fantastic world that drew from the stories he read as a child and growing up. Flash Gordon. Buck Rodgers. All with the maturity and complexity of Frank Herbert's Dune. But when he wrote his script and showed it to his director friends, they all had suggestions.
Anthony GramugliaPublished 7 years ago in FuturismStar Wars Rogue One Delivers Original Story But Disconnected Characters Keeps You From Caring
For the first time in the five Star Wars prequels and sequels that followed the original Trilogy, the franchise has not completely embarrassed itself. Unfortunately, Star Wars Rogue One still falls a little short, and the twelve dollars I shoveled over feels like yet another drop in a money pit that has no foreseeable bottom.
Rich MonettiPublished 7 years ago in FuturismThe Future of Star Wars
I'm the kind of Star Wars fan who will watch all the movies, watch all the TV shows, read all the books and play all the video games. Even the less popular entries like Attack of the Clones bring a smile to my face because any story that takes place in the Star Wars universe feels like home to me.