Star Wars Episode III: Grand Finale
Star Wars: Episode III is like, so last week, but hey, a promise is a promise. I wrote down my first viewing impressions after the premiere, so I could see, 20/20, how favorably (or disfavorably) the movie worked on repeated viewings. My early prediction was “this should be shit after the first time”, but surprisingly, it was not. Maybe there’s a case to be said for lower (or no) expectations, or even keeping expectations realistic, but the movie wasn’t as grating as I expected it to be on replay.
It’s still bad, mind you, the dialogue is still atrocious, and the movie still stinks of opportunities gone to waste, but hey, it’s Star Wars. It’s Lucas’ perpetual “Get out of jail free” card, and we’re seeing him play it for what hopedully is the last time. Sure, we will still have the TV series, the cartoon spin-offs, and the zillion by-products that George will surely milk out of his cash cow, but the worst part is over. Star Wars is (at least for the foreseeable future) no more in theaters, and, I’ll say it again, I’m glad it’s over.
It’s easy to see why some geeks are distraught over the series coming to an end. Not because it’s been 28 years since its inception, but because if you look at what’s coming down the pipe, there’s no geek love coming from the studios. No Matrix, no Star Wars, The Hobbit is a couple of years down the line, and there are no decent (that rules out The Fantastic Four) superheroes movies in the near future. Some go as far as saying it’s the end of the geek era. It’s about damn time, also. This “geek is cool” fad was getting out of line. Geeks are uncool, Star Wars is uncool, standing in opening day lines is, and always will be, uncool. Media coverage be damned, perhaps what we need right now is a vacation from geek trendiness. I, for one, am actually looking forward to it.
alvarete wrote:
Oh yeah, best Star Wars ep. III comic EVAR!!!!1one
Posted 31 May 2005 at 5:46 pm ¶
dorothy hale wrote:
This was to similar to a resignation letter jaja…
GEEK!!!!!!
Posted 31 May 2005 at 6:21 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
You see, I never chose to be a geek. But suddenly, half the things I like doing are cool, be it writing on the internets, Weezer, videogames or Star Wars. And it’s made cool by association, geek-chic, which is the biggest oxymoron ever.
“Of course I’m home, I’m uncool.”
Posted 31 May 2005 at 6:46 pm ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
Great quote from Almost Famous. Makes me want to watch it.
I am also glad the saga has come to an end. It served its purpose and anything with purpose, has to have an end. Much like the career of a musician, if it just goes on and on, it eventually just doesnt make any sense.
I guess that means that if George really wanted to be painted as a true genius, he should have overdosed and asphyxiated on his own vomit after making the first trilogy. That way he and his work would have remained untainted.
Good comparison is this: If I had to choose between Hendrix or Page as the best guitar player, I would pick Page without a doubt. However if you ask around the general population, not that many people could even remember the name of the guitar player for Led Zeppelin, but even my boss (who has a truly, TRULY limited knowledge of music) knows who Hendrix is. (My boss couldnt tell the dif between AC/DC and Aerosmith - enough said)
Before I am stoned by irrate readers, I am not saying that Page is the best EVER, I was just comparing those two guitarists for the sake of the example.
Lets all agree that its a good thing the saga has finally ended and that now we can all go about our lives (and that Star Trek should have never happened in the first place).
Wait, does this mean I have to go get a life now? Where do I go buy one? Does that come in the 10GB and the 20GB or what? I should consult with the wife and see what we can do about this new dilema.
F it.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 12:33 am ¶
Johann wrote:
Nah Alvarete, you´re cool. As far as Starwars goes, well it is what it is. E3 delivered everything i wanted. Of course i am pleased with very little. I like movies that beacuse of the extremely poor dialoge let me sit back and enjoy the fireworks, without my brain telling me to pay attention or else i might miss the plot. On the geek-chic matter, when i say you and some geeks are cool. I mean, the fact that you can write your opinion and even more important not look foolish doing so in “geek-chic” issues is why i have always thought of you as being cool. Keep it up bro.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 12:35 am ¶
alvarete wrote:
Page, maybe not the best ever, but Stairway, Top Ten Guitar Solos of All Time, fo’ shizzle!
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 8:55 am ¶
dorothy hale wrote:
Weezer a geek band??? come on….they are so COOL!!! i love them…
I agree on your comment about Page…although i think Santana and Slash are two other great guitar players…
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 3:31 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
Stairway to Heaven, great solo. You might wanna check out Spirit’s song Taurus. It seems Sir Page “borrowed” the opening riffs of this song and used it in STH.
I won’t argue the Hendrix/Page comparison. As a matter of fact, I won’t argue anyone’s pick for number one. Hell, I “enjoy” more Page than Hendrix, even though Hendrix was a true genious, recognized by his peers as the top honcho.
In the end it’s all a matter of taste. And, as I said before, I have better taste than you guys.
Keep an ear up for Jeff Beck though. He was by FAR the best Yardbirds guitar player, in a band that eventually featured Page and Clapton.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 4:18 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
Hendrix = way better showman. Page = Way better guitar player. Slash, I can make a case for, but Santana has always been pure hype, IMO. Yeah, he’s mexican.. Yes, he was so poor he couldn’t afford guitar strings..
So what? He sucks Donkey’s Kong.
Dorothy:
Rivers Cuomo is the new Brian Wilson. ’nuff said.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 5:15 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
No. Hendrix was a superior guitarist. Period. You and I seem to agree we like Page best, but there’s no way to deny the greatness of Hendrix. Yes, he was certainly a better showman than Page. But also his talent was undeniable, this is a man who revolutionized the instrument. He could do things that still guitar players haven’t been able to copy. And, his style was unique. That, mein freund, is something only a handfull of musicians have been able to do: to have a style of your own, and excell in doing so.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 5:39 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
Let’s see:
-Whammy tricks? Check
-Neck bending? Check
-Bump-and-grinding your guitar against the amp wall? Check
-Lighting your guitar on fire? Check
-Slinging your guitar around your neck? Check
These are all guitar pyrotechnics, there is absolutely zero guitar playing style involved. The only truly distinctive thing Hendrix had going for him was The Hendrix sound, from the weird pole distances between the pick-ups and the strings on his right handed-strung backwards guitar. I mean, I can certainly describe Hendrix’s style as “fiery”, all showmanship aside, but I’ve never perceived him to be the genius everybody makes him to be. When it comes to fingers and strings, the man could play the blues, the man could play his blues, but I don’t see a revolution. I just see a damned good guitar player, like so many others. Plus, he died at 27. That’s like, so 30 years ago!
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 6:12 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
I’m not taking under consideration any of the “guiar pyrotechnics”. He wasn’t even the first one to do most of the the things you described above. I’m merely focusing on his playing. But then again, like I said before: it’s all a matter of taste. We could eventually argue until the end of time, but:
a) it’s not my blog.
b) Technical arguments are also subjective. If you don’t dig the man, you won’t accept any assertion about his technique.
P.S. You might wanna listen to Machine Gun one more time, though.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 6:36 pm ¶
Administrator wrote:
Blind Willie is a man I like to discuss shit with.
Santana’s still crap, tho.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 9:28 pm ¶
Willie the Pimp wrote:
Samba Pa’ ti is maybe the only Santana flick I really like. Soul Sacrifice is cool, but then again, it’s all about percussions. Final ruling: the guy is deffinetely overrated.
How about Zappa? Anyone for Zappa?…(c’mon, the man has a planet name after him).
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 9:54 pm ¶
Mozalbete wrote:
F Slash..
I’ll go with Mastah Eddie VH.
Fire away ho’s!!!
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 9:58 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
I love Frank Zappa. The man is a true genius. Plus, he had Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio and Warren Cucurullo on his band. He had an eye for talent, yo!
Posted 01 Jun 2005 at 10:06 pm ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
Saying that Santana is overrated is in itself already a misrepresentation of his ability; since he has none. Why I even have to know that name is beyond me.
Enough with the abosolute gods of guitars. Lets cheese it up a bit. Vitto Bratta rocked. Warren DeMartini rocked. Nothing better than that 80’s metal sound. I could drop names for hours but I have to at least pretend like I have a life outside of this forum.
Frank Hannon & Tommy Skeoch take me away!
F it.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 1:03 am ¶
alvarete wrote:
I love me my 80s heavy metal bands! Now, where did I put my Long Cold Winter tape? I think I lost it! Don’t know what you got ’till it’s gone, indeed. :(
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 10:26 am ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
And F Eddie VH too. No doubt he has talent, but to his misfortune the hype surrounding him outweighs his ability. He is just not “all that”.
F it.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 1:20 pm ¶
Willie the Pimp wrote:
You loved him at Beat It, though. I don’t know what’s more cheesy, 80’s Hair Rock or 70’s Pop Rock. Hair spray or bubble gum: welcome to hell.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 3:37 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
Two words:
Disco music.
Jumpin’ Jesus, that crap is just awful.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 4:52 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
I like Disco when I’m drunk. Really, really drunk. Ring My Bell is a classic. And Staying Alive makes me wanna be a better man.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 5:36 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
Isn’t NBC showing tonight the new reality show with all the 80’s bands?, is it bad I’m eagerly waiting for it?
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 7:41 pm ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
I like disco when its part of a punch line, like in comedy films (Airplane) and stuff of the sort. Anything else is just an excuse to wear weird fabrics (velvet and satin), tight pants and an afro; all which of course contribute to the punch line.
I am not excited about that TV special because who gives a crap about Flock of Seagulls? Basically it isnt about 80’s bands, its about bands of the 80’s that were basically one hit wonders. Bands like Wang Chung and “decidedly debonair” Spandau Ballet (I really need to empty my brain of all this pointless pop culture crap).
Lobotomy anyone?
To answer your question: I dont know if its bad you’re eager, I think its just a little embarrasing. It’s like holding on to biker shorts and a case of aquanet with the hope that someday it will come back in style. Unlike bellbottoms (now cleverly disguised as “boot cut” or “flared”), those things will never return - and amen to that.
F it.
F it.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 8:10 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
There’s nothing embarrasing in going down memory lane. I said it before, I don’t dig 80’s music. But I did live through the 80’s. So, many of that crappy music, whether I like it or not, is related to events past. Of course, you must’ve had a life in the first place, even if it meant going out with chicks who used to dig Wang Chung.
Posted 02 Jun 2005 at 9:30 pm ¶
Chalito wrote:
First of all hi to all, after months of traking you donw Al, i finally found you!!! (would’ve been nice a quick email to tell me bout the new site, but well…)
Anyway, i think it’s pointless to comment bout EP-III, so i’ll just add my 2 cents: I did like the movie, i loved it, my fav of the new trilogy (i do agree with all of you bout the many horrendous dialogues, etc). Also, great cartoon al!
Now, i will get into the guitar argument….to round up whats been said: yes, santana is way overrated…page is definately better than jimi, but jimi’s contribution to music is huge since he was the first to use disortion(or whatever you call it). Still, apart from his contribution, i’m not a big jimi fan cuz i don’t like theatrics in music.
When it comes to judging a guitarrist, we can rank them based on two issues: talent (hand speed) and creativity (the quality of what they created, their music).
Jimi had the most talent, but in the creativity dept. he’s way short (please don’t brign up the 27 argument). The same with Beck. IMHO Page has the best combination of both which in my book makes him #1.
I know we all think of Eddie VH, Clapton, Vai or Slash (not on my book thouh, he was really cool but far from a genious)…but I do feel the obligation to bring up 3 of my fav guitarists who due to their music, didn’t get to shine in the public’s eye as they should. By that i mean that they never had 7 minute solos and took centerstage with the spotlight on them:
-Pete Townshend: Created some of the best riff’s in rock, a true genious.
-Mick Jones: I know that punk is an art for the uneducated, yet Mick’s guitar sound is exactly what separated The Clash from all the other early punk bands.
-The Edge: I know I’ll probably get some heat for this one, but i listened to “Boy” yestarday, and let me tell you, his guitar sounds like none before him…and none after.
Peace, love & Soul
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 12:30 am ¶
Mozalbete wrote:
Chalito.. you LIVE for tha heat.
I still think your musical taste is childish.
No wonder why you’re no longer our President Lu..err.. Chalito ^_^
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 12:37 am ¶
Chalito wrote:
childish??? wtf Gregorito, please explain the maturity involved in 80’s glam & hair metal???
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 1:04 am ¶
alvarete wrote:
80s glam and hair metal tackled serious issues, like sex, getting caught during sex, not getting enough, getting too much, wanting to have sex, having sex in a car, basement, behind the bushes, in an elevator, while drunk, while high, having sex with underaged chicks, neighbours, groupies, friend’s moms, friend’s sisters, hot waitresses…
It doesn’t get any more mature than that. It just can’t.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 10:48 am ¶
alvarete wrote:
Well, at least chalito had the decency to label it as his favourite guitar players, not the best. I can dig that. As of today, my favourite:
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen: The holy trifecta of 80s guitar rock. As good or better than advertised.
Slash: Appetite for Destructions has been getting a lot of play on repeat during my Warcraft sessions, and the man can rock. Seriously.
Prince: A true musical savant.
Scott Henderson, Al di Meola: I’ve made been making my first forays into jazz music, and these two are just amazing.
Paul Gilbert: My most favoritest guitar player in the whole wide world, ever and forever.
Rock on!
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 11:01 am ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
Check out Charlie Christian if you can. He is the Jazz guitar god. John Mc Laughlin is good too, not the Mahavishnu period, but rather the Miles Davis years. Di Meola, Mc Laughlin and De Lucía recorded a couple of albums together, Friday Night (or some other day of the week) in San Francisco. I honestly haven’t heard it, but it’s supposed to be hot shit.
I guess there will be a moment in time where guys like Vai, Satriani and Van Halen won’t make sense anymore. Speed is way, way, way overrated. Don’t crucify me yet. Just let time do its thing.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 3:33 pm ¶
Chalito wrote:
I see a lot jazz guitarrist…what about blues??? how come no one has mentioned bb king, robert johnson or buddy guy???
Anyway, I just want to make one thing clear, the 3 guitarists I listed are amongst my fav, however my fav all time is by far Jimmy Page…followed by a young Clapton (From Cream to Blind Faith, I still love the bastard but his early work was way way better).
Anyone cares to list bost or fav’s bass player??? Or Am I pushing it to far now???
still, mine are:
-Bruce Foxton (from The Jam, showed me the diff a great bass player can do for a band).
-John Entwistle: watch the Who live, see the finger work he does, sureal!
-John Deacon: listen to the bass line on “Another one bites the dust”, ’nuff said!
-Elvis Costello: You can’t all pick guitar, there’s lot of other cool instruments… like bass! anyone wants to be a bass player?
-Homer: (slaps him and knocks off his glasses and hat) get lost nerd boy!
-Elvis Costello: Awww, my image!
Peace, love & Soul!
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 3:57 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
Shame on you for being a Zeppelin fan, and not picking John Paul Jones.
Buddy Guy is arguably the most gifted blues player around. But is rather an odd choice for you to pick up because he is the absolute king of theatrics, like playing with his teeth, behind his back, etc.
Earl Hooker: He’s the man who made B.B. King cry. Not much of a composer, but the best slide guitar since, well, Blind Willie Johnson.
Other not so common choices:
Magic Sam
Blind Lemon Jefferson (B.B.’s early influence)
Hubert Sumlin
Robert Nighthawk (Muddy’s favorite)
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 4:23 pm ¶
Chalito wrote:
two things:
I love Zepp but I honestly don’t think was that great a bass player. Now don’t get me wrong, every member of the band were geniouses, but John Paul Jones contributions to this great equation came in the form of songwriting and experimenting (he was the one in charge of the synthetizers on the latter years).
Or maybe I just don’t include him cuz subconciously I blame him for never having a real Led Zepp reunion (or not having the Zepp set included in the Live Aid DVD)….damn you John Paul Jones, damn you!!!
On the Buddy Guy subject, I can’t argue since I have almost no recollection of seeing him…I’ve only listened to his music.
Peace, Love & Soul!
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 5:03 pm ¶
dorothy hale wrote:
Obviously this turned into a guys’ post….
Anyway i’m glad someone mentioned Satriani…otherwise it would have been clear that you were clueless about guitar players….
On the other hand BW has a good point, 80’s music is the bomb when you are drunk..nothing better to sparkle up a boring wedding….
B.I.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 5:39 pm ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
You forget that Appetite for Destruction was 1987, so I dont agree with 80’s music just fit for drunks.
Chalitos favorite guitar player in reality is George Michael in the Faith video.
F it.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 7:40 pm ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
Almost forgot.
Of all that has been said since my previous post, the only thing that really caught my eye was the mention of Prince. The dude is brilliant.
Just to keep the conversation fair to both genders, the Wilson chick from Heart also plays a mean guitar. Screw Lita Ford - cant stand her. Rather listen to Vixen or Lee Aaron.
Lee Aaron - i would tap that.
F it.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 7:48 pm ¶
Mozalbete wrote:
Thank God for mentioning Prince.. he is THA man.
F Dorothy.. you love Brett Michaels. What did you say about BJ’s?
Chalito.. George Michael? I KNEW IT!
He loooooves the cock
Eddie VH.. wake up and smell the coffee.. he rules no matter what. Suck on that Petrucci!
Childish = Marta tieene un marcapasos.. entre visceras y sangre.. mirale! que ojitos tiene! es identico a su padre.. es ideeeentico a su padreeeee..
Wasnt the topic of this post SW? Oh shoot.. I forgot it was sooo.. 2 weeks ago.
F _\\//
pFire!
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 10:37 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
Gals who play a mean guitar: Memphis Minnie and Bonnie Raitt.
P.S. I join the consensus: Prince is so cool.
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 11:24 pm ¶
dorothy hale wrote:
Shut up Moz….just because you look like Brett Michaels in 2005…..jajaja….
Prince is definetely cool!! a proof of that: he had affairs with Kim Bassinger and Carmen Electra…I mean, he is so disgusting that being absolutely cool is the only logical explanation…
Posted 03 Jun 2005 at 11:42 pm ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
GOOOOOOL HIJUE’PUTA!…..
Posted 05 Jun 2005 at 2:56 am ¶
Mozalbete wrote:
Dennis Rodman had an affair with Carmen Electra also..
That doesnt make him cool…
..that makes her a slut.
Prince 4 Life.
Posted 06 Jun 2005 at 1:47 am ¶
alvarete wrote:
I still think Prince is one of the greatest songwriters of our time. Plus, he’s just cool. And gay. But mostly cool.
(or gay)
Posted 06 Jun 2005 at 3:13 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
Gals who play a mean guitar:
Jennifer Batten. And the chick from Heart. I’d tap that.
Posted 06 Jun 2005 at 3:14 pm ¶
Chalito wrote:
wait wait wait, i go away for the weekend and all of the sudden Prince is one of the best songwriters ever??? wtf al! he’s really cool but…well, was!, but his topic versatility goes hand in hand with what you said bout 80’s glam.
my fav sonwriters include paul weller, kelly jones (stereophonics), fran healy (travis), david gray, noel gallagher and Bono.
However, beign objective, the 3 best songwriters are:
-B. Dylan
-P. Townshend
-L. Reed
and yes, Georger Micheal just missed the list!
“Cuz you gotta have faith!”
Posted 06 Jun 2005 at 10:53 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
It’s not about topic, it’s about style. And Prince’s done it all. His rap stinks to high-heaven, but everything in between, from funk to pop to jazz to electronica to R&B to rock to tropical to metal, he’s done it all, and his compositions are very impressive.
Posted 07 Jun 2005 at 10:29 am ¶
Blind Willie wrote:
What the fuck, man? It’s been over a week. Keep it up.
Posted 08 Jun 2005 at 6:01 pm ¶
dorothy hale wrote:
You have to read this article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/317296p-271224c.html
I remembered you and your post when I read it….
Posted 09 Jun 2005 at 11:31 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
“My ex and I bonded over ‘Star Trek,’ and on our first date at an amusement park, my current boyfriend impressed me with his intricate understanding of the physics of roller coasters. He’s a mechanical engineer.”
Ah, I can see why I’ve been having no luck with the ladies. It’s my lack of knowledge about roller-coaster physics. I need to get my mad skillz up to date! Out with the ninja classes, in with the engineering!
Posted 10 Jun 2005 at 11:09 am ¶
Chase Ransom wrote:
Speaking of geeks and stuff - last night Napoleon cleaned at the MTV Movie Awards. I loved that movie.
pF it.
Posted 10 Jun 2005 at 1:33 pm ¶
alvarete wrote:
Napoleon D rocks my world.
Posted 11 Jun 2005 at 11:42 am ¶