2017 TV/Movie/Book Thread with Spoilers

[jakecronus8]

Agree with most of this

I enjoyed the Force Awakens much more, because it actually felt like a Star Wars movie. Yes, that movie had it's faults and in many ways it was a rehash of a New Hope, but it felt like a Star Wars movie through and through. I can't exactly point my finger on it, but the Last Jedi just didn't feel like a Star Wars movie, it felt more like a Harry Potter type of movie, it just felt off.

I didn't dislike it, and in many points of the movie I was entertained, but there were long stretches where I was waiting for something to happen, and was wondering what just happened in the previous scene. I'm fine with Rian taking chances, and kind of going against the predictable path, but some of the decisions he made seemed like it zigged instead of zagging, just for the sake of shocking people, as opposed to having a legitimate reason for going against the grain.

I never thought I'd welcome having Abram come back to film the third of this trilogy, but I really am thankful he will be back at the helm.

[DavidDunn21]

I started watching Clone Wars on Netflix. Seems pretty interesting, as much as I think it's more geared towards younger audiences.

It's choppy for the first season or so, then much of it is really great. A lot of it makes my personal head canon.

[Iheartfootball]

Just finished Jedi.

Spoiler:

After 7 movies they finally took it in a semi new direction (it still has the bones of the original). I’m glad they did. This movie is not just for one audience. There are like a billion Star Wars fans now from all walks of life. Not just fanboys. Not gonna please everyone.

Started slow and there were some unfortunate jokes that fell flat. I know they were trying to capture the quirkiness of the originals; however, it didn’t work for me.

But overall I was happy with the character and plot choices they made. Looking forward to the finale.

Love that Rey is just like everyone else and doesn’t have some crazy family lineage. Makes it easier to universally root for her. Some really good performances as well. Daisy Ridley was emotionally on point.

Overall found it satisfying. For a franchise with as much riding on it as this, that’s enough for me.

[midranger]

Finally saw Jedi. I liked (not loved) it on a pure entertainment basis, like the rest of the series.

What I don't understand is this. If you dislike the overarching narrative of the series so much that you would want to end/destroy/change/minimize it completely, why sign up to do a movie in that series? Why not do one of the deluge of spin off universe movies that are sure to come where you can go in whatever direction you want? I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

[FrieAaron]

I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

I've always thought of the star wars saga as being the overarching story of the struggle between the light and dark side of the force, not a specific family. We know that the Skywalkers have not always been central to that. Anakin himself was a no-one.

[midranger]

I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

I've always thought of the star wars saga as being the overarching story of the struggle between the light and dark side of the force, not a specific family. We know that the Skywalkers have not always been central to that. Anakin himself was a no-one.

3 movies were dedicated to the discovery, rise, and fall of Anakin Skywalker.

3 movies were dedicated to the discovery, rise, and triumph of Luke Skywalker and Leia Skywalker and the conflict/redemption of Anakin Skywalker.

2 movies thus far have been dedicated to Leia Skywalker leading a rebellion against her son, Ben (Skywalker) Solo, and a quest to rediscover the lost Jedi Luke Skywalker who helped Ben (Skywalker) Solo ascend in his power.

I'd say that family has been incredibly central to the entire series of movies. It's literally the story of their lineage. Maybe there were big things planned for Leia before Carrie Fisher died, but that seems unlikely with how she had seemed to cede her leadership to Poe at the end.

All that remains is Ben, who let's be honest, is not a strong or identifiable character. Hope they do something awesome to wrap it up.

[humanrefutation]

Finally saw Jedi. I liked (not loved) it on a pure entertainment basis, like the rest of the series.

What I don't understand is this. If you dislike the overarching narrative of the series so much that you would want to end/destroy/change/minimize it completely, why sign up to do a movie in that series? Why not do one of the deluge of spin off universe movies that are sure to come where you can go in whatever direction you want? I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

They're actually planning to make four more, IIRC. Another trilogy after this one.

[humanrefutation]

I started watching Clone Wars on Netflix. Seems pretty interesting, as much as I think it's more geared towards younger audiences.

It's choppy for the first season or so, then much of it is really great. A lot of it makes my personal head canon.

It's been interesting so far. I like seeing some of the minor characters from the movies delved into a bit, especially the other Jedi, even as I distinctly recall their deaths in ROTS.

[midranger]

Finally saw Jedi. I liked (not loved) it on a pure entertainment basis, like the rest of the series.

What I don't understand is this. If you dislike the overarching narrative of the series so much that you would want to end/destroy/change/minimize it completely, why sign up to do a movie in that series? Why not do one of the deluge of spin off universe movies that are sure to come where you can go in whatever direction you want? I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

They're actually planning to make four more, IIRC. Another trilogy after this one.

Huh. Well then it makes more sense. I'm trying to think of a way they could wrap this up in one more, and I just don't see it. If there are 4 more, sure.

[MikeIsGood]

I guess the "Star Wars" proper series, is the story arc of the Skywalker family. Rise and falls, up and downs, wins and losses. That's over now, almost inexplicably with 8 of 9 movies in the can. "Cool, now they can go in whatever direction they want..... for..... umm....1 more movie." Not sure it's actually that cool, but whatever.

I've always thought of the star wars saga as being the overarching story of the struggle between the light and dark side of the force, not a specific family. We know that the Skywalkers have not always been central to that. Anakin himself was a no-one.

All that remains is Ben, who let's be honest, is not a strong or identifiable character. Hope they do something awesome to wrap it up.

I totally disagree. Ben is an excellent character. He is human, morally operating in a gray area, has an interesting story arc, and is being acted well. I love it.

[midranger]

I do enjoy the moral gray zone that was developed in Rougue One and continued in Last Jedi with Benecio Del Toro's excellent character.

Like the good side isn't as good as you think they are.

[engelmartin]

I do enjoy the moral gray zone that was developed in Rougue One and continued in Last Jedi with Benecio Del Toro's excellent character.

Like the good side isn't as good as you think they are.

Spoiler:

The political statement that weapons manufacturers run the galaxy was probably my favorite part of the movie, other than the space nuns on Luke's planet.

I hate Kylo Ren and think he's a terrible villain. It's hard to follow Vader, obviously, but it felt like a Batman movie sans the Joker. Kylo Ren is at best a Bane-quality villain. The fact that he's made out to be the most powerful Sith of all time just feels inexplicable and undeserved. At least he got rid of that stupid helmet though.

Snoak was also terrible/completely generic and had zero character development or backstory. Now he's dead already, so he seemed pretty pointless. It feels like they're making each movie up as they go along and don't have any long term plan.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Kylo Ren is at best a Bane-quality villain. The fact that he's made out to be the most powerful Sith of all time just feels inexplicable and undeserved.]

Who is saying this? I certainly don't think the movies are asserting anything close to this.

[Iheartfootball]

RS, I can’t find the post (is there a search function I’m missing - I’m on the app) but did you finish Peaky Blinders?

First episode was pretty good. Was wondering how they’d hook me this season.

[ReasonablySober]

RS, I can’t find the post (is there a search function I’m missing - I’m on the app) but did you finish Peaky Blinders?

First episode was pretty good. Was wondering how they’d hook me this season.

I really liked the season, but Adrien Brody is distracting terrible. Just one of the worst performances from a big actor in a long time.

[engelmartin]

Kylo Ren is at best a Bane-quality villain. The fact that he's made out to be the most powerful Sith of all time just feels inexplicable and undeserved.]

Who is saying this? I certainly don't think the movies are asserting anything close to this.

I think I heard it more as a criticism of The Force Awakens, when he freezes that blaster bolt in the air. And thanks a lot now I had to go look it up. Apparently people think that's his signature move or something. And here's some science behind it, compliments of some guy on Quora:

Spoiler:

"Theoretically, a concentrating force user should be able to hold or stop pretty much anything, even photons of light and plasma.

Maybe he was doing a continuous equal and opposite force push on the beam. He was strong enough to fling an adult human up into a tree, pushing against almost weightless plasma is nothing. (Know I do, that size matters not. The point you get, yes.)

The most impressive part, to me at least, was that he could continue to hold it in place when he stopped paying attention. Every other time anybody uses Force push or telekinesis, it takes a lot of focus. They constantly stick their arm out and make squinty eyes the whole time. It looks tough.

Kylo Ren had to do that at first, to stop the beam. Then he started walking around, talking to the troopers and Poe, and still kept the beam in place.

I think he’s stronger than everybody gives him credit for, and that will show once he gets more training."

It's all subjective I guess. You're probably right. I just wanted a more evil/badass-seeming villain. Maybe he goes full evil in the next movie and gets an eye patch or a scar or something.

[Iheartfootball]

RS, I can’t find the post (is there a search function I’m missing - I’m on the app) but did you finish Peaky Blinders?

First episode was pretty good. Was wondering how they’d hook me this season.

I really liked the season, but Adrien Brody is distracting terrible. Just one of the worst performances from a big actor in a long time.

Disappointed to hear that. Really like that guy but he’s starting to border on obscurity if he doesn’t right the ship soon. This was a great opportunity.

[ReasonablySober]

RS, I can’t find the post (is there a search function I’m missing - I’m on the app) but did you finish Peaky Blinders?

First episode was pretty good. Was wondering how they’d hook me this season.

I really liked the season, but Adrien Brody is distracting terrible. Just one of the worst performances from a big actor in a long time.

Disappointed to hear that. Really like that guy but he’s starting to border on obscurity if he doesn’t right the ship soon. This was a great opportunity.

He's doing a Brando impersonation if the role was for a Godfather spoof. I don't mind some of the other actors clearly hamming it up (Hardy rules), but Brody is just so awful.

[DavidDunn21]

I've always thought of the star wars saga as being the overarching story of the struggle between the light and dark side of the force, not a specific family. We know that the Skywalkers have not always been central to that. Anakin himself was a no-one.

All that remains is Ben, who let's be honest, is not a strong or identifiable character. Hope they do something awesome to wrap it up.

I totally disagree. Ben is an excellent character. He is human, morally operating in a gray area, has an interesting story arc, and is being acted well. I love it.

Spoiler:

He murdered his dad in cold blood, he executed the prisoners in the opening scene of TFA, he pretty much tries to kill everyone at every point except his mommy. What gray area are you speaking of?

[RRyder823]

Watching Bright right now and no idea why it's getting such bad reviews. Ya the should of done an exposition dump at the beginning but it's pretty much shadowrun the movie

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