Alexandra Leaving

He-he! You are allowed, it's your birthday!

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winterspel.livejournal.com

*hugs* for the big housecleaning. I'm in the middle of one myself so you have my sympathies...but when it's done, it will be SO AWESOME! :D

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I hope your housecleaning went well :D

It wasn't too bad, actually. The best thing is - the cold water in the shower doesn't disappear for 5 minutes every time one flushes the toilet any more!!! The plumber is coming back today to finish things, and after that we will have some break!

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Ouch - this is a very sore spot for me. I have loved Star Wars with a huge passion - it was fantasy - inspace! It had lightsabres! Mysterious Jedi! Then the new films came...and they broke my heart. They really did. There are parts of them that I like, but largely they are just bad.

Mostly because they narrow down the Star Wars universe. By having the same droids, the same planets, the same supporting characters etc the SW universe ended up feeling much, much smaller. I hated that.

Then there is the widespread use of CGI - which I'm not to fond of. Computer animation is a good tool, but a painting can never match real life. It will always lack the depth and feel of the real thing. The massive use of CGI makes the New SW feel dead and flat, IMO. (A good contrast would be the Lord of the Rings films - where they mix CGI with models and location shooting - there it doesn't feel flat at all!)

But then there is Old SW - and especially The Empire Strikes Back - which is beautiful and gorgeous. And it has Leia - and the Han & Leia story. My first OTP that. It's very hard to argue with ones first OTP. ;D

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I adored Old Star Wars too. I haven’t had a chance to see the films when they were released because for some strange reasons they were forbidden in USSR. In fact, communist propaganda used to bring them up often as an example of “imperialist art”, something that is connected with USA “Star Wars” military strategy. Honestly, I used to think that the films were about USA invading USSR. (Hilarious, isn’t it?)

When I first saw Star Wars in 90s after the iron curtain was lifted, I had two thoughts – “What?????” beingthe first and “OMPH, this is the best thing EVER and how did they dare to deprive us of this for so long”. I love love love Old star Wars, especially Leila and Han, and Han&Leila. Holidays is the time to re-watch this!!!

By having the same droids, the same planets, the same supporting characters etc the SW universe ended up feeling much, much smaller. I hated that.

This is an interesting point – I haven’t thought of this before, but I understand now why for me it felt that “there is no future in this” when I was watching the new Star Wars. And I could have thought that it is because they are showing the “past”, but it is not always the case, for example, Lois McMaster Bujold’s books about Miles’s parents are written after some of the books about Miles and they are not any worse, I even like them more.

The massive use of CGI makes the New SW feel dead and flat, IMO. (A good contrast would be the Lord of the Rings films - where they mix CGI with models and location shooting - there it doesn't feel flat at all!),

I agree on this, but it didn’t worry me too much. Special effects are probably something I liked the most about New Star Wars.

And it has Leia - and the Han & Leia story

This is what is my “bee in the bonnet” (apart from the blatant commercionalism of the new films which I hate). How did they manage to make the fabulous actors act in the stilted way? What happened to Ewan McGregor? To Natalie Portman? I can’t comprehend. And I THEORETICALLY find Padme/Anakin’s story very romantic. But how come I can’t feel anything?

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Honestly, I used to think that the films were about USA invading USSR.

Lol! I now have pictures of poor Luke Skywalker trudging away and trying to reach Moscow before winter sets in. But censure ship seldom make sense. In Norway Monty Pythons Life of Brian was banned, as it was considered blasphemy and dangerous to children. Monty Python responded by having "Banned in Norway!" written on all the posters. ;P

Holidays is the time to re-watch this!!!

I think you are absolutely right! And you have just inspired me to do some SW re-watching. Especially Empire Strikes back, which has beautiful cinematography as well. But I like the whole story - it is a space opera yes, but on a different level it also about having faith, in your friends and in the goodness of people. I mean Luke basically has faith that his father is still good, and this is what saves the day. I've always loved that. A similar theme was sadly lacking in the new versions.

Lois McMaster Bujold’s books about Miles’s parents are written after some of the books about Miles and they are not any worse, I even like them more.

It's interesting you should bring them up - both

queenofthorns and

nutmeg3 have urged me to read them - but I'm having the biggest trouble finding them! Now you say positive things about them - and I'm starting to suspect I must turn to Amazon to find them, as they are obviously worth reading!

As for the stilted actors in the new films - this bothered me a lot as well. Most of the actors present are usually very good, but in parts of New SW they were simply horrible.
I suspect some blame must be placed on the script. A few of the lines were awful. Then there is Lucas' choice of editing - which is to cut each scene 5 seconds before it should be cut. There is NO pause - ever. No room for contemplation - just *snap* new scene *snap* new scene. So the potential gravitas of a scene is not allowed to sink in.

And Padme/Anakin's story should be romantic - but it's so badly established. There are no little moments between them, no little caresses, no longing looks. For instance the picnic scene in Attack of the Clones, which could have been romantic, is used to show that Anakin thinks a dictatorship is a good idea. So what could have been a good scene to establish romance is in stead used to show Anakin's political views. It makes no sense.

Then there is the fact that when Padme and Anakin do talk to each other they sound fake. They either talk of politics or of big, life altering things like "Honey, I'm pregnant!". They never truly small talk or giggle like people in love do.

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In Norway Monty Pythons Life of Brian was banned, as it was considered blasphemy and dangerous to children.

This doesn’t make sense. I don’t know if I mentioned to you already that I believe in Jesus myself. But banning something so funny like “Life of Brian” – THIS DOESN’T make sense to me. I know that there is a controversy around Harry Porter in some Christian churches and again – I can’t understand why. Isn’t God’s main idea that the good always wins? (Sorry for ranting and venturing into this discussion, feel free to miss this!!!)

Censure has to be in place to filter out evil things like propaganda of racism, or something similar, though.

Now you say positive things about them - and I'm starting to suspect I must turn to Amazon to find them, as they are obviously worth reading!

Oh, definitely! Lois McMaster Bujold is so true in her universe-building and the characters are most vivid and wonderful. Miles himself breaks my heart, and his parents have most angst-filled and romantic story. I must find some of the later books as well. I read them quite a while ago in Russia, I think there were some new books released since then.

Then there is Lucas' choice of editing - which is to cut each scene 5 seconds before it should be cut. There is NO pause - ever. No room for contemplation - just *snap* new scene *snap* new scene. So the potential gravitas of a scene is not allowed to sink in.

Thank you! I don’t think I noticed it at the time, but I think this is it. Really strange way to edit. And it must be the script, as you say. I guess it must be difficult to say some of the lines with feeling. :D

Then there is the fact that when Padme and Anakin do talk to each other they sound fake. They either talk of politics or of big, life altering things like "Honey, I'm pregnant!". They never truly small talk or giggle like people in love do.

They really sound like high-school performance kids too often. And yes, I think it is a lack of detail which makes the world-building so bad for me. ROTS is visually very busy, but at the same time lacking detail in conversations.

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I don’t know if I mentioned to you already that I believe in Jesus myself.

I think you've mentioned it in a post some time, so I had an inkling. :)

As for the Harry Potter controversy that puzzles me too. But it is fantasy, and people sometimes reads that to literary - instead of seeing the deeper issues. I mean Harry, with the help of his friends and the people he cares for, makes some tough but right decisions. And he sometimes sacrifices his own desires for the sake of the common good. I don't really see how that should be so wrong - and in any way clash with Christian teachings.

That said I'm somewhat of an agnostic, so I might not be the right one to talk. ;)

I think censure is a good thing when it weeds out, like you mention, racism and other evils. I also appreciate age restrictions on films as a form of censure - but beyond that I feel people need to make their own restrictions and decisions.

I think it is a lack of detail which makes the world-building so bad for me. ROTS is visually very busy, but at the same time lacking detail in conversations.

Detail is so important, especially in fantasy and sci-fi. It's a created world, and that means the author/director/storyteller has to explain everything - including all the little details. And when establishing a relationship details are,IMHO, key! It's the little looks and glances that makes me believe in a relationship. take for instance first season Veronica Mars and the establishing of the relationship with Logan. It isn't just that they kiss - it's the look afterwards. It's in the way Veronica had raised her shoulders a little, as if she is frightened of what happened and tries to hide. it's all those little things - and then bham! I'm sold.

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Big "Yes" to all you are saying.

Detail is so important, especially in fantasy and sci-fi. It's a created world, and that means the author/director/storyteller has to explain everything - including all the little details

I am a little unsure - it could be great if they ever make ASOIF-the-movie. Or could it be difficult? Probably the TV series format could work better. And if this ever happens I will be fearing the worst - that all my favourite details will be gone.

I know that the first part of "Nothern Lights"("Dark Materials") thrilogy is going to be made into film. I like the books, I especially love the first two. I am getting apprehensive about the world-building, but on the plus side Daniel Craig is going to play Lord Azriel.

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An ASOIAF movie? That is the tricky one. I think I agree with you that a tv-series would probably be better, as it would fit the epic story telling as well as all the little subplots and such. An HBO produce series with the help of the production team behind Lord of the Rings would be nice. ;)

Then there is the big question - who would play who? See - there is a game for the holidays. casting the imaginary ASOIAF series. ;D

And I agree about the Dark materials. I really liked the first two books, but then he became a little to preachy for me in the last one. That said I really liked Lyra and Will, and especially the Lyra/Will undertones.

And Daniel Craig as Lord Azriel is just YUM! There are a few pictures out there - at the official website I think. But all I can think of when I hear his name is that I want to see Bond again. I lost my heart to that movie - I really did. *happy casino royal sigh*

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And Daniel Craig as Lord Azriel is just YUM! There are a few pictures out there - at the official website I think. But all I can think of when I hear his name is that I want to see Bond again. I lost my heart to that movie - I really did. *happy casino royal sigh*

You are not alone! I digged out "Layer cake" , I am going to watch this later today. Can't get out of my Daniel Craig obsession. Bond should have been on the "7 fictional boy friends" list for me, but I considered years of other Bonds I didn't like quite so much and didn't include him.

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trailer-spot.livejournal.com

I agree with a lot of what

baleanoptera already said.

After I saw Episode I I swore that I will never again pay any money to see anthing Star Wars related made by George Lucas. Not at least because I find his attitude towards revising (film) history very disturbing. The whole process of re-releasing improved versions of the first trilogy and the CGI overkill of the new trilogy left a very bad stench of milking the Star Wars fanbase. I don't know if you were already reading my journal back then but I posted a clip about George Lucas re-mastering Singin' in the Rain (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2800723_300.mov) a couple of weeks ago that sums up the whole thing very well. I just want to punch George Lucas. :D

When Episode III was shown on TV here a few weeks ago, together with all the other episodes I took the opportunity and watched all of them over two weekends. It has been a couple of decades since I saw the old trilogy and I was pleasantly surprised by how light and funny especially Episodes IV and V were, not at least because of Han and Leia. It's the best proof that less is often more. But I was also reminded that already Episode VI showed signs of blatant commercialisation since I'm convinced that the only reason why Lucas intruduced the fluffy Ewoks was because the would make great Christmas merchandise :).
I don't particularly like George Lucas when it comes to what he made out of Star Wars, can you tell? ;D

I like the old trilogy and especially the risks he took making something new and exciting, but that's more for historical/groundbreaking reasons, not so much because the movies are some of my favourites.

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After I saw Episode I I swore that I will never again pay any money to see anthing Star Wars related made by George Lucas.

I had an absolutely the same feeling – “Oh no, I just paid 6f to see THIS?? Never again.”

Not at least because I find his attitude towards revising (film) history very disturbing. The whole process of re-releasing improved versions of the first trilogy and the CGI overkill of the new trilogy left a very bad stench of milking the Star Wars fanbase.

I absolutely agree with this too – this is my main problem with New Star Wars. And as a parent it worries me (here comes the rant, feel free to miss the rest of the paragraph) that New Star Wars are obviously targeting the young. Teens are the most difficult age – peer pressure, etc. Young kids don’t fall easy pray to the hype, and this is why IMHO the market for young kids is full with of the really excellent films. But the teens seem to be drawn the most to the commercially crafted “hype” type of things. (And though Harry Porter has some good points about it, I also sworn that I will never give any of my money to the writer. Her approach is just too exploitative)

I don't know if you were already reading my journal back then but I posted a clip about George Lucas re-mastering Singin' in the Rain a couple of weeks ago that sums up the whole thing very well. I just want to punch George Lucas. :D

No, I missed this. I am going to check it out later! We have a big go-ga here in UK about re-creating “Sound of Music”. They had crazy television contest similar to “X-factor” to find a new Maria. CRAZY!!!!!

It has been a couple of decades since I saw the old trilogy and I was pleasantly surprised by how light and funny especially Episodes IV and V were, not at least because of Han and Leia.

I haven’t had a chance to see Star Wars when they were released because they were forbidden in USSR. I saw them for the first time in the middle of 90s, and I remember thinking – “They made this 20 years ago! Amazing!!”. The films didn’t seem to be dated in any way.

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trailer-spot.livejournal.com

But the teens seem to be drawn the most to the commercially crafted "hype" type of things. (And though Harry Porter has some good points about it, I also sworn that I will never give any of my money to the writer. Her approach is just too exploitative)

When the hype for something gets too big I usually tend to avoid it. Not always, but as a rule of thumb. It's definitely the case when it comes to the new Star Wars trilogy and I've never seen a Harry Potter movie at the theatre. But that's mostly because I just don't care about that whole story. I also haven't touched any of the books, but that doesn't mean a lot since I'm not a big reader.

"They made this 20 years ago! Amazing!!".

Exactly, and even if it doesn't look perfect it still looks charming and you can feel that it was a labour of love.

Someone from my flist made a couple of Han/Leia icons (http://users.livejournal.com/aily_/23677.html) a week or two ago, maybe you want to have a look.

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When the hype for something gets too big I usually tend to avoid it. Not always, but as a rule of thumb.

Yes, especially because often hype equals the commercial approach. Not always, but often. As a general rule if something appeals to a large percentage of population, it means it is somehow bland and "equalized". I love books, but I don't read as much as I want to...

And thank you for the link - I will sure check it out!!

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yes, I voted twice! my second round of answers are the right ones.I misread the first question, and thought you were asking about the first prequel. Revenge of The Sith is the only one of the prequels that I actually really liked.

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No problem! More the merrier!!

I thingt that "Revenge of The Sith" was the best among the new films too, the rest are just TOO bad for me.

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yeah, the first two of the newer films were pretty bad. I can watch them like you said in your poll, "on a rainy day", as kind of background noise if I am doing something around the house.

I actually like "Revenge of the Sith" though, I thought it was a little long, but pretty good, I appreciated how dark it was, it felt more grown up than the other two films.

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I thought it was a little long, but pretty good

I think for me it was a film which I liked whilst watching, but which made me feel unsatisfied and empty when finished. :(

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huh, it looks like my first answers did not take anyway or maybe the second vote negated them. anyway yeah so I am a little silly right now...

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I love your icon!! I really thought that Adama/Roslin would happen there and then, but.. ** sigh**

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ah, that icon is pretty fabulous isn't it?

starbuck92 made it, she made some beautiful Unfinished Business ones here (http://starbuck92.livejournal.com/592892.html#cutid1)

well, there are those who think "something"(i.e. sex or at least more than just cuddling) happened between Adama and Roslin on New Caprica, it was left a little ambiguous. but I don't think so. but I do have hope for the future. really though if they never actually get together it's all right, that's what fanfic is for. as long as they always have scenes together I'll be happy.

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I also don't think anything happen, though one can never know - they seem to be keen on not-showing some of the key moments. I think it may be difficult for Adama and Roslin to be together, it could have HUGE effect on the fleet.

I am so not sure about Kara and Lee after the last episode. :(. I must think.

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syliasyliasylia.livejournal.com

I totally dislike the three new Star Wars with all my heart XD... and absolutely LOVE THE ORIGINAL THREE!!! ^.^

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EEEEEEE! Me too! Me too! All this conversation makes me want to re-watch!! May be on holidays!

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syliasyliasylia.livejournal.com

Eee!!!! I tend to rewatch the Originals too often, because I'm so attached to those characters!! Oooh! Han!! *swoons* ... I'm so dorky that I can even quote a lot of dialoges in both English and the Spanish translation XDDDDDDD. Starwars is one of the first movies I recall seeing a movie teather when I was a kid (along with the first Superman movie, and Xanado *lol*), I must have been 5 or 6 years old when I saw it, and I totally fell in love with it XDDDD, I got the trading sticker cards, the comicbook (even though I was just starting to learn how to read XDDD)... *hee*

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EEEEEEE! I missed all these movies as a kid (because they were not released in USSR), but I had a big catch-up in 90s. I am not sure about Superman, but Star Wars are AWESOME for me.
Yes, you are making me want to re-watch them more and more:D

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kiaforrest.livejournal.com

I stood in line to see Star Trek The Motion Picture & sobbed leaving the theater. We waited SO long.......I haven't bothered to do so since.

I stood in line to see Star Wars & left feeling like I could do ANYTHING.

I've seen all the Trek movies and each one was better - because they learned their lesson, refocused on the Characters. Because they remembered Space was a final frontier - bold and dramatic, but People traveled there. People wanted to know about those traveling More than they wanted the wowie exterior shots.

I've seen all the Star Wars. Along the way, George forgot it was the Folks & Adventure not the "groovy graphics" that drew us into the tale in the first place. He embraced The Motion Picture Model a little more with each movie.
AND STILL
I love 'em all!! Most importantly, and often neglected: the MUSIC of John Williams. It makes even the overdone effects tolerable. Can anyone hear Binary Sunset and not Remember a Moment it applied to their life? Can you hear Darth's theme or the Emperor's and not feel goose bumps still? The echoes of Han & Leia in Across the Stars promises what George denies us, love can reach beyond who we would be, to who we could be. The hope Williams taunts us with is brutally lovely.

IMHO, the raspy breathing chilled us all in 1977; more than the burning man in 2005. Not because Darth was scarier in the mask, but because he was scarier without it. :sigh:

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EEEEEE! I love your writing as always, kia!! I hope to see the Nano novel sooooooooooon!!!

I agree on the music!! I am so glad that they kept the original music, just updated it a little. I am getting the goose bumps even thinking about "Darth's theme or the Emperor's"

Not because Darth was scarier in the mask, but because he was scarier without it. :sigh:

This was the only moment in "Revenge of Sith" which "got me", the burning man. And I agree that the guy who played Anakin, though very pretty, is looking somehow weird and mask-like in ROS ( at least for me).

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kiaforrest.livejournal.com

he *was* mask-like, you hit that nail on the head. Stiff and *self* righteous from the very beginning of ROS. Well said.

and you know - the *got me* was ObiWan choosing to walk away, not waiting, unable to face it... ::sigh:: Ani was already "masked" - he'd put it on to deal with everyone, including his wife & 'brother' & even the Emperor in some ways.

::shiver::

You should have the NaNo via e-mail, but if it is lost in the ozone - you can download it Here (http://home.mindspring.com/~kiaforrest/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/NoQuietFind.doc)

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Ani was already "masked"

For me, there was a seed of wrong in Ani ever since he was a little boy, selfishness of some kind. And there was good too.

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koalathebear.livejournal.com

I had to skip question 2 because I like Empire and Star Wars equally :D

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