When the first Star Wars film launched in 1977, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) revolutionized cinema with groundbreaking practical effects that made audiences believe in a galaxy far, far away. Nearly five decades later, the franchise continues to push visual boundaries, but the journey from handcrafted miniatures to cutting-edge digital technology—and back to a sophisticated … Continue reading Practical Effects vs. CGI: How Star Wars Evolved from Miniatures to The Volume
Star Wars
Prequel Politics in the Star Wars Galaxy
The Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for decades with its epic space battles, mystical Force powers, and compelling characters. Yet beneath the spectacle lies a sophisticated political narrative, particularly in George Lucas's prequel trilogy (1999-2005). While casual viewers might see only lightsaber duels and space dogfights, these films offer a nuanced examination of how … Continue reading Prequel Politics in the Star Wars Galaxy
Father/Son Stories That Will Bring You to Tears: Hollywood’s Most Powerful Family Bonds
We've all felt it - that catch in our throat during Field of Dreams when Ray Kinsella asks his father, "Hey dad, you wanna have a catch?" or the surge of emotion when Mufasa's spirit appears to remind Simba who he is. Few relationships in cinema are as complex, nuanced, and emotionally resonant as those … Continue reading Father/Son Stories That Will Bring You to Tears: Hollywood’s Most Powerful Family Bonds
A Voice for the Ages: Remembering James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones, the actor whose commanding bass voice and powerful presence captivated audiences for over seven decades, passed away on September 9, 2024, at his home in Dutchess County, New York. He was 93 years old. Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones overcame a severe childhood stutter to become one of … Continue reading A Voice for the Ages: Remembering James Earl Jones
Star Wars Moments That Live in My Head
Hey there, fellow Star Wars fans! It's time to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most unforgettable moments from our beloved galaxy far, far away. These scenes are so deeply etched into our minds that we can probably recite them word for word. So, let's dive in and relive the … Continue reading Star Wars Moments That Live in My Head
A Star Wars Question
You wouldn't believe the things that keep me up at night. Anxieties about whether I got the right thing signed for work (of course I did!). Random pains in my back. Trivial thoughts about pop culture issues dealing with fictional worlds that have no bearing on what happens in real life. Last night I was … Continue reading A Star Wars Question
Some Thoughts After Seeing Dune
I'm not sure I get it... Wait... I should probably preface this whole thing by saying that I've never read anything by Frank Herbert and I never saw the 1984 adaptation of Dune. So maybe that's why I feel like I've fallen behind in this classic bit of sci-fi love. Although, there are other beloved … Continue reading Some Thoughts After Seeing Dune
The Best Movies from My Fourth Decade
This is it... The final ten years out of my first 40. Let's not waste time, shall we? 1980s1990s2000s And now, welcome to the 2010s… 2010: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxqsmsA8y5k Why do we split up a book to make two movies? Because money. Though, to be fair, there are a … Continue reading The Best Movies from My Fourth Decade
The Best Movies from My First Decade
It's been almost a year, but I got this idea back when Dom over at Fairly Professional wrote a post titled, "A Movie For Every Year I've Been Alive." It was a post I thought I'd get around to when I finished going through my personal Top 100 Movies of All Time. But then I … Continue reading The Best Movies from My First Decade
YouTube Spotlight: Pop Culture Critics
Previous YouTube Spotlights: Hot OnesReactors Honestly, I wasn't sure how to title this one. Because I want to focus on the channels that feature individuals and/or groups/production companies that talk about every popular geek thing that takes the form of movies, TV shows, or video games. Maybe comics and books, too. I should mention that … Continue reading YouTube Spotlight: Pop Culture Critics
The Confusing Middle 