Tag: Star Wars

The Robotech Tapes

Posted on by CV Whitfield

March 1985. I was in the sixth grade. I had just moved schools because my mother had an issue with the teachers at my old school. I wasn’t happy about it. My friends and my life as I knew it was there at that school. I wasn’t really that outgoing back then. Today, you’d call that introverted. So I didn’t make friends at my new school. Why? because I was going to be here only 4 months then it was summer break. After summer break, it would be another new school – this one called Middle School.

I think back on this time and I believe I felt the affects of anxiety. When I was 12 years old, I just thought it was fear– fear of things, people and places I didn’t know. Recently, I’ve had lots of experiences with anxiety. Growing older, I found that my body sometimes reacts in a manner I don’t believe I feel. It wasn’t until my 40s that I experienced an anxiety attack when I was on a exciting adventure with my family. I thought it was the early symptoms of the flu and I was mad as I didn’t want to be sick while on vacation. Oh how times have changed and now I have an understanding of that feeling. Yet, when you’re a little kid, you just force your way through. I relate this to how dogs deal with new environments or when they find themselves at the veterinarian. Yet, that’s a tale for another time.

So, during that time, at a new school, and no friends, I raced home on my bike after that 3 o’clock bell as fast I could. I found comfort in cartoons. The cartoons of afternoons on channel 13– KCOP 13 Los Angeles. (and no I didn’t live in L.A. Instead it was a hole in New Mexico but the cable company beamed those channels in.) Every afternoon it was Flintstones, Jetsons, Thundercats, He-Man, and now Robotech!

Robotech debuted in a 90-minute premier episode called Codename: Robotech. When I watched it that first day, I will admit I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I was downright confused. But I didn’t care. The show was freaking awesome. It had planes that transformed into robots. Yeah, it was like Transformers but it was better. These weren’t sentient and intelligent alien robots but a “mechanical” or “mecha” that humans controlled. Not sure if it will make sense but I felt this very akin to the worlds of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers. I completely found myself addicted to this show. And I couldn’t get enough. The commercials informed me the new show would be on daily starting Monday starting at 4:30pm. I had learned that time meant it would be an hour later for me. I knew where I’d be everyday at 5:30 and nothing was going to deter me.

There was a few other shows that Robotech reminded me of. Notably Voltron. Votron was my favorite show at the time. And a show that I watched many years earlier called Battle of the Planets. The animation was very similar to both these shows. (as this long story will eventually describe, I had no idea that the shows were Japanese and redubbed for American audiences.) Perhaps this is why I immediately took to Robotech. It had a style that I was familiar with and naturally enjoyed. It was different than He-Man (a Filmation product) and Scooby-Doo (a Hanna-Barbera Animation). It was so detailed. The closest I had seen before that was the G.I.Joe A Real American Hero (1983 and its sequel 1984) mini-series.

So as I travel down this journey known as “The Robotech Tapes” I will explore the history and impact on my life. How this show and other shows forged my idea of storytelling and creativity.

to be continued. and I hope this succeeds….

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OMG! ANDOR is NOT the best Star Wars ever made!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

Everyone needs to stop saying that. You feel that way because you’ve had to deal with crappy sequels and TV shows!

You want a little secret? The best Star Wars ever made is THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY!!

Every other statement that contradicts that is false and “fake news.”

Star Wars is about the Hero’s Journey. The Original and Prequel trilogies supported this. The Clone Wars is a great episodic and serial TV show and deserves much debate and discussion.

ANDOR is a very interesting look at the galaxy from a more mundane perspective. Yet, unfortunately, this can still be seen as a bit boring for many. Its a difference from high action adventure to high drama. I remember people bitching about Phantom Menace was too political with all the “trade route disputes” talk. Yet, thats all ANDOR does. I’m exaggerating here but half the show is about politicians and dissidents arguing and debating on how to move money around or keep secrets to support a rebellion. This may be boring to many. Maybe those Star Wars fans are getting older and want to be entertained by the sophisticated aspects of the galaxy. I like it too but give me some more clues and a bit more action -since I want to have fun in this viewing experience.

For all of you that think you’ve seen the best Star Wars….step back…watch the Original Trilogy…and then re-evaluate your opinion…. it’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to say it’s good Star Wars…. but is it really the best? No not really.

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ANDOR – Are we thinking it’s better than it is?

Posted on by CV Whitfield

Are we seeing delusions of grandeur with Andor because Book of Boba Fest and Obi-wan Kenobi were bad?

I’ve watched all 10 episodes. I keep hearing how great it is. Many viewers are saying it’s some of the best Star Wars ever. Or at least, the best Star Wars from Disney. These comments are coming from both dedicated Star Wars fans and fans of science fiction and other Sci-Fi.

I’m not sure I can give it that much credit.

Is it good Star Wars? Maybe. We’re so used to bad Star Wars recently, it’s hard to tell if this deserves its accolades.

I don’t hate it.

But as I’ve told my friends, it’s a bit slow. It’s a bit melodramatic. Feels like Downtown Abby in Space.

Yet, I think Downtown Abby presented character development better. There’s a lot of talking yet very little is said. Or at least, to push the plot along or even the point of the series. We get several minutes that feel like hours of lord-of-the-flies-like scenes of a young Andor and (of course) we have no clue what the language is or what they are saying. This is meant for us to learn more of Cassian Andor yet he says about 10 words an episode. Technically more time is spent with the supporting cast than Andor (which is an issue with almost everything Disney does of late).

While watching the show, I was trying to guess what’s the genre: suspense? thriller? heist movie? cops and robbers? political drama? Star Wars has always been action and adventure with a focus on the hero’s journey. The story of good vs. evil. Yet, I’m not sure what this is. I’ve seen 10 hours of it. That’s a lot of time. I feel like the writers are treating this like a government contract. Go nice and slow so they can stay employed for as long as possible.

As George was known to say, “Faster! More Intensity!” I felt this needed to move much faster. Throw the audience a bone. Stop trying to keep the viewer in the dark. It’s okay to give the audience something while keeping the characters in the dark. Instead this show keeps everyone in the dark.

Some have said, they like the show as it’s more for adult viewers. Some have said, Star Wars has always been for 12 year olds, but finally we have a Star Wars aimed at 35 year olds. Maybe. Yet, the original Star Wars facisnated everyone from 5 year olds (like myself in 1977) to 90 year olds. That’s the beauty of the original story. This new show doesn’t do that. Can that be a bad thing?

Well, maybe Andor needs more viewings, more analysis, and more discussion. All I want to say is: I want more Star Wars in my Star Wars….

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Why I Stopped Buying Toys Part II….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

As mentioned in the last post, I’ve stopped buying toys…for the most part. I can precisely count how many items I’ve bought over the last 5 years and it aint much. Funny thing is: if I had been able to find a few other items, I might have bought more. And that’s another main reason I stopped buying toys.

I got tired of trying to find things. I got tired of never seeing items at my local store or in the bloody toy aisles. I mean these are toys, right? These are just things for children, right? Yet, things were so difficult to see, let alone, buy them. Just look to the current 6 inch G.I. Joe line. I’ve seen about 7 of them in the last year. I mean: SEVEN! Like, seven figures total. — 2 Cobra Commanders (Target in MN), 1 Gung Ho (Target in CO), 3 Roadblocks (Target in NW CO) and 1 Lady Jay (local Walmart). And don’t get me started on Walmart’s 3.75 line that’s exclusive to them. I’ve seen 5 figures of them– 3 ugly looking Dukes and 2 decent Scarlets. As for the 6 inch line, I was really hoping to find a Snake-Eyes and a Cobra Soldier. I didn’t need to collect the whole line just grab some favorites. Well, Hasbro, you saved my lots of money. So THANK YOU.

So, how does a toy line succeed if it’s absent from store pegs? Thats the big question, I guess. Before anyone says, “well you could just have pre-ordered them online from a store like Big Bad Toy Store.” I will say, “well, that’s not always a locked and done deal either.” It’s true. How many times have I gone to order something and its “sold out”? Second, I don’t want to pay collector prices. It’s hard enough to fork over $20 for an action figure as it is. Even Amazon is always sold out–unless paying double for that figure is right up your alley. And, what the heck HASBRO? Why isn’t these things ALWAYS in stock at your own site? They are your own product! And what about the PULSE where you charge folks just for the opportunity to shop in the store. And guess what? Its always “Sold Out” unless you’ve got the time to watch the site all day hitting the refresh key!

One major issue, I believe, for no toys in the stores, is the second hand collector market. I’ve seen it myself, the weird looking dude literally race-walking to the toy aisle as the store opens to grab as much as he can to sell on Ebay or his Amazon shop. There was a time at a Target that I might have seen my eighth or ninth G.I. Joe figure but as I turned the corner watched a man pull them off the pegs like a looter pulling Nikes out of a store window. I wanted to think they were a Red Ninja and a Storm Shadow but I couldn’t really see. He then raced through the WWE figures, Marvel Legends, and Hot Wheels. Maybe he was just an enthusiastic collector. But I will still believe it was a scalper.

My solution: Hasbro you should flood the market with the items. Stop the scalpers before they can be scalpers. Now, I’m no moron and I know that companies like Hasbro have to do careful with market research and strategize how much the market can handle. Otherwise, Hasbro will be dumping G.I. Joes in a landfill like Atari E.T. cartridges and thats not good for anyone. But one way to do this intelligently is via their own company web store. Second, why isn’t everything crowdfunded to some extent nowadays. If Hasbro wanted to see the demand for a brand new Joe figure, put it on the site for 30 days and let the folks order it. Once that ends you make that many figures plus 20%. AND, you don’t charge folks for it either like PULSE. How is this not a win-win situation for all, Hasbro and collectors and kids. This reminds me of how Amazon fills their new brick and mortar stores. It’s just the most popular items. It constantly rotates. Hasbro could do the same with distribution. Send popular toys to Walmarts and Targets. Then, you don’t get an aisle of Rose TIcos.

Yes, logistics is a big factor in any of these ideas but why aren’t company’s making it easy for buyers to buy their products. Would Coca-Cola limit their product in stores or even survive if distribution was crap. Then, how is Hasbro profiting from these toy lines? Or is it, collector markets are the gravy and Hasbro survives by selling Beyblades and Littlest Pet Shop? One could only wonder….

I may have stopped buying toys, but I’m still a hobbyist and a collector. Want to know what those are? Stay tuned….

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Why I Stopped Collecting Toys….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

Something happened. Something that would rock my world. Something that may have bettered my life. Something that would definitely change my life….

I stopped buying toys.

It’s been nearly 10 years now. I know there was several reasons that determined my decision. And I remember, I didn’t just stop cold turkey. Like a drug addict, I slowly weaned myself.

It all started following the release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. I had spent the last five years buying pretty much every Star Wars toy they made. And I didn’t just buy one. I was the moron that had to have two of everything. I had to have one to open and one to leave sealed. The sealed item served a double role, one to preserve the original toy as it was sold and it would make a great display item. And second, it would be that item to sell down the road when all my Star Wars toys would pay for my kids college eduction or at least my summer home in highlands of Scotland. I just knew that these toys would be worth millions in the future. (I forgot to take one small detail in to account with this ideology: these toys will be worthless because they not only made millions of them, but there are millions of collectors thinking the same thing I’m thinking. So I made one small error….). So, I’m standing in the toy aisle on the eve of release and I’m watching the horde of collectors race to the pegs and attack the pallet of toy cases. And I just had an epiphany: why am I swarming over these things like its the last loaf of bread in the supermarket during a Zombie apocalypse? I stopped. I waited and I slowly walked to the pegs. I told myself buy the cool ones– buy the ones I really liked. I don’t need one of everything. And I’m not buying more than ONE! That started the end….

Suddenly, after so many years, there was no more hype of future Star Wars movies. Star Wars had driven my collecting for over ten years at that point. I had gotten in on the first figures of the revived Kenner figures in 1995. We got so many new figures. The design and quality only got better and better. Not only did Star Wars drive my collecting, I got my wife into buying Beanie Babies. I bought other toys I liked from Hot Wheels to Spawn figures. Many of these I just used to bargain or trade for more Star Wars figures. It got so obsessive; there wasn’t many days I wasn’t on the the hunt. If the wife went to Target for groceries and I was at work, I had her go to the toy aisles first. We used our kids to get store associates to check “the back” for more cases saying it was how they wanted to spend their allowance. We were now the parents using our kids to feed our own addictions. We craved more and more. We needed that new Ty Beanie Bear or Star Wars R2 with Holo Leia. Then we looked to our house. It was overflowing with toys. We had so many Beanie Babies, most were in the garage in plastic bins. My Star Wars figures filled two closets. We couldn’t display a fraction of what we owned. Then we looked to our credit cards. They were maxed out. Why? Because of toys. We needed to seek help. Painfully, we went to credit counseling and cut up our cards….

With not having the buying power to just buy everything and anything, we (mostly me) only bought what we really liked or thought was really cool. Yet, I found with rising costs of action figures and how most of the current releases were just re-dos of things they had already been released in the last few years, I was slowly being turned off by new Star Wars stuff. I felt, finally, I may have stopped the desire to buy new toys. Then, 2007 happened and the 25th anniversary of G.I. Joe happened. I had enjoyed so many Joe toys in the 1980s that, like Star Wars before it, I would do it right this time and buy everything released. I went in just buying one of everything. I had learned my lessons from the past with the “buy two” fallacy. I went at it smart. I didn’t get crazy. I bought them when I found them but I could feel the return to the obsessive desire to “collect them all” which could easily force me off the “wagon”.

But, whether a intervention from God or just poor management and marketing from Hasbro, the Joe line slowed and eventually died. With it, saving my bank account and my compulsive behaviors. So, I was like this is my chance to stop 100% and not buy any more toys. It was mostly true. I’m most certain I’ve only bought a few items over the last few years. I pick up an occasional Hot Wheel or collectible item. I sold most of my collection and the wife completely rid her life of the Beanie craze (I was so proud of her mainly as I felt somewhat responsible for that collection). And life has been good. I will say, its been a lot less stressful.

So what are the all the reasons I stopped….. well stay tuned for part II…..

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Toys ….suck today!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

So, when I enter a Wal-mart or Target, the first place I go is the Toy aisles .

For the last few years, I’ve noticed that the aisles and shelves seem to be a bit thin. It’s quite common to find many pegs and spots just empty of product. We all know that Target stock is always scarce. Yet, now I see this at Walmarts. Why is this?

  1. Today’s toys are very rarely supported by an active TV shows or Comic Books. Yes, every freakin movie gets some kind of toy tie-in but half the time, I don’t think they do any target research to see if kids even want these toys. TV shows and Comic books allow for continued story telling and allows the property to stay in the kids minds for years. With the exception of Star Wars (which is an anomaly), no movie has support a toy line successfully more than 6 months after the movie is released. In the 80s, we had great toy lines He-man and Masters of the Universe and G.I. Joe- TV shows. The 80s and 90s gave great Marvel and DC superhero toys – Comic Books. In the 90s, Batman: The Animated Series supported a figure line – TV show. Good Star Trek can give you a nice collector toy line, i.e. the 90s Playmates line – TV show. But today, we only have Star Wars – weak sequel movies – Jurassic Park / World toys – movie – and toys for the remake of Space Jam..
  2. Today’s toys are just too damn expensive. The average action figure price is $9.99. And if you go for the larger 6 inch figures, those go for $19.99 or more. What kid is spending their allowance on this? What parent is spending this to give their child the toy when asked? Honestly, they are not! These toy lines are supported solely on adult collectors. This is why that many of these big box stores are now putting toys in two spots in the stores. Some go in the Toy Aisle and some go in another section for collectibles. Can action figures be cheaper? I would exclaim why not! Hot Wheels have been less than .99 cents for 30 years. Not only do kids love cars, but you can buy dozens of these cars for only a few dollars more than an action figure. Even many nice car toys in the 1:64 scale can price from 3.99 to 7.99. Today, they have the RE-RELEASE of He-man and Masters of the Universe figures. Walmart price is $14.99. They were only $4.99 in 1982. And I remember that was expensive because Star Wars and G.I.Joe were about $2.99. Again, these aren’t toys, but adult collectibles.
  3. Today toys companies are run by morons. Outside of a few long term favorites like Hot Wheels, Barbie and the anomaly that is Star Wars, what action figure toy has been on the shelves for so long? None. What action play toy has been a staple of the Toy Aisle? None. Why hasn’t any toy company actually invested in creating a toy line that will stand the test of time? This is what Mattel did with He-man in the late 70s and early 80s. It was to be a competitor of Star Wars. Instead, these companies lazily rely on movie properties. They are willing to pay millions of dollars for licensing instead of creating a strong IP internally. Take Hasbro for example. They own the G.I.Joe brand solely. Yet, this company has constantly failed on making this toy line successful. It has always been plagued by short supply with the releases in 2007 and again in 2020. Why weren’t these figures filling pegs? Every figure sold would put full profit into their pocket. Instead, they continue to pump out Star Wars figures and pay the 50% to Lucasfilm. The same folks that run these companies clearly don’t research their market.
  4. Today toys can’t compete with video games. Bullshit, I say. I disagree with this statement that I constantly hear when I discuss these very topics. I see kids in the toy aisles wanting toys — like Legos, Action Figures, Nerf Guns and Barbie dolls. Children don’t invest all their time in just video games. Yet, you need to give them a good toy for a good price and they will sell. And the gravy on the steak would be the adult collectors who would buy them too. Yet, first these companies need to MAKE TOYS. Fill those pegs and work on distribution and market research.

Okay. Thats today’s thought on Toys. I could discuss this and these topics for hours.

To all those that want good toys…. Good hunting!

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The Definition of a True 80s Kid….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

I was an 80s kid.

I was not born in 1988. That does not count. Doesn’t.

I was born in 1972. I was 8 when the 80s started and 18 when they ended. To be an 80s kid, you needed to be alive for the entire decade. More than that. You have to be able to remember the entire decade. You have to have been present for all the 80s greatness. Including but not limited to: seeing E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark in the movie theater, as well as both 80s Star Wars movies! Buying your favorite album on vinyl, cassette and CD. Working on an Apple II in your classroom. Begging your parents for an Atari 2600 and then do it again at the end of the decade for a Nintendo!

I hear the “I’m an 80s kid!” all the time. Then I inquire about their life. I hear they say they were born in 1982. I quickly respond, “you’re not an 80s kid but a 90s one!” Some seem offended. Many realize my point. If you were born in 1982, you were only 8 when the decade ended. There’s no way you ran home from school to watch He-Man, Thundercats, Voltron, Inspector Gadget. You didn’t get up early on Saturday to watch Saturday Morning Cartoons – Smurfs, Spider-man and his Amazing Friends, Carebears, Pac-man, Super Friends.

One doesn’t just have to be born in 1972 to be considered an 80s kid. But I do think the best range of birth years is 1970 through 1975. This allows you to be as young as 5 and as old as 10 when the greatest decade starts. But to be honest, I really think I had the perfect age range to enjoy the 1980s.

So, if you say you’re an 80s kid, make sure this simple definition defines you. If you were a kid and your earliest memories is watching Batman: The Animated Series, unfortunately, you just missed the 80s. You’re all 90s. Not to say I miss that decade from time to time.

Were you an 80s kid? Wasn’t it great?

Of course it was!

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A new beginning….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

THE FORCE AWAKENS

Luke Skywalker has vanished! In only a decade after the Battle of Endor, the Imperial Remnant continues to struggle for control of the galaxy. Without Luke’s guidance of a new JEDI council the Empire has created the FIRST ORDER – FORCE users that have complete loyalty to the new EMPEROR.

With the support of the NEW REPUBLIC, Chancellor Leia Organa leads a brave RESISTANCE. She is desperate to find her brother Luke and gain his help in restoring peace and justice to the galaxy.

After a decade of searching, Leia has sent her most trusted Jedi advisors on a secret mission to Jakku — a planet ravaged by war. There, an old ally has discovered a clue to Luke’s whereabouts. Time is of the essence as a new threat rises from the ashes of the SITH….

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The Force Awakens…. Lost its way….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

As I stated, the movie started out with lots of potential. Yet, it didn’t know what it wanted to be. The writer and director didn’t create a natural extension of the Skywalker story. Instead, they created a story and production they thought the audience wanted. Or to be more precise, what the producer thought the audience wanted.

So, the new leadership at Lucasfilm decided to nix everything in the expanded universe. A horrible idea to millions of fans that spent decades enjoying the stories and respecting the chronology. But a fabulous idea for a new writing staff so they don’t have to worry about the past and all thats come before it. Or as I really think, they didn’t have a clue of any of that source material and like a slacker high school student, why actually read the book and know the material when you can just petition the teacher to throw out the textbook altogether. Yes, I am calling out those writers for not actually being SW fans and actually knowing the chronology. When you have a clean canvas you can create anything without remorse or worry.

As story development proceeded, The Force Awakens could literally be anything the writers could dream up. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that it fit in with the previous movies, character developement nor even the wishes of Mr. George Lucas. He handed treatments over yet Lucasfilm leadership decided to toss them and proceed with the what the rockstar director wanted.

Story may be the weak link but the saving grace was the art design and characters that were created. Except I think they needed a slight tweak….

Up next… a fan’s version of The Force Awakens….

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The Force Awakens …. had potential but failed….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

What many fans saw as a copy cat of Star Wars New Hope, I actually took was part of a long history of Star Wars formula.

George Lucas used a similar formula with the Prequel Trilogy thus seeing something similar in the Sequel Trilogy wasn’t that surprising. If you compare The Phantom Menace to A New Hope you see several formulaic concepts: the discovery of a threat to peace, an rescue mission, a introduction of a main character through accident, an old mentor dies, a big battle to help liberate the galaxy (or planet) and a big celebration ceremony. See, those two movies were very similar. Yet, I will admit that formula went a little bit too far with The Force Awakens and did appear to be a remake of A New Hope. The first strike.

The movie opened with a problem. Luke is missing. The First Order has risen and taken advantage of the disappearance of Luke. Yet, I think the movie wasn’t clear on what it was meant to do. Why’s Luke missing? And how did the First Order become so powerful just because Luke disappeared? Why isn’t there a new Jedi Order helping protect the Galaxy?

The Star Killer Base, this trilogy’s version of the Death Star, is literally thrown in with no real reason to the story elements we were introduced to in the opening crawl. It felt like JJ Abrams was like “oh yeah, I need a Death Star-like thing to be the threat to everyone.” If the First Order arose and became a galactic threat since Luke disappeared, how long has Luke been gone? Was it weeks? Years? Decades? We never know. We have to know its been a while because the First Order has had time to raise massive amounts of capital, built a fleet of Star Destroyers, and had time to convert a planet into a gigantic laser gun. This can’t just be done in a few short years.

With oblivious plot holes, I never really believed the First Order as a real threat to our characters. Nor did I understand how they got so powerful when the Republic was still governing the galaxy. Was this something like Cobra was to G.I. Joe? I believe this is why fans critiqued the First Order so much. In 1977, we didn’t know the specifics how the Empire was born, and we didn’t need to know actually. But when we know how the characters defeated the Empire, to see a new clone of the Empire arise, the audience needs a bit of back story. Thus, I think the film’s villain (i.e. the Empire in OT and now the First Order in TFA) is cliche trope. There were so many other threats our old and new characters could have faced.

So, where else did The Force Awakens stray? …..

Stay tuned….

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The New Trilogy…. How I would have done it!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

In 2005, we watched Episode III with great enthusiasm and excitement. Then, we were saddened when George Lucas announced that the Star Wars Saga was complete and there would be no more movies. The dreams of seeing Episode VII through IX (7-9) were destroyed. Yet, we excepted it as this was a story about the life and redemption of Anakin Skywalker.

Suddenly, George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney. Every fan suddenly realized maybe more Star Wars movies would be on the horizon. The news broke really fast that yes indeed Star Wars would return with a new Sequel Trilogy that would take place 30 years after Return of the Jedi. The movies would reunite the original trilogy cast and introduce new characters. When we got The Force Awakens, we were confronted with the truth that perhaps we were deceived. Just like the Jedi were deceived by Chancellor Palpatine and the Army of the Republic.

The new trilogy wasn’t going to focus on the classic characters. It was a clear and present bait and switch. The new characters were going to be the complete focus. The original characters weren’t even given the respect to be supporting characters. No, they were basically cameos. This was the first mistake made by Disney Star Wars. You sacrificed established characters. The right course would have been introduce the new characters but they should have been an extension of the classic character story.

Episode VII opens with a crawl that informs the audience Luke Skywalker is missing. I loved this concept. Like any classic fantasy story, we set up the quest. The journey the characters must take to resolve the conflict. Where could Luke be? Was he captured? Or was he just lost? I could see this resonating out of George Lucas mind and based on his appreciate for Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth. Regardless of the reason behind Luke’s disappearance, it reminded me of the exile of Yoda. Yoda wasn’t running away from the problem. He was simply waiting for the opportunity of returning to the battle. After learning that Luke went in search of old and lost Jedi Temples, I figured this could have been his motivation. He was looking for the knowledge. He was waiting for the right time to return and take on the First Order.

Then, Last Jedi was released and our perception of Luke was destroyed….

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Star Wars….other possibilities….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

With the Skywalker Saga (as they are calling the core Star Wars movies nowadays) storyline coming to an end with Episode IX, I dream about the possibilities of what could have been.

I want to get my thoughts and opinions down on digital paper. When Lucasfilm sold to Disney I was very optimistic about the future of Star Wars. Unfortunately, my optimism was cut short with the release of the new ‘sequel’ trilogy of films. And the basic destruction of the expanded universe cannon. I will clarify that I never expected the expanded universe to become the stories of any new movies. Yet, I hoped that they would at least try to blend in. The reason I stand by this: Lucasfilm took such care and consideration of any and all post ROTJ stories. Thus, I figured George Lucas essentially approved it all. Yet, the films are truly the only ‘true’ cannon. Thus, if Mr. Lucas would have changed his mind, then that would be acceptable and understandable.

In this process, I hope it makes sense. I hope my thoughts and ideas are clear and find a audience. I think the narrative of my opinions would have made in some regards better Star Wars movies. I believe this as I would have written my Star Wars from the aspect of the known source material and universe. I would not have made decisions on the risk and ridiculous hope of ‘pleasing audiences’ and being ‘diverse’.

I think its best if I start from the beginning….

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Star Wars was ruined by, “I am your father!”

Posted on by CV Whitfield

Well, not ruined per se, but it was something the Prequels and the Sequels haven’t been able to live up to. Or perhaps they forgot about it — a key dramatic element of the Original Trilogy.

Everyone remembers the time they first saw that dramatic scene in Empire Strikes Back where Darth Vader tells the young hero Luke Skywalker that he is in fact his father. The shock would plague some of us for nearly 3 years waiting for the release of Return of the Jedi. Yes, I was a kid, 8 years old, back then and saw it in the theater. I’m not sure I even believed it. I figured Vader was lying to Luke just to get him to turn to the Dark Side.

See, I was naive and believed Obi-wan Kenobi when he told Luke that Vader betrayed and murdered Luke’s father. Yet, once I saw ROTJ and the audience got its confirmation that Ben Kenobi lied, I learned a very important dramatic element of story telling. Some call it the “big reveal” or some might say “the redirect”. The goal is to surprise your audience with some information they weren’t expecting. This information is meant to change the dynamic of the characters relationship with one another. Not only providing melodrama but layers of complexity to the story.

Now, when the Prequels debuted in 1999 with The Phantom Menace, we knew this was going to be a story about a young Anakin Skywalker — Luke’s father. But what we didn’t know was how and what drove Anakin to the Dark Side. So millions of Star Wars fans waited and then we were disappointed. Okay, fine, we saw how he fell to the Dark Side, yet George Lucas made it a very long turn. Instead of something dramatic, we were told that Anakin was troubled and manipulated by Palpatine — spending over a decade slowly mind controlling him.

We all have the version of new Star Wars we wanted in our heads. My imagination over 20 years allowed me to think of a few different versions of the prequels. Yet, I know that is the definition of exaggerated anticipation — and there’s no way to be completely satisfied with the result. This is a common affliction in a Star Wars fan. We put too much of our own desires into future stories that we hopelessly know will never become reality. This is why a Star Wars fan can hate and love a movie at the same time.

In my Star Wars, Anakin fell to the dark side in one tragic and dramatic moment. Something very similar to what we saw in his final moment of his fall in Revenge of the Sith. But something much more powerful. I saw him using the Dark Side only to save someone he loved — i.e. the “young queen” (mother of Luke and Leia) but because it truly was the only way to save them. Almost to say, he sacrificed himself to save them. But this isn’t my point. Yet, I mention it as this could have been the “I am your father” moment. And maybe it should have been.

In all aspects of the Prequels, we never got this “reveal” moment. We were never shocked or surprised by the story. It really felt like the three movies were telegraphed to us in a very long exposition of images. I blame George Lucas for not giving us our surprise. Where was “I am your father” in the Prequels? We didn’t get it! Maybe Palpatine should have told Anakin that he was Anakin’s father? Or that Qui-Got was? Something. This is the same thing that happened in the Sequels. We almost had it with the tease on Rey’s parents but then we didn’t get anything. I believe if we had gotten this moment in Attack of the Clones or in The Last Jedi, those trilogies would be inherently better. But then, what do I know….

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Analysis of Star Wars: Queen Amidala

Posted on by CV Whitfield

I heard an interesting theory that Queen Amidala was an SJW – a Social Justice Warrior. I found this hilariously inaccurate.

First lets start with some simple definitions courtesy of the internet:

Social Justice (noun) – justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Social Justice Warrior (noun) – a person who expresses or promotes socially progressive views.

Just with these simple definitions, there’s nothing that would point this ideology toward Queen Amidala of the Naboo. For one, I don’t recall Queen Amidala having issues with the Galactic Senate as she wanted to redistribute the wealth of rich businessmen (another thing she’s angry about! why not businesspeople or businessfolk?) and powerful politicians. Nope. Don’t recall that. Oh, it was because Queen Amidala wanted to stop the consumption of Shaak (yes, this is a real creature on Naboo raised for its meat). I think I recall her addressing the Senate on how this eating of meat causes toxic masculinity on those from Naboo and must be stopped. Nope. Second thought, I don’t recall that either. Oh, I know! It was that she insisted that all the future rulers of Naboo must be women! Yeah, that makes since. After Amidala, there was Queen Jamilla and after her, there was Queen Apailana. Yes! That must be it. Although according to canon there was a King before Queen Amidala, I’m sure she straightened that ship and made sure no more men ran Naboo. Perhaps this was the case as the canon does not refer to any other male leaders during and up to the time of the Galactic Empire. Just for the record, this is never stated on screen that Naboo went to a matriarchy society.  

Just the common sense definition of a Social Justice Warrior (or Activist) is someone who wants to change the society in which they live. This isn’t usually political or government level but a cultural change. The acceptance of not eating a certain food, the acceptance of a broad gender rule, or someone who wants the society to stop misusing animals.

Queen Amidala in no way expressed these views during the Prequel Trilogy. She was against an illegal blockade of her planet. This was completely a political move by the Senator from Naboo. Although we don’t understand that directly, we know that it was a way to give power to Palpatine and be sympothized to win the election of Grand Chancellor of the Republic.

The folks that say Amidala is a SJW also like to characterize that the entire Rebellion was a group of Social Justice Warriors. I find this just as ridiculous. The Rebels were not fighting for social change. They were fighting against a oppressive government. Okay I will concede a little…maybe 3%… that one could say fighting an evil tyrant and retorting freedom to the galaxy is a form of social change. Yet, just because I can understand the thought process doesn’t make it correct.

This is just the SJW trying to convince everyone that the term is not a bad thing but a good one. See, that’s what this person that I heard this from actually tried to convince me of. Hog Wash! Don’t be conned by it. The internet usually defines SJW as a bad definition of someone. Not a good one.

Analysis: know the diffference of terms. Don’t bend one into another. Fighting for societal freedom is in most regards the freedom of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This incorporates many different beliefs and cutlture practices. Social Movement Organizations (the institutions of the SJW) often try to push their political correctness on the whole. Examples can be PETA wanting a society that survives by not eating animals or animal products. Since there is nothing legally wrong with eating meat, this is considered a social activism. Do the lines blur? Maybe and could. That’s what’s usually the scary part.

In conclusion: Queen Amidala was not a SJW. Nor was the rebellion. Why? Because the man that created the characters and the story never defined it as so. It was merely a political story about tyranny and freedom – a classic story of good vs. evil. The Star Wars universe is so big, I doubt that one person would be able to change the societal views of millions of different species and cultures…..but what do I know!


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George Lucas’ Lord of the Rings….

Posted on by CV Whitfield

I find fun to think of “what-if” situations — the alternate history that could have happened if only something played out just slightly different. Similar to my alternate 80s/90s take on a Batman and Superman movie, there could have been another movie produced in the 80s if only the right creative minds had come together.

With the popularity of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books, the Tolkien estate wanted to produce Lord of the Rings. There was hope that the animated feature of the 70s would have been their overwhelming achievement. Yet, the two projects just didn’t capture the hearts of minds of fans. So, the Producers decided the story had to be told as a life action movie. Tolkien family wanted something in the likes of Star Wars.

Star Wars was the biggest movie of all time in the 1980s. The three movies of the Star Wars franchise wasn’t just movies it was a licensee jugganaut. From books to toys, the intellectual property would eventually make billions. So, why not Lord of the Rings. After, George Lucas finished with Return of the Jedi and had no future plans of any other Star Wars films, he was the perfect choice for a massive Lord of the Rings project. The project is pitched to Lucasfilm. And in 1984, George Lucas confirms his next film project is Lord of the Rings.

Lucasfilm’s Production of Frodo in Hobbiton.

Being inspired by the books when he was in college, George is excited to tackle the story. One feature that George is most excited about is the story from the perspective of the hobbits — the halflings of Middle Earth. During the writing of Star Wars, George had considered filming it entirely with midgets — or small people. George was fascinated by the courageous “little people” living with the disability. He had worked with them to create iconic characters like Jawas and Ewoks. So, he knew he had to find the right ones to play Merry, Pippin, Samwise, Frodo and Bilbo Baggins.

Lucasfilm’s production of Gandalf warning the hobbits of the quest.

George quickly sums it up that if there was 3 books in the Lord of the Rings cycle, then it could only be done with 3 movies – focusing on 1 book per film. With all the pre-production concluded, filming starts in 1985. The first movie is released in 1986 to huge reviews and massive box office returns. The second film arrives 3 years later — in 1989 and the last film — in 1992. Toy stores were flooded with Lord of the Rings action figures, board games and puzzles. Kids would hit the first day of school with Frodo and the all seeing Eye of Sauron t-shirts. Lucasfilm stuns the world with 3 massive trilogies — Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Lord of the rings.

Lucasfilm’s production of Aragon and Frodo.

This would have blown our geek and nerdy minds…. And possibly put a new level to those that enjoyed D&D and modern fantasy!

[note: this is not real but a possible history in film. Images are from Willow.]

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Toys are for Kids!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

As I write this, I am inspired to do the research but right now I’m just going to write my thoughts.

I wonder if children buy toys anymore? Specifically I’m curious if children buy Hot Wheels, Star Wars figures, or any of the Marvel Legends or DC Multiverse action figures. These are toy lines that have huge adult collector bases. And if they do, what is the percentage of those purchases vs. the adult collector.

I don’t collect any more yet old habits die hard (that’s right Mr. McClane!). When I enter a Target or Wal-mart, the first area I hit is the toy aisles. I don’t go there to buy but to peruse. I’m still intrigued and interested by toys. Both boy and girls focus. In some alternate timeline I became a toy designer. I think I would have been good at that. So, when I’m in the aisle I very rarely see children. It’s not during school hours. Usually on the weekend or evenings. I can’t recall the last time I saw a kid going through the Hot Wheels. But I do see adult men all the time.

Then I start wondering if Mattel just makes Hot Wheels for old guys. As if they gave up long ago that kids want to play with little metal cars on winding plastic tracks. The same thought process goes for Barbie. Over the holidays I saw the Christmas Barbie — just sitting on the shelves. I remember when grown women would fight (literally as in push and shove) for these dolls in the 1990s. These dolls were designed for the adult collector because they had a price point of $29.99 and up. The ones this year were marked $39.99 and no one was buying. And I’m sure parents wouldn’t spend that on a child — in any decade.

Toys are for kids so I hope they are still buying them!

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Yep, I’ve grown up!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

When I was a kid, the Toys R Us theme song was my motto. I refused to grow up. Unlike the stereotype, I was not a child that wished to grow up any faster than normal. Yeah, I sometimes thought it would be cool not to have to answer to parents but I didn’t necessarily want to be an adult either. If there was a way a 12 year old could rent an apartment, fill the refrigerator full of New York Seltzer and ice cream sandwiches, I would have been just fine. Besides being too young to get a job and no way to pay for my life style, I think it would have been rad.

I was the kid that had anxiety for the next school year. That meant I was growing and getting older. Although there was some anticipation for new Star War movies, new G.I. Joe figures and new episodes of He-Man, I enjoyed just living in the moment. Another year could mean change and not always for the good. I was traumatized when the cable company removed my favorite channel for afternoon cartoons. I refused to leave my room when I learned Knight Rider was cancelled.

My friends made fun of me because I still played with my G.I.Joe action figures in the 8th Grade. I continued to buy toys through High School. Kenner Batman figures, Micro Machines and the occasional G.I. Joe. By then, I “collected” them instead of “played” with them. This “collecting” would continue into adulthood. I can’t even fathom how much money was spent on toys in the 90s and early 2000s. I had a compulsion. I didn’t need them but I “had” to have them. My kids hated me because I had better toys than they did. I used my children to get the Wal-mart guy to take pity on us and go into the back and pull cases of new stuff. My wife became addicted to collecting too.

Then, one day, I realized I couldn’t buy it all. Heck, I was having trouble buying any of it. Toys had put me into debt. I had to make some hard decisions. The entire garage and spare bedroom was full of boxes of my collection. I decided I would sell some of it off. Over the years, I sold more and more. Eventually, I didn’t have much left. I actually got burnt out. The new stuff at the store just didn’t excite me. I got tired of buying something just to put it in a box and not enjoy it. This year will see nearly all of those toys sold off. I’ve decided to keep the Star Wars figures and G.I. Joe figures I had as a kid (the old 80s stuff). But everything else, gone. And you know what? It feels good.

I guess I have grown up. It just took me an additional 20 years….


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Losing Faith… or never lost.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

It was 16 years between Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menance – 25 years had past since George scribbled his idea for Star Wars and executed the next major phase of his story. That’s a lot of time. Also, that’s a lot of life to live between the two.

I believe George’s film making philosophy in the 1970s and early 1980s changed and is very different than his 1990s version. Or more specifically: his philosophy and attitude toward Star Wars. With all the examples I’ve provided and what he spoke about during the documentary From Star Wars to Jedi, he has definitely bent his filmmaking rules.

George, during another interview, admitted to this happening. His reason was children. He adopted 3 children from 1983 and the release of Episode I in 1999. He was making these movies for them. Or more generally – for children. Although by the time Revenge of th Sith came out I’m not sure I would say that was a kids movie (uh, man burning alive, duh). Yet, he definitely looked at this world through altered eyes.

I believe I was victim of something similar. When I was younger, my stories were so vast, incredible and fun. As I got older, I somehow stumped and blocked my efforts as my mind would question the rationale of the details. It was a difficult time. I subconsciously shutdown my own imagination. I think this happened to George. George wrote the Original Trilogy as an adult but with the spirit of his youth. As he got older, he wrote as from his youth but with a spirit of an adult.

I was disappointed. I had hoped he would have kept his original spirit. I also wish he had told himself, “if I was filming this movie in 1984 how would I have done it?” Allow the new technology to make it easier and sharper, but not lose the feel of the universe that had been shaped by real world limitations. Now, there will be no resolution as the torch has been passed. I’m not sure I have faith with the new direction. Yet, I think in the long run George lost faith in his youthful imagination. I struggled and sometimes still battle with my logical brain to keep my youthful imagination alive. As a writer, it’s imperative that the youthful imagination never is lost. I will vow to do my best….

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Losing Faith…. pt. four.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

The new Star Wars Prequels are not terrible. The movies don’t deserve hatred or fan outrage. Yet, I do wish they had been slightly different. Being a child in the late 70s and early 80s, I was the perfect age to enjoy the Original Trilogy. I also had 15 years of adult years, college study and personal imagination to overthink the next chapter.

The Force in the Prequels was simply forgotten. When it came time to explain important things, expand on the mythology, we simply didn’t get them. Almost like George couldn’t answer them himself (odd since this was his world – his creation). Or maybe he just didn’t want to revel his hand. Now, I’m not stating I needed more such as how or why it worked (so I definitely don’t want Midichlorians). Actually keeping it vague actually works for the story. But, why does Obi-Wan and Yoda disappear to the Force in the Original Trilogy but no one in the Prequel Trilogy does? This was a critical misfire for the saga. Yes, at the end of Revenge of the Sith, we get one line of dialog to “wrap” that mystery. But why wasn’t this slowly developed through the entire Prequel Trilogy. Why wasn’t the audience shown the Jedi more in tune with the Force? (not just using its magical powers) With Anakin, Qui-Gon should have just felt the Force stronger than he’d ever felt it before within Anakin. Instead of testing his blood, he should have told Obi-wan “There’s something about this boy! I’ve never felt a vergence of the Force like I have with him.” “Even around Master Yoda?” “Not even Master Yoda!” Their surprise is the cinematic story telling. Concluding in a test similar to the one Anakin got in front of the council, we, as an audience, know that Anakin is Force sensitive. He would and did perform tasks that are beyond that of an average Padawan. But still raw! (not the Rey syndrome!) Qui-gon’s original Force insight of Anakin would make sense with what we know from the OT: “I feel a presence I’ve not felt in a long time.” “It was a 1000 voices all screamed out in terror at once.” “Search your feelings.” “Leia is my sister.” – “Your insight serves you well!”.

Queen Amidala of the Naboo should have been a true royal monarch. There’s nothing wrong for a royal Queen ruling a world or people in a fantasy story. Actually, it would have made more sense. It would have been a positive look at a monarchy style government. Besides, the government of the galaxy is a democratic Galactic Republic with representatives of each member planet working together for a greater good. Well until, it became corrupt and open for an evil Emperor to take over. More important it would have stay true to George’s original story element of Anakin marrying a young queen. With some slight tweaking, Amidala would still get mixed up in the action as a Padme decoy. I always thought it would have been more powerful to see how Naboo suffered once the Empire formed and Amidala had to go into hiding. (maybe I’ll go into more details at some point). Secondly, Amidala wouldn’t die at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Naboo would fall to Imperial control. The Royal family would be imprisoned or forced into hiding. That scene in ROTS, where Yoda and Obi-wan decide to go into hiding, it should have included Amidala. Yoda asks, “what should we do with children. They are a threat to Anakin?” Bail Organa volunteers, “We will adopt the girl (smiles at Amidala), we’ve always wanted to adopt a girl. Your majesty, you will serve as her Nanny on Alderaan and you’ll be safe there.” Yoda questions, “what about the boy?” Obi-wan offers, “to his family on Tatooine. I will go and watch over him.” This also doesn’t deviate the facts we already know. Leia would have memories of her real mother because she was her nanny. Young Padme would still die young but thats a story for another time.

Easy fixes and the story wasn’t drastically changed. It doesn’t impact the sadness at the end of ROTS nor does it cause issues in wrapping up the Prequel Trilogy….

to be concluded….

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Losing Faith…. pt. three.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

In the documentary, George gives some interesting insight on his film making philosophy. One of those insights: “you don’t have to spend much film time to create an environment.” George continues to say that sci-fi movies are notorious to do this to show off the amount of work and it slows the pace of the movie. Star Wars pulled this off. Perhaps it was simply there wasn’t a budget to do it. Yet, it worked as he said. I don’t need a 3-4 minute fly-over of Manhattan to get a sense the characters are in a big city. But when it came to the prequels, I found George was showing off more and more of the environments: Coruscant, Naboo, etc. The magic of CGI and digital paintings made them great eye candy but the feel of the movies changed.

George also stated, “my effort was to use less exposition and tell the story cinematically.” Again, the prequels are riddled with dialog to tell us where the action is going. The dialog is there to enrich the story – not tell us what we’re looking at: “They went up the ventilation shaft.” “There’s a problem with the main reactor!” Both were just seen only seconds ago. Either George thought we weren’t so bright or he was catering the story to a different audience (more on that later).

The Force was also one of the big issues with the Prequels. George needed to somehow convey that Anakin is more powerful in potential than other Force users / Jedi. But how do you do that? Simple. You make it a scientific explanation. In the previous Trilogy, The Force was a mystical entity, a source for a faith and religion. Yet, in the new Trilogy, it’s all about how many microbial parasites you have in your blood. More exposition. Dialog could have easily fixed this – would have benefited the story not try to explain it. I think this tarnished the mystery and power of The Force.

In the original expanded canon, it was told that Anakin Skywalker married a young queen. This was the mother of both Luke and Leia. We never got a name nor a true definition of her royal line. We really didn’t need it. The mystery was sorta interesting. Yet, now we have the opportunity in the Prequels to explore her character. Yet, is she really a Queen. No. George’s personal political opinion interfered with the fantasy. She needed to be elected to the position because an elected official seems more moral, right? Again, this failed the overall story in a galaxy, far, far away. And by the time she was married to Anakin and gave birth she was no longer a Queen but a simple Senator.

That last example could also lead into another one: changing the previous known canon. In Return of the Jedi, Luke asks Leia if she “remembers her mother, her real mother?” This clearly points to the idea that Leia as well as Luke and Han know she was the adopted daughter of Bail Organa. Could it just be an error in the writing and Luke is projecting his own knowledge toward Leia? Possibly. But why didn’t Leia freak out and say “what do you mean, real mother!?” By the time we got Revenge of the Sith, Padme Amidala died in child birth. So how could Leia possibly remember her. (I know fans have tried to explain this as Force memory) But why did it happen in the Prequels? George could have easily supported what he’d already told the audience.

These are just some examples. Next time, I’ll propose alternatives….

to be continued….

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Losing Faith…. pt. two.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

In 1983, Star Wars was finished with the release of Return of the Jedi. The hero’s journey was complete. The redemption of the father was successful and freedom was restored to the Galaxy.

Ten years passed. In 1993, George Lucas, finally pleases fans, stated he would return to do another Star Wars movie (starting a new trilogy). A couple years later, we got some hard evidence that he’s writing and producing this new movie. History noted that the release of The Phantom Menace (in 1999) was the most anticipated movie of all time. Being part of it, I would agree. George’s new movie could have never made a dollar but he would’ve still come out a billion dollars richer just in food and toy merchandizing. I don’t recall a time, then or since, that I saw the Star Wars logo more – Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Burger King ran promotions that had bobbles to collect while we bought value meals no one wanted. Companies like: Hasbro had action figures, Pepsi had collector cans, and Applause had vinyl statues. Not to mention, bed sheets, coffee cups, toothbrushes notepads, keychains, tennis shoes. I bet there was motor oil, toilet paper and dishwasher detergent.

I saw the movie at midnight. I actually saw it 7 times that first day. I loved it. I couldn’t get enough of it. Maybe I was just so desperate for Star Wars I took what I got and loved it on first sight alone. I watch it often – even 20 years later. It isn’t that bad. But, there are a few flaws in it. There is also several flaws in the other two films that would conclude the Prequel Trilogy.

There’s a Star Wars video that I’ve seen nearly as many times I’ve seen the movies. It’s called From Star Wars to Jedi, The Making of a Saga. For me, it was the quintessential behind the scenes documentary and the inspiration for my own creative theory and projects. It was the first time, as a kid and later as an adult, to get insight on George’s philosophy on the story and production. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a better one even today. The only better historical device for the films is the books written by J.W. Rinzler. I recommend any fan to watch.

Where did George go wrong? Well, ….

(to be continued….)

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Losing Faith…. pt. one.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

George Lucas started creating his Star Wars in 1973. After several years, he would finish it with its release on 5/25/1977. He based it on his inspiration of movie serials, like Flash Gordon, and others movies (Kurosawa) as a child living in Modesto California. His enjoyment at the theater is one of the most obvious reasons why George entered film school back in the mid-1960s. He studied anthropology and literature, researched many aspects of mythology, like the works by Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth and Hero’s Journey, in his quest to tell great stories and the eventual creation of his galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars wasn’t straight up science fiction. It was more fantasy set in a universe with technology greater than our own. The story didn’t go so far as to convenience the audience the believability of the technology. Instead it was a simple story of good vs. evil, family truth and the hero’s journey that just happened to have starships. Star Wars was really just a sword and sorcery tale – the first one on film. We had swords: lightsabers. We had sorcery: The Force. Although we had this concept in literature with the likes of JRR Tolkien, there really wasn’t any movies. Not until the 1980s would films be made in the genre later dubbed: Sword and Sorcery! (the rise of D&D also helped but that’s a different topic)

During the creation process, George created fantastical situations like swords of light, armored troopers riding lizards, and sensing presences and life. We just got them. It wasn’t explained how or why it was. We didn’t care (at least my child self). The creator – the author – saw these things and believed them. The story worked because of it. In a sense, it was magic….

to be continued….

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Fender Bender for IBS

Posted on by CV Whitfield

The best part of television watching are those 2 minute shorts that happen in between the shows. Some are really funny. Some are really good. Some are really bad. And then there’s some that are really funny and clever.

When I was a kid, I recalled that most of the commercials told me there was a soda war — I guess Coke had a thing against Pepsi — and Lucky Charms were more magically delicious than Honey Nut Cheerios. If I was watching Saturday Morning Cartoons or After-School Cartoons, there were the commercials that told us why a toy was cooler than another. For me G.I. Joe was better than Star Wars figures because G.I. Joe could actually bend his elbows — that was a big deal when I was 12! I wasn’t so much concerned about the doll that could wet or the Bears that made us Care. Not for me.

Those little stories were very diverse and helped us find what we needed to make life great: we could find It’s All Inside at JC Penny and there was More For Your Life at SEARS, Ronald McDonald had Fry Guys, Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar, Wendy’s wanted to know Where’s the Beef!, Kool Aid Man would punch through walls to make sure we knew there needed to be 2 cups of sugar mixed with that tiny packet, Super-Models told me not to Hate Them Because They Were Beautiful!, Indians (sorry Native Americans) cried over litter, a Bear told us We Can Prevent Forest Fires!, Ivory soap was 99.9% pure (not sure why they could never get that .1% to say 100?), and Colonel Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken (the sign really did say Kentucky Fried Chicken not sure why they went to KFC unless they knew Millennials were coming and needed an abbreviation for texting?) was Finger Licking Good! ( but that just isn’t PC anymore.)

Today, we are told that we don’t have enough insurance: State Farm (Fender Bender), AllState (Mayhem Happens), Geico (Little Pig Go Wee Wee All The Way Home and Humpday!), Progressive (Yo Flo!), Liberty (Statue in frame always) Farmers (We know a Thing or Two Because We’ve Seen a Thing or Two!), and Nationwide (Is on Your Side!)! Maybe my rates are so dang high is because all the money spent on advertising instead of paying claims (just wondering?). And if I don’t have enough insurance then I’m surely not medicated enough from everything from my eczema to my irritable bowel disorder — please disregard the 3 minutes of the side-effects. Lastly, if you can’t afford these medications than you need something like GoodRx, which I’m curious if a $87 drug can be reduced to $9 bucks because of a stupid coupon, why can’t that drug just be $9 for everyone?

I find more enjoyment over those commercials I can ridicule and yell at. But there’s some that just truly make me truly laugh– like the new State Farm Fender Bender commercial or the old Kmart ad I shipped my pants!. If you haven’t seen it, please search for it on youtube. Oh, I think I’ll go find some of those old 80s commercials….

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That and that and that!

Posted on by CV Whitfield

Going back isn’t an option. It took me years to stop worrying about what I didn’t accomplish. The worrying had turned to regret. I regretted not going down certain roads — turning right when maybe I should have turned left. I knew that I shouldn’t regret where I was. I was on this path because that is where my destiny took me. The regret may have caused anxiety of missed opportunities; the path dreamed of a better life.

Things may have not gone to plan but I’m still moving forward. I’ve learned so much. I’m stuck my foot in my mouth several times. There was a time where I would have told someone, I will always collect Star Wars toys. Well, I’ve not collected a Star Wars toy in a decade. (Golly! Has it been over ten years since the end of the Prequal Trilogy?) Then there was a time that I would have told someone, that I will forever keep my collectibles. I’ve sold most of them and I’m continuing you sell and purge the things I don’t need. (I’m really moving toward a life of simple and minimalism.)

As I child, I had a hand in so many geek things: playing D&D, collecting Star Wars and Star Trek, building plastic model kits of naval ships and World War II airplanes, and reading / hoarding comic books. Some of these hobbies have come and gone. As I head into the second half of my life, I’ve found that some of those hobbies have returned. At first, I criticized myself for not being more true to those past hobbies. Figuring that if I had been building model kits for the past 20 years, I’d be much better at it. Then, I realized that actually I have something I would have lost—the ability to enjoy the discovery. So, I’ve returned to building plastic model kits. Instead of stating, “I’ve built that and that and that. what’s left to do?” I can say, “I can’t wait to build that and that and that!”

Life takes us where we are meant to be. We don’t get a rewind button. Nor should we have one. Know that your core will always be true but the small details can and will change over time. Embrace it!

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