#some other versions are like “a movie without popcorn is like han without leia”

[lgbtcinema]

Long LONG time no post but I went to the cinema tonight and as yall know here in Canada all products are bilingual. Well the popcorn bags at our major theatre chain just got a makeover and this is the French side vs the English side rn and i wanted to show yall 🥹🥹🥹🥹 (and no its not just for pride it's actually a permanent look!)

#user shesnake i hope u see this #i hope you guys are all doing very well btw #some other versions are like “a movie without popcorn is like han without leia” #and “un popcorn sans boisson c'est comme bon cop sans bad cop” lol #i freaked out when i saw the matthias & maxime one tho

[yahoosodapop]

The flaws in The Last Jedi

I love the movie.  It was surprisingly deep after you get over the initial shock and overwhelming sensation of being thrust multiple concepts in a span of 2.45 hours.

Seems like the vocal ‘minority’ is all over the online reviews for this movie.  I say vocal because I’ve seen this thing happen so many times...when a certain group doesn’t want like something the actively trash metacritic or any other public review systems.   So I’ve learned to ignore it.

But let’s be honest, the movie is without its flaws.

Let’s go through the 3 major plot points and what I felt was lacking in them:

1.  Resistance on the run

Leia is grooming Poe to lead.  She say’s it herself when she berates him about his decision to sacrifice a very hefty chunk of their fleet to a ill-thought of bombing run.

“I see dead heroes.  No leaders.”

Cut to Admiral Holdo, who Poe appears to woo over but eventually she shuts him out - asking him to be patient and trust the leadership.  Poe doesn’t trust her and in turn instigates a mutiny on board.

I was...WTF Poe?!?

I get it, this story arc was learning about leadership.  But at some point, he is insufferable.  Being all flirty and cocky to get on Holdo’s good side and once she spurred him, he ended up as a mutineer.   They played his cocky pilot without a brain scenario too much that Oscar Isaac’s face can no longer save me from being annoyed at his character.

When Holdo sacrificed herself in the end...WOW...that was the leader that the resistance truly needed.  She had a plan all along.  It’s too bad that Poe is now the leader of the rebels...after having such a fantastic character with Holdo, I feel let down.  Bring back Holdo!  I don’t care about Akbar, Holdo is much better!

This whole sequence...I don’t know --- I found it boring, irritating and I just wanted to get it over.

2.  Canto Bight

Finn wakes up...

Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?  Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?    Where is Rey?   Where is Rey?

And later on it turned to...

I’m doing this so I can run away with Rey.   I’m doing this so I can run away with Rey.   I’m doing this so I can run away with Rey.   I’m doing this so I can run away with Rey.   I’m doing this so I can run away with Rey. 

Again it was annoying.  

Finn held no allegiance to anyone except himself and Rey.  To some extent, DJ was introduced as a parallel to Finn --- having no allegiance to anyone except himself and money.   DJ is the man that Finn could become.  A coward.

Parts of the Canto Bight sequence felt too long and too unnecessary.   That whole bit about the racing creatures, the kids, the chase sequence...it felt too long.   And when they get to the ship it gets boring --- even when they land on the Snoak’s ship...it just felt dull overall.

DJ could have been an excellent character.   He could have delivered the war duality on a better level (Lord knows Benico Del Toro has the acting chops  for anything)...perhaps had they talked more in the prison cell rather than all the other things that happened in Canto Bight that might have made more sense.  But that much needed duality discussion on the ship and later on Snoak’s ship- fell flat.  In the end most people do not need to question the status quo.  It is what, it is.  Bad guys and good guys.

And Rose...really a fantastic character who had a big crush on Finn due to his heroic exploits.  I loved the moment when she shocked Finn ~ you go girl!!!  

She gives some interesting insights on Canto Bight...but once again it falls flat.   She delivers one of the best lines in the movie in the end as she saves Finn --- and I find myself asking...what has he ever done to deserve that from you because ‘Rey! Rey Rey! Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!!!’

And the fight with Phasma...it was so anti-climactic that I am so sad they had wasted Gwendoline Christie.   Once again...Finn wins by pure luck.  It wasn’t a showdown of epic proportions --- it was accidental whimper to the end.

And I am getting annoyed by BB-8 deus ex machina droid.  Not even R2 could have done those miracles.

Finn in TLJ is no different from Finn in TFA.  I’m expecting his first line to Rey in the third movie as "Run away with me, Rey.”

3.  The balance and the Force

a.k.a The real story that Rian Johnson wanted to tell but somehow he had to talk about the other guys too...

I’m not going to talk about Reylo here because that is the best part of the movie for me - and you can see how much Rian Johnson enjoyed himself with that but let’s get down to business - the people who are hating the movie have reasons that all boil down to Luke’s characterization (not exactly the ‘abusive’ ship known as Reylo *gasp*!!!)

The first time I watched it, I was upset that Rian Johnson dragged my childhood hero / my favorite SW characters through the mud.    No wonder Mark Hamill was upset before when he first read the script...  Well Mark is ok now after having several debates with Rian himself...but none of us have the luxury of that...

Later on, you understand why Luke turned out the way he did and why he wanted the Jedi to end.  But it takes A LOT of thinking.

They needed a lot of time, scenes and dialogue to convey what happened to Luke.  And there were a lot of things in Ach-To that were too unnecessary and should just have been converted to Luke talking or showing Rey what’s going on.

Rather than that long and unnecessary bit about Luke’s adventures in Ach-To... The Green Milk... Those annoying Porgs (whose only purpose was for us to say awwwww...and I wish Chewie just ate them)... All that walking with nothing going on...That terribly long sequence with Rey and the mirror (I understand why the mirror sequence is important but it was too long).

All that wasted time could have been used to tell us more about our battered hero, Luke.

Hell take in all those annoying sequences from Poe and Finn’s story arcs and just focus on the most controversial and heartbreaking realization in this movie...Luke is not perfect.

The moments that should have explained Luke, prior to the startling revelation about what happened between him and Ben, were condensed to 3 lessons (with each lesson probably having 2 measly minutes of dialogue).   

Lesson 1:  The Force both light and dark.  It doesn’t give damn if you’re a Jedi or a Sith.  It balances itself.

Lesson 2:  The way of the Jedi is wrong.  (really MORE explanation should have been given here.  I think Rian should have thrown in visual flashbacks on how the Jedi effed up to hammer the point home.)    In fact, they could have dumped the whole duality of war concept here.  With Luke explaining how the good guys and bad guys are the same.    

Lesson 3: Failure is the greatest teacher.  Of course, Rey doesn’t hear this lesson but she experiences it later on when she fails to bring back Ben (partly her fault).  But this is highlighted with Yoda and Luke having a conversation...again it wasn’t that well done and it should have been more substantial.

Perhaps if those 3 lessons were given more importance, the audience may have more time to understand a humanized version Luke rather than outright reject what happened to him.

Of course the end is not without hope:

- Poe is slowly learning to become a leader and he better be since Leia won’t be in Ep IX and they killed a perfectly fantastic character with Holdo.  No more of Poe/Holdo dynamic of gaining trust with an icky ‘you tell me your secrets and I’ll tell you mine...” vibe.  It’s more ‘Hi I’m Poe and nice to meet you force weapon Rey.”

- Finn is attempting to pick a side. Of course, after the customary ‘Reeeeeeeeey~~~!’ reunion, we see him actually giving time to plain unextraordinary normal Rose.  (And I live for the moment when Finn actually ends up in a relationship it’s not with super girl Rey and realize how super normal girls can be.)

- And Luke.  Gives hope to his sister that Ben is still there and that Han didn’t die in vain.  He cements his failure by death and at the same time tell’s Ben that he will always be with him.  Cue in ‘Ben Solo redemption attempt Part II’ via Force Ghost Luke.

I love the movie.  I really did.  And I might watch it again on IMAX if I find time during the holidays.  But I understand the outrage.   We are used to movies that we just ingest for entertainment and forget.  The last two movies I saw prior to TLJ were Justice League and Thor Ragnarok - purely popcorn movies where mI throw my brain out of the window to enjoy.   Rian Johnson tried to give SW a deeper meaning but at the same time it can only be done by challenging what most people hold true for Star Wars.   Even if Rian had the perfect movie cut, it would still not be enough to satisfy the weight of the fanboy expectation...

...

With Luke being unable to handle the weight of the universe’s expectation of him being the savior of the galaxy being a metaphor for what’s been going on with the SW franchise.

#star wars #the last jedi #tlj spoilers #the last jedi review

[travelersguidetodisney]

Everything You Need to Know About Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is probably the most anticipated opening of new attractions in both Disney World and Disneyland in decades. Though Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland has already opened, it will be revealed to the public at Disney World on August 29. With this very exciting grand opening comes a lot of information to the point it becomes overwhelming! Here is everything you need to know about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge!

Here's Some Basic Information

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge takes place in a village called Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. The outpost is a pit stop for intergalactic personal of all types: traders, smugglers, adventurers, etc. It takes up an entirety of 14 acres at Disney's Hollywood Studios--there's a great view of the construction from Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land! The Resistance also has a presence in Black Spire Outpost; they have taken refuge in an abandoned fortress on the edge of the land. You may even see some of your Star Wars favorites, like Rey, Finn, Poe, and BB8, get into run-ins with the First Order! There are two entrances into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. And according to D23, John Williams has even composed special music for the park. On top of that, at least 5,000 people have worked incredibly hard to make Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge a reality and for that, I, a Star Wars nerd, am eternally grateful. 

Rides and Attractions

As a huge fan of Star Tours in Hollywood Studios, I've been super excited for the new rides in Galaxy's Edge. I got even more pumped after visiting Pandora: The World of Avatar seeing the technological advancement in Flight of Passage--which is an AMAZING ride, by the way. There are two new attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. First, which is already open in Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge, is the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Groups of six will be placed into the cockpit of the "fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy," taking on roles as pilots, gunners, and engineers. Riders must be at least 38 inches tall. The ride vehicle will be tilting and jerking along to mimic the movements appearing on a curved screen. The whole plot of the attraction puts you in the middle of a Star Wars movie. Chewbacca is in Black Spire Outpost in search for supplies to aid the Resistance. He lends the Millennium Falcon to infamous pirate Hondo Ohnaka, who turns to you to help on smuggling runs. Entering Ohnaka Transport Solutions, you can overhear conversations that show that the daily workplace is in chaotic shambles. Already in Disneyland the queue of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has received international acclaim. You will see some cool visual effects as you walk through Ohnaka Transport Solutions. Hondo is one of the most advanced animatronic created by Disney, only to be surpassed by the Shaman of the Songs in River Journey in Pandora. After Hondo explains your mission, you will step into the Millennium Falcon. You'll be issued a colored boarding pass so you can roam this amazing queue before your ride. You'll be walking through a complete replica of the Millennium Falcon that you'll only see in the Star Wars franchise. You'll come across the famous chest set, where Han and Leia first kissed. It is truly the heaven of Star Wars nerds! Now, when you're actually in the ride, there is no requirement to operate the controls you are given. But, there's a catch: you won't earn as many galactic points. You must score two coaxium containers (which help fuel the ship and this is pretty easy to do) and keep the ship in good shape, then you'll gain more galactic points and have a higher score. Though the ride has gotten generally positive reviews, a good majority of the public agree that being a pilot is a better experience. It's a ride that will pull between two and three hour wait times, so it is definitely an attraction you should fast pass. Or, if that's not an option, open the park and run to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Luckily, Toy Story Land is still new enough, some crowds may be drawn to that instead. However, it is probably unlikely that it would make much of a dent in the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run wait time. 

The second attraction, which has yet to open at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, is called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. According to D23, is "one of the most advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney imagineers." It is repeatedly emphasized how technologically advanced this attraction will be and how it will not just be a ride, but a cinematic experience. It includes walk-through sections and elements of a trackless dark ride, with a utilization of projections. It is rumored to include elements from Shanghai's incredibly popular rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean and Disneyland Hong Kong's Mystic Manor. Riders will be taken on life-size starship near a Star Destroyer where they must defeat Kylo Ren. You'll be riding in an eight-person vehicle known as the First Order Fleet Transport, which will be hijacked. You'll be in a Star Destroyer hanger bay when a rescue message does not go as planned. There will even be appearances by some of your favorite Star Wars characters. Rise of the Resistance will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 5, 2019 and in Disneyland on January 12, 2020. It seems like Rise of the Resistance will have the same effect as Flight of Passage, changing the game of rides as we know it. It undergoes new technology that has never before been seen in attractions and, thus, will pull wait times even longer than Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. It is incredibly unlikely that you'll be able to get fast passes for both of these rides, so I recommend getting a one for Rise of the Resistance and then opening the park Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. It seems like Smuggler's Run is a fun, new ride, while Rise of the Resistance is a life-changing ride that has technology seen nowhere else in the world. 

Dining

Unfortunately, there is no sit-down table service yet. However, I hope one will be built in the new Star Wars hotel near Hollywood Studios (rumored name: Galactic Journeys: A Star Wars Adventure). There will be Oga's Cantina, which will be serving alcoholic beverages and other drinks, including the iconic blue milk. There is really only standing room at Oga's Cantina, kind of mirroring Andy's Lunchbox in Toy Story Land. There will even be a DJ, Oga! Publicized as a "watering hole," Oga's Cantina is basically a themed bar, a nice place for parents to relax and have some drinks as their kids go stand in the four hour long line for Rise of the Resistance. However, just because it is a bar does not mean it will be easy to get into. You see, Oga's Cantina is a replica of Mos Eisley Cantina in Star Wars: A New Hope. It is arguably the attraction with the longest line at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge. Reviews consistently praise the incredible theming, however, it does not give the complete Mos Eisley vibe since all of the patrons are just Disney tourists, not smugglers, storm troopers, or Jedi Knights. 

If you want to stop at a place with more substantial food to get a bite to eat, then there's Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. It is a quick-service restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor seating. There are also alcoholic beverages with Star Wars themed meals. And since it's cuisine is diverse in order to stay on brand and may not appeal to a younger audience, there is also a children's menu. Little kids probably don't want to eat something called "Ithorian Garden Loaf." There's also Ronto Roasters, a meat stand that serves a popular and delicious Ronto Wrap (which also comes in a breakfast version, which is handy for many people will be opening Hollywood Studios and Disneyland to get to Galaxy's Edge). Then there's a Milk Stand, which serves the iconic blue and green milk. This food option serves nice refreshing drinks along with a couple signature snacks. So both of the milks are plant-based. The blue milk lacks a creamy texture that seems to throw a lot of customers off. And since it is made out of coconut and rice milk, it has a sweet taste. Though yummy, it may sit in your stomach during a hot summer's day. The green milk, however, has a more fruity and refreshing taste. Some say it tastes too herbal and some say it is nice and refreshing. Personally, neither options sound too appealing to me, particularly because its not water-based and it seems like it might sit in my stomach. Personally, if you want a refreshing drink that is not ice tea or a cold bottle of water, I recommend Lefou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. It is frozen apple juice with some toasted marshmallow, topped with a passion-fruit foam. It is incredibly refreshing and extremely delicious. I purchase this drink every time I go to Magic Kingdom and it never fails to give me another bolt of energy. Sorry about that sidetrack--let's get back to dining. The last option is Kat Saka's Kettle, known for serving Outpost Mix. The name of this dining service pretty much gives its purpose away--it is a glorified popcorn stand. 

Now, It Wouldn't Be Disney Without Gift Shops!

Of course, Disney couldn't create Galaxy's Edge without a couple of gift shops. A lot of these shops where inspired by those in Morocco, where many of that Tatooine scenes were filmed. One of the things I'm most excited about for Galaxy's Edge is Savi's Workshop: Hand-built Lightsabers. For $200, you can construct your very own lightsaber, similar to the props used in the actual movies! Now, this is a lot of money for a souvenir at Disney World. But for someone who mainly just buys pins and is a huge Star Wars nerds, it is investment that is appealing. And though you are paying for a high-end lightsaber, you're also paying for the experience. There have been overall positive reviews about the show components of Savi's Workshop and it is a 25 minute experience. If you want to do this, you'll have to make a reservation slot because the attraction is incredibly popular. Keep this in mind: the room itself where you construct your lightsaber is incredibly small, making it a slow and long wait-time. And with such scarcity in time slots, you'll probably want to make your reservation as much in advanced as you can. It also seems like a first-come first-serve system--so if you aren't into the rides, you might want to open up the park with this. I'm going to avoid any spoilers, since the reviews say it is a cool attraction. At the end of the day, I'd be thrilled to do it if the opportunity presents itself, but I won't be beating myself up about if I miss it--I could always use that extra $200 on pins anyway. ​There's also Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities. This is Galaxy's Edge main gift shop, however, it is unique in many ways. It is not only a shop, but a museum of Star Wars and excellent Disney theming. Overall, you should visit Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities even if you have no intention of buying souvenirs--it is THAT cool. There is also Droid Depot, a place where you can build your very own droid. Costing $99 it is a 15 minute experience that is similar to Savi's Workshop. The droids even beep and are life-like! Reviews don't rank Droid Depot as highly as Savi's Workshop, but that doesn't mean it's not a cool experience. In my opinion, I would rather pay an extra $100 to have a well-reviewed experience and get a lightsaber. Those are the three main shopping experiences in Galaxy's Edge. After that, there is Creature Stall (a place with rare animals from the Star Wars universe), Black Spire Outfitters (a clothing store), First Order Cargo (a place with First Order merchandise), Resistance Supply (a place with Resistance merchandise), The Jewels of Bith (a place for accessories), Toydarian Toymaker (a place for toys). Overall, I am really excited for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge! I have really high expectations, particularly for Rise of the Resistance--an attraction I'll definitely be fast passing. What are you most excited about?

#tgtd #disneyworld #disney #waltdisneyworld #hollywoodstudios #disneyland #starwars #starwarsgalaxyedge #galaxysedge #milleniumfalcon #riseoftheresistence