10 Thoughts on the Possiblities for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Its no secret that I'm a massive Star Wars fan.  But, I've waited until now to post anything because had I posted on The Force Awakens for the past 5 months, it would look a lot like everyone else: my perspectives would shift, my theories would change, and new information would come out that would naturally effect everything I had thought or written about.  SO.. while we're just a little more that 1 month away from one of the greatest Christmas presents in the history of the modern world... here's my thoughts on what is sure to be one of the highest grossing movies of all time.

1) "THERE HAS BEEN AN AWAKENING.  HAVE YOU FELT IT?"
The concept of the very first teaser should not remain lost to us, now that we've had three more trailers and a TV spot. THE FORCE AWAKENS -- its the title of the movie, for crying out loud.  It should go without saying that the concept "awakening" likely of extreme importance to the story.  Similar to A New Hope, I think that we can expect a story in which there is an ongoing war that sees the tides change with an influx of Force-users.  It would not surprise me to see Luke enter the film in this fashion.  Consider the voice-over from the teaser, which we learned to be the voice of Supreme Leader Snoke: he speaks of "awakening," but then says "the dark side... and the light."  Note how when he says "and the light" with a slight sound of dismay.  This idea of the light side of the Force again interrupting the schemes of the dark side is, I believe, likely.  Not only does it make for a great story, but it would also provide a nice mirror image of the original trilogy.

We see Finn lament that he had a purpose that he no longer believes in, and so he has nothing to fight for.  We see Rey state that she is "no one," a something that she likely believes but will discover to be untrue.  Han's statement, "Chewie, we're home."  Luke's lines in the second trailer, "you have that power, too" is part statement and part exhortation.  It would not surprise me to see a sort of anti-hero type of reluctance, either from Luke or from one of the new characters.  Luke, after all, was opposed to going with Obi-Wan until the death of Owen and Beru changed his mind.  Han also had an aversion to being a part of the Alliance's activities, as well as his own skepticism of the Force.

Awakening is a theme I expect to play out in numerous ways in the story.
 
2)  WHO EXACTLY IS KYLO REN?
Speculation flies all the way from an apprentice of Luke's that went bad, to a child of Han/Leia's, and all the way to Luke Skywalker himself.  First and most importantly: no, it isn't Luke.  We see Ren, apparently with his mask off in the main trailer and it is clearly Adam Driver's long hair from the Vanity Fair shoot:



At this point, I think that the most plausible theories for Ren are as follows:

1. A child of Han and Leia's.
2. A child of Luke and ?????.
3. An apprentice of Luke's that didn't stay on the straight and narrow. (which has happened in the Expanded Universe)
4. Rey's twin or cousin?
5. He is entirely unconnected to the Skywalker family, and has his own specific backstory.

If he's unconnected with the Skywalkers, then the possibilities are endless as to who he is and where he comes from. Possibly, he is like a copy-cat criminal, having an ability with the force, but a Vader-Obsession, taking every possible opportunity to be like his "hero."  Maybe he has been misled about who Vader really was... anything goes in a scenario where Ren isn't a Skywalker.

Also important to the Kylo Ren discussion is the so-called "Knights of Ren," presumably depicted in this moment from the main trailer, surrounded by a field of dead people:

To be honest, my first thoughts were that this image was of Ren with a group of Mandalorian warriors/mercenaries (as you'll see later, I have a reason for that), but I do expect that they are the "Knights of Ren."  First, it implies that Ren is not a last name, but rather is a title or moniker.  If that is the case, then the appropriate question might be "who or what is Ren?"  Is this a group of mercenaries?  A wanna-be Jedi outfit that dabbled with the dark side?  Disciples of a figure who deceived them into going down the wrong path?

These questions are pertinent, as JJ Abrams specifically referred to Ren as a more complex character than the average villain.  Specifically, Abrams has said that Ren is not a Sith.  Another thing I might expect is that Ren is not overly controllable and might be prone to ignore his obligations to the First Order to pursue his own goals.  There is also the slim possibility that Ren and the Knights are not exactly a part of the First Order.  This would be a nice creative twist, wouldn't it?

However, there's little to no way to figure Kylo Ren out from the information that is available, so this is one of the mysteries that we'll have to wait until Dec. 18th to solve.

3) WHO IS CAPTAIN PHASMA?
This is where I think there could be some interesting possibilities.  Phasma is being established as a person of significance to the story throughout the trailers and promotional efforts.  It seems that Phasma would be the kind of person who would have some form of purpose that she is driven to achieve. 

What would be really great is to see some plot tie-overs to the the Original Trilogy... maybe some convoluted backstory that has fueled some hatred towards a specific person or concept.  I think Phasma will be a fairly interesting character to be on the look out for throughout the movie.  This can even play into a specific issue of how Hux, Ren, and Phasma relate to each other.  Also, could Phasma be an alter ego for a character that we already know?  There has been some suggestion about the resemblance between Gwendoline Christie and Commander Alicia Beck, who appears in the Journey to Force Awakens novel Smuggler's Run.  It wouldn't surprise me if this was part of Phasma's origin.

And intentional or not, I really like the visual connection to Dark Troopers that Phasma evokes.  

4)  ARE POE DAMERON AND FINN THE CHARACTERS THAT THEY APPEAR TO BE?
Take a look at how Finn looks at Dameron here:

After Poe has passed on Finn gives him quite a glare, doesn't he?  Does Finn wonder about him?  Has Poe slighted Finn in some way?  Does Finn know something that others do not?  At this point, Dameron seems to be a straightforward Wedge Antilles type character, but we also know that things in Star Wars have a habit of not being what they seem.  Does Poe's run-in with Kylo Ren effect him in some way?

OR... is Finn not who he seems.  A double agent?  Someone who knows more than he lets on? 

I have questions and these darn Lucasfilm people are making me wait 'till Dec. 18th!
(PS> Dear Lucasfilm/Disney... I'd happily be part of a test audience for this.  Let me know!)

5) BOBA FETT IS VERY MUCH AMONG THE LIVING AND MAY BE COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU. 
First of all, two Mandalorian symbols that Fett uses appear in this image.  This shot has appeared in every Trailer/TV Spot to premiere since the main trailer debuted a couple of weeks ago.  The first is the Mandalorian skull logo from Fett's uniform. 

As has also been noted, the banner to the side of the Mandalorian symbol is also from a symbol that Fett uses:

 
Second, the newest trailer for the new Battlefront game implies that Fett is a playable hero.  More importantly, we see Fett almost fall into the Sarlacc Pit.  As Fett avoids the Sarlacc, he says...

"That won't happen again."

 

Third, the Star Wars book Aftermath, a release that is about bridging the gap between ROTJ and TFA, discusses Jawas on Tatooine that have a set of Mandalorian armor... and a unknown character who says it belongs to him.

Why this makes sense:  It happened before. One of the features of the expanded universe area of Star Wars is that Fett did survive the Sarlacc pit… and ultimately was bestowed the title of Mandalore (the leader of the Mandalorian warriors).  While Disney/Lucasfilm is insisting that it has cleaned its desks of Expanded Universe material to make way for the new trilogy, it is extremely difficult to think that everything will simply be gone (later points on this list make it blatantly obvious that the expanded universe hasn't quite been deleted from canon).  I don't know if Fett would make an appearance in TFA (although, that would be incredible), but I do think its highly likely to see him in the future.

This is where I got the idea that the group of armor wearing warriors around Kylo Ren might be connected to the Mandalorians in some way.  The blatantly obvious presence of a Mandalorian logo in the trailer is either there to throw us off the track or to wet our appetites for things to come. 


6) MORE FAMILIAR FACES WILL RETURN THAN HAVE BEEN IMPLIED.
Tim Rose, the actor/puppeteer who played several characters (most famously Admiral Ackbar), said that he was in the new film as Ackbar, something that had been rumored and was essentially confirmed by the presence of the Ackbar mask in the behind the scenes reel from Comic-Con.  (There was also a Nien Nunb mask, too!).

Rose also said, "You can expect a smorgasbord of people you love."  Other veiled statements made in relation to returning characters have been similarly cryptic, such as Billy Dee Williams, who said, "I have a feeling I'm going to show up.  There's nothing I can really discuss about it at this stage."  Though it isn't likely to see Williams appear as Lando in the new film, there is nothing that indicates he wouldn't appear in VIII or IX.  His statement would seem to imply that he knows something that he can't say yet.

Many characters can logically continue to exist in this universe, just as they did in the expanded universe.  Mon Mothma, Crix Nadine, Ackbar, Nien Nunb, Wedge Antilles, Yoda/Anakin/Obi-Wan (as Force Ghosts), Boba Fett, and Lando Calrissian are all candidates to be involved.  There are also many other minor characters, as well as characters that were created for or  flourished in other media, such as Grand Admiral Thrawn, Dash Rendar, or Kyle Katarn.  Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me to see characters from the prequel trilogy -- and that's very great, so long as it makes sense.

7) SULLUST?

Nien Nunb is from Sullust.

Nien Nunb is apparently in this film.

Sullust is figuring prominently in the new Star Wars Battlefront game.

Sullust is a rocky planet with volcanic activity.

Hmmm. This looks like it could be Sullust, doesn't it, with the rocky terrain and fire:

Sullust is a long established world in the Star Wars universe.  I remember back in the good ole days, getting my butt handed to me in the Sullust mission of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D.  However, in a real moment of oddity, there is no Sullust page in the starwars.com Databank right now... maybe making changes for upcoming new information about the volcanic planet? 

The moral of this story is that trailers/promo materials are giving us an intentionally limited view of what is going on.  We are only seeing a handful of spaces so far, with very little to go on as far as worlds and locations.  We know that there is an ice planet, presumably containing the Starkiller Base.  We have Jakku, the desert planet.  We also have the green planet with lakes with what seems to be Maz Kanata's pirate castle, but it still wouldn't surprise me to see Yavin IV appear at some point.  We know from experience that Star Wars has a habit of being in multiple places with multiple plot elements going on at once.   Today I spent some time in the toy isle at my local Walmart, studying all the various Force Awakens toys... there were action figures for characters we haven't seen yet.  Vehicle sets with speeder bikes and walkers that we haven't seen yet.  We have seen relevant info from the trailer, but certainly nowhere near the scope of what will be in the final film... and that's OK: I don't want to know that much about the film before I even see it. 


8) FLAMETHROWER STORMTROOPERS ARE AWESOME.

Is this not the neatest thing you've ever seen?  The idea is brilliant.  The execution is brilliant.  Heck yes.  If the character design is as good as it looks like it is, I'm going to be a very happy camper.

There was no other point to this outside of saying out how great the character design looks so far... and kudos to Abrams and crew for building real sets with real people as much as possible.

... and flame throwing Storm Troopers are great.  :)


9) THAT LIGHTSABER... AND THE SEEN UNSEEN.

Several people and organizations seem to think, as I do, that there is a point to seeing the blue-bladed lightsaber... its being handed to Leia in the one trailer, and is being being wielded by Finn in another.

Last time we saw Anakin's lightsaber, it was when Luke lost it on Bespin.  In case you forgot...

SO. Why the emphasis on the lightsaber?  All indication is that Kylo Ren is obsessed with Vader, so scoring a major piece of Anakin/Vader's early years would be a big score for the obsessed Ren.  But we have many reasons to believe that the lightsaber is significant.  Star Wars is built on the seen unseen.  Vader is really Luke's father.  Obi-Wan enters the Force's equivalent of the afterlife, which was implied but not known until Episode V.  The little green guy driving Luke crazy was really Yoda, one of the most powerful Jedi to ever live.  Leia was really Luke's sister. Etc.

What is the significance of Anakin's lightsaber?

• Is it a holocron - a treasure trove of Force knowledge?
• Is there something special about the crystal in it?
• Is it broken?  Is Luke the only person able to make it work, now?
• Is it a Lord of the Rings-esque object that has been embodied by some dark side energy or being?
• Is Ren just an obsessed Vader groupie that wants something of his idol's?

Whatever it is, imagine the sheer brilliance if -- after almost 40 years since we first saw that lightsaber in 1977 -- we learn something about it that we never new.  Imagine how great it could be if even the simplest thing becomes another big reveal!  Someone had to go through the challenge of finding the saber, and preserving it.  Who knows how this turns out, but I believe that the lightsaber must be a significant thing to the plot in some way.

By the way, speaking of the incident on Cloud City where Luke loses his hand and lightsaber, you might want to notice something about the D23 teaser poster.  Look at the lower right hand corner of the poster:

We've seen those red lights before... BACK WHEN LUKE LOST HIS LIGHTSABER..

With film franchises of this level, I tend to err on the side of intent.  I think the usage of lights from the carbon freezing chamber steps in Cloud City is intentional.  They're trying to subliminally tell us something, or might even be sneaking a hint that we might end up back at Cloud City in some capacity.  They could also be foreshadowing something about this story.  We know that Luke chose to face Vader before he was ready (and got beat up pretty bad in the process).  Is it possible that the fight between Finn and Ren that we're seeing is a similar scenario, with Finn trying to fight Ren long before he should?

9) THRAWN TRILOGY AND OTHER EXPANDED UNIVERSE STORIES: STILL CANON?
There were many questions at the reveal of Kylo Ren's cross-guard lightsaber.  But Lucasfilm themselves answered some of them by pointing out that such a saber has been seen before in the Star Wars Universe.  In Heir to the Empire, which is the start of the Thrawn trilogy, Luke encounters a lightsaber with a cross-guard that he determines was only able to be assembled using the Force. But don't think the interesting tidbits end here.

The Thrawn Trilogy also has a story about Anakin's lightsaber being recovered from Bespin.  It appears towards the end of The Last Command when Joruus C'Baoth, an insane clone of a Jedi master, reveals that he has made an evil clone of Luke using the hand he lost in the Duel at Cloud City.  This cloned version of Luke wields Anakin's lightsaber.  The battle ends with Mara Jade killing the clone "Luuke" and the insane C'Baoth.  Oh, and remember the teaser poster and its usage of the steps at Cloud City?  Guess what else it is reminiscent of: the steps from the illustration of Luke fighting with Joruus C'Baoth:

(NOW.  I'm willing to give a little leeway here because it isn't the same; the red lights in the teaser are quite clearly the Cloud City lights, not these.  This may be a very popular interior decorating choice a long time a go in a galaxy far, far away.)  Irregardless...

There seem to be some threads pulling together out of the Thrawn events.  We know for sure that the new trilogy is not the Thrawn trilogy, but we have a cross-guard lightsaber and the return of Anakin's lightsaber.   Also, the Thrawn trilogy features a running plot element between the New Republic and a gang of smuggler's that are generally in an alliance with them against Thrawn's forces.  Could we be seeing a similar thing happening with Maz Kanata and the reported haven of pirates and smugglers?

As Disney/Lucasfilm materials have been published, like books and comics that fit into their own storyline of TFA, some of what we know from the EU has not been nixed.  Mon Mothma does end up as a leader of a New Republic.  There does seem to be a Imperial Remnant type scenario.  There is an implication that Fett is alive.  There is an implication about the existence of Thrawn.  Luke does seem to be taking steps to establish a New Jedi Order.

What must be emphasized is that Abrams and company have gone out of their way to place some very specific information for us to see. Something as specific as the cross-guard lightsaber reference in Heir to the Empire (which Lucasfilm pointed out themselves) and the inclusion of the lighting scheme from Cloud City are not simply nostalgic nods. This is one of the parts of Star Wars that makes it so good: the reference and continuing story... the saga that is Star Wars.


10) Is it possible this isn't Luke????

Random speculation, nothing more.  Especially with someone as clever as Abrams, I never take what is obvious as the only answer... only the likeliest answer.  It is likely that this is Luke, but it is not a guarantee.

'Till Dec. 18th.

Star Wars Quote of the Week

"Don't listen to Her Worship.  I have plenty of manners.  I'm very, uh, mannerful."

-Han Solo

Video of the Week: Sarah Neufeld - Forcelessness

Open Letter to the NBA and ESPN Concerning the Finals

To the NBA: OFFICIATING
I've seen worse, but there are some serious inconsistencies.  The best way to say it might be, "I don't have any issue that I don't already have with NBA officiating."  NBA officiating has historically been bad, but I do think it has improved some.  However, it still has a long way to go.  Sports officials should be doing work that doesn't get noticed.  In an ideal world, the players themselves should be able to enforce and recognize the rules of the game (one of the reasons I love curling is because it is primarily self-officated).  If the decision making of the officials must be considered as part of a game's outcome, then it is being officiated poorly.

1. Inconsistent application of rules is frustrating.
2. A lack of instant replay on meaningful plays throughout the game is totally uncalled for.  If the coaches and players can say "just look at the replay on the screen" and you don't have the ability to do so by rule, then its time to change the rules.  If there is one thing that the NBA could do to help games, it is approve a wide variety of reviewable calls throughout the game.  There is no reason to get things wrong throughout the game, like possession calls, and then magically gain the ability to review them in the last 2 minutes.  Especially at the level of the Finals, ANY play can be an important play and EVERY play has significance.  Officials should have the ability to get the call correct rather than guess.

To ESPN: ANNOUNCERS

I'm just about done with announcers.  ESPN's coverage has been consistently eroding over the last few years, and it is now just a joke.  Its troublesome that this must be said, but people don't watch sports because of the announcers.  Sports fans buy tickets and tune in on TV/radio for the game, not mindless talking heads.

1. In general, these TV announcers seem to have placed some heavy bets on Cleveland - their on air bias towards the Cavs is embarrassing and pitiable.
2. Ignoring their network's own camera work to manufacture a massive debate isn't intelligent - its dumb.  Please, don't say things happened that the video shows didn't happen and vice-versa.
3. Applying the word "controversial" to random calls and coaching decisions sounds idiotic.
4. Please don't insult the players and fans by using the phrase "he wanted it more."  That's ridiculous.  To imply that a person or team will lose because they didn't want to win enough is degrading and uncalled for.  If I played Lebron 1-on-1, I guarantee you I'd really want to win.  Saying I beat Lebron in a round of ball would be a great party story.  Sadly, I can guarantee that I would lose because Lebron is a far better student of basketball than I ever will be.  Its not just a question of desire.  Its a question of skill, work ethic, time, athleticism, etc.
5. Please don't yell and argue with each other on the air.  If I wanted to hear three people yell at and over each other all night long, I'd be watching Fox News or CNN.
6. Just because someone played or coached basketball doesn't mean they're a good announcer.  They may know a great deal about the game, but announcing is its own skill.  For example, look at Vin Scully with the LA Dodgers.  He didn't have a 15 year career as a baseball player, but his skill and experience as announcer combined with his love and knowledge of baseball produce the best announcing in all of pro sports.  Most ex players and coaches are mediocre on-air personalities, at best.

Other impressions of this postseason:

1. It was ridiculous that the Clippers and Spurs had to face each other in Round 1.
2. The dirty play of the Houston Rockets was utterly uncalled for, and it is unfortunate that the NBA continues to be idle concerning such scenarios.
3. James Harden is not "difficult to officiate," as some announcers have said.  Officials simply need to call Harden for the many fouls he commits.
4. Stephen Curry is the best basketball player to ever approach the game for one reason: he has the capacity and ability to out-maneuver anyone and then make shots that are difficult or impossible for most players.

Star Wars Quote of the Week

"You had me wear these robes as a symbol in support of your cause.  I wear them now to destroy that symbol… as well as your cause.  Your personal agenda is wrapped in patriotic terms, but you are nothing more than a thug."

-Kir Kanos

Video of the Week: Herbie Hancock "Actual Proof"

This week's video of the week is a Herbie Hancock tune that I absolutely love: "Actual Proof."  This is an excellent version from a few years back with a lights-out band:

piano: Herbie Hancock
guitar: Lionel Loueke
bass: Marcus Miller 
drums: Terri Lyne Carrington
trumpet: Roy Hargrove
guitar: Wah Wah Watson
percussion: Munyungo Jackson

Going Analog to Create

Technology is a funny thing.  It speeds things up, makes life easier, and provides many benefits.  But, when it goes wrong?  Well, you might as well have been doing it the old fashioned way to start with.  Moreover, technology itself can easily demand your attention and become the focus of a project instead of the content. Simply put, unchecked use of technology can usurp the creative process.  Where you would have had a great idea or great solution, you have a computer generated cop-out… such as a movie that is loaded with effects but lacks in plot, character development, or good acting.  Other great examples are cookie cutter pop songs, copy and paste fiction works, or even "news articles" that are either just linked or rehashed versions of pre-existing work.  

This really hit home a couple of years ago when a composer friend of mine and I were chatting during a soundcheck for a concert.  We had been talking about challenges of notation and getting through to young composers how to properly write for certain instruments, and our conversation turned to the overwhelming presence of technology in creative pursuits.  He said, "When composition students bring me pieces they are working on, I can tell from what they've written if they've only been working on a computer."  The ability to spot the difference between someone sitting with pen, paper, and instrument and someone sitting with a computer alone is evidence that technology needs to be reconsidered in the creative process.  When working with pen and paper (or in any traditional analog way) you are forced to interact and engage both yourself and your material. In a creative process, the usage of tech can interrupt and seduce your focus away from the difficult (but crucial) formative work. 

With music an an example, think about the challenge the music community faces if young composers/songwriters are subconsciously limiting their ideas to what they find in their computer (as opposed to what comes out of themselves).  Instead of creating, the author is compromising with their technology to receive a result they would not have necessarily sought.  That lack of control and authority over a tool has made that hardware or software an unwitting participant in the development of new work.  In other words, it could be argued that the computer should receive credit for its work.

For another art form, consider this example in film: color correction (color correction is a process that  alters the colors in frames of film for effect).  Numerous articles and videos have been made to highlight the rampant use of digital color correction in Hollywood.  At one point in cinema history, color correction was only used in specific situations to achieve the goals of the director.  It was a very expensive and time consuming process that was used sparingly to achieve certain effects.  Directors had to pay careful attention to on set lighting, camera angles, etc., to ensure they would get the look they wanted with as little extra work as possible.  Now, digital technology not only makes color correction easy on individual frames, but makes altering the colors of the entire film only a few clicks away, too.  Instead of a supplement tool that requires a time and cost decision, it has become a button press.  The joke about "just fixing it in post-production" is becoming more real.  I believe this is the reason that certain films and filmmakers are getting the accolades and attention for their work. Christopher Nolan's dedication to using VFX sparingly is well known, and it shows up the unbelievable look and feel of films like Inception and Interstellar.  Just in the last few weeks, George Miller has garnered a large amount of attention for his dedication to making everything real in the newest installment to the Mad Max franchise.  Star Wars fans look forward to seeing JJ Abrams create The Force Awakens with a reduced usage of computer effects and blue screen.

Now, my big disclaimer is this: I think technology is a huge asset for creative people because it helps us realize things that were once unable to be realized.  But technology itself is not the answer, and the creator and user of the tech must bring the artistic vision and dedication to their work.  Moreover, the artist using technology must be well versed in its usage just like any other tool; the greatest guitar ever made can sound bad in the hands of a non-guitarist.  Technology may help you realize, but it doesn't help create.  Even in sound and media pieces where a computer or interface is largely determining the sound and visual content for the audience, the artist or composer must still create the piece -- even if technology is the performer.

Within the past couple years, I've returned to scoring music on paper first and keeping creative ideas outlined on paper.  With it has come a volley of ideas that were lost to me while using software.  Several completed pieces, story ideas, brainstorming… its all more effective with paper and pen.  More importantly, when I do begin to use technology in working it is far more productive and is more informed.  I encourage everyone to pay close attention to how they're using their tech and to find the process that lets them find a balance.  

Star Wars Quote of the Week

"And I did it looking good."

-Lando Calrissian

Video of the Week: Bruckner Symphony No. 8 Clip

The Shuffle Experiment

I recommend that you try a music listening technique that I've tried:
The Shuffle Expirement

Here's how it works:
Listen to the entirety of the the music library on your iPod or computer using shuffle.  Yes - all of it.  No skipping songs allowed.  And yes, depending on the size of your library and how often you use your device, this could take some time.

Why would someone do this?
I started this about 3 years ago on my iPod on a whim, but quickly discovered that I was listening to interesting and enjoyable music that I had never listened to, despite owning it.  Most people love a band with those 3 songs that can never be played enough, or maybe have a favorite piece by a certain composer.  Then, there's the CD you got from a friend that you really didn't listen to.  Perhaps there are some tunes in a compilation album that you bought for a specific song.  Then there is that recording of Beethoven's 7th Symphony that you re-discovered after only listening to to a version by a different orchestra for 4 years.

I found that even in my carefully built music library (I am a musician, after all), there were a great many things that I hadn't paid attention to and some music that I could discover.  As with many people, there are tracks in my music library that have hardly been played while some have been played many, many, many, times.  Despite my overall preference of using vinyl for music listening, the computer becomes a convenient music player and can be used for something more interesting than simply playing songs.

So, put your music library on shuffle and hold on to your seat: you might be getting ready to discover some music!

About that Supergirl "First Look" Video...

1. Way.  Too.  Long.  I was ready for it to be over at 3 minutes.
2. Most companies pull out the stops for trailers/teasers, but there are some VFX shots that, in my opinion, are lacking.
3. Slow motion shots of people walking away from explosions are overused.  In fact, they're so overused  that The Lonely Island made a short video mocking the numerous times characters walk away from explosions.  I shouldn't be laughing at Supergirl walking away from an explosion.
4. Gives away too much plot - I feel that I already know what's going to happen.  Frankly, they could recut it and have a near completed Season 1 recap video.
5. Speaking of plot, I didn't feel like I was watching a preview for a Supergirl show.  It felt more like a cookie-cutter hero plot that was superimposed onto Supergirl.

Overall, it  doesn't say "DC Comics" to me.  If I don't feel like I'm watching something DC comics-ish, than it won't work for me.  The most successful DC comics interpretations have been the ones that remind the audience, at least in some way, of the DC comic look and/or feel.  For example, the success of the first Tim Burton Batman (Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson) is because of his attention to the accuracy of the story and feel of the sets, costumes, and characters.  Any single frame of Tim Burton's Batman could seamlessly be converted into a cell in a comic book.  In the case of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, their success can largely be attributed to the attentive writing from Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, etc… not to mention the nearly flawless animation.

On the flip side, the challenge with Zach Snyder's Man of Steel is that the dark, quasi-monochrome palette simply isn't how Superman looks.  Color correction ruined an absolutely beautiful movie. As the Video Lab guys say, "what works for Batman doesn't necessarily work for Superman."  Similarly, the wild fantastic visuals of Joel Schumacher's Batman films really don't work as well for Batman.  While Batman Forever is worthy of a pass in my mind (due to the talents of Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey, as well as a story/script that was fair), Batman & Robin became the punchline of many jokes with a deficient script, mediocre acting, and way too many camera angles of latex rubber Batsuits.  Those films did not capture the essence of the characters and settings that they were reaching for.

So far, I don't get the right look and feel from this Supergirl adaptation.  For full disclosure, I generally don't like superhero/comic book adaptations on television for this reason.  I'm not sure if its the TV execs, an overarching belief about story methods on television, or something else, but I generally find that the genre is never adapted effectively.  It either comes across as corny or the writing is just never the quality and/or style that people expect.

But, as always, trailers can be misleading and what has happened in the past does not command the future.  We'll see what happens when the show starts airing.  To paraphrase a certain Chris Nolan film:

I hope this is the Supergirl we need, AND the Supergirl we deserve.

Star Wars Quote of the Week

"You doubt the power of the Force, Grand Admiral Thrawn?"

"Not at all.  I merely present the problems you and the Force will have to solve if you continue with this course of action."

-Exchange between Joruus C'baoth and Grand Admiral Thrawn

Star Wars Quote of the Week

"Anyone can make an error, Ensign.  But that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."

-Grand Admiral Thrawn

Return of the Star Wars Quote of the Week

"I believe, and believe strongly, that the Republic needs Jedi that get their hands dirty, that are part of the Republic's daily life.  Jedi that live in ivory towers might be more dangerous than no Jedi at all."

                                      -Mon Mothma