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A pop-culture consumer who keeps it, by design, in the shallow end of the pool.

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Film & DVD

T-minus Six Hours Until Star Wars IV

Dec 17, 2015 by Rip

It’s been a long time since a Star Wars film of merit was released in the theaters but in about six hours, the world will be treated to the newest chapter of the sage, picking up where Return of the Jedi left off — well, picking up about 30 years into the future. But what does the future hold for this franchise?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been teased, hinted, and promoted like few films in recent history but I’m completely fine with that. Why? Because I saw the original films in theaters all those years ago and, combined with my recent San Diego Comic Con: Secret Star Wars Concert, I’ve always felt connected to the franchise. So connected, in fact, I refuse to admit the three more recent films including Jar Jar Binks and that disaster actually exist. It’s like some dark and chaotic part of a twisted dream which dissipates with the morning sun. But I digress.

The Force Awakens has some interested hinted plots and social media has been buzzing with numerous theories. I’ve tried to stay clear of the chaff but as a pop culture consumer, it tends to run through my observed-life sphere. During that time, I’ve noticed something which I’ve been unable to explain. At Comic Con, the entire cast was revealed, including Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford. In the subsequent promotional content (videos, posters, etc.), I’ve seen every major character portrayed but have yet to see Mark Hamill in anything.

Star Wars 7 - The Force Awakens poster

Notice we see everyone else from the legacy cast in this image including Han Solo, Princess now General Leia, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewy, but no Luke Skywalker. But why is Kylo Ren featured so predominantly upon the poster? Sure, he’s the primary antagonist in the film but, again, I’m left searching for some hint of Luke. In the trailer, we see someone reaching out and touching R2-D2 clearly with a droid hand. Likely Luke but Luke as… Kylo Ren? But Rip, Adam Driver is playing Kylo Ren. Haven’t you seen IMDB?! Sure, he’s listed as the actor portraying Kylo but what if… and this is a big if… what if JJ Abrams, the guy who secretly put together a concert for the San Diego Comic Con fans, actually paid Adam to portray Kylo in media events but it was all a ruse. In actual fact, Mark Hamill is Kylo Ren… and 30 years on, the dark side of the force is fully entrenched in our historical dark-fighting good guy. Imagine the shocked noise from that reveal.

There is no doubt Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens is probably one of the biggest Hollywood releases in years. My first viewing will be this Sunday, catching a late-late showing at a local plex. Unless this thing is horrendous, I plan on seeing it at least one more time, perhaps more (like most of my nerd friends). Stay tuned because another update is forthcoming.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Film & DVD

San Diego Comic Con 2015 & Star Wars Concert

Jul 17, 2015 by Rip

Of all the events and experiences which took place at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con, the one moment in time which must be captured and explained was the Hall H, Star Wars panel. As Chris Hardwick, moderator of the panel, said in the beginning, you’ll be telling your grandchildren about the Star Wars panel of “ought-15” at the San Diego Comic Con.

I’ll spare you the trials and tribulations of getting into the 6,500 seat Hall H (an interesting stand-alone story) but myself and a friend found ourselves in San Diego Convention Center hallowed ground just as the Game of Thrones panel was ending. We settled down, far from the stage but front and center on one of the massive broadcast screens within the room. (One does not get close to the stage without 36 hours of camping prior to the event.)

Social media rumored the Con was going to be rather flat this year with the absence of several major movie studios so a single panel dedicated to the upcoming and highly anticipated Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens looked to be a port in the storm. Making it a priority, we got in.

The Star Wars panel, scheduled to begin at 5:15pm on Friday, didn’t actually start until about 5:40pm. The crowd, eager to get down to business, began a staccato slow-clap a number of times in an effort move the event along. The room broke out into a random attempt at a wave, seemingly an attempt to dispel the nervous energy in anticipation of whatever the next hour would hold. Many of fans in the room had camped for 24+ hours waiting for this very panel so adrenaline was the only thing keeping the room fueled.

Chris Hardwich (Talking Dead, The Nerdist) started off moderating the event and offered the warning this particular panel would resonate well into the future. Thinking this was a healthy sprinkling of hyperbole, I blew off the comments as typical Con excitement. Hah, how wrong I was.

J.J. Abrams (director: Super 8, Star Trek, Star Trek II) came on stage, flanked by two other exec’s from the film. J.J. Abrams began by taking the time to assure the audience he was taking the Star Wars legacy very seriously. He talked of his personal affection for the franchise and also his desire to do it right while using tangible sets, props, and locations to further the story. If they needed a desert scene, they went on-location to a desert. If they needed the Millennium Falcon, then they built the thing. No detail was overlooked, no element out of place and a stark contrast from Star Wars 1, 2, and 3 set largely in green screen environments. Abrams actually spent some serious time on the topic, driving the point home and was left with the distinct feeling he really understands and appreciates the fan base. J.J. Abrams hammered the point home by showing the following video:

At some point the current cast was introduced including John Boyega (Finn), Daisy Ridley (Rey), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) and the audience was allowed a few nerd questions. Harmless and at this point standard fare for the Con; however, the entire place was looking for something more.

It came with the introduction of the legacy cast starting with Carrie Fisher (Leia Organna), then Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), while the biggest ovation was reserved for the introduction of Harrison Ford (Han Solo). The assembled fans lost their ever-loving minds. The roar was deafening, the energy insane, and the pay off had arrived. Few had seen the ensemble cast together and this was a unique moment in Con history. Certainly fantastic but hardly the promise Hardwick had offered in the opening minutes.

Then it happened.

J.J. Abrams began saying he’d introduced the entire cast but there was one cast member missing from this particular group. I leaned over to my friend and whispered, “Stormtroopers” thinking about the new helmet design but Abrams went on to explain the missing cast member was the music, casually asking the crowd, “Do you guys like Star Wars music?” A deafening roar of approval gave voice to our answer. Abrams smiled then casually asked, “Do you guys want to go to a Star Wars concert… right now? I mean right now!”

The question hung there while the room responded in shocked disbelief. Gasps. Screams. High-fives. Applause. Cheering. You name it, you heard it but what was Abrams asking? Was there going to be a concert in Hall H? A symphony of some kind? What the hell…? But Abrams continued as a number of Stormtroopers filed onto the stage and took up positions behind him. Abrams told us we were going to leave Hall H, follow the Stormtroopers to a nearby location for our own, invitation-only, Star Wars symphony concert. Like a bar of soap in the tub, I was having trouble finding a hold on the moment.

Abrams commented he could not believe the city of San Diego allowed him to do this but, on cue, the side doors opened (fortunately near our seating position) and the assembled masses stepped out into the light of day. Clearly rehearsed, the path to the concert was already cordoned off and we were all handed a unique Star Wars badge/lanyard for admit-one entry to the concert. True to his word, this was happening — and right now. I could see various members of the media outside the barrier trying to get quick interviews with Hall H badge bearers as we filed past. More cheers, yelling, high-fives, and other stunned pandemonium. As for me, I could not stop grinning.

We followed the Stormtroopers west behind the convention center and passed all the celebrity vehicles. Winning the Good Timing Award, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) popped out from behind some privacy curtains, waving to the crowd, and gestured to his eye, formed a heart with his hands, then pointed to us. Clearly he was buzzing as hard as the crowd.

The procession weaved behind the convention center, southwest toward Embarcadero Marina State Park, a large grassy promontory. We were ushered through the main gate and into the grounds. To the extreme west, I could see a large stage under a sign which read, “San Diego Symphony,” the members of which were watching the slightly bewildered masses crowd in. The grounds included bags & coat checks, food & drink vendors, bathrooms, and even a large stand for the media and other VIPs. Clearly, nothing had been left to chance. As we arrived, we exchanged the bottom “Admit One” portion of our badges for a plastic telescoping light saber (which lit up) then crushed into the grass in front of the stage. The scene was set.

Star Wars Concert - including Rip

It took about an hour for the 6,500 Hall H attendees to press in but early arrivals were entertained by a DJ playing classics, hip-hop, and contemporary up-tempo hits. The energy rivaled any concert I’d ever attended. There were more high-fives, smiles, selfies, while light saber battles broke out left and right. The energy was electric, the anticipation palpable, as we waited for the concert to begin. The DJ began saying her farewells, and handed the mic over the main event.

JJ Abrams returned to the stage holding an identical light saber. The crowd surged and roared approval and when he turned and looked out over the view from the stage, he simply uttered, “Wow” into the microphone. The ovation doubled while a forest of light sabers greeted the director. Abrams reintroduced the cast and each came out, holding a light saber and some dueled the front row of the crowd as they entered the stage. John Boyego (Finn) gave the introduction, wished us well, and the concert kicked off in earnest.

The initial music was the classic Star Wars Imperial March met with thunderous cheering and a sea of light sabers danced to the melody. A live orchestra was playing legendary music and I was standing not 30′ from the stage. There were three large screens left, right, and one centered behind the orchestra. The screens initially showed clips of the musicians playing which transitioned into scenes from the films. Interestingly, whenever the screens showed clips from Star Wars 1, 2, or 3, the crowd booed, while original footage was met with cheers of approval. The first time the crowd booed, I and several people around me began to laugh at the absurdity. Clearly, the prequel films appear to have earned universal disdain.

The concert lasted about an hour and though a handful of people left, the bulk of the crowd remained. The decision to stay paid off. Darkness fell as the San Diego Symphony played the main Star Wars theme and as the music began, fireworks began to explode in the sky to our left. I don’t mean pop-crack-fizzle, I mean full-out, crash-bang-boom. The fireworks lit up the faces of those around me, the crowd roared again, and it was simply magnificent.

Star Wars Concert - Fireworks

To my right, the San Diego Symphony was playing iconic music from Star Wars, in front of me the sky was lit by thundering fireworks in time to the music, around me were 6,500 of my closest friends and in that moment, I don’t mind telling you, I had a lump in my throat. It was an event, an experience, a moment in Con history I will never forget.

Here is a quick look at the event from the perspective of IGN. This about sums it up, hitting most of the high points.

The organization and undertaking of this event must have been massive, not to mention tedious. I just want to thank everyone, from J.J. Abrams all the way to the staff checking us into the event at the main gate. You left me speechless.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Film & DVD Tagged With: Comic Con, SDCC, Star Wars

Film Review | Nightcrawler

Feb 23, 2015 by Rip

Billed as a thriller, Nightcrawler was a film I didn’t catch in the theater but wanted to watch as soon as it hit Blu-ray — for one reason: Jake Gyllenhaal. An exceptional actor with a broad range, I make a point of watching his work and have yet to be disappointed (though some have been close). Enter Nightcrawler.

The story is crafted around an awkward personality who is constantly on the make, looking for angles, and taking advantage of people around him. Late night metal theft graduates into becoming a stringer (someone who films news events and sells the footage back to local stations). It is easy to see Gyllenhaal committed to the role with gusto because he lost a serious amount of weight to present the angular persona required. Additionally, his method of speech and demeanor perfectly captured the oddities of his character.

The plot builds with tension between Gyllenhaal’s character and a local new station production manager played by Rene Russo, and an odd relationship with his couch-surfing sidekick played by Riz Ahmed (perfectly, I might add).  Everything goes dramatically sideways when Gyllenhaal happens upon and records a sensational home invasion where three people are murdered. One gets the sense there is more to the story and Gyllenhaal’s exceptional timing is no accident but, unfortunately, the viewer gets little confirmation of that hunch as the film progresses. Supporting characters try to point out the coincidence but eventually bend to Gyllenhaal’s machinations and refuse to take a stand on what is right or moral (crafting a news story then recording it). This is the where the film begins to lose its focus, and lost my attention.

After a long list of abhorrent choices by Gyllenhaal’s character, the viewer gets no sense of redemption as film comes to an unexpected conclusion. The tension, carefully crafted for the length of the film, simply disappears as the credits roll leaving a host of unanswered questions. Too many questions.

All in all, there was significant potential for Nightcrawlers. Gyllenhaal’s acting chops were on full display, the subject matter was unique, the plot fascinatingly intriguing — but missing a closure hurt the overall experience. For that reason alone, I’m forced to rate this film a Six out of Ten — worth a rental but be glad you didn’t catch it in the theater.

Billed as a thriller, Nightcrawler was a film I didn't catch in the theater but wanted to watch as soon as it hit Blu-ray --- for one reason: Jake Gyllenhaal. An exceptional actor with a broad range, I make a point of watching his work and have yet to be disappointed (though some have been close). Enter Nightcrawler. The story is crafted around an awkward personality who is constantly on the make, looking for angles, and taking advantage of people around him. Late night metal theft graduates into becoming a stringer (someone who films news events and sells the footage back to…
Film Review | Nightcrawler
Film Review | Nightcrawler
2015-02-23
Rip
Gyllenhaal's talents make this film almost perfect, unfortunately we're let down by what can only be described as a completely uninspiring ending.

Nightcrawler

Story / Plot - 6
Acting / Dialogue - 8
Production Value - 6
Viewing Experience - 4
Theater Worthy - 5

5.8

Solid

Gyllenhaal's talents make this film almost perfect, unfortunately we're let down by what can only be described as a completely uninspiring ending.

User Rating: Be the first one !

Filed Under: Entertainment, Film & DVD Tagged With: Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler

Film Review | Fury

Oct 19, 2014 by Rip

I’m an avid WWII aficionado so when Brad Pitt rolled into town as the grizzled veteran commanding a Sherman tank in closing months of the war, I was immediately all-in. The reviews were moderate but I rarely focus simply on reviews before seeing the film and was looking forward to drinking in the details.

Initially the film took me by the scruff of the neck and refused to let go. The acting was perfect, the interplay between hardened veterans was almost without fault, even the gasping responses of the stone cold rookie added a spicy ingredient to the mix. The interior of the tank and all the military uniforms, equipment, camps, and vehicles were touched with a patina of age and dirt – appropriate for the European Theater of War. I was completely lost in the carefully crafted ambience – until I wasn’t.

The opening scene set the tone for the entire film with Brad Pitt launching himself from a position of cover onto an unsuspecting german soldier. A few well-placed although graphically depicted stab wounds later, Pitt emerges grimly victorious. To say this film is graphic and brutal hardly touches on the matter. At its center, the main characters are deeply flawed and in many ways broken from the drudgery of combat. That grinding wheel has worn away their civilized-selves and left behind a gaping hole which, apparently, can only be filled with dead Germans. Lots of dead Germans.

The story arch inches slowly toward a head-on collision between the tank crew, their new rookie – who is taking to the slaughter with aplomb – and an SS battalion. Though I normally avoid spoilers (read that again, potential spoiler incoming), the last 15 minutes of the film is where they lost me. The disabled tank sits in the middle of a crossroads while 300 battle hardened German SS soldiers attack. At this point, the audience is supposed to believe the Germans would disavow all their experience, training, tank-busting ability, and simply charge, weapons in hand, at the tank across open ground. Uh, not likely. And don’t get me started on the awkward scene where the tank crew encounter German Fräuleins. Just gave me shivers.

When the film ends, I’m left with a sense of … nothing, if I’m honest. I didn’t feel a sense of redemption, the thrill of victory, nor the satisfaction of seeing a tale well told. I walked out thinking I’d be hard pressed to see the film a second time and even with the ease of a RedBox rental looming close to home. Speaking of RedBox, I would rate this film a weak 3/5 stars and would urge a rental versus paying for the wholly unneeded theater experience.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Film & DVD Tagged With: Brad Pitt

Film Review | Guardians of the Galaxy

Sep 15, 2014 by Rip

To say Guardians of the Galaxy was a hotly anticipated film from the Marvel Universe would be a significant understatement. Anticipation centered on the seismic shift away from standard super hero fare to something more akin to a tongue-in-cheek model. Guardians delivered on exactly that promise — and so much more.

The first of two viewing in the space of two weeks took place in the holy grail of theater viewing — the IMAX 3D variety. It was a costly though spectacular choice.

Guardians starts with a little historical perspective, setting the scene, but very quickly jumped into the story of Peter Quill, our main protagonist. This confident, shifty, and irreverent character is someone easy to enjoy watching, as is the rest of the ensemble cast.

The plot had a robust pace which naturally kept the attention of the audience and smiles on everyone’s faces. In my particular viewing, there were some classic laugh-out-loud moments enjoyed by quite a number of the audience and I found myself joining in. One particular favorite was the mention of Kevin Bacon, a hero from Earth’s past, who teaches a town is *is* okay to dance. And don’t get me started on Drax, the character to takes everything literally. Nothing goes above his head. Yup, did I mention tongue-in-cheek?

Beyond the characters and plot, the sheer visual feast was also impressive. Every set was crafted (either traditionally or digitally) to perfection, each “alien” was believable and precise, even the different worlds were rendered with depth and an attention to detail. All these elements and so much more provided an encompassing ambience, only adding to the enjoyment. Much like the original Iron Man and Robert Downey Jr., this cast is probably signed for at least two additional films and from where I sit that is nothing but a good thing.

After the second viewing in less than 10 days, I found my appreciation of the film only increase and vow to own this title in my personal collection. The Guardians of the Galaxy easy ranks as on the better films I’ve seen in a long time and would rate it a rock solid 5/5 stars. This is a must-see film, theater optional, but highly recommended.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Film & DVD Tagged With: Guardians of the Galaxy

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// about rip

Raconteur. Mediator. Gamer. Dilettante. Deliberative. Nerd. Serious world, not so serious here. “No word from Fenchurch today,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

// TWITTER

Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
8 Jun 2021 1402340172390273028

Masterpiece.
A fucking masterpiece.

#insideboburnham
@boburnham

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Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
23 May 2021 1396515261528756227

And now we say goodbye to Gini. Thru his professionalism, expertise, & energy, he was a big reason for our recent success.

@GWijnaldum

Goodbye & good luck. You will always be in our hearts. #YNWA

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rogbennett avatarroger bennett@rogbennett·
16 May 2021 1393984445770833925

Liverpool’s Goalkeeper scores winner in 95th minute with season on line. Incredible sporting moment that almost cracks chill of my cold blue heart. Allison lost his father at the end of February. What emotions he must have experienced in this second 🙌🇧🇷

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Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
16 May 2021 1393991505279258624

Absolutely incredible.
Another “moment” in Reds history. We go again but need a hand getting over the line. C’mon Leicester! https://t.co/T5VwD1uKRT

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Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
15 May 2021 1393598553839194114

.@Speechify_audio Was interested but the price point ($12/month) for premium is just too high. Unfortunately, the free voices pale in comparison. Great concept, may return if/when price drops.

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