Star Wars

Photography Project 365 – Day 3

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This was taken on January 3rd, but I didn’t get time to post it until today, so here it is.

Photography Project 365 – Day 3

Photography Project 365 – Day 3

I came across this in the Milton Keynes branch of John Lewis. It was somewhat of a surprise because their toy section isn’t very big and they only have a small selection of Lego. Still, always nice to bump into Vader.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D is almost here

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Phantom Menace Lobby Display

Yesterday we took my son to see The Smurfs, a film I wasn’t very excited about seeing I have to admit. However, my spirits were raised somewhat when I walked into the cinema lobby and saw this great picture of Darth Maul hanging on the wall.

If you’ve read this post you’ll know that I’m a huge Star Wars fan and in particular Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I must be a big fan, because for me to get excited about going to the cinema is very rare as I generally hate them with a passion. Another rarity is me looking forward to seeing a post production 3D film, which to date have mostly been pretty poor. However, George Lucas has assured us that the conversion to 3D has been done incredibly well, and I trust him.

Before The Smurf film started one of the trailers they showed was in fact for The Phantom Menace 3D, and I did get goosebumps watching it. I was transported back to late 1998 when I saw the first teaser trailer and watched it repeatedly, in awe and with an air of surreality. My wife doesn’t like 3D as it gives her headaches, but on seeing the trailer she turned to me and said that she wanted to see The Phantom Menace 3D – such is the power of Star Wars.

The Darth Maul on the wall (wonderful bit of rhyming there) wasn’t the only Phantom Menace display in the cinema as I then came across this en route to the screen showing The Smurfs:

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Cinema Display

Apologies for the bad quality of the photo but it was very dark and I only had my phone to take a photo. I stood in wonderment in front of the huge Darth Maul display, wondering why the teenagers walking past didn’t share my elation.

Here is that trailer for The Phantom Menace 3D, though it looks much better on a big cinema screen, obviously.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC6w15OwK08&hd=1

For 32 years Star Wars has got me excited and this latest chapter is no exception. In less than 5 weeks I’ll be watching The Phantom Menace for the 6th time in a cinema, but the first time in 3D – 2012 is already beating the cr@p out of 2011. May the force be with you, always.

P.S. The Smurfs was better than I expected.

Darth Vader made me buy an actual physical book

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Ever since I got a Kindle for my birthday back in July all my book purchases have been electronic, which for someone as attached to actual books like myself was a surprising and swift transition. Fast forward to Friday 25th November and I’m in Hitchin to pick up my wife from work ready, to set off to Poole to visit my Mum. It was on walking past Waterstones that I noticed a couple of Stormtroopers and remembered that David Prowse was doing a book signing there. I’d initially though the the queues would be too long and it would delay our journey to the south coast too much. However, the queues were there for people taking photos with the Stormtroopers but not to see David himself.

I went inside and found out that the options for signing were either a photo of Darth Vader or David’s book; Straight From The Force’s Mouth. My initial thought, being the tight git that I am, was that £20 was far too much and that I should just get back to the car and commence our journey. However, a little pep talk from my wife and I was in line, waiting to meet one of the main actors from the films that have defined my life. It’s unlikely I’d ever get another opportunity to meet Star Wars royalty without waiting in a queue for a long time – one of my pet hates.

My exact words to Sir David Prowse upon getting my turn to meet him were: At this time I’d like to say something profound but I’m just going to say that I have been a huge fan for many years and it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. It broke the ice and we chatted for a few minutes about, well, Star Wars – did you expect us to talk about the weather?

David Prowse chats to ME!

He took his time signing my copy of his book, going back to add in the horizontal bars in the two As in Darth and Vader.

David Prowse signed my book

I was delighted to see that he wrote more than just his name. I wasn’t expecting more, but pleased when I saw there was indeed more and especially the line about The Force being with me. After we’d chatted and he’d signed my book I of course had to have my photo taken with him, though I didn’t get an arm round me like the giggling Japanese girl who went before me.

David Prowse and I

Pleased with my unexpected meeting I went outside to get my photo taken with the Stromtroopers and Imperial Officer who was accompanying them. On standing between the Stormtroopers I asked them if they were from the 501st Legion – don’t ask me why, I just did. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Maybe I thought they would be incredibly impressed that I know of the 501st and would hoist me upon their shoulders like some kind of hero. Maybe amongst this throng of casual Star Wars fans I felt the need to assert my geeky superiority. Thankfully they just answered affirmatively and after having my photo taken I was on my way.

The Star Wars 501st Legion and I

I haven’t actually read the book yet, but I’m sure I will one day. What I do have is a wonderful memory of meeting someone who I’ve watched on screen probably more than almost anyone else other than Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Ralph Macchio, and who had a profound effect on my life.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 20 – A Song That You Listen To When You’re Angry

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I’m not really one for getting angry that often and it soon passes, far too quickly for me to think about playing music to get over my anger at any rate. However, if I were to need a song to get over my anger it would probably be something by Weird Al Yankovic, and being a Star Wars geek I’ll go for Yoda, enjoy.

Star Wars: The Exhibition & My On Screen Debut as a Jedi Knight

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Back in June 2007, the 23rd to be precise, two friends and I travelled to County Hall in London for the Star Wars: The Exhibition. Before it even opened we were treated to a stormtrooper walking around outside, and of course I got the obligatory photo with the Imperial soldier.

The Necessary Stromtrooper Photo

Once inside we saw a whole load of props and models from the films. It reminded me a lot of the Art of Star Wars exhibition that I saw at the Barbican back in the July 2000, but with the added advantage of being able to play Jedi Knight for 10 minutes and have a lightsaber duel. That is indeed what I did, and as you can see from the video, the Force was not strong with me that day – I had a cold and my midichlorian count was a bit low!

It was filmed in front of green screen and the Star Wars footage added in for the DVD. It’s been years since I’ve seen this video as until this afternoon the DVD was to all intense and purpose, lost. Thank goodness for today’s big clear out and the reunion of the DVD and I. Though from my performance in the video, maybe it would have been better off lost forever?

All 54 of the Star Tours 2 Ride Combinations

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When looking at the search terms people have put into Google (other search engines are available, though rarely used) over the last few days I noticed quite a few people searching for the number of ride combinations on the new Star Tours 2 ride in Walt Disney World. So, without further ado, here are the 54 possible combinations.

Escape From Planet 1 Hologram Planet 2
Darth Vader Hoth Yoda Coruscant
Darth Vader Hoth Yoda Naboo
Darth Vader Hoth Yoda Death Star
Darth Vader Hoth Ackbar Coruscant
Darth Vader Hoth Ackbar Naboo
Darth Vader Hoth Ackbar Death Star
Darth Vader Hoth Leia Coruscant
Darth Vader Hoth Leia Naboo
Darth Vader Hoth Leia Death Star
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Yoda Coruscant
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Yoda Naboo
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Yoda Death Star
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Ackbar Coruscant
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Ackbar Naboo
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Ackbar Death Star
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Leia Coruscant
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Leia Naboo
Darth Vader Kashyyyk Leia Death Star
Darth Vader Tatooine Yoda Coruscant
Darth Vader Tatooine Yoda Naboo
Darth Vader Tatooine Yoda Death Star
Darth Vader Tatooine Ackbar Coruscant
Darth Vader Tatooine Ackbar Naboo
Darth Vader Tatooine Ackbar Death Star
Darth Vader Tatooine Leia Coruscant
Darth Vader Tatooine Leia Naboo
Darth Vader Tatooine Leia Death Star
Stormtroopers Hoth Yoda Coruscant
Stormtroopers Hoth Yoda Naboo
Stormtroopers Hoth Yoda Death Star
Stormtroopers Hoth Ackbar Coruscant
Stormtroopers Hoth Ackbar Naboo
Stormtroopers Hoth Ackbar Death Star
Stormtroopers Hoth Leia Coruscant
Stormtroopers Hoth Leia Naboo
Stormtroopers Hoth Leia Death Star
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Yoda Coruscant
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Yoda Naboo
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Yoda Death Star
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Ackbar Coruscant
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Ackbar Naboo
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Ackbar Death Star
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Leia Coruscant
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Leia Naboo
Stormtroopers Kashyyyk Leia Death Star
Stormtroopers Tatooine Yoda Coruscant
Stormtroopers Tatooine Yoda Naboo
Stormtroopers Tatooine Yoda Death Star
Stormtroopers Tatooine Ackbar Coruscant
Stormtroopers Tatooine Ackbar Naboo
Stormtroopers Tatooine Ackbar Death Star
Stormtroopers Tatooine Leia Coruscant
Stormtroopers Tatooine Leia Naboo
Stormtroopers Tatooine Leia Death Star

What would be your ideal combination? Mine is Stormtroopers > Hoth > Leia > Naboo.

For those that may want it, here is a link to the spreadsheet on Google Docs with a 5th column so you can check off each ride combination you experience and keep track of how many you’ve completed. If a Google Docs spreadsheet isn’t your thing then here are 2 graphics that you can print off and keep check of your progress. Until I one day make it to Walt Disney World or Disneyland in California (Star Tours 2 opens there on June 4th) then I’ll enjoy Star Tours 2 vicariously through all of you.

Star Tours 2 Ride Combinations Check List Page 1

Star Tours 2 Ride Combinations Check List Page 2

While we are talking about Star Tours 2, check out all the awesome articles and videos over at Inside the Magic, including this great video of the Star Tours 2 grand opening dedication with George Lucas, Bob Iger and more. I so wish I could have been there – one day!

Star Tours II and Star Wars Weekend in Walt Disney World

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Two great things debuted in Walt Disney World this weekend; the opening of the brand new Star Tours II ride, named Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, and the first Star Wars Weekender of 2011.

Anyone who has ridden Star Tours in any of the parks will know that as great as it is, especially as a Star Wars fan, it’s been in desperate need of an update for quite a few years, particularly since the prequels came out. Star Tours currently (at least in all parks except WDW), and for quite a few years now, has had just one destination; Endor. Anyone who has experienced the ride will know that a diversion takes the passengers to the battle between the Rebellion and the Empire near the Death Star from Episode IV: A New Hope. News by way of the Disney Parks Blog is that the new ride features multiple destinations, and as well as the already known destinations of Tatooine for the Boonta Eve Podrace and Coruscant, including Naboo, Kashyyyk and Hoth. There is also the Death Star, this time above Geonosis, which no Star Tours ride would be without.

Star Tours II Destinations

The good news doesn’t end there though, unlike the current incarnation which is the same of every ride, Star Tours 2 will feature any number of the destinations in 50 possible combinations. No matter how many times you visit the parks, you may never experience all 50 of these combinations, but it’ll sure be fun trying. I’m looking forward to all the new destinations but especially Naboo, Hoth and Tatooine – can you imagine how great it will be to simulate a Podrace or a fly by between the legs of an AT-AT?

The bad news however, is that according to a source that has completely slipped my mind, there are no plans to bring this update to Disneyland Paris, which for as a regular visitor such as myself is a huge disappointment. I can only hope that this decision changes and as the update is planned for Disneyland in California, that they decide to roll it out to Disneyland Paris too.

This fantastic video shows the Star Tours II grand opening processional, which included Star Wars supremo George Lucas and Bob Iger, the President and CEO of Disney, as well as as a host of Star Wars favourites.

Here is the same procession from another angle and showing more of the characters.

This next video is a short one, but shows the first lucky people to experience the new Star Tours ride from the soft opening last weekend. You lucky lucky people!

Onto the Star Wars Weekend and for anyone who doesn’t know, it’s as you’d probably guessed, a whole host of Star Wars events that take place at Walt Disney World over select weekends. It’s something that again Disneyland Paris misses out and should they ever decide to host one there then you can I’ll be there. It would combine two of my biggest passions and would be somewhat of a dream come true.

This year fans were in for a treat as each weekend is being attended by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars and someone who looks an awful lot like Kristen Bell, in my opinion anyway.

If all that isn’t awesome enough, check out this video of Star Wars characters dancing to Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses – just brilliant! Chewie Rose and Slashwok!

Credit to most of the videos goes to Inside the Magic – check this amazing website out and all the superb content. They also host a fab podcast which can be found here.

I would be in a constant state of happiness should Disneyland Paris ever host a Star Wars Weekend and I were there – go on DLP, make it happen!

The One Man Star Wars Trilogy in Stevenage

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This almost didn’t happen, because although I chatted to a couple of friends months ago about going to see the One Man Star Wars Trilogy, we forgot all about it and if it wasn’t for my wife reminding me yesterday, we would never have gone.

Accompanied by Phil I set off for the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, not really knowing what to expect. Before we entered the auditorium we were met by a Stromtrooper, who I of course had to have a photo taken with – it’s the law for any Star Wars fan, and yes, I was wearing a Star Wars t-shirt. Hey, when I geek out I do it 100%! Just a pity I was standing in front of a very bright light.

Me and a Stormtrooper

The warm up was a guy going by the name of Danny Pensive who was a kind of simpleton character. Despite his denial, he did dress a bit like Paddington Bear, but he was very funny and an original act, with no material I had heard previously. At the start of his act he asked if anyone had come from far away, so being the Star Wars geek I am, I answered Far Far Away – hey, it got a few laughs, thankfully! In a room full of people into Star Wars I was surprised to have been first in with that woefully obvious gag!

Thoroughly warmed up it was the turn of Charlie Ross and his One Man Star Wars Trilogy, and 60 minutes of galactic entertainment ensued. Charlie used every inch of the stage and with some of the most brilliant characterisations I have ever seen, and some great arm and body movements, he brought the Star Wars Trilogy to us in a way I never thought possible. It’s hard to explain just what he did, but without any props or costumes, it’s just as hard to say what he didn’t do! Let’s just say his Jabba the Hutt was almost better than in Return of the Jedi and his crumpling At-AT was brilliant. I don’t want to spoil it in case you go to see it yourself, and I urge you to do so, but the moment that Luke takes Vader’s helmet off is pure comic genius and had us all in fits of laughter.

The humour was just at the right level where it poked fun without insulting us Star Wars fans. There were minimal lighting effects aside from a starry sky background and spot lights which shone red for Vader and green for Yoda, most of the time. When the situation necessitated, Charlie proved he was a master of improv, as was proven by his dealing with a photographer he hadn’t been told about and later a crying baby.

The following is a demo video that will give you an idea of what it’s all about:

I’m so pleased that I was able to see this fantastic and original show, now I just need him to do the Prequel Trilogy – I need to see what he does with Jar Jar and angsty Anakin!