While the Star Wars Celebration 2017 just ended down in Orlando today, this post isn't about....
- Jacksonville should host these (not this type of event!)
- What crass commercialism has become (because we are already there actually)
- Yet another Star Wars movie is coming out (it's true!)
https://www.youtube.com/v/zB4I68XVPzQ
It's the changing scene of movie marketing that triggered this.
At one time, a movie trailer, a newspaper ad and a TV ad days before was enough to get a movie out the door. Much of the rest was based on critical reviews, word of mouth, number of screens available, yada, yada, yada.
But now, movie releases are becoming more and more "experiential". It's like the marketing is reaching further and further into getting the general populace actively engaged in the marketing activities themselves.
The use of social media to get people engaged in movie discussion, opinions and fan boy yelling. The proliferation of "everyone is an expert" breakdowns of every single trailer looking for the smallest of easter eggs and analyzing the minutiae of the smallest lens flare.
Star Wars is obviously larger, it was and is a big hit and still rolling 40 years later. The stars are still somewhat relevant if not old (or dead) and has no problems introducing yet more characters, like a factory, that can distill yet another interesting alien or two that can bring broad appeal.
The Orlando Convention Center hosted this years celebration and Disney is reporting that this one was the largest yet, completely beating last years Celebration in Anaheim by a significant margin. People just don't want to "see" a movie now, they want to "experience" the movie and know all about the process to make it, the actors and how they felt doing the work, see their reaction when the crowd starts cheering. They get to meet the director (Rian Johnson) while they are in long lines, as he goes through and indulges everyones whim for a shared selfie.
I think back to Richard Wise, Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock and other movie directors of yore. Would they get up on stage to plug their work in front of thousands? Would they trouble themselves to walk the queues in a convention center to reach out to the fans of their material. Somehow I don't think so.
It's like with JJ Abrams, Justin Lin, Rian, there is a new list of directors who actually "like" fan engagement. Rian said this week, "you guys give me all the energy to excel....but at the same time, you scare me to death...afraid I might really screw it up".
When old time directors worked and the impression was they didn't really give a fart what anyone thought except for their peers when Oscar time came around. This time, we have a new approach coming where there is a new sense of accountability to what the fans actually like to see and to make it really well.
The Marvel universe (as well as Star Wars) is showing that sequels (which historically have declined) are actually taking it the other way now. Comic Con and other fan events where the leading actors come out and talk has become the largest marketing tool in the arsenal now.
This years Star Wars Celebration had for the first time ever, a reknown convention avoider, Harrison Ford. Odd he would start coming now.
He did mysteriously avoid the Carrie Fisher Tribute. But Mark Hamill shared some great stories. The emcee even asked Harrison if he landed his plane out on I-4. Ouch!
Everything was covered in this event. Games for XBOX and PS4, Animation series (Rebels), new toys, new gadgets, BB-8 rolling around for pictures, outfits to wear, Leia bun wigs, you name it, you could get it.
For those of you who didn't get to delve into the "Celebration", the whole thing is now available on replay on the Star Wars You Tube Channel and the more detailed stuff is on the Disneyland YouTube Channel.
"May the Force be with you....always"
I just spent the weekend in Orlando. I stayed across the street from the convention center. I've never seen so many people dressed up in Star Wars gear in my entire life!
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 17, 2017, 09:30:57 PM
... And get the hell off my lawn while you're at it.
Hmmmm......
Seems like you're realizing this more and more after your rants.
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/l0HlGmt4lMQyoOqVq/giphy.gif)
I hate Star Wars, which is a shame, because when I was a kid, I loved it. There was nothing cooler than Star Wars toys. I remember having trouble sleeping because I'd just lie there thinking about Star Wars and hoping my parents would take me to see the Empire Strikes Back. But somewhere along the line I just lost my love for the movies. Actually, I know when that was - it was when Lucas re-released them in the 90s with extra CGI stuff added to them. I overdid it and wore myself out.
Anyway, one of the things I cannot stand is the amount of fan engagement with Star Wars. It is one of those things that you're expected to love and think is really profound or important. And the fans just never shut up about it.
It's great that people have interests, but I really don't need to hear what some socially awkward, unwashed virgin in a Stormtrooper costume has to say about Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, Snoke or some other idiotically-named character from a shitty movie I couldn't get through.
^ Couldn't agree more. I actually didn't mind the re-release special editions of the 90s (it was easy to avoid them), and I even liked some elements of the prequels. Lucas sucks at dialog but is great at world building & imagination, and they at least still felt like Star Wars movies. Was always funny to me he got so much shit since he's the reason people were Star Wars fans in the first place. I'd prob say "fuck all y'all" too & sell to Disney so they can shit out a new forgettable turd every year.
The Force Awakens was a POS with hardly anything imaginative & was a string of happy coincidences coupled with fan service. She can fly the Falcon like its nothing even though she's a slave, oh there's Han & Chewie after decades in hiding (how convenient! I remember them lul.). Luke's saber just happens to be in the basement of the bar they're at (wow, what are the odds!). Despite establishing in the previous films you need tons of training, both Rey & Finn not only use sabers but actually defeat the bad guy who's actually trained (Yeah! Girl power & shit!).
Lol, GTF outta here. I was never a huge fan (and you're right, the man-boys taking this stuff so seriously need laid more often, a war to fight in or something), but I'll prob never watch another one. There's just no point & I'd prefer to never hear about them, which obviously isn't happening.
Quote from: peestandingup on April 18, 2017, 06:36:20 AM
^ Couldn't agree more. I actually didn't mind the re-release special editions of the 90s (it was easy to avoid them), and I even liked some elements of the prequels. Lucas sucks at dialog but is great at world building & imagination, and they at least still felt like Star Wars movies. Was always funny to me he got so much shit since he's the reason people were Star Wars fans in the first place. I'd prob say "fuck all y'all" too & sell to Disney so they can shit out a new forgettable turd every year.
The Force Awakens was a POS with hardly anything imaginative & was a string of happy coincidences coupled with fan service. She can fly the Falcon like its nothing even though she's a slave, oh there's Han & Chewie after decades in hiding (how convenient! I remember them lul.). Luke's saber just happens to be in the basement of the bar they're at (wow, what are the odds!). Despite establishing in the previous films you need tons of training, both Rey & Finn not only use sabers but actually defeat the bad guy who's actually trained (Yeah! Girl power & shit!).
Lol, GTF outta here. I was never a huge fan (and you're right, the man-boys taking this stuff so seriously need laid more often, a war to fight in or something), but I'll prob never watch another one. There's just no point & I'd prefer to never hear about them, which obviously isn't happening.
I really enjoyed the re-releases in the 90s. But I think I kind of binged and maybe wore myself out on Star Wars. That said, I did see the three prequels. And although I wasn't crazy about them, I didn't "care" that Lucas had gone and done three prequels. I don't see the point in new Star Wars movies - not because I think the original three are sacred or anything, but because it all seems so "meh" (to use the favorite expression of a former MJ'er).
Lucas is clearly pretty clever, though. I don't fault him for cashing in.
Chill out Francis........just like the westerns, courtroom dramas, and war movies, the "comic book" trend will run its course over time and eventually people will have enough and movies will shift back to material less seen.
There will always be fandom whether it be Star Wars, Star Trek or Star Search.
A little seen niche movie called Somewhere in Time has a fan club for crying out loud and meets every year in Mackinaw Island.
Everyone has their form of escapism, some watch movies, some people smoke it, some people do both.
Quote from: spuwho on April 18, 2017, 07:48:17 AM
A little seen niche movie called Somewhere in Time has a fan club for crying out loud and meets every year in Mackinaw Island.
I am (almost) embarrassed to admit I really liked that movie in high school.
*Mackinac
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 07:57:58 AM
Quote from: spuwho on April 18, 2017, 07:48:17 AM
A little seen niche movie called Somewhere in Time has a fan club for crying out loud and meets every year in Mackinaw Island.
I am (almost) embarrassed to admit I really liked that movie in high school.
*Mackinac
Yes, Mackinac Island. Good catch.
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 03:24:30 AM
It's great that people have interests, but I really don't need to hear what some socially awkward, unwashed virgin in a Stormtrooper costume has to say about Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, Snoke or some other idiotically-named character from a shitty movie I couldn't get through.
"I don't mean to be an a-hole, but...."
Quote from: Todd_Parker on April 18, 2017, 11:10:14 AM
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 03:24:30 AM
It's great that people have interests, but I really don't need to hear what some socially awkward, unwashed virgin in a Stormtrooper costume has to say about Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, Snoke or some other idiotically-named character from a shitty movie I couldn't get through.
"I don't mean to be an a-hole, but...."
It's okay if you're an a-hole, Todd.
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 07:57:58 AM
Quote from: spuwho on April 18, 2017, 07:48:17 AM
A little seen niche movie called Somewhere in Time has a fan club for crying out loud and meets every year in Mackinaw Island.
I am (almost) embarrassed to admit I really liked that movie in high school.
*Mackinac
Not to get to far off the path here, spelled different, but they mean the same thing. Indian name for "turtle". (mikinaak)
Where I grew up it is based off the Colonial French sound of "mackinois" which was slurred to mackinaw. Where as in Michigan they went off of the English sound "mackinack".
Both mean "land of turtles".
So ends the lesson in the colonial midwest.
I was there on Sat.. fun time, it was a hoot.
Quote from: AKIRA on April 18, 2017, 10:10:33 PM
I was there on Sat.. fun time, it was a hoot.
Did you go dressed as Akira and troll the Star Wars fans?
Since this topic came up, been doing a bit of research. Seems Mark Hamill is the only one calling out the latest installments. I think I read somewhere too that Harrison would only do it if they killed him (and I'm sure a boatload of money). I also had no idea that Mark signed on before Lucas sold to Disney. Here's a couple gems:
https://youtu.be/JBstE89j_7w
https://youtu.be/3S2zsCaOOmE
https://youtu.be/OMXOg-APbGc
Quote from: peestandingup on April 19, 2017, 04:04:02 AM
Since this topic came up, been doing a bit of research. Seems Mark Hamill is the only one calling out the latest installments. I think I read somewhere too that Harrison would only do it if they killed him (and I'm sure a boatload of money). I also had no idea that Mark signed on before Lucas sold to Disney. Here's a couple gems:
https://youtu.be/JBstE89j_7w
https://youtu.be/3S2zsCaOOmE
https://youtu.be/OMXOg-APbGc
According to the British press, Ford got 13M pounds and .5% of the box office for his last appearance.
He had requested that he die in Return of the Jedi and it was written that way, but Lucas changed his mind at the last minute.
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 03:24:30 AM
I hate Star Wars, which is a shame, because when I was a kid, I loved it. There was nothing cooler than Star Wars toys. I remember having trouble sleeping because I'd just lie there thinking about Star Wars and hoping my parents would take me to see the Empire Strikes Back. But somewhere along the line I just lost my love for the movies. Actually, I know when that was - it was when Lucas re-released them in the 90s with extra CGI stuff added to them. I overdid it and wore myself out.
Wow, it's almost as if things you enjoyed as a kid don't captivate you the same way as an adult ;)
Quote from: Adam White on April 18, 2017, 03:24:30 AM
Anyway, one of the things I cannot stand is the amount of fan engagement with Star Wars. It is one of those things that you're expected to love and think is really profound or important. And the fans just never shut up about it.
It's great that people have interests, but I really don't need to hear what some socially awkward, unwashed virgin in a Stormtrooper costume has to say about Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, Snoke or some other idiotically-named character from a shitty movie I couldn't get through.
I feel the same way about people who won't shut up about soccer on the internet. Blam!
Also, your nerd insults are of the same vintage as the Star Wars films. Nerds be like, let's play
DragonQuest to
2112 while
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century plays on the TV connected to our Tandy CoCo, amirite?
Quote from: peestandingup on April 18, 2017, 06:36:20 AM
^ Couldn't agree more. I actually didn't mind the re-release special editions of the 90s (it was easy to avoid them), and I even liked some elements of the prequels. Lucas sucks at dialog but is great at world building & imagination, and they at least still felt like Star Wars movies. Was always funny to me he got so much shit since he's the reason people were Star Wars fans in the first place. I'd prob say "fuck all y'all" too & sell to Disney so they can shit out a new forgettable turd every year.
The Force Awakens was a POS with hardly anything imaginative & was a string of happy coincidences coupled with fan service. She can fly the Falcon like its nothing even though she's a slave, oh there's Han & Chewie after decades in hiding (how convenient! I remember them lul.). Luke's saber just happens to be in the basement of the bar they're at (wow, what are the odds!). Despite establishing in the previous films you need tons of training, both Rey & Finn not only use sabers but actually defeat the bad guy who's actually trained (Yeah! Girl power & shit!).
Lol, GTF outta here. I was never a huge fan (and you're right, the man-boys taking this stuff so seriously need laid more often, a war to fight in or something), but I'll prob never watch another one. There's just no point & I'd prefer to never hear about them, which obviously isn't happening.
Now this, this is a comment I don't understand. Not that what you say about the new movie(s) is wrong, but the implication that the old ones were somehow
better about those things. Star Wars was always a derivative, cash-grabbing nostalgia trip - it's just that it cribbed stuff like
Flash Gordon and adventure serials (and even some Nazi propaganda for good measure). Now, it just cribs old Star Wars instead.
And come on with that "happy coincidences coupled with fan services" stuff. Star Wars has
always been just a string of happy coincidences and fan service. Luke's a moisture farming hillbilly with no flying experience besides his space muscle car, but he's given a space fighter jet in the third act. And he practices the Force for the length of a Cessna flight on the way to Alderaan, but is so awesome at it that he's able to destroy the whole Death Star at the end. Later, he trains with Yoda for approximately 48 hours and is then capable of taking on Darth Vader - and then Darth Vader
and the Emperor. Not to mention the ridiculous plot holes and the high volume of nonsensical shit that Lucas just pulled out of nowhere. Vader's "I am your father" bit is a great twist if you don't think about it for more than 2 seconds. Apparently Vader's been too stupid to find his son living under his
real name on Vader's
own home planet with Vader's
own relatives, down the street from a known sorcerer named "Ben" Kenobi, and openly calling himself the son of Anakin Skywalker. Oh, and Luke's long lost sister conveniently is the only female in the galaxy with more than 1 line of dialog. The Force Awakens is in good company.
The Force Awakens was pretty bad with fan service, but not nearly to the level of forcing the series' only prominent female character into a moronic slavegirl getup to give the "socially awkward, unwashed virgins in Stormtrooper costumes" something to think about back in their basements. Or making Boba Fett's origin story a major plot element in the prequels. Or Jar Jar Binks, who Lucas added for no reason other than appealing to the audience, and who he wrote back out again when he flopped.
I concede that there are differences between the Lucas movies and the new ones. Lucas was very much the auteur; his stamp is on every element of his movies. But that's for better or worse - he was a visionary and (mostly) great at world-building, but his dialog was abominable and he had no talent at directing actors. In the prequels where he didn't have to listen to anyone, his worse instincts took over and he lost his knack for story structure, editing, and creating likable characters. The Force Awakens was unoriginal and really just retread the plot of the first film. But, it had positive qualities as well. JJ Abrams was
much better at casting and directing actors, and the dialog is
much better. It's the first Star Wars movie that's mostly free of bad performances and writing. The characters are more fun than any that have been added to Star Wars since Billy Dee Williams in the 2nd film. Which is something I appreciate in my popcorn movies - that and the ability to pick them apart for every flaw.
At least I've never referred to it as "the beautiful game".