Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
I’m quite surprised she didn’t know any better, given her background, but Natalie Portman got into some big trouble for filming a kissing scene at Israel’s Western Wall.
The sexes are supposed to be separated here. Impressed she didn’t get stoned for this goof.
Obviously the diplomatic skills of her character, Senator Padme Amidala, did not extend to her non-Star Wars life.
There is mounting evidence that the collectibles being released for Episode 3 could probably provide Hildi (of Trading Spaces) with some interesting decorating themes.
Witness the new line of decorating accessories announced on StarWars.com.
I don’t know which is more trippy, the bead curtain or the lava lamp.
Hayden Christensen has landed his next role in the film The Decameron.
Before folks start wondering how his poor diction will work in a period piece, they’re modernizing it.
Um. Okay.
The creator of Star Wars may be Uncle George. But the real family member at Club Jade is Timothy Zahn, father creator of Mara Jade.
(Club Jade. Mara Jade. Get it?)
Um. Did anyone miss me, last week? Atlanta had an ice storm and I wasn’t about to go out with the crazy people to see if Labyrinth of Evil had officially hit the bookshelves. So, let’s get on with it…
Magazines
Next week is usually the big release week for magazines (and I suspect there’ll be a lot as we get closer to May 19th), but we did have one this week.
Sci Fi Magazine – April 2005 – This cover claims (in rather large letters) that it has major spoilers inside; mostly for Episode 3. Since I’ve been bitten one too many times for my level of spoilerdom, lately, I have declined to look to see if they’re just full of it. If someone else did so, please advise in the comments.
Books
Labyrinth of Evil – James Luceno – This story will take us up to the events of Clone Wars Cartoon, Volume 2. Then Clone Wars takes us right up to the opening crawl. In this one, Obi-Wan and Anakin go on yet another mission to rid the galaxy of all things Trade Federation when they get a lead on the infamous Darth Sidious. Will they figure it out? Will this just make it all the more annoying to wait for Episode 3 to be released?
Secrets of the Jedi – Jude Watson – Ah, yes. This is the one, Wantons. We always knew something was up between Obi-Wan and Siri. Now we be gettin’ us some confirmation! This is a hardcover in the Jedi Apprentice series featuring two generations of masters and apprentice (Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan/Anakin). Wackiness ensues when Anakin’s wife comes along on the mission. Much angst to ensue, as well, I’m sure.
It was inevitable. After four shaky seasons, UPN is giving up on Star Trek: Enterprise.
The show never managed to maintain much of an audience after its initial strong debut. And in recent weeks, it apparently has been getting beaten in the ratings by Stargate SG-1. (Great show, but on SciFi Channel, not expected to outshine a broadcast network.)
No new TV series or movies have been announced. Perhaps a few years in spacedock will allow the fans to come back to Trek again.
Here’s hoping!
Sorry. I’ve always had this secret wish to write a Variety-type headline.
At any rate, Natalie Portman has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in the film Closer.
Big congratulations to her! We wish her all the best and hope she goes for her usual sophisticated fashion style, rather than the dress for which she was panned at the Golden Globes. (Let’s be honest about this, shall we?)
Naturally, John Williams is back for his work in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Would it really be the Oscars without him?) And I suspect ILM and/or Skywalker Sound are somewhere in the mix on the technical awards.
And our condolences to Liam Neeson for his snub. He’ll always be Qui-Gon Jinn to us!
In related news that will make many members of Club Jade happy, Johnny Depp has been nominated (again) in the Best Actor category. And Finding Neverland is up for 7 awards, total.
Have you been saving your Republic credits? Because Lucasfilms’ licensees have a lot in store for you, this year:
The Celebration 3 Exclusive Figure
The Official Pix license awarded to C2 Ventures
The new line of stickers from Mello Smello (alas, not scratch’n’sniff)
The Hallmark Ornaments for 2005
The ROTS Topps Cards (Spoilers abound!)
This just adds to the list that includes the previously announced books, action figures and the rather nifty, yet oh-so-pricey, window blinds.
Must start playing the lottery, again.
A hearty congratulations to JK Rowling and her husband on the arrival of her new baby girl on Sunday.
We are greatly pleased that the little tyke timed it so that her mother could finish the next installment of Harry Potter, first. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be clocking in at 672 pages, with a special edition containing 32 pages of artwork. (Big thanks to The Leaky Cauldron for feeding us our Harry Potter tidbits.)
She’s back from vacation and hitting the bookstores, again. Be afraid!
Next week, we get a new Star Wars book. If they keep up the quality of the recent releases, we should be in for a fun read. This is yet another lead-in to Episode III. So keep an eye out for Labyrinth of Evil on the 25th.
Then we have the magazines:
Dreamwatch – February 2005, US Issue #4 – Features a Sneak Preview of 2005. Episode III is the first movie mentioned with some positive buzz. Nothing to spoil, unless you haven’t seen the trailer.
Entertainment Weekly – January 28, 2005 – No big surprise, but Natalie Portman was taunted for both her speech and outfit at the Golden Globes. Ah…the perils of stardom!
Starburst – No. 319 – As always, the US is a month behind on the really cool UK film mags. Our current issue boasts a very pretty cover touting Star Wars Episode III. But there’s really nothing in there that goes beyond mentioning Episode III. Quite disappointing, but safe for the spoiler-phobes. There is an interview with Anthony Daniels about his upcoming radio series Space: 1889; based on the miniatures game that’s apparently a cross between Vernes and Wells. And there’s the first in a series about the history of Star Wars, covering ANH. Nothing new for the Star Wars nut. (Cool interviews with BSG and Serenity casts, though!)
Until next week. This is Paula. And I’m a bookstore-aholic…