Boing Boing reports that a Q&A with George Lucas in Wired magazine has made an inpact on conservative bloggers. Apparently mildly criticizing Fahrenheit 9/11 makes one a frothing Michael Moore fanboy. Who knew?
A director says what?
Steven Spielberg had a bit to say about Revenge of the Sith on a London radio station today:
Christian O’Connell: Stephen have you seen the new Star Wars?
Steven Spielberg: I saw it about a week ago, and it’s absolutely amazing. It’s the best of the last 3 episodes, it’s the best way you could possibly imagine for George to finish it off, it has a tremendous ending. It’s very dark — you’ll cry at the end. It’s wonderful.
Again with the crying…
Also, for those keeping track, the soundtrack came out today. If you buy it at Target or Walmart, you can download one of two exclusive tracks. From Target you get the radio edit of Battle of the Heros; from Walmart, an interview with John Williams. Not sure about how it works with Walmart, but I bought mine at Target and got a download code inside the case. And don’t forget the bonus DVD!
LFL Biased Against Women?
TFN linked to an interesting article on CNET.
The way one academic sees it, the moves Lucasfilm have made over the years to control what they allow fans to create are biased against women.
Not sure I agree whole-heartedly with his opinions. But judge for yourself.
Everyone needs a little trash in their lives
‘Serious’ SF writers don’t like Star Wars. Well, that’s a shocker.
‘A Hero Falls’
The music video that was shown at the Opening Ceremonies of Celebration 3, “A Hero Falls“, is now up for public consumption. This video and 15 others will be on a DVD included with the Revenge of the Sith soundtrack.
One on One with George
Hollywood.com has an interview with George Lucas about ROTS, Indy 4 and converting theaters.
The Darth Side
The Darth Side: Memoirs of a Monster. Fake celebrity blogs are a dime a dozen on the internet, but this one is actually good. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes both. Some of the in-universe spelling won’t past a fanboy inspection, but dare I say, there is actual heart and thought being put into this blog. I urge you to read the entry on the battle of Hoth. For the more serious-minded among you, try the story of the Royal House of Trime. You will not be disappointed.
UberGeeks Speak
Kevin Smith, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg discuss Star Wars and Revenge of the Sith. For seven pages. Well, they do bitch about the Special Editions for a bit. But there’s some interesting stuff:
Empire: Is there something about Star Wars that makes us talk about it, 28 years after it came out? What is it about Star wars that promotes that fanaticism and makes people like yourselves reference it?
Simon: Basically, for the likes of us, it’s because of what it meant at the time. Star Wars isn’t just about the film, it’s about what it was at the time. It changed cinema, it changed us. Nothing else can do that now. The Phantom Menace was never going to do that again, because the surface of cinema had changed so much.
Edgar: Yeah, punk rock can’t happen twice. It was never going to have quite the same impact.
Kevin: And it’s mythology, it’s someone adding to your mythology. Imagine if, 30 years after the death of Christ, somebody was like ‘Christ Part II – the saga continues…’
Simon: Every saga has a beginning!
Needless to say, there’s some heavy duty spoilers.
Meanwhile, MSNBC Entertainment editor Denise Hazlick lays out what she’d like to see in the movie. It’s all speculation though, so I won’t comment on the spoiler levels.
Mad Props for George
Wondering where the “Thank the Maker” buttons at C3 were from? It’s these guys – ThankYouGeorge.com. Their goal is to get 1,000,000 signatures to present to George Lucas. You can help them out with a link or posters, share your story, or ordering buttons or a t-shirt to show your appreciation for the creator of Star Wars.
The Belated C3 Link Report
Only now, at the end, do I understand…
I apologize for the lack of a proper Celebration wrap-up. Unfortunately, I was struck by illness at C3 and have spent the last few days in bed, when I wasn’t dragging myself to work.
Here are the highlights of C3’s online coverage. I’d do more (and suggestions are welcome) but I’m only one woman!
starwars.com @ Celebration 3
Those of us at C3 often spotted various LFL online staff members running at Ludicrous Speed through the convention center. This is what they were doing. And for Hyperspace members: video!
TheForce.net
The most expansive SW fansite was no slouch at C3 either. Be sure to check out their photo galleries.
USAToday
Everyone’s favorite rainbow-colored news source went all out for C3. They did the obligatory article, of course, but the most impressive feature is an actual blog from the Con. There are (or were: ask Eliz) some spelling/geek sobbery issues, but you gotta respect a guy who can get his bosses to send him to a Star Wars convention.
Artist’s Allied
This website for LFL-approved artists has a nice collection of C3 photo links. And you can get a closer look at some of the exclusive prints that were on sale at the con.
The Personal Approach
From the professional side of things, author Karen Traviss blogged her C3 experiences. Start here for the full picture. Bonnie Burton of starwars.com promises a few good stories in the future… Matthew Stover is keeping a blog of his book tour, which includes a stop at the con, but nothing’s up yet there or at his usual blog, but maybe soon… For more, be sure not to miss the Livejournal’s Celebration 3 community, which will give you a nice gateway to lots of attendee reports.