Needs more high kicks, but what can you do? (via)
In the news: Samuel L. Jackson, bailouts, copyright, hotels and a criminal Chewbacca
People: Samuel L. Jackson received the American Cinematheque award earlier this week, along praise from George Lucas, Denzel Washington and Justin Timberlake .
Even Artoo and Threepio showed up!
- Har har har: The Los Angeles Times has a bailout plan for Star Wars. My only question is, does George have a private jet?
- Books: Looking for some light reading? Lawrence Lessig’s Remix: Making Art and Culture Thrive in the Hybrid Economy touches at least a little on Star Wars copyright issues, according to The Mercury News review. In any case, it looks like a must-read for anyone with copyright concerns.
- Crime: Chewbacca Calvin Johnson of Georgia is racking up quite a criminal record. (Thanks, Paula.)
- Travel: Wired takes a look at geek hotels, starting with the Sidi Driss and continuing with some places a little closer to home.
The fandom minute: Han’s secret shame, Simon Pegg’s fanfic, Artoo in D.C.
Holiday Special week fallout: Han Solo’s little-known furry roots glommed on by internets, many bad jokes (and debate?!?) ensue.
Better a Wookiee than a Selonian, I guess. (We’ll leave them to Corran.)
- Fanfic: Simon Pegg wrote some. No, for real.
- Appearances: Guess who showed up at the re-opening of the National Museum of American History? Artoo! We never would have guessed he was so patriotic. (Thanks, Stooge!)
- Lists: Topless Robot is on a roll with Five reasons Padme is a complete idiot. (Dude, I keep sayin’…) and the ten biggest robot bastards.
- Gaming: The problems inherent in Lego Star Wars.
Today in The Clone Wars: Droids, droids, droids
Cartoon Network has added a Saturday morning showing of The Clone Wars to their schedule. Also at the link, writer Kevin Campbell talks about Artoo’s bits and pieces. Plus, the ‘Duel of the Droids’ preview.
- io9 was less than impressed with ‘Downfall Of A Droid,’ while IGN gives it a 7.2.
- And here’s another Clone Wars DVD review at DVD Talk.
Wacky merchandise of the day: Artoo aquarium
Leaving no niche unmarketed, it’s the R2-D2 aquarium.
R2D2 Aquarium is, in case you’re wondering, far from a tacky affair – though, we’ll admit, it may well sit comfortably on the fence between the especially incredulous and the vaguely surreal – as what’s on offer is a 1¾ gallon tank, an animated dome which will respond to vocal commands (with beeps) and a radar eye that doubles up as a periscope allowing you to spy on your fish as they feed and go about their re-enactments of famous Star Wars scenes before a suitably illustrated cardboard backdrop.
No, I think tacky is the word you’re looking for here. Or maybe “ridiculous” and “unwieldy” – matters of taste aside, I would not want to be the one responsible for cleaning that thing. (via)
It’s Friday and The Clone Wars is back
After a week of hiatus for Halloween, The Clone Wars returns tonight with “Downfall of a Droid.” Take a drink every time Ahsoka says “Artooey.”
- New webcomic, The Fall of Falleen; Writer George Krstic talks about Artoo.
- The Force-Cast as an interview with Krstic and a “Rookies” roundtable.
- The Clone Wars DVD comes out next week; TFN gathers the early reviews.
Wacky merchandise of the day: Artoo backpack!
Fred Flare is a neat little online store (though they’ll be opening a brick-and-mortar location in Brooklyn next week) and you can pick up this Artoo backpack for a mere $65. (Though I’m sure some of our more creative crafters could simply make their own.) Also of interest (and a tad more socially-acceptable) is this Barbie ‘Nerds are hot’ tee. (via)
Preview: Star Wars Blueprints Ultimate Collection
DK has posted Artoo and Threepio from their upcoming blueprints collection. Nifty! (via)
Random merchandise of the day
Artoo and Darth Vader USB hubs. Oh, Japan.
Geek sweets: Making of an awesome Artoo cake
Remember the Artoo cake by Mark Randazzo? Did you wonder how? Well, wonder no longer – B-Side Blog has photos from the making of another astromech cake.