Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny has posted the last part of his series about introducing Star Wars to his kids, Return of the Jedi. (Previously.)
The catchup: One dad introduces the saga to his kids
Sunday reader. Using the Blu-rays, Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny is showing the Star Wars movies to his two sons for the first time. It’s a great story (they’ve seen Clone Wars but nothing else) and probably one of the best articles (and certainly the most detailed) that I’ve read on kid’s reactions to the saga. In order: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith, with the Return of the Jedi entry coming on Thursday. A great read, whether you’ve shown the movies to kids yet or not.
Occupy Coruscant? Twitter’s favorite minions of evil, Death Star PR, takes time out of their busy planet-blasting schedule to debunk Luke Skywalker’s assertion that he is part of the 99%.
Kids. A Yoda backpack helped one flower girl make it down the aisle. (via)
People. Watch Mark Hamill in the opening of Friday’s Chuck premiere.
Spoofs. The Jedi Church. Literally. Well, spoofily.
Video: Kid’s mind is blown by Vader’s reveal
Four-year-old Faris sees The Empire Strikes Back for the first time.
Book reviews: Speak Wookiee, Darth Paper and standalone The Jedi Path
Every year, the publishers try to come out with fun books that the long-suffering relative of a Star Wars fan can grab as a nifty gift. Since the holiday shopping season starts earlier and earlier each year, it’s no surprise that you can start getting a few of them right now.
How to Speak Wookiee is a really cute board book with sound board. You get a Wookiee-shaped sound board with ten phrases that you can use to get on everyone’s nerves by playing them over and over. The illustrations by JAke are adorably cute with lots of funny details. And the write-ups by Wu Kee Smith made me laugh out loud. Knowing bookstores, they’re probably lurking in the childrens’ section, but it’s worth the hunt.
Darth Paper Strikes Back is the follow-up to the surprise hit The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. The adventures of our intrepid middle school students (from Ralph McQuarrie Middle School) continue with a case study of Dwight’s suspension from school, as told by various witnesses. Adults should not blow off this book because it’s set in middle school. It’s very cleverly written. Always funny. And it will have you hurtling back to your own middle school days in no time. (Okay. Maybe that’s not really selling this.)
The Jedi Path has been released in book form without the nifty bells and whistles of the “vault” presentation box and its various trinkets. But you really don’t need the extras. This book is really well done, with a nice combination of serious background information and hilarious written notes from its various owners over the years. If you missed the high-end one, don’t miss this one!
It’s just the beginning of the onslaught. And while you’re there, don’t forget your Star Wars calendars!
Doing good: Princess Leah hanging in there
With coverage on Today, little Princess Leah Esquenazi is getting a lot more attention than just from Star Wars fans.
What started as word of mouth with Star Wars fans through a Facebook page and other online presences like the 501st, Artoo-Katee and even Steve Sansweet, has turned into nearly $20,000, a fundraiser raffle and lots of guesses to try and help this little baby with the mysterious illness that is affecting her muscles and breathing.
Her family is keeping everyone updated through a blog and are trying to stay positive.
If you are so inclined to help the family with a donation, there is a donation function on the web page.
The fandom minute: Parenting with Admiral Ackbar
Young Archer here is well on his way to complete Star Wars indoctrination. (via)
- Mark Hamill, new to Twitter, did a brief fan Q&A on Tuesday. Topics included Alec Guinness, the most difficult Star Wars actor and the craziest thing a fan has asked him to sign.
- Obi-Wan is one of Empire’s ten movie figures better than real dads. He only lied for your own good, Luke. Also on the list? Indiana Jones.
- The Death Star PR folks have written an open letter to Natalie Portman regarding her newborn son.
- Jess whips up outfits inspired by Luke’s Dagobah gear and Ahsoka in Clone Wars S3.
- Check out Redditer Punqington’s awesome Millennium Falcon wedding cake.
- Apparently the new Miss USA, California’s Alyssa Campanella, is a Star Wars fan.
Video: Samuel L. Jackson (of course) reads Go the F**k to Sleep
Parody children’s book Go the F**k to Sleep has been generating a ton of buzz across the internet lately, and that certainly won’t be harmed by getting pop culture’s most acclaimed dropper of the f-bomb, Samuel L. Jackson, to read the audiobook version. It is, if I may say, glorious. (via)
UPDATE: The full video version has been copyrighted, but you can download the uncensored audio for free at Audible.
TGIF: Star Wars musical… With kids!
They’ve made their goal, but there are a couple more days to donate if you’re so inclined.
Video: Disneyland Sith Girl speaks
Jennifer Landa talks to Sariah Gallego, the girl who gained internet fame by pledging herself to the Dark Side at Disneyland. Her inspiration may surprise you!
Other worlds: Dragonriders of Pern movie shows some life
Now on the failed adaption shortlist… Pern, yet again? This time sees Copperheart Entertainment hook up with with X-Men scriptwriter David Hayter. Is [mumble] times the charm for Anne McCaffrey’s dragonriders, or will this project vanish into between? But since Peter Jackson doesn’t seem in much rush to utilize the rights to Naomi Novak’s Temeraire, this might be fantasy fans best hope for an actual dragon movie franchise. Just, you know, don’t hold your breath.
The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins is profiled in The New York Times, and the actors playing Peeta and Gale have been announced.
A Song of Ice and Fire. Game of Thrones debuts this weekend! For those of you not poring over Winter is Coming, here’s a character cheat sheet. Meanwhile, Tor.com is running a series on the women of the series, and George R. R. Martin is interviewed by the NYT.
Recommended. What are the 80 greatest science fiction books for kids? Online Colleges and Universities has some suggestions, helpfully sorted by age group.
Cover art. A threefer: Terry Brooks The Measure of Magic, N.K. Jemisin’s The Kingdom of Gods and Lev Grossman’s The Magician King. As unimpressed as I was by The Magicians, I must admit that both books have gorgeous covers.