When fanboys attack (each other)

I waffled back and forth on this one – while certainly relevant to fandom, these interviews with Star Wars spoilerfolks get pretty obscure if you weren’t a part of the spoiler scene. (Let’s put it this way: Once the discussion gets past TFN, Jedinet, Starwarz, etc, even I fail to recognize half of the sites being discussed. And I was by no means spoiler-free.)

Joshua Griffin, surprisingly, makes the best impression; T’bone, for all he denies it, comes off like someone hauling around a very bad case of sour grapes; Fatboy Roberts has the most interesting historical perspective; there’s one more yet to go, but although I remember Episode X I have no clue who this Tai person is, so I’ll just let it go.

But whatever your position, the interviews form an intriguing look at one of fandom’s more cutthroat periods.

Filk Friday

This week, we revisit the summer of 1999, a time of excitment in Star Wars fandom, with the release of the first SW film in 16 years. Buzz was flying, hype was, er, hyping, and we were all still too excited about getting new Star Wars to yet fully acknowledge how much there was wrong with TPM. Whether victimized by the hype or actually enjoying the film, the Star Ladies of Club Jade were certainly Livin’ La Vida Lucas, as depicted here by CJ costuming guru Caitlin, aka JainaMSolo.

In additional Weird Al news, the video for “Don’t Download This Song” (the first single off his upcoming album Straight Outta Lynwood), can be seen here (thanks, Phil!).

Captain Obvious/Rumor Mill OTP!

Giant box set of the Saga in 2007, maybe. Those Digital Bits – they’re totally psychic when it comes to putting two and two together. Totally. 2007 does seem pretty soon, though, what with the new DVDs just days away – I’d guess 2008, which would continue the pattern of new DVDs every two years, or whenever one of those TV shows finally materializes. But I don’t think anyone doubts we’ll see a mega-box set before the decade is out.

For good measure, here’s a digital Yoda in Episode I from the ROTS bonus DVD.

Video Monday

Trailer for 5-25-77. That’s an upcoming movie I haven’t heard of for a long time…

The Phantom Menace, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and Return of the Jedi in 60 seconds, with Attack of the Clones and Empire Strikes Back in 10.

British Phantom Menace spoof. I believe this is from French and Saunders – that’s Jennifer Saunders as Qui-Gon, anyway. Some of the funny must have gotten lost in the trip over the Atlantic, but screenshots of the Queen Amidala scene have been amusing me for years so I had to link it. Sorry. This action figure parody of game show The Crystal Maze may amuse more.

Ewoks and Stormtroopers, just because:
Injured stormtrooper.
Ewoks cartoon promo.
Return of the Jedi trailer.
Classic Clip: Stormtrooper hitting his head.

Here we go again…

George Lucas talks to Empire Magazine about Indy 4. Key quote:

“We’re basically going to do The Phantom Menace”, says Lucas (stay with him here, he’s making a point). “People’s expectations are way higher than you can deliver. You could just get killed for the whole thing…We would do it for fun and just take the hit with the critics and the fans…But nobody wants to get into it unless they are really happy with it”.

Well, yes. But don’t encourage them, George. Bringing up TPM in this context – no matter how good a point you attach to it – is just going to make the fanboys start pre-frothing.

Although, a LFL crossover I’d like to see? A golden Jar-Jar.

Video Monday

Human Ping Pong. Impressive… Most impressive.

Star Wars One Man Show on Conan O’Brian. Feathered hair!

Pride & Prejudice, Harry Potter style. Delightfully bizarre!

Stand-up comic Matt Geiler talks about Star Wars and girls. Goes on a bit too long, but it’s pretty funny.

Bloopers from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith (Thanks, Kat!) and the original trilogy, Probably a direct rip from the DVD, so watch them now if you want to watch them at all.

Tennis on Tatooine
Reel Big Fish Star Wars intro
Jedi Pi

From the Blogside

The Infinite Force explores the idea of being a Jedi or a Sith in real life. Just stay away from the census polls, okay?

Pablo talks about the origin of the Rookies webstrips.

Ravenclaw Devi considers Mary Sues and related issues.

Jedimaster13109 provides us with a nice overview of the Force.

In EU corner, Mike Beidler has some thoughts on Vector Prime. Meanwhile, Padawan Katis is reading The Phantom Menace novelization and Sunnyskywalker continues her spot-on Courtship of Princess Leia analysis with Chapter 5.

From the Blogside

Chaodai shatters the myth that saying something is ‘for kids’ means you don’t have to try. Not surprisingly, The Phantom Menace comes up…

Speaking of TPM, Ryan Kaufman asks what’s up with The “Phantom” Menace?

Anakinside1 explores Anakin’s feminine side.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi has a theory on how Ferus Olin kicks the bucket.

Marvolo7 shares her list of the EU’s most memorable moments.

Eleventh Guard asks why is there so little NJO slash?