The Five Best Movies Ever Made (Or So I Once Thought)

 

More nostalgia!  At one time or another, I thought the following movies were the best movie ever made.  It's an odd list, and not in any particular order.  All still stand up for me as fine films, but I wouldn't consider any the best ever made anymore, nor could I say what such a film might be.

 The Wizard of Oz

You can't watch the black and white version of The Wizard of Oz in it's once a year TV presentation all through your childhood, and not have it live in your heart and mind.  I didn't see the film in color until the 1980s.  It was enhanced greatly, of course, but the basic story and characters were and are captivating.

 

Star Wars (A New Hope) 

I knew nothing of this movie until some college friends were talking about it.  Going to the theater, I was blown away like everyone was.  I'd been reading and watching science fiction films for years, even the most creaky monstrous bug movie, just to get that sense of wonder when presented with what could be.  Films and TV never matched what I read in books, but Star Wars did.  Finally someone got science fiction right, I thought.

 

Titanic

Titanic was romance, adventure, suspense, historical fiction, and great music all in one spectacular movie.  I love that people are still weighing and measuring that there was room for Jack on that bit of door frame, and that he could have lived.

 

Fellowship of the Ring

There was plenty of time to get excited about The Fellowship of the Ring, as a trailer promoting the movie and it's sequels was shown in theaters well in advance of release.   The theatrical version of the film, rather than the extended version released on DVD later, presented Tolkien's world and his brave heroes in the most epic yet charming way possible.

 

The Ghost and Mrs Muir

I've always loved ghost stories, and this witty, romantic, heartbreaking film is one I always think of when I'd like something comforting to watch.

 

DOA on TV June 20, 2022

 Obi-Wan Kenobi Part 5

 

Tons of good stuff in this second to the last episode.  Primarily fascinating for me were Anakin and Obi-Wan's practice light saber fighting in an old memory.

Obi-Wan chastises Anakin for becoming increasingly aggressive in the fight simply because he wants to win so much.  It's a weakness of Anakins, says Obi-Wan.

Refugees of The Path are trapped because of sabotage with the Empire and Vader closing in.  Tala sacrifices herself to give everyone time to get away.

Leia discovers her beloved tiny droid Lola has been taken over by Reva and has damaged the retractable roof of the building they're trying to escape from.  She's able to disable the bolt controlling Lola and repair the opening, saving the day.

As the ship takes off, Darth Vader strides out and puts out his hand, using the Force the draw it down out of the air.  Astonishingly, as the ship hits the ground, smaller ships burst out from its rent sides, and everyone flies to freedom.

Reva, as it turns out, was one of the Younglings on the day of Order 66. She played dead to survive. She's hated Obi-Wan for not coming to save the Younglings, and Darth Vader for slaying them.  She gets a spectacular battle with Vader as she tries to take him out. Of course she's no match, and he runs her through with a lightsaber.  She seems likely to survive her injuries, as she views a small holographic message from Leia's dad talking about protecting the boy on Tatooine.

I personally am hoping for a redemption arc for Reva, maybe she could be someone who turns to protecting the Path and the remaining Jedi.  In secret of course.  She can do a lot if she's presumed dead.

Ms Marvel

 

Kamala Khan is a huge fan of Captain Marvel.  She writes her own comic adventures and is always daydreaming.  When her faraway aunt sends a box including a large wristband, Kamala uses it in a costume for a local convention.  It gives her unexpected powers, which she uses to save a mean girl from school at the con.

She and her best friend Bruno test out the bracelets and her powers while wearing them, while a secret government organization tries to find Kamala and take over her powers.

Kamala's family are just about my favorite part of the show.  Her parents are strict, but her father was ready to go to the con with her in a Hulk suit.  Her brother tries to be too perfect.

Kamala herself is a great character, I love her imagination, and her willingness to embrace becoming a real life hero, in her handmade costume.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds The Serene Squall

The Enterprise helps Dr. Aspen, a former counselor, locate and try to rescue three stranded ships at the edge of Federation space.  She warns that the area is infested with pirates, particularly a merciless ship called The Serene Squall.

The Squall traps the Enterprise, then snares mid transport the captain and an away team.  Pirates from the Squall overrun the Enterprise, leaving Nurse Chapel, Spock and Dr. Aspen to try to avoid capture and set the rest of the crew free.

The episode introduces an attraction between Nurse Chapel and Spock, with maybe (?) most of the attraction one way.

I am really enjoying young T'Pring and Spock, and think they could have their own show of adventures.  I know that's not the way history goes, but they're a great pair.

The Book of Boba Fett (Spoilery)

 

The Book of Boba Fett has been doing sort of a slow burn in episodes 1-4.  Boba is trying to take over Jabba the Hutt's territory, so far unsuccessfully.  While he's been gathering allies, most episodes have also had him in his bacta tank reliving the past.  

That bacta tank, plus his disrespectful would be allies, plus his lack of a helmet in most scenes has made him seem curiously weak.

Suddenly, with episodes five and six Boba is peripheral to the story as the incredibly bad ass, ever appealing Mandolorian takes over the episodes.  In today's episode, we've got Grogu and Luke Skywalker in large swaths of the episode.

Luke looks astonishingly like his young self in the episode, teaching Grogu the Force, showing him what he could do if he applies himself.  Just as he was shown by Yoda.  The cuteness of Grogu is undiminished, and even Luke the Serious, as he is here, must be smitten.

The Mandolorian delivers the tiny Beskar armor for Grogu but isn't allowed to see him and talk to him as it would disturb the training.

At episodes end, Grogu is asked to choose either Yoda's Light Saber or The Mandolorian Armor.  If he chooses the armor, he must leave and go to the Mandolorian.

What would Luke do?  Ya, Luke would rejoin his friends. Will Grogu, who clearly misses the Mandolorian as much as the Mandolorian misses him pick the armor? I hope so!

Book of Boba Fett Episode 2: Tribes of Tatooine

 Boba Fett is still having trouble establishing himself as the successor to Jabba.  

The captured assassin from last week produces the Mayor as the person who hired him, after having been dropped in the  Rancor pit.  It was fun to see Fett's chair roll forward to see the action in the pit, though of course Luke killed that rancor.  Word doesn't get around to assassins, apparently.

Back in town, Fett and Fennec get the run around from the mayor--a fantastic Ithorian-- and from the local tavern owner before we find the real source of opposition to Fett's ascension.  There are Twin Hutts, brought in on an enormous platform barely held aloft by carriers, not droids but humanoids.  I was fascinated by the sister in particular, with her pinkish coloring and her tiny hand fan.

 Just barely less exciting than the Twins was the presence of their awesome Wookiee bodyguard.

Much of the episode went back to Boba Fett's days living among the Tusken Raiders he'd fallen in with.  Over time they treat him less as a prisoner and more as a comrade who they teach to fight with a Gaffi Stick.

It's a rite of passage for him to eventually improve enough to fight by their side.  The opportunity comes when a long silver hovertrain moves at high speed through the area where the Tuskens are living.  It's windows open as it comes near, and there is gunfire from the train, injuring several Raiders and banthas.

Fett, seeing some figures on speeder bikes pass by in the evening, asks for a stick and a rifle, he knows how to stop the train, he says.

Confronting the Niktos who are terrorizing a tavern in Tosche Station, Boba takes their speeders and brings them back to the Tusken camp.  Here he teaches the Tuskens to ride and to jump from one speeder bike to another, simulating the moves they'll need when the train comes by again.

When it comes by, they're ready, and in classic fashion they ride along side the train, using grappling hooks to reach the roof, taking out Pykes and controlling the train.

For his help, the Tuskens send Fett on a journey to a mysterious tree where he gets a branch that will be his own Gaffi Stick, which he crafts himself with the help of the Tusken weapons master.

An exciting episode where you get to know Boba and how he operates.  He seems still a more honorable person than expected.  I suspect his alliance with the Tuskens will come in handy later as he tries to establish himself.

The Book of Boba Fett: Stranger in a Strange Land (Disney Plus)

 Bobba Fett escapes from the Sarlaac pit in the opening of this new series. How very slimy it is, inside a Sarlaac.

His luck isn’t good, though, as he’s stripped of everything by Jawas and then, half dead, you’d think, he’s captured and treated horribly by Sandmen.

He dreams of this past while trying to set himself up as the ruler in Mos Espa.  Expecting tributes in his new position, he gets a mixed response from locals.  

He wants to rule fairly, the locals want more of a Jabba the Hutt Crime lord. It’s a good thing he has Fennec Shand by his side. He also gains the employ of two Gamorrean Guards, one of my favorite Star Wars species.

The fight scenes where  Fett doesn’t have his Mandolorian armor prove him to be a real survivor and formidable foe. 

With his Mandalorean armor, and with Shand by his side, he didn’t seem to fare as well when attacked in the street. I really wanted him to take out the bad guys, because that’s what we saw in the Mandolorian when he fought. 

A big win in front of all and sundry would have also given him some of the respect he’s trying to win. Why not let him have that?

There are only seven episodes in the series, airing on Fridays.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The Star Wars film has a proper title now: Star Wars: The Force Awakens     It seems like a fine title to me, since the Jedi will need to slowly rebuild after the events of Return of the Jedi. 

There have been so many stories written in the Star Wars universe that people have all that in their heads rather than seeing the forthcoming film as a follow up to events in the film before it.

I am avoiding knowing as little as possible about the movie as I am able to do. I suppose it will be tougher as it gets closer.

In 1977, I went to the theater knowing nothing at all about a film called Star Wars: A New Hope and that worked out just fine.

Muppet Star Wars Action Figures

Via Biobreak, look at these!!!!!!!!!!! I must have them all! I hope you don't have to go to a Disney Park to get them, how unfair that would be.

Our Saga Continues...

It turns out there were three available "insert yourself into a video" Star Wars products from JibJab. I love these things. My husband always appears to be such a good sport in these, and he is. My son has a small part, but he's a natural! I look goofy but dang, I've identified with Luke Skywalker since I first saw the films and here I am, zap zap zap, Luke himself. Darth Vader is played by my lil Librarian D.O.A. skellie doll, that is why he looks sooooo authentic.

Star Wars Serenade

In Ghostbusters they say "Don't cross the streams!" (a useful phrase if there ever was one), and this would usually go on my game blog but this guy has a voice like an angel and I thought anyone at all could enjoy it. Its amazing how much of the Star Wars saga he covers using the melodies from other films. I have loved Star Wars almost more than The Wizard of Oz since I first sat in a theater and was wowed by it. Me and millions of others...

I snarfed this from Jeff Green's Greenspeak blog.

I tracked down the performer Corey Vidal
He does dance videos too and has a humorous and informative Q and A with himself.

The plot is thicker yet! Apparently it is not his angelic voice but was recorded and written by the folks at Moosebutter

They link to Corey's performance on YouTube. You can also find the words on the Moosebutter site so you can sing along. "... You must use the Force..."