I just saw Wonder Woman this evening! Spoiler free, don’t worry

Wonder Woman Poster

After a burst of luck, and some fairly mad scrambling, we were able to get down to Seattle’s Cinerama for a preview of Wonder Woman.

I’ve been excited for this one for months. And, let me say, it’s well-crafted. Full disclosure: I’m generally a super-positive guy and tend not to hate anything. Just variations of enjoyment. Now there are some bad films out there…but, back on point: Wonder Woman is not one of them!

Cinematically, it’s very much in the same vein as we’ve seen in other Zack Snyder films. (I don’t want diminish Patty Jenkins‘ work on this film. I’m sure if I knew her work better, I’d recognize her hand in this as well.) I love their use of color, and Zack and Co used many creative angles and clever edits to add dramatic flair. For me, that was wonderful. And, from what I’ve been reading, everyone else feels the same.

 

Being able to see it in Paul Allen’s cinematic digital playground, Cinerama, was an additional joy. I’ve been there many, many times over the years. It was where I saw Star Wars in it’s first run. Back then, it was only playing at the Cinerama. Making the trek in from Lynnwood was an effort, though different than nowadays. No issues, really, with parking or traffic back in the 70s. Mostly downtown was seedy and worn, and generally not considered to be the best place for children. Anyway, my first viewing of Star Wars was a transformative moment in my life. Seeing the Star Destroyer bear down on the Tantive IV, and the feels that flowed through me, changed me forever. They forever dominated my way. So, this theater has a warm spot in my hear. I adore the Cinerama!

There was a time that it’s future was far from certain. I’m glad Mr. Allen made something fantastic and unique. If I were a billionaire, I think I’d be more in Paul’s vein than Bill Gates. Nothing against Mr. Gates, but my interests are broad and wide. More akin to Paul’s.

So, the important part: go see this movie! I give it two thumbs up!

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Coming Sept. 24

I’m pretty excited about the upcoming Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels. Well crafted and nicely executed, I really enjoy the show. So, I hopped online to learn when I’ll be able to buy the series on iTunes. Most of my Google search, though, reminded me of Disney’s PR snafu last year.

As a long-time cord-cutter, I bought each season on iTunes. Last season’s dividing the season into two payment opportunities annoyed me greatly. Not as much as some people (like these folks), and not enough that I said “screw it”. I paid the dough. But I wonder how often this money grabbing technique will be tolerated. I don’t know how I feel, personally.

Anyway, I’m not sure when season three will be on iTunes, but will be watching closely.

These characters have amazing potential, and I’m really excited to see what the creators have crafted. It’ll be a great couple of months.

Happy 50th Birthday Star Trek

So, today is the 50th anniversary of Star Trek’s premier back in 1966. I have no memory of life without Star Trek because, well, there wasn’t a life before Star Trek…for me at least. My 50th anniversary of being ex post utero isn’t for a few more weeks. So, Star Trek has been not just part, but a significant, perhaps the most significant part of my entire memory.

One of my earliest memories is watching the Apollo 11 lunar landing on TV. From that moment on, I was a space nut. All things space, then aircraft delighted me.

With that, my father loved Star Trek. When the programming gods deemed it appropriate to beam the show, our tv was turned to it. Pretty much without fail. Though MASH was a close second.

I don’t remember a first episode. Star Trek was always there. After falling in love with space, though, I would plop down when my dad had the show on. Trying to be non-obtrusive.

Getting older, I connected more and more with the show. The cartoon show helped, but only some. Even the passion that erupted in me for Star Wars didn’t dilute Star Trek. Maybe pushed it to the back for a spell. Battlestar Gallactica, Buck Rogers, no other show displaced it. I remember being asked, when I worked at Microsoft, “Star Wars or Star Trek”. I, in my style, answered “behold my gom jabbar!” I refused to choose one element of sci-fi geekdom. I love them all. But Trek has been there the longest.

After movies, Next Generations, Deep Space stations, journeys of the Enterprise and voyages with Voyager, my delight with the now universe of Star Trek grew deeper and richer. I adore them all.

Science Fiction forms the core of my personal mythology. Both Star Wars and Star Trek exist within the core, the deepest kernel. Delighting in the Jedi way, but also dreaming of attending the Vulcan Science Academy. Deep challenges will always be Kobaysi Maru, and not Jedi Trials.

So, a thanks to Mr. Roddenberry for bringing this whole thing to life. Also, the cast and crew of TOS, and all that followed. My life is unimaginable without you.

A couple of WA geek events off the beaten path

A friend of mine shared a few cons that I’d not heard of yet. These are down in Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. Anyway, check ’em out.

 

 

Some #Geektastic Updates

You might have noticed I created an Events section of the site (if not, here it is). I’m slowly adding in my Geek Events to this really cool calendaring tool.

I discovered Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman’s cool project, Tested.com, while looking for video of Adam Savage’s No Face creation. I can’t remember where I’d heard about it, but I really wanted to see it. So, I didn’t find the No Face performance from 2011’s Comi-Con, but this is from 2012 and No Face is there at 2:54.

And this video below shows Adam and Norm discussing the creation of the costume.

Rose City ComiCon

Portland’s premier Pop-Culture event. Rose City Comic Con is produced locally with a focus on creating a fun and friendly event for everyone!

While their primary focus is that of Comics, comic creators, and the creative process, Rose City Comic Con also provides its attendees with access to Gaming, Sci-Fi, Cosplay, Anime, Fantasy, and everything in between. Their goal is to provide you with a rewarding, fun, and family friendly experience at our event.