Battlefront: Twilight Company

I purchased this book recently and am enjoying it fully. I read books along with the audiobook to have full immersion while reading. This book is a delight to read as well. The characters are unique, their attitudes are relatable, and the settings are very "Star Wars." 

Star Wars Trailer #3 Breakdown

Ok ok ok, in the words of the almighty Matthew McConaughey, "Alright, alright, alright." Let's get to this trailer. I'm gonna just go through it scene by scene so just pretend you're watching, watch it, or go here and follow the screen grabs:

http://imgur.com/a/p1RDg

So I am happy that it starts out on Rey, played by Daisy Ridley. I wanna see her story more than Finn and his, yknow? I'm guessing she's one side of our Luke Skywalker-esque role and Finn is kinda the other half; the "dark side" if you will allow the pun. But she is a very interesting character, namely that I'm hoping she's a Jedi, and I'm hoping she isn't just a "nobody" like she says in the trailer. 

It shows her scavenging in the crashed Star Destroyer from the book "Lost Stars" (read it, it's good), and being sad cause she probably wants to leave Jakku cause it's all sand and we know how Anakin felt about sand from the PT. Love her face, love her accent. It's the accent of a Jedi, in my opinion. 

Next is Finn (John Boyega) and his intro. He was raised to do one thing, meaning he was probably raised in/by the First Order, not enlisted. That's interesting because he may have a past akin to Han Solo who, in the old Legends EU, was in the Empire but later left, much like what Finn here seems to do. So I'm thinking if they keep Han's backstory from the Legends it'll be cool cause he'll have something in common with Finn here.

Next is Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and his intro, which is one of my favorite parts cause he's, well, he is awesome is what he is. He's looking out at a red...uh, lens flare (JJ Abrams everyone), I guess. I'm guessing this is the Starkiller Base we have heard so little about, firing at...something. He's going to "finish what Vader started," huh? What did Vader start, exactly? Hm, well I doubt Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) knows, as it looks like it hurts him to be mind probed with the Force. But we will see. Maybe he's on the toilet and Kylo comes in at the wrong moment, idk. Oh and here's some trees blowing up in a red...um, lens flare again (c'mon JJ), which I'm guessing that's what Kylo was watching. Maybe it's blowing up Endor or something, idk. Bye bye Ewoks, right?

Next is the Falcon flying through the wreckage on Jakku. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE MUSIC CHOSEN HERE. Honestly the music makes this bit so good. And then we get Rey asking about "stories" from the past, to which Han says, "they're true, all of them. The dark side, the Jedi." Or something like that. This is interesting cause if you think about it, the Jedi were all but a myth by Return of the Jedi, and the Sith were destroyed after that. But the general populace didn't know anything about either, so of course Rey and Finn have no clue or little clue of what they are or were. And here Han was a firsthand witness to both, so he can confirm that yes they are real. Looks like the Falcon has a hologram of planets here, which is cool. 

Quick cuts here. Hyperspace, "This Christmas," and then, BOOM..........the best shot (for me at least): Kylo and six other cloaked and helmeted people in the rain. THE. KNIGHTS. OF. REN. Two guys have staffs (staves?) like Rey, two guys have guns I think, and one guy to the left of Kylo in the back has what looks like a buster sword, like Cloud in FFVII. Guh it's so awesome looking. Oh, and all those dead bodies all around?? What'd you DO, KYLO? WHATS WRONG WITH YOUR FACEEEE?

Some battles ensue, some things blowing up, and then Han, Rey, Finn, and BB-8 walking into a heavily bannered building. One banner in particular is the Mandolorian symbol Boba Fett has on his shoulder armor, so that's cool. I'm guessing this is the pirate bar. Very cool. Cause I'm thinking the chick taking to Rey in this trailer is Maz Kanata (Lupita N'yongo), who is on the poster I think too. Which is cool to finally SEE. 

Things go by in a flash here; Kylos ship, Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) walking, Rey crying (I hope it's over Finn getting a limb hacked off and NOT from anyone dying, but we will see), Han and Chewie and Finn caught and looking surprised at something off-screen (interesting), BB-8 and Poe fighting TIEs on the snow planet, Rey shooting angrily (I'm guessing at Kylo or troopers), Han and Leia hugging while seemingly upset. This shot gives me hope that they're still in love in this film, maybe not married but still in love. That's cloudy as of right now though. 

And finally Finn fighting Kylo, who has his mask off. I was hoping we'd see his face in this one, and I'm hoping he is scarred up a bit. I mean, not that Adam Driver isn't the best looking hunk out there, but I don't want a clean faced hipster dude under a super awesome helmet like his. I want him to have at least one scar. Anyway, Finn has made a huge mistake, and it shows on his face here. Priceless. Can't wait to see that duel. 

All said and done, this raises my hype level to an 11. I'm very happy with the look and feel of it; it feels like Star Wars, and it looks like it too. I'm happy with what I know of the story for sure, and a lot was confirmed in this trailer, as far as what I've been reading of spoilers. But it's gonna be great to actually SEE. Wish I woulda gotten to see Luke in this one, but it's ok. Seeing the Knights of Ren was very cool, so I'm good. I wanna know about EACH ONE of those guys! 

Goo job JJ Abrahams! Can't wait to give you my money!

See you all next time. 

Shameless Self Promotion

For months I have been dark, but I cannot keep my silence any longer. Too many things have come to pass that I feel I MUST comment on. The inner nerd (and the outer one) can keep this vigil no longer. Movies, conspiracies, books, and even television have all seen additions that have made me come out of hibernation to ask you this one, simple question:

There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?

Seriously though, it’s time to return. I decided to take a break from writing this blog, which turned into an extended vacation of sorts. This led to a hiatus, which turned into a pit of loathing and self-deprecation, and a spiraling meltdown of the brain with endless questions of existence. Yes, woe is me. But woe is you too, since you have been without my words and thoughts for a long time. So here we go.

Getting right down to business, the first thing I want to talk about is STAR WARS!

Yes, the long awaited sequel to the original Star Wars trilogy is finally within sight, starting with “The Force Awakens.” It was around three years ago that Disney acquired the popular franchise from the king neckbeard himself, George Lucas. 

Can you believe that the next chapter of the popular space opera is filmed and being readied for consumption as of right this minute? It is truly amazing to think that in my lifetime alone I have seen the dormant OT (Original Trilogy circa 1977-1983) get a revision in the mid-90’s with the Special Edition, then get a PT (Prequel Trilogy, also known as “Utter Crap”), to now having the one of the largest and most widely known companies produce a brand new and fresh addition to the saga coming in December.

I can only imagine how some of you older ones feel, having witnessed the destruction of the dinosaurs and all the other historical events that make you old now seeing your inevitable end creeping closer. Oh, and also there is a new Star Wars for you to scratch your head at and ask, “W-what’s an Ewok?” or “Jabba the What?”

There are now three trailers out for this movie (which are each equally hype inducing), several books and comics to lead us through this “Journey to the Force Awakens,” and a television show that his bridging the gap between the PT and the OT, called “Star Wars Rebels.” I believe I have commented on this show in the past, and let me tell you, I was wrong.

“Star Wars Rebels” is in fact a pretty good show. Freddie Prinz Jr. doesn’t ruin any part of the show, and that stupid Ezra kid, while still stupid, isn’t as Jar Jar Binks as he initially came off as being. I could not have been farther from the truth with my initial feelings about the show. I has all the story and heart as the original movies do, with some twists and action elements that keep the viewer wanting to find out what happens. It is worth a look at, if you were wondering.

Secondly, I would like to switch gears and talk about one of the projects I have been working on for a few years now. It is a comic book that a friend and I have developed and will be released in December. It is called “The Red Hand.” You may have heard me talk about it either here on the blog or some other medium, but I assure you it IS a real thing that IS going to come out very soon.

Without giving the entire plot away, the basics of the story are as follows:

There is a man.

That is pretty much it. Thanks for reading my blog and may the force be with you!

I’m just joshing you, guy. Pffsh. 

The story is about a man named Matt Walker, a divorced father of one who works for a company that develops new tech and armor for the military. After a tragic death in his family, he sets out to bring justice to the one who caused it, and along the way unravels a mystery that is too big for anyone to ignore. Using prototype armor from the company he works for, he goes on a vigilante mission to find the man responsible for the death that cut him to the core and forced him to become the Red Hand. But far from being a superhero with powers or special abilities, Matt must fight his way through gangsters and thugs, all while battling his inner turmoil at losing a beloved family member.

Obviously there is more to the story than that. There are other characters and things that happen, but that is essentially it. The first page will be released in December, followed by the next page later in the week, or possibly the week after. Depending on how it all comes together we may do a bi-weekly release, rather than a weekly one. But the first issue is going to be kind of a trial-and-error process that will help us not only gauge the interest in the story but also gather other info that will help us as we release more. But we are excited and eager to show you all.

Expect more from me very soon here on the blog. I already have my breakdown of the newest Star Wars trailer, so look forward to that. But that is all for this edition of Night Rider. Stay tuned to see me in a clown costume bring new meaning to the phrase, “jump the shark.” Just like the Fonz did. Ayyyyyyyy. 

So long, jerks!