What Do I Think Of Disney

Let me start from the beginning

Walt Disney is one of my all time heroes (see my post from 2012 ‘Walt Disney – Through My Eyes’), along with Bruce Lee, Captain America (The Comic Book version), George Lucas and John Hughes

He was the epitome of ‘Imagination’

Growing up in the 70’s-80’s, Disneyland was truly ‘the happiest place on earth’

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain

But more than that, the whole feeling at night

And the Disney Movies, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ was my favorite and when ‘Aladdin’ came out, I’d never in my life laughed harder in a movie theater that one of the Genie scenes

Robin Williams was a genius, I will always love him

Then Disney picked up ‘Pixar’, which was brilliant

Their animation department was flailing, so it made perfect sense to pick up the future of animation…

Pixar

Next came Marvel, we’ve all seen how that has turned out

And last, but not least, ‘Lucas Films’…

Once again, brilliant

Most importantly with ‘Lucas Films’ is, the original first two ‘Star Wars’ films/George Lucas were the reasons I became a Filmmaker…

…so this was a big deal for me

And the reality is, George Lucas isn’t going to live forever, so I thought Disney was a perfect place/home for the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise

The difference between me and a lot of people who loved the first and second installment of the ‘Star Wars’ films (Chapters 1-6), is I never called myself a ‘fan’

I’ve always been a filmmaker first

I simply felt ‘Star Wars’…

…and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ were brilliant (They’re my two favorite films of all time)

I wasn’t much of a fan of ‘Return of the Jedi’, I wasn’t an Ewok fan, but all of the Luke and Darth Vader scenes still felt like ‘Star Wars’ to me

The films in 1989, 92 & 95 were their own thing

I felt Lucas got slammed pretty hard for ‘Phantom Menace’, which likely lead to ‘Attack of the Clones’ being so great, as well as ‘Revenge of the Sith’

But unlike a ‘fan’, I had no expectations going into those films, so I truly enjoyed them for what they were

Chapters 7, 8 & 9 (Also ‘Rogue One’, and ‘Solo’) were also their own thing

‘The Force Awakens’ surprised me…

…although J. J. Abrams, did not

He’s great… he’s a force

I was so happy with ‘The Force Awakens’, even though SPOILER ALERT Han Solo died

Rey was a great two dimensional character (Focused on what was in front of her)/Never stopped running/Typical ‘Star Wars’ character in a good way

Poe was awesome, but I’ve always loved Oscar Isaac

He’s brilliant

But to my surprise, Finn was my favorite character in ‘The Force Awakens’

I didn’t really care for ‘Ben Solo’ in ‘The Force Awakens’, which was a big deal because ‘Darth Vader’ is my favorite villain of all times

But in Chapter 8, ‘The Last Jedi’, Ben (Adam Driver) is brilliant

And Rai was awesome… Their characters made that film

Mark Hamill (Luke) was also a welcome ‘Star Wars’ contribution to the general vibe of the film

Plus his final scene was brilliant

‘Rogue One’ was literally the best possible prequal to ‘Star Wars’ Chapter IV

Brilliant, a stand alone film for sure

Some say it’s their favorite all time ‘Star Wars’ film

I don’t blame them

But Chapter IV & V are my favorites, followed by Chapter II

When I was a kid, Han Solo & Darth Vader were my favorite characters in the original ‘Star Wars’…

…and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ was Han Solo’s/Harrison Ford’s ‘swan song’ (It was his best ‘Star Wars’ film)…

These characters and films changed my life

With ‘Solo’ (The film), once again, I entered with no expectations

And in the end, I liked it

But more than that, a sequel should have really been made… This film was truly built for it, and it would have likely been an even better film

Also, Lando was great

SPOILER ALERT I wasn’t thrilled to find out Darth Maul was alive (The dude was cut in half in ‘The Phantom Menace’), but I guess they brought him back before this film in another project

That I’d call a mistake/attempt to bring back what ended up being a fan favorite from ‘The Phantom Menace’

But ‘Star Wars’/George Lucas made his own mistakes/’what I considered a lackluster decision’ by killing Boba Fett in that pit in ‘Return of the Jedi’…

SPOILERS But Disney brought Boba Fett back to life too in ‘Mandalorian’, also a bad move in my opinion… But also based on his popularity I think

And now he’s going to have his own series… Ehh not so thrilled

Finally, the final ‘Star Wars’ film, Chapter IX (The Rise of Skywalker), no expectations once more (The world on the other hands had huge expectations), they destroyed the Finn character sadly, having him run around after Rey the whole film, but the chemistry of Rey and Ben Solo was awesome (Once more)

All and all, I was happy with that film (I’m not sure many were, but I was

The reality is, there was no way to meet the expectations of the whole of the ‘Star Wars’ audience (Perhaps if my bro and I filmed it, lol), which is already largely broken into at least to parts anyways (The die hard fans of the original films, and the fans of the second group of films, not to mention the new fans from all over)

Lets move on/back to Disney

First with the creation of Disney+, which is awesome…

…Disney old movies, Marvel Movies, Pixar Movies and ‘Star Wars’ movies and series all in one place

I was in

Also, making it just $6.95 made it a no brainer

And if that wasn’t enough, galvanized with the creation of ‘The Mandalorian’, which in my opinion truly gave me hope that the original ‘Star Wars’ feeling from the original ‘Star Wars’ films, was alive and well, and more than that, had a future

Thanks largely to Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and Pedro Pascal

Each, indispensable

SPOILERS I’m not going to even tell you what happens at the end of Season 2 if you haven’t seen the show… If you’re ‘Star Wars’ fan, just check out both seasons

This post was going to be even longer (I wrote much more), but I feel it’s long enough as it is

I will end with this

To the Disney Execs;

1. I really hope that what you do isn’t all, or even 80% about making money, and that’s it… Try to keep the spirit of Walt Disney himself in your ranks
2. Steer clear of all of this ‘cancel culture’… Stop giving so much power to the trolls/haters out there, and that goes for all major corporations
3. Tweet happy birthday to George Lucas from now on, once again, if the trolls steered you away from it, you’ve given them too much power… Respect the creator of ‘Star Wars’, or sell Lucas Film
4. Yes, Disney+ out performed your expectations, even before the pandemic, but don’t expect that growth rate to continue, it’s not natural/possible… Appreciate and maintain the followers you already have, sorry corporate america, it’s not all about growth, it’s also about maintenance
5. You’re making great shows, don’t let greed cloud your vision, nor destroy everything positive that you’re achieving
6. Break the mold over and over again, don’t stick to things that extinguish the souls of your employees, and leave your fans hanging dry
7. Greed is wrong… Be the change

Nuff said, thanks for listening/reading

And ‘May the force be with you…’

DarkJade-

‘Star Wars’ (The Original) Was The Reason I Became A Filmmaker…

‘Star Wars’ (The Original) Was The Reason I Became A Filmmaker…

In Honor Of The Last Film, I Give You The Links To All 32 Of The ‘Star Wars’ Related Posts I’ve Done On This Site Since 2011 (Some Of The YouTube Video Links In Posts No Longer Work)

1. ‘Star Wars’ (Darkjade’s First Look) – August, 2011
2. ‘Star Wars’ In Review… – September, 2011
3. Filmcraft (Volume 2) ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ – December, 2011
4. DarkJade Presents – ‘Star Wars’??? – January, 2012
5. DarkJade… The Meaning Behind The Name – February, 2012
6. Happy Easter… And A Little ‘Star Wars’ Fun – April, 2012
7. ‘The Written Word’ One Year Anniversary – August, 2012
8. DarkJade Presents… My Sci-Fi Path – September, 2012
9. Disney Buys ‘Lucas Film’ For 4.05 Billion Dollars – It’s A Changing World – October, 2012
10. The Writer – Keeping The Dream Alive – November, 2012
11. ‘Star Wars Rebels’ – December, 2013
12. ‘Star Wars’… The Reason I Became A Filmmaker – My Story (Part I) – April, 2014
13. “I, Filmmaker” – “Star Wars” Part 1 – September, 2014
14. George Lucas – Charlie Rose Interview – November, 2014
15. “Star Wars: Episode VII (The Force Awakens) Trailer – December, 2014
16. “Star Wars” Episode VII (Darklord Trailer) – February, 2015
17. “Star Wars”… – March, 2015
18. “Star Wars: Aftermath (Book Sep 5th, 2015) – March, 2015
19. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (Japan Trailer) – November, 2015
20. “The Star Wars Films” – Plus “The Force Awakens” In Review… – April, 2016
21. No Words – December, 2016
22. A Tribute To Carry Fisher – April, 2017
23. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Teaser – April, 2017
24. “Who Is James Mahoney?” – July, 2017
25. Why I Became A Filmmaker– February, 2019
26. Dear Me – March, 2019
27. We Lost Him… Seemed Like The Sweetest Guy In The World – May, 2019
28. Harrison Ford Bids Farewell To “Star Wars” Co-Star, Peter Mayhew – May, 2019
29. Amazing – October, 2019
30. “The Mandalorian” – October, 2019
31. “The Mandalorian” Episode IV – December, 2019
32. “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker” Full Press Conference – December, 2019

DarkJade Presents – My Sci-Fi Path

DarkJade Presents – My Sci-Fi Path

As I’ve said many times before, The Original “Star Wars”, and “The Empire Strikes Back” were the two Films that Inspired me to Pursue Film Making…

But I thought it was time I Truly Shared My Path Through the Sci-Fi Genre, which basically started in the 70’s for me when I was very young.

Space 1999 (1975-1977)

Now I don’t remember when I started watching “Space 1999”, it probably wasn’t as early as 1975… But sometime when I was very young, I did watch it… And it was Cool, Lol

Wow, that was kind of painful, Lol… The 70’s man, Lol

Star Wars (1977)

Then came the Original “Star Wars”, and that was it, I was ‘hooked’ on Sci-Fi.

I was Han Solo, My Brother was Luke, and My Favorite All Time Villain Became Darth Vader.

Star Trek (1966-1969)

And of course “Star Trek” Reruns were on T.V. frequently, which were just Awesome… Spock was, and is, my favorite Star Trek Character.

The Ultimate in Sci-Fi Melodrama, Lol… With a sprinkle of Shakespearean Undertones for Good Measure, Lol

Buck Rogers In The 25th Century (1979)

I hardly remember the Buck Rodgers Television Show, but I know My Brother and I used to Watch it, Lol

Wow… Wow… The 70’s… Wow, Lol

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

Somewhere in there the “Planet of the Apes” Movies were on T.V. on some of the Channels as well…

“TAKE YOUR STINKING PAWS OF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!” Lol

Battlestar Galactica (1978-1979)

We Loved this Show, Lol

Alien (1979)

Yes, are Mom actually took us to this Flick, Lol… Which is a Brilliant Film, but basically Scared the Hell out of My Brother and I, Lol

She regrets taking us, Ha

But in the end, I think we survived it ok, Lol

Uh, Yeah… It was pretty scary for a couple of young kids, Lol

Flash Gordon (1980)

We Loved This Flick, as Cheesy as it was, Lol… In fact I not only met Timothy Dalton years later, but My Current Cat is also Named “Baron”, after the Timothy Dalton Character, Lol Not to mention “Queen”, and more specifically “Freddy Mercury” was my Favorite All Time Singer…

Spaceships, Hawkmen, Queens Music… Yeah, this was my kind of Flick, Lol

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

And of course, One of My All Time Favorite Films, “The Empire Strikes Back”… Han was My Man, and this Film was definitely His Film.

In My Opinion, the Best Sci-Fi Film Ever… No “Star Wars”… No “The Empire Strikes Back”…  No “Star Wars”… And so it Goes, Lol

But I will Say The First Two Star Wars Films are one of My Main Motivations Behind My Focus of “Characters”, “Story”, and “Character & Story” Development. And the Importance of a Great Villain.

Blade Runner (1982)

“Blade Runner”… Also one of the Most Brilliant Sci-Fi Films Ever Done… Just a Masterpiece… And also very Influential on My Screenplay Writing, for Sure.

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I’ve watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”

One of the Best Sci-Fi Lines, and Scenes Ever… Wridley Scott is a Film Genius Basically… And of course the Writer Philip K. Dick, whose “Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?” Book it was based on.

TRON (1982)

“TRON”, a Film Way ahead of its time… My Brother and I Loved This Film.

At a Time when We Lived in Video Game Arcades, it was like Being in One of them…

And the List goes on and on… But those were the one’s that got My Bro and I Off the Ground so to speak, in regards to Sci-Fi.

Thanks For Listening/Watching/Reading

DarkJade-

Filmcraft (Volume 2) – The Empire Strikes Back

FILMCRAFT (VOLUME 2) – THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Let me start by saying this, it is a General Rule that Sequels aren’t as good as the First Film of a Series… That said, The Empire Strikes gave the Original Star Wars a run for its money.

In fact, whenever I am asked what my Favorite Film is, I generally reply “Star Wars, and The Empire Strikes Back…”… As I find it hard to choose one or the other… The Original Star Wars was Epic, and Industry, and Life Changing to/for me…

However, The Empire Strikes back was simply awesome.

The Empire Strikes Back;

Stage 1 – Epic Snow Based Battle Anyone? Lucas was smart by taking one step back and letting Irvin Kershner Direct this Film…

Not only Because he more than Nailed it, but because I do Believe George Lucas actually had a Heart Attack during the Filming of the First One, and frankly, nothing is worth dying for… Certainly not a Life/Industry Changing Space Epic… Okay, almost worth it.

None the less, I suspect it reduced the amount of self imposed stress that he puts on himself, as well as gave him an even further opportunity to oversee the overall scope of the thing. Well Played George, and Well Done Kershner (who passed away in 2010, may you find peace Kershner, and us Earthlings Thank you)…

Hoth; Back to Hoth… Starting the Film with a little Pod that locates the Rebel Base, just Kicks A$$!! And beyond Luke getten thrashed about by a Snow Monster, lead to one of the Coolest Sci-Fi Battles in Film… Hands down.

Stage 2 – Han and Leia separate from Luke… More Opportunities for Leia and Han to Fall in Love… As he Struts His stuff via Direct Decent into an Asteroid Field…

Never Tell Me The Odds (Which has been my Motto pretty much my whole life)

Well Played Han, way to impress the girl… And if that’s not enough, latch yourself to pieces of Galactic Garbage in order to give the Empire and Darth the Slip… Never hurts, and sometimes it even gets you a Kiss from the Princess…

Once again… Well Played.

Which leads us to…

Stage 3 – Enter The Bounty Hunter. Boba Fett

Pretty much considered to be one of the Coolest Characters in all of the Six Star Wars Films… And with good reason… He Kicks A$$!! lol

Stage 4 –

Yoda

Enter Yoda… The Teacher of the Force… The Master Jedi, who will show Luke the rest of the way to being a Jedi Knight

Unless of course, Luke’s Friends get in Trouble, in which case, Luke will skip Class, and Be the Hero… Again

Stage 5 – The Trap

What better way to Lure a Partially Trained Jedi into a Face to Face Light Saber Battle with Darth Vader Himself, than to threaten the one’s he loves… Well Played Darth

Stage 6 – Carbon Freeze Han (Oh and be sure to set the timer to Defrost in time for the Third Film) – Brilliant

Oh and, toss in an opportunity for Princess Leia to tell Han she loves him… It certainly didn’t hurt the scene… In fact… It made the scene

“I Love You…” “I know…”

Stage 7 – Good Vs. Evil… The Confrontation

But You Are Not A Jedi… Yet

Impressive… Most Impressive… Which Leads to…

Stage 8 – “I am Your Father!!”

Brilliant… Lucas was so smart on this, he didn’t even tell the Actors that Darth was Luke’s Father until right before they started to Film the Scene… The Epitome of Epic

“Your Training is Complete Lucas… Now you, are the Master”.

Stage 9 – The Great Escape, andddddddddd… TO BE CONTINUED IN THREE YEARSSSSS!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I saw this Film in 1980 as a kid, you could not have had a happier Crowd in a Movie… Ever… Until the End… 3 Years!!! Until it Continues… Oh well… It Paid off for Lucas

And though I didn’t care for “Return of the Jedi” all that much, I did very much like all the Luke/Emperor/Darth Vader Scenes at the end.

Thanks for Listening/Reading

DarkJade-

Star Wars (DarkJade’s First Look)

Star Wars – In Review

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