“Unlearn What You Have Learned” - Why The Last Jedi Is Brilliant

"Let The Past Die" - Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review (Contains Minor Spoilers)

It feels like yesterday that The Force Awakens came out. When we all saw Rey (Daisy Ridley) walk up that mountain to come face to face with the legendary Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and held out his Lightsaber to him. As the credits appeared, we were all left wanting more. We were left with so many unanswered questions. Why did Luke run away from the Resistance? Who are Rey's parents? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis)? Will Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) ever be redeemed? It was a long two years of endless speculation and theorizing from fans.

The Last Jedi has finally been released. And all those questions get answered.... With more questions raised.

As I am writing this, The Last Jedi has already been out for two days. It has made over $220 Million domestically on its opening weekend, alone. So chances are you may have seen it. If not, then I suggest you tread lightly when reading this. I will do my best to not reveal any major spoilers. I will however give some minor spoilers, and even discuss the overarching theme of this film. So if you want to go in the movie completely clean, I suggest you stop reading this altogether. If you don't mind a few minor spoilers, then proceed. But be warned.

The reaction to The Last Jedi from critics and audiences has been.... Interesting. To say the least. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a Certified Fresh rating of 93% from critics, making it one of the highest acclaimed films in the franchise. The audience rating, however, is at an underwhelming 56%. Where the response to The Force Awakens seemed to be overwhelmingly positive (with a little backlash here and there), the response to The Last Jedi seems more mixed. Fans seem to either love it or hate it.

I will admit, when I first saw it , I had mixed emotions. I felt satisfaction, confusion, and a bit underwhelmed. But in the past couple of days, after letting it marinate, I can say with certainty that The Last Jedi is the boldest, most daring, most thought-provoking, most emotional Star Wars film I have ever seen! The film takes you on a roller coaster. It grabs you from the moment it starts, and  never lets go!

Where The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, felt like a love letter to the Star Wars Saga recalling what we all loved about the Original Trilogy, The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, feels more like a criticism of it. It challenges us to rethink our viewpoint of the Saga and the Force. Just like Yoda (Frank Oz) told Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, The Last Jedi tells us to "unlearn what we have learned".

When we first met Rey in The Force Awakens, we all wanted to know more about her. She was such an interesting protagonist. She lived in the middle of nowhere as a scavenger, and possessed all these impressive skills. She longed for her family to come back to her on her home planet, Jakku, the desert planet. She was then swept in the middle of this epic struggle between good and evil, the Dark Side and the Light. A lot of what made Rey so interesting was Daisy Ridley's performance. She made Rey so relatable and identifiable, and also gave her a lot of layers. Daisy is even better as Rey in The Last Jedi. At the end of The Force Awakens and at the begging of The Last Jedi, Rey is sent by General Leia (Carrie Fisher) to fine Luke Skywalker to being him back to the Resistance to help them in their fight with the First Order. But Rey's reason to find Luke is to learn more about her place in the Universe, learn about her past, and what her destiny is. I will not give away too much. I will just quote Luke Skywalker here. "This is not going to go the way you think!"

Just like Rey, we also see a lot of development in Kylo Ren. When he killed Han Solo, many fans thought it was impossible to sympathize with him. I mean, he KILLED HAN SOLO! How can you possibly redeem yourself from that? Yet in the movie, Johnson's writing and Drivers' performance manage to do just that. They help us to sympathize with Kylo Ren, and in a way, root for him. He feels uncertain about his place in the galaxy, just like Rey, and feels conflicted between the Dark Side and the Light. He wants Rey to join him, just like Vader wanted Luke to join him. We learn more about Kylo Ren's past, and we see it from his perspective. And we see it from both Kylo Ren's perspective, and Luke's perspective. Literally. And that's all I will say about Kylo Ren. If you want to know more, go see the movie for yourself!

Since his debut in The Force Awakens, Supreme Leader Snoke has been a source of intrigue and debate among Star Wars fans. We know little to nothing about Snoke other than he’s bald, the Supreme Leader of the First Order, and Kylo Ren’s Master. And according to the Force Awakens novelization, Snoke has witnessed the fall of the Old Republic and the rise of the Empire, which means he was around during the Prequel trilogy and the Original Trilogy. Many fans have wondered, is he a new character we haven’t seen before? Or is he someone we have seen before, but deformed? Or is he someone we heard referenced (see the Tragedy of Darth Plageuis the Wise). I won’t give too much away, but I will say that Andy Serkis gives a chilling performance as Snoke. He makes him so threatening and ominous. While Snoke may not be as iconic as Darth Vader or the Emperor, he is still a worthy villain. And depending on what your theory of him was, you will either be surprised, shocked, or underwhelmed. Either way, you will not expect what happens. 

When we saw The Force Awakens, we were all so excited to see what Luke Skywalker was up to.... And we were so shocked to see he only appeared for a couple seconds with no lines! Well, I can tell you with absolute certainty that Luke Skywalker has way more lines in The Last Jedi. And man does Mark Hamill deliver! Luke Skywalker is not the same character he was at the end of Return of the Jedi. He's not the triumphant hero we all know and love. He is much older, more cynical, and more world weary (or, galaxy weary?). Rey grew up hearing stories about Luke, and even idolized him. She is crushed to find he refuses to train her. Where Yoda was reluctant to train Luke out of fear that Luke was not ready, Luke is reluctant to train Rey because he feels that the Jedi Order must come to an end. He is still a believer in the Force, but rejects the "Light vs Dark" philosophy from the Jedi of old. He feels guilty over the Jedi Order being wiped out, and the First Order taking over the galaxy. He lives alone on an island, believing he deserves to die. This is a magnificent performance by Mark Hamill. He brings so much depth and emotion to the role that made him a star. If Mark Hamill does not get an Oscar nomination for The Last Jedi, it will be extremely disappointing. He more than deserves the acclaim and awards for his raw, impeccable performance!

It's almost been a year since we lost Carrie Fisher. She is still missed, remembered, and loved by fans all around the world. This is the last time we will ever see her as Leia Organa on the big screen. It was always gonna be a big deal. But Fisher goes out with a bang! After losing Han Solo, the love of her life, Leia is more focused on her duties as the General of the Resistance, which is already dwindling. Leia is strong-willed, wise, decisive, and determined. She cares deeply about the lives of her soldiers, and tries to prevent as many casualties as possible. Whenever they win a battle, where everyone around her is cheering, Leia is focused on the lives lost in the battle, and feels sadness. She also longs for her family to be reunited. She wants her brother, Luke, to return form exile to help the Resistance. And she wants her son, Ben Solo, to return from the Dark Side to the Light. Just like Hamill, Fisher deserves an Oscar nomination. Leia is one of the most beloved characters of all time, and seeing Fisher play her one more time is altogether bitter-sweet, heartbreaking, and emotionally satisfying. We also get to see Leia do something with the Force that has never been done in a Star Wars movie!

We see the return of many classic characters, as well as new characters, the standout being Rose played by Kelly Marie Tran. Since her appearance on the Red Carpet premiere for The Last Jedi, Kelly Marie Tran won our hearts. She is so lovable and charming as Rose. She is sort of like a fan-girl around Finn, and is disappointed to fin that he is human. She makes him feel guilty, and makes him feel motivated to care more about the cause. 

Another standout is Laura Dern as Admiral Holdo. She and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) have many clashes over their strategies and philosophies. Where Poe believes in "fight or die", Holdo is more strategic and careful. Where Poe is eager to take down the First Order, Holdo is more patient. She is willing to wait until the right moment to strike.

I just love the diversity of the cast in these new Star Wars movies! I love how for three films in a row, we have had a strong female protagonist take center stage, as well as strong POC characters. So many young fans of different ethnicities, races, and genders are seeing themselves represented on the big screen. Diversity helps make a movie feel more real and reflective of our world. It is so exciting to see the Star Wars Saga be more reflective and representative of our diverse society. 

In a time where the country feels divided, and our political discourse feels more toxic, The Last Jedi feels so topical. When the characters talk about never giving up hope and the importance of resisting the First Order, it cannot help but feel like they are speaking to us, as we have our own Resistance against an evil Empire in our own country. 

Let's talk about the Porgs for a minute. The best way to describe them is that they are the Ewoks of this generation. Fans will either love them or hate them. They will either see them as adorable, or annoying. They will either want them as pets, or for dinner. If you don't mind the Ewoks, you won't mind the Porgs. Personally, I love the Ewoks, and I love the Porgs! It seems like some fans have a problem with cute creatures in Star Wars because to them, Star Wars should be serious all the time. I disagree. I think Star Wars needs to have some cute moments to balance the serious moments. They are made for families after all. Plus, R2-D2 is cute, and nobody seems to mind!

I want to talk about the characters more, but I don't want to give too much away. And I know that it's already been out for two days. But I feel like there are millions who still have not seen it yet, and I don't want to ruin the experience for them. 

But you may have noticed a pattern with Rey and Rose. Both of them are excited to meet their heroes, and are disappointed to find that they are not what they thought they were. That seems to be a huge theme in the movie. The disillusion of your heroes and your beliefs. Realizing that not everything is as it seems. This film takes everything we know about this Saga and this Universe, and turns it upside down. It makes us question everything we thought we knew about Star Wars. And perhaps that is why The Last Jedi is so divisive.

You may have noticed a trend with these Star Wars films under Disney. With The Force Awakens, a vocal minority of fans complained it was too familiar. That it didn't really take any risks or try anything new. But for the story, it made sense. It was to reintroduce us to this world and these characters. With The Last Jedi, some fans are complaining that it is too different, that it takes way too many risks. Why is it so hard to please Star Wars fans? 

Perhaps because to fans, Star Wars is more than a series of movies. It's a religion. It's a way of life. If you first watched Star Wars, any of the movies, as a kid, it connected with you. It left an impact on you like no other movie before or since. Many fans of Star Wars were kids when the Original Trilogy came out. And perhaps since then, it has been hard for them to fully accept any Star Wars movie since Return of the Jedi. Even George Lucas suffered backlash from the fans with the Prequels. And he CREATED Star Wars!

Perhaps, in reality, there will never be another Star Wars movie that is universally acclaimed by fans. It seems like every Star Wars movie from here on out will be divisive. Every movie from here on out will have its fans, as well as its critics. And it's because we care. 

We care about the universe. We care about the characters. We care so much that no movie will ever live up to our expectation or satisfy us fully. Star Wars connects with all of us at a deep level, but in different ways.

The last scene, without spoiling it, seems to illustrate that. It will be interesting to see how J.J. Abrams ends this trilogy with Episode IX. The ending seems to hint at endless possibilities for these characters. And no matter how you feel about The Last Jedi: love it or hate it, like it or meh, there is no denying you will be anxious for what comes next. 

Like the Force itself, Star Wars will never leave us. It will continue to surround us, penetrate us, and bind our galaxy together for generations to come.

May the Force be with you. Always.

Dare To Dream: The Disaster Artist Review

There are good movies. There are bad movies. And then there's The Room. A movie so unbelievably bad, that it is practically a masterpiece. It's a movie that gets everything wrong: Directing, acting, dialogue, writing, lighting, costumes, etc. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. And yet it is so endlessly fascinating and entertaining to watch.

If you spend your free time watching movie review shows like Nostalgia Critic or Honest Trailers, there's a good chance you've heard of this gem. Written by, directed by, produced by, and starring Tommy Wiseau, The Room is a romantic drama in the style of Tennessee Williams. It tells the story of a man whose girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. And there's football involved. For some reason...

It's one of those movies you can't really describe. You just have to watch it for yourself.

So much has been said about The Room. There's even been a book about the making of it written by Greg Sestero, one of the actors in the film. The book was recently adapted in a movie directed by and starring James Franco as the mysterious Tommy Wiseau.

The Disaster Artist tells the story of a young acting school student named Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) who dreams of becoming an actor in movies. One day in his acting class, he meets an eccentric classmate named Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) who has the same dream as him. They both move to Los Angeles together to get agents. But after they are turned down numerous times, they decide to make and star in their own movie together. And that is how The Room came to be. Tommy Wiseau writes the entire screenplay himself, and asks his friend Greg to co-star in it with him. Greg agrees, and they both assemble a cast and crew to make Wiseau's strange vision to life. Will they succeed?

Because this is based on a true story, we all know the answer. They do not succeed. They fail... Spectacularly.

James Franco is perfectly cast as the mysterious and eccentric Tommy Wiseau. He manages to do a pitch perfect impression of him from the voice to the mannerisms. But rather than just do an impression of him, Franco manages to bring a lot of heart and depth to the role. He plays Wiseau as a passionate, courageous artist with an ambition to follow his dream, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. Franco definitely deserves an Oscar nomination for this role.

Dave Franco is also really likable as Greg Serestro, who plays Mark in The Room. He is such a loyal friend to Tommy Wiseau, even when it is difficult for him. He tries to help his friend get his movie made no matter how challenging it is. It's such a special, genuine friendship they have, and you really feel for them. And the fact that it's about a real-life friendship makes it even more heart warming.

The entire cast is great. Seth Rogen is hilarious as Sandy Schklair, the script supervisor of The Room. There are also a ton of cameos in this film, including interviews with celebrity fans at the beginning, that I will not spoil.

What I love the most about The Disaster Artist is its message. The film teaches the importance of following your dreams, no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Tommy Wiseau had a dream of becoming a writer, director, and actor in Hollywood. Because he couldn't work in Hollywood, he decided to make his own movie. And even though it didn't turn out the way he wanted it to, it brought joy to so many people. And it still does. Even to this day, midnight screenings for it at the Rocky Horror Picture Show theater sell out. Not a lot of filmmakers can brag about making movies that are still that popular, even after a decade. In fact, not many people can brag about getting a movie made, period. Hollywood is such a tough, cut-throat business full of rejection. There are so few people that are willing to take such a huge risk to put themselves out there like that. Not  a lot of people are willing to put up with it, and yet Tommy Wiseau did. He set out to make a movie, and he did it! And he's proud he did. Even to this day.

In a time where the News is full of cynicism, we need people like Tommy Wiseau, and the message of The Disaster Artist, more than ever. The message that it does not matter what the world thinks of you. It doesn't matter how many people laugh at you or insult you. The important thing is to find what makes you happy, and go for it. There are not a lot of people brave enough to put themselves out there like that. Tommy Wiseau is.

What a story Mark! What a story indeed!

La familia es lo primero - My review of Disney/Pixar's Coco

If there is one thing Pixar is famous for, besides making the first ever computer-animated film, making consistently amazing films, and changing the animation industry forever, it's giving audiences the opportunity to look at the world through a different perspective. The Toy Story trilogy showed us the world through the eyes of toys. A Bug's Life showed us the world through the eyes of bugs. Finding Nemo & Finding Dory showed us the world through the eyes of fish. Wall-E showed us the universe through the eyes of robots. Inside Out showed us the world through the eyes of our own emotions.

Disney/Pixar's Coco shows audiences two different perspectives. It shows us the virtues and values of Mexican culture, as well as the perspective of those who have passed on to the next life.

Everyone has been gushing about Pixar's latest masterpiece. It's gotten amazing reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and is doing really well at the box office, even beating Justice League! I really don't know what I can add to it other than go see it! But ever since I have seen it, it's been hard for me to stop thinking about it. Coco is one of those films that really sticks with you. Also, I feel like this is not just a great film. It's an important one. It's a film that accurately portrays Mexican culture, and the traditions of Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead). If this film does well, it would encourage Hollywood to greenlight more films that accurately portray the virtues and traditions of other countries and cultures.

Coco tells the story of Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), who lives in Mexico and is part of a family of shoe makers. Miguel has big dreams of becoming a famous musician like his hero Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family's own contradicting feelings. One day, when Miguel breaks into Ernesto's place of burial to steal (I mean "borrow") his guitar, he ends up in the Land of the Dead where he meets his deceased relatives.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away for two reasons. One, you have seen the trailers, you get the idea of what the film is about. Two, there are also some twists that you will not expect that make the film so much more impactful! But I will say this. If the film was made by lesser filmmakers, it would just be about a boy trying to deal with a family member dying. But Coco takes a different angle. Coco is about a boy learning the importance of family. That no matter what your dreams are, you should never forget about your family.

The story reminded me a lot of The Wizard of Oz. In that the main character lives a simple life with their family, but longs for something grander. And with unexpected circumstances, the main character ends up in a fantastical world that is more colorful and vibrant than their own. And they make a journey through this world to meet a powerful and famous figure. And they meet so many colorful and unforgettable characters along the way. And in the end (SPOILER ALERT), they realize the importance of family. Not to mention, they have a dog that joins them along the way.

As Shakespeare once said, nothing is new under the sun. Every single story has been told before at some point. But it is what you add to it that makes it special. And Coco, despite these similarities, is a special film.

The voice acting is stellar ! I love how Pixar made sure that the entire cast is Hispanic, since this film is about Mexican culture.

Anthony Gonzolez is very likable as Miguel Rivera, the main character. He has a good heart, but he's also rebellious. He makes mistakes, but the audience still roots for him. He acts like a normal kid. Miguel could have easily come off as annoying or unlikable, but Gonzolez's acting and the way he is written help make him sympathetic.

My favorite character is Hector, voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal. Hector is a charming trickster, similar to Flynn Rider in Tangled. Like Miguel, Hector is trying to return to the Land of the Living, but for a very different reason. I will not give too much away, as it would be a huge spoiler. But I will say this. When you first meet Hector, you like him because he's so funny and charming. But as the film goes on, you fall in love with him!

The animation is absolutely gorgeous! Pixar continuously raises the bar with the animation in their films. Just when you think they can never top themselves, tyhey always find ways to. And Coco is no exception. The way they design the Land of the Dead is so beautiful, and so detailed. I could actually see this being a theme park at Epcot in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida someday!

And because music plays an important role in the story, there are a lot of songs. And they are all memorable, and all wonderful. Remember Me is a sure lock for Best Original Song at the Oscars.

I cannot think of anything else to add. Coco is just a pure delight from beginning to end! I can barely think of anything wrong with it. It has beautiful animation, lovable characters, an engaging story, and an important message about family.

I guess if there is one flaw about the movie, it's not with the movie itself. But rather what happens BEFORE the movie. That's right. I'm gonna talk about the frozen elephant in the room... Olaf's Frozen Adventure.

Before every Pixar movie, we usually get a seven minute animated short like last year's delightful Piper before Finding Dory. It always made the experience so much more enjoyable. This time however, instead of a seven minute short, Disney decided to tie in an entire twenty minute Christmas special which was also a semi-sequel to their biggest hit, Frozen.

I'm sure by now, most of us are sick of Frozen. What started as a really good, really entertaining Disney musical became a huge phenomenon and money-making machine. And to keep the Frozen  hype going before Frozen 2, Disney decided to release Olaf's Frozen Adventure in theaters. The twenty minute special has already received major backlash from audiences, especially in Mexico. Apparently, the special was so hated in Mexico, that their theaters pulled the special altogether, and only play Coco.

While I personally had no problems with the special itself, I can see where others are coming from. I thought it was a cute, harmless Christmas special that really puts you in the Holiday Spirit. I personally think they should have just released it on ABC rather than before Coco. Audiences barely have time, or the money, to go to the movies. They paid to see Coco, not Frozen 2. If it was a seven minute short, it would not have been as big of a deal. But twenty minutes? That's overkill.

Despite the opening act being way too long, Coco is still a pure delight from beginning to end! This is one of those movies you have to see right now! Seriously, what are you doing on your phone? Go see Coco! I don't care if you already saw it! GO SEE IT AGAIN! Right now!

Farewell, Old Chum. A Tribute To Adam West

It feels odd mourning the loss of someone you never knew personally. When someone we watch on TV or on the big screen leaves a lasting impression on us at a young age, we develop this connection to them. We look at them as though they are our teacher, our parent, or our friend; maybe all of the above. TV and Film actor Adam West passed away from Leukemia on June 10, 2017, at 88 years old. And yet for many of us, it feels like we lost a father, and a friend.

Since his passing, so many celebrities such as Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, Mark Hamill, Seth Macfarlane, Kevin Smith, and so much more have written their tributes and expressed what Adam West meant to them. I honestly don't know how I can do an icon like him justice. But it's worth a try.

Adam West was born on September 19, 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington to a farmer, Otto West Anderson, and an opera singer, Audrey V. He attended Lakeside School, and then went to Whitman College where he got a degree in Literature and Psychology. He came to Hollywood in 1959, and developed the stage name "Adam West".

In 1966, he agreed to star in a television series based on a comic book about a billionaire playboy who dressed up as a bat and fights crime. Little did West know that this show would change his life, as well as pop culture, forever.

Batman, which ran from 1966 to 1969, was the television debut of the Batman character created by Bob Kane. It was one of the more light-hearted interpretations of the caped crusader. And that's an understatement. It was more of a flat-out spoof than an interpretation. This show was the definition of campy. It was filled with cheap looking sets and costumes, hammy acting, fake looking fight scenes, and of course, cheesy catch phrases.

For years, Batman fans hated this show because they felt that it ruined the image of Batman for decades. But it's been more appreciated in recent years. And it deserves to be. I think the 1960s Batman show is one of the best comedies in television history. It's a show that understands how ridiculous the concept of Batman is, and has fun with it. It's not afraid to be goofy. Something that superhero movies tried to stay away from for years until recently.

Adam West is the perfect Batman for this type of interpretation. He plays the part so deadpan, and yet has a subtle self awareness at the ridiculousness of it all. He stands up for what is right and never gives up until the job is done. He's like an Eagle Scout Sherlock Holmes with a thing for dressing in rubber.

Fans like to debate who the best Batman is. Some say Michael Keaton, others say Christian Bale. Most would say Kevin Conroy. Even Ben Affleck has his fans. But Adam West is the one who started it all. Sure, he wasn't the first actor to ever play Batman (that was Lewis Wilson). But Adam West is the actor who introduced Batman into the mainstream. For many of us, AdamWest is the first person who comes to mind when we  think of Batman.

Plus, can any of the other Batman actors do the Batusi?

Top that,  Ben Affleck!

Of course, Batman can't do it alone. Not without his sidekick Robin, played by Burt Ward!

Robin is the opposite of Batman, as is Burt Ward's performance. Where Batman is serious and deadpan, Robin is more over-the-top and wacky. He delivers some of the funniest, most over-the-top lines of dialogue in any TV show. And for a show that premiered in the 1960s, that is saying a lot!

The show featured many of Batman's most famous villains including the Joker (played by Caesar Romero, who famously refused to shave his mustache for the role), the Riddler (Frank Garshin and John Astin), the Penguin (Burgess Meredith), and Catwoman (Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt).

If you first watched this show as a kid, you probably took it seriously and got mad at your parents for laughing at it. But when you became an adult, you understood why they were laughing at it. It's a really silly show. And it's aware of that. And it's not ashamed of it. In fact, it embraces its silliness, which is part of its appeal. You can see a lot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies taking notes with how they also don't take themselves too seriously.

The show was so popular, it had a feature film in theaters, Batman: The Movie. It had all of Batman's most famous villains with a diabolical plot to turn all the world leaders into dust. And it involved one of the coolest scenes in Batman history!

The show was cancelled in 1969 after three seasons. There were a number of reunions, including Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt in 2003, and a straight-to-dvd animated  feature Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders in 2016.

For a while, Adam West was mainly absent from the spotlight with the exception of a TV pilot, Lookwell, in 1991. But in the 90s and 2000s, he was able revive his career as well as connect with a new generation with voice over roles in animation, including a guest appearance as the Grey Ghost in Batman: The Animated Series, an episode which was a love letter to the 1960s TV show.

In the early 2000s, he made a guest appearance as himself in The Fairly Oddparents as himself playing another caped superhero, Catman; one of Timmy Turner's favorite superheroes.

Cat-Man is basically Batman, but he dresses as a cat instead of a bat. He fights crime, drinks cream, and does what every cat does... just as a man.

This was my introduction to Adam West. He was so cartoony and so over the top, I thought he was an original character. I didn't think he was a real actor. He was just so over-the-top and goofy! He was easily one of my favorite characters on the show, solely because of how ridiculous he was. This performance was an example of what a good sport Adam West was, and how he was not afraid to make fun of himself. He had a great sense of humor.

But The Fairly Oddparents was not the only show Adam West played an exaggerated version of himself on. He also played himself on Family Guy, only this time he was the psychotic mayor of Quahog. He is easily one of the funniest characters on the show. He's kind of a parody of dumb, corrupt politicians. He says lines that are so stupid and so bizarre, you can't help but laugh. A lot of that is due to Adam West's brilliant performance. He had a talent of making every line he says sound funny. I've always enjoyed his appearances on Family Guy. The show will have a huge hole without him.

I had a chance to see Adam West in person at Comic Con in 2014 at a panel for the 60s Batman show to celebrate its first release on DVD and Blu-ray. He was there along with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. They shared so many funny stories about working on this crazy show that made its way into the pop culture lexicon. I was so close to asking them a question. But was sadly cut off at the last minute. It's one of the biggest regrets I have at a convention. But it was till worth it to see West, Ward, and Newmar in person! You can watch the whole panel below. It's long, but worth it.

As I said before, it's odd mourning the loss of someone you never knew personally. I never met Adam West in person. But it sure feels like I did. For me, Adam West was more than just a great actor. He was like a role model. As Batman, he taught kids right from wrong, to stand up for others, and to never give up. And he did so with a great sense of humor about himself. He didn't take himself seriously. But he took what Batman meant to people seriously. He was aware of the impact this character had on so many people, and was proud to be a part of it. As a Batman fan, a superhero fan, and a fan of pop culture in general, I am forever grateful to Adam West for introducing Batman to the masses. But I am even more grateful for the years of entertainment and joy he brought to me and millions around the world.

Farewell, old chum.

Wonder Woman Is Wonderful - Movie Review (2017)

(Warning: Contains Minor Spoilers)

Go see it. Right now. What are you doing on your computer reading this? Are you doing homework? It's summer! I don't want to hear any excuses! Seriously, go to the nearest movie theater and SEE THIS MOVIE!!! And not just any movie theater. Go to a movie theater with a HUUUUUUUGE screen with the sweetest sound system in the UNIVERSE!!!

Based on its historic opening weekend box office, chances are you have probably seen the movie everybody's talking about right now: Wonder Woman. If you haven't seen it yet, it is either because you are busy, are not into superhero movies, or have hard time trusting anything with the DC logo. If it's that last part, I honestly can't say I blame you.

When it comes to movies, DC's track record has been divisive at best. While Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Suicide Squad were all financial successes, they left critics and audiences with a sour taste. Plus a movie starring BATMAN and SUPERMAN should have at least made $1 Billion (Dr. Evil pinky) just based on its premise. And yet it only made around $800 Million.

This year, DC is releasing two movies: Wonder Woman and Justice League. Each movie is already a huge gamble in an of itself. Especially Wonder Woman. And for more reasons than you think.

Wonder Woman is without a doubt one of the most iconic superheroes in history. Even if you never picked up a comic book in your life, chances are you know who Wonder Woman is. Created by psychologist and feminist William Moulton Marston, the Amazon Princess made her first appearance in All-Star Comics #8 in 1941 during WWII, a time when the world needed heroic figures. She along with Superman and Batman is one of the longest running comic book characters in history. And she along with Batman and Superman make up the DC Trinity.

She's appeared in countless comics, and a famous TV show in the 1970s starring Lynda Carter as the Amazon Princess. But whereas Batman and Superman have both had major movie franchises, Wonder Woman had not starred in her own feature film, let alone make an appearance, until recently. But why is that? How can Ant-Man have his own movie before Wonder Woman, one of the most iconic superheroes in comic book history?

Do you remember Catwoman? Remember Elektra? Supergirl The Movie? I'm sorry for bringing back painful memories. All of those movies were gigantic flops.

Basically, whenever a blockbuster with a female lead flops, Hollywood gets reluctant to make more movies with female leads. This is why Marvel has not made a Black Widow movie yet. And yet there are countless movies with male protagonists that flop everyday. I mean, since Baywatch flopped, are we done making movies starring men?

And if you think movies STARRING women is a risk for Hollywood, wait until you hear about women directors. It's sadly the same case. When a blockbuster with a woman flops, Hollywood gets the idea that they're too risky. It's not fair and it makes no sense, but it's sadly the thought Hollywood had for decades.

Thankfully, times are slowly changing. We've had two Star Wars movies in a row with female leads, and both were monumental successes at the box office. And not to mention animated films like Frozen and Moana, both starring female protagonists who save the day without a love interest, have been huge hits. And now, Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins, an independent film director who directed the critical darling Monster starring Charlize Theoron. I have not seen that film yet as I am typing, but after seeing this film, I really want to watch it! Warner Bros. could not have picked a better director for this project! Not only does the film have great action and beautiful set pieces. It is also really funny, really charming, and has a lot of heart. Some of m favorite parts are the scenes where Diana Prince and Steve Turner just talk to each other. They give the movie a chance to breathe, and allow you to care for the characters. It's rare for a comic book movie these days, especially a DC movie, to give the audience a chance to breathe.

Gal Gadot absolutely slays as Wonder Woman! She's tough, she's independent, she's funny, and full of heart. Gadot's performance reminded me of Christopher Reeve's as Superman/Clarke Kent. Both performances were really funny, maintained a strong presence, and had a lot of heart. You didn't just see Christopher Reeve as Superman. You SAW Superman! You don't just see Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. You SEE Wonder Woman! Making a larger-than-life comic book hero feel human is a feat that few actors can pull off. And Gadot more than succeeds. She was one of the highlights of Batman v Superman. And in her first film in a starring role, she does not disappoint! And I look forward to seeing more of Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in the future!

Chris Pine makes for a very compelling love interest and provides great comic relief. He has some of the funniest scenes in the movie. He always has pitch perfect timing in movies. He's great at reacting to extraordinary situations with witty remarks. He reminds me of Harrison Ford when it comes to charisma and humor.

One of the hardest things to do in a superhero movie is the romance. It needs to be believable and feel genuine, and also not ruin the flow of the film. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, Robert Downy Jr. and Gwyneth Palthrow, Chris Evans and Haley Atwell, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are a few examples I can think of that worked really well. And a lot of it was due to the chemistry of the actors. Chris Pine and Gal Gadot both have excellent chemistry. They really feel like a real couple, and not just two actors reading lines. You really root for them to end up together, which I don't say about many couples in superhero movies.

What I really admire about the movie is its themes of conflict and compassion. Early in the film, Wonder Woman believes that humans are good people and worth saving. She has an idealistic view of the world like everyone does when they're young, but has her views challenged when coming face-to-face with the evils of mankind. She begins feeling conflicted.

That's how society has been feeling as of late: Conflicted. In a time where truth is unrecognizable, where empathy is viewed as weakness, where the future seems uncertain, a movie like Wonder Woman not only feels like much needed escapism, but it also feels important. We need to think about themes of good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and love vs hate. These are themes that we need to discuss lately. Wonder Woman explores these themes in a mature and thoughtful. They don't feel hammered in. They feel necessary to the story.

Man of Steel tried to explore adult themes with a comic book character, but didn't work as well. Mainly because it focused more on the ideas of Superman than the character. Wonder Woman explores the ideas of the character, but also focuses on the character herself. If we don't care about the main character, why should we care about their struggles? Because we sympathize and identify with Diana Prince, we're willing to follow her on her journey and face these battles with her. She's a character who inspires us.

That's the word I feel best describes this film: Inspiring. When I left the theater, I felt inspired. Inspired to do good for the world. Inspired to stand up for what is right. Inspired to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. That is what a great superhero film is supposed to do. It should make you want to do good for the world.

"It's not what people deserve. It's what you believe." - Wonder Woman

After the movie, I saw little girls outside the theater, as well as women wearing Wonder Woman shirts. It makes me so happy for little girls and women everywhere to see a strong woman superhero on the big screen. Between this, The Force Awakens, Rogue One, Frozen, Moana, and Ghostbusters, it's really exciting that little girls have more role models on the big screen.

And in a time where the world is full of darkness and hatred, we need more strong women. We need love. We need compassion. We need strength. We need Wonder Woman.

"It's so much bigger." My favorite moments from Star Wars Celebration

It has been nearly a week since the twin suns sat on Star Wars Celebration Orlando, and I'm already anxious for the next one. Despite being t busiest, most crowded Star Wars Celebration to date, it still left me with memories to last a lifetime! From the creative cosplay, the awesome people, the new trailers, and the moving tributes to Carrie Fisher, it really was a weekend long remembered. I realize there may be some of you reading this (most of you) who did not get a chance to go. If you are a Star Wars fan, are easily jealous, and suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), I suggest you do not read any further. (Waves hand) "This is not the article your are looking for."

Without further ado, here are my favorite moments from Star Wars Celebration Orlando (2017)!

5. The Cosplay

The highlights of these conventions are always the cosplay. And this year did not disappoint! There were Darth Vaders, Han Solos, Chewbaccas, Reys, Kylo Rens, etc. And there were a lot of creative hybrids, including the Muppets! What always interests me about the cosplay is not what characters people dress up as, but that they designed their own costumes!

They spent hours gathering materials to make their costumes look like that came from a galaxy far, far away. I was so impressed by how realistic they looked.

And some of the costumes were just weird, but in a good way.  One person dressed up as an actual lightsaber hilt!  Even the droids had cool looking cosplay! There were R2 units dressed as a Minion, and even Batman! It was nice to see that even droids can have fun with cosplay.

And of course there was Leia. Lots and lots of Leia! Including my friend, Lisa, and my Mom!

Leia is one of the most iconic characters in film history. It's impossible to not find at least one cosplay of her at these conventions.  But this was not like most Star Wars conventions. This was the first Star Wars Celebration without Carrie Fisher, due to her tragic passing in December. It warmed my hear to see her legacy live on through little girls and women who dress up as her character, Leia. Seeing little girls dress up as her made it feel like she was still there.

The Force was strong with the cosplayers this year!

4. Rian Johnson

Star Wars Celebration always has surprises, and this was no different. One of the biggest surprises was when I waited in line for The Last Jedi panel. Rian Johnson, the director of The Last Jedi, Looper, as well as a few Breaking Bad episodes, came out to greet the fans waiting in line. He attempted to take pictures with everyone of them. He even signed their badges! Rian Johnson may be a big time director/producer. But he is also a huge Star Wars fan. He understands the passion we feel for this franchise. For him to take photos with the fans like that shows how humble and down-to-earth he really is! Star Wars Episode VIII is in good hands!

3. The new trailer!

Star Wars Celebration Orlando just would not be complete without new trailers. The trailers are what make it an event. There were a lot of new trailers for exciting new content; including Star Wars Forces of Destiny, Rebels Season 4, Battlefront II, etc. But the main event was, of course, The Last Jedi teaser.

The panel for The Last Jedi was nothing short of amazing. Josh Gad hosted, and made me wish he could host every convention panel from now on. He was that good! He was so funny, and managed to get things moving along. He was just as good as Warwick Davis. His hosting skills were most impressive!

 At the panel for The Last Jedi, we learned so much and yet learned so little. We got hints about what situation each character is in. And we may or may not have almost heard a spoiler from Mark Hamill that Rey is Luke's daughter. (Or a spoiler from the live-stream video she is a Kenobi).

The teaser for The Last Jedi lived up to all my expectations. It was so different from The Force Awakens in terms of tone. I have so many thoughts about the teaser, that I am planning a separate article on it. However, I will share my thoughts on the poster.

One of my friends, Lisa, told me an interesting theory she heard about the fashion choices made at The Last Jedi panel. She noticed that the cast all wore clothes with the same colors as the poster pictured above. Daisy Ridley was dressed in red, John Boyega was dressed in white, Kelly Marie Tran was dressed in blue, and Mark Hamill was dressed in black. Coincidence? Or is this a foreshadowing for what could happen to the characters in the movie? We will all find out in December!

2. 40th Anniversary Panel/Carrie Fisher tribute

Of all the panels I was lucky to attend, none of them filled my heart with more joy than the 40th Anniversary Panel. This was Star Wars Heaven! First we saw Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy. Then we saw the Maker himself, George Lucas! I had always dreamed of being in the same room as George Lucas, the man responsible for many of my childhood memories. I could barley contain myself. Then we saw Dave Filoni, the creator of Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars, come on stage. Followed by a minor Prequel reunion involving Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid. The Star Wars prequels have always been controversial among Star Wars fans. So to see Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid welcomed with a standing ovation was amazing. It shows how good time has been to those movies. 

We also saw the cast from the Original Trilogy. We saw Anthony Daniels, Warwick Davis, Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill, and of course Harrison Ford! George Lucas alone was too much for me to handle. But add Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill? I need to breathe!

The one cast-member whose presence was sorely missed was obviously Carrie Fisher. Her passing was tragic for Star Wars fans everywhere. Not only was she Princess (now General) Leia. She was also a script doctor, a novelist, an activist for women's rights and mental health awareness, a daughter, a mother, and a friend.

It's impossible for any tribute to do her justice. But they came pretty close with a funny, and moving tribute they posted online. When they played it at the panel, there was not a dry eye in the room!

And just when I thought the panel could not get anymore amazing, they do the ultimate mic-drop by having John Williams appear! If you do not know who John Williams is, I feel sorry for you. He is arguably the greatest conductor/composer in the world. Not only did he do the music for Star Wars. He also did the music for Jaws, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Superman, Harry Potter, etc. He is one of the few people in show-business who truly deserves the title "Genius". When he came out on stage, the audience gave him the loudest applause I had heard. And then he waved his hand, and everyone went silent. It was as if he did a Jedi Mind trick on all of us.

He then proceeded to play Princess Leia's theme, causing all of us to shed tears. He then played the Main Theme of Star Wars, and finished off with The Imperial March (Darth Vader's theme).

And this all happened on Day 1! After that, I was pretty much ready to go back to California. Because how can you top that? How can you top John Williams? Honestly?

1.) The awesome people there!

Pretty much everything about Star Wars Celebration was amazing! The panels, the cosplay, the trailers, etc. But what made it special was the people there. The fans. I made new friends, and I caught up with ones I already know.

My friend Lisa, who I met at Celebration Anaheim in 2015, had a Star Wars themed birthday banner out in line on the first day. People walked up asking "Whose birthday is it?" And she replied "It's Star Wars' birthday!" She also provided snacks, and offered to save my spot whenever I wanted to go back to the hotel room. She not only makes Star Wars Celebration easier, but she also makes it more fun!

I also met with the guys from Collider Jedi Council, including John Campea, Dennis Tzeng, Perri Nemiroff, Mark Ellis, Kristian Harloff, Ken Napzok, and Jeremy Jahns! They were even on the same flight as mine: United! (Relax. We had a safe flight). 

There is just something about the people at these conventions that make them feel special. It doesn't feel like an ordinary convention. It feels like a family. 

We look out for each other. We break bread together. We drink blue milk together. We share Snoke theories with each other. Mark Hamill put it best. We're more than just fans. We're family. 

When Carrie Fisher passed away, it did not feel like a celebrity we barely knew passed away. It felt like we lost a family member. At Celebration, we came together to grieve, to mourn, and to celebrate her. 

That may be why Star Wars has lasted for forty years, and will continue to endure for generations to come. Because it brings all of us together. It may be time for the Jedi to end, but our love for this Saga never will.

May the Force be with you. Always.