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.

Carrie Fisher: Warrior. Princess. General. Fighter. Rebel.

Every day, 2016 gives us another reason to despise it. 2016 was a year where we lost so many of our icons. David Bowie, Prince, Alan Rickman, Gene Wilder, Kenny Baker, Muhammad Ali, Leonard Cohen, and George Michael. And today, as I am writing this, 2016 finally went as far as it could go. This time, it took our own Princess. 

Carrie Fisher passed away at age 60. This celebrity death is especially crushing not just to her friends and family, but to millions of fans young and old around the world.

 

Carrie Fisher was born in 1956 to Hollywood royalty. Her parents were Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. She enrolled in London's Central School of Speech and Drama in 1973.

Her first starring role was in Shampoo in 1975.

 

But it was 1977's Star Wars where Carrie Fisher had her true big break into movie stardom.

 

Carrie Fisher played Leia Organa, Princess of Alderaan and leader of the Rebellion against the Empire. When she first appeared on screen, she was unlike any heroine before her. She was tough, feisty, and full of grit. Even though she had to be saved once, she was no damsel in distress. In fact, when Luke first rescues her, she's the one taking charge. She's the one who helps him, Han, and Chewie escape. Throughout the movies, she saves the boys more than they save her.

 

 

In the first movie, it seemed like she was going to end up with Luke Skywalker. And although they seemed cute together (at least before we found out they were siblings), it was with Han Solo who she had real chemistry with. At first they cannot stand each other. She keeps denying she has feelings for him. But Han's not one to quit easily. Throughout The Empire Strikes Back, Han is constantly putting the moves on Leia. It's when Han is being put to Carbon freeze where Leia truly admits her feelings to Han. It is one of the funniest, most heart-breaking love scenes in history. Carrie Fisher revealed she had an affair with Harrison Ford during the first Star Wars. Honestly, I was not that shocked by it. They had such chemistry on screen, it really felt like they did love each other. 

 

Carrie Fisher may be famous for playing Leia. But she is so much more than that. She has appeared in so many great movies over the years. She was in When Harry Met Sally, a film I watch every New Year's Eve, as Meg Ryan's best friend. She has some of the funniest lines. She also appeared in Hannah and Her Sisters, Austin Powers, and Blues Brothers as John Belushi's psychotic ex-girlfriend.

 

She may have been a talented actress. But her screenwriting talents were even more impressive. In the 90s, Carrie Fisher served as a script doctor on scripts that needed improvement. Films like Hook, The Wedding Singer, Lethal Weapon 3, and much more were all improved using Carrie Fisher's touch.

 

She not only helped with other people's' scripts. She even wrote her own. 1990's Postcards From The Edge, based on her memoir of the same name, which was a semi-biography of Fisher's relationship to her mother. Meryl Streep played Suzanne Vale, Carrie Fisher's role, and Shirley McLaine played Doris Mann, Debbie Reynold's role.

Carrie Fisher may have had a successful career in film and in writing. But her life was anything but a Hollywood fantasy. Throughout her life, she struggled with drug addiction, alcohol, bipolar disorder, and depression. She wrote all about it in her biography, Wishful Drinking. Honestly, it's the funniest book I ever read. It was funny, witty, and shocking. It was the type of humor Carrie Fisher was known for. She took her pain, her hardships, her struggles, and made great jokes about it all. She was able to laugh at herself, and let us laugh along. She never took herself seriously, and that was what was so appealing about her.

 

Her latest book, The Princess Diarist, was just released. It is about the diary she wrote during the filming of Star Wars where she reveals she had an affair with Harrison Ford. I just got the book for Christmas. I plan to read it for the remainder of my break. If it's anything like Wishful Drinking, I may not be able to put it down.

 

She may have played a heroine on screen. But she was an even bigger heroine off screen. She dedicated many of her remaining years fighting for women's rights, speaking out against sexism and double standards in Hollywood, and raising awareness for mental health issues.

She was not ashamed of who she was. She was proud of it. She was proud of the way she looked, and proud of the person she was. And she inspired millions with mental illness to be the same.

Whether you knew her in person or only on screen, she left an impact on all of us. She definitely did for me.

I could write all day about the impact Star Wars has had on my childhood and life. When I first saw Princess Leia, I developed a crush on her. One of my first crushes. She had everything I looked for in a woman. She was tough, fearless, sassy, selfless, determined, and had a big heart. No matter how tough things got, she never gave up. She was also brutally honest. 

One of my happiest memories is when I went to Star Wars Celebration VI with my Mom in Orlando, Florida in 2012. We met Mark Hamill, Ben Burtt, Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), and Carrie Fisher. We attended her show on the last night there. I was one of the lucky fans who got to ask her a question. It's in the video below. Skip to 1:20.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6rrKH9RFD9s

Only Carrie Fisher could answer a question like that with such wit and such humor.

I met her the next day, and asked her to sign a picture of her in the infamous gold bikini. She signed 

"To Lowell,

From one of the sexiest weirdos of all time, to another one.

Carrie Fisher"

 

I still have that picture in my room to this day.

Three years later, I met her again at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in April 2015. I had no idea it would be my last time. But it was wonderful.

I waited in line to see her Donny sister could get her autograph. I told her I met her before, and had a crush on Leia. And I asked her to sign a copy of her book, Wishful Drinking. The guards asked us to keep moving. So she told me "Give me your hand!" So I her out my hand. She took a blue marker and a pink marker, and drew two lines on my ring finger. She told me "This is our wedding ring." It was one of the best days of my life. I plan on turning it into a real ring soon.

 

I will always cherish the times I met Carrie Fisher. I will alway remember how funny, sweet, and genuine she was. There was nothing fake about her. She was always honest, always straight-forward. She put others needs before hers. She cared deeply about her fans, and wanted to make them happy. And she did. She made all of us happy.

Carrie. Thank you. Thank you for everything. You inspired a generation to rise up and fight for what's right. You taught us all to never give up. You taught us all to be proud of who we are. You taught us to not be ashamed of our differences, but to embrace them. 

Most of all, you taught us the importance of hope. Hope that no matter how bleak things are, no matter how dark things seem, light will always prevail. As long as there are good people who continue to fight, evil will never permanently prevail. In a year where the world feels scary, we need your message of hope more than ever.

You may be a General. But to us, you are royalty. Rest In Peace, Carrie Fisher. And may the Force be with you. Always.

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh1t2MJDbrs

 

Rogue One: A Blockbuster Built On Hope

When Star Wars was first released in 1977, the world was a scary place. The economy was doing poorly. We had just gotten our troops out of Vietnam, one of the longest, bloodiest, and most controversial wars in U.S. History. Our President, Richard Nixon, was forced to resign from the Presidency after tapes revealed his involvement in covering up Watergate. Americans had lost faith in their heroes and leaders. The country was divided and the future was uncertain. Patriotism was dead. 

The movies at the time reflected that. Movies like The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, etc. included heroes who broke the rules, Dark and somber tones, and a bleak outlook on the world. The first Star Wars was the complete opposite of those films. Star Wars was a throwback to classic films and serials from the past such as Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, The Searchers, Thr Wizard of Oz, etc. Instead of a somber tone and a bleak outlook, Star Wars bright, flashy, and full of optimism. It was a story of good vs. evil. Right vs. wrong. Equality vs. oppression. It was a movie Studios had not faith in, and the public didn't know they needed. When it was released, Star Wars defied all the odds, surpassed expectations, and became a phenomenon. It connected with the public who grew tired of cynical heroes, and longed for escapism. Star Wars is an example of a movie that came out at the right time. Not when the world wanted it. But when it needed it.

Fast forward to the present. We have already had seven Star Wars films. And the first spin-off film, Rogue One, was just released. And just like 1977, the future seems uncertain to many people. We just got out of the ugliest election in history. Donald Trump, the most controversial, most divisive candidate in history, was just elected President. Aleppo is under siege from pro-government Syrian troops (Here is what you can do to help). Everyday, the future seems more uncertain.

We feel like we need Star Wars more than ever. And Rogue One delivers.

Rogue One is a direct prequel to the first Star Wars film. Now, the word "prequel" is infamous in the Star Wars fan community. Fans typically associate the word prequel with Jar Jar Binks, Midi-Chlorians, wooden acting, and Darth Vader shouting "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" But fans should relax. There are no Jar Jars or Midi-Chlorians in this prequel. Just TIE-fighters, AT-ATs, X-Wings, and characters we care about.

I won't give away too much of the plot. The less you know, the better it is. But the film is based on the opening crawl in A New Hope.  

 We all know that the Rebels steal the plans to the Death Star, find out its weakness, and destroy it. But what we don't know is HOW they do it. HOW do they steal the plans. Who were the rebel spies? And did they survive? These are questions we have had when watching the first Star Wars, and never had answered. Until now.

One of the biggest strengths of the Star Wars movies has always been with the characters. Even in the worst Star Wars movie, there's at least one memorable character. Rogue One has quite a few.

When I first saw her in the teaser, I just knew I would love Jyn Erso. Her spunky attitude, her determination, her devil-may-care attitude that made us all love Han Solo. I just knew she would leave an impression, and she did. Felicity Jones was the perfect actress to play her. I felt really engaged in her arc, and rooted for her to succeed in her mission. Star Wars has always been famous for having strong female characters. And lately, it has been on a role with strong female protagonists. It is so exciting to live in a time where little girls everywhere are having more heroes to look up to.

K-2SO steals every scene he is in. He provides the comic relief. Thankfully, he's closer to C-3PO and R2-D2 than Jar Jar Binks. He's a droid designed by the Empire, but is programmed by Andor to work for him. He's sarcastic, straight-forward, and good in a fight. He's another lovable Droid worthy of sitting alongside R2-D2.

My favorite character was actually Chirrut Îmwe played by Donnie Yen. He's a Jedi-like character with strong reflexes and impressive fighting skills. He is blind, but relies on his senses to defend himself. He is not Force sensitive, but has strong faith in it. "I am one with the Force, and he Force is with me." is a prayer he makes whenever he goes into battle. This movie takes place in a time where the Jedi are all but extinct. Chirrut Îmwe brings a lot of the religious and philosophical elements that make Star Wars so unique among science fiction franchises.

Captain Andor, played by Diego Luna, is like the opposite of Han Solo. He's a rogue, but feels more tormented by his past. He fights for the Rebels, but feels conflicted about his morals. 

Saw Gerrera, played by Forrest Whittaker, is a character from The Clone Wars. He definitely feels haunted by the scars left on him from that war. He is not the same cocky, adventurous warrior he was in The Clone Wars. He feels more broken, more cynical. Like how Andor is the anti-Han Solo, Saw is he anti-Obi-Wan. He's not a messenger of hope. He's a messenger of fear. 

Dr. Orson Krennic, the Director of Advanced Weapons Research for the Inprerial Military, is an effective villain. He's cunning and controlling, and full of aspirations. He believed in the power of the Death Star before anyone else. He longs to be respected in the Empire, and to be in command.

The most anticipated aspect of Rogue One is the return of Darth Vader. Vader has always been my favorite character in Star Wars. He is arguably the mkst iconic villain in movie history. And his appearance does not disappoint! I will not give ANYTHING away. But when he shows up, he instantly reminds us why he has the title, "Dark Lord of the Sith".
 

The film is very morally grey. It does not portray the Rebels as purely good guys. It portrays them as conflicted. They feel uncertain if they are doing the right thing, and if they could even succeed.

You really feel the tyranny of the Empire. The film has an incredibly bleak tone. It matches The Empire Strikes Back in terms of its atmosphere and dark tone. You may have been hearing that this film is not for kids. And you are correct. Not that it's R-rated or anything. But it is darker than usual for a Star Wars film. I would recommended this for older children. Like ages 10 and up. Anyone younger may be a bit traumatized.

The music is done by Michael Giacchino, making it the first (live action) Star Wars film to not have its score done by John Williams. Stepping in for John Williams is almost like stepping in for Magic Johnson. Michael Giacchino had to do just that, and in a matter of three days! And Michael Giacchino manages to rise tonthe occasion. While the music never reaches the greatness of John Williams (not that anyone expected it to), it still does well in providing the tone of the movie, and puts the audience on the edge of its seat. Michael Giacchnio is my 2nd favorite composer behind John Williams. I always wanted to hear him compose the score for a Star Wars movie. And I hope he does more Star Wars spin-off films in the future.

 

The action in this movie is INSTENSE. It felt so gritty and realistic. It feels like you're watching the Original Trilogy on the big screen again. If you can, see it in the biggest screen possible.

The film is full of so many surprises that will make any Star Wars fan squeal with delight. 

Overall, I had high hopes for Rogue One and it delivered. It was dark, gritty, action-packed, and loads of fun.

If you have time, please read Rogue One: Catalyst. It will make the first act of the film a lot easier to understand. I am only halfway done with the book as I am writing this. But I plan to finish reading it before I see the film again. 

Not only do I want to see this film again and again. I now want to watch the Orignal Trilogy as well. I have a feeling Rogue One will only enhance the Original Trilogy.

It's the kind of Star Wars movie I never knew I wanted. And it's the film I needed right now. One we all needed right now. Star Wars, at its core, has always been about hope. Hope that no matter how dark things seem, light will always prevail. No matter how much evil there is in the world (galaxy), good will always fight back. In a time where the world is feeling more bleak, and the future more uncertain, we need Star Wars more than ever. 

May the Force be with you! Always!