Star Wars: Episode VII

I've mostly moved on from giving the movie industry money.

Sometimes I watch a movie at the theater.

Cool story. Me too.

I like the experience of it. Of going. And then getting some late night food with a friend and talking about the movie. The new focused shared experience is nice.

Very indifferent about new day 1 dvds It will always be cheaper later. Other than some Disney shit, none of it is rare by design

I mean, you can buy dvds at gas stations with potato chips, toilet paper, newspapers, and triple a batteries. The glamor has faded.

I do miss the glamour of renting dodgy VHS tapes from the korean supermarket.

Had the chance to watch The Force Awakens for the first time (and then a second time) recently, I enjoyed it a great deal. Much has already been said already, but I'll add a few things:

The one major negative for me is Carrie Fisher. Whether it's the character she has to work with or her portrayal of the character, every second she's on the screen, she completely sinks the movie. Considering how likely her appearance will be in at least Episode VIII, hopefully it can somehow turn around.

Complete opposite end of the spectrum: Harrison Ford. He delivered as Han Solo and truly made this the Star Wars film that it is. And really this new trilogy overall, by building the foundation from which the new characters are developed.

Strong opening of the movie with Poe getting the map data, and then the stormtroopers attacking the village on Jakku. Helped re-establish some menace back into them, as well as the new menace in the First Order and Kylo Ren. Also setting the stage for Finn, in his first live action with the First Order, denouncing them upon witnessing their atrocities.

LOVED every second of the X-Wing starfighters. First thing I wanted to do after seeing the movie was to hook up the Gamecube and fire up the Rogue Squadron games. If Poe Dameron's a little one-note, he sings the hell out of that one-note. Great pilot with some great lines, really liked him as Black Leader heading up the squadrons.

Rey's immediate accomplishments with the Force do feel a little unearned, as a character. Maybe they can explain it with some currently unknown connection to other members of the story/cast, but I'm wary of any such explanation and connection making the character better, nevermind making the viewing experience any better. But with how they handled the character in The Force Awakens, it's almost as though they've painted themselves into a corner in having to deliver some explanation and/or currently unseen connection. I don't know if it's a good situation, but I enjoyed the movie more than enough to overlook some of this stuff to like her and think she's a good character still. We'll see how it progresses.

Movie looks fantastic, soundtrack is on point, BB-8 is great, and so on. Again, I really enjoyed it and am very excited for Star Wars going forward.

Predictable assholes are predictable.

Hitting different areas at different times, huh? Launching in Holland first, huh? Gonna be on the Internet a full week early, huh?

I just don't really care. I don't think I ever need to see this movie again.

I've watched it twice already since it hit Netflix. Would watch again (next year).