Fan Films have existed since there has been a fan with a visual recording device. They have been filmed in 8mm, super 8, VHS or digital. Great directors all started out making, basically, fan films of their favorite show or movie. Doing their own take on it. These aren't just silly spoofs like on Saturday Night Live ("Get a life!"). These can be really quality products...that poke fun at, yet pay tribute to their favorites.
The Star Wars universe has spawned tens of thousands of these fan films. Everything from kitchen utensils to action figures and animation to movie quality special effects. I would like to talk about my two favorites.
My first favorite is probably one of the first ones I had really taken notice of. In about 1997, I was at a science fiction convention (geek alert!) and saw a video playing behind a booth. I watched it over and over. It was the fan film classic, Troops. I was amazed. Was this for real? The vendor didn't have any copies to sell. But the next time I hit a convention, about a year later, I hunted it down. It's a poor copy and probably not legal but I didn't/don't care. I love it! Troops is a take off on Cops. It follows Imperial Storm Troopers on their daily patrol on the planet of Tatooine (for those who came in late, it's Luke/Anakin Skywalker's home planet). On patrol they meet all sorts of characters including Jawas, who may be selling stolen droids and Owen & Beru, local farmers who often have domestic problems. It is really like Cops! The beginning (using the "Bad Boys" song) and the way they handle the characters. For example, when interviewing the Jawas, they ask one of them who's droids are they selling and the Jawa chirps his response. The trooper says, "Oh, these are your cousin's droids. Is this your cousin...uh-huh..." The Storm Troopers have a Fargo-like accent which makes it even funnier. The effects are remarkable, especially for the time. You can view Troops at youtube.com or theforce.net. There is rumor of a Troops 2. I can't wait!
My second favorite is a very well known fan film called Star Wars Gangsta Rap Special Edition. It is a fall down laughing film! You can view it youtube.com but I suggest you go to http://www.atomfilms.com/film/gangsta_rap_se.jsp for the best copy of it. You don't want to miss a single word and you may (and will want to) watch it several times. This is an animated film that is reminiscent of jap-anime. It is very hard describe but you will find yourself quoting it, "We got deathstar..." and "Yoda, why you gotta be a player hater," while imagining the Star War's characters frontin' and maxin' like rappers. It has been out a while and has had almost 6 million views just on the Atom Films website. Thanks to my brother who kept bugging me to watch it.
View these films with a healthy sense of humor!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Mommy & Daddy Dayz
There is something important that parents...especially new parents...need to do and that is to reconnect. The best way to reconnect and enjoy each other is to have a day set aside for just the two of you.
With the arrival of a baby there is a lot of stress, time and energy directed toward the baby and new family unit. Mom and Dad are riding this wave that the baby is creating in their lives. And there is a new dimension in the parent's relationship that includes some new things to argue about. Even if you have an otherwise idyllic marriage this new arrival is going to throw a wrench into it. And you are both exhausted - all the time.
Time to take a day off from it all (once a month, if you can) and have a "Mommy/Daddy Day." Send the baby/babies off to the sitter/daycare/school as usual and then call in sick. Or you could plan a vacation day around it or do it on a weekend. Even if you are a stay at home/work at home parent and the baby is there ALL the time - get someone to watch the little one and DON'T feel guilty about it!
The best way to do this is not to tell anyone else you are going to do it - need to know basis. Don't answer the cell phone and hit the road.
We like to go out to breakfast and/or lunch and then hit Busch Gardens. We have also taken motorcycle rides out to the beach and had lunch overlooking the Gulf. We have done an early day activity and then taken a nap or just laid in bed and watched a movie.
Don't take the day to go over bills, paperwork, do housework, homework or yardwork (unless those things are what bring you unending joy!). Just take a day for yourselves.
You've earned it! (And your marriage will thank you!)
With the arrival of a baby there is a lot of stress, time and energy directed toward the baby and new family unit. Mom and Dad are riding this wave that the baby is creating in their lives. And there is a new dimension in the parent's relationship that includes some new things to argue about. Even if you have an otherwise idyllic marriage this new arrival is going to throw a wrench into it. And you are both exhausted - all the time.
Time to take a day off from it all (once a month, if you can) and have a "Mommy/Daddy Day." Send the baby/babies off to the sitter/daycare/school as usual and then call in sick. Or you could plan a vacation day around it or do it on a weekend. Even if you are a stay at home/work at home parent and the baby is there ALL the time - get someone to watch the little one and DON'T feel guilty about it!
The best way to do this is not to tell anyone else you are going to do it - need to know basis. Don't answer the cell phone and hit the road.
We like to go out to breakfast and/or lunch and then hit Busch Gardens. We have also taken motorcycle rides out to the beach and had lunch overlooking the Gulf. We have done an early day activity and then taken a nap or just laid in bed and watched a movie.
Don't take the day to go over bills, paperwork, do housework, homework or yardwork (unless those things are what bring you unending joy!). Just take a day for yourselves.
You've earned it! (And your marriage will thank you!)
New Reviews!
Guest reviewer: The Super Mommy
Rentals:
Children of Men works as a good old-fashioned Sci-Fi thriller (think Blade Runner or Outland). But it's also very insightful social commentary as well. It's set in the very near future in a world we can actually see taking root around us right now. Mass infertility has struck every woman on the planet. No child has been born on Earth for more than 18 years. Stripped of the hope for the future that children personify, humanity has basically collapsed. Chaos reigns everywhere, except, it seems for Great Britain. The government has cracked down on all illegal aliens. Basically, anyone not born in Britain is considered a fugitive - "fugee" - and detained in Warsaw Ghetto-like camps. It's a crime to question the government and punishable by death to avoid fertility testing.
The story is also one of redemption. In his most layered performance to date, Clive Owen plays a washed up bureaucrat whose own child died long before the infertility epidemic. His character evolves from a man so deeply in the depths of despair that he cares for nothing, to a hero who sees and seizes upon hope for the future for himself and for all humanity. Michael Caine also turns in a scene-stealing performance as Owens' pot-cultivating, philosophy spouting friend. The ending is classically bitter-sweet. HIGHLY recommended.
The Marine: I don't remember seeing any trailers for this so I suspect it was direct to DVD. Probably because it's pretty low-budget. The movie stars a pro-wrestler whose name I've already forgotten. He plays a Marine who's forcibly discharged after he disobeys a direct order in favor of actually doing some good and saving some of his brothers in arms. He goes home to a dead-end security guard job and a drop-dead gorgeous wife who adores him. It's all downhill from there. The pair get mixed up with a crew of vicious, psychotic diamond thieves through a series of totally unbelievable circumstances. The movie has the marine hunting the baddies, who've kidnapped his wife, through some lovely South Carolina lowland swamp.
The guy from Terminator 2 plays the lead bad guy and he has some good moments, most notably when someone cracks that the marine is "like that dude from Terminator." Other than that, though, it's a mishmash of explosions, chase scenes and gruesome fights. Dishonorably discharge this dog from your DVD player.
In Theatres:
The Shooter was typical post-Marky Mark fare - lots of explosions, a few scantily clad buxom gals and Mark Wahlberg being his bad ass self. Not a whole lot of depth or thinking material here, even though the director seems to be trying to make a political statement. Ned Beatty delivers a chilling performance as Montana senator - a thinly-veiled Dick Cheney reference. On the other hand, though, there are lots of fun explosions, some interesting marksmanship and creative chase scenes. I think most guys will like it. Definitely DVD fare, though. Not worth the $9.50 for big screen consumption.
The Premonition was a predictable, been-there, done-that dog. Sandra Bullock plays a housewife whose husband is killed in a car accident on Thursday. She wakes up the next day and it's not Friday, but Tuesday, before he died. She begins living the last week of his life with the days in total disorder. The film revolves around her attempts to make sense of the situation and save his life. This movie isn't the first one to have its character living out of sync with the rest of the world in terms of time flow. Memento and The Jacket, however, did it much, much better. I'd recommend renting this on DVD, but only if both of those flicks were already out at the video store. And you didn't have any laundry to do.
Rentals:
Children of Men works as a good old-fashioned Sci-Fi thriller (think Blade Runner or Outland). But it's also very insightful social commentary as well. It's set in the very near future in a world we can actually see taking root around us right now. Mass infertility has struck every woman on the planet. No child has been born on Earth for more than 18 years. Stripped of the hope for the future that children personify, humanity has basically collapsed. Chaos reigns everywhere, except, it seems for Great Britain. The government has cracked down on all illegal aliens. Basically, anyone not born in Britain is considered a fugitive - "fugee" - and detained in Warsaw Ghetto-like camps. It's a crime to question the government and punishable by death to avoid fertility testing.
The story is also one of redemption. In his most layered performance to date, Clive Owen plays a washed up bureaucrat whose own child died long before the infertility epidemic. His character evolves from a man so deeply in the depths of despair that he cares for nothing, to a hero who sees and seizes upon hope for the future for himself and for all humanity. Michael Caine also turns in a scene-stealing performance as Owens' pot-cultivating, philosophy spouting friend. The ending is classically bitter-sweet. HIGHLY recommended.
The Marine: I don't remember seeing any trailers for this so I suspect it was direct to DVD. Probably because it's pretty low-budget. The movie stars a pro-wrestler whose name I've already forgotten. He plays a Marine who's forcibly discharged after he disobeys a direct order in favor of actually doing some good and saving some of his brothers in arms. He goes home to a dead-end security guard job and a drop-dead gorgeous wife who adores him. It's all downhill from there. The pair get mixed up with a crew of vicious, psychotic diamond thieves through a series of totally unbelievable circumstances. The movie has the marine hunting the baddies, who've kidnapped his wife, through some lovely South Carolina lowland swamp.
The guy from Terminator 2 plays the lead bad guy and he has some good moments, most notably when someone cracks that the marine is "like that dude from Terminator." Other than that, though, it's a mishmash of explosions, chase scenes and gruesome fights. Dishonorably discharge this dog from your DVD player.
In Theatres:
The Shooter was typical post-Marky Mark fare - lots of explosions, a few scantily clad buxom gals and Mark Wahlberg being his bad ass self. Not a whole lot of depth or thinking material here, even though the director seems to be trying to make a political statement. Ned Beatty delivers a chilling performance as Montana senator - a thinly-veiled Dick Cheney reference. On the other hand, though, there are lots of fun explosions, some interesting marksmanship and creative chase scenes. I think most guys will like it. Definitely DVD fare, though. Not worth the $9.50 for big screen consumption.
The Premonition was a predictable, been-there, done-that dog. Sandra Bullock plays a housewife whose husband is killed in a car accident on Thursday. She wakes up the next day and it's not Friday, but Tuesday, before he died. She begins living the last week of his life with the days in total disorder. The film revolves around her attempts to make sense of the situation and save his life. This movie isn't the first one to have its character living out of sync with the rest of the world in terms of time flow. Memento and The Jacket, however, did it much, much better. I'd recommend renting this on DVD, but only if both of those flicks were already out at the video store. And you didn't have any laundry to do.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
TV Episodes Can Be Mini-Movies
If you have Blockbuster.com or Netflix you have to unique opportunity to watch episodes of your favorite TV shows without having to buy a whole season. This is fun because you can watch some great two part episodes (often season cliff hangers) like mini-movies.
Even if you haven't seen some shows for a while, you can still enjoy a good hour and half of it - free of commercials. I have to admit that my suggestions are all sci-fi shows...but fun stuff and you don't have to be following the show closely to enjoy (I know this because my husband watches these with me and hasn't followed these shows closely, if at all). Be warned that because some of them are season cliffhangers that you will have to get two separate discs and they both may not be available.
Star Trek: Voyager: End Game: Season 7 (last disc has both episodes): Voyager's final episode of the entire series! I believe the best of the mini-movies. It features messing around with the timeline AND the Borg queen. Yeah, I know she was killed off in a Star Trek movie...but there are many timelines and they ARE Borg. Alice Krige reprises her movie role as Her Slimy-ness and really makes this episode a treat.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: All Good Things: Season 7 (last disc has both episodes): This is another final episode of a great series. Another timeline mind bender with Captain Picard traveling through time and he is the only one that is aware of it. This episode also features John Delancie as Q who is always a fun and unpredictable character. A stellar episode to end a stellar series.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Best of Both Worlds: Season 3 (last disc) and Season 4 (first disc): Picard as a Borg. Gotta love that! Captain Picard is captured and turned into a Borg and in the process destroys most of Star Fleet. This season really turned the tide for this otherwise struggling series. Characters got fleshed out and plots became more daring. As a result of this encounter with the Borg, Picard's character gains an insight into himself and haunts him for the rest of series and into the films. Great stuff!
Other great Next Generation two parters also include Redemption (Klingons) and Unification (Spock returns!!).
Babylon 5: In The Beginning (made for TV movie): Okay, I'm cheating, this was already a movie but the best of the B5 movies. This movie was produced by TNT who took over the syndication rights part way through the 5 year run of the series. This movie is actually a prequel to the entire series taking place just before the war with the Mimbari that almost lead to the extermination of humanity. This is really for a fan although there was enough action and plot to keep my husband interested (he never saw B5 in his life).
Babylon 5: War Without End: Season 3 (episodes 16 & 17): I like this one because it takes a departure from the rest of the season - of course it does matter to the entire plot line of the entire 5 year series (as all the episodes do). This episode follows the original Captain of B5, Jeffrey Sinclair (now a Ranger), Captain Sheridan and Delenn (and company) as they travel through a time rift to Babylon 4 to mess with the timeline. There is a character named Zathros who may be one of the best sci-fi characters ever created. Great stuff for a fan of show!
Star Trek: Deep Space 9: Emissary: Season 1 (disc 1): This is the feature length pilot episode of DS9. Probably the best episode of the entire series. I am afraid the series did lose interest for me over it's run but this pilot can stand alone. Captain Sisko is to take over command of a dilapidated old space station that has been taken over by Star Fleet. Not a high profile command by any means and Sisko is fine with that. Sisko is trying to escape his demons of the death of his wife in a battle with the Borg (with Locutus/Picard in charge). There turns out to be a wormhole next to this station and now the real estate is very popular. Sisko goes through a very life altering experience that maybe we could all learn from.
Even if you haven't seen some shows for a while, you can still enjoy a good hour and half of it - free of commercials. I have to admit that my suggestions are all sci-fi shows...but fun stuff and you don't have to be following the show closely to enjoy (I know this because my husband watches these with me and hasn't followed these shows closely, if at all). Be warned that because some of them are season cliffhangers that you will have to get two separate discs and they both may not be available.
Star Trek: Voyager: End Game: Season 7 (last disc has both episodes): Voyager's final episode of the entire series! I believe the best of the mini-movies. It features messing around with the timeline AND the Borg queen. Yeah, I know she was killed off in a Star Trek movie...but there are many timelines and they ARE Borg. Alice Krige reprises her movie role as Her Slimy-ness and really makes this episode a treat.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: All Good Things: Season 7 (last disc has both episodes): This is another final episode of a great series. Another timeline mind bender with Captain Picard traveling through time and he is the only one that is aware of it. This episode also features John Delancie as Q who is always a fun and unpredictable character. A stellar episode to end a stellar series.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Best of Both Worlds: Season 3 (last disc) and Season 4 (first disc): Picard as a Borg. Gotta love that! Captain Picard is captured and turned into a Borg and in the process destroys most of Star Fleet. This season really turned the tide for this otherwise struggling series. Characters got fleshed out and plots became more daring. As a result of this encounter with the Borg, Picard's character gains an insight into himself and haunts him for the rest of series and into the films. Great stuff!
Other great Next Generation two parters also include Redemption (Klingons) and Unification (Spock returns!!).
Babylon 5: In The Beginning (made for TV movie): Okay, I'm cheating, this was already a movie but the best of the B5 movies. This movie was produced by TNT who took over the syndication rights part way through the 5 year run of the series. This movie is actually a prequel to the entire series taking place just before the war with the Mimbari that almost lead to the extermination of humanity. This is really for a fan although there was enough action and plot to keep my husband interested (he never saw B5 in his life).
Babylon 5: War Without End: Season 3 (episodes 16 & 17): I like this one because it takes a departure from the rest of the season - of course it does matter to the entire plot line of the entire 5 year series (as all the episodes do). This episode follows the original Captain of B5, Jeffrey Sinclair (now a Ranger), Captain Sheridan and Delenn (and company) as they travel through a time rift to Babylon 4 to mess with the timeline. There is a character named Zathros who may be one of the best sci-fi characters ever created. Great stuff for a fan of show!
Star Trek: Deep Space 9: Emissary: Season 1 (disc 1): This is the feature length pilot episode of DS9. Probably the best episode of the entire series. I am afraid the series did lose interest for me over it's run but this pilot can stand alone. Captain Sisko is to take over command of a dilapidated old space station that has been taken over by Star Fleet. Not a high profile command by any means and Sisko is fine with that. Sisko is trying to escape his demons of the death of his wife in a battle with the Borg (with Locutus/Picard in charge). There turns out to be a wormhole next to this station and now the real estate is very popular. Sisko goes through a very life altering experience that maybe we could all learn from.
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