More Thoughts About The Last Jedi and Disconnects

I'll likely make a few more The Last Jedi videos exploring what went wrong and right.

The reason I'm making so many videos is that I'm tired of hearing Disney execs saying it's only racist, white men who are angry with the movie.

As a woman who has been a fan since I first saw Star Wars on opening day in 1977, I feel it's  important to pipe up with why I personally was very disappointed in many parts. Especially after waiting forty years to see Luke, Leia and Han TOGETHER AGAIN, and we'll never ever get that now.

Now I'm disappointed in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi because they don't go together as a continuing story.

How hard would it have been to write a series where the three of them (Luke, Leia, and Han) have to battle some nightmare once more? The writers had decades to come up with something cool and interesting. They didn't need to do ANY reboots of the original trilogy. They could have made something brand new with the legacy characters and introduce new characters for the new generations. They could have still had Rey, Kylo, Finn, Poe, and BB8 very easily and still given us a fresh plot, and our three legacy characters plus Chewie, R2D2 and C-3P0.

I grew to like The Force Awakens when I grew excited about the mysteries and how they might be solved over the next two movies.

However, the writers for TFA and TLJ didn't care about proper storytelling devices and created their own frustrating ways to tell a three-part story. Basically, it's a round robin where everyone is making up stuff as they go along.

It isn't working.

Star Wars fans aren't hard to please as much as some of the Powers That Be might want to think. All we wanted was to see our three legacy characters fighting evil, and some cool lightsaber battles. A battle between good and evil. A clear plot.

The Force Awakens had a clear and simple plot. Find Luke. And they did.

I still am not sure what the plot to The Last Jedi was. There were several but at the end of the day, the only person who had character development in any manner at all was Kylo Ren. And even then, he only had a little bit as he still hasn't embraced the dark or the light side. We still don't know what his deal is. We don't know why he wants to go dark. We don't know what spell Snoke had over him and why it wasn't broken when Snoke died. We don't know why Snoke wanted Skywalker. We don't know what Snoke was training Kylo for. We don't know what Kylo himself wants! In The Force Awakens, we knew Kylo wanted to be like his grandfather, Darth Vader. He actually sat and prayed to him. I wanted more of that stuff and perhaps Vader coming to him as a Force ghost and telling him to be good or bad. Or maybe someone evil pretending to be a bad Vader ghost and manipulating Kylo to go even darker. But no, there's no reason or motivation for Kylo to be bad just to be bad. What does he want? To rule a planet? A galaxy? Which one? Why? Who is his team? Why doesn't Hux take him out and become Supreme Ruler? Kylo was way less scary in The Last Jedi and Johnson destroyed Hux's scary charcter into becoming an idiot cartoon character.

Anyway, when you have the eighth chapter of a series, it's usually a good idea to keep to basic plot points, not throw away points just to be clever. Character continuity is a good idea as well as keeping simple facts straight, such as how to use the Force.

Why would Yoda destroy a tree, a living thing that did nothing to him? Did we not learn over the previous seven movies and a bucket-load of books and cartoons that The Force is in and around every living thing?Are not trees a living thing? And if Rey or Yoda already put the books on the Falcon, what was the point of killing the oldest tree? Kill the past? Yoda is a murderer of the innocent now too?

Don't get me started on Mary Sue's big coincidences...especially at the end where she arrives just in time, somehow magically and conveniently parks the Falcon and gets to lift rocks just in time, the only way for the rebels to escape.

There are far too many Earth political statements and jokes. We go to Star Wars to see a galaxy long long ago and far far away. We don't want to hear about arms races or animals rights. Why was it important to free the doghorse things but not the children? Why were the children allowed to stay behind and be slaves? They never went back for those kids and helped them. They just let them be slaves forever. Even in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, they went back for the misfit toys. Not in Star Wars where suddenly everyone is selfish instead of altruistic.

I know Johnson is likely setting up a whole children break free from their masters in his trilogy but why couldn't we finish our Skywalker story in a proper manner first?

There was ZERO reason for Luke to die. ZERO. He's a goddamn Jedi Master. He's not going to die force skyping. SOOOO stupid and painful. I hope JJ Abrams brings him back, and has him act properly like a hero, but I doubt that's going to happen.

Getting Excited for The Last Jedi

No spoilers for The Last Jedi as I know NOTHING!

Spoilers for The Force Awakens, of course!

So it's been a couple of years. I've watched The Force Awakens a couple of times and some scenes, namely Kylo Ren scenes, many times. 

My favourite scenes are:

Kylo Torturing Rey

Kylo reading Rey's mind and she ends up reading his. 

There is so much in that scene that could lead to so many directions in the plot.

First, there is a sexual tension. They each think the other is hot. Kylo doesn't want to hurt her or he'd be angrier.

They might be brother and sister, or cousins, or something else somehow related which follows the Luke and Leia twins’ plot line. And we all can agree that The Force Awkens is pretty much A New Hope so I’m sure originally they were very much related.  I’m sure that has changed over the past two years as fan theories about “Reylo” abound.

We see The Darkside in Rey as she spits out Kylo's most secret pain. 

Although some people scoff at the use of lighting, I love how lighting is used throughout the whole movie, especially when Kylo Ren kills Han Solo.

I've written before how delighted I was when Kylo Ren removed his mask and wasn't a robot or demon. He was a very nice-looking man. In soft focus, Adam Driver looks like a Disney Prince.  And Kylo Ren has my favourite kind of hair: dark, long, and wavy. I'm sure Rey was delighted as well. 

Rey and Kyo Ren in the Woods

Rey in the woods after she has The Vision and Kylo Ren appears like a velociraptor from Jurassic World. I'd just seen Jurassic World the previous summer so dinosaurs in the forest were on my mind. I love how he holds his lightsaber against her. It's rather erotic yet scary at the same time. It reinforces that Kylo Ren is a psychopath if we haven't figured it out yet. I love how he scoops her up and carries her back to his Bat Plane like a Universal Pictures Monster.

I love his arrogance when he calls off the hunt for BB8. He thinks that he has all the answers, but he screwed up badly. He didn’t realize that he’d actually like her when he mind probes her later on. Poor Kylo is having a bad day and it’s barely begun.

Rey's Vision

The first time I saw this scene, I immediately thought of Hellraiser movies when the walls split open to reveal the Cenobites. I still think of it every time. I love when Luke’s hand touches R2D2. The first time I saw that, I thought we’d see Luke very soon. Boy, was I wrong! I still say that’s the Millennium Falcon flying away from Jakku. Other people say it was a trash ship or another ship. I still say it’s the MF! So Rey may be Ben’s sister or Luke’s daughter and Leia hid her so that Ben wouldn’t find her since he was turning to Snope and the Dark Side.

The LightSaber Battle

I love this fight scene between Kylo Ren and Rey. I love the music swelling as she pulls out the lightsaber from the snowbank even though it’s so hokey and corny and unsurprising. I thought for SURE Luke would walk out from the woods and do battle with Kylo Ren. Nope.

I love when Kylo and Rey have the blue saber up and red down in the snow as they come to a standstill. It’s scary and sexy.

I love when he says, “You need a teacher.” The whole scene has erotic undertones upon frequent viewing.

I love her face when she’s turning to the Dark Side. On first viewing, I thought she was channeling the Light Side of the Force but now I believe she’s channeling the Dark Side. So possibly a Skywalker.

It’s great when she’s circling Kylo Ren who is dying in the snow from his blaster wound in the abdomen and everything else, and she could totally take him out. Her look is pure evil. She hates him but she also is attracted to him, curious and doesn’t want to kill him just yet. Does she feel the pull of a brother? A cousin? A romantic attraction? Does she want to torture him, slice him up piece by piece? He could really be Darth Vader with no legs and arms.

But Chewbacca flies up in the MF. Is Han Solo on board? Did Chewy save him? Was the HS death a set-up between Han and Kylo to fool Snope and somehow get Kylo trained to the Light Side? Is Kylo The Last Jedi and Rey the new Darth Vader? Will the Knights of Ren join the Rebellion?

The End Scene

This scene traumatized me. It sounds like it traumatized Mark Hamill as well when he read the script for the first time. I had waited nearly forty years to find out what happened to Luke and the movie ended just as we saw him for the first time. FFS! It was so frustrating!

The Last Jedi Thoughts

I’ve spent the past two years going back and forth about various theories about where I think the story will go. The thing is, whatever they present as The Last Jedi, may or may not be even close to what was pitched years before. The writers may have noticed fans expectations and theories and tweaked plots/characters to avoid any Jar Jar situations.

So when it comes to Kylo Ren, who knows what happened with his story arc over the years? At first, he wasn’t well received and now, he’s likely the most popular new personality in the franchise.

I go back to the idea that I am torn in half about if he goes dark or light. However, to go light, he has to get a ton of forgiveness as he’s murdered tons of people. It’s not plausible he could be The Last Jedi. Hopefully he’ll get dark and evil and twisted. I’ve seen many fan theories and artwork over the year. Some maybe true, some may not. However, like any soap opera, comic book villain, he has to lose his handsome looks. The face scar is the beginning. He’ll likely lose a hand to be in step with the rest of the family. And some legs will likely go, if not this movie, the next one.

I like the idea of a romance between Rey and Kylo. That would be so cool. I wish there could be a parallel universe where that happens for a few weeks and then one of them has to die. However, for the Last Jedi, I’m sure they continue to battle. Maybe Rey will lose a hand.

Han Solo may come back. He may not have died. Kylo Ren Ben might have Force Healed him as he fell. You never know. And Chewbacca was in on it which is why he only wounded Kylo instead of  killing him. Doubtful but you never know.

Will Kylo Ren and General Leia have a light saber battle? What will Leia do about Han’s death? Or is he dead? Will there be a funeral? Flashbacks? Are there any flashbacks with Han and Luke discussing Ben or Rey or anything else? Is Rey Han Solo’s daughter with Laura Dern?

I imagine Luke trains Rey and they go back to see Leia. There is a Plan to take down the First Order. Leia and Rey have to confront Kylo at some point. Kylo continues his training with Snope. He is conflicted but eventually grows darker with rage at himself and the galaxy. He has to face off against Luke but I don’t know if they will drag that out to the third movie.

Will Billy Lourd be used more in the second movie? Will she become more prominent in the third movie as they have to replace Leia’s iconic role with another similar type person unless that’s Laura Dern?

Is Finn born to the Force?

I’m not too invested in the other stories as you can tell.

Well, I’d better get back to work. I have a million theories and they change by the minute. I’ve tried to avoid the TV spots but I’ve seen bits and pieces by accident. Hopefully there are no real spoilers in the teasers.

I'll know all in just over a week. 

  

The Force Awakens Thoughts Update and Fan Expo Toronto

If you haven't seen Star Wars or The Force Awakens and don't want spoilers, leave now!

If you haven't seen Star Wars or The Force Awakens and don't want spoilers, leave now!

It's been a few months since I saw The Force Awakens in the theaters. As regular followers of my social media have noticed, I've grown fond of it for various reasons. I'm also still really mad at it. I'm also half-hopefully anticipating and half-dreading what is to come next year.

I keep accidentally seeing what may or may not be spoilers online. I just tell myself they are fan theories and that no one will know for sure what happens until the final editing is done. And they've only just finished shooting. Anything can happen to that story-line; there's time for re-shoots and tweaks.

Back When A New Hope was Star Wars...

To recap for new readers, I'm a Star Wars fan since Day One, literally. I was fifteen when I saw it opening day in London, Ontario with my brother. We both loved it. I proceeded to see it 28 times that year. In those days, that took some tenacity. 

Han Shot First...

I saw it dozens of times. The Memory Police have not claimed me yet! And I stand by the idea that he had to shoot first, it was perfect for his character, back when Star Wars was actually teenager and adult entertainment, not marketed to toddlers. Don't get me started on Kylo Ren sneakers for infants but not for adult women and Kylo Ren baby bottles but no sports bottles for mom! The original Star Wars is a Dark Story, a fairy tale in space, a western in space, which was one of the appealing things about it for me as a teen. But then they went and tried to make it for kids and changed some things. Han is and was and always will be an asshole. He's a narcissist who does for Han and only Han which is how he's survived for so long. He's the Rhett Butler of the Galaxy. And damn right he not only shot first, he was the ONLY ONE WHO SHOT AT ALL! 

Darth Vader is an evil psychopath, not a Saturday morning cartoon, but alas, he's now a cartoon character in these modern times. He was terrifying in the seventies.

Kylo Ren killed his own dad. He stashes his helmet in the ashes of his enemies. He worships a psychopath. He IS a psychopath. Yet you want your baby sporting his  image? (I'm just jealous, that's all. I think they missed a great market when they didn't market to adult women in Canada). We have Pinheads, Darths, and Jasons running around at Halloween, of course Kylo will now be in there. Just not sure how all these little kids know who these serial killers are! 

Incest is Best

I was pissed off as hell when Luke and Leia turned out to be brother and sister. Oh, was I mad. I nearly stopped watching the series right then and there. I wanted Luke to get his princess and go on to conquer the galaxy while she ruled the galaxy and have more adventures. Luke was my dude. Luke was the reason I watched the show. Luke was the reason I saw Star Wars when it was called Star Wars 28 times in its opening year.

Return of the Fangirl

But as angry as I was, I returned to the Star Wars movies sixteen years later. I had married, had two sons, divorced, and became a published mass market horror novelist in the years between the first round of Star Wars movies and the second. 

And boy was I excited for Darth Maul. Yeah, I could hardly wait til that one came out! When I saw the commercials, I was peeing my pants with anticipation!

And then I saw the movie.

And I was pissed off once more. 

I blocked out what happened. I need to see those prequels again. Maybe it wasn't so bad...

Then There was Jar-Jar.

Oh. My. God.

I will admit off the bat, and have many times before in this blog, I'm one of those people who finds most sidekicks annoying and stupid although there are some shows and movies where I like them. 

But they are rare.

So Jar-Jar made me angry. I hated how he was. I couldn't put my finger on it. Perhaps it had to do with my age and mood when I saw it in the theater. But now that we have internet, I see I am not alone in my Jar-Jar disdain.

The Trauma Awakens

So, as I've previously written, it was with great trepidation that I faced Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I think I still have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the ending.

The only reason I went was to find out what happened to Luke. I knew Han was going to die at some point but I didn't care one way or another as that character has never connected with me. I love Harrison Ford and he's perfect for Han Solo; it's the character I despise though he's necessary. A lot of Jack Nicholson characters grate on my nerves as well, which they are usually supposed to do.

I tried not to watch the trailers for TFA.

I was worried there would be more Jar-Jar.

I worried that that Kylo Ren dude was Jar -Jar in disguise.

I worried that Kylo Ren would be Luke in disguise and wondered how he got so tall and if they'd address it.

I hated Kylo Ren's light saber. I figured he would have metal hands for some sort of heat repellent because that cross blade would bbq his fingers and surely it has slipped over the years or however long he's had it. How come the cross beam is shorter than the other beam? So many things stressed me out about that saber from watching the commercials.

The Force Awakens Thoughts

It's been months now since I saw TFA in theaters (twice) and now I own it on DVD. I still freak out at the ending. I still cry every. single. time. in agonized frustration that Luke turns around and it's over. I would see Youtube videos whether spoofs, reviews, or even news and that scene makes me cry. When they had the trailer that shooting had begun and showed that scene again, I actually screamed with anguish and cried and then watched it again and cried again. I listen to the soundtrack, which I do several times a week at one of my jobs, and that ending music makes me cry while I'm working. I seriously think I was traumatized. I sat through that whole movie after, what, thirty years to see what became of my Luke and now I have to WAIT EVEN LONGER! 

and they better not fuck it up.

I fully expect a Luke and Kylo showdown especially once Luke discovers Kylo killed Han, or maybe he already knew Kylo would and had killed Han as he likely felt it in the force. Maybe that's why he was sad when Rey came to him. But I think he was sad because he saw that damn light saber and got all traumatized by the sight of it. And of course, Mark Hamill was likely sad because he didn't get any lines! Or get to fight with his light saber! Or do anything at all except make me cry and cry that I STILL don't know anything! Do they really think us aging Star Wars fans are going to be alive for all these sequels??!?!?!

I still think Rey is his daughter though whether Luke ever got to get laid ever is unknown to me. And where is Rey's mom? Was she a soldier or a Jedi who is now dead? Or is she Laura Dern, swooping in to reclaim her daughter now that Rey has grown up and is using Force Powers she had obviously been previously trained in, perhaps by daddy Luke before Kylo and the Knights of Ren took down the Academy and she was put on Jakku?

However, as I watch bits and pieces of the movie and listen to the music I have more theories. And of course, they are just fan theories. I know nothing for sure nor does anyone else.

Rey is Luke's daughter according to all the musical and visual cues. That is what we are subconsciously being told. But of course, the screenwriters can do whatever the hell they want as the story unfolds. But up until this point, I believe Rey is Luke's daughter and she has the force within but also was training as a child until Kylo went crazy and then Luke had to hide her and wipe out everyone's memories. I think Leia knows who Rey is. Leia might be auntie, she might be mom, she might just know who she is and that she had been planted on Jakku for future reference. The way Leia treats Rey, I believe she knows who Rey is whether she's met her before or not.

However, if Rey is Luke's daughter, then Kylo is even more icky because as I watch the movie without the 3D and jiggly seats, I see more about the characters and some of the nuances.

As many fan fiction sites declare and I have some great Reylo art on my Pinterest, Kylo has the hots for Rey. And she may very well have the hots for Kylo. After all, both Kylo and Rey are very good-looking people with magical powers. What's NOT to like?

"You need a teacher!" Ah, yes... what kind of teacher, Kylo?

Scenes I Obsess Over

I have a couple of favourite scenes besides the epic yet traumatizing final scene. I love the ending. I love the scenery, the music, the tension of Rey's walk, the sheer joy and excitement of spotting Luke, and then the big cliffhanger...which despite my rage about it all, is good story-telling. If only I hadn't had to wait DECADES for this moment, it wouldn't have been so upsetting. I'm crying in frustration again just thinking about it! But I think its one of the best scenes in cinematic history ever. Seriously. Even though I know it's just a Star Wars movie. 

Kylo Ren carrying unconscious Rey into the Bat-Ship is right out of any monster movie. It is a classic horror movie trope image and I love it. I love how Han sees his son carrying the girl and is horrified. What does a father do with this psychopath son? And now the psycho son has the girl that Han just met and likes. (or maybe she's his daughter as well? Or niece? Or someone else?). What the hell is Han supposed to do? Ground him? Kill him? As a parent myself (of two sons around Kylo's age), that image in that scene hits me very hard. As a woman, the scene hits me hard. As a writer, that image hits me hard. What will Kylo do with her? Does he lust for her as well as wants to know about the map? Or is he carrying his sister/cousin and hoping she will join him on his quest so that he doesn't have to hurt her? Does he want to have his way with her? In another way, he reminds me of a cat carrying a mouse to his master. His prize to deliver to Snoke. I can go on but I won't. A powerful image for me.

I love just before that scene when Rey is in the jungle. It's like Jurassic Park only it's Kylo Ren who appears, not a velociraptor. Although a velociraptor might be less dangerous. LOVE this scene!

My favourite scene of all is the epic light saber battle at the end. Kylo Ren is in so much pain. He's so fucked up from killing his dad, from being shot by Chewie, trying to battle these kids while thinking Rey is hot or he would have instantly killed her instead of toying with her, confused by Finn's ability to use a saber (as are we!) and turned on by Rey's powers. Amazing scene. So many emotions, so many little plot threads in what on the surface is just a sword fight. There is sexual tension, fear, pain, anxiety, confusion, strength, talent...so much is in this battle.

Is Han dead? I still say no even though I know Harrison Ford wants him dead and doesn't want to return. However, as a writer and fan, I still think there was some sort of trickery here to fool Snape Snoke into Kylo (seemingly) killing his dad to continue his training but I'm not convinced he really did. Kylo, who can stop laser blasts with his mind, could have easily force-healed Han as Han fell. We don't know where Han fell to, if he splatted on the ground or was caught in a net, or even suspended in mid-air like that blaster bullet until Chewie went to rescue him later. Or maybe Han is held prisoner somewhere not on Starkiller base as that blew up but somewhere else. Chewie could have killed Kylo easily but he was too fucked up to do it because he helped raise Kylo and is in shock. Or Chewie is in on the ruse so only wounded Kylo to throw off Snape Snoke and the others that Kylo and Han and Leia have a secret plan to overthrow the First Order.

Is Reylo a Thing?

Part of me wants to see a Kylo Ren and Rey couple. Part of me wants Kylo Ren to kill Rey. I've seen some theories that Rey turns dark and Kylo turns light. These two can go in almost any direction.

I guess also, if Reylo becomes a thing, I sure as hell hope they aren't cousins! But you know those Skywalkers and all their galaxy drama and incestuous ways! 

I hope they don't screw up Kylo Ren's character. I love how he's tormented. I love the music and visual cues that belie his angst. I hope he is tormented by the fact he killed his dad. I hope Leia gets to give him shit, more than a spanking, perhaps even killing him although I don't want him dead because I love the character. I hope they don't redeem him. The only way he can be redeemed is if Han isn't dead. Kylo Ren is a serial killer. He is evil. He is a bad boy which is why us ladies love him, not to mention Adam Driver is a hunk. Don't fuck it up, Disney! Keep scarring him up, that face wound is gonna be sexy. But don't kill him! Or make him good.

I love Luke because he was a bored teen looking for adventure and boy did he get sucked into an adventure! He should have gotten the princess. I will always be angry about that.

I love Kylo Ren because he's a wild card, an interesting character, and perhaps more evil than Darth Vader, though that's not likely possible. I will be angry if he turns into a good guy. You will see my own Kylo Rage.

Share Your Favourite Scenes!

What do YOU think about The Force Awakens now that it's been out for a few months and we've all had time to absorb it? I've written several The Force Awakens posts and you know I don't think it's perfect or anything. It's entertaining. Yes, they could have gone in a million different ways but the movie is what is right now and that's what we can discuss. What are your favourite scenes? What are your theories for number eight?

I know I'm missing a couple of thoughts I had and I'll have to update later when they return to me.

Mark Hamill in Toronto

In the meantime, I'm having a heart attack that I'll get to watch Mark Hamill at a presentation THIS FRIDAY at five o'clock in Toronto. I have my ticket. I'm worried I won't get in as I have to give a presentation before him in another part of the building and it will be hell getting through the comicon crowds. My lecture about The History of Witches and Warlocks in room 705 at 3:45 ends fifteen minutes before his show begins. I sure won't be getting a good seat unless my son is able to save me one. But it will be cool to see Mark Hamill in real life. In the flesh. And I'll get to see him every day when I walk past his booth to go to the bathroom or any other roaming I have to do! I'll make sure I take the path past his booth for all the things! I can't believe we're in the same building! I thought they would put him in the South so I'm out of my mind with glee. 

Don't forget to come and see me and Mark Hamill and so many others including some of the actors from American Horror Story: Freakshow at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto on September 1 - 4.

Booth Number 5425 in NORTH Building in Horror/Festival of Fear Section!

I'm also Mistress Ariana at Fan Expo!

http://fanexpocanada.com/horror-attractions/

Check out my profile on the Fan Expo site:


MORE ABOUT FAN EXPO SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2016
Sephera will have Booth 5425 where she'll be reading tarot cards in the horror section. Sephera who is also known as Mistress Ariana will be giving three lectures and is on a couple of panels.

Thursday September 1

Reading Tarot:Booth 5425 in North Building in the Horror Section



Friday September 2
Reading Tarot: Booth 5425

The History of Carnivals and Freakshows 11:45 Room 705

Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards 1:45 Room 705

The History of Witches and Warlocks 3:45 Room 705



Saturday September 3
Reading tarot in Horror Section Booth 5425

Sunday September 4
Reading Tarot at booth 5425

Horror Writers Association presents Horror in These Modern Times
Kelley Armstrong, Sèphera Giron, Tonya Liburd, Lou Rera moderated by Andrew Robertson
11:45 Room 705

Monsters Eternal with Nancy Kilpatrick, Kelley Armstrong, Sephera Giron 1:15 Room 703

You never know where a Pokemon is going to show up. This dude is just hanging out at the grocery store. Looking forward to catching Pokemons at Fan Expo as well!

Oh, and before you ask, No. I don't have a life! I'm single and my kids are gone so I have lots of time to think about Star Wars! Haha!

I'm also aware that my Star Wars obsession will likely ensure I'll be single for the rest of my life but at least I don't have any cats...yet!