All Consuming : Darth Goalie

A review of "Allegiance (Star Wars)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:32:33 GMT

by Timothy Zahn

Although Allegiance isn’t an awful book, Timothy Zahn has certainly done better. The plot is interesting, but had trouble keeping my attention.

I like how the main stormtrooper characters struggle with loyalty and principle, two of the main themes, but Karen Traviss has a better notion of dynamics within a squad, including each trooper’s inner conflicts. The troopers here aren’t nearly as fleshed out.

I could be wrong, but I believe this is the first novel in which Mara Jade is introduced at the beginning of her career. At the age of eighteen, her Force abilities are impressive, especially if she’d been training since childhood. More background on her would have been welcome. What makes her interesting is the combination of her abilities and her naivete.

Meh. That’s about it.

A review of "No Country For Old Men"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:07:08 GMT

No Country For Old Men

I was looking forward to seeing this movie, since people only had good things to say about it, but then I discovered that the book came first. And when that’s the case, I always read the book before I see the movie. Though I’d never read Cormac McCarthy’s work, I didn’t think I’d like it because I had the impression that his stories are all set in the Old West, which doesn’t interest me. But since I knew the movie is set more recently then that, I gave it a whirl and I’m glad I did!

To absorb all the nuances, I read this book twice—partly because it wasn’t until about halfway through that I was able to understand McCarthy’s narrative style. His use of dialogue reflects the speech patterns of that part of Texas, which is more extreme than say, a Houston accent, which I only know because I lived in that city for a year. McCarthy writes almost phonetically, so I had trouble understanding some of what was being said. For example, he’d write “kindly” when what the character actually means is “kind of.”

In addition, McCarthy rarely, if ever, uses quotation marks throughout, so sometimes it was hard to know who was saying what until you got to know the characters. The second read helped a lot.

The narrative is sparse, yet includes so much detail. He makes your imagination work hard! Seeing the movie first would have ruined the aesthetic experience for me. Each chapter begins with a first-person narrative that reads almost like a journal entry, and is what the story is really about. It only took me about 2/3 of the way through the book to figure it out, though!

I’m very excited about seeing the movie—just bought the DVD. It’s bound to be as great as everyone says, considering it’s a Coen brothers film.

No Surprise: The Book's Better Than the Movie

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:31:30 GMT

Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace

by Terry Brooks

Books tend to be better than their movie versions, and in this case, though the movie was released first, the book is still better. I’m not a big sci-fi/fantasy lit. fan (except for Star Wars obviously, and Harry Potter I suppose), so I’m unfamiliar with Terry Brooks’s work, but it’s clear he’s an excellent writer. I just don’t like his writing style.

Brooks wrote in scenes and in some places, entire chapters, but The Phantom Menace isn’t his story. If I read one of his own novels, I may have a different opinion. I realize that what bothers me about his writing style is nitpicky. For example, he often refers to Obi-Wan as Qui-Gon’s protégé, which he is, but I don’t believe that word exists in Basic (the predominant language in the Star Wars universe). “Padawan” and “apprentice” are more appropriate. At one point, Brooks uses the word glass, but in SW, this is called “transparisteel,” just as paper is “flimsiplast” or “flimsi” for short, and concrete is “permacrete.”

As mentioned earlier, TPM novelization is an improvement over the movie. One reason, and this is certainly true for most books-to-movies, is because the storyline is expanded. Brooks’s additions provide more insight into the characters’ qualities and relationships with one another, along with their intentions and motivations. He achieves this even in chapters directly from the screenplay by cutting a bit here and writing in something there, which results in more fully developed characters. The author also allows readers into the characters’ heads, successfully transforming Jar Jar from an annoying fool into a tolerable being with intelligent thoughts and sincere feelings but without the capacity to express them.

If not for the special effects and Darth Maul’s gratifyingly menacing face, all of which are described well, I’d recommend the book over the movie. Without a doubt.

"Yippee"?

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:34:55 GMT

Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)

I made the mistake of beginning to read the novelization for this movie before watching it again, so about midway through the book, I stopped to put in the DVD. However, I admit that what I’d read of the book has colored my current opinion of the movie.

It was probably only the third, maybe fourth time I had watched it, the first time being at the theater; and my friends had to drag me to go. I tried so hard to resist seeing the first of the prequel trilogy, but I’m glad I went. When Darth Maul made his first appearance, we all thought he rocked. And when he lit the second blade of his lightsaber, we simultaneously leaned back in our seats and breathed, “Whoa!” Like many Star Wars fans, we were disappointed that there wasn’t more Maul.

That opinion still holds for me. As for my first impressions, a few have changed. Jar Jar is tolerable as the trickster figure, but what inspired George Lucas to create the Gungan species, or at least their way of speaking, is still beyond me. Though a cute little boy, Jake Lloyd’s acting isn’t all that impressive. “Yipee”? And for someone who grew up on Tatooine, you’d think his Huttese accent would be a little better. I would cut him some slack, but there are plenty of child actors out there who are better. Don’t ask me to name any, though. Heh. (Although Natalie Portman really impressed me in The Professional, the first movie in which I saw her—the first movie in which she starred.) Ewan McGregor’s and Liam Neeson’s performances are definitely not less than you’d expect.

The plot itself is fine, except for the fact that Anakin Skywalker was conceived without a father. When I first saw the movie, I thought, “Oh, what, so he’s like some kind of Jesus, or something?” I still think that. For the ridiculous characters and plot lines Lucas created, at least there are cool ones to make up for it. The politics revolving around Coruscant and Senator Palpatine’s blooming climb to power is well done. Mace Windu rocks the house. And of course the special effects are awesome. It’s a Star Wars film—how could they not be? Overall though, it’s just OK.

Ki-Adi-Mundi's Story

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:32:36 GMT

Star Wars: Prelude to Rebellion

by Various

Prelude to Rebellion is a six-issue series with a bonus mini story arc in issue #s 4, 5, and 6. Both are biographical accounts of Jedi Council Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, including how he was named to the Jedi High Council and, in the mini-series entitled “Vow of Justice,” how he was discovered to be Force-sensitive as a child.

Prelude and “Vow” describe life and culture on Cerea, Ki’s homeworld. For example, the ratio of men to women is one to twenty, so men, including Ki, have a bond-wife and several honor-wives. Some men will go as far as kidnapping a male child in order to have a son, so one can understand Ki’s father’s relief and reluctance in allowing him to study at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Once he finishes his trials (approximately 67 BBY), Ki returns as the guardian of peace and justice on Cerea. Only his lightsaber marks his difference from the rest of Cerean security, as he wears the same uniform rather than Jedi robes.

When Prelude begins (approximately 33 BBY), Cerea, a world far from the Core, is a non-technological planet, still relying on pack animals as transportation, for instance. Despite Republic representatives’ presentations of the benefits of bringing technology to Cerean society, the planet’s governing body of Elders refuses after a counter-presentation by Ki. As it turns out, one of his daughters is involved in pro-tech rallies. Thus, Prelude also covers themes such as family life, and generation and gender gaps—Ki may be an esteemed Jedi, but that doesn’t mean he’s a great husband or father.

Prelude encompasses the first six issues of the 83-issue Star Wars comic series, Republic,. Unfortunately, both the larger and mini-series rely too heavily on narrative rather than dialogue and artwork to tell the stories. The art, particularly for Prelude, more than makes up for this and keeps the action exciting.

Michael Reaves and His Thesaurus

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:14:48 GMT

Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)

by Michael Reaves

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter centers on Maul and what should have been, for him, a simple mission that Michael Reaves turns into a novel with potential but falls flat. Not only is the story predictable, the author’s writing is . . . not good.

The narrative is written mostly in the vernacular, that is, in plain language, which is fine. However, on many occasions he suddenly incorporates a word that, though perhaps accurate in usage, simply does not belong in the phrasing. Some examples: “Darsha felt the stairwell shift and shudder as if in the throes of a temblor” (153). “Temblor”? Is there something wrong with “earthquake”? Or: “It was a twisty path that Green Hair led them down, even for Coruscant—through dark alleys and back utility routes grown vermicularly complex over the centuries” (277). “Wormlike” would have worked just as well if not better than “vermicularly,” especially since one character here is called Green Hair. Reaves also uses weak similes such as, “a stab of pain like a blaster bolt through her skull” (199) to describe a headache.

Shifts in point of view are not smooth. A situation or action takes place in just a few paragraphs, then abruptly continues from a different character’s viewpoint. This happens often between Maul, the antagonist, and Darsha Assant, one of the protagonists. Indeed, what Reaves does best is draw parallels between the Sith apprentice and the Padawan by describing both characters’ interpretations and subsequent actions via the Sith and Jedi Codes, respectively. Still, disappointing all the way around.

The good news is, James Luceno’s short story, “Darth Maul: Saboteur,” previously available only in electronic format, is included in the paperback version of Shadow Hunter and is a real treat.

Darth Maul: Tool (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:17:51 GMT

Star Wars: Darth Maul (Star Wars)

by Ron Marz

Just before he’s sent on assignment, Darth Sidious presents Darth Maul with the Sith Infiltrator, a state-of-the-art spaceship complete with hyperdrive, cloaking device, and speederbike stored aboard. Maul is sent to cripple the Black Sun criminal organization, which Sidious warns is a powerful and dangerous operation that stands in the way of his larger designs. Maul proposes annihilating its master and nine vigos, but Sidious disagrees, as Black Sun may prove useful in the future.

The word “vigo,” which Darth Sidious uses to describe Black Sun’s lieutenants (issue 1), is incongruous in the Star Wars universe. “Vigo” conjures images of men in suits with guns, not a number of alien species wielding just as many different weapons. Further, Sidious calls Maul his “tool” (issue 1), and that’s exactly what his apprentice is in this story arc—merely a killing tool, presumably so Sidious doesn’t have to get his own hands dirty.

But despite Sidious’s description of Black Sun as dangerous, composed of one master, nine lieutenants, their bodyguards and other soldiers, as well as his express order not to destroy the entire organization, that’s what Maul does. There are, however, a couple of opponents Maul fights that are surprising in a good way, particularly the Black Sun master and his bodyguard.

The most impressive part of the 4-issue series is the artwork. Well, admittedly, Jan Duursema is my favorite Star Wars comic book artist, so no surprise there.

Galactic Politics

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:23:46 GMT

Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)

by James Luceno

James Luceno’s Cloak of Deception is the first novel in the Star Wars canon that takes place during Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum’s reign. As the title implies, the story is filled with intrigue, mainly political, and the author includes descriptions of the characters’ cloaks whether or not they are the deceptive type, which is a nice touch. Indeed, unless the reader is familiar with the characters in The Phantom Menace (novel or movie), s/he may have a difficult time keeping track of everyone involved in the story, as there are many central characters, some more so than others.

Although it has its share of Jedi wisdom; blaster and lightsaber fights; and other staples of Star Wars lore, Cloak of Deception is mainly a political novel, and in that, will appeal to those who aren’t necessarily Star Wars fans through and through, so long as they are able to follow who’s who: there are, after all, 1,024 senatorial delegates representing at least that number of planets in the Old Republic rather than a mere 100 senators representing 50 states. :)

Darth Maul: There's More to Him than Just His Looks (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:23:45 GMT

Darth Maul: Saboteur (A Star Wars Novel)

by James Luceno

Originally published as an ebook, James Luceno’s short story, “Saboteur,” introduces Darths Sidious and Maul to the Star Wars Expanded Universe canon. Though it is unrequired reading, it serves as an excellent introduction to Luceno’s novel, Cloak of Deception, and is now available as bonus material in Michael Reaves’s paperback novel, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, which follows Cloak of Deception chronologically on the EU timeline.

Darth Sidious does not play a large role, but the essence of the Sith Master’s relationship with his apprentice, Darth Maul, is revealed. Indeed, the story centers around Maul’s first solo mission to the Outer Rim planet, Dorvalla.

Dorvalla’s main resource is lommite ore, one of the substances employed in the creation of transparisteel, used for windows, ground vehicle windscreens, air- and spaceship canopies, and the like. Maul barely interacts with any characters on Dorvalla, but “Saboteur” exemplifies Sith cunning and subterfuge in orchestrating events, both on local and galactic scales. Luceno not only describes Maul’s peak physical condition and swordsmanship through his actions, but brings readers into his mind—his very thought processes. Because of Maul’s intense focus on discipline, his brief display of sensitivity (from which he quickly recovers) and sense of humor are nice surprises, as is his deference to Sidious. Darth Maul is often portrayed as the face of evil and ruthlessness, a man of few words, that it is easy to view him as two-dimensional, which Luceno overcomes by imbuing him with these qualities.

Maul is eager to be on his own and to please his Master: he is confident in his physical abilities and intelligence that failure seems not to be a part of Darth Maul’s worldview.

Star Wars: Jedi Council - Acts of War (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 03:43:40 GMT

Star Wars - Jedi Council: Acts of War

by Randy Stradley

The Jedi Council we first encounter in The Phantom Menace are introduced in Acts of War. We also meet Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who along with other Council members and Padawans, pay a visit to the Yinchorri, a violent species admitted to the Republic a mere 20 or so years before this story takes place. They’ve taken advantage of all the Republic’s technology: ships, blasters, and especially cortosis ore, fashioning them into shields that can burn out a lightsaber. It’s a suicide mission not just to Yinchorr, but to two other planets in search of the Yinchorri’s command base.

While there, an army of Yinchorri barge into the Jedi Temple to obliterate the Jedi. This is a nice foreshadowing of what happens in Revenge of the Sith, as Darth Sidious has a background role in the Yinchorri’s attacks. Thus, readers are introduced not just to the Dark Lord, but to his apprentice, Darth Maul and best of all, to Vilmarh “Villie” Grarhk, a Devaronian who fancies himself a bounty hunter, but will take on any shady mission. Those who only read the novels or watch the movies won’t encounter him again unless they read the Republic comic series.

Mace Windu, coolest Jedi ever, leads the mission to Yinchorr, which isn’t the success he would have liked, but was what he expected. Strangely, it’s Saesee Tiin who sports the purple lightsaber rather than Windu. Strange, especially because this series was released after The Phantom Menace.

Aside from the mix-up in lightsaber colors, the artwork is phenomenal.

"Awww, tsk, tsk, tsk... such a handsome boy." -- Voldemort (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:12:23 GMT

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 4)

by Mike Newell

Tsk, tsk, tsk . . . such a handsome villain! I’m sure by now it isn’t considered a spoiler to reveal that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the movie in which Lord Voldemort, the ultimate Harry Potter bad guy, returns to a normal state. For him.

Though he’s completely bald and has serpentine nostrils as described in the book, his eyes are normal and he doesn’t wear robes like the Death Eaters (similar to Darth Vader’s, I might add). No way—the costume designer did a brilliant job with Voldemort’s outfit whether she designed it or procured it, I don’t know, but he’s sporting a black, custom-tailored designer-looking suit and shirt. Very Pradaesque. Anyway, this is Ralph Fiennes, we’re talking about, so how could he not be a handsome villain?

Students from other wizarding schools coming to compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament was also a nice touch—well, it was the main plot, after all. The second best scene (next to Voldemort’s rebirth) was Hermione’s (Emma Watson’s) entrance to the Yule Ball, though I they could have played that up more, as Rowling did in the book, especially the way Ron (Rupert Grint) realizes at the last minute that she’s “a girl.”

Still, I’m getting a bit tired of the good guys, and I’m thinking that the Dark Mark on the Death Eaters’ left arms would make and awesome tattoo!

A review of "The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:36:17 GMT

The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen Edition)

by Paul Greengrass

Cheesy title, I know, but what the hell? Doug Liman, who directed Identity, is the executive producer for this one, and Paul Greengrass (interesting name) directed Supreme. I haven’t bothered to look up why the change in directorship, though, but clearly Greenglass knew what to do with the film.

On one of the DVD’s bonus features, Greenglass attempted to get things in one take, or at least not rehearse scenes before shooting them—the one he was referring to was when Bourne was running from one of the snipers (Karl Urban). Matt Damon said something to the effect that Greenglass encouraged the actors to do what they felt would make his/her scene real, sort of gave them license to “direct” their own acting. Obviously, it worked!

**SPOILER**

I was highly disappointed that Marie died in the beginning of the movie, but . . . that’s the nature of being on the run. Um, I think. :P

Bourne to Be a Movie (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:32:52 GMT

The Bourne Identity (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

by Doug Liman

Never read any of Ludlum’s works, and I’ve actually seen this before. Definitely strikes me as a movie that’s way better than the book!

Freed at Last (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:53:20 GMT

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 3)

by Alfonso Cuarón

I never wrote a review of the first movie, but I loved it, certainly compared to the second one (see review of that one here). Though I do like Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón took the Hogwarts series in a different direction.

Yes, I’m still re-reading the book, but what I loved about Azkaban is the fact that most of the story was told through the amazing cinematography; imagery. Notice all of the clockworks, clocks, the pendulum in front of the huge oak doors that lead out of the castle, none of which were in the other movies, or if they were, none of which were emphasized. Cuarón skillfully uses falling leaves and flight (of birds and/or the hippogriff) to smoothly change from one scene or season to another, a unique way to signify time changes within the movie.

Absolutely brilliant.

Harry Potter & the Leaky Chamber (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:31:13 GMT

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)

by Chris Columbus

Meh. Just didn’t seem that great this time around for some reason. The beginning especially ddddrrrrraaagggggeeeeeddddd. It could have used more Quidditch matches. Maybe that’s it.

It also reminded me of our leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets that the maintenance was supposed to have fixed.

Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:20:24 GMT

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

by LucasArts

Possible spoiler.

According to font of wisdom that’s the Prima Kotor II Guide, the third time you play through the game, you get extra dialogue with Atton (if you’re character’s female) or the Handmaiden (if you’re character’s male). I finished playing DS and have started playing LS again a few days ago, thinking it’s my third go. Then I realized that the first time I ever played was on the 360, so that game doesn’t count, which means I have to play another game after my current one yet again! How annoying.

A story about "Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Prima Official Game Guide)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:05:49 GMT

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Prima Official Game Guide)

by David Hodgson

I’ve been consuming this for quite awhile, actually. How else am I supposed to finish that danged KotOR II without missing one single quest? ;)

Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:40:12 GMT

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

by LucasArts

I had to start over because the last time I played, I couldn’t remember how far I had gotten and what I’d accomplished. But now, the game sometimes freezes when I try saving it, even in a new slot. Or it’ll freeze when it’s automatically loading a new section or whatever. The sound is also very staticky.

So last night, I started over yet again, but on the regular Xbox, not the 360. Haven’t had any trouble so far, but we’ll see. It would really piss me off if there’s something wrong with the 360 because I finally got the second version of Star Wars LEGO, which I obviously won’t be able to play if there’s something wrong with the stupid machine.

Anyone else have this problem, or know where I could get my 360 fixed? Or maybe it would cost less to just buy a new one than have it repaired? I can’t believe our regular Xbox has outlasted the 360!

Yarr! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 21:25:48 GMT

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

by Gore Verbinski

We’ve owned this DVD for a few years now, which we received as a present, and watched it for the first time last night. I don’t know why we waited so long. It was such a fun movie, that included action, adventure, comedy, romance – so many different genres in one movie.

And who would’ve figured that baby-faced Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street (yes, I used to love that show when it first came out) would not only “grow up” to be an excellent actor, but an excellent character actor as well. I figured this out years ago, so just sayin’.

We haven’t watched movies much lately, but we’re planning to get the sequel today and watch it this evening, then see Pirates 3 at the movies. I still LOVE Chow Yun-Fat, even though he sold out to Hollywood. Heehee.

A story about "Star Wars(r) Legacy of the Force Sacrifice (Star Wars)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:37:04 GMT

Star Wars(r) Legacy of the Force Sacrifice (Star Wars)

by Karen Traviss

Woohoo! The 5th out of 9 volumes of the Legacy of the Force series just came out, and I never would have known if I hadn’t gone to Borders today to get Photoshop for Dummies.

Why I want to consume "Jane Eyre (Norton Critical Editions)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Darth Goalie) — Thu, 24 May 2007 04:45:39 GMT

Jane Eyre (Norton Critical Editions)

by Charlotte Bronte

Our creative writing instructor is currently re-reading it and mentioned that it’s a good study in narrative structure/story arc.