I have coloured my ‘Facebook cover’ pitch black today as an expression of the darkness that Aleppo’s fall exudes. As my profile picture there I have taken this shot of Darth vader, the tragic villain, because of the story this picture tells us. Continue reading “Picture This 1. The Tragic Darth Vader”
It is one of the few gut-wrenching scenes of The Force Awakens and it resonates across the six previous films … the fateful meeting of a Parent, a Child and Death.
I have argued in several places that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is very much a Prequel-Sequel. This is reflected in the style of establishing shots we’ve seen in the trailers as well as in the thematics of characterizing characters. But also the political controversy is part of Rogue One’s Prequel heritage.
When we compare two trailers, one of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and another of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story we can find some striking similarities and differences that tell us something about the new era of Star Wars.
Probably the most iconic actor in the cast of Rogue One is Forest Whitaker playing Saw Gerrera. What do we know of Saw from the on-screen universe? And what might that tell us about what he has become? Continue reading “Saw Gerrera and Rogue One”
Of course lines of dialogue that are used in a trailer aren’t chosen by accident. But it is fun to explore which character arc they reveal. Let’s look at the most recent Rogue One trailer. Continue reading “Poetry of Star Wars Trailers: Rogue One trailer #2”
We live in troubled times where facts are increasingly irrelevant in societal and political discourse while the stories we tell about ourselves become ever more powerful. In a world polarised between authoritarianism and the defence of diversity, democracy and reason … where do our cinematic fantasies stand? I present my view, you judge for yourselves. Continue reading “Super-Hero Fascism and the Rebel’s taste for Hope and Freedom”
The first real trailer for Rogue One; A Star Wars Story dropped yesterday to great effect. Let me get the boldest statement out of the way immediately: this is legitimately a Prequel Sequel! Continue reading “Rogue One: A Prequel Sequel?”
Last night (UK time) I had a most delightful re-watch of the ‘Umbara Arc’ of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series during the live-tweet fest #UmbaraLive called by the Fan Girls Going Rogue (@FGGoingRogue). Re-watching the arc like this made me spot many things that I originally missed. It felt fresh again. But it also made me think about ‘what Star Wars is’ at the moment … on the cusp of the first ‘Star Wars Story’ film being released. Continue reading “#UmbaraLive and Reflections on ‘Clone Wars’”
Today the UK will vote about its membership of the European Union. What does that have to do with Star Wars you might ask? Well, many of you might come and visit London in July for Celebration Europe and the referendum outcome is one thing that may influence the UK you are going to find then.
Clone Corridor 