By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Updated: 10/04/2014 – 2:01pm PST
Just released on the Official Star Wars Facebook page, five character posters from the Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie. The film will be released in theatres on December 18th, 2015.
The posters are of Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Leia, John Boyega as Finn, Daisy Ridley as Rey, and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren.
Continue reading “The Force Awakens Character Posters Revealed!”
By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Japanese illustrator Noriyoshi Ohrai, known for his artwork for the Star Wars film franchise and Richard Donner’s The Goonies, has passed away at the age of 79. Ohrai died at 11:35 on October 27th at Kunitomi Hospital in Miyazaki Prefecture of pneumonia. Ohrai had been a resident of Miyazaki Prefecture since 1973.
Born in 1935 in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, Ohrai attended the Tokyo Art University in 1957 before eventually dropping out. Working as an illustrator Ohrai came to the attention of George Lucas after his Star Wars creation was published in a science fiction magazine. Lucas commissioned him for the film’s sequel The Empire Strikes Back which was released in 1980.
Continue reading “Star Wars Illustrator Noriyoshi Ohrai Passes Away”
Felix Silla worked more as an extra and stunt performer than as a actor. Eventually, the parts where he had speaking roles did slowly trickle in. T
When the credits roll at the end of a favourite movie or a much loved television program from the late 60’s to early 80’s, don’t blink otherwise the name Felix Silla may get missed. This stunt performer and actor has been in many productions since finding his way into the scene back in 1963. There were not many folks of his small stature who found regular work in the entertainment industry, and he can be counted as one of the few who stuck it out until his decision in 1995 to retire.
In what he experienced in this business, a lot can be said about how little people were treated. Ever since The Wizard of Oz, treatment of these individuals as extras and bit players in productions were not nice. Good or bad, what he experienced can make for a great memoir that looks at an industry that was constantly changing with the times. Before he became a recognized name, he was a performer for Ringling Bros. When he grew tired of touring, he went to work with a company that did publicity for the circus in Los Angeles in the early 60’s. He recalled that one day, a gentleman from MGM visited the office and said that they’re looking for little people to do some work. He suggested that Silla should go down to see what can happen.
Continue reading “Felix Silla, and The Hollywood Roles “Little People” Happily Enjoyed Playing”
Various Venues
August 27 to Sept 6
Victoria, BC
Requires Fringe Button ($6)
Tickets range from $9 to 11
Available through Ticket Rocket or at the door
I’m fairly certain that there’s more than a few staff members at the Victoria Fringe Festival who are nerds too. I’ve met one person who worked there who is an avid LEGO enthusiast and I’m sure that buried in the closet are a few NERF guns. When nobody is looking, it’ll be time to bust a move.
People not acquainted with what the Fringe is about will quickly discover that the shows are experimental in nature, and the stages used are small to accommodate an intimate performance. Anything can happen, and the idea of a festival is to give new up-and-coming talent a chance to earn their cred. There’s a few groups that have moved on to bigger shows. The Reduced Shakespeare Company got their start at Fringe and Tom Stoppard‘s play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead was performed first at the Edinburgh Fringe. In a tiny way, Evil Dead: The Musical owes its debt somewhat to this method of putting on shows. It opened in a club before making it big. Musicals are just one part of what can be experienced at Fringe Festivals, and that’s what I tend to gravitate to when the Victoria Fringe Festival caps off the Summer.
Continue reading “[Victoria, BC] How to do the Nerdy Fringe 2015 Edition”
By James Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Chairman and Disney CEO Bob Iger announced earlier today at the Disney Expo that Disney will be building a 14-acre space dedicated to the Star Wars licensing. The new attraction will be found at both Disney’s Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California theme parks.
Both additions will allow fans to be immersed in a whole planet populated by droids, humanoids and aliens. Visitors will be able to see a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the Mos Eisley Cantina. Each store and restaurant in the Star Wars land
Have a look at the concept art.
Coming soon to a Disney Park not so far, far away: #StarWarsLand. pic.twitter.com/hkdYooAqLU
— Disney (@Disney) August 15, 2015
By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
Some fans of a peculiar galaxy far, far away love LEGO, and it’s about time a new animation is made. The Yoda Chronicles was short lived and The New Yoda Chronicles (retitled due to rights ownership) just did not have the same quality that the previous season had. LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales is suffering from a similar fate. Ever since Disney acquired the rights, the consistency of this spinoff world has not been perfect.
When the directors and executive producers have changed between products, perhaps that’s the cause. The only person involved in all these shorts is Lucasfilm writer Michael Price. His plotting is quite good. Somehow, as more products have been made, the execution has not matched what was presented in The Padawan Menace. The way young Anakin is characterized in the premiere is familiar. He’s a touch annoying in the films but the fact he almost becomes Darth Vader is toyed with much like how Lloyd Garmadon in Ninjago wants to be evil.
Continue reading “Prepare yourself for LEGO Star Wars Droid Tales, A Review”