Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Hey, it's your old pal Slim. This is 70mm a podcast for movie lovers just like you. Disclaimer at the top of this show and every show, we are not experts. But we do love watching movies. With me each and every episode is my close friend and artist, Danny Haas. Hello. And our close friend and influencer, Protolexis. A podcast. This size has got to have a thermal oscillator. Every movie that we cover is connected to a theme for that month, and this time we're covering the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

seven from J.J. Abrams Star Wars The Four. Uh new theme music. Folks heard it right there. Long time coming, episode 300. Our dear friend Tim McEwen. Uh from a band we all love, The Midnight. First of all, I'll just be honest with all three of you. I love it. Maybe the greatest piece of music ever played on the show. It's a great point. It's a great point. Great point. You do love it, but I loved it first.

Got'em. Oh my god, I love it. Danny, what do you think? You love the midnight also? You love Tim. Tim had a great guest appearance on the Thunderheart episode. Yeah. I remember finding about the Midnight and they were like a um soundtrack to one of my summers. I could stop listening to Um them so having Tim be a part of us now. He's one of us. He's one of us. Yeah. We have a we have an iChat group chat with Tim. I know it's crazy. He brings us together on text message. He does.

He tries calling me. Takes a while for Proto to wake up in the day, but we'll get there. We get there. He is I think he'll be back on the show in the future for the uh what does he talk about doing? Is it you've got mail or sleepless in Seattle? It's sleepless. We haven't we haven't done that one. Okay.

Mm. Stay tuned. He was a great guest guest. Loved him. Fantastic episode. Yeah. Thunderheart. What a movie. What a picture. So uh we'll talk more about that in the uncut episode just for patrons, but the big story night. Uh Netflix drops out of the WBE purchase. Now, uh, pro you're the man on the inside. You're always, you know, you you're on signal talking to people inside the biz.

Maybe you saw this coming. Do you have any quick thoughts on Netflix bowing out and Paramount taking over Warner Bros.? Well, just to keep everyone um A breast of what's going on. Let's a little pop quiz. You know, Netflix was the first one on the scene with this this whole merger thing. True or false? That's true. False. I'm gonna go with Slim on this one.

What can you say? Another merger happens. I mean, soon enough, you know, 10 years from now, we'll probably be all consolidated to just one company, you know, Earth Inc. Uh and then we won't have to worry about this anymore. Okay. Um, you know, who knows if this will even happen, really. True. There's a lot of red tape. There's a lot of red tape to get to the to get to the finish line on this. But um you know, I mean, who doesn't want catalogs consolidated but the prices to go up? Mm-hmm.

People are clamoring for this. They people use the Paramount Plus app and they say, I want more of this. On just make all the apps like this. I just had a horrifying thought. You said earth like ink or whatever, and I just thought, imagine if that freak Elon Musk owned a movie company or a movie studio. Sorry, put that in the world. Oh gosh. Uh we're doing the Force Awakens later in the show. Use the chapters if you don't want to hear us BS for the next 20 minutes.

Um certainly don't complain to us about us BSing for twenty minutes before the Force Awakens, please. We warned you. Uh read a quick review tagged 70 MM pod on Letterboxd about the Force Awakens. There's gonna be some cursing, some raunchy uh language in this review, but I'm gonna do it'cause it's our thirty three hundredth episode. Okay. Uh quote This score fuck.

Oh my god. And I definitely teared up at the very end lightsaber scene when that theme plays, God, shove it down my throat. Adam Driver is daddy, Daisy Ridley, really good in this. From Katie. Three and a half stars. Oh my God. Katie. I was dying reading that review. Oh my god, I loved it. Uh Deanny, what did you watch this week? Anything you wanna discuss with us, your friends? There's one movie I would love to discuss with the three of you.

But we can't. This one What's it's not embargoed, but it's like seventy millimeter embargoed. I watch I watched M Night Shyamalan's Village. Wow. And I feel like that is Something very seven to millimeter coded. We have to cover that at some point. I followed the bylaws. I didn't star it. I gave it a vague review. I don't want to get sued by the powers that be. Uh so I watched the village.

Um, and I had a time watching the village. Wait, was this your first watch? First watch. I'd never seen it. I can't I can't. I know, I'm tired of waiting on you guys to pick this movie for the podcast. So it was first watch, uh dying to watch it again for with for the show. Um so yeah, I have some things to say about it. And I'm saving them. Um Adrian Adrian Brody. Should he have gotten Oscar for his role in the village? It's a great question.

I can't say any more. Can't say anymore about age of the biggest. That was when his Oscar run really started, the village. You're right. That's a great point. Yeah. When when are we gonna have M Knight on the show? We're Philly boys. Yeah, Philly boys. Yeah. Someone just gotta email'em. That's the thing. Yeah.

He could pop into the studio. Yeah. For sure. Stop on by. Maybe me, Proto and M go to Netflix house. No, yeah, that's cool. With the Danny Puppet. We walk around, we you know, we we make some content. That's what people are, you know, are interested in. No, that'd be cool. That'd be really cool for you guys. I can't believe like so was anything we have to talk about the village. I'm sorry. Go for it. Go. Was there anything in the movie that shocked you?

Um did you know already? What shocked me the most is how many people are whiny bitches about this movie. Hello. After reading a bunch of reviews. Hello. Um so uh I it I don't know. I don't know I don't know what you want me to say. That's fine. You said quite enough until we get to this month. Whatever we cover the village. How about baby baby Joaquin Phoenix?

in this. He was pretty young. Yeah, before he was Joaquin. I mean I guess we saw signs, you know, you s signs as well. Yeah. But like you think of that, like Adrian Brody, Joaquin Phoenix. I mean at this point, the amount of Oscars that are In the village? Yeah, in the village. Mm-hmm. It's wild. Mm-hmm. I mean Bryce Dallas Howard. Need I say more? I think I would gladly be the cane that she uses to walk around with as a blind person. Her strength in this movie. Unmatched

I remember reading um Ain't It Cool News dot com I think when that movie was coming out. And I remember it was originally called The Woods. The But old M Knight ha was forced to change the title. Really? Because there was another movie called The Woods and they said uh uh bap bee Wait, what's the other movie called The Wo what's up in the book? It's called the it's the movie called The Woods, that's all I know. That's all my cover that The same month we did a village.

Wow. What's interesting about the village is this is when the schism began for M Knight. Did I think, you know, a hun he he everyone supported him a hundred percent up till this point. And then this is where it broke off. Right. Yeah. Yeah, I don't understand why. I remember I broke off Lady in the Water. I've I've said that on the show. That was your break. We don't have to get into the details, but Lady in the water, I was

I was like the what's the painting of that guy standing up in the crowd saying something? Yeah. Going against the grain. That was me saying enough M night. Mm. No more. Right. Uh Villa the Village was a part of my um haters, lovers journey. Okay. Uh Goblin Core week. Um, I got ti God. That was you can't laugh at these people. We'll get another email. We don't need another email. Get another email. Please. Um K-pop Demon Hunters fired that up.

had an incredible time watching K pop Demon Hunters. Really cool animation. Catchy ass mood music. Just vibing hard with that. When are you watching Frankenstein? What is The next movie I watched was for my Oscars challenge. Uh Ordinary People from 1980, directed by Robert Redford, uh stars Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton. Um heavy movie. Family trying to recover after the death of one of their sons. The other son is played by Timothy Hutton.

He's shaken up. Parents don't know how to cope. Mary Tyler Moore is incredible in this. I said in my review, I don't think I've ever seen any her anything outside of her own TV show. So her playing a super serious uh kind of role, mother role. It was pretty incredible to watch. Uh it was Redford's direct horror debut. And it won best pitcher and best director uh for him, also getting um

Best actor and uh best writing screenplay based on material from another medium. So Redford went hard for his first film. I mean his letterbox profile photo goes friggin' hard. I don't yeah, it's hard. It's looking into your soul. Have mercy. I I don't know where that screenshot was. Okay. Uh Judd, forget about it. Judd Hirsch is in this as a psychiatrist that has to deal with Timothy Hutton's character and another incredible performance. So I suggest people watch Ordinary People.

This is a serious question. Yeah. Is Judd Hirsch Emile Hirsch's dad? That's a great question. We'll see if we Dale, I'm looking at Dale and then Booth Dale, can you look into that for us? Somebody look it up. We'll figure that out. How have you seen any other Bill Shatner or not? Yeah, Bill Shatner. Bill Shatner. Also, why is he going by Bill Shat? Can you even say Shat on TV? Did you see those commercials? Billy Shat?

Billy Shat. What? Feels like a FCC violation. Have you seen any other Robert Redford directed movies, Danny? Yeah, I've seen um The River Runs Through It. Um didn't love it. I did I still had a good time with it. Um See what my reviews said. That's it. I need to see Montana before I die. Yeah. What about Lions for Lambs? Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise Bob Redford. I've only listened to um the Tom Cruise interview with the Pam vampire podcast about this. It's a good show.

But that's about it. Never seen Banger Vance, never seen The Horse Whisperer, or Quiz Show. Okay. I would like to see Quiz Show. Robert Redford Month. Maybe. No, there's no time. Okay. We I mean yeah, we were we're rapidly running out of time tonight. Rapidly. We've only talked about me, so let's move on. Uh, real quick, Adam joined our Patreon this week, got access to that Hulk Angley Hulk episode we dropped. God. Shocking opinions.

A delightful conversation. One hour on Angley's Hulk. We settle we settled the score. Um with Nick Nolte and friends. Mosh got their money's worth. Yeah, Mosh the first person maybe in history to have such a glowing Episode for a movie that they chose as an intern. That's a great point. Um worth pointing out um that gambling is legal in our Discord again. Oh Proto has built a robot Vger. The robot who loves movies is back from the dead.

And you can bet on our ratings for the movies with fake money, with Vejbux. Um, we are against, you know, the mainstream betting world that we live in now, obviously, but if it's a f a robot with fake money, we're into it. So congratulations to Proto for getting Veter back up uh in the Discord.

Great seeing what the line is now before we give our star ratings. What's the line? Can anyone tell us the line? Line's eleven point seven five stars. I don't even know anything about betting or what the line means. It's okay. It's all right. We'll get through this. Um Proto, did you watch anything this week you want to talk about? I did. Um today actually I got to watch a movie, Empire of the Dark. From nineteen ninety.

Um, I've been a little bit under the weather and uh, you know, I was in the mood for something, you know, kind of a I something I haven't seen before, but something I know would be good, maybe make get a laugh. Um, just a good old movie, maybe a B movie. And that's what Empire of the Dark is. I was listening to our friends over at Bat and Spider Dale's podcast with his with our friend Chuck.

Um, and this is a um a movie that's like legendary in their podcast. Or the their director is. His name's Steve Barquett. And he directed this. He also stars in it. Um and boy, in terms of beam movies, this is some of this is some of the best you can find. I have to say. Okay. Um

What I kept thinking while watching this, I kept thinking of the documentary American Movie, mm-hmm, which is about the the I can't I forget his name, but the guy who is, you know, spending years trying to make his own movie. Um This feels like there could be a documentary about the making of this movie. Um, of Steve Barquette. Cause Steve is just he's just a complete normal guy.

Seem seemingly, you know, as you as you watch him in the movie. He just looks like your neighbor, but he's starring in this movie and directing it and editing it. Um, and it surprises you with some of the production value. Like it has a good soundtrack. But then there's just like classic B movie stuff with like the editing is pretty poor. There's just like things that are misplaced. Where like a one you know, one cut someone's holding the bottle.

And then the next cut, the other guy's holding the bottle, then he passes it to the guy who didn't have it before. And just like just funny stuff like that. And just like goofy things in the script that had me laughing. There's like this at the end there's this action sequence that goes on for literally ten minutes. And the amount of dummies dummy work that is used.

And like reused uh decapitations and just sword swinging um is a hoot. So I mean, that's what you want from a movie like this. I think you know, you you get a lot of A lot of laughter. Um, but then it it held its own for almost two hours too. You know, it's like I'm not getting I'm not getting bored of it. So I just had a great time with this. I know he has another movie that um Bat and Spider I think they covered his other movie called The Aftermath.

Which isn't streaming right now, but Empire of the Dark was on uh on Tubi. So I watched it on there and I gave it four stars. Hm. Four stars for a B movie. Does this have anything to do with any kind of like fever or, you know, illness? This was maybe just what the doctor ordered. Yeah, I mean, yeah, exactly. Exactly. You know, it was this or um Roman Polanski's the tenant. Oh my god. Holy shit. So I went with this. Sheesh cheesh. Okay.

Uh, but then I I haven't logged it yet, but I then I went f with a new uh which I would say is now a new comfort movie. Oh my god. Is uh Willow. Oh baby. I watched Willow. I watched Willow of course as a child at some point, but then I rewatched it a couple years ago and I loved Willow so much. Uh and I was why and I so I put it on today, you know, I'm laying on the couch and it just like something that makes me feel good, something I know I'm gonna enjoy. And Willow was the ticket. Um

Soundtrack, you know, the score is amazing for that. Um did Lucas write that? What's Lucas' connection? Yes. George Lucas wrote Willow. Uh Insane poster. Incredible poster. I mean, Val Kilmer is at the top of his game in this. He is so charming. Him and uh work, Davis. Well, he's great too, but I'm thinking of the the the lead actor. Juan Wally. Yeah. Those two could be mom and dad for me, man. They are just so good in this.

The movie is just it it's so endearing. Yeah. It's such a good story. Warwick Davis is so good. It's just like, you know, it it it's like a a fantasy book come to life. Um so so I I love it so much. I feel like this was on TV all the time when I was younger, but I have not seen it since maybe it was on television. Mm-hmm. I think my brother loved Willow, but I was not a Willow Head.

As it were. But do you remember when this came out, they like made a Willow TV show for Disney Plus? Yeah, and they pulled it. What is why why do you pull things? I don't Can we get someone to figure out? They don't know. They're embarrassed. Well, why would you ever pull something?

You know? Literally made for t Disney Plus and now it's pulled from Disney Plus and there's no way of watching it. They put it some like can you is it non is it non tax is it a tax write off if it gets taken off after like one year or something? It's just it is I don't know. Oh, yeah. Mike Scott in chat says maybe it was too quote woke. Oh, willow smoking cigarettes. Smoking woke cigarettes.

So we can read it live on air. Yeah. That'd be great. Also the phrase woke cigarettes is an inside joke for those listening right now. I go back. I don't know what episode that was for people that are listening right now, uh did they just say woke cigarettes? I don't know what that joke was from. Going immediately to podcast review, negative review. Yeah, you're right. Um let's see, real quick, I watched uh

48 hours. Yeah. With Nick Nolte and You talked about getting canceled. Eddie Murphy. Our buddy Tim, uh friend of ours, works in the Biz. He was re-watching 48 hours for the first time in a while, and he was like kind of blown away. He was having a real hi ho time.

uh essentially a a movie of old. So I I saw this on Amazon's like movies you might like list, which is shockingly good. But like I could watch any movie on that list and it'd be like, Yeah, you're right. I you're you're right to say that. So I fired this bad boy up. I'd never seen it, but I always just knew it was kind of like a buddy cop movie. Uh, sort of. Um, but Eddie Murphy is like a wise cracking criminal, temporarily temporarily paroled to Nick Nolty in order to track down a killer.

Um, I had fun. It's not a great movie, but it's directed by Walter Hill. Um, The Master, some have said, uh, the Warriors, Streets of Fire, uh Hard Times, Red Heat, Another 48 Hours. Uh we don't have time to go through the rest of the list, but it's huge. But um I've read in my review that like rush hour, the backdrop part of was incredible. Um

Rush Hour, you know, when we grew up, I feel like everyone loved Rush Hour. But now, years later, it's probably considered like a revoltingly racist movie that doesn't hold up any m any anymore. Not that it ever did, but Forty eight hours is pretty racist. There's a lot of stuff that is like very cringy. It's like Can a a black guy and a white guy be any more miserable to each other and throw any slur they can at each other and it's like half the movie is like that.

It's pretty crazy to look back, but the the score is very good. Horner, a lot of saxophones. So if anyone is looking for a an eighties saxophone score movie, there you go. I also watched a documentary. Maybe we'll talk about the uncut, but that Titan sub-documentary on Netflix. I can't believe you've logged that. Wow. We'll get into it in the uncut. Okay. We'll get into it. Um

Just a real quick thanks to Smuckers for sponsoring this episode. Um, if you need to get your peanut butter, strawberry jam needs. Uh head to Smuckers with a name like Smuckers, it has to be good. Uh but it's time for our three hundredth episode officially, main show episode. We've done many episodes, but main show three hundred.

Uh back to Jack Who. The Force Awakens 2015 Prot, what is this film all about? After saving the galaxy from the multi-generational mind games of Super Genius and Super Evil Dark Lord Darth Sidious, aka Emperor Palpatine, the Rebel Alliance fumbles. The would-be golden era of a thousand years of peace by letting the remnants of the Empire form reform as the First Order.

Ray, an orphan on the planet Jakku, has a serendipitous encounter with Finn, a former stormtrooper who saves X Wing pilot Poe Damarin from the clutches of the First Order, who holds the key to possible victory, A map fragment to the secret location of the last Jedi, Luke Skywalker, who has disappeared after a failed career in education. Meanwhile, Darth Vader's grandson Kylo Wren has embraced his darker urges and has sought employment with Andy Circus to reform his granddad's former employer.

And rule by might. Can Rey and Chewy stop the secret Star Killer base before it ends the resistance for good? The Force Awakens. One of your best. Yeah. We'll get that on a prowl. Uh just were you saying Kylo Wren? I watched that documentary that's on YouTube. How about that one guy that called him Kilo Wren? I heard Kilo. Oh really? Nobody was like

Bill, it's it's Kylo. Where the movie's uh made already. Just call him Kylo. That's like uh it's like Billy D calling him Han. Oh my yeah. It it pretty much was. But it was it was pretty pretty funny. Uh all right. So we've talked about this at various points, but uh when this movie was coming out, I remember I was working at uh Comixology, R. A. P.

Right. And we used to do like, you know, employee, you know, movie days. So like when a when a Marvel movie or whatever would come out, we would take like the second half of the day off, we would all go to the movies in New York City. and we took the day to go see The Force Awakens and The hype around this movie was like nuclear. You know, with the ch you saw the teaser trailer and me growing up, I remember rewatching Empire and Return of the Jedi on tape all the time. And this was like

my moment to like kind of have that. I I w I'll ignore the prequels for now in this discussion, but Excuse me. No. We will not. I said I will. We don't have to. I will. Okay. And I remember loving it in theaters and we all like kind of coalesced outside of the theater, but there was a good portion of people that I worked with that Did not like it at all. Like on the spot. They did not like and like strongly felt that it was a retread. Like it's the same movie.

They didn't do anything new and I was like kind of st like stunlocked. I'm gonna start saying that. Um in the lobby that I couldn't believe it. Um so at the time of this movie, you know, I was all in. Um I loved the teaser trailer. You got so hyped to see it. So that was my my kind of my initial memory of seeing Force Awakens. in theaters. Pardo, what about you? I don't really remember the experience of seeing it in the theaters, but I know I liked it. Um

It's hard for honestly I it's hard for me to remember the discourse around this. Like I don't I don't really I was, you know, I was my son, my second kid was born, so I was like in the midst of raising babies. And I feel like this period was hard it's hard to remember. So I don't even know. It's a fog. Yeah, it's it's a total fog for me. But I knew I liked it. And but I do remember that that discourse around it of

Of people not caring for and I think at the time it was kind of like I was just happy that it was better than what we got with the prequels. I think that's kinda where I was for the most part. Danny ready to stroke out. Slim is not. I am not. I'm withholding myself. Um I'm I'm prequel abstinent right now. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. By the gods. Um

Casey and I went to a like a red carpet event at Disney for the release of The Force Awakens. It was pretty amazing. We got to um We got to go watch the film and then they shuttled us over to a private event at Hollywood Studios for the night. My gosh. Yeah, they gave us like a Star Wars fireworks show, and I have like a framed ticket from that event.

Somewhere around me. Uh i it was a very memorable night for me and Casey, but probably more for me because how much I love Star Wars. When you guys get back to the car, did you start necking? Oh my god, you talk about necking. Um totaled neck job. I was like, you have a boyfriend, cute boyfriend? And then it all went downhill from there.

We're derailed already. So did you like the movie? What did you think at the time? At the time, yeah. I mean I had a it was an incredible moment. I I still love the film. Um I it was really funny because I didn't really catch the Much of the discourse, because I think we were really stuck with so many Star Wars fans in the moment that none of them were bitching about, you know, any sort of retread conversation.

So mainly we're really like smart people, you know? Um, instead of the idiots that uh would just bitch about this film. I re'cause when when I was working at Comicsology, you know, we're like it we work in the comic book industry. So you're kind of like reading online all the time.

It was honestly it like insufferable, like the discourse at the time. And you you think about like comic book fans and you think about like the loser comic book fans, you're in the you're in the low with the lows. The m you know, subhuman type people. Altyazı M.K. about the bad people in comics, not all comics people, I'm a comic person. But like, you know, the people saying, you know, Ray is a Mary Sue, you know, if she she does everything perfectly. How can this girl be a Jedi so well so soon?

Uh, where's the training? Um so like at the time it was just really rough. It was the first time I've heard the Mary Sue. Phrasing. Never heard. Have you heard it since? Like honestly, I think it disappeared after the Star Wars trilogy. Yeah.

That's a good point. I don't think I knew what it means. I was like, is that the same as like Peggy Sue Got Married? type of thing? It's a Peggy Sue Got Married reference. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I was trying to look back too at the timeline and how Disney announced you know, that they were buying Star Wars, like, you know, Lucasfilm, whatever. But they announced them that they were in process of making a new movie and a trilogy in that press release.

Cause I was wondering like, did they announce JJ when that happened? I was trying to think of like the timeline. Um, so that guy, Michael Arnt, was writing the script, you know, when they made the announcement. Like he was kind of like already in process. And in the documentary, it's funny because they say, like, we were working with Michael, he couldn't quite crack the script. I guess there was a lot more Luke in it. And they said that Michael needs

It was like eighteen months to two years to really immerse himself in a story and then write the script. Jesus. And uh they were Kathleen was like, that would didn't quite work. So we we brought in Lawrence Kazan. I'm thinking to myself Three years to write a script? I can't can I mean I could write a script in a weekend. What do you need three years to write a script for? Is he getting paid? I mean, what's he making in three years to write a script?

Milking it. Milking it. Get paid, I guess. Yeah. Um, but I do know that like there were rumors at the time that Brad Bird was their initial pick. Rest in peace. To direct. Uh episode seven, and he said, I can't, I'm doing Tomorrowland. This is my dream. I'm not, I'm not gonna do Star Wars. Which in hindsight, you make the decision. Or you make the you make, you know, is that the right move? Who can who can say for Brad Bird?

Um Pardo, what's uh if you were to put one Star Wars movie in your four phase on Letterboxed, what would it be? Uh one Star Wars movie not Mandalorian and Grogu. Um As much as you might want to. Um, I think I gotta put Empire Strikes back. That's always been my favorite. Um I do love the end of Return of the Jedi. I think that's the pinnacle of Star Wars in terms of moments. Preach. Jeb.

Empire Strikes Back has always that's my comfort Star Wars movie. That's another movie that I could have put on today just to feel safe. Right. Feel something. Anything good. Yeah. Um easily. Yeah. Empire. Okay. Danny? The Phantom Menace. I knew it. I mean it's easy. It's an easy choice for me. It's the reason I love Star Wars. It's the only reason I got into Star Wars. I have such a soft spot for it. I'll fight anyone to the death over the prequels.

Uh so yeah, Phantom Mass would sit would sit easily in my top four. Right, maybe some backstory on you if we have some new listeners this week. The Phantom Menace was the first Star Wars movie that you saw. Yeah. Yeah. I didn't grow up with it. It was just kind of a thing that existed and it honestly just existed in like

a theme park. I mean exactly I grew up writing Star Tours and that was like that was it for Star Wars with me. And that's not really Star Wars much, but that's that's all I was exposed to of it. Um so when the prequels had their re-release Uh was the first time I had kind of seen them. And then that was all around 99 when episode one was coming out. So episode one was like,

nuclear for me. Like I had you I've might as well bought stock and Pepsi. I was collecting all the cans, the toys, the I mean, I had it. It was bad. Real quick. Of the Matrix premiere of those like dudes that are dressed up. As Matrix characters. Do you remember that like meme video that circulates every few years? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. That thing is legendary. If someone could find the link to that. Um My Star Wars backstory, you know, my brother had all the original toys.

So a and like it's also with comics, like he was collecting Wolverine comics, but I also had to get my copy of Wolverine. So we had like two copies of like the Sylvestry run for quite some time. But he had all the original toys. Those are toys I would eventually play with. And the movies were on, you know, really a lot. So and then when they re release, The trilogy in theaters, I went to go see those in theaters. I bought the DVDs. I was re-watching that stuff all the time. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

I would be insufferable if I grew up with Star Wars as a kid. More so? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be the one yelling Mary Sue, probably. Um Partner, what was your what's your backstory with Star Wars? My backstory, uh yeah, we had the VHS tapes growing up. Um, and you know, this was a time where Everything wasn't spoiled for you. Uh and I specifically remember watching Empire and then Seeing the reveal of uh uh with Vader and Luke and like running into the laundry room and telling my mom.

That Luke is is is Vader's son. God. Just like being blown away as I as I watched it. Which it seems crazy that like in the nineties. I could have that experience still. You know. So like that is that is like the the thing I remember the most. Um yeah, and just like watching them, you know, my dad was big sci fi guy, of course. And Star Wars was a part of that. You know, we would saw in the prequel series in the theater. So yeah, it's been a part of my life as long as I can remember.

I um get suggested some Star Wars subreddits every so often. I feel like there was a couple posts recently of people like r saying how you know, the first two prequels sorry, I'm I'm no longer absent. Um the first two prequels were okay, but then like Revenge of the Sith came out and they're like, Oh, okay, now we're cooking. Like that Lucas nailed the landing for the uh prequel trilogy, which I thought was fascinating to look back. Thank you. KK found the clip.

These guys go see the movie. Oh my god, it's so good. The last guy. I'm not clicking play, but the last guy that appears always cracks me up. Um so yeah, like you mentioned having you know not being spoiled. What I couldn't remember honestly, was Kylo Wren's identity revealed pre movie? No. Okay. I couldn't. We found out when Snoke says it to Kylo. Right, your father. Yeah.

But I mean also like when you see this movie in theaters at the time, I remember the first photo I think they released was of that. uh script reading of like everyone surrounding the chairs and you could see the whole cast and it they're like dripping barely any information. And it's wild to think about like mass media releases that were like this in the last fifteen years that were so hyped, so popular, but like None of it was really revealed.

until you saw it in theaters. Mm-hmm. Like I wonder, is it possible to do that now where you have something this massive and some of it just doesn't get leaked? Because I remember when the third one came out, there was a lot leaking. for the final movie of this trilogy. But for Force Awakens, they did a pretty good job of like keeping things tight lit. Is it possible anymore? I don't know. Yeah.

I mean, I don't know. Maybe Yeah, I mean I guess at this point the comparison is like Marvel movies as they're coming out. And it's like the stuff that gets leaked with that, it just feels like it's endless, right? Like if you're at least I like I'm not really I guess the alga like I'm not tied to that algorithm, so I don't see those things, but I know that you guys do. And it seems like it's like constantly coming out like any tidbit. So yeah, you do wonder, at least in terms of

you know, ac you know, famous actors who are gonna be in a certain role. And maybe that's because Marvel it's superheroes, it's like you already know the characters, whereas Something like Star Wars, like when new Star Wars comes out and it's like, oh, this person's cast in the movie, you could even know the character's name, but you might not even know what that means. Right. So I guess it depends on like the property too with this stuff.

I didn't say which one I put my four faves, but it's The Last Jedi. Oh my God. Really? Yeah. You'd put a sequel in your four faves. I would. I'm impressed. I'm proud of you. Thank you. Thank you. Um Pro, why don't you lead us off here for our main course? What's at the top of your list for this uh rewatch of Force Awakens?

Well, you mentioned it earlier, Slim, and the whole idea of this as a rewrite of A New Hope. And I was I was thinking about this, of course, as I was watching it, but then like afterwards as well. And I think there is something about this that People either like this idea in a movie or are immediately turned off by it and just kind of write a movie off.

Um, because I think this happens in like other we've seen it happen in other areas. And it's not even like not necessarily something so direct of this. Like this is literally like you could say it's a rewrite of a previous movie in the franchise. Um, but then I I just think it's think it's so funny because the other thing I was thinking of like people complaining about Avatar just being fern gully.

Right. Like it's just fern gully. They just remade fern gully. Right. But like There's a lot of that in Hollywood. Right. They take a story and it works. So they just like replicate it in something else. I th a more recent example I think of is uh the Matrix Four revolutions. Which to me felt pretty similar to this, where they took they take the the original movie.

And they tweak it in certain ways, um, so that it's not entirely the same thing and they kind of do interesting things. So I'm curious as to what you guys think. Like if if you're turned off by this kind of formula. Personally for me. I'm not like I don't mind if they want to remake a movie. Um as long as I think as long as they're willing to do something interesting.

with it, like it you know, this has a lot of similar elements. But I personally find it fun and I think they change enough of it and do interesting things with with that. that it doesn't feel like a carbon copy. of a new hope. Right. Um, it feels like I mean, kind of I mean, I think you could say probably like Star Trek too, uh, JJ Aver, what he does with that, where, you know, kind of like this alternate timeline um deal.

So I like I like this. I don't really have a problem with it when they do this in in s with stories. Uh and I think it's, you know, I I think it works here. So I'm curious what you guys think of that. Yeah, it is pretty crazy. I saw something written, you know, essentially calling it like a soft reboot. And it has Desert Orphan, Droid with a secret info, planet killing weapon.

trench style assault, but is like, you know, uh paced a little bit differently. And I kind of I agree. Like I think it works for me because I like how JJ felt like you almost like needed to bridge the generations in this movie, and then we can kind of just like continue on after this and maybe like, you know, once let's set the stage first.

and then we'll do things a little bit differently. And I also love the idea, you know, originally it sounded like they were, you know, this movie was like the Han movie. The next one was going to be uh Luke. And the third one, unfortunately, was going to be a Leia movie and that ended up not happening. But I I agree, like the kind of nods to the original

films, it works really well. Like if you're a fan of the original, I feel like you get something new and exciting and very similar. Um, so it it works for me for sure. I think for this, I I don't really I can't really place much more outside of now that you brought up Ferngoli and Avatar. Outside of Star Wars, The Force Awakens, I don't know if I can place any more movies that have done this. Like he even said Matrix, but I can't even I can't remember either of those.

the similarities of four. For me, this works perfectly fine. And I think only because Um, the main characters are so wildly different than what we had in a New Hope. with Ray, with Finn, with Poe, Hux, Kylo. I mean, they're not even remotely close to what we had. So even the story beats that are similar to a New Hope. kind of don't really resemble it as much because of the players that are a part of it are completely different. Like I you can say Desert Orphan about Ray, but

She's more interesting on some point than than Luke a little bit. She's a million times more interesting than a whiny bitch. So it's like you have i I think that's the all it's just it's just very interesting. Uh and it feels like If you're gonna argue about this movie having just being a copy, then I don't wanna waste my time talking to you about it because you don't really want to talk about Star Wars. I mean, also like the casting

Whatever like you could say about the soft reboot, but like the casting of these characters is immaculate. Yeah, the characters are so energetic and charismatic. that it draws you into the story, even if you don't think it's like a a a fresh story. Um

Like Oscar Isaac looks so young in this movie, it almost like made me fall over. I don't know what is going on. Like I was looking at the year this movie came out, I was like, it wasn't that long ago, but he looks like a baby in this movie. Actually, I guess everyone looks like a baby in this movie. Um But man, Ray Daisy Ridley is just like a showstopper character in this movie, I feel like. And I think like even in origin like Lucas's original story treatment plans.

I think he wanted to do like a new female lead. Um, but Daisy Ridley is so amazing in this role. Um her and Finn together, Ray and Finn in their scenes is it's so dynamite. Like the way they play off each other, the way they have fun together. Um It's just incredible how well everyone works in this movie. Like they c the w I I have to look up the casting director, but hopefully they got a lifetime achievement award for casting this movie. But

Um, I love Ray. I've said it so many times that like it's it's kind of mind boggling that we don't have a Ray Something happening now. Yeah. Like enough time has passed. Like, can we get anyone with half a brain to write a script and get anyone with half a brain to approve it? And just make these movies. Like Ray needs to be creating the new Jedi Order. Um, but having said that, like I love the vague background of Rey in this movie. You know, on this rewatch, I was reminded that like

I'm wondering what her lineage is even with scenes with Han. I'm like, is is she like I actually wondered is like, is this another twin scenario? Is like are Ben and Ray related and like They lost Ray when she was younger because Han was like kind of looking at her, you know, and making faces every so often. But I yeah, I love the backstory of Ray. Um then this she's just perfect in this movie. The shot where she puts on the helmet.

If she's alone by the uh Star Destroyer. That's an all timer shot right there. God. So good. I mean we get like How we get some not like thirty minutes, but we get a long time of raid just kind of existing, scavenging in the the downstar destroyer, you know, selling what and cleaning parts and selling whatever parts and then just sitting um at the at the at the AT AT that she l now lives out of. Yeah. And like we just get to see Ray exist.

uh, on her own as a scavenger and just being perfectly fine. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think watching it um this time and it it's it's it's funny thinking about the complaints about this character too, because I actually think it's so well done how she develops throughout this movie. With like every skill that she has. Like first they established that like she's

uh someone who can take care of herself and like has needed to do that. She gets into that fight with the thieves who try to take the uh BBA from her and she just puts him down, you know, and it's like, well That didn't come out of nowhere. Like, that's okay. So she already has like the these skills. But then, like, as you see her.

gaining ability or really like the force guiding her. Cause that's like really what's happening, right? Cause you can even see it on the her face. Like she shoots the the the pistol and she hits the stormtrooper and she almost looks at the gun like, how did I do that? Right. And and then of course like the um the mind reading scene with Kylo.

Like that scene, I man, that scene is so good because of them two together and like the facial work that they're doing of just like you can see in her face. Her like being like fully overrun by Kylo, but then like fighting back and almost like In that moment, understanding what's happening and then like gaining that ability, like you can see her understanding the force and like how it's moving through her and what he's doing and how she can do it back to him.

So like all of these these you know, the these gripes that people might have about her character and It it not, you know, like where does it come from? I feel like it all is like present in the movie if you're willing to like pay attention to those scenes. Drag'em. Drag'em, Prodo. And even in the documentary. They talk about that was like one of her audition scenes was that mind reading scene.

And they ha showed footage of her. Like J J asked her to do it and she cries in the f like the first take. You can see like a tear come down her face and then he asked her to do it again and she did it again. So that I think that was the moment where they knew like, Okay, yeah, she's she's probably gonna get the part. But yeah, it's it's crazy. And uh when does the dyad stuff is that the second movie? Yeah. Yeah.

I guess you could say too, maybe like some of that dyad connection was feeding into her and that she was getting some knowledge that way. I would also argue we get a glimpse of it in this film when um when Ray touches the lightsaber and she has her force kind of vision moment like Luke had in Dagobah, there's a moment where Kylo is with the um His The Knights of Ren in the Rain. And they have a moment where Kylo.

goes wal like it looks like he walks towards her or almost acknowledges her that she's in a vision. I almost wonder as if he's having a vision then too. Like that's when they begin, um the their their dyad. Maybe that's when they're starting to realize they're connected or just, you know,

I mean, maybe that's when Snoke dealt with it. I don't know. We'll get into all the Snoke stuff, but Well, we'll get into it. Yeah. So yeah, I think I think that vision scene uh is like a a little precursor to what we get with the dyad. Yeah, I actually thought that there was more

Even though we know how like these movies were written completely independently of each other, I feel like there is actually more like through f thread for them in some ways. Um, this was the first time that I thought like maybe during that mind reading scene. Like is is like like the first sense of like Ray tapping into like the dark side in the way she's like like infiltrating Kylo's mind. And like maybe that's what gets him fearful and like but also excited.

That she's like willing to go in that direction, which is a great like tie into like why in the second movie. he would want to like he propositions that to her and then like in the third one I mean I remember the trailers for the third one you know you thinking like is she does she go to the dark you know so I feel like there is that there and I never thought of like this movie planting those seeds um that that carry through to the other movies.

Right. Yeah, remember, I mean, when she touched the lightsaber, I remember so many internet theories going ham about like how you could hear Obi-Wan's voice. Mm-hmm. You know, is she is she Obi-Wan's daughter? You know, or is there some kind of connection there? Remember you had like what two years? Two and a half year or I don't know how many years it was between movies, but like

of people like wondering we w who is she? Is she anyone? For a while. Oh my God, it was crazy. I mean they oh man, that that vision scene you hear Yoda, you hear Alec Guinness, and then you also hear Ewan McGregor. And Ewan came back and recorded his line for this film. The line, um I forget what he says. But they even like clipped out um He calls her a Mary Sue.

Oh shit. Um anyway, there's a there's a there's a line in like A New Hope where something where Alec Innis says afraid and they cut out Ray out of afraid. And so like when you hear when you hear Alex say Ray or something in that in that vision scene, it's cut out from that part. Yeah. I I like I think after I saw the third one I was pretty hard on like how they not have a plan, you know, for this for the children or whatever.

And I'm trying to like come from a different perspective of them really letting talented creatives just do their thing. And, you know, it they maybe they just like veered way too hard into that. And it made them really scared, probably up until this day, like even with the Soderbergh stuff. Like Iger was like, uh, actually we're not gonna do that. We're not gonna just let yeah a talented filmmaker kind of do whatever they want. Um

Yeah,'cause I was I was telling I can't remember if if this was during a show, but I was reading a lot about like the timeline. Like when this was in production, Ryan was writing his movie. And when Ryan was in production, Trevor O was getting fired for writing for writing, I guess, a bad script of Duel of the Fates. And they kind of had to readjust, but we'll get into that in a few weeks.

Danny, what's the top of your list? Well, it was Ray, but we'll move on from Ray. Okay. Because she's perfect. Um I th I I I I forget how I mean I've watched this film quite a bit, but I always forget how good um the introduction to Finn and Poe are in this film. Um, and then that when you have the two of them together, it's like it's just magic because they feel natural at what they're doing. The escape from the um Star Destroyer with um

them in the trying to find the TIE fighter, their their little quick banter, like do you ni can you pilot a ship? I can pilot anything. They get all excited. Like that that energy is like incredible. But then they get in the ship together. He gives him his name Finn.

Finn gets pissed about going back to Jakku. Why does he want to go back to Jakku? Like it's so funny to me. And that means this film I think is funnier than it than it needed to be. It had a lot more jokes. But man, um When they reun when when Finn is is fighting outside of Maz's cantina and

Poe comes flying in, he like screams about, you know, that's the best palette ever seen. And then they reunit reunite together on the on the base. It's just it's just the two of them together. Like we've already said it's perfect casting, but John Bollega and Po and uh uh Oscar Isaacs are really like They were they they have chemistry together and they're incredible. Mm-hmm. And you want to like find out.

what's gonna happen next with these characters in the next movie. Like it one movie and only a few scenes, you're like completely invested, at least I was, as much as the original characters. Yeah. And that is like a miracle to pull off. Like it's it's insane how well they did it in that movie. And Oscar was saying how the original script had him dying

And he like I tried to like talk JJ and like, can you just not kill me off?'Cause I've been killed off in so many of my movies early. So he eventually like, you know, made it happen and kept him alive. Um, but when I was you know, I might I re reference where I was working, but like I learned so much about shipping, relationshipping in

From The Force Awakens. Like the gifts alone of Poe biting his lip when he pats John on the shoulder. I mean, how many books and stories were written just from that moment alone? Where's our fifty shades of gray? But it's true. Like you can see it's Oscar, he, you know, and and him together, John, are just like, you know, they're off the charts. You know, like what I want to follow you guys. What have what are you getting into after this? Give me some more of this, please.

It's crazy. Yeah, you think about how like how scary it must be to write a new character for Star Wars. Mm-hmm. Because the tone in Star Wars is so specific. Like there's there's high drama in different points, but then there's there's like this humor element, there's this campiness. And you need a character you need a, you know, actors who can and ca and characters who can thread that needle and like do all of those things.

So like that's hard to first like write this character and then cast them so that they will work in this world and be believable and be funny when they need to be, but also emotional when they need to be. There's just like And then you've got this fan base that, you know, is like breathing down your neck. So

Yeah, I'm like pretty amazed too, like watching this of how good I think these characters fit into this this world. I think like the Poe Dameron character, it's pretty easy. It's like an X-Wing pilot. You know, you put a guy with a nice jaw in there and and you're good to go. But I I mean I think it's a cre it's like a wild swing to say, like, all right, we're gonna have a character who's a stormtrooper, um, you know, desert. And, you know, kind of be

I mean at the time like after watching his I think it's like he's the new Han Solo, right? Like this is this is the guy. Like he's got the he's got the jacket on. Um he's not a force user, or is he? Uh And so like that that that was like the thought. But I man, I I John Boy again is so good. Man, I just he's so charismatic.

Yeah, and what you were saying about his him with Oscar Isaac, yeah, I think they're so great. But then he's also just so great with Ray too. Yeah, it's it's insane. It really is amazing that like what they had with this and what they were able to to pull off. The scenes with him, uh, Boyega, when he first encounters Ray on Jakku.

And he keeps taking her hand. Like that's so good. It's so good and it's so funny. And it just it puts him in his place. Uh it's just it's just it's just great. That's such a great scene. And it what you going back to like writing new characters for Star Wars, it's like not just like introducing randos who just are like on along for the ride. It's like you have the backstory.

of um Finn to deal with of him, you know, being raised as a child as a stormtrooper. It's all he knows. And then he's defecting the first time he goes into battle. And then you have the backstory of Ray. you know, the scavenger who was dumped by her parents on this random place. And then just Kylo's backstory of, you know, being the son of Luke and or Han and Leia.

But he's like, you know, the biggest Vader fan trying to live up to, you know, being uh that guy after, you know, defecting from Luke's Jedi Academy. Like there's so much depth through to these characters right away in

it all works in the first film. It's just it's mind blowing. One thing I like about the characters, and this kind of goes back to like when you remake a movie like this, I think you're right. There is like this del level of depth and It and it's fun in the way that it mirrors the previous characters because like, yeah, of course, like Ray is like Luke. But at the same time, she's also like Leia. And then Kylo is like a Vader figure.

But to me, he's also like Luke because he's also like then you find he's Han Solo's son, you know, and then there's like this chance for redemption. Um, so they're like filling these multiple roles and then Han plays like Obi-Wan's role in the first one of like dying um and like sacrificing himself.

But not in the same way, not the same sacrifice. So there's almost like this complexity to it by retelling the story that adds like this whole other layer to it that you you almost can't get that unless you remake a movie in this way. So I think it has like this this this sauce to it that just i is really fun. Need to play the clip of uh George Sand. Uh it's like poetry. Uh rhymes. And then everyone writing that down. Oh yeah. Oh I got Thanks, George.

I love George, but those meetings where he's talking, I don't know if I could sit through eight hours. Beat it up. Tell me tell me about the force, George. Well you see, uh Lily represents uh the good side. And uh Darth represents uh evil and they're fighting each other. Oh god. Yeah. Oh. Let's take notes. I mean, the the Kylo stuff too, and we should mention, you know, years before this.

You know, there's books and there's comic books out there where Han and Leah have multiple kids. They have twins. Um, and if as the years go on, I think at least one of them turns to the dark side and becomes like the next Darth Vader and, you know, maybe blows up a race of people. It goes pretty badly for several of those kids. But in this one with Kylo, you know, it it is a pretty big baggage to find out that like your lineage is

you know, pretty messy. You know, you Darth Vader is your grandfather and then Luke is trying to like fix it. But maybe you are at odds with him. I don't know. And like, yeah, I I love the backstory. I forgot that like you don't even really hear the reveal until the second movie of like why Luke is

Missing. And I mean, even that, the first line of the crawl, Luke Skywalker has vanished. Huh? Yeah. Like, where's Luke? Right. What happened to Luke? And you're wondering, like, what's going on? And this is the first time that I heard the line, maybe that I forgot, but The last thing that they thought like he he vanished or he left to find the original Jedi Temple.

And that was like the only kind of rumor that they had heard. I honestly don't even remember that line. But yeah, just the idea of Luke being missing and the cliffhanger ending with Luke. Like meeting that stuff up. Meeting it up. Eatin' it up. What did you think about Luca? vanishing proto. Yeah. Yeah, not really in it until the end. Well, I guess, yeah, I mean you're you're wondering like, where is Luke? Um, because you have Han, you have Leia, you have Chewy.

C3PO. Everyone's here. Um, but I mean, I remember like the ending of this movie. Leaving it saying like, hey, the next the sequel is going to pick up with Luke Skywalker. Like I even in the like watching it again. and knowing what will happen, but like it gives me like chills and like excitement, like the thought of being at this place and watching this for the first time. that you watch this whole movie, it's a ride, it's exciting, there's new characters.

uh Han is dead, Kylo. And then you're dropped with like the next movie will begin with Luke Skywalker. It's just kind of like, oh my God. You almost forgot like in the the heat of watching this movie. Y I think by like halfway through I kind of forget about Luke Skywalker. Yeah. And then he's there and you're like, Oh my God, we're gonna get Luke Skywalker in the next movie. You know, it's like it's like one of the best cliffhangers.

That you could ask for as a fan. Yeah. Oh my God, it's so good. It's so good. And you're like, why is Luke what happened to Luke? Like what could have been so bad that Luke leaves and goes missing? Yeah. You're also like wondering what the hell happened to the rebellion? Why do we even need a rebellion? Right? We haven't even got into that. Like what how did you guys screw this up? What happened? That's a great point.

But I guess y I mean you can look at modern day and um you know things change. But I Yeah, I mean we took down Nazi Germany, but somehow Nazis somehow somehow the Nazis have returned. Um, there was one thing that I that I missed. Uh at least the wiki said that there's a book or something, Star Wars bloodlines, where Leia lost essentially lost power because it came out that she was Vader's daughter. Yeah.

Which I thought was pretty amazing. You should read Bloodline. Yeah, I've I've never read it. But I thought that was pretty cool because that sort of answers some of the question about how like the new republic maybe became weakened. But yeah. Amazing cliffhanger ending. I mean, and he had to wait two years. Like, ugh. Give it to me now. Please. I mean there was a comic book

out at the time, what was it called? Like the Shattering or something? Sh um Shattered Empire. Shattered Empire. Luke um interacts with Poe Dameron's parents. Mm-hmm. And they tried to like tie together I think he was looking for Jedi artifacts. He he found like a plant, right? Do you remember that? It was the tree. Oh, it was the four sensitive tree that Palpatina had.

And Poe Damron's mom was a rebel pilot. And so when Luke started after the fall of the empire, Luke went out searching for these artifacts and she traveled with him, Poe's mom. I need to reread that he gave there was so there was so the conversations about that was he gave a branch off the four sensitive tree to Poe's mom and she planted it and Poe grew up around the four-sensitive tree his entire life. So there's conversations like will Poe

you know, have force abilities at some point, or does he already have? Is that why he's such a great pilot? Is that why he's like Luke being, you know, have great reflexes as a pilot, et cetera, et cetera? That was a great comic. Yeah.

And and I mean anything that touches Luke Reddit outside of Jedi, I'm gonna eat it up. And it had really great artwork too. I think there's a lot of stuff that Marple puts out that you know, interior art wise looks a little bit like Pooh, but that one was they put some money into that comic book for sure to like get people excited for the movie.

And I think also like the levels of the force, like force sensitive doesn't necessarily mean you're gonna be like a Jedi, but like you're you know, you're maybe more attuned to the force than someone who isn't. Right? Didn't they investigate some of that maybe somewhere? Uh I think it's Protto's turn, maybe. Again? Okay. Maybe. Unless we can go through Minchis. Um Han's death. Do you guys remember the reaction in the theater?

For Han said. I don't think I've ever heard a theater as quiet in like complete shock of watching Han Solo die. And I didn't think J J would have the stones to do it, honestly. Um It it felt like foreshadowed, but man, what a brutal scene. The sun going out. as they finish draining it to f to to you know fuel star killer base and then just the light you see the light literally leaving Kylo's face as he kills on and it's like

Chef I mean Chef's kiss for a moment. Uh Han touching his face right before he falls. I mean it's it's an incredible moment. uh Chewy, you know, could have been a better shot. Could have shot Kylo in the head right there and we would have ended it all. Um but he got him in the side, so that's fine, I guess. Um but that scene is it's it's it's it it it hits every time. Uh and I think it's it as much as I like Harrison, I think Kyle uh Adam Driver's performance in that scene

Is really captivating. Yeah. Kylo is, I mean, amazing casting. Yeah. For Adam Driver. I mean the way his mouth moves and the way he walks. Nobody does it like him. Nobody does it like Adam. But man, that's an ic iconic scene of like his lines, you know, I don't know if I have the strength to do it. Oh my God. And when he yells out Ben I mean, that's an amazing line read from Harris, maybe his best ever. Best line read. Ha ha. But yeah, I love that scene too.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean Adam Driver. I uh when this came out, I don't think I knew who Adam Driver was. Like I don't think I was familiar with him. So like going back and watching it now, having seen so many movies in his like career, you know, grow so much from after this. It's great to go back. I mean I

Speaking of like looking young, man, he looks so young. He looks like a baby. He looks like a teenager. It's wild. Perm hair that he has when he like takes his helmet off for the first time. He yeah, he looks so good. Yeah, and that scene is so great. I mean, and it's like a great foreshadow too of just like, you know, a chance for rede redemption and um, you know, redemption denied in this moment.

But I mean, uh like setting up like it's like, all right, how evil is this guy really? It's like, all right, well He finds the strength to kill his own dad. Yeah. And pretty much close the book on turning back. Which is such a great setup, you know, for for the rest of the series, because it's like, man, he's really buying into this. But how much more payoff would it be, you know, if he eventually does um, you know

Turn away. So it's a it's a great it's a great scene. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, even in the next one, you're still like You can come back, Pilot. This is hell, you can come back. Darth came back. You know, he made the right choice. There were there was a moment where I was like, you know, we cut Darth Maul in half.

Could we get is his is his on laying at the bottom of this and is get pieced back together at the next film? You know, it's funny you say that because apparently George's script drafts included Darth Maul. as being like uh back again. Which I was pretty sure. Oh God. I mean it also dealt with like more of the Wills stuff and the force sensitive, you know, whatever. So who knows? Who knows? We'll never know.

No. Yeah, I mean, Adam Driver, I mean, again, great casting. I think I had seen him in that TV show Girls. Remember that on HBO? Love them and girls. He's like the the ex lover, whatever. Um amazing casting. I mean, we haven't really talked about a Kylo is like the character design and stuff, but love the helmet. Uh Adam Driver just has a very distinctive walk.

Yeah. He has like, and I envision it as like the Kylo Renn walk, but it's really the Adam Driver walk. Yeah, he walks like that in all the movies. Um it's almost like Harrison Ford's run. He does have he has a wide berth. Um, but I love the villain Kylo Wren. I mean, at the time you see the Knights of Wren in the flashback. Yeah. You're like, uh, who is this biker gang of Sith that I'm assuming is Sith? Like you have no idea really, like, who they are.

And it's so cool though. Like who's this gang that what is happening this flashback? But yeah, I mean, so cool. Love, love Kylo Ren. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. We didn't really talk about Snoke yet. Um I I I feel like uh watching this now, all I could think of is like when when Andy Circus says, Bring her to me, he has like his lips.

have a very particular way of forming. And it's like the exact same way that like Gullum's lips and Smeagol's lips form. That it's like it's like they're those are Smeagol's lips. on Snoke, like when he's speaking. I guess it's like that whatever the British like soaking wet lips jutting out as you enunciate face that Andy Circus is making in the mocap. Um

But you know, I I don't I don't remember, you know, I know people have like strong feelings about Snoke. I mean, I remember watching this like Thinking it was like interesting, like who is this figure? He's mysterious. Where did he come from? You know, is this Palpatine somehow? Like what failed the deal? Yeah, failed clone like what what is it? So, you know, there's not a lot there, but I think there's

enough that you're like, oh, this we're gonna learn more about this character in the next movie. This is gonna be a big you know, this is the big baddie. Um so I remember at the time liking it. Uh it's hard to like kind of separate it now from like the next movie. But I mean, do you guys remember what your thoughts were of Snoke at the time?

I think I was just kind of confused. I remember I remember being like, God damn, this guy is a giant. When you see him in the the projection scene, but then I forget like well they projected Palpatine's massive fucking head uh when Vader was kneeling at him. So it's like, Oh yeah, they can just project giant people. But I I don't know. I think I th it was just kinda iffy on him.

When you realize it's a hologram, I think at the beginning it's like, Is this dude really sitting there? Yeah, he was huge. This is a giant it wasn't a very good hologram. I guess holograms had progressed thirty years in technology wise. Yeah, yeah. But I mean, like now that you say that, I'm like now realizing that this is the same thing that Palpatine did. You know, he was like a holographic projection. So it's another kind of like pre tread homage, whatever.

But I remember the theories going on for so long about who Snoke was. I I do th feel like in my mind he is like a failed like you could see him being a failed Palpatine clone. Like the the clone of Palpatine is a storyline that's not new in the third movie. Like that's a very popular often done comic book plot. Um But it definitely gets subverted in the second movie. So I'm into it. Like I like the idea of like a shadowy new evil figure that you're curious about. So I was I was pretty into it.

They do how about the making of where they sh they built like a thirty foot stage for circus to stand on top of and talk down to Hux and Kylo. Yeah. So like he's actually up there when they're looking up circuses. Pretty cool. Um, how about the first order? What'd you guys think of the first order? You know, the new Empire Sect back again, huck.

Very strong Nazi imagery, I feel like, when they first sh used the Star Killer base, which we haven't even talked about. Yeah. I do like the designs of this new stormtrooper outfit. Yeah, they look great. Yeah. It's a good design. I think um No more clones. No more clones, but we're stealing babies. So, you know. Gotta we gotta you know, change one for the other. Uh I love Phasma. I think she looked dynamite uh with her cape and that chrome armor.

Um, I don't know. I d I I don't really have much to say about the first order at this point. I mean Hux plays that really I don't know. I don't think he plays it as cool as like Tarkin is. uh as like the leader because he has rank over Kylo like Palpatine or like uh Tarkin Tarkin had over uh Vader. Um I don't know. I I mean I like Hucks at this point.

I also liked I honestly like Star Killer Base. I know people rag on it as a Death Star ripoff, but it's pulling out the thing. I wonder if they remember that they made a second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. No, did you not have a problem with the second Death Star? Mamba. But I like the idea that it's pulling energy from the sun. I think that's pretty rad. I I thought it looked cool. It also it moves. It's a it's a light speed like planet. It can also move around.

I mean it would have to be'cause right, it eats a sun to shoot. Yeah. You gotta go to the next sun. I mean the the the the havoc that this base is wreaking throughout solar systems. Mm-hmm. It's impressive. I you know, I forg I totally forgot about them shooting it and destroying like that whole solar system. Yeah. And at that point I was like, I kind of wanted more explanation there. Like how much does that cripple the resistance or the existing republic that's like left over?

You know, or is there is like is was that it? Like did they did they hit what was left of the republic in that blast and like wipe out three quarters of, you know, who was there? They don't really like get into that much. Um

I also don't look I think it I think the first order might be like the weakest part of the the movie for me because it's just kind of like dropped in your lap. It's like the four sorters here and like there's no explanation and you just kinda have to like go with it. And I guess they don't like What are they gonna do? Like, how are they gonna explain this? I guess you you c there's a lot where you can just like fill in the gaps. Um

But it's just kind of like we're kind of just back to the empire. But you know, a lot of the movie is like that, right? It's just like it's the same thing again and you kinda just have to like roll with it. The one thing I will probably forget, but in the Duel of the Fate script Ollega led a insurgence and got like a stormtrooper army to turn against the First Order. Like part of his role was like getting more stormtroopers to defect, which I thought was pretty rad.

Um maybe my last note before Menchis is the final fight in the snow. Um, I think I wrote in one of my Letterboxd review where when Ray gets the lightsaber, it's the greatest scene in film history. I love that snow. I mean, the the lightsaber fight in the snow, just genius idea, like forehead slapping idea. Yeah. Um, I love that stuff.

I love when the lightsaber flies past Kylo and in her hand. That's like instant weep mode. As soon as she grabs that lightsaber. That's like absolute all timer Star Wars moment. Um And then I almost had no training. How did she do that? How'd she do it? How does she know what a Jedi mind trick is? Sorry. Um But also like I kind of forgot that Kylo's face got all left up in that fight too. Like you're left for two years, like up.

with him being kind of, you know, a light version of Vader at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Like his face is all effed up. He's caught up. Like what's he gonna look like in this in the second movie? Um So yeah, I love the final scene. It's amazing. I love, you know, the the the fallout of, you know, her moment with Carrie.

Also was was really cool. We haven't even really talked about Carrie Fisher coming back. Um, God, I feel like there's so much we haven't even talked about yet. But it's a big movie. Sno the snow scene, loved it. Loved it. Yeah. I love the snow scene too. And I it also like

puts Finn in a you know, a weird place for the next film. Like, is he live? Is he gonna die? I mean, they still have a heartbeat. It's, you know, his back's all effed up. Chewy saving them as Star Killer Base is exploding. Like Incredible stuff. I mean, when she realizes she could use the force again, like she mind tricked Kylo the first time, like incredible stuff. That scene's just gorgeous. Um Menschies, does anyone have any major points should we talk about Carrie? Carrie Fisher?

Part of the resistance, General Leia Organa. Um It just like made me wistful for the rest of the series. Like I really wish the third movie went a little bit differently. Obviously, like she was able to play more of a role in the trilogy, you know, what could have been, but um Pretty f pretty great that we got what we did get, you know, in these first two and for the most part.

I mean her interactions with Harrison too. I mean him Carrie and Harrison, you know, Han and Leia, when they reunite back on that when she you know, her her blockade whatever ship, her freighter comes and lands by Maz's temple. And they have their conversation again and you know, he's seen their son like

them reuniting about that kind of stuff. I mean, I feel like they felt so natural. Like it didn't feel awkward, the two of them. So it was like, we're back finally. Like with the the our three main characters, Leia. You know, Luke and Han have for the most part of this film have been scattered. So we have all the new crew that we're like dealing with the most time. So when Leia and Han get back together, it's like, here we go.

Yeah, that scene's really great. Like just being like, Oh my gosh, it's Leia and Han in a scene again. Mm-hmm. Right in front of us. Like it's happening. They're talking to each other. Uh yeah, and I think that scene is great because it kind of like

It tells you everything you need to know about the relationship, what's like happened in between this time. I just thought that that scene is like really well handled between those two characters. Mm-hmm. And again, you're like wondering what the hell happened with Ben. You know, that caused this rift. How many years has it been since he's seen us parents? Gosh, it was like, we really F top guy. He's a he's a he's a Sith now. I got some bad news. He's a Sith. He gets it from your design.

I mean, uh honestly, yeah. What was his line? He's like, I saw him, I saw her son. Like, even that is like heartbreaking. Um let me just quick go through my menschies, maybe. Um my one line, find Luke, amazing horny. That was my line for thinking about missing Luke. Uh silver trooper that went no nowhere. Poor Phasma.

You can say that about a lot of lot of things as the trilogy goes on, but we'll save that for another time in a place. Yeah, we got a couple of movies. Um, I love uh Ray's music. Yeah. We haven't really talked about John Williams School. John Williams King. Yeah. Supreme Leader Snoke. Was Supreme Leader ever a thing mentioned in the movies before? No. Okay.

Supreme Leader. It's a first order thing. Them disagreeing about using clones was really cool. It's like a blink and you miss it line about how they're using humans. I guess there's a lot of that. Like you just quick quick lines you could potentially miss. The Falcon. Ray Ray's line. That one's garbage. And then it's revealed to be the Falcon. Oh MG. The garbage will do. Man. Incredible scene.

The upside down Falcon shot is insane. Jesus. Oh my God. So crazy. It's so good they put it in the trailer. Yeah. He went looking for the first Jedi temple. So cool. God again, like Can we figure this out? What is what do we have to pay Sebastian Stan or whomever to be Luke in a trilogy or whatever. Yeah. It'll come. It'll come. We just have to I don't wanna be like eighty when this finally happens, you know? Fifty. You'll be fifty. Don't worry. It'll happen though.

So true. The burned up Vader mask was rad. Yeah. Was that in the trailer? Yeah. I feel like that might have been in the trailer. I do think they zoom in on it on the trailer. Star killer base uses the power of the sun. And remember, they put it like next to the Death Art. It was like three times bigger. Oh, it's massive. As long as there's as long as there's light, we got a chance. Wow. God. I want to be free of this pain. Oh. My God. Oh my god, what a movie.

Oh man. Yeah, five stars still for me. I love this thing. And I I know I the previous announcement episode I talked about how the 4K didn't look it didn't knock my socks off, but in the documentary they did talk about like this was shot on film and Maybe some of my like my impressions was like this was shot in like, you know, digital or whatever. But also we haven't really talked about the practical effects nature of this movie.

You know, before this it was like all the prequels, digital effects, everything, and they really went back to formula uh in a beautiful way. Uh on Jakku, I love the I love some of the sets. I mean, just the the Crash Star Destroyers. Um Ray living out of the the ATAT. Um those look so good. There's like so much that like just looks great. I mean between the the different droids, um BB eight, BB eight. Yeah, BB eight. Inspired design for BB eight.

Uh you mentioned the the Falcon like dogfight scene is great. I mean a also the Poe uh blasting those TIE fighters at Maz's uh fortress. Oh my gosh. Is that like the best X Wing scene ever? That's a great question. But it's so awesome. Like that m that made me hyped for like uh

An X Wing movie. You know, if they made one about like the is uh that was like the plan of the Ryan Gosling movie, right? No, it was the um that was the director of the Wonder Wonder movies. Patty Jenkins. Patty Jenkins. Patty Jenkins. Man, I feel like that could man, that could be a banger if done right. Um just take that one scene and make it into a whole movie. Um

Oh my gosh. When the when the officer is telling Kylo what happened and he's telling him the the droid stole the freighter and he's like the droid stole a freighter and then he like freaks out. That sound effect when he forced chokes up across the room. Incredible.

When he's like dis I don't know if that's the same scene when he's destroying the room and there's the two stormtroopers who like walk in and they hear it and they turn around. That's when uh Kylo's having one of his hissy fits. Yeah when Ray's got away. After she um Mind tricks Daniel Craig. Uh you know, we usually talk about how we check the runtime on a movie and we like can't believe that we're, you know, only forty minutes in.

I felt like we were fifteen minutes into this movie and it was like at the one hour mark. Like this movie just flies by. There's just like action nonstop. Yeah. Uh it has such a great pace to it. Uh did we mi did I miss anything? The the council scene of them like coming up with a plan to take out Star Killer base is so funny. It felt like a scene from Galaxy Quest.

Like how they come up with like this planet so fast. This planet has to have a thermal oscillator. It does have a thermal oscillator. I know where it is. All right, then you do this and I'll do that. Okay. And you do that. All right, everyone. Good plan. And it's like There's five wait like everyone else is standing around. It's like all right, so you five are gonna like

I guess like take care of everything and we don't have to worry. Right. What does everyone else do? Are they just manning the phones? Wait, what is the plan? What am I supposed to do? It's so And there and what in reality there is no plan because uh Finn just makes up that he knows like how to get to that stuff. Yes.

Also, them coming out of light speed on like the planet's surface and like Han is just like pull he's like uh now and he just pulls it back. Right. I don't understand how that works at all. That's hilarious. Oh, getting to see Harrison Ford's waddle run when he's setting the detonators. It's like so pronounced because he's like so much older. It's funny you say that because

you know, in with Indiana Jones and this circle of time or whatever the hell that movie's called. But like he looks really young, I feel like, in this movie comparatively. And it was not that long ago. Like even in the making of He's got his hair slicked back. He's got his earring in. He looks great. Like not that he looked like that. This was 10 years ago. Jesus. And in my mind, it's like 20 years ago.

Yeah, my last note, Luke Skywalker appearing, Chef Friggin Kiss, just amazing way to end it. Um I guess I have to be at five stars. My God. I just really do love this movie. My God. So much fun. I mean, this is definitely the easiest one to talk to about of the three. For sure. Oh yeah. Um

I didn't uh this is the first time I noticed watching it this time when and I mean I mean it's the first time I thought about it actually. When they're on the um When they smuggle themselves on the Falcon and they're in like the cargo hold where, you know, Luke and Han hide in that in the movie and he knows they're in there and they get out and they find out it's Han solo and they're like going back and forth about whose story is correct about who Han is.

I was really thinking like what story was Finn told as a first order about Han being this evil person trying to take down the Empire? And then you have the story that Ray grew up about him being a legend. And then that moment they're like comparing notes on what they know about Han Solo and Luke and all that. It's just very interesting. You know, I like in that scene.

Either Finn or Ray says, Wasn't he a war hero? And then Chewy just shrugs. Yes. Um I I I mean, we've talked about everything that I want to talk about, I think. Okay. I you know, I mean I'm at five stars for this. This has been a five-star film since I've seen it, you know, every time. Easy five stars. I do like the I like a the idea of Ben Solo being trained. by a failed clone. You know, that's like a really interesting idea. A a a cl a bad clone of a Jedi, or like a bad clone of a Sith.

Like what does that do? You know, like how effed up is the training at that point? Like how do you veer off track in that training? That's pretty would love to read a story about that. Um, all right. That is the Force Awakens. We got some VMs to go through, folks. Buckle up. Or we'll see you next week. Not sure what your what your your mood is with voicemails, but we have allegedly have a voicemail from uh Yattle. Oh.

Remember Yattle? Yeah. Do you have any doesn't have any handy photos of Yattle to post in uh Safe photos of Yattle. There I got one. I mean, there was a period of time where we were laughing up for a long time about Yattle. Here's Yattle. Yattel is uh the female Where's the other one where like Yattle is uh female member of the species that Yoda and Grogu are uh members of. She was a member of the Jedi Council, I believe. Mm-hmm. Not sure whatever happened to Yattle.

There's probably a comic book about it. You know, the first order happened. The first order, yeah. Unfortunately that's the first one. I mean the uh order of sixty six. So, you know, I I have no other uh knowledge of this VM. Uh let's just see how this goes. Okay. Heard you are covering the secret eulogy I did. Something to say about this I have. Much to say. Perhaps too much. Begin with the force awakens you. A fine villaim it is. Safe, somewhat call it. New phrases

What's wrong with the force is? Mary Sue, perhaps. Where did she come from? Who are her parents? Much a mystery. There is good mystery or lazy mystery, to the good to say. Powerful, yes. Hm A bit emo like his grandfather before him. Hm. Anger management recommendable. Have a number I can give. Say this I will. Divided the fanbase. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to YouTube video essays. I will. Good work. Good do. May the force beautiful.

Wow, Yattle. Incredible. Yattel is uh on the level. Yattle seems very aware what's happening in the modern day. Incredible. For maybe some kind of traveling through force time to send that message. Who knows? Oh, my head hurts. You could have said that at any point that was just a random Frank Oz Muppet talking. I heard Frank Oz coming through it at various points. The spirit of Frank.

Rest in peace. All right. We have, let's see, let me change pace. Maybe we'll read a letter that we got. Uh let's see. Catcher. My beautiful boys, three hundred episodes. It feels like just yesterday the three of you spilled the beans. My god. On this new podcast idea you had invented. Quote, we're going to talk about movies. The podcast world changed that day. Congratulations to you three for truly making something that helps keep the passion and love for film alive. You love you lots.

P.S. smart to celebrate this milestone with a trilogy of films as overwhelming Beloved as these three are. Sometimes you have to give yourself a break. Have fun on exigal. Oh my god. I haven't thought about that word in theater. Exagold. Catcher says. Uh next VM comes from Mike. Hey guys, Mike Scott here. Just wanted to congratulate you on 300 episodes.

Hell of an accomplishment. Really looking forward to the discussion of The Force Awakens this week. I actually remember watching that movie in the theater with my cousin who I'd kinda been a bit of a big brother too, uh when he was younger, and we went to see a ton of Star Wars and Marvel movies, so this film because of that holds a

Special place in my heart. But also, you know, it's chock full of nostalgia and callbacks and you know, inject that stuff into my veins. What can I say? I'm a sap and I love that kind of stuff, so Looking forward to hearing what you guys think about it. Uh all these years later. Can't believe it's been ten years plus. That's insane. Anyway, congratulations again on three hundred episodes. I'm glad to have been

Such a part of this community now for four years. Wow. And looking forward to the uh next three hundred. Take care, guys. Goodness. Mike. Thank you, Mike. Mike. Mike has started a podcast in the uh time that he's been a member of our community. Bottle and bond. Cranked him out. Cranking them out. No one's dropped 25 episodes faster than Mike. Nobody cranks it faster than Mike. Mm-hmm. Thank you, Mike. Mm-hmm. Uh, we have another letter. From Katie. Three hundred is crazy. Katie's returned. So

This one is a little bit more safe for work. Okay. Uh 300 is crazy. Congrats on being the only consistent men in my life. Love you lots, Katie. Okay. We're here for you, Katie. Thank you. We're here for you. We'll never leave you. Next VM from Phil. Hey seventy M Mm, it's Philip. Gonna try to keep it tight'cause I imagine there'll be a lot of these.

Um, just wanna say congrats on three hundred and I guess also congratulations, but mostly thank you for putting putting the work in to build such a wonderful community here. I know for a lot of us, um the regular Discord engagements have just added so much to our lives and the the meetups have been a blast. Uh loved getting to bring Anna to the last one and bringing her into the uh the villager fold. But yeah, it's been just such a wonderful part of my life the last few years so.

Thank you guys. Um this is creeping up on a minute. I had a fun a funny Hulk story. Maybe I'll send that in for uh Rise of Skywalker because what the heck else are we gonna talk about there? But uh look forward to seeing Danny's art every week. Uh look forward to getting pinged in the Discord talking about Physical media or the ten thousand podcasts that everybody else has started and it's just It's just been such a wonderful time. So thank you, Slim, Proto and Danny.

Uh, for everything you've done. And here's to another as many as you guys want to do. See ya. All right. Thank you. Noncommittal on that. I appreciate that, Phil. You never know. Who knows what the future holds. So true. Thank you, Phil. Uh Kenton sent a letter. Subject line episode three hundred. Hey guys, just want to write in really quick to say congrats on the big one, episode three hundred.

I also want to say thanks for the countless hours of joy you have brought me and many others for the last six years covering some incredible films. Not only have you covered some of my favorite all-timers, you have also introduced me to some new favorites as well. Wings of desire, the tree of life, coherence, and high and low, just to name a few.

And thank you for creating such a wonderful and welcoming community full of movie nerds in the VHS village. It's so rad to know that I have friends all around the globe and can always come here for new movie recommendations, comic book talk, fashion tip. horse picks, CCM, and even life advice. It's a special thing you've created, and I hope you all know just how appreciated it is. Here's to 300 more.

XO X XOOXO XXX. My God. Hug, hug, kiss, kiss, hug, hug, big kiss, little hug, kiss, kiss, little kiss. Okay, Kenton. Thank you, Kenton. Kitten, nice show. Thank you, Ken. Those picks. Remember Coherence? Yeah. I need to watch that again. I need to rewatch the tree of life or re-listen to that episode. Not sure which is worse. Ha ha

How about proto building that bot that lets you uh compare your own letterbox ratings to host ratings for those episodes? That's really cool. It's really cool to see no one no one is uh, you know. Sides with me on anything. Well, I think that's because you don't even rate the movies on letterbox that we do for the show. So it's probably missing a lot of detail. I I would rather people listen to the show than read my letterbox. Okay. All right. I'm fine with that. Thank you.

Uh next VM from our pal Orlandy. What is up 70 millimeter? It is Andy calling from Joplin, Missouri. Just wanted to call to uh say congratulations. Uh congratulations on uh hitting episode three hundred. What an achievement. You guys should be proud of the work of the work that you guys do each and every week. Um The community is so thankful for you guys and uh we just love you guys so much.

I figured I would also call because you guys are covering a Star Wars episode uh movie, excuse me. And um what just reminds me of the first time I called in, you guys were doing Rogue One for the first time. And um I I spoke my truth and shared how much I didn't like that movie. Uh still hold on to that truth. Uh but when it comes to episode seven I freaking love this movie. Okay. Um, what a time when this movie came out.

Uh the trailer, uh see seeing Kylo Wren for the first time, seeing his red lightsaber for the first time. Oh yeah, the mystery behind everything. And then the movie came out and it was awesome. I I absolutely loved it. I loved how much. uh how much excitement there was for the franchise again and the possibilities were limitless. And then, you know, the next one came out and that kind of squashed it. But anyways, love you guys a whole lot. Can't wait to see the artwork. Um, have a good one.

Andy collin from the Titan submarine. Gonna go down and see the Titanic real quick. I'll talk to you guys right after. Thank you. Thanks, Andy. Andy was asking when we're getting back on Twitch. Says he misses watching our streams. Oh, Apex. APEX. Okay. When? Good point. When? Uh let's see. I think we have a couple more, maybe two more VMs. Let's hear from Kevin. Hello, seventy millimeter, it's Kev here. Six years, three hundred episodes. What a massive achievement.

You know, uh five years ago this month, a really lonely, weird dude followed an Instagram ad to a podcast episode talking about Zack Snyder's Justice League. And then just a couple m weeks later. subscribe to a Patreon, which led him to a Discord, which would go on to change his life. That guy is me. And I've been thinking a lot about that lately, that time, who I was then and who I am now. And Uh frankly, so much is better in my life and a lot of that, most of that, almost all of it.

is because of you and because of your amazing community and the amazing friends that I've been lucky enough to make. And I just wanted to send a note to say, Happy three hundred. I love you guys. I'm so happy that uh it it went from Some movie podcast I really like to my favorite podcast to my friends podcast. And it's just such a joy uh to know you three.

And to be in such an amazing community where I've met really uh some of my best friends who I hope to have my entire life. Uh what a joy. So sad it has to end over Star Wars sequel discourse, but you know I've It was always gonna end. It was either gonna be Forrest Gump or the Star Wars sequels. So might as well go out with a bang. Peace and love, guys. And remember. It's not a podcast about sex. It's a podcast about love. My God, he said it. He said the line.

Oh, Kev, we love you too. Love you, Kev. What a great VM. I mean, that is wild to think about all that Kev has done with like friends in the Discord. It's really great and really incredible. Right. Golly. Listen to Kev's podcast with Kenzo, Austin Danger Pod. Or Lori Strode Trap House. I mean, so much has happened since we started the show in many ways. It's pretty crazy. What a way to end it too for this trilogy. One final ride. One last ride.

Uh I think maybe one more VM we have. Hopefully data, you can keep me honest in the email box. Okay. Uh I already missed one. Jordan. I didn't read Jordan's letter, but we'll go through that right now. Uh subject line. Happy 300th. Jordan, 300 eps in the bag. Congrats, gentlemen. 70 MM has truly been a blessing since I found you guys through your megalopolis app.

Wow. Mega love. As far as favorite memories go, one that came to mind, I'll never forget discovering what Dick Tracy was after that being announced as an episode. My God, it was mind boggling. I legitimately had never heard those two words together in my life and had no idea what the F it was, and after seeing pictures of the characters in that movie, I had a crazy

crash out in the discord in disbelief that this was a real thing people had actually seen. I never watched the movie by the way and never will. Oh I know you hear it all the time, but you guys are truly you guys have truly created something so special with the show and the village. I have had some isolating times in my life where I felt like I didn't have friends to talk to about movies.

the way that I wanted to. And it's so cool that you have been able to provide that kind of community for me and so many others. I'm here for the long haul, so I can't wait to see what we get into this year. Three hundred eps on uh Proto's disowned and disgraced son Jord. Oh, it's Jord. Oh my God.

Great letter. Jordan. Wow. The Dick Tracy stuff. I mean Can you imagine like seeing those photos and having kind of just missed that entirely? Flat top? Are you kidding me? My God. I almost had a freak out thinking I did not remember we did a megalopolis episode. Oh, what a picture. All right. I'm going through the emails just to make sure I think we have one more VM and that's it. Yeah. Uh from Emma. Hey guys, it's Emma J.

I just wanted to give a few thank yous and say congratulations on three hundred episodes. That's truly a feat. It's coming up on two years I think since I found the pod and my life has changed a ton since then. And I have a few individual thank yous before I go. Proto, thank you for the style inspo for frequently being the most sane host on the show. And also for all the daydreams that I've had about my own mustache. I think that's the real spiritual guidance that you're providing.

Danny, thank you for the multiple pieces of art both created and gifted that I get to experience each day. My dad actually got a matching Interstellar shirt for Christmas this year. So the whole Jay family is grateful to you there. Slim, you've pulled some strings in the last few months that have changed my creative pursuits, but also my friendships for the better. So thank you is maybe not enough for those, but

It is really all I have to offer you at the moment. And yeah, I guess um just happy three hundred guys. Let's all stay prayed up until five hundred. Um happy to be here. Thank you. Thank you, Emma. Emma has a podcast that is horse related, folks. Yeah. If you're in the Discord or maybe you're just in our community, what's it called? Ear of the horse? Ear of the horse. Ear of the horse.

Emma J. Emma J's stock has has been rising as of late in the Discord with her podcast produce uh pursuits, rather. Okay. That's it for uh VMs. That's it for this week. Next week uh we are doing The Last Jedi. Yeah.

I mean you talk about ship. Shipping hit a whole new level with uh Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley. Remember the drawings of like topless Adam Driver that came out of this movie? I know, I sent you a few. You're commissioning me to draw this art, Slim. Is that real? I don't remember that. Yeah, you're like, Danny, can you put Adam in this post? I mean, if you do make the art topless Kylo Wren, shirtless Kylo Wren for The Last Jedi.

That could go places. I've done if you like shirtless Kylo Ren art before. That's not a joke. It was a I did a bookmark. And if you flipped it over, it was Kylo shirtless. Okay. Wow. Uh Ryan Johnson 2017 Let the Past Die. You know, this is when you you talk about discourse. It couldn't have gotten any worse or heated at this time when the last Jedi decided to do something new and fresh.

As we talked about those those subhuman people, they don't want new and fresh. Christ. They also don't want to read they don't want new and fresh. They don't want to retread. So what do they want? Nobody knows. What's in between that? You know? I don't know the answer. We'll we we will tell you the answer next week. Three oh one. Any uh closing thoughts this week for Ep 300 uh leading into the future? Closing thoughts. Um

Yeah, I was just thinking like w yeah, what other movies that are like this? Yeah, Matrix Revolution is the only one that comes close. But you know I rewatched that recently. Not as good as I remember the first time, unfortunately. Listen, it was the pandemic. We had a Matrix movie delivered to our homes. Yeah, we were desperate. It was desperate times.

looking for wins wherever we could. So true. Um so maybe you know, you don't have to watch that. But um you know I'm I'm I'm looking right now. You know, there isn't a 4K of Dick Tracy. Yeah. What are what are we doing? What are we doing? I need a 4K of Dick Tracy. Jordan, watch Dick Tracy. You're getting grounded. Um you can get the Blu-ray for$10. So maybe that's what I gotta do. Because I gotta rewatch the Tracy to And right. Dick Redux.

We'll see everybody next week for Star Wars The Last Jedi. 70mm is a tape deck production featuring original artwork provided by Danny Haas, Spiritual Guidance, and V'Jer, the robot who loves movies, provided by ProtoLexis, producer at large Dale underscore A. Okay. Music for our main show numbered episodes composed by Tim McEwen of The Midnight. Prints and other merch are available at 70mmpod.com. This episode was mixed, edited, and produced by me, Slim.

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