Dayton's Blog: A pimple on the ass of the Internet.

Wow. That was pretty fun.




With trusted friends Gail and Gregg LaRock acting as babysitters, the Mrs. and I were able to sneak away for a very rare few hours away from it all.

Star Wars In Concert is a multimedia experience, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing selections from John Williams' scores for the six Star Wars films as selected scene montages from the movies are projected on a monstrous HD screen, laying out the entire saga in (roughly) chronological order. There are also lasers and pyrotechnics at various points, and the entire performance is hosted by Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), who narrates the story connecting each of the musical segments.

I love good music performed live. There's an energy which can't be duplicated merely by listening to an album, or even a recorded live performance. I've never had a chance to hear a real orchestra perform Star Wars or any other film music, for that matter, and this group and its accompanying choir certainly brought their A-game tonight. There were a few times I noted the hairs on my arms standing up; that's how excited I was to hear some of this music played live. Part of me was 10 years old again, watching the original Star Wars for the first time in that shitty little theater in Tampa. :D

If the tour comes to your town, you might consider checking it out. Definitely a fun way to spend an evening.

Snurched without guilt or remorse from torenheksje:

CollegeHumor.com: "5 Star Wars Status Updates"



Among my favorites:

Obi-Wan Kenobi: She's your sister, bro.

Luke Skywalker: wut.

Han Solo: I AM SO IN.

So, I recently discovered that this event was coming to Kansas City in December. I've talked it over briefly with Michi and Kevin, and we finally decided we were going to go. The idea sounds fun enough on the face of it: the entire Star Wars saga presented with highlights from the six movies shown on massive HD screens and accompanied by live performances of music from the films. Sounds like a bigger, louder version of Star Wars: A Musical Journey, a DVD feature included with the soundtrack CD to Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Sweet.

Being a Star Wars fan, this sounds like it could be a fun evening. Anybody else heard anything more about this, or -- better yet -- seen it themselves? If so, whaddaya think about it?

Fans press Weinstein on Fanboys

Okay, I knew this flick was in the works, and that it had been delayed, but I didn't know the details. Considering Harvey Weinstein's involved, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised.

The part about it being "hard to market, especially with this cast," seems a bit odd. Seth Rogen? Kristen Bell (she of recent Heroes happenings)? C'mon....

Here's hoping the filmmakers prevail!

Look what happens when idle hands find the photo editor software....

I've seen a number of my friends commenting on this today, so I figured I'd toss in a couple of quick thoughts of my own.

During the summer of 1977, I was 10 years old, and I remember going to see Star Wars because out of the various movies playing in my neighborhood, it looked the most interesting. Like most kids that summer, I watched the film (no subtitle!) with open-mouthed awe, as it was the first time I could remember enjoying myself so thoroughly at something I was watching on a movie screen. Along with all the other 10-year-olds, I devoured the action figures and other toys, read the comics, etc. etc.

Thirty years later, that "first" Star Wars film is a 6-film saga and an entertainment and licensing juggernaut with few peers. Despite all the merchandising and no matter what one may think of the films that followed, the original Star Wars still appeals to that bit of 10-year-old boy who still lurks inside me.

So, happy birthday to the first, original Star Wars.