BabuLife

Lessons Learned at Planet Comicon Kansas City

I took my daughters to Kansas City Planet Comicon '09 to meet Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca of Star Wars fame) and Tom Kane (voice of Yoda of Clone Wars Cartoon fame).  We had a blast walking the floor of the convention meeting costumed fans and perusing old toys and comics.  As we went through the whole convention process, there were a few things I learned that I felt I should share with you...it's never wise to upset a wookie.

• Don't assume a picture taken with a film star is free. Found that out when I ended up having to pay an extra $5 after I snapped a pic of my girls with Peter Mayhew. I think it's worth the cash. Shoulda charged Peter...they make him look good. :)
• Don't assume any autograph is free. If they are sitting behind a table as a guest, this is their livelihood.
• Don't be aggressive with the stars. I noticed some people were just a little gruff/pushy with the stars as if they haven't been sitting there for hours already signing autographs.
• Autographs are pricey. Seriously. $20 for a signed pic. I suppose it depends on your perspective. If it's a star you really want, it's worth it.  I had three girls who wanted their own Peter Mayhew autograph. Wasn't going to happen. I was able to get them to accept the fact that we were going to get one autographed pic and it was going in my collection as "ours". They know where it's at and they can show their friends anytime they want. There were a wide array of nice glossy pics to choose from...which was very cool...just made it very difficult to choose. All in all...Peter Mayhew will be leaving KC with $27 from the Abu Saada family. We got a $5 picture (as seen above), a nice $20 glossy from OfficialPix signed by Mr Mayhew and a $2 plastic cover for the glossy. Oh...and the memory of meeting someone we've been watching for years and years to come.  I think my daughters will remember our time together fondly.
• Pricing is on the tables. Make sure you look around on the tables to see how much the artist is charging for an autograph. I think it makes them uncomfortable to have to ask for the money.
• Costumed fans are great. We took several pics with fans dressed as Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Superheroes and an R2D2.  Each person was extremely friendly. You could tell this was their time to shine. You don't have to be afraid to ask for a pic...they'll do it and will be very happy to.
• Avoid the "Adult Star" table. I asked someone tending a booth if I could see a layout of the convention floor.  Identifying where the adult models were signing autographs as priority for me. Not to visit them...but to steer clear. We came close at one point and I happily noticed nobody was in line to meet them.  I wish they'd just cancel this section of Planet ComicCon.
• Bartering. I had a person tell me that their stuff is open to "negotiation" on price. Didn't know that...now I know. It's really like a giant garage sale.
• Tom Kane is extremely pleasant. The man who does the voiceover work for Yoda (among other characters) in the Clone Wars cartoon was so nice to the kids.  We walked up to him and said hi. We told him how much we enjoyed watching the show every week and he replied to the girls in his Yoda voice "The show you watch weekly Hmmm?" AMAZING! To see the grin on the faces of all my daughters at that moment was fantastic! Side note...he actually lives here in Overland Park, KS.  He does much of his work from his studio in his house. Each of my girls got an individually signed card from him...they love it!

If you get a chance to go, check it out. Planet Comicon is Saturday, March 28 thru Sunday, March 29.

Why I Really Liked Star Wars the Clone Wars

From time to time here on BabuLife I break from the musings of church life, family life and ministry to share one of my other enjoyments in life. That'd be Star Wars.  So to all you readers...here's your warning...I'm letting my geek flag fly with this post.  If you're not interested, check back on another day...this post is for my fellow sci-fi friends.  Here's the countdown to give you an opportunity to enter another address in the web browser, click your "back" arrow on your browser, or move along to the next blog in your RSS feed reader of choice...here goes...3....2.....1....you've been warned.

In 1977 my parents took me to see the original theatrical release of Star Wars at the age of three.  Since that time I've been enveloped in this little creative world George Lucas imagined.  And over the past 8 years or so, I have been able to enjoy it again with the releases of Episodes 1-3.  In 2005 many Star Wars fans celebrated and grieved at the closing of this epic tale of good vs. evil...until this evening.

It was rumored in late 2005 that George Lucas was so impressed with the creative way of telling the Star Wars story through animation in the "Clone Wars" shorts broadcast on the Cartoon Network in 2003 and 2005, he wanted to continue to fill in that story between Episodes 2 and 3 using the same technique.  Giving more details to the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin along with providing more information surrounding this time-frame in the Star Wars universe.  It was a bold idea that any die-hard Star Wars fan would love to see.  What resulted was the new "Clone Wars" movie and upcoming TV series coming this fall.  Tonight I saw the movie and I LIKED IT...a lot.

Earlier in the week I began reading early reviews of the movie which began providing me doubts.  When I read them I remembered back to the comments regarding the prequels and how many reviewers instantly hated them for various reasons.  Yet I was one of those who actually enjoyed them along with a few million other people in the world.  I was determined to enter the movie with an unspoiled frame of mind.  I honestly think many former fans of Star Wars and professional movie reviewers don't get it. 

They have forgotten what it's like to view movies like these through the eyes of children.  That's what George Lucas and Co are creating...animated episodes of Star Wars that tell swashbuckling stories about good vs. evil.  It's nothing more than that.  I can tell you that kids will love these movies whether the geeky adults who harken back to their childhood remembrance of Star Wars professing to know all things about film and story telling enjoy them or not.  The Clone Wars movie is not made entirely with them in mind.  I know my 8 year old daughter is going to love it when I take her this weekend.

The Clone Wars film is an incredible achievement in animation.  It's unique style of incorporating the Japanese Ainme into the CGI world make this film stand out far above many other animated films.  I was impressed with the telling of the story and appreciated the continued character development of the main hero (ahem...villian) in the Star Wars universe, Anakin Skywalker (ahem...Darth Vader).  When you watch this film then continue to follow the story with the upcoming TV series, you'll get an even deeper understanding and appreciation for the character and his relationship to his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi (my personal fave in the Star Wars universe).  There is also the deeper story built upon the clones.  Those who were the soldiers of the Republic following the lead of their Jedi generals they eventually turn on at the orders of their political ruler.  There is a friendship built and modeled as a band of brothers in this movie that could not be expounded upon in any of the previous movies.  This relationship building could make the scene in Revenge of the Sith where the clones turn on the Jedi even more compelling.

I enjoyed the film immensely and am looking forward to seeing it again with my kidlet.  Once again, George Lucas and CO. have done something that the rest of Hollywood will stick their noses in the air about.  But that's what he's done best over the years.  Challenging the status quo and doing what he sees fit to tell the story he wants...no matter how many people tell him it can't/shouldn't be done. I think we could learn some great leadership lessons from that.

Final grade on Star Wars: The Clone Wars....B+

Dark Knight Interrogates the Joker

I thought maybe I was the only one who didn't quite understand what the Batman was saying in the new flick.  Apparently I'm not.

HT: Mudpuppy via Twitter

Star Wars on Spike TV

In November of 2005, Spike TV purchased the exclusive rights to air the Star Wars movies.  Last weekend Episodes 1 - III aired Friday - Sunday.  This weekend beginning tonight at 7 p.m. central, Episode IV (you know...the one from 1977) will air.  Saturday they will air Episode IV at 4 p.m. followed by Episode V (Empire Strikes Back ...my favorite) at 7 p.m.  On Sunday, Episode V again at 4 p.m. followed by Episode VI (Return of the Jedi) at 7 p.m. Visit Spike TV's website here for a nifty trailer and more info.

Last weekend the first three went head to head with the Lord of the Rings trilogy Friday - Sunday on TNT.  Check this story to see which trilogy came out on top...I think you can guess...unless you're a Ringer Geek, you might be in denial. :)  (Look at this Star Wars geek smack talkin'!)

So if you've never seen the classic Star Wars trilogy, this is an opportunity to catch up.  If you've never watched with your kids, get some popcorn and school your children on this classic story of good vs. evil.  And yes...even though I've seen it many times...I just might flip it on too.  It just never gets old for me.

Enjoy!

Indy Trailer Up

I Touched the Hand of Bono

Well...at least it looked like it. I caught the U23D movie last night with my friend Lance and Jim.  Sort of a late show celebration for keeping the church afloat while Tim and Brian were gone.

Do you remember the silly 3-D movies that came out long ago?  I recall my first 3-D experience being Jaws 3-D.  I think there was a Freddy Krueger movie that had a portion of it in 3-D where they flashed an icon on the movie screen telling you when to put on the flimsy colored glasses.  These two experiences have soured my perspective on the technology advancement of 3-D in film.  There have been numerous rumors of films being redistributed in this new format, but nobody has taken the plunge. I have been converted and am a believer in this new technology.

U23D was unbelievable.  I've never experienced anything like it.  At the beginning of the film the text flashes on the screen while images are jumping out from you. The 3-D technology isn't abused in a tasteless way like many other 3-D movies in the past.  The technology isn't being used to just throw something at your face, it's used to visually enhance what is already there.  At one point Bono is singing and looks into the camera reaching his hand out as he typically does during their live performances and it literally looks as though you could grab his hand.  I think I heard Jim next to me say "Wooah...hello Bono."

The film was recorded during a live performance on their How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb tour.  Really of any band to explore this technology, who better than one of the most popular bands of the past 20 years?  If you're not a fan of their music, you might not be as entertained as I was.  However, if you're at all curious about experiencing this evolving technology, you might just want to catch it anyway.  It may well be worth the money.

Check it out here.

Indy 4 Poster

Here it is...the new poster.  Movie is coming May 2008.  Only 5 months away!  IndianaJones.com

A Golden Compass and Prayer for the Stars

A friend of mine forwarded an email chain to me about an effort to squelch an upcoming film called "The Golden Compass".  It sounds like it might be a dreamed up story by a devoted atheist in answer to the Narnia film that was popular in 2005 around the same season.  I'm not familiar with the upcoming movie or the book.  I've heard a little bit about it and have seen some very passionate bloggers encouraging a massive effort to eliminate the book from public reading along with protesting the movie. 

I obviously don't know much about it so I can't give an educated opinion on it. I am not excited about movies and books that teach children God does not exist, but I'm also not excited about how our (by our I mean the Church [and by the church I mean people who are considered believers and followers of Christ]) immediate reaction to things like "The Golden Compass" is to stir up a mob in protest.  Just something I've been pondering after reading the email chain.  What do you think?  Is it worth the effort?  Maybe I'm just in a cynical mood and just need a jump start in my passion to get angry about yet another attempt by popular culture to defame God? 

On that note, an article at Breitbart.com tells the story of a group dedicated to praying for Hollywood celebrities and the industry.  Hollywood Prayer Network seems to be the "anti-picket" way of doing things.  Check out the story below and let me know what you think:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Anyone who thinks Britney Spears' best days are behind should know this—she does have a prayer.

The celebuwreck, who has been struggling to get custody of her kids while launching a comeback, is the top prayer-getter at the Hollywood Prayer Network, a group of more than 5,000 Christians that prays for stars instead of writing them off as lost causes.

The network recently passed a Bible to socialite Paris Hilton and plans to pass one to Spears later this month. It also picks up-and- coming child stars for its monthly Kids Prayer Calendar and pairs hundreds of mentors with struggling actors—the kind more likely to take your order in a restaurant than appear on your television.

Members of the network, which has chapters in 16 U.S. cities and eight countries, see Hollywood as the 21st century's largest mission field, a powerful industry that can be used to sow the seeds of an international cultural and religious revival.

"We tell people, 'If you're angry at a TV show or you're switching channels because of content, stop and pray for the people on the show,'" said Karen Covell, HPN's founder. "If you really believe in God and you believe God has a transforming power, then leave it up to him."

Read the full story

Recognize that Scream?

You've heard it in several films but maybe you didn't realize why that screaming stormtrooper sounded familiar.  It's called the "Wilhelm Scream".  Read the article here and watch the video below.

Father Optimus

Caught the new Transformers movie this past week...twice.  I was never a fan of the cartoon but was well aware in 1986 of the popularity of Optimus Prime and his Autobot companions.  I was busy transforming from preteen adolecent to teenager.  Walking into the lobby of the theater I caught a glimpse of the nostalgia of the generation that missed the Star Wars craze in the late 1970's & early 80's.  A dude dressed as Optimus Prime in a giant cardboard box and a Prime mask stood there greeting people.  I admired his devotion to his cartoon hero by saying, "Cool costume, love it" to which he replied in an electronic voice "thank you".

I was hitting my favorite blogs this week and ran across an interesting article by James Harleman found on The Resurgence site about Optimus Prime and his impact on the fatherless.  Check it out:

I had a sermon to preach about Optimus Prime some day. For better or worse, WIRED magazine beat me to it. Pointing out that while geeks have Batmen and Star Trek toys in their cubicles, even the jocks have Transformers decorating their workspaces, WIRED writer Scott Brown explores the reasons why in the July print edition.

"…in 1986, the original Prime did something that distinguished him from most other cartoon heroes. He died. He died for freedom, for righteousness". Brown goes on to assert that American culture – American males – are looking forward to the July 4th release of the "live-action" Transformers movie for "more than galvanic summer thrills or simple nostalgia. They're looking for redemption, as men."

While Brown forgets to mention Optimus did resurrect from the dead to "light our darkest hour" in 1987, missing the exclamation point on his Semi-Christophany, he strikes a narrative chord that is unmistakable. Bouncing between comparing Prime to a father and "Our Father..." the WIRED writer demonstrates how this hydraulic hero became a surrogate object for kids to respect, mimic, and yes – even worship:

"Prime practically parented the latchkey kids of the mid-‘80s. He was our Allfather at a time when flesh-and-blood role models were increasingly few and far between".  Read the rest here . . .

By the way...the movie rocked!