Star Wars Saturday

78 Reasons to Hate Star Wars:  Episode 1 is a great website for people who feel the way I do about the Star Wars Prequels...they were awful!  Along with 78 reasons to hate episode 1, they offer 64+ reasons to hate episode 2, and 91 reasons to hate episode 3.

There is also a special section devoted to the Special Edition version of episodes 4-6 that came out in 1997.  There were a lot of problems with these as well.  George Lucas decided to screw around with his three masterpiece movies and really made fans upset; this one included!

Today, one of the most argued and disputed issues to come from the special edition of Star Wars episode 4:  Who shot first, Han Solo or Greedo?

The following comes directly from their website, I didn't write any of it.

The Special Edition DVDs are like the greatest tease I've ever experienced. The tease comes with the first ten or so minutes of the movie remaining relatively unchanged. Absent are the bells and whistles that Lucas has stuck all over the remainder of the movie. Seeing the pristine digital image of the unblemished movie lets you get lost in the moment, thinking that you're watching the Star Wars from your youth. Seeing the scuffed up C-3PO and R2-D2 is like a breath of fresh air after being mostly exposed to the squeaky clean images of droids and landscapes presented by the prequel trilogy. The first ten minutes simply show a beautifully touched up digital version of the original movies, finally in digital format.

Then you are jarred back into your reality when you spot the first changes creeping in. A change in Tatooine's sky, an additional droid, a new sandcrawler. Finally the Mos Eisley scene occurs and slaps you in the face. There may as well be a ticker at the bottom of the screen that displays a message reading: THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY! THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY!


Nitpick #4
Greedo Shoots First At the Same Time
I know, the Greedo thing has been done to death, but the latest development in Greedo's death scene complicates the debate enough that it warrants further discussion. It is only through a frame-by-frame viewing that you can truly figure out what is going on but it appears that both Solo and Greedo are shooting at the exact same time, at least too close together for either shot to be in reaction to the other.

Calmness in the face of danger worthy of the Jedi.   Some people think that this scene is not a big deal but it is critical in explaining the character of Han Solo. Originally Solo shot first, killing Greedo and showing his character, a character that was changed over the course of the trilogy from a roguish scoundrel into someone with a heart. In 1997 Greedo shot first showing that Solo was really always that way, thus negating any development of his character. Even larger was the problem that no one could miss shooting anything from that range. In any movie of this kind we take liberties with the aim of enemies.

Stormtroopers are constantly missing when shooting at Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca but it is easier to let go when they're 30-40 feet across a corridor. When someone is sitting across a table from someone else you'd expect their aim to be at least good enough to graze their target. Greedo should have been able to extend his arm and poke Han Solo in the nose if so desired, so how could he miss with a blaster? The only explanation I've seen to why Greedo missed was in the brilliant short story, The Passions of Greedo by Jacques Redcloud. However, I don't think that is an official Lucasfilm approved part of the extended universe.

In  my opinion:

YouTube Friday

The following YouTube video is called Club Villian.  The title speaks for itself.  It's fun to see how many movie villians show up!

Who Sings It Better?

What Hurts The Most is a song I first heard back in 2008 when Danny Gokey was on American Idol.  His wife had recently passed away and this song was dedicated to her.  I remember crying my eyes out!  And then I searched for who released the song as a single.

Today I have three versions of this song for you.  First up, the version by Rascal Flatts.

Next, a version by Mark Wills.  I couldn't find the original video, so clips from the character Danny Messer from the show CSI:  NY will have to keep you entertained!

Now, here's what I didn't know until I wrote this post.  Mark Wills covered this song first!  That came as quite a surprise to me.  Between Rascal Flatts and Mark, I enjoy Rascal Flatts version more, but just barely!!

Finally, some singer I've never heard of, Cascada, decided to take a song that had been done beautifully twice (which is a rare thing to happen) and make us all wish we'd never hear it again!

So, which version do you prefer?

Ten On Tuesday

10 Bad Foods That You Love To Eat

Dove Chocolate

Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cup Blizzards

Donuts...old fashioned and maple bars

Crown Burger (a fast food chain in Utah...however it doesn't taste like fast food; their hamburgers are the most incredible thing!)

Popcorn

Baked Potatoes

Pop Tarts

Red Robin

Onion Rings

Green Bean Casserole

I am officially, completely starving and craving the majority of this food!!  Man, I'm out of Dove chocolate!!

The Phone Call I've Been Waiting For

Two weeks ago I went to a job fair for a school called American Preparatory Academy.  They currently have two schools open, one in Draper (about 20 minutes from where I live), one in West Valley City (about 30 minutes away) with a third opening in West Valley City in the fall.  A charter school, there are currently over 5,000 students on a waiting list. 

While I was attending the job fair, I learned that this school teaches differently than anything I've ever seen.  Having taught in school districts for the past 7 years, I'm used to teaching out of a book, coming up with lesson plans, loud students, and students who struggle to learn.  American Prep does things a different way.

They use a method called Direct Instruction.  Beginning in Kindergarten, they teach the students cursive, instead of print.  Apparently research shows it's easier to learn cursive first.  Lesson plans are written for the entire school year before school begins, taking away the "What are we going to do today?" stress for teachers.  The lessons are scripted, so teachers don't have to struggle through a topic that they themselves might have trouble with (for me, that's math!).  There is A LOT of positive reinforcement through chants and cheers.  It's all about repetition and memorization, which is the best way to learn.  Each class has a credentialed teacher, and an instructor (aide) who helps out.

After having a brief interview with the assistant director, I was invited to come and visit the West Valley City campus, observe, and have a second interview.  Last Friday I was able to do that.  I had a wonderful conversation (it went so smoothly that it almost didn't feel like an interview), and was told that since they would be interviewing everyone else starting this week, I probably wouldn't hear anything until the end of April.

Today, while in the 3rd grade class I'm long term subbing for, my phone began to vibrate.  I didn't recognize the number, but I KNEW it was the school.  I was able to call after school and the first thing I was told was that there had been a lot of talk about me over the past few days.  The school wants me to spend the last month of school (as soon as my current long term job is up) with them in Draper as an instructor, learning how to teach their material, and then if all goes well I will come back in August as a teacher!  The school is very excited about me.

When we moved to Utah, both my mom and I said that this would finally be my time; I would be able to find the full time teaching job I've been trying to get for years.  American Prep has just started interviewing the other candidates today, and I've already been offered a position.  It doesn't get much better than this!

I don't believe there will be any problems during the month I'm there learning the ropes.  My own classroom...I can't believe it!!!

FINALLY, AFTER ALL THIS TIME, IT'S MY TURN!!!