Author: Timpane

A few weeks ago, I finished FIREFLY, the short lived series, which lasted only 12 episodes, by Buffy’s Joss Whedon.

To be honest, I was impressed at first buy the top notch effects and the scripts.. but the pilot episode really didn’t take any time to explain what was going on. It just assumed eventually that I would catch on.

I remember, actually, feeling a bit like this when I first started Buffy.

The scripts though had that snappy, smart, sometimes tongue in cheek, sometimes heartfelt dialogue I came to expect on Buffy and Angel, the action was amazing, and the characters were interesting and well acted. (The captain is “Caleb” from Buffy’s seventh Season, the 1st officer is “Jasmine” from Angel’s fourth, the ingenue is the ballet dancer from the Ballet episode of Angel.)

The one thing the first episode did do was to establish the “reavers” as terrifying villains without ever showing them.

The concept is this, in a bueareaucratic interplanetary “Alliance” a group of crooks for hire make what money they can pulling small jobs on border worlds. It has a deliberate western feel, with horses , gunfights, cowboys, and a fronteir feel. Still, its a rockin sci-fi show too. By the end of the fourth episode, I was hooked.

QUOTE: From a main character to an interloper on the ship SIMON: Are you alliance?” EARLY: Am I lion? SIMON: What? EARLY: I don’t think of myself as a lion. You might as well, though. I have a mighty roar. SIMON: (Pause) Umm… I said Alliance. EARLY: Oh..(pause) Thats weird

I would reccommend this show to anyone who is either a Whedon, Star trek, or Star Wars fan. It has all the elements I loved from Buffy, it has that 1977 star wars feel (a la tatoinne), and it seems like what Enterprise should have been. (But it has NO aliens).

Unfortunately, the show ends without resolving any of its thickening plot, as it was yanked from the air due to low ratings… but thats not the end of the story.

The good news is that the show is going to live again as a Major Big Screen Motion Picture Event next September. Non-fans have said it is better than seeing Star Wars for the first time. Fans are tripping out.. and it doesn’t even have the effects yet.

So, next September.. look for: SERENITY

Until then, check out Firefly. Its awesome.

Check this out..

Its a brand new picture of the entire cast of all 6 Star Wars films from Vanity Fair. Amazing to see all these people in the same room at the same time.. (Even included people from Episode 3 We Aren’t too familiar with yet.)

Click “Read More” to see the glory..

Here it is..` On order from left to right..

Young Adult Anakin, Young Obi Wan, George Lucas, Padme Amidala, Yoda, Darth Vader, R2D2, C3PO, Mace Windu, Jar Jar Binks, Bail Organa (EP 3), Count Dooku (Darth Tyrannus), Qui Gon Jinn, Childhood Anakin, Shmi Skywalker, Palpatine (Emporor or Senator or Chancellor, or whatever), General Grevious, Lando Calrissian, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker

(Click the image to enlarge to full-size)

AWESOME!!

EDIT by matthew: Changed image scaling to fit in page, made image a link to full-size.

In the last couple of years, I’ve gotten very into listening to commentaries by cast and crew available on DVD movies.

For the unititiated, commentaries are alternate audio tracks you can select on many DVDs, with the cast or sometimes the director talking during the movie as he/she/they watch it.. talking about what how they did what they did.

So, I thought I might list my top 10 all time favorite commentaries.

10) Braveheart – Realy only because Gibson gets caught up in making the film and sits and watches it in silence soemtimes.. its really lamost like you’re watching it with him.

9) JFK – Mostly because Oliver Stone doesn’t talk about the film at all. He instead tells the inside scoop on info he didn’t put in the film, further enhancing his conspiracy theory.

8) Bubba Ho Tep – There are a number of commentaries here.. but my favorite is Bruce Campbell playing Elvis watching the film.. which stars Bruce Campbell as Elvis. Whats fun is when “Elvis” comments on how Bruce Campbell does as an actor impersonating him.

7) Fight Club – Without breaking the first rule, I can say that the rapport between Ed Norton and Brad Pitt is obvious here, and it makes for an interesting listen. Its been a while, but I think that there is also snippets from Helena Carter sitting by herself that seem a bit out of place.

6) Freddy Got Fingered – The commentary is as funny as the movie, Tom Green fans. Of course, if you thought the movie was abysmal (as many – not me – did), then you will think the commentary is too.

5) Kung Pow: Enter the Fist – The only commentary I know where someone takes a cellphone call during the film and has a conversation. This is just like hanging out with a buddy (Oedekerk, whom I LOVE) and its a good, easy listen.

4) The Evil Dead Trilogy: Sam Raimi (now of Spider Man fame) and the aforementioned Bruce Campbell, soemtimes together, sometimes on seperate tracks, Narrate Evil Dead 1, 2, and Army of Darkness.. and its really very good. They’re charming, and also honest about their feelings on the movie.

NOW.. before my top 3.. others that could have made it into the top 10.. Nightmare on Elm Street 1, Star Trek Generations, The Lion King, Good Will Hunting, The Matrix, The Blair Witch Project, XMEN 1 and 2, and the commentaries on the Buffy and Highlander TV shows.

NOW: THE TOP 3

3) The Star Wars Movies. All 5 have commentary by a number of people. The original trilogy especially has good commentary by Lucas, but also honest and sometimes scathing commentary by Carrie Fisher. If you really want to know these movies, listen to these.. they’re great.

2) The View Askew Films. Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob strike back all have loads of cast members recounting, joking, Jason mewes sleeps through two of them, they;re honest, funny, and almost as good as the movies themselves. The rerelease of Clerks and the Clerks Cartoon also include new, additional Commentaries.

1) Is there any Question? THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY – Extended editions. In terms of sheer numbers, each 4 hour movie has 4 commentaries.. but the only really good ones are the Cast and Writers/Director. Still, thats 2 per film.. and that makes 24 hours of excellent, honest, insightful, often funny commentary. Special notice has to be given to Merry And Pippin for being hilarious throughout, and to andy Serkis for participating not only as himself, but as Gollum and Smeagol as well.

THE NEXT COMMENTARIES I WANT TO HEAR… I may have to get the Matrix Trilogy rerelease if only to hear this.. Maybe its a rumor, but I hear they actually got a pair of critics that hated the films and just let them rip them apart as the movies play. Its brave, and, as I was not a Reloaded fan, I want to hear them.

Happy listening!!

Remember the old Berenstein Bears Book, the Gimmies..

Boy oh boy do I feel like that tonight.. I just got a fairly nice haul of fairly nice stuff on Chrostmas morning, and I thought I’d share some of my favorite gifts I got, gave, and see what everyone else got or gave for Christmas or Hanukkah, or What not..

GAVE: Top 5. 1) A new car stereo for Kelly’s long commute. Plays MP3 CDs!! 2) A “Buffy pack” With the “Once More With Feeling” Musical episode cast album, “Tales of the Slayers” and “Fray”, 2 Slayer related graphic novels 3) A Keyboard for my little Sis. Just something small for her (shes 12). She take svoice lessons and is interested in learning piano basics. 4) Simpson Pants. I gave all 3 of my brothers unbelievably loud Homer Simpson pajama pants. 5) A silver Cross for Mom. Spent a LONG time looking for the right one… she really liked it.

GOT: Not top 4.. (cuz I don’t want to hurt feelings) 1) A Hat… with the words “TECH Entertainment” imprinted on it. That’s my company that I copyrighted back in middle school. 2) My Grandfather’s old surgical bag. It has a bunch of ancient medical supplies. I won’t ever use them, but its so cool to have them. Something I’ll show my kids one day. 3) DVDs!! I’m just gonna bunch them all together.. LOTR, Schindler’s list, Nosferatu, The Rock, Young Frankenstein.. fun fun fun!! 4) CDs – Just 2, but 2 good ones.. Elton’s Greatest hits and the score for “The Two Towers”.

So, did anyone else get anything good?

JT

Merry Christmas.. or Hannukah, or Kwanza, or Winter Solstice, or Secular Winter Holiday, or whatever..

Peace on Earth to y’all and what not..

Hey!!

Want to hear some free Christmas tunes (Including some good old Christmas Rap?)

MLC on Timpane.com

For years I’ve been making these silly Christmas CDs with the family. Thought I’d put some of it up to listen. on mp3.

Its just for fun, but its still a hoot.

I’ve loved Star trek forever. Its no longer my favorite show of all time.

Note – The following is relatively Spoiler Free (lets stay that way)

For years, I listened to fans of a different show that I knew must be childish and infantile. I rejected this show based on my knowledge of a little seen early 90s flick, and swore I would never watch.

Nine months ago, my friend Arthur told me that if I bought the first season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and didn’t love it, he’d give me the money I spent. Immediately, I noticed the fresh dialogue and the the wittiness that lived somehwere between Dawson’s Creek, David Mamet, and Quentin Tarantino. Still.. it was just dumb fun.

How things were going to change.

Engaged, I bought the second season, and ripped through it – as one of the genuinely best seasons of TV I had ever seen.

As the months passed, I would watch up to 4 episodes a day (AHH, aint DVD grand) about Buf, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordy, Tara, Oz, Riley, Spike, Angel, Faith, Dawn, and (my fave) Anya. After the third Season, I began watching the spinoff “Angel” – alternating episodes so as to keep the continuity.

Now, last week, I watched the final episode of Buffy, and for any who have seen it.. it was Remarkable. For anyone who has not yet.. well, I can’t say why, or it won’t be for you.

Objectively, the dialogue is amazing, the action is really very good – especially the fight scenes – the show isn’t afraid to take risks with its characters, or afraid to let them change or die, its genuinely very funny, and once you get past the first season (which is weaker, but still really fun) you’ll be in, hook line and sinker.

Is it like the movie? Only in the good ways. the fresh ideas, the mix of humor and action – but not dumb humor. As a matter of fact, I think its the smartest depiction of teens I’ve seen since the scream movies.

Suffice to say, the complicated storylines, the cryptic clues of what is to come, the laugh out loud humor (“BUNNIES!”), the devestating scene where ***** is on the floor and the EMTs come in and ***** can’t think of how to do CPR, the scene where ***** gets shot, the scene where ***** has to fight ***** and who can forget the musical (especially where she says she was!!)?

What am I talking about? Well, you have to watch if you want to find out.. and as for Trek.. well its like an old shoe, I’ll always love it. But honestly, for the first time I have found a TV universe thats better.

COMING UP IN FUTURE WEEKS: Needin Whedon Part 2: FIREFLY and after I finish it.. Needin Whedon Part 3: ANGEL

Too fat? Too skinny? Too obsessed with my weight?

In 1999, I was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and was given a smaller part in the show because they were looking for “Someone Slimmer” – and they chose a guy I thought was kinda chunky.

So I dieted for 6 months and went from 220 to 180. Dieted another 6 months and went from 180 to 165.. and have hovered for the last three years at 163… until now.

Within about two weeks, I had my wife, my mother, my stepmother and someone at work tell me I looked skinnier and that they thought maybe I was getting too thin. I was used to this.. but when my mother said, “Its starting to look unhealthy”, I decided I would go back to around 175, where I looked the best in photos.

And its been great. Mint Mochas, candy, pizza, pastries.. anything I chose.. just yum yum yum..

Until today, when I hit the scale and it said 172. I had wanted to go gradually through the holidays, get to like 177 and then lose the two pounds after the first. Instead, before even Thanksgiving, I have put on 9 pounds, and only have 3 to go.. and I wanted to be able to just eat whatever over the holidays.

So now, in order to be able to keep gaining weight in the coming months, I am back to dieting in order to lose weight in order to be able to keep gaining weight until january.

Its very confusing. .. and it may turn out that I am indeed insane.

Of late, I have brought my coffee addiction from one caffiene drug dealer to another, betraying my beloved Starbucks and having an affair with Panera’s I.C. Caramel, and a side fling with the Panera Caramel Latte (both of course with the extra shot of espresso). Also, I have been known to slum it at 7-11, mixing the Chocolate orange “cappuccino” (from a powder, yuck) with regular coffee.

All that changes at Christmas time, though.. as I have returned to my first love, the Starbucks Empire, to enjoy my annual Christmas indulgences – of which there are three..

1) The Grande Skim Triple Mint Mocha. 3 shots of espresso, skim milk, chocolate syrup and peppermint, topped with whipped cream and red and white sprinkles. Tastes like a hot York Peppermint patty.

2) The Tall, 1/3 skim Egg Nog Latte. A grande tends to be too much.. a shot of espresso, and the rest of the 12 oz split between 1/3 skim milk and 2/3 egg nog, topped with whipped cream and nutmeg. I actually like this more than the mint mocha, but I save it for after Thanksgiving – Egg Nog can’t be consumed before in my strange world.

3) The Caramel Apple Cider. More of a fall drink.. I’ll have this one when I don’t want caffiene – Hot apple cider mixed with a shot of vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, a touch of milk and topped with lots of whipped cream. Drinking it down tastes, I kid you not, like a hot apple pie a la mode.

These tastes have become part of my fall and Christmas like pumpkin pie and candy canes. Yum.

Today on Access Hollywood, they played the “Revenge Of The Sith” trailer in its entirity, and it was FREAKIN AWESOME!! If you want to see it, good luck.. its hard to find a copy without joining starwars.com and paying as a member tonight. By this weekend, I’m sure you’ll be able to download it anywhere. Its also playing with “The Incredibles”.

Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what’s in the trailer… I will be very detailed. (PLEASE. if you are going to respond with any spoilers, let us know before you state them)

Still there?

OK.. here’s the skinny, excerpts of the full description from theforce.net

00:07 – 20th Century Fox Logo 00:09 – Lucasfilm Logo 00:14 – “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” 00:19 – Luke Skywalker in ANH walks out to view the binary sunset on Tatooine. 00:23 – Obi-Wan Kenobi in ANH speaks to Luke about the Jedi. 00:26 – Qui-Gon Jinn in TPM brandishes his saber before the final duel with Darth Maul. 00:27 – Shot from AOTC of the Clonetroopers walking into the transport. 00:29 – Shot from AOTC of the Clonetroopers at the end of the movie with transports lifting off in the background. 00:23 – First Revenge of the Sith shot of Obi-Wan and Anakin with their backs toward the camera, walking up to a window during the day. 00:36 – AOTC shot of Anakin looking evil just before the Tusken slaughter. 00:38 – AOTC shot of Anakin riding the Swoop on Tatooine. 00:41 – ANH Obi-Wan continues his voice-over. 00:42 – Second Revenge of the Sith shot. A hooded Anakin turns to the camera with red and yellow eyes much like Darth Maul’s. 00:50 – Shot of erupting volcanoes on Mustafar. 00:56 – Geonosians ride giant beetles in a Mustafar lava field. 00:58 – Black screen with Darth Sidious saying “Lord Vader?” followed by Vader’s (James Earl jones) “Yes Master?” and Sidious’ “Riiiiise”. 01:04 – Darth Vader, strapped to a table, begins to rise. 01:05 – A hooded Obi-Wan looks up. He is in a darkly lit area with sunlight seen in the background. This is possibly a location on Utapau. 01:06 – Palpatine turns to look at the camera. 01:07 – Vader continues to rise. 01:08 – R2D2 on the Tantive IV. 01:08 – C3PO on the Tantive IV. 01:09 – Padme turns to look at Obi-Wan with a terrified look on her face. 01:09 – Mace Windu raises his saber above his head. This shot is inside Palpatine’s office. 01:10 – Vader continues to rise. 01:11 – Chewbacca and Tarfful. 01:12 – Yoda, in Palpatine’s doorway, opens his cloak to reveal his saber. 01:13 – Vader finishes his rise and locks into frame. 01:17 – Two starfighters speed past the camera during the Battle of Coruscant. 01:18 – Anakin kisses Padme. 01:19 – Yoda, in Palpatine’s office, pulls out his ignited saber and points with it. 01:19 – A starfighter in the Battle of Coruscant speeds along the hull of a capitol ship towards the camera. 01:20 – Mace Windu fights against a red lightsaber in Palpatine’s office. 01:20 – A large Wookiee army cheers on the Kashyyyk beach. Republic walkers and troop transports can be seen in the background. 01:21 – Tion Meddon snarls at Obi-Wan. 01:22 – Flaming capitol ship heads into Coruscant with a fire ship spraying water on it. 01:22 – A very angry Anakin does an overhead slash with his saber. 01:23 – R2D2 in a grimy area. 01:24 – Padme, with a ANH Leia haircut, hugs Anakin. 01:24 – A small Naboo cruiser flies away from Mustafar. 01:25 – Obi-Wan and Anakin, both with blue sabers, fight on Mustafar as lava erupts around them. 01:26 – Capitol ships fire on each other above Coruscant. 01:27 – Anakin grab’s Obi-Wan’s neck with his robotic arm. 01:27 – A “Tri-fighter” flies toward the camera during the Battle of Coruscant. 01:28 – Obi-Wan held near the ground by Anakin. 01:29 – Anakin holds Obi-Wan’s saber arm as he continues to force him to the ground. 01:30 – A starship hanger door slams shut. 01:30 – A very angry Darth Sidious swings his red lightsaber at something possibly small and close to the ground. 01:31 – A large explosion on a capitol ship above Coruscant. 01:36 – Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith logo.

AWESOME!!