The Greatest Showman

I’m not a huge fan of musicals.   I don’t hate them, they’re just lower on my scale of things I wanna watch.

Might explain why I don’t go as bonkers for stuff like Hamilton.

I can’t remember the last live-action musical movie I’d seen before The Greatest Showman.  Which I liked.

The trailer intrigued me since the first time I saw it.  While I had rarely gone to the circus in my youth, I do remember attending one at the Cow Palace.

The movie was fun, more fast paced that I expected, with some good songs.  I’m still debating whether or not to get the soundtrack from iTunes.

Anyways, I recommend it if you’re looking for a change of pace from the super hero or sci-fi film.

Online Shopping

December 11th:  ordered an item from Amazon, with 2-day shipping (Prime membership).

December 20th: not only had the item still not arrived, it hadn’t been shipped.  E-mailed customer support.  Informed that the item is actually back ordered, with no date of when it’ll be back in stock.  $10 credit applied account for inconvenience.  Check online elsewhere, find in stock at B&N.com.  Place order, apply discount coupon, item is now cheaper that it was at Amazon.  Item cancelled at Amazon.

Doctor Who Christmas Specials blu-rays (up to Last Christmas) with TARDIS bluetooth speaker.  Should arrive next Thursday.

Caroling and stuff

Spent the morning running around doing errands.

I pondered going to see The Last Jedi again, but decided not to.

I ended up picking up this, on sale, though:

Porg mug!  And it holds about 24 oz.  That’s a lot of coffee.  Or 2 cans of Pepsi.

It is a bit freaky because it looks like it was lobotomized.

I bought Dad a new set of pajamas because his looked a bit beat up when I saw him this morning.  I did ask him if he needed a new set, and he did say yes.

My last stop was outside JC Pennys, where my niece and her Girl Scout troop were singing Christmas carols for about an hour or so.

Once again I was tempted to go see The Last Jedi, but decided to go home.

Third: Time for Criticism

My first thought after watching the The Last Jedi on Thursday night was “what a mess”.

Seriously.

But I didn’t dwell on that.

My second thought was that it’s the 21st century, I’m 50 years old, and Star Wars films are still a thing.  This cornerstone from my childhood is still here.

The film is a mess, but I can’t explain why without spoilers.  The most I can say, after seeing it for a third time, is that certain story elements… failed.

There were a few visual continuity problems (mostly body positioning).  There were questionable casting/character decisions.

And then there’s the whole subplot that some say should not be dismissed, but I felt it could have been.

It’s not a better film than Episode V, but for some reason I like it more than Empire, warts and all.

It’s an enjoyable mess, and very emotional to me.

I should take the lead of others and simply say that I like the Original Trilogy, the Disney movies, and some of Revenge of the Sith.  With no ranking of the films themselves.

Though the original Star Wars is still my all-time favorite.

Rogue One is a VERY close second.

Second Viewing

After a second watch of The Last Jedi, one change to the rankings:

  • IV
  • R1
  • VIII
  • V
  • VII
  • VI
  • III
  • I
  • II

The Last Jedi is my 3rd favorite Star Wars film.  The second viewing was much more of an emotional experience than the first time, probably because I knew what was coming this time around.  It’s a roller coaster, with a few ‘WTH?’ moments, unlike Rogue One, which had none, IMHO.

Episode IV remains my favorite Star Wars film, because without that one, NONE of the rest exist.

Also, PORGS ARE STILL AWESOME.

PORGS ARE AWESOME

It was great.  And even better when you see it with friends and family.

Rankings:

  1. A New Hope
  2. Rogue One
  3. The Empire Strikes Back
  4. The Last Jedi
  5. The Force Awakens
  6. Return of the Jedi
  7. Revenge of the Sith
  8. The Phantom Menace
  9. Attack of the Clones

I thought Rogue One was a better film.  Maybe that will change after I see The Last Jedi again.