FIVE: Planning, TV, a Birthday and more

Only five more days now! You know, five is the number of Star Wars episodes currently out. So today is special. Yesterday was also special, since it marked six days left, and six is the total number of Star Wars episodes. The day before that was special because it marked one week until Episode III. The day before that (we're at last Wednesday, the eleventh, now) was special because it marked eight days left, and eight is the number of Star Wars movies currently completed (Episodes I - VI, plus the two Ewok movies). Last Tuesday was special because it marked single-digits in the countdown to Episode III. Last Monday marked the last day of double-digits. And so on. :-)

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Planning the 19th

This Thursday, you know, is rather special. For me, at least. You see, it's the day my younger brother presents his big CHP project. Oh, and it's opening night for the school musical. And it's the season finale of The O.C. And there are speeches at school for people running for class officers. And my dad has a dentist appointment.

Oh yeah, and I think there's some movie coming out, too.

I've noticed that events tend to clump together on certain days, especially Thursdays. It's kind of annoying sometimes, because it can cause annoying scheduling conflicts. For example, this past Thursday, the 12th, was the Boston City Year Episode III Charity Premiere. But it was also "Asian Nite" at school (which we actually got extra credit in History for attending) and George Lucas' cameo on The O.C.

This Thursday, though, is going to be one of the most exciting in my life.* I've been planning it for years, now, but the current plan -- and my first actual thought-out one -- took shape this past summer, in Alaska.

Two of my uncles, my aunt, two of my cousins, my brother, my parents and I were all walking along one a beautiful hill. There was a restaurant there, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, and we had lunch there. While walking around that day, though, I was talking with one of my uncles -- the one that lives here, and not in Alaska -- about the 19th.

I proposed waking up, watching Episodes I and II, then the Clone Wars cartoons, then going to see Episode III, coming back, and watching IV, V, and VI. It seemed unlikely at the time, and I estimated it would take at least 18 hours, requiring us to wake up at about 6:00 AM and then go to bed around midnight. Here's the current, very rough plan.

May 18th
* Do all homework due Friday or earlier
* Prepare Star Wars DVDs
* 22:00: Go to bed (optimistically early)

May 19th
* 07:00: Wake up, put in Episode I
* 09:20: Finish Episode I
* 09:21: Put in Episode II
* 11:45: Finish Episode II
* 12:00: EPISODE III BEGINS
* 14:30: EPISODE III ENDS
* 14:40: Put in Episode IV
* 16:45: Finish Episode IV
* 16:46: Put in Episode V
* 18:50: Finish Episode V
* 19:00: EPISODE III (Second Showing) BEGINS
* 21:30: EPISODE III (Second Showing) ENDS
* 21:40: Put in Episode VI
* 23:55: Finish Episode VI

There you have it. Note that I may have to abridge the films a bit, since otherwise it might just take too long. I certainly wouldn't want to be late for Episode III, now would I!?

Speaking of abridgement (is that a word?), just this morning I watched a slightly truncated Episode I. Tomorrow I'll do the same with Episode II, then IV Monday, then V Tuesday, and VI Wednesday. I intend to be one of the first people in the world to see every Star Wars movie (abridged or not; yes, I'm kind of cheating) twice in one week-long period. :-)

TV Ads

Yesterday, two new TV ads went online at StarWars.com: "Celebration" and "Brothers." They're both pretty cool, albeit not as good as "End of Wars" (which went online this past Wednesday). There are now fourteen trailers and ads for Episode III on the site, not counting the "trailer-for-the-trailer" that showed on Fox before the premiere of the theatrical trailer.

I find it fun to imagine what someone would think of one of the Episode III trailers if they saw it after the end credits for "Return of the Jedi" back in 1983. Would they figure out who was who? What was going on? It's interesting to think about. It's also fun to think about showing it to someone who had just seen "A New Hope" for the first time. Back then, no one could have possibly imagined how big Star Wars would be, even almost thirty years later.

Philosophy and Star Wars

In History class recently, we examined the connections between The Matrix and Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." It was very interesting for everyone to examine a pop culture icon in a philosophical light. Recently, for that and other reasons, I have been considering the more philosophical ideas behind Star Wars. Perhaps the most prominent theme is that of machines taking over life -- which, interestingly enough, is also prominent in The Matrix. Just today I found this fascinating article defending Episode II from critics and pointing out some very subtle themes in the film.

Revenge of the Brick

Last Sunday, Cartoon Network featured a LEGO mini-movie called "Revenge of the Brick." When I first heard about it, I thought it was a LEGO version of the whole movie, and thus didn't watch on Sunday. Turns out it's just a random silly little bit taking place on Kashyyyk. It's not even a LEGO version of the Kashyyyk battle in Episode III; it's just, well... random. That's the only way I can describe it. Fortunately, it was recently put online at StarWars.com. It's actually a pretty fun little thing, albeit very silly. Don't worry, it doesn't spoil anything. The only things it has in common with Episode III are a few ship designs, Obi-Wan and Anakin's new haircuts, Kashyyyk, and a brief appearance by General Grievous, who doesn't even do anything other than balance on one leg and serve some drinks.

Databank Updates

This past Wednesday StarWars.com updated the Databank with new entries on the Senate in Episode III. It's the third Episode III Databank entry, after "A Stab at the Heart" (May 4), covering the opening space battle, and "The Beginning of the End" (November 8).

Happy Birthday!

Finally, I'd like to wish George Lucas a very happy birthday! He turns 61 today. For the first time in three decades, he's actually able to enjoy his birthday without worrying about the next Star Wars movie on the horizon.

Assuming, that is, he had planned to do the prequels all along. :-)

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*Did you know that Episodes IV, V, VI, and I each opened on a Wednesday, but that II, like III, opened on a Thursday? Episode I was actually originally going to be released May 21, 1999, which would have been a Friday, but at the last minute they moved up the release date.