Posted on Sep 2, 2010 by Pete

An Evening With John Williams

This past Friday night I had the pleasure of doing something I've always wanted to do... to sit under the stars and listen to the master himself, John Williams, conduct a symphony Orchestra.

I got this opportunity in Hollywood, California, as Williams conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the legendary Hollywood Bowl (which is an outdoor amphitheater). The evening, titled "The Music of the Movies", was a tribute to Hollywood, and Williams showed just how much he loves what he does for a living.

For the first half of the show he conducted scores from other great Hollywood composers, including a pieces from "Sunset Boulevard", "Spartacus", "Psycho" and "Fiddler on the Roof". Many of the pieces were accompanied by film clips or montages played in synch with the music on several large screens at the Bowl. But after intermission, the evening rose to the sublime, as Williams moved on to his own works. After wowing the crowd with several pieces from "Jaws" and "Indiana Jones", he moved on to Star Wars. And he made some interesting selections:

• "Luke and Leia"
• "The Forest Battle"
• "Throne Room & Finale"

The first two pieces are not distinctly Star Wars to the untrained ear, but the last is of course iconic. But I found it refreshing to hear him conduct several less "traditional" Star Wars pieces. I found myself really listening to the music... enjoying every note.... as music rather than as a piece of Star Wars.

But not to disappoint, Williams then led the orchestra in "Yoda's Theme" and the "Imperial March" for his first two encores. Hundreds of toy lightsabers lit up the faces in the crowd and wild screams of sheer joy rang out from all over the amphitheater. For those who came seeking "The Force"... they found it. Check out the clip below of "Throne Room & Finale":



And in his last finale of the evening, Williams chose the theme from "Superman"... which fits the man himself perfectly.



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Posted on Sep 1, 2010 by Pete

Lightsaber Madness

Behold! Every lightsaber extension and retraction in order (and subsequently in reverse order). I love when people put together clips like this because it shows just how devoted Star Wars fans really are!

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Posted on Sep 1, 2010 by Pete

Yoda Lands in "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II"

Wow! Just when you thought the "Force Unleashed" franchise couldn't possibly stretch the limits of awesome any more, they go and drop this on us: Yoda will make an appearance in TFU II.

It's kind of an intersting mixed to see a game that is so representative of the modern "Expanded Universe" visit a place (the cave on Dagobah) that we so clearly mark from a place in time during "The Empire Strikes Back". It's definitely something that will get a reaction from those who eat, breathe and sleep the O.T.

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Posted on Aug 31, 2010 by doug

See All of Chewbacca's Dialogue From Star Wars

(image via Savage Chickens)
Chewbacca may be Kashyyyk's most famous Wookiee, but he's a quiet Wookiee. Or is he? Doug Savage breaks it down for us with a big laugh. Check out All of Chewbacca's Dialogue From "Star Wars".

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Posted on Aug 19, 2010 by Pete

Star Wars CV Main Event - Worth the Wait

I am a self-avowed Original Trilogy guy. Always have been... always will be. So when I attended the "Main Event" at Star Wars Celebraiton V last week in Orlando... and I had the opportunity to see George Lucas, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all together on one stage, it was a huge moment for me. The crowd was going bananas... and well they should have!

The stark reality is that the main players from the O.T. films aren't getting any younger, so these opportuities are becoming few and far between. Clearly if Harrison Ford had walked onto the stage, the people in the Convention Center would have had a riot on their hands, but alas... there was no sign of Han Solo himself (Ford is currently shooting "Cowboys and Aliens" with Jon Favreau and could not attend).

But that aside, it truly was a moment to be cherished by every lucky person who got to attend - many of whom slept outside overnight for the right to be present. And that brings me to my point. Those who waited outside sacrificed a significant amount of time and energy (and their convention experience). Some might say that was foolish, especially considering how hot and humid it was in Orlando. But I have a different opinion; I think everyone who sacrificed made the right decision. Seeing the folks up on that stage was a once in a lifetime experience for many... and those who will there will be telling their grandchildren about it. Will those who were browsing the conevntion floor (as awesome as it was) for an extra few hours be telling their grandchildren about that? I doubt it! So kudos to everyone who waited. Consider it another notch in your Star Wars belt and weat that belt proudly!!!

To see our photos from the event, check out our Main Event photo gallery page.

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Posted on Aug 12, 2010 by adam

Star Wars / Empire Strikes Back as Blaxploitation Film

You'll laugh you'll cry, and you can see what some people are all Tweeted up about.

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Posted on Aug 4, 2010 by Pete

Star Wars is for the Birds

If you ever needed proof of just how how popular John Williams' Star Wars music is... well... even birds can sing along.

(Via icanhascheezburger.com)

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