Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Entertainment News and Skews…

Two things struck me yesterday in the world of entertainment.

The first was that my favorite Captain…Jean Luc Picard or, in real life, Patrick Stewart…is returning to television next year in a show called Blunt Talk.  Seems it’s going to be a comedy that is a fictionalized version of a flawed character that stars in a sort of Colbert Report.  I am sure looking forward to giving it a try.  I so admire Patrick Stewart.  Not only did he star in my favorite TV of all times and one of the most socially advanced television series that has ever aired, Star Trek:  The Next Generation, he is also an outspoken opponent of domestic violence.  Well, he’s just cool in so many ways.

The other news is that there is going to be a new Star Wars movie.

Now, I have to admit that seeing the original Star Wars movie really did change my life.  I can still remember how exhilarated I felt as I exited the cinema that night.  It engendered a love of science fiction that has not left me through the years, although maybe it was really the original Star Trek that did that.  Probably Star Wars just strengthened it.

But the original Star Wars movie certainly set the bar high for the quality of movie that I wanted to spend my money to see.  It had it all… a great story, action, adventure, good vs. evil, interesting characters, terrific cinematography and, most of all, a strong female lead.  While the original Star Wars had great and innovative special effects, it was story and character driven as opposed to so many movies today that are CGI (computer-generated imagery) driven pieces of crap, all action with little plot and dialogue.

Anyhow, I opened up the paper this morning and the first story inside the front page (I could go on and on about what qualifies as REAL NEWS, so don’t get me started) boldly stated:  “Star Wars: Episode VII Cast Unveiled.”  There were the pictures of five MEN.  At least one of these dudes I’ve actually heard of, Max von Sydow, and he is an excellent actor.  And you know, I’ve got nothing against men.    In fact, some of my best friends are men.  Hey, I’m married to a man.  But give me a break.  You mean the only important female in the new Star Wars is going to be an aging Princess Leia??

Forgive me if I think there’s something a bit skewed about that.  Of course, it does all take place “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” where there were no Susan B. Anthonys or Gloria Steinems around to stand up for Women’s Rights.

   Still, I have to admit to being disappointed even before I’ve seen the first trailer.

Well, my photos today have nothing to do with what I just wrote about but here they are nonetheless, a bunch of tulip photos.  Now, isn't that so girly of me.






12 comments:

RobertN said...

Beautiful series.
Best regards!

lynet said...

I love Series, thanks by share! hugs!

MadSnapper said...

beautiful tulips... and i laughed all the way through your story about Star wars. here is why.
while watching Good morning America today they were showing clips from the first Star Wars and talking about tne new one and who will be in the cast.... I said to my hubby, Star Wars was the first and last science fiction i ever saw. my sons 10 and 12 and their dad, begged and pleaded for me to go with them to see Star wars. i hated every moment and by the time we got out i told them i would never ever go with them to another movie and i did not.....
isn't life funny that we all see the same thing through different eyes...

Pamela Gordon said...

We love Star Wars and have all the DVD's (Star Trek too), so we were pretty excited to hear there will be a new episode of Star Wars coming next year. I remember when we went to the old theatre in our city to see the first movie. Amazing! And watching Star Trek on tv in the 70's and 80's was a favourite on Saturday afternoon. Beautiful tulip pictures. Have a great afternoon.

kat from ky. said...

Sci-fi is yet another of myriad interests my man&I have in common. I too was initiated by Star Trek&Wars. Love them. I will give this a watch(fingers crossed!) Love your tulip shots!

Gail Dixon said...

Sorry, I'm not much of a sci-fi fan, but I am a huge fan of flowers. Your tulip shots are nothing short of amazing! Anyway, I hope you are not too disappointed in the movie when it comes out.

TexWisGirl said...

not much of a fan of either of those 2 programs, although i've watch a few of the star wars movies. didn't like the 2nd prequels, though.

loved your tulips.

Debbie said...

oohhhhh not my thing, i have never seen a star wars movie, but we all like something different.

i do however, love those tulips. beautiful colors, i love the image of them reaching for the light!!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous! They have a great artistic feel!

Nicki said...

So many of today's movies are filled with mindless babble, gratuitous female nudity, yet ANOTHER transformer(isk)-fast car, foul language, THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END...AGAIN! ... let's just pretend there is a plot to this whole mess. I remember watching Star Trek as a child and Captain Kirk's weekly dalliance aside, there was a mixture of strong female presence. And the Star Wars movies were AWESOME - their releases an event, and Princess Leia was totally bad ass. How disappointing that they lost sight of that element that contributed to the balance of a good series.

oh, by the way, the tulips are lovely! :)

Lynn said...

gorgeous tulip shots and I have never seen Star Wars, I wonder if I'm the only one in the world that hasn't!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Not a fan of sci-fi but did enjoy the colorful tulip shots, Barbara. But I did also watch the Star Trek series although cannot recall specific episodes. Just read an article on Patrick Stewart and he is an excellent actor and outspoken advocate of many causes.