Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Music in Media Week!


This entire week, I'll be creating posts pertaining to the wonderful world of music in mediums such as movies, television and also... um.... well basically just movies and TV.

Music inspires us! It makes us sing and dance, laugh and scream, and sometimes, it brings out the silliest in us. The tone provided by music, sets the pace and ambiance for the viewers. Bottom line, music can make or break movies and television.
So, without further adieu, here's my first post for what I'm declaring is music week!

My Top Ten Favorite Opening Theme Songs:

10. Mash:



Unfortunately I couldn't find the actual opening credits, so this will have to do. Isn't it simply an uplifting song?

9. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air:

 

It was funny the first time, and it's still funny the hundredth time.

8. Spongebob:

 

I couldn't help but put our spongy, aquatic friend onto the list, after all, his theme song is pretty much known by children and adults alike. Or maybe it's just the children's parents who heard it every waking day of their lives?

7. Futurama:

 

Another cartoon, I know I know, but this one's different. It has Zoidberg in it!

6. Star Trek: The Next Generation:

Though the middle three Star Trek series all sported fantastic opening themes, The Next Generation's was the finest by far.

5. All in the Family:

 

"And you knew where you were then!"

4. Malcolm in the Middle:

 

The theme showed just how dysfunctional the family was in a manner of 30 seconds.

3. Chuck:



One of the catchiest theme songs, ever!

2. Firefly:

 

Should I be embarrassed to say that I can quote the lyrics off the top of my head? Nah!!!

1. Band of Brothers:

 

To this day, it still makes me want to cry.


Honorable Mentions:

The Pacific:



Riveting, but Band of Brothers' opening takes the cake.

That 70's Show:

 

You knew laughs were going to ensue whenever you heard this theme song.

Star Trek: Voyager:



As much as I loved the Voyager theme, The Next Generation's is a classic.

Feel free to jump on in and create your own music inspired posts, and leave a link to it in the comments section!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Star Wars Blu-Rays: Deleted Scenes

George Lucas (the creator of Star Wars) while at Celebration V, revealed that his epic sci-fi saga would be converted to Blu-Ray. With this welcome news came a special treat for fans of the films. A scene cut from the original production of Return of the Jedi, wherein we see Luke crafting his new lightsaber as Darth Vader calls out to him through the Force.

This little scene is just a taste of what we can expect from the Blu-Ray releases. Each new scene whether it barely made it into post-production or not, will be fully recreated for the release. Below is a list of deleted scenes that possibly might be added to the saga.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace:

Digital Yoda in Episode I: This has been hinted at for quite some time now. During a documentary, a scene from Episode I, where Yoda is entirely digital could also be seen.

Probability: High


The Waterfall Scene: An extended portion of the Gungan sub sequence, wherein the trio, upon reaching Naboo's capital of Theed, find themselves surfaced directly near a waterfall.

Probability: Medium



Probe Droid Attack: One of my favorite deleted scenes, the probe droid attack explains why Qui Gon and Anakin are running through the Tatooine desert prior to being attacked by Darth Maul. It also adds a nice additional farewell scene for Anakin.

Probability: Medium


Exotic Neimodian Birds Suffocate: At the start of The Phantom Menace, the Jedi divert an attempted poisoning. In the original script, there are two birds who share the room with them. The poison was originally invisible, but as the birds fell to there deaths, the Jedi instantly knew that they were not welcome. I wouldn't put it past them to somehow incorporate this scene into the finished version.

Probability: Low

Episode II: Attack of the Clones:


Assault on the Core Ship: These scenes were tremendously awesome! Coinciding with the larger arena battle scenes in Attack of the Clones, the footage was never completed, with large portions of it even lacking sound. The rough footage was released to members of Hyperspace, the official Star Wars fanclub. Yes, I'm really showing my level of fandom here.

Probability: Medium

Padme's Family: Multiple extended sequences of Padme and Anakin's pre-marriage relationship were cut from the final film. One of my favorites involved Padme taking Anakin to her childhood home for dinner with her parents and sister. The scene, while a little corny, added a certain amount of realism to the duo's relationship.

Probability: Medium

Padme's Bedroom: After meeting Padme's family, Padme shows Anakin her bedroom. It is a quiet scene that showcases Padme's humanitarian work and a small portion of her political background through moving "holo-portraits" that adorn her walls.

Probability: Low

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith:

Yoda arrives on Dagobah: This short scene closes the story of Yoda in the prequel trilogy, allowing for his absence in Episode IV and his eventual discovery in Episode V to have a smooth transition.

Probability: High


Order 66-Clone Trooper Disguise: An additional scene as a part of the Order 66 sequence was cut, wherein Obi-Wan and Yoda confront a group of clones disguised as Jedi and proceed to kill the group who were laying in ambush for Jedi to return to the Temple. An extension of this scene, presumably cut for graphic nature, involved a Jedi youngling who was lured in by the disguised clones and proceeded to be killed by a blaster wielding clone firing at point blank range at the child's face.

Probability: Low 

Episode IV: A New Hope:


Luke's Anchorhead Introduction: Luke's introduction was cut from both Episodes IV and VI. Though his Return of the Jedi intro has been confirmed as a new scene on the Blu-Ray release, the ever popular Anchorhead introduction has still yet to be confirmed. The scene involves Luke, gathering with his friends in an outskirt town known as Anchorhead where he tries to show the group the space battle seen overhead between Princess Leia's vessel and Darth Vader's. We also are introduced to Biggs Darklighter, Luke's best friend, making his death at the film's end all the more bitter.

Probability: Medium

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back:

Fleeing Echo Base: A scene were upon fleeing the assault on Echo Base, Han, Leia and Threepio come a cross a door with a warning sign on it. Han ushers the trio into the door, but stops at Leia's protest, "No! That's were they keep the creatures!" (Referring to the Wampas; the same creatures that attacked Luke at the start of the film). Threepio proceeds to take off the warning sign as he follows Han and Leia further along the corridor. The Snowtroopers chasing after the trio fall for 3PO's trap and become a small snack for the creatures.

Probability: Medium

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi:
Extended Tatooine Departure: After destroying Jabba and his sail barge, the heroes reunite at the hangar bay that houses both the Falcon and Luke's X-Wing. A sandstorm engulfs the group as Han thanks Luke for saving him and Luke explains that he has to leave for Dagobah.

Probability: Medium

General Cracken and the Falcon's gunners: An Expanded Universe (books, comics, video games etc...) character know as General Airen Cracken was supposed to appear in Return of the Jedi as one of the gunners for the Millennium Falcon during the Battle of Endor. In addition, extra scenes involving the B-Wing pilots were originally going to appear in the 2004 special additions, but were withheld for a "future release."

Probability: High

Hopefully, there are even more scenes that have yet to be revealed that will make it onto the Blu-Ray release, and for your viewing pleasure, here's the first scene revealed from Return of the Jedi. Watch it, if you haven't done so enough already.


Which scenes do you want to be added to the saga and why? Feel free to comment!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Harry Potter 8, 9 & 10!

There's no time for a picture! Okay, forgive me, because at the moment, while writing this post, I'm in the process of yelling and screaming in joy and wetting my pants repeatedly! J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, (duh) mentioned previously today while on the Oprah Winfrey show that she may publish three more continuations to her extremely popular series of Harry Potter novels!

I can't believe this news! It's SO awesome in SO many ways! That's all I can make onto paper right now, so feel free to freak out in the comments! WOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

Here's a quote from the show, (she mentions the tenth novel in an interview with EW.com): "They're all still in my head. I could definitely write 8 or 9."--J.K. freaking Rowling.
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