I went to see the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi today and loved it. It shadows many of the scenes from previous Star Wars movies while remaining unique enough to not be completely predictable.  It revives plenty of nostalgia.  The story moves along but it jumps from place to place probably a little too much like The Force Awakens.  There are also plot issues, but they mostly become apparent after the movie is over.  Fortunately, there are no Jar Jar Binks-like characters.  There are some satisfying action scenes, and the acting is good enough.  Some questions are answered and some are not.  The characters and stage are all set up for a grand conclusion.

This is a movie made for the big screen with lots of special effects.  I saw it in IMAX but not in 3D.  The movie is fairly long at two hours and forty-five minutes including previews, so make sure you go to the bathroom before starting the movie.  Speaking bonus scenes, there are none, but there is a bonus line about a minute or two into the credits you'll probably want to see/read.  Speaking of previews, there were two I particularly like, the one for the next Avengers movie and another for the next Jurassic Park movie.

I saw the 9:00 AM showing this morning.  I arrived 25 minutes before it started, got the exact seat I wanted, and there were maybe twenty other people total in that showing.  No lines, no fuss, no crowds, and no issues.  I am glad I avoided the madness from last night.  I even got the same promotional cards and poster the early crowds received.

If you like Star Wars, you'll like this movie.  It's a solid entry in the Star Wars saga.  

benjoshua wrote in Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread:I went to see the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi today and loved it ....

Hi All, I've been quiet again of late as my work just won't let up and I've been travelling almost constantly over the past three months. I'm still part of the small international community in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and yesterday someone rented out one of the small local cinemas for a private English viewing of the new Star Wars. Went with the whole family and it was great. First time we have seen an English movie at the cinema in years! Some really beautiful effects in the movie and plenty of nostalgia. We all loved it!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Was hoping for a White Christmas, but it unseasonably warm here. May as well be back in Australia.

Wishing everyone a great relaxing day!      

Happy holidays everyone!
—Ron—

HAH! BUMHUG!!

err... I mean...

Merry Christmas, Jack Benny Style.  

1957-12-15 The Jack Benny Program "Christmas Shopping Show (Mel Blanc)" Season 8 Episode 7 - YouTube

Buon Natale to all of you!

Ciaoo

Finally finally saw Blade Runner 2049 on a large screen (have been dodging spoilers for months!) and thought it was very disappointing. Some nice set pieces and lovely images but woeful in comparison to the original. Plot was all over the place, much of it also seemed lifted straight from the original. Worst of all was the soundtrack! Far better is his earlier film Arrival which came out late last year. Best film by far I saw in 2017 was the Handmaiden -- witty, sexy, fantastic drama by the guy who did Oldboy, Lady Vengeance etc... Cannot recommend it highly enough.

Also -- an early Happy New Year to all you very lovely collectors and gamers. May the dice always be in your favour. Or something like that. Cheers!  

Dunno who here is a fan of the Fantasy Trip. I just came across this bit of news by chance a few moments ago.

Daily Illuminator: The Fantasy Trip Returns Home

I had some fun with Death Test BitD. Didn't have the Melee rules, but in the spirit of the times, what I could not glean from the DT booklet, I made up.  

If I read this interview (and link) correctly, it was literally just a matter of time.

The RPGnet Interview #72: Steve Jackson, The Fantasy Trip - RPGnet

But, I suppose you could say it cost him whatever he may have made from the property over the last 35 years.