Also, big thanks to Megan Morrone from TechTV for mentioning my blog on her Twisted List. Apparently I'm not the only one who enjoys the Marshmallow Peeps web site. I'm a serious TechTV addict, so I was thrilled to be mentioned on their site. Now if only I can get Chris Pirillo to mention me in his blog, I'll know my fifteen minutes are up.

As far as The Hidden Fortress goes, it was a wonderfully entertaining film; much less serious than the Seven Samurai or Yojimbo. Kurosawa's influence on George Lucas is quite evident, mostly on a technical level, using wipes instead of fades, and long lenses to shoot characters in the foreground. You can see bits of this film used throughout the Star Wars trilogy. All in all, definitely worth seeing on it's own, but priceless if you are serious fan of Star Wars.



I just noticed that I have a twenty year old, well-read copy of the Tron novelization in my bookcase. Huh. So, I guess it's not at all surprising that I really enjoyed Tron. The special effects are still impressive and Bruce Boxleitner is still adorable. If only there the arcade around here had the Tron game. That was always one of my favorites. Never could defeat those damn spider things. The intro on the DVD also plugged the website for the upcoming sequel, Tron Killer App. It is light on content, but a pretty good tease.



I have plans to go see E.T. next weekend, and I'm really looking forward to seeing one of my favorite childhood movies again. I have mixed emotions about some of the digital "enhancements" Spielberg has implemented, such as changing Elliot's brother's Halloween costume idea to "hippie" instead of "terrorist," and replacing the guns used by the Feds at the end with walkie talkies. Slate offers ideas on how to enhance some of his other films here. Very funny.



You know, I do actually do things other than watch sci-fi movies and tv shows. Really, I do. I'm actually reading a book about professional Scrabble players right now. (Cause that makes me seem like LESS of a geek...)

Just finished watching this week's Survivor and Amazing Race. What kind of a bunch of idiots votes off the smartest, strongest, most organized member this early in the game? Ah Hunter we hardly knew ye. Make sure you tune in next week though, as you will likely see this team either starve to death or get eaten by sharks. (Would that be like jumping the shark?) Putting Survivor back to back with the Amazing Race really made me realize how much better a show Amazing Race is. The artificial Lord of the Flies atmosphere of Survivor seems even more so when compared to Amazing Race. Someone is always getting the one cabbie in the country who refuses to exceed the speed limit, or the bus with the flat tire. Those are real challenges, not the Fear Factor type "eat the smelly, nasty fish" crap that survivor loves to pull. However I am waiting for someone to get shot in an airport for running around screaming like a lunatic, but that would be a different type of show entirely.

While you're at it, check out the Spiderman trailer too. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, but after seeing the trailer, I have to admit, he's perfect.

The first full Episode II trailer will debut Sunday night between Malcolm in the Middle and the X-Files. The first three teasers have looked pretty good, so I'm looking forward to this one. Three trailers down, and still no sign of Jar Jar. I don't know if George is hiding him from us, or perhaps he has had him killed off somehow in the ten years since Episode I.