So its that time of year again: Christmas time!

But its also the time of year where Hollywood releases it annual Black List: a list of not-yet-produced scripts floating around Hollywood waiting to make their big debut. This year, there are a whole lot of good ones out there.

Number one on the list is The Imitation Game, a screenplay by Graham Moore about the famous Alan Turing. The screenplay is produced by Nora Grossman and Ido Ostrowsky.  Turing was a WWII cryptographer who killed himself after being prosecuted for being gay. I’m actually surprised this hasn’t been picked up yet, but that explains why it’s grabbed number one by a long shot. In the right hands, this could be great. By the right hands, I mean someone who’s not afraid to be both edgy and truthful. There’s a lot of important and sensitive material here, so we expect a lot from this one.

There are plenty of compelling stories on the Black List but there are two that, for me, stand out from the crowd. The first is called Chewie by Evan Susser about seeing Star Wars being made through the eyes of Peter Mayhew aka Chewbacca. Anything Star Wars related and I’m in. Make it comedic? I think we could be dating…Weird. This is a satirical look from the eyes of a (and don’t kill me) second tier character that has little plot involvement. Don’t get me wrong: big time Chewie fan here, but a look at everyone else going crazy sounds fascinating.

My personal number one: Father Daughter Time: A Tale of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses by Matthew Aldrich. If the title itself doesn’t win you over, you’re wrong. But the story of a father and eleven-year-old daughter going on a “crime spree” sounds PHENOMENAL. In the post Kick-Ass world we live in where kids say the darnest and most vulgar things, the possibilities here are endless. This one sounds fun and original and like a lot of people will have issues with the content. It’s great to see people pushing limits and expectations and this is one that could really do that!

For a full list head here. Although some people consider this list a way for certain agencies to push their own agendas. However, it often results in some excellent films: Juno, (500) Days of Summer, and The Social Network. Here’s to 2013′s Oscar race looking more exciting than this year’s. Uh oh. Can I say that?

ALL HARRY POTTER DVDS WILL BE GONE COME DECEMBER 29, 2011.

That means you will not be able to find new copies of the series at all at major DVD chains. However, you can bet that mom and pop stores selling used DVD’s would love to resell your copy. This does include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 which will not be released until November 11th of this year. For some, this may be shocking but it is a rather genius idea.

For those of you who don’t know, the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D trailer is now up. This is relevant because that movie was released twelve years ago, yet it will see more time on the big screen from an upcoming re-release (much like Disney’s The Lion King). One would assume (and at this point it is almost surely why) they are pulling the DVD’s so they can re-release each of the Harry Potters again in theaters and on DVD for some ridiculous price. In order to get you to pay twice, they must take it away for a while to create a second demand.

Disney has been doing this for years. Such classics as The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas have to be put to rest in order to one day relive their glory days. Oh that’s coming up soon? Who would’ve thought? I’ll tell you who: studio heads.

Really though, this is win win for everyone. Go out and grab as many copies of the Harry Potter films as you can; you know you’ll watch them. Then, in ten years or so when they tweak it all with new technology and add a digitally enhanced version of Jabba the Hutt on Platform 9 ¾, your children can get excited because they never saw the original. Sure, you’ll groan and wish they had kept their street cred. But deep down, that $34.99 that you’ll shell out for the second time will have you smiling.

But for now, seriously, go to Best Buy and get your copies.

For more information on getting your copy, please see below.

One of the new DVD releases which could be a definite stocking filler includes that of the final instalment of Harry Potter. With the showdown between Voldermort and Harry this is a DVD not to be forgotten.

As a kid, I was scared to death. Who is this man with the height of Godzilla (roughly) and the voice of Mufasa? Is he man or machine? Why can’t I choke people with the small movement of my fingers? Childhood me loved the character for how villainous and horrible he was. Yet, still I wanted Luke and Han to kill him. Team Rebel! (Take that Twilight.) But it was important they win because Darth was so evil. When I got a little older, Episodes I, II, and III came out, and I was dumbfounded.

“Where’s Darth Vader?” I asked myself. Who is this puny little kid? George Lucas always said he made these movies for kids, so adults may not exactly enjoy them to the same level. To hell with that. I was a little kid! Forget podracing, I want to see Darth Vader! I’ll give Lucas that Darth Maul was pretty sick, super fast and tattooed. But after three minutes or so, a British kid with a rat tail and that guy from Les Misérables (my dad was a big fan and made me watch it a lot when I was young so…nevermind) killed him. Sure, he got a good hit in, but this guy was no Darth. Darth lasted three movies, which is like a million years in kid time (and in galaxies far, far away?)

To make things even worse, this “Anakin” fellow got older as I did, but, while it seemed I was maturing, Anakin started acting more like a baby. By the time Episode II ended, I would’ve taken child Darth over this angsty new guy. (Jake Lloyd may be a bad actor, but Hayden Christensen, give me and everyone else a break.) Darth Vader was only into whining and sneaking off with girls. Even when he got angry, it just wasn’t the same. He was such an emotional little wreck. Everything set him off.

“You stole my teddy bear! I’ll kill you!”—20-year-old baby Anakin

Whoa. If I were him, I would have looked into intergalactic anxiety meds. They must have those in other galaxies, especially if they have swords that cut through steel using only light.

Finally, Episode III. I thought they’d fix a lot of it. This was the moment! Darth is coming back, baby! Let’s get James Earl Jones back in the vocal chair and really set things up for the greatest movie of all time. But instead Anakin gets more pathetic, followed by a cheesy breakup, followed by no one caring. He emerges as something, but definitely not Darth Vader. “Wait, who is that guy in the bad Darth Vader Halloween costume?” asked everyone. And with one long, high-pitch “Noooooooooooooo” I bowed my head at the tragic end of one of the greatest movie characters of all time.

Anakin Skywalker, your future you would be ashamed.

YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

(The picture above is how I think he’d like to be remembered. Let’s take a moment and discuss his impact on our lives.)

The only sad part about this is that it won’t happen for three to four years. That’s a long time, Lucas, get this thing out of the gate. The problem is money. McCallum says it is unrealistic to make this show on a television budget. Boo hoo. In some sense, I can see why not. Star Wars isn’t really known for its small budget. All those effects cost the big bucks. He and Lucas don’t want to put up their own money to get this done immediately. They’re poor, after all. Apparently four years will change this (which actually makes sense).

It’s like the tale of young James Cameron. He wanted to make his little movie roughly a bajillion years ago, but the technology wasn’t out there. So he waited and waited and waited, and finally he got to make it with all the pretty colors and cool aliens he wanted. His movie was so successful all across the land that he got his second billion-dollar movie. Awww. The end.

They’re thinking of shooting this in the Czech Republic because apparently they like it there. Not only that but they have “50 hours of third-draft scripts” which seems like a lot to have YEARS before actually making anything. But no one involved has ever been accused of rushing.

Hopefully, this Star Wars show will also be very good-looking and very successful. I don’t know if the fans can take something as disappointing as Attack of the Clones. The animated Clone Wars can only go so far in the Star Wars universe. A live action television show seems more fitting; especially if it is a quality live action television show, where the many special effects add to the story. This coming year, we’ll see a lot of big budgeted, high concept television. So, I’m excited about this. Much more excited than for another Indian Jones sequel with aliens. Right?

Okay, this may not be huge news for some of you, but, for me, it’s the world. Let me tell you why.

For one thing, it’s Star Wars. Arguably (actually not arguably) the best movie of all time in the form of one of the best rides at Disneyland (also arguable.) Regardless, the current edition of the ride is 22 years old. It’s time for something new. Let me tell you from many rides of experience, Rex did NOT know what he was doing. Out with the old and in with the…older?

C-3PO will be flying the aircraft. That’s amazing; classic Star Wars in action. Oh you need more timeless characters? R2-D2, Chewbacca, Admiral Ackbar, as well as some Bith and Rodians will all be incorporated somehow. (Bith are the guys who played in Jabba’s band, and Rodians are Greedo’s species. [Greedo was the one who tried to shoot Han in A New Hope.]) I LOVE it!

The journey takes place between the two sets of trilogies; probably somewhere immediately following the lame Darth Vader whining for Padme. This isn’t as great of news for older fans, but from a business standpoint it makes perfect sense. The new, younger generation of Star Wars fans want new, younger versions of the story. I read an interview with George Lucas who basically said he didn’t worry about the adults who love his movies because it’s really about the kids. It didn’t make sense to me, but then when he talked about how there are kids now who have never seen any of the movies but know The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network, it all clicked. As we get older, Star Wars becomes more cartoonish and childlike. And that’s the beauty of it; that’s the beauty of this ride in any form.

For me, this change is one for the history books. I lived in Los Angeles until I was eighteen years old, and went to Disneyland at least once a year for the better part of my life. Star Tours usually had a shorter line, but I didn’t care; it was Star Wars. I remember thinking, “I wish they’d do something new with this ride. I’ve been on the same one with the same pilot and the same plot for years.” Nonetheless I still got on it every time, and loved it.

Well, now, my friends change is here. And I couldn’t be more excited.

3. Titanic in 3D to honor the 100^th anniversary of the actual sinking of the Titanic.

I understand the sentimental draw of Titanic coming back to theaters for that purpose.  It is, in fact, a good idea.  But 3D?  Why?  Based on its multiple Oscar wins including Best Picture, there is no doubt in my mind that the next generation of kids would really love their chance to see it on the big screen.  The movie will draw in people to commemorate the occasion, kids who never saw it in theaters, and obsessed fans who will hope this time the ending might be different.  However, the 3D is really just a great way to exploit people who are willing to pay to see it once more.  (Ugh. Isn’t it usually?)

2. Toy Story 3 3D

Now, I know some people will probably disagree with me here, but really what did it add?  There’s no doubt in my mind that Toy Story 3 will easily be one of the best films of the year, definitely one of the most remembered, but the story was the most compelling part.  Unlike last year’s Up which drifted the viewer over elaborate South American landscapes, Toy Story 3 just used 3D for an occasional scene here and there.  It didn’t seem forced, just unnecessary.  (Sorry, Toy Story.  You know I love you.)

1. Star Wars original trilogy in 3D.

Nooooooooooo.  I’ll admit, I saw the Star Wars trilogy during its re-release.  Would I have loved to see it in 1977?  Yes, but unfortunately my age prevented me from doing so.  Do I think the trilogy should get re-released every so many years? Yes, but I’m very biased.  Do I think it should be in 3D?  Not at all.  Even though my first witness of Jabba the Hutt was not in human form, and even though plenty of images were altered for the re-release, I think George Lucas now more than ever needs to take a step back, look at the three amazing films he’s created and put them to rest.  Seeing the Millennium Falcon jump into hyperspace could be cool.  A lot of the scenes could, but once we start converting every older film into 3D we lose that sense of originality, that sense of freshness that  makes a classic a classic.  (Citizen Kane in 3D?  Anyone?)  Instead all these films start to mesh into a super cluster, losing what makes each film characteristically different.  The entire Star Wars series (yes, including I, II, and III) was groundbreaking at its time.  One could argue they are pillars in the creation of 3D production.  So let’s let history be history and fondly remember Star Wars the way it is: perfect.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Star Wars Hard Luck dvd I Sell the Dead trailer has been a cult classic and mainstream success for over 30 years, joining geeks and movie buffs a like.  This movie has transformed the genre of science fiction and has had box office success to the max sporting multiple sequels, prequels and cartoon movies.  Fans still flock to the conventions that are held wearing costumes and collecting figures of their favorite wookies.  Now the movie Star Wars has taken a new direction.  A direction where crowd sourcing has brought a new angle to the movie like never before.

Terror by Night movie download

Fans of stars have crowd sourced an entire movie The Marrying Man dvdrip

made out of fan made clips and scenes.  Fans of all ages have put together their home made versions of their favorite scenes of the George Lucas movie and now have produced an entire movie out of these clips.  Star Wars: A New Hope has been created with over 400 clips submitted so far and this is taking place at Star Wars Uncut.  This is a great way showing how crowd sourcing with users can contribute and create such a piece of work, something usually seen in other aspects of the internet.  But for here, it is a true geeks passion to bring this together.

Here is the trailer for the user-generated Star Wars movie below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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