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And Then There’s This…

I’ve loved Disney’s foray into the Star Wars universe. From The Mandalorian to The Book of Boba Fett (an absolute surprise as I was not expecting to enjoy it at all since I’ve never been a big fan of the character), these journeys are what the last six feature films should have been. They pay loving respect to the original trilogy and don’t beat the viewer over the head with overwrought CGI effects. For the most part, everything in the effects department is practical, and it shows.

You can tell that the team behind these new stories are first and foremost fans of the franchise and pay it the respect it deserves.

That’s why I was looking forward with great anticipation to Obi-Wan Kenobi. And yet…now that I’m one episode from finishing this first season, I’m left disappointed. Yes, the sets and the effects are what I’ve come to expect from Disney, but the story itself has left me disinterested. I hated the prequel films, and while I understand that in context revisiting the events of those three films are necessary to tell this story, it’s left me cold. I know that when I find myself fast-forwarding through the stream every few seconds, I am not relishing the experience.

And my final gripe (Get of my lawn!)…why is so much of this story (and to be honest, a lot of things I’ve seen broadcast recently) filmed so darkly? It’s like the lighting levels are designed for viewing in a theater; not in someone’s living room—and most certainly not during the day. Even at night I find myself turning off the room lights to see everything that’s happening on screen.

So that’s it. I really wanted to love Obi-Wan Kenobii, but I just can’t…at least not in its present incarnation. Will I keep watching and even watch a second season? Of course—because I keep hoping (though it may be in vain) that it will get better.

UPDATE 6/26: So I finished the season. I missed fully half of what happened in the last episode because it looked like it was filmed at night under a moonless sky. I literally could not see anything that was happening on screen. The television might as well have been turned off.

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The Man Who Fell To Earth

I have to say I’m enjoying this Showtime sequel of the classic 1976 film of the same name. To be honest, I never “got” the iconic Bowie film, seeing it in the theater when it debuted; even rewatching it last year left me…unmoved. But this continuation, this sequel to the story…that has captured me. I love the casting (c’mon Chiwetel Ejiofor, how can you not?), the sets and the story telling. I especially like the way the series has paid homage to Bowie himself by not only naming each episode after a Bowie song  but also sprinkling Bowie Easter eggs and references to the original movie throughout.

I just finished Episode 7 “Cracked Actor” of 10 and it left me screaming, “More! More!”

A truly engaging series. Highly recommended.

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Vintage Audio Pr0n

These mini components came out shortly after Technics units appeared on the scene. Initially I had some buyer’s regret with Technics because these Mitsubishi units seemed…well…more. Now, some 40 years later I think the Technics have them totally beat on aesthetics, if not raw power.

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