So today marks the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and I wanted to create a lovely post in honor of it. I know I just talked about Star Trek on Sunday, but you can never have enough.
Now as you know, I am a diehard Star Wars fan. Many people ask me how can I love both Star Wars and Star Trek? How can I debase the fan base by loving the other too?
I don’t understand why it has to be either/or; and it shouldn’t be either/or. I’m loving both and if you have an issue with that, you best watch your step.
So of course I love this show because of the great stories and the awesome characters. They had just the perfect people working on this to make it the hit it is today. And of course, no celebration is complete without me counting off my favorite characters.
Of course, first of all there is Kirk. He’s always been my first and foremost favorite. A great leader, listener, friend, etc. Hard to get better.
Then we have the second member of this dream team, Spock. At first adhering to the rules and regulations of the Vulcan code; he eventually lets some of that culture slip to become a great friend; allowing his emotions in carrying for those others on the ship.
I also cannot get enough of how well he and Kirk (Nimoy & Shatner) play off each other. They are just perfect.
And last but not least in this team of perfection, Bones. Words cannot express how much I love his caring for Kirk and sassiness to Spock. He is sarcastic, pessimistic, and hilarious.
So I thought that I would do a post that relates to him in some way…
So this adventure took place around three years ago. So you all know what that meanes, we’ve gotta go back in time…
So about three years ago I was a junior in college and getting ready to start my finals. And I’m sure there are plenty who remember how that feels. Your mood flips faster than the weather in Wyoming. From stressed out:
To sad and unsure that you even know what you are doing:
I was a part of the history club, and we decided that this was the perfect time to take a trip.
I’ve got to get out of here.
We tossed around a bunch of ideas like going to the Scottish Games, Alcatraz Night Tour, Exploratorium, Wine Tasting, Cheese Tasting, etc. Of course it took forever for everyone to decide but we finally settled on Alcatraz.
Now I have always wanted to go to Alcatraz. I have been a big fan every since the Clint Eastwood movie based on a true story, Escape from Alcatraz.
The story is about Frank Morris. He was sent to Alcatraz because he escapes every prison they put him in. They placed him in Alcatraz because it was impossible to get out of.
Not only because of all the guards, as said in the trailer, but the location. Alcatraz is in the bay of San Francisco, which if you have never been there, has freezing cold water year round. Mark Twain once said:
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
Not to mention the coordinates of the prison has a horrible pull of the current that if you managed to try to escape by swimming, the current would keep you from going forward, and you would eventually die from hypothermia.
So the story is that Frank Morris comes up with this way to escape Alcatraz by digging a hole through the vent in his room, creating a facade to hide the digging, paper mache heads and fake bodies, and a raft. He teams up with three other guys, but unlike the movie one failed to escape through the vent because he had a pipe blocking his path, not that he was afraid. No one knows whether the three drowned or escaped. Their bodies and persons were never seen again.
But I was so jazzed to learn more about the island. Beside the Frank Morris story, Al Capone actually walked there as he was imprisoned there. How cool would it be that I was where one of the greatest gangsters was?
I mean he did horrible things, but it still is slightly cool
And to be somewhere CLINT EASTWOOD ACTUALLY SPENT TIME!!? MY FANGIRLNESS JUST EXPLODED!
Words cannot explain my excitement.
You definitely made mine!
And then of course Sam Neil when he filmed that show Alcatraz (on my to-watch list).
It was great
So I was sooo excited.
And it didn’t disappoint. The bay was beautiful, and so was Alcatraz. I didn’t know that the families of the workers lived with them on the island, so there were beautiful gardens and flowers growing.
And the complex was used for so many things. During the Civil War they kept it as fortress and military prison, Native Americans were housed there, it was used as a jail, and most recently a famous author had a show there.
So we were able to see the rooms of Frank Morris, the brains, and his compatriots. It was pretty cool how they kept everything the same for the tourists.
But because we were the Night Tour, things definitely took a creepy turn.
Like the hospital room. Full of these older, slightly rusty tools, and at night with a weird light. I wouldn’t want to stay long in that room.
Getting out of here
Or the Isolation Chamber?
The isolation chamber was were you were sent when you were causing trouble or if a guard hated you. You are in a small cell with nothing in it, and the day it is okay. But when it is night, it is pitch black in there and super creepy.
It was right next to the library where they were doing a lecture I wanted to attend, and that was the only way to get there so we had to pass through it. Oh man, it was scary.
Creepy!
And another kinda creepy factor? There were tons of seagulls everywhere. It felt as if I was in The Birds and they were just waiting to attack.
Not gulls but this was what it felt like.
But it was a lot of fun and even though it was spooky, I definitely recommend it to anyone.
How do you kill a fangirl? Well there are quite a few ways: Let’s see…1) Kill off their favorite characters/have them leave the series
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!
2) Have the wrong people end up together.
3) Stop writing/take show off the air, especially if it ends without a finale
4)When the character changes, does things they never would do
5) When they start repeating the same things over and over
6) Season Finale/Last book that just ends, without tying everything up
I could go on, but that’s not what this post is really about. Instead it is one of my fandom posts, about the fandoms I am in.
So here we go!
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
POWER RANGERS!!!! HECK YEAH!
Growing up the Power Rangers were awesome! Regular kids chosen to fight aliens and protect the earth, transforming into the Power Rangers and riding in robots called Zords.
My friends and I used to act out the adventures in the TV show, along with creating our own. My favorite was Kimberly, the pink ranger.
And I loved Tommy the Green Ranger/Gold Ranger. He first starts off as bad, recruited to destroy the Rangers, but then redeems himself. He ends up losing his powers, and the Green Ranger is gone, coming back as the extremely awesome Gold Ranger. Not only was Tommy the best fighter, with the coolest weapons (eventually becoming the leader) but he was also super hot. I had such a crush on him.
They made a movie, The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie, were they had to fight a creature so terrible, Ivan Ooze, he takes down Zordon. I just loved that movie so much as a kid. I used to watch it over and over again.
I had the whole film memorized and we used to act it out all the time. In fact I remember getting in trouble once with a parent for dismantling the brooms so that one of us could have the noise sticks that Dulcea uses.
I watched Power Rangers up until Power Rangers: Mystic Force. When Kimberly and Jason left and they brought in Cat, it went down hill for me. The other seasons were alright, but the only one that was any good being Dino Thunder because they brought Tommy back.
I heard they are doing a movie reuniting most of the original cast and I hope they do!
The Partridge Family
So if you just read these fandom posts, you probably think I am some immortal being a teen in the ’70s as well as the ’90s; from all these ’70s shows I used to watch. Nope, I’m not a time traveler or vampire, I loved TV LAND, yep I used to watch it back when they showed old TV shows.
This show stared Shirley Jones as Shirley Partridge, widowed mother of five. When her kids want to try a record deal, she goes along and before you know it, they are a hit. They get a manager, a bus, and go touring all over the country.
This show also starred David Cassidy, Jones’ stepson, as the eldest child and heartthrob.
I used to watch it every day and knew all the songs by The Partridge Family by heart. In fact this show had such a huge impact on me, that when I saw David Cassidy was going to be in a new musical series, Ruby & The Rockits. It was horrible writing, but I suffered through for my childhood nostalgia.
The Rocky Series
Aw Rocky. How I love you, and all your films. Well, except Creed as I have yet to see it. I started watching these films one 4th of July weekend when AMC had a marathon. I watched one, then another and another and another.
And I loved them. Sylvester Stallone did a great job with this series.
Rocky (1976)
So let my start by wishing this film a very happy anniversary as it will be turning 40 on November 21st.
So the film Rocky was Slyvester Stallone’s first film. He was struggling as an actor, homeless, only having $106, and had even sold his dog. When the company was interested he wouldn’t give the script up until they agreed to have him as the star. They declined, but when they couldn’t get the script, they finally agreed.
It was shot in 28 days and had an extremely little budget. Stars had to share rooms, they filmed the street scenes guerilla style and with no permits or extras. Most of the wardrobe was furnished by the actors, and ones purchased were wrong. The lack of money for extras, caused them to rewrite some scenes and make due.
But not only was it nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, & Best Original Song; and won Best Picture, Best Director, & Best Film Editing: but it was the highest grossing film of the year. Not bad Stallone, not bad.
So Rocky is the story of Robert “Rocky” Balboa, a man who dreams of becoming a boxer star, going the distance, but has yet to get his chance. He works as an enforcer for a loan shark, but is too nice a guy to actually “enforce”. Everything changes when boxing star Apollo Creed decides that he wants to box an ordinary joe, giving a nobody the chance to be a somebody, and choosing Rocky. While Rocky works out for the chance of a lifetime, he dates his best friend’s sister, Adrian, becoming one of the sweetest couples in film history.
This story is not only amazing uplifting, as everyone can connect to a man trying to achieve his dreams, it has some truly poetic and realistic scenes. Besides the ice-skating with Adrian, and running up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum (so great it gets parodied again and again), but the fact that Stallone choose to have Rocky loose the fight; showing his achievements in trying to be the true victory is truly poignant and fantastic.
This also had the incredible song, Gonna Fly Now written by Bill Conti as it’s theme. How can you not be inspired when listening to that?
Rocky II
After the first film, Apollo is angry at the way that Rocky held his own against him in the match. Apollo demands a rematch, as he wants to peove that he is the true champ, Rocky just a fluke. Meanwhile, since the fight Rocky has been boosted in popularity. He doesn’t want to fight Apollo again, but due to his goading and Rocky’s lack of money, he agrees. Can he truly go the distance? Can he be a contender?
Rocky III
This is the first of the film series to have a Survivor song in it, this one of course having the amazing Eye of the Tiger.
So it has been three years since Rocky II. Since then Rocky has had successful fights and an increase in wealth for him and his family. As they are unveiling a statue of him, he gets called out by Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T. When Rocky questions Mickey, he discovers that Clubber Lang’s accusations were correct. His fights were handpicked to protect him. Rocky doesn’t want to fight Lang, but when he pushes Mickey and causes him to have a heart attack, dying, Rocky knows he has no other chance then to avenge Mickey’s death. He asks Apollo Creed to train him, and the two team up to get that “eye of the tiger” back.
Rocky IV
Ivan Drago (Dolph Lungren) is a 6’5 Russian Boxer brought to America to promote the U.S.S.R.’s superiority. They throw out a challenge that he can beat anyone, and Apollo agrees to an exhibition match. Apollo arrives with a huge show stopping number done by James Brown. Drago doesn’t take this match as “just an exhibition” and kills Creed. With his best friend dead, Rocky decides he must avenge his death, traveling to Russia to fight Drago there.
Rocky V
After the fight with Drago, Rocky decides to retire from boxing. He had some permanent damage from the fight, and to add to the bad news he lost all his money due to a bad accountant. Rocky turns to training boxers, taking in a young guy off the street, Tommy Gunn. He helps him, and as Gunn starts moving up the ranks he catches the eye of another manager and leaves Rocky behind. Rocky is upset at the betryal, but Adraian tells him that Gunn is not worth it, as he doesn’t have any real heart. Gunn decides the only way to prove his true mettle is to take down Rocky. He tries to get him to fight, but Rocky won’t. When Gunn takes a sock at Paulie, Rocky changes his mind and starts training to cut him down.
Rocky Balboa (Rocky VI)
The sixth film takes place 20 years after the fifth film. One of the reasons Stallone decided to make this film, was that many people were dissatisfied with the ending of Rocky V, as it didn’t have a true wrap up to the series. In this Rocky is a widower, with an Italian resturant. He is in deep grief over the death of Adrian and has a struggling relationship with his son who wishes to be not known as Rocky’s son or have any connection to boxing. He reunites with grown up “Little Marie” from Rocky (1976). Meanwhile ESPN has done a Deadliest Warrior type show in which they analyze boxers from past, running the stats, victories, and teaming them up with present boxers. When Rocky wins against Mason “The Line” Dixon, Dixon gets enraged and Rocky decides to take up boxing again. This prompts the fight of fights as the two head off.
A lot of people didn’t like this film, but I thought it was a cute shout out to the fans. I loved the way they decided to conclude it. If Rocky had lost the fight, it would have been horrible as no one wants to see an older man get beat up. And if Rocky had won, it would have been unbelievable. Having a tie was not only a call back to the first film’s idea that victory was in trying to achieve your dreams, but also a way to appease all.
As I wrote before I have yet to watch Creed, but I will hit on that when I watch it.
Scooby-Doo
I LOVED SCOOBY-DOO
I used to watch Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo,A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, The New Scooby-Doo Movies (in which Scooby-Doo meets the Harlarm Globetrotters, Cher, Sonny Bono, Batman, Robin, Josie & the Pussycats, etc.), The New Scooby-Doo, & What’s New Scooby-Doo.
My favorite of course was Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?. I used to watch the show all the time and had four birthday parties be Scooby-Doo themed. I had a huge collection of Scooby-Doo toys, from my own mystery machine and multiple Scooby-Doos; to a clock, clothes, books, and almost anything else you can think of.
I also was a fan of the Scooby-Doo films. I loved Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers, Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders, Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase, etc.
I saw the two Scooby-Doo theatrical films and thought they were okay. The first had an alright storyline, but I didn’t like the thought of “real monsters” and felt they didn’t capture the heart of the show. Besides Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred Jones and Sarah Michelle Geller as Daphne, I was sorely disappointed.
So let’s talk about the characters:
Fred Jones
Fred Jones was the leader of the teen group. He was always eager to get involved in a mystery and was a keen observer. His take charge attitude always made him be the one to figure out a plan to catch the cause of the crime, although Scooby or Shaggy’s antics would usually mess them up. He was the “straight man of the group” the one who complimented the crazy antics of Scooby and Shaggy, along with being the rock of the group.
Daphne Blake
Daphne Blake is often thought of as the beautiful socialite who was only interested in looks and getting kidnapped. That is not true! While Daphne tends to be the one that got captured, if anyone gets kidnapped, it didn’t happen in every episode. She was also ntelligent, proving her worth in solving the crimes, alongside Fred and Velma.
*Fun Fact*-The Mystery Machine was actually Daphne’s 16th Birthday present. Why Fred is the one driving, I don’t know.
Velma Dinkley
Velma is the brain of the group, being the researcher and the one to find the final clue that ties everything together. Unlike Daphne, she is a more comedic character; having puns and great sarcastic wit. She also was always losing her glasses, struggling to see; they usually found by whatever creature they are hunting or her searching for them causing that creature to trip over her.
Norville “Shaggy” Rogers
Now contrary to popular belief, Shaggy is not a drug addict. The creators of the show were trying to hit every group when they made the show; Fred the jock, Daphne the princess, Velma the brain, etc. As Shaggy can’t be the criminal, because they are solving crimes, they wanted him to be the type of new culture coming out that “surfer-“hey man”-hippieish-type-dude”. Shaggy is a sweet guy that is interested in food and music. He is a scaredy-cat, never wanting to get involved with monsters or criminals, but always there in the final stretch. He and Scooby played the comedic roles, always accidentally getting involved with something, accidentally bringing new evidence to light, or accidentally catching the criminals.
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo was adopted by Shaggy and is “his” dog, but in reality Scooby doesn’t even consider himself a dog as he is so advanced. Scooby can talk, think, and loves to eat. He often steals somebody’s meal, typically Shaggy. Scooby is a total coward, but in the end will come through for his friends, as long as he is given a Scooby snack. He assists Shaggy with the comedy, helping them accidentally foil any plans made by the criminals. He and Shaggy are the only characters to appear in every TV show & film.
So first let me say I am not talking about the Star Wars Christmas Special, I am instead (as everyone is) talking about the new Star Wars film.
And let me just say, I am not going to watch it today.
I know, I know. As a major fangirl, how could I miss it?
Well first of all I am a little mad that they broke tradition and instead of having the film come out in May, they are releasing it in December. Star Wars: A New Hope May 25th, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back May 21st, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi May 25th, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace May 19th, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones May 16th, & Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith May 19th. I mean come on guys, you’re not supposed to break tradition.
And the other reason? I’m afraid, very, very, very, afraid.
You see when I first found out that J.J. Abrams was going to do the new Star Wars franchise, I was actually happy about it. But then I found out that he wasn’t going to follow the Star Wars storyline, but create a new one.
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!
And then I heard the rumors that Luke is going to go over to the Dark Side!
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!
How could you betray me like that!!!!!
Luke was supposed to start the Jedi Academy again!!!! Han and Leia were supposed to be married!!!! And have a set of twins (one boy one girl) and another child that goes to the dark side.
Besides, if Luke goes to the Dark Side that completely ruins the original three films! He brought balance!
His choosing to die rather than kill his father was what made his father have a change of heart and redeemed him!!!!!! You can’t change that!!!! Jedis all the way not Sith Lords
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!
So until I have gleaned enough facts from friends who’s opinions I deeply trust, I am going to wait to watch the new film.
Instead I am going to fulfill another one of my Christmas traditions: Star Wars Marathon.
Every year I watch the original three films. It started from channel surfing and discovering a marathon on Spike TV. It became a yearly one, when I traded in my prize for showing up to every Christmas Carol practice for cash and bough my own set of the Star Wars films on DVD. Everyone thought I was stupid for giving up the year’s deluxe gameboy, but I’d rather have Star Wars any day.
So I wish you all a very, merry Star Wars Christmas, whether you are watching the new or the old.
Since we are on a Star Wars theme, I thought today’s Christmas Carol would also feature an important star, the Christmas Star.
I choose the song Do You Hear What I Hear? This song was written right in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was popularized by the Harry Simeone Chorale, who also sang The Little Drummer Boy. Many artists have done a cover of this song, from Bing Crosby to Carrie Underwood.
Of course my first introduction was in The Little Drummer Boy: Book II, the sequel to the TV special, claymation, The Little Drummer Boy.
I just love how beautiful this song is and could sing it over and over again.
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