Qui-Gon Jinn: Liam Neeson Obi-Wan Kenobi: Ewan McGregor Queen Amidala/Padmé: Natalie Portman Anakin Skywalker: Jake Lloyd Senator Palpatine: Ian McDiarmid Shmi Skywalker: Pernilla August Captain Panaka: Hugh Quarshie Jar Jar Binks (voice): Ahmed Best C-3PO (voice): Anthony Daniels R2-D2: Kenny Baker Yoda (voice): Frank Oz Chancellor Valorum: Terence Stamp Boss Nass (voice): Brian Blessed Watto: Andrew Secombe Darth Maul: Ray Park Sebulba (voice): Lewis Macleod Mace Windu: Samuel L. Jackson Sabé: Keira Knightley Director: George Lucas
Running Time: 2 Hours 16 Minutes Original Release Date: May 19, 1999 3D Release Date: February 10, 2012 Date we saw the movie: February 17, 2012
This is taken directly from IMDB
The opening crawl reveals that the Trade Federation has blockaded the planet of Naboo in hope of resolving a galactic trade dispute. Chancellor Valorum of the Galactic Republic secretly sends two Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi to meet with the Trade Federation to settle the crisis. Unknown to them, the Trade Federation is in league with the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who orders them to invade Naboo with their immense droid army and also to kill the two Jedi. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escape and flee to the surface of Naboo, where they meet local Gungan outcast Jar Jar Binks. As Jar Jar brings them to an underwater Gungan settlement, the Trade Federation captures Naboo's leader, Queen Amidala. Through a Jedi mind trick, Qui-Gon secures a submarine, which he, Obi-Wan, and Jar Jar use to reach the capital of Naboo and rescue Queen Amidala and her escort. The group departs for Coruscant, the Galactic Republic's capital planet, to seek help from the Senate.
During the escape, the ship is attacked by the Federation blockade, forcing R2-D2, one of the ship's droids, to fix the shields. The attack damages the ship's hyperdrive, forcing the party to land on the desert planet of Tatooine for repairs. While searching for needed parts, Qui-Gon and a handmaiden named Padmé befriend young Anakin Skywalker a nine-year-old human slave gifted in piloting and mechanics. Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of the Force in Anakin, and feels that he may be the "Chosen One" an individual the Jedi believe will fulfill a prophecy by bringing balance to the Force. At Anakin's insistence, Qui-Gon enters Anakin into the Boonta Eve Podrace in a bid with Anakin's master, Watto, to gain the needed parts as well as Anakin's freedom. Anakin eludes several obstacles including rival racer Sebulba to win the race, gaining his freedom and bankrupting Watto. After hesitation, Anakin leaves his mother and his droid, C-3PO behind on Tatooine to go with the Jedi. As the group prepares to depart, they are attacked by the Sith apprentice Darth Maul, who battles Qui-Gon until the heroes escape.
On Coruscant, Qui-Gon informs the Jedi Council of the mysterious, well-trained attacker. The Council becomes concerned that this may indicate the reappearance of the Sith, an opposing order that followed the dark side of the Force. Qui-Gon informs the Council about Anakin, hoping that he can be trained as a Jedi. After testing the boy the Council refuses, worried that he is too old for training and that the fear and anger that he harbors will cloud his future. Meanwhile, Senator Palpatine of Naboo persuades Amidala to call a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. The vote removes Valorum from power and leads to Palpatine's nomination for the position, which Amidala considers too late to be effective. To stop the Federation invasion by herself, the Queen decides to return to Naboo with her security team, the two Jedi, R2-D2, Anakin, and Jar Jar.
On Naboo, Padmé reveals herself as Queen Amidala and forms an alliance with the Gungans for the battle against the Trade Federation. The Gungans march into battle to divert the Federation army away from the capital, allowing the others to infiltrate the palace. Once inside the palace hangar, the Jedi free several Naboo pilots, who regain their starfighters and assault the Federation droid ship. As they make their way to the throne room, the infiltration team is confronted by Darth Maul. Qui-Gon and Obi Wan engage Maul while the others take an alternative route. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan duel with the Sith Lord amongst the catwalks of a massive power-generating reactor core. Obi-Wan is briefly delayed, separating him from Qui-Gon and Maul. Meanwhile, Queen Amidala and her forces fight their way into the palace and capture Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Anakin - who inadvertently joined the dogfight in space - destroys the droid-control ship's reactor with proton torpedoes, which deactivates the droid army in the midst of taking Gungan prisoners. In the reactor core, Qui-Gon re-engages Darth Maul singlehandedly, but is mortally wounded. Obi-Wan catches up with and defeats Maul in another intense lightsaber battle. With his final breath, Qui-Gon instructs Obi-Wan to train Anakin to become a Jedi.
In the aftermath, the newly elected Chancellor Palpatine congratulates Queen Amidala on her victory and promises to watch Anakin's career with great interest. Meanwhile, the Jedi Council promotes Obi-Wan to the level of Jedi Knight, and Yoda reluctantly accepts Obi-Wan's request to train Anakin as his padawan. During Qui-Gon's funeral, Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Yoda (Frank Oz) agree that Maul was killed by Obi-Wan. However, because there are always two Sith at any given time (a master and an apprentice), they believe that another Sith still exists, although who is that Sith is uncertain. A large celebration is held on Naboo to celebrate the world's liberation and the newborn alliance between the Naboo and the Gungans.
END OF SPOILERS
I think this Star Wars gets a bad reputation. Now Jar Jar Binks may be the most annoying character in the Star Wars history and young Anakin Skywalker may have had the worst lines I have seen in a movie. I will always call him out for the “Yippie” he shouts out twice in the movie. I had a pretty big issue spending $41 dollars on a movie I have seen a lot not to mention own. However, the whole point for me to go was because of Lex. And for that it was well worth the $41. He was skipping down the Avenue holding my hand telling me how excited he was to see this movie. He begged me to watch episode II as soon as we got home. Just seeing how excited he was for this movie made the whole experience worth it.
Star Wars is a movie that screams “watch me on the biggest, loudest screen you can find!” I am glad we did the 3D experience. The movie is a bit long and at times I felt myself just waiting for the final battle with the Jedi and Sith. But for the enjoyment of taking Lex to see Star Wars it was well worth everything.
I think I have to give Star Wars Episode I “The Phantom Menace” 3D a
So about the time Jack was born I knew I was going to be stuck in the hospital for a few days with nothing to do but spend time with Lisa, and Jack. Boredom was going to come quickly. I was trying to find some blogs to read and one was suggested to me about a site called Post Secrets.
I became instantly hooked. It became a guilty pleasure of mine just like listening to “Love Line on HFS” when I was in High School (let me be honest here I would still listen to it today).
I make going to Post Secrets part of my Monday routine. This past week I found the below secret that was so funny to me I just had to share.
Somewhere out there a guy was being a giant dick and broke some poor girl heart. But they made me laugh and that is awesome
One of my absolute favorite things to do is go to the movies. I still remember how excited I had already seen a movie earlier that day with my parents (I think Police Academy 5 – looking at movie released in 1988) and that night we almost went to see Beetlejuice. Two movies in one day!!!!! You have no idea how awesome that was in my mind being almost 10 years old. Sadly I don’t think they had an evening show for us to go to so it didn’t happen.
But I could spend the day at the movie theater. When I turned 16 and the only thing preventing me from going was having the cash on hand.
Sadly life has caught up to me and having a mortgage, two (almost 3) kids, and the fact movies are so expensive today it can be very hard to get to the movies. Last year there was probably about 10 to 15 movies I wanted to see but only ended up seeing maybe 5 (and one of those was a Twilight movie so clearly not my pick)
2012 is no different. There is a long list of movies I want to see. I know I won’t see all of these but I definitely will try. The list was kind of hard to bring to 10 (with two honorable mentions) sadly I know and do not expect to see all of these movies. I know Lisa will have me at the last Twilight movie at the end of the year and I am sure there is something else I will cave in for her to see. Sometimes you just have to give in to get what you want later.
Below is my top list of movie I want to see for 2012. I doubt I see them all. But it was still fun getting this together.
And so now I present to you my top 10 movies I want to see in 2012
Honorable Mention #1 Snow White and the Huntsman (Release Date: June 1, 2012)
Honorable Mention #2 Men in Black III (Release Date: May 25, 2012)
#10 21 Jump Street (Release Date: March 16, 2012)
Plot: An undercover police unit consisting of young looking officers infiltrate high schools to control youth crime.
This made the list because of the trailer. It actually looks more like a parody of the old TV show but in the same sense it does look kind of fun. I doubt I actually see this movie and I definitely am not as excited for this as I was the A-Team movie remake but this should be a fun time and good popcorn flick.
Red Band Trailer - so watch with ear phones on
#9 Brave (Release Date: June 22, 2012)
Plot: The rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland serve as the backdrop for BRAVE, a new tale that joins the land’s ancient lore—stories of epic battles and mystical legends passed down for generations. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, BRAVE is the grand adventure of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer who confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts to discover the true meaning of courage.
This is an interesting one for me. This is being released by Disney/Pixar who a really good record of making great movies when teamed together. Odds are this movie is going to be good. I know I am going to see it because Lex is already asking about going and I am sure it will not disappoint us.
#8 American Reunion (Release Date: April 6, 2012)
Plot: In the comedy AMERICAN REUNION, all the AMERICAN PIE characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn't and that time and distance can't break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler's mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.
Who would have ever thought that this would have gotten 4 watchable sequels? I remember going to see this movie with no expectations. I just kind of went one day because someone else wanted to go. I laughed so hard that night. The only other time I could say I was like that was when I saw the first Hangover movie. Hopefully this is a good swan song for the franchise but hey if it can come close to matching the humor from the first two movies why not make more. I doubt I get to see this but I am sure going to try.
And if those trailers didn't suck you in watch this one.
Red Band trailer
#7 Star Wars Episode I “The Phantom Menace” 3D (Release Date: February 10, 2012)
Plot: Join the celebration as Star Wars returns to theaters. Discover how the epic story of Anakin Skywalker begins on the big screen for the first time ever in 3D. A young slave boy on the desert planet Tatooine, Anakin is strong in the Force, and an amazing Podracer pilot. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovers Anakin and sees his potential to be a great Jedi Knight. Meanwhile, the droid army of the greedy Trade Federation invades the peaceful planet of Naboo as part of a secret plot by the Sith to gain power. In defending Queen Amidala of Naboo, the Jedi Knights will cross lightsaber blades with the deadly Sith Lord, Darth Maul.
Ahhhh, good old George Lucas going back to the well to make more money. And you know what I am okay with that. This is #7 on the list not because I really want to see the movie. But seeing Star Wars on the big screen is such a cool thing to do. It is one of those movies that just needs to be seen on the big screen to enjoy it that much more. This movie is not great movie at all and could very well be the worst movie on this list. However, I want to see this with Lex. Lex has slowly started to really enjoy the Star Wars franchise. I have not sat with him to watch all of the movies with Lex but he has an idea of who is who. This movie was released last night and he has already been asking when we are going. But I can not wait to see this with him and I hope he loves it as much as I am going to love taking him to see it.
Trailer from the Superbowl
#6 G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation (Release Date: June 29, 2012)
Plot: When Cobra spy Zartan has most of the Joes assassinated, the remaining Joes band together to strike back.
So I just know this one will be on the want to watch list even though I never end up to see it. I grew up loving G.I. Joe. The toys were my absolute favorite. Everything about GI Joe I thought was cool. I even bought the cartoon movie on DVD and the first season on DVD a few years ago. I almost, but just couldn’t justify it, bought the entire series for $99 a few years ago. Right now I watch the reruns of the show on the Hub Network at 6am with the boys. But when they first announced this movie a few years ago I was excited. Now I saw it at the movies and it’s a fun action flick but really its not movie I would ever take Lisa back to again.
This movie scares me a little. I am glad it is not a reboot but from everything I read Destro and Cobra Commander are not in this movie. So I am not sure how you can do a movie with out these characters. I still think it will be a fun action movie but I really will be surprised if I get to see it, let alone convince Lisa to go. But you know the Rock is in so you never we may just end up being there.
And of course there was Superbowl spot.
#5 The Amazing Spider-Man (Release Date: July 3, 2012)
Plot: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is the story of Peter Parker, an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. Now this is a reboot for Spider-Man. I am going to go on record and tell you the first two Toby McGwire Spiderman Movies were amazing. Spiderman 2 is one of the reasons why comic book movies are still popular today. Spiderman 3 not so much. I still liked Spiderman 3 but compared to the first two it wasn’t very good. So it was announced they were going to do a Spiderman 4, & 5 with the original cast. However, a few weeks later the studio changed their mind and decided to go in another direction. I was not a fan of this at first but as I see the trailers my opinion has started to change. I like they are keeping Peter Parker in High School and from the looks of things they will be closer to the comics then the previous movies.
This Spiderman has some big movie shoes to fill. I am sure I am going to see this because I am pretty sure Spiderman is the Lex’s second favorite Superhero character. Even Lisa when seeing a trailer told me she was interested in going to this movie. I am sure we are seeing this movie. I imagine this will be Lex’s favorite movie of the year.
Trailer 1
Trailer 2
#4 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Release Date: December 12, 2012)
Plot: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
The Lord of the Rings!!!!! Oh I can not wait for this. I saw the first Lord of the Rings with my friend Buzz. Now I heard about the movie but never read the book. It was such a Sci Fi nerds dream. The only thing it did not have was a space battle. I just escaped into this movie when it first came out. Buzz and I made sure we went and saw each of the movies every year that they came out. My favorite of the movies was Return of the King. It just felt like everything came together and at one point hearing Aragorn speech I was ready to fight. I still get goose bumps when he turns back to his army facing a certain defeat and says “For Frodo” and then off into battle.
Anyway these three movies were so amazing and so good that I have all the faith in the world that the prequel of sorts will be just as amazing and just as fun. I will definitely see this one and when the second part is released that will be in my top movies to see too next year. I just have to see if Buzz is joining Lisa and myself for this to keep the tradition going.
Editors Note (and by editor I mean me): These next 3 movies I had the hardest time figuring out which order to put them in. I’ll explain why the movie isn’t higher or lower on the list but really it was hard to put these three in an order at all.
#3
The Hunger Games (Release Date: March 23, 2012)
Plot: In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.
So if you would have asked me a year ago this movie is not making the list let alone being in the top 3. They are calling this series the new Twilight series where they have an attractive young cast in a movie based off of a book. This was not even on my radar a year ago. I had heard some people talk about the book but I never paid much attention to it. Then one of my best friends Matt told me that no matter what I was reading the Hunger Games was the next book I have to read. So I listened to him and loved the book. I felt like I could not put it down and I had to read the entire series. I was a little worried when I saw the teaser trailer that I was going to be disappointed in the movie. Then the real trailer was released. The cool part of the trailer is that it shows a lot of how they get there and some would say it gives away too much, but it really does not. I swore I would never do a midnight showing again and I believe I am breaking that promise for this movie.
I want to rank this higher but with my top two picks I have been so excited for such a longer time that in good faith I could not make this higher.
Also I could not find a link to this movie where I could embed the trailers. So for now I am going to tell you to click here and go to their web site to see the trailers for this movie. If things change and I can put them up here I will.
#2 The Avengers (Release Date: May 4, 2012)
Plot: Marvel Studios presents “Marvel’s The Avengers”—the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.
To take you back in time Ang Lee and Marvel came up with an idea to make the Incredible Hulk into a movie. I thought the Incredible Hulk was the most amazing TV show ever. My mom absolutely hated me watching it but that didn’t matter. So when this movie was announced I forced Lisa to go to the movies with me. In the almost 11 years we have known each other this was the first time she got up at the end of the movie and said to me, “That was the worst movie I have ever seen!” And she refused to see Superhero movies for a long time after that.
When Lisa and I first started to have kids and we found out Lex was going to be a boy I knew this was an opportunity for me to get back into seeing Superhero movies. We started off slowly letting him watch the movies I already own. But this is the year we finally go back and make Superhero movies a regular viewing experience.
Just as I was excited about the Hulk when I was a kid, Lex can not get enough of him either. Lex has become a HUGE fan of Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and this past year Thor and Captain America. The cool thing that Marvel is doing is they are combining all of these characters into one movie. Comic book nerds like myself are so pumped for this movie. The thing that scares me is that there is a lot of hype for this movie, and because the other movies have been so good. Lex and I are definitely going to see this. Lisa I am not sure about yet. She will be about 7 to 8 months pregnant at this point, but I think she has a small crush on Thor.
Early reviews from people are this movie is fantastic. And knowing they are already talking about another Iron Man movie and Thor movie tells me that the life of this will be around for some time.
Trailer
Superbowl Trailer
#1 The Dark Knight Rises (Release Date: July 20, 2012)
Plot: The third installment of director Christopher Nolan's BATMAN series.
When I started doing this list I toyed around with movie the Avengers and the Hunger Games to this spot. But really if I do not see another movie at all this summer it’s going to be The Dark Knight Rises.
In 2005 they rebooted the Batman franchise after George Clooney destroyed everything sacred and holy with the movie Batman & Robin. Batman and Robin were so bad I really had no intentions at all to see Batman Begins. I don’t remember why but Lisa was away for the night or weekend and I was talked into seeing Batman Begins with Buzz and some other friends. The movie was so good I forced Lisa to go see it. Now remember she still was not happy with the Hulk movie. So when the movie started she was sitting normally in her seat and really just looked miserable to see this movie. By the end of it she was sitting on the edge of her seat so into the movie. I still joke with her about that movie.
Batman Begins was so good that when it was announced the sequel was coming out called the Dark Knight in 2008. I was convinced by my friend Matt to go see the midnight show. Turns out the day before Lisa, Matt and I were able to snag tickets to see the premiere of the movie on Wednesday Night. So we got there early watched this amazing movie at the premiere. The next day Matt and I were on a bus to Philadelphia at 7am…. We returned to White Marsh around 6pm grabbed dinner with Lisa and then went to stand in line for our midnight show. Kind of a bad idea because at this point I was beyond exhausted but I did see the movie twice before most people saw it once.
After Batman Begins and the Dark Knight the Christopher Nolan directed and Christian Bale Batman could do no wrong at all with the franchise. We get to see Bane and Cat Woman as the primary villains in the Dark Knight Rises. They are labeling this movie as the conclusion in the trilogy but I sure hope they are able to make more. I really want to see more of this Batman.
The Teaser Trailer
The Dark Knight Rises Trailer
Well I would love to hear anybody else list (if anybody actually reads this). That was fun to do and I may have to do that again next year. By the way I can already tell you the top two for next year.
