The Force Has Awoken Something

I've already given my two cents about the latest Star Wars missive. You can listen here.

I wanted to talk about two things that really stood out for me about this latest addition to the Star Wars universe.

1. This is just a remake.
Yes. So what? JJ Abrams and company had a TALL order when Disney laid this one on them. First, the last Star Wars property had REALLY burned the fans of the original trilogy. Even a fan of the prequels has to admit that most criticism of the prequels is legit for the most part.
Second, this was a "sequel" to a movie that is nearly 40 years old. Wow, that'll make you feel old.
For those like me who remember seeing the original Star Wars in 1977, that's like a legit sequel to "Wizard of Oz" that came out that year. Can you imagine the lambasting that anyone taking THAT on would have to deal with?
Most of our kids and all of China have never seen the original movies- it is about to open this Saturday!
While us old folks get to remember the first time we saw this story being told on the big screen, these folks haven't. I can deal with the repetition to get a decent story, good effects, and new Star Wars movie on the big screen! Imagine being one of those that NEVER saw the original trilogy- I did with my daughter who has the Avengers as her Star Wars, but she felt the same way.

2. This get to my second point. A female led action scifi movie is about to become one of the biggest movies in history. This is GREAT. My daughter has gravitated towards strong female characters and I am so glad that Star Wars has one. She loved "Edge of Tomorrow's" Emily Blunt, but she had to share with Tom Cruise. She loves the Black Widow in the Avengers movies. I can't show her Aliens yet, but believe me- I think she is going to love Ripley when the time comes.

I was really moved for a variety of reasons when I saw this movie the first time, but these two points really stood out the second time I watched it (with my daughter).

Slow Death or Rebirth for Myspace?

Are we really watching the slow inevitable death of Myspace? With the integration with Facebook complete and the push towards what appears to be a mobile only function , isn't it time to call this one? One report says that Myspace is making $200 million less this year. They are functionally giving up on Myspace Music , which was always their bread and butter. Without the music tie in, why would people BOTHER with Myspace? I'm talking about it because my wife's band has used every medium known to mankind to promote themselves online and Myspace has been nothing but dead weight from the very beginning. Only bands and their most ardent fans go there. The rest are on Facebook. There is talk of selling Myspace, but who in their right mind would consider it? This will have some interesting implications for bands down the road. Many use Myspace as their de facto website, just pushing their domain name onto the customizable site. Now apparently, Reverbnation , a North Carolin

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While back, I wrote a post on Father's day about being a father and how being a parent is a job. I wistfully look back as I look forward to another school year quickly approaching and the evidence of my "work" is becoming less and less my handiwork. Our youngest has just moved on to middle school. Josh has moved into high school and the oldest has graduated from high school and about "start" her life. We've had a tacit arrangement with the kids. We do NOT want boomerang kids coming back to haunt us. So they have always been told, they are staying with us until they are REALLY ready to go out and that includes the joke that college has become. Sadly, despite the fact that I have spent a good chunk of my career working in higher education, I know that it is a folly to think that sending a child off to college is preparing them for much other than to have a lifetime of loans. Thankfully, Amanda has gotten the message. She has a plan to go to local c

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast Such a fun time!

Todd Lyden

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