StoneyWars - The update

[stoney321]

I have the first moment of quiet since the weekend began, so I thought I'd take a second to update. And reveal my true, inner-geek.


I'm sorry there weren't drunk phone calls and posts. We haven't stopped since people began arriving Saturday. What with the fun, the games, the food, and the many, many beverages... We just were having too much fun with each other to stop and call or post. Forgive! We learned that leeannaray (who brought me FOUR pounds of chocolate on the plane! OMG!!) can take Mr. Stoney and elcazavampiros for a ride with the intricate knowledge of all things Star Wars. Someone's read the tie-in books...

But right now I need to talk about the movie. I've avoided posts about the movie as I didn't want to be influenced, or (my big fear) that people would be negative about the movie. Because honestly? I don't care if you don't like it. Or didn't like the Ep 1 or 2. I. Don't. Care. I did. Granted, the romantic "sand" conversation was crap, but I don't go to Star Wars movies for the dialogue. I go for the VISUALS. I go to be 7 years old, my hands clutched in my lap, living/fighting/flying alongside my heroes. And they are heroes: Leia. Han. Luke. Luke Skywalker may be one of the greatest heroes in film ever, to me. Their world was real. I fully expected to see them in heaven when I died. One of my first heartbreaks in life was when I REALLY understood it was a fantasy, they weren't real, and Leia and Mrs. C (I had big Mrs. Cunningham love as a kid) weren't going to be my angel friends in heaven.

And for my "grown-up" friends that didn't like Ep 1 and 2... Well, that's because they didn't go with me and my son. Because as much as I want those movies to be for "me," they weren't. They were for him and his friends. SO they could have that same love that I did as a kid. And my boy sat for three hours with his mouth open, unable to speak (which is HUGE for him), sucked in to the fantasy world that George Lucas shared with us. It isn't art. It isn't "film." It's the greatest escapist movie series ever put on celluloid.

The movie was PACKED way before we got there this morning, so we weren't able to sit together. But that's okay - we were together in spirit, right? I find a seat between two girls who appear to have been drug there by their families. I grab my tissue, get settled, and watch the trailers. S E R E N I T Y. OMG. Chills. Then, Chronicles of Narnia. Totally OT, but I started crying. It looks JUST like how I envisioned those books as a kid. I'm a bit emotional at times. :-) And then I see LucasFilm in the familiar green and it starts. EPISODE III. I couldn't help it. My chest started heaving, my eyes watered, and I just got incredibly sad. This is the last time I'll get a new Star Wars movie in the theater. It just... It hurts.

I can barely express how much this movie made me happy. Everyone in our group didn't agree, but I just don't care. I'll take any scene, any moment, any world that GL wants to make in this galaxy and eat it up. I am not going to be critical. Besides, the story was terrific. I've wondered how they were going to get to the beginning of Ep 4 from 2, but they do. And it works. And for those that have seen it (I'll not have any spoilers aside from this one - which you should expect to be in the movie, anyway) - can you say that the battle with Obi-Wan and Anakin was slashy as all hell? And I had a moment of solidarity with the elderly woman behind me who sobbed as Obi-Wan poured his heart out to Anakin about what Ani was becoming. I just sobbed. So many moments were just fullfilling to me as a fan. Even if you weren't a fan, visually this movie is as engrossing as Ep 2.

But this post is more about my love affair with a galaxy far, far away. And how heartbroken I am over it coming to a close. I didn't think I'd feel so sad, but complete. But I'm sad. I'm kind of being a bad hostess right now because I think I'm the only one in the group who is just blinded by love, and I don't want to hear the negative. (jamalov29? I think you know what I'm talking about. It's like your feelings for James.) I'm the kid in the corner with her fingers in her ears humming "la la la." But dammit, this movie was so GOOD! *cries more*

I think that once my house is emptied, I'll engross myself in some excellent fic (feel free to rec - NO crossovers) and let the love affair continue. But for now, if you have something negative to say about the movie? Keep scrolling. *waves hand at you* This is not the journal you are looking for.


But- my guests and I are having a great time getting to know each other, talking about our loves, passions, books, movies, LJ, families.... And I found all of them because of this little cult hit, Buffy. Mind boggling. And happy making, to boot.

Comments

[marlo.livejournal.com]

blinded by love, and I don't want to hear the negative

ME TOO! Toren and I are going to see it again on Tuesday night, so I will be up for some brand-new gushing all over again.

Cutting and pasting from my original post on the movie:
Things I did like:
1. wookies! Chewbacca and Yoda know each other!
2. beautiful special effects, especially the shots of them flying through at the very beginning. It reminded me of the new Battlestar Galactica, a bit.
3. Yoda was AWESOME.
4. Everything involving Obi-wan. He was my one of my favorite characters even before the prequels. Ewan MacGregor is fucking amazing.
5. The devastating genocide of the jedi. I was sobbing.
6. the countless references to the original trilogy. The way Owen stood watching the sunset on Tatooine, just like Luke. The immolation of Anakin by the volcano, I thought, was great symbolism.
7. Finding out what happens to Obi-wan and Yoda.
8. Anakin's conversation with Palpatine in the senate box, watching the floating bubbles.
9. Tons of stuff I forget.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

MARLO!! *pines for you* I knew, KNEW you would have felt the same as I did. I am just heartsick today. I can barely process the whole movie, and know I'll see it at least two more times to really take it all in.

EVERYTHING about Obi-Wan. Everything. I have so much love for Ewan, it isn't even funny. So passionate, his heart so broken over the betrayal... The jedi! I sobbed, not caring about the strangers sitting next to me, uncomfortable. OMG!! PALAPTINE CHANGING PHYSICALLY!! How fantastic was that? His TEETH were smoking! Wow. I would have happily sat through an extra ten minutes of that exchange after Anakin makes his choice, you know?

CHEWY!! My husband predicted that before we saw the movie, which is cheap, because of the duh! factor. But still cool, nonetheless.

(Narnia! Did that trailer get you excited? Am I the only one?)

*hugs you because you KNOW*

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm the only one in the group who is just blinded by love, and I don't want to hear the negative".
Oh I heard you , sweetie! I know EXACTLY what you're talking about.


I'm so glad that you had so much fun. I thought that the movie was awesome , too, and this universe has a real life in itself.
It's understandable that it isn't everyone's opinion , but I didn't hear very negative criticism in fact.
And I'm glad that you're having a grand time with your friends!


As for being blinded by love , there isn't anything sweeter in the world.

I wish I were blinded by love until the day my eyes shut for good.


*smooches*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I knew you would get what i was trying to say... The universe in these films is so fully realized... It's hard to step back and be critical, for me, because I just want to climb through the screen and be there with them, fighting alongside...

Padame broke my heart as she realized what was happening to her love... I thought their scenes together were so much better in this one that Ep. 2. There was such a tenderness.

*cries with love of Star Wars and good friends*

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Dearest, I think there needs to be an international treaty forbidding George Lucas from writing dialogue, and wrist straps on light sabers, and I saw it from the fourt seat from the right in the front row, and *I* loved it.

And I definately want the DVD, and possibly to see it again, and the Narnia trailer was cool, (Miss Perfect wants to see The Fantastic Four).

But Lucas should have had somebody who can write dialogue (Hey! Carrie Fisher!) juice stuff up a little.

Julia, but the visuals! Even with the distorto vision! and the Wookie planet!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Wookie planet! Yoda! Chewie! Friends!!

I'm not an F4 fan (meaning, I haven't gotten into them - I'm not against them) but the trailer made it look great. Serentiy gave me chills, but NARNIA. Oh, man, do I hope that will be good....

Again, I know GL can't write intimate dialogue to save his life, but I thought this movie was the best for him. Which... well, you catch my meaning. But Padame crying! The senate applause! Palpatine's evil! *cries again*

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

Um... I like Ewoks. Were there Ewoks? 'Cause that would be cool.

I remain, yours truly,

The Star Wars Virgin

P.S. *is so gel-us*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I luff you. Be not jealous. Your gift pack will come soon. Stickers!!

[hellziggy.livejournal.com]

Um... I like Ewoks. Were there Ewoks? 'Cause that would be cool.
There were Ewoks. They were just really tall & they called them Wookies! hee hee

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

::hugs you 'cause you're sooo cuuuuuute and adorkable::

I cried when I saw the Narnia trailer too, and I've only seen it on a a computer screen.

I still haven't seen Ep 3, 'cause I can't find anyone cool enough to go with. ::sigh::

I'm so happy you're having a great time! Eeeeeee!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

If you were here, I'd take you with me to see it tomorrow. I cannot express how unabashedly happy I am to be a crying Star Wars lover.

And Obi-Wan and Anikin were sooooo doing it.

*smooshes you to my bewbies with happy nerd love*

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

pretty much anything posted or rec'd by selenak or honorh in the past 2 weeks gets a big thumbs up. I'm totally on your side -- Ep 3 rocked big time and though it wasn't perfect, it made me turn my inner critic off, which is a tough thing with me. I so loved Obi-Wan's character arc, and hmmmm, was Ani/Obi slashy? A bit? Yuppers.

Hope you're having a blast; I have never meant the phrase "wish I could be there" more sincerely.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh! Thanks for the recs. Yeah, i was getting a little disheartened by the critics around me (including Mr. S) with the "if only..." and not because they weren't RIGHT, but because I am an unabashed fangirl of George Lucas' work, as lame as that may make me, and don't want my fantasy sullied. :-D

You were mentioned on several occassions, usually followed by "wish she was here." ::smooch::

[serenelystrange.livejournal.com]

OMG, when Padme was saying, "You're breakin my heart Anakin," I was wimpering and all, "Mine too, mine too!" With my sniffling blocking out the last bits, lol. Oh Man, I liked 1 and 2 well enough, but I loved this one. I seriously have to rewatch the originals, being not born and everything when they came out, lol..

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Padme! Although I wished she had more scenes with a lack of dispair, it fit the story arc. I just have big Natalie Portman love, ultimately!

Eeep!! I remember going to the movies when I was a kid, standing in line to get in... Seeing Empire that summer over and over again... I'm OLD!

[hellziggy.livejournal.com]

I still haven't seen the Serenity trailer on a big screen, but I don't care. I've already seen the Big Damn Movie!! And it fucking rocks!
I don't want to wait until September 30th to see it again. :(

I was never a big Star Wars fan, but my husband is. We both liked this one best of the new ones. But for me, Star Wars: ROTS was just another movie. Serenity was the OMG!orgasmic movie for me. Joss is my God!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Serenity looks GREAT!! But I'm a SW girl waaaaaaay before I'm a Joss girl.

*ducks*
*goose*

[lynnenne]

I cannot wait to see it. Obi-Wan love!!! So glad you had a great time.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Lynne, the Obi-Wan love is strong in this one.... SO, SO good. (and seriously, I don't get the "slashy-ness" everyone else purports is in EVERYTHING, but this movie is so flippin' slashy between those two...)

[hellespont.livejournal.com]

Anakin's eyes. His determination. Oh, oh! Your unbridled enthusiasm is refreshing and infectious, but not like cholera or anything.

Someone's read the tie-in books...

I've only read two. One was an unauthorized novel written some outsider between Episodes I and II and contained lots of Luke-Leia lust. Hee!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Luke/Leia lust... Hee!! I'm eight right now and thinking of them as the dreamy couple I imagined them to be. Damn that twin separation!

SO GOOD. I'm taking the boy later... I'm Rose holding Jack's hand... "I'll never let go!" Except unlike Rose, I *won't* let go. Heh.

[ex-dovil323.livejournal.com]

*waves lightsaber in air in Star Wars geekdom solidaritry*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*hides from the shame of my love*
*decides to embrace it and stand tall*
*is instantly cut down from your light saber*

*is stronger and more powerful than you could imagine*

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy that you had an ecstatic time at the movie, Laura! Ron and I caught the movie last week and I thought it was very good (even if I'm not the HUGE Star Wars fan that you are). The Anakin/Obi-Wan scenes were heart-wrenching.

I hear you on the not wanting to have any negative stuff to bring you down, I'm the same way after bouncing out of the theater from a movie I love!

The trailer for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe had me crying and gasping for breath. I was a total wreck. As you know, I'd seen it already on the PC, but this was the first time seeing it on the big screen. It totally scrambled my emotions, to the point where I was almost resentful at how easily I could be thrown. Even the Lord of the Rings movies, which I believe are more meaningful to me as *books*, didn't do this to me. Was it the music? The battle scenes? The dazzling scenery? Must have been how skillfully all of these were combined. My god, I'm going to be embarrassing to be around when I see that movie.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, ANNE!!! If only I could see Narnia with you... I. just. sobbed. i've tried to figure out what it was that made me react like that. It's not like I didn't *know* they were getting made. There are three things that are huge symbols of my childhood, and when it was happy: SW, LHotP books, and Narnia. I lost myself in those books, I lived in their world when I played, thought, dreamed... And the trailer LOOKS like I imagined the books to be when I read them. That doesn't happen, you know? They may come close, but they don't *feel* like the books, you can separate the two.

It looks like they took images from my mind and put them on screen. And I was pulled back (snapped) into my 8 year old body, carefree, dreamy, full of wonder. Amazing.

And that was from the TRAILER. And SW? Oh, it made me so happy and sad. So bitter sweet. We're rewatching the series today (me and my kids) so I can take the boy tomorrow. Eee!

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

You rock so much.

so much love.

Thanks for a fantastic time.

(am in San Antonio. the library is amazing.)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hey! I commented yesterday, and today I look and nothing!! I just did my write up, praised you much, and had a terrific time getting to know you better.

And San Antonio? REALLY? I'm going to have to go back, apparently. It's been 10 years. Did they get rid of all the trash and pollution in 10 years? Man.

*hugs you because you BEG to be hugged!!*

[paynbow.livejournal.com]

*grumble* No drunken phone call... *g* I kid because I love!

As for the movie...I just couldn't bring myself to like it. I have a list of reasons that prevent me. What I hate seeing in movies more than ANYTHING is wasted potential. There was so MUCH in that movie that could have been great. That speech from Obi Wan near the end? Blew my mind! But everything before that was pretty much a let down. So much potential. So much story. It feels like he rushed it. And I'm not talking about the commentary for the blind and romantic drivel as written by a 12 year old dialogue. But I'm in a serious minority here. I've already been balled out by several SW lovers who call me too harsh. They keep telling me it's better than the first 2. And it is...I just don't think that's much of an acomplishment. I really liked Ep I the very first time I saw it...I was 14, the biggest SW geek and SO excited. Then I decided to watch it again before Ep II came out...big mistake. I couldn't even finish it. It was horrible to have my faith in SW ruined like that, but I still cling to the original trilogy. Nothing can ruin those movies for me...no matter how hard Lucas tries...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ooooh. I stopped reading after "I just couldn't..." You know that whole hand waving thing? And I can't hear any negative? Um, I wasn't joking.

So I want YOU to know that I love YOU, Heather, but I don't want to hear the negative about it. Because I'm in love with Star Wars, and we're on our second honeymoon, and I want to forget about the fight about the checkbook, you know?

*squishes you*

[somecandytalkin.livejournal.com]

Hey girl, still in recuperative stages.
Loved the weekend, loved the StoneyWars.
Super fun and wonderful time.Thanks so much, and I'll tell you again, latah, for hosting a house of SEVEN people for a weekend! (Booyah!) and for you and Mr. Stoney being your wonderful, charming selves. It was terrific to get together and I really, really enjoyed myself.

That was the first SW movie I've seen since the third one and I really enjoyed the experience, even if I didn't follow all of the plot. You guys are the best!!eleventy.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Really? You didn't see the Ep 1 and 2? Man, are you embarassed by my fannishness? OMG, did I SHAME YOU?? Ha ha ha!

You continue to be a lovely person, and I'm so SO glad we've met and become friends. We will cabana it up this summer. Or, you know, meet for cocktails. Many, many cocktails. (You were the only one keeping up with me and Mr. S. Liver of STONE!)

[winterlive.livejournal.com]

Hey, you. *glomps you mercilessly*

OMG you must never leave us again. Did you send me a CD called Vampire Love? You must have. O.o If you did, I got it! Yay!

*clings tightly*

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

*sobs uncontrollably, gets control of self and continues*

The differences between Stoney321 and Crazydiamondsue
Stoney lives in Texas - Sue lives in Oklahoma, which is right next to Texas, but nowhere near as cool

Stoney has blonde, Buffy Season 4 hair - Sue has dark, Cordy in Angel Season 2 hair

Stoney works out daily in a Faith butt kicking way - Sue sits on the couch with popcorn like Anya, gesturing for others to entertain her

Stoney makes the best margaritas - Sue makes the best cheesecake, making them a hostessing combo unequalled for your better fangirl functions

Stoney will always have a special place in her heart for Spangel, but she's moved on to the Connor love - Sue is Spike/Xander 4-eva, and therefore the creator of the songs of Spander love you now possess.

*giggle* You're welcome, Sweetie, 'cause there's no one I'd rather be confused with.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Absolute best, most moving, most sincere fan moment I've ever witnessed:

You coming out of the theater with tears on your cheeks and a shaky grin on your face. Gave my a heart a bit of tug, it did. And the fact that I thought the last 15 minutes were amazing didn't mean I didn't like the rest, it just meant that the last 15 were some of the best minutes I've ever spent.

Faith CD? Kicks mondo ass. Dark Side of the Moon, indeed.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like the Faith CD!

Man, I just completely embarassed myself, huh?

And, um, I did NOT sit in my houe all day/night yesterday and rewatch the whole series. Nope. *rubs tushie*