Echoes Of The Darkside

Echoes Of The Darkside

With Star Wars: Episode VIII filming underway, "leaked" plot details are starting to emerge online much like the speculation that surrounded it's predecessor, The Force Awakens.

A Reddit user under the alias u/LouEvilOne recently posted the following statements on the StarWarsLeaks Reddit page, however should all be taken with a grain of salt as NOTHING has been confirmed by LucasFilm (and most likely won't be) until the films release on December 15, 2017. One of the supposed "leaked" details is the films proposed title - Star Wars: Echoes Of The Darkside - which I personally think is pretty spectacular if it holds true. Then again, it doesn't take much to beat Attack Of The Clones in my book.

However, the biggest "leak" in u/LouEvilOne's post is in regard to Rey's heritage. It's a bit out in left field, but at the sane time it's crazy enough that it just might be true ...

"Rey is the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker. Luke went to the first Jedi temple to better understand how the process works. He learned that the spirit of the chosen one is reincarnated by the Force every time the universe is thrown out of balance, which apparently happens on a semi-regular basis (Anakin was hardly the first time the chosen one reincarnated). This is why she's so crazy powerful with the Force (remember that Anakin blew up the Trade Federation donut ship by himself when he was like 8 years old). Rey was the product of a virgin birth, but midichlorians aren't mentioned (Luke says "you are a child of the Force"). Luke is hesitant to train her because, according to Jedi history, the chosen one always struggles with staying on the light side of the Force because of the chaotic power running through them. He's afraid that she could become Vader 2.0. If he trains her to fight Kylo, and she turns dark, she would do way more damage to the galaxy than Kylo could ever dream of doing."

So, like I said, it's a bit of a stretch. I don't personally hate the idea, but I don't love it either. What do you think? 

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and Follow NGP on Facebook for more news and reviews!

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NGP : Rebirth

NGP : Rebirth

After a grueling 6-month black-out for the guys of NGP (due to many of us becoming first time fathers), the hiatus has finally come to an end! The break not only allowed us the time to spend with our families, but to catch up on reading, gaming, watching and exploring the best of geek culture.

Although I'm using the word "us" here loosely as I can't personally speak on behalf of the entire (original) crew involved with NGP, my plan is to commit to an ongoing weekly post in one form or another - be it written word, video blog, etc. - to keep things here alive and kicking.

For those of you familiar with my posts as ArchangelEZE, you can expect more of the same in regard to the Marvel / DC cinematic universe(s), comics, subscription boxes and of course, Star Wars, as I have quite the back log to cover as my quest to conquer the new canon has progressed significantly since our last interaction.

To mix things up, a few personal stories will be shared as well ranging from random conversations I have with Da_FettMan regarding which Star Wars : The Force Awakens Blu-Ray variant I should purchase to fit my OCD collecting habits to introducing my young son to the best of geek culture one Playskool hero at a time.

To those who have and continue to check back for updates, THANK YOU!

With any luck, I'll be able to pester Demo Destroyer, Da_Fettman, Lando McFly, Opaque and the boys to join hands and sing Kumbaya again.

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and Follow NGP on Facebook for more news and reviews!

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Star Wars Land Announced for Disney Theme Parks

Star Wars Land Announced for Disney Theme Parks

Ever since I was a little kid, I always dreamed of what it would be like to have a full fledged Star Wars theme park. Sure, DisneyLand and DisneyWorld had the partnership with LucasFilm, which brought us the likes of the Star Tours attraction nestled in the back of Hollywood Studios, and as the years went on, even incorporated the Jedi Training Academy and Star Wars Weekends for the ever growing fan base.

 However, I honestly never thought it would ever grow, much less surpass my wildest dreams.

This weekend, everything changed.

In the end, everyone bows to the mouse.

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Game of Thrones Casts Max von Sydow!

Game of Thrones Casts Max von Sydow! 

The critically acclaimed HBO drama, Game of Thrones, has once again proven it's superiority with it's latest casting announcement of veteran actor, Max von Sydow!

According to Entertainment Weekly, the famed performer, whose career spans dozens of feature films — from The Exorcist to Minority Report to the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens (please be Boba Fett, please be Boba Fett) — has signed on for Season 6 as the Three-Eyed Raven! 

Briefly featured in the Season 4 finale, the Three-Eyed Raven is the mystical tutor of young Bran Stark and a character that we currently know very little about ... 

This casting announcement also comes hot on the heels of another famed European actor joining the Season 6 cast, Ian McShane (Deadwood), although there has been no word from the tight lipped GoT camp regarding who he'll be portraying ...

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews be sure to follow NGP on Facebook!

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I, Stormtrooper

I, Stormtrooper

This past June, my family and I had the opportunity to attend Star Wars Weekends 2015 at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. During this trip, I had the opportunity to take part in Disney's D-Tech Me Star Wars experience and I couldn't have been more excited!

First introduced in the Summer of 2012, Star Wars – D-Tech Me is a 10-minute experience that uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner (created by the Imagineering scientists of the Disney Research lab) to capture your likeness and to create a high resolution 3D figurine in one of 6 classic Star Wars characters, which include : Stormtrooper, X-Wing Pilot, Alderaan Princess, Jedi Knight, TIE Fighter Pilot and Carbon Freeze.

Upon being seated in front of the 3D scanner, I was given a fashionable headband to raise just above my hairline and was instructed to provide a round of emotions for the camera (smiling, serious, angry, etc.) that I would be able to chose from in the next room. Not impressed (nor am I ever) with my smiling or angry facial expressions, I choose the straight serious expression and moved on to selecting my figures skin tone and hair style options similar to what you would see in an RPG character engine.

With my selections made, I was sent on my way with an online tracking tool and the promise of delivery within 6-8 weeks …

Guess what just arrived?

Standing 7” tall (just slightly larger than the Star Wars Black Series figures) and retailing for $119.95, the Star Wars – D-Tech Me experience is extremely limited to just 5 weekends out of the year (May – June) and provides a rare, one-of-a-kind personalized opportunity every Star Wars fan should experience!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!

Until next time True Believers,

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NGP Review : Lords Of The Sith

NGP Review : Lords Of The Sith

Coming off of my first (personally) disappointing Star Wars canon novel,  Heir to the Jedi, my expectations were set pretty low as I entered author Paul S. Kemp's successor, Lords Of The Sith. Taking place eight years after the events of the Clone Wars, and before the events of both Tarkin and A New Dawn, the story follows a small pocket of resistance fighters known as the Free Ryloth movement, led by none other than Rebel pilot Hera Syndulla’s father, Cham Syndulla (a familiar face to fans of the Clone Wars TV Series) as they take a daring chance at striking a fatal blow against the Empire.

Cham Syndulla

A surprisingly unexpected high speed thriller, Lords Of The Sith jumps out the gate with a bang and all of my misconceptions were quickly dispelled within the opening act. Primarily set on Ryloth, a planet crucial to the Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as "spice", Cham Syndulla and his small band of Rebel insurgents learn that Emperor Palpatine and his 'associate', Darth Vader, plan to accompany the planet's Galactic senator, Orn Free Taa, to the system aboard the Star Destroyer Perilous.

Orn Free Taa

Knowing that taking out both Palpatine and Vader simultaneously would strike a crippling blow to the Empire, Syndulla makes the decision to focus (and exhaust) his resources on the element of surprise by placing hundreds of mines just outside of the hyperspace lane. Among the mines, two dozen shield bleeders were also hidden within the confines of the trap, which upon contacting the Perlious’ shields, wouldn’t explode, but rather latch onto the energy signature setting up a counter grid that would weaken the Star Destroyer for the second attack wave.

Not a terrorist. But a freedom fighter.

Successful in their ambush, the Rebel attack continued with the launch of re-purposed Separatist Vulture Droids carrying Buzz Droids equip with suicide bombs set to destroy the Perilous from the inside out. As the Star Destroyer crumbles, Palpatine and Vader, constrained to rely not only on The Force but one another for survival, make their narrow escape to the Ryloth surface below intent on revenge …

Vulture Droid

Although knowing that the survival of Vader and Palpatine is a given, Kemp does a tremendous job keeping the reader on their toes as he explores not only the previously unseen master/apprentice relationship between the two Sith lords but also the lengths at which Palpatine is willing to go in order to prevent the galaxy from learning his true identity.  Lords Of The Sith is by far my favorite Star Wars canon novel to date, and comes highly recommended especially for those new to branching out to the novels medium. Lords Of The Sith serves up a great high speed, action packed story that serves as a perfect jumping on point and does an exceptional job tying in elements of both the films and TV series to further explain and expand the Star Wars universe.

5/5

With only one additional published canon novel left to conquer, I will be taking a brief hiatus from the Star Wars universe to immerse myself in Ernest Cline's sophomore novel, Armada, before doubling back for the highly anticipated Quinlan Vos/Asajj Ventress centric Dark Disciple!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!

Until next time True Believers,

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Star Wars : The Force Awakens SDCC Panel

Star Wars : The Force Awakens SDCC Panel

If my previous NGP contributions are any indication, the Star Wars saga is something that I have lived and breathed since my youth. Countless viewings of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi were in heavy rotation; and then the dawn of the prequels. Some, like me, have come to embrace them as companion pieces to the vastly superior Clone Wars (and now Rebels) animated series, while others would rather forget. But in just 5 short months, the chapter many of us never thought we would ever see will actually become a reality.

This is finally happening.

This is special.

This is emotional.

This is the Star Wars chapter we've been waiting for.




Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!

Until next time True Believers,

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NGP Review : Heir To The Jedi

NGP Review : Heir To The Jedi

Out of all the currently released Star Wars canon novels, the concept of Heir to the Jedi was by far the most intriguing and exciting for me as a fan. Following in the steps of Luke Skywalker fresh off the events the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the first Death Star, I couldn’t wait to dive into the adventures between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back especially following on the heels of it’s two incredible predecessors A New Dawn and Tarkin. Unfortunately, my excitement was short lived.

The first turn off for me wasn't story related, but rather the perspective in which author Kevin Hearne wrote the novel. I've never personally been a fan of fiction in the first person, and even less so with characters I've come to grow and love. More often than not, I feel that authors have a difficult time finding a character's voice in this style, resulting in some rather clunky and cheesy inner monologue and dialogue interaction.

For example, within the first chapter alone, classic gems such as :

“Moisture farming. Spectacularly dull. Some weeks were so boring that I actually looked forward to going to Tosche Station to pick up some … power converters.”

and

“Llanc bustled with smugglers and other ne’er-do-wells in a way that might have moved Ben Kenobi to call it a “wretched hive of scum and villainy,” even if it was quite as wretched as Mos Eisley.”

were randomly interjected into the story, which at times made me roll my eyes to a point where it was almost too painful to continue. My annoyance with the dialogue aside, the bigger issue for me was that Hearne didn’t appear to know what type of story he wanted to tell. Through the first quarter of the novel, Luke, and his Alliance companion Nakari Kelen, are tasked with a mission to investigate a missing ship owned by Nakari’s biotech mougel father, Fayet Kelen, in return for credits needed to upgrade their own craft for the “main mission”. While that’s all well and good, the story takes a very sharp Ridley Scott Prometheus/Alien like turn as the duo finds the abandoned vessel overrun by camouflaged brain sucking alien parasites.

Nakari Kelen

As this mission concludes and the story progresses, Alliance leader, Admiral Akbar, then enlists the talents of Luke and Nakari for a rescue mission, a la every heist movie known to man, to save a Given prisoner by the name of Drusil Bephorin from the clutches of the Galactic Empire in hopes that she will aid the Alliance through her unparalleled skills in cryptography.  At this point, nearly half way through the novel, things finally start to pick up.

Drusil Bephorin

Without disclosing any spoilers, I did find myself questioning some of the character choices that occurred at end of the novel. However, there was also a period of enlightenment, as I began to understand the influences Luke had at this point in his life following the death of Ben Kenobi and how those influences helped shape him into the Jedi he would eventually become.

The novel was saved from disaster thanks to the second act of the story, earning it a 2/5 on the NGP rating scale. If you are looking for a great Luke Skywalker story, look toward Jason Aaron and John Cassaday's Star Wars title user the Marvel Comics banner instead. You'll be far more impressed.

2/5 

Questions or Comments? Sound off in the comments below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE! For more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook and join me here next month for the next Star Wars canon novel review : Lords Of The Sith!

Until next time True Believers,

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NGP Review : Tarkin

NGP Review : Tarkin

I’ll be the first to admit that the second published novel under the new Star Wars canon had me skeptical. A story focused solely on Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin seemed a bit of a stretch for me, especially knowing how he would ultimately reach his incendiary demise aboard the first Death Star. However, Tarkin author James Luceno masterfully gives us a tale that truly shines a fascinating light on how Wilhuff Tarkin would become one of the most formidable villains in Star Wars history.

Taking place five years after Star Wars : Episode III Revenge of the Sith, Tarkin begins in the Outer Rim, where we find the Governor, a newly appointed Moff, overseeing a base of operations where parts are being created and assembled for a massive mobile space station …

However, not all is peaceful in the Empire as the myriad species of former Separatist worlds (stripped of weaponry and resources with the death of Count Dooku and formation of the Galactic Empire) are bent on revenge for being left to fend for themselves under Palpatine’s rule and have initialed raids on Imperial depots such as the one under Tarkin’s command.    

Convinced that the completion of the Empire’s ultimate weapon will ultimately crush these lingering pockets of Rebellion, Palpatine pairs his Sith enforcer, Darth Vader, alongside the tactical genius of Tarkin to investigate and extinguish these rising threats.

As a whole, I was really impressed with the expansion Tarkin was able to provide to the New Expanded Universe Canon. Throughout the course of A New Hope, it’s clear that the tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency of Grand Moff Tarkin is a force to be reckoned with within the Galactic Empire. However, we are never given the opportunity to explore how or why Tarkin is the way he is. Filling in this piece of the puzzle alongside yet another unexplored time period in the Star Wars mythos made for an exciting read.

Unlike the building blocks of the Rebellion perspective provided through A New Dawn, Tarkin shows us the story from the villain's point of view at a point in history where the Rebellion has become a growing threat to the Empire as opposed to the nuisance it once was. At times, I even found myself rooting for Tarkin and Vader in their attempts to uncover and obliterate the cunning Rebels though numerous space battles and conspiracies.

Tarkin is another fantastic addition, and comes highly recommended.

4/5

With two strong novels out the gate, I’m excited to see what the next installment holds as I begin Kevin Hearne’s Luke Skywalker centric Heir to the Jedi. Keep an eye on NGP for the next installment, and feel free to post your thoughts and spark a conversation!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

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Star Wars : The Force Awakens Toy Release

Star Wars : The Force Awakens Toy Release

Our Star Wars coverage continues this week as the release date for Star Wars : The Force Awakens products have been announced, and it’s closer than you think!

On September 4, 2015 at 12:01am, toy aisles around the globe will assemble to simultaneously launch the most anticipated and monumental product release of the past decade, dubbed “Force Friday”. I can still remember lining up outside of my local Toys ‘R’ Us store for the Star Wars : Attack of the Clones product release with hundreds of other fans as we anxiously awaited the clock to strike 12:01am so that we could be the first to get our hands on the first Count Dooku and skimpily clad Padme Amidala figures.

However, this time around fans will be treated to much more than just toys … books and comics, ebooks and apps, apparel and lifestyle accessories will all launch on the same day - so mark your calendars, take the day off work and save a paycheck to experience the thrill of the hunt alongside hundreds of other fanboys and girls for that elusive Kylo Ren, Rey, Finn or Captain Phasma collectable.  

Why is this such a big deal, you ask? This is the first new live-action Star Wars film in a decade and is the only franchise in cinematic history, that after 38 years, still manages to remain relevant. We’re seeing a continuation of a saga that we grew up with, loved, and became a part of our lives that most of us believed would never come to fruition.

I’ll be there. Da_Fettman will be there. Will you?

It’s a great time to be a geek.  

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE  

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Characters Revealed In New Star Wars Photos

Several photos were revealed today (Star Wars day!) from The Force Awakens, including the one above with some familiar faces. Also in the picture are two of the new stars Daisy Ridley (playing Rey) and John Boyega (playing Finn).  A few of these new shots reveal some actors' roles that until now have been unconfirmed. 

This photo's caption at the top conforms that Gwendoline Christie is playing Captain Phasma. Christie is best known for playing Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones. 

The next shows that Adam Driver will be playing new villain Kylo Ren. Until now, you've only seen this character with his mask on. 

Lupita Nyong'o is seen here filming with motion capture, so it seems she will playing some sort of alien. Not too many details are known of her character other than her name will be Maz Kanata, and that she is some sort of pirate.

Lastly, we have a new shot of Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron.  When he's not busy flying X-Wings, he's also playing the titular villain in next year's X-Men: Apocalypse.

That's all for now, and may the force be with you! 

-Lando McFly

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NGP Review : A New Dawn

NGP Review : A New Dawn

In the wake of this weeks debut of the new trailer for The Force Awakens, I have completed my first journey into the newly pointed Star Wars Canon novels with A New Dawn. Although I'm a bit late to the party, with the novel releasing in September of 2014, I've made it a point to catch up and maintain speed now that the possibility of keeping up with continuity is within reach.

A New Dawn is the first novel published as part of the new canon, and with it brings the story of how Rebels Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla first cross paths and together alongside a Sullustan splicer, Zaluna, and a human Clone Wars veteran, Skelly, spark a Rebellion when the Empire threatens to destroy their way of life.

Taking place on the planet Gorse, and it's thorilide rich moon, Cynda, eight years after the birth of the Empire, Count Denetrius Vidian acting in his own interests, attempts to blow up Cynda in order to maximize his short-term thorilide yields to maintain the favor of Emperor Palpatine. Why thorilide, you ask? It just so happens to be a vital resource in the construction of Imperial Star Destroyer turbolaser batteries.

Straight out the gate, A New Dawn is a great starting point for the new era of Star Wars novels. However, if you're looking for epic lightsaber duels and exhilarating starship battles you won't find it here. Although Kanan is a Jedi, it's important to remember that his place in the galaxy at this point in history is nothing more than a drifter - forced to conceal his identity and force sensitivity as one of the lone survivors of Order 66. That may sound like a buzzkill, but don't let that deter you. The story still has plenty to offer, as we are introduced to a great cast of new and interesting supporting characters (some of whom may just appear in the Star Wars : Rebels TV series) and plenty of action to keep things exciting and on pace.

Additionally, the beauty of A New Dawn being canon is that everything fits together. From the Rebels TV series to the newly launched Kanan : The Last Padawan comic series, bits and pieces fall into place and connect through every medium helping to expand and amplify the story.

3/5 Toast Rating

I can't wait to get started on the next adventure, as I dive head first into the history and rise to power of one of the Empire's most notorious agents, Wilhuff Tarkin.

And for those of you who may have  missed it, behold the beauty of what's to come this Christmas in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE     

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