Hey! Cool! Wow!

He’s no good to me creamed.

I’ve spent the last few weeks introducing my kids to Star Wars. Doing so has reinforced my own fandom, and prompted me to finally watch the Clone Wars movie. I feel odd about it, and that’s because almost everyone is doomed.

Most of the good guys are destined to become bad guys. Anakin becomes Darth Vader. Vader kills Obi-Wan. The clone troopers become the Stormtroopers. Padme Amidala dies during childbirth. Yoda dies. Meanwhile the bad guys stay bad guys. The bad droids stay bad, as does Dooku, Sidious, General Grievous, the bounty hunters and so on.

A pall of fatalism hangs over the series, as we know heroes like Obi-Wan, Yoda and Anakin are doomed. Especially Ahsoka Tano. Poor Ahsoka. Anakin’s padawan is a dead woman walking. She doesn’t appear in any other movie, nor is she even mentioned. From the moment I saw her, I knew something bad would happen to her. She’ll either die, turn to the Dark Side or go into exile, never to be heard from again.

The question becomes, does Disney have the nerve to pull it off? I’ve heard that the show isn’t listed on Cartoon Network’s roster for next season. Perhaps Disney will add it to Disney XD. Either way, the show is wrapping up and its writers have to deal with Ahsoka.

I’ll keep watching the series as I’ve heard it gets better in the later seasons. But it’s hard to get into a story when you’ve already read the last chapter.

Star Wars fan and Flickr user Darth Ray has posted some amazing photos of vintage Kenner Star Wars toys and well as images from inside the Kenner factory that built them. I especially like the photo above, which shows workers how to assemble the Millennium Falcon. Click here to see the rest, including promo images of some seriously happy kids.

[Via Nothing Major]

Tell me you don’t want to see Martha Jones in this awesome TARDIS fez. Of course you do.

The Force is strong with Sheep Creek Needlecraft, the Etsy store behind this gorgeous, Star Wars-themed baby’s mobile. I almost want to have another child, just so I can buy this. Well, almost.

Ray Cusick, the BBC designer who created the Daleks, has died following a short illness. He was 84. BBC News has the sad story.

“The Daleks became the iconic villains in cult science fiction series Doctor Who, which is due to mark its 50th anniversary with events this year. Mr Cusick, from Horsham, West Sussex, leaves two daughters and seven grandchildren, his family said.”

The Daleks have frightened generations of fans for fifty years, and remain one of the most recognizable sci-fi villains. Thank you, Mr. Cusick. May your creation entertain fans for many years to come.

Just before Christmas 2012, Mickey Mouse bought an exciting gift for his parent, The Walt Disney Company. And it only cost $4.06 billion. Now that Disney owns Lucasfilm Ltd. lock, stock and two smoking blaster barrels, I believe it’s time for the company to open a full-on Star Wars park at one of its resorts.

Star Wars has had a presence at Disney parks for years, and Disney recently opened two major additions to Walt Disney World and Disney Land, in the form of Fantasy Land and Cars Land, respectively. Plus, the company has at least five new Star Wars movies in active development – three sequels and two spin-offs – to be released over the next few years. The time is right.

Finally, the grand success of Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter provides a model of what a full-scale Star Wars park could be.

Existing Star Wars Attractions

Disney has a smattering of Star Wars-themed attractions and events in place. They’re all well done, and demonstrate the company’s desire to appeal to Star Wars fans. Now that it owns the properties outright – and has several big-budget movies pending – it’s time to make the jump to light speed. Here’s what’s in place so far.

Walt Disney World’s Star Tours attraction opened on April 12, 1992, shut down on August 14, 2010 and re-opened with a new experience for visitors on May 20, 2011 (The Disneyland attraction was also revamped). Disney states that the ride features 50 possible story combinations, which are chosen randomly for visitors to enjoy.

Walt Disney World’s Jedi Training Academy lets young padawans experience a 20-minute adventure in learning the ways of the Force. A lucky participant may even have a chance to confront Lord Vader himself (or kneel in reverent submission, if that’s her choice. All too easy.)

Star Wars Weekends is an annual event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park that’s a lot of fun. There are special activities, meet-and-greets, character appearances and a lot more. Star Wars Weekends attract huge numbers of visitors.

You’re A Jedi, Harry!

Meanwhile, the Force is strong with young Potter. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a park in Universal’s Islands of Adventure resort. I’ve been twice, and I can tell you it’s extremely well done. Much like Walt Disney World, Islands of Adventure features several parks, each with its own theme. There’s Dr. Seuess, Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Heroes, Toon Lagoon and of course, Harry Potter.

It isn’t very big, but packs in a lot for Potter fans. The main thoroughfare resembles Hogsmeade, and features familiar stops like Honeyduke’s candy store, the Owl Post, The Three Broomsticks, The Boar’s Head and more. The effect of walking among the shingled buildings with their pointed, snow-capped roofs as John Williams’ themes are piped into the air is, well…bewitching.

Standout attractions include Mr. Olivander’s shop, in which a costumed actor re-enacts a scene from the first movie with a lucky patron; Flight of the Hippogryph, a mid-level roller coaster that even young witches and wizards will enjoy; and Dragon Challenge, a pair of edge-of-your seat coasters that test your mettle.

But the big daddy is deep within the Hogwarts castle. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is hands-down the best amusement park ride I’ve ever experienced. The castle itself is an elaborate, interactive queue (something Disney is getting better and better at) that features character interaction and events/props from the film to find and experience. Once inside, the ride is a heart-pounding adventure through many of the saga’s most exciting moments.

An Immersive Star Wars Experience

I mention the Potter park this because it suggests exactly what a Star Wars-themed Disney park could be. There’s so much story to choose from. Imagine strolling through Mos Eisley and coming across Watto’s shop. Eat at the Cantina or find the perfect lightsaber. I imagine main attractions like an X-Wing or TIE Fighter coaster, or maybe a podrace. There could be character interaction, of course. Young visitors could climb around the Ewok village, while others test their skill at the Landspeeder testing grounds.

Disney’s success with Pixar spawned the fantastic Cars Land. Universal hit the quaffle out of the pitch with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now it’s time for imagineers to turn their attention to the new acquisition and work some magic. A new Star Wars park would be awesome. Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

I’ve discovered a new Star Wars-themed podcast that I love: Full of Sith. It’s hosted by Tha Mike Pilot, Bryan Young, and Consetta Parker. The gang shares Star Wars news but also engages in thoughtful, insightful discussion about being a fan, the philosophies of Star Wars and everything a dedicated fan appreciates. On a recent road trip I listened to three episodes in a row, as I was enjoying it so much.

It’s great fun to listen in on a conversation between fans who love the story of Star Wars as much as I do. Check it out.

I wonder if they need a guest some week…

Today’s Feature: Is Ahsoka Tano doomed? >>

Season 2 of The Walking Dead has begun! Our favorite show is off to a compelling start, and Jen, Dave and Ged are talking all about it. Plus, thoughts on upcoming fall shows. You’ll find show notes after the break.

News:

American Horror Story
Grimm
Terra Nova

To Tell The Truth was a popular American game show in the 1970′s. Contestants were presented with a moderately well-known but seldom-seen celebrity and two imposters. The goal was to identify the real McCoy (no pun intended) by asking a series of open-ended questions within a short amount of time. Above is Gene Roddenberry‘s appearance on the show.

If you’re reading this, we assume you spotted him right off the bat.

Greetings, programs.

The guys at Parker Brothers Choppers have built a full-scale, working replica of the famous Tron light cycle. As you can see in the video above, it’s just about the coolest thing ever. We want one.

Fans are celebrating the 45th anniversary of Star Trek‘s original airing and we’re no exception. Who would have thought that Gene Roddenberry’s “wagon train in the sky” that first hit the airwaves on September 8, 1966 would become an international phenomenon, beloved by fans nearly half a century later.

Ged, Jen and Dave discuss the show’s origins, history, high spots and low. Join us, won’t you? You’ll find show notes after the break.

News:

The Marty McFly shoes are out!
New teaser trailer for The Thing isn’t very compelling.
Spielberg’s Robopocalypse movie will happen.
Awesome Star Trek info graphic is awesome.

Star Trek’s 45th anniversary:

WIRED’s look at Star Trek’s 45th.
The Menagerie Pt. 1 and 2.
Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Star Trek: Voyager.
Star Trek: Enterprise.
The oft-forgotten animated series.

Don’t be too proud of this technological terror you’ve constructed.

On second thought, be very, very proud.

Iomedes has assembled this amazing, 43,000-piece Venator-Class Star Destroyer out of LEGO. It weights 82 kg and is 2.44m long. It’s an exact replica of one built by Erik Varszegi a few years ago. Unlike Erik’s model, Iomedes’ uses no glue or screws. It’s 100% LEGO.

Fantastic work, Iomedes. You’ll find a full gallery of detailed photos here and a video after the break.

[Via Geekosystem]

Legions of Trekkies would love to see Star Trek: The Next Generation in HD, including us. We’ve got good news and bad news for those fans. The bad is that Star Trek: TNG in HD is impossible. The good news is that it’s going to happen anyway.

Here’s the problem. The show was shot at a resolution that’s fine for HD. The actors, the physical sets and so on are good to go. The effects and post-production work, however, was done in standard definition. High def effects shots simply don’t exist. The only way to create a true HD episode of TNG would be to re-do every single special effect by hand.

And that’s exactly what’s being done.

LeVar Burton recently visited CBS to observe progress on the project, and reported that he was “#mindblown” via Twitter. The first release will be a four-episode sampler disc, which will include: Encounter at Farpoint” (1 & 2), “Sins of the Father” and “Inner Light.”  Release is expected “before the end of this year,” so now you know what to put on your holiday shopping list.

[Via Graph Jam]

Epic.

Well this freaked me out.

Malgusto has published 40 rare, incredible photos from the making of the original Star Wars movies. I’m a geek, yet even I haven’t seen these images before. Some are funny (Kenny Baker in Vader’s helmet is pretty great), some are sweet and some…well, let’s just say we see why Lando was taken with Leia.

It’s an impressive collection. Check them out.

Great Scott!

Earlier this week, Nike teased the new Air Mag sneakers, modeled after those worn by Marty McFly in Back To The Future II. Now Nike has made good on its promise — the shoes are availbe today.

Michael J. Fox appeared on Late Night with David Letterman last night to reveal the details and show off the shoes in person. The short of it: 1,500 will be auctioned off, and proceeds will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. It gets better: Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, will match all funds raised between now and December 31, 2012, up to $50 million.

The shoes are nearly identical to those worn by Fox’s character in the movie, and represent the “…first pair of rechargeable sneakers from Nike.” There is a bit of bad news, however. Contrary to initial reports, the real-life Air Mags do not lace themselves. According to the promo video above, we’ll have to wait “…until 2015″ for that.

As for the auction, it has already begun. The first batch of shoes were released on Sept. 8, at 11:30 p.m. EDT. Nike will auction off 150 shoes per day for 10 days. As of this writing, prices are very high; the “cheapest” I’ve found was around $4,000. It looks like serious collectors will grab most of the Air Mags. Of course, it’s for a very worthy cause.

To keep the 80′s theme going, I’ll quote Ferris Bueller: “If you have the means, do pick one up.” It’s just about the coolest 80′s collectable you’re going to find and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is a deserving cause. Good luck!

You’ll find lots of photos and an additional video after the break.

Source: Back4TheFuture.com

To celebrate Star Trek’s 45th anniversary, Darla at Bakingdom has created the best-looking Star Trek cookies we’ve ever seen. Heck, these are the best-looking COOKIES we’ve ever seen. Just look at McCoy’s smarmy expression.*

For a step-by-step gallery of the process as well as close-up shots of each cookie, visit Bakingdom.

Well done, Darla.

*That’s the first I’ve ever described a cookie as “smarmy.”

WIRED has listed several hypothetical experiments that would advance science significantly, if only they weren’t so creepy and wrong. For example, something called “embryo mapping” would see doctors insert a tracking agent into a human embryo and monitor its development more precisely and definitively than ever before. The result could help scientist direct the evolution of stem cells, and potentially advance research into Parkinson’s Disease, for example, significantly.

Plus, it’d make  really cool sci-fi story. As do the others. Just imagine your favorite director, actors and visual effects artists teaming up to produce movies based on:

1. Optogenetics – beams of light control brain cells of conscious human beings
2. Ape man – cross-breed a human being with a chimpanzee
3. Separating Twins – separate twins at birth and then control every single aspect of their upbringing

There’s more, of course, and we encourage to read the full list. Unethical in real life, but compelling fodder for science fiction.

Photo credit: Bartholomew Cooke. Image based on photo by photo researchers.

One of the most prolific science fiction writers of the last 50 years was the late, great Charles Beaumont. He’s written many of my all-time favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone, including “The Howling Man,” “Prime Mover,” “Miniature,” “Living Doll” and “Number 12 Looks Just Like You.”

Shadow and Substance has a great post on Beaumont’s legacy, that I suggest you read. It’s well written and researched, about one of my favorite writers.

It was only yesterday that we were celebrating the availability of streaming Star Trek: The Next Generation on Netflix. Earlier this week, the first season of Next Gen disappeared. Oh no!

There’s no need to worry, Netflix says. The disappearance was due to a glitch in Brazil of all places. ”The Starship Enterprise has veered off course temporarily because of a blip in the system with the start of streaming in Brazil,” a spokesman said. “We will welcome the Enterprise and her crew back shortly.”

That’s good news. Someone tell me when it’s back. In the meantime, I’ll be in my Ready Room.

Mr. Potato Head + Dr. Zoidberg = Dr. Spudberg. Brilliant.

Forty-five years ago today, Thursday, September 8, 1966, Star Trek first aired on NBC. Who would have ever imagined what the future held for the Enterprise and her crew? After only two seasons the threat of cancellation loomed large. Fans engaged in a letter-writing campaign, and the network renewed the show. Unfortunately, it was moved to the dreaded “Friday night death slot.” Creator Gene Roddenberry limited his involvement in the third season as a protest, but to no avail. Star Trek was cancelled in its third season.

Forty-five years later, a show that barely finished three seasons is among the most iconic in television history.  There have been six total TV series, 11 feature films (with number 12 in pre-production) and countless books, comics, games, etc. One could argue that Trek created the convention industry and is so entrenched in popular culture — internationally — that you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t even hear of the show, almost anywhere you are.

Suitably, my favorite episode is the original pilot (which didn’t air as the pilot), The Menagerie parts 1 and 2.

Let us say thank you to Gene and everyone involved in the original series. “Where no one has gone before” indeed.

I was prepared to make fun of this, but damn. I can’t.

A “learning bike” is a pedal-free variation that’s typically a child’s first two-wheeler. Many kids have one, but not like this.

The Tron-inspired Light Cycle learning bike by Ryan Callahan, an industrial designer at Trek, is freaking phenomenal and makes me wish I was a 4-year-old again, kicking my way through the slate sidewalks of Scranton, PA on the sweetest little trike anyone has ever seen.