My dearest Switch Bar,
How I long to be with you again. Although only a year has passed since our last adventure, it feels as if we have been apart for a lifetime. I long for the for the days when we spent our afternoons together, dishing out drinks and keeping watch over the quiet halls. You were the center of attention during Activity Period, drawing students from all corners of the school for a bottle of ice cold Fitz's or Ski. Few could resist your allure. You kept me working hard, but I never minded. Another second with you was another second of pure joy. Every mixed drink brought a smile to my face. Drinks weren't your only specialty though. From blueberry pancakes to back massages to shaved ice to live music, your charm knew no bounds. You were unlike anything SLUH had ever seen.
As much as you did for me, you did more for others. You may have started out as just a Gadfly sketch, but you evolved into something greater. A bar for others. You drew our community together and helped raise money for the less fortunate. Your tip trophy wasn't just a literal trophy, but a beacon of hope. From Homeboy Industries to Honduras, you helped to unite students for great causes. You've become more than I ever dreamed you would be. I am proud to have been a part of all you've done.
I hope that this letter finds you doing well old friend. As another Mission Week wraps up, I have no clue what you've been up to, if anything. Whether you find yourself at Dooley Week or not, know that your legacy lives on dear Switch Bar. No matter what happens to you, you will always hold a special place in my heart. Until we meet again...
Sincerely yours,
David
Friday, February 26, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
What It Was Like Watching Episode 7 for the First Time
It's been two months, if you haven't seen it, you probably don't care about spoilers.
Even though December 2015 is in the rear view mirror, I still thought it would be fun to recount what it was like to experience Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the first time. This isn't so much a review as it is a recap of emotion. Without further ado, let's go!
The Opening:
First, let me say that I really really enjoyed how the logos were handled for this film. The 20th Century Theme is a piece that I have always associated with Star Wars. Even though Fox's role in the films was largely just distribution, their logo has always been an essential part to the opening of every Star Wars film. I was expecting quite a void when the film started without Fox's logo. I was surprised with just how much I enjoyed the replacement. As the saying goes "Silence is golden." Without any fanfare to open the picture, I thought that the Star Wars theme itself was much stronger. The silence only built my anticipation for the beginning of the film. It flowed beautifully and I loved it. There will always be a place in my heart for the 20th Century Fox theme, but I really do love the new logo opening.
Seeing "EPISODE VII" on the big screen was also a special moment. A seventh Star Wars film has literally been a lifelong dream of mine. My friends and I created our own little fan films when we were younger to fill in after episode six. They were a defining part of my childhood and helped to shape my love for video editing. As a result, seeing the real episode seven was the fulfillment of a childhood dream for me.
"Luke Skywalker has vanished." These were the most powerful words in the crawl for me. It was in this moment that I realized that I was truly seeing the next Star Wars film. A burst of new info on a classic character. The first piece of a new trilogy. The an introduction to new world. No more secrets. Just Star Wars.
As the the crawl faded into space, I began to realize what was happening. I was being reintroduced to the world of Star Wars. After 30 years, what was a galaxy far far away like? It was the same world, but a completely new one at the same time. I was absolutely hooked.
Meeting the New World:
Seeing the Star Destroyer cross the screen at the beginning of the film was a powerful world moment. Not only was it a very cool shot to watch, but it also gave the First Order such a sinister presence. This was enhanced by the troop transports leaving the ship. The whole thing gave was reminiscent of the openings of both episodes four and five. Watching the transports arrive on Jakku was genuinely terrifying. It was like something out of a nightmare.
Meeting the New Characters:
I thought that the introduction of all of the film's new characters was handed extremly well. Kylo Ren's in particular really stood out to me. Watching him stop the blaster fire mid shot was incredible. You immediately got an idea of just how strong he was. I was worried going in that Kylo Ren wouldn't be able to compete with the already impressive line of Star Wars villains, but this moment eased my concern. I also enjoyed seeing Rey go about her day. It gave a good sense of who she was and what her life was like while demonstrating what the galaxy was like following the Empire. (Side note: Seeing the ruined Star Destroyer in the second teaser was an incredible reveal leading up to the film.)
It's also worth noting that I love BB-8. You get the same sense of personality that R2-D2 offers. Also I am really happy that BB-8 performed as a practical effect on set. There is never any doubt in my mind that he is really there, an it allows his personality to really shine.
Meeting the Old Characters:
I was lucky enough to see this film with a really great audience. They were incredibly invested in the film and had real respect for the material. Whenever an old character would return they would applaud, but did not get obnoxious. (Luke's return at the end was met with no applause, keeping the moment intact.) The Millennium Falcon had the best reveal, with the perfect combination of humor and nostalgia. Seeing Han and Chewie together again was powerful. It's worth noting that the line "Chewie, we're home" had the potential to be used rather poorly, but made sense the way it was executed in the film.
The Falcon's Escape from Jakku:
This scene was filled to the brim with wonderful Star Wars action and effects. It was an absolute joy to watch. Seeing the Millennium Falcon in action again was breathtaking especially as this was my first time seeing it on the big screen. Speaking of big screen, I experienced the film in IMAX for my first screening. This scene was special as it was filmed with IMAX cameras. The results were a breathtaking, giving the film a massive scale that felt perfect of the action on screen. It was phenomenal.
Han and Chewie:
What a partnership. It was wonderful seeing these two back at it. Even after all these years, their friendship felt just as strong as it always had. Moments like Han firing Chewie's bowcaster and "Oh really? You're cold?" brought a smile to my face. It was classic and brand new all at once. (A bit of a theme with this film.) It will be interesting going forward to see how Chewie deals with the loss of Han. Although we saw a solo Chewbacca in episode three, we have yet to see a post-Han solo Chewbacca. (See what I did there?) I'm going to miss seeing them work together.
Han and Leia:
I thought that this relationship was handled perfectly. With who these character are and how we've seen them act, it makes sense that they had a far from perfect relationship. Their first moment of interaction in the film in particular was a truly perfect moment for me. Every line was perfectly true to character. There was a sense of both tragedy and affection. Leia reaction to Han's death was also well done. It was a moment that reminded us of her strength wit the force as well as her love of Han (even if he is a scoundrel).
New Characters:
I found Poe interesting and likable and I'm really excited to learn more about him in the upcoming films. Poe seems like the kind of guys you want to be friends with, talented and witty, but also kind and friendly. He and Finn fit together perfectly.
Speaking of Finn, I really enjoyed how awkward he was at the beginning. That's not something I usually say about characters. His background as a Stormtrooper adds a unique layer of depth to him that we've never really seen before in Star Wars.
Out of the new characters, Rey is my favorite. (OK, probably a tie with BB-8 in reality.) She's smart, strong, and spectacular. I was extremly excited when it was revealed that she was strong with the Force. She's a wonderful character before the reveal and having the Force only makes her better. I am thrilled to watch her become a Jedi as the series progresses.
Han Solo and Kylo Ren:
This relationship really added a lot of depth to both of these characters for me. First of all, it solidified Kylo Ren as a great Star Wars character. Second, it really showed the evolution of Han Solo. The Han Solo we see here is not the Han Solo we meet on Tatooine, yet everything felt right.
Watching Han's death scene, a million things were running through my head. I always knew what was going to happen. As soon as Han and Chewie went to place the bombs. "This is their last time together," I thought. I kept expecting something to go horribly wrong: a faulty bomb, a misfire, a bad step. The moment Han sees Kylo Ren walking across the bridge and makes an expression, I knew it was coming. Despite this, I spent the rest of the scene in denial. "No. They wouldn't. Would they? Will they kill Han? Could they kill Han? How could he escape? Maybe Kylo Ren will show mercy." Seeing Han die is both sad and yet fulfilling. On one hand, Han has come so far. He's more than just the smuggler we met in a cantina, he's a hero, he's a father. Responsibility is not something that is typically associated with Han, yet he takes responsibility as Ben's father. One the other hand, Han Solo is dead.
At the end of the day, I'm sad to see Han die, but I'm looking forward to how this will shape Kylo Ren. RIP.
The Final Battle:
What a fight! First, I adore the atmosphere for this battle. The snowy woods of Starkiller base were breathtaking and make me really want to go camping. My favorite part here is Rey. Seeing her pull the lightsaber out of the snow was a huge moment, one of my favorites in the film and makes me even happier that she is strong with the force. What a battle it was. I don't know if we've ever really seen two novices dueling it out in Star Wars, but it was a blast none the less. I'm sure we'll see a rematch in the future, but I don't know it we'll ever get such a thrilling backdrop again.
R2-D2:
R2 is my favorite Star Wars character. It was good to see him again but we need more R2. I'm glad he was important to the plot and came to save the day in the end (that's sort of his thing) but I want more R2 because I love R2. That being said, I loved seeing him, BB-8, and C-3PO together. I hope that we see more of this trio in the future.
Luke:
What an ending. I thought that this part really shined. First of all, the landscape was gorgeous. I really want to visit this island, mostly just to reenact this scene, but also because it looks brilliant. Even though I knew that Luke was waiting at the top of the island, it didn't make the reveal any less thrilling. Luke is a legend now, and it was cool to see him come alive again. I thought the scoring here was perfect. So much nostalgia and yet such a set piece for the future. I can not wait for episode eight.
Music:
John Williams. Need I say more? Excellent as always. Watching the film itself, the track that stuck out the most was "The Jedi Steps" but since then I've also taken a liking to "March of the Resistance" and "Rey's Theme". The new music is strong and the revisiting of old themes was always perfect. Excellent. Though all the Star Wars films, nothing has been as consistently good as John Williams.
Leaving the Theater:
Ask anyone who was with me, I was a giddy little boy. I haven't gotten this excited in a long time (ago in a galaxy far far away). I was off the hook and unleashed. I had just seen Star Wars episode seven. EPISODE SEVEN. Unreal. As a testament to the excitement, my friends and I spent the next few hours discussing what we had just seen at Steak 'n Shake.
Watching The Force Awakens was an experience, which isn't something I can say for most films. It was an absolute blast and easily the best time I have ever hand in a theater. December 2017 can not come soon enough.
Even though December 2015 is in the rear view mirror, I still thought it would be fun to recount what it was like to experience Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the first time. This isn't so much a review as it is a recap of emotion. Without further ado, let's go!
The Opening:
First, let me say that I really really enjoyed how the logos were handled for this film. The 20th Century Theme is a piece that I have always associated with Star Wars. Even though Fox's role in the films was largely just distribution, their logo has always been an essential part to the opening of every Star Wars film. I was expecting quite a void when the film started without Fox's logo. I was surprised with just how much I enjoyed the replacement. As the saying goes "Silence is golden." Without any fanfare to open the picture, I thought that the Star Wars theme itself was much stronger. The silence only built my anticipation for the beginning of the film. It flowed beautifully and I loved it. There will always be a place in my heart for the 20th Century Fox theme, but I really do love the new logo opening.
Seeing "EPISODE VII" on the big screen was also a special moment. A seventh Star Wars film has literally been a lifelong dream of mine. My friends and I created our own little fan films when we were younger to fill in after episode six. They were a defining part of my childhood and helped to shape my love for video editing. As a result, seeing the real episode seven was the fulfillment of a childhood dream for me.
"Luke Skywalker has vanished." These were the most powerful words in the crawl for me. It was in this moment that I realized that I was truly seeing the next Star Wars film. A burst of new info on a classic character. The first piece of a new trilogy. The an introduction to new world. No more secrets. Just Star Wars.
As the the crawl faded into space, I began to realize what was happening. I was being reintroduced to the world of Star Wars. After 30 years, what was a galaxy far far away like? It was the same world, but a completely new one at the same time. I was absolutely hooked.
Meeting the New World:
Seeing the Star Destroyer cross the screen at the beginning of the film was a powerful world moment. Not only was it a very cool shot to watch, but it also gave the First Order such a sinister presence. This was enhanced by the troop transports leaving the ship. The whole thing gave was reminiscent of the openings of both episodes four and five. Watching the transports arrive on Jakku was genuinely terrifying. It was like something out of a nightmare.
Meeting the New Characters:
I thought that the introduction of all of the film's new characters was handed extremly well. Kylo Ren's in particular really stood out to me. Watching him stop the blaster fire mid shot was incredible. You immediately got an idea of just how strong he was. I was worried going in that Kylo Ren wouldn't be able to compete with the already impressive line of Star Wars villains, but this moment eased my concern. I also enjoyed seeing Rey go about her day. It gave a good sense of who she was and what her life was like while demonstrating what the galaxy was like following the Empire. (Side note: Seeing the ruined Star Destroyer in the second teaser was an incredible reveal leading up to the film.)
It's also worth noting that I love BB-8. You get the same sense of personality that R2-D2 offers. Also I am really happy that BB-8 performed as a practical effect on set. There is never any doubt in my mind that he is really there, an it allows his personality to really shine.
Meeting the Old Characters:
I was lucky enough to see this film with a really great audience. They were incredibly invested in the film and had real respect for the material. Whenever an old character would return they would applaud, but did not get obnoxious. (Luke's return at the end was met with no applause, keeping the moment intact.) The Millennium Falcon had the best reveal, with the perfect combination of humor and nostalgia. Seeing Han and Chewie together again was powerful. It's worth noting that the line "Chewie, we're home" had the potential to be used rather poorly, but made sense the way it was executed in the film.
The Falcon's Escape from Jakku:
This scene was filled to the brim with wonderful Star Wars action and effects. It was an absolute joy to watch. Seeing the Millennium Falcon in action again was breathtaking especially as this was my first time seeing it on the big screen. Speaking of big screen, I experienced the film in IMAX for my first screening. This scene was special as it was filmed with IMAX cameras. The results were a breathtaking, giving the film a massive scale that felt perfect of the action on screen. It was phenomenal.
Han and Chewie:
What a partnership. It was wonderful seeing these two back at it. Even after all these years, their friendship felt just as strong as it always had. Moments like Han firing Chewie's bowcaster and "Oh really? You're cold?" brought a smile to my face. It was classic and brand new all at once. (A bit of a theme with this film.) It will be interesting going forward to see how Chewie deals with the loss of Han. Although we saw a solo Chewbacca in episode three, we have yet to see a post-Han solo Chewbacca. (See what I did there?) I'm going to miss seeing them work together.
Han and Leia:
I thought that this relationship was handled perfectly. With who these character are and how we've seen them act, it makes sense that they had a far from perfect relationship. Their first moment of interaction in the film in particular was a truly perfect moment for me. Every line was perfectly true to character. There was a sense of both tragedy and affection. Leia reaction to Han's death was also well done. It was a moment that reminded us of her strength wit the force as well as her love of Han (even if he is a scoundrel).
New Characters:
I found Poe interesting and likable and I'm really excited to learn more about him in the upcoming films. Poe seems like the kind of guys you want to be friends with, talented and witty, but also kind and friendly. He and Finn fit together perfectly.
Speaking of Finn, I really enjoyed how awkward he was at the beginning. That's not something I usually say about characters. His background as a Stormtrooper adds a unique layer of depth to him that we've never really seen before in Star Wars.
Out of the new characters, Rey is my favorite. (OK, probably a tie with BB-8 in reality.) She's smart, strong, and spectacular. I was extremly excited when it was revealed that she was strong with the Force. She's a wonderful character before the reveal and having the Force only makes her better. I am thrilled to watch her become a Jedi as the series progresses.
Han Solo and Kylo Ren:
This relationship really added a lot of depth to both of these characters for me. First of all, it solidified Kylo Ren as a great Star Wars character. Second, it really showed the evolution of Han Solo. The Han Solo we see here is not the Han Solo we meet on Tatooine, yet everything felt right.
Watching Han's death scene, a million things were running through my head. I always knew what was going to happen. As soon as Han and Chewie went to place the bombs. "This is their last time together," I thought. I kept expecting something to go horribly wrong: a faulty bomb, a misfire, a bad step. The moment Han sees Kylo Ren walking across the bridge and makes an expression, I knew it was coming. Despite this, I spent the rest of the scene in denial. "No. They wouldn't. Would they? Will they kill Han? Could they kill Han? How could he escape? Maybe Kylo Ren will show mercy." Seeing Han die is both sad and yet fulfilling. On one hand, Han has come so far. He's more than just the smuggler we met in a cantina, he's a hero, he's a father. Responsibility is not something that is typically associated with Han, yet he takes responsibility as Ben's father. One the other hand, Han Solo is dead.
At the end of the day, I'm sad to see Han die, but I'm looking forward to how this will shape Kylo Ren. RIP.
The Final Battle:
What a fight! First, I adore the atmosphere for this battle. The snowy woods of Starkiller base were breathtaking and make me really want to go camping. My favorite part here is Rey. Seeing her pull the lightsaber out of the snow was a huge moment, one of my favorites in the film and makes me even happier that she is strong with the force. What a battle it was. I don't know if we've ever really seen two novices dueling it out in Star Wars, but it was a blast none the less. I'm sure we'll see a rematch in the future, but I don't know it we'll ever get such a thrilling backdrop again.
R2-D2:
R2 is my favorite Star Wars character. It was good to see him again but we need more R2. I'm glad he was important to the plot and came to save the day in the end (that's sort of his thing) but I want more R2 because I love R2. That being said, I loved seeing him, BB-8, and C-3PO together. I hope that we see more of this trio in the future.
Luke:
What an ending. I thought that this part really shined. First of all, the landscape was gorgeous. I really want to visit this island, mostly just to reenact this scene, but also because it looks brilliant. Even though I knew that Luke was waiting at the top of the island, it didn't make the reveal any less thrilling. Luke is a legend now, and it was cool to see him come alive again. I thought the scoring here was perfect. So much nostalgia and yet such a set piece for the future. I can not wait for episode eight.
Music:
John Williams. Need I say more? Excellent as always. Watching the film itself, the track that stuck out the most was "The Jedi Steps" but since then I've also taken a liking to "March of the Resistance" and "Rey's Theme". The new music is strong and the revisiting of old themes was always perfect. Excellent. Though all the Star Wars films, nothing has been as consistently good as John Williams.
Leaving the Theater:
Ask anyone who was with me, I was a giddy little boy. I haven't gotten this excited in a long time (ago in a galaxy far far away). I was off the hook and unleashed. I had just seen Star Wars episode seven. EPISODE SEVEN. Unreal. As a testament to the excitement, my friends and I spent the next few hours discussing what we had just seen at Steak 'n Shake.
Watching The Force Awakens was an experience, which isn't something I can say for most films. It was an absolute blast and easily the best time I have ever hand in a theater. December 2017 can not come soon enough.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Why I Love Rhythm Heaven
Back when I first got to blogging I wrote a piece based off of a "Gadfly Recommends" article I wrote. Now it's time to revisit my second recommendation from just last May.
I have yet to meet another person who has played Rhythm Heaven. Granted, I don't go around asking people if they play the game, so I may very well know someone who has, but it has never really come up in normal conversation. And that's a shame because Rhythm Heaven is amazing.
Rhythm Heaven was a Nintendo DS game developed by Nintendo themselves and released in 2009. It is played exclusively with the DS's touch screen and the system turned on its side. (Book style) First and foremost, Rhythm Heaven is a mini-game collection. There is no story, no main objective, no central character. It's just a bunch of small games. But it's the best bunch of small games I've ever played.
The core of Rhythm Heaven is the music. Each game has a song. Gameplay is based around the music. You tap, flick, and swipe to the beat of each song. For example, in the first game, you flick the stylus at the end of a melody. On the screen, this action is represented by a machine creating small widgets with the music. One of the best things about this style is that the game could easily be played blind. The music tells the player everything they need to succeed.
All of the games follow the same style of images that go with music. In one game you're a farmer harvesting crops by stomping the ground. In another, you're a scientist performing experiments. There's a lot of variety in the games. If you're familiar with Walt Disney's Fantasia then you'll understand what this game is like.
It's important to mention that the music is excellent. A game based around music with poor music would not be a very fun game. All of Rhythm Heaven's tracks are original to the game, so you won't be hearing any familiar tunes here. Some tracks such as "Build to Scale" (The game in the image above.) are simple but still enjoyable.
Others are more complex and frantic such as Blue Birds 2. (A harder variation of Blue Birds, a mini-game also in Rhythm Heaven.)
Some of the most fun games are the remix stages which combine several previous mini-games into one continuous challenge. I enjoy these levels the most due to their clever mixing and seamless transitions.
And naturally there are songs that will get stuck in your head.
There's a lot to love here.
It's worth noting that the games are the same every time you play them. Some games have higher difficulty settings but that's it. To some this may detract from the replay factor of the title. For me, I don't care. The games are all so fun and enjoyable that I don't mind playing them again and again. Those looking for a challenge will be happy to know that the game has a reward system for players who can earn a perfect score on the games. This adds an extra level of challenge and replay for the most dedicated players.
If it's not clear, you should play Rhythm Heaven. Right now. Go. Do it. It's wonderful. You can find it on Amazon for $30 or less. It is one of my all time favorite games for the DS. Heck, it's one of my favorite games of all time. Go see for yourself.
I have yet to meet another person who has played Rhythm Heaven. Granted, I don't go around asking people if they play the game, so I may very well know someone who has, but it has never really come up in normal conversation. And that's a shame because Rhythm Heaven is amazing.
Rhythm Heaven was a Nintendo DS game developed by Nintendo themselves and released in 2009. It is played exclusively with the DS's touch screen and the system turned on its side. (Book style) First and foremost, Rhythm Heaven is a mini-game collection. There is no story, no main objective, no central character. It's just a bunch of small games. But it's the best bunch of small games I've ever played.
The core of Rhythm Heaven is the music. Each game has a song. Gameplay is based around the music. You tap, flick, and swipe to the beat of each song. For example, in the first game, you flick the stylus at the end of a melody. On the screen, this action is represented by a machine creating small widgets with the music. One of the best things about this style is that the game could easily be played blind. The music tells the player everything they need to succeed.
All of the games follow the same style of images that go with music. In one game you're a farmer harvesting crops by stomping the ground. In another, you're a scientist performing experiments. There's a lot of variety in the games. If you're familiar with Walt Disney's Fantasia then you'll understand what this game is like.
It's important to mention that the music is excellent. A game based around music with poor music would not be a very fun game. All of Rhythm Heaven's tracks are original to the game, so you won't be hearing any familiar tunes here. Some tracks such as "Build to Scale" (The game in the image above.) are simple but still enjoyable.
Others are more complex and frantic such as Blue Birds 2. (A harder variation of Blue Birds, a mini-game also in Rhythm Heaven.)
Some of the most fun games are the remix stages which combine several previous mini-games into one continuous challenge. I enjoy these levels the most due to their clever mixing and seamless transitions.
And naturally there are songs that will get stuck in your head.
There's a lot to love here.
It's worth noting that the games are the same every time you play them. Some games have higher difficulty settings but that's it. To some this may detract from the replay factor of the title. For me, I don't care. The games are all so fun and enjoyable that I don't mind playing them again and again. Those looking for a challenge will be happy to know that the game has a reward system for players who can earn a perfect score on the games. This adds an extra level of challenge and replay for the most dedicated players.
If it's not clear, you should play Rhythm Heaven. Right now. Go. Do it. It's wonderful. You can find it on Amazon for $30 or less. It is one of my all time favorite games for the DS. Heck, it's one of my favorite games of all time. Go see for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)