Skynxnex

I liked the books and the movies...but unlike many others who are Tolkien Fiends...I dont think they are the best thing ever written. Tolkien in many of his books include stupid songs and weird plot devices. Tom Bombadil anyone? That said though, I still find it hard to an extent to classify his stuff as fantasy. The reason why is, apart from in Hobbit...there are no other Dragons. And very very very rarely does Gandalf use anymagic. In the movie for instance when going into Moria..he just puts a crystal on his staff. It would have been cooler if he could just make his staff get bright or something. Anyway, overall the movies were good adaptations on the books. There were some things that Jackson did which I wasnt too thrilled about but they were minor nitpicks.

I have no doubt in my mind that Lucas has more or less made this up as he went along. You can clearly see in the originals that the story revolves primarily around Luke. I dont see how it revolves around Vader. Vader is instead Luke's enemy...well until ROTJ comes out. I also think Lucas made a big mistake in directing the originals himself. The originals were so good because Lucas had help with directing!!!! Even in the very first one, that is ANH Lucas had help with that. It blows my mind that he decided to the prequels himself and thats why we get this wooden acting nonsense. Harrison Ford (Han Solo) I recall seeing an interview one time where he kept telling George that writing the lines that the character says is one thing...but getting them to talk that way is another. Harrison and others kept fighting Lucas on some of his choices for the dialogue. Its a shame that in the prequels that none of the actors or anyone else really challenged Lucas on some of his choices for lines. On the other hand though, it is his concept and idea...so if he wants to do it one way then thats his right.

A 3000 dollar budget nice. If you want to play games etc.. 'Dude dont get a Dell' Seriously. Instead, building a computer provided you have the software on disc like Windows XP or something can be very rewarding. For games I recommend an Athlon 64. With a 3000 dollar budget you can easily get an Athlon 64 and a good motherboard for like 200-250. After that a good case, maybe 100, and then a good power supply..maybe 100 more. After that its up to you really. Hard drives are pretty cheap nowadays. Good soundcards might be a must. An 80 gb hard drive is running usually around 60-70 or so. A good soundcard..maybe anywhere from 100-150. MAKE SURE YOU GET A GOOD VIDEO CARD. The video card alone might be the most costliest part of this. My Geforce 6800GT I got like5 months ago...I got it for like 400 bucks and so far it can chew through any game I throw at it. However, I recommend getting a motherboard with a PCI Express graphics port thing. A good PCI Express grahpics card miught cost you like 500 or so. But with such a huge budget that you seem to have, thats not much of a problem. If you want, send me a private message and tell me what it is you want your computer to do and that sort of thing and I would be happy to help you price a system out on a reputable website.

I heard Lucas made most of those 'cuts' because he didnt want children who go to see the movie for instance to get scared or something when they see Anakin going on a rampage. Personally I dont have/didnt have high hopes to begin with and I already know most of the plot though I havent seen it yet myself. I think the story is great in my opinion and cant wait to see it.

Does Switzerland have something similar to the VAT?

Ah England, shame everything there is so expensive thanks to the VAT. Bleh. I remember when I was there a Super Nintendo game would cost like 40-50 pounds. Back then the pound was almost like $2. That means one game cost almost 100 dollars. Absolutely ridiculous because in the US I could get the same game for like 40-50 dollars.

Robert Miles - One and One

One of the limitations to buying a console instead a PC is that a console you cant upgrade. A pc you can. I think that the new xbox console is coming out way too early. The PS3 and the new Nintendo system are all using storage methods that can handle more data for instance. Microsoft is hoping to make a big splash by being the first one out the door with a new system...anyone remember Sega? Sega was always ALWAYS the first one out to try to capture some of the new market and instead they always got trounced by the 'latecomers' so I think Microsoft might be jumping the gun a little early here. Anyway, I like PC games better overall. Better controls in my opinion and usually better graphics. A PC can also do so much more. Microsoft I know is trying to make the xbox into a mini PC that can play movies and music etc...but still I would rather hold onto my pc than buy a console. I used to be a big Nintendo fanboy way way way back in the day, anyone remember the Super Nintendo? I then got a Playstation and a Nintendo 64. I then got a Nintendo Gamecube and a Ps2....but I think my days of console games are done with. My brother will more than likely get a PS3 simply because he loves playing the Final Fantasy games and the Sony system usually always gets those games.

I meant I came across this link before. I liked the part where the woman has the lightsaber and the assailant has like a knife or something and the saying was "Lightsabers are a good way to deter attackers" or something like that. Pretty funny.

Keeping the origins of Palpatine a secret I think is for the best. I did read a good fanfiction that someone did..but I cant seem to find the link anywhere. If I find the link again to it I will post it.

I saw this before. It was pretty funny.

The Original Star Wars had great music. I am so glad they didnt do rock n roll or anything like that. The classic sort of operatic feel that John Williams gave the series in my opinion is what helps the movies be what they are. I mean, come on Imperial March anyone? That was the song played in Empire Strikes Back when the camera shifts to the Star Destroyers and we see the Executor with Vader onboard. That song for that scene was just awesome. It perfectly gave a sense of feeling like power and dread at the same time.

I really dont know why Vader is kneeling in the comic. The only thing I can think of is that the guy who did the comic thought it would be funny or something. As far as I know since Vader and the Emperor are Sith Lords, Vader is technically speaking the 2nd in command of the Empire. Vader should be having Tarkin kneel in front of him if anything.

Linkin Park - My Dsmbr

Check this out. About a month ago downstairs in my house, I noticed this black thing on the carpet so I get closer to investigate...and it was a black widow. First time I ever saw one in the house before. Oddly enough it was limping along which to me means my cats had been attacking/playing with the damn thing. Anyway, call me scared or wimpy, but I was very reluctant to even get a paper towel and squish the little bugger. I just have a fear of getting bitten by a venomous spider.

Yeah, I think its possible that you dont have enough refined materials. You also might have too much construction activity going on at your other construction yards/shipyards or something.

Thats very true. It will be interesting to see how things turn out there in Europe with regards to the European Constitution and how much sovereignty the various countries are willing to cede away to the Union in general. Defense pacts and so on are easy to understand and I can see that NATO for the most part is outdated, the Russians really do not possess the same kind of military they used to.

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

I am glad you all like it. I am also happy many of you caught some of the jokes going on. I liked it when the Emperor said something about if he had a nickel for every yahoo able to shoot down that exhaust thing he could build 2 of them. HAHAHA

Actually I am glad no more movies will be made. As it is I didnt like the prequels really..some parts were cool and the fights and so on were neater but most of the acting was horrible...too many special effects and not enough character in the actors etc. I am hoping...HOPING that Revenge of the Sith will redeem at least in my eyes the prequels and close the overall story of Anakin on a good note. We will see. Everything I have heard about Sith so far has been nothing but good really so I think it will be a good movie. If it is, I will just attribute the 'poor quality' of the other prequels to Lucas simply setting the stage for this final movie which should hopefully be very good.

Yeah, the more intensity part. I remember hearing about that when I saw the special disk thing for the Original Trilogy set I got on dvd. Honestly, Lucas does have some good stories. Its just he doesnt do a very good job directing in my opinion. I mean look at the Originals. Most of them some other guy was helping Lucas to direct them. Wasnt it Kirshner who directed Empire Strikes Back? And that one is regarded as one of the best. The problem in my opinion is that too many people just shake their heads yes to Lucas and no one challenges him. He has too many 'yes men' who dont challenge him on ideas. Its true Lucas owns the universe and can do whatever he wants..but lets not play revisionist here and try to alter some of the key fundamentals of your universe..like Greedo shooting first and creating this midichlorian nonsense. It serves no purpose at all. /Rant off

I dont know if anyone saw this but I thought it was pretty funny. http://photobucket.com/albums/v258/grandadmiraljello/Death%20Star%20is%20Born/?action=view&current=1.jpg Hahahaha.

Hmm interesting. I had a feeling the funnel web spiders would be making an appearance there. Thanks for the info!

Well you do see in some of the first episodes more of Palpatine's manipulations and so on. You also meet Asajj Ventress though her name isnt really said, however her only purpose is to fight Anakin and make him use his anger in the duel. I think most of the Clone Wars cartoons were good. For instance we meet Kit Fisto and Mace Windu and see why they are powerful. This alone gives you a better sense of appreciation when you see Palpatine fight those two at the same time in the movie. I recommend for everyone to see all of them.

Heh, eating spiders doesnt rate very high on my list of favorite things to do. Since we are talking about spiders, does anyone know what the most poisonous spider in the world is?