empire strikes back Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I typically end up missing out on most kid films during their theatrical runs (there just isn't enough time to catch all the G-Forces of the world), but I recently caught up with the money-making monster that is Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs from the comfort of my own couch. Between watching baby dinosaurs swallow other baby Ice Age critters and thinking about winter's approach, my mind soon drifted towards some of my favorite ice-set moments in film.

I don't know what it is, but having nice, frozen centerpieces in a flick always lure me in. Though I do have my limits, as you won't be finding any of the brain pain that is 10,000 BC on here. Note, these are in no order of importance.

A little known fact about Empire Strikes Back was that George Lucas had popular singer/songwriter L.B. Rayne put together a righteous power ballad for the film's soundtrack, and supposedly the song -- titled "Skywalking" -- was to be featured throughout the film and over the credits as well. Lucas, however, scratched the idea at the last second, later admitting that it didn't really fit with the film's themes. Rumors suggest there's a lost cut of Empire Strikes Back that contains "Skywalking" in the film, though I've personally never seen it, nor do I know anyone who's seen it.

Back in the late 80s, I remember my friends passing around a bootleg cassette tape of "Skywalking", but that was the last I heard of it ... until now. Yes, folks, the power ballad that was at one time a tall tale Star Wars fans shared with one another around a late night campfire has finally arrived online in music video format. Of course this song would never have worked in the movie, but it's great to have it out there again so that younger Star Wars fans can enjoy a little piece of galactic history.

As far as L.B. Rayne goes, his career pretty much ended in 1985 when he lost to a one-legged mule in a drinking contest ... but his legacy lives on! After the jump, check out Rayne's power ballads for Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones (another one Lucas commissioned but never used).

This past April Fool's Day, ThinkGeek ran their usual line of fictitious geek-related items, including this fantastic Tauntaun sleeping bag that recalls the scene from Empire Strikes Back when Han sliced open the animal to keep Luke warm. When we posted about it, a bunch of you were itching to purchase your own Tauntaun sleeping bags even though the item didn't exist. And, in reality, a lot of ThinkGeek readers fell for the joke because an unusually high number of folks actually attempted to order the thing.

Now, though, according to an interview with ThinkGeek's PR guy over at LA Weekly, they're really making it! Yes! Pretty soon (fingers crossed) you will actually be able to buy a freakin' Tauntaun sleeping bag, complete with internal light brown guts (we hope!). TG say they're working on getting a design approved by LucasFilm. PR guy Shane Peterman adds, "We are definitely trying to make it in to an actual item to be sold 
on our site. As of right now, it's still an "if," but it's turning in
to more of a "when." Things are looking pretty good, we just don't want 
to get too far ahead of ourselves. There's certainly been enough of a
demand, both from customers and from those of us that work here. Right now, we're aiming to have it available 
for the holidays, or at the latest, the 30th anniversary of The Empire 
Strikes Back next spring."

Okay, how excited are you right now?

[via TrailerAddict's Twitter]

Let me get this right out of the way: I love the folks over at Moviefone; they're cool people. We've hung out together, thrown back a few cold ones and even high-fived on one or two occasions. But this latest list ... well, I'm a little upset. Moviefone has counted down the top 40 films from the '80s, and while I certainly agree with a lot of the films on said list, their placement is completely out of whack. Here's their top five: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1), Blade Runner (2), Raging Bull (3), Empire Strikes Back (4) and This Is Spinal Tap (5). Don't get me wrong -- all dynamite flicks -- but Back to the Future at 21, Ghostbusters at 40 (!!!!!), E.T. at 20 and The Breakfast Club at 27? And don't get me started on the fact that Ferris Bueller's Day Off didn't even make the list -- just thinking about it sends murderous shivers down my spine. What's up with that Moviefone?

I guess when it comes to listing the best '80s movies, I'm more inclined to stick films that defined the decade in top spots moreso than films that were critically acclaimed (not that some can't be both). I mean, I definitely do not think Bull Durham (9) should beat out Aliens (10), The Terminator (13) or The Shining (14) ... but maybe I'm missing the total and complete awesomeness that is Bull Durham. Check out their list over here and let us know where they got it right and where they went wrong. (Trust me, I've already gone after them about the Back to the Future placement because if we don't protect Marty McFly, who will?)

I'm not sure what the difference is between a bad ass Star Wars moment, a great Star Wars moment and a memorable Star Wars moment, but something tells me the list of 31 Star Wars moments on Galactic Binder is a little bit of all of the above. They're calling it The Top 31 Bad Ass Star Wars Moments, so we'll stick with that for now. And while I certainly don't agree with the placement of a some scenes on this list, as well as the lack of a few classic scenes from the earlier films, I will say that, all together and across six films, we're looking at some very awesome movie moments.

Surprisingly, they include a whole bunch of scenes from the prequels, and, in doing so, leave out such favorites as the battle on Hoth in Empire Strikes Back, or the Ewok battle in Jedi. They mention the scene in which Leia chokes Jabba the Hut in Jedi (#25), but not the scene where Luke does the back flip off the plank, grabs his light saber in mid air and lands fighting his ass off. LOVE that scene. Oddly enough, they also mention the scene where Leia first appears in her gold bikini as being bad ass, but NOT the subsequent scene with Luke fighting the rancor. Strange ... but okay.

Anyway, their number one scene is the "I love you" bit between Han and Leia before he's frozen, whereas I would've chosen the scene pictured above. In my opinion, it's one of the greatest mid-point reversal/plot twists ever. On their list it's number 14. Bah! Feel free to check out their list to see where your favorite scenes rank, then tell us what they are in the comments section below.

[Thanks Mike]

Star Wars has inspired more crazy fan acts than probably any other movie (or franchise) in all of cinema history. People have practically devoted their entire lives to the film. Rabid collectors have entire houses full of memorabilia, can recite the entire trilogy backwards, and recreate scenes from the film in action-figure glory with remarkable attention to detail. Yes, you read that right, although I bet it doesn't even surprise you a bit.

Over at the glorious media gluttony website that is YouTube, a dedicated fan has assembled a solid four minute clip entirely recreating the carbon freezing chamber sequence from Empire. It's cheesy, it's campy, and it is absolutely beautiful. The lighting is great, the ambiance is solid, and the recreation is lovingly crafted. Not only that, this particular clip includes one of my favorite dialog exchanges in the entire trilogy (isn't it odd how the dialog quality deteriorated between trilogies?) -- Leia declaring her love for Han and Han replying with "I know." Classic, even when done with plastic Hasbro and Kenner figures. According to the creator, this clip is only the beginning; a small preview of his master plan to recreate the entire film in action figure. Where would the world be without Star Wars addicts?

I have friends who were so upset over the fact that George Lucas never released the original versions of the first three Star Wars films on DVD that they, literally, have purchased the new juiced-up editions and burned them during some sort of weird, Ewok-type ceremony. While I attempt to convince said friends that the additions Mr. Lucas has made are good for the series because, back then, technology did not allow him to create what was really in his head, they laugh at me. They mock my stupidity with lines like, "Dude, he added all that new crap just so he can release them in theaters and produce 50 different versions on DVD. Plain and simple -- he did it for the money."

So, friends, it is with great enthusiasm that I inform you of the latest fantastic developments. The real Star Wars, as seen in the theaters, along with the real Empire Strikes Back and the real Return of the Jedi are finally coming to DVD. For a very limited time only (September 12th through December 31st), you will be able to buy two-disc sets of each film. One disc will include the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie (a/k/a The one that sucks!), while the other features the original theatrical version.

Personally, I'd love for them to release all three original versions on the big screen again, if only for a couple weeks. However, I know this has to be wonderful news for so many die-hard Star Wars fans out there. And, according to Lucasfilm and FOX, the only reason they're releasing these versions is because of the overwhelming demand shelled out by you fans. Yet, I'm sure most of you will still complain. And so it goes.

Star Wars fans will never cease to amaze me with their total dedication to the arcana of the cause. My friend Adrienne spent her Christmas break making the above, a gingerbread model of an All-Terrain Armored Transport (otherwise known as AT-AT), the Imperial combat vehicle seen in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This thing is almost alarmingly large – that placard you see in the front is about 4"x10", to give you some idea. Semi-edible assault vehicles? I think that's something we can all get behind.

Got any good movie-related pics? Tag it on flickr with "cinematical", and we'll find it!