Your favorite stories are part of your real life. Geeky Stoics finds the best lessons on living in Film, TV, and Books, and connect them to IRL philosophy and faith. Stephen Kent, political writer, author of How The Force Can Fix The World and longtime host of the Beltway Banthas Podcast, has teamed up with Riley Blanton, founder of the Star Wars Report, to break new ground on not just Star Wars but your other favorite shows and films.
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That is a beautiful love letter to a franchise that brought back so many good memories. My father took me to see the originals when our local indy theater had a Star Wars marathon. We spent the whole day in the theater and at 8 it forever codified my understanding of the world around me. When my dad died, in 2004, the Expanded Universe novels he bought for me, that we read and discussed, I have kept through multiple moves, even when I sold all my other books. I'm... really not a fan of most of what Disney has done. But I don't know how much is the result of not being able to share them with my Dad, and how much of it is discontent with reworking the lore established in 'Legends'. And the AJAB attitude of the Acolyte didn't help matters.
It's tough but I think it's time to move on and grow away (not grow up) from Star Wars... it's clearly not for us anymore and the amount or garbage that's come out is enough to ruin even the good parts of Star Wars. You can't really enjoy the original trilogy now as you know it was all for nothing since somehow Palpatine returned. Everything both sides of the OG trilogy, including the prequels were pretty terrible. There's now more bad Star Wars than good. Time to let it die...
I just got out of the theater seeing it too.
Thumbs up?
@@rileyblanton Yes! Loved it.
This one hit me right in the early 2000s Marvel feels.
Love the gold mask reliefs on the wall those are cool 3D printed? Also sir on the right I straight thought you were Ryan Reynolds when I found this vid!!!!
LOL I get that "Ryan Reynolds" thing alot. Could be worse haha. THOSE MASKS are just Wal Mart kids Halloween masks spray painted bronze. Love them!!!
Why are you trying to make the person who made this video into something of a hermit living an isolated and desolate life? This could be just an artistic choiche that he makes to emphazise his point. You are basically attacking the persons character instead of dealing with the issues he is bringing up in his video. This is a debating tactic that tries to undermine the point by concentrating on personal. Maybe the real issue is that Star Wars is currently in the hands of people who dont respect the legacy characters the way they should be respected and who maybe dont know how to tell stories in a science fiction setting. I think acolyte is a clear proof that the writing isnt up to par at the moment. The issue isnt if the show runner or director is a lesbian or a homosexual but that a lot of these Star Wars based tv shows seem to have been done withouth real passion in actually making science fiction. Denis Villeneuve is a clear example of a director who breathes and lives for science fiction. His passion for the genre can be seen in all of his science fiction films. For some reason Kennedy gives directing opportunities for people who havent done science fiction at all and at least so far this strategy hasnt really produced great results.
That's literally what we said. We said it is not necessarily a reflection of his real life, and i could be an artistic choice. Which it was!
@@GeekyStoics Guess i was mistaken then.
As someone who grew up with the OT and 90s EU, nothing will ever be as painful and as lore-breaking as the prequels. OG fans know what I’m talking about. I want to like them, I’ve tried to like them, but I simply can’t. I’m glad other people can enjoy them though.
Totally get it, and that's a very healthy perspective to have! -R
Now imagine everything one more time removed. Those of us who grew up with the original trilogy (pre special editions) and still have nagging criticism for the prequels now get slapped in the face with current day star wars. The way you all feel about it now and what you see it becoming, we went through almost 20 years ago when that hack Filoni started to come into the scene. Imagine how that type of fan feels about this abomination we have now that calls itself Star Wars. Star Wars died the day Disney bought it.
I was expecting something to happen in that video and nothing happened. It was pretty lame
Star Wars ended in 1983, and even then, it was on its last legs. The prequels never existed.
Andor is brilliant. Everything else is trash.
Its really great. We like Andor and Ahsoka
The more things change, the more they stay the same. When I was roughly your age, watching the prequel trilogy, I felt that same twinge of nostalgia. Aside from the lightsaber fights, which were generally pretty spectacular (Yoda's fight with Palpatine was kinda silly, though!), the prequel trilogy wasn't very good. I find nostalgia for those movies to be very ironic.
You know what we lost? Good vs. Evil..... "something" gave evil a voice.
@@atari1994 yeaaaaah sad isnt it?
I haven't watched many of the newest series because most of what I've tried has been disappointing, but I have been listening to reviews of them. Maybe it's time to say, "Nice attempt, Disney, but I'm just not even going to pay attention anymore. I'll enjoy old Star Wars with friends and family. Bye!" Perhaps, like the advertisements that are destroying Springfield on the Simpsons, the Disney stuff will die out if we just don't look.
@@johnklocke6327 maybe so!!
@@GeekyStoics In your experience, how much of the fan base really loves all the new stuff? Or is the fan base largely against new Star Wars, and the only people who are positive on it are journalists and left commentators?
@@johnklocke6327 great question! Sequel trilogy I have never seen real enthusiasm for it beyond Twitter and comicon. The shows and series….quite a bit!!! There is this old lady at my local GOP weekly meetings who is obsessed with all the tv shows and knows every little thing. Obsessed with Baby Yoda still and was watching the Acolyte with baited breath. Then I chaperoned at Scout camp and I noticed boys and girls endlessly talking crap about The Acolyte, all uninterested or calling it lame. Its very clear to me that young audiences are hearing the KZread discourse and it sets the tone. Idk. I guess my answer is mixed. But unconditional positivity is a aberration of leftist Twitter. Tbh.
@@GeekyStoics that sounds about right. With a couple exceptions, the Disney stuff has been bad, especially for people that want to be inspired and see mostly-good heroes (and I think all kids want that, which is why I'm not seeing a lot of kids excited about the new stuff).
KAMALA: Is it possible to learn such power PALPATINE: Not from a Democrat.
“A warmth that is painful.” I think Anakin experienced nostalgia in Revenge of the Sith!
So true lol
Darth Maul wasn't in Revenge of the Sith
We know
Hey good on you, I got three minutes in before I had enough. I’m not sticking around to find out your thoughts. Fanboy tears, you suck. You are just as bad as the nerds on the other side.
i have had the perfect timing for star wars and explains why i love it all. I grew up on OT, was 14 for TPM, and got to watch the ST with my kids. So i have great memories from every era of Star Wars.
That's awesome :-)
It’s not actually gone downhill. Not since the prequels anyway. It went downhill from 1983. Or so says an OT kid. The difference is that the people who loved the prequels as kids, ignoring their many faults, are now adults whose nostalgia clouds their judgement, but they’re eloquent enough to make great love letters to said nostalgia like this video. They mistakenly look down on younger generations enjoying new Star Wars, just as those who were kids for the OT did to kids watching the PT. They don’t think it was the same, because they don’t remember it, because they were kids and didn’t care, but trust me, it happened. And 10yrs from now there’ll be videos from ST kids, now grown up reminiscing on their love of Star Wars, and how 2034’s latest release just doesn’t compare because of its bad writing and clunky execution. Star Wars is for everyone, but remember it’s really for the kids of now, whenever that now happens to be.
The thing that gets me is when I read the comments about every new show. Some of them have been ok, some have been meh, and one was to me not good. But with the exception of the 5 movies they released so far have been on Disney plus, which I pay a monthly subscription for all its content. I didn’t get it exclusively for Star Wars, I got it because I have children and my wife has a daycare. Star Wars is like Pizza. There is all kinds of pizza. Some I like, some is ok, and some I don’t. But if I try a pizza I don’t like I don’t swear off pizza, I just don’t eat that pizza. I’ll try new pizza and figure out if I like it or not. But I know I can always eat the pizza I know I like, and sometimes I’ll give some of that pizza that I thought was on a try again if it’s there but I might not go out of my way to get it.
Wow I am honored to be a part in this. Thank you! I love how deep you go on the subject of Nostalgia and loneliness. I film weddings for a living. I focus on those human moments. The emotional and natural details throughout not only the wedding day but the couple's story. Nostalgia is a huge tool in storytelling which I use as much as possible. Then this Star Wars idea popped into my head and just thought I would use the wonderful memories I have in my home videos. Craft a short film that isn't about anger toward the current state of Star Wars but more about the memories we grew up with in relation to Star Wars. The impact that Star Wars had on our childhoods. And being thankful for the memories we do have. It wasn't my intention to make loneliness a theme in this. But the cool thing about not having words in a film, it leaves a lot more for interpretation. I originally wanted my wife to come comfort me while I stare out the window. But we decided to keep things simple. I totally agree on your point of Loneliness. it is very important to not live in the past, especially through the lens of nostalgia. It is VERY common nowadays with adults our age. I believe memories are a vital way to appreciate life and learn lessons. But when you are only living in the past, you will not enjoy or appreciate the present. Nor will you look toward the future with excitement. I'm just so happy this film started so many conversations, especially this one. So deep. So thoughtful and introspective. Love what you guys do! Thank you!
Dude! Incredible film, I was so inspired by how simple an poignant it was. You captured the feelings of this prequel kid's childhood.
We love it. Thanks for making it and sharing your heart with the world - Stephen
They want to ruin what we love because they hate who we are. Geeks, nerds, fanboys and girls. They hate us. They have the love we have and they hate that they will never crate anything worthy of our love. They can only subvert and distroy.
Here we go
👋
I love George Lucas’ Star Wars and C.S. Lewis. It’s fun to see content talking about both simultaneously. Thanks for great content!
heck yeah! That's a huge part of what we do here and on geekystoics.com
Also, the First Order was not shoved out the way in TROS. It’s just revealed that the First Order was, as the name suggests, the first wave. Once the Sith Eternal and Sidious’ were ready, the First Order merged with the Sith Eternal cult and its fleet to form the Final Order. The First Order wasn’t shoved out the way for a new faction, it merged with the Sith Eternal to create Palpatine’s ultimate sith empire the Final Order. Pretty cool.
Rey taking on the Skywalker name, choosing her destiny and defining herself and her own worth was an incredible choice and a perfect way to end the saga, with the cathartic conclusion to one of its central themes.
heck yeah! We were fans of this conclusion also. Not our favorite set of films, but a good message here.
@@GeekyStoics I’m so glad you liked the conclusion even though the film wasn’t all for you! I loved balanced takes. Everyone is so black and white when it comes to star wars (and everything else).
@@ReySkywalker2 not on Geeky Stoics =) We always search for the silver lining!!
Rey taking on the Skywalker name, choosing her destiny and defining herself and her own worth was an incredible choice and a perfect way to end the saga, with the cathartic conclusion to one of its central themes.
There is no gray Jedi as the concept fans glaze spits in the face of what the force is and operates. It has never been yin and yang, you don’t get to have the cool bad guy powers and not suffer it’s consequences
We agree with that. Only Disney era Star Wars has teased yin-yang morality with the Force and balance. It's not good.
@@GeekyStoics erm ackshually i was referring to legends as its literally a thing in that timeline lmaoo like that electric judgement thing as a jedi power for example just reeks of main character syndrome XD i could write a whole essay abt how starkiller and revan's existence actively make this fandom worse and make them think this stuff is like dragon ball z but i dont think y'all are ready to have that discussion tbh but thats outside the text even if it still grinds my gears greatly
Most sith act like most Star Wars fans on the internet. Cough cough fandom menace cough cough
cough cough yep
letting go is easy, all you need is to be mentally/physically/sexually abused as a child, a lifetime of poverty, and chronic homelessness (speaking from experience). see the flaws of human society and realize that most people don't care that their fellow man succeeded.
I remember a time when I and most people around me were hopeful for the future. But sooner or later, reality sets in, then the future will begin to appear bleaker and bleaker, until one day you wake up and see that the very concept of a future is nothing but lies and deceptions.
You know, it's times like this when it's hard to love both Star Wars and Star Trek. As you note here, Star Wars warns about the dangers of getting too caught up in the future and being swayed by the false promises of Imperialism. Star Trek, meanwhile, is very future-oriented, encouraging us to imagine a better world so that we might do better in the present. It imagines that a near-utopian society is possible (at least on Earth) and that a constantly expanding and exploration-based Federation doesn't have to slip into Imperialism (as long as you're not in the mirror universe). I like both messages, but finding that balance between forward-thinking and living in the present is hard.
A wise observation here. I am uncomfortable with Treks future vision BUT clearly imagining a better future is what helps the human species continue to exist. I think we find that secret sauce in nostalgic feeling from the past. Something we want to take into the future or recapture
@@GeekyStoics Yeah, even Star Trek emphasizes the need to learn from history, both to build upon the ideas of great thinkers and to avoid repeating humanity's greatest mistakes.
This really goes to show that any amazing filmmaker like Lucas touched on all cornerstones of human experience - history, mythology, psychology, art, spirituality and philosophy - to create these stories that showed us human experience. It’s what made Star Wars an artistic cultural juggernaut before the Mouse arrived. I got the 2004 Special Edition of the original trilogy on my 10th birthday (Dec. 2004), and only months later was I watching Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones on DVD then Revenge of the Sith in theaters (my first ever theatrical experience with Star Wars). Only within less a year did I become a Star Wars fan and see Lucas as a master storyteller. To this day I turn to Star Wars for all the lessons it presented because I’m still wrestling with a lot of human struggles. Running into this video cemented the appreciation of Lucas-era Star Wars and the artistic philosophy and reflection of human experience. It cements why I aim to be a fashion photographer/videographer and filmmaker that presents human experience, radiating authenticity and the best we can be…
All so true. It stool tall on its own merit.
@@GeekyStoics Lucas was told time and time again that the odds were against him to make Star Wars. Even after the success of the first movie, he still had the studio system going against him… but he wished for more. He dared, against all odds, to have his story told and completed.
Looking at Dune and Star Wars learning the future is not worth it.
Yes!!
Perhaps the admission that one has dark sides, shouldn't be referred to with "acceptance" but by "recognition" or "acknowledgement", since the idea is not to embrace but to understand and most certainly not to declare as valid because it is part of you. The mistake Qimir appears to make (and what it looks like Headland as well, given how she publicly professed to relating to Qimir) is that just because something is part of you, it is not automatically your prerogative to actualize it. Victimhood mentality can stop such people from realizing that those, who oppose to people who give into their worst tendencies, are not oppressors.
That's exactly right! "just because something is part of you, it is not automatically your prerogative to actualize it"
That’s a bar 🔥
Every villain thinks he is the hero of his own story. So what Qimir says is true, from his point of view. We are not to believe him. Yet we are supposed to see that the Jedi are also flawed as an institution. Lucas pictured that very clearly in the prequels and the clone wars animated series. And Leslye develops this further. PS. Qimir referred to Jecki as an it because moments earlier she said "what is that?" when he appeared. he was being a jerk. PS2. It's funny that SW and you both quote solzhenitsyn as he was an apologist for the russian and ukrainian nazi collaborators in WW2.
Great video! I’ve seen that Disney would like to depart from George Lucas view of the force. George has such an interesting view of the force that obviously has evolved, but it makes SO MUCH SENSE! This really makes me sad to hear and I do think that Disney would like to set themselves as far apart from the Prequel Trilogy as they possibly can.
Nice call on the choice parallel between Sol and Qui-gon. Very astute!
Ahhh Acolyte is nothing but bad Bantha fodder. Like the Bantha doesn't want to eat It's fodder.
The political message is obvious: Forcing any religion onto public schools is evil, even if that religion helps children develop their telekinesis
@@kingmj87 hahahaha nice
You know something I realized Shmi skywalker was a better and stronger mother than those witch parents.
@@jaieregilmore971 she was a gem
Episode I, which introduced the idea of balancing the Force, dealt a lot with the idea of symbiosis. The Naboo and the Gungans were described as being symbiotic. Jedi and midichlorians were described as being symbiotic. There are three types of symbiosis. In parasitism one side gains at the expense of the other. In commensalism one side gains at no expense to the other. Finally, in mutualism, both sides gain. I think simply put, "balance" is mutualism between the Force and users of the Force. You're supposed to balance what you take from the Force with what you give to the Force. The Sith became parasitic, only taking from the Force and not giving back. The dark side is quicker, easier, and more seductive because it's only a one way exchange of effort.
Tell that to congress and your president
tell them what?
...yeah, this is just nonsense. George lucas described the force like this: the light side is selfless, the dark side is selfish. You have to keep the selfish and selfless sides in balance. Obviously you need to be selfish to some extent to exist, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to be as selfless as possible. THAT is the balance george was talking about. And that's achieved by following the path of the jedi. If you're selfish, you just want things. Then you fear losing what you have and want more. And that corrupts you. That is the path of the sith.
Lol, I think you mean Iridonian/Zabrak mother, not "Ithorian" Mother. Seeing an Ithorian fight like that would be interesting.
@@Dr.Kenobi264 yessssss i messed it upppp lol - Stephen
Gotta say, almost clicked away on “May the thread be with you.”
lol fair. -Riley
actually such banger and optimistic takes, fairly critical and not super disney mega fans. we need more discussions that aren't completely one sided and are more constructive. critical star wars fans were ready to hate on this show from the interviews unless it was a masterpiece (which it defiantly isn't) and there's to little people willing to really look at the show for what it is. not a fan of the show but it will probably be on par with mando season 3 or boba fett depending on the finale, but some of the editing has consistently been atrocious, i lost count of the wipe transitions last episode, this episode was about what i expected to generally be shown and im disappointed that no one was really wrong and am still very annoyed at torbin killing himself this episode does not justify 1st the 'unjedi' like behavior by killing himself but also on a institution level the jedi are always very cautious about non jedi like behavior (ie, qui gon and anakin, ) where slight questionable actions (like staying in meditation pertinently) where always questioned and looked at to some point (qui gons unorthodox way of thinking and being a jedi being constantly criticized by the council, yodas talk with anakin in episode 3 + many clone wars moments). motivations and actions behind characters is not well done as well as the pretty clunky editing makes the shows story seem worse than what it really is as well as the themes and modern day social issues being pretty nicely woven in. i think everything behind the show is not bad but it was executed so poorly that for a moment fans thought they had 'changed the force' by pure lack of communication. edit: i almost forgot about the music at the end of this episode (not epic)
THANKS for noticing our effort to balance. KZread doesn't need any more of the same of conversation. We look at MEANING in stories, and sometimes it may be a stretch to find meaning, but that's what we do =)
It’s about abortion the evil republicans
Venestra Roe is also a High Republic character. Not that it helped her acting in any way.