Star Wars Fever: Top 10 Moments

So the first teaser trailer for the new Star Wars film has finally dropped, signalling the beginning of what will become the third trilogy in this long-running (and well loved) saga.  Now the trailer has divided opinion among some online, but I LOVED it – and can’t wait for the film to come out…I’ll be first in line at our local cinema on opening night!!

If you haven’t yet seen it, check out Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens here:

Just seeing the Millennium Falcon shooting across the screen being chased by Tie Fighters made me nostalgic for the originals and, to a far far lesser extent, the prequels.  On top of that it’s pretty obvious that costume parties and conventions are going to become Star Wars crazy again for the next 10 or so years!!

Because of this, just to wet the appetite a little more, I think it’s worth us…no, necessary for us to re-live some of the best moments from a Galaxy far, far away…

10.  The Darth Maul Lightsaber Battle 

Now don’t worry, this is one of only two prequel moments on this list.  There was no way I was going to leave this out though.  This scene has it all:  Two Jedi and a Sith fighting, a double-ended lightsaber, a kick-ass death sequence and no Jar Jar Binks in sight!

9.  The Cantina Scene

We first meet Han Solo and Chewbacca in this bar – so it’s place is well deserved on this list.  We hear the most catchy tune in the entire saga here and meet a band of thugs and outlaws that take an instant dislike to Luke and Obi-wan.  Who can forget the Han/Greedo stand-off?  We all know who shot first, right?

8.  The Final Battle on Mustafar

This was the moment we had waited 30 or so years to see…how did Vader become Vader?  Anakin and Obi-Wan go head-to-head on the fiery, volcanic mining planet in the culmination of the prequel trilogy.  It’s an emotionally charged fight, Anakin fighting to both prove a point to his former master and to continue exterminating the Jedi from the galaxy.  Obi-wan is desperately trying to bring Anakin to his senses, to convince him that he is on the wrong path….neither really achieve what they wanted unfortunately.

7.  Master V Apprentice round 2

Episode IV saw very little in the way of lightsaber duels up until this point where Obi-wan and Darth Vader come face to face for the first time since Mustafar.  The fight has far less flair than the battle before, but more than makes up for that with poignant speeches and foreshadowing.

6.  Lifting the X Wing

Luke has searched out Yoda in order to complete his training to become a Jedi master.  His journey leads him to the Dagobah system and unfortunately lands him in a bog where his ship swiftly sinks.  During his training with the diminutive Jedi Luke learns to face his inner demons and control the force but perhaps the coolest moment comes towards the end of his time here.  In order to leave the planet and come to his friends rescue Luke must get his ship back.  He is promptly shown just how powerful the force can be…

5.  Vader’s first appearance

When the rebel ship is infiltrated by stormtroopers and mayhem ensues a dark, mysterious figure emerges through the air lock.  On top of that we hear this incredibly dark and forboding music that has become synonymous with the franchise.  I know that I was immediately amazed by both the look, and sound of Darth Vader.

4.  The Battle of Hoth

Here we see the first real battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance.  A rebel outpost on the ice planet of Hoth has been discovered and the Empire attacks using one of the most iconic vehicles of the franchise; the AT-ATs.  These seemingly unstoppable forces are eventually taken down thanks to some ingenuity from the Rebel pilots – using rope to tie together the AT-ATs legs.

3.  I Love You…I Know

One of the saddest and emotionally-charged moments of the franchise.  Han is captured and encased in Carbonite to be delivered to Jabba the Hut.  Luke and Leia are held captive and all hope seems lost as Darth Vader has the upper hand.  In a touching moment between Leia and Han seconds before he is encased, Leia finally expresses her love for Han, to which he reciprocates fantastically wiith an improvised line from Harrison Ford that will live long in movie fan’s memories.

2.  Blowing up the Death Star

How cool was this scene?  It was just awesome!  X Wings being chased by Tie Fighters whilst a massive battle goes on overhead.  Luke flys through tight gaps around the edge of the death star as he is chased by Vader.  He’s got to hit that tiny target with those photon torpedo’s in one move…can he hold his nerve??? Spoiler:  Yes, yes he can!

1.  I am your Father

“No, that’s not true…that’s impossible!!!”  Luke wasn’t the only one shouting that line when they first heard the revelation at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.  How can this monstrous villain be Luke’s father??  And after he’s just chopped his hand off as well?  This scene has become so popuar it is regularly referenced and parodied – almost to the point where you can’t watch the original and not find it a bit funny…or at least recite the words along with James Earl Jones.

So there you have it….how did we do? What did we miss?  How excited are you for the new movie?  Tell us in the comments below.

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

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Going out this Halloween? Must-see Horror Films at the Cinema

So, its Halloween, you want to get out of the house and you need something to do…why not go scary yourself silly at the Cinema this October?  There’s going to be plenty on this year so here are a few of the ones we’re looking forward to.

 

1.  Horns

A very quirky twist on a Horror film this year.  Daniel Radcliffe, all grown-up, plays a man accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend – and as everyone starts seeing him as a devil, those horns begin to grow…

 

2.  As Above, So Below

Deep under the streets of Paris, a group of friends begin to explore the miles of mazing catacombs hidden below.  Unfortunately for them there are secrets beneath that should not be uncovered.

 

3.  Dracula Untold

I know what you are thinking…is there really anything left untold about the Dracula tale?  Well, as this movie attempts to focus on how the man became the vampire, then perhaps…

 

4.  Annabelle

This film is a spin-off to last year’s breakout hit “The Conjuring'” however this movie is focusing on a crazy doll with supernatural powers.  If it is even half as good as it’s parent movie, then t will be worth a watch!

 

5.  Tusk

Not your typical Kevin Smith film, although, from the trailer, its clear there will be plenty of his personality in this comedy-horror that both lampoons horror-film stereotypes and genuinely scares you in places.

 

6.  Ouija

Ouija boards are just plain scary….fact!  Why do kids keep insisting on playing this stupid game in films?!  Honestly, when does it end well??  Looks like a lot of jump-scares in this horror movie.

 

7.  Oculus

Two teenage siblings are orphaned by the murder of their parents.  The brother is accused and convicted of the crime but the sister is unconvinced…could something scarier and more sinister be behind it?

 

8.  The Pyramid

This is my personal favourite trailer….can’t wait to see it in cinemas!  A team of U.S. archaeologists get more than they bargained for when they discover a lost pyramid unlike any other in the Egyptian desert. As they unlock the horrific secrets buried within, they realize they aren’t just trapped, they are being hunted.

 

I hope that you have found some inspiration here and have chosen the movie that will make your Halloween night…however, if your plan is to stay in then check out our Halloween house party blog instead.

 

 

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

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What Should Secret Cinema Do Next?

For anyone who isn’t yet familiar with Secret Cinema, firstly, shame on you! Secondly, it is an immersive film experience, attempting to literally put you into the action as an interactive character who can experience pivotal scenes from these movies first-hand. The team are currently running Back to the Future which is their most ambitious project to date (and due to this might mean that you have seen some teething issues that have been widely publicised on-line). I have not yet been myself, but will be this weekend – so keep your eyes open for our review in next weeks blog!

Reading the current reviews on it, and scanning the various images from the event, got me excited. It looks amazing!! But I was also thinking….what next? The team are becoming increasingly ambitious, and with ever increasing budgets, so surely that trend will continue.

So…with this in mind I’m going to throw my hat into the ring and suggest some possible ideas for future events. I had no real criteria other than it has to be able to occur in a single locale or setting from the movie and that the films can be broadly accessible by a majority of movie-goers.

Here goes nothing…

5. Die Hard

One of my all-time favourite films, easily Bruce Willis’ best in my opinion. When I started thinking about doing this movie I thought that setting it all in a skyscraper would really limit its scope, however after much thought I reckon this could work. As long as multiple floors can be utilised this could be a fantastic event. Picture the xmas party on one floor, the one above being refurbished and maybe the one above that full of PCs and offices – if you can also secure the roof, even better!

The event starts with the xmas party in full swing – grab yourselves drinks from the bar, its going to be a fun night. But then…oh no…terrorists gatecrash, led by Hans Gruber! You are huddled into groups by men with guns. Some are escorted to other floors whilst henchmen come down the lift tied to chairs. Yippie kayeee!

4. Pirates of the Caribbean

This one should be set in one place, and one place only…Tortuga!! I’m seeing an entire port-side town populated by hundreds of pirates. Get to the bar to sign up for Jack Sparrow’s voyage. Visit the caverns where the Aztec gold was stored. Throughout the evening bar fights are in abundence so watch your backs!

Follow the crew onto the Black Pearl and explore it’s cabins. Avoid the sword-fighting crew and maybe even walk the plank. There could be shops dotted around Tortuga selling treasure, grog and grub.

3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

I really do reckon this would be a top event if it could be done right. The atmosphere and event acting would be fantastic to see. I think the difficulty would be to find a contained locale to set it all in. After much thought I believe I have just the idea.

This one should be set at Cyberdyne System’s headquarters. We have all been invited as prospective investors to see the advances they have made in AI and automated defense systems (namely Skynet) in order to convince us to part with our hard earned cash as an investment. However, after drinks and appetisers all does not go to plan. Arnie and co turn up to eliminate their threat, Miles Bennet Dyson, and the crowd is caught in the crossfire.

As the Terminator and Connor family take hostages the function room is surrounded by police. The T-1000 has also stopped by to eliminate the intruders. He could be anyone in the crowd…keep your eyes open for anything unusual and alert the Terminator if you suspect anything!

2. Raiders of the lost Ark

My favourite film of all time, and definetely a secret cinema I would die for!! So, the setting is a Cairo street market, with a Nazi airbase close by. The market stalls everywhere are selling bric-a-brac along with food and drink. Brawls are breaking out around you, maybe between Nazis and locals, or between Indy and some swordfighting rebels. I can see set-pieces galore here (its easy to picture if you’ve been to Disney world and you’ve watched the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular).

You could then follow Indy to the airbase in order to rescue a kidnapped Marion where mayhem ensues. I see the movie being shown at the end in a set-piece reminiscent of the climactic ark-opening scene.

1. Western – Tombstone / The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I really believe that Secret Cinema would lend itself perfectly to a Western theme. The trouble came when trying to pick a movie that would suitably set the scene for a fantastic evening. I was looking for a film that took place in an adequately clichéd town. My first thought for a Western naturally went to probably the quintessential spaghetti western, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly however a majority of the movie takes place away from the typical old West town, and instead runs parallel to a civil war battle. This led me to think of another picture. I eventually settled on Tombstone or Gunfight at the OK Corral, both movies centred around one of the most famous old west locales, the OK Corral.

So, as my mind runs rampant with ideas, I will begin. A copy of the OK Corral would be built, with a Saloon to wet your whistles, and get your noses bloody in the odd bar fight. There would be shops, Blacksmiths, perhaps a town fayre? Horse-riding and cattle lassoing can be tried, whilst at the Sheriff’s prison new bandits are being locked up.

Towards the end, after you’ve drunk yourself silly and gambled all of your money away at poker you can gather outside to witness a gunfight to the death as Wyatt Earp has arrived…draw! Even though its the wrong film I’m sure we could get away with a bit of Ennio Morrecone playing in the background.

Hopefully Secret Cinema will make note and factor it all in when planning their next show!!

What have we missed out?  What do you think should have made the list?  Let us know in the comments section below…

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out ourpinterest page for more costume inspiration.

The top 10 Pirate Films

International Talk Like a Pirate day is coming up soon (September 19^th to be precise) so be prepared for more eye-patches and stuffed parrots than you can shake a peg leg at! This occasion encourages everyone to spend the entire day uttering “AARRRGGGHHH” and “me hearties” in place of our standard speak – genuinely just to make your days that little more fun and whimsical than they tend to be.

So, to honour this top international event we have collected together the 10 best pirate and swashbuckling films all you land-lubbers must see before donning your hats and boots and spouting the lingo yourselves.

10. Hook – 1991

This 1991 Steven Spielberg film starts off our countdown. Playing as a sort-of sequel to J M Barrie’s Peter Pan, we catch up with Peter as a grown man – having left Neverland to find Wendy. Starring Robin Williams as Peter and Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook this movie is not short of sword fights and drunk pirates, the cornerstone of any great pirate story.

9. Blackbeard’s Ghost – 1968

I think this was my first experience of a pirate film as a child so it pretty much makes it on to the list on that alone.  The only thing better than a pirate is obviously a pirate ghost, so this movie was off to a winning start.

8. Swiss Family Robinson – 1960

A charming adventure film based around a family out at sea who are chased into a storm by a group of pirates and who end up landing on an island.  After building tree houses to camp in, the family decide to make a stand against those same pirates.

7. Princess Bride – 1975

A brilliant fantasy, comedy romance based on the novel of the same name and starring Cary Elwes & Robin Wright.  The film plays out as a novel being read by a grandfather to his grandson.  Full of pirates and outlaws the movie moves non-stop towards it’s romantic conclusion.

6. Peter Pan (Disney) – 1950

Is it cheating to include a Disney animated film here?  I hope not because I LOVE this classic!  In my opinion this is the definitive Peter Pan movie, and a cracking Pirate caper.  Captain Hook steals the show – even if he is a cod-fish.

5. Mutiny on the Bounty – 1935

There are two real classics based on this event, however I have chosen to go for the 1935 version staring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable – widely considered to be the better of the two.  

4. The Goonies – 1985

Who doesn’t love the Goonies?  Watching this movie takes me back to a time when all that you wanted to do was be on an adventure with friends…especially when that adventure leads you to mysterious underground caverns, criminal villains and buried pirate treasure.  A near-perfect family film.

3.  Captain Blood – 1935

A truely delightful swashbucking story, starring Errol Flynn at his very best.  Seeking to take revenge on those who wrongly accused him of treason, he becomes a pirate and battles his way to victory.

2. Treasure Island – 1950

Yet another pirate film by Disney (and their first totally live action movie) this 1950 classic re-tells the tale of Jim Hawkins and co as they seek out the eponymous Treasure Island in order to claim the vast buried treasure rumoured to be buried there.  X marks the spot Jim!

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – 2003

Originally a Disney ride, Pirates of the Caribbean has fast become a phenomenon, largely down to Johnny Depp’s stunningly hilarious performance as (Captain) Jack Sparrow. It has spawned 3 sequels, so far, and inspired an entirely new generation of kids to set sail for stormy seas!

Jack teams up with blacksmith Will Turner to rescue his crush, Elizabeth, from the hands of the evil Barbosa. But it doesn’t exactly go to plan…

What have we missed out?  What do you think shouldn’t have made the list?  Let us know in the comments section below…

Thanks

Chris J

Alterego Fancydress

Enjoy this post? Follow our blog for more ideas and coverage of fancy dress events.  And please join our Social Media family on Facebook & Twitter.  Check out ourpinterest page for more costume inspiration.