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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Blog Awakens?

So I have taken a brief hiatus from writing the blog (February) and decided I'm going to try to pick it back up. What better way to start than by discussing the new Star Wars teaser trailer that just released in theaters today as well as online.

Before I break down the trailer and discuss some of the differences from the old movies, first you'll need to actually watch the teaser trailer. Being that it is a teaser, you really don't get much information out of it. Also, don't feel bad about watching more than once. At the point of writing this, I have probably watched 20 times. By the time you read this, I'll most likely be passing 50.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Here is a brief synopsis of what to expect in the upcoming movie releasing December 2015. All the OG characters are back: Han, Leia, Luke, Chewy, R2-D2, & C3PO. The movie is going to take place about 30 years after the Return of the Jedi and the destruction of the 2nd Death Star. We don't know too much about the actual plot unfortunately, but there are rumors that a more plot filled trailer will air during the Super Bowl.

Now, lets break down some of the differences from the old movies to the new.

The trailer opens with a very creepy and dark voice stating that "there has been an awakening." Who really knows what that refers to exactly. We get a startling look of John Boyega popping onto screen in a very sweaty state. He is also wearing a storm trooper uniform. As he turns we also hear the sounds of a probe droid in the distance. You may remember hearing them from Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. They looked something like this.

What is interesting about seeing John come up on the screen in a storm trooper uniform is that it raises a few questions. First being, a black storm trooper? We remember from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones that all storm troopers/clone troopers are clones of Jango Fett. As you can see below, he is very much not a black guy. 

So the other question that this raises, is John Boyega's character actually a storm trooper, thus going against the prequels, or is his character wearing a disguise like Luke & Han in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope? Have all clones died and civilians decided to take up arms?

Next we see a new type of astrodroid. He kind of rolls along on a ball but has a very recognizable head of our favorite astrodroid, R2-D2. Everyone relax, it's not R2. He clearly has orange accents and not the blue that R2 features. 

I have nothing more to add. We haven't seen anything like this character in the past. It's new, it's kinda cool & it's kinda stupid at the same time. I'm sure we will learn to love "it".

Next we get a glimpse of the storm troopers in their fresh new uniforms, well new helmets at least.

As compared to the latest helmets from Return of the Jedi...

To be honest, I think these changes are sweet. Not too much of a change and still very similar to the OG white troopers. 

Next we get a look at what could be our new female protagonist. Babe. 

God willing she gets captured and thrown into some slave outfit...

Next we get a look at the new X-Wings. Not much has changed with them. It does look like we'll be getting updated helmets though.

As compared to one of my favorite character's helmet, Wedge, from Return of the Jedi...

The new helmets are little more stream lined. I'm not a huge fan of the parts on the cheeks but we still get the classic yellow visor. 

New...

Old...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The old X-Wings survived both the Battle of Yavin in A New Hope & the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi. Solid ship, top 3. Not debatable. 

Next up we got a look at a new light saber.

First thing you notice, what the hell is coming out of the sides? I have no idea. Is that part of the light saber? Can it hurt you? What's the point? Also, when watching the trailer, you'll notice that all three parts of the light saber are not made of a solid beam of light like we are used to in the older movies. 

I don't mind a new concept for a lightsaber. We all remember the first time we saw a lightsaber that wasn't just a different color in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and it was pretty sick. 

Darth Maul should have lived but that's another story. Moving on...

New Millennium Falcon hits the screen while the classic music starts playing annnnddddd I'm hard. 

First thing I noticed, looks like the fastest ship in the galaxy has a new radar on top. If you remember from Return of the Jedi, Lando ends up scrapping it off when things get a little tight inside the new Death Star. Clearly it makes sense that we need to replace it.

Here is the old Falcon. 

Circle dish right in your face. Best ship in the galaxy and it's not even close. 

Lastly we see the Tie Fighters firing on the Falcon as it flips towards the surface of a desert planet. 

They go by so fast that I really don't see a difference. Not much has changed and they still seem to be a terrible shot.

So there you have it. Some similarities and differences to look for in the new Star Wars movie debuting in December 2015. I'll see you at midnight.

And So It Begins...

Finally it's here. February 13th 2014, pitchers and catchers have reported. The beginning of a new season, a clean slate for your ball club to start anew on their journey to a World Series victory. What this also means for some, is the beginning of your fantasy baseball research. With drafts happening all over the month of March, its time to get your keepers in order and find out who you are going to add to your team to bring home the pot and more importantly the bragging rights.

In my league, The Matt Reilly Memorial League, it is taken very seriously. I'm very close with my friends from college, but the friendships take on a whole other level between the months of February and October. Whether its trying to pry who they are going to be keeping throughout February or trying to get the blockbuster deal done in mid-July, the communication between members of the league heightens beyond the casual friendship. When I was asked to be a part of the league's inaugural season in 2008, I knew close to nothing about MLB players and their stats, other than the stars of the Phillies.

The amount of baseball knowledge I now have entering my seventh season is significantly greater. I now, not just know extensively the ins and outs of the Phillies but starting lineups, rotations, bullpens and prospects of most major league teams. Unlike other fantasy sports I've been a part of, to be successful in a 5-keeper, 5 x 5 roto, auction fantasy baseball league, it is a daily chess match. So many variables determine the ultimate success or defeat of your team. A short list includes, Value of Keepers, Auction Value of Players in the Draft, Completing a Well Rounded Roster, Working the Daily Waiver Wire, Knowing How Much FAAB to Spend on Each Player on the Waiver Wire, Trading to Win Now, or Trading for the Future. And the thing is no matter how much time you put in to it, no matter how much research you do, sometimes you just miss….

Why am I writing about this? Good question. The answer is because my co-blogger David (hereinafter Dancing Bear), has just joined the league and will be entering his first season of fantasy baseball. I felt this would be the perfect forum for us to post weekly updates on our progression throughout the season. Whether it be power rankings, commenting on trades, or just trash talking to one another, you will get the inside look of our fantasy season this summer. Lets now just hope Dancing Bear doesn't pull one of these in his first season ...