2024 Disney Lorcana Into the Inklands Booster Pack

 Into the Inklands: We'll kick off this booster pack with Captain Hook, the big baddy from Peter Pan.  This card is an Enchanted level in terms of rarity which seems to be the highest level.  And maybe a Holo Parallel.  I just figured that out and it will probably end up on eBay soon.  LOL

I don't play Disney's trading card game, Lorcana, but the art intrigued me.  So, this was a fairly random pickup last year.  I do like the art even if I won't pursue more of these.  

You can find a visual checklist here.  I don't see anything on the card itself that tells you how rare a card is so that can be a challenge.

I've always wanted to get into trading card games but there's just not enough time in the day.

These cards provide instructions and hints.

These are fun.  Again, I won't look for more of them, but I think there's enjoyment to taking a look like I did here.

Lightyear (2022)

 

Lightyear: This one took me a while to watch.  I started it and then went back to it over time.  Lightyear gives us a look at Buzz as a member of the Space Rangers.  The movie isn't bad but it feels slow paced and the story really didn't excite me.  I like Toy Story so I thought it'd be a fun story.  I'm not saying it isn't, but it feels a bit too much adult for it to fit with the Toy Story movies.  Not a bad movie, but it wasn't for me.  It's been out for years now so if you were going to watch it, you probably already have.  I am curious what others thought.

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Haunted Mansion: This updated version of the movie Haunted Mansion was a good watch.  It was funny and interesting.  The characters were good and I like the story.  Really good casting here and some fun moments.  I will say it could have been tightened up some.  I also wish the ghosts would have played a much more active role in the story.  Believe me they were key but I thought they could have more interactions / a relationship with the main characters.  No reason to have hide them as much as they did.  It's PG-13 and I'm not sure younger kids would be that interested but you never know.  Also why wasn't this in theaters this month?  Just curious.  I recommend it if you're looking for something lighthearted and spooky to watch this month.

Hocus Pocus 2

 Hocus Pocus 2: I'll keep this short but I did get a chance to watch this one and I enjoyed it.  I like the first one and I think this one keeps the same vibe while updating it.  The returning stars of the original are getting all the press but the new young stars really help make the movie fun.  Their characters and acting are fun.  Which is what this movie is.  I don't know what hardcore Hocus Pocus fans think but for me it was an easy watch and enjoyable.  Again it's in line with the original and if you liked that one you'll want to see this one.

Disney to Make New Star Wars Trilogy

 It has been a while since Disney announced they will produce a new Star Wars trilogy as well separate spin off films.  I'm a huge Star Wars geek who reads the books, some comic books, the official magazine and try to stay up on the "universe" as best I can so I have to say something.  "Universe"?  The new characters, worlds and other Star Wars creations that have come from the books, games, comics, and TV shows is called the Star Wars expanded universe.  I like to stay up on what is happening even if I don't get a chance to read and see it all.  I was eight when the first Star Wars movie came out so the original trilogy was huge for me growing up.  I can't tell you how many action figures I had, and still have. 

Bottom line is I'm excited.  I love the idea of more Star Wars.  The first six movies gave us great stories and characters.  I can only expect the same with the new movies.  Some are scared we'll get more movies along the lines of episodes I-III.  I am not scared for two reasons.  First I am among the few who don't cringe when episodes I-III are talked about.  Were they great?  No.  Were they horrible?  No.  They were somewhere in between.  Didn't mean we didn't get some great characters and finally got the back story of how we got to the most awesome opening scene of A New Hope.  The other is Disney should do a good job of ensuring fans and movie goers are satisfied. I've heard way too much grumpiness about how Disney won't be able to give Star Wars it's proper due.  I guess none of those folks saw The Avengers.  So I won't worry. 

What will the story be?  There is already a huge universe full of stories from which they can pull.  One rumor is they will do a trilogy based on the Legacy of the Force series in which Han and Leia's son Jacen goes to the dark side.  Details on the series can be found here.  Who knows.  It is out now that Han, Leia and Luke will be back in some capacity.  I think that is great.  They play a huge roll in the Legacy series as well as the expanded universe as a whole and I would think they would play small rolls as support characters of the overall plot.  I am not picky though.  There are so many different ways the writers can go it is crazy.  It may also be a completely new story arc that hasn't been touched before.  I think it will be hard to disappoint me no matter which way they go. 

There is an element out there leery of any new story and whether or not it will change what has already been created in the expanded universe.  Lucasfilm did an awesome job of keeping all the different Star Wars properties cohesive ensuring they didn't contradict each other.  This was a massive task and Star Wars fans are very protective of.  I quantify that.  There are rabid Star Wars fans who aren't familiar with the expanded universe.  They don't read the books, watch The Clone Wars TV series or otherwise pay attention to spin off properties.  Some are fanatical about one or the other.  There are new fans who are more familiar with episode I-III and the new properties.  Fans also vary in age from those my age (40's and 50's) and those who are were introduced to Star Wars through The Clone Wars, toys and other newer properties.  It is a very diverse fan base so all these different fans will have their different ideas of what a new Star Wars trilogy should be and not all of them will be happy.     

No matter what happens there will be drama among hardcore Star Wars fans.  It is something I wish didn't exist but it will be there.  Star Wars fans are passionate if nothing else.  I'm sure you have this with any property (see Harry Potter) that has a rabid fan base.  Again, I'm excited and will be excited no matter what happens.  Just to have the buzz about a new film and all the fun that will come from having another Star wars movie will be good enough for me as long as the move isn't a total bust.  Disney, don't let me down...