Retro Review: The Phantom Menace

I recently got Disney+, because why not. We're living in a pandemic, and it isn't like I can go out for a fun night on the town. And they've got the Star Wars movies, and since I'm going to be stuck inside for a while, why not watch them all? It's been a long time since I've seen most of them, especially the prequels, even though I listen to the soundtracks pretty often.

So, Episode I:

The Phantom Menace.

Everyone remembers how bad this is, right?

Well... maybe not as bad as you remember.

And look, I'm not saying it's GOOD. It has some good stuff in it, but... a trade blockade? Senate maneuverings? This isn't exactly exciting stuff to be basing an action adventure movie around. And yes, the performances are a little wooden, and the dialogue is kinda painful, and yes midichlorians.

We don't even need to get into the racism. Others have covered it way better than I ever could.

I get it. I could honestly fill several blog posts with criticism. But it's all been said, and it all overshadows the fact that there is a lot to enjoy in The Phantom Menace.

You get some amazing jedi action, fun call backs to the original trilogy, the pod race is actually kinda fun, and the music is amazing. Droid armies are cool, getting to see Coruscant, bounty hunters, death sticks, air speeders, the jedi council, slightly younger yoda, Darth Maul!! While criminally under utilized, Darth Maul was great, and anyone who says they didn't want a double ended lightsaber is LYING.

I really do with that George Lucas could have had someone on staff to help clean it up though, and maybe someone else direct it.

It was also built up with such hype that it couldn't have ever lived up to it. Look at what happened with Episodes 7-9.

Episode 1 isn't a great Star Wars movie... but it's an okay one. Give it another shot when you get the chance. There's some stuff to celebrate.

Stonehell: Swamp Gas.... again...

Session 123 was played on 2/16

Joho, Mystic 5 (Chris)
Faerindril , Elf 2 (Jeff)
Daton, Fighter 1 (Jay)
Men at Arms - Halghild, Janus
Torchbearers - Rolestad
Wardog - Captain Morgan
Elwood, Cleric 1 (NPC)

Entering the reptile house, the party investigated several chambers before coming to a room with 3 angry and aggressive toads. The creatures were quickly but noisily dispatched. The fight attracted the attention of some equally angry and aggressive berzerkers. 2 were killed, and 1 charmed by Faerendril. The party, with their new barbarian friend, continues exploring.

"There's a note on the map for that door... can anyone read that?"

Then they opened the swamp gas door… Faerendril dies. Joho, Daton, and the barbarian cough themselves bloody, but survive.

The party flees back to town.

Gains: minor coinage
Kills: 3 toads, 2 berzerkers
Losses: Faerindril

Sunday Inspirational Image: Tombejour

By Istrandar

Outhouses

Sometimes I find that I'm just not in the mood to work on whatever it is that's on my tray, and I just want something silly and fun and simple that I can knock together in an evening. Wednesday night was one of those nights. I'm in the middle... near the end of a big project that I haven't showed off yet, and I just knew that if I tried to work on it, I'd mess it up. So I went digging, figuring I'd paint up something stupidly simple. A terrain bit or something. And then I saw it...

4Ground Thunder Box Privies.

This simple little kit will work well in any village. I only had one frame (2 outhouses) and I decided that since they come with one that can be broken and one intact (or they can be built together each with broken bits) that I'd make one completely intact one, and another that's almost totally ruined.



Following the instructions was easy, and the bits fit together without too much fuss. After I'd done the major assembly, I decided that the ruined one needed its own base, and a lot more rubble. Using the frame, I chopped out a bunch more sticks and chunks... Honestly, there's way more ruined bits than could have come from the outhouse. I like it though.



They're supposed to be "pre-painted" according to the site, but I'm going to repaint them. Also still need to do basing for the ruined one. Tempted to have a bush growing out of the hole...

Stonehell: A whiter shade of pale

Session 122 was played on 2/9

Borumar, ½ Orc Thief 7 (Josh)
Joho, Mystic 5 (Chris)
Faerindril , Elf 2 (Jeff)
Daton, Fighter 1 (Jay)
Elwin, Elf 1 (Robert)
Men at Arms - Halghild, Janus
Torchbearers - Rolestad
Wardog - Captain Morgan
Elwood, Cleric 1 (NPC)

Returning to the Asylum the party spends some time investigating the stick figures that are now animated. Little that the party did seemed to have much effect.

Moving in, they begin investigating various chambers, including one decorated with a large variety of humanoid bones, including a chandelier made of skulls. While investigating it, the chandelier crashes to the ground, sending skulls bouncing all over the room.

Investigating around where “spear trap” was marked on their map, they explore around and come to an odd sight… a small stream flowing through a room, with a low hill on one side covered with mushrooms. Next to the stream was a small fire pit, cast iron frying pan, and a bowl of eggs. The mushrooms urged everyone to grab a seat and make a mushroom omelette. Joho skips the eggs, and just nibbles on one of the mushrooms.

He feels kinda relaxed, and hears some music. The rest of the party waves goodbye to the mushrooms, and drags Joho away.

The next room they come to, they find some fairies drinking in an old store room. The fairies hide (badly) and the rest of the party just ignores them while searching the room, finding a peg leg, and 4 left shoes.

Further down the hall, they hear weird animal noises, and the smell of musk fills the air. Quickly peeking through the door, they see an orgy of fey creatures. The party NOPES away from that.

Through another door they find a wooded glade, with a small cabin. The sky was clear, and the stars sparkled. Candle light spilled through the window. Faerendril looked through the window, just as the door opened and a young woman stepped out, yelling about the pervert trespassing on her property. She tells everyone to get out and not come back without a proper gift.

The next chamber they come to has a well, and as the party pokes around, an arm of water comes out and whips the party, but the party’s few magic weapons seem to kill it. In the well, they collect some gold and a rusted dagger.

Another door opens into a mountain top where a blizzard seemed to be blowing. They quickly shoved the door shut.

Deciding the Asylum was crazy enough, they headed for the Reptile House...

Gains: 200gp
Kills: Water Weird
Losses:

Happy First Contact Day!

While I haven't written a review, I have finished Star Trek Picard, and it was great!

And because we're all stuck inside, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. You can watch it all for free! CBS All Access is available for free for the next 2 months! Go check it out!

March in Review: Pandemic Edition

So a global pandemic has an impressive way of derailing things, doesn't it? I suppose the biggest changes are that I'm working from home on a shortened schedule, and the CPA exam was canceled. As you can imagine, this has created some extra time in my schedule, and because I wasn't doing a great job of handling the stress of the exam on top of everything else going on, I've hit pause on my studies. To that end, I've actually gotten in some hobby time.

Gaming
Thankfully Stonehell has been a virtual game since I moved to NYC, so things have continued there. I'm behind on my session reports, and we've added an extra session for the duration of the pandemic. Plus some of the players who dropped out because of life, suddenly find themselves with free time, and have rejoined! That's right, Karl and Kili are back!

Expect a bunch of session reports this upcoming month!

Miniatures
Oh, there have been some minis painted! Rats, witches, plague doctors, and a ranger of shadow deep! And more coming... I need to write up posts on them. Part one on the witches is already up.

Aside from them, I just got on what's up for the project after next.

That's right, I ordered some 3D printed ships for Battlefleet Gothic!

But before I get to them, I'm going to be working on converting Kornovik the Outcast from Frostgrave Forgotten Pacts.

I don't have this mini, so I'm making him!

Media
TV/Movies
Star Trek Picard just wrapped up season 1, and it was GOOD! I'm very happy with it. It wasn't perfect, and I have a few quibbles, but overall I'm happy.
The Winners - a chinese movie about a bank robbery. Very funny and sweet.

Music
Delta Rae released The Light, which just charted at #45 on the Billboard alternative chart. Definitely worth the listen, especially when things seem so dark.
Dropkick Murphys did a livestream concert on St. Patrick's Day - Streaming Up From Boston.

Goals
Survive the global pandemic
Post more
Convert and paint Kornovik
Work on my new BFG ships.