Auf Wiedersehen! The Missing Linc Is Heading to Celebration Europe II

The Missing Linc is heading to Germany for the biggest Star Wars party this side of Coruscant!

Not sure if I'll be able to update as frequently as I'd like, but you can check the Missing Linc Facebook Page for more.

See you all soon. And "möge die Macht mit dir sein!"

- Joe

Your Morning Linc: Pacific Rim, Lucas Awarded National Medal of Arts, Power Rangers 20th, EW Interviews Moffat, Saving Mr. Banks

Hoo boy, it's hot out there! If you're looking to beat the heat, I suggest heading to a nice cold theater and seeing  Pacific Rim. My friends and I went to the "old man opening night" screening at 8:00 last Thursday (yeah, they do that now) and I really enjoyed it. The monsters, known as kaiju, were particularly impressive and creative. All credit goes to visual effects supervisor John Knoll, a visionary of our time.

Yep, my childhood just squealed a little bit.

The human element of the story was a little cliche, but an overall good job done by the cast, including potential Twelfth Doctor Idris Elba and a manic Charlie Day as a scientist. Pacific Rim also had a very mech anime vibe (like the Gundam series or Voltron) which I enjoyed. At the end of the day, it was a movie about giant robots fighting monsters, and you can't ask for anything better than that.

And now, on to today's Lincs!

1. George Lucas Honored With National Medal For the Arts

For those of you keeping score at home. That's humans: 3 medals, Chewbacca: 0

On July 10, George Lucas was honored by President Barack Obama with the National Medal for the Arts. The citation for the award reads:

"George Lucas for his contributions to American cinema. By combining the art of storytelling with boundless imagination and cutting-edge techniques, Mr. Lucas has transported us to new worlds and created some of the most beloved and iconic films of all time."

I sincerely congratulate The Maker on this incredible honor and thank him for all the moments that Star Wars, and his other films, have transported me to places beyond my imagination. Thanks, George. And May the Force Be With You.

2. Morphenomenal! Power Rangers Celebrates 20th With Morphing Sequence

The show about teenagers with attitude (and a giant floating head) turns 20 this year. Saban is celebrating with a huge anniversary episode and has also recently released a cool video of all the red rangers (and Tommy's White Ranger) from each season morphing into one another.



How many can you name? Which is your favorite season of Power Rangers?

3. EW Interviews Moffat On Doctor Who's 50th And The Search For Twelve

Soon.

Entertainment Weekly recently sat down with the Moff himself to discuss all things Who. They dished on everything from the Matt Smith's departure, the search for the Twelfth Doctor, the 50th anniversary special, Tennant and Smith's Doctors, and whether or not Matt Smith will wear a wig on his last outing as the Time Lord. Here are a few snippets, but click the link above for the full article:

EW: So how goes the search for the next Doctor?
SM: Well, it’s always just terrifying...If you’re a Doctor Who fan, as I have been all my life, you’ve been doing fantasy casting for this part for as long as you can remember. But when you’re suddenly faced with the reality that you are going to sit there and you are going to make that decision it does feel absolutely chilling. There’s a very big range of people who could play it and different ways you could go with it. We must get this right. One false move and the show’s over.”

EW: Is Matt going to have to wear a wig when he films the Christmas special? He seems to have had a very severe haircut for his role in Ryan Gosling’s How to Catch a Monster.
SM: We’re sprinkling fertilizer on his head as we speak. I don’t know. If you care to take a look at “The Angels Take Manhattan” there are a couple of scenes that Karen Gillan came back to do in the graveyard after she’d had her radical haircut and she is wearing what seems like a strategically draped otter on her head. [Laughs]
However, we effect it, the Doctor will turn up in his trademark coif. We can’t have Matt’s last stand in the TARDIS without his proper look. So, thank you, Ryan Gosling…

EW: What was it like having Matt and David together?
SM: They really loved each other and had a huge laugh together. And of course they’ve been through this experience that only the two of them can talk about, really, in the modern world. They are the two people that have played that part at a time when the series is this big. They spent the entire time just sitting together talking animatedly.

EW: Could you talk about how their Doctors relate to each other? Traditionally, there’s been a bit of edge when Doctors have met each other onscreen?
SM: Well, when you’re talking to yourself, there’s no filter! You don’t spare yourself! They’re quite a fun pairing, I would say. There’s a bit of the normal joshing of each other but they’re both such enthusiastic Doctors. While they might be sort of competing slightly, they’re both standing there saying, “Oh god, it’s so cool, there’s two of me!” So, it’s very different. I think the other one that worked brilliantly was Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton. They were incredibly funny together. This is very different from that but it’s a sublime double act.

EW: Are you aware that David Bradley (who plays William Hartnell in the movie An Adventure in Space and Time) is now a thousand times more famous in America than he was a couple of months ago thanks to his pivotal role on the recent season of Game of Thrones?
SM: Oh, brilliant. That’s excellent. I love David. He’s such a clever actor. And we’ve had him in the proper show as well. He’s in “Dinosaurs On a Spaceship.”

Only a few more months to go before we get all the answers we're looking for! And that, of course, means the fall of the Eleventh. I really can't wait to see all of this amazing Who history unfold!

4. Saving Mr. Banks Will Be Supercalifra....Ahh You Know The Rest

Not many people think about the work and effort it took to create one of the most iconic Disney films of all time. Indeed, it wasn't easy for old Walt to convince Mary Poppins writer P.L. Travers to even give up the rights to her creation. Saving Mr. Banks tells the story of how Disney convinced Mrs. Travers to do just that, and what he learned about the mysterious nanny in the process.


Saving Mr. Banks is out December 20th, 2013 and stars Emma Thompson as Mrs. Travers, Tom Hanks as the Man Behind the Mouse himself, as well as other notable celebs such as Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker, and others.

Of course, I hope they finally explain how Mary Poppins got here from Gallifrey:

How else do you think she learned about the cartoon world?

'Til Next Time!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Richard Pryor - Star Wars Bar, The Real Iron Throne, Disney D23, and GTA V Trailer

Good evening geeks and geekettes! I can't tell you how excited I am that I am just (::looks over to countdown::) 16 days away from hopping on a plane and landing at the biggest Star Wars celebration with accents! I would imagine it's going to look something like this:

1. Richard Pryor: Star Wars Bar

Ever wonder what would happen if Richard Pryor ran the Mos Eisly Cantina instead of Bea Arthur? (I really can't blame you if the answer is "No.") Well, for one thing, there'd be a lot less singing and a noticable uptick in the use of the N-word.

Those, by the way, are the actual costumes from A New Hope. If only this had been inserted into the Holiday Special.

2. When You Play The Game of Thrones....You're Playing It With The Wrong Throne

Critically acclaimed author and magical dwarf George R.R. Martin has been known to pull the rug out from under fans' feet on the page and on the screen. In his latest mission to make sure you're not too comfortable with any one thing in his universe, Martin took to his Livejournal account (and no, I'm not kidding or writing this in 1998) to set the record straight on a very iconic piece of furniture.

"The HBO throne has become iconic. And well it might. It's a terrific design, and it has served the show very well. There are replicas and paperweights of it in three different sizes. Everyone knows it. I love it. I have all those replicas right here, sitting on my shelves.

And yet, and yet... it's still not right. It's not the Iron Throne I see when I'm working on THE WINDS OF WINTER. It's not the Iron Throne I want my readers to see. The way the throne is described in the books... HUGE, hulking, black and twisted, with the steep iron stairs in front, the high seat from which the king looks DOWN on everyone in the court... my throne is a hunched beast looming over the throne room, ugly and assymetric... "

So while you're used to seeing the powerful tushies of Westeros sit in this:

It will be mine...and it will look great in my den.

George R.R. Puffenstuff imagines it more like this:

Good luck getting that up a five story walk-up in Brooklyn.

Large, asymmetric, and frightening, this is the Iron Throne as depicted by artist Marc Simonetti for the soon-to-be released The World of Ice and Fire, which will be a compendium and companion piece to the series. So the next time you think you'd be up to the challenge of ruling Westeros, just remember that you might want to bring along one of those inflatable donut things.

3. Star Wars Will Be On Display at Disney D23

UPDATE: According to CinemaBlend it looks like we will be seeing something for Episode VII at D23. As to what it might be...well...always in motion is the future.

Disney Fan Club members have a lot to look forward to at this year's D23 Expo, an annual event put on by the Disney Consumer Products division. According to the official announcement:

"Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney’s most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars timeless characters. Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures, and final product displays."

And that includes some exciting experiences put together by Lucasfilm and Disney including "Darth Vader: Evolution of a Villain" and "Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars 101" presented by none other than Pablo Hidalgo. Other cool things to look forward to include "Steamboat Willie: Redux" and "Spiderman's Ultimate Innovation". I can only imagine Steamboat Willie: Redux, while celebrating the heritage and legacy of Disney's first cartoon, will feature Mickey on a suped-up mega-yacht battling alien terrorists led by a cyborg Pete. (Hey, a man can dream...it worked for Walt.)

D23 takes place from August 9 to 11, 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

4. GTA V Gameplay Trailer

Oh, just watch it already:

And that's all the news that's fit to blog, for now. Til' next time.

- Joe

Your Sunday Linc: Boba Fett Screen Test, Trying Not to Hate Joffrey, Sam Jackson is a BAMF, Highest Grossing Franchises of All Time

Ah, Summer. The weather is warm, the pool is cool, and the genetically-altered girl is slaying Reavers like it's a trip down the Slip-N-Slide.

A Slip-N-Slide hosed down with the blood of crazy mutant cannibals.

Without further ado, but with plenty more forced puns, here's what I've got for you on this sunny summer Sunday:

1. Boba Fett Screen Test from 1978

Star Wars' official YouTube page has posted an incredible video of the original screen test for Boba Fett. Sound designer Ben Burtt walks us through the concept of Boba's armor, from the (functioning!) jetpack to the range finder to the flamethrower (and even some never-before-seen but nonetheless badass boot blades). It's a really incredible look at creation of the flesh-and-blood incarnation of the character that first appeared in the dreaded Holiday Special.

Frankly, I would have loved to have seen Boba don the Star Wars towel in Empire.

2. Must...Control...Hatred: GQ Interviews The Worst Teenager in Westeros

It speaks volumes to young Jack Gleeson's acting ability that everyone who has ever watched Game of Thrones immediately wants to put his head on a pike and display on their lawns. The grandson of Honeymooer's star Jackie Gleeson (source: my own wishes), the young king sat down with GQ to discuss some of his influences, the nature of villains versus heroes, and being scared by Hexus from Ferngully (which makes me really like him despite how much I want to see his character launched into a fire pit)



That last bit of him saying "My God, it's sunny outside!" as both a good guy and a bad guy is one of the reasons that, as much as I wish such horrible bodily harm on Joffrey, that Jack Gleeson deserves to be in the acting game for a long long time.

3. Sam Jackson is a BAMF

British chat show host Graham Norton, who previously hosted a mini Fresh Prince reunion, was speaking with guest Samuel L. Jackson about the origins of his infamous purple lightsaber. Now, any Star Wars fan knows that Samuel L. (or Sammy L as I wouldn't dare call him) knows that he personally asked George Lucas to give him the amethyst blade, but his recounting of the story is absolutely fantastic. Also, hel-LO Sandra Bullock with a lightsaber! Check it all out below:


4. There Can Be Only One....and It's Not Highlander: The Highest Grossing Franchises of All Time

The folks over at BuzzFeed have compiled an incredible list of the highest grossing movie franchises of all time. James Bond, Star Wars, and Harry Potter take the top three spots, with the Bourne series holding up the rear just beneath Rambo (because, honestly, who wouldn't take garbled speech over memory loss?) Did your favorite franchise make the cut?

Well that should be enough to beat the heat for now. 'Til next time!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Making Up for Lost Time

Holy Kenobi! How can a week go by so quickly? Well, while I was doing God knows what (I think they call it "a job") and ignoring my blogging responsibilities, some cool stuff piled up awaiting my undivided attention. Let's get to it before my "Saved Links" folder needs it own episode of "Hoarders".

1. Zack, Bulk, and Skull Reminisce As Power Rangers Turns 20

Walter Jones rocked the Fade and commanded the Mastadon as Black Ranger Zack Taylor in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In an interview with IGN, Jones reflects on what made his time on the show so special:

"...I ended up in the winners circle with my cast. And I think the show wouldn't have been what it was without our cast. It was the chemistry we had that made the show what it was. Because we really did find, between the five of us -- or the six of us after Jason David Frank joined -- a camaraderie and a true friendship that we brought to the screen."

Admit it, just seeing this got you sounding off all the Zords in order.

And while there's no denying that while Tommy Oliver may be the longest-serving Ranger, the duo that has seen the most screen time in the now long-running series is everyone's favorite goons from Angel Grove, Bulk and Skull. Played by Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy, the number 10 in human form (think about it) started off as thugs but wound up saving the day on more than one occasion.

"As for the show's 20th anniversary, Schrier said, "It's all a little weird... It's like dating your high school girlfriend again or something." Added Narvy, "It's like you haven't really broken up -- you did, but you're going to keep some stuff there and --" interjected Schrier, "you went off and got married and had another family, but you still love her. You think about her all the time, even when you're with other people... It's healthy, is what we're saying. Healthy!"

Get that "10" comment now? 

You can read more of the interview by clicking the link above, including stories about their first brush with fame and how they weren't originally allowed to see the action scenes from the Super Sentai series on which Power Rangers is based.

2. Gentle Giant Wants to See Me Go Bankrupt....And I Just Might Oblige Them: C-3PO Concept and Boba Fett Mini-Busts

Coming off the announcement of the "Magnitude" Admiral Ackbar mini-bust, I was pretty sure that Gentle Giant was done with their big exclusives for San Diego Comic Con.....to quote an old Jedi ghost: "I was wrong." Gentle Giant has recently released the fourth in their series honoring the concept art of the late, great Ralph McQuarrie. This time with the original design for C-3PO.

The odds of me not buying this are 6,230 to 1

C-3PO's design was heavily influenced by the robots seen in science fiction movies of the 50's and 60's, especially "Maria", the Maschinenmensch from Fritz Lang's legendary Metropolis. It wouldn't be long before the protocol droid with a heart (and outer-casing) of gold would become an iconic image of his own. While you may not being buying him off of a Jawa, you might think GG is trying to pull something by pricing Threepio-Beta at $75. And speaking of icons, no one besides Han Solo has made Star Wars so badass as the Mandalorian bounty hunter himself, Boba Fett. And no one has been able to capture his utter coolness quite like Gentle Giant.

I rest my case

Being a busy bounty hunter, the mini-bust comes with multiple interchangeable arms and his own exclusive box (for storage in your own personal cargo hold). But be forewarned, securing Boba Fett always comes with a high price, and you'll be shelling out $150. I guess Gentle Giant has no "No Disintegrations" policy when it comes to my wallet.

3. The 50th Anniversary Fan Trailer That Gives the BBC Something To Live Up To

A YouTube user, appropriately called "John Smith" (if that is his real name!), has posted a fantastic fan-made trailer, in both 2-D and 3-D, for the 50th Anniversary Special. I think he's done a pretty good job editing footage and audio together to make a pretty seamless trailer. Regardless, it makes me wish we could hop into the TARDIS and take a trip to November 23, 2013.

And if that gave you chills, then this one is going to get you right in the feels. Here is Matt Smith's Love Actually-esque "thank you" and farewell to the fans:


No...I'm not crying...that's um...the image of an Angel...coming out of my eyes....

---
Well I think that'll just about wrap it up for now. I still have a lot of cool stuff to get to, and I'll make sure that I get to it in a very timely (and less wibbly-wobbly) fashion. 

'Til Next Time,

- Joe