Normally I wouldn’t post anything like this, but this link is required reading for any Star Wars prequel detractors. I myself am a fan of the original trilogy, but the new one never got me going at all. This very short retelling of episode three was far more entertaining than the film itself. Rod Hilton over at The Editing Room hit the nail on the head when writing this. Its quick, funny, and true. Highly recommended. Here is a quick excerpt:

MEDICAL DROID She’s dying. She has given up the will to live. EWAN MCGREGOR Given up the will to live? She does know she has two brand new babies to live for, doesn’t she?   While I’m writing this, I just want to point out that Hayden Christensen got a bad reputation for his performance in Star Wars. Its a shame, because he has been very good in some other films. I personally believe its George Lucas’s lack of skill in directing actors that is at fault, not the actors themselves.

George Lucas had promise once with his new unheard of blend of special effects, action, and worlds far far away. It had charm in its day and still (without the constant tinkering) has the power to evoke that old nostalgic feeling and make you have a good time. Now with this new trilogy, the effect has worn off. The special effects aren’t that special anymore, and the characters have somehow become even more two-dimensional. The whole trilogy seems to be a vehicle for merchandising toys. (Even more so than the first one.)

Anyway, I better stop my Lucas bashing before its too late… I think he made it illegal in some states.

There has been an uproar on the Internet recently about Dakota Fanning’s new film. Hound Dog, where she gets raped and has several scenes where she is naked or wearing underwear. Come on people! Is it just because its Dakota Fanning that this is news? Films have been made for years that have had great and gutsy performances by children, and no one seems to make a big deal of it. Probably because most of them are from other countries. Still there are some great ones in America, too.

This Dakota-worship has got to stop. She has been good in all the films I have seen her in, where she always plays the precocious strong-willed child that can speak very well for her age. This one is going to be the same, except that she gets raped. Her parents are touting it as an Oscar worthy performance. And that is what is at the heart of this whole thing. Awards! I bet she is going to get the Oscar nod, and that’s going to be just because of the press. Not that I care, I hate the Oscars anyway (I won’t rant on this just yet…) But I do feel obligated to rant on this celebrity worship, even if it is centered on a cute 12 year old child.

Anyway, the articles written online range from stupid, to even more stupid. There is one that actually talks about investigating the film to see if it constitutes child abuse.

Bottom line, movies with rough scenes involving children have been around for ages, but for some reason when it involves Dakota Fanning its headline news. If you want to see a film with great performances by children, go see Bastard Out of Carolina, L’Esquive, City of God, Scum, or especially Pixote.

Leave some comments if you can think of any others that put Dakota to shame.