By: Shannon Hazard,
on 12/26/2015
For some time now, I have been among those who have argued that the fandom associated with the Star Wars franchise is akin to a religion. There are those who will quarrel with the word choice, but it is hard to gainsay the dedication of fans to the original films
The post Mythology redux: The Force Awakens once again appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 12/16/2015
How do you review a movie that the whole world wants to talk about but doesn't want to talk about?
By giving people choices. So here, reader, is a choose your own adventure review for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Navigate below for as little or as much info as you'd like.
By: Maryann Yin,
on 7/15/2015
By: Mark Miller,
on 5/20/2014
Well, Episdoe VII is officially under way. Principal cast has been announced and shooting has started. As a life-long fan, I have much confidence in JJ. Contrary to many, I totally enjoyed what he did with Star Trek and thought Into Darkness was better than his first one. To me, it seems Mr. Abrams is a fan first and a businessman second. I hope that he makes my beloved universe his own, acknowledges the fans and makes something not only for kids, but also those of us who never really grew up.
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By: Lorie Ann Grover,
on 11/22/2013
Okay, how cool that J.J. Abrams' fascinating new novel S sprang from a book he found years ago. It was left in a public place with the intention of being found, read, and passed along. Did you catch him on Colbert? Listen in for a laugh, and just imagine who might find your next Operation Teen Book Drop donation, and how might they be moved to act, give, or create...
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-stephen-colbert-gets-abramsesque-on-jj-abrams-20131122,0,1210323.story#axzz2lP8o3uHB
Photo from Collider.com
By: Alicia Padrón,
on 6/4/2010
I watched this last night and thought I would share it with you guys. It's long but really worth watching in my opinion. The weekend is here so it's a perfect time to watch.
As you all may know J.J. Abrams is the creator of LOST, among many other TV shows and movies. I really enjoyed watching him speak. I tell you, this guy is smart. His mind goes a mile a second and his tongue can't keep up with it.
He has an obvious love for mystery and explains where this all started. I particularly loved the story about his grandfather's mystery box. I also loved the last scene of Jaws he showed to the audience. He's right, that was one amazing scene.
To me this was a hint where I could clearly see how strongly he feels for the characters in a movie. Even if they are playing a role in action or adventure films, he sees beyond that, into the many shades that a character has, and wants the audience to experience it too.
This may be partly the reason why LOST'S characters always came first in a way.
I am going to stop talking now and leave you all to it. ;o)
By: Molly Blaisdell,
on 11/13/2009
Welcome to day 13 of the Golden Coffee Cup. This is the day that I tell you seek out new worlds, new civilizations, to boldly go where you have never gone before!
No clue what a Golden Coffee Cup is? Click here.
I can't resist a little Trekkie moment. So, today's high five comes from Star Trek reboot specialist, the multi-talented J. J. Abrams. He directed the recent Star Trek movie, but he also writes great stuff too. 
Love, J.J. He's just a wonderful storyteller who understands the world is filled with profound mysteries. I think that thought is a the thing that J.J. keeps close to is his heart. Deep within each of us is a locus point (a profound mystery) -- a place that brings together our feelings and intuition of what is true; that's your heart. Boil down the essential today. Reach for the vital parts of your ideas and experiences. Pour that on the page. Reveal your heart. Boldly go.
If you have some spare minutes, check out this J.J. Abrams video on TED. There is always great stuff on TED. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.
Hope you've enjoyed the java. Come back tomorrow for another cup.
I close with a quote that I hope aligns your heart with kismet.
I couldn't believe it, ... I started on a Monday and turned in the outline on a Friday. On the Saturday they called and said, 'OK, we're making it'. J.J. Abrams
By: Molly Blaisdell,
on 11/13/2008
Yes, Golden Coffee Cuppers, it's that time in the The Golden Coffee Cup to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new lifeforms and new civilizations. It is the day we go where no one has ever gone before. Don't you feel inspired already?
Yep, today's high five come from the new Captain Kirk of the Enterprise, Chris Pine. Yep, this guy is Kirk and he's giving one zen high five.
Hey, I can stop. I'm talking space...the Final Frontier. So here's a high five from the guy from Heros, Zachary Quinto. He's the new Spock. 
And a high five from the guy who made Lost, Cloverfield, and now the upcoming Star Trek movie -- J.J. Abrams talks about some his love of the mysterious. This is kind of long but you might find some inspiration in here. I totally connect with the idea that mystery is more important than knowledge.
Live long and prosper, folks. Reach for those goals! Make time for that work! You have worlds to spin.
Last, one more coffee cupper, Jolie Stekly. I met her in a class many years ago. Jolie is a talented author and keeps a blog that you might want to check out, Cuppa Jolie. You gotta love that! I can't wait to see her first novel someday. I'm sure it will be overwhelmingly awesome; this gal has VOICE!
I haven’t read this, since I don’t want spoilers (I’m glad it had a warning in the headline), but why not just wait until the movie opens before posting ANY spoilers? What’s the rush to spoil about?
Hey Jim. if you read the intro it states: Please note: no portion of this review discusses anything that would qualify as an actual spoiler for the film, nor does any portion of the review detail anything more than you’d see in a typical movie review. But for some, less is more until you’ve see it.
Defining a “spoiler” for this movie is hard, since the studio has let out almost 0 details about plot, which makes everything new information. Is basic plot a spoiler? If so, minor spoilers if you follow in the final portion. Nothing that would be considered a spoiler in literally any other movie.
Thanks for the clarification, Hannah. I didn’t mean to single out your review. Over the years, I’ve had a few movies ruined by overly-descriptive reviews (I’m sure we all have), so I guess I’m a little gun-shy.
I actually LOVE your multi-tiered review system. I wish more media outlets would adopt it.
Among other outlets, spoiling movies has become so systemic that DVD packaging itself has become a spoiler (the DVDs for the original Planet of the Apes or Close Encounters of the Third Kind are perfect examples).
I read your “Level 1” review, and I’m glad to hear that you liked it. I look forward to reading the rest after I see the movie on Friday!
No worries! I’m glad it worked for you and hope you enjoy the movie too!
[…] The prize for most innovative goes to Hannah Lodge at The Beat, which is helpfully divided to let you choose your own spoiler level. (It’s still not all […]
So What if I want to be spoiled? I want to know what happens to Luke Skywalker. Where do I go?
JC, you go to see the film, obviously.
I like this column by Criticwire;s Sam Adams: “No, not everything about Star Wars is a spoiler.”
He writes: “Hollywood’s need to generate ever-greater levels of advance hype has led to even minor advance reveals being treated as world-beating exclusives: Get your first look at the new Batmobile! Black Panther’s costume, revealed! The first “official” photo of the new Ghostbusters, not to be confused with the on-set photo tweeted by the film’s director months ago!”
http://blogs.indiewire.com/criticwire/no-not-everything-is-a-star-wars-spoiler-20151217
Elsewhere, Adams has written: “Spiler-free reviews are the death of criticism.”
this is good a movie