StephanieKocer

Stephanie is a writer and editor based in Minnesota. She can usually be found writing about culture and TV.

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    Latest Articles

    Literature
    39

    Madness and Selfishness in Lady Audley’s Secret

    Mary Elizabeth Braddon's 1862 sensation novel Lady Audley's Secret is both addictive and troubling. Like a modern soap opera, the...

    StephanieKocer

    Film
    50

    Gender in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

    At the last Cannes International Film Festival during a press conference for Once Upon A Time…Hollywood, a reporter asked Quentin...

    StephanieKocer

    Latest Topics

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    film
    Star Wars
    Write this topic

    Star Wars has never been good

    There's been a lot of discussion over the last few months since The Rise of Skywalker's release about whether or not the Disney version of the franchise was good. Many fans believe the Disney-fied films lack the magic of the films in the franchise they grew up loving. But why is that? Yes, Rise of Skywalker had it's flaws, but doesn't every Star Wars movie? In fact, one could argue that no Star Wars movie has ever truly been good in quality. They can be fun and nostalgic, but they tend to lack the level of storytelling that other franchises like Harry Potter or even Marvel movies offer. Star Wars is simply good verses evil and the details beyond that don't really matter. Is there an argument to be made here that maybe that's enough? Maybe these films can be simple without all that Disney hoopla? Do we prefer our Star Wars movies to be simple, without too many complications?

    • I'd argue that dismissing merits of the entire Star Wars filmography is as faulty of a position as saying they are all amazing (they aren't). There are many merits to the films ranging from their cultural impact, technical innovations, music, etc.. Perhaps a better title would be: "Star Wars has always embraced good vs. evil narrative rather than being morally complex". Because if you want to write about a lack of moral complexity, that is a different article and it helps define your criteria more. Terms like "simple" and "good in quality" are decidedly vague and could create some issues within an article. What makes storytelling "good in quality". I'd also argue against the position that Marvel and Harry Potter are on some "higher plane" of story telling compared to Star Wars. Harry Potter has the advantage that it is build off of some excellent books, but the films rarely are as nuanced as the books they came from, but for whatever reason, the films and books often get lumped together. Many fans have many criticisms to the changes the films made to the book and how they sometimes simplify and cut out characters. Many Marvel films offer similar style "good vs. evil narratives" to Star Wars and there has been a long standing complaint about the lack of depth of many marvel villains aside from Loki, Killmonger and Thanos. The constant release of Marvel movies also covers up some of their own poorly received releases like Thor 2, Iron Man 2, etc.. In contrast, when a Star Wars film is poorly received, the dissatisfaction lingers for much longer because historically there usually was only a film every 3 years (every year during the disney era). This topic needs a great deal of clarification if it is to work as an article. – Sean Gadus 5 years ago
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    • I wouldn't go about this topic by stating that Star Wars isn't good at all. I'd highlight the key points of the fault in it (i.e., what were the series' flaws? how could it have been better?) – Yvonne Tapia 5 years ago
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    • There's little I can add to those comments already made by Sean Gadus and Yvonne Tapia, other than to mention that, with respect, your topic suggestion is highly subjective. I'd recommend taking some time to read up on the use of the archetype in classical storytelling. – Amyus 5 years ago
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    • I think you might have something to talk about here in terms of narrative simplicity, but a successful and nuanced article would discuss why, despite not being "good" the Star Wars franchise has achieved massive success. Your prompt is interesting but it lacks a consideration of why people enjoy bog standard "good vs evil" narratives, of the massive technical achievements that the original trilogy represented, and so on. Maybe changing the premise to something like why Star Wars was so successful despite it's obvious narrative shortcomings (and why we maybe forget those shortcomings) would round out any prospective articles. – Daniel Byrne 5 years ago
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    • Every story has a fight between good and evil. However, Star Wars was one of the first big franchises to have a strong female lead, included a plot twist that would become one of the greatest (and, a little annoyingly, copied), and has iconic music. Not to mention it has great visual effects, quotes, and music. Sure, the newer films aren't maybe as good, but the originals were GREAT. Also, Harry Potter and Marvel tend to get bogged down by all the characters and subplots and stuff. Star Wars is nice and simple. (Ish) – OkaNaimo0819 5 years ago
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    • I guess the basic point is that an essay can focus on what Disney added to the series in some significant ways that was different than was there before. I assume as part of an essay on this, the focus would also be whether any changes were aimed at trying to draw in a different type of audience. – Joseph Cernik 5 years ago
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    • Opinionated. – T. Palomino 2 years ago
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    Latest Comments

    May 13, 2020
    StephanieKocer

    I’m really interested to see how this one is done. I agree, The Lion King remake was stunning but awkward to watch when they sing. I think Mulan will work without the music because it’s a story about a real person, not animals. And although Disney musicals can be fun if you’re in the right mood, Mulan feels like it deserves to be taken a little more seriously.

    		 Disney's Mulan is NOT a Musical & Why that Makes it a Superior Remake
    May 13, 2020
    StephanieKocer

    SNL is my favorite show. The thing I love about it is it’s always reinventing itself. Not every sketch is going to be funny to every single person. Comedy is all about perspective and I think the show has endured this long because Lorne knows that not everyone is going to like it at the same time. And you’re absolutely right in pointing out that when SNL gets something right – especially politically – it can be an amazing, almost teachable moment that goes beyond being just funny.

    		 The Mainstream Effect of SNL
    May 13, 2020
    StephanieKocer

    After reading this, I wonder when theaters are allowed to reopen if people will be flocking to them more frequently because they have missed the simple ability to go to the movies? There is that group of people who claim they would rather watch a film at home, but I agree with other commenters that there’s really nothing like watching a movie in the theater. It’s a special experience. As you point out, something like Wonder Woman 1984 is meant to be seen on the big screen. It would definitely not bring the same energy at an in-home screening. And I certainly miss that feeling.

    		 Life Without Movie Theatres