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Only Sith Deal In Absolutes!

by: Halagad

date posted: Feb 19, 2006 1:37 AM | updated: Jul 19, 2007 8:49 PM

The Philodoxer: Entertainment and Solipsism Editions

Well, as 2006 marches on and I continue to make good on my foretold projects, I want to invite folks to check out the recently launched entertainment or "Highfalutin" Edition and Solipsism Edition of my column The Philodoxer.

The first one, published at WorldFamousComics.com, focuses on the arts and sometimes politics,*** exploring my thoughts on writing, publishing, important historical texts, and the various sources of entertainment available for our viewing, listening, and reading pleasure. For Star Wars fans, today sees the publication of "Revenge of the Novelization," offering my thoughts on novelizations in general and specifically an in-depth review of the Revenge of the Sith novel by Matthew Stover.

The so-called Solipsism Edition of The Philodoxer can be found on my MySpace.com profile page. The writing here is for a more mature audience (or immature, depending on your point of view

) and explores... well, me. Hence the tongue-in-cheek title.^^^ Here, Star Wars fans can enjoy the essay "Heroes," in which I reflect on the unexpected baggage that comes with being a Star Wars author as I stumble upon an idealistic fan who apparently holds my Star Wars work in very high esteem!

For those wondering, a philodoxer is just like a philosopher but, dude, like totally the opposite. The Philodoxer column originated back in my college days when, in need of a name for my op-ed column in the university newspaper, I thought I'd take a jab at my professors by putting a little spin on the literal meaning of the word philosopher ("lover of wisdom") and substituting the Greek word doxa ("opinion") for sophia ("wisdom"). Academia humor... hilarious.

Anyway, presto ..."lover of opinion"!

Sounds way cooler in Greek, I know.

So swing by and check em out, folks! As more Star Wars-related topics emerge at these columns, I'll post the links here. ~ Abel G. Pe�a

Revenge of the Novelization

THX 1138: A Great Movie and a Terrible Book

Spaceballs: The Book Review!

Heroes

Did Somebody Say... Cosplay?

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*** "Highfalutin [hahy-fuh-loot-n]: pompous; bombastic; haughty; pretentious." (dictionary.com)

^^^ "Solipsism [sol-ip-siz-uhm]: 1. The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified. 2. The theory or view that the self is the only reality." (dictionary.com).

BLOG INDEX

MYSPACE PROFILE

http://blogs.starwars.com/abelgpena/45

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jkthunder
Seven Pieces

date Posted: Feb 19, 2006 3:23 PM

i just checked out your "revenge of the novelizations" LOL - i agree on a lot of levels there. take a great movie, add a great author who is willing to intelligently expand upon the foundation of the film, and chances are you will get a good novelization as is the case with ROTS, and some of the other SW novelizations comparatively (to film novelizations in general i mean).

after all, SW was first a film, a really really epic film - and the basis of its greatness lies in the audio-visual. to novelize it is just making a different thing. of course its not better than the film. its just something else.

Halagad
Only Sith Deal In Absolutes!

date Posted: Feb 19, 2006 3:35 PM

I agree with a lot of what you said jkthunder. Novelizations are just this strange breed of beast, commercially motivated, but often authored by writers who struggle to put a little more meaning into the product that what it's intended to be: a form of advertising.

I'm currently reading Ben Bova's THX 1138, and it's a neat take on Lucas' first film. It adds and clarifies a lot of things from the movie: sometimes that's good, and sometimes it ain't. But either way, Bova's a competent writer, unlike some of the other novelizations I've read, and it's a great way to re-experience a film I really like for the first time.

jkthunder
Seven Pieces

date Posted: Feb 20, 2006 9:22 AM

what i find interesting is that SW is such a huge cultural phenomenon in the form of film. it was made to be a film, a visual representation of a story. GL is indeed a wonderful visual story teller. but he didnt have much interest in portraying the story through novel form, but he did pursue that avenue by having authors portray it for him, of course with his say in the manner. its pretty crazy how this complex universe in the EU evolved out of that. its not that GL isnt interested in it, he just leaves that aspect to talented authors. boy has that gone far.

Halagad
Only Sith Deal In Absolutes!

date Posted: Feb 20, 2006 3:22 PM

And in a sense all of the EU is an extended adaptation or extrapolation from the Star Wars films. I agree, it's a wild phenomenon, especially the idea of trying to keep everything consistent across all media: film, television, literature, roleplaying games, video games, trading cards, radio plays... pretty amazing. And the variety of interpretations of Star Wars that have seen the light of day is also astounding.

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