#young mark hamill icons

[many-gay-magpies]

new nightmare fuel: cgi/deepfake mandalorian luke skywalker

[qqueenofhades]

HI!

Love your posts!

I think more people should know that Neil Young "Rockin' in the Free World' playing Tim Walz off tonight was also a big big middle finger to Trump, since Young sued Trump for illegal use of his songs, and specifically this song, during his 2015 campaign.

I'd link to articles and the song since Neil Young is fantastic but I can't.

I thought that was a great great little Easter egg for those of us following along all this time in the long tragi-comedy of 'Donald Trump flouting absolutely every rule and law he can find.'

Aha, yes. I saw something last night about how Neil Young personally approved the DNC's request to use the song for Walz, and as I said: Democrats can actually pull great artists and use iconic songs because they're not racist sexist misogynist shitbags who nobody wants to be associated with (especially when they steal your music without asking. So. Y'know). Like, when Lil Jon blew the goddamn roof off for Georgia during the roll call (which we all loved)? That may never be topped in any other political convention ever.

In terms of celebrity involvement, I also have to give a quick shoutout to Mark Hamill and Sean Astin being SO involved in the DNC and stumping for Kamala every chance they get. Especially compared to someone like JK Rowling, who wrote a formative piece of anti-fascist literature for so many of us and then dove headfirst into being a fascist, it's great to see Luke Skywalker still fighting the evil empire in real life, and Samwise Gamgee, deliverer of the "BECAUSE THERE'S SOME GOOD IN THIS WORLD MR. FRODO AND IT'S WORTH FIGHTING FOR" line that has kept me going in many many dark times, actually living up to the promise of their stories. I just have a lot of feelings about this.

[batmannotes]

The Epic Saga Concludes with Part Three of the Highly Anticipated Trilogy!

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three   

Based on DC’s iconic comic book limited series ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, join DC Super Heroes from across the multiverse in the action-packed conclusion of the three-part DC animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three. The eagerly awaited film brings to a close the thrilling trilogy that marks the end to the Tomorrowverse story arc.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the all-new, action-packed DC animated film features some of DC’s most famous Super Heroes from multiple universes including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, who come together to stop an impending threat of doom and destruction. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available to purchase exclusively on digital on July 16 and on 4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray on July 23.

Fans of this superhero adventure will also be able to indulge in a range of bonus features including interviews with the filmmakers on how they created a comprehensive universe across seven films.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two are currently available on Digital, 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three features returning popular voice cast members: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Boys, The Winchesters) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Emmy winner Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Glee) as Superman & Earth-2 Superman, Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, Black Adam) as Green Lantern/John Stewart, Meg Donnelly (Legion of Super-Heroes, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,) as Supergirl & Harbinger, and Stana Katic (Castle, Absentia) as Wonder Woman & Superwoman, along with Corey Stoll (Ant-Man, Black Mass) as Lex Luthor.

The star-studded ensemble voice cast also includes Gideon Adlon as Batgirl, Ike Amadi as Martian Manhunter/J’Onn J’Onzz, Geoffrey Arend as Psycho Pirate/Charles Halstead, Troy Baker as The Joker & Spider Guild Lantern, Brian Bloom as Adam Strange & Sidewinder, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Ashly Burch as Nightshade & Queen Mera, Zach Callison as Earth-2 Robin & Robin/Damian Wayne, Kevin Conroy as Earth-12 Batman, Alexandra Daddario as Lois Lane, Brett Dalton as Bat Lash & Captain Atom, John Dimaggio as Lobo, Ato Essandoh as Mr. Terrific, Keith Ferguson as Doctor Fate & Two-Face, Will Friedle as Batman Beyond & Kamandi, Jennifer Hale as Hippolyta & Green Lantern Aya, Mark Hamill as Earth-12 The Joker, Jamie Gray Hyder as Hawkgirl & Young Diana, Erika Ishii as Doctor Light/Dr. Hoshi & Huntress, David Kaye as The Question & Cardonian Lantern, Matt Lanter as Blue Beetle, Liam McIntryre as Aquaman, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Dr. Beth Chapel & The Cheetah, Lou Diamond Phillips as The Spectre, Elysia Rotaru as Black Canary & Black Canary II, Matt Ryan as Constantine, Katee Sackhoff as Poison Ivy, Keesha Sharp as Vixen, Jimmi Simpson as Green Arrow, Jason Spisak as Blue Lantern Razer & Hayseed, Armen Taylor as The Flash/Jay Garrick, Gas Soldier & Executioner, and Dean Winters as Captain Storm.

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three is produced by Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau and executive produced by Butch Lukic, Sam Register, and Michael Uslan. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester from a script by Jim Krieg. Casting and voice direction is by Wes Gleason. The film is based on characters from DC and the graphic novel “Crisis on Infinite Earths” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. On July 23 the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray Discs online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.

Additionally, the Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy will be available on July 16 to purchase digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more, and features an exclusive special feature - An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation.

SYNOPSIS:

Now fully revealed as the ultimate threat to existence, the ANTI-MONITOR wages an unrelenting attack on the surviving Earths that struggle for survival in a pocket universe. One-by-one, these worlds and all their inhabitants are vaporized! On the planets that remain, even time itself is shattered and heroes from the past join the Justice League and their rag-tag allies against the epitome of evil. But as they make their last stand, will the sacrifice of the superheroes be enough to save us all?​

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three - Physical and Digital

A Multiverse of Inspiration

Jon and John: Stewart and Constantine

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy (Digital only)

An Epic Challenge: Crisis in Comics and Animation

Running Time: 98:06

Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.

*Digital version not available in Canada

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

4K UHD in limited edition steelbook packaging and Blu-ray arriving on July 23

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy Also      

Available exclusively on Digital on July 16

Preorder at Amazon.

[tyrantisterror]

As a person who actually likes a lot of the Disney Star Wars stuff (about half of it really), I think what it will ultimately be remembered for in the history of film and television is the many ghoulish and offputting uses of new technology to avoid recasting iconic characters.

They could have just cast a different guy as Grand Moff Tarkin, but they had to use CGI to make a ghoulish puppet of Peter Cushing's corpse. They could have just cast a young actor to play Luke Skywalker, but instead they used motion capture and AI voices to return Mark Hamill's youth at the cost of the soul of the performance. They could have just accepted that we've told enough stories with Darth Vader already, but no we have to use AI to cobble James Earle Jones's iconic voice into new line deliveries that just aren't quite right.

I know they got burned by that Han Solo movie they made with a non-Harrison Ford in the titular role, but it wasn't the cowboy actor from Hail, Caeser's fault that movie failed. The fault is the fact that all the interesting shit you can do with Han Solo as a main character was done in the first three Star Wars movies - there was no way to tell a story before that without feeling really predictable and pointless. It was a bad concept. But rather than admit that the executive who said "Han Solo spinoff movie!" had a bad idea because they don't know what actually makes a story work, they decided the problem was recasting iconic characters and decided the solution was to engage in necromancy.

And history will remember that.

[halfagone]

Ohh my God that Young blood foc was so sweet 🥺 but the realization that Taylor Lautner voiced young blood kinda knocked me out. This tv series never stops surprising me lol

Hahaha! Yeah... that hurt me too. 🥲 But Danny Phantom really does surprise you! I keep forgetting that voice actors take on different projects, so you won't think anything of it and then you find out Mr. Lancer (aka drag queen, cheerleader king) and Slade Wilson (aka Deathstroke, the Terminator) have the same voice actors. And Danny Fenton/Phantom and Jimmy Olsen are the same guy. And Mark Hamill, the Mark Hamill, voiced Undergrowth. Mark Hamill, who voices Ozai from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Mark Hamill, who voices the Joker and has the most iconic mad laughter for the character.

No, I will never be over this. lol

[professorambrius]

Happy Birthday Mark Hamill

Today, the great Mark Hamill turns a young 72.

Best known for his role of Luke Skywalker in the original "Star Wars Trilogy'' and later in the new ''Star Wars Sequels'', Mark has acted and gust starred in many films and TV shows.

Mark is also well known for the many voice over roles he's done, many of which have become just as iconic as Luke Skywalker. Here are my all time roles Mark has played.

Luke Skywalker, ''Star Wars''

The Joker, ''Batman the Animated Series''

The Hobgoblin, ''Spider-Man the Animated Series''

James Jessie, The Trickster, ''The Flash'', ''The Flash the Series'' and ''Justice League Unlimited''

Fire Lord Ozai, ''Avatar the Last Airbender''

Darth Bane, Star Wars the Clone Wars Series''

Arnim Zola, ''Unlimited Spider-Man''

As you can see in the first photo, Mark has done many voices including ones not shown.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Mark Hamill!!

[blogger360ncislarules]

As Young Sheldon embarks on its final season, Iain Armitage is reflecting on the last seven years and what lies ahead.

The 15-year-old actor was 8 when he auditioned to play the younger version of Jim Parsons' character Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. The fact that he essentially grew up on the CBS sitcom isn’t lost on him, he exclusively tells PEOPLE.

“It's been half my life, which is kind of wild to think about, but just so fun, so wonderful, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to grow up,” he says, adding, “Every single person I get to work with, I feel so honored to get to be working with and get to be their costar or … get to be part of their work and part of their livelihood.”

The actor will next voice the iconic character of Shaggy in the upcoming Christmas-themed animated movie Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, joining a cast that includes Mark Hamill, Ming-Na Wen, Cristo Fernandez and the late Andre Braugher. Afterwards, Armitage says he would love to tackle a project on the “exact opposite end of the spectrum” from Young Sheldon.

“It's funny, because I've had so much fun getting to do this character for seven awesome years that it would be cool to do something … just completely different from Sheldon in every way,” he explains, adding, “I would love to do something Indie, maybe something action, maybe something sci-fi, just something super different and weird. Like a drama, again, kind of Big Little Lies.”

While some actors like to keep something from a show or film they’ve worked on as a reminder of their time on the project, Armitage says he’d prefer to hold onto one or two traits from his singularly unique character.

“It's funny, because I always sort of joke about like method acting [which] seems so silly to me … But it is weird. I really do kind of feel like half-Sheldon, half-Iain,” he admits. “I would like to keep the brains. I would like to keep the once-in-a-generation genius part, but in lieu of that, I think the way he approaches the world is funny and unique, and I always hope to approach the world and people as uniquely and really focused on each person as I can.”

[jedivoodoochile]

The Origin of “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells”: A tradition for many Batman fans is to sing The Joker’s (sung by Mark Hamill) rendition of “Jingle Bells”, now well known from the classic ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ 1992 episode “Christmas with the Joker”. While many know this unconventional Christmas carol from this scene or even The Simpsons a few years prior to the 1992 BTAS series, 'Jingle Bells, Batman Smells' goes back to the late 1960s thanks to the extreme popularity of Adam West Batman and Cesar Romero's Joker in the live action television series "Batman".

There are several sources that can explain this popular children’s carol coming to life; after the debut of “Batman” on January 12, 1966, the tv show was discussed throughout local newspapers. Months after the first episode aired, Batman merchandise was at an all time high, bringing in tons of cash from audiences of young and old. This began an odd trend of stating “Batman smells” but of all the money he’s making. For instance, on May 11, a headline in The White Plains, New York, Journal-News was “TV’s Batman Smells … Rich With Money,”and another was “Batman May Smell, But It Is Green,” from the Delta Democrat-Times from Greenville, Mississippi. A year later in 1967, a story in Oklahoma’s Lawton Constitution was told about a young girl who moved from Fort Sill to Brussels, Belgium singing a, what can be called early, version of the funny ‘Jingle Bells’ lyrics.

The song has evolved in other media in the following decades, popularized from 1970s folk songs to animated television such as “The Simpsons” and of course “Batman The Animated Series”. It seems it all began, however, with the iconic Adam West ‘Batman’ series and clever journalists documenting what is now dubbed as “Batmania”. #HappyHolidays ✌🏽❤️💚🦇🃏🎅🏽🎵

[gilmores-glorious-blog]

i finished my atla rewatch tonight and all of sozin’s comet is making me insane i have,, Thoughts:

- zuko joining the group hug <3

- “get out of the bisons mouth, sokka. 😐”

- the way we get such a good look at azula’s trauma when ozai tells her to stay behind as he goes off to conquer the earth kingdom is so interesting,, we see how differently she’s been treated than zuko (“you can’t do this! you can’t treat me like zuko!”) but that she’s still been manipulated and hurt by ozai

- the whole phoenix king shit is so dramatic, i see where zuko gets it from… drama definitely runs in this family

- jun is so hot god bless <3

- omg gramp gramp :D i totally forgot pakku married their grandma

- god the iroh and zuko reunion……… i am so unwell…

- “fatherlord” is funny but also kinda devastating

- the lion turtle is so fucking cool i forgot about this guy

- sokka hugging piandao :’)

- god toph is so cool

- nooooooo not the one fire nation guy who’s birthday it is 😭😩😭😩😩😭😭 genuinely feel so sad for him wtf??

- mark hamill shut the fuck up challenge (only as ozai though. i love you mark hamill.)

- azula’s descent into madness over the course of this finale is actually so devastating :(

- the final agni kai is soooo cool holy shit

- not sokka’s boomerang and his space sword 😭😭

- the scene with sokka and toph almost falling just ruins me,, something about it really reminds me how young they are,,, god these poor kids :(

- yessss the goatee grab

- the shot of aang using all four elements at once will forever be iconic

- iroh burning the fire nation insignia is something that can be so personal

- katara’s bending when she chains up azula is insane

- man fuck grey delisle for being such a good voice actress because azula’s sobbing and screaming after she’s been defeated genuinely hurts me to listen to,, she makes me so sad :,(

- god aang is so cool

- sokka seeing ozai and immediately sauntering over to him and going “welllll look at you, buster” is so fucking funny to me

- oh oop i forgot zuko and mai get back together lmao (love them both just. really do not ship them.)

- kyoshi warrior ty lee :) now she has all the girlfriends

- zuko’s coronation… him and aang.. fire lord zuko……. i can and will cry about this character so much

- the whole ending scene makes me so soft,, what a good found family and good characters and good show i love it all so much :,)

[batmanaday]

The Batman Season 1

Sorry about the break in updates--I’ve been a little under the weather. But, in the course of babysitting my young niece, I’ve also had an excuse to watch the first season of The Batman.

Now, in the highly niche field of people what are trying to keep small children entertained, I actually think El Batman might outdo Batman TAS. Not to be insulting, but it’s louder, more fast-paced, more colorful, more action, more jokes. Hear me out—I’m not saying that a cartoon about two childhood friends, one of whom grows up to be a hood and the other grows up to be a priest, isn’t ~poetic cinema~. I’m just saying it’s not definitely something a four-year-old is inclined to watch.

(As for her favorite character being the Joker… what can I say, she can’t get it from my side of the family.)

The biggest sin you can lay against The Batman is simply that it’s exactly what it says on the tin: a Batman cartoon. With the bad luck to follow a revolutionary, iconic, character-defining, decades-long run on the character that quite possibly can’t be overshadowed… unless you just do the Diniverse over again without Bruce/Babs or something.

BTAS was a sublime, superlative work. The Batman is a reasonably competent and well-done adaptation that people worked hard on. But how you gonna keep them down on the farm after they’ve listened to Kevin Conroy, et al et al? Just for instance, the cops in BTAS wear realistic cop outfits, they carry guns, and they shoot at people.

The cops in The Batman wear weird military uniforms, they carry laser guns that they never fire, and whenever there’s trouble, they use tasers. Exactly what you would expect from a modern cartoon that has to get past the usual wood-brained Standards & Practices department. Is it their fault that the last cartoon through the pipeline drove through the wall in a flaming car, flipping the bird and guzzling a vodka tonic?

There are some things that don’t help the matter. In a bit of corporate synergy for Batman Begins, this Batman is 26-years-old and has been active for three years. And he’s definitely a young, relatable Batman. Rino Romano does his best, but let’s face it—Batman should not sound like Spider-Man and he shouldn’t make jokes about whether something will “buff out” after he crashes the Batmobile.

For what it’s worth, I do like the show’s quasi-futuristic look, with Tron lines on a lot of Batman’s gear. It’s toyetic, sure, but it’s also a nice departure from BTAS’s neo-noir look. If you can’t have Italian mobsters with tommy guns, I suppose putting Batman in powered armor is a decent substitute. The animation is frequently very good, with action scenes that might surpass your average effort from BTAS. They really capture the fluidity and acrobatics that Batman has in the comics, whereas I recall the Kevin Conroy Batman as being largely just a brawler.

Now, since The Batman is pretty much a freak of the week show, I’m not going to review the episodes so much as the supervillains, so let’s dive right in to see what works and what doesn’t.

 The Joker

Yeah, this is a miss. I know Heath Ledger kind of did a grunge thing, but there’s only so far you can push the homeless serial killer vibe before you lose the Clown Prince of Crime thing that’s sorta central to the character. And Ledger’s about as far as I want the homeless serial killer pushed.

To be fair, BTAS has a poor redesign of Joker as well—to The Batman’s credit, they pretty much immediately redid Joker’s look with a more traditional tuxedo. And, though Kevin Michael Richardson has the unenviable task of following up the other most iconic incarnation in the BTAS character line-up, I think he does a fine job. He’s no Mark Hamill, but c’mon, there needs to be an option for the Joker other than Mark Hamill playing him forever.

Bane

Aside from the visual, this is pretty much a traditional take on the character. Hispanic guy, takes steroids, breaks the Batman. Here he’s a mercenary instead of a… warlord… guy, but that’s a pretty minor departure. And if the Mexican wrestler look bugged you, they avoid that at the small cost of turning him into a gimp.

The Penguin

Yup, that’s the Penguin. They play around with Cobblepot’s social status and even give him a dynamic with Alfred. More significantly, they make him a physical threat to Batman, which seems extreme, but I suppose no one appreciated the character when he was ‘just’ a crimelord, so… we can’t have nice things. Oh well, the guy always has trick umbrellas, so how out of character can it be for him to be able to use them effectively?

Oh, and for some reason he has two kabuki-themed henchwomen. I don’t know either.

The Penguin tends to be most effective when his characterization is riffing on his ‘gentlemanly’ nature in one way or another. Here, he fancies himself an equal to Bruce Wayne, but he acts like a lout. Maybe that misses the mark for you, but Tom Kenny’s performance (which he’ll amusingly recycle pretty much intact for the Ice King in Adventure Time) is endearing enough to make this Penguin a love-to-hate villain. I think it works because he’s mostly just a douchebag, not an out-and-out monster like a lot of the comics make him out to be when they’re trying to turn him into a ‘serious threat’.

  Catwoman

Yeah, that’s Catwoman. I don’t know what’s going on with the cowl or the Mickey Mouse ears—does she get satellite TV on those things? But I suppose that’s the problem when you have a simple design, you have to change SOMETHING, and the Diniverse pretty much nailed her look to begin with.

  Man-Bat

This guy’s a bit of a departure, in that this Langstrom ditches the Curt Connors routine to WANT to be Man-Bat because he’s a Batman fanboy that wants to emulate him. Boy, the more popular Batman gets in real life, the more characters have that motivation in-universe, don’t they? I suppose you could say this ruins Man-Bat’s character, but has he ever been that good a character to begin with? The Lizard works because mad science is absolutely Spider-Man’s bailiwick. But Batman fighting a Man-Bat just seems like it was late on a Friday with a deadline coming up. This is probably a better design than this character deserves.

  Mr. Freeze

Okay, talk about a mixed bag. This Freeze ditches Michael Ansara’s captivating performance and BTAS’s iconic backstory to turn him into a generic criminal who makes ice puns (even if they’re well-delivered ice puns, thanks to VA Clancy Brown). But I love the design. I think the Mike Mignola spacesuit works great in a zeerust alt-history context like BTAS is set in, but in a setting where there are no Victorian steampunks or clocktowers or shit, this Freeze looks absolutely cool and badass and great. I wouldn’t mind seeing this guy fight Christian Bale.

  Firefly

A glowing ass? Really?

  Cluemaster

I kinda think that if you must do fat jokes, they should be restricted to the Penguin, who is kinda grandfathered in. And I suppose this characterization of Arthur Brown as a basement-dwelling loser precludes him courting someone long enough to spawn Stephanie Brown… boo!

  Clayface

The usual behind-the-scenes shenanigans apparently prevented The Batman from using Harvey Dent or Commissioner Gordon (at least at first), so instead they gave Bruce a bestie on the police force who was then Killing Joked by the Joker and turned into Clayface. Not really an adaptation of the comics character, but then, there’ve literally been like ten Clayfaces in the comics, so I can’t very well begrudge The Batman for doing their own. It’s sort of random to have a character that’s basically Two-Face without being Two-Face… like a Spider-Man adaptation where Harry Osborn becomes Venom instead of Green Goblin 2… but I try not to be that anal about these sorts of things. I mean, look at the guy, he’s a shapeshifting mud monster. What more do you want?

  Ventriloquist/Scarface

This is pretty much the same character as BTAS did, only he has more of a Tony Soprano look than Edward G. Robinson. Oh, and he ends up being a giant robot. See, I like that. Instead of redoing BTAS, go broader and sillier. It’s a fresh take, you must admit. 

[ozzyscollectiblehub]

Lewis Hamilton: A Trailblazer in Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton is more than just a Formula 1 driver — he’s a living legend. As one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, Hamilton’s impact goes beyond the race track. He has shattered records, pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport, and used his platform to advocate for change, diversity, and environmental awareness. His journey from a young boy racing go-karts in England to becoming a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion is nothing short of extraordinary.

Early Life and Racing Beginnings

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. His passion for racing started at a young age when his father, Anthony Hamilton, gifted him a remote-controlled car. Lewis quickly showed an innate talent for racing, and at the age of eight, he began karting — a sport that would set him on the path to Formula 1 greatness.

Hamilton’s talent was undeniable, and he quickly rose through the ranks of British karting, winning numerous championships. His big break came when he was signed to McLaren’s driver development program at the age of 13 — a move that would eventually lead him to Formula 1 stardom.

Formula 1 Debut: A Star is Born

In 2007, Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren, becoming the first Black driver to race in the sport. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, as he finished third in his first race and went on to win four Grands Prix. He narrowly missed out on the championship, finishing just one point behind Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen, but his debut season cemented him as a future star.

The following year, in 2008, Hamilton made history by becoming the youngest-ever Formula 1 World Champion at the time, securing the title in dramatic fashion at the final race of the season in Brazil. His victory was a watershed moment in the sport, marking the arrival of a new era of racing.

Dominance with Mercedes: The Record Breaker

After six seasons with McLaren, Hamilton made a career-defining move to Mercedes in 2013. It was with Mercedes that Hamilton’s career reached unprecedented heights. Between 2014 and 2020, Hamilton won six more World Championships, tying Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles — the most in the history of the sport.

During this period, Hamilton not only dominated the sport but also broke countless records, including the most pole positions, most Grand Prix wins, and most podium finishes. His consistency, speed, and determination allowed him to become the face of Formula 1 and one of the greatest athletes in the world.

Advocacy and Legacy

Beyond his on-track achievements, Hamilton has become a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in motorsport. As the only Black driver in Formula 1, he has often spoken out about the lack of diversity in the sport and has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2020, he launched the Hamilton Commission, a research initiative aimed at improving diversity in British motorsport.

Hamilton’s advocacy extends beyond social issues. He is also a passionate environmentalist and has made significant changes in his lifestyle to reduce his carbon footprint. He’s pushed Formula 1 to adopt greener technologies and has used his platform to promote sustainability and raise awareness about climate change.

Off the Track: Music, Fashion, and More

Lewis Hamilton’s interests are not confined to racing. He has ventured into fashion, frequently collaborating with high-profile brands like Tommy Hilfiger, and has become known for his bold and distinctive style. In addition to fashion, Hamilton has a deep love for music and has even recorded songs under the pseudonym “XNDA,” though he’s kept his musical pursuits largely private.

Hamilton’s diverse interests highlight his multifaceted personality. He’s not just a driver but a global icon who influences culture, sport, and activism in a way few athletes ever have.

A Living Legend

Lewis Hamilton’s career is a testament to his extraordinary talent, resilience, and dedication. From breaking records on the track to breaking barriers off it, Hamilton has redefined what it means to be a Formula 1 driver. As he continues his journey in the sport, Hamilton’s legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time is secure, and his impact on motorsport, diversity, and the world at large will be felt for generations to come.

[fanthatracks]

Star Wars Celebration Japan presents the best of the Star Wars saga at the Makuhari-Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan. For three days, July 19-21, meet your fellow fans from Japan, Asia, and around the world to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars saga in Japan. Enjoy live entertainment, memorable exhibits, great Star Wars shopping, and days of events you'll find no where else but here... That's how the official Celebration Japan site teased the weekend, but how did it really shape up? Was it a storming success like Celebration Europe? Did it pour down with rain? Was there a huge surprise appearance by George Lucas like Celebration 3, or would the magic of Star Wars reign supreme as it did at the first Celebration back in 1999? Fan Chris Gereke, Lucasfilm Events Manager Mary Franklin and artist Richard Chasemore were in attendance, and here's what they had to say about the show.... Celebration Japan Art Show: Come see and purchase the works created by official Lucasfilm artists especially for this weekend. These beautiful Star Wars pieces will be available only at Celebration Japan. This is your opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions, too. Lawrence Noble Sculpting Live: Star Wars artist Lawrence Noble, who has created sculpts and artwork for the Star Wars galaxy including personal sculpts for George Lucas, will be sculpting Luke Skywalker (actor Mark Hamill) live during Celebration Japan. Enter to win, and you might be drawn to receive this one-of-a-kind sculpture! One lucky fan will win it! Must be present to win. Star Wars Photo Sets: Star Wars fans have created fantastic photos sets, including vehicles and creatures, that will make you feel like you are inside the Star Wars galaxy. Find them across the show, and stop to have your picture taken! Celebration Store: The Celebration Japan Store features exclusive, collectible Star Wars items that you can only purchase here, plus more Star Wars treasures for sale. Do not miss shopping at Star Wars Celebration Japan. The Vader Project: Pop culture and underground artists, including exciting artists from Japan, have created their own edgy variations on the iconic Darth Vader helmet. This exhibit is a must-see on your Celebration Japan schedule. Celebration Japan Autographs: Official Pix, the licensed provider of official Star Wars photos and autographs, is hosting the Autograph Hall at Celebration Japan. Meet stars from the movies of the Saga, and get their autographs. Here's who you can meet: - Amy Allen (Aayla Secura, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith); - Jeremy Bulloch: (Boba Fett, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi; Lt. Sheckil, The Empire Strikes Back; Captain Colton, Revenge of the Sith.); - Anthony Daniels (C-3PO, all six Star Wars movies); - Anthony Forrest (Fixer and Stormtrooper, A New Hope); - Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker, original Star Wars trilogy); - Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker, The Phantom Menace); - Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett, Attack of the Clones); - Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca, original Star Wars trilogy, and Revenge of the Sith); - Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett, Attack of the Clones; Commander Cody and clone troopers, Revenge of the Sith); - Ray Park (Darth Maul, The Phantom Menace); - David Prowse (Darth Vader); - Tim Rose (Return of the Jedi); - Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith); - Matthew Wood (General Grievous, Revenge of the Sith; Bib Fortuna, The Phantom Menace). Also meeting fans and providing complimentary autographs in the Official Pix area: - Dave Filoni Saturday, 2:30pm - 5:00pm; - John Knoll Sunday, 3:00pm - 4:30pm. Star Wars Family Area: Families will enjoy Star Wars crafts and activities, and a place to sit down and enjoy the Celebration together. Come take part in the interactive fun of being a Star Wars fan of any age! Star Wars Jedi Training Stage: Young Padawans who want to learn the ways of the Jedi are invited to train at the Jedi Stage every day of Celebration Japan.

Learn from the Jedi Master, and prepare to take on surprising challenges! Every day at 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm. Celebration Japan Exhibit Hall: Makers of great Star Wars toys and collectibles will be showing and selling their wares in the exhibit hall. Find Star Wars treasures to buy in the dealer booths, too. In the Fine Molds booth: Lorne Peterson, autographing each day of the show: 3:00pm - 4:00pm Star Wars Fan Tables: Learn what these great Star Wars fan clubs do, and maybe join the fun yourself! Celebration Japan Fan Events: Saturday, July 19th 1:00pm - 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage 2:00pm - 2:40pm: Preparation of 501st Parade - 501st Fan Table 2:40pm - 3:00pm: 501st Parade Sunday, July 20th 8:20am - 9:00am Preparation for 501st Legion Group Photo 9:00am - 9:30am 501st Legion Group Photo 10:00am - 5:01pm 501st Legion Droid hunt 1:00pm - 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage 2:00pm - 2:20pm: Preparation of Combined 501st Legion and Costume Contest Parade 2:20pm - 2:45pm: Costume Parade Monday, July 21st 10:00am - 12:00 noon: Announcement of Droid hunt Prize - 501st Table 1:00 pm - 1:30pm: Rebel Legion & Jedi Order on Jedi Stage 2:00pm - 2:40pm: Preparation of 501st Parade - 501st Fan Table 2:40pm - 3:00pm: 501st Parade Chris Gereke "Star Wars Celebration Japan in Makuhari-Messe in Chiba. Celebration Japan standouts were The Clone Wars panels with Dave Filoni, Matt Wood and Takeuchi." [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="144925,144924"] "The 501st had a cool Silver Trooper guarding George Lucas in carbonite. Someone's head will roll. Alongside the Rebel Legion modeling groups were set up with some amazing character and ship models as well as collector groups." [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="144927,144926"] "The Clone Wars footage was amazing. Three different clips were shown. Obi-Wan, Cody, Anakin, Rex and the clones battling countless Battle and Super Battle droids as well as spider droids on the world of Christophsis. Anakin and Rex make a very dramatic and unconventional flanking move to turn the tide of the battle against the droids. Several clones lost heads or limbs and became cannon fodder. The next clip was a fun clip with Anakin and the new character Ahsoka. Anakin's padawan (who rivals Padme and Leia with her wit and character) attacking a Separatist outpost atop of a mountain. "Race you to the top!" The massive AT-TE actually ascending the mountain, the battle droids are zany almost a stooge quality or a Gomer Pyle shtick. I loved how the battlefield is turned on its side as 'sky guy' and 'snips' race to the top. I think fans will love Ahsoka, she is a very cool character. The third clip was Kenobi and Asajj Ventress in a fierce lightsaber duel with Kenobi's famous quips that ended with Kenobi at the business end of Asajj's lightsabers. The Clone Wars looks amazing...on all levels." "The Fetts, Vader, Chewie, Skywalker, John Knoll and Dave Filoni panels were great. Steve Sansweet mc'd most of them. The English to Japanese translation took a little patience and the Celebration Japan fans went wild for Mark Hamill." Mary Franklin "Producing a Celebration in Japan was a unique challenge, because it was the first of the Celebrations in which most of the staff and crew did not speak English, and I do not speak Japanese. Even though we did not share a common language, we shared a common goal: putting on a great experience for Star Wars fans. We carried on together for the best possible outcome." Chris Gereke "The front middle of the Celebration Japan floor was the family recreation area where families could do crafts or Lego and buy toys from the coin vending machine. Beside that was the Jedi training stage where padawans could test their Jedi skills against Darth Vader and two of his Stormtroopers. The stage was lined by the Family Mart vendors where you could purchase food. Especially cool were the Pepsi Bear Kubricks that came with Pepsi."

[gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="144931,144932"] "From left to right as you looked onto the Celebration Japan convention floor was laid out with the Artist Alley. On the left was artist Matt Busch, Spencer Brinkerhoff III, Randy Martinez, JAKe, Ralph McQuarrie, Tsuneo Sanda, Nagano, Lawrence Noble, Malcolm Tween and Robert Hendrickson." Richard Chasemore "Me drawing with a speeder helmet on!" Chris Gereke "There was a VIP party with the celebs with food, exclusives such as a Tsuneo Sanda print or Ewok hair. The con was adorned with Clone Wars posters and the Sanda Celebration Japan promo posters." [gallery link="file" size="large" ids="144935,144941,144942"] "Official Pix did an extraordinary job with the autographs and VIP actors and guests. Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Amy Allen, Jake Lloyd, Orli Shoshan, Tim Rose, Ray Park, Dave Prowse, Daniel Logan, Temeura Morrison, Mike Edmonds and Matt Wood." "The Celebration Japan store had some cool Star Wars exclusives that should be available on starwarsshop.com soon. Bounty Hunter shirts, bottle caps, Kubrick shadow guard, Marc Ecko Stormtrooper and Boba Fett hoodies. Clone Wars tickets, CJ towels, dolls, McQuarrie print, bear ewok and Kubricks." [gallery link="file" size="large" ids="144937,144938,144939"] "The Dewback Project was an amazing fan favorite. Goro the designer created an amazing likeness to the Dewback from A New Hope, maybe even better. You could ride or have a photo oportunity with the Dewback and or Yumi. And don't forget the cute Celebration Japan Slave Leia." Mary Franklin "There was no doubt in my mind that Star Wars was a cultural phenomenon in Japan, but my biggest concern in planning the programming was getting the mix of entertainment and exhibits just right for the audience. Based on what I have seen from Japan over the years – the different Star Wars collectibles, different Star Wars animation and costumes – the Japanese fans consistently add their own refreshing and unique spin on the saga. As we anticipated the majority of the audience would be Japanese, I really wanted the show to appeal to them. It was important it be a real Star Wars Celebration, but I believed it also specifically needed to be a Japanese celebration of Star Wars." Chris Gereke "In a separate Clone Wars panel with Dave Filoni, Takuechi and Matt Wood they premiered the General Grievous episode from the TV series. The Clone Wars TV opening had a retro World War II newsreel opening and radio era voice instead of an opening crawl. This episode contained Kit Fisto and his clones, which look amazingly cool. They descend on a planet to apprehend Rune Haako. The episode had a cool dark suspenseful feel and a new Mon Cal Jedi Knight Nahdar Vebb who was Kit Fisto's padawan. They descend into a lair only to discover Grievous' pet Roggwart, named Gor. Very cool." [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="144944,144943"] "The exhibitor area had Disney Star Tours, the post office where you could purchase customized stamps, model areas, Wii, Lego, Hasbro, Sanyko and photo oportunities with Vader, Artoo and Threepio. Larger than life pachinko and arcade type games were giving Vader postcards with signatures. Watches, JAL Vader and Stormtrooper samurai armor. Kotobuyika, Clone Wars figures, book sellers where Steve Sansweet signed his Vault and Star Wars Poster books which are a must for a Star Wars fan. And make room on the shelf for the Star Wars Encyclopedia." Richard Chasemore "Lawrence Noble giving a prize of a bust he did of Luke! Amazing work and the Japanese girl that won it went mad when she found out!" [gallery link="file" size="large" ids="144945,144946,144947"] Chris Gereke "Star Warriors was a documentary about the 501st and the Rose Bowl Parade starring Lucasfilms Steve Sansweet and Mary Franklin, George Lucas and the different personalities of the 501st."

Mary Franklin "The local fans from the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, and Star Wars collecting and building clubs were a tremendous resource. Not only were they readily willing to share their talents and time and ideas before the show, they took an active part in the show with fan tables, presentations, costumes, and entertainment. They were instrumental in a successful show that was “by the fans; for the fans.” Japanese guests, like The Clone Wars episodic director Atsushi Takeuchi, showcased national talent at the show as well." Chris Gereke "Behind and beside the Artists Alley were the Belgian Props with the Millennium Falcon, Snowspeeder, speeder bike and Jabba. Behind that was the Digital Stage with Rex, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka guarding the entrance. Beside the digital stage was the Vader Helmet project which was amazing." Mary Franklin "For the three days of the show I watched the fans have a great time, and take in every aspect of the programming and entertainment. I hope they felt it was a show created just for them, even while it celebrated the worldwide fandom of the Star Wars saga." Originally posted on Lightsabre.co.uk in 2008.  Listen to Collecting Tracks Episode 6: Revisiting Celebration Japan 2008 as Richard and Chris look back to the collectibles of the event ahead of our return to Japan in 2025.  [amazon box="B0BP5NV3M6"]

[hividsmarttv]

The 20 Best Summer Blockbusters of All Time: Epic Films that Shattered Box Office Records

What is summer without an action-packed blockbuster? For decades, crowds have been coming in from the heat to see the latest fun-time film. Summer blockbusters have it all: big-name cast, stunning cinematography, a plot that keeps you engaged, and plenty of surprises around every corner. Why not start summer off with a splash and enjoy these movies, which have thrilled crowds for years and have no intention of stopping now!

Jaws (1975)

Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss

Plot: A menacing great white shark terrorizes a New England beach town, compelling the local police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter to embark on a dangerous quest to stop it.

Box Office: Grossed over $470 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Jaws" introduced the concept of the summer blockbuster and set a new standard for suspense and thrill.

Star Wars (1977)

Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Plot: A young farm boy, a rogue smuggler, and a wise Jedi Knight join forces to battle the evil Galactic Empire and its Sith Lord, Darth Vader.

Box Office: Earned a staggering $775 million globally.

Why It Was Popular: George Lucas' space epic revolutionized filmmaking, transporting audiences to a galaxy far, far away with its groundbreaking visual effects and captivating story.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum

Plot: A team of scientists is invited to a remote island where a billionaire has created a theme park filled with genetically cloned dinosaurs. Chaos ensues when the creatures escape.

Box Office: Grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Spielberg, "Jurassic Park" brought dinosaurs to life in a breathtaking manner, combining cutting-edge visual effects with heart-pounding suspense.

Titanic (1997)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane

Plot: Set aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic, a young aristocratic woman falls in love with a poor artist, their romance unfolding amidst the ship's tragic maiden voyage.

Box Office: Surpassed $2 billion in global ticket sales.

Why It Was Popular: James Cameron's epic romance combined with a disaster film captivated audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and becoming one of the highest-grossing films ever.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Plot: Batman faces his ultimate nemesis, the Joker, who wreaks havoc on Gotham City with his anarchic reign of terror.

Box Office: Earned over $1 billion globally.

Why It Was Popular: Christopher Nolan's dark and gritty take on the superhero genre, coupled with Heath Ledger's iconic performance as the Joker, elevated this film to legendary status.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

Plot: The remaining Avengers team up to undo the devastating effects of Thanos' snap, leading to an epic battle to save the universe.

Box Office: Surpassed $2.7 billion worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Serving as the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga, "Endgame" offered a satisfying conclusion to over a decade of interconnected storytelling.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace

Plot: A young boy befriends an alien who becomes stranded on Earth, and together they embark on an extraordinary adventure to help E.T. return home.

Box Office Grossed over $792 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Steven Spielberg, "E.T." captured the hearts of audiences with its heartwarming story of friendship and its exploration of themes like childhood, loneliness, and acceptance.

The Lion King (1994)

Cast (Voice Actors): Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons

Plot: A young lion prince named Simba must reclaim his throne and fulfill his destiny after the murder of his father by his uncle Scar.

Box Office: Grossed over $968 million worldwide.

Why It Was Popular: "The Lion King" captured hearts with its stunning animation, memorable songs, and a compelling story inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, creating an enduring Disney classic.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman

Plot: Adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones embarks on a perilous quest to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the Nazis.

Box Office: Earned over $389 million globally.

Why It Was Popular: Directed by Spielberg and featuring Ford's iconic portrayal of Indiana Jones, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" combined thrilling action, humor, and an irresistible sense of adventure.

[donovanoliver715]

It’s been 10 years since Back to the Sea Animated movie flick was released straight to video and DVD. Although it’s referenced to Finding Nemo, Back to the Sea tells a flying fish named Kevin who got taken by fishermen to the Chinese Restaurant, and a pearl is stolen by a thieving criminal man named Jack. Featuring the familiar voices I recognized from. Like Yuri Lowenthal as Kevin, Tim Curry as Eric, Tom Kenny as Ben, a green Surgeonfish, Mark Hamill as Bunker the Octopus, Kath Soucie as Shaobao, a young boy who loves seeing marine creatures, Christian Slater as Jack, and the iconic Harley Quinn Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony of Twilight Sparkle Canadian actress, Tara Strong as Sammy, the Canary Yellow Rockfish. And those celebrities are iconic at that. And to think, it’s one of the films being released in 2012 alongside Wreck-It Ralph, and Hotel Transylvania with Adam Sandler inside. https://www.instagram.com/p/CjToD3nOyb-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shitedits]

[midnight-3r]