Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ready Player One for the screen gets the ‘Dads thinking about another movie where a gamer from a trailer park saves the world—The Last Starfighter.
JediShua and shazbazzar come in from the cold to analyze the Ready Player One trailer, watch The Last Starfighter, play some 1st-person star pilot Atari games, and (of course) eat cereal.
The Last Starfighter, Star Fire, Star Raiders, and StarMaster
Cold, cold, cold. Well, what do you expect in winter? But even for those who prefer it 80, 90, or 100 degrees, there are lots of things to love this week and look forward to in weeks to come. Like spring. And Ready Player One. JediShua and shazbazzar turn up the funmeter even when the thermometer drops with cereal, Atari games, and The Last Starfighter.
In the NEWS
Bill Finger gets credit for his part in writing the dark detective who dresses like a flying mammal as New York dedicates a street in the name of the co-creator of Batman. Fledgling Star Wars composer John Powell will get some help from the original oxygenator of that galaxy far, far away as John Williams is tapped to score the theme of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Maybe Disney thinks this will help make up for the fans’ growing disillusionment with Lucasfilm in the modern era. Maybe they just think John Williams is awesome and realize he should be the one to provide an iconic motif for the most lovable scoundrel in the universe.
We Love Our Cereal…
Super Mario cereal finds its way to JediShua’s pantry as Cinnamon Toast Crunch Blasted Shreds fill shazbazzar’s bowl with sweetness for their tastebuds. Hey EarBuds, let us know which cereals you’re enjoying during this cold snap.
Ready Player One
Although the ‘Dads have already discussed the official trailer for Ready Player One, shazbazzar and JediShua dig deeper into the trailer by comparing screen shots to scenes they’ve envisioned from the book and discover something interesting: this movie will not be spoiled by reading the book. It’s almost entirely rewritten.
The Last Starfighter
Ernie Cline’s second novel might have more in common with Jonathan Betuel’s screenplay for 1984’s The Last Starfighter, but when you have a video gamer stepping up a level to save the world, especially when he’s from a trailer park, you have to see the similarities. JediShua and shazbazzar revisit The Last Starfighter and still like it. Even though the coifs, clothes, and cars are definitively ‘80s, the storyline is timeless and endearing every time you watch it.
TechnoRetro Arcade
From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, first person space shooters took control of home video game consoles with the likes of Star Fire, Star Raiders, and StarMaster. Though lacking the quality of the Starfighter game featured in The Last Starfighter, these games kept fans of Star Wars and other sci-fi/space fantasy films engaged between movies.
Feedback
Shane seems to think that General Mills is trolling Kellogg’s with the new Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes cereal we talked about last week. Armando reminisces about his days as a barber, trimming hair of all colors at the Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop. You could get birthday cake cupcakes with Fruity Pebbles at the Sprinkles Cupcake Shop last week, according to John. Han’s dice and Rose’s Resistance ring from The Last Jedi will soon be available on Etsy. Thanks, Dan!
Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, or lend your voice to our discussion about toys, cereal, games, or movies and shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback on voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us a message or mp3 via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com. And get ready to play for the TechnoRetro Dads’ Easter Egg with the upcoming TechnoRetro Egg Hunt starting next week.
Share and enjoy!
click banner for all episodes and homepage!
Join shazbazzar and JediShua each week for a look back at the ’70s and ’80s as they share the fun and also fandom of their youth with their families, friends, and EarBuds. Topics include TV, film, music, toys, and games of the ’70s and ’80s as well as franchises which have continued into the 21st Century, like Star Wars, The Last Starfighter, and Atari video games. TechnoRetro Dads creates new stories as old legends are passed down from one generation to the next.
If you’re a TechnoRetro Dad, the child of one, or just appreciate the ’70s and ’80s, then this podcast is definitely for you!