Dodge Display at the 2013 Denver Auto Show
Mar 25th
We visit the Dodge display at the Denver International Auto Show and look at 4 cars the Dodge Dart, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Ram.
Dodge Dart – The signature of a new Dodge and a hot new face in the compact sedan field, the all new Dodge Dart puts its own high-styled spin on 4-door practicality. In distinctive Rallye trim with the optional 160-horsepower MultiAir turbocharged engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, it rocks out of the box.
Dodge Viper – It’s not a car, it’s a lifestyle. The Dodge Viper is a consuming passion. You’ll find yourself standing in the garage just staring at it. Follow the curves and character lines right into the driver’s seat again. Simply Stunning. The Viper combines classic beauty and modern flair. Bodywork on the Viper more closely hugs what lies beneath to look more compact and purposeful, while evolving the classic Viper form. The side “gill” shape inspired by the original Viper remains a focal point. The new roofline is longer, tapers more toward the rear, and the fenders have broader shoulders and a much more aggressive racecar look. Classic colors and stripes lead back to quick-firing LED tail lamps masked by dark-tinted snakeskin lenses.
Dodge Challenger SRT – Iconic muscle car design, classic Style, modern performance. The Dodge Challenger set the standard for classic muscle once and now its doing it again. With chrome tip dual exhaust, beautifully sculpted hoods with scoops, and available 20-inch wheels, the muscle car is back. And it has more to flex than ever.
Dodge Ram 1500 – Why buy any other truck, The 2013 Dodge Ram was Voted Rocky Mountain Truck of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Performance that sets the stage, not just for speed or torque, but to define the norm.
“The Force That Changed America”
Mar 25th
Star Wars was changed, as you know, and in 1997 could also have been changed to “Twenty years ago in a Hollywood universe far, far away a young man named Lucas fulfilled his vision and managed to make a sappy space opera filled with mythological overtones, innovative special effects and filmmaking techniques that were a throwback to Saturday matinee serials, and young Lucas was also farsighted enough to keep all the merchandising rights for his creation, which became so successful that it changed how we look at movies, how Hollywood makes movies and society itself, which became seduced by the Dark Side of merchandising and greed.”
On May 25, 1977, Star Wars opened in a little over 30 theaters and went on to do blockbuster business, earn obscene amounts of money, spawn many equally successful sequels, make George Lucas a wealthy man and an unequaled force in the entertainment industry and perhaps “single-moviedly” create movie fan clubs and people obsessed with collecting every collectible associated with the movies they could get their hands on.
However, Star Wars is more than just a sappy space opera filled with mythological overtones, innovative special effects and filmmaking techniques that are throwbacks to Saturday matinee serials. It is also a transference of power and importance from one generation to the next, and it might not just be coincidence that the “special edition” came 20 years later, the time of one generation.
If you were one of the millions who stood in line at one of the 1800 theaters in which Star Wars (Special Edition) opened January 31, 1997, you might have noticed how it was not as interesting if you already knew everything that happens and what everything means. Wait! We already knew that from the many, many times we had already seen it, whether in theaters the first time around long, long ago or on TV from either broadcast showings, movie rentals or our own private collections.
We already know that Mark Hamill was a wooden actor, that the story is sappy at the beginning when Luke Skywalker is with his aunt and uncle and that scenes go on way, way too, too long to show us the razzle-dazzle of special effects rather than advancing the story. And we already knew that the superficial banter between Han Solo and Princess Leia is just a cover-up for their mutual attraction.
Yes, we knew how the movie begins, how it middles and how it ends. So, why were we so fascinated to want to see it again when it was already etched in our brains like a historical myth?
Well, that depends on who “we” is. Some of us were (ahem) old, old enough to have seen it the first time around, which means we were probably Baby Boomers and didn’t want to grow any older and were reliving that experience again, which helped us to think we were still that age of 20 years earlier.
Some of us were just old enough to have children, and we probably wanted to see it again with our kids, sort of like passing a sacred totem on to the next generation.
And some of us were (ahem) young, young enough to have never seen it on a large screen, where Lucas maintained it was meant to be seen.
Lucas said he was only 50% to 60% happy with the film 20 years earlier and later he was 80% happy with it. He said, “The only thing I joke about now is it would be fun–and we can’t do this for another 10 years or so–to go back and digitize the entire movie and clean it up.”
May the Force help us!
Was this how we wanted Hollywood to treat our icons? Was this how we wanted movies made and remade as new technology allowed filmmakers to ignore the limitations of their raw material?
Think of Independence Day. Think of Plan 9 from Outer Space. Heck, think of Mars Needs Women.
Star Wars created Hollywood’s obsession with the blockbuster, it created the phenomenon in which merchandising earns more than the box office and it probably has a direct influence on why magazines and newspapers contain more advertising than text over time, companies now sponsor sporting events and even uniforms, and athletes make more money from endorsements than they do from playing their sports.
Star Wars is the Force that changed Hollywood, and as Hollywood goes, so goes America.
I rest my case.
Jack TerHar talks Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Maserati’s and Jaguars at the 2013 Denver Auto Show
Mar 24th
Jack TerHar shows us the hottest and most luxurious and expensive vehicles at the 2013 Denver International Auto Show, Lamborghini’s, Aston Martins, Maserati’s and Jaguars in particular.
Lamborghini Aventador – Built in Italy. Just arrived from the future. Lamborghini has a history of revolutionary thinking. Whether in terms of design, like the iconic scissor doors or in terms of technology such as the V12 engine and carbon-fiber technology. Going far beyond what was previously thought possible is just as much a part of our brand as our core values: uncompromising, extreme, Italian. The Aventador LP 700-4 represents a whole new level of performance, sets new benchmarks in the super sports car segment, and provides a glimpse into the future. It’s a car that’s already achieved legendary status.
Lamborghini Gallardo – The new Gallardo LP 560-4 combines the aggressive and muscular sportiness of the shape with the elegance and simplicity of its contours. The redesigned front end is characterized by triangular and trapezoidal forms – two shapes that are highly typical of the Lamborghini design language.
Aston Martin Rapide – The World’s Most Beautiful 4-Door Sports Car. A more luxurious and more refined Rapide taking industry leading technology to new heights, with more power and more luxury. An Aston Martin with the power of luxury.
Aston Martin Vanquish – The Best Aston Martin… ever. 100 years of Aston Martin. 100 years of producing the most beautiful and desirable cars in the world. Aston Martin knew centenary demanded something special. Their mission was to produce the greatest Aston Martin in history, the car to lead into a second 100 years – a new flagship and they did it. With the most advanced engineering, the most beautiful design and the finest materials, they created the best Aston Martin ever. The Vanquish. Thinking James Bond ?….
Aston Martin Vantage – The Aston Martin Vantage is a true sporting thoroughbred. By distilling Aston Martin’s unique design and engineering ethos into a compact and handsome sports car, each Vantage model displays its own unmistakable and pure sporting character. Coupe or Roadster, V8 or V12, the Vantage range embodies all that is great about Aston Martin. In 2012, this iconic range continued to evolve, with a comprehensive array of improvements to the V8 Vantage and the unveiling of the exclusive, limited edition V12 Vantage Roadster for 2013.
Maserati GranTurismo Sport Coup – Sportiness and elegance have been redefined with the creation of the Maseratio GrandTurismo Sport, The new model is Maserati’s latest version of the coupe and offers increased performance and an elegant sporty restyling.
Maserati Quattroporte GTS – Maserati Grantour attitude has epitomised the concept of the high preformance luxry saloon since its creation in 1963, when a racing engine was installed into a luxry saloon for the first time, and now after fifty years the all new Quattroporte continues to be the embodiment of the classic grand tourer and remains a celebration of elegance, technology and power.
Maserati GranCabrio Convertible – There’s something very special about driving ‘al fresco’. It’s all about being at one with the environment, savouring the essential pleasures of the surrounding landscape and rejoicing in the ensuing sense of freedom. The Maserati GranCabrio is a sensual lifestyle choice that makes quite a statement.
Jaguar F-Type – Introducing an all-new convertible sports car that will fuel your desire. Jaguar’s long anticipated sports car, the F-TYPE, has arrived. It is agile, powerful, and distinctive. From the crest of the hood to the edge of the spoiler, Jaguar F-Type is their newest sports car and precisely designed and named for desire.