Ranking the Star Wars movies now that the Skywalker Saga is complete

Joe Cianciotto. Now that “Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” has completed the Skywalker Saga of the Star Wars franchise, it’s time to rank the films.

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A few notes though before the rankings. First, this is only a list that includes the episodes. That means, no Star Wars Stories. No “Rogue One” and “Solo.” It also doesn’t include that animated film “The Clone Wars.” Joe Cianciotto.
Also, this ranking doesn’t take into account critics’ or viewers’ reviews. It mostly pertains to the overall enjoyment the movies bring and the amount of Star Wars “spirit” that they possess.

So, without further ado, here are the Star Wars episodes ranked from worst to best. Joe Cianciotto.

9. Star Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones
8. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
7. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
6. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
5. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
4. Star Wars Episode I: A New Hope
3. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
2. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
1. Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back.

  Joe Cianciotto.

Signs that people might be a true-blue film buff

Joe Cianciotto. The difference is that true-blue film buffs keep the act of watching films sacred. Here are signs that a person might be a true film buff.

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Image source: pixabay.com

They get rid of distractions.

Film buffs switch off phones when in theaters. At home, they close the doors, turn off anything that might distract them, even tell their friends or family members not to disturb them, and watch the film through and through as though in a movie theater. Joe Cianciotto.

They position themselves in a comfortable (but not too comfortable) manner.

At home, film buffs set up everything from dimming the lights to shutting the drapes to prepping the snacks and drinks before watching the movie.

They don’t overthink on the first viewing.

As difficult as it may seem, film buffs try not to overthink things during the first viewing. They try to take in the experience and leave the more technical insights like on cinematography, dialogue, and editing the next time they watch. Joe Cianciotto.

They are immersed.

Probably the most important thing film buffs do is to be immersed in a film. They can imagine being part of the movie as if the characters are right in front of them. Joe Cianciotto.

Ranking the top five MCU films to date

Joe Cianciotto. And just like that, the Marvel Cinematic Universe wraps up its Phase 3 with a bang. After "Avengers: Endgame" came and went, leaving record box-office numbers in its wake on its way to becoming the highest-grossing film of all-time, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" capped things off with a heartfelt epilogue.

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In line with this, below are the top five MCU Films to date. Joe Cianciotto.

5. Avengers: Infinity War

Edging out Endgame on this list, many people believed that Infinity War had a tighter story altogether and provided more gravitas to the overall story of the MCU.

4. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Joe Cianciotto. With the split of Disney and Sony, Far From Home will probably be the last time audiences see Spidey in the MCU. If that’s the case, it couldn’t have been a greater exit. Far From Home is the best Spider-Man live-action film in over 10 years.

3. Marvel’s The Avengers

The first Avengers film wasn’t so much a film as it was an event. Much like the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, something of this magnitude had never been done before in cinema history. Joe Cianciotto.

2. Thor Ragnarok

While some of the more traditional fans still balk at how Ragnarok mocks the God of Thunder rather than raise him up to a status worthy of a god, it was far and away the most original of the MCU films. It was also hilarious. Joe Cianciotto.

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The peak in MCU storytelling, this second Captain America film turns everything and everyone on its head with a twist that had forever changed the MCU. It also deepened many of the main characters’ stories, laying the groundwork for the rest of the existing MCU phases. Joe Cianciotto.

Three inspirational films to come out of Hollywood in the past 50 years

All heart -- Joe Cianciotto

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Hollywood has come out with a number of inspirational movies in the past half-century, films that have made audiences tear-up at their most triumphant or emotional moments.

As the first part of a tribute to all the inspiring films in the past 50 years, here are three movies that have tugged at audiences’ hearts.

Rudy (1993): Americans love football, and they love football movies. And while there have been a dozen or so quality films on the sport, none of these films was as inspiring as “Rudy.” The film, based on the life of Daniel Ruettiger, wasn’t a box-office hit, but it created a cult following that endures until today, with many people saying that watching the “Rudy” saved their lives. Joe Cianciotto.

Rocky (1976): Probably the most inspirational film on combat sports ever made, “Rocky” is the original and definitive underdog Hollywood hero. In it, Sylvester Stallone plays the down-on-his-luck prizefighter who is given a once-in-a-lifetime chance and makes the most of it, finding redemption, love, and destiny all at once. Joe Cianciotto.

Braveheart (1995): “Braveheart” is a historical epic loosely based on Scottish medieval history. Mel Gibson both directs and stars in the Oscar-winning movie that’s both brutal and beautiful. At its heart, the film tackles one of man’s basic needs – freedom, and his determination to get it at all costs. Joe Cianciotto.

Easter eggs fans might have missed in 'Avengers: Endgame'

"Avengers: Endgame" marks the end of phase one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after 21 films. It was a three-hour extravaganza containing all the humor, heartbreak, and action to cap the movie. And like most Marvel movies, this too had its fair share of Easter eggs served to fans who are extra observant or who’ve done multiple viewings of the film. Here are some Easter eggs fans might have missed in Avengers Endgame. Joe Cianciotto.

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It’s no longer a secret that Tony Stark dies at the end of the film. During his wake, the camera scrolls to all those who are present which are mostly members of the Avengers and their factions. There was one sore thumb in the scene, a teenage boy whom fans have never seen before. The young man is actually the kid from "Iron Man 3," Harley Keener. Joe Cianciotto.

It hasn’t been hinted yet that the X-Men universe existed in the same universe as the MCU. That is until an Easter egg was found in the scene where Antman was looking for his daughter’s name among those who have disappeared. During the search, the name Roberto da Costa appeared on the list. Da Costa, of course, is a member of the New Mutants called Sunspot. Joe Cianciotto.

Lastly, several MCU films have featured cast members of the Russo’s previous show Community. They’ve featured Danny Pudi, Donald Glover, and Jim Rash before. And in Endgame, they added Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Jeong to the list. Joe Cianciotto.

Real estate photography tips that highlight great architecture and design

Real estate photography tips and tricks Joe Cianciotto

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Always in demand, real estate photography should be done right at all times. Otherwise, photographers could be selling untruthful photos to their clients. Photography tips and tricks come in handy in this field in order to showcase every corner and detail of a property. Joe Cianciotto.

Create a standard shot list for every property. Of course, no two homes have the same features, but having typical shots will never go wrong. This ensures a photographer a point of reference even if a shooting day gets a little awry. Prepare the gear in advance. Most photographers get their gears ready the night before a shoot. Doing this affords one peace of mind and gives them more time for their creative juices to flow. Joe Cianciotto

De-clutter the property for an effective shoot. Be sure to shoot the exteriors using natural light. Shooting during the golden hour never fails. Interior photography also benefits greatly from natural light, as most subjects. Highlight kitchen tiles, countertops, and other must-see aspects of the kitchen. Some properties may have a library or an office. Play with lighting to see which approach would let the details of the room pop better. Joe Cianciotto.

Camera height is important. If one is unsure about the right height for the image, try a few before deciding which one must be sent to the client. Never be afraid to ask a client regarding their perspective. While a photographer can help them sell their property, their opinion in relation to the images matter. Joe Cianciotto

Freeze! Famous movie FBI agents

Reel agents -- Joe Cianciotto

There is no shortage of movies and TV shows that highlight the work of the FBI. For instance, five Hannibal Lecter films -- “Hannibal Rising,” “Manhunter,” “Red Dragon,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” and “Hannibal” – showcase not only the bureau but its agents as well. In fact, many actors and actresses have made their mark in Hollywood playing famed FBI agents on film and TV. Below are some of them.

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All in a day’s work --- Joe Cianciotto

Clarice Starling: While many preferred Jodie Foster’s take on this very popular character, some fans are quick to point out how Julianne Moore also gave the role some justice as well. Clarice Sterling was Hannibal Lecter’s “muse.” She starts off as a naïve trainee, who eventually becomes a full-fledged FBI agent. Later in her career, she became quite the trigger-happy law enforcer, even being recognized as the FBI agent with most kills. Joe Cianciotto.

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully: For many fans, the pair is a perfect union. While the two first gained following in the cult TV series, they also had two movies together, “The X-Files Movie” and “The X-Files: I Want to Believe.” Long-time FBI partners Mulder and Scully went through countless adventures and even ended up together.

Agent J: Many movie fans consider “Men in Black” as part of a secret FBI organization. And Will Smith’s portrayal, alongside Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K, is downright hilarious. Joe Cianciotto.