Anyone watching tonight? Been getting awesome reviews...

Tonight? I am watching it tomorrow night at the Metreon IMAX here in SF, where is it showing it today?

Midnight shows I would suspect.

So much for the December 18, 2015 "release date."

I am in the process of watching all 6 previous movies with my 6 and 8 year old kids. We are halfway through so we'll probably see the movie in a couple weeks.

dajo9;842617527 said:

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I am in the process of watching all 6 previous movies with my 6 and 8 year old kids. We are halfway through so we'll probably see the movie in a couple weeks.

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Watched TESB with the family Monday, ROTJ last night. We're ready. Just so we purged our memory of those CGI-spackled bastardization prequel movies, I had the boys watch these yesterday afternoon:







By the end of the third video, my 13-year-old was swearing at Lucas for blowing his Grand Opportunity to tell a great story.

Tickets purchased for Friday at 7. Considering sneaking off tomorrow night to the Aptos Twin after the kids are put to bed.

I'm going Sunday afternoon. Cannot wait!

97% on RT with 145 reviews in.

Holy balls, they did it.

Is it true that Han Sulu is Kylo Ren's brother?

HaloBear;842617562 said:

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97% on RT with 145 reviews in.

Holy balls, they did it.

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I read a number of reviews this morning. And while they were overwhelmingly positive, I kept seeing negative reviews. About 6 of them.

Mostly, they complained that it was too much of a mashup of the original Star Wars.

But wasn't the original Star Wars a mashup of a bunch of other movies?

dajo9;842617527 said:

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I am in the process of watching all 6 previous movies with my 6 and 8 year old kids. We are halfway through so we'll probably see the movie in a couple weeks.

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I was born around the time Star Wars was released:

So this is how I've watched them.

--I saw all three originals when I was a kid.

--I watched them again in my 20s.

--I watched them yet again in my 30s.

--Then earlier this year, I found out that a group of people on the internet created a version of the original trilogy as it originally looked in theaters -- without all the CGI stuff, without Jabba the Hut in the first movie, etc, etc. So I downloaded that and watched it.

--After that, I was so enthralled that I gave in and watched the prequels. Well, I watched the first one at least. That was so so awful that I could not bring myself to watch the other films (though I hear they are less awful).

Honest Question -- I'm and old fart and have never seen any of the Star War movies. This doesn't come up often, but when I mention this people can't believe it; they seem to think I'm an alien who's only just recently arrived and taken on human form.

My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

Strykur;842617524 said:

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So much for the December 18, 2015 "release date."

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They are showing the movies starting at 7pm tonight here in the DC area.

LudwigsFountain;842617577 said:

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Honest Question -- I'm and old fart and have never seen any of the Star War movies. This doesn't come up often, but when I mention this people can't believe it; they seem to think I'm an alien who's only just recently arrived and taken on human form.

My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

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I don't think you are that unusual. I'm increasingly hearing about 20-something millennials who've never watched Star Wars.

I'd watch them in their original release order. (1977's A New Hope, 1980's Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi.)

The prequels (1999-2005) are considered not good, but you may be interested in them after watching the first three.

It's not just a kid's movie. Here's Roger Ebert's original review:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-1977

LudwigsFountain;842617577 said:

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My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

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The first Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Home as later subtitled) is as thrilling a motion picture now as was its significance upon initial release in 1977, it was a giant leap forward in the presentation of high-concept ideas on screen and became a major staple in popular culture. Within the framework of the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V subtitled) is largely considered the best of the original trilogy and the fan favorite within the franchise, and the last of the original sequels The Return of the Jedi (Episode VI subtitled) is a decent conclusion, not as fantastic as the previous two films but still very satisfying if not a little quirky. The original film by itself is worth seeing, as are the original sequels if you wish to see how the story continues. If you really then want to understand the galaxy further, the prequel trilogy adds more to the story but those films are not up to the same standard as the first trilogy.

LudwigsFountain;842617577 said:

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Honest Question -- I'm and old fart and have never seen any of the Star War movies. This doesn't come up often, but when I mention this people can't believe it; they seem to think I'm an alien who's only just recently arrived and taken on human form.

My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

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I'd watch them in this order: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6.

I know it sounds illogical, but I think it's optimal. You can skip 1 and not miss much, too.

If you want to have some fun, look into the Darth Jar Jar theory.

CalAlumnus13;842617586 said:

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I'd watch them in this order: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6.

I know it sounds illogical, but I think it's optimal. You can skip 1 and not miss much, too.

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I wonder if somebody who's never watched Star Wars would know that 4 = the very first film.

LudwigsFountain;842617577 said:

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Honest Question -- I'm and old fart and have never seen any of the Star War movies. This doesn't come up often, but when I mention this people can't believe it; they seem to think I'm an alien who's only just recently arrived and taken on human form.

My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

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I've seen 2 of the Star Wars movies. If you haven't missed them so far, probably won't miss them now. That said, might be worth it to watch a few or this one. Generally I'd call Star Wars top grade, no expenses spared, Sat. afternoon B-movie stuff. Think Flash Gordon serials with super high production values, good talent and modern sensibilities and writing. Star Wars isn't my cup of tea but I might see it over the holiday. It's good mindless entertainment, unless you take it serious...then you're a nerd.

Also, I'd recommend the despecialized version, if you're willing to download torrents.

This is the version of the films as they originally looked on the big screen.

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/30/7952859/despecialized-edition-download

In the '90s, George Lucas did a lot of "fixing" to his movies, and it doesn't always look so great.

LudwigsFountain;842617577 said:

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Honest Question -- I'm and old fart and have never seen any of the Star War movies. This doesn't come up often, but when I mention this people can't believe it; they seem to think I'm an alien who's only just recently arrived and taken on human form.

My question: Are these worth watching if you don't have the nostalgia of seeing them when you were young going for you? If so, which ones and in what order? Are there any you should avoid?

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I am not a fan of Sci-Fi or fantasy and have a low tolerance for excessive make-believe, but somehow I hold Star Wars in a different category. The story doesn't depend on the space age setting. It's a stand-alone narrative that could work in any era and any setting. The trademark visual look created by the locations and sets of the original trilogy merely add to an already good plot. I know many people who saw it for the first time as adults and like it.

The 3 prequels are not worth watching, in my opinion. Many Star Wars fans wish they could un-watch them, including me. It actually ruins much of the brilliance of the original three. The dialogue is indescribably awful. Hayden Christiansen turns in performances on par with middle school plays, and the meticulous set-building of the original three--which created so much of the believability and the signature visual look--was lazily replaced by fake-looking CGI. Worst of all, after discovering that many of his creatures from the original trilogy became cuddly cross-over marketing phenomenons with kids (cash machines), Lucas started [U]intentionally [/U]creating characters that were supposed to appeal to kids and provide silly comic relief. That alone basically negates any credit he gets for the first three.

okaydo;842617582 said:

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I don't think you are that unusual. I'm increasingly hearing about 20-something millennials who've never watched Star Wars.

I'd watch them in their original release order. (1977's A New Hope, 1980's Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi.)

The prequels (1999-2005) are considered not good, but you may be interested in them after watching the first three.

It's not just a kid's movie. Here's Roger Ebert's original review:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-1977

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I was kind of down on Star Wars after the prequels came out. However, watching them with my kids through their eyes has gotten me excited about the series again. The prequels are definitely not as good as the originals, however TPM was not as bad as I remembered it. The shock and horror of Jar Jar Binks at first viewing was too much but on second viewing TPM is not such a bad movie. AOTC is a good movie - period. ROTS is kind of long and gets boring (almost impossible to believe it's that disappointing considering Anakin turns into Darth Vader - it was kind of laughable watching young Darth Vader running around killing a bunch of muppets).

I rate the movies from best to worst 4,5,2,6, big space ,1,3
I like the idea of viewing them in order of 4,5,1,2,3,6

I am a big fan of the Darth Jar Jar theory. I'm a full believer.

I hear it was nothing like the book!


































Just kidding, I made that up. I have no idea if there are even books....

Calcoholic;842617592 said:

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Worst of all, after discovering that many of his creatures from the original trilogy became cuddly cross-over marketing phenomenons with kids (cash machines), Lucas started [U]intentionally [/U]creating characters that were supposed to appeal to kids and provide silly comic relief. That alone basically negates any credit he gets for the first three.

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I grade ROTJ down for this reason. Ewoks were created solely to sell product. That was evident even back in the 1980s.

dajo9;842617594 said:

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The prequels are definitely not as good as the originals, however TPM was not as bad as I remembered it. The shock and horror of Jar Jar Binks at first viewing was too much but on second viewing TPM is not such a bad movie. AOTC is a good movie - period.

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I didn't mind Jar Jar because I had been hearing about him for 16 years.

To me, the worst thing about the first prequel was the kid. His acting was atrocious and really became a distraction.

dajo9;842617597 said:

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I grade ROTJ down for this reason. Ewoks were created solely to sell product. That was evident even back in the 1980s.

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A lot of it was about selling product. I knew G Lucas' PA during the early 90s and the prequels. This guy was a fan but even he said at that point it was really about commerce and product licensing...and that's why things looked haphazard. Wasn't about film or storytelling.

CalAlumnus13;842617587 said:

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If you want to have some fun, look into the Darth Jar Jar theory.

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Wow. I hadn't heard this, but I just watched the video. Amazing. I never would have guessed, but I'm a believer now.

ColoradoBear1;842617596 said:

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I hear it was nothing like the book

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You are going Game of Thrones on us now ....


I have tickets for the 10:45 pm show tomorrow night. Can't wait

My son keeps calling me a fanboy.... I have no problem with that

beelzebear;842617609 said:

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A lot of it was about selling product. I knew G Lucas' PA during the early 90s and the prequels. This guy was a fan but even he said at that point it was really about commerce and product licensing...and that's why things looked haphazard. Wasn't about film or storytelling.

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The Ewoks I always found amusing, except for the fact that they are supposed to be a pivotal element in the penultimate battle for the galaxy. Hm.

Strykur;842617622 said:

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The Ewoks I always found amusing, except for the fact that they are supposed to be a pivotal element in the penultimate battle for the galaxy. Hm.

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Yeah, well, so were hobbits

NYCGOBEARS;842617549 said:

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I'm going Sunday afternoon. Cannot wait!

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Same here, in IMAX. Great review in the WSJ today.

Strykur;842617584 said:

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The first Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Home as later subtitled) is as thrilling a motion picture now as was its significance upon initial release in 1977, it was a giant leap forward in the presentation of high-concept ideas on screen and became a major staple in popular culture. Within the framework of the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V subtitled) is largely considered the best of the original trilogy and the fan favorite within the franchise, and the last of the original sequels The Return of the Jedi (Episode VI subtitled) is a decent conclusion, not as fantastic as the previous two films but still very satisfying if not a little quirky. The original film by itself is worth seeing, as are the original sequels if you wish to see how the story continues. If you really then want to understand the galaxy further, the prequel trilogy adds more to the story but those films are not up to the same standard as the first trilogy.

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+1, good summary.

BearsWiin;842617625 said:

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Yeah, well, so were hobbits

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Well those guys at least had this:

Strykur;842617633 said:

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Well those guys at least had this:

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One ring to rule them all ...

The official premier is Thursday at 7 pm. Not aware of any other screenings beside private ones.

The recommended viewing order of the films by storytellers and officianados is IV, V, II, III, and then VI (skipping I). This order makes a lot of sense, puts the Darth/Luke reveal in good place and uses backstory as flashback before climax--and omits the boring and unnecessary pod racing (though you miss Darth Maul and Metaclorians.

http://www.denofgeek.us/movies/star-wars/18992/would-george-lucas-approve-of-the-star-wars-machete-order

sci fi pap, goalie's dad's days #ed




[video=youtube;G1Vj1IvnHAA][/video]



[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbqpkr68amGraik73w6RlAHYGvL9KlJONz8TLf3NO yko430YLu_w[/IMG]

The internet has ruined me; I can't see a pic of Hope Solo anymore without thinking of the sarlacc.