Friday, May 25, 2007

30 years ago, at this moment

I was at the Showcase Cinemas in lovely Milan, Illinois with my brother Ed. Ed took me to the 7 p.m. showing of a new movie called Star Wars. Laugh if you will, but it had a pretty profound effect on my life. And I know I'm not the only one.

Thanks, Ed.

Wherever in the heavens you are right now, thanks.

And I don't care what Uncle George's revisionist views are.
Solo. Shot. First.

3 comments:

radiocynic said...

Oh, heck yeah!

I presume you've read Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" from the late 80's. I recall some interesting exploration of the Star Wars phenomenon, sort of as "religious experience" and/or "lifestyle guidance" therein.

Regardless... despite its widespread mass-market success, Star Wars was another good example of great art, be it film, music, visual art or whatever, profoundly influencing and improving lives.

Janet Kincaid said...

I'm with you on Uncle George's revisions. I wish he'd just left well-enough alone. I watched The Return of the Jedi the other night and had forgotten that he "enhanced" the ending with a younger Anakin and celebratory shots from cities around the galaxy. Yuck. I liked the old ending best. BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL ENDINGS, dammit!

I remember when Star Wars first came out. My parents took me to see it and I was absolutely enthralled. I collected Star Wars trading cards, I had Star Wars action figures, I was a stormtrooper for Halloween that year, my mother made me a Star Wars-themed birthday cake complete with x-wings and tie fighters. I'll admit: I'm not as knowledgable about ALL things Star Wars, but I do know I loved those movies and the fantastic possibilities they presented.

It was all good and life seemed simpler and slower then. Wish that it still were....

P.S. My comment moderation letters are "porkok." That works for me. Bring on pig! Pork fat rules and is OK in my book!

Anonymous said...

Ah, 30 years ago -- to think your other brother and your brother-in-law may have had a movie date out to see this, and now FINALLY, have the chance to marry. Perhaps I should have written this on your other post, but, congratulations to them both.