Posts tagged Star Wars
“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.
This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches: August 10 – 12
Aug 9th
PGA Championship at World Golf Hall of Fame
Learn about golfers who have won the PGA Championship, as you take a special scavenger hunt through the Hall of Fame located at 21 World Golf Place in St. Augustine. There will also be a photo opportunity with the Wanamaker Trophy Thursday – Sunday. The broadcast will be shown throughout the museum during the week during business hours. All South Carolina residents and PGA Professionals receive free admission with ID. http://www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org 904-940-4123
Swamp Hattie’s Lair at Worley Faver Gallery
Entertain the children this weekend with a visit to Swamp Hattie’s Lair at Worley Faver Gallery, 11-A Aviles Street in St. Augustine. A literary critic recently wrote: “Now that there are no more new Harry Potter books on the horizon, Swamp Hattie can provide you with your supernatural fix. Dennis’ books have elements of The Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars movies, and, like both of those trilogies, the second Swamp Hattie book concludes with a dark cliffhanger… every single line of these books rhymes with another line, and that’s no small feat. With Chris Armstrong’s vivid and intricate illustrations, these books are the sort that you’ll want to pass along to your grandchildren.” Weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 904-304-2310
Saturday: August 11
GTM Research Reserve 2nd Saturday Trail Hike
A GTM Research Reserve staff and/or volunteer-led 1.5 mile walk that the entire family will enjoy. Meet at the Trailhead Pavilion at 8:30 a.m. Wear comfortable closed toe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500
Sunday: August 12
PACT Triathlon
Triathlon in support of PACT Prevention. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Anastasia State Park, 1340A A1A South, St. Augustine. http://www.PactPrevention.org
Birding for Kids
Anastasia State Park invites families with children ages 8-12 to participate in a free kid’s birding class from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The program will begin with an outdoor classroom session on how to identify birds, followed by a scavenger hunt to find a list of target birds in the park. Must pay regular park admission of $8 per vehicle to participate. Anastasia State Park is located at 1030 A A1A S in St. Augustine. http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia 904-461-2033
Marineland Guided Kayaking Ecotour
All levels of experience are welcome on this guided kayaking adventure through the peaceful estuary of Marineland. Cost is $55/adults, $45/children 15 and younger. Price includes free general admission to Marineland Dolphine Adventure! Tour starts at 9 a.m. at 101 Tolstoy Lane in St. Augustine, directly across the street from Marineland. http://www.rippleeffectecotours.com 904-347-1965
Local Resident Specials
NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Spanish Military Hospital Museum, and the Historic Tours of Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed).
NEW: St. Johns County residents who purchase full-price admisssion to the St. Augustine Lighthouse ($9.50 adults; $7.50 seniors and children 12 and under; free for children under 44 inches in height) can now receive a pass good for free admission for an entire year! The Lighthouse is now open until 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.. Also, on the first Monday of each month, St. Johns County residents are admitted free to the Dow Museum of Historic Houses, 246 St. George Street, St. Augustine.
NEW: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID now receive FREE admission to the Oldest House in St. Augustine.
Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau
LEGO Kids Fest
Apr 28th
LEGO KidsFest brings all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in one activity- and entertainment-packed family event for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests. In this special event we bring you to the festival, watch kids hard at work building tons of LEGO constructions and a personal interview with Chis one of the LEGO Master builders who tells us about the things kids can participate in and lots of cool LEGO models to check out.
Find out more about the event at http://www.legokidsfest.com/