A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day....05-19-05...Star Wars

DollyCali | May 19. 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

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Ah, Star Wars – where to begin?


Words & phrases were born: “The Dark Side”, “May the Force be with you”,”Ewoks”, “lightsabers”, droids”, "hyperspace”. The stellar career of Harrison Ford (Hans Solo) was launched, while Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) remained relatively obscure and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) went to rehab & both Mark & Carrie have experienced a modest comeback.

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R2D2 & 3CPO were resurrected in 1999 for episodes 1-3 all the while George Lucas, a household word, became famous, rich, & has input with many films of all sorts with his companies Lucas Industrial Light and another firm Skywalker Sound. These two firms combined have won 40 Oscars ! If you sit through the “credits” at end of movies, as I always to, you see the names often. Lucas also had directed &/or produced movies such as Willow; Indiana Jones series; and American Graffiti. The genius of Lucas is undisputable.

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We learned a little about tolerance, respect, cooperation, and even LOVE ? among humans not just a different color, race or nationality.. but between human and robots and humans & intelligent creatures of every imaginable appearance and disposition. Hans Solo & Chewy; Leia & C3PO; Luke and R2D2 - a few examples. We waited for the first kiss between Leia & Hans; we cheered when the Death Star exploded and cried when we found out Luke was Darth Vader’s son

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We also learned that no longer were the credits at the end a one minute affair. I didn’t think there were that many people in Hollywood, yet alone part of one movie!

A generation that was raised (or raised their children) on the first three episodes – actually the middle of the trilogy - beginning in 1977 looked forward with anticipation as the opening of the next series at the end of millenium, to let us know “how it all started”. Current gossip has it that Lucas may be bold and go where no other human has gone – No wait that is another series - and do the last three of the trilogy. Hmm.. a trilogy of trilogies. Works for me.

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Please join us with your stories of your childhood experiences, your children’s experiences, your Star Wars favorite characters; Star Wars Trivia; your favorite Star Wars Pictures/graphics.. And hey, invite your friends, who are Star Wars fans to join us.

And yes, it is Thursday and JohnHuang2 is not able to be with us today. My guess is he has bought an all day pass and is going to sit through the movie half a dozen times He should be back with us next week.



DollyCali Does Star Wars


Always having been a movie fan & a Sci Fi fan for decades, I looked forward to this movie with all the hype that preceded it.. 1977. My son was 4 when husband and I decided to take him to the first theater movie. It has been playing for weeks with great reviews & crowds still heavy, but not sold out.

Son Jeff had been talking about it for weeks – much promo on TV. As we stood in line for the movie and he asked what we were going to see we asked him what was the movie he really wanted to see.. We just about fell over when he said “Pete’s Dragon” (the most recent advertised flick) .

Well we did NOT have to worry about him being disappointed. Jeff like his mom is typical ADDH… little sleep, always bouncy, active and talkative. I had worried about him also disturbing other movie fans. Well, we didn’t have to worry about this either. HE NEVER MOVED. He sat transfixed from beginning to end.

Jeff and I saw this at theater several more times together and I alone many more times (for the sake of you all not thinking I am a complete Movie Maniac, I plead the 5th to exactly HOW MANY TIMES.)

Jeff and I together saw the next two episodes over the years. Between the first movie & the opening of The Empire Strikes Back we found our home became a haven of star wars figures, aircraft, monsters, fighting vehicles & light sabers…and as of now..well, yes I own all the VHS & DVDs.



When Episode 1 opened in 1999 here in NE Ohio, I had much nostalgia as I went the first day & wished I could be sharing this with Jeff.. Alas he lives 500 miles away & now has his own family.

When that wonderful blast of music & the Opening Scroll of “A long time ago, in a galaxy etc” burst onto the sceen....I...I...

I began sobbing.

I freely confess. . I never realized how powerfully this would affect me. A couple folks my age sitting near by patted me & nodded, understanding. At the end of the movie, everyone jumped up & clapped. The critics didn’t give it top reviews.. but we fans did.

I may not be around a whole lot for next ??? hours.. depends on how many showings I am able to get tickets for today. I will be there after midnight for the initial public showing.

And I hope that all visiting will realize this is NOT the thread for flaming & critical political commentary on the stars & crew.

Now please pass the popcorn...

[DocH]

"Michael The Hutt"?

I have long used this modified moniker to describe the most slothful, disgustingly obese, assholes on the left-wing, un-American, anti-American, demonRAT side of the isle.

For instance, there is "Nadler The Hutt" (D - Peoples Republic of NYC).

Can you name any others?

[Dog]

Morning this is me this morning....I got my copy of Team America

[Aquamarine]

Wow! Very impressive Post Dolly, it looks great!

I only saw the first two Star Wars movies because Mr. Aqua wanted to see them, am not a Sci-Fi fan. May have to go see this one now that you've peaked my interest.

[DollyCali]

finished the little bit of front lawn that needed to be done.. thanks for your story.. glad your cancer problem was corrected & you are a 30 year survivor! WOW. We often don't know of all the things are friends here have gone through.

Even if you miss a few days, you can miss some "news" or some "sharing". Like the Finest Folks who are NOT Star Wars fans, might skip today's thread & miss some news. That is why I try to scan each day, even if the topic isn't one of my "hot" buttons.

I have a big screen TV (projection type) and it is much better than small, but to me NOT the same as big screen ... sound, pix, etc. for many movies it doesn't make a big difference.. but the ones with special effects, the epics etc, I love at theater. But I also know various circumstances make it difficult. We have bargain matinees here for 4.00 at the finest theaters in the area (Cinemark) and for me they are the two closest theaters to boot!

I agree with you re: the escapist element to these movies.. over the years they also have been a great tool in Church youth groups for discussion on the course of evil and the fight against it.

and star wars Lego's.. wow, I had forgotten about those..yes, Jeff had those also. I wish I had taken more pix of Jeff with his Star wars "things".. I have always been a photography nut but for some reason don't think I have any of this..

some other toys...

Someone's collection of ships & weaponry

[DollyCali]

Isn't Team America a great flick? Not for everyone that is for sure..

(that isn't Sadie, is it?) I am doing a pet thread next week, maybe you could post a pix of your favorite "girl" & show her off.. Need to run out for a bit

[DollyCali]

The interwoven story lines of the movies have always been interesting to me. I have made fun of folks who are "hooked" on soaps or weekly TV shows, but I was worse, much worse (not was, AM). I waited 3 years to find out if a love would go forward or the male would remain frozen !!! :) And I loved the special effects & the battle scenes. Your new sistah is more of a tom boy than a flourish of femininity.

Thanks for your help last night. I didn't know how to do the things I wanted but perhaps I need to change my screen-name to Ms. Copy/Paste. Billie sent me some info that might be helpful eventually. The next few weeks are very busy but I am determined to figure it out.

[DollyCali]

Rather the Hutt
sKerry the Hutt
Kennedy the Hutt
Kucinich the Hutt
Brown the Hutt (Sherrod)
Bryd the Hutt

some of them are better groomed on the outside...but we ALL KNOW we cant tell a book by it's cover

[hiredhand]

I haven't seen it yet. My sons (10 and 15) keep talking about it though, and are certain to see it. I'll probably go along. :-)

AG! Jabba the Hut REALLY does look like Michael Moore!

[kassie]

WhyisaTexasgirlinPA and I took our sons to the 12:01 AM showing this morning. Her daughter who is home for the summer came also.

I am not a Star Wars fan, however, I really liked this movie.

Great memories for my son. And WhyisaTexasgirlinPA is a lot of fun to be with so I didn't mind the 2 hour wait.

I will need a nap this afternoon!

[DollyCali]

my ride isn't here yet so I can FReep (of course IF he is trying to call me re: problem, I am in trouble as the phone is "in USE" with Modem.)

Please write your & Dusty's comments & thoughts on flick? I will be posting mine when I get back.

Your weather still has to be better than ours Kas.. low 50's & cold/wet front coming through. I don't have to check weather. my knees, back & "selected" joints are forecasting.. :-)

Any news from LuAnn? I am still hoping for a trip to see Jemian before she leaves & will want to swing by & see her also

[Aquamarine]

I just noticed your Darth Hostess graphic! lol Good work!
Like the edges that you put on the pic's, nice touch.

[Lakeside]

Oh, man! What a beautiful doggie. And what a hoot of a chew toy! Great pic.

[DollyCali]

This "good looking chap" was killed in earlier episode..reminds me of one of the characters (silver mask) in Kingdom of heaven.

It is nice to go with your sons... most wouldn't want to be seen with their parents &/or soon will go with friends who drive if they don't.

I treasure the memories of my son & my time at movies, biking, catching 'critters', playing games..

Capture every moment.. so soon they are gone with families of their own and hopefully creating great memories with them.

[kassie]

Kindra got married last Saturday. We couldn't attend, too many out of state tkd touraments to budget for.

I'll see if D. will write his review of the movie. My brain is so dead tired from being up all night.

Have a fun day!

[DollyCali]

edges.. easy.. If I am doing it, it is easy! (and I don't know how to do the HTML frame, ahemm) i learned my lesson at first thread.. I lifted pix from "here & there" on the internet .. the thread wasn't up a couple hours and several pix "disappeared". Now I work them up, sign them & put them on my server.

[hiredhand]

I did see that episode! Ben Kenobi cut this guy in half if I remember correctly. :-)

I'll certainly go with the boys if they want me to. I'm not a big movie goer, but we do have a good time together. We've taken up paintball here lately. Now THAT was a challenge! I've been doing a LOT better the past two months or so, but still always have bruises from being hit! Oh well...all of us who play have bruises. :-)

Yes...they grow TOO fast! I'm trying to spend all the time with them that I can. This "time" is only here for awhile! :-)

[Billie]

Oh, dear, I guess this wouldn't be the time or place to say I'm not a Star Wars fan then, huh?! :)

Dolly, you are amazing though - I almost *want* to go see what I'm missing just because your review is so enthusiastic. You're good, Sistah - you did all *this* late yesterday afternoon? The pics, and writing it and everything? (I read where you had changed your mind about your topic - and that was fairly late yesterday afternoon!)

I am impressed - I really am, and love your vignettes and love your enthusiasm for all the things you do.

Darth Billie
I wish I understood what Darth meant 'cause I noticed you signed all our names Darth!

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Dolly.

We had a primier showing last week here in Lucas' hometown. He was one of the honored guests. Not in that social circle, but a lot of big-bucks locals rubbed shoulders with him.

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, dear, I guess this wouldn't be the time or place to say I'm not a Star Wars fan then, huh?! :)

Oh, Billie....I'm so glad you said it first. Now I can slip in with a faint "me too". LOL. My movie tastes run more along the line of "The English Patient" (I know, very stuffy, LOL), or the classics.

Sorry, Dolly. I won't be able to add much to this thread, but like Billie, you have piqued my interest. You sure did a great job with your first post. Congrats, Sistah!

[tame]

How may of you knew that Michael Moore had a starring role in the Star War movies?

HA HA :o)