lets go!!!

Be sure to stop back by with your non-spoiler reaction!

Nostalgia is a powerful drug.
Sitting at work counting down each second to go see a movie I have no reason to believe will be any good - and I can't wait.

I was 8 years old in 1977 when Star Wars opened. I had just moved 200 miles to a new city after my parents divorced. Very shy. No real friends. Looking back I can't help but remember how that movie opened up an entire new world to me and opened up my imagination. I had the posters....the iron on t shirt (the 70's were fantastic)...skipped lunch at school a few times a week to pocket my lunch money and buy Star Wars toys when they finally came out.
I still remember being 8 and 9 years old and closing the door to the room I shared with my brother to listen to the double LP soundtrack. I would sit in the room and could "see" the movie through the music.

The long 3 year wait. Empire absolutely traumatized this 11 year old - the twist ws impossible to believe.

Another 3 years. No presale tickets. No assigned seats. It was a different movie experience and it was glorious.

We waited in line for hours to buy tickets. Then waited in line to actually get in and get a seat. I had no idea at 14 years old but I am apparently a sucker for a redemption story. The last act of Jedi left me breathless and wanting/needing more. ( I also had to go home and study for 3 finals the next day - my mother is a rock star for allowing me to go!).
Two days later we saw it again. Two days later again. That is a lot of time in line.. I remeber being so hungry the last night that I had someone save my place in line and I went to the payphone (again, different world).
I called Domino's.
There was much confusion when they asked me for the address.
"I don't know - I'm a Northpark I&II (RIP)"
"What?"
"I'm in line to see Star Wars. I'm second in line you can't miss me."

Witihn 30 minutes a pizza was delivered to me and friends. Of course, those around me were hacked. A few minutes later the delivery guy showed up with dozens of pizzas and made a killing just going down the line. Good times.

Like many of you, these movies have been a apart of my life for decades.
My kids love them.
My father called me an hour ago to make sure we were going tonight.
Nostalgia is a powerful drug.

Apologies for the ramble, but I am killing time before the 7pm showing - a showing that we have reserved seats and will probably just show up at 7 for - honestly miss the event of the old way!

Tha last movie was beyond a disapointment for me (only saw it once and have struggled to watch it at home the past few weeks. Just can't keep watching) but am hoping they can somewhat stick the landing.

Here's hoping for two plus hours of entertainment...

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sure we'd all love to hear your general thoughts and feelings tonight after you've seen it. I'm dodging spoilers until I can take my family Sunday afternoon. So many happy memories are built around this saga. Would really cherish having just one more with the Skywalker crew.

TCTTS said:

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bobinator said:

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We all know he's going Thursday. The dark side is too tempting. He might lie to us and say he's holding off, and he might even have the strength not to jump in on the spoiler thread and give himself away, but no way he can resist opening night.

Will I be seeing it first on here?

I'm seeing it at 2:30 PM (CT) on the 19th.

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I just don't want to miss out on 24 hours of spoiler talk here on the board and have to play catch-up. Then again, my seat for Thursday isn't great, and if the movie sucks, having to see it twice, on back-to-back nights, might be even worse. This truly does feel like my Vader/end-of-ROTJ moment. I'm so conflicted. But jokershady is right...

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Friday it is.

Just realized this is the first time I'll be going to an opening night Star War since I saw a Midnight showing of The Phantom Menace at the Bryan Mall!

Settled in at Alamo draft house with wife and kids. Just ordered trash compactor pizza and blue milkshake. Watching retro 80s Star Wars toy commercials Let's do this.

I miss 12:01 premieres with no reserved seating. I had some good times sitting in line with other hardcore fans.

My crew is in our seats, ready to go!

redd38 said:

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I miss 12:01 premieres with no reserved seating. I had some good times sitting in line with other hardcore fans.

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You and mnuge earlier are right. Advanced sales and reserved seats are probably for the better overall, but they take away from the overall event feel of the biggest blockbusters.

Here we go,

May the Force be with you.

redd38 said:

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I miss 12:01 premieres with no reserved seating. I had some good times sitting in line with other hardcore fans.

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In 2002, my quartet got out of the 9:15 a.m. showing of Attack of the Clones and my dad (then age 54) heard some other guys talking about all the stuff they had missed during the first showing and asked what they were talking about.

I explained the first showing was at midnight and he immediately said "We have to go to that for the next one!" My friend and I were both onboard, but my brother (then age 32) was reluctant to commit due the late hour, at which point my dad say "IT'S ONE DAY, THREE YEARS FROM NOW, YOU BABY!"

True to form, my brother pussed his way out of the midnight show, which my dad proudly attended, along with the rest of the gang.

Just sat down for the 8:20 at the Cinemark 18 in Webster.

The saga began for me in 1977 as a 4 year old, when my mom and grandmother took me to see A New Hope at The Galleria in Houston.

It ends tonight, here... a 46 year old, lifelong Star Wars geek with my wife by my side. I couldn't be more excited to see the last chapter of the story that's had such a profound impact on my life and brought me so much joy.

"Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things ... the way of the Force."

TCTTS said:

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TCTTS said:

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bobinator said:

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We all know he's going Thursday. The dark side is too tempting. He might lie to us and say he's holding off, and he might even have the strength not to jump in on the spoiler thread and give himself away, but no way he can resist opening night.

Will I be seeing it first on here?

I'm seeing it at 2:30 PM (CT) on the 19th.

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I just don't want to miss out on 24 hours of spoiler talk here on the board and have to play catch-up. Then again, my seat for Thursday isn't great, and if the movie sucks, having to see it twice, on back-to-back nights, might be even worse. This truly does feel like my Vader/end-of-ROTJ moment. I'm so conflicted. But jokershady is right...

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Friday it is.

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MuckRaker96 said:

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Body By Fisher said:

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Just realized this is the first time I'll be going to an opening night Star War since I saw a Midnight showing of The Phantom Menace at the Bryan Mall!

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Bryan has a mall?

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The HEB on Texas and Villa Maria used to be a part of a mall on that location.

As long as I get to see the Top Gun 2 trailer on the big screen I can deal

Body By Fisher said:

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oMG . 25 minutes past showtime and trailers are still going strong.

THIS is why I only go to the theater for an "event" movie.

20 bucks for a half hour of commercials.

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Another reason theater-going experiences like this can suck is people annoyingly typing on their phones during the previews/movie.

TCTTS said:

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Body By Fisher said:

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oMG . 25 minutes past showtime and trailers are still going strong.

THIS is why I only go to the theater for an "event" movie.

20 bucks for a half hour of commercials.

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Another reason theater-going experiences like this can suck is people annoyingly typing on their phones during the previews/movie.

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