Star Wars at the Movies

The Prequel 20th Anniversary Saga is Complete as REVENGE OF THE SITH is revisited and recontextualized through memories past and present. Broc Walker and I remember Celebration III and our last big screen experience from 2005, Steve Sansweet tells the tale of the infamous San Diego Comic Con Episode III title reveal and Skye Paine relives attending the Los Angeles charity premiere. Plus, additional reflections on George Lucas' climactic magnum opus from David Quinn, Dave Brott, Danny Katzel and Mark Newbold. Yeh!

A commemorative caravan of interviews and anecdotes celebrates the 40th Anniversary of THE EWOK ADVENTURE. Jason Gibner remembers tuning into the stereo broadcast, Amy Sjoberg guides a tour of international CARAVAN collectibles and composer Peter Bernstein shares memories from his time on the film and insight on the music’s creation. Plus, additional stories from: Mark Newbold, Dave Brott, Ryan Beise, Jean Courtleciel and Yohann Rigobert.

With the Man in the Hat returning to the big screen for the first time in 15 years for one “last” adventure, enjoy this one-time-only special presentation dedicated to Henry Jones, Jr. Mark Newbold closes a pub with Robert Watts, Jason Gibner stealthily skips school to see THE LAST CRUSADE on opening day, Ryan Beise ponders Indy’s immortality and Imagineer Tony Baxter looks back on bringing Disneyland’s Temple of the Forbidden Eye to life. It’s an INDIANA JONES EPIC MOVIEGOING MEMORY SPECTACULAR!

Talking Bay 94's Brandon Wainerdi recalls formative moviegoing moments growing up in Plano, TX in the late 90s and early 2000s. Traversing the entire modern and postmodern Star Wars theatrical experience, Brandon shares how it's inspired his behind-the-scenes passions and creative fandom. Plus, an observance the STAR WARS TRILOGY: SPECIAL EDITION's 25th Anniversary.

To cap off Season 5, host Stephen Danley descends alone into the Erso homestead cave bunker to take a retrospective look at ROGUE ONE on the 5th Anniversary of its theatrical release in 2016. The film’s advertising buildup and onscreen follow-through as a “war picture” sets the stage for Stephen’s personal ROGUE ONE moviegoing “Star Wars Story” in cinemas around Los Angeles and an epilogue of on location memories from the South Coast of Iceland.

Washington DC local and lifelong fan Erik Janniche shares stories of seeing the Original Trilogy while growing up in the nearby Maryland suburbs of Greenbelt and New Carrollton. Erik then discusses collecting ephemera documenting the area’s theatrical Star Wars history and recounts the spark of seeing STAR WARS: SPECIAL EDITION at DC’s legendary Uptown Theater that led to him to organizing (and negotiating) the venue’s epic campout for THE PHANTOM MENACE.

Aviation enthusiast and first generation fan Hal Bryan recalls seeing the Star Wars Trilogy in some of the Seattle area’s classic movie theaters, including the UA 150 where THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK’s record-setting 61 week run took place. Bryan also sheds light on the origin and development of The Rocketeer Minute podcast. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at EMPIRE’s Fall 1979 theatrical trailer in celebration of the ultimate sequel’s 40th anniversary.

Graphic artist Kaz Oomori reflects on seeing the Original Trilogy at the O.S. Gekijo cinema in his hometown of Osaka, Japan as well as his career in illustration and movie poster design for modern blockbusters. Kaz breaks down his inspiration, dynamic style and process behind creating standout promotional artwork for the contemporary Star Wars sequels, concluding with an ambitious 6-piece ensemble for THE RISE OF SKYWALKER exclusive to Arclight Cinemas.

In the first installment of an Orange County double bill, Lisa Cowan recounts cofounding and running Mark Hamill's official fan club in the early 80s, trekking to Buttercup Valley to witness the filming of the sail barge battle from RETURN OF THE JEDI and writing for the Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine, among many other SoCal moviegoing memories. Next, fan and collector David Carr discusses growing up with JEDI fervor and the mad dash from Main Street USA to Tomorrowland when STAR TOURS debuted at Disneyland in 1987.

In this 20th Anniversary Episode I retrospective, 15 fans share stories that capture the sense of anticipation, excitement, confusion, disappointment, jubilation and hysteria that was Star Wars moviegoing in the Summer of 1999. These tales of frantic trailer-downloading, compulsive toy-buying, painstaking line-waiting and all around pandemonium collectively reflect on and celebrate THE PHANTOM MENACE as the epicenter of a one-of-a-kind cinematic and cultural experience.

Australia-based Feature Presentation guest Mark Raats discusses his career as a movie poster artist. Originally from South Africa, Mark recalls early influences that inspired him to draw, his introduction to STAR WARS on the big screen and his longstanding collaboration with Lucasfilm. Breaking down the creative process for several of his standout Star Wars illustrations, Raats reinforces the importance of respecting traditions of the past while offering something different, culminating in his most recent piece for SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

With the saga's newest installment arriving in theaters, two generations of Jedi fans from the "Friendliest Small Town in America" offer reflections on the past and commentary on the present. In a welcome in-person interview, Feature Presentation guest Broc Walker recollects growing up in Murray, Kentucky and seeing RETURN OF THE JEDI at the Cheri Theatres as well as the ongoing significance of seeing Star Wars continue on the big screen through the eyes of his 7 year old son, who offers his own keen observations following his first viewing of THE LAST JEDI.

Crossing the border into the Great White North, Feature Presentation guest Scott Bradley of the Canadian Star Wars Gallery recalls seeing STAR WARS at the Somerset Theatre in the capital city of Ottawa in August 1977, enduring a local projectionists' strike in the Summer of 1980 by trekking to the suburb of Pembroke to finally catch THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and scoffing at paying hustlers $5 a piece for Adam Joseph buttons while waiting in line for RETURN OF THE JEDI. Plus, JEDI's Canadian reception is explored through CBC News segments that aired amidst its debut.