| Author | Message | ||
| Hrobinsonw Registered user Username: Hrobinsonw Post Number: 156 Registered: 7-2004 |
27 years ago, Herbert and Odessa Wheeler took their two sons to the movies. Their names were David,4, and Herbert Robinson, infant. That is correct, that poor lad with the long name is me. As the story goes, the Wheeler children were so fascinated that they didn't go to the restroom nor sleep in the theater. For an arm baby that is fairly difficult. Little did the Wheeler's know that they would spark a movement within their household for years to come. Dave and I were Yoda and Darth Vader for Halloween for many years. Now the Saga comes full circle and tomorrow night at 7:45pm, My wife, dad, and I will be amongst the other Sci Fi Geeks awaiting the Annakin Skywalker's fall from respectability. Which brings me to the point of this post. My family has long since equated Star Wars to spirituality. In Episode IV the Force is merely a forgotten myth and to practice such a thing was almost considered Cultic. I believe the guy called it a "religion" before Vader tried to choke him. My question is this, are we the only ones that see moral struggles between good and evil on a spiritual level. The Force is something unseen, but certain people obtain it and hone it. But in order to do so, a strong belief or faith must come with it. The stronger that faith in the Force becomes, the stronger the individual becomes. There are two sides to the Force, Good side and the Dark side. Yoda represents the positive side and Darth Sidious represents the negative side. Annakin is an individual with an inert connection to the Force at a young age. Both sides of the Force fight for his allegiance until ultimately he sells his soul to the Dark side. In the process of doing so, he looses everything that is good to him for the sake of power. As the story progresses the saga ends with Annakin's redemption and coming full circle with his past. Call me crazy. Or maybe I need to stop watching the Star Wars Trilogy once a month. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 438 Registered: 7-2004 |
Herb, you are not crazy, and you are not alone. I was a young woman when the first Star Wars movie came out and I sat transfixed in a huge theater when that huge space ship skimmed in over our heads. Do you guys remember how that felt? We were suspended in space and could feel space displaced by the awesome size of that craft! Well, now I'm not so young but tonight at 12:10 a.m., May 19, I will be attending the Geek showing in my local theater. I can't miss this final act and I want to be one of the first to experience it. 27 Years ago I took my parents to see Episode IV because I had completely understood that the movie was all about the battle between good and evil--the great controversy, if you will. My mother chose to see it as some weird dillusion and so she missed the point that I had gotten. Dad seemed to enjoy it because of the non-stop action. Each person gets what they came to get, and sometimes they come away with a little more. See you at the movie! Belva | ||
| Bob Registered user Username: Bob Post Number: 251 Registered: 7-2000  |
My adult son is totally Star Wars obsessed also. You should see his collection of figures, posters, etc. In fact, he spends more money on these toys as an adult that we ever could afford to spend when he was a kid! My concern about the Star Wars religious philosophy is that essentially, it is dualistic Hinduism (New Age-ism) in disguise. Not the same as the Biblical perspective. Fascinating and fun, but not spiritually reliable as a guide to salvation! | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 790 Registered: 7-2003  |
Whoooooooo-Hoooooooooooooo!!!! Iím just as excited for Star Wars Episode III as you are HRobinson. As a child I played, ate, and slept Star Wars. I was 8 when the original came out, but was not allowed to go to theaters, but I read the book over and over and over until the spine broke and I had to tape it back together with electrical tape. I would reenact all the scenes with my Star Wars action figures. Iím a huge Star Wars nut. Having said all that, I shy away from drawing any spiritual allegories out of Star Wars. The Star Wars version of spirituality is not compatible with Christianity. The concept of the Force owes much to Eastern religions that see the universe in a dualistic fashion. In Eastern thought, there are things that appear to be good and things that appear to be evil, but they are really just two sides of the same coin. Good and Evil, light and dark, are always in tension with each other and balance each other. Christianity denies this type of dualism. In Christianity, God is absolutely sovereign, absolutely holy, absolutely righteous, and absolutely just. There is no evil or darkness in Him. Nor does He have any evil opponent as a balance or counter force. Satan is no match in any sense for God. He is in way Godís equal. The fate of the universe does not hang in the balance, but is predetermined through Godís sovereign foreknowledge. There is only one true force in the universe that sustains all things and that force is the sovereign power of the only God and there is no darkness in Him. As long as a person completely understands the difference between the Eastern philosophies that Lucas has based his mythology on and the reality that is given through scripture, I think there can be some good brainless entertainment to be had in these fantasies. I think of it kind of like reading Greek mythology, we can completely reject the polytheism found in Greek mythology while enjoying the classic story telling. My only concern is that so many young people, and even some Christians, have bought into a dualistic world view and my beloved Star Wars has only helped to foster this false teaching. Chris | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 441 Registered: 7-2004 |
Chris, so true. For me, Star Wars was always fun. It was never in any way my church. My attendance tonight with the Geeks and Groupies is because I know that crowd will be there strictly to have fun and enjoy all the light saber duels and notice all of the special effects. I'm reading on the net that Lucas takes some veiled jabs at our president, so I'll be looking for those aspects, too. Why is the entertainment industry completely sold out to the Democrats? Belva | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 442 Registered: 7-2004 |
One more thing, I'm watching for some indication that the SDAs on R/S are noticing this movie debut. I'm sure they will have a lot to say about it, as they have all of the other Star Wars episodes. You can depend on them to find some ulterior motive hidden under at least one of the movie rocks and that will make for some good discussions. I do miss rattling their prison bars over there. Belva | ||
| Pw Registered user Username: Pw Post Number: 442 Registered: 6-2004 |
While many are looking forward to Star Wars, Batman Begins and Fantastic 4 are the ones I'm dying to see. | ||
| Hrobinsonw Registered user Username: Hrobinsonw Post Number: 157 Registered: 7-2004 |
Okay, the spiritual side may have been a Wheeler family reach. Belvalew, I wish I could have seen it at 12:10am but my dad has to go to work in the morning. I took the day off in memory of Annakin Skywalker. Okay, another question. Hypothetical. In "Attack of the Clones," When Jengo Fet got his head cut off and young Bobo was saddened. Why didn't he just remove one of the helmets of a clone since they were all cloned off of his father, Jengo? Oh, and a flipside. Maybe Vader didn't toss the Emperor over the balcany because he was killing Luke. Could it have possibly been because the Emperor was urging Luke to kill Vedar and take his place. I mean, because of the Emperor, Vedar lost everything. Not to mention he supervised the construction of the Death Star, led the charge to destroy the Jedi, and is the reason the Emperor is the "galactic Adolph Hitler." Alot of that compounded and you just want to replace him with a younger model. I mean he did't even offer him a severance package, let alone give him 2 weeks to say his goodbyes and clean his desk out. Oh, and Pw, you will be hearing from me when Batman Begins comes out. I became dissappointed with the later Batman movies. But hopefully this one will return to that feeling that the first Batman gave. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 444 Registered: 7-2004 |
Now I have to pull out the old tapes and watch the first three movies before I go to see Episode III tonight. Oh how I wish I had gotten Episodes I and II. I suppose I'll have to get all six sagas on disk when this one is issued that way. You seem to know all the plots and counter-plots, Herb. I'm still upset that Lucas portrayed Annakin as being a virgin-birth. Did that bother any of the rest of you? The ultimate bad guy was born without any assist from a father figure. I'm also looking forward to Batman, but most especially I'm looking forward to seeing Johnny Depp play Willy Wonka. Yes, I'll always be a kid at heart! Belva | ||
| Hrobinsonw Registered user Username: Hrobinsonw Post Number: 158 Registered: 7-2004 |
Annakin is a misguided soul. Pride, anger, and arrogance ran rampant in his mind. My wife is upatiently waiting for Willy Wonka. It is crazy | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 380 Registered: 5-2002 |
While at Shenandoah Valley Academy, I and a friend ditched class and went to see The Empire Strikes Back. It was a notable event in my spiritual journey because it was the first film I ever went to in a theater! I distinctly remember having a serious debate with myself knowing that I was essentially gambling that the theater wouldn't catch fire for 2.5 hours because I knew my guardian angel wouldn't be inside to save me. But I HAD to see the movie, I was 15 and had heard so much about it from my non-SDA friends, and I couldn't bear to wait a few years til it came to TV. I took the chance. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, but I carried that guilt with me for a long time. I'm embarrassed today to say that I pleaded with God to forgive my sin of going to a movie. <insert Wookie howl here> AAAAAAAAAAAGH! | ||
| Drpatti Registered user Username: Drpatti Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2005 |
I have to confess that I have tickets for the midnight showing tonight. But this pales in comparison to my obsession with the Lord of the Rings. I was afraid I would not live to see the Return of the King (How shallow can you get?????) I saw the Fellowship of the Ring 17 times in the theatre. My son got me hooked on Star Wars, but I have to be honest--Episode I was OK (Jar-jar and the young Anakin made the film--and then they cut Jar-jar back to practically nothing in Episode 2 because of someone who has no life thought he was a product of racial stereotyping.), but Epidsode 2 was disappointing. It was too fractured--too many "Meanwhile, back at the starship" scenes. And I think they made a poor choice of actors for Anakin and the queen. They just did not have the depth to pull it off, like Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Anakin says, "I killed them; I killed them all." And the Padme replies, "OK. So what's for lunch?" Well, maybe it wasn't that bad, but.... Perhaps this Episode will be better. Episodes 4-6 were awesome. I think it was because they were much better cast. And, surprisingly, I think the models they had to use gave a better sense of realism than the CGI. My opinion only. Anyway... I guess we will find out tonight..... | ||
| Hrobinsonw Registered user Username: Hrobinsonw Post Number: 159 Registered: 7-2004 |
Ok, I honestly think that I saw the Fellowship of the Ring around about 17 times. I kept going because I kept finding people to take to see it. You could be an innocent bystander, If you didn't see it, I said, "hey lets go see it." I love sci fi and epic movies. I waited like this for Gladiator to come out as well. But Star Wars will always be my baby. When Annakin finally turns, it will be a moment to remember | ||
| Drpatti Registered user Username: Drpatti Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2005 |
When Annakin finally turns, it will be a moment to remember True. I just hope it is better acted than Episode 2. "Padme, I have turned to the dark side." "Sure, Anakin. Do you want fries or onion rings with your hamburger?" Sorry.  BTW, I did the same with {Fellowship of the Ring}--kept taking people to see it. I actually corrupted--umm--dragged 2 different SDA ministers to see it! | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 445 Registered: 7-2004 |
When we were posting on the R/S site it used to crack me up when Colporteur would make comments about how we were probably fans of the Lord of the Rings. I have the director's cut of all three movies, and have read The Hobbitt and The Lord of the Rings books more times than I recall. The Lord of the Rings series, much like the Chronicles of Narnia, are meant to be an allegory of the plan of Salvation. When the Fellowship sets out on their quest they leave together on December 25th, and the ring is dropped into Mount Doom on Easter. Of course those exact dates are not mentioned in the books, but that was JRR Tolkein's intent. I Agree with Drpatti that the CGI was distracting, and I'm hoping that if it was depended on for a lot of Revenge of the Sith that it will not be as noticable. I'll probably try to get Director's cuts of these movies, too, just because that's the way I'm put together. I just finished watching Episode IV, and for the first time I noticed the mentioning of "The Clone Wars" in the dialogue. I almost feel sorry for myself that I'm that dense. | ||
| Pradez2 Registered user Username: Pradez2 Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 |
I remember when Star Wars first came out in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was around 8 or 9 years old. Sooooooooooooo many young people could not resist the temptation of watching the film at the local theatres that church leaders, embarrased at having lost the flock's control, had no other choice but to somehow contact George Lucas and get the film showed at a series of special screenings in an amphiteather usually rented out for concerts. On a different date, later that year, a series of concerts by a gifted SDA pianist were held at the same location. The hypocrisy of it all now hits me with like a ton of bricks. For, what is the difference between a regular theater and a rented establishment? Of course, my parents and I were among the first to go watch it p.s. Truth is so much more interesting than fiction. I could not make this up, even if I tried! | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 252 Registered: 7-2004  |
Or truth is stranger than fiction... Now here are some topics I can get excited about. I hope it even comes close to living up to the potential it has. I'm on a business trip, but hope I can get in to see it tomorrow afternoon. But I will admit to being an even bigger LOTR fan (although I didn't see any of the 3 at the theater more than twice). In addition to reading the books over and over again, I also listened to the book on CD several times while I was driving. And bought/watched the extended editions of each movie the day they came out. I tried to get the rest of my family interested, and only my youngest daughter caught the bug. I spent countless hours at the office discussing the differences between the book and the movie with a fellow LOTR buff. LOTR was one of the few movies that really did justice to the book it was based on (even with the departures from the story). On a related note I was pleasantly surprised at the movie Hitchhikers Guide. I have read that series more times than I can count (when I just need to laugh and laugh). Going to the movie felt just like reading the books. | ||
| Foreverscout Registered user Username: Foreverscout Post Number: 41 Registered: 3-2005 |
Here you can all shed tears for my poor 17 year old daughter. Unbeknownst to me, she bought a ticket to the 12:01 midnight Star Wars showing tonight a few days ago. She did it without a visable means of getting there, no friend to even BE WITH. I have an early morning work hour tomorrow and could not pick her up at 3am. I had to make her sell the ticket. As angry as I was that she did not consult me in the first place, it is a school night and I would have said no, I did not yell at her. I merely told her that I could not help her because I had to work so early, and then I took her back to the theatre and waited while she sold the ticket. I felt horrible listening to her sob, my heart was breaking, but I knew that though the lesson hard, it was the right one for her. She wanted me to drop her off and let her find her own way home afterwards, eight miles away at three in the morning! Next year it will be on DVD and I'll buy it for her birthday, this will have been a bad dream. Course, I'll have to start with the other movies first I suppose. Being a mom aint for sissies Foreverscout p.s. the old ones were the best! | ||
| Pw Registered user Username: Pw Post Number: 443 Registered: 6-2004 |
Hrobinsonw....my last name is Wheeler too. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 791 Registered: 7-2003 |
Okay fans, I need someone to cry with me...... I had all three Special Editions of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. They were something of a prized possession. I recently went on business trip and put all the disks in a CD case so I could watch the whole 12 hour extended trilogy for the umpteenth time on my lap top. I left the CD case on the plane in the seat pocket!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'm an idiot!!!! It kills me everytime I go to my study and see the nice book-like special edition cases sitting there empty on my book shelf. I can't bring myself to throw the empty cases away. Oh the pain! Chris |
