Star Wars returns to cinemas for 50th anniversary

On Friday, Disney announced it is rereleasing Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in cinemas in 2027 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' groundbreaking space opera. This will be followed by Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) and starring Ryan Gosling (Barbie).

Read the press release:

"On April 30th, 2027, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars with a re-release of the 1977 classic back for a limited time, in theaters everywhere.

Part of Lucasfilm’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Star Wars: A New Hope will play in theaters over the May the 4th holiday, also known as Star Wars Day."

Back in June, an original print of Star Wars from 1977 was screened by the British Film Institute (BFI) with the blessing of Lucasfilm. Disney has not shared any details on which version of Star Wars will be shown.

Are you looking forward to seeing the original Star Wars back on the big screen in 2027? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars creator coming to Comic-Con

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is heading to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Lucas' space opera franchise has a storied history with Comic-Con dating back to 1976.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome George Lucas to Comic-Con for the very first time,” said David Glanzer, chief communications and strategy officer of Comic-Con. “Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin’s now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item.

Lucas will be joined by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and artist and Star Wars prequels production designer Doug Chiang for a panel that will explore the power of illustrated story and offer a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

“Now, to have Mr. Lucas return, this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.”

SDCC is set to run from 24th July through 27th July. I wish I were attending this year.

Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Return to Oz

Before Wicked, there was Return to Oz.

Disney's dark fantasy fairytale sequel to The Wizard of Oz, directed by Walter Murch with an uncredited assist from George Lucas (Star Wars) and Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), was released 40 years ago and formed part of a childhood cinematic collective of stylistically similar movies including The Neverending Story, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth (the latter two directed by Muppet creator Jim Henson).

Although Return to Oz, based on L. Frank Baum’s early novels, Ozma of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz, passed me by at the cinema for reasons unknown. I vividly remember the Wheelers appearing on Blue Peter as instant nightmare fuel for Dorothy (Fairuza Baulk) and friends to evade.

Murch's movie forgoes the Technicolor trappings of the beloved MGM musical starring Judy Garland in favour of muted tones in a twisted tale of psychiatric wards, disembodied heads, talking clockwork toys and an exploration of childhood trauma, which many (myself included) can relate to.

David Shire's sumptuous soundtrack deserves special mention for its haunting orchestrations, which transcend the movie's shortcomings. My friend, Professor Michael Williams, lent me his copy of Bay Cities' CD release when we were in college together. Subsequently, the fine folks at Intrada released a remastered album years after the CD went out of print, which is available to stream - I'm listening to it as I write - on Apple Music.

A box office bomb, Return to Oz embodies a darker and riskier creative chapter of family fare from the House of Mouse, which also includes The Black Hole and The Black Cauldron. It became a cult classic on home media and the subject of critical analysis with fellow media students at college.

Return to Oz is streaming on Disney+.

What are your memories of watching Return to Oz? Let me know in the comments below.

BFI to screen original Star Wars

This will be a screening long remembered by Star Wars fans (myself included).

The British Film Institute (BFI) will screen the original Star Wars from 1977 this summer at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX from 12th to 15th June.

"An unmissable treat for Star Wars fans. A long time ago, George Lucas’s original space fantasy set in a galaxy far, far away was released in 1977, captivating countless imaginations for generations to come and forever shifting popular culture. Film on Film presents Star Wars exactly as experienced by audiences on its original release, screening from one of the precious handful of dye transfer IB Technicolor prints produced for the first British release, preserved in the BFI National Archive.

On display to coincide with the opening night screening there is also a rare opportunity to view material from the original continuity script for Star Wars, which includes rare on-set Polaroids, annotations and deleted scenes. The script is from the collection of Ann Skinner, script editor on the original film, and is now cared for by the BFI National Archive."

Before the special editions, prequels, and social media.

The last time I saw the theatrical releases of the original Star Wars trilogy on the big screen was with college friends at The Elstree Star Wars Day in 1994. I regret not taking a camera with me to capture the memories. However, there were film props, and I met David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Warwick Davis (Wicket). This was one of Davis' earliest appearances at a Star Wars-related event before the first Star Wars Celebration in 1999.

Star Wars is the defining film of my life, and June marks the 18th anniversary of my mum's death. It's going to be emotional.

Tickets go on sale on 9th May.

Revenge of the Sith returns to cinemas

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Lucasfilm is rereleasing the final instalment of George Lucas' prequel trilogy in cinemas. Once again, renowned UK-based artist Matt Ferguson has created stellar poster art. Ferguson previously worked on reissues of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Fans (myself included) can see Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) become Darth Vader and execute Order 66 in selected cinemas on the 25th of April for one week only.

The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz as Yoda, Jimmy Smits, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson, and Kenny Baker, with Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. The film was written and directed by Star Wars creator George Lucas.

Are you looking forward to seeing Star Wars: Revenge on the Sith back on the big screen? Let me know in the comments below.

Celebrating John Williams on his birthday

John Williams needs no introduction. The award-winning Hollywood composer is synonymous with the films of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. He turns 93 today, and I wish him a very happy birthday.

For seven decades, Williams has written the soundtrack to the lives of generations of film fans (myself included) and continues to influence a new generation of film composers.

When I began the long journey of rehabilitation following a life-changing childhood trauma in 1977, his music for Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Superman: The Movie gave me inspiration and hope at a time of deep uncertainty about the future...

Like many fans, I'll be listening to Williams' soundtracks on Apple Music and watching Music by John Williams on Disney+. Of all the maestro's countless stellar themes, the one that resonated most deeply with me is Yoda's Theme! Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is not only my all-time favourite film, but it arrived in cinemas as I began to come to terms with a lifelong physical disability. With the help of family, friends and healthcare professionals at Vranch House and the RD&E, I learned to walk again.

From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Star Wars. What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.

Labyrinth sequel from Nosferatu director

After Oscar nods for Nosferatu, director Robert Eggers has been confirmed to write and direct a sequel to Jim Henson's Labyrinth.

The original cult classic fantasy film, which starred the late David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King and teenage crush Jennifer Connelly as teenager Sarah Williams, has never had a sequel or a remake.

However, Labyrinth spawned an official video game (I vividly remember playing the tie-in video game on Commodore 64 whilst listening to David Bowie and Trevor Jones' soundtrack) and comic books and speculation surrounding a new film has been rife for decades with Fede Álvarez, who most recently directed Alien: Romulus, previously linked.

Home Alone director Chris Columbus and his daughter Eleanor will produce the sequel, while Lisa and Brian Henson, children of the late The Muppets creator, will executive produce, according to Variety.

What are your thoughts on a Labyrinth sequel? Let me know in the comments below.

Music By John Williams on Disney+

John Williams needs no introduction. The Oscar-winning Star Wars composer's stellar career is explored in a new documentary on Disney+.



"It’s no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says. "His music has transcended cinema and become a part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, both young and old. John’s music has done as much to keep classical music alive as it has to shape the world of film."

Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Jurassic Park to The Fabelmans. Then, there are sensational soundtracks for the Star Wars saga, Superman, Harry Potter, and many more.

Williams had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.

Music By John Williams is streaming on 1st November on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.

James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies

“If you only knew the power of the dark side…” James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and so much more, has passed away aged 93.

“James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit,” says George Lucas, creator of Star Wars. “For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be missed by so many of us...friends and fans alike.”

It's impossible to imagine anyone else as the voice of Darth Vader - the biggest bad of them all. However, Jones was always humble about the role that immortalised him in popular culture.

“The rumor is that he thought of Orson Welles,” recalled Jones. “And then probably thought that Orson might be too recognizable, so what he ends up picking is a voice that was born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, and was a stutterer. And, that happened to be my voice.”

Upon Star Wars' original release in 1977, David Prowse was credited as Darth Vader and Jones' involvement was uncredited to preserve the mystique surrounding the evil Lord of the Sith. This was changed in time for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The combination of Prowse's physicality and Jones' baritone was Force lightning in a bottle.

Personally, listening to Jones' velvet tones helped with speech therapy during rehabilitation following a life-changing head injury in primary school in 1977. Along with the late Richard Burton (Where Eagles Dare), he would be instrumental in inspiring a lifelong love of oration. Culminating in an English GSCE Oral Grade 1 in school.

Like many Star Wars fans, I will be forever thankful for Jones' contribution to my life.

What are your memories of James Earl Jones? Let me know in the comments below.

The Phantom Menace at 25

A long time ago… 25 years to be exact, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace took fans (myself included) back to a time before Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia challenged a tyrannical Empire and saved a galaxy far, far away.

Like many, I’d waited 16 years for another Star Wars movie following the original trilogy's conclusion in 1983. The anticipation for the film may never be matched in my lifetime. I subscribed to the official Star Wars fan club and watched the exclusive QuickTime trailers on dial-up internet on an Apple Macintosh Performa 5200 (soon to be replaced by an iMac DV SE with iMovie).

In May 1999, I vividly remember taking the day off work on 'Menace Monday' to buy merchandise (mostly Darth Maul-related) at Toys "R" Us. Coincidentally, I was interviewed by Hasbro for a multimedia role and shown CommTech, which revolutionised toy technology, under NDA in early 1999.

Ahead of its UK release, I imported John Williams’ Star Wars: The Phantom Menace soundtrack from CDNow and was immediately spoiled by the track listing: Qui-Gon’s Noble End and Qui-Gon’s Funeral left little to the imagination. However, this was new Star Wars music from Williams and Duel of the Fates was an instant classic (I’m streaming it on Apple Music).

I ventured into the Exeter Picturehouse to book tickets for a weekend screening, and the staff informed me there were tickets available for the first day. Do I wait and see it with friends or go it alone? This time the dark side prevailed and I walked into a darkened theatre.

The original Star Wars was the first film I saw at the cinema (circa 1978) in the wake of a life-changing childhood trauma. So, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was going to be a repeat of that cosmic ride of hope!

A disturbance in the Force!

Alas, an inebriated couple (the cinema has an upstairs bar) decided to read aloud the opening crawl to benefit anyone not au fait with the taxation of trade routes. This unwelcome commentary continued for an hour until staff intervened.

There were technical issues with the projection due to independent cinemas not having access to first-generation prints (digital was still a few years away), which exhibited picture artefacts inherent in a video source!

Also, Lucasfilm stipulated no refunds as a condition for showing the movie (I was offered a complimentary ticket for any movie other than Star Wars: The Phantom Menace).

These twists set the tone for the rest of the Scooby-Doo-titled movie. And I was left unsure of how I felt about George Lucas’ prequel! Was it better than Star Wars: Return of the Jedi as I’d hastily written in an email to friends?

Darth Maul was cool, but why did Lucas kill him off? The special effects were flashy, but was there a story? There was too much talking and not enough action. Lucas had become too proud of the technological advances developed at Lucasfilm and overlooked basic storytelling tenets - adding character motivations in post. It wasn’t all about selling merchandise was it? Bueller...? Bueller...? Bueller...?

I watched Star Wars: The Phantom Menace six times that summer.

25 years on and post-pandemic, none of it matters. It was unforgettable. Thank the maker.

May the Force be with you!

The Phantom Menace returns for Star Wars Day

Empire magazine exclusively announced Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is returning to cinemas for its 25th anniversary on 3rd May.

In 1999, anticipation for the first instalment in George Lucas' prequel trilogy was fever pitch and its coverage saturated mainstream media.

Before the release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Hasbro interviewed me for a multimedia role and I saw some of the upcoming toys. I anxiously waited for QuickTime trailers to drop online - blocking my parents' landline - as I coded my first website and listened to John Williams' soundtrack on an import CD (remember CDNow?). As with the original Star Wars soundtrack, a major spoiler was contained in a track title: Qui-Gon's Noble End left little to the imagination.

Eventually, I saw Star Wars: The Phantom Menace six times at the Odeon Exeter. Podracing and the climactic duel between Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Darth Maul (Ray Park) pulled me back for more. And there were Pepsi cups to collect.

Stay tuned for further coverage of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’s 25th anniversary.

Are you looking forward to seeing Star Wars: The Phantom Menace on Star Wars Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

On Thursday, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was officially revealed during Xbox Developer Direct. The upcoming Xbox and PC first-person exclusive from MachineGames (Wolfenstein) was originally announced in 2021 as one of the first titles under the relaunched Lucasfilm Games brand.



Read the official synopsis:

"Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard."

The Indiana Jones franchise, from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, spawned classic LucasArts point-and-click adventures during the 16-bit era. Most notably, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, which I last played with my best friend, Professor Michael Williams, on his Amiga A500. Alas, Indy is still lost in a frozen tundra thirty years on. In the mid-eighties, I vividly remember playing Atari's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the arcades. The adventures of the man in the hat would go on to inspire Tomb Raider and Uncharted action-adventure franchises.

Troy Baker (The Last of Us) channels Harrison Ford as the titular archaeologist later this year on Game Pass.

Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Let me know in the comments below.

Retro Games announces Atari 400

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of this blog! Early on, I wrote about how Atari was a gateway into playing video games when I was gifted an older cousin's unwanted VCS on my 8th birthday in 1980.

After school, I avidly played Space Invaders, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Pitfall, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and many more with childhood friends.

Atari has a storied history with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Atari/Lucasfilm Games was founded in 1982, and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial video game tie-in never reached the UK (I had to settle for the Parker Brothers board game for Christmas).

Nintendo popularised mini consoles with its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 2016. Others wanted in on the throwback action. PlayStation Classic, Sega Mega Drive Mini (Sega Genesis Mini if you're in the US), PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini (TurboGrafx-16 Mini if you're in the US) and more soon followed to scratch that nostalgic itch.

Fast forward. Retro Games, the company behind the mini Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Amiga A500, has announced THE400 Mini in association with Atari. A miniaturised version of the chunky classic Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range, including the 400/800, XL and XE series home computers and the 5200 home console.



“We have a rich history in creating re-imagined, iconic home computers, and we very much hope that THE400 Mini will become an important part of that legacy. The original home computer was a gaming hero to many, and it’s important to us to re-create the machines that helped define the video games industry and are thus worthy of preservation. We believe that serious collectors and retro gaming fans will love what we’ve done, and should take the time to discover the odd Easter Egg or two as they embark upon a journey into 1970s and 1980s gaming”, said Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd.

Key features of THE400 Mini include:

• A half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 800XL, and the Atari 5200 home console.
• Also included is a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons.
• The ability for players to side-load their own games via a USB stick, with support for cartridge, disk and cassette ROMs.
• Players can rewind time and save their games.
• HD TV output via HDMI, with 50/60Hz compatibility.
• 5 USB ports which allow for the addition of a modern keyboard, extra joysticks and more.
• Look and feel of 1979: THE400 Mini has been lovingly crafted using modern technology, from the hard-to-match colours of the original machine to the authentic textures of the plastic casing and membrane keyboard, no compromise was made relative to the iconic 1970s look and feel of the original Atari 400.

Stuart Chiplin, Head of Commercial Evaluations at PLAION said “We’re excited to be working with Retro Games Ltd. to bring back an iconic machine that meant so much to so many. Cherished memories from the past must be treated with respect, care and attention – THE400 Mini has been designed to retain the look and feel of the original home computer, while benefitting from robust design and manufacturing and an obsession with attention to detail.”

THE400 Mini comes with 25 titles preinstalled spanning Atari’s 8-bit era. Announced games include: Berzerk, Millipede, Miner 2049er, Lee (Bruce Lee was dropped for licensing reasons) and Star Raiders II (originally developed as a tie-in with The Last Starfighter movie). My favourites from the Atari 8-bit era are Dropzone, Rescue on Fractulas!, Ballblazer and Pitfall II.

Pre-order THE400 Mini (affiliate link) today. It's released on 28th March with a suggested retail price of £99.99. I hope to bring you a review in the future.

Will you be adding THE400 Mini to your retro collection? What are your favourite Atari 8-bit video games? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars composer John Williams hasn't retired

Legendary Hollywood composer John Williams (Jaws) said he would consider scoring a new soundtrack if the right film came along. This follows the Star Wars composer's candid comments about potentially retiring after scoring Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Williams, 91, told The Times newspaper: “If a film came along that I was greatly interested in, with a schedule that I could cope with, then I wouldn’t want to rule anything out. Everything is possible. All is before us. Only our limitations are holding us back. Or, to put it more simply: I like to keep an open mind.”

On the subject of commercial versus classical music, the Oscar-winning composer said:

“Thirty or 40 years ago, when I would take a programme of film music to one of our big orchestras, there might be condescension. I understood it; I understand the value of things made in the commercial world and their place in the art world. But now things are different. I’d love to come back in 50 years’ time and see what cinema is contributing to the development of new music, because I think young composers will want to work across both.”

A new Star Wars movie, following the continuing adventures of Rey (Daisy Ridley), is currently in pre-production at Lucasfilm. Could the maestro return to a galaxy far, far away?

What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.

Dave Filoni is Force for Star Wars

Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm.

"Now I'm what's called chief creative officer at Lucasfilm," Filoni said in an interview with Vanity Fair. Reporting directly to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, Filoni will oversee Star Wars movies and spin-off series for Disney.

This is an inspired move as Filoni was mentored by Star Wars creator George Lucas.

"In the past, in a lot of projects, I would be brought into it, I would see it after it had developed a good ways," Filoni explained. "When we're planning the future of what we're doing now, I'm involved at the inception phase."

Filoni's spin-off series Ahsoka was a hit with most Star Wars fans (myself included), and a movie is in production that will tie together all the spin-off series since The Mandalorian on Disney+. Aside from a special midseason screening of Ahsoka, Star Wars has been absent from theatres since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

Are you excited Dave Filoni is overseeing all things Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

The Ghost of Star Wars Past

Dave Filoni (Star Wars Rebels) is having a field day with some of the best Star Wars in decades in Ahsoka on Disney+.

Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, looks back at the midseason episode and steps into an enigmatic World Between Worlds (personally, a poignant metaphor for being in a coma).

Guest post by Nick Smith

The Sith are out there, lurking in the darkness, betrayed only by a blood-red halo, eyes pitted and grey from living in the shadows too long. They must exist, because who else would post Ahsoka spoilers at midnight on Tano Tuesday for unsuspecting fans to find, crushing their joy with a clip?

While such creatures are present online, there are a ragtag few good-hearted champions of entertainment at Lucasfilm, and they are making pure, unadulterated original Star Wars.

Did I say original? Perhaps ‘classic’ would be more apt.

The now-numerous Disney+ Star Wars animated and live-action spin-off series have tinkered with a whole bunch of different genres, celebrating some of George Lucas’ influences and the saga’s storytelling potential, showcasing the versatility of the showrunners and avoiding narrative stagnation.

From spaghetti westerns to lone wolf samurai epics, World War II commando thrillers and Native American vision quest epics, modern Star Wars has it all.

Ahsoka goes back to basics, with a focus on lightsabre duels, clear-cut good and bad guys, dogfight duels in space and snarky droids - Chopper and Huyang (David Tennant). It’s not rocket science, it’s George Lucas-style science fiction, with solid storytelling that never feels like a mere merchandising grab.

Unsurprisingly, the show has been a hit with most fans, delving into Ahsoka Tano’s (Rosario Dawson) battle-scarred life without completely alienating casual viewers.

With cosmic wars come galaxy-sized guilt, especially if you were drafted to lead armies in your mid-teens as Tano was. Imagine being barely out of short britches and having to watch the men under your command get injured and die, or a civilization laid to ruins on your watch.

In The World Between Worlds, Anakin Skywalker’s (Hayden Christensen) spirit takes a young Tano (Ariana Greenblatt) back to these past battles where she must choose whether to live or die. Since The World Between Worlds exists in a different, astral dimension, Tano’s body in the real world is drowning. Only a child can perceive both worlds and help find Tano’s dwindling form.

Not only has Tano seen a lot of clones and allies die, but she’s also seen her friend and mentor Anakin break bad in the worst possible way. Would things have been different if she’d stuck by him? We’ll never know for sure, and the Ahsoka series is too subtle to spell out the truth. Nevertheless, by helping his padawan to face her regrets and choose life, Anakin helps her and takes another step on his own road to redemption.

At the mid-point of the series, episode 5 – Shadow Warrior – focuses on a piece of Star Wars that most of its imitators forget; the spiritual side. In the real world, sometimes it feels like we’re drowning under the weight of loss, regret and guilt. It’s comforting to imagine a World Between Worlds where all possibilities are attainable, at least in astral form, to teach us a little about ourselves.

New episodes of Ahsoka drop every Tuesday exclusively on Disney+.

Are you watching Ahsoka on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

Star Wars adventures in Unofficial Galaxies

Back from a fantastic fortnight holiday visiting family in East Anglia.

During a much-needed break, we got to see the Unofficial Galaxies Star Wars exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral. This is the first Star Wars-related event I've attended since Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016. Dad wielding a lightsaber was a highlight.

Among the 121 exhibits, including original props and vintage toys, is a full-size Landspeeder from Star Wars: A New Hope purchased from London's Elstree Studios.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Hood (@johnhood)

The highly-prized Palitoy Death Star evoked a bittersweet Christmas memory when Santa made a mixup and left Star Bird Command Base under the tree.

Special thanks to the volunteers who made us feel so welcome and part of an amazing community of fans.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Hood (@johnhood)

Always excited for more Star Wars! I can’t wait to watch the first two episodes of Ahsoka exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday!

The Unofficial Galaxies exhibition is open to the public from mid-July to 29th August.

Star Wars exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral

The Force is strong with Peterborough Cathedral. This summer Star Wars fans (myself included) can visit a spectacular exhibition featuring original props and toys curated by Unofficial Galaxies.

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: "We are very excited to be bringing this extraordinary collection to Peterborough. I was at university when the first Star Wars movie was released in the 1970s and the unfolding story proved a compelling narrative for me, my children and for many millions of people around the world in the years that followed.

Among the 121 exhibits is a full-size Landspeeder from Star Wars: A New Hope purchased from London's Elstree Studios.

"I'm sure this exhibition will draw many people to see it, some of whom will discover our beautiful cathedral and city for the first time. Like many of the exhibitions we have held in the cathedral in recent years, Unofficial Galaxies will not only delight and entertain.

The exhibition also includes an array of original production items and costumes for fan-favourite characters such as Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Darth Vader. Cosplayers are encouraged, and Ahsoka Tano will be popular with the Star Wars live-action spin-off series starring Rosario Dawson as the titular character on Disney+.

"It also has the potential to open the door to bigger conversations, in this case about the age-old struggle between good and evil and the role of a 'higher power'. These are themes at the heart of the Christian story and we will certainly be exploring those connections whilst the exhibition is here."

For further information and to book tickets, please visit the Peterborough Cathedral website.

The Unofficial Galaxies exhibition is open to the public from mid-July to 29th August.

May the Toys be with you

May The Toys Be With You is a new Star Wars exhibition at the Museum of Gloucester.

The vintage memorabilia collection, which includes toys produced by Kenner and Palitoy, is curated by fellow Star Wars fan Matt Fox.

Like myself, Mr Fox was aged five when Star Wars was released in 1977.

"It was the first movie I saw and straight away afterwards we were down to the toy shop and I got my first ever Star Wars figure, which was a Darth Vader," he said.

May The Toys Be With You exhibition runs until 30th September.

For further information and to book tickets, please visit the museum website.

What was the first Star Wars toy you owned? Let me know in the comments below.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Hollywood star Harrison Ford (my late mum's favourite actor and coincidentally the same age as dad) has successfully reprised his iconic roles in Star Wars and Blade Runner. Will it be a hat trick with the man in the hat, Indiana Jones?

Following an infamous premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, expectations for the fifth and final instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise were dramatically dialled down.

Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, bravely dials I for Indy... Will adventure answer?

Guest post by Nick Smith

I usually wait until the opening weekend crowds die down before going to see a new movie but just for you guys, I entered a packed theatre and immersed myself in the entertaining, surprisingly thoughtful flick that is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny!

To the left of me sat a lady dropping food on the floor like she was feeding pigeons in the dark. To the right, a couple of teenage boys were way more interested in their mobile phones than in the film.

Their loss.

The fifth Indiana Jones is one of the best of the bunch, treating its title character with respect, and providing thrills without making it seem like a string of set pieces (see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade if that’s your bag).

Dial of Destiny is not for little tykes! It has moments of (gasp!) character development and some emotional depth; Indy carries the weight of experience, he’s got an iffy spine, he's been shot nine times and he’s lost loved ones like his father. A couple of scenes give Harrison Ford (Star Wars) a chance to show introspection and remind us why he’s an international treasure.

With Ford in his 80s, looking more like the Golden Idol than a matinee idol, it’s great to see him involved in so many scrapes and stunts throughout the film. Director James Mangold (who brought us Logan, another film about a cranky old bloke) succeeds in making Indy vulnerable, so we genuinely worry about the crumbling character.

As with the previous film in the saga, the pithily titled Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the movie stands or falls on the merits of its supporting cast. While Crystal Skull had Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) to lean on, Dial of Destiny yields a treasure trove of strong actors: Antonio Banderas is a grungy frogman with one good leg; Mads Mikkelsen, the hardest working bad guy in showbiz™, is Indy’s Nazi nemesis Doctor Voller AKA Schmidt; and Toby Jones is Basil Shaw, keeping a long-standing Indiana Jones trope running in the role of a demented father figure.

However, it’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), playing Shaw’s daughter Helena, who really holds the film together and carries much of the heavy stunt work on her shoulders. She does it with exquisite confidence.

Raiders of the Lost Ark was a superlative template for action movies in the ‘80s onwards, balancing violence, tension, horror, humour and romance with confidence only a hungry young George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws) could have. It’s been a hard act to follow, as we’ve seen from the sequels. But Dial of Destiny manages to recapture that balance and strives for the sense of wonder engendered by Indy’s original quest for the Ark of the Covenant.

Raiders also benefited from its use of practical effects, which made the adventure seem all the more real. I was worried about CGI after seeing a sea of plastic people in The Flash movie. Animation can’t approximate the tics and pocks of a real human face, but there’s nothing too jarring here. I cared about the characters and I had tears in my eyes by the end, although I wasn’t about to blub beside the teen moby zombies or the lady who brought Tupperware (?) [sounds like something out of Eerie, Indiana - Ed].

All movie directors are under pressure, but James Mangold must have felt more than most, taking over from Steven Spielberg to make the last, last Indiana Jones adventure. With such a strong cast and whip-smart writing, he needn’t have worried.

Dial of Destiny is packed with Nazi punching, outlandish set pieces, a sense of awe and character-driven adventures, which all deserve to earn this film a place in the history books.

Have you seen Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).