Star Wars IX -- Rise of Skywalker

Plot: Emperor Palpatine returns and revels to Kylo Sen that he is the 'force' behind the departed leader Snoke. He tells Kylo to go kill Rey. Meanwhile Rey learns that Palpatine is alive and has a hidden armada for ships. Rey and the boys go look for him, leading to the final final battle. 

Review: I had to see this movie. Watching the nine Star Wars movies is/was a life task for me. I started watching these movies in the 42 years ago. Whoever thought they would finish the movies?

Years ago, Lucas said the final trilogy was about building a new better republic, that is the first trilogy was about the rise of the Empire, the second on the fall of the empire, and the third on the rise a new republic. This was like Asmov's Foundation Trilogy with the third book about the rise of galactic government run by psychologists not politicians.

I wonder if Lucas had notes on the plot for episode 9. He is not credited on the screenplay.

In my own mind, I wondered what would be the best government for a galaxy, and how would you make a story from that. Is it like Rome, or Athens, like the UN of Episode 1, or like the rebel alliance in Episode 7 or 8? Is there really no utopia?

The actual 9th movie leaves us with the fall of the empire in form of the long-delayed death of actual emperor from episode 1. I love the continuity closing the series with the original villain's death. In terms of politics, we see a new confederation of independent planets willing to support the battle against the empire.

More realistically, the story at the end of episode nine is where it was after episode six. The empire is dead, and the galactic order is in flux. A tabula rasa for more stories.

The creation of utopian government is probably not a commercial plot for a movie, and this is not the end. No, no, there is going be a well-spring of Star Wars media probably forever.

Anyway.

Did I like this movie? Yes. We got a group of likable heroes flying around, fighting against long odds, and defeating tyrannical bad guys. They used to say that Darth Vader was the ultimate villain, but really Ian McDiarmid is. He does a great job with the Emperor.

I could have used a bit more soap opera drama among the characters.

Cast: Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine

Directed by: JJ Abrams

Written by: JJ Abrams, Chris Terrio, Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly

The Music: I am tired of composer John Williams. I did appreciate the old themes dancing around once in a while. I don't need so much continuity. 

The Visuals: There are some well-composed and beautiful scenes. Of course, the special effects are superb. 

Rating: 3.0 stars: .

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Little Women

Plot: . [imdb]    [photos]

Review: Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Meg (Emma Watson) Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) are growing up in a small northern town during the Civil War period. They have family traumas, have romances, travel to Europe, plot to marry wealthy, and Jo writes stories. Jo is clearly based on author Alcott.

The characters are living the novel the Jo is writing, and the snake devours its tail at the end where the 1870's editor gives Jo advise on whether to get married.  I liked this whimsical twist.

The acting is good. The story is not too demanding. I might have appreciated a few more historical details, but generally this is a feel good movie about sisterhood. 

Cast: Sairse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Amy March, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh

Directed by: Greta Gerwig

Written by: Greta Gerwig based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott

The Visuals: Great costumes. I loved the colorful and carefree beach scene.

Rating: 3.5 stars: I liked it. 

Minor spoiler: The real author Louisa May Alcott did not marry, and the character in the movie based on her did marry. I assume the character in the novel does too, but I have not checked the book.  Maybe I will.

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