Can you believe we’re less than 2 months away from a brand new Star Wars experience? It’s surreal. Over the weekend, the official one sheet was revealed, and tonight, millions of freaks and geeks will tune into ESPN’s Monday Night Football, not because we give a damn about the New York Giants or the Philadelphia Eagles, because it’s the first place to catch a glimpse of the new trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The trailer will air at halftime and tickets for the movie (opening December 17th) will go on sale online immediately after.
The whole thing has been shrouded in mystery and details have been kept to a minimum. SW: TFA is screening in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D. I assume tickets for all three types of screenings are going on sale at the same time, but nothing has been specified and showtimes are not publicly available. We don’t know if tickets are only going on sale for opening night, opening weekend, or beyond that. It will be a crazy scramble with movie fans all over the country logging in and frantically entering their credit card numbers.
This brings us to the tough decisions. Where and how will you experience SW: TFA for the first time? I’m torn. I want to see it on IMAX. Edward’s Marq E in Houston has a real IMAX theater with a huge screen and killer sound. I want to see it there, but not in 3D. Not for the first time at least. I’m not a fan of 3D and I don’t want anything to get in the way of the experience. If it’s done correctly though, it could be awesome. Most of the time, it’s unnecessary and annoying, but in certain cases like Avatar, Hugo, and most recently The Walk, it adds to the experience. Imagine storming that new death star looking thingy from the cockpit of a speeding X-Wing, or spontaneously ducking because of an oncoming light saber. Could be cool.
Alamo Drafthouse offers the no-talking policy which guarantees you safety from idiots who can’t put down their cell phones and that knucklehead that thinks his “funny” commentary adds to the movie. They’re also offering an officially licensed collectible pint glass, designed by Mondo, and a double-sized collector’s issue of Birth. Movies. Death., celebrating 40 years of the Star Wars saga, featuring a Mondo cover and exclusive art. More info here.
Remember people, it’s okay if you don’t score opening night tickets. The movie’s going to be in theaters for a long time and there will be plenty of chances to see it. Who am I kidding though, opening night is going to be crazy! It’s a can’t-miss event for Star Wars fans and movie nerds. I expect the die-hards to be out in mass, fully costumed for the most-anticipated movie of the 21st Century.
hhhrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaeeeerrrrrrr!!!! (Wookie roar).
When Episode 1 was released I was a junior in high school. I lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan where there were only a couple of movie theaters. Kalamazoo 10 was the best theater, and after much persistence I persuaded my mom into letting me camp outside overnight to buy tickets. It was my first overnight line experience and it was a lot of fun. The line went around the building and everybody was excited. People had chairs and inflatable couches. The original trilogy played out of the back of one van and Star Wars video games were played out of another. People were being social and kicking around a hacky sack.
When the doors to the box office opened the following morning, people filed into the theater while chanting the Imperial March. It was a memorable experience. The movie didn’t measure up to the originals, but it had John Williams’ score and enough light saber fights to entertain. I was too young to be super disappointed. I could’ve waited a week and watched the movie without all the hassle, but I would’ve missed out on the shared excitement for the event and the camaraderie with fellow fans. That’s what makes opening night so much fun. Don’t stay home when you can make memories.
From the scrapbook (handmade by the world’s best mom):
All the tickets!
Landscape (works better than the poster layout, in my opinion)
Best of luck on your quests to get perfect seats, in the screenings of your choice.
May the force be with you.
Always.
For more info on comics, video games, movies and anything else nerd, check out Nerdlocker.com, a place for your inner nerd.
Also check us out on:
Nerdlocker Shop: http://www.nerdlocker.com/store
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nerdlocker
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nerdlocker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nerdlocker
Email us at: info@nerdlocker.com
