The District

The one thing that makes The Phantom Menace such a stunning film is George Lucas pushed film making to a new level with the use of CGI. In fact Lucas did so throughout the entire Prequel Trilogy. The Phantom Menace had pressure on it from the very beginning, after all it was the film after the beloved Original Star Wars Trilogy. Still Lucas and company pulled it off nicely.

While The Phantom Menace is clunky in areas and some characters are not fully developed, the story offers perhaps the best of all the Star Wars films. The most interesting aspect of the film is that George Lucas used embargoes and blockades to set the stage for the birth of the galactic empire.

Also, Lucas gives us a look at a young Anakin Skywalker a child so innocent that it is hard to imagine the rage he would develop as he grew up. Obi-Wan Kenobi had been introduced in the Original Trilogy as an older, wiser Jedi. Alas, The Phantom Menace gives the audience a young Kenobi who is still learning the ways of the Jedi under his Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

The fun begins when we see Senator Palpatine, from Naboo. Palaptine was a member of the Republic Senate. Because “The dark side clouds everything,” (Yoda) Palpatine and his motives went undetected. Not to mention one small detail, Palpatine was secretly a Sith Lord.

The brilliance of The Phantom Menace is that Palpatine played both sides. He single handedly orchestrated the fall of the Republic Senate and later the Jedi Order. He then set up the Galactic Empire for his own reign and rulership.

Underwater cities, the senate chamber, a city with a beautiful waterfall are all part of the visually pleasing offerings from The Phantom Menace. The pod race is fantastic fun as well.

Groundbreaking and ahead of it’s time. George Lucas pushed film making to the next level with the use of computers. It was bashed by the Star Wars fan base at the time, but as time has passed The Phantom Menace has been embraced as it should be.

The saga continues tomorrow with a look at Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Let’s continue the journey then.

 

Is this a fun yet challenging expedition? Yes. One that was suggested by my beautiful wife of 26 years. My wife is very gifted in the art realm so when she suggests something I have learned it is generally for the greater good. So why Star Wars? First off I really enjoy the films that I have been blessed to see all 9 in their original releases in the theater, secondly 11 films gives quite a bit of subject matter to write about.

Eleven Star Wars films. Just typing it out appears to be a bit intimidating and daunting. One subject for 11 days feels like it is putting me in a box. I am more of a what pops in my head type of blogger. So this is indeed going to be a fun voyage.

Here is the list of films I will be exploring. I am sure many if not all of you already know them. I have chosen films and not tv series to be the main focus. Also in my choice selection is doing the films in chronological order and not release date order.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Solo: A Star Wars story

Rogue One a Star Wars story

Episode IV: A New Hope

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a six year old boy sat down in a movie theater and became absorbed in what was unfolding in front of him. the battle of good vs evil, a galactic empire pitted against a small group of rebels. Who was right who was wrong depends “a certain point of view.”

Join me on this adventure.

2 Season into the franchises existence the Columbus Blue Jackets needed a game changer. A face of the franchise to give the team traction and fans hope. Enter Rick Nash who would be that player. At the tender age of 18, Nash earned a roster spot and just like that he was the best player the Blue Jackets had. Now the all-time leading scorer in Columbus Blue Jackets history, Rick Nash will see his #61 rise to the rafters as the organizations first player to reach such an honor.

Rick Nash is the Columbus Blue Jackets all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points as he tallied 289 goals,  258 assists with 547 points along with 568 penalty minutes in 674 games from 2002-12.

For a decade Rick Nash was the leader (captain as well) of the Blue Jackets. During one of the worst seasons in Blue Jackets history (2012) Nash asked to be traded. Nash was sent to the New York Rangers and it paved the way to some very good hockey teams in Columbus due to the return for Nash.

In 2019 Rick Nash returned to the Columbus Blue Jackets, not as a player but  as a a special assistant to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen signaling he may be interested in become a GM at some point.

Rick Nash is a player, well former player who absolutely should have his number hanging from the rafters because Nash still owns nearly every Columbus Blue Jackets record.

To have any other player enter the Blue Jackets organization and wear #61 would seem odd and not right given the level of play Nash played with every single game. That would be a lot to live up to.

Rick Nash now becomes the first player to have his number retired by Columbus. Nash did things on the ice that are still talked about around Nationwide Arena. He is still a fan favorite who gets a fitting ending to his playing days.

Rebuilds are not suppose to net many wins. In fact teams are supposed to struggle game in and game out. At 6-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets rebuild is off to an odd but fun start. The teams 3 losses were closer to a rebuild teams in terms of scores. Yet, head coach Brad Larsen has the NHL’s youngest team playing a fast tempo, puck pushing style that has netted some fantastic wins.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had 3 blowout losses, 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings, 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, and 4-0 to the New York Rangers. It would be easy to get caught up in that. But after each loss the Blue Jackets bounced back and won. A sign of good coaching and players who forget fast.

In the teams 6 wins a new hero has shown himself each game. Yet, another good sign that the Blue Jackets are more than Patrik Laine who in case you were unaware is off to a great start.

In training camp the defense was one of the biggest question marks entering the season. The young defense has played well mostly (in the 3 losses there were struggles.)

The other question mark that dates back a few seasons was the power play. The addition of Jakub Voracek has been a God-send. Voracek has been working with players in practice getting them to understand what they need to do in certain situations. The teams power play has been solid.

As noted, the Blue Jackets are playing a style that pushes the puck, the offense has been wide open allowing the team to get good looks at the net. This is indeed a new dawning of Blue Jackets hockey.

While there is still a lot of hockey left to play (thank goodness!!!) and losing streaks are sure to happen, so are winning streaks. The biggest hope the young Blue Jackets have shown is the ability to overcome a tough loss or blowout and come back the next game with some fight.