May the force be with you

Posted 8/21/12

I’d like to personally thank George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and the entire cast and crew of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” for making my holiday a little brighter. Fear not—no spoilers here, but …

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May the force be with you

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I’d like to personally thank George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and the entire cast and crew of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” for making my holiday a little brighter. Fear not—no spoilers here, but I’m grateful that my doctor gave me the go-ahead to get out of bed and be among people, without fear of infecting an entire theater full of fans, in order that I might carry on a long-standing tradition of seeing a movie on Christmas Day. And, by choosing “Star Wars,” I feel like a kid again.

Yes, I’m a fan—maybe not a crazy, obsessed uber-fan, but a fan nonetheless. I’ve seen them all, but unlike many, not interested in finding fault with the various scripts, plotlines or characters that have emerged over the years. My goal is simply to enjoy the ride as the story, which takes place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” continues to evolve.

Admittedly, I was nervous when the industry giant known as Disney took over the reins of the franchise, but having seen the film, I’ve breathed a sigh of relief. Even though I’m not spoiler-alert crazy, I did want to see the movie before too many details emerged on social media, and I wanted to see it at home, here in the Upper Delaware River region—specifically at the Callicoon Theater, one of the many local spots where everybody knows your name.

Honestly, where else can you call the movie theater and speak to a real person? When I dialed the theater and heard the machine pick up, I was momentarily dismayed, because I had questions I wasn’t sure would be answered. But hearing the “Force Awakens” excitement in theater owner Jim Kayton’s voice on the pre-recorded message made me smile. He and his wife Barbara are part of what makes the movie-going experience special (IMHO) on the banks of the Delaware, and I know I’m not alone in looking forward to seeing them (he sells the tickets, she makes the popcorn) whenever I stop in. After getting the recording, I dialed the alternate number provided on the website (www.callicoontheater.com), and sure enough, Jim picked up. Assuring me that they would be open on Christmas Day, we spent a few minutes extolling the virtues of all things “Star Wars,” and I proceeded to make plans with a few pals.

Although I was mildly concerned that we wouldn’t get seats (the film has already made more than $1 billion), Kayton assuaged my fears and advised me that the doors would open an hour in advance. So I arrived early and spent time window shopping in Callicoon, NY, admiring the holiday lights and meeting up with my pals. Swapping stories, we reminisced about the previous six films. I recalled waiting in line for hours for the very first, which opened on my birthday in 1977. As a perfect testament to the many charms of small-town life, we ran into friends and neighbors all out for the same reason, which kicked my childlike excitement into high gear as we lined up for goodies prior to the trailers. Someone behind me (who was visiting relatives for the weekend) expressed concern that the movie would begin before our popcorn was in hand, and I turned to ask him where he was from. “I’ve never been here [Sullivan County] before,” he said, “but it’s beautiful. I hope we make it into our seats before the movie starts.” As if on cue, Jim stepped out from behind the ticket window and addressed the sizable crowd. “Don’t worry folks, we’ll wait for everyone to be seated. You’re at the Callicoon Theater!” he smiled before returning to his post. “Only in the Catskills,” I whispered to the visitor. “You won’t find this kind of personal service anywhere else!”

To make matters even more charming, I observed generations of “Star Wars” enthusiasts sharing the excitement with kids (and grandchildren) before the lights went dim and the first of many spontaneous bursts of applause rang out. While I’m aware that purists will find fault with the film, it was near-perfect as far as I’m concerned. Judging by the post-screening buzz, I’m not alone in my estimation. Many of us hung out on the sidewalk after the film and discussed its merits, the subtle nuances that point to the earlier incarnations and the just-plain-fun aspects that are found throughout. These include the appearances of original cast members and the new characters that will be seen again in the next installment, slated for my birthday (yay!) in 2017.

Observing one of the kids playing with a “Force Awakens” toy that Santa had brought him earlier in the day, I felt the urge to inform him that when I was his age “my only toy was a stick and a piece of string.” While his dad laughed, the young man looked at me like I belonged in the Star Wars Cantina along with the rest of the weirdos. While loath to admit it, I felt a tiny surge of jealousy over the plaything, and vowed to get myself a toy. If seeing the film made me feel like a kid again, that’s a plus as far as I’m concerned. If you’re planning to go yourself, I would suggest seeing “The Force Awakens” in your own neck of the woods. If you’re lucky, your neighborhood is close to Callicoon!

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