'The Force Awakens' in Louisville's geeks

Jeffrey Lee Puckett
Louisville Courier Journal
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Casper Heck, 12, is one of Louisville’s biggest Star Wars fans.  He was at the Baxter Avenue Theater.

There is nothing that excites, enthralls and often enrages geek nation quite like a "Star Wars" movie. A phenomenon with nearly 40 years of history, the film franchise's impact and appeal is unrivaled.

That's never been more apparent than now as the world braces itself for Thursday's opening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which hard-core fans refer to as "Star Wars: Episode VII." When announced in 2012, it came as a surprise to the franchise's fans, who had been told by creator George Lucas that the series was finished after six films. The story had been told.

But after Lucas sold Lucasfilm Ltd. for more than $4 billion to the Walt Disney Company, the Mouse immediately announced a trilogy of sequels. And after three years of speculation, flame wars, heated anticipation and a firestorm of marketing, the moment has finally arrived.

The film, directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams instead of Lucas, will be screened virtually around the clock beginning at 7 p.m., with the last showing starting at 1:50 a.m.

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Matt Lutz of Crescent Hill already has tickets for two showings and a line on a third, a private screening for nothing but people in the IT business, which would make it ground zero for geeks.

"So yes, I will literally be spending at least six to eight hours watching 'Star Wars: Episode VII' that weekend," said Lutz, 28. "If it's really good, or at least not really bad, I may go again. It's just that sort of thing."

Lutz was negative 10-years-old when the first film in the franchise, "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," was released in 1977. But he grew up on the films, and anything related to "Star Trek," and said he has developed "a deep emotional attachment. To the characters, to the stories, to everything. I legitimately care about these people as if they were real."

Brian E. Smith can relate. He was 7-years-old when the first film came out, which may be the perfect age to become a "Star Wars" fan.

"I remember coming out of Showcase Cinemas and looking up at the night sky and wondering for the first time what was really going on up there," said Smith, 45, of Hamburg Ind. "It really blew my mind. There was a full moon. I can see it in my mind like it was yesterday. I ended up seeing it like five times that summer."

"The Force Awakens" picks up the storyline 30 years later, with familiar characters such as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker joined by new heroes and villains. And that's about all anyone knows for sure, as Abrams has kept the plot locked down.

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There are some theories, however.

And no one does "Star Wars" theories like Casper Heck, 12, who possibly knows more about "Star Wars" than any human. Or alien. He's been watching the movies religiously since age 4 - at one time, he exclusively watched "Star Wars" movies or "The Clone Wars" animated series - and will be seeing "The Force Awakens" Thursday with his equally obsessed father, Jimmy.

"One theory is that I think Han Solo will die because it's been rumored for a long time," Casper said. "An interesting fact that I learned not too long ago, actually, is that when the first 'Star Wars' movie came out, he was like the only one of the main three characters that did not sign up for another two ... episodes. He was actually hoping that the carbonation part of 'Episode V' would be his death, I learned, but it never happened."

Based on the tsunami of "Star Wars" commercials and merchandise, it may seem that everyone on the planet is basically jacked out of their minds. But there are some who don't really care.

Shawn Iafrate, 29, did see "Episode I" on a date when she was 15, but hasn't seen a minute of any others.

"Imagine being on a date with Jar Jar Binks," she said. "Would you want to see more of that?"

Iafrate is by no means dismissive, but maybe has better things to do. She might even one day consider a "Star Wars" marathon.

"Any excuse to spend a day on the couch with my cats is a good one," she said. "But it’s kind of like 'Titanic.' I already know what happens, so it’s a lot of time to invest in a story with no surprises."

Reporter Jeffrey Lee Puckett can be reached at (502) 582-4160 and jpuckett@courier-journal.com.


Here are the screenings scheduled for tonight in the Louisville area and Southern Indiana. Some are sold out, so check Fandango.com before going.

Filmworks Baxter Avenue - Standard: 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 

Regal River Falls Mall - Standard: 7:40, 8 and 11 p.m.; 3D:- 7 and 10:10

Cinemark Mall St. Matthews and XD - Standard: 7:45 and 11, 12:01 a.m.; 3D: 7, 8:30, 9, 10:20 and 11:45

Regal New Albany Stadium 16 - Standard: 7:30, 7:45, 9:30, 10:45, 11, and 12:15; 3D: 7, 8, 8:30, 9, 10, 10:30, 11:30, midnight

Carmike Cinemas - Standard: 7, 7:40, 8:15, 8:45, 9:30, 10:20, 12:01, 12:30, 1; IMAX 3D: 7:20, 10:40, 1:50; 3D: 8, 8:30, 9, 10, 11:20, 11:50, 12:15

Cinemark - Standard: 7:40, 8, 9, 11; 3D: 7, 8:20, 9:40, 10:20, 11:40

Cinemark Tinseltown USA - Standard: 7, 7:50, 8:10, 9:20, 10, 11:40, 12:01, 12:45; 3D: 7, 7:35, 8:45, 9:55, 10:30, 11:05, 12:15, 12:30, 1

Preston Crossings 16 - Standard: 7:40, 8, 9 and 11; 3D: 7, 8:20, 9:40, 10:20, 11:40

Xscape Theatres Blankenbaker 14 - Standard: 7:30, 8:30, 10:40, 11:40; 3D: 8, 10:10, 11:10

Keystone Cinemas Mount Washington - Standard: 7:05, 7:10; 3D: 7

Gift ideas

The marketing onslaught surrounding "The Force Awakens" has been intense, and it's safe to say that Christmas trees will be surrounded with more "Star Wars" gifts this year than any since 1977. Here are a few available for under $50 that should please your fanboy or fangirl.

Darth Vader self-stirring mug, $22.95. This uses two triple-A batteries and seems just pointless enough to make for a great gift. Apparently it doesn't have enough Force to actually mix powdered drinks, but you could make a weird martini.

R2-D2 bento box, $27.88. This cleverly splits into three compartments - his head is a bowl - to store all of your lunch needs.

"Star Wars" beer steins, $49.95. These are available in Wookie or Darth Vader and hold 22 oz. of Warsteiner, or maybe Corellian brandy. Just add lederhosen.

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