Food Fun Family

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Movie Review

Lolli — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 06:00:07 +0000

I was invited, along with my husband and a theater-full of local press, to see an early screening of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is in theaters across the US!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Trailer

ABOUT Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was written by J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio.

Spoiler-Free Thoughts on The Film

Apparently, my husband and I have unpopular opinions when it comes to Star Wars movies. Dale was raised on the original Star Wars trilogy movies. He knows those movies backwards and forwards. He has some STRONG opinions about what excellent examples of cinema they are, especially since they were made in an age without the high tech special effects that we have today.

And as huge of a Star Wars fan as he has always been, he has NOT been a fan of the modern additions to the Star Wars saga. I’ll leave it at that.

Daisy Ridley is Rey in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

He and I have, however, really enjoyed the side stories, such as Solo: A Star Wars Story and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

In other words, we tend to love the movies that aren’t received as well critically. but I know we’re not alone.

What I’m getting to is that we both agreed that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was the best of the modern Star Wars saga movies. There were many elements in the movie that made it feel more like the original, the action was excellent, the special effects were very well done (I was especially impressed with how they handled Leia in this film!), and over-all I thought it was a great way to end the saga.

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca and Billy Dee Williams is Lando Calrissian in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Was it a perfect movie? Not by a long shot. Was it entertaining? Heck, yeah.

The thing that I noticed as we were making the hour-long drive back home from the screening theater is that the movie made me THINK. I noticed the symbolism more with this movie than with any of the previous movies, and I felt like you could write thorough college-level papers examining the parallels and lesson to be learned from the script.

Family-friendly?

Parents often ask how child-friendly PG and PG-13 movies are (note: this movie is rated PG-13). As expected from a Sci-Fi action movie like this, there are plenty of duels and fights, possible scary-looking characters, and intense action, but nothing that you wouldn’t expect. If you’ve seen the other Star Wars movies with your kids, then this will fit right in.

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca, Oscar Isaac is Poe Dameron, Daisy Ridley is Rey and John Boyega is Finn in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

LUCASFILM

Website: StarWars.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsMovies

John Boyega is Finn and Naomi Ackie is Jannah in STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.

Hashtag: #TheRiseOfSkywalker

PS – Please be patient with me as I iron out some technical difficulties I’m having with my blog, including the inability to add new images to my blog (luckily I can use round-about ways to add photos from another website for now). Additionally, my Facebook page was stolen and I no longer have control of it. I am trying to regain access, but in the meantime I’m looking for other methods to share my content. If you feel like sharing this, I’d love the support! Thank you!

Woody Harrelson is Beckett in SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Fri, 25 May 2018 16:11:12 +0000

Many thanks to Disney for inviting me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is finally out in theaters, and I can’t wait for you to see it!

Meet TOBIAS BECKETT

There is no question that Beckett is a survivor. Seasoned, taciturn, and all-business, Beckett quietly works out all the angles to come out ahead. He’s put together a team of specialized thieves to carry out risky but profitable heists, which he carefully plans and executes.

That’s the official character bio for Woody Harrelson’s new character. But how would he describe his character, Tobias Beckett?

Woody Harrelson is Beckett in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Woody said, “Well, I think in some ways, he’s complicated in the sense that he’s not always as chummy as he could be, but I’d say he’s a survivor who really also does have this image of life, wanting to be done with this life of Criminality, and ultimately, just be playing the valachord, living on a remote planet somewhere.”

In what ways is Woody Harrelson like his character, Beckett? Apparently, not much.

Woody Harrelson is Beckett and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Woody explained, “I don’t think I’m that (much) like Beckett. He’s a bit of a hardass, and he’s kind of tough on Han. I think it’s probably good if you’re gonna want to try to make someone into a very street smart Survivor in that Universe, maybe that’s how he had to be. But I wouldn’t be like that. I’m like the most….I can’t even discipline my own child. I don’t know how to do it because I always say to myself, ‘Well, I would do that. So how can I be telling her…?'”

I loved that he was such a tough love mentor to Han in the movie. We asked, “In real life, who has been that kind of tough love mentor to you?” Woody responded, “I feel like to some degree, Jack Nicholson. He lives not far from where I have a place here in LA, even though I live in Maui but the kids didn’t want to ever give it up. I still have it and it’s not far from Jack’s and I would go over quite a bit to his place and sit and reason, and talk story, and he did….he’s given a lot of cool advice.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Do you remember the first time YOU saw Star Wars? Woody Harrelson remembers the first time he saw the original Star Wars movie in the theater. He said, “Yeah, I remember it ’cause, you probably won’t believe this, but I was alive in 1977 and you know, it was a huge thing at the time like everybody was all about Star Wars. It became a sensation. And so I just remember going to see it and it was so original, so different from anything else and all of it (was) great.”

I’m sure the opportunity to enter the Star Wars universe was an incredible experience!

When asked which character from the original Star Wars Trilogy he would have loved to be, Woody replied, “Who wouldn’t want to be Solo, man? Such a good–but I mean also, it was written really well, obviously. Lucas created these great characters but I guess what Harrison brought to it and now what Alden is bringing to it is making that character just so special, so fun, and funny.”

Thandie Newton is Val, Woody Harrelson is Beckett and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

I could tell that Woody had a ton of respect for Alden Ehrenreich, who played Han Solo in the movie. Despite Woody’s experience in Hollywood, I love that he was able to find things to learn from the younger actor.

Woody said, “Love Alden, love him, awesome, awesome guy. Really hard worker. I mean, very hard worker, ’cause there would be these humungous sets and then there would be these little spots, it’s like a little cloth room. You might have something to lay down on or chair, makeup thing, whatever. So we’d all have our little cubicles and he was next to me and he’d be in there like taking piano lessons. He’d be in there reading novels. I’m over there playing Speed Chess online. Screaming. The whole set’s like ‘What the he(ck)? He just lost his queen.’ I really admire his work ethic and I think just the way he cultivates himself as a human, he’s an extraordinary guy. He’s not just like a silly dopey party animal like some actors coming up or like I was coming up.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Woody Harrelson has certainly created a legacy of amazing and diverse roles during his time in Hollywood. But we were curious what HE wanted his personal legacy to be.

His response, “Well, I hope just generally, it’s a smiling type of legacy instead of a frowning type. I mean, I do prefer comedy (even though) I’ve gotten into a little bit of a Drama bubble. I would like to make people laugh, and hopefully, they’ll think of me and laugh.”

Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Speaking of leaving a legacy of happiness, one of our group members complimented Woody by saying, “You always seem so happy” and asked, “What is your life-hack for happiness?”

Woody, with his perpetual smile, said, “Well, thank you for saying that. I do feel like a pretty genuinely happy person. And I think a big part of it is just gratitude. I’m very grateful for the life I have. I feel like all of us who do movies and probably all of you who write about movies, we’re breathing a bit of a rarified air. And I feel really lucky because there was a point in which I kind of gave up and it was early on. I hadn’t even got a job yet and I just was like, I think I can’t do it. And I don’t know how to crack it. And so yeah gratitude. Life-hack.”

Group photo with Woody Harrelson – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Be sure to catch Woody Harrelson as Beckett in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, in theaters everywhere!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37, The New Droid on the Block #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Thu, 24 May 2018 19:40:09 +0000

I am so thankful to Disney for inviting me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Meet L3-37

L3-37 is Lando’s co-pilot and a self-made droid assembled from astromech and protocol parts. Despite her make-up, L3-37 is an enlightened navigator who cares deeply about droid rights.

L3-37 (and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s superior acting and stellar personality) stole the show for me. She was my favorite new character, and full of laughable moments. You are going to LOVE L3-37!

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

A New Star Wars Fan is Born

Did you know that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was not only NOT a Star Wars fan before working on this movie, but she had never seen a Star Wars movie before. She said, “Yeah, I hadn’t seen any of the films. I think there’s like five of us in the world. Which I think in some ways might’ve worked in my favor, especially from the droid perspective, because I was very loose in the audition with the idea of what a droid was.”

After being physically “loose” in her audition and said that the people conducting the audition said, “Wow, you’re taking the story thing very lightly.” Phoebe responded, “Oh, is she not a person?”

Of course, she loved the film and is totally obsessed with Star Wars now.

Donald Glover is Lando Calrissian and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Interestingly, Phoebe was actually in costume and acting along with the other characters. When we asked her to explain that process, she said, “Well, I had loads of fittings. I mean, the weirdest thing is, you get a kind of scan at the very beginning. I got a scan of my whole body, and then they build a complete replica of your body. And then they’d build this suit around it, so it fits perfectly. And so I had this green suit, skin-tight, really attractive green leggings and leotard. And then, on top of that, I had the kind of legs drilled onto me, and the arms, and the chest plate, and then the head.

“But it was the first time that they’d created a droid that could kind of move properly and be more flexible. And I could move all of my joints. Because she’s a self-made droid, so she created herself to be as flexible, bigger, faster, stronger, than any other droids that she would’ve met.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

L3-37 is such a warm and humorous character that it’s easy to forget that she’s a droid. We asked Phoebe how she was able to bring such heart and humor to a character that’s not even flesh and blood, she responded with a smile.

“Aw, well, I can’t take full credit for that. The script does that. But I think you have to sort of start at the heart, with any character, no matter what they’re made out of. And I felt like she had a huge amount of heart and passion, and even though she sort of wakes up halfway through the film to what her passion is, and it’s nice, knowing you’re building to something like that as well. And humor as well. Where there’s humor there’s heart and I think she’s got a lot of it.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

On preparing to play a droid, Phoebe said, “I was ready to do all sorts of preparation for that. I was like, “Do you want me to work out? So I can carry the suit stronger?” And they were just like, “no, no, that little weird awkward walk you’re doing is actually perfect”. And the same with the voice. I think the vision that John Larry had from the writing point of view, and then you know, carrying on through the whole production. Because she’s created herself, she’s built herself to be more — not like, more human, but more relaxed, in her voice, and her body, and everything. I would offer something droid-y, they would be like ‘Stop that, pull it back. Be more natural.’”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

We were curious how much ad-libbing Phoebe was able to do with her character. Phoebe explained,

“We were allowed to go off-beat — once we got the script, then there’d be a kind of little pass around with John and he’d be like, ‘Does anyone else have any ideas’ or ‘Let’s just kind to be a bit looser with the scene.’ And so we did get to do that a few times. And then if anything good came out of it, then they would do a take of that. It was really fun. I mean, the whole atmosphere on set was just so fun. And encouraging. And everyone was just so excitable, and it was just like, ‘Ooh, that’s a good idea, let’s do that.’ It was really nice.”

What about L3’s sass? Is Phoebe sassy in real life? Phoebe knocked that one down pretty quickly, “No, I’m afraid not, no. I can dream of being sassy though.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

When asked about L3-37’s stance on droid awareness, Phoebe said, “It’s so cool that she’s got a cause, you know. She’s like a social justice warrior, and she’s a droid with an agenda that goes beyond her own existence, and that’s very unique. It’s good to have a message.”

Advise from the Set

Working with such legendary filmmakers and actors must be an incredible experience, and we wanted to know what Phoebe took away from the experience.

On working alongside Donald Glover and Ron Howard, said said, “It was more sort of hanging out — I mean, they are both so relaxed and such consummate professionals. But there’s a real sense of just being able to be really present with both of them, and I really learned that from them. Just letting go of everything and letting your instincts speak first.”

She went on to say more about working with Ron Howard, “I mean, he’s a master. But also, I was sort of ready to meet Ron Howard, you know, the king. And then he comes in, and he’s just like, ‘Hey. How’s it going?’ So friendly, and makes everyone feel so relaxed, and you can just feel instantly why people just want to work with him over and over again. Because he’s so clear. His eye is so brilliant, and he’s incredibly kind and very, very clever. So you feel very safe.”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Despite the fact that she didn’t start out a Star Wars fan, Phoebe certainly ended as one. And she recognized the importance of her involvement in a Star Wars movie. Two main moments stuck out to her:

She said, “…there was the scene in the Falcon, that was a big one when you involuntarily scream, and I did that when I saw the Falcon, and I did that when I met Chewie. But the big one really came, like, two weeks after we’d wrapped, and then I was just on a bus going to go and get a sandwich for my love somewhere in London. And I suddenly just went, ‘What just happened?’ I called my sister. And I was just like, ‘Was I just in a Star Wars movie?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, Love, yeah. We came to set. We saw the whole thing.’ My God. How did that happen?”

Phoebe left us with a wonderful message that she hopes everyone watching Solo: A Star Wars Story leaves with.

“It’s a film celebrating individuality and individual causes and having courage of your own convictions. But also there are so many amazing relationships in it, and I think it’s inspiring, and the trust it takes to partner up with somebody, and I hope that inspires them as well.”

Group Photo with Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Be sure to catch Phoebe as L3-37 in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters everywhere on May 25 (yes, that’s tomorrow!)!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Paul Bettany on His Role As Dryden Vos in SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Tue, 22 May 2018 17:47:06 +0000

If you’ve been following my #HanSoloEvent coverage this week, then you’ll know that we clapped each time that the talent walked in to our room. It caught more than a few of them off guard, and Paul Bettany was no different. His reaction? With a huge smile on his face, he said, “Look at all you lovely people! Wow.” It’s kind of a treat to be greeted by THE Paul Bettany that way.

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

He then proceeded to show us the lock screen on his phone (a picture of his wife when she was four years old), which he said he looks at whenever she’s “really annoying.” When asked how often he looks at it, he said, “Well…Poor thing, we’re in the process of moving right now and I’ve been doing back-to-back press tours so she’s not super happy at me. Yeah, she’s so glad that I’m in Los Angeles and not actually packing up tea chests, as you can imagine.”

His humor and honesty put us all at ease. And, really, he is such a GOOD GUY, despite the fact that he plays a really BAD GUY in SOLO that it’s hard not to love him.

Paul Bettany is Dryden Vos in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Crossing Universes

Paul Bettany has been fairly busy lately, with the latest Avengers movie still in theaters at the time of the theatrical release of Solo: A Star Wars Story. I’m sure it’s a difficult decision to sign on to two demanding movies at the same time, so we asked Paul about how he got the role of Dryden Vos, and why he was interested in being involved in this Star Wars movie.

“This is a hugely embarrassing story which I shouldn’t tell you but I’ve got to tell you anyway. In 1977 I saw Star Wars. I was six years old and it took me out of the gray, miserable 1970’s London. London was really depressed in the ‘70s, by the way. So, it was just (amazing) to be taken away to that universe.

“But now I’m in the Avengers so I think there’s no way I’m ever going to be asked to be in Star Wars. Unless Ron Howard becomes the director. And that happened. And so, I texted him this, I said, ‘Hey, Ron, have you ever spent long winter evenings, like I have wondering why you’re not in the Star Wars franchise?’

“And that’s a true story. And he said, ‘Give me a moment.’ And two weeks later I was flying to London to shoot it.”

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

I loved seeing the love and respect that Paul has for Ron Howard (they really are old friends). Later in the interview, Paul said, “Ron is as close to family as you get in this business. He’s put his hand out and helped me out so many times I can’t tell you. And seeing him be so accomplished . He’s just a fine, fine director.” Paul admired what Ron was able to do coming on the project after it had already started. He said that it could have been a tricky situation, but Ron’s ability with staging and his natural talent made the movie a success.

He continued, “He’s also amazingly inclusive and genuinely interested in everybody’s opinions about how things should be. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have his own vision. He’s just so confident that he is able to be really open and collaborative. And, you know, I think the sign of a really strong leader is when (people) are listening. That was beautiful.”

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Going back to the fact that Paul just happens to be in two of the biggest movies hitting the theaters this summer, he said that it felt “pretty great. It’s very nice going around the world selling something that people want to buy. I’ve done both. And this is a much nicer feeling than the other.”

But what was it like jumping between superhero and villain? Paul said that it wasn’t difficult to go back and forth between the two characters because he knows Vision so well. It also helped that, despite the fact that he was going back and forth between two cinematic universes and two different filming locations, he had support from the directors and producers of both films.

However, he did run into one little problem…”there were times when literally, the makeup crew on Star Wars were finding bits of purple still on me from playing Vision. Can I tell you, the amount of work it takes to get that stuff off?”

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Vision (Paul Bettany)
Photo: Film Frame
©Marvel Studios 2018

Speaking of makeup, we were shocked to find out that Dryden Vos’ facial scars are all CG – no makeup – and all done in post-production!

On playing a Star Wars villain, Paul said, “I really wanted to do something very different. And I felt like I could because the offshoot films, you know, they’re not encumbered with the same set of responsibilities that the main franchise (films) are encumbered with.

Paul Bettany described his character, Dryden Vos, as an “entrepreneur.”

“There is the possibility to have a more playful tone. I really wanted to sort of be quite loose with it. He is an entrepreneur. He knows who he is and is super happy about it. Like, (he has) no problems with being bad. I mean, he’s really, really gifted at hurting people. And some people are gifted at playing the piano or whatever and he’s really gifted at torture and murder. And he’s really okay with it. And that’s really fun to play because you’re just able to sort of close down all the conscious stuff and just be great at torture and murder.”

Paul Bettany is the GOOD GUY, insisting that our injured Leanette take his seat. Or better yet, SHARE it with him! – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

A Life-Changing Role

Paul Bettany has said before that Star Wars changed his world as a child. We asked him if there was a moment on the set when it hit him that he was in a Star Wars movie.

Without a hesitation, Paul said, “Oh, yeah, there were many moments where I went, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m in a Star Wars movie!’ I think because Ron and I were newcomers on the block, as it were. You know, everyone else had been in there for eight months or whatever. And we were still totally un-jaded by it. And I kept elbowing him and saying, ‘We’re making a Star Wars movie. We’re making a Star Wars movie!’ And my first day, in fact, I was on my starship.

I have a starship and I was coming down the spiral staircase and a super chic asymmetric cloak I think you probably all noticed. And an R2 unit went by me with champagne flutes on and I went, (wow), I’m in Star Wars. And that was amazing.”

Paul Bettany’s Most Important Role of All

My favorite part of our interview had to be be when Paul Bettany started talking about his children. We asked him what legacy he hopes to leave for his children. Instead of talking about what he has given to them, he talked about how proud he is of them.

Paul said, “I think the thing I’m most proud of with my kids is that they always say please and thank you. I have taught them (that) there is no separation between children and adults in our lives in terms of like going to a restaurant, you know, they’re with us. Their time spent on devices is really limited.

“They are not allowed devices in a restaurant. They have to ask questions and they have to be engaged with other people. I have a 20-year-old and I have a 14-year-old and what I noticed about them is that they have a confidence within themselves that I feel that I really lacked. I might be strict with them, which I have been about certain things, parties and all of that stuff as they grow up.

“And now my son, who’s 20, is off to college and doing his own thing but, deep down inside they appear to know that they’re just excellent company, you know, that they’re good people. So, I might be pissed when we might be having a problem but you know, they know how loved they are and how lovable they are. And I mean, and we have tried to inoculate them from all of the slightly weird and odd things that can happen having parents that do what we do.

Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“I mean, when we all fly together, we fly in coach because my son one time in First Class said to me, “Dad, these seats are not…’ (and I said,) ‘You’re coming with me.’ And we fly in coach. You might see me in there because I’ll be the one with the scarf around me.

“They’re really aware of their privilege because I’m not willing to raise one of those children. I want them to know how rare this situation is and to prepare them for a life in which they can, hopefully, give back in a way that we’ve all received.”

Our group photo with Paul Bettany – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Can you see what an amazing dad he is?!

Be sure to catch him in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters everywhere on May 25!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Ron Howard on Directing SOLO: A Star Wars Story #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Mon, 21 May 2018 13:29:23 +0000

Disney invited me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

When I received the invitation to attend the red carpet premiere of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, I didn’t know who we were going to be interviewing, but I had my own little wish list of talent that I was hoping we’d have the chance to sit down with. Ron Howard was at the top of my wish list. Dare I admit it had something to do with growing up watching Happy Days?

I was beyond excited when our interview schedule came through my email, and Ron Howard’s name was there. It was truly a dream come true for me. After meeting him, I have even more respect for him as a director and as a person.

RON HOWARD group photo – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

When Ron walked in the room, we broke out into applause…which apparently doesn’t happen often when he walks into an interview, because it totally caught him off guard. He said that we woke him up!

I loved hearing Ron Howard’s version of how he got the job directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. He explained, “It came out of a conversation that I was having with Kathleen Kennedy. It was just a scheduled breakfast appointment that I had with her. I was in London meeting with other writers for Imagine Entertainment projects and working on things. She’s a friend.

Alden Enrenreich, Kathleen Kennedy and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

“I didn’t know that there was any conflict, any creative differences going on with the project at all. I hadn’t heard any of those rumors. I guess that they were out there, but I just wasn’t paying attention. And at the breakfast she asked if Larry Kasden could come. He was in town. She didn’t tell me why. And I thought, ‘I wonder what they wanna talk about? Was it some other future Star Wars movie, maybe, or something else? It’s not what the conversation was supposed to be about. It was just a hello. And about halfway through, it just sort of came out that they were in this crisis with the young Han Solo movie.

“And he said, ‘Look, would you ever consider coming in and taking over?’ And I said, ‘Well, it’s very flattering but I can’t imagine that I would. I don’t think so.’ And, I urged them to reconsider and think about it. And they said they had already made their decision. They knew they were gonna make a change.

Ron Howard on the set of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

“And it went from there. I read the script and I was so compelled by that script. It answered the questions of what a young Han Solo’s life experiences might be that would shape him, form him, push him toward that iconic figure that we would know later. And did it in ways that surprised me. And so it was really satisfying and logical. But it also had these twists and turns that were unexpected.

“I knew what a fantastic cast it was. And sort of over a period of about three days, I began to weigh it and at a certain point, my wife, Cheryl, said, ‘I know you pretty well and I think you’re gonna be disappointed if you don’t do this.’

“I thought she was right, as she most always is.”

Cheryl Howard and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of ÒSolo: A Star Wars StoryÓ in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

Speaking of family, Ron Howard’s daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, is currently staring in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, coming to theaters in June, just a month after Solo: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters. We wondered if there was any friendly competition at home when family members had “competing” movies (whose movie made more on opening week…whose movie got better ratings and reviews?). I loved Ron’s response.

He said, “It’s hard not to root for your daughter. And, you know, we’re in a very fortunate position. Once we realized that our movies were coming out a month apart or something like that, it was kinda like a gift, I suppose. You work at something that you love. I give 110% to everything that I do. Some things click, some things not as much. And I just love it as a lifestyle, our way of life. And, and I’ve felt very rewarded by this opportunity and I hope fans feel really good about the movie because these movies are made for the fans.”

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

While Ron Howard knew they were making this movie (and all movies) for the fans, he realized that there was a deep (and almost daunting) sense of responsibility to make sure that they got it “right.” We were curious to hear his thoughts on the challenges of making his first Star Wars movie.

Ron said, “What I did discover is that the reason that these Star Wars movies resonate with us and we see them more than once is because they entertain you in so many different ways. And I didn’t realize that as a fan. But when I was directing the scenes, I realized that’s a real challenge. You’ve got action elements. You’ve got sci-fi elements that are very particular to this galaxy.

Ron Howard, Jon Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan on the set of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

“You’ve got this blend of humanity and humor and drama and then these deeper bigger themes that are really classic themes. And it’s like playing three dimensional chess to direct these scenes. And I think that when the harmonics are right, it creates this range of ways that the movies entertain you.

“But it’s a real challenge. So I recognized and respected the movies that came before me all the more when I realized how complicated they were. So it was a challenge but it was fun. And George Lucas had said to me, ‘Just trust your instincts. I think you’re gonna find you’re comfortable in this filmmaking style.’ And he was right.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“I fell into it easily. I loved the cast. Really creative, cool, young, smart cast. And loved working with the Kasdens. I believed in their story. Oh, there’s one thing I just like to remind people of.

“Because I didn’t know it until very late in the process, but it made sense to me when I heard it. And that was that this story was hatched before Disney acquired Lucas Film and came up with this business plan to do more Star Wars movies.

“It was a conversation that Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas had with Larry Kasden, basically picking his brain and saying what beyond the saga movies, what do you think would be interesting for fans and creatively exciting? And Larry and George just instantly felt and agreed that it was young Han Solo.

“So this has been a story that Larry’s been wanting to tell for a while and the studio wanted to initially commit to the saga movies which they did. But Larry, Larry kept saying, you know, well I really do believe in young Han Solo. So that’s really how it happened, before there were any directors involved or anything.

RON HOWARD – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

“So this story is the thing that I think everybody involved from the very beginning has wanted to give 110% to because it’s so ripe for the telling and an opportunity we felt for fans.”

He said that the scariest part of taking on a Star Wars movie was the responsibility placed on his own shoulders and the cast. He said, “I knew that there would be a lot of judgement surrounding (Alden) and his performance. But he’s such a cool customer. And he wore the responsibility very well. But I know it was something that really meant a lot to him.

“I had talked to Harrison (Ford) about a week ago. He had seen the movie and I had told Alden that Harrison really loved what he did. He respected it. And, of course, I couldn’t announce that to anybody because no one speaks for Harrison Ford but Harrison Ford.”

Speaking of Harrison Ford, we asked Ron Howard about the process of creating a new, younger version of Han Solo with Alden.

Ron said, “It was all about taking inspiration from from Harrison. I think Alden thought a little bit about the body language and that’s a sort of subtle almost subliminal link you can create for the characters.”

He explained that he has seen this done in various movies, where two actors are playing a young version of a character and an older version of that same character. It’s important for each of the actors to work out some traits or body language choices that show character continuity. Ron was impressed when he met Alden that he had already thought about and started studying that very thing in the older Star Wars movies.

Ron Howard believed that Alden Ehrenreich got Han Solo’s character right, “The phrasing, those rhythms, it was there for Alden to develop. And so that it was not only right for the character but sort of familiar for audiences.”

Alden Ehrenreich, George Lucas and Ron Howard attend the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

When asked how Han Solo’s death in THE FORCE AWAKENS affected how he directed this film, Ron said, “Well, I thought it was very powerful in that movie. And it also reflected the kind of complexity, the thematic ideas that I think give the Star Wars movies their lasting value. It’s fun. It’s playful. It’s exciting. But it also has these themes that are complicated and run deep, you know? And in its own playful way, I think Solo asks some of those questions of what’s it like in those moral gray areas?

“And when your survival is at stake and you’re presented with choices that you might not necessarily be proud of. This is a story about young people who are really on a quest for their freedom. And they’re struggling for that. And in very difficult oppressive times. And a really challenging corner of the galaxy.

“So I think knowing the outcome gives the story of young Han Solo even more power and more weight. And I think in many ways makes you even more curious about what might have made him tick.”

I can’t wait for you to see SOLO: A Star Wars Story in theaters on May 25! Come back here and let me know what you think of Ron Howard’s touch in the film.

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage (with review and interviews coming) by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

Emilia Clarke: An Exclusive Interview with Qi’ra from SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Fri, 18 May 2018 19:20:56 +0000

Last week was INCREDIBLE. I’m still reeling from all of the excitement, and I’m LOVING being able to report back on all of the fun I had! Disney invited me on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post and I may earn a commission for purchases made through my links.

I’ve never watched Game of Thrones, so I was unprepared for the level of devotion GOT fans have for Emilia Clarke. But after seeing her in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY and then spending time with her on Saturday, I’m not surprised at all that she has such passionate and devoted fans. She is as sweet as can be, and flawlessly portrayed Qi’ra, Han Solo’s long-time friend and love-interest.

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Meet Qi’ra:

Qi’ra is deeply enmeshed in a life of crime as a member of a street gang on Corellia. Streetsmart, calculating and ambitious, she puts her early life as a powerless street urchin behind her and uses all her wits to move up in status within a prominent criminal organization.

About SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany.

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Becoming a Star Wars Fan

Emilia wasn’t born when the first Star Wars movie appeared in theaters, but she grew up with an older brother who was a Star Wars fan and would make her dress up in Star Wars costumes for Halloween (even though she had no idea what they were really about).

EMILIA CLARKE – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Emilia said, “When Episode 7 (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) came out and I watched that with him, I became a fan because I suddenly realized what everyone must have felt in 1977 when (A New Hope) first came out. The enormity– like this is how a movie should be made.

This is what (movies) should look like. This is a blockbuster. The next level. So as soon as that happened I was like, ‘I need to be a part of this. This is how it’s done. This is how everybody should make a movie.’ So it was kind of from then on I just watched everything….and now I’m here.”

Fun side note: Emilia said that her Star Wars-fan brother screamed louder than she did when she was offered this role. I bet that was a fun day at their house!

EMILIA CLARKE – Photo courtesy of Louise Manning Bishop / MomStart.com

Walking in Leia’s shoes

We wondered if Emilia was intimidated at all playing ‘the woman who came before Princess Leia.’ Her response was perfect: “Well, I just tried not to think about it. I’m not gonna’ lie. It’s scary enough standing under the Star Wars banner, but having that as well.

“(But) it’s before Leia so I don’t need to spend too much time worrying about it. Like, I don’t know what my next 10 years are gonna look like. So I can kind of step away from that. I’ll let Alden take all that heat. ‘You carry that one, honey.'”

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca, Woody Harrelson is Beckett, Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Emilia recognized that this role carried a certain “weight” that her previous roles have not carried. She said, “Star Wars is challenging because you’re dealing with so much that it seems it’s almost history. It’s like hallowed ground, do you know what I mean? Making sure that you’re not gonna disappoint Star Wars fans is a big thing to carry and to make sure that you’re doing that right.”

Once you see her in this role, I’m sure you’ll agree – she handled the pressure well, and totally nailed it with her character. She mentioned that she felt like Han’s relationship with Qi’ra had a huge impact on the person he became later in life. First loves usually do shape us in ways that no one else can.

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

On Playing Strong Women Characters

Perhaps my favorite part of our interview was what Emilia had to say about playing “Strong women characters” and being a role model for girls and other women.

Emilia said that she regularly gets asked about playing “strong women” and what she would love to see if for the vocabulary and the perception to change. She said, “We’re just women. You can take strong out of the equation, do you know what I mean? It just IS what we are; strength is within us as women. And it’d be wonderful if for the young girls who are watching me play these characters now just see that as a part of being a woman as opposed to it being a choice of like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna be a strong woman or I’m not gonna be a strong woman.’ You are, we all are. You have it in you anyway, so just go get it.”

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

On Being Directed by Ron Howard

Ron Howard is such a legend, and has such an amazing reputation (and by the way, I’m 1000-times more impressed by him now that I’ve met him!). I loved hearing Emilia’s experience working with him.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – MAY 10: (L-R) Actors Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Emilia Clarke, and Director Ron Howard attend the world premiere of “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in Hollywood on May 10, 2018. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

Emilia said, “Jon Kasdan, one of the Writers, (told the cast that Ron Howard was going to be directing the movie), and I kept being like, ‘You’re joking. I don’t believe you. This is just ridiculous. You can’t actually really expect me to believe that Ron Howard has chosen come and direct this movie.’ And that’s when (I realized), ‘Oh no, yeah of course. It’s a Star Wars movie.'”

She continued, “It was just a dream come true. He literally couldn’t have been better and just held us all in the most beautiful way and he made us all feel heard, which in a movie of this scale is so impressive.”

Emilia left us with her person mantra: KOKO (keep on keeping on). Good words to live by.

Let me know when you’ve seen SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY and what you think of Qi’ra in the movie!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage (with review and interviews coming) by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Movie Review #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Wed, 16 May 2018 15:55:11 +0000

I was invited by Disney to attend the red carpet premiere of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY in Los Angeles this past week. Although expenses were paid, all opinions are my own. The following is a spoiler-free review.

I admit that I was very skeptical when I saw the SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY trailer for the first time. How could Alden Ehrenreich, a new-comer, live up to the legacy of the Han Solo we’ve known and loved for a lifetime? I entered the Dolby Theater a little hesitant, not wanting to hope for too much and be let down.

Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo, Donal Glover is Lando Calrissian and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

I am thrilled to report that this movie exceeded my expectations.

Here’s my experience:

Young Han Solo is not the grown-up, experienced, rough-around-the-edges Han we met in Star Wars: A New Hope. He’s a softer, more naive Han, but Han none-the-less. I actually appreciated that Alden Ehrenreich didn’t try to “copy” Harrison Ford’s version of Han Solo from the get-go. What I found was that throughout the movie Han BECAME Han Solo, the character that we know from the original Star Wars trilogy. By the end scenes, I was floored. He did it. Alden was successfully able to show how Han became the Han we love.

Thandie Newton is Val, Woody Harrelson is Beckett and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

What I loved about Solo: A Star Wars Story

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY had more of a classic western movie feel to it than a sci-fi action movie in space. While there was a lot of action in the movie, the majority of it took place on the ground instead of in space. I loved the different feel of this movie, while still maintaining the “feel” of a Star Wars movie.

Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian

Donald Glover was born to be Lando Calrissian. He was perfectly cast! And hasn’t everyone been waiting to see how Han won the Millennium Falcon off Lando? Speaking of the Millennium Falcon, we’ve never seen this beloved ship looking so spiffy and clean. Just wait til Han takes it on a few more adventures…
One of my favorite aspects of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY was watching the friendship and trust develop between Han Solo and Chewbacca. Their story was an unexpected bonus for me.

Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Self-made droid L3-37 (played by the fabulous Phoebe Waller-Bridge) ended up being one of my favorite characters. She was sassy, had a mind of her own, and was full of hilarious lines. She kept me on my toes!
Emilia Clarke was ideal as Han’s young friend from home and love interest. Is it any wonder that a woman shaped Han so much in his younger years?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is L3-37 in Solo: A Star Wars Story

I loved seeing a younger Empire and an even younger Rebellion and seeing how Han Solo’s story was woven around both groups while he maintained his independence.
Good guy or bad guy? I was asking myself this question throughout the movie, which was full of unexpected twists and turns. I was left with a lot to think about, and the majority of the characters (except maybe Paul Bettany’s character Dryden Vos!) had a little bit of good AND bad in them. Isn’t that reality, though?

Paul Bettany described his character, Dryden Vos, as an “entrepreneur.”

I loved seeing Director Ron Howard’s expert touch in this film. While we won’t know what the movie would have been if he hadn’t gotten involved, I am personally grateful that he did. I hope to see him work on future Star Wars stories.
While this movie is rated PG-13, I appreciated that it was a very mild PG-13. Not much language, no nudity or overly sexual sequences (there is kissing, but that’s about it), and not a lot of scariness or gore. If your kids have seen any of the other Star Wars movies, they’ll be totally fine with this one.

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra and Alden Ehrenreich is Han Solo in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.

Be sure to check out SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY when it comes to theaters on May 25! You’re not going to want to miss this movie!

ABOUT SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage (with review and interviews coming) by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent on social media or click HERE to see all of my Han Solo Event coverage.

SOLO: A Star Wars Story World Premiere {My #HanSoloEvent Red Carpet and After-Party Experience}

Lolli — Mon, 14 May 2018 15:51:12 +0000

I was invited, along with 24 other bloggers, on an expense-paid trip to Los Angeles by Disney to attend the #HanSoloEvent and #ABCTVEvent in exchange for coverage on my blog. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Talk about a magical night. I’ve been to a dozen or so red carpet premieres, and I have to say that THIS red carpet was my favorite so far. This was the first time that bloggers have been invited to attend a Star Wars movie red carpet, so it was a new and magical experience for all 25 of us.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – MAY 10: Cast and crew of “Solo: A Star Wars Story” attend the world premiere of ?Solo: A Star Wars Story? in Hollywood on May 10, 2018. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Alan Horn; George Lucas; Clint Howard; Jonathan Kasdan; John Powell; John Williams; Joonas Suotamo; Ron Howard; Woody Harrelson; Emilia Clarke; Thandie Newton; Phoebe Waller-Bridge; Alden Ehrenreich; Donald Glover; Paul Bettany; Jon Favreau; Kathleen Kennedy; Simon Emanuel; Jason McGatlin; Alan Bergman

There was an energy present from the moment we stepped onto the red carpet until the moment we left the after-party around midnight on Thursday night that was unlike any other I’ve felt. The thing that stood out to me throughout the night was that everyone – from the everyday people like me to the stars of the movie – felt a sense of excitement and honor in being involved in a Star Wars movie.

Chewbacca poses with Alden Enrenreich at the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

The Solo Red Carpet Experience

Stormtroopers ‘selfie’ at the world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Hollywood on May 10, 2018..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages).

When you’re greeted by a life-sized replica of the Millennium Falcon on Hollywood Blvd, you know it’s going to be a good walk down the red carpet. We’re always advised to keep moving along, but I have to admit that it’s tough to not stop and stare when Ron Howard or George Lucas walk by just feet away.

I spent as much time as I could soaking it all in, and while I was excited to take my seat in the Dolby Theater to see the movie, I enjoyed the ambiance on the red carpet so much that I didn’t want it to end.

For a Star Wars red carpet, I built my look around a LuLaRoe Sarah from the Elegant Collection. The black background and gold sequins seemed to be the perfect look for a Star Wars movie. I wore a simple black LuLaRoe Nicole underneath and accessorized with gold jewelry, a gold handbag, and sparkly gold shoes (which surprisingly didn’t hurt my feet at all!). I felt very comfortable on the red carpet and in the theater (apparently I was one of the only people who didn’t freeze throughout the movie!).

A Star Wars After-Party

After the movie ended, we walked above the Dolby Theater to attend the after-party with the cast and other Hollywood elite.

Talk about a star-studded party! Everywhere we looked, there were celebrities. Lucky for me, I was hanging out with my adorable and super-friendly partner-in-crime, Elayna from ThePositiveMom.com, who makes friends everywhere she goes. Let’s just say that Elayna is a great co-pilot when you’re making your way through a crowded room full of Hollywood stars.

I do believe that my picture with the one and only Mark Hamill (aka THE Luke Skywalker) is my most liked and commented-on photo ever! I have to admit, it’s pretty epic and one that I will cherish forever.

Me with Mark Hamill

Me with Woody Harrelson

Me with Joonas Suotamo (“Chewbacca”)

Peter Mayhew (the original Chewbacca) and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca)

Not only was the after-party loaded with celebrities, but it was full of amazing food, fun music, costumes from the movie, and exciting photo opps. I could have used another hour at the party (there were many people I wasn’t able to meet) but we were all pretty exhausted after a busy day and long night. I was happy to get back to the hotel and get some sleep…dreaming about taking a ride on the Millennium Falcon and hanging out with Han Solo.

https://foodfunfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_6591.mp4

About Solo: A Star Wars Story

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany.

Ron Howard directs “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” and Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are the producers. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller serve as executive producers. Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theaters everywhere on May 25! Tickets are available to purchase now – and I recommend getting your hands on some tickets ASAP. This is a movie you don’t want to miss!

Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/solo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies

Follow our exclusive coverage (with review and interviews coming) by checking out hashtag #HanSoloEvent

I’m Walking the Red Carpet for the SOLO: A Star Wars Story Premiere! #HanSoloEvent

Lolli — Sat, 05 May 2018 03:00:24 +0000

It has been an entire YEAR since I’ve been able to make an exciting announcement like this. I’m thrilled to be heading to Los Angeles next week for another amazing blogger press event. And what BETTER day to announce a Star Wars event than May the 4th, Star Wars Day?!

Travel, accommodations, and activities are covered by Disney. All thoughts and experiences are my own.

Check out what we have in store for our trip…

Solo: A Star Wars Story

I’ll be joining 24 other hand-selected Bloggers in Los Angeles from May 9 through May 12 to walk the red carpet at the SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY premiere. This is the FIRST TIME that bloggers have ever been invited to attend a Star Wars red carpet premiere! We will also be attending the press junket where we will interview talent from the film, which is always one of my favorite parts of a trip. I love getting to know the people behind the movies. I can’t wait to hear who we get to interview (as of the time of this posting, it was still a mystery!). The suspense is killing me!

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theatres everywhere on May 25th!

ABOUT The Movie

65 Years of Peter Pan

Can you believe that Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, is 65?? We’re going to be celebrating the 65th anniversary of PETER PAN and the in-home release of the Walt Disney Signature Collection Edition of the film (available on Digital 5/29 and Blu-ray 6/5) by exploring the place it was made! We will take a tour of Walt Disney’s office and then follow a pirate map as they send us in groups on a scavenger hunt on the Disney Lot. I hear rumor that there is TREASURE at the end of this pirate’s map.

Expect some FUN pictures from that activity!

We will also visit the Animation Research Library where we will see original drawings from the film.

A Wrinkle In Time

In anticipation of the in-home release of A Wrinkle In Time (available on Digital 5/29 and Blu-ray 6/5), we will be some of the first people to see special behind the scenes bonus features from the A WRINKLE IN TIME. We also get to have a special Q&A with Deric McCabe (“Charles Wallace Murry”)!

55 Years of General Hospital

And, last but not least, we will also get a peek behind the scenes of ABC’s iconic and Emmy Award-winning daytime drama, “General Hospital,” in its 55th anniversary year! Our experience will highlight the upcoming Nurses Ball episodes, set to air the week of May 16-21. The Nurses Ball charity gala and talent show began on “General Hospital” in 1994 to help raise awareness for HIV and AIDS.

More details to come! I can’t wait to get away to California in just a few days, spend some time with some of my favorite people, and dive deep into some amazing movies. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as I share my experiences, lots of inside information, and fun photos with you right here.

Be sure to follow along with our official event hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

#HanSoloEvent
#PeterPanBluray
#WrinkleInTimeBluray
#ABCTVEvent
#GeneralHospital

Like STAR WARS on Facebook

Follow STAR WARS on Twitter: @starwars

Follow STAR WARS on Instagram

Visit the official SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY site

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theatres everywhere on May 25th!

And before you leave, be sure to check out these FREE PRINTABLE coloring pages and activity sheets inspired by Solo: A Star Wars Story!

Solo: A Star Wars Story Coloring Pages

Lolli — Fri, 04 May 2018 03:48:16 +0000

Happy Star Wars Day – May the 4th be With You!

To celebrate this day full of the Force and the upcoming theatrical release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, I’ve got some free printable coloring and activity pages based on the new movie. They’re the perfect activity for May the 4th (while you enjoy a Star Wars movie marathon at home, of course!).

Stay tuned for a BIG announcement that has a little something to do with this movie (I’m SO excited!).

ABOUT Solo: A Star Wars Story

Download SOLO: A Star Wars Story coloring pages and activity sheets

To download these coloring pages, simply click on any of the images or links below to download the full-sized versions of the pages. Once they’re saved to your computer, you can print as many copies as you’d like. Do NOT try to save/print the preview images below by right clicking, as those are low-resolution web images and will not print well.