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More reports on STAR WARS EPISODE ONE and Moriarty's Report on The Possibility that MANN and SONY will PULL OUT on SW!

Ok folks, I'm about to send a chill down some of your spines. Moriarty here has been working overtime to find out what is going on regarding STAR WARS and the theaters near you. Unfortunately... It seems some of the theater chains have had a recent lack of faith. They are no longer sure how BIG this film is going to be. The fact of the matter is this. Right now, this very second.... MILLIONS of kids across the country are playing with STAR WARS EPISODE ONE toys.... They are wanting to find out more on Anakin, Jar Jar and this Darth Maul thing. Meanwhile, this kids have been being raised by parents that ALREADY LOVE STAR WARS. What does this mean? Entire family units that have been targeted and assimilated for STAR WARS. Those children will be seeing this film no less than 15 times this summer. STAR WARS EPISODE ONE will become the biggest babysitter the world has ever seen (since the original). All the Star Wars fans you see lined up outside theaters now... That's nothing. What you are going to see in the opening 4 weeks of this film is going to astound you. People leaving the theater, buying a ticket and going back in... again. Over and over. Recently, Jeffrey Wells (of Mr Showbiz) called me up to ask me about STAR WARS... He was worried about the 'pandering to kids' part of this film. Here's the real scoop.

Star Wars Episode One is the first dose of cinematic crack for an audience you don't know even exists yet. The under 14 crowd. The original STAR WARS (A New Hope) succeeded not just because of College age kids. NOPE! It was people like me.... I was 6 at the time. I made my parents take me to see STAR WARS.... 60 times. They loved going, because they loved to see the joy on my face, the excitement and passion the film illicited from me. THIS WILL BE THE CASE AGAIN. I PROMISE YOU. I get hundreds of letters a day from folks all over this world that have kids that have suddenly become.... STAR WARS fans. Glen, over at Coaxial... Glen's child David... just 4 weeks ago was a MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGER basketcase.... BUT about 5 days ago.... His brain was... Taken over by George Lucas. This kid has never really been in a movie theater before. Same with lots of kids his age. Well... they are about to be addicted to the experience. These kids want POPCORN, SODAS and DRINKS. Their parents have no ability to turn them down. If you have plastic STAR WARS cups.... The kids will bend their parents to their wills. If you have paper STAR WARS POPCORN BAGS AND TUBS.... They'll be doomed. You theater owners will be putting up with certain LUCASFILM demands... but... you are about to tap into an audience that all the Disney Films in the world can't tap into. This is a film that aims for children and takes adults in with them. It won't merely be dropping off the kids.

As for you fans that hate the 'pandering to kids' angle. This is why Lucas is doing it. With the original trilogy he locked onto us kids, grabbed us with the first film.... Let us grow up a bit, then laid on with the serious stuff. The real heart of the mythology he wanted to pass on. He's following the same basic formula. He cultivating a crowd of youngsters, knowing he already has us, then with the next two chapters, he grows the story up with both us... and the new audience. Don't worry... Be happy.

Now... Listen to this tale of horror that Moriarty is about to dish out. Be afraid... Be angry.... Call your SONY and MANN theaters.... Be angry!

Hey, Head Geek...

"Moriarty" here.

Like any good geek, I'm in a state of sensory overload these days. As the countdown to May 19th continues, every single scrap of information is life support. Every new clip, every new thing I find when listening to the soundtrack... it's what keeps me going.

To this end, I've had my henchmen working overtime to gather these tidbits for me. One of them just came slinking into the Labs, afraid to look me in the eyes.

"What?" I growled.

"Um... I just heard some news about, um... the, the, the theaters..."

"What theaters?"

"The, um, the STAR WARS theaters."

Rather than subject you to his terrified stammerings, let me sum up what he told me. Sony has decided not to book the film at all. No Cineplex Odeons, no Loews theaters. That means that everyone outside the Ziegfield officially just became homeless people instead of a line. The Century City Cineplex just refurbished, god bless them, in anticipation of booking the film, and now they're not getting it.

AMC, Edwards Theaters and Pacific Theaters are onboard, though, and they're already running newspaper ads that give times and places to buy advance tickets. Oddly, there's another theater chain which isn't running any ads mentioning STAR WARS yet. It's a chain you would assume would already be trumpeting time and place for the tickets to go on sale, but instead... nothing.

There's a reason, too. Mann's Theaters hasn't decided yet if they're going to book THE PHANTOM MENACE. In fact, there's a good chance they won't. Their decision to pass would be based on the same factor that Sony's decision was. Without hearing confirmation from inside Lucasfilm, I'm not going to say what that factor was, but it goes to the issue of control. Essentially, it comes down to no one wanting to set a precedent with Lucas that they aren't going to offer to anyone else. It's dangerous in their eyes. If I were them, I'd probably accept Lucas' terms. It's obvious that certain companies believe there's plenty of money to be made by everyone.

More importantly, though, I would strongly encourage Mann's to consider the public relations disaster that would result from their not booking the film. That would mean it couldn't play at the National, or more importantly at the Village and the Chinese.

I know you understand what's at stake here. You're running some of the finest theaters in this city, and the reason this would be a disaster is because you would be denying the public the best STAR WARS experience possible.

I have many friends who are die-hard Village lovers, and they're planning to see it in Westwood no matter what. Me, I prefer the Chinese -- both for historical value and for comfort. I've been dreaming of that first show at the Chinese since they announced production on the film. If I have to settle for the Dome (a great theater -- don't get me wrong), I will, but I'll be heartbroken. I can't help but feel that part of the experience will be lost if I don't see it there.

Of course, that's not even taking into account the lines that are outside the two theaters. Those Countingdown guys are going to go apeshit when they find out. I would, too.

Please, Mann's... talk to Lucasfilm and Fox and see what you can work out. Please make this happen. I wouldn't presume to lecture anyone or tell you how things should be. This is just me, speaking as one of your customers, asking you to consider your decision carefully.

I've got a couple of reviews for you in the next few days, Harry. Keep your eyes open. Until then...

"Moriarty" out.

Alright folks, meanwhile, I'll tag on the first FEMALE review of STAR WARS EPISODE ONE that I've seen thus far.... Hmmmm.... A different angle?

I've never written before, but I lurk on your site regularly. I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole galaxy, because I just saw Phantom Menace last night (Thursday), and I thought I'd give you my perspective on it. Perhaps it'll vary from the guy-geek reviews.

First off, can I just tell you I didn't feel like I had even close to enough good karma built up to get so lucky as to see Episode One *two weeks* early and *free*. My friend in the film industry called me up 45 minutes before the show and I think I set land speed records driving over to the theater. My knees were nearly knocking together as they strapped the day-glow pink wristband on me.

But on to the film:

I was nervous about seeing it after reading some of the early feedback from hard-core SW geeks. But thank Lucas, I have to disagree. I LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT.

There's two things you have to realize to like it. 1. It's not made for hard-core SW geeks. 2. It needs to be judged first as a stand-alone movie and second as a part of Star Wars as a whole. (And since we won't have the piece as a whole until Lucas produces Episodes Two and Three, we can't really do that for several years.)

Here's the deal: Phantom Menace will stand well on its own as a summer blockbuster and it's also a light, fun start to the Star Wars epic. (This is key, because things get really dismal later on, i.e. Empire.) Jake Lloyd does a great job. I really feel drawn to the kid. Jar Jar is NOT an ewok. If anything, he's a Chewbacca. Queen Amidala is fantastic. She constantly looks stunning (those costumes!), her voice commands complete respect, and, like another royal gal after her, she packs a blaster with the best of 'em. I could go on, but I don't want to spill anything.

There's a lot of things in this film that will resonate through the whole series. I need to watch Episodes Four, Five and Six over again in the new light Episode One shines. It's an introduction. A "once upon a time" (or "long, long ago..." as the case may be).

And the best part about Episode One: I'm dying to see Episode Two.

Thanks for letting me share with someone who cares! Battle on, Harry.

Leitha the Mighty

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Reader Talkback

what is going on?
by Mathias
May 8th, 1999
04:18:16 PM
Am I first?
by samuelk
May 8th, 1999
04:22:24 PM
Is Sony Pullout Confirmed?
by Sean Orca
May 8th, 1999
04:23:12 PM
ARE THEY CRAZY?!?!
by Eos
May 8th, 1999
04:24:11 PM
Jar Jar is a Ho
by American Psycho
May 8th, 1999
04:25:21 PM
Proving once again that movie theaters might as well be run by m
by Chumquat
May 8th, 1999
04:29:00 PM
eesh...
by dagger
May 8th, 1999
04:34:27 PM
Kids are people too
by majorhavok
May 8th, 1999
04:56:31 PM
Fuck em
by paragonian
May 8th, 1999
04:57:44 PM
Good for the theatre chains
by Sterling Wolfe
May 8th, 1999
05:02:49 PM
Mann Theatres
by jksander
May 8th, 1999
05:04:21 PM
Re: The Line Dwellers
by Sterling Wolfe
May 8th, 1999
05:05:43 PM
Dopes?
by 60091
May 8th, 1999
05:06:22 PM
before the idiots start posting spoilers and I can't even look a
by Tall_Boy
May 8th, 1999
05:08:20 PM
Principals
by Benjuk
May 8th, 1999
05:21:11 PM
skeptical
by Cthulu
May 8th, 1999
05:23:51 PM
CINEPLEX rumor squashed
by frogzilla
May 8th, 1999
05:32:12 PM
Zeigfeld.... we're not homeless
by Lampbane
May 8th, 1999
05:34:11 PM
fun and games
by russianbeard
May 8th, 1999
05:50:40 PM
it must be a millenium thing
by the boom
May 8th, 1999
06:02:40 PM
Loews and Manns websites
by QuiGon620
May 8th, 1999
06:32:56 PM
Lowes in Nyack NY
by JediFunk
May 8th, 1999
07:03:28 PM
I don't blame them
by JVICEROY
May 8th, 1999
07:08:01 PM
No Sony means no NYC or NJ--No Way
by George Bailey
May 8th, 1999
07:26:22 PM
Whaaa?
by Foster Zygote
May 8th, 1999
07:44:20 PM
This is probably UNTRUE
by CMC
May 8th, 1999
07:47:13 PM
HAZAHH!
by TheKellySisters
May 8th, 1999
07:53:18 PM
A Brief Response
by Moriarty
May 8th, 1999
07:58:07 PM
No matter waht they can't get it.
by Kentobi
May 8th, 1999
08:02:30 PM
RON HOWARD-JEDI OPIE
by Uncapie
May 8th, 1999
08:24:50 PM
Pop Culture
by Josh Acid
May 8th, 1999
08:28:03 PM
Enjoy It - You WILL LOVE IT!
by Anakin Rocks
May 8th, 1999
08:30:31 PM
JJ Gittes, Canadian cinema and tickets to the and Coming of Chri
by Violet Fire
May 8th, 1999
08:39:51 PM
RE: Star Wars and Overexcitable theatres
by elric
May 8th, 1999
08:59:48 PM
"someday I may ask a favor of you..."
by bs
May 8th, 1999
09:22:14 PM
This is Bullshit!!!!!
by YoungSage
May 8th, 1999
09:25:37 PM
Phantom Phan
by JollyJeff
May 8th, 1999
09:32:41 PM
Theater Restrictions are a good thing.
by oic989
May 8th, 1999
09:37:07 PM
That's a Load of Crap
by blipvert
May 8th, 1999
09:42:38 PM
Note to JJ Gitties- "Hey, didja ever hear the one about the Chin
by Uncapie
May 8th, 1999
09:43:10 PM
Rot in fucking hell Sony
by 1
May 8th, 1999
09:45:39 PM
Waiting Out For Tickets
by SD3
May 8th, 1999
10:01:27 PM
Sony is not backing out...more than likely
by Pod Racer X
May 8th, 1999
10:06:55 PM
it's called a free market economy
by the boom
May 8th, 1999
10:30:18 PM
It just hit me!
by Pod Racer X
May 8th, 1999
10:31:10 PM
Mr Gittes..My age is...
by Violet Fire
May 8th, 1999
10:50:29 PM
Just a movie?
by panaken
May 8th, 1999
10:55:33 PM
Leitha's review
by JMYoda
May 8th, 1999
10:59:07 PM
idiots
by dianne
May 8th, 1999
11:11:30 PM
bull oney
by vansmak
May 8th, 1999
11:17:53 PM
This Is Sad
by Bret Randall
May 8th, 1999
11:23:05 PM
I doubt it
by soupeysails
May 8th, 1999
11:30:31 PM
The SONY pullout is a FALSE RUMOR
by JDSPRST
May 8th, 1999
11:31:02 PM
Why don't y'all go buy a gun?
by Martin Q Blank
May 8th, 1999
11:50:17 PM
Theater pullouts
by Pilot
May 8th, 1999
11:51:35 PM
Phantom Menace important plot point as told by Faye Dunaway...
by Uncapie
May 8th, 1999
11:57:37 PM
Only thing I don't get..
by splat
May 8th, 1999
11:58:55 PM
An Important Message to Film Fans and Theater Owners
by WesReviews
May 9th, 1999
12:20:44 AM

by Pat Buddha
May 9th, 1999
12:46:39 AM
Fools...
by Samauri7
May 9th, 1999
12:55:31 AM
gogor
by Pat Buddha
May 9th, 1999
01:14:40 AM
Finally, theaters with balls
by Reverand NHB
May 9th, 1999
01:43:39 AM
This is rediculous
by Mr_Paste
May 9th, 1999
02:20:49 AM
Thank You Sony!
by mpyre
May 9th, 1999
02:23:38 AM
Remember, kids...
by Justin Sane
May 9th, 1999
03:50:26 AM
Grouchies says, I'm in line in my mind, screw rumors, and I wish
by GrouchLord
May 9th, 1999
05:00:31 AM
Ticket Givaways ... no problem here in DC
by TheDoctor
May 9th, 1999
06:22:47 AM
Star Wars Movie Theatres
by JaiAnth
May 9th, 1999
06:33:35 AM
Keep your expectations down!!!
by Das Ringking
May 9th, 1999
07:01:30 AM
Ep 1 booked at DC Cineplex Odeon
by JD Highway
May 9th, 1999
07:12:18 AM
Sony theatres
by 379940980
May 9th, 1999
07:42:23 AM
Hurray Sony!!!
by Zimmy
May 9th, 1999
07:44:59 AM
I've read the script......
by quentin2
May 9th, 1999
07:49:40 AM
Cultural Icons
by kobayashi
May 9th, 1999
08:25:49 AM
I've never read so many uneducated, ill-informed discussions in
by kobayashi
May 9th, 1999
08:36:46 AM
The Problem is Anal Geeks!!!
by CACKY
May 9th, 1999
08:40:33 AM
Maybe This Isn't Such A Bad Deal For Lucas
by mrbeaks
May 9th, 1999
08:43:35 AM
10 days left
by vernfett
May 9th, 1999
09:20:31 AM
In defense of Lucas dictatorship.
by JDSPRST
May 9th, 1999
09:20:50 AM
Bad move, Sony . . .
by The Graduate
May 9th, 1999
09:24:43 AM
hahaha
by Jeffskywalker
May 9th, 1999
09:30:00 AM
This one goes out to all the ladies....
by spike lee
May 9th, 1999
09:31:43 AM
Theaters vs. Studios
by BackstagePass
May 9th, 1999
09:50:20 AM
I don't think Ziegfeld is Coneplex Odeon anymore
by Frank Reynolds
May 9th, 1999
10:15:39 AM
Sisko Dies in the Finale of DS9!!!
by 005
May 9th, 1999
10:26:07 AM
Star Wars
by Yversen
May 9th, 1999
10:33:58 AM
OK Jim Ryalto--
by soupeysails
May 9th, 1999
10:34:54 AM
This rumor is TRUE!!!!
by 20th Century Fox
May 9th, 1999
11:02:52 AM
We are CINEMA fans before we are STAR WARS fans.
by WesReviews
May 9th, 1999
11:13:27 AM
George Lucas and other items about control freaks.
by Abaddon
May 9th, 1999
11:17:34 AM
star wars/chain pullouts.
by tkip
May 9th, 1999
11:18:06 AM
It doesn't matter WHAT the theatre is like...
by Funmazer
May 9th, 1999
11:38:29 AM
I'm calling bullshit on Morairty
by Poon McTastin'
May 9th, 1999
11:40:46 AM
to all the nay-sayers
by landbote
May 9th, 1999
12:09:25 PM
so what?
by h8tno1
May 9th, 1999
12:15:07 PM
Reply to Funmazer
by Bart229
May 9th, 1999
12:26:39 PM
Im safe.
by bOyCoT
May 9th, 1999
12:35:44 PM
URGENT MESSAGE
by The Movie Guy
May 9th, 1999
12:43:03 PM
star wars/the saga continues.
by tkip
May 9th, 1999
01:19:02 PM
To hell with the negitive reviews
by Camp Chaos
May 9th, 1999
01:38:27 PM
THIS RUMOR HAS BEEN PROVEN FALSE!!!!!!!! GO TO HTTP://STARWARS.C
by quentin2
May 9th, 1999
01:39:11 PM
Mature Arguements and Statements Only Please
by WesReviews
May 9th, 1999
01:56:53 PM
Well, fuck Chicago if it's true. . .
by Mythrandir
May 9th, 1999
02:06:54 PM
one last star wars comment for awhile
by tkip
May 9th, 1999
02:08:27 PM
Rumor NOT Proven False
by WesReviews
May 9th, 1999
02:17:06 PM
DIckinson may be out as well
by VVega
May 9th, 1999
02:23:00 PM
The Rumor is NOT proven false....
by 20th Century Fox
May 9th, 1999
02:37:15 PM
This seems to affect mostly LA and NYC
by 20th Century Fox
May 9th, 1999
02:48:13 PM
Sony Pullout?
by Exar
May 9th, 1999
03:22:52 PM
Ummm..sure
by Doctor Zaz
May 9th, 1999
03:27:52 PM
kobayashi & cacky
by Pilot
May 9th, 1999
03:31:06 PM
Lietha's Review
by anakin vader
May 9th, 1999
03:50:34 PM
WTF? Why is this such a big deal?
by Zeylan
May 9th, 1999
03:54:08 PM
Phantom Menace - I saw it
by Sebulba
May 9th, 1999
03:55:00 PM
Theaters, by the way
by Sebulba
May 9th, 1999
03:57:56 PM
BAD NEWSPAPER REVIEWS >>>>
by Scum Punch
May 9th, 1999
04:15:19 PM
Where it plays is important!!!!!!
by 20th Century Fox
May 9th, 1999
04:30:55 PM
Okay, everybody sing along ...
by W. Leach
May 9th, 1999
04:35:02 PM

by tull
May 9th, 1999
05:30:21 PM
Harry Knowles - 98th most powerful man in Hollywood
by tull
May 9th, 1999
05:40:57 PM
Come on...
by DarthFett
May 9th, 1999
06:11:47 PM
Cacky & Pilot, my new best freinds...
by kobayashi
May 9th, 1999
06:28:37 PM
Cacky & Pilot, my new best freinds...
by kobayashi
May 9th, 1999
06:32:17 PM
Newsweek and other truths
by Nordling
May 9th, 1999
06:59:33 PM
SOME ADVICE FOR THE MOVIE CRITICS BLASTING TPM
by quentin2
May 9th, 1999
07:13:18 PM
Possible reason for pullout.
by The Black Adder
May 9th, 1999
07:42:33 PM
Yeah Quentin2!!! You rock!
by Doctor Zaz
May 9th, 1999
07:45:58 PM
JOIN ME IN EFFORT TO MAKE STAR WARS: TPM A FAILURE
by The Movie Guy
May 9th, 1999
07:46:22 PM
Response to Bart2299
by Funmazer
May 9th, 1999
07:50:56 PM
More musings. . .
by CACKY
May 9th, 1999
08:18:18 PM
What star wars needs
by Niiiice
May 9th, 1999
08:18:52 PM
add Quentin2 and Doctor Zaz to my new best freinds...
by kobayashi
May 9th, 1999
08:25:48 PM
Bilbo Baggins vs. Booster Cocksure
by GrouchLord
May 9th, 1999
08:26:42 PM
All these negative reviews
by sheared
May 9th, 1999
08:36:13 PM
THEATER SHIT and EP1
by xtopher
May 9th, 1999
08:45:15 PM
Cacky-"Chewbacca ate my balls?! Damn that must've hurt!
by Uncapie
May 9th, 1999
08:53:45 PM
Answers on the Restrictions and my humble opinion
by AjaxSerix
May 9th, 1999
08:54:24 PM
THEATER SHIT AGAIN
by xtopher
May 9th, 1999
08:59:10 PM
Answers on the Restrictions and my humble opinion
by AjaxSerix
May 9th, 1999
09:08:55 PM
on a sidenote
by AjaxSerix
May 9th, 1999
09:14:38 PM
Restrictions? what restrictions?
by vansmak
May 9th, 1999
09:20:45 PM
the soap opera continues
by Pilot
May 9th, 1999
09:59:06 PM
******URGENT: MAJOR BREAKING NEWS CONCERNING TPM DISTRIBUTION**
by The Movie Guy
May 9th, 1999
10:05:23 PM
You people are a bunch of lifeless freaks!!!
by BeautifulChaos
May 9th, 1999
10:05:56 PM
Lucky me
by Antagonist
May 9th, 1999
10:16:33 PM
to the movie guy
by landbote
May 9th, 1999
10:24:43 PM
Do you get paid for hits or something
by Antagonist
May 9th, 1999
10:48:06 PM
its that whole "corporate whore, corporate fuck" syndrome..
by rufsaysoli
May 9th, 1999
11:13:59 PM
Moriarty's Update To This Story
by Moriarty
May 9th, 1999
11:23:28 PM
Hollie21Act
by bdshort
May 9th, 1999
11:33:23 PM
The various issues
by Cav
May 9th, 1999
11:33:30 PM
Bunch of roody-poo candy asses
by Juan Gallagher
May 9th, 1999
11:38:31 PM
Some sanity in an insane world
by Pod Racer X
May 9th, 1999
11:39:37 PM
Reviews and locations
by Sal P.
May 10th, 1999
12:08:45 AM
Go see it..or dont go...I dont care.
by DigitalCygnus
May 10th, 1999
12:21:16 AM
YEAH, RIGHT.....
by JJB
May 10th, 1999
12:43:46 AM
Special FX
by WesReviews
May 10th, 1999
01:03:09 AM
Yule Brenner
by CACKY
May 10th, 1999
05:09:30 AM
Christ!This is becoming very, very pathetic
by Bob M.
May 10th, 1999
01:10:37 PM
If anyone's still reading, what about UA Theaters?
by Drath
May 10th, 1999
04:43:15 PM
yojimbo is an angry individual
by mercator
May 10th, 1999
10:12:12 PM
Condoms are more effective.
by Wolfpack
Jul 24th, 2006
12:29:40 PM

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