"Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" released 1983

George Lucas's third movie in the Star Wars saga, Return of the Jedi, was released in US theaters May 25, 1983. It opened to positive reviews and received numerous awards.  It won a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects.  It was nominated for Best Art Direction, Best Original Score for John Williams, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Sound. 

Of course, the nominations for the top Oscars were reserved for the dramas and biopics. Terms of Endearment is a good movie, and I've seen The Right Stuff, but were they better than Return of the Jedi for Best Picture?  I can tell you which one I've seen more than once. No plans to see any of the others.

John Williams's score lost to Bill Conti's score for The Right Stuff? Yeah, right. The Oscar committee stands by its "no horror, no science fiction" movies for any of the acting awards.  Good thing the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror films gives due credit.  Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher won Saturns for their acting prowess. 

"Return of the Jedi" wins five Saturn Awards 1984

IMHO, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is one of the best movies ever made.  Fortunately, I might not be the only one who thinks that, since the movie was nominated for ten Saturn Awards, and won five at the annual ceremony by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, March 24, 1984.

It won Best Science Fiction Film, Best Actor for Mark Hamill for his performance as Luke Skywalker,  Best Costumes for Aggie Guerard Rodgers and Nilo Rodis-Jamero, Best Make-up for Phil Tippett and Stuart Freeborn, and Best Special Effects for Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, and Ken Ralston.  

Return of the Jedi was nominated for Best Director for Richard Marquand, Best Actress for Carrie Fisher, Best Supporting Actor for Billy Dee Williams, Best Writing for Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, and Best Music for John Williams. 

Something Wicked This Way Comes, an unusually dark film from Walt Disney won Best Fantasy Film and Best Writing for Ray Bradbury.  It was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Jonathan Pryce, Best Music, Best Costumes, Best Make-up, and Best Special Effects.

Krull was not a box-office success, but I'm glad to see that the Academy showed it some love.  They nominated it for Best Fantasy, Best Music, and Best Costumes. 

"Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi" released 2017

The second installment of the third Star Wars trilogy, episode 8 The Last Jedi opened across the US December 15, 2017, after its premiere in Los Angeles December 9.  It opened to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.  

I enjoyed the movie as well and will watch it again, but I had some issues with it.  First and foremost was the god-awful wig Laura Dern wore throughout the film.  It was so off-putting and I hate the hair style, the purple color notwithstanding.  

The second problem was the secondary plot of Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) trying to disable the First Order's tracking device. Although they had many exciting adventures, their secret mission failed and did nothing to continue the plot. 

Unfortunately, many racists had problems with John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran, both people of color, having major roles in the Star Wars saga.  The problem was so bad that Tran left social media. 

Come on, guys!

The Last Jedi was nominated for four Academy Awards, it won three Saturn Awards (Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films): Best Writing: Rian Johnson, Best Actor: Mark Hamill, and Best Editing for Bob Ducsay.  It was nominated for 10 more Saturns.

John Williams' soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy.

Happy birthday, Mark Hamill!

Mark Hamill, born September 25, 1951 in Oakland, California, is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy and the latest trilogy, starting with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

He has won three Saturns (Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films) for Best Actor in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and The Last Jedi.

"Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" released 1977

The blockbuster from George Lucas that started it all, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, was released in theaters May 25, 1977.  We were all asking what happened to episodes I-III.  The epic saga starred Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. 

Expected to be a bomb, it won six Academy Awards: Best Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and of course Best Music, Original Score.  It also won a Special Achievement Award for Ben Burtt for his sound effects creations for alien and robot voices.

It was nominated for four more Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Alec Guinness, Best Director and Best Writing for George Lucas.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" released 2015

The long-awaited Star Wars sequel to Revenge of the Jedi, The Force Awakens was released December 18, 2015.  It was met with positive reviews and fans loved it.  The Force Awakens was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won 8 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Writing, Best Actor for Harrison Ford, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music for John Williams, Best Editing, Best Make-up, and Best Special Effects.

It reunited Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, and Mark Hamill, as well as Ford.

My favorite movies - 1975-1978

1975 - The Hindenburg with George C. Scott and Anne Bancroft.  Nominated for 3 Academy Awards and awarded an Oscar for Special Achievements.



1976 - Murder by Death starring everybody.  I loved the snarky humor and the spoof of whodunits.



1977 - Star Wars. Duh.  It is ranked by IMDB.com as the 20th most popular movie of all time.  It won 6 Oscars: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Effects, Visual Effects and Best Music, Original Score (to John Williams).




1978 - Superman starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. John Williams was nominated again for Best Music, Original Score but lost to Giorgio Moroder for Midnight Express.