Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Movie Review

*-This review will be spoiler free. Loose lips sink star ships and anger fans who have not seen the film.

When Star Wars: A New Hope premiered in 1977, it appeared to be nothing more than a hokey space adventure aimed at a young audience. 42 years later, Star Wars has become part and parcel of our culture with millions of fans around the world.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker premiered this weekend. Picking up from where The Last Jedi ended in 2017, the members of the rebellion are licking their collective wounds and gearing up for battle once more. Rey (Daisy Ridley) continues her Jedi training with the help of General Leia Organa (the late Carrie Fisher).

On a distant planet, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is connecting with the universe’s ultimate evil: the returned from the dead Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). The Emperor has one goal: to finally destroy the rebellion once and for all.

While Leia maintains the rebellion from home base, Rey, Poe (Oscar Isaac), Finn (John Boyega), Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) go on a journey to stop the First Order in its tracks.

The reviews of this film have been mixed. I don’t agree with them.

The only flaw that this movie had is that it could have been cut down by a few minutes. Other than that, this film is perfect. It was the perfect ending to the Star Wars saga. I loved the new characters, I loved the ending and the seamless way that Carrie Fisher’s scenes from The Force Awakens were integrated into this movie.

I absolutely recommend it.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is presently in theaters.

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Tonight is the First Night of Hanukah

Most Jewish holidays can be broken down into the following phrase: “they tried to kill us. They failed. Let’s eat”.

Hanukkah is no different.

Though it can be described as a war story, it’s much more than a story of war. It’s a story about a small band of rebels who fought against an empire who would happily see the Jews completely assimilated into their world.

In 2019, I feel like this message, even after thousands of years, has so much power. It’s easy to assimilate, to become like your neighbors. It’s harder to be yourself, even if that means being different and possibly ostracized.

During this time of year, it would be easier to buy a tree, decorate your house in lights, sing Christmas Carols and appear to be like your neighbors. I would rather not. I am a Jew, I am proud of it and my menorah is on display for all who would like to see it.

For all who celebrate, have a Happy Hanukkah!