How – and why – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is based on ‘The Wizard of Oz’

The Force Awakens has been frequently dismissed as a lazy rip-off of Star Wars, and it’s easy to see why – Death Star type threat, desert planet, stolen data in a droid, etc. But it’s clear to me that another story has been a key influence – The Wizard of Oz. Continue reading How – and why – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is based on ‘The Wizard of Oz’

It’s official – Star Wars is for girls too…

For the first time since becoming the father of a daughter, it seems that the keepers of the galaxy far, far away have admitted what we knew all along – that Star Wars is for girls tooContinue reading It’s official – Star Wars is for girls too…

How to make a fully operational Beef and Guinness Death Star Pie

“The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of a tasty meat pie” – Darth Vader

The Death Star has such a simple but effective design, I figured it would be straightforward to recreate in pie form (flat of course – I am not ambitious enough to attempt a spherical Star Wars pie!) Continue reading How to make a fully operational Beef and Guinness Death Star Pie

Be like Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia in The Empire Strikes Back

To me, this is the defining image of Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia. Continue reading Be like Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia in The Empire Strikes Back

Is Star Wars Rogue One suitable for kids? Does the age rating matter?

**NB: Revised from original version, post-screening **

Another year, same issue. Is Star Wars Rogue One suitable for kids? The actual rating of the film – PG-13 from the MPAA in the US and 12A from the BBFC in the UK – is the least of it. Continue reading Is Star Wars Rogue One suitable for kids? Does the age rating matter?