Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker on Digital 3/17 and Blu-ray 3/31

I'm pretty positive the timing couldn't have been any better. As soon as we started having everything shut down around us I received my copy of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker! We saw it in the theater and couldn't stop talking about it for days. To find out I had the opportunity to review it on Blu-ray... that couldn't be passed up.

BURBANK, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2020) — Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams’ riveting, inspiring conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, electrified audiences around the globe, earning more than a billion dollars worldwide. Soon fans can complete their collections when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and via Movies Anywhere on March 17, two weeks before it lands physically in 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on March 31.

Bonus material includes a feature-length, making-of documentary, which goes behind the scenes with the cast and filmmakers from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and explores the legacy of the Skywalker saga. Bonus features also dig into the film’s Pasaana desert scenes, including the thrilling landspeeder chase, and the ship in which Rey discovers family secrets as well as a new little droid named D-O. Plus, fans will hear from Warwick Davis, who reprises his role as Wicket the Ewok, as well as the creature effects team that created a record 584 creatures and droids for the film. Digital consumers will receive an exclusive feature highlighting legendary composer John Williams, who has scored every episode in the Skywalker saga.

Bonus features include*:

• The Skywalker Legacy – The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
• Pasaana Pursuit: Creating the Speeder Chase – Dive into the making of the movie’s epic landspeeder chase and discover how this spectacular sequence was brought to the screen.
• Aliens in the Desert – See what it took to create the Pasaana desert scenes, from the sheer scale and complexity of the shoot to its colorful details.
• D-O: Key to the Past – Explore the ship that connects Rey to the mystery of her missing parents and get to know the galaxy’s newest, irresistible droid.
• Warwick & Son – Warwick Davis, who played Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, dons the Ewok costume once more; this time joined by his son Harrison.
• Cast of Creatures – The team behind the film’s memorable creatures reveal the puppetry, makeup, prosthetics and digital magic that bring them to life!

Digital Exclusive:

• The Maestro’s Finale – Composer John Williams reflects on his body of work for the Star Wars saga and shares insights on scoring Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

The ninth and final episode in the Skywalker saga welcomed the return of original characters Luke Skywalker, General Leia Organa, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Emperor Palpatine and Lando Calrissian, along with the latest generation of heroes and villains, including Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8, Maz, Rose, General Hux and Kylo Ren. Newcomers include Jannah, a new ally of the Resistance; Allegiant General Pryde of the First Order; and smuggler Zorii Bliss.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is packaged several ways to ensure fans get the most out of their at-home viewing experience. The Multiscreen Edition includes Blu-ray and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for a 4K UHD Ultimate Collector’s Edition, including 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD paired with fully immersive picture and sound and Dolby Atmos audio, allowing viewers at home to practically feel the Force.

On March 31, coinciding with the physical release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, eight Star Wars films are being released on 4K UHD for the first time: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 142 min.
RATING: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF
ASPECT RATIO: 2.39:1          
AUDIO:
4K UHD Blu-ray = English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio
UHD Digital = English Dolby Atmos (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
HD Digital = English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
SD Digital = English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
SUBTITLES:
4K UHD Blu-ray = English SDH, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and French
Blu-ray = English SDH, Spanish and French
DVD = English SDH, Spanish and French
Digital = English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)

SOCIAL MEDIA:      
Website:
https://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/starwars
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/starwars
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/starwars
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/starwars

ABOUT STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Naomi Ackie (Jannah), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Richard E. Grant (General Pryde), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Keri Russell (Zorii Bliss), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), with Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).

The film 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. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Composer John Williams, who has scored every episode in the Skywalker saga since 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, returns for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

ABOUT LUCASFILM LTD.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California. Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. ©2020 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

MOVIES ANYWHERE (MA)
Movies Anywhere simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Movies Anywhere brings together the movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment), The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), and Warner Bros. Participating digital retailers are iTunes. Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and FandangoNOW. Movies Anywhere offers a library of over 7,500 digital movies, including new releases, and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can connect their Movies Anywhere account with participating digital retailers and enjoy their favorite digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices, Windows 10 and Xbox devices; and popular browsers. Consumers can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
For over 95 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, and Blue Sky Studios. It is also home to Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, and Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of world-class stage shows.

STAR WARS Fans Invited to "Find the Force"

After our experience at Hollywood Studios, we're all even more pumped up about all things Star Wars! You've GOT to check this out!

Star Wars Fans Invited to “Find the Force” As Unprecedented Augmented Reality Event Sweeps the Globe for 

Force Friday II

Fans to reveal a new The Last Jedi character via social media

New product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi launches globally at 12:01 AM September 1

More than 20,000 retail locations worldwide will become home to

augmented reality Star Wars characters from September 1-3

GLENDALE, Calif. (August 24, 2017) –  Following the global phenomenon of Force Friday in 2015, Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Find the Force, a global augmented reality (AR) event rolling out on Force Friday II (September 1) to commemorate the worldwide launch of new products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The pop-up AR treasure hunt aims to unite fans around the world in the battle against the dark side in a unique three-day event at over 20,000 retail locations across 30 countries. As fans turn up to take home new The Last Jedi products, they will have the opportunity to activate a unique augmented reality experience featuring Star Wars characters, including fan-favorites and new surprise additions from the film.

“Force Friday II is a major milestone in the countdown to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Star Wars has always championed new technology, and we are excited that augmented reality will allow fans to experience the universe in a whole new way,” says Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm.

From September 1-3, retailers around the world will invite fans to Find the Force by taking part in an AR treasure hunt. Here’s how it works: first, download theStar Wars App, which is your one-stop-shop for all things Star Wars (those who already have the app will need to download the latest version). Then, visit any one of 20,000 participating retail locations to find a graphic that contains the Find the Force logo. When you scan the graphic using the Star Wars App, you’ll reveal a character, who through augmented reality, will appear in the room with you. You can then take photos, record videos, and share the experience on social media. Come back each day to reveal new characters 

(15 in total across the program’s three-day run). Click here for more information: www.starwars.com/findtheforce.

“Force Friday II puts fans right at the center of the action using augmented reality to bring our characters to life like never before. The technology theme continues in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, which is our most innovative yet - we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store.” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.

Fans can download the latest version of the Star Wars App (v. 2.3 or higher) beginning Aug. 24 for an early look at the new Porg characters in AR before the AR treasure hunt goes live at retail.  

By sharing photos or videos featuring the in-store AR characters on Twitter or Instagram using #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes throughout Force Friday II weekend, fans in select global markets can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December. 

No Purchase Necessary. Enter sweepstakes between August 31, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”)/3:00 p.m. British Summer Time (“BST”) and September 4, 2017 at 2:59 a.m. PT/10:59 a.m. BST. Open to legal residents in 50 U.S. + D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, South Korea and Chile who are 18+ or the age of majority in their place of residence, whichever is older. Limit 15 entries per person. There is 1 Grand Prize available to be won (ARV: US $4,500). Grand Prize winner must travel to Los Angeles, California USA on or about December 12, 2017. Visit starwars.com/findtheforce. for Official Rules including details on how to enter, additional eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Level 5, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia.

More information about Find the Force and a how-to video is available at www.starwars.com/findtheforce.

Like STAR WARS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies/  

Follow STAR WARS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/starwars  

Follow STAR WARS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/StarWarsMovies/

Follow STAR WARS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/starwars

Visit the official STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI website: http://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-viii-the-last-jedi

 

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in theatres everywhere December 15th!  

My First Awesome Con

What do you do when you're surrounded by guys who love everything Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Star Wars? You make your way to Awesome Con, DC's Comic Con! I reached out to the people who put it on, and they sent me a press pass to check it out for the first time!

Now, when I was a teenager, eons ago, I was fascinated by Dr. Who. I started watching it with my dad when Tom Baker was the Time Lord. That was back in the early 80s. I didn't realize at the time that I was watching a series that would become a cult classic. I hadn't actually kept up with it at all. Then a couple of months ago, I randomly started watching BBC America. Dr. Who would play for a few hours and then Star Trek would come on. Needless to say, my husband was mystified as to what was going on with his wife.

That being said, I watch these kinds of shows & movies for fun. My guys, and attenders at events such as Awesome Con, are serious about everything. Fred is a huge fan of Star Trek. He can tell me the names of planets they've visited, what each of their weapons are called, which crew goes with which captain, etc. My oldest son could pretty much tell you everything about Star Wars and Marvel. I have a feeling he'd like to be best friends with Stan Lee!

So, when we got to DC, Fred had to take the lowly front entrance since he paid for his ticket. He was able to mingle with all of the elaborately dressed people. A couple thousand of his closest sci-fi loving friends. I on the other hand was able to enter through the press entrance and walked right into the event. When I got in, right at opening, it was super quiet on the floor. Man, that is the WAY to go! No lines for anything, no trying to squeeze myself through throngs of people. I made the most of it!

I walked around all of the merchandise booths. SO. MANY! I had no clue there was so much to sell at a Comic Con event. I also didn't realize that there were so many artists. I walked through the Stan Lee collection and sakes alive, it was amazing! Again, it was so nice to be able to spend time looking at everything without being surrounded by hordes of people. I can't imagine what it's like being Stan Lee and living with such a vast collection of memorabilia.

After walking through the collection, I walked down to where the actors were hanging out. They each had a little booth. Not many were there yet, but wow, being an actor at an event is definitely a money maker. The actor who used to play Harry Kim on one of the Star Trek seasons would take a selfie with you for $25! Others like John Barrowman was there and I think with a signed photo it was $40? He also had his sister there who was out chatting with people in their line.

I meandered down to the large, closed off curtain area, and I guess that was where Stan Lee was going to be. To get inside the curtain, you paid $120 to take a photo for him to sign. It is definitely GOOD to be Stan Lee. I know my son would've given his left arm for that autograph, but I just didn't have it in me.

Fred finally made it into the conference center about an hour and a half after I did? lol Poor guy. By that time, I was hungry and getting something to eat at one of the handful of vendors. After he got in, we walked around and looked at the artists and merchants. I've never seen to many leather bustiers in one place! lol

We found an artist who had a portfolio full of original work. Displayed he had the artwork printed and able to be purchased. It was black and white, but if you wanted pieces of the characters colored in, he would charge a higher amount. We bought my son The Arrow and the mask was colored green. Then we found a lady who was doing artwork on a variety of journals and doodle pads. We got Fred's daughter one with a dragon on the front of it.

One of the booths Fred wanted to go see was the Legion. They have people who dress up like Star Wars characters for a variety of events and donate money to a good cause. We caught them as they were doing a fun group photo!

I'm hoping we can get back again next year. If so, we're definitely dressing up and we're taking the boys with us. I'll have to make sure they bring a good amount of money because I know they're going to want to meet the actors and actresses. lol

May The Fourth Be With You

You can't live in my house and NOT like everything Star Wars. Now, I admit to not being as deeply committed and knowledgeable about every character, planet, or vehicles. My oldest son is what I'd consider an aficionado and my husband knows a ton as well. I'm pretty sure they both think that May 4th should be an official national holiday. That being said, check out these post that celebrate all things Star Wars...You're welcome.

This room may have been done for a 6 yr old, but I can guarantee you that my almost 18 yr old would live quite happily in it! One Happy Housewife changed up her son's room into a Star Wars Themed Bedroom, and you will be over the moon to do the same to your kiddo's room! We may have to implement a few of these ideas into my son's room.

Now, you can't celebrate May 4th without some treats, right? Grab a big old box of candy bars and use these fabulous wrappers to put them in! Fancy Shanty created this Free Star Wars Party Printables for you. Not only that, but there are some other great Star Wars themed ideas on her site as well!

Do you remember at the beginning of Rogue One, Jyn received a crystal necklace from her mom? Check out how you can make a DIY Crystal Necklace Worn By Jyn Erso! Pretty cool tutorial from Jennifer Maker. She makes it look so easy. Any Star Wars fan will love it!

Time to head to the sweeter side of the Dark Side! How about you whip up this Star Wars Hot Chocolate! Nothing wrong with having a foamy mustache after having a sip. This drink by Thrifty Jinky was inspired by The Force Awakens. Hot chocolate is delicious any time of the year, but it will be especially delicious on May 4!

Let's continue on in the same vein of delicious goodies with Galaxy Brownies. Now there are some jacked up brownies that my entire family would sink their teeth into! This is the right kind of dessert to celebrate Star Wars. Thank you, The Monday Box, for baking up such yummy colorfulness! You know you wanna take a bite.

Do you have a budding artist in your family who also loves Star Wars? Print a Colouring Page from eParenting and let them go to town. Of course when you visit the site you'll be able to get the black and white version. ;)

Have fun with these three ideas from Saving Dollars & Sense! The first is an Activity Pack from The Force Awakens. The second is a super cool looking Storm Trooper White Chocolate Cocoa. You're going to have to make one for each person in your family. Then, if you don't get enough of THAT cocoa, you can always try the Bantha Cocoa. That is one colorful drink!

Last but not least, finish your day by snacking on a cupcake. I have a feeling in my house the light sabers would become toys for my boys to play with, but why not, right? lol My family loves all things cupcakes so they wouldn't last long around here. Thanks for the fun Star Wars Cupcakes recipe  Highlights Along the Way!

Now that you have amazing ideas, how are you planning on celebrating the day?