In 1977, a cultural revolution began with the little-known science-fiction film called Star Wars created by visionary director George Lucas. It ended up being the highest-grossing film of all-time and it still ranks very high in the midst of today’s blockbusters. It was a very enjoyable movie and it created memorable characters that will live on for eternity. So of course we would get a sequel. In fact, Lucas created a whole world around his baby -an ambition that was not normal in 1980. With the sequel-The Empire Strikes Back, Lucas handed the directorial duties to his former college film professor Irvin Kershner because of his duties with his rising visual effects company Industrial Light and Magic, but of course he was very involved with this film. But enough of the background, let’s talk about this film. This sequel is much darker in tone, more mysterious, and quite frankly the best film in the franchise. Our favorite characters like Luke and Leia Skywalker and Han Solo are back and we are introduced to more characters that are stored away in our hearts forever such as Yoda and Lando Calrissian. This is also the movie where we have the famous battle and reveal between Luke and Darth Vader…or shall I say between father and son, but more on that later.

After the Rebels blow up the Death Star at the end of A New Hope, they hide away in the icy planet of Hoth. But the rebel base is soon discovered by Darth Vader (James Earl Jones and David Prowse) and the empire. From the battle that ensues, our characters are separated. Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) flee across the galaxy from the Empire. They end up going into Cloud City where they come across an old friend of Han’s- Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). Meanwhile, Luke (Mark Hamill) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) are sent to the abandoned planet of Dagobath where he continues his Jedi training with an old Jedi master named Yoda (Frank Oz). But will they stay forgotten for long with Darth Vader relentlessly pursuing Luke across the galaxy?

One of the biggest improvements over the original film is the visuals. While the visuals in the 1977 film were good for its time period, George Luca’s new production company really improved upon the visuals. Along with the visuals, the film has strong production design and character design. I loved the look of Yoda, which was a puppet of course. You can tell the visuals were strong for a variety of reasons. There were the sights of the majestic Imperial Walkers during the battle of Hoth, the hairy sloth creature that attacks Luke after he gets lost on Hoth, the creepy, dense look of Dagobath, the spiral towers of Cloud City, and of course that lightsaber battle between Luke and Vader.

SPOILER!! My highlight out of many of them is the revelation that happens near the end of the movie in Cloud City. I am sure most of you have seen the movie but if not, read no further. Darth Vader reveals to Luke during their intense duel that he is Luke’s father, Anakin. Of course in the process, Vader chops of Luke’s hand and he falls through a chute but is saved from falling to his death thanks to the Millennium Falcon. Also, the movie ends with Han Solo being captured by the Empire and frozen solid. So these events are just some of the reasons why this film is darker and more sinister than the space opera feel of the first film.

The acting remains a strong point in the movie. Harrison Ford is excellent as always. I loved his “wounded ego” attitude and his bantering with Chewbacca added some lightheartedness to the movie. Yoda is my favorite new character. Not only did they want a realistic puppet, they actually wanted a good actor to bring that puppet to life. And Frank Oz did just that. Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher remain excellent in their respective roles as Luke and Leia. And the voice of James Earl Jones? Well, the same magic that it always created! Need I say more?

Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back is my favorite Star Wars movie, and frankly one of the best sci-fi films of all time. It really expanded upon the mystery and the lore the first film provided. The film explores its mythology in darker tones and that added depth and humanity to our characters. Lawrence Kasdan’s and Leigh Brackett’s screenplay took Lucas’s world and created something that was evolutionary and breath-taking while staying true to its roots. The film ended on a sinister cliffhanger, so you bet we will be seeing a third film. The story and the visuals are fantastic, and now you can see why this is my favorite Star Wars film.

“No, I am your father!” (Vader to Luke)

“Try not, Do, or do not!” (Yoda to Luke)

My Grade: A

Mad Max is a film that spawned a new genre of post-apocalyptic sci-fi movies and the career of Mel Gibson. This movie also gave birth to three sequels and a variety of spinoffs. Its been years since I first learned of this franchise, but it took me awhile to actually get around into seeing these movies. I have now seen this movie twice. The first time, I did not really like the film. While still an imperfect film, I appreciated the film much more. The story isn’t spectacular-it’s a just a road trip action/thriller with Mel Gibson killing all the bad guys who get in his way, but the characters are what make this movie work.

So Mel Gibson plays a man named Max, a cop in the wastelands of post-apocalyptic Australia. To say Max is a savage cop to those who undermine him is like saying I only merely like watching movies. This man is ruthless when it comes to his career, but what makes Max a bigger character is the other side of himself. He is a happy family man with a loving life and child and they mean the world to him. But his world crashes down on him when a family tragedy occurs thanks to the work of a vicious motorcycle gang led by a dude named “The Toecutter” (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Then the story turns into a revenge movie and a rather good one at that.

This movie starred Mel Gibson before he was a well-known movie superstar. This was only a small Aussie film and at the time, Gibson was only known in his Australian continent and then just barely as he was new to acting. But you can see why he blossomed into such a loveable (for a time) movie star. He added the emotional gravitas that his character needed. Gibson made Max his own and he really kicked ass when it came down to it.

One thing you have to understand about the movie is how utterly violent it can be. You wouldn’t expect this much violence to be in a 1980 film, but give credit to George Miller because he did not hold anything back. From the opening chase sequence to witnessing the harsh actions of The Toecutter and his gang, it can be hard to watch. But the action is built for high-octane action, raw power, and insane speed. That is really all we want in a film like this.

My biggest issue with the film is how outdated it can get. This film was released in 1979 overseas and 1980 here in the States, so it’s an older film obviously. But sometimes I was jolted away from the film thanks to the old-fashioned costuming and hairstyles. The cinematography is fine for when it came out, but it really does not hold up too well and it can be distracting when there are not any high-speed chases going on.

I thought Mad Max was a thoroughly fun film. I viewed the film as an experiment and it works very well in that regard. After all, it came out with three sequels and dozens of similar sci-fi films. Even though the film is filled to the brim with brutal violence and crazy action scenes, it really works because of the emotional themes at its core about family. That really made Max the hero worth watching. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for the low-budget unknown film it was at first.

My Grade: B

Let me say it right here. Coal Miner’s Daughter is one of the best films of 1980. Period. I was literally taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed this movie especially from the kind of story it is. It’s a simple rags-to-rich story that does not stray far away from the formula, and yet I was moved by the characterization portrayed by director Michael Apted, screenwriter Thomas Rickman, and the two leads in Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones. Every character here is humanized  and they have flaws just as much as they have virtues. Sure the story follows formula (the simple early life, rise to stardom, the downfall, and of course the big comeback), but I was firmly glued onto the characters because of how they were. That is what made this movie excel. I wouldn’t expect a movie about a country music star Loretta Lynn would move me as much as it did. But there you go, life is made of surprises.

When Loretta Webb (Sissy Spacek) was thirteen years old, she marries a man named Doolittle Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones). As someone growing up in the heart of the country, Loretta is destined for a life of homemaking. But Doolittle sees that is wife is bursting with musical talent that she has yet to see. So as a anniversary present, she is given a guitar. By the time she turns eighteen, she is the mother of four kids and a busy housewife. But when she finds time to perform at local country fairs and honkytonks, she starts the path to superstardom.

Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones deliver tremendous performances. Let’s begin with Spacek. She was chosen by Loretta Lynn herself because of a photograph of her despite not being familiar with any of her movie projects. I thought that was really fascinating. Over the course of the movie, Loretta ages from thirteen to her thirties…and Spacek made that age increase convincing. Maybe its her face or her talent, but I believed her a thirteen-year-old growing up in the mountain and as a mid-30’s superstar who ended up on a path of self-destruction as many people her caliber are wont to do. Whether she is singing at the Grand Ole Opry or popping pills on her tour bus, she gave a wonderful performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Then there is Tommy Lee Jones in a role perfect for him. He is a very serious man and he gave a serious yet humanized portrayal of Doolittle. He may be serious and a hard man, but he is a loving man too and he wants to make his wife happy and successful. He seems to be fighting with Loretta a lot, but you know there is love when he comes to her rescue at a concert collapse. This is Spacek’s movie, but she allows Jones time to shine.

The story itself is incredibly simple and it follows the simple biography formula. But the characterizations and many scenes give power to the movie. I loved the part where Doolittle Lynn is trying to convince disc jockeys to take her records, but to no avail. I loved when Loretta made friends with a famous country singer Patsy Cline (played wonderfully by Beverly D’Angelo) and was taken under her wing. I loved the scenes where she was growing up in a poor family headed by her father Ted Webb (played by Levon Helm). Every scene in the movie added something to the movie. I also thought Spacek sang very well!

Coal Miner’s Daughter is a very good film, one of the best films of 1980. It strikes a familiar chord, but it’s also warm, moving, and sometimes funny. Loretta Lynn is one of country music’s darlings, and she still is going strong today. If you like biographies or country music or just great movies in general, please check this movie out. I enjoyed it so much, that I gained a greater appreciation of Loretta Lynn and her music. I guess it must be that country heart of mine.

My Grade: A-