By now, most of you knows that the long-anticipated movie "Fanboys" has hit theaters in limited release. What you may not know is how this movie has connections to us Star Wars fans in the buckeye state:

All of the main characters in Fanboys are from the fictional town "Shandal, Ohio" and the entire opening of the film is set there. "Shandal" is an anagram of "Ashland" and is based on my hometown. - Ernie Cline

Therefore, it's only fitting that the "Fanboys" come home (as in the AMC Lennox 24 theater in Columbus) to celebrate the release of the movie's release! And what is a "fanboys" event without Midwest Base and Ohio Garrison showing our support of Ohio-based fanboys? I made the trip from Cleveland, past Ashland (better known as "Shandal, Ohio" ) down to Columbus for this event, because I wanted to support the fact that this movie is (essentially) a fictional biography of Ohio-based Star Wars fans... you know, us!

I've never put much faith in movie critics, and "Fanboys" was a perfect example of why. Movie critics don't get it, this movie is for people like us! There were moments where I was laughing, because I know these guys understand guys like me... there were scenes were I was laughing because these guys understand some of "you people" (ALL TOO WELL) In fact, there was harldy a scene where I wasn't laughing for one reason or the other. GREAT MOVIE!

Overall, if the Star Wars films (including CLONE WARS) are fanboy Canon... "Fanboys" belongs right there along with the "Jay and Silent Bob" movies as the Expanded Universe in the hearts of Star Wars fans!

Afterwards, there was a Q&A session with the Kyle Newman (director), Ernie Cline (writer), and Matt Pernciaro and Kevin Mann (producers). Overall, the evening was a BIG hit with "Fanboys" and fanboys alike!

"Fanboys" Columbus Premiere - Mission Photos

The following weekend, Midwest Base and Ohio Garrison traded the "red carpet" of a movie premiere for a more "low-key" Star Wars event.

The Central Ohio Symphony was hosting a concert featuring Gustav Holst's spectacular "The Planets" accompanied by a special big screen presentation produced by the Chicago Adler Planetarium. The second half of the concert took on a more "Galaxy Far, Far Away" vibe with a selection of music from the Star Wars films; or as Obi-Wan would say...

"That's WHY I'm here!"

I guess what made this concert special (compared to the many we've been part of over the years) was the more "intimate" setting of Ohio Wesleyan University's Grey Chapel. It was a smaller venue then we're used to, I can't explain it better then to describe it as very "Ford's Theater-esque" ... but that just meant the people were that much more excited to have us there.

The concerts were a huge success for us and I think that all the kids, and the kids at heart (like me) had a blast. - David Hejmanowski (Central Ohio Symphony)

Central Ohio Symphony - Mission Photos

I should be getting more pictures (including Sunday's concert) from Central Ohio Symphony sometime next week. To be continued!