Well, here it is folks, my very first entry. I can't believe ROTS is almost here, I can taste it. It tastes of strawberries and cream. Anyway, this is a milestone for all who now start blogs, but I would never be this involved with starwars.com if it wasn't for the fun I've had posting. So let me begin with a few "shout-outs" as the kids say these days........

Here's to the Mods. Here's to Alan, Mayzie, rj, Prin, Kermit, Broox, Minty, Bobavader, JediFett, Mara, yodafn, YIIMM, Sham, SSM, SSSM, O66, Eirtae, Jacen, Mayzie, twittle, natesmama, MoA, Prin, S'aul, Kudos, Triddy, A.J., Nick, Tari, rpm, Tresk, Easty, Sanae, Sultan, Sid, TDG, Phantom, Big Jedi Yoda, GA, HKD, JayPetey, Tic Tacs, Delta, Snodak, jeditee, jedimary, CB, Tybo, AT, Hoygal, Hej, Bri, Golan, marakat, France is Baking, Miss KIA, and last but not least, YW, the greatest poster of all time, and anyone else who's posted on here, enjoying a galaxy far, far away...............

Now down to business:

The year: 1983. If there was one film you had to see that year, it was Return of the Jedi. If there were two films, it was Return of the Jedi twice. But if there were three films, it was ROTJ, ROTJ again, and Staying Alive.

Staying Alive? Isn't that a song, you ask? Well, yes and no. The song, performed by the glorious BeeGees and famously presented in the 1977 classic Saturday Night Fever, is called Stayin' Alive. Note the subtraction of the 'g'. Now, for those of you who weren't alive in 1977, or who have the cultural perspective of a 12 year old wannabe hot topic/skater/mtv kid/whatever the kids like these days, Saturday Night Fever wasn't about disco dancing. It was about young Tony Manero (played by John Travolta) trying to survive in a savage world, where trouble awaits in every corner, and he's constantly berated by his family. The only place where he is a God among men is in the discotech. Without writing a novel, basically Tony tries to make something of himself. It's actually a pretty dramatic film with some tragic moments.

Now, back to 1983. Staying Alive is the title of the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, with Travolta back to act and the BeeGees back to contribute some songs. The title is a great double entendre, given that not only is it a song in the film, but is essentially what the film is about. Tony has followed his dreams, and now lives in Manhattan, trying to make it as a professional dancer. The film has superb acting, a great 80s soundtrack, and really encompassed the time period, especially with the hairstyles and fashions. It's great fun to see the same character in two different films that while only six years apart, have totally different cultures and trends. The 70s and 80s were so different, wheras the 90s just kind of blended into today.

The most gratifying part is the film's conclusion, in which Tony stars in a dance production about going to hell and then ascending to heaven, "Satan's Alley". The 80s songs and dances and costumes are so amazing! And Tony's character evolves, as we see him struggle with mistakes of his past, but in the end he doesn't repeat them.

Forget what anyone tells you; this is a MUST-SEE film!