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'Star Wars' superfans share marathon experience
May the Force be with Clint Copenhauer, Pat Melugin, Brett Light and Aaron Jones as we follow their progression through the whopping 16 hours and 40 minutes "Star Wars" marathon at AMC Theatres in Newport.
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Also from WCPO.com
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10 p.m.
Brett Light reports "We've been moved into the theater." T-minus three hours to show time. -
10:30 p.m.
As Brett Light shows here, AMC Theater is one of the few movie houses to allow lightsabers inside its auditoriums. -
10:45 p.m."We got our seats, front row. Not as many people here at this point as I would have anticipated," Clint Copenhauer.
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11:40 p.m. Other folks showing up for the marathon include Alex McGlasson and Luke Stoner, both 19. They showed up with blankets, pillows and energy drinks. "I bought tickets two and a half months in advance," McGlasson said. Their first "Star Wars" watched in theaters was "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."
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11:45 p.m.
As people wait for the first movie Pat Melugin said this of what is happening in the theater: "It would seem the big debate is sleep during phantom menace or sleep during attack of the clones?"
And while channeling a little Yoda, "also rewarding is the look of confusion as people walk in and seemed surprised the good seats are gone." -
12 a.m. Brett Light and Brittany report the theater is filling up.
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Midnight
Brett and Brittany report strategies are being formed as well: "A few people have been napping since we gained access to the theater. The general consensus is that 1 is where it will be okay to sleep. I've heard a few say sleeping through the first 3 is also an option."
They are also co-opting juice for mobile devices: "People have joined together in sharing power blocks with 5-8 USB ports in order to keep phones charged for the duration." -
1 a.m.
And they're off! The "Star Wars" marathon begins with "Episode I: The Phantom Menace." May the Force be with Clint, Pat, Brett and Brittany, and their friends. -
3:20 a.m. update
One "Star Wars" episode down, six to go.
After watching "Phantom Menace," Clint's take away was this: "Best lightsaber fight in the entire series. Jar Jar is still awful."
Pat said the big screen didn't improve his opinion of "Phantom Menace" after seeing it in the theater again. "Awesome to hear the theme again in the theater, but Jar Jar Binks still makes me want to throw up in my mouth." Also, "popcorn eating at a minimum but the caffeine intake will be rising." -
"Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" begins! Some of our movie watchers have fallen silent. For those still watching into the wee morning hours, this gif from the Dark Side is for you.3:30 a.m. update
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6:50 a.m. update
Hayden Christensen finds your lack of faith in his ability to act, disturbing.
The level of snark is on the rise two movies into the seven part "Star Wars" movie marathon."I have been awake for almost 24 hours and the brain is getting tired. I just keep thinking if Hayden Christensen was replaced by a 2x4, would anybody notice?," Pat Melugin mused during "Attack of the Clones."
"He's a sociopath. What did you expect?" Clint Copenhauer responds, we think in defense of Christensen's playing the part of Anikin Skywalker, the Jedi who goes on to become Darth Vader.
"Maybe an acting class or two before taking the role," Melugin replies.
Brittany delivers a little snarky jab in response when she says, "I vote for the 2x4." Doesn't sound like she's too impressed with "Star Wars" so far . . .
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7 a.m. update
After "Episode II: Attack of the Clones," Pat Melugin notes, "No sleep for myself, but more snoring in the theater than the first film. And while there may be several faults with the film, the awesomeness of Yoda wielding a lightsaber at the end is cool and very energizing for film 3." -
7:05 a.m. update
Clint Copenhauer had earlier said the red cloaked Imperial Guard from "Return of the Jedi" was his favorite character. After six hours of movie watching allegiances have changed. "I take back my earlier vote. Christopher Lee (who plays villainous Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus) is my all-time favorite "Star Wars" character. The man is pure bad ass and has released a metal album as an octogenarian. Rest in peace Darth Tyranus." Yes, Christopher Lee did perform heavy metal music.Pat Melugin agrees: "Indeed. I just hate they killed (Count Dooku). Know they had to do it."
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7:20 a.m. updateOur crew is now almost half way through the original six "Star Wars" films as they watch "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith." Will dark feelings form as people question why they were talked into sitting through 16 hours and 40 minutes worth of movies?
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker -
After watching the prequels, nearly universally panned by even the most hardcore fans, AMC will screen the film that started it all in 1977, "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" at 10:15 a.m. Of course in 1977 it was just "Star Wars" because George Lucas didn't know if there would be more. He tacked on the Roman numeral and subtitle after "The Empire Strikes Back" was green lit.8:30 a.m. update
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8:40 a.m. update
The Force is strong with this one . . .
Pat Melugin after watching the prequels, "3 down and now the originals. No sleep yet but pumped to see the originals. Lot more people sleeping for the last film. I think food is the bigger priority."
After the prequel, Brett Light was still upbeat. His friend Brittany text, "He's doing good. No sleep for him yet. Says Episode 3 was better than he remembered."Pat also asked what actually happened to Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in Episodes II and III. Pat, you'll be happy to learn that the 34-year-old Canadian actor starred in "Jumper" in 2006, where he met Rachel Bilson. The pair had a daughter, Briar Rose. Christensen still acts here and there, but unlike Vader, his acting career never fully recovered after his fall. Rumor has it he might reprise his role as a young Darth Vader in Episode VIII.
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Did you know "Tron: Legacy" opened five years ago today in theaters? Does anyone remember "Tron: Legacy?"Here is some trivia while we wait for "Episode 1: A New Hope."
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12:35 p.m. updateOur brave "Star Wars" fans are nearing their 12th hour of sitting in a movie theater. They have watched Episodes I, II, III, IV, and are now preparing for what many claim is the best movie in the series, "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.""Nobody slept during (Episode IV) 'A New Hope,'" Pat Melugin said, after being awake for 30 hours. "A little delirium setting in." So far, Melugin said watching all the movies together has brought back "a great nostalgic feel. It's just really nice to have that community feeling where everybody is into it and having a great time after all of these hours."
Brittany reports she's "not even tired." Brett is doing well, too. Going into seeing "Star Wars" for the first time, Brittany she said she worried about the original trilogy. "I don't like most stuff made in the 70s," she said. So, it makes sense that her favorite film is the actually newest movie in the series, "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."
And speaking of Sith, we have lost contact with Clint Copenhauer, our once and future Dark Lord.
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Pat sent in this photo of crowds getting ready to watch "The Empire Strikes Back." The end is near(er) but still more than six hours until the 7 p.m. "The Force Awakens" premiere.12:52 p.m. update
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3 p.m. update
Only one "Star Wars" film left, "Return of the Jedi," for our band of fans who signed up to watch the AMC Theatres marathon of all six franchise films building up to the 7 p.m. premiere of "The Force Awakens." Here is a little pep talk from Red Leader, who appeared in "A New Hope."by WCPO Admin via YouTube 12/17/2015 8:16:36 PM -
3:15 p.m. update
Pat seems to be fueled by caffeine, delusion and adrenalin at this point. "Empire just finished. Absolutely wonderful. Only a couple of nappers. 33 hours awake. Vision getting blurry. Brain not working. Purple Monkey dishwasher. Yes it's still worth it!"
Clint's been MIA since the end of "Episode II," but his friend, Mike, has picked up co-piloting duties. "Now that 'Return' is on deck, I am gonna make it. Everybody has napped here and there. And the theater smells like some funk!" Ah, yes. The teaming, sweaty mass of "Star Wars" humanity.
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5:30 p.m. Update
"Jedi closes us out. So pumped about the next film. It may be the lack of sleep playing tricks on me, but I swear I keep hearing Carrier Fischer singing Light Day from the Stars Wars Holiday special. That's not good!" Pat Melugin -
6:50 p.m. update
T-minus 10 minutes to "The Force Awakens."
"This place is chaos!" Clint Copenhauer.
