As you’ve probably figured out by now, I’m a huge Star Wars geek. I have been since I was a kid, and I proudly wear that badge today. I saw all the movies in theaters going back to the original trilogy. I had the action figures, vehicles, storybooks, blasters, etc. etc. etc. In other words, Star Wars has played a HUGE role in my life, and over the years my love for it hasn’t waned.

Needless to say, when something like Star Wars Day comes along it gets me pretty excited. And what better time to focus on Star Wars that May 4th? So I thought it would be fun to revisit something Star Wars is well known for – its villains. Today I’m sharing my five favorite Star Wars villains within the current canon but with one significant omission – Darth Vader. I mean naturally he would be #1. So in an effort to give everyone else a fighting chance, I’ve decided to let him sit this one out. Tell me what you think…

#5 – Kylo Ren

Ok, so you could make a good case that Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren isn’t actually a villain. But he more or less played one for most of of the sequel trilogy. And he actually killed Han Solo (I can’t think of anything that would make you more of a villain than that). Regardless, from the very start I have loved the Kylo Ren character. One of the complaints is that he borrows too much from Darth Vader, but that’s kind of the point. Kylo is being torn apart inside and everything about his character conveys that, from his impulsive aggression to his iconic lightsaber with its crossguard hilt and cracked Kyber crystal. I love the emotionally ravaged Kylo.

#4 – Boba Fett

I have always loved Boba Fett beginning with his brief faceless presences in “The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Return of the Jedi”. Admittedly, back then it was mostly the ‘cool factor’ that made him a favorite of mine. But over the years Star Wars has done a wonderful job fleshing out his story, starting with our introduction to young Boba in “Episode II: Attack of the Clones”. The brilliant animated series “The Clone Wars” provided even more insight into his journey to the world of bounty hunting. But it was his recent reintroduction to live-action in “The Book of Boba Fett” that really secured his spot on this list. With his Mandalorian background mixed and an intimidating mean streak, Boba Fett makes for a great baddie.

#3 – Cad Bane

Man I love Cad Bane. Hailing from the planet Duros, Bane is a ruthless bounty hunter and mercenary who can’t be trusted by anyone whether good or bad, Empire or Republic, Jedi or Sith. His notoriously cold businesslike manner makes him feared across the galaxy. He’s also extremely cool with a look and demeanor that feels yanked right out of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western. Cad Bane really came into his own during “The Clone Wars” and had a great appearance in “The Bad Batch”. And some may argue that he stole the series when he showed up in “The Book of Boba Fett”. Regardless of what he’s in, Cad Bane always brings with him a fascinating mix of menace and excitement.

#2 – Darth Maul

I wasn’t the only one blown away by Darth Maul in “Episode I: The Phantom Menace”. Everything from his terrifying appearance to his mind-blowing fighting style (kudos Ray Park) won him a legion of fans. Now if you only watch the movies it might surprise you to see him on this list, especially ranked this high. But as is often the case in Star Wars, Maul’s story is unpacked through other canonical series, mainly “The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels”. Maul has one of my favorite stories out of all Star Wars villains. It shows us someone burning with hate, not just for the Jedi (especially Obi-Wan Kenobi) but also for his one-time master Darth Sidious. I won’t spoil it, but the twisted layers of Darth Maul’s story is unlike anything else in the franchise.

#1 – Darth Sidious/The Emperor/Supreme Chancellor Palpatine

With his hideously scarred face, his snarling smile, and a voice that sounds like he’s gargling gravel, Darth Sidious is a truly chilling villain. He is the personification of evil and his impact can be felt throughout the entire Skywalker Saga. Sidious is not only frightening because of his horrifying appearance. He’s also cold and calculating, and it doesn’t matter who he has to go through to obtain and maintain power. Add to it the fact that he is the most powerful Sith and shows it throughout the franchise. And who doesn’t love Ian McDiarmid who has played the character since 1983. Sidious/Palpatine is not only a staple in the gallery of Star Wars villains. He’s the true mastermind behind most of the evils that shrouds the galaxy.

Star Wars Day 2022 opened up with the exciting announcement that a fresh trailer would be dropping for the upcoming streaming series “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. To get us prepped, they first unveiled a brand-new poster for the highly anticipated show (check it out HERE). A short time later Disney dropped the trailer and lets just say that the Star Wars fan in me was left absolutely giddy.

The trailer gives us a few scenes from the previous teaser but also several new shots that really help give us a sense for where this series is going. Times are tense for Obi-Wan as he keeps a watchful eye over young Luke Skywalker. But Darth Vader (a returning Hayden Christensen) has sent his Inquisitors to hunt down the remaining Jedi, young and old. And tops on his hit-list is his old master, Obi-Wan. I can’t wait for this and it has all the potential to be a true classic. Check out the trailer and tell me what you think.

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” premieres May 27th exclusively on Disney+.

We’re only a few weeks away from the start of the highly anticipated Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. I’ve been a fan of Star Wars streaming series we’ve gotten so far (“The Mandalorian”, “The Book of Boba Fett”, “The Bad Batch”) and I’m really excited for the shows that are on the horizon (“Ahsoka”, “Andor”, “Lando”). But few have me more as pumped than “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. Ewan McGregor returns as one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.

As part of their May 4th (aka Star Wars Day) celebration, Star Wars has released a new poster for the upcoming Obi-Wan series. And let’s just say it revs up my excitement even more. Everything is coming together for something pretty special for Star Wars Fans.

So what do you think of the new poster?

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” premieres May 27th exclusively on Disney +.

The first trailer has finally dropped for the upcoming period thriller “Don’t Worry Darling”. The movie has people interested for a number of reasons. It’s the sophomore directing effort for Olivia Wilde whose first film “Booksmart” was a bland copy-and-paste teen comedy that somehow managed much acclaim. But what has me most excited is the compelling cast that features Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, Chris Pine, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Wilde herself.

The story surrounds a 1950s housewife (Pugh) who discovers that the seemingly idyllic neighborhood and the husband she adores (Styles) are hiding a deep dark secret. The trailer offers plenty of cool images and a keen sense of style. At the same time it looks a bit scattered, as if it’s trying to be a lot of things all at once. How will it turn out? We’ll see in a few months.

“Don’t Worry Darling” hits theaters September 23rd. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

I may not be familiar with the Paul Gallico best-selling novel it’s based on, but I love nearly everything about the first trailer for the upcoming film “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”. Directed by Anthony Fabian, this delightfully whimsical period drama feels plucked right out of the 1950s both in terms of setting and style. And casting the always wonderful Lesley Manville as your lead is icing on the proverbial cake.

Manville plays the titular Mrs. Harris, a widowed cleaning lady from London whose dream of owning her own Christian Dior gown takes her to the City of Lights for a truly life-changing adventure. And if Manville’s casting wasn’t exciting enough, the movie also features Isabelle Huppert, Jason Isaacs, and Lambert Wilson among others. I have no idea how it will turn out, but I love that movies like this are still being made. Now, hopefully it finds an audience.

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” opens in theaters July 15th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

A few months ago we were given the teaser for the upcoming Blumhouse produced horror thriller “The Black Phone”. Yesterday Universal Pictures gave us another look at the film via its official trailer, and lets just say this thing hits all the right notes. The film is directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written by Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, the duo behind “Sinister” and “Doctor Strange”.

“The Black Phone” immediately grabbed my attention with its star, Ethan Hawke. He plays a truly creepy presence – a serial killer who begins swiping children in a small Colorado town. Set in 1978, the film has an intriguing period style, and the story concept itself breeds a particular sense of unsettling horror. But as the trailer shows, it’s Hawke who makes it utterly terrifying. And this is just a small taste. I can’t wait to see how far they go with this.

“The Black Phone” hits theaters June 24th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.