The first "Star Wars" (now Star Wars IV) was one of my favorite movies. I don't know how many times I saw that movie in a theater but it was many. Star Wars V, "The Empire Strikes Back" was very good but not as good as Star Wars IV. Star Wars VI, "Return of the Jedi" was good but flawed (the Ewoks were repellant). Star Wars I, "The Phantom Menace" was just barely entertaining. Jar Jar Binks was intolerable but the special effects in the robot battle scenes almost made up for him. Also, the SR-71 knock-off sapceship was cool. Star Wars II, "Attack of the Clones" simply stank. I have been unable to sit through the DVD without fast forwarding.

Today at Slashdot it was announced that Star Wars III will be called "Birth of the Empire". Yes, that's the title. It gets worse. Supposably a highlight of the movie is: 'A thrilling lightsabre clash between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker while surfing on lava.' This is very ominous. The Star Wars movies have been degrading in quality with each sequel / prequel. It's looking like Star Wars III will be the first of the series that is unwatchable. I probably will not bother to see this one in a theater.

Gary