Countdown to Kickoff: 77 Days

As we continue our countdown towards the 2007 season, I'd like to take a moment and honor the greatest movie ever made: Star Wars. On May 25, 1977, Star Wars was released and it quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. George Lucas created, directed and gave birth to the greatest story ever told. Star Wars is the story about a young farmer named Luke Skywalker who leaves his home planet to help fight alongside the Rebellion against the evil Galactic Empire. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 30 years, then you all should know what I'm talking about.

Star Wars is my favorite movie and is loved by billions of people around the world. The story is captivating and the wide variety of characters and worlds create an interesting universe. Who can forget Chewbacca's growls, the loyalty and devotion of R2-D2 and Darth Vader's breathing?

Star Wars brings us the world of the Jedi, guardians of peace and justice in the universe. Luke fights alongside Han Solo and Princess Leia to defeat Darth Vader. The visuals in the first film were revolutionary at the time. The original Star Wars set the bar high for special effects in movies. This epic movie also involves the grossest composer of all time. No, I'm not talking about Beethoven or Mozart or any of those old farts. I'm talking about the master himself, John Williams. That guy is a BEAST, plain and simple.

George Lucas is a USC alumni of the School of Cinema and this is a testament to his genius. Lucas recently donated 175 million dollars to the School of Cinema and it is a travesty that they didn't name the school after this great man. Hopefully his generosity won't go unnoticed and USC will make a shrine of him somewhere on campus. I think it's only fitting that he be honored for creating the best movie ever made.

So here's to you Mr. Lucas and to your badass franchise. Star Wars shaped my childhood and it remains my all-time favorite movie.

The master at work.