by Ray Keating
Review
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 24, 2021
A warm Sunday evening with a nice breeze. Boxed seats for a Frontyard Festival event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Dinner and dessert at your table. Oh, yes, and Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope on three big outdoor screens.
Since COVID-19 hit, our family has attended several outdoor movies. We have watched movies from inside our car in a church parking lot. A big open field allowed for a tailgating scenario with a screen too-far-off in the distance. But Sunday night’s viewing of Star Wars was the best outdoor movie experience I’ve had since … well, perhaps ever, never mind just during the pandemic.
The three large screens offered crisp, clear visuals, with each screen elevated so that there were no issues with not being able to see.
And best of all, it was Star Wars. I’ve seen this wonderful movie so many times that I’ve lost count, but never in a venue like this. Every time I watch Star Wars, I fall in love with it all over again. It’s memorable for so many reasons, but now I’ve got seeing it in this unique setting to add to the many positives over the years.
For some reason, however, watching in this unique setting provided a reminder, i.e., that some of the actors fail to truly get the credit they deserve for their performances. Mark Hamill gives a solid performance as the young Luke Skywalker, as opposed to the caricature that often gets discussed. For good measure, some people have come to call C-3PO annoying, but Anthony Daniels gave a delightfully amusing performance. And finally, Peter Cushing as Grand Marf Tarkin shows off his classic acting abilities each time on screen.
And while enjoying one of the all-time great sci-fi/fantasy films, the Phillips Center made it easy to order dinner and dessert on my phone, with it being conveniently delivered to our table.
How was the food?
We ordered Festival Tacos, specifically, the Baja Fish Street Tacos and the Barbacoa Beef Street Tacos. The fish tacos were quite good with a spiciness that went well with the fried fish, while the beef tacos were flavorful, though not spicy, and had a delightful mix of textures for the tongue.
Our Oak Flame Pizza order was for a Margherita pizza that featured a puffy crust and some tasty cheese. The sauce was a bit on the sweet side, which I usually like, but it was less than inspiring.
Our group chose three desserts courtesy of Eola General. The Berry Swirl Cheesecake was creamy and good berry flavor, but the piece was small. Meanwhile, the Carrot Cake not only was quite good, but it was a mighty piece. However, it was the Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie that stole the show. Two big very chocolaty cookies and some light peanut butter made for a chocolate cookie and peanut butter sandwich that was a wonder.
Star Wars on a beautiful night with some good food – I believe the Force was with us.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
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You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
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