Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Dinner and a Movie

By Steve Herte

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Lucasfilm/Disney, 2017) – Director: Rian Johnson, Writers: Rian Johnson (s/p), George Lucas (characters). Stars: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Justin Theroux, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro & Frank Oz. Color, Rated PG-13, 152 minutes.

This film has all the twists, excitement, surprises and magic Episode VII lacked. There were special effects I’ve never seen, new, imaginative creatures, a little bit of political correctness and a lot of familiar characters. I still miss Harrison Ford, but he was killed off in the last episode (this did not add to its entertainment value).

What do I look for in a Star Wars film? The George Lucas “gifts” inserted into scenes, C-3PO acting bewildered, wise cracks from the cast when he gets flustered, dizzying action scenes and of course John Williams’ grandiose music. It was all there. Opening with the familiar crawler that disappears into the starry distance to the trumpeting Star Wars theme, the best part is that it explains a lot of what bewildered me in the previous movie.

The movie opens more or less where The Force Awakens left off. Young would-be Jedi, Rey (Ridley), has traveled to enlist Luke Skywalker (Hamill), who lives like a hermit on a remote island on the planet Ahch-To (where there is a Jedi temple and a library of sacred Jedi books), to train her as a Jedi. He sees the great power in her, but is afraid he’ll create another Kylo Ren. (Apparently, Luke’s entire class of Jedis have been wiped out and their temple destroyed.) We know why Kylo Ren (Driver), the Darth Vader wannabe who has a complex and tortured history with Luke, turned to the dark side from Luke’s training. But the spirit of Yoda (voice of Oz) shows up to turn the tide in Rey’s favor.

Carrie Fisher is now General Leia Organa (though some characters still refer to her as “Princess”). She and X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron (Isaac) have their hands full. The First Order, under hideous Supreme Leader Snoke (Serkis), is chasing the Rebel Resistance to erase them from existence. Besides a new and improved battle cruiser called the “Dreadnought,” they possess a new tracking device from which the rebels cannot escape.  

Stormtrooper-turned-rebel-hero Finn (Boyega), along with rebel mechanic Rose Tico (Tran), with whom he falls in love, travel to Canto Bight to find the Master Codebreaker (Theroux), who will help him infiltrate the First Order flagship and turn off the tracker. But instead, they wind up with the two-faced hacker, DJ (Del Toro), who betrays them, and they are captured by Captain Phasma (Christie), a female Darth Vader in a chromium costume.

The seemingly hopeless situation for the Resistance (outgunned, outnumbered, and reduced to hiding in a cave on planet Crait with only one entrance) is lightened by moments of humor. When Leia finally sees Luke she says, “I know what you’re thinking. I changed my hair.” There is a mutiny on board the resistance flagship that is put down by Leia after having been blown out of the bridge by enemy fire (a surreal scene indeed). And of course, a grand final battle involving aging, obsolete speeders against the titanic Imperial walkers (how the First Order set so many of them up on planet Crait in such a short time is one of the mysteries in this film).

Carrie Fisher was wonderful throughout the film, and her last acting job is superb. She even tells C-3PO (Daniels) to “wipe that bewildered look off,” something he obviously cannot do. We will remember her forever.

The only character I had a problem with (and so did Supreme Leader Snoke) was Kylo Ren. One minute he’s trying to be another Darth Vader and fails at that. Snoke tells him he looks like a child in a mask. Another time he appears vulnerable to Rey’s good intentions. And still another time he’s a raving lunatic intent on killing Luke. Adam Driver’s acting was confusing. He reminded me of a juvenile Severus Snapes from the Harry Potter series. Not a true villain.

Otherwise, the acting was great, the scenery amazing, the action heart-stopping in 3D and it was all wonderful, Star Wars sci-fi fantasy. Now I can’t wait for the final film.

“Rebellion is born today, the war is just beginning, and I will not be the last Jedi” – Luke.

Rating: 4 out of 5 martini glasses.

Pastai

186 9^th Avenue, New York

www.pastainyc.com

I wanted this restaurant to be special, it was my 2,800th. And it was. Pastai, which means “the pasta makers” or “the pasta sellers” in Italian, is the first restaurant to be classified as Sicilian (at least in my searches). Not only that, it’s my first gluten-free pasta and wine bar.

Inside the unassuming glass entrance to this cozy little bistro, white tile wall and white tin ceiling frame a large pasta bar festooned with rolling pins of all sizes, shapes and materials. I was led to a bare-topped butcher block table next to the bar, perfect for observing, where my server Elvis (yes, that was his name) was eager to help me select from the many choices or explain any dishes.

I decided to start with an unusual cocktail, the “Huckleberry Basil Limonata,” made with North 44 Huckleberry Vodka, Basil, Lemon Juice and Club Soda. The primary flavors were the basil leaves which made it look like a tall Mojito, the berry accents taking a back seat to the lemon. Very refreshing.

When in Sicily, have a Sicilian wine. The 2014 Planeta “La Segreta” red varietal from Sicily is 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Franc. This bold red is made in western Sicily and is a deep ruby color, has a spicy nose and a tannic berry flavor I loved.

My first course was the “Polipo con Patate" – charred octopus over fennel citrus salad, red onion, oregano and olives in a lemon extra virgin olive oil sauce. Everything was obviously so fresh right down to the peeled grapefruit slices and the vivid green arugula. The single octopus tentacle was crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. I always marvel at well-prepared octopus. The flavor was like nutty calamari.

Next, a dish I’ve had many times, the “Carpaccio di Bresaola” – thinly sliced air-cured beef, artichokes, arugula and truffle oil. The only negative comment I had was “too much arugula.” The mound of green on the delicate pink of the meat hid the artichokes as well. Otherwise, it was excellent. The artichokes were slightly vinegar-y and there was a slight salty taste to the almost translucent beef. A perfect dish.

My pasta was one I’ve never seen or tried, “Reginette al Ragu,” a long, curly pasta like a broad fettuccine with a ruffled edge and combined with a braised short rib ragout, more arugula and grated Sicilian Pecorino cheese. The ragout was tender to the almost shredded point and succulent. The pasta was deliciously al dente with the surprise slices of grape tomato. This time, the arugula was just a garnish.

One of the simplest of Italian desserts is also one of the best in my humble opinion. “Affogato,” a single scoop of vanilla or chocolate gelato, plain chocolate cookies and warm espresso not only looks lovely in a lily-shaped dessert glass, it tastes classy. My usual double espresso followed.

To finish off my evening I had a snifter of Absinthe as an after dinner drink. Previously, I had tasted this vaguely licorice-flavored concoction prepared poured over ice in a perforated spoon as it turned milky. But this time I had it “neat” and the green color was bewitching, as was the kick it packed.

“I’ve never seen you here,” said the manager when he visited my table. First time, but not the last. Pastai has been in business for five years and I’m glad I discovered it.

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