You're Watching It Wrong: The Film Nerd 2.0 Guide To Star Wars

by Drew McWeeny

YOU'RE WATCHING IT WRONG is the first collection of original columns from Film Nerd 2.0, an ongoing project by Drew McWeeny. Sharing media with our kids is one of the most important ways we share ideas and values with them, and STAR WARS is one of the most famous pieces of pop culture. Now you'll see how you can use these films to discuss everything with your kids, and you'll learn that there's an order to watch the films that is different than George Lucas originally intended. With new material and illustrations by Trevor Downs, this is perfect for fans of Film Nerd 2.0, STAR WARS, and great film criticism. Get your copy now at www.80sallover.com

76 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Frankie Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Film critic Drew McWeeny of Aint it Cool News and HitFix fame has authored this beautiful book detailing his boys' first viewing of the Star Wars saga. Drew's out-of-release-order viewing recommendation brings a whole new depth to Star Wars for first-time viewers and reading McWeeny's accounts of his children's reactions to the seminal moments of the franchise is sure to evoke an emotional response in the reader. More than once I felt myself getting choked up while reading about Toshi and Allen experiencing the emotional ups and downs of the biggest sci-fi story of them all. McWeeny has always had a flair for discussing movies in a relatable and touching way, and longtime fans will not be disappointed with this effort. Very highly recommended.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some pretty significant issues with Drew McWeeny as a personality and critic - his anger issues, his hypocrisy, and his seeming obliviousness to how he courts problems which could be avoided are pretty damn alienating - but without question, his Film Nerd 2.0 work has been magnificent. I'm fascinated with how parents share and pass culture onto their children, and McWeeny's Film Nerd 2.0 work offers a perfect insight into his own process of sharing films with his kids in a manner beyond empty entertainment.

YOU'RE WATCHING IT WRONG: THE FILM NERD 2.0 GUIDE TO STAR WARS collects what are probably McWeeny's most popular articles from when the 2.0 articles started and combines them with some new material. At 78 pages, it is a quick read - I did it in one sitting - but the writing is sharp, emotional and engaging. Highly recommended for STAR WARS fans and film fans in general.

[J.M. Bulpett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew McWeeny is a superb film critic. When he was at Hitfix, he started producing a series of articles called ‘Film Nerd 2.0.’ about his experiences of watching films with his sons: some made me laugh out loud; some threw up profound questions of parenthood and the way children perceive the world through this form of media. These articles are not reviews of the films, however, but personal accounts of re-watching them with his sons and the impact this form of storytelling can have on children when a parent actively attempts to engage in the experience through their eyes, their questions, their reactions…

His first book is about watching the ‘Star Wars’ films and he has his own particular sequence. Should you be into ‘Star Wars’ or just interested about how you might watch film with your children, you might want to try ‘You’re Watching It Wrong: The Film Nerd 2.0 Guide to Star Wars’. I’ve just read it and sincerely hope more ‘Film Nerd 2.0’ is on its way in a galaxy nearby! Buy it, rate it, review it and keep this guy writing!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of these when they were originally published on Hitfix back in the day, but Drew's updates and additions are invaluable, and these are always good for a revisit. It may strike some people as hyperbolic over-praise to say this, but I really think Drew's doing something invaluable for film lovers everywhere. One day I plan to be a father, and I plan to refer back to the entire Film Nerd 2.0 series quite often as I approach what will or won't be appropriate for my hypothetical future kids, and when best to show them the things I love.

I don't know if the Friday the 13th/Horror films entry in the series is on here yet, but that's also well worth a look.

[Tom Armbruster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly unique story about a father, his sons and a galaxy far, far away. Drew takes you through his decisions involving his kids and media and the how and why he reveals Star Wars to his kids. Read this any way you can.

[Bryan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Star Wars in the theater with my Dad when I was 3. It is literally the first thing I remember in my life. At the release of the Special Editions in 1997, I was seated next to a young kid and his Dad while the kid asked a barrage of questions that made me think "I was that kid." I've seen these movies so many times they're practically part of my DNA. And either despite that or because of it, I teared up when Drew described viewing the final confrontation in Jedi. A lovely reminder of how we can experience things anew and understand them differently when shared with kids.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight on how personal it can to be watch films you love with the ones you love, in this case, Star Wars. It also makes a great argument for a specific order to watch the 7 Skywalker Saga films. It's a quick read, but very satisfying if you're a parent and a Star Wars fan.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the people rating this as one star are fanboys mad that Drew didn't like Batman v Superman.