Blue Jackets vs. Pens; ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Now Screening (Mon., 12/21/15)

1) The Pens face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight in a 7 p.m. game at the Consol Energy center. Let’s hope this is the night that Sidney Crosby breaks out and scores several goals. It also doesn’t help that the NHL allows Crosby—and others—to be mugged by ice goons at any turn.7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

2) Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Look at it this way, after this there’s only two more to go. Back in 1977, director George Lucas premiered Star Wars, which along with Jaws changed the nature of the movie business. The summer blockbuster was born, and now, unless a movie makes $70 million opening weekend, it’s considered a flop. That first film turned out to be the third installment of what Lucas promised would be a nine-part series. And that seemed like a good thing since he followed up with Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Fun movies and a terrific way to spend a rainy afternoon.

But in 1999, it all started to go horribly wrong with the release of The Phantom Menace. Suddenly LucasWorld didn’t seem a particularly entertaining place to be, and by the time we got through Attack of the Close and Revenge of the Sith, it was generally agreed that maybe the franchise had run its course. But we forgot that it’s a nine-part adventure, and George and the gang are in the process of coughing up the last three in the series. The Force Awakens (which is number VII) takes places 30 years after Return of the Jedi. No word on the actual plot (believe me, we landed in Normandy with less secrecy than this movie), but here’s my question: Since the emperor is killed and the Empire is defeated at the end of Jedi, who are they going to be fighting for the next three films? Rampaging boredom, if you ask me. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

3) Savoy Restaurant’s Savoy Jazz Mondays continues tonight with the Roger Humphries Trio and vocalist Shawnee Lake. 6 – 10 p.m. No cover. 2623 Penn Ave., Strip District.

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