Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

In memory of Christopher Hitchens, political essayist, radical and antitheist.

In memory: Peter Falk (1927-2011)

I really never know what to say when I write one of these celebrity obituaries: I'm terrified of coming across as false. And of... talking about myself.

I heard yesterday that Peter Falk, the actor famous for playing Columbo in the long-running and consistantly-impressive TV detective series, and who did an outstanding job with the character, has died, aged 83. I'm not very familiar with the rest of Falk's work, but he really was very good in Columbo and a great acting performance ought to be honoured.

The actor had been suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the years before his death. This was news to me too, and I'm very sad to hear it.

He was fantastic in The Great Race, too.

Here's a clip of Falk, being very good on television.

In memory: Pete Postlethwaite (1946-2011)

I only just heard that the Lancashire-born actor Pete Postlethwaite died on the 2nd January, due to testicular cancer.

Every time we do one of these obituaries there's a sad feeling that someone really great has gone from the world. Postlethwaite was a very good actor - one of those who seemed to be content with bit parts in international movies like The Usual Suspects, Alien 3, Jurassic Park 2 and Inception (and he was great in Romeo + Juliet) because he had already starred in Brassed Off. And once you've starred in Brassed Off, that's pretty much it. You've got acting covered.

Here's a clip of the man in action.

In memory: Irvin Kershner (1923-2010)

Let's hope that we never have to do this again: write obituaries for two of our heroes in one day. It's not something that we take excitement from doing, but it does allow us to reflect on the impact these people have made on our lives. By directing The Empire Strikes Back, and creating one of the best films in history, Irvin Kershner certainly made a noticeable impact.

There was something people saw in Star Wars when it was originally released. Maybe it was the characters, the science fiction/western element, or the familiar Arthurian cycle ever present that made it so easy to connect with this galaxy far, far away, but I think it was made very plain in Empire that it might have been a skillful combination of all three.

We start with the Battle of Hoth, then on to the introduction of the Jedi sage, Yoda, and the betrayal at Cloud City. What we don't see is this marvelous balance of action, character, and drama the likes of which we just don't see much anymore. It's all behind the scenes, keeping you in your seat, making the development oh so seamless that it stops being a movie at some point and becomes an experience. You feel a chill run across your skin when Luke learns the truth about his father, no matter how many times you've seen the movie, and an insane urge to watch Return of the Jedi when the credits begin to roll.

Mister Kershner may not have created Star Wars, but he came to own it, and in doing so created one of the most satisfying sequels since The Godfather: Part II. His eye for detail and his complete willingness to allow his actors to ad-lib (see Han's response to Leia's "I love you") helped made The Empire Strikes Back something more than just a sequel or just a space opera. He allowed us a window into another world.

And he didn't have to use 3D to do it.

Thank you, Mister Kershner, for making me believe.

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Buch here. I just wanted to add some thoughts and join in this one. Anthony and I have been 'Star Wars' fans for a long time, and I think one of the reasons that there is still such a thing as 'Star Wars fans' is The Empire Strikes Back.

It's the little details in that famous 'revelation' scene that make it so special - the tone of voice, the use and placing of the music, the build-up. It's the way the director got a great performance out of every actor, many of whom were dressed as robots. It's how my favourite character is a Jim Henson puppet with green skin and big ears, and how that character only seems silly, or anything less than magnificent, when you look at him out of context.

I honestly don't know much about Kershner's body of work as a filmmaker, but I really do love his most famous movie. It was a middle act more than a sequel, refusing to let the law of diminishing returns set in just yet - but more than that it was just a perfect adventure film. The amount of care and skill that went into it shines through in every scene - the movie has supreme confidence in itself and just carries you along with it for two hours, making Star Wars into a saga and a hobby, not just three 80's space movies.

So as a fan, I have to say I'm very sad about Irvin Kershner's death and I owe him thanks.


Here's a scene that maybe shows what I meant about Yoda.