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Heres the proper order to watch the Star War films in, according to Mark Hamill
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This image released by Lucasfilm shows Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." (John Wilson/Lucasfilm via AP) - photo by Herb Scribner
Figuring out how to watch the Star Wars films is a task in itself.

Should you watch the films in chronological order (Episode I to Episode VIII)?

Where do you factor Rogue One into the equation?

Do you skip a movie?

Well, Luke Skywalker has an answer for us.

Collider recently asked Mark Hamill how one should watch the Star Wars films. Hamill ultimately said its up to the fans.

I always think the way that they were chronologically released, he told Collider. Now, I may be wrong, because if youre starting out fresh, you may go I, II, III, IV, V, VI, 'Rogue One'? Its hard! I mean, wait a second, 'Rogue One' comes before IV, so you go I, II, III, 'Rogue One', IV, V, VI, VII, VIII. Im guessing. But it must be jarring for young kids, because the technology is so advanced now, so Star Wars looks primitive compared to the prequels where CGI just flourished.

However, Hamills advice is one of the more diplomatic approaches to the question.

Uproxx writer Alyssa Fiske said she disagreed with his statement.

While I can see Hamills point, I have to respectfully disagree and advocate in favor of release dates, primarily because of the iconic 'Empire Strikes Back' twist, she wrote for Uproxx. Theres nothing quite like that moment when you find out Lukes true parentage, and to cheat a new viewer out of that experience would be a real shame. But who am I to argue with a Jedi master?

There are plenty of ways to watch the Star Wars films. Chronological order (going from Episode I to VIII) makes sense, as does release order, which would be watching Episodes IV, V, VI, then I, II, III, and then VII, followed by Rogue One and, last, Episode VIII.

Star Wars fan Rod Hilton released his own order of watching the films called Machete Order, which calls for fans to watch Episode IV and V and then II and III from the prequel trilogy, before returning to VI to end the series.

The method eliminates Episode I, The Phantom Menace, and creates a flashback-like effect for the series.

Hilton has updated his blog to accommodate for the newer Star Wars films. He said the old Machete Order doesnt change, and that Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi should be watched after Return of the Jedi. Spin-offs like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the forthcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story film should be watched afterward.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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