Hello! Sorry for this while without posting... It's just that I didn't find anything really interesting to post. But here I am!!! And this time to talk about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It's really a very good movie, not the movie of the year, but really enjoyable. Really nice action and much fun. Cate Blanchett is really a HUGE actress. I love her. And it's already available on DVD here in Brazil. It was released on October 3rd and is scheduled to hit American stores on October 14th. I haven't bought it yet, because I'm gonna wait its price lower, but a friend of mine bought it and took some pictures. And here they are. Once again, as the Iron Man release, I think it's gonna be exactly like the American release. Please comment, tell me what you think about the blog and stuff. =) Click more to see them and don't forget to click them to enlarge!

The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Back to the Future movies all made it work---filmmakers established the "improbable" framework early and we responded by accepting the bearded wizards, warp speeds, and flux capacitors.

The Indiana Jones series made it work too.

In The Temple of Doom, we travel to India and we're introduced to the legend of the Sankara Stones. It's fantastical but it's only a backdrop to the real story--the kidnapped children and Jones' effort to rescue them, doing so with all of his well-established gun-totting, balls-to-the-wall skill.

Then in The Lost Crusade, we're looking for a true historical artifact--the Holy Grail. And when Indiana reaches the grail (protected inside the Cannon of the Crescent Moon), Indiana is forced to pass through booby traps. Not fantastical booby traps, mind you. But mechanically creative, ingeniously plausible, booby traps. Even the invisible bridge is buyable--it's visible, just not from his angle.

Sure, there are sci-fi elements in the Indiana Jones trilogy but they're always plausible in the fantastical framework of the movie--in other words, we don't get curve balls in Act III because the filmmakers got stoned and said "hey, this would be cool".

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is another story.

First, there's the refrigerator death-ride that Indiana somehow falls out of unharmed. Fun ride, but no coma?

Then there's the army of meat-eating CGI red ants, who are intelligent enough and strong enough to follow and carry a full grown adult male into an ant hole.

There's little things too.

For instance, "Mutt" Williams, the drop-out bastard child of Indiana, throws off his 50's leather jacket and turns into Chuck Norris halfway through the movie. The kid's 16 and from the Midwest. The closest he's come to a sword fight is popping open his switch blade on jocks in a diner. Yet, in one action sequence, he straddles two cars at high speed and, with perfect balance, wields a sword competently enough to out-duel a sword fighting expert. (Seriously, no bumps on the road?)

Then later, inspired by swinging tree monkeys, Mutt catches up to the 40 mile-an-hour car chase by what? Flying through the air (a la Tarzan) some 4,000 feet above ground on Amazonian-sized vines in symphonic harmony with CGI monkeys yapping at his heels.

Then, the final scene inside the church...

What do you know--a gust of wind blows open the chapel door, catches Jones' iconic fedora and floats it lovingly to feet of Mutt Jones, all with some cheesy melt-your-heart music playing shamelessly in the background. It was a kind of "passing of the torch" Disney moment that really just solidified how badly the runner dropped it and why his feet are burning.

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull asked the audience to suspend too much disbelief. To buy everything, whatever the fancy. Instead it became the perfect example of disjointed fantasy. And just bad writing.

After just getting back from viewing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I have to say I'm impressed. Director Steven Spielberg did a superb job, and showed off his talent with the numerously well-cooridnated and easy to buy stunts.

I really enjoyed the beginning more than the end, however. When I step back and look at the story as a whole, I'm a little disappointed. It's not what I would expect to see from an Indiana Jones movie, but rather from another sci-fi fantasy film. The film ended with the "crystal skull" (the skull of some sort of alien creature, apparantly) being put into place, and the creature coming to life while sucking itself and the surrounding elements into a mysterious portal leading to "the spaces between space".

But as always, the movie was entertaining in its own rights. The film possesed the spasm that has fueled all the other Jones movies, and that's what I think most came to see. In that sense, bravo - well done. But as far as the story goes, I'm not sure if it quite fit for me, simply beacuse I didn't see how it fit for Indiana Jones.

A great movie all in all. Entertaining, thrilling and mysterious.

Before i start this monster rant i would just like to say hello and welcome to my first ever post! YAY! the joys! oh the joys! However before i go really crazy- has anyone seen Gold member? Of course you have! well the bit at the beginning when Spielberg turns to Powers and says something like "Really, cos i think this (Gestures to Oscar) says differently"- that bit- is a lie- if Spielberg ever says i know what I'm doing- either shoot him or run away. Or both. i love sarcasm, which is why i am going to start this epic review off with "I really REALLY liked Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the crystal skull".

..... *Shakes head disappointingly*....

Brill i thought- the hat is on and the dirty shirt is back. The accidental hero persona was back and was going to make me laugh and bite my nails and make me sit on the edge of my seat. OH how wrong i was. 

The moment of excitement was soon destroyed by the first alarm bell in my head. ding ding ding it went as a badly acted russian scientist tried to read minds.... oh dear. As George lucas passed the bong to Spielberg, he said- how about a fight/gun chase scene here? Stephen replies ok, and we have a relatively ok bit- not much story line was developed, instead- more shooting and witty one liners (Which, if im honest,would have made the film better if it was 2 hours of that.)  More fighting and driving ensues and a camp Ray Whinston (I am  you SLAAAAGG!) swaps sides faster than Tin Tin in ww2. Indie then escapes on a test jet engine- i'll go with that.

But it wasnt soon after this that the second alarm bell started going, DING DING DING. A nuclear test site- how ever will he get out of this one? A FRIDGE?!?!? A F*CKING FRIDGE?!?! are you really THAT high, Stephen?!?!?

JESUS CHRIST

i took a breath here cos the janitor (From scrubs) was in it and he made me forget about the sh*tness i just witnessed. Shia turns up on a bike thru mist looking like he got lost on the way to a village people audition, and a moderatley good action scene insues. bikes- i likes!also classic indy travelling montage- plane and map- always useful. bit of tomb raidery- also classic indy: only to be snapped around by the 3rd warning bell. DING DING F*CKING DING. Why the f*ck is there a glass skull with foil in it? i had an incling from the start it was about aliens (area 51- derrr) but this was the icing on the sh*t cake. Aliens... Built Elderado... whose bones were made from glass and foil magnets... who were also telepathic... and didnt need to be alive to get into ppls heads...

   I thought Crystal Skull was good, but the main thing and in my only opinion only thing it had going against it was the Special Effects. Everyone these days has to have some kind of CGI mixed in or it can't be an action movie, or at least that's how it seems. That said Steven Spielberg seems like he has moved passed this kind of movie in his career and this was a little side project to keep him busy. The acting was great, the story kept you involved. All around it was a great popcorn movie and don't expect it to win any awards, like almost all summer blockbusters. 

   In short I thought it was good enough to stand up with the rest of the Indiana Jones films but just didn't seem quite right with all the CGI in it. I would still recommend seeing it if you are a Indiana Jones fan or like Sci-Fi movies in general.

The Kingdom of the Myoporum is a desolate place.  It is said that ancient gardeners planted the Myoporum Pacificum and its rival, the Ivy, in an attempt to keep their hillside vineyards and villas from being overrun with weeds.  In this, they succeeded too well, and their civilization died choked and buried beneath mounds of creeping vegetation.  In the distance, I see a large hillock that may be the remains of a temple, or a palace, or perhaps even a Costco.

I move away from Ivy Pass, into the trackless wasteland of spongy myoporum, where it quickly becomes obvious that many, many others have come this way, only to succumb to thirst, hunger, or lethargy and slowly become just another small pile beneath the creeping vines.

Everywhere I look, it is the same: Bodies upon bodies of fallen explorers, a veritable roster of my colleagues who took sabbaticals, went off on their own private odysseys, and never returned.

The futility of it all threatens to become overwhelming, especially when I find my good friend Blue Dog lying motionless on a barren patch of ground. He must have struggled mightily to clear this spot of myoporum; perhaps his maps told him that if he dug here, he would find what he sought. But in the end, he did not have the strength to even begin his excavation before he died.

I move on, my own exploration becoming increasingly frantic and disoriented. My supplies are running low. Nearing delirium, I stumble all the way to the last great barrier, the impassable Chain Link, where I suffer a stunning vision of supernatural horror:

Yes, it's the Cheerful Devil, the Beast himself that has long been rumored to haunt the wild reaches of the Kingdom of the Myoporum. He offers me a sack of biscuits if I will abandon my quest for the Lost Kong and return whence I came; he tempts me with visions of soft beds and blankets and squeaky toys. Before I can succumb to his blandishments, I turn and flee headlong, heedless of the obstacles, until I feel something soft squish beneath my paws.

Apricots! Dozens of them!

Even more lie behind Chain Link, inaccessible to me; but still, there is more than enough food here to restore my strength. I feast on the sweet, ripe, juicy fruit, then rest; then, refreshed, I am ready to move on again. But what is this I see behind me?

My informant, the one whose advice set me on the road that led me here, has been following me all along! She seems to have encountered the Cheerful Devil as well; what is that fiend offering her? Is he attempting to divert her with promises of kibble and canned food, or is he sending after me in an attempt to thwart my quest and keep the Lost Kong lost forever? I must hurry on, before she overtakes me. With renewed urgency I race across the steep slopes of the Kingdom of the Myoporum, my pursuer close behind. I seek a place to hide beneath the large almond tree, where a glint of red catches my eye. What is this? Can it be?

It is! The Lost Kong, lying in a bed of ivy, hidden from outside view by the drooping, almond-laden branches! I snatch up my prize before my treacherous informant spies it, and swiftly move out. But I am not sure of the way back to Ivy Pass, and in my wandering, I come to another almond tree. Here fortune smiles upon me once again.

Another Lost Kong, even more ancient than the first, almost completely covered by the sinister ivy! I tear it free of the encroaching vines and stuff it into my pack. With Trixie hot on my tail, I race blindly across the hillside, until I quite literally trip over an artifact left behind by the ancients.

Yes, it is the famous Compass Jack! It is said that if one tosses the Jack into the air and thinks of what one seeks, one of its arms will point in the correct direction to find the object of desire. With nothing to lose, I give the jack a flip, wish for Ivy Pass, and move in the direction of the yellow arm. I set off again at top speed; and the Jack proves true, as I soon find Ivy Pass and move through it, back into the Lost Backyard. Home is in sight! But then --

Between me and safety, my former friend and informant, now my nemesis. Thinking fast, I throw some apricots into the tall grass, and squeak like a ground squirrel. She cannot resist; she runs to investigate, and while she is thus occupied, I escape with my prizes.

My expedition has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams; I have recovered not one Lost Kong, but two! Now, all that remains is to run them through the autoclave to sterilize them and make them suitable for chewing; and then I will be able to spend weeks or months plumbing their secrets.

It's all in a day's work for Dennis the Vizsla, Adventurous Archeologist.

I do hope that Stern makes an update to Indy soon that includes actual scenes and quotes from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This is the only thing I can find disappointing about the game - either Spielberg didn't want to give them scenes from the movie or they didn't ask for it, I'm inclined to think that it's the former. But now that the movie is out and the game can be updated via USB, I don't see why it can't be fixed.

The only thing I forgot to show is what happens when you tilt the board, it's pretty funny. Next up I'll be doing Shrek Pinball and Blazing Angels, hopefully I will get those done tomorrow.

If your browser doesn't support video from Vimeo, hit the post break after the jump for the youtube version.

[Discuss on the Forum]

Lo-Fi Youtube version

Below are the trailers for each movie:

Indy holding the skull

Indy puttin' the headlock on Mac

2 Card Puzzle Piece set, Indy and Mutt during the jungle car chase

Indy on the crates in the warehouse

I'm going to enter a very positive review for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". It followed the conventions established in previous Indiana flicks, was packed with action, comedy, heart, and incredible set design.

*minor spoiler*

The scene in the nuclear testing village was awesome.

A few of the lines stuck with me, like the one Indy utters about the women after Marion and how the problem (with the other women) was that "they weren't you, dear". I know the feeling. I just hope the other professor's sentiment doesn't hold true, "So much of life is lost in the waiting."

(Darabont's thoughts on the experience can be found here: http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1557263/story.jhtml )

Okay, so I finished reading Frank Darabont's Indy 4 script. I've also read the Jeb Stuart script (...and the Saucer Men From Mars), which I really liked, but understand why Steve and Harrison didn't want to do it. I would link to the script, but the site hosting it has been brought down by the hosting company. E-mail me if you'd like to see it.

In the end, City of the Gods feels like an Indy fan film to me. Too many call-backs to earlier films (TWO times Yuri references the TAG-LINE from 'Doom'!, the idol/sand bag swap, etc.). The first two acts seemed like Darabont was just interested in winking at the audience rather than telling a story.

Until the climax. Once they get to the Ciudad de los Dios, I'm TOTALLY with the script. Indy shooting the skull between the eyes has to be the most awesome thing ever. I think I prefer this climax to that of any of the other films, including Raiders.

Still, Yuri was a weak character, the fifty villains were awful, especially compared to Blanchett's amazing Spalko. And I really missed Shia's Mutt, especially for the long stretch of the film where Indy is wandering around by HIMSELF.

And there were a ton of things stylistically wrong, such as subtitled dialog, and scenes which Indy wasn't there to witness. You almost wonder if Darabont had ever seen an Indy film before in his life, until he references 'Temple' again on the next page.

But in all, I think this script could have made a better film than the one we ended up, which for the record I do like. Darabont, given the following notes, could have written another draft that would be phenomenal.

1. Indy needs a sidekick. Maybe a son?

2. Reduce the villains. Give us a single interesting one that we can cast as name as.

3. Maybe have Indy visit the hanger from 'Raiders' at the beginning?

4. Rewrite Yuri as less annoying.

5. Lessen the fantastical bits, such as Oxley swinging from ropes and Indy being eaten by a snake (and keep Indy afraid of snakes, it's part of his character).

6. Keep references to the earlier films down to one or two. Remember that the audience is there to see THIS film, not the earlier ones.

There's more joy for the cinema captured in the first 5 minutes of the Crystal Skull than there has been in any movie I've seen this year. Admire how Spielberg effortlessly swings his cameras in and out of cars, catching reflections off hubcaps and side mirrors. And in the details, how extras playing Communist Infiltrators shake their heads at the crazy youths driving them down. The lighting separates the action and space inside and out [Janusz Kaminski] exquisitely giving details to every actor's face. It's beautiful. It's fast, furious, free-flowing and fun to watch. You take in every aspect and every aspect is perfect. Anyone who's said this movie is on auto-pilot isn't watching.

And then there's the series of shots reintroducing us to Indiana himself. Pure movie magic. The timing of the drawn out moment, saving the first glimpse of Indie on screen in the last 19 years and probably for the last time all together.

People have complained about the cartoony elements of the film - and there are some. A few more distracting ones than in the othe rmovies. Welcome to film history boys and girls. Movies of the 50s had these elements. This is the type of movie kids and adults and adults that were like kids like us enjoyed then.

People also said they hated the backdrop special effects (why not use completely real locations?) One, movies of this era used backdrop. Two the other Indie films use backdrops (remember the mine ride in Temple of Doom?) Then there's lighting they say. It wasn't as earthy as the first three films. It's not the same cinematographer for one, and again it's not the same era of filmmaing their drawing reference to. Jaminiski's lighting and color techniques almost make the film feel like it's black and white, and look at the stunning way in which he flares Blanchett's and Winstone's faces in the tent.

People also said..."Aliens?" My friend said "Zombie Jew Scroll?" Referring of course to the first film of the series. In a serial there's always some over the top elements. Some work...some don't in this day and age. Me I thought the nuclear explosion worked just as well as bumping into Hitler...and that is very well. A great laugh and it puts Indie exploits into perspective and time and place.

This was my second time through the movie. The first time I fell prey to the excitement, to the built up memory of the first three films. The adrenaline in my veins made the film go by almost too fast. Those too cartoony moments were slaps across the face and affected my need for perfection and those moments affected everything else as the film continued.

As I said in my first review the third act is weak, and it is. As I said in my first review it's David Koepp's fault...well, much of it is. But it also lies on the backs of Lucas, Spielberg and Ford. They all had veto power. They all had just as much say.

Don't confuse what I'm saying here. The outlandish plot was fine to me. The subject of the film - outstanding. Just as the first three films did it digs into the culture of the era in which it was set. It was the way in which the story handled the plot, or Koepp handled the story while the others nodded their head in approval. Otherwise Koepp's script isn't all that bad. There's some great dialogue and excellent character exchanges (some of which Koepp has given the writer of Raiders, Laurence Kasdan, credit for). Minor things like the continuity of where the whip was made sense this time (because my adrenaline wasn't causing me to overlook the details.)

To be quite honest I was so juiced that the first viewing was a blur. My mind was moving faster than the film unwilling to slow down and chew on the finer moments. Like Cate Blanchett's performance. It's amazing what she can do with so little. Where the script lacks depth for the character - Blanchett fills in.

While I was able to enjoy the finer qualities fo one of our current great actresses, I was a little less impressed with Shia LeBeouf's performance, while Ray Winestone does as much as he can with his character.

That's the probem with the film. It's enjoyable up until the end. Even the final reveal of the mystery works for me now (except for maybe the close-up squinty glare that's given). It doesn't know when to tie things together and when to let things go.

Blanchett's Irina Spalkow is tossed to the side as an antagonist and slinks into her own story, really in no way affecting Indie's story. Not at all what an antagonist should do. Ray Winstone's character is never quite involved enough to leave a mark on the final moments of the film. Because we never see John Hurd as the character Indie and Mut knew we're never really affected by his story. There are many things that went underdeveloped for the sake of the rollicking good time, which makes the film truly a rollicking good time, but means that the end less exhillerating than the beginning. Even for all of the beautiful special effects wizadry.

For those of you that have whined and complained about this film just to hate, whine and complain. Grow up and become a kid again. It's the same thing that happened when Temple of Doom came out. It wasn't the same as the first film so people hated it. It took awhile for fans to accept it into the cannon. You can't expect Lucas, Spielberg and Ford to want to make the same movie over and over again. Look at The Lost World and how horrible that was. They're artists looking to stretch themselves creatively. Who wants to see the same story over and over again.

But then there's the lot of you that doesn't want to see the same thing over and over again. It's a generic version of a summer movie, you say? Indiana Jones created the summer movie. So why shouldn't this new installment also be one?

Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

In 1957, Colonel-Doctor Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) and a convoy of Soviet agents (posing as US soldiers) infiltrate a military base in the Nevada desert. They force Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) to lead them to a crate in "Hangar 51", which holds the remains of an extraterrestrial creature that crashed ten years before in Roswell, New Mexico. Jones attempts to escape during an alien autopsy, but is foiled by his partner Mac (Ray Winstone), who reveals that he is working with the Soviets. After a fight and an elaborate vehicle chase through the warehouse, Jones escapes on a rocket sled into the desert, where he stumbles upon a nuclear test town and survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator. While being debriefed, Jones discovers he is under FBI investigation because of Mac's Soviet ties. Jones returns to Marshall College, where he is offered a leave of absence to avoid being fired because of the investigation. While leaving, Jones is stopped by Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) and told that his old colleague, Harold Oxley (John Hurt), disappeared after discovering a crystal skull near the Nazca lines in Peru.

In Peru, Jones and Mutt discover that Oxley was locked in a church-operated psychiatric hospital until Soviet soldiers kidnapped him. In Oxley's former cell, Jones discovers clues to the grave of Francisco de Orellana, a Conquistador who went missing in the 1500s while seeking Akator (also known as El Dorado). Jones finds the crystal skull that Oxley hid in Orellana's grave. The skull is elongated in the shape that indigenous peoples formed their own skulls into; the Soviets believe the skull is from an extraterrestrial life-form, holding great psychic power. The Soviets capture Indy and Mutt and take them to the camp where they are holding Oxley and Mutt's mother, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who reveals that Mutt is Jones's son. The four escape from the camp, leading to a lengthy vehicle chase involving sword fights and several Soviet soldiers being killed by siafu ants. Mutt, Marion, Mac, Oxley, and Jones ride an amphibious vehicle over a cliff and down three waterfalls, eventually finding the Temple of Akator, a Maya-style pyramid in the Amazon rainforest. Claiming that he is a double agent working against the Soviets, Mac enters the temple with Jones and the group while leaving a trail for the Soviets to follow.

The group enters the temple and Jones uses the skull to open the door to a chamber tomb. Inside, thirteen crystal skeletons, one with a missing skull, are seated on thrones. When the Soviets arrive, Mac reveals that he lied about being a double agent. Spalko places the skull onto the skeleton, and it begins communicating to the group through Oxley using an ancient Mayan dialect. Jones translates this to mean that the aliens want to give them a great gift. Spalko demands to know everything, and the skulls begin firing knowledge into her eyes, causing her to shake. As a portal to another dimension appears over the room, Oxley regains his sanity and explains that the aliens are inter-dimensional beings who taught the Maya their advanced technology. Jones, Mutt, Marion, and Oxley escape from the temple, but Mac is sucked into the portal. The skeletons form into a single alien which continues to feed Spalko with knowledge; however, the knowledge overwhelms Spalko, causing her to ignite and disintegrate. The temple crumbles, and a flying saucer rises from the debris and disappears. Back home, Jones is made an associate dean and marries Marion.

cast:

Harrison Ford plays Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. To prepare for the role, the 64-year-old Ford spent three hours a day at a gym, and relied on a high-protein diet of fish and vegetables. Ford had kept fit during the series' hiatus anyway, as he hoped for another film. He performed many of his own stunts because stunt technology had become safer since 1989, and he also felt it improved his performance. He argued, "The appeal of Indiana Jones isn't his youth but his imagination, his resourcefulness. His physicality is a big part of it, especially the way he gets out of tight situations. But it's not all hitting people and falling from high places. My ambition in action is to have the audience look straight in the face of character and not at the back of a capable stuntman's head. I hope to continue that no matter how old I get."

Ford felt his reprise would also help American culture be less paranoid about aging (he refused to dye his hair for the role), because of the film's family appeal: "This is a movie which is geared not to [the young] segment of the demographic, an age-defined segment [...] We've got a great shot at breaking the movie demographic constraints." He told Koepp to add more references to his age in the script. Spielberg said Ford was not too old to play Indiana: "When a guy gets to be that age and he still packs the same punch, and he still runs just as fast and climbs just as high, he's gonna be breathing a little heavier at the end of the set piece. And I felt, 'Let's have some fun with that. Let's not hide that.'" Spielberg recalled the line in Raiders, "It's not the years, it's the mileage", and felt he could not tell the difference between Ford during the shoots for Last Crusade and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Shia LaBeouf plays Henry "Mutt" Williams / Henry Jones, III, a motorcycle-riding greaser and Indiana's sidekick and son. Frank Marshall said Mutt brings humor to the story because of his youthful arrogance, causing banter with the older and wiser Jones. Koepp credited the character's creation to Jeff Nathanson and Lucas. LaBeouf was Spielberg's first and only choice for the role. Excited at the prospect of being in an Indiana Jones film, LaBeouf signed on without reading the script and did not know what character he would play. He worked out and gained fifteen pounds of muscle for the role, and also repeatedly watched the other films to get into character. LaBeouf also watched Blackboard Jungle and The Wild One to get into his character's mindset, copying mannerisms and words from characters in those films, such as the use of a switchblade as a weapon. Lucas also consulted on the greaser look, joking that LaBeouf was "sent to the American Graffiti school of greaserland". LaBeouf pulled his hip's rotator cuff when filming his duel with Spalko, which was his first injury in his career. The injury got worse throughout filming until it pulled his groin.

Cate Blanchett plays the villainous Soviet agent Irina Spalko. Screenwriter David Koepp created the character. Frank Marshall said Spalko continued the tradition of Indiana having a love-hate relationship "with every woman he ever comes in contact with". Blanchett had wanted to play a villain for a "couple of years", and enjoyed being part of the Indiana Jones legacy as she loved the previous films. Spielberg praised Blanchett as a "master of disguise", and considers her his favorite Indiana Jones villain for coming up with much of Spalko's characteristics. Spalko's bob cut was her idea, with the character's stern looks and behaviour recalling Rosa Klebb in From Russia with Love. Blanchett learned to fence for the character, but during filming, Spielberg decided to give Spalko "karate chop" skills. LaBeouf recalled Blanchett was elusive on set, and Ford was surprised when he met her on set outside of costume. He noted, "There's no aspect of her behavior that was not consistent with this bizarre person she's playing."

Karen Allen reprises the role of Marion Ravenwood, under the married name of Marion Williams, who appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Allen was not aware her character was in the script until Spielberg called her in January 2007, saying, "It's been announced! We're gonna make Indiana Jones 4! And guess what? You're in it!" Ford found Allen "one of the easiest people to work with [he's] ever known. She's a completely self-sufficient woman, and that's part of the character she plays. A lot of her charm and the charm of the character is there. And again, it's not an age-dependent thing. It has to do with her spirit and her nature." Allen found Ford easier to work with on this film, in contrast to the first film, where she slowly befriended the private actor.

Ray Winstone plays George "Mac" McHale, a British agent whom Jones worked alongside in World War II, but has now allied with the Russians due to his financial problems. The character acts as a spin on Sallah and Rene Belloq - Jones's friend and nemesis, respectively, in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Spielberg cast Winstone as he found him "one of the most brilliant actors around", having seen Sexy Beast. Winstone tore his hamstring during filming. "I keep getting these action parts as I’m getting older," he remarked. Like John Hurt, Winstone wished to see the script prior to committing to the film. In interviews on British TV Winstone explained that he was only able to read the script if it was delivered by courier, who waited while he read the script, and returned to the US with the script once Winstone had read it. His reasoning for wanting to read the script was, "If I'm gonna be in it, I want to be in it." He also stated that once filming was completed he had to return the script, such was the secrecy about the film. He has since been presented with a copy of the script to keep.

John Hurt plays Harold Oxley, Mutt's surrogate father and an old friend of Indiana, whom he lost contact with in 1937. Six months prior to the events of the film, he went insane after discovering the crystal skull, which commanded him to return it to Akator. Frank Darabont had suggested Hurt when he was writing the screenplay.^[25] The character is inspired by Ben Gunn from Treasure Island. Hurt wanted to read the script before signing on, unlike other cast members who came on "because Steven — you know, 'God' — was doing it. And I said, 'Well, I need to have a little bit of previous knowledge even if God is doing it.' So they sent a courier over with the script from Los Angeles, gave it to me at three o'clock in the afternoon in London, collected it again at eight o'clock in the evening, and he returned the next day to Los Angeles." Hurt only appears in the film's second half.

Jim Broadbent plays Dean Charles Stanforth, an academic colleague and friend of Jones. Broadbent's character stands in for Marcus Brody, whose portrayer, Denholm Elliott, died in 1992. As a tribute to Elliott, the filmmakers put a portrait and a statue on the Marshall College location, and a picture on Jones' desk.

Igor Jijikine plays the Russian Colonel Dovchenko. His character stands in for the heavily-built henchmen Pat Roach played in the previous films (Roach died in 2004).

Joel Stoffer and Neil Flynn cameo as FBI agents interrogating Indiana, in a scene following the opening sequence. Alan Dale plays General Ross, who protests his innocence. Andrew Divoff and Pavel Lychnikoff play Russian soldiers. Spielberg cast Russian-speaking actors as Russian soldiers so their accents would be authentic. Dimitri Diatchenko plays Spalko's right hand man who battles Indiana at Marshall College. Diatchenko bulked up to 250 pounds to look menacing, and his role was originally minor with ten days of filming. When shooting the fight, Ford accidentally hit his chin, and Spielberg liked Diatchenko's humorous looking reaction, so he expanded his role to three months of filming.

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gw udah nonton nih film, sebulan yang lalu, menurut gw sih nih film so-so, tapi secara gw nontonnya pake perjuangan, jadi keinget deh :)

funny quote:

Mutt Williams: A scorpion just stung me, am I gonna die?
Indiana Jones: How big?
Mutt Williams: Huge!
Indiana Jones: Good.
Mutt Williams: Good?
Indiana Jones: When it comes to scorpions, the bigger the better. Small one bites ya, don’t keep it to yourself.

trailer:

Anyway, I need to get myself out of the rut I'm about to get stuck in, so I've kidnapped a meme I wasn't tagged in off sulz, and the results of this action lie below.

Last movie you saw in a theatre?

I usually go to cinemas, if we’re going to be pedantic… but no, it was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Over half term, a week or two ago.

What book are you reading?

Most Of Us Are Here Against Our Will, by David Levinson.

Favourite board game?

Cluedo! But I’ve been known to cheat. Well, of course I have… otherwise it’s no fun…

Favourite magazine?

I used to read the Beano (Roger the Dodger was my favourite – still is!) and the Simpsons comic, but I grew out of that. I don’t really read magazines anymore.

Favourite smells?

Oh, now that’s just mean!

Favourite sounds?

Lawnmowers, when I’m lying in the garden doing nothing much, and they’re going whum-whum-whum in the background. That’s what summer is – lawnmowers.

Worst feeling in the world?

Thought blocking… aargh what was I doing where am I who am I when am I what am I doing here what’s going on freeeeeeeeze – and reboot. Yo, I’m Suzy.

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?

Do I have school today? If so, what exam am I doing today?

Favourite fast food place?

Burger King. I love fast food – Makkie D’s and all that. All my friends turn into sanctimonious veggies at the sight of it, all ‘oh no, it’s made of pig testicles, Suzy, how can you possibly eat it?’ but it tastes nice! And the fries… oh, the fries…

Future child’s name?

I say it once, I say it again: I like the names Jenny and Adam. But whether I want kids is another matter, I suppose.

Finish this statement: “If I had a lot of money I’d…?

Not be so concerned about not getting a full scholarship to Harvard.

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

I have six on my bed. One for Monday, one for Tuesday, yes, you’ve got it, all the way to Saturday and then Sunday I’m on my own. I have to keep it regular or I get scared they’ll kill me… seriously I get scared…

Storms – cool or scary?

Cool! Overly cool!

Favourite drink?

Milkshake. Banana or vanilla… I went to an amazing milkshake bar a while ago and had ginger, which is wonderful, and the guy who served me asked to see my student ID for a discount. Heh. I was flattered as anything.

Finish this statement: “If I had the time I would…?

Go walking around where I live and think. I like doing that. But I’d think positively so I wouldn’t start crying or anything, and I’d come back home full of inspiration.

Do you eat the stems on broccoli?

Yeah, out of a sense of obligation to my mother and the broccoli.

If you could dye your hair any colour, what would be your choice?

Wow! Any colour? OK, I’m dying it bright red. All over. I always wanted to do that and then I saw Seaneen’s hair and I’m doubly convinced now! It looks so cool!

Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in?

There shouldn’t be a question mark at the end there. Anyway, I’ve lived where I am now my whole life, so there’s not a lot to say.

Favourite sports to watch?

Gymnastics – tumbling and rhythmic.

One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?

We’re both going on a looong holiday this summer, I think. So yay for shared trips!

What’s under your bed?

I have a cabin bed. So, my bedroom is under my bed, because it’s in the air. Um… a wardrobe and a chest of drawers is what’s under my bed.

Would you like to be born as yourself again?

So long as I can remember all the stuff I did wrong the first time round, yeah.

Morning person, or night owl?

I do my best work in the mornings but I’m always semi-conscious. So, socially, it’s the evenings. Everything else, it’s gotta be the mornings.

Over easy, or sunny side up?

… I’m ashamed to confess I don’t know what either of those mean. I like poached eggs on toast, with cheese grated on top. Yum.

Favourite place to relax?

OK, right, in my school in the downstairs loos there’s this recess behind two of them. And me and Rhiannon go in the loos, lock the doors, and climb into the recess and sit there for ages. It’s great! It’s behind the cisterns, and there’s graffiti all over them, like from the 1970s and all. We’ve added our own. Well, I have. She’s too scared a teacher’s gonna climb up the back of the toilets, read it, recognize her handwriting, and prosecute her.

Favourite pie?

I like steak and ale pie. Pub food!

Of all the people you’ve tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?

I really don’t know! They might be sick of me meming them… maybe neither of them will. This is just to, y’know, spark my brain into coherent action, really. I’m tagging Chouette (sorry!) and ThereAndBack, but if you like it, take it!

Welcome back Indy, thanks for the great times, now enjoy your retirement. The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga is great fun to watch, but doesn't live up to the quality of its previous three chapters. There's no need for a lengthy review here, other than to say that if you loved the first three films you will enjoy this one for all the same reasons. Harrison Ford is as good as ever and the action is amazing.

What's not up to par in this installment is the story and the villain. In the first three films the story centered on a monumental journey in search of some mythical item that could destroy the world if captured by evil hands.  In the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the journey seems way too easy and the protagonist too wimpy.

While the search for the famed "city of gold" is a great myth to center a story around I just never felt like the world was going to end if the Russians got there first. It certainly didn't feel like the race to get the Ark or the Grail. I guess I didn't understand the power that was at risk. I also didn't feel like Cate Blanchett's character was all that menacing. Her "evil" was so comical she actually made me laugh a few times. And what was that whole psychic thing with her?

In the end, this film was as much about reliving some great childhood cinema memories, and for a lot of young parents, introducing their children to a movie hero from their childhood. All good reasons to catch Indy on his farewell tour!

Rating:

Film's website: http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

Although I focused on all the negative aspects, it seems, I didn't think the movie was bad, just that it's not the movie one could have hoped for (are they ever?) after such a long time being in progress. The rest is mainly good. This is the movie no one is angry about seeing, but most people won't even consider going twice to. The IMDb rating of a ~7 seems fair, where Raiders is more of a ~9.

*Refers to a stupid radio moderator, who didn't even know what Indy puts an his head... A, a... hat (the guy who gives Indy his hat in Last Crusade, is even called "Fedora" in the credits)? Geez... Seriously, you shouldn't be on the air. Write a blog if you have to produce yourself... :P

I am going to post the result of the review right here, and the bulk of the actual review in an extended section that, yes, contains rather dreadful spoilers... Spoilers that will not only ruin the story for you, but will probably ruin the story for you.

- teh Beard

So... 4/10? That must be pretty bad, right? Well, honestly? The film was really well done, the cinematography, the humour, the characters, the action, the screenplay, even the story up until they get about 3/4ths into the film and then get out the Aliens... Interdimensional Beings, in point of fact.

Interdimensional Beings.

Now I have no particular distaste of Interdimensional Beings overall, they're great, I could even grow to love them if they had been in a movie that wasn't Indiana Jones. So firstly, just by including aliens I have docked the film the 8/10 rating it was building up to up until the ending point and dropped it down to a 6/10. Still not shabby, perhaps? Well, that's because I understand the direction of introducing aliens, I understand that they were sending up the sci-fi serial films of that generation, which is why it makes sense (in a way) to have some kind of sci-fi influence.

The trouble is that would be fine but I make the point again that it is Indiana Jones and aliens just don't sit well with the 3 prequels having been based off of mythology (and having practically accepted the idea of God existing (yes, it's fiction, but even Indiana Jones needs continuity (NO ALIENS))) I was expecting a true sequel, I did not want or think it a good idea that Spielberg and Lucas play about with what, to me, seemed like a good thing.

I'd like to push the point further that the film did not feel like a 50s Sci-Fi movie, because the sci-fi aspect was really not delivered right, they included it like Tomb Raider, not 'Martians Invade the Earth!'. Area 51? Not a bad idea for Indiana Jones, but I have the feeling that if they had made it more about exploring the conspiracies behind the site and not finding random skulls, fighting random mind reading russians and then following a bland pattern to a random Aztec pyramid it might have fitted with Indy a lot more.

So in essence, the film started brilliantly and slowly got worse and worse before dropping into abysmal and then ending as though nothing had happened. I have a niggling feeling that the particular ending we have on this movie we can thank George Lucas for, due to the overuse of 3d effects and effective implementation of a second Jar Jar. George has really let me down, and I think I was actually more dissapointed with this movie then I was with X-Men 3...

I have sad.

You see, I really wanted this movie to be good, not only because then I could use the blog post title: Indiana Pwns and the Temple of Awesome,  but if it was good it might have restored my faith in what I believe to be two film geniuses going very far over the hill. Spielberg's last few films have been shockingly bad for someone who has released such brilliance like Shindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and Jurassic Park. War of the Worlds? Minority Report? Munch? Dear lord man, stop using Tom Cruise! I don't completely hate him and it'd be great if you could keep that up not using him in your movies.

Oh... and Lucas?! Lucas.

Georgy boy, Mr Jar Jar himself shocked and appalled a lot of people who had invested a lot of 'New Hope' in the Star Wars franchise and looking back at Episode 1: Phantom of the Space Opera I can understand why so many geek's souls were utterly crushed when it was released. It just happened a little too soon for me, I was young when it came out and so I had not developed the keen sense of film that I am trying to develop now as a young adult. As a child, that movie rocked because it had aliens and Podracers. As a young adult I still love the aliens and the podracers, but I'm more and more drawn to the older films the more I watch the new ones.

Indiana Jones? That's a different story for me, because it's now and I've already built up an emotional connection with the original trilogy, it's much closer to home and as such, I am much more bothered that this has been fuzzed up (for me) then I was back when Lucas did it to Star Wars. I came out of watching Indiana Jones wishing it hadn't been made, because I came out half the man I was before. Harrison Ford died in my heart, and his greasy son came and raped the last remainder of his damnable charm from my sugar coated memories.

I think that about as much as I can say without repeating myself or going around in circles, I hope this has been illuminating for you.

It's a 4/10, because it could easily have been so much more.

Also, he did not use his whip enough.

His recent "Star Wars" prequels were universally hailed as inferior retreads despite doing massive business at the box office. Now 2008's "Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull," which is also produced by Lucas, finds itself in the same situation.

The fact that "Crystal Skull," like the new "Star Wars," is not-quite-as-classic as its predecessors should come as no surprise. What IS surprising is how few viewers are willing to give "Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull" any chance at all, because it's actually a pretty good adventure yarn.

It is reminiscent of "Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom" in the sense that it's totally made-up, and not based on any religious mythology (like Arks or Grails). This time around, Dr. Jones is out to return a crystal skull to a mythical city of gold hidden deep in the Amazon.

Of course the Russians are on his tail, too. They replace Jones' classic nemesis, the Nazis, and are led by Cate Blanchett as the evil, sword-wielding Irina Spalko. Resurrecting the Russian villain archetype (complete with bad accent) is the right choice for this picture. Considering Russian bad guys have been recently replaced with Arab bad guys in popular cinema, Spalko and her cronies add to the retro B-movie feel familiar to fans of the series.

"The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull" also blazes new ground with an extraterrestrial themed story. This is a refreshing and unexpected choice by the writers, helping to set "Skull" apart from the earlier films and offer viewers more than mere nostalgia.

Not that there's anything wrong with nostalgia!

"Skull" works the nostalgia angle, and works it hard. Karen Allen reprises her role as Marion Ravenwood (from "Raiders Of The Lost Ark"), we learn the fate of some classic characters, and old gags are reprized with new variations. (Notice how Indy passes on the nickname "Junior.")

Unfortunately, a few scenes go overboard with special effects, like when Jones survives a nuclear blast. Other scenes are a bit too cartoonish for their own good, like the Tarzan homage with vines in the jungle.

Yet a fair analysis will demonstrate that ALL Indiana Jones movies have these moments: The giant boulder in the opening scene of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" defies logic. The rubber life-raft-as-parachute from "Temple Of Doom" makes no sense at all. Neither do the buzz saws, break-through floor, or invisible bridge in "The Last Crusade."

And yet these scenes are classic, regardless of how much sense they make.

For twelve year olds, "The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull" will be an instant classic. It fits right in with the earlier films of the series. For adults who grew up watching Indiana Jones in the 80's, try approaching "The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull" with the mindset you had when you were young. Forget your grown up logic. Forget your preconceptions. Everyone, no matter their age in years, should enjoy "Skull" for what it is-- a twelve year old's comic book fantasy realized on the big screen.

The only alternative is to run the classic series through the same logic-wringer you take to "The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull." And trust me, you don't want to do that.

Grade: B

Has Indiana Jones lost his charm?
Post your thoughts.

Like the millions of other 20-something females out there, I saw Sex and the City over the weekend. Turns out, the film exceeded expectations beating out Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for the top spot at the box office with $55.7 million. Here are some interesting stats as quoted by the LA Times: 85% of the audience was female and 80% of the audience was 25 years or older. My favorite quote about the craziness surrounding the film is pulled from a reviewer from the Herald Tribune who called it ‘feminine ground zero.’

In essence, the movie did very well and I would add that I definitely enjoyed it. That said, I’m just wondering here. . .

. . .what the hell happened to Samantha?

I may remember her appearance being a bit younger i.e. (above) but at least I remember her as a complex, intriguing character.

And frankly, after watching re-runs of Sex and the City on TBS in syndication in which most of Samantha’s parts are cut out to remain squeaky clean, I miss her.

Do not read on if you don’t want to incur some soft spoilers.

In the movie, Samantha’s character is brutalized into a bland, silly and frankly caricature-like vision of her former self. Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte approach Samantha in a mini-intervention to tell her that they are concerned over her weight gain. I propose an additional intervention, this time to Michael Patrick King (writer of the film), to ask him to re-think Samantha if in fact the sequel becomes a reality.

Samantha’s character is crucial to the plotline in a way not as obvious to the Carrie-obsessed. Within a cast of marriage-obsessed characters, Samantha keeps the story well-balanced, reminding viewers that not every woman dreams of one day walking down the aisle, baby in tow. Even for those women who do dream those things, it may not be the one priority. Old Samantha was sex-obsessed and powerful in her career. In this movie, she’s become de-sexualized. Even more shocking, her career revolves around a man (a plot which resolves itself by the end of the film).

So, here’s the deal:

Times Samantha Has Sex in Sex and the City:

Zero

Years Samantha Has Remained Faithful to Smith

5

Pounds Samantha Gains While Trying to Remain Faithful to Smith

15

Times Samantha’s New Dog Attempts to Hump Something

3

Recognize Our Girl?

Me neither.

To help Samantha get her groove back, I propose a showing of support:

Designed by: Minki Kim

Just so I’m not accused of being overly critical, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, particularly the moments between Carrie and Miranda. One-sided Samantha isn’t Samantha at all.

For an interesting review of Sex and the City that I don’t agree with but find hysterical none the less check out:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2008/06/09/080609crci_cinema_lane?currentPage=1

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Two new movies, "Kung Fu Panda" and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," broke out 1-2 in U.S. theaters this weekend. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" moved down to third, while last week's top-grossing film, "Sex and the City," fell all the way to fourth. (Iwantmedia 6/9, http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/06/08/Sex_and_City_falls_to_No_4/UPI-48861212953972 6/8)