Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
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Barrabás
llegó a la casa vía marítima
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 4:53 pm Posts: 6160 Location: la gran casa de la esquina
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Did the drama llama come here?
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Tue May 27, 2008 4:23 pm |
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Rogue
Star Trek XI
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:04 pm Posts: 349 Location: Miami, FL
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Waker of Winds wrote: Did the drama llama come here? Yeah, and box was riding her.
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Tue May 27, 2008 4:28 pm |
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Box
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:52 am Posts: 25990
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I'd only ride the llama if it was male, thankyouverymuch Today on campus, a random stranger asked me to recommend him a film to watch, either Indiana Jones or Iron Man. I strongly encouraged him to pick Iron Man, which he did
_________________In order of preference: Christian, Argos MadGez wrote: Briefs. Am used to them and boxers can get me in trouble it seems. Too much room and maybe the silkiness have created more than one awkward situation. My Box-Office Blog: http://boxofficetracker.blogspot.com/
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Tue May 27, 2008 8:59 pm |
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Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Speilberg has a weird tendency to make the bad guys be not tooo bad in IJ films.
They sometimes crack a joke and he made the Nazi's a bunch of jokers...
_________________The Dark Prince
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Tue May 27, 2008 9:51 pm |
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Box
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:52 am Posts: 25990
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
So I've finally gotten bored with my Indiana Jones hateration. It was tons of fun riling you all up, and you deserve a massive kick in the ass for taking it so bloody seriously. Kudos to thegun for his irritatingly impressive resilience. Rogue too. And manny. For what it's worth, I remember liking the Indiana Jones films, although I haven't seen them in ages. I basically consider them to be childish and silly, but within those parameters, they are entertaining. Certainly not bad films Now I need a new film to pretend-hate
_________________In order of preference: Christian, Argos MadGez wrote: Briefs. Am used to them and boxers can get me in trouble it seems. Too much room and maybe the silkiness have created more than one awkward situation. My Box-Office Blog: http://boxofficetracker.blogspot.com/
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Tue May 27, 2008 10:58 pm |
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insomniacdude
I just lost the game
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:00 pm Posts: 5868
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Box, you could just admit you were wrong. It's not that big a deal. No need to cover it up.
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Wed May 28, 2008 6:59 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Heh, Box. Take The New World (to rile up folks)
Anyway, Iron Man is actually a tad better than Indy, so...
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Wed May 28, 2008 7:29 am |
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zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
You don't have to pretend-hate The New World, it actually blows.
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Wed May 28, 2008 5:13 pm |
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Groucho
Extraordinary
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:30 pm Posts: 12096 Location: Stroudsburg, PA
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Saw it last night; forgive me if some of my comments are repetitive of what others may have said, but I didn't read through all nine pages here.
Overall, good -- I had fun. I have no problem with the aliens plot, which to me seems no more far out there than any of the previous plotlines involving other types of "magic." I was happy to see Marion again, and it made sense that they would still be attracted to each other, so that didn't bother me in the slightest, and I liked the fact that the son had a lot of Indy's abilities. I even liked the reference to "Young Indiana Jones" when Indy made reference to Pancho Vila, one of his earlier adventures.
The problems were not deal-breaking, but still bothersome. I can suspend my disbelief about aliens and such since it's a story, but it's harder to explain how people can cross three huge waterfalls and only suffer getting wet. The Tarzan sequence and attacking monkeys bothered me too. And living through a nuclear blast? And then at the end, why did Indy suddenly get his job back and get appointed assistant dean? What happened? (That one just needed a short explanation to resolve, which we never got)
However, overall these things didn't distract me too much. I'd place this after Raiders and Last Crusade but before Temple of Doom.
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Thu May 29, 2008 2:02 pm |
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Rod
Extra on the Ordinary
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:50 pm Posts: 12821
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I both enjoyed it and was disappointed by it.
Yes, for the most part it is a nice fun summer blockbuster, but I can't help but wish it had been directed by a director who is willing to take more chances. Someone who realizes that you can have fun without being so cheesy/lame/silly. Worst of all I was really excited to see Cate Blanchett in it but she turns out to be a far-from-menacing villain.
C+/B-
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Fri May 30, 2008 6:25 pm |
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dolcevita
Extraordinary
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:24 pm Posts: 16061 Location: The Damage Control Table
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Well, I saw this movie tonight and its easier for me to discuss than I expected. I'm soundly with those who said the original conceit was very good. I liked the 50's updating, I liked the alien theme, and I liked the idea that they landed somewhere long ago and built a city that was advanced in technology before its years.
That being said, something was lacking from this installment of Indy and I know exactly what it is: intensity and mystery. There was not one tease; from the father/son, the gods of the ancient city, the intent of the Russians, or the double-crossing of Indy's aquaintance. The audience was given everything in the early minutes. And if we still couldn't figure out the main plot, Irina needs to s.p.e.l.l. i.t. o.u.t. for us in the first half of the movie by saying the Russians had already disected the aliens from two UFO landings back on the other side of the Atlantic. Then, if we still didn't get it, she even shows us one of the aliens and its brain. By the time the grand finale came around, there wasn't a single person in the audience who didn't know what was coming...no matter how slow that person may be at connecting the dots.
Its one of the few times I could literally say "I know exactly how to make this better." First, don't show what was in the box in area 51. The fact that it is area 51 is already quite enough info for the audience. The follow-up interview when Indy just says years ago he was not told what the mess of limbs were should have been enough. Then, don't have Irina spell it out. Maybe she thinks she knows but isn't sure. Or maybe she knows what, but not where, and doesn't want to reveal too much. Maybe make her associations more ambiguous, or at least not say why she's interestedin it (brain control over the capitalists was her overly elaborate, over-telling, explanation).
Then, include more of the foundation myth. Instead of just saying the city was otherwise called El Dorado and dwell on the gold, go into mythology, 13 gods...that came from the sky and showed mankind "new technologies" like irrigation and so forth "that wouldn't surface again for 5000 years". And also how the natives would bind their kids heads to look like the gods. That was a great section of the movie (with the skulls in the insane asylum and the elongated skulls in the cemetery). It would have built suspense up to the conclusion when it was finally revealed aliens had landed.
Also, I wish Indy and Mutt only found out they were related much later in the movie. Maybe even had some fights and bonding moments of a father-son type before they learned they were actually father/son. It would have added a layer of dramatic emotion. But, like giving away the aliens, someone in production thought it would be good to pull out all the emotional and adventurous twists in the first half hour of the movie so that there would be little left to intrigue the rest of the way through. Again, an example of over-tell and reveal-too-early.
That being said. It was still pleasant and the premise was ok. I enjoyed it, but wasn't gripped. Some of the special effects were great while others were hokey, and I thought Ford and Labeouf did a great job and had decent chemistry. Blanchett did okay, but was a bit of a miscast. Didn't bother me too much though. All the action scenes were fine. The vine-swinging, ant scene, and sand pit as far as action goes were okay. The waterfalls were excessive, but I suspend disbelief in these movies anyways, so it came across as funny, though didn't contribute to any intensity in the action. And I really liked the obelisk-spilling-sand contraption. I wish there had been more time spent crawling through and deciphering contraptions within the city itself. You know, more archeology.
I do wish that, having been around twenty more years, Indy had come up with some more creative ways of finishing off a fight than by sheer physical strength. I always liked the part in Crusade where Connery flapped his umbrella and got all the birds to crash the airplane. That's the kind of stuff one thinks of only with age. Indy is supposed to be an older man here. Indy, being a little older now, could have pulled out a couple more tricks from his mind rather than just his arms.
It sounds like I'm beating up on the movie, but I still enjoyed the two hours. It didn't make me roll my eyes, and it was much better than many of the comic-book-turn-movies I've seen over the past few years.
Overall, I'd say about a B-.
Last edited by dolcevita on Sat May 31, 2008 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sat May 31, 2008 1:01 am |
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zennier
htm
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 2:38 pm Posts: 10316 Location: berkeley
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
After only reading this page, the two real comments here (from mike and dolce) just about sum it all up. Passable, entertaining, and not particularly better or worse than the originals. I liked it enough.
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Sat May 31, 2008 3:02 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Rod wrote: I both enjoyed it and was disappointed by it.
Yes, for the most part it is a nice fun summer blockbuster, but I can't help but wish it had been directed by a director who is willing to take more chances. Someone who realizes that you can have fun without being so cheesy/lame/silly. Worst of all I was really excited to see Cate Blanchett in it but she turns out to be a far-from-menacing villain.
C+/B- Um, Indiana Jones is meant to be silly/cheesy
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Sat May 31, 2008 3:31 pm |
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JURiNG
ef star star kay
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:45 pm Posts: 3016 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Dr. Lecter wrote: Rod wrote: I both enjoyed it and was disappointed by it.
Yes, for the most part it is a nice fun summer blockbuster, but I can't help but wish it had been directed by a director who is willing to take more chances. Someone who realizes that you can have fun without being so cheesy/lame/silly. Worst of all I was really excited to see Cate Blanchett in it but she turns out to be a far-from-menacing villain.
C+/B- Um, Indiana Jones is meant to be silly/cheesy Yes! and even it's so annoying and unbearable.. we should be fine with that and enjoy the film.. because it's eff-ing Indiana Jones..
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Sat May 31, 2008 4:48 pm |
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Darth Indiana Bond
007
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 pm Posts: 11057 Location: Wouldn't you like to know
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Dr. Lecter wrote: Rod wrote: I both enjoyed it and was disappointed by it.
Yes, for the most part it is a nice fun summer blockbuster, but I can't help but wish it had been directed by a director who is willing to take more chances. Someone who realizes that you can have fun without being so cheesy/lame/silly. Worst of all I was really excited to see Cate Blanchett in it but she turns out to be a far-from-menacing villain.
C+/B- Um, Indiana Jones is meant to be silly/cheesy Yeah, that is the style of the series.
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Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:49 am |
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jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm Posts: 12333
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
What a fun adventure. Indy is back! Harrison Ford can still pull off the character at 65. Cate Blanchett was a great bad guy in the movie. It was great seeing Karen Allen in the movie and Shia Labeouf can carry this franchise. Plus, it was overall a very neat story put into a neat adventure. #2 in the series for me right behind Raiders.
A
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Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:21 pm |
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Thegun
On autopilot for the summer
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:14 pm Posts: 21654 Location: Walking around somewhere
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I really have to say, whoever lit Blanchett for this movie needs to stay with her. Im not saying she was gorgeous, her hair stops that, but her eyes in this movie were some of the most piercing I've ever seen.
_________________Chippy wrote: As always, fuck Thegun. Chippy wrote: I want to live vicariously through you, Thegun!
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Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:03 pm |
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b.o.
Full Fledged Member
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 12:15 am Posts: 58
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I came in really wanting to like this movie, and I was thoroughly disappointed. This story/script is just terrible in my opinion. I agree with many of the points Dolce made, except I wasn't as forgiving when it came to the overall movie. More thoughts will come later I suppose, but all I know is that I was very disappointed when I walked out of the theater, and so was every one of the 8 people I went with.
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:44 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Loyal hated Live Free or Die Hard and Indy, but loved Rocky Balboa.
Hmmm.
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:01 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Dr. Lecter wrote: Loyal hated Live Free or Die Hard and Indy, but loved Rocky Balboa.
Hmmm. He hated Casino Royale as well.
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:23 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
loyalfromlondon wrote: I hate a lot of films, doesn't make Indy IV any less shittier. But you know why I mentioned these films in particular...
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:51 pm |
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dolcevita
Extraordinary
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:24 pm Posts: 16061 Location: The Damage Control Table
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Dr. Lecter wrote: loyalfromlondon wrote: I hate a lot of films, doesn't make Indy IV any less shittier. But you know why I mentioned these films in particular... Because Casino Royale was also god-awful?
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:53 pm |
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Darth Indiana Bond
007
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 pm Posts: 11057 Location: Wouldn't you like to know
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Loyal hates Casino? I use to take you so seriously.
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:05 pm |
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Darth Indiana Bond
007
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 pm Posts: 11057 Location: Wouldn't you like to know
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Naw, I still enjoy your Oscar talk.
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:09 pm |
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Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
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Re: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
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Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:23 pm |
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