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Indiana Jones - Page 7

post #301 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:29pm
Other than the supreme wonder of the visual effects and the score (both which have aged remarkably!), the movie itself is just a flimsy plot featuring some terrifically iconic sequences. It's hard to disassociate from the positive feelings you have based on the age you saw it at. Believe me, I know. I saw that movie so many times on VHS to the point where even the most mundane lines of dialogue sound like beautifully familiar music to me.
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post #302 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:31pm
The main problem with Jurassic Park is that it doesn't end, it just stops.
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post #303 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:34pm
Features a big honky Teus-Rex Machina!
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post #304 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:40pm
I might be in the minority here, but I loved Minority Report. That was prime cut popcorn entertainment.
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post #305 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:40pm
I didn't mind the T-Rex showing up at the end -- it underlined the idea that the island is out of their control, that only nature being nature saves the day. But then the finale is ... they take a nice leisurely drive to the helicopter and look at some pelicans? At least give us a shot of the copter leaving and the dinosaurs looking on, some kind of money shot like the end of Lost World.
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post #306 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I didn't mind the T-Rex showing up at the end -- it underlined the idea that the island is out of their control, that only nature being nature saves the day. But then the finale is ... they take a nice leisurely drive to the helicopter and look at some pelicans? At least give us a shot of the copter leaving and the dinosaurs looking on, some kind of money shot like the end of Lost World.
I just wonder about how the T-Rex got in there without anyone seeing! Hahaha. Not really. Movie magic!

Also... birds ARE dinosaurs! Believe in Jack Horner!

Actually, I remember them being pterodactyls flying at the end. But I guess I'm remembering wrong.
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post #307 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:50pm
The pterodactyls were at the end of Lost World and JP3.
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post #308 of 958
3/22/09 at 9:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratty View Post
I might be in the minority here, but I loved Minority Report. That was prime cut popcorn entertainment.
Other than the ultra-tidy ending and the clownish rolling eyeball gag, I remember enjoying Minority Report quite a bit.
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post #309 of 958
3/22/09 at 10:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoonBaseNick View Post
What was wrong with Jurassic Park? I'm asking because this could be a good debate..
What's right with it? Dickson and mcnooj have already gone through several of my problems with it, like threadbare plot and terrible dialogue. The scene toward the end with Dern and Attenborough is one of the worst pieces of writing I've ever encountered. All movies that feature the credit "Written by David Koepp" should just replace it with the legend "Poorly Written". The man is practically made of wood.

Jurassic Park really ended up being little more than a showcase for an emerging effects technology. The fact that those effects still stand up today is nothing short of astonishing, and I heartily salute everyone involved in that aspect of the film. But just about everything else is uniformly terrible. The effects and Jeff Goldblum almost manage to make it watchable. Really, the only reason to champion it is if you were a child when it came out. To unbiased adult eyes, it has very little to offer.
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post #310 of 958
3/22/09 at 10:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcnooj82 View Post
Other than the ultra-tidy ending and the clownish rolling eyeball gag, I remember enjoying Minority Report quite a bit.
Minority Report becomes a lot better when you realize that the ultra-happy Spielberg ending might not be what it appears to be. And yes, I think that was intentional.
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post #311 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoonBaseNick View Post
Really? how so? I'm now curious
If I ignore everything else I think I know about Lucas and Spielberg and just look at this transcript, Spielberg sounds like the guy -- between his fixation on samurai, Zero strafing runs, comic relief monkey and his excitement over a potential explosion -- who would recommend all the shallow spectacle and tone deaf plot contrivances that choked eps. 1-3. I know Spielberg was handy to Lucas during the promotional tour for the first couple of prequels, but I thought it was to lend his floundering friend some cred. Now I'm starting to imagine Spielberg being there at the planning stages, doing just what he did at the inception of Raiders, but with Lucas listening this time.

edited to add -- obviously the blame is shifting in my mind for KOTCS, too.
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post #312 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
Minority Report becomes a lot better when you realize that the ultra-happy Spielberg ending might not be what it appears to be. And yes, I think that was intentional.
Very true.

Oddly enough, the thing I dislike most about Minority Report is that the action scenes feel majorly shoehorned in. They certain aren't bad, but they feel like they're from a different movie. Something more akin to Indy, and they don't really fit. particularly the car factory sequence.
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post #313 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:20pm
I agree. It felt like the movie wanted to be a serious science fiction story, and was having bombastic action sequences forced on it.
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post #314 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:41pm
My problems with the Jurassic Park Franchise is that it is too tame...and that more deaths are definitely needed. Paul Verhoven should be brought in to replace Spielberg and make JP an...R rated franchise.
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post #315 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:46pm
Have I mentioned lately that I love the "ignore" feature?
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post #316 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
Minority Report becomes a lot better when you realize that the ultra-happy Spielberg ending might not be what it appears to be. And yes, I think that was intentional.
Yeah, I've heard that take on the ending. While it's a cool idea, my first impression of the film was that it was a happy ending and that feeling has stuck regardless of what my brain tried to apply after-the-fact.

(I assume you're talking about the view that everything after Tom Cruise gets imprisoned with a halo is actually his happy fantasy?)
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post #317 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
I agree. It felt like the movie wanted to be a serious science fiction story, and was having bombastic action sequences forced on it.
And classic platform side-scrolling action! (I wish I could find the actual flat side-scrolling shot of this sequence...)
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post #318 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:56pm
Count me in as a fan of Minority Report. I think it's as great as anything Spielberg did in the 70's and early 80's.
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post #319 of 958
3/22/09 at 11:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcnooj82 View Post
Yeah, I've heard that take on the ending. While it's a cool idea, my first impression of the film was that it was a happy ending and that feeling has stuck regardless of what my brain tried to apply after-the-fact.

(I assume you're talking about the view that everything after Tom Cruise gets imprisoned with a halo is actually his happy fantasy?)
That's the one. There's even a line of dialogue there to clue the viewer in, and I somehow completely missed it on my first viewing. Like you, I took the ending at face value, and seen that way, it makes little more sense than the "Love Conquers All" version of Brazil. I hated the film for that. It wasn't until later that I realized what was happening there.
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post #320 of 958
3/23/09 at 12:24am
I think Minority Report is a film that has no "proper" explanation for the ending. It's happy ending stuff for most people, and if you want to see the potential dark version, that exists for you too. Kind of like Total Recall. I hope Spielberg doesn't come out in five years and say definatively what it is, like Ridley did with Blade Runner, but I don't think it likely, as no one gives a shit about Minority Report, really. I just watched it again in January and was surprised how good it was. Very solid, and well aged.
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post #321 of 958
3/23/09 at 12:34am
My friend and I still randomly quote, "You know how blind I am without them (my glasses)," in a creepy way. Actually, I have another friend who fought the temptation of starting a relationship with a married woman. I met the husband and I totally told my friend, "Dude, be careful. He totally looks like Howard Marks!"

"Howard, don't cry..."
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post #322 of 958
3/23/09 at 1:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arjen Rudd View Post
I think Minority Report is a film that has no "proper" explanation for the ending. It's happy ending stuff for most people, and if you want to see the potential dark version, that exists for you too. Kind of like Total Recall. I hope Spielberg doesn't come out in five years and say definatively what it is, like Ridley did with Blade Runner, but I don't think it likely, as no one gives a shit about Minority Report, really. I just watched it again in January and was surprised how good it was. Very solid, and well aged.
I do think that they went to pains to make sure that both endings track. But in my opinion, the happy ending, especially the final shots at the cabin, are tonally out of sync with the mood of the rest of the film. It reminded me of (ironically, since you mention it) the studio-tampered ending of Blade Runner. It felt like the final scenes took place in a world that couldn't exist side by side with the world we'd been watching.
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post #323 of 958
3/23/09 at 1:10am
Another rumored ending on MR was the exact same ending, but instead of a helicopter shot fading away from the cabin, it just cuts to black, and voice over Tom Cruise says "The next year in Washington DC, there were 137 murders". Which is an awesome ending, actually.
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post #324 of 958
3/23/09 at 1:18am
Oh yeah. I remember that one too. I think knowing the cutting of that line is why I'm a little cooler on the film.
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post #325 of 958
3/23/09 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
That's the one. There's even a line of dialogue there to clue the viewer in, and I somehow completely missed it on my first viewing.
Specifically the line "You're a part of my flock now, John. It's actually kind of a rush. They say you have visions..that your life flashes before your eyes..that ALL your dreams come true."
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post #326 of 958
3/23/09 at 1:35pm
Then the movie goes to total black for a second and resumes, right?
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post #327 of 958
3/31/09 at 7:52pm
Finally saw Crystal Skull. Basically a silly shallow live-action cartoon version of an Indiana Jones movie, with barely a hint of suspense at any point, but for all its flaws basically enjoyable. Horrendous effects work scattered throughout, but there are some fun campy sequences and performances, and Ford anchors the movie in that no matter what ludicrous thing might be happening I never felt like it wasn't the 'real' Indiana Jones it was happening to. Of course it's no one's idea of a great film, but in the end I can't help thinking that the whole furious response was yet another example of the internet throwing a gigantic hissy fit over something inconsequential and basically harmless.
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post #328 of 958
6/16/09 at 7:11pm
The Making of Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure, starring Karen Allen & John Rhy Davies! From about 14 years ago, when the ride debuted.

Tokyo's DisneySea has a version too. We don't have this in FL's Disney... just the stunt show @ Hollywood Studios.



http://www.ijc.at/Experience/Themepa...rbiddenEye.htm

Fun facts.
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post #329 of 958
6/16/09 at 7:26pm
You should never have a frown face right next to a sentence about the Indy Stunt Show.
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post #330 of 958
6/16/09 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott View Post
You should never have a frown face right next to a sentence about the Indy Stunt Show.
I dig it, but I really want an Indy ride too. Is that too much to ask???
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post #331 of 958
6/16/09 at 9:12pm
The Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom is pretty much the same technology as the Indy ride at Disneyland. They wanted an E-ticket ride for the new park and this was it (it was Countdown to Extinction back then, the name and story was altered when the movie Dinosaur came out). Since they don't want to have basically the same version of the ride elsewhere, chances are poor Orlando will ever get a verison of the Disneyland ride.

I haven't seen the stunt show in years, but I remember not caring for it. Instead of just being a live Indy adventure, they stop the show dead to explain everything and do a tedious bit with a "volunteer" who's actually a stunt man.
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post #332 of 958
6/16/09 at 9:36pm
There is a nice rollercoaster ride called "Indiana Jones and the Temple de peril" or something in Disneyland Paris.
You go through a neat jungle section while waiting in line. I loved riding it but when we went another time the thing suddenly had an "reversible" or something similar attached to the name.
Didn't pay attention until the cars started to go backwards. Without seeing where you go...that was some sick shit.
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post #333 of 958
6/17/09 at 1:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8 View Post
I dig it, but I really want an Indy ride too. Is that too much to ask???
I don't think that came out sounding like you intended it. Unless you really, really like Indiana Jones.
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post #334 of 958
6/17/09 at 1:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
I don't think that came out sounding like you intended it. Unless you really, really like Indiana Jones.
Someone wants an Indyback ride?
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post #335 of 958
6/17/09 at 4:49am
So big shock to all (or not!), sounds like Indy 5 is still moving ahead. Thoughts?
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post #336 of 958
6/17/09 at 5:07am
A mere 13 months ago, I would have been elated.

Now? I'll be amazed if it happens. If so, I'm sure I'll be there opening day, with diminishing expections, just like I was for Episodes II & III. Even though I know better.
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post #337 of 958
6/17/09 at 5:51am
Same here, although I think it will happen. Will Spielberg helm it? Will Lucas? Not sure. But I bet it will still happen regardless. If anything they'll do it to get Harrison in the outfit one more time and help further establish Shia in the series.............leading to the at-this-point-almost-inevitable Mutt Williams spinoff. Anyone who thinks Shia isn't eyeing that as his follow-up franchise to the Transformers trilogy is crazy.
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post #338 of 958
6/17/09 at 11:10pm
My main thought is "eh". And contrary to what many of you will assume, it's not because of Crystal Skull. I think I had the same reaction to that news. There's one truly good film in the series, and it's all been downhill from there. All of the sequels have been various shades of underwhelming, and I stopped caring a long, long time ago.

And Shia would be insane not to go along with it.
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post #339 of 958
6/17/09 at 11:16pm
I definitely would love to see Spielberg put away his...Lincoln Logs, long enough to direct...Indiana Jones V.
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post #340 of 958
12/11/10 at 10:54pm
USA is showing all the movies this weekend in HD. Raiders is of course classic, and Temple only gets better with age. Last Crusade, though, only gets worse. It's the grandma Indiana Jones movie, lacking the edge and over the top excesses of the first two movies that give them their charm. Anyone who says it's their favorite in the franchise is fucked.
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post #341 of 958
12/11/10 at 11:23pm
Guess I'm fucked then.
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post #342 of 958
12/11/10 at 11:26pm
I loved LAST CRUSADE when I saw it in theaters at age 15. Know what? I love it just as damn much now. Ford's awesome. Connery's awesome. The score is among Williams' best. Story is fun, exciting and heartfelt. Great sequel. Great movie. To hell with the naysayers.
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post #343 of 958
12/12/10 at 12:03am
LAST CRUSADE is still as awesome now as it was back in '89. I cannot wait to pick up the Blu-Ray of the trilogy when it comes out.

KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SHITS however can collect dust in the bargain bin for eternity.
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post #344 of 958
12/12/10 at 12:11am
The Indiana Jones franchise applies to the Law of Diminishing Returns, but THE LAST CRUSADE is still better than 95% of the shit Hollywood cranks out.
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post #345 of 958
12/12/10 at 12:57am
I tried with Temple of Doom tonight, I really did. But dammit, Short Round shows up and I just can't. I hate when kids are written as adorable little commentaries on what's happening. "This is fun!" "Very funny!" Nails on the fucking chalkboard.
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post #346 of 958
12/12/10 at 1:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I tried with Temple of Doom tonight, I really did. But dammit, Short Round shows up and I just can't. I hate when kids are written as adorable little commentaries on what's happening. "This is fun!" "Very funny!" Nails on the fucking chalkboard.
I find Willie Scott to be far more unbearable in that film than Short Round, but I get your point.

As for Last Crusade, I'm back-and-forth with that one. I love the ending with the final push toward the Grail, and I LOVE Elsa, but I could not care less about the midsection of this film. I'm torn over whether that opening sequence works, or is even necessary. River Phoenix does a good job, but cramming explanations about everything that makes Indy who he is into a quick opening sequence just feels like a cheap gimmick. "Ooh, the snakes! Ooh, the whip! Ooh, the scar! Ooh, the hat!" Eh.
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post #347 of 958
12/12/10 at 1:47am
That's true about the beginning, but that transition with the hat between Young Indy and Adult Indy buys it an awful lot of leeway from me.
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post #348 of 958
12/12/10 at 2:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
I do think that they went to pains to make sure that both endings track. But in my opinion, the happy ending, especially the final shots at the cabin, are tonally out of sync with the mood of the rest of the film. It reminded me of (ironically, since you mention it) the studio-tampered ending of Blade Runner. It felt like the final scenes took place in a world that couldn't exist side by side with the world we'd been watching.
The shot at the cabin and Cruise's voiceover kill any ambiguity. If it had ended with Cruise and his pregnant wife and then a title card about 127 murders that would have been better.
Anyone got the blu-ray? Picture and docs worth an upgrade?
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post #349 of 958
12/12/10 at 2:10am
The more time goes by, the less I understand anyone's love for Last Crusade. If it weren't an Indiana Jones film, I doubt that anybody would hold any affection for it. It's the Thunderball of the Jones films.
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post #350 of 958
12/12/10 at 2:36am
Then CRYSTAL SKULL is the OCTOPUSSY. With a dash of VIEW TO A KILL.
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