All Things Indy

In honor of Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls and my intense nostalgia for a series that influenced my childhood in many ways, this week's blog is all about the amazing archaeologist. Don't worry, there are absolutely no spoilers for the last film!

Raiders of the Lost Ark
No film will ever be better than Raiders. Now that this fact has been established, we can move on. I can watch this film over and over again. It established Dr. Indiana Jones as the coolest professor on the planet, even though no one but Marcus Brody and Sallah know he is cool. It's been said before, but let me reiterate: this movie changed the action/adventure genre forever. Every film wants to be Raiders and none ever will. The McGuffin at the beginning is classic, as is Indy's escape from a large boulder. Indy's vulnerability comes through loud and clear when he comments that it's not the years but the mileage. This is a hero with cuts and bruises. The romance with Marion is brilliant and the on-screen chemistry utterly believable. Marion is a strong woman who falls in love with a strong man. Will they live happily ever after? It really doesn't matter because they go off into the sunset together at the end and that's all we want. Oh, and the effects rock out! When The Rock, at the Oscars, blamed Spielburg and Lucas for nightmares after watching the head-melting scene, I completely understood. I remember lying in bed after seeing Raiders thinking about that final Nazi scene. It was thanks to this film that I created the mantra that would get me through my early horror-viewing years: "It's only make believe." I would repeat this to myself over and over until I fell asleep. After all these years, Raiders still surprises me with its brilliance and still makes me smile.

Temple of Doom
Most people consider Doom to be their least favorite of the trilogy. I disagree. Tomb is its own film and should be thought of in that way. It's a different genre, one that deals with serious colonialism and child abuse. Once you get past the silly dinner of monkey brains and eyeball soup, you have a interesting comment on the state of the world and how one culture always seeks to dominate another for no good reason at all. I mean, really. Is the world of Mola Ram and his search for the three Sankara stones all that different from Bush's search for WMDs? This film has its flaws: Willie and Indy don't have the Marion/Indy mojo and Short Round is an odd addition. But in the end, it's Spielburg and Lucas's comment on the world that matters. Life sucks in some places and we need to do what we can to lessen oppression and facism.

Last Crusade
Let's get it out in the open right now. If it weren't for Sean Connery, this film wouldn't be as good as it is. The banter between Indy and Henry is what makes Crusade sparkle. For three films Spielburg and Lucas have set up this daring, brilliant archaeologist who can beat everyone, even Nazis. And then you put him in a film opposite his father - James Bond, no less - and you finally find someone who can beat Indy. The idea of seeking the Holy Grail is interesting. The film is also a nod to the first film: Sallah returns and there's the humorous line in the catacombs when Dr. Schneider asks Indy if he's sure the drawing on the wall is the Ark. But at its heart, this film is about a father and son reuniting as adults in an adventure of their own. It's a grown-up film about grown-up issues and it makes you want to call your parents. Of course, the best moment in the entire film is when we learn Indy's real name.

Crystal Skulls
I will admit that this film is not the film you'll want it to be. It is not Raiders, but then I've already established that no film will ever be Raiders. Instead, Skulls is a nod to Indy's life-long fans. It is a running in-joke of the first three films. It reunites Marion and Indy and their chemistry has not dulled. They pick back up as if they never left off. The introduction of Shia LaBeouf as Mutt is a fun addition that not only will connect to a younger audience but does not burden the film (unlike the aforementioned Short Round). Mutt is not a youth for youth's sake but an important element of the storyline. He propels the action as much as anyone else. The film is tongue-in-cheek and rather silly in places. But then again, so were the 50s pulp comics. The Indy series is based on movie cliffhangers and pulp comics and those changed tone in the 1950s after WWII. It is only right that Skulls would do the same for the Indy saga. That said, the storyline in terms of the crystal skulls is a bit far-fetched and kind of lame. But again, this film is more about creating an end for the fans than giving the fans a deep, brilliant story to follow. Go. Buy some popcorn. Have fun. Laugh a lot. Revel in the fact that Spielburg and Lucas have shown Indy and Marion, warts and all. Then go home and rewatch the original trilogy. It will be a day well spent.

Summer Movie Season Has Begun!

You can tell it's summer when there are no decent television shows to blog about. Wait, check that. When are there good television shows to blog about? Okay, so that's not entirely true and there are some fun tv shows out there. But since the summer movie season has gotten off to a bang, I thought I'd dedicate this week's blog to three excellent movie choices.

Iron Man
Robert Downey, Jr. is the perfect choice for this film. And while Jon Favreau has not always done right - Zathura anyone? - he clearly has the sensibility and finesse for an excellent comic book film. I don't love every comic book film that comes down the pike. X-Men? Loved em. Spider-Man? Bored. The Fantastic Four? WTF??? Iron Man, however, is brilliant. The film doesn't take itself too seriously and the casting is excellent. Who knew Jeff Bridges would make for an interesting bald man? The story focuses on Tony Stark's creation of his alter-ego and that's what makes it fun. Yes, there's a big fight scene at the end, but the fight isn't what's important here; the creation of a flawed superhero is. You'll laugh and snicker at some of the excellent one-liners but you'll also be drawn in to the story. And, if nothing else, those fight-scene special effects are pretty groovy. If you're looking for a popcorn film to start off your summer, this is it.

Priceless
If you're looking for something a lot different to kick off your summer movie viewing, find yourself a multiplex or an indie theater playing this wonderful romantic comedy from France. Audrey Tautou (Amelie and The DaVinci Code) is a poor woman leeching off a series of sugar daddies. Gad Elmaleh is a waiter who falls for her. Eventually, Elmaleh hooks up with a sugar mamma and the two start comparing notes. You gotta love the French when it comes to romantic comedy. This fluffy film rocks out and will not disappoint. I think... I love... Ah forget it. Just go see this flick!

Black Snake Moan
If you just can't bring yourself to pay for overpriced tickets and snacks, you hate sticky floors, and you just can't stand people who talk during the film, go out and rent this dark film starring Christina Ricci as a sex addict and Samuel L. Jackson as the farmer/blues singer who tries to reform her. He does this by locking her to a radiator. Yep, a radiator. This film is pretty dark and pretty deep (the violence and sex are just barely concealed), but it's an amazing story of characters. You aren't going to get that this summer at the multiplex! The two damaged human beings actually end up good for one another. You won't get the ending you're expecting, which is a good thing. And the big surprise of the film, at least for me anyway, will be Justin Timberlake as Ronnie. I hate to say it, but the guy can act.

I'm A Slacker

Yeah, I'm a slacker. Last week was finals week so my life was a bit hectic. As a result, I don't have anything new and exciting to report. Therefore, I thought it would be the perfect week to ask for suggestions from the peanut gallery. What pop culture do you love that my lurkers should be consuming?