Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

[vhelp]

* from TTOD (the temple of doom) snipped from a prev dv capture project

I don't know.. I sure hope that all the orginal casts are back in this latest one. They don't
have to be in the whole movie, just a small part or two. After seeing TTOD, I thought, wouldn't
it be nice if they had little "shorty" but all grown up, would make for an interesting surprise.

When he nudges that one car off the cliff and you see it tumbling over it seemed like the far left of the screen was cropped slightly.

I saw the same scene .. .. I think what you saw was the cgi/animation sequence or whatever
its called during that scene. It did look odd to me, too. Anyway.

Well, I'm sure glad you got yours in HD. Here in NY, well, you already know, I got it in SD
as you can see in the pic above. I didn't know that ROTLA was going to be aired because
it was not listed. But, today this a.m./p.m., it was on. Only they didn't show them in their
original order. I tried to tape them all today, but my 6hr ep mode tape ran out.

Hay, at least they are all restorable -- 30i -> 24p perfectly!!

I'll be experimenting on noise reduction strategies for these as it looks like my cable had some
trouble with ground looping or something, I did notice (on occasion) slight banding or haringbone
noise. I'll have to examine them more closely when more time becomes available and I can play
with the tape. Heck, I may just re-capture them for the heck of it. Maybe the signal will be
better next time.

Well, one thing is for sure in all this, when you cable source is noisey, better ditch DV and go
full throttle with lagarith or raw codec as the noise kills any good chance of an optimum restore
back to high quality -- whatever that may mean to you. Well, at least yoda313 doesn't
have this problem, no thanks to his hd digital service -- lucky bast 'rd, hehe..

All in all, I rather enjoyed the trilogy. It was a well treat indeed.

-vhelp 4678

[yoda313]

@vhelp - well comcast isn't perfect that's for sure. I do get digital hiccups on occasion. However I LOVE hockey on high def. Versus looks great in HD. GO WINGS!!!!!

(If only the NHL was on ESPN and not versus I'd consider AT&T instead but since its Versus I'm stuck with Comcast).

[Epicurus8a]

IJ KOTCS premiered at the Cannes Film Festival yesterday (Sunday). So far the reviews have been mixed, but generally favorable. Spielberg says there could be more Indiana Jones films, provided the public wants them. (In other words: If this one grosses big at the box office.)

Here's the LA Times review:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-et-jones19-2008may19,0,6750365.story

And here's Roger Ebert's review (3 1/2 stars):
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/REVIEWS/969461084

IMO, Leonard Maltin is the only critic that matters. He hasn't reviewed KOTS yet, but when he does, it will likely be on his website:
http://www.leonardmaltin.com/home.htm
I suspect Maltin will also have some thing to say at Entertainment Tonight:
http://www.etonline.com/

[yoda313]

Hey was this filmed in digital? I would imagine if Lucas had anything to say about it they would have. But would Spielberg allow it? I don't know.

[Epicurus8a]

Hey was this filmed in digital? I would imagine if Lucas had anything to say about it they would have. But would Spielberg allow it? I don't know.

Spielberg still uses film. I suspect, however, some digital effects were added.

[tgpo]

Geeks of Doom said it didn't blow them away:
http://geeksofdoom.com/2008/05/21/movie-review-indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/

[Epicurus8a]

Leonard Maltin said:

I really enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

http://www.leonardmaltin.com/picks.htm

[Faustus]

Friend of mine got to see it Tuesday night. Said its really good.

[themaster1]

I went to see it wednesday & it's a pretty good movie not as good as the 3 previous imo but still dope.The special effects are terrific: aliens, flying saucer, winds/tornadoes (and so on), that is the brilliant part.What's annoying is the story lol i didn't understand much things frankly.Maybe i should go watch it a second time.I liked the face of the bad guys they're definitely charismatic.
Overall good entertainment & worth my 7 euros +popcorn

What's certain is that on bluray it's gonna be something to watch.

[Epicurus8a]

I just returned from the theatre and rate IJ KOTCS C+ or B-

I enjoyed he film, but was also a bit disappointed. Lucas probably wants to appeal to a younger audience than before, just like he did with Star Wars. The first hour pays homage to the previous IJ films and to the cheesy sci-fi/adventure films of the 40's & 50's. The second hour is a non-stop thrill ride. (Probably to sell video games.) To sum things up: It's high in style, but low in substance. It's too bad Lucas and Spielberg didn't aim for something higher. If they make another IJ film, maybe they should hire J.J. Abrams or Ron Moore to write the script.

BTW: LaBeouf isn't as annoying as Kate Capshaw, but he is a close second.

[offline]

I enjoyed it perhaps because I did not go with high expectations.

It was great to see Karen Allen's character again. The stunt work and visuals were outstanding. I thought the film had some significant flaws though.

[yoda313]

I agree mostly with offline. I just got back from seeing it myself. It is a fun movie. Its not a masterpiece though. It will be worth your time if you liked the originals. Just don't expect it to be exactly the same.

[vhelp]

I believe we need to consider a few important points here before passing negative judgements
on the latest Indiana Jones movie.

No matter the outcome in mine own review, I for one will not be give it an improper review
because I realize that yesterdays movie experience is far different than todays.

And, I think also that people might be expecting too much from something that originated in the
their child-hood past. It won't be the same thrill because your outlook in life will have changed
since. Plus, factor in all the movies you've seen since, and the level of complexity and special
effects and realism, and more. You can't go back into the past like you want. So, you have
to make the best of it for what it was, back then, today. And try and apply it to todays movie
experience.

Now, considering all this, don't be too harsh in your review because your gauge has changed,
since, and consiquentially you will be using a different guage.

-vhelp 4692

[Epicurus8a]

Please don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the film; especially the visual aspects. Unfortunately the script was a bit weak, and that's the problem with the majority of Hollywood films. At times I was wondering if IJ KOTCS was stealing ideas from Gilligan's Island. (examples: The CGI gophers, the quicksand, Shia swinging from the vines.)

BTW, the film has grossed $101 million through Saturday, and could earn another $50 million Sunday (Domestic).

Paramount Pictures' highly anticipated new "Indiana Jones" movie brought in an estimated $101 million at the domestic box office this weekend, a strong debut that nonetheless will fall short of breaking box office records for Memorial Day weekend.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121172490733920213.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

That total falls short of the current record for the holiday weekend, held by "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," which grossed $153 million for a five-day period last year.

[vhelp]

Horray !! I was getting around to wanting to ask that question. I hope those are good numbers
for this movie.

I was thinking that Lucas was trying to follow his prev pattern of Star Wars, where he did the
latest three. I thought that he wants to do the same with the IJ movies, and maybe make a
2D-Triligy or something. But I get the feel that he may have pushed it too soon instead of doing
a great job of the script.., if I read some you guys correctly.

-vhelp 4693

[Epicurus8a]

The numbers are good but not record breaking. And when you consider that theatre attendance in general is down from last year, the numbers are very good.

I definitely liked KOTCS better than TOD, even though I'm not a fan of David Koepp (the writer).
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0462895/

[offline]

I think also that people might be expecting too much from something that originated in the
their child-hood past.

True, but nostalgia can also encourage people to be protective. I think many movie critics were ready to forgive KOTCS for its weaknesses because Raiders was such a great film. Perhaps it is a similar story for some audiences?

My main gripes:

1) CGI FX, technically brilliant at times but overused in my view and realism suffered. (CGI gophers, monkeys etc.)

2) I felt that the back story was a little light and some characters needed fleshing out. The plot dragged towards the middle of the film as it had to be explained to the audience what was happening and why.

3) That rubber snake. There was not the same sense of danger or humour in any of the action sequences imo.

[Epicurus8a]

Variety has some good IJ stories:

The opening of Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" crystallized into a $311.1 million behemoth at the worldwide box office.

Performance marks a triumphant return for the classic action-adventure film franchise after an 19-year slumber, and for topliner Harrison Ford.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117986444.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull unearthed international box office treasure with $146.5 million at 12,000 playdates in 56 markets -- the fifth biggest foreign weekend ever -- and tacked on $14 million more Monday.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117986463.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

[Craig Tucker]

My personal order of preference

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (The first and the best)
2. Last Crusade (It had Sean Connery)
3. Temple of Doom (A good romp but not in the same league as the t 2 above)
4. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (I missed the Nazis and I thought bringing aliens into the equation was a bad move)

[Epicurus8a]

Raiders of the Lost Ark (The first and the best)

Absolutely! Raiders could be the best action/adventure film ever!!!!

I was praying KOTCS would be as good as Raiders, but it ended up being more like a spoof of Raiders.

Lucas says there could be another IJ film if the public wants it. ...and he can come up with a good idea.
I sincerely hope he does a better job next time.

Speaking of spoofs, check this link.

http://black20.com/black20-trailer-park/indiana-jones-and-kingdom-swing

[yoda313]

I'd actually rate Crystal Skull higher than Temple of Doom. TOD is too much of a goofy movie compared to 1 and 3 and the lead gal screams too much for my taste. That said TOD is fun but doesn't hold a candle to 1 and 3.

I think there was enough humor in Crystal Skull to overcome some of the slugishness in it. I definitely liked the ending post aliens and I won't mention it for those who haven't googled it or heard already.

I thought the cgi was actually pretty restrained for Lucas and co. Though I didn't get what was up with the gofers. Is Spielberg or Lucas an Animal Planet junkie or something?

[Epicurus8a]

Though I didn't get what was up with the gofers.

A lame attempt at comedy for the kiddies, IMO.

[encode_nerd]

that's awesome 8)

[Epicurus8a]

The more I think about KOTCS, the more I realize it was little more than a two hour commercial to sell junk.....

Before I can focus on the ignorance that abounds in Mr. George Lucas's campaigns, I must qualify Lucas's character, his sources, and even his personal frame of mind towards me. I would like to start by discussing Lucas's obiter dicta, mainly because they scare me. The thing I'm the most frightened about is that if you think that this is humorous or exaggerated, you're wrong.

Lest I seem like a hypocrite, I should tell you that I, not being one of the many treacherous barmpots of this world, would decidedly like to comment on Lucas's attempt to associate teetotalism with pharisaism. There is no association. Lucas's animadversions are not witty satire, as he would have you believe. They're simply the irritable, cynical ramblings of someone who has no idea or appreciation of what he's mocking. If you're like most people you just shrug your shoulders whenever you hear about Lucas's latest raffish prank phone calls. When your shoulders get tired of shrugging I hope you'll realize that a common thread runs through most of Lucas's jokes, a thread so lackadaisical that it disgusts me nearly to the point of physical illness. No joke.

Untrustworthy antinomianism has long been the nucleus of Lucas's stances. To a lesser degree and on a smaller scale, Lucas demands obeisance from his hangers-on. Then, once they prove their loyalty, Lucas forces them to destabilize society. Factionalism is, at its core, a disreputable system that seeks to bar people from partaking in activities that cannot be monitored and controlled, pure and simple.

Lucas never tires of trying to extinguish fires with gasoline. He presumably hopes that the magic formula will work some day. In the meantime, he seems to have resolved to learn nothing from experience, which tells us that I, not being one of the many brassbound vagabonds of this world, have a New Year's resolution for him: He should pick up a book before he jumps to the wily conclusion that his hypnopompic insights are Right with a capital R. He has stated that mediocrity and normalcy are ideal virtues. One clear inference from that statement -- an inference that is never really disavowed -- is that he has the mandate of Heaven to create a Frankenstein's monster. Now that's just money-grubbing. Knowledge is the key that unlocks the shackles of bondage. That's why it's important for you to know that if you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem.

Although a thorough discussion of villainous mandarinism is beyond the scope of this letter, I plan to raise issues, as opposed to guns or knives. Are you with me -- or against me? Whatever you decide, Lucas wants to rot out the foundations of our society. It gets better: He actually believes that "the norm" shouldn't have to worry about how the exceptions feel. I guess no one's ever told him that I could go on for pages listing innumerable examples of his contumelious methods of interpretation and cantankerous refrains. I have already written enough, surely, to convince you that it has been said that Lucas should take a step back and look at everything from a different perspective. I, for one, believe that to be true. I also believe that there isn't a man, woman, or child alive today who thinks that he is forward-looking, open-minded, and creative, so let's toss out that ridiculous argument of Lucas's from the get-go. Let me end by saying that I know that what I have written in this letter will send many readers (especially any who are big fans of Mr. George Lucas) into a tizzy or a tantrum. I am sorry, but I remind them that Lucas's conjectures serve only to safeguard his own power and privilege.

j/k http://www.pakin.org/complaint