Out of the Blue

I saw a reference today to Indiana Jones today that made me think of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, a recollection not as painful for me as it should be, as I have not seen the much-reviled latest installment in the series. This is because, as I've mentioned in the past, MrsBlue and I end up seeing a vast majority of movies after they come to cable/satellite, especially when the reviews are as mixed (to put it kindly) as they were for Indy 4. Which brings me to my point: Is Spielberg so embarrassed by this film he's keeping it off cable? It was released well over four years ago, and its absence from the small screen is starting to seem like the it's getting The Star Wars Holiday Special treatment. By all accounts this is deserved, but I remain masochistically curious to see it.

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49 Replies. 3 pages. Viewing page 2.
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29.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 09:00
29.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 09:00
Oct 14, 2012, 09:00
 
pnag wrote on Oct 14, 2012, 08:34:
Dmitri_M wrote on Oct 14, 2012, 07:33:
My opinion on Prometheus and any attempt to remake Bladerunner..potential spoilers ahead:

Prometheus sucked... no one past the age of 10 cares about.

I'll not reveal your spoilers, but instead latch onto the bit above.

No one past the age of 10? Man, the departments of theology and philosophy in the University where I work are gonna be sooooo pissed...
These are not films about academics though, they're about scientists and soldiers dealing with challenges, trying to survive. It's unlikely to me that characters dealing with extremely dangerous alien life forms would first think about high concept themes like "creation" rather than first dealing with realities.
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28.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 08:34
28.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 08:34
Oct 14, 2012, 08:34
 
Dmitri_M wrote on Oct 14, 2012, 07:33:
My opinion on Prometheus and any attempt to remake Bladerunner..potential spoilers ahead:

Prometheus sucked... no one past the age of 10 cares about.

I'll not reveal your spoilers, but instead latch onto the bit above.

No one past the age of 10? Man, the departments of theology and philosophy in the University where I work are gonna be sooooo pissed...
27.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 07:33
27.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 07:33
Oct 14, 2012, 07:33
 
My opinion on Prometheus and any attempt to remake Bladerunner..potential spoilers ahead:

Prometheus sucked. The previous films were about survival, perhaps they hinted at larger questions related to mankind but they didn't bash us over the head with "creation" myths. The god question is a waste of time. You expect us to believe mega corporations in the future are run by people who sit around fretting about "meeting their creators"? It's one thing to hint at something larger, some awe inspiring mystery it's another to lay it bare and straight tell the audience oh yeah now we'll populate the story with characters obsessed with things no one past the age of 10 cares about. Bladerunner and the first two Alien films hinted at all kinds of themes regarding human nature, survival, what it means to be an individual (in Deckard's case) without needing to outright say it. That's what made those films great. Big concepts like creation suck the humanity out of the story and make the characters seem silly.


This comment was edited on Oct 14, 2012, 07:41.
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26.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 07:17
DG
26.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 07:17
Oct 14, 2012, 07:17
DG
 
Crystal Skull is just awful, whether as an Indiana Jones movie or not.
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25.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 06:23
25.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 06:23
Oct 14, 2012, 06:23
 
1badmf wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 22:38:
and for the record, i do appreciate the backstory and subtexts, but that's completely subsumed by the horrible script from the writer of one of the most illogical, pretentious, talentless shows in tv history - Lost.

For the record, I hated Lost too - as it literally made no sense. I watched every episode, tried to make head or tail of it, and even with 'help' simply couldn't. The same is not true of Prometheus, as I outlined in my last response (or at least on the points I outlined.) Lindeloff walked from Lost when he discovered he had painted himself into a corner.

1badmf wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 22:38:
...when the APOLLO astronauts came back from the moon they were placed in quarantine in an air tight chamber, but i suppose you think that was a foolish waste of time. that's because, well, you're an idiot. there really is no other explanation necessary - anybody with even a high school level science background can see the blatant stupidity...

Sooo... Let me get this straight... You're comparing a government run early space program, with three military trained pilots, that the world was watching... To one oddball scientist taking his helmet off? (As it is just Holloway at first, and they all do try to talk him out of it.) Tell me, was Jenner irresponsible when he didn't obey AMA guidelines for the first smallpox innoculation? Or was he a scientist working by himself? And Marie Curie! What an idiot! Her research killed her - would never happen in real life...

Oh wait, it did...

High school level science background? My degree, Masters and current undertaking of a PhD say otherwise. You thinking it's stupid does not make it so.

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 19:21:
...You could slam your hand in a car door for another two hours, too. But common sense would tell you that if it was painful the first time, it probably won't get any better.

nin - you didn't like it, I can appreciate that. But don't trot out reasons and when they're shot down come out with answers like "Wow, seriously?" or "And still unbelieveable."

They're non-arguments, you're better than that.
24.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 01:31
24.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 01:31
Oct 14, 2012, 01:31
 
F9
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23.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 00:38
nin
23.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 00:38
Oct 14, 2012, 00:38
nin
 
Meanwhile, in Borderlands tonight...


nin: I love the game, but it goes on a little long. I'm ready for a break.

batmanx: I'm playing the hell out of it, and love it. Hey I've got some mecromancer skins for you.

<batmanx joins game, tosses out skins, which promptly fall through the floor, one after another, never to be seen again>

batmanx: (running back and forth, trying to see where they dropped) fuck I hate this game!!!!!!!

nin: ALT-F4

<batmanx has left game>




22.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 14, 2012, 00:09
22.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 14, 2012, 00:09
Oct 14, 2012, 00:09
 
The Crystal Skull has been on AFN (Armed Forces Network) about 4 times in the past week.. What does AFN and Spielberg have against us troops? =)
Adding signatures to message boards since October 7th, 2012.
21.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 22:38
21.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 22:38
Oct 13, 2012, 22:38
 
nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
The helmet removal WAS stupid.

Why? It made no difference - the contagion wasn't airborne, the atmosphere was breathable. How is this a problem? Cause you say it's stupid?

texting while driving makes no difference most of the time, but it's still an incredibly negligent act. when the APOLLO astronauts came back from the moon they were placed in quarantine in an air tight chamber, but i suppose you think that was a foolish waste of time. that's because, well, you're an idiot. there really is no other explanation necessary - anybody with even a high school level science background can see the blatant stupidity of lindeloff's illogical 70's B-horror film script. at least i hope it was lindeloff's fault and not scott's.

and for the record, i do appreciate the backstory and subtexts, but that's completely subsumed by the horrible script from the writer of one of the most illogical, pretentious, talentless shows in tv history - Lost.
20.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 21:46
20.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 21:46
Oct 13, 2012, 21:46
 
Yosemite Sam wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 18:37:
Its not as good as Raiders or Crusade, but better then Doom.

Better than Doom? Doom is much better than Crusade though...

Killer Kane wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 20:33:
I thought "3" was WAYYY worse than 4, unwatchable!

Eh they're close, no way is Crusade way worse.
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19.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 21:13
19.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 21:13
Oct 13, 2012, 21:13
 
Haha! After watching the "Honest Trailer" of Prometheus I watched the one for The Dark Knight -- it was great.

“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
18.
 
IJ4
Oct 13, 2012, 20:33
18.
IJ4 Oct 13, 2012, 20:33
Oct 13, 2012, 20:33
 
I thought "3" was WAYYY worse than 4, unwatchable!...I've watched 4 at least twice...and thought - "WTF are they thinking" , but watched anyway

Prometheus rules, too much analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBaKqOMGPWc
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17.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 20:08
Prez
 
17.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 20:08
Oct 13, 2012, 20:08
 Prez
 
By all accounts this is deserved, but I remain masochistically curious to see it.

Better to watch the brilliant review by the genius who did the Star Wars prequel reviews - WAY more entertaining.

And I hate to say it, but pnag is mostly right about the complaints about Prometheus. It was a fairly disappointing movie, but the "plot holes" people keep bringing up are either totally made up or no more egregious than those people close a blind eye to in better movies. I think because Prometheus wasn't as good a movie as we were all hoping makes people go the extra mile to hate on it.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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16.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 19:21
nin
16.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 19:21
Oct 13, 2012, 19:21
nin
 
Need to know? Top secret? Weyland was a Howard Hughes type. How is this a problem? Happens in movies/books all the time?

And still unbelieveable.


Why didn't people just run out of the way of the towers falling on 9/11?

Wow, seriously?


Anything else? You did, you know, actually watch the movie, right? Cause I think that's the problem - most of the audience didn't. MTV generation who can't pay attention.

Thank you for the dismissive stereotype. I'll resist the urge to do the same.


Honestly, give it some time, watch it again without preconceptions (hard to do, I know) and I think you might actually enjoy it.

You could slam your hand in a car door for another two hours, too. But common sense would tell you that if it was painful the first time, it probably won't get any better.

15.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 18:39
15.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 18:39
Oct 13, 2012, 18:39
 
Yeah, Crystal Skull is on the TV here all the time. And you're not missing anything, Blue. That South Park episode about the rape of Indy tells you all you need to know about that film. Gods above will Shia the beef just go away!?
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
14.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 18:37
14.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 18:37
Oct 13, 2012, 18:37
 
Crystal Skull plot holes and aliens is your complaint? Lol have you ever watched Indiana Jones movies, ever? Alien anymore ridiculous then the ark of the covenent spewing death rays? or the submarine plot hole in Raiders? ...Which I think is one of the best movies ever made.

They are action packed, over the top, rip roaring rides of fantasy. Seriously Blue if you liked the first ones kick back and enjoy the Crystal Skull ride, it follows the same script. Its not as good as Raiders or Crusade, but better then Doom.

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13.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 17:59
13.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 17:59
Oct 13, 2012, 17:59
 
PHJF wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:17:
No it's pretty awful regardless.

Sorry to sound like an English lit. teacher, but why?


PHJF wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:17:
And if we aren't supposed to compare it to Alien then they SHOULDN'T HAVE SOLD IT AS ALIEN. The entire Prometheus marketing campaign amounted to every soul involved playing cutesy-coy about its relation to Alien.

Can't fault that criticism, but it wasn't Scott who did that, it was Fox. Scott said it was set in the same universe and that was about it. Made pains to say the Alien aspect was done - but I do see your point.

Honestly, give it some time, watch it again without preconceptions (hard to do, I know) and I think you might actually enjoy it.
12.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 17:56
12.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 17:56
Oct 13, 2012, 17:56
 
nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
Crew signs on, flies across the galaxy, wakes up and STILL doesn't know what their mission is.

Need to know? Top secret? Weyland was a Howard Hughes type. How is this a problem? Happens in movies/books all the time?

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
Crew that enters what is clearly a building (built by SOMEONE), with virtually no weaponry.

Just like in Alien? Cause those space truckers were armed to the mofoin' teeth! Oh, wait. THEY WEREN'T. Again, how is this a problem?

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
The helmet removal WAS stupid.

Why? It made no difference - the contagion wasn't airborne, the atmosphere was breathable. How is this a problem? Cause you say it's stupid?

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
A pilot and his crew who, at the drop of a hat, decide to sacrifice themselves and their giant spaceship.

Did you missed that conversation between Janek and Shaw about how there would be no home to go back to if the Engineer ship left? Or the earlier conversation when Janek says "Nothing will be allowed to go back"? I grant you, the motivation is quite weak, but no more weak than Ripley going back for a fucking cat...

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
A woman that can only run in a straight line to outrun a ship about to fell on her (and seriously, what are the odds of a circular ship managing to roll on it's outer edge like a wheel w/o falling over???).

Yup - sick of this one too. Did you see how wide that ship was? It was HUGE. Why didn't people just run out of the way of the towers falling on 9/11? Don't know what the odds of the circular ship rolling are, but I'm willing to bet you don't know either...

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
Another woman who has her stomach cut open and can magically run around the rest of the movie with almost no problems.

My wife had a C-section in May. Could pick up the baby instantly, walk within minutes. Didn't ask her to run as I'm not a total shit And that's with today's medicine. Not with sci-fi 2083.

Anything else? You did, you know, actually watch the movie, right? Cause I think that's the problem - most of the audience didn't. MTV generation who can't pay attention.

nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 17:39:
Look, I love Ridley Scott. But this story was a fucking MESS...

I love the guy too, and they said the same of Blade Runner in '82. The story was not a mess, most people just failed to pay attention. Most of the answers were right there.

If you didn't like it, fair enough, but most of the stuff you mentioned is, no offense, BS.
11.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 17:39
nin
11.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 17:39
Oct 13, 2012, 17:39
nin
 
pnag wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 16:59:
nin wrote on Oct 13, 2012, 16:29:
...groan inducing stupidity.


I totally agree with that for both movies...except for the "decent flick"s part.

Jesus... A biologist tries to pet a deadly beast and a geologist with the coolest mapping technology gets lost - those minor bits were stupid.

What else? Don't give me shit about helmets, or an 'invitation' (Shaw's interpretation, which as she says herself was "so wrong".)

I'm totally sick of the Prometheus bashing, as whenever anyone actually says what it is they didn't like about it, it effectively amounts to, "It's not the Alien movie I wanted."

It's not an Alien movie!!! As Scott said, it's set in the same universe. That's it.

IJ4 was disgusting because three people responsible for Indy in the first place (Lucas, Spielberg and Ford) managed to royally fuck it up. It was like they'd never seen the other movies, never mind wrote/directed/starred in them.

Let's see...

Crew signs on, flies across the galaxy, wakes up and STILL doesn't know what their mission is.

Crew that enters what is clearly a building (built by SOMEONE), with virtually no weaponry.

The helmet removal WAS stupid.

A pilot and his crew who, at the drop of a hat, decide to sacrifice themselves and their giant spaceship.

A woman that can only run in a straight line to outrun a ship about to fell on her (and seriously, what are the odds of a circular ship managing to roll on it's outer edge like a wheel w/o falling over???).

Another woman who has her stomach cut open and can magically run around the rest of the movie with almost no problems.



Look, I love Ridley Scott. But this story was a fucking MESS...

More here:
http://youtu.be/RBaKqOMGPWc


More of a legal thing than anything else, but the big (e)book publishers have gotten their asses handed to them with regards to illegal price fixing, and if you bought any kindle books in the last two years, you're going to get some money back.

Yeah, got that email from amazon this morning. I look forward to my .30 cent refund or the like...




10.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Oct 13, 2012, 17:26
10.
Re: Out of the Blue Oct 13, 2012, 17:26
Oct 13, 2012, 17:26
 
More of a legal thing than anything else, but the big (e)book publishers have gotten their asses handed to them with regards to illegal price fixing, and if you bought any kindle books in the last two years, you're going to get some money back.

See here

They also say that there will be limits on the prices that publishers can set for ebooks. So hopefully we can finally shed that wonderful Steve Jobs legacy (fucking asshole) and get back to ebooks actually costing LESS than a real book.

Creston
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