Ok, let's talk film. Welcome movie fans! I hope you had a good weekend of movie watching and getting outside hopefully, even though it was hotter than Kristen Bell in a bikini in Southern California this weekend. So maybe movie watching was the thing to do this weekend. I wanted to watch the Indiana Jones trilogy this weekend, but my mail lady is as slow as a conversation between Paris Hilton and herself, so I didn't get them delivered. Maybe tomorrow. My closet case friend over the weekend made fun of me for suggesting 27 dresses to watch over the weekend. Well I say to him and to all, this blog is for male and female, geek and non geek alike. So if I recommend Pretty in Pink, its because I have unisex taste. But I am straight, manly male. Grrrrr. Kristen Bell...Grrrrr. BTW I noticed she was up and coming when Amanda and I sat down last year and watched Pulse on a scary movie night. Yes, I call them before they make it known.

So the Narnia managed to fight its way to a dismal Number one this weekend. Disney would have made more money with a direct to video release. It only packed in 56 million for an anticipated sequel. If you need an analogy that's like you going to see an EX and he or she gives you half a hug and an ass slap as they run out the door when they finish talking to you. In short, it was not well received. A strong opening weekend would be 100 million which I am sure the execs were all worshiping false gods for over the weekend. But nay, it had only one weekend to prove its worthiness before getting trampled on for Indiana Jones and Sex and the City and Narnia didn't pull it off. Shame.

Early reviews are in for Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and it is looking good. Reminds me of how we all waited with bated breath for the reviews of Revenge of the Sith to roll in. They turned out to be good. These reviews are loaded with good things to say. I can't tell you how excited I am. Interesting review by Roger Ebert ask the question Which Indy film would be the favorite if Last Crusade came first. Or Crystal Skull- That's a paraphrase. Ebert equates it to sausage, "All you can do is compare one to the other three. And even then, what will it get you? If you eat four pounds of sausage, how do you choose which pound tasted the best? Well, the first one, of course, and then there's a steady drop-off of interest" Well leave it to Ebert to equate sausage, I am no trim ballerina myself, yet this metaphor is what makes the three movies the standard for sequels and adventure films. Spielberg and Co. know how to make films. If you saw any of the best picture nominees this year, you will notice that those five films were exceptional. This gives us hope. There are really exceptional films out there. The kicker is that with all the millions of dollars studios spend on these, shouldn't all films be exceptional? And why are they not? Why do we not have a slew of directors like Spielberg? Why do we have Michael Bay?
I do have an answer for you. Ego. There is an influx of ego in Hollywood that supersedes talent. Bay's ego could not fit in the ocean. It is too big! When Bay makes a film, he makes sure that he storms on the set with his Bullhorn and yells at everyone to yell and blow things up. That is not directing. That is being a spoiled child on a movie set, when Spielberg, PJ, and even yes Jon Favreau step onto a set, they make film. They align a story with pictures. They have TALENT. Ego directors have zero talent. They are no less inspiring than a studio exec. Shamaylan fits into that category too. Ego's invasion of talent. It kills good film.
No link for this thought, but I have intelligently figured out why MTV is so hard up about its twilight film. It's because its an MTV production! I am sure a million people knew that before I did, I am a little slow on the uptake today. So that is why MTV is pushing this meek film about every one's favorite dead cow subject, Vampires! Anyway, MTV has a history of making crusted cat crap look cool. Let them, its all they have.
Countdown begins for Indiana Jones!!!! Until tomorrow! Let's talk film!

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/REVIEWS/969461084
http://movies.ign.com/articles/874/874632p1.html
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indiana_jones_countdown/news/1728985/