Box office roundup

[Riggswolfe]

Yep.   The whole reason I didn't go see it was there was no way I was blowing $40 3 weeks in a row on movies.

I wasn't planning to but 9 year old girls can be very convincing.

[WayAbvPar]

Hot date? 

[Samwise]

I saw Caspian last night and liked it quite a bit.  It always helps when I haven't read the book in forever, of course.

[Velorath]

Had to go in to work today for a bit on my day off to test run a print of Indiana Jones for the midnight showing we have tonight.  I'm not going to say it was a horrible movie.  It was enjoyable enough for the most part I guess (once again keep in mind that I didn't have to pay $10 to see it so I tend to be pretty forgiving).  What I will say is that it's utterly forgettable, and shows once again that Spielberg and Lucas are too out of touch to ever make a great movie again.

As with all Indy movies, Spielberg was the director but there were a few cringeworthy scenes where you could just feel Lucas' hand in it.  In particular a short scene involving monkeys in the latter part of the movie gave me an uncomfortable "Ewoks" sort of vibe.  The dialogue also frequently falls flat.  Some might blame Ford and the rest of cast, but really they aren't given a lot to work with.  It's a shame because it's nice to see Indy and Marion back on screen together, but rather than take the time to really redevelop their relationship, the movie just goes the more cliche route of a bit of bickering followed by the inevitable make up.  It's really a missed opportunity, and by far the biggest disappointment to me.

The climax also feels bizarrely out of place for an Indy movie.  I realize Indy's world is a tad bit unusal.  After all, this is a franchise where we've seen peoples' faces get melted off by the Ark of the Covenant and where Indy and Co. found the Holy Grail.  I'm not going to give any spoilers here, but this one... I'm still not sure how I feel about it.  With all these flaws, I certainly expect some people to absolutely hate this movie.  Speaking for myself, there was enough Indy in there to make it worth my while to watch.

[Viin]

Had to go in to work today for a bit on my day off to test run a print of Indiana Jones for the midnight showing we have tonight.

Print? You mean it's not an HD disc? No wonder you didn't like it much..

[climbjtree]

I just finished watching The Black Dahlia (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387877/)

I thought it was a great, gritty cop movie in the same vein as L.A. Confidential, Hollywoodland, and the like.

The cast was good, the story was fitting for the setting, and I wasn't able to put it all together until the director intended me to. I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre.

[Margalis]

The Indy series very quickly fell into formula. Really only the first one is any good, by the second it had already become paint-by-numbers and self-referential. They even renamed the first one to be "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" to make it more formulaic.

That said, the first movie is one of my favorite movies.

[Selby]

I just finished watching The Black Dahlia

I saw that in the theatre and for some reason I guessed it about halfway into it.  It kind of ruined it for me, but then part of me didn't mind too much.  I still feel it was a mostly forgettable movie though (and it bugged me that it rained 70% of the time... in L.A...).

That said, the first movie is one of my favorite movies.

Yes.  Raiders was one of the better movies I've ever seen.  The 3rd one, while formulaic, didn't come off as being too goofy or too serious enough to ruin it for me - enough comic relief to lighten the mood without any one character resulting in a Jar-Jar or Rob Schneider type of roll.  I don't consider the 2nd movie to be anything I ever want to see again.

[murdoc]

Raiders of the Lost Ark is easily my favoritest movie ever, and the scene where Indy shoots the big guy with the sword is one of the best scenes in any movie, ever!

With that hyperbole, there's pretty much no chance that the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull won't disappoint me :(

[HaemishM]

I just finished watching The Black Dahlia (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387877/)

I thought it was a great, gritty cop movie in the same vein as L.A. Confidential, Hollywoodland, and the like.

I fucking hated it with a passion. I didn't even make it an hour in before turning it off. It didn't help that I really can't stand Josh Hartnett, but the movie and the method the actors were forced to speak with just irritated me to no end. And I LOVED L.A. Confidential and other noir type movies.

[WayAbvPar]

I skipped the Black Dahlia when I heard it failed to find a reason for Scarlett to get naked.

[Merusk]

I skipped the Black Dahlia when I heard it failed to find a reason for Scarlett to get naked.

It failed worse than that.  IIRC that was the one where she WANTED to get naked but the director said, "No, no.. no need for that."

[Brogarn]

It failed worse than that.  IIRC that was the one where she WANTED to get naked but the director said, "No, no.. no need for that."

Never been a better case for capital punishment.

[HaemishM]

I skipped the Black Dahlia when I heard it failed to find a reason for Scarlett to get naked.

It failed worse than that.  IIRC that was the one where she WANTED to get naked but the director said, "No, no.. no need for that."

That was "The Island" directed by Michael Bay. He wanted a PG-13 rating, proving better than even the Transformers turd that Michael Bay is a flaming fucktard.

[climbjtree]

I skipped the Black Dahlia when I heard it failed to find a reason for Scarlett to get naked.

It failed worse than that.  IIRC that was the one where she WANTED to get naked but the director said, "No, no.. no need for that."

That was "The Island" directed by Michael Bay. He wanted a PG-13 rating, proving better than even the Transformers turd that Michael Bay is a flaming fucktard.

Well that's disappointing. Scarlett is one of the best looking gals in movies these days. As far as Black Dahlia goes, and really just noir films in general, I like the commentary of the main character. All the dark, awkward similes and metaphors. I guess that's also why I liked Max Payne so much. THAT needs to be a movie.

[Brogarn]

I guess that's also why I liked Max Payne so much. THAT needs to be a movie.

Ahem

[Mortriden]

I guess that's also why I liked Max Payne so much. THAT needs to be a movie.

Ahem

Wow, that cast might not suck too much cock

[Tale]

I went to see Iron Man the other night and was disappointed. I'd read that it was "superhero movie done right", but to me that's Batman Begins. Iron Man was made of cliche - predictable events, predictable lines, boring acting (Paltrow, Bridges) and too little story for a relatively long movie. I wanted it to end. Sorry, Iron Man fans.

[stray]

Sorry ain't good enough, ya bastard.

[Murgos]

I went to see Iron Man the other night and was disappointed. I'd read that it was "superhero movie done right", but to me that's Batman Begins. Iron Man was made of cliche - predictable events, predictable lines, boring acting (Paltrow, Bridges) and too little story for a relatively long movie. I wanted it to end. Sorry, Iron Man fans.

There is always 5% of any population that are pure knuckleheads.  Don't worry about it too much, if it's your allotted place in life to fail there really isn't much you can do about it.

[Riggswolfe]

I guess that's also why I liked Max Payne so much. THAT needs to be a movie.

Ahem

Wow, that cast might not suck too much cock

Max Pain is one of the few video games that has a 50/50 shot of being a good movie. It practically is already in the game.

Though I wonder how they'll do the creepy "crying baby dream where you walk on the 1" thick blood trail" dreams?

[climbjtree]

For some reason I thought that was an umbilical cord.

[stray]

The villains in max payne are cornball gumbahs of the highest level. They'd just have to change that, and it'd be pretty cool. Else, it's gonna resemble one of those Michael Paré movies.

[stu]

I went to see Iron Man the other night and was disappointed. I'd read that it was "superhero movie done right", but to me that's Batman Begins. Iron Man was made of cliche - predictable events, predictable lines, boring acting (Paltrow, Bridges) and too little story for a relatively long movie. I wanted it to end. Sorry, Iron Man fans.

That's the most offensive thing I've ever read here.

[Samwise]

Though I wonder how they'll do the creepy "crying baby dream where you walk on the 1" thick blood trail" dreams?

They could leave the blood trail jumping puzzle out and still have a pretty good dream sequence if they wanted to keep that bit.  I'd be fine with them skipping the first one, though, since it doesn't cover any new ground plotwise.  (The second one, with Max getting his first V hit, can stay but it should be directed by Terry Gilliam.)

[Slyfeind]

I've watched more movies this summer than I have in a long time, so I feel the need to weigh in.

Iron Man Fun to watch. The improv really fleshed out the characters, there was good chemistry between the actors, and the story was exciting. It was almost about something, like X-Men was about fitting in, or Spider-Man was about growing up. It was kinda reaping what you sew, but not enough for me. The final Big Battle Suit Fight was a little underwhelming, kinda like the movie version of the Fantastic Four fighting Doctor Doom. It was good, but not OMG WOWIE. I think they're saving up for the sequel.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Indy gets into some trouble with political evil-doers, proclaims skepticism, there are some gross creepy crawlies, they do some unrealistic action sequences, has some side kicks, laughs, historical tie-ins and a family message, then finishes up with exploding stuff that Indy doesn't believe in. Yep, it's Indy. Better than 2 and 3 (and I actually liked 2 and 3), but not as good as 1.

Prince Caspian The only move I'm going to see more than once this summer. It almost moved me to tears. The kids have grown as actors, there was humor and action, and it deviated from the story enough to keep me interested. They weren't afraid to keep the Jesus allegory strong throughout it. I don't think it was dark, but it was definately an adult story. Not adult like raunchy and naughty, but adult in politics and responsibility and whatnot. I'm sad this is it for Peter and Susan, because they all really clicked in this one.

Whew. Tempted as I am to see The Hulk in theaters, I need to slow down. Except for another viewing of Caspian tomorrow, I'm done watching movies for a while....

[climbjtree]

I really felt like in Narnia 1, they toned down the christian message in order to gain a broader audience. However, in Narnia 2, they really layed it on with the idea that without Jesus not only will you fail, but your friends will die, and you'll feel like shit.

I guess I was disappointed in that.

I also drunk my face off tonight.

[Venkman]

Finally saw Lions for Lambs on a British Airways flight* Not really sure what the point of this movie was. I think it was trying to be "contemporary national dialog ripped from today's events" or some such. It very clearly outlined both ends of the political spectrum with Bush-esque platitudes and non-speak (Cruise), cynical-but-conspiring-anyway media (Streep), and do-something-about-it-anyway (Redford). It was sort of annoying in its blatant allegories.

Not as annoying as the non-ending that was No Country for Old Men, but at least this one was a good overall movie. I started Lions for Lambs hoping for more Spy Game. Eh, not so much.

* More freakin' on-demand movies than I get at home. Man I love these guys.

[Der Helm]

Not as annoying as the non-ending that was No Country for Old Men, but at least this one was a good overall movie.

God I hated that movie. Just for the stupid ending. Had I read the book, I would have burned it and pissed on the ashes.

[HaemishM]

Just saw There Will Be Blood. What was the point of this movie again? Other than Daniel Day-Lewis' performance, which was pretty fucking good, I had no use for most of the movie. It wasn't bad, it just made me think, "Why was this made again?" I really hate Paul Thomas-Anderson's work.

[Evil Elvis]

"Why was this made again?"

To win Oscars!

At least it didn't have Diaz/DiCaprio in it.

[stray]

You guys are wrong.

[WindupAtheist]

Indy:  $100 million+ opening.  $120+ if you count the long weekend.

Iron Man:  Still doing a smidge over $20m in it's fourth weekend.  That's fairly impressive.

EDIT:  Oh, and Narnia 2 taking a 58% dip in it's second weekend.  Bad times.

[Merusk]

Indy:  $100 million+ opening.  $120+ if you count the long weekend.

Iron Man:  Still doing a smidge over $20m in it's fourth weekend.  That's fairly impressive.

EDIT:  Oh, and Narnia 2 taking a 58% dip in it's second weekend.  Bad times.

Up against Indy that's kind of expected, isn't it?  Or did Iron Man blow it away, too?

I want to see Narnia , but like wall*e and the kung-fu panda movie, it's going to be a "wait for the DVD" film.  I've got funds for Batman left and that'll be it for the year.

[HaemishM]

You guys are wrong.

Paul Thomas-Anderson. Had I realized he was the director, I probably would have waited on There Will Be Blood. I just REALLY HATE his style of filmmaking, and I can't even really tell you why. It's not like he's got bad cinematography, or picks bad actors or gets bad performances. As I said, Day-Lewis was incredible. But the movie just left me thinking "WHY?"

But I didn't hate it like I did Boogie Nights. That was a fucking crime against humanity.