2008 Winners!

It was a three way tie! Congratulations to our triumvirate of ladies for having the foresight to pick The Dark Knight as the number one summer movie of 2008, it definitely made the difference.

The final point totals:

Kirstin: 54
Nell: 54
Sabrina: 54

Joel: 50
Bill K: 48
Dave: 41
Jack: 40
Tara D: 38
Julie: 38
Kevin: 38
Chris T: 35
John D; 34
James: 27
Gordon: 24

Current Leader(s)

In an effort to prove us all wrong, it appears that the only ones to have picked Heath Ledger's Dark Knight to be number one, are number one.

Now this is only preliminary and I don't have a full list but as of this morning we have a three way tie for the number one spot: Kirstin, Nell and Sabrina. All with 54 points.

We still have a few more weeks and with Mamma Mia! climbing up the charts, maybe things will change, but as of now it looks like these three ladies outsmarted us all.

Weekly Status Update

Well, all the big films are now out, its just a matter of a few possible changes, the biggest of which hopefully will come in the way of Indy overtaking Iron Man. If Paramont finally decides to up the print count in theaters like they did for Iron Man a few weeks back, it could happen- fingers crossed.

Here are your point totals as of now:

Kirstin 56
Joel 54
Sabrina 53
Nell 53
Julie 51
Dave 43
Bill K 42
Tara D 41
Kevin 39
Jack 37
John D 36
Chris T 34
James 27
Gordon 24

Weekly Points Totals

Kirstin 58
Sabrina 54
Joel 50
Nell 49
Julie 46
Bill K 45
Dave 41
Tara D 39
Jack 39
John D 38
Chris T 36
Kevin 35
James 27
Gordon 24

Weekly Points Totals

Joel 54
Kirstin 51
Julie 48
Dave 46
Bill K 45
Sabrina 43
Jack 43
John D 41
Nell 39
Tara D 35
Chris T 35
Kevin 34
James 29
Gordon 26

Weekly Points Totals

John D 49
Joel 48
Tara D 46
Julie 44
Sabrina 42
Dave 41
Kirstin 40
Bill K 40
Nell 40
Kevin 34
Jack 33
Chris T 31
Gordon 28
James 25

Summer Box Office as of 7/01

Obviously Wall-E & Wanted just came out and will climb quickly, and there are still quite a few "biggies" due out soon, but here's the list so far to give you and idea of where you stack up...if you picked Mongal, you're shit out of luck!

Iron Man
$309,179,318

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal
$300,085,447

Kung Fu Panda
$179,276,754

Sex and the City
$140,170,362

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
$137,665,472

The Incredible Hulk
$115,859,210

You Don't Mess With the Zohan
$91,190,129

What Happens in Vegas
$78,344,563

Get Smart
$77,477,031

Wall-E
$63,087,526

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
$62,725,000

The Happening
$59,120,854

The Strangers
$51,519,705

Wanted
$50,927,085

Speed Racer
$42,888,276

Love Guru
$25,222,377

The Visitor
$7,651,884

The Mongol
$1,509,146

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

This will be the fight until Batman comes out…which film will be number 1? My list I picked the superhero without the cape.

Don’t get me wrong…I love Batman, probably more then any of you (except maybe Joel). Batman is my Hamlet. I get enraged when people do it wrong. Not just the movies but also the cartoon, the comics…you name it. If you can’t interpret Batman, you shouldn’t be involved in the creative department of the superhero genre (I’m talking to you Schumacher!).

That said, I still picked Indy.

So here is my review of the movie I think will make the most money at the box office this summer.

It sucked.

Just kidding.

It was everything I was hoping it would be. I haven’t heard many reviews, but I saw it with 6 other people last night, so I feel it was a good gage of temperature on how people felt about the movie we have all waited 19 years for…and it seems like a lot of them were slightly let down.

Gordon was seeing it a second time to see if he would like it better the second time (he seemed to), Tara didn't feel she needed to see the UFO, Steve braced himself because a friend thought it sucked so much he was depressed all day. Julie was alright with it, but hated most (if not all) of the computer effects. I didn't hear what Pam thought (although the baby seems to dig it as she was kicking the whole time), and Kerry agreed with me...that it was awesome!

Here’s why I loved it.

First of all, it’s probably worth breaking down the whole Indiana Jones series. I won’t say trilogy, only because more then anything else, Indy always felt like a serial, not a trilogy, especially after seeing this most recent addition to the franchise.

Let’s work backwards:

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

This was a great movie, with some less then great moments.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

This is a less then great movie, with some great moments (“Lao!”)

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

This is a perfect 10. There aren’t many of them out there in the history of film, so you gotta take ‘em where you can get them.

If I listed the films they would be:

Raiders a 10

Temple a 5 (sorry Joel)

Crusade an 8

Crystal Skull an 8

I would put it right there with Last Crusade.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The movie opens up a little “on the nose.” 1957…and Elvis Presley is playing…in case you thought you didn’t read the opening timeline correctly. Lucas forces an “American Graffiti” moment into the film, and I’m not sure it fits. The American Graffiti however, is about to give way to the Russian Threat.

After the American Graffiti drag race, we enter area 51, which is more a storage station of all things “Unknown” as opposed to the exclusive housing of E.T.s that have crashed to earth. It is here that the good doctor Jones is revealed to us for the first time in 19 years. As far as reveals go (and you all have seen it if you scene the trailer) this might be the best in the history of film and that includes ALL of Paulie Shore’s movies.

Indy is quickly double crossed bring back memories of the opening of Raiders (“Throw me the idol I’ll toss you the whip”). He then kicks some Commie butt all over the warehouse destroying some of our countries best kept secrets (many of which seem in include empty boxes…perhaps Belloq actually survives Raiders and has beaten his advisory there). One of the boxes busted open include the very Ark that started it all. That shot was slightly in your face and would have been better suited in the background for the nerds to freeze frame on their BluRays for years to come.

Once Indy escapes the warehouse through advanced technology that is still probably struggling to see the light of day in 2008, he ends up the possible victim of a nuclear blast. Luckily, his years of being frozen in carbonite “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far way,” come into play as he once again runs the risk of becoming a human Popsicle stick.

As science has taught us many times before…the only way to survive a nuclear blast is getting in the refrigerator.

Indy survives the blast only to be questioned by “Janitor” from Scrubs. Julie and I got a kick out of Neil Flynn’s role, as he was the cop who tried to capture an innocent Richard Kimble on the train in The Fugitive.

It seems this guy is out to vilify Harrison Ford in all of his roles. Once the FBI agents in question are put “at ease” by a high ranking military officer the movie takes off and become the Indy movie I was hoping for.

Indy the teacher, Indy the adventurer, Indy the fighter, Indy the superhero without a cape I grew up watching.

Shia Lebeauf shows up out of “The Wild One” ala Marlon Brando.

I had no problem with this because it signified how Indy himself could’ve ended up had he not sought out life’s answers through education. The relationship between Indy and Mutt Williams is very real and textured. The ex teacher and the ex student, fall quickly back into the roles teacher and student. The motorcycle chase scene could’ve been straight out of Last Crusade, it reeked of Indiana Jones adventure. And of course of all of the criticism Spielberg has ever received in his career, none of it is in regards to his use of a camera.

Lebeauf doesn’t fall into the typical theatrical “thug” character that he so easily could have, but instead seems to be the slightly bored teenager who needs a much higher education along with adventure mixed in. He is an asset to both Indy in his quest as well as to the film itself.
And the Russian keep coming.

We are reintroduced to Marion Ravenwood as played by Karen Allen (“Scrape ‘em off Claire!”).

It was a treat to get the only woman who could ever really go toe to toe with Indy. The damsel in distress who came before Ravenwood in the serial’s timeline, but after her in theatrical release, was god awful…even if she was married to the film’s director. And the Femme Fatale who seemed interested in being part of a “Jones’s Train,” couldn’t hold a candle to Abner’s daughter. It was the worst kept secret in entertainment this year that Allen was reprising the role. Although the guy in front of us who went, “Oh my God!” when she came out of the tent shouting her somewhat catch phrase “Get you hands off of me” would indicate that the message had yet to get to everyone.

Not long after the reappearance of Ravenwood, we get another bomb shell dropped in our laps. Mutt Williams is in fact…wait for it…Indy’s child. I sat up and shouted, “Holy Shitball!” (Just one). OK, so this was the second worst kept secret in entertainment this year, third if you count the fact that “The Oceanic Six” are in fact clones “out of time” (wait you people didn’t know that yet? Oops!). But the very thought of having Indy’s kid in the film, knowing that the intent is for him to start having adventures of his own should piss each and every one of us off…but it doesn’t. Something about Lebeauf works. Where it was his swashbuckling sword play, his “greaser” look or his motorcycle navigating you were ok with this being Indy’s kid.

There were some things in the film that I should have hated…but really didn’t. The swinging on the vines, which is sure to be the film’s Jar Jar Binks. It didn’t really bother me. There was a comic element to the fact that the monkey was sporting the same hair cut as Mutt. And as far as swinging on vines being “fat fetched,” I used to do it when I was a kid all the time. I will admit it wasn’t for transportation, but rather because the vines were there…but still. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not on par with running from a giant boulder, but it sure beats ripping someone’s heart out while chanting, “Numsheba, numsheba.”

And finally the alien aspect. Yes. I know. “Please don’t mix fantasies!” If you’re biggest hiccup is that there “is no such thing as aliens.” I would only point out, many people believe there is no such thing as God. But then they didn’t storm out of Raiders when the Ark melted everyone’s faces off.

With little exception it always felt like an Indiana Jones movie. It called out a few things fomr the Indy lore such as Indy's fear of snakes, the previously mentioned Ark and pictures of both Henry Jones Sr. and Dr Marcus Brody (both now deceased). But it never got caught up in it's past. This was the biggest problem with Superman Returns. It's one thing to tip a hat, and another thing to live in awe of one's self.

There also a weird moment when in a crowded theater, the only two nerds who laughed at Indy's Star Wars line of "I've got a bad felling about this," were me and the nerd who was shocked that Karen Allen made an appearance. I don't know what that says about either or us.

I think the biggest problem with a film that reestablished characters from 19 years ago, is we are all 19 years older. However old you were when you last ventured with the man with the whip, you are a much more jaded person, and this film isn’t going to change that. Film may be an escape, but as much as we want it to be, it is not a time machine. Where ever you are taken during the film, once the credits roll you are returned to the present and all the problems you faced when you bought the ticket. If only we could be those innocent children again, hearing John Williams score for the first time.

I got lost in this film and loved it. I would easily see it again, and look forward to buying it on BluRay to watch on my big screen TV!

Oh yeah, Julie…I need to buy a BluRay player and a big screen TV.

The Lists!

Joel
-------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Wall-E
Hancock
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Kung-Fu Panda
The Incredible Hulk
The X-Files: I Want To Believe

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Sex and the City: The Movie
Mamma Mia!



Sabrina
-----------

The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Hancock
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Wall-E
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Kung Fu Panda
X-Files: I Want To Believe
Speed Racer

Mamma Mia!
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Incedible Hulk


Tara
-----------

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Wall-E
Hancock
Sex and the City: The Movie
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
Kung Fu Panda
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Get Smart

Tropic Thunder
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
The Pineapple Express


Gordon
-----------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Wall-E
Sex and the City: The Movie
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Step Brothers
Get Smart
Kung Fu Panda
Hancock

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Space Chimps


Chris T
---------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Speed Racer
Wall-E
Get Smart
Sex and the City: The Movie
The Happening


Mamma Mia!
X-Files: I Want To Believe
Incredible Hulk


Kevin
--------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
Wall E
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Step Brothers
Kung Fu Panda
Hancock
The X-Files: I Want To Believe

Wanted
The Strangers
You Don't Mess with the Zohan

Julie
-------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Dark Knight
Wall-E
Iron Man
Kung Fu Panda
Hancock
Tropic Thunder
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Wanted

You Don't Mess with the Zohan
The Incredible Hulk
Sex and the City: The Movie


Dave
-------

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
The Dark Knight
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Wall-E
Iron Man
Hancock
The Incredible Hulk
Sex And The City
Tropic Thunder
The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor

Speed Racer
Kung Fu Panda
The X Files: I Want To Believe


Kirstin
--------

The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Sex and the City: The Movie
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Hancock
Wall-E
The Incredible Hulk
Tropic Thunder
Speed Racer

The Happening
Get Smart
Hellboy II: The Golden Army


Jack
------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Hancock
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Wall-E
Get Smart
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Mamma Mia!

Sex and the City: The Movie
What Happens In Vegas
Tropic Thunder


Bill K.
--------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Dark Knight
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Hancock
Iron Man
Wall-E
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Love Guru
Speed Racer
The Incredible Hulk

You Don't Mess with the Zohan
The Happening
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor


Nell
------

The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Wall-E
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Incredible Hulk
Kung Fu Panda
Hancock
The Pineapple Express
Sex and the City

The Mummy
Mamma Mia!
Get Smart


James
--------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Wall-E
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Hancock
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Speed Racer
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
X-Files 2

Get Smart
Incredible Hulk
Tropic Thunder


John D
---------

Iron Man
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Speed Racer
Hancock
The Dark Knight
The Incredible Hulk
Wanted
Wall-E
The Love Guru
You Don't Mess with the Zohan

Hell Boy II: The Golden Army
Mamma Mia!
Tropic Thunder

Rules & Scoring

*Rules:*

To be eligible for the list the film must be released between May 1st and August 31st (List of films on the sidebar.) We'll cut the grosses off on September 22 so the later August releases have a fair shake.

Lists have to be emailed to me by Friday (May 9th) If you are not familiar with some of the movies then go check out the trailer- http://www.apple.com/trailers/

*The Scoring:*

Getting number 1 or number 10 dead-on gets you 13 points (each).

The rest of the scoring goes like this:

10 points for numbers 2-9 dead-on
7 points if your pick was only one spot away from where it ended up
5 points if it was two spots away
3 points if your pick is anywhere in the Top 10
1 point for each dark horse that makes it into the Top 10

The scoring is tabulated so that you get the SINGLE HIGHEST point value for each pick- that is, if you get number ten right, you don't get 13+3, you only get 13.

*Entry Fee:*

It has been determined that $20 is a decent entry fee. You can give me the money in person, or send it through paypal to subscriptions @ eeriepa.net (Remove the spaces before and after the "@")