Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Something I forgot to mention previously is that I turned 36 back on 13th May. Thank you to all the people that sent me cards or internet greetings, and thanks to Carla for the name key ring and 'Indiana Jones' book, and to Joe Sales for the Indy Jones Lego and t-shirt!

Taking about good old Indy, last week, Carla and I watched all three of the previous films on DVD, fitting them in between our favourite TV shows. That was brilliant! ("Raiders" is one of my all-time favourite films, and we kicked off with that on a typical rainy bank holiday Monday.) The most criticised of them, "The Temple of Doom" proved to be great fun and much better than I remember it, although I still don't like Kate Capshaw's character that much, as she screams to much!

On Friday, our pal Mandy came to stay with us for the weekend, and so the three of us watched "The Last Crusade". That lead us nicely into Saturday....

That day, a whole load of us met up in Birmingham city centre to see the new film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Thankfully the weather wasn't to bad, so we didn't get wet. We all assembled a-okay at the Bull statue near to the Bullring shopping centre entrance, and then went off to eat a picnic style lunch in the park by the cathedral (lovely hummus and a fun silly chat, only marred by the mad homeless man begging for cash.) Gerald turned up after buying a few things at a local comic mart, and after lunch three of the gals went off to clothes shopping, and the rest of us did the usual trawl around sci-fi shops looking at geeky film stuff. I have decided to pick up some of the "Mouse Guard" comics when they are collected into a book, as I love the artwork!

Mark kindly booked the tickets for us for the 5:45pm performance at the lovely old Electric Cinema, Britain's oldest operating cinema. I love this venue, as it has bags of atmosphere and an evocative 30's art-deco look. We weren't seated long when two trailers played, and then the Lucasfilm and Paramount logos came on....

Well, I'm happy to report that the film was wonderful - two hours of solid entertainment. That's all I wanted really! I absolutely *loved* the Paramount mountain dissolve into a prairie dog mound! What a great way to kick it off. The long start sequence in the Area 51 hangar and nuclear blast was *fantastic*. I really got into it. Harrison Ford was fine, back after 19 years as the weather beaten archaeologist. He seemed to be really enjoying the experience. The rest of the cast were good as well, although John Hurt's part was a bit of a missed opportunity I felt. It was nice to see Karen Allen back as Marion.

As a sci-fi fan I loved the 1950's Americana / aliens / technology backdrop which gave the film an interesting twist and feel. Unlike a lot of annoying internet fanboys out there, I have to say I was pleased with the end: ancient temple, inter-dimensional aliens, big "Close Encounters" style spaceship et al. I didn't have a problem with Indy and Marion getting married after all of that, in fact, it's a lovely way to wrap it all up. Generally good visual effects throughout as well.
(Picture here is of Mandy in the foyer at the Electric Cinema)

I did have some minor doubts about a couple of elements, like the 'Tarzan' moment and some of the editing in the jungle chase sequence, but on the whole I loved the film and cannot wait to see it again. Fab! :)

So where can they take the characters from here? Well, more of the same would be fine, but I also think it would be fun to see an 'Adventures of Mutt Williams' film, following Shia LaBeouf in the main role, with Indy and Marion as his supporting cast. Dunno what they could get Mutt to do, but maybe he could travel with Indy and Marion and then due to circumstances lead the adventure? I wonder if Lucas and Spielberg (aka the bearded ones) will produce it?



On Sunday we watched 'The Mummy', as I was in the mood for more action adventure with a retro feel. That was one of my first DVD's I bought back in like 2000! Great cast, with Brendan Frasier on top form as the hero, and Rachel Weisz is so gorgeous in this film! I like her line, 'I am so proud to be a librarian!' The new film (to be released in August) looks interesting.

Eurovision Song Contest

The first post of two this week, because I leave it ages until I update this blog and I need to catch up!

Firstly, I'm still driving to work a-ok. I'm getting used to the wonders of the A46 every day. I still haven't washed the car as every time I think of doing it I get sidetracked and then it rains!!

On Saturday 24 May, our pal Sarah came up to stay with us for the weekend. After doing a bit of food shopping, Sarah and I watched a great example of 'so bad it's great' film-making: the 1980 camp-a-thon "Flash Gordon". Following that, it was time to pop back into town and do a bit of DVD shopping, were we both bought a couple of second-hand titles. Carla got me the new "Complete Making of Indiana Jones" book which is a really good read, with lots of fantastic photos from the productions.

After dinner, it was time to watch the annual over-the-top tv event that is the "Eurovision Song Contest". For those of you that don't know, it's a pan European (and now beyond) event where each participating country chooses a song and a performer, who then performs that song in a semi-final show and then, if they are lucky enough to go through, a live final. Then the viewers in each participating country vote for their favourite. Whoever wins, hosts the contest the next year. I've watched this for *years*, and have always enjoyed the complete flag waving glitzy nonsense. It's been part of the TV schedules since the 1950s, and so like its British presenter, the ever popular Terry Wogan, is part of the furniture in TV land.

This year the contest came from Serbia and was presented in the usual way by two local celebs with big teeth and in naff (rather than glamorous) dress. There were more melodramatic acts compared to the usual camp silliness this time, although there were bizarre acts from Croatia and Spain. The political voting of course has always been there, but over the last three or four years is seems to have become far more obvious. Eastern Europe votes for Eastern Europe, and in this year's case, that was Russia. The UK entry from 'X-Factor' runner up Andy Abraham came a dismal joint last with Germany and Poland, even though it was quite a funky track. My favourite entry was from Ukraine: "Shady Lady" by the lovely Ani Lorak (see picture here.) Great dancing on top of those big glass boxes!) which I actually phoned a vote in for, and it ended up coming in second. Carla was (sort of) gunning for Armenia which came in third, and Sarah wanted Greece to win and that came in fourth. So not bad results from this household.

I have to say though for me, the show was an overall disappointment as a lot of the entries were rather dull and serious; not enough "fun". In the words of Ireland's Dustin the Turkey, "Oh Europe, where or where did it all go wrong�? COME ON!!!!!!" How apt. After the disappointment of the night, it looks like Terry Wogan is going to give it up as a bad job as he can't stand the complete sham of the voting. Can't say I blame him really. Shame, as the three of us were looking forward to a really fun evening, but in the end it was just 'ok'. Glad we had some alcohol!

The following day, the three of us watched an ancient Doctor Who, "The Sontaran Experiment", a two-parter from 1975. Good cheap looking stuff. :)

UPDATE 5/6/08

Sarah reminded me today to post this silly little picture that I took of our toys!

Yes, that is Jar Jar Binks v Sir Guy of Gisborne (Robin Hood) in the ultimate woodland rumble. Thrust, parry, retreat....o-kee-day! I bet you lot out there are impressed with the 'forest' backdrop. It was the only green thing I had handy.....a yoga mat! ;)