So who watched the season premiere of South Parklast night? I tell you, just when you think those boys are starting to get a bit weak in their old age, you're shown a scene featuring Steven Spielberg and George Lucas physically raping Indiana Jones as the poor man cries out for help. Oh yeah ... and did we mention Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullcomes out on DVD this Tuesday? Yup ... and it's, er, loaded with extras!
Obviously this was their way of saying the latest Indiana Jones film sorta raped their childhood, but count me among those who kinda enjoyed watching the flick. (And I'm not alone -- here's Jeffrey's passionate post in defense of the sequel.) Sure, I could do without a few scenes here and there, but overall it wasn't terrible. What do you think? Did South Park cross a line last night?
Note: The following scene might be a little sensitive for some, so be warned -- TV-MA and all that ...
Even though this clip is a little older and has been watched by over four million people, I'm sure there are some who've never seen it. Thus, this is for those people -- the unforgotten, the kids who've always lived their lives slightly behind the ball. Yes, you. Or you. Or him. Or her. Or me. Indeed, I'm just watching this for the first time as well. There's just something about the thought of Darth Vader pulling a stunt like this that just cracks me the hell up. But lets not throw too much love at this clip because, hey, 10 years from now George Lucas might want to remake the original Star Wars films and throw a scene like this in ... to lighten it all up. See, Vader's not that evil -- he's just a dick. Enjoy.
Another day, another George Lucas related kerfluffle. There's an, um, interesting new character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars named Zero Ziro the Hutt. He's purple, covered in sky blue tattoos, sports a peacock feather behind his squashy head, and really digs Cher.
Ok, I made that last one up, but only just barely. Because according to MTV, Jabba's uncle, Ziro the Hutt "is a gay stereotype that makes what Jar Jar Binks represented to the island of Jamaica look subtle by comparison." It's not his look, design, or movements that push him into iffy waters, but the voice: Ziro speaks like Truman Capote.
Why? Because Lucas insisted on it. Director Dave Filoni was one of many among the crew that was caught off guard by the request. "Ziro, Jabba's uncle, originally spoke in Hutt-ese, like Jabba and then he had a different sluggish voice just like Jabba, and then George one day was watching it and said 'I want him to sound like Truman Capote.' He actually said that and we were like 'Wow!' It's a hybrid of it but the inspiration is definitely there on Capote. It's one of those things that takes him from being an interesting character and I think really does put him over the top and does something. He's a favorite among the crew here."
Less than three months ago, Eugene told us George Lucas was hinting that his Indiana Jones franchise might continue on with Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) as the main character and that Indy (Harrison Ford) would be more of a secondary figure. But MTV Movies Blog now reports that Lucas has had a change of mind and instead plans to make a fifth installment with our beloved hero still in the lead. During promotions for the new Star Wars: Clone Wars movie, he apparently stated that, "Indiana Jones is Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. If it was Mutt Williams it would be 'Mutt Williams and the Search for Elvis' or something."
Could it be, as MTV suggests, that due to fans' dissatisfaction with Mutt and/or due to LaBeouf's problems with the law that Lucas no longer sees the character as a viable investment? Or did he merely come to his senses about how much more money the movie would make with Ford starring? Lucas says that "Indy 5" is still only an idea but that people are researching possible artifacts to base the movie around. Personally, I don't care what kind of MacGuffin is used, so long as the Nazis are the villains again. The commies in Kingdom of the Crystal Skulljust didn't do it for me. I know the temporal setting can't be WWII anymore, but Indy could always head back into South America and battle the Nazis who escaped to Argentina and Brazil and elsewhere.
Um ... Mom, Dad, I totally think I know what I want for Chanukah this year.
As a guest last night on Slashfilm's weekly podcast, we spoke briefly about George Lucas' big mouth ... and why every time someone goes to get a quote from him on whatever, the wrong answer almost always comes out. I seriously half expect the dude to say something like -- "Star Wars? Honestly, I always hated the f**king thing" -- a day or two before Clone Warshits theaters. Because that's his style; he's awkward and he doesn't know when to just keep things to himself.
His latest interview with the Times Online is full of all sorts of odd quotes, like how he points out the fact that he's not directing Red Tails; that they got "a black director." Dude does have a name, George. There's also stuff on a potential Indiana Jones 5, where Lucas says they'll make one if he comes up with an idea. Nevertheless, above you can see a model of Mr. Lucas frozen in carbonite, which, honestly, might be the perfect place to stick the guy for a little while so he doesn't muck up anything else. These photos (click image above to enlarge) come by way of Bonniegrrl, who snapped them during Celebration Japan. Pretty cool. Me want.
Question: Is Lucas past his prime, or does he have a few more great films left somewhere?
Fans of Raiders of the Lost Arkmight want to look away right now as what you're about to watch could cause serious damage to your soul. A brief snippet from the upcoming Raiders of the Lost Ark Special Edition DVD has leaked online and, in it, there seems to be a little update from George Lucas. I kinda like the small touches added and think fans will get used to them after awhile. Yup, don't worry ... they'll just blend into the background. I mean, really, who cares about this old flick anyway? It's so ... 1981-ish. That said, I'm sure folks are already in the process of creating an "Indy Shot First" t-shirt. Check it out up top, then let us know what you think? Should we start a petition? Has Lucas lost his mind? And how could Spielberg agree to something like this? Sound off ...
This isn't exactly film news, but it was too odd not to share with Cinematical. I honestly thought it had originated at The Onion, and not with the AP!
On Tuesday, George Lucas testified before the House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet. His intentions were really very admirable, as he was arguing in favor of reforming the universal service fund, which provides Internet and telephone access in rural, low-income, and high cost areas of the country. Lucas is passionate about education reform, and he testified in favor of making Internet access "a digital civil right," that is free to schools and libraries.
While his intentions were good, the saga of Lucas and the subcommittee quickly became downright goofy. Several lawmakers took advantage of Lucas' appearance to crack Star Wars jokes. Rep. Mike Doyle declared "The universal service fund needs to be blown up like the Death Star," while Rep. Lee Terry compared himself and fellow Representative Rick Boucher to Luke Skywalker, and their opponents to Darth Vader. Our tax dollars at work, people.
Just to clear up, George Lucas is not directing his first non-Star Warsmovie in 35 years. I repeat, George Lucas is not returning to the director's chair. Once again ... never mind, I think you've got it.
Two days ago there was an AP story about Lucasfilm's Tuskegee Airmen film, Red Tails -- perhaps you caught my post -- but it didn't note what Lucas' involvement would be. As I wrote, the article seemed to assume that he was directing the project. A number of sites around the web also treated the news (more like an update) as if it claimed that Lucas was indeed helming the WWII-set picture. Others speculated that he was taking the reigns. Well, he's not. He's merely serving as executive producer. There is no director signed on yet.
Late August was the last time we mentioned George Lucas' Red Tails, but considering the Star Warsdirector has been wanting to make the film for decades, less than a year between reports is not too bad. Plus, the new AP story about the film's preproduction couldn't come at a better time. People are currently talking about Spike Lee's upcoming African Americans in WWII film, Miracle of St. Anna, and Red Tails also focuses on blacks fighting in the war. Specifically it deals with the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corp., otherwise known as the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-black unit of pilots, bombardiers and navigators.
The AP story mostly features quotes from Tuskegee vets, who share their memories and their hopes for what the film will show. But there's also some minor updates courtesy of producer Rick McCallum, who's reportedly now scouting locations in the Czech Republic and Italy. He says that Lucas is hoping to begin shooting later this year or early 2009 and that the script by John Ridley (Three Kings) "balances difficult and painful issues with what is, at its heart, the story of men with a dream to fly and serve their country." So, apparently the script is finished, yet it's still unclear who will be directing Red Tails; the AP story almost seems to assume that Lucas will be holding the reigns himself.
This week's column is about George Lucas, a long absent figure in the Geek Beat. If you find your blood pressure easily raised by even the slightest mention of his name, then skip reading this week. However, be assured that I'm not going to trot out any of the old Lucas clichés; tell you he raped my childhood, or bring up that cringe-worthy site that analyzes his neck size. But I am going to examine one of his lesser known sins: the 1996 sequel to Willow.
Thankfully, it was consigned only to bookshelves and not foisted on an unsuspecting movie audience. If you've never heard of it, be glad. And you're not alone, as it seems to have come and gone under the radar for most geeks. Which is a shame; it could have warned us that trouble was ahead -- like Lenin's letter warning against Stalin, or the iceberg warnings sent to the Titanic.
Ah, Willow. I didn't see it on its initial release, but rediscovered it as a pre-teen. I was enchanted by it in those days, when I was all about dragons, crystals, swords and the Renaissance Faire. (I've matured in my medieval tastes, though I still admire a well-made sword from time to time. I still have one hanging on my wall, actually.) Though I had read The Hobbit, I had not yet tackled Lord of the Rings, and so Willow struck me as relatively original. Now, of course, I realize it's a blatant rip-off of Tolkien ... but oh, the folly of youth. Plus, Val Kilmer was really handsome in the flick.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone! While I've been spending most of the weekend out at my imaginary mansion in The Hamptons, the rest of you were busy reserving just over two hours of your time for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. We've already asked you what you thought of the film (and we'll be asking again later to catch up with those who saw it at the end of the weekend), so now it's time to jump ahead and ask ourselves whether we want this franchise to continue.
Both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have said they'll continue making Indiana Jones films if the fans want them. Since Harrison Ford is getting up there in age, one imagines a fifth film would involve handing the franchise over to Shia LaBeouf, though we don't know that for sure. What say you? Is it time to retire Indy once and for all? Did this latest installment prove there's not much gas left in this tank? Or, did you absolutely love the film, wonder why it took so long for a fourth one to hit screens and immediately ponder a wonderful future with lots more Indiana Jones-related films?
Oh, May 25, 1977. I was gearing up to be born, but for most of you, this is the day that brought us Star Wars -- the film that would create oodles of fans gushing over the likes of Han, Luke, and Leia, and later make them cry with three not-as-good-as-they-maybe-coulda-been prequels. The date is also going to be the focus of a movie that's been brewing for a long while now.
The Hollywood Reporter posts that the WMA/Hannaywood Ltd.'s Beverly Bridge Fund is completing the financing for 77 -- an autobiographical indie that focuses on Patrick Read Johnson's time in Hollywood with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. This used to be 5-25-77, which Jessica shared a poster for over a year ago. Now, finally, the film is on its way. BBF is handing over $200,000 in funding and prepping the long-awaited film for a Toronto debut, presumably this year. John Francis Daley (Freaks and Geeks) stars as Johnson, a sci-fi-loving teen in Illinois who has his life changed by Star Wars. The film has Austin Pendleton and Colleen Camp as his parents (although Carrie Fisher was offered the role of mom), plus Scrubs janitor Neil Flynn as a Dr. Callahan. Right now, it's being described as "an American Graffiti-style film about the people who made American Graffiti."
Hopefully this will finally get the film out there.
In the Carlton Hotel at Cannes, a small group of journalists have navigated the maze-like hallways, made it through a series of security checkpoints and eventually brought to a suite to sit in rows and hear Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf and George Lucas talk about the making of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Despite the bizarre timing of the interviews -- Paramount scheduled the press day before the press screening of the film -- rendering the experience slghtly awkward, LaBeouf, Blanchett and Lucas were relaxed and charming as they took hypothetical questions, general inquiries and wild guesses about the film. Cinematical was there to hear George Lucas talk about the politics of Indy, LaBeouf explain why his switchblade skills needed work and Blanchett talk about being directed by her children, and much more; Cinematical's questions are indicated.
George, was it really important to have the space alien element to the story? The legend about this movie is that it was held up because you wanted to have the Area 51 segment in there. Is that true, and why is it so important to have the aliens in there?
George Lucas: Well, these movies don't work without an object that they're going after that is supernatural and that is a real object that people believe in – whether it's actually true or not true – whether it's the Ark of the Covenant, whether it's the Holy Grail, these are things that are mythological artifacts that have real mythology. It's not made-up Hollywood, by me or by anyone else, it's the real deal. So I had to have something that would be the real deal. When we finished the third film, we didn't know if we were gonna make (a next) movie. ...
27 years after Raiders of the Lost Ark burst onto movie screens, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull brings Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones and Karen Allen's Marion Ravenwood back to the big screen: Reunited, as the song says, and it feels so good. What felt less good was the timing of the press interviews for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; Paramount scheduled their Cannes publicity interviews the day before the press screening of the film. (Call me a traditionalist, but normally I like to see the actual movie before talking to the actors in it; I'm just funny that way.) Still, Ford and Allen were funny and disarming -- they seemed a little amused by the hypothetical questions and broad general inquiries the chain of events required -- and Cinematical was there to learn about Harrison Ford's take on the best parts of playing Indy, Karen Allen's musings on Marion Ravenwood's sex life and much more; Cinematical's questions are indicated.
I'm just wondering how your own excitement level is, returning to the Indiana Jones character?
Harrison Ford: Well, I'm very excited to bring another one of these spectacular adventures to the screen, and to work with Steven and George again. For the last twenty years or so, these films have continued to appeal to an audience, and young kids, as it becomes age-appropriate, have been introduced to the films on DVD by their parents, and to have the opportunity for them to see it full-scale in a movie theatre, with a big screen and big sound, in the dark with a bunch of strangers, and have this common visceral experience is a brilliant opportunity, so I'm delighted to be a part of it again.
While we here at Cinematical continue to pump out a series of Indy-related stories this week in honor of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, here's some of what else is being said about Dr. Jones around the web:
Spout ponders why almost every early review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull includes a huge BUT in the first paragraph.
MTV Movies Blog has photos of an odd Crystal Skull projector that teaches you about archeology, as well as a remote control giant ant (see image to right). Yeah, for those times when that remote control Hummer is just too ... not creepy enough. (And when you see how the ants play into the new film, you'll be creeped out even more.)
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Another day, another 
Less than three months ago, 
This isn't exactly film news, but it was too odd not to share with Cinematical. I honestly thought it had originated at The Onion, and not with the AP! 
Just to clear up, 
Late August was the last time 
Oh, May 25, 1977. I was gearing up to be born, but for most of you, this is the day that brought us Star Wars -- the film that would create oodles of fans gushing over the likes of Han, Luke, and Leia, and later make them cry with three not-as-good-as-they-maybe-coulda-been prequels. The date is also going to be the focus of a movie that's been brewing for a long while now.
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While we here at Cinematical continue to pump out a series of Indy-related stories this week in honor of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, here's some of what else is being said about Dr. Jones around the web:
