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‘Hook’ Star Dante Basco To Develop Prequel About The Character Rufio (Yes, Really)

Bronwen Winter Phoenix — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:07:01 +0000

Actor Dante Basco is all set to revisit his classic Neverland memories, this time as producer for a Hook prequel, based on the character he once played, Rufio. 36-year-old Basco will not be reprising his role as the young, mohawked rebel – we don’t know who will be cast yet – but has already set his sights on the spell-check defying Rpin Suwannath to direct.

As yet, we don’t know the name of the proposed film, but everyone remembers Basco’s energetic character alongside Dustin Hoffman as Hook and Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan in Hook, and it should be interesting to see the character of Rufio take a center role. Basco briefly spoke to Crave Online about the project:

“Actually there’s a film in development, the Rufio film, where a hotshot group of kids from the East Coast graduated and they wrote this whole script, the prequel to Hook and it’s the Rufio story. We have it right now with a director, Rpin Suwannath who’s doing the new Zorro for Fox. He has the script and he’s attached to the film and I’m attached to produce so that’s actually in development right now which’ll be cool, a Rufio for a whole new generation.

The storyline is crazy actually. These guys have a whole storyline of how he gets the Mohawk. The whole story’s crazy. These guys came with the script, I’m like, “You guys wrote this?” Not only did they write this, they did the musical in their college. They were going to go off Broadway with it and then they lost their insurance and they came to Hollywood. If anyone saw their play it’s that, but the newer version is pretty intense. They added more action. I never saw the play but I think they added more backstory to Rufio, like how he became Rufio which I was impressed by. It’s in development.”

And what has Basco been up to these days? Well, he’s most recently been doing voiceover work for cartoons like Avatar: The Last Airbender and American Dragon: Jake Long. He’s also really getting into the swing of things as a producer, and produced and starred in two films at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival last week; Paradise Broken and Hang Loose.

Special effects previsualization specialist Suwannath has previously worked on X-Men, The Matrix, Superman Returns and a lot more, but this will be his directorial debut – well, that’s if a studio picks the film up as Basco pitches it around town. It’s not the first time Suwannath has been in-line to direct, and was once set to direct Zorro sequel Zorro Reborn, but has since been replaced by Ricardo de Montreuil. What he’s going to do with Rufio, though, only time will tell. Perhaps Steven Spielberg will want to get involved?

What do you think about a Hook prequel?

Source: FirstShowing

‘Jaws’ Hits Blu-ray in Spectacular Presentation

Damon Houx — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:35:19 +0000

Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws – one of the greatest films of all time – is hitting Blu-ray and DVD on August 14. And as a part of Universal’s 100 years restoration program, it’s got all the bells and whistles, including all the previous supplements on top of the feature-length fan-made documentary The Shark is Still Working. All that and a brand new restoration and audio mix. Check out the full specs below…

If you ask me, Jaws is still Spielberg’s best film, and still the film to measure up to when it comes to the big summer spectacles. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw star in the story of a small New England town that has a Shark in its waters. Unfortunately the local politicians don’t want Scheider’s Martin Brody to pursue the creature as it might alert the tourists.

Here’s the teaser for the Blu:

And here’s the restoration sample:

Here’s the press release:

JAWS – the landmark motion picture that still makes audiences afraid to go in the water – comes to Blu-ray for the first time ever on August 14, 2012. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered and fully restored picture, as well as 7.1 surround sound, the JAWS Blu-ray Combo Pack with DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet gives fans the ultimate way to watch the breathtaking and terrifying action-thriller.

One of the most influential motion pictures of all time and nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, JAWS stars Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss and Oscar nominees Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw. Produced by legendary filmmakers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, the film earned an Oscar for composer John Williams’ instantly recognizable minimalist score, as well as Oscars for Best Editing and Best Sound. When it was first released in 1975, JAWS smashed box-office records and became the highest-grossing film of its era, earning Spielberg a reputation as a Hollywood visionary. Today, it remains one of the highest-grossing films in motion-picture history and is largely considered the film that launched the summer blockbuster.

JAWS is one of 13 classic Universal films to be digitally remastered and fully restored from 35mm original film elements as part of Universal’s ongoing 100th Anniversary celebration. The JAWS restoration began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements to determine the best means to restore the film. Over the course of several months, skilled technicians at Universal Studios Digital Services meticulously balanced color, removed dirt and scratches, and repaired any damage to the film elements shot by shot and frame by frame. Following the picture restoration, Universal Studios Sound team up-mixed the iconic JAWS soundtrack to DTS-HD Master 7.1, optimizing the sound on the Blu-ray for the latest home theater technology. The entire restoration process was conducted in conjunction with Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment’s post-production team to ensure the integrity of Spielberg’s original vision remained intact.

“JAWS holds a unique place, not just in Universal Pictures’ history, but in global pop culture,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “It is only fitting that this phenomenal film should be given the extensive restoration needed to ensure that long-time fans as well as newcomers can enjoy this unforgettable cinematic achievement for generations to come.”

The JAWS Blu-ray Combo Pack is available in collectible Universal 1oothAnniversary packaging for a limited time. The Combo Pack also contains a Digital Copy of the film for a limited time, compatible with iTunes, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android or online retail partners, as well as an UltraViolet copy. UltraViolet is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows in the cloud to download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.

Here are the supplements:

The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of JAWS: All-new feature-length documentary featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with cast and crew including Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider.

JAWS: The Restoration: An all-new, in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie.

The Making of JAWS: A two-hour documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew.

From the Set: An insider’s look at life on the set of JAWS, featuring an interview with Steven Spielberg.

Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

JAWS Archives: Take a peek inside the JAWS archives, including storyboards, production photos and marketing materials, as well as a special segment on the JAWS phenomenon.

Original Theatrical Trailer

UltraViolet: The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Currently available in the United States only.

Digital Copy: Viewers can redeem a digital version of the full-length movie from a choice of retail partners to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.

pocket BLU App: The popular free pocket BLU app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad, Android tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of the devices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions with ease.
Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.

That looks to be everything from the previous special editions – supplements that go back to the film’s expensive laserdisc box set – and new bits as well. And though I’ve never been crazy about super-surround remixes of older movies (and having heard the previous Jaws remasters, I look forward to the mono track), they’re at least showing the film the respect it deserves. I just hope that the film is on its own Blu-ray and the supplements get their own disc as that’s so much material I would rather the film had the maximum bit rate. Regardless, August 14 can’t get here fast enough.

When did you first see Jaws?

Blu-ray and DVD Picks For April 3 – 9

Damon Houx — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:56 +0000

With tax season upon us, it appears that studios are taking a break on collectors by not offering too much this week. That said, there’s a good Steven Spielberg film, and Roman Polanski‘s Chinatown – which is in the running for the best film of the 1970′s. There’s also Cameron Crowe‘s latest, and a Madonna concert film are among the notables, check it out…

New:

War Horse: Though a little hampered by the bio-pic structure of the film, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse is his homage to John Ford, David Lean, and the old school masters who’ve long informed his work. Jeremy Irvine stars as the boy who owns the horse, which he raises it until it’s drafted for World War I, and then the film follows the horse on its journey. It’s schmaltzy – like much of Spielberg’s filmography – but it’s very entertaining and has a great cast.
We Bought a Zoo: Cameron Crowe‘s return to cinema after the botched Elizabethtown is both a step forward and back. Matt Damon plays a widow with some kids who becomes the zoo-buyer, and there he meets Scarlet Johansson‘s zoo worker. As a widow, that means he doesn’t just jump her right away when she gives him signals. As to be expected, the soundtrack is great.

Classics:

Chinatown: Roman Polanski’s masterpiece, this 1974 film features career-best work from its director, its writer Robert Towne, and stars Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunnaway. A P.I. (Nicholson) is set to investigate if a man is cheating on his wife, but uncovers a murder and a conspiracy that effects all of Los Angeles. Simple, elegant, but very much a 1970′s picture, this is the definition of a classic.
Madonna: Truth or Dare: A big deal at the time of release, I’d bet the film feels quaint now. Madonna went on tour and was followed by a documentary crew. There’s a game of truth or dare at the end, brief appearances by other famous people, and a lot of masturbation – both literal (Madonna’s then rendition of ‘Like a Virgin’ involved simulating the act during the show) and figurative (the whole film).
The Poseidon Adventure: This 1970′s disaster movie is probably the best of that trend of movies, so if you’ve ever wanted to see one of the big disaster films, this is way more entertaining than The Towering Inferno or The Swarm. Gene Hackman leads an all-star cast as an ocean liner goes upside down and the survivors try to get out before they die. Well paced and well directed by Ronald Neame, it’s nonsense – but entertaining nonsense.
Titanic (1953): Ah, with the theatrical reissue of James Cameron‘s film, I guess we’re getting all the Titanic-centric films on Blu-ray. This is the least of them, but it does star Barbara Stanwyck, so it’s better than Titanic 2.

What are you picking up this week?

Jurassic Park to be Post Converted To 3D For 20th Anniversary

Damon Houx — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:08:51 +0000

Jurassic Park is one of the most important films of all time. Though James Cameron‘s Terminator 2 suggested that Computer Generated Imagery would be the way of the blockbuster future, it was Steven Spielberg who took it to the next level, and now it’s commonplace in every major big budget release. For its twentieth anniversary in 2013, Universal is post-converting Jurassic Park for a July 19 release.

And though it may be important, it’s not a great film. Spielberg’s work with the set pieces is spectacular, and the film delivers the visceral thrills one would hope for from the master director, but much of the script is actually pretty bad. The film hit Blu-ray recently, and I found it hard to sit through a couple of the scenes – specifically the dramatic dinner scene between Sir Richard Attenborough and Laura Dern. This then puts it more in line with some of the Ray Harryhausen spectacles it’s emulating, in that those movies often have leaden actors and creaky plots in service of some of the most wondrous special effects.

It’s not a bad film by any stretch, but it’s no Jaws (which thankfully hasn’t been announced for a post-conversion job, but that came out in 1975, so perhaps 2015?), which is perfection. J.P.‘s just a good thrill ride, with groundbreaking effects work, and with a great supporting turn by Jeff Goldblum.

What’s fascinating about this release is that most re-releases – even 3-D ones – have been set for off seasons. January, February and April have been the hottest months for re-issues, partly because they want to come out and not face heavy competition. The July release suggests one of two things: either Universal is going out with this on limited screens with hopes of better Blu-ray sales, or they think they can compete for screens with this post-conversion job. Perhaps mid-July is not as competitive as some of the earlier summer months (summer seasons tend to peak with July 4 weekends), but a week later The Wolverine is supposed to come out. It will be interesting to see if this can play with the big boys even after twenty years.

Will you go back for post-converted dinosaurs?

News Roundup: Scarlett Johansson To Play Golden Age Star, Steven Spielberg Watches 1976 Oscars And More

Laura Aguirre — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:36:17 +0000

It’s time to catch up on this week’s news. First off, the role of young Carrie Bradshaw has been cast for the upcoming CW series “The Carrie Diaries”. It’s not Miley Cyrus, as some may have thought, but an up-and-coming young actress famous for a role she played in a Tim Burton movie. Also, Scarlett Johansson has been cast to play an iconic role in Sacha Gervasi‘s upcoming film. We’ve also got a neat clip of a young Steven Spielberg. All that and more below.

A New Carrie Bradshaw: Sarah Jessica Parker‘s signature character, Carrie Bradshaw, is getting a new face. Anna Sophia Robb, who’s best known as Violet in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will play a younger version of Carrie in “The Carrie Diaries”, a prequel TV show being developed by The CW. The show will focus on Carrie’s life in high school, before the sex column and various failed relationships.
Star To Play A Star: Scarlett Johansson has been cast to play Psycho star Janet Leigh in Sacha Gervasi’s Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. Also starring is James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins, Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, and Helen Mirren as Hitchcock’s wife, Alma. The film will showcase the director’s struggles while making the classic horror film. We’re thinking this will be something along the line of My Week With Marilyn – a movie within a movie.
Underappreciated Comedy And More: Unreality Magazine put together a list of Six Underappreciated Comedies More People Need To See. The list includes titles like Black Sheep, The Foot Fist Way, Top Secret, and more. The magazine also put together a list of The Best Geniuses in Movies, like Will Hunting, John Nash, Ray Babbitt and more. And finally, there’s a list of Seven Extremely Depressing Movies. The list includes titles like Million Dollar Baby, 21 Grams, Requiem For A Dream and more.

New Clips And Trailers:

Steven Spielberg Watches The Oscars: Slashfilm posted a cool video this week showing a much younger Steven Spielberg watching the Oscar nominations in 1976 unfolding life. Below you’ll see Spielberg anxiously awaiting for Jaws to be announced an Oscar nominee. It’s pretty amazing, check it out.

That’s the end of our round-up. Keep checking back at ScreenCrave for more entertainment news.

What are you excited for?

All Indiana Jones Films Headed to Blu-ray

Damon Houx — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:46:37 +0000

It’s true that with every new format, there comes a wait for some catalog favorites. Studios like to dish out their crown jewels during high sales periods so people buy them as holiday presents. For those hoping to spend some quality time with Dr. Indiana Jones in 1080p, the wait is almost over. This fall we will get a box set of all four Indiana Jones films. For Steven Spielberg fans this is a banner year for Blu-ray as it will be joining his longed-for Jaws, which also is hitting Blu later this year.

Paramount didn’t let the cat out of the bag in terms of what’s coming with the movies, though there has been a DVD box set with a long form documentary, and re-releases – done in conjunction with the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – had new feautrettes. What’s most interesting is the possibility of new material. There was a leak a while back of a blooper from Temple of Doom that had cameos from Barbara Streisand, Carrie Fisher and Irvin Kershner… here, take a look at that (the original video seems to have been removed, so this is the best of what’s still out there):
video platform video management video solutions video player

The press release doesn’t offer many clues:

The man with the hat is back – and looking better than ever! The world’s favorite globe-trotting archaeologist is, at long last, embarking on his greatest adventure – when “The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection” comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection will be excavated in the fall of 2012 and will include all four of Indy’s thrilling adventures, using the highest possible high definition picture and audio presentation – along with a “best of” collection of documentaries, interviews, featurettes and a few new surprises.

And here’s a Trailer (from Collider):

So I guess what we have to look forward to is “a few new surprises.” Unfortunately, the fourth film is already on Blu-ray so for those who already owned it, it looks like they’re going to get double dipped, and those who didn’t own it are going to be forced to if they want the trilogy. The one positive? The Crystal Skull set was a two disc affair, so it’s possible that it will be an eight disc set to match what’s been previously released. There is more stuff out there, though George Lucas is notoriously protective and the recent Star Wars set was good – but nowhere near definitive. Still, Indy.

Will you buy this when it streets?

Steven Spielberg Says Tintin 2 is a Go

Damon Houx — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:18:16 +0000

Steven Spielberg‘s The Adventures of Tintin has made $76 Million in America, which – for a production that cost at least a hundred million – would not seem to be enough to generate a sequel. But that’s not the whole story, as globally the film has made nearly $400 Million. And so it appears that a sequel will move forward with Peter Jackson taking over the directorial reigns, according to Spielberg himself (via Total Film).

Spielberg mostly offers non-answers and won’t say what book they’re planning on using for the next film, he only says that Jackson will jump on board shortly after finishing shooting The Hobbit. In another world that would be a way to suggest the film will never happen, but the industry has changed so much I don’t think Spielberg’s lying.

What Tintin foretells is a world in which domestic box office is no longer the arbiter of success for blockbusters. The industry has been shifting this way for a while, but if you go back to 2009, Star Trek made $257 Million domestically and $385 Worldwide, while 2007′s The Golden Compass made $70 Million domestically, and $372 worldwide. One spawned a sequel, and the other supposedly destroyed a studio. Tintin‘s numbers are comparable to Golden Compass‘s, the difference seems to be that no one thought Tintin was going to be huge domestically. Tintin 2 still has a chance to have its plug pulled, but more likely it’s a harbinger of a new line of franchise films in which domestic numbers are irrelevant to sequel potential.

Do you want a Tintin 2?

The Adventures of Tintin – Movie Review

Damon Houx — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:00:22 +0000

With The Adventures of Tintin, Steven Spielberg has finally decided to play with some of the newest toys of cinema, and in his first motion capture film, he revolutionizes the format. Moreso than Avatar, here Spielberg is let loose to play with the camera as he sees fit, and you can see an invigorated director who’s able to stage sequences in ways that would be unimaginable in live action. And that’s enough to make it a must-see.

The Players:

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Steven Moffatt, Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish
Cast: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Music: John Williams

The Plot:

After purchasing a antique minature ship, Tintin (Bell) is targeted by Ivanovich Sakharine (Craig) and his minions. The ship holds a secret and Tintin uncovers it with just enough time to be kidnapped and put to sea. There he meets Captain Haddock (Serkis) a drunk with a connection to that mystery. It seems if three pieces of a puzzle are put together, a treasure will be revealed. And it turns out that Ivanovich and Haddock’s family have a long standing grudge.

The Good:

Spielberg’s Camera: Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest working directors, and the man has always been one of the most technically proficient filmmakers in the history of cinema. Here, unmoored from having a practical camera, he’s able to do things that just aren’t humanly possible in live action. From a spectacular one-shot action sequence, to how he moves a camera on a boat, it’s like watching a maestro given everything he’s ever wanted. But even the introduction of Tintin via his famous hair is a delight. The man is just that good.
Andy Serkis: Though Jamie Bell’s Tintin is more avatar than action star, Serkis’s Captain Haddock is a delightful character who goes from fall down drunk to avenger of a family legacy. It’s a fun role, and he makes the best impression of the cast, though Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are charming as the bumbling Thompson twins (yes, the band was named after them).
That One Shot: Seriously, there is no better action sequence this or any other year than the one shot of Tintin and Haddock trying to get a scrap of paper as a broken dam sends water flooding down on them, and bad guys are chasing them. Spielberg’s sense of action in films like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has never left the master, and it’s one of those shots that left me cackling in delight.
Sense of Adventure: It’s easy to say that this is better than the last Indiana Jones film. But it’s also fair to say that it’s better than the last two Indiana Jones films.

The Bad:

Tintin, Kinda Boring: If there’s a problem with the film it’s that as an adult this doesn’t have the sort of lead that’s exceptional. Tintin is a young reporter who’s not a total blank, but is meant to be an audience surrogate for the children in the audience. The script does what they can with the character, and it’s a fun movie and story regardless, but if the film has one drawback, it’s that the main character is a bit of a blank.
Sequels: The film treats a follow-up like a an afterthought, and though the film works on its own merits, it’s still the shortest theatrical film Spielberg has ever made. It’s nice that the film’s reasonably tight, but the ending undercuts some goodwill by insisting there will be more.

Overall:

Robert Zemeckis blanched at the idea that Motion-Capture movies are animated films, but if they are, then Tintin is easily the best animated film of the year. It’s a ridiculously entertaining film that never outstays its welcome.

Rating: 8.8/10

The Adventures of Tintin hits theaters December 21.

Photos:

Trailer:

Photo: Daniel Day Lewis In Costume On The Set Of ‘Lincoln’

Travis Woods — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:19:13 +0000

Curious as to what, exactly, Daniel Day Lewis will look like as our nation’s 16^th president in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Abraham Lincoln biopic (the cleverly-titled Lincoln)? The first picture from the set has been released and, well, perhaps unsurprisingly, the famously method actor looks a lot like Lincoln.

There is currently no set release date for Lincoln, but we do know that it is set for a “late 2012” release, which will place it squarely in solid Oscar-bait season. And while the film will certainly revolve around Daniel Day Lewis’ performance, Spielberg has assembled quite a cast of luminaries for the flick (via /Film): Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Hal Holbrook, James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, Joseph Cross, David Strathairn, Walton Goggins, Lee Pace, Jackie Earle Haley and David Oyelowo.

One can only hope that Lewis isn’t being so method that he’s demanding that he be addressed as “Abe Lincoln” backstage, which would be a little weird, but probably not nearly as weird as constantly demanding that people open fire at him inside of Spielberg’s theater where they watch the daily footage. That’s just inappropriate.

What do you think of Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln?

Source: /Film

George Lucas States Steven Spielberg Is Wrong About ‘Indiana Jones 5′ Plot Details

Travis Woods — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:34:01 +0000

Just a week ago, we told you that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were once again collaborating to defile our collective childhood dreams by making yet another Indiana Jones film, after already seriously tarnishing the franchise with Indiana Jones and This One Ridiculous Crystal Skull and Some Aliens. We reported that Spielberg is just waiting for Lucas to come up with a plot to fit around their agreed upon MacGuffin (the item that drives the plot, like the Ark of the Covenent or the Holy Grail in previous films). Well, according to Lucas, Spielberg was wrong and had the news backwards.

According to Lucas, the story has been worked out, and now just needs a MacGuffin to be inserted. “I told him about the story, but I really haven’t found the MacGuffin yet,” Lucas said, as he thoughtfully mused about what other franchises he could destroy. “I mean, I know what it’s about, but I just have to find a MacGuffin that fits into the arena we’re working in.”

So there you have it: George Lucas and The Search For the MacGuffin in the Unnecessary Sequel. Sounds like a hell of a film. Spielberg can play the wise-cracking sidekick.

What do you think of the Indy 5 news?

Source: /Film

Steven Spielberg Drops ‘Indiana Jones 5′ Plot Clues

Travis Woods — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:19:38 +0000

Seeing as how Steven Spielberg and George Lucas simply did not learn their lessons with Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull-Thing That Tarnished a Beloved Franchise, Indiana Jones 5 is definitely happening, because they haven’t quite finished ruining the beloved collective dreams of our childhoods.

The first sliver of detail about the upcoming sequel slipped out when Spielberg, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, noted that the film is “up to George. We have already agreed on the genre of the fifth movie, we already have a concept in mind. I don’t know where George is with the story. There is no Indy 5 until George says there is.”

This comment created a flurry of fanboy friction on the internet, as the phrase, “agreed on the genre” seemed to imply that Indy would be entering a new genre. Did this mean that Indy 5 would be a romantic comedy? Pure sci-fi? Erotic thriller? Slasher film? Transformers tie-in?

Turns out, none of the above. Sensing that the heads of nerds worldwide were exploding with the possibility that Indy might be tampered with any more that he already has been, Spielberg clarified his statement, explaining that “it’s not a new genre at all.” Rather, instead of “genre,” he meant to say “MacGuffin”:

“It’s all the same genre. It’s just the MacGuffin that changes. The MacGuffin was the Ark of the Covenent in Raiders, the Holy Grail in The Last Crusade, and the skull in The Crystal Skull. That’s what always changes, and that’s what we always look for…

“It’s up to George. We have already agreed on the [MacGuffin] of the fifth movie, we already have a concept in mind. I don’t know where George is with the story. There is no Indy 5 until George says there is.”

So there you have it—Indy will stay the same. Hopefully he’ll even go back to normal, and our long national nightmare that began with the last film can finally end.

What do you think of the Indy 5 news?

Source: /Film

Quick Look: The Adventures of Tintin

Damon Houx — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:09:40 +0000

Last night the AFI festival hosted the first public screening of director Steven Spielberg‘s The Adventures of Tintin. Or, that is to say, the first public screening in America – the film has been open outside of the U.S. for more than a month, and has already made over $100 Million internationally. Spielberg’s first animated/motion-captured film, it stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in an adventure story where Tintin comes across clues to pirate treasure. We’ll have a longer review when the film is released, but check out our quick thoughts…

Though much lighter and much more kid-centric than the Indiana Jones films, Tintin was approached by Spielberg from a child’s perspective, and so Tintin (played by Jamie Bell) is much gentler and far less quotable than Indy. That’s not a knock on the film, merely an acknowledgement that those looking for Raiders redux will be disappointed. That said, it’s also a better action movie than the last Indy adventure, and maybe a little better than Last Crusade. Untethered from cranes or having to worry about where the camera is, Spielberg’s visual panache is unmatched, and there is an extended one shot action set piece that validates his decision to do this animated. If W.C. Fields complained about working with children and animals (Tintin has a charming dog named Snowy), Spielberg’s found the best workaround.

And when Spielberg removed guns from E.T. for the special edition, there was a worry that he had gotten a little soft. So when Tintin goes for a gun early on there’s a slight transgressive thrill – and Tintin uses that gun from time to time (that said, never at people). Though it takes a while to get going, once the adventure starts, the film becomes nearly non-stop action as Tintin is kidnapped and sent to the Middle East where the evil Sakharine (Daniel Craig) has both Tintin and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) held hostage in the hopes of uncovering pirate treasure. Tintin escapes with Haddock and they must figure out the secret of his lineage.

Though the script by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish is solid, the real delight here is watching Spielberg play, and though there were definite sequences in his Jurassic Park films that had Spielberg firing on all cylinders, this movie is more consistently entertaining, and Spielberg’s classic cleverness stamps the film repeatedly. A great sequence tends to make me cackle and there are a number here that are awe inspiring in his staging. Seeing Spielberg – one of the greatest living directors – have this much fun is infectious. The Adventures of Tintin opens December 21 stateside and it’s well worth checking out.

Are you excited for Tintin?

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The Adventures of Tintin – Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8.8/10

Photos:

Trailer:

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