Category: Movies

Boy, this week has seen a massive ramp up in marketing for the new Indiana Jones movie.

Got to see an extended trailer in the theater when I took my mom and the boys to Iron Man. Several new TV spots airing over the weekend.

Spoons in cereal boxes, canteens from pop tarts, lights from some other food, Dr Pepper promos. Lego sets appearing in the store. And lots of new little stuff has been added to that little doodad I have in the corner there. Bumping around it, I see the store is up and running with the new stuff.

Nice little light up crystal skull…

Course, we had that one figured out long ago. You can see how the crystal skulls we were making for Kyle’s project light up fine as well on the left side of this pic (hence, one is redish, one bluish, one clear, thanks to the LED’s behind them).

And if WE can make one complete with an LED to light it up for about $2 (wouldn’t be at all difficult to imbed the LED inside the thing, in fact I did one just for fun), you know mass production can make em a lot cheaper. Selling for $12. Gotta love capitalism.

I’ll be curious to see the booby trap set in person. Sounds interesting.

And I HAVE to get me a little Mola Ram.

Speaking of…Hey LEGO! Where’s the respect for Temple of Doom!?!?! We get a boulder chase set, a Well of Souls (ok, lego calls it “lost tomb”) set, a truck chase set from Raiders of the Lost Ark, a ton from the new movie, and one little mini-set from Last Crusade. I can’t be the only one that wants a lego set with the little cage over a pit of fire and a little lego Mola Ram holding up a little Lego heart, big evil statue in the background. Can I?

But, all this activity has already given me a little idea or two of something I can add for Halloween. Hopefully the full film will add even more.

Ya knew Extremely Crappy Movie Friday Night wasn’t a decent enough fix.

Kyle and I sat down to watch I Am Legend Saturday night.

Now, I am no fan of remakes. I frankly cringe at the thought of a remake. And, as one who was introduced to this story by Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price, I have forgone viewing any of the numberous remakes, until now.

I was curious to see Will Smith carry a movie, alone. It was not disappointing.

As with the original the start of the movie surrounds how the last man manages to survive day by day. The specifics of that survival have changed considerably, but IMO for the better.

What this does is suck you in to caring about the character, much like watching Cast Away. The one thing you can complain about is we don’t get enough of this. It’s very compelling, and some of the finest acting out there, especially in the genre.

As the story progresses and unfolds, the movie expects the audience to make a number of connections. Little clues are left throughout the film for you to catch and pick up on why things are happening where, but they are sometimes far from obvious, and often leave lingering doubts and questions in your mind.

One of the greatest things of the movie is in what it does NOT show. In contrast to most horror films today, we are given lots of suggestions, and are left to imagine the gory details for ourselves. It’s an art that is sorely missing, but hopefully making a comeback.

It is this combination at the end of the film, you’re left with questions burning in your brain. Searching for the connections in the film, replaying, and filling in the blanks we do not see that leaves you wanting more.

Many complain about some of the CGI in the movie. It’s not great. It’s far from bad. And better than most in the genre. Ultimately unneeded. It serves it’s purpose.

The best review of I am Legend I can think of:

Kyle was awake several times in the night. The burning questions turned to dreams of evils outside his bedroom window. It was not until I moved the cat to sleep with him he settled down for the night.

And first thing he wanted to do the next morning is watch it again.

THAT is what makes a fine movie.

It’s been going on for several years now.

“Fear Friday” they prefer to call it. A nice horror movie double feature.

AMC runs a couple horror movies every Friday night. I like to call it “Extremely crappy movie Fridays”. Because, normally, that’s what they are.

Most people would assume a Halloween nutjob like myself would simply love horror movies. Myself, I find most horror movies to be utter crap. Especially newer ones. But,usually, they are the kind of films that are so bad, you have to laugh at them. And who knows, you might see something to make for Halloween in one.

You can count on AMC to dredge up some utter crap to show most friday nights. This past weekend, however, they did get a little gem in “Christine”. Not that it’s GOOD, really, just that it wasn’t total crap. Fairly decent for a Steven King film. Of course they followed it up with what has to be the worst of the Halloween films: Halloween: The Curse of Micheal Myers. THAT’s more like it AMC. There’s what I’m used to.

Of course, FMC on the other hand got it down good this weekend. Alien and Aliens. Both special editions with the deleted scenes. Alien remains a personal favorite. Memories of many a sleepless night on that one. Aliens can’t really be called a horror movie. More action film fun.

Even TNT got in on the act this weekend showing King Kong. (Over and over) Most complaints on the new rendition are that they take too long getting to the island. Personally, I think they got the lead up stuff done perfect. Especially all the references to the original film. This is needed backstory. What needs to be cut is most the scenes on the island. The bugs scene goes way too long, as does the Trex fight. But, still, a good return of the classic monster movie. And, well done monster movies are horror films I DO actually enjoy.

Good movie weekend, really.

And I look to see AMC has us some real winners coming this weekend.

Puppetmaster followed by The She Creature. That’s one Extremely Crappy Movie Friday Night!