darth_ender

I think we should start a Little League Football thread, a non-American Football thread, and a Foosball thread.  You game, Warb?

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

darth_ender said:

Don't tell his African-American wife what a racist he is.

If recent events are any indicator, having a s.o. of another race doesn't preclude one's ability to still do racist things (re: D. Sterling).

I'm not interested in branding someone a "racist".  However, even the best of people do racist things sometimes, usually inadvertently.  Probably all of us do.  It should be possible to point out racist acts, without blanket labeling someone a racist... unfortunately most people can't separate the two.  I never called GL a racist (I have no idea if he is or isn't) - but I'm surprised that nobody suggested to him that the character might be considered insensitive by some people.  Whether or not you (or I) agree with that, a lot of people do consider the character to be borderline racist.  It doesn't mean GL is a racist, and perhaps he downplayed the character in the next episodes partly because of what he learned from the feedback that it stirred.

 I agree with this very much.  That's all I'll say to keep the thread on topic.

And back to Indy, TOD is technically a prequel, and I feel it is underrated.  I feel the same applies to the Hobbit movies, which I really enjoy, but seem to be heavily criticized.

Won't argue with the Kate Capshaw problem.  I'm not a fan of her character.  She may be a great actress (only seen her in one other movie called Space Camp, and I was a child at the time and can't recall her acting ability), but her character Willie sure was not that charming.  Marion had a great deal of spunk and fun to her character, while Elsa had some nice complexity.  Yes, TOD is definitely the least even of the original three, but there are elements I really enjoy about it as well: the climax to me is most exciting, the villain most frightening, the cart chase very fun, the opening in China interesting (aside from "Anything Goes"), the focus on an Eastern religion noteworthy.  I miss seeing Indy's "mild mannered" persona, but on the other hand, as a prequel, it does show maturing as a character, from being a "fortune and glory" seeker to caring more about the people he saves.  And I have to say, Short Round is a great character IMO.  I loved the chemistry between him and Indy.  It has many moments of weakness, but I don't think it is without strengths.

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

darth_ender said:

Doom Trooper said:

The criticism that Temple Of Doom is racist is so ridiculous and just another cheap shot people like to take at it.

 I agree. George Lucas is anything but racist.

Indeed, his cultural sensitivity was solidified with the introduction of Jar Jar.

 Don't tell his African-American wife what a racist he is.  Honestly, Jar Jar was played by a black man, remember.  I fail to infer that those floppy ears were intended to represent dreadlocks and that "Meesa love yousa" talk as sounding anything close to a Caribbean accent.

Know what's a racist movie?  Mulan!  Remember that character who actually was quite clearly played by a black man sounding like a black man?  Yes, Mushu, the one who confused a horse for a cow, who destroyed the Great Stone Dragon with his clumsy antics, who personified the archetypal lower-class African-American in ancient China (figure that one out)?  Remember the big uproar over that movie and the racism in it?  Yeah, me neither.  Same could be said about Shrek (again with Eddie Murphy, of course), where Donkey is even more obnoxious and stupid and clumsy than Mushu.  And we laugh at it and don't give it a second thought.  The only reason I can think people harp on Jar Jar is because there may be some people who really squint till they perceive a character intended to represent black people, but unlike Eddie Murphy's characters, Jar Jar was not funny.  I guess if you have an annoying black character in your movies, you better make sure he's darn funny or else you're a racist, right? ;) 

That really would have helped.  I wish Paramount would release the deleted scenes for a faneditor to work on.  In any case, the heroic British Army had Indian soldiers, and this was the reality of the day: the British Empire owned India, and Indian soldiers were part of the Empire's military.  Who else would drive off the Thugees, who, for the sake of the story, were necessarily Indian?  It makes logical sense.

What makes me laugh is the fact that no one complains about the treatment of the Germans or the Soviets in the other Indy movies.  They were clearly bad guys with their fair share of idiots.  But they were white evil idiots, and you can't be racist against white people.  Are folks aware of the fact that there were many good and noble men conscripted into the Nazi war machine, often against their will, often in ignorance of the nature of the crimes of their own fatherland.  But I enjoy the movies for what they were, in spite of the stereotypes against the Germans.

Looking forward to it. Hopefully. New complications on the pregnancy front. I think all will be well but my wife will be stuck in a hospital 1 1/2 hors from home for the next month while I travel back and forth working, caring for the kiddos, and being available for her.

Doom Trooper said:

The criticism that Temple Of Doom is racist is so ridiculous and just another cheap shot people like to take at it.

 I agree. George Lucas is anything but racist. I think what could most easily be found offensive was the dinner scene with snake surprise, etc., but it was clearly meant to show the unsavory nature of the folks at Pankot Palace in a humorous way. I used to manage apartments in Tucson several years ago and we had several Indian tenants with whom we had a good relationship. I remember them laughing at the absurdity of the movie, completely without offense. I doubt anyone has had their view of Indian culture shaped by the film.

And I find it amazing that anyone could accuse Last Crusade of racism. Utterly ridiculous.

Btw it's a good thing I read through this post for clicking submit. Don't know how I mistyped it, but folks might have been wondering what I meant when they read "anus duty" instead of "absurdity". Darn autocorrect!

DominicCobb said:

generalfrevious said:

You know the nuking the fridge scene in Crystal Skull? Same thing happened to Batman in the Dark Knight Rises. Characters surviving nuclear explosions without any nuclear fallout instantly takes me out of any movie.

 That was a fusion bomb in TDKR. No radiation.

 Actually there is a lot of radiation.  In TDKR, the bomb is a pure fusion bomb, which presently doesn't exist, as a fission reaction is always used to create a fusion reaction.  But since the TDKR reactor used some other method to reach the appropriate temps for fusion, it would not spray radioactive waste, which are byproducts of fission.  These are what cause fallout, as they continue to emit radiation for years to come and spread throughout the atmosphere.  A fusion reaction emits massive amounts of radiation, but only in the immediate burst of the explosion.  When there is no reaction, there is no new radiation.

What a nerd I am.

Somewhat off topic, but there are rumors of a fifth Indy film eventually coming to pass.

http://www.vcpost.com/articles/24426/20140703/indiana-jones-5-harrison-ford-to-be-replaced-by-a-younger-actor.htm

http://www.inquisitr.com/1316017/indiana-jones-5-harrison-ford-is-on-board-despite-leg-injury/

If they ever do get around to making this film, I hope they deal with a Muslim relic.  The Ark of the Covenant was a Jewish relic, the Grail a Christian one, and the Sankara Stones are Hindu, all three antiquities from great religions.  It seems that Muslims in general are more easily offended, which is possibly why they haven't done so before.  Nevertheless, I feel it could be truly interesting and an opportunity for insight into Islam.  Indy often travels to Egypt to visit Sallah.  Why couldn't he travel to the Arab world again, this time to rescue some important object in Islam?  In an Indy RPG, the Black Stone goes missing.  Such could really be an interesting pretext in my mind, especially if they were to make a more serious sequel.

Neglify said:

I just finished a refresher marathon of all the Muppet films, except "Most Wanted" since that's not out on DVD/BD yet (but I saw it in theaters).

So I figure what the heck, let's rank the films. Me personally I'm not including any of the numerous TV specials, TV movies, direct-to-video endeavors, etc. Just the theatrical releases.

Here's my ranking:

1) The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
2) The Muppet Movie (1979)
3) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
4) The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
5) The Muppets (2011)
6) Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
7) Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
8) Muppets from Space (1999)

The 2011 sequel almost beats out Manhattan, but a severe lack of Rizzo in 2011 made me think twice.

What about you guys? Any Muppet fans want to weigh in with their favorites?

 I love the Muppet movies.  My personal order:

1) The Muppet Movie
1.5) The Great Muppet Caper
2) Muppet Treasure Island
3) The Muppet Christmas Carol
4) Muppets Take Manhattan (sad to place it so low on the list, as it was the movie that I first watched and loved as a child)
5) Muppets from Space

I have not seen either of the newest.  I love a number of other Muppet products, such as the shows and non-theatrical movies.  Great stuff!

Indeed, it is a good idea.  My bigger concern would actually be the music which starts before the line finishes.

ROTLA truck chase is definitely mine, followed by TOD on the bridge and TLC tank chase.

I think the problem is if one movie sets a tone, we expect the whole franchise to follow that tone. It's certainly not a great film, but KOTCS is light and different, and I really don't mind that. Above all else, my main complaint was Mac, whom we hardly got to know before he betrayed Indy, and therefore it carried absolutely no emotional weight when he did. If I can buy the Ark frying a bunch of Nazis, an evil priest ripping out hearts and the victim surviving, or a cup aging someone hundreds of years in an instant, I can overlook the survival of a nuclear blast in a fridge.  It's all fantasy anyway.

What a great thread! High five y'all!

I bumped this thread recently.

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Young-Indiana-Jones/topic/5847/

I wish we could get the original episodes with Old Indy.  Not that I enjoy those parts, but I don't really care for the format they've been released in now, with two episodes edited together. :(

FWIW, 'miscarriage' is normally an acceptable term when referring to things going horribly as they are not supposed to, such as a miscarriage of justice.  Following the term 'abortion' makes it sound far stronger, but it is acceptable.  On the other hand, I am tired of overly dramatic imagery, so I'm okay with DuracellEnergizer not using those terms, just like I'm okay with folks around here NOT saying that George Lucas raped the Star Wars franchise.

Just watched all four last week, so it pleases me to see this thread.  I agree in my ranking with DominicCobb, but I also agree with the OP in that all four are good films.  My least favorite is KOTCS, but I appreciate it for what it is.  It was meant to focus on the fascination with sci-fi during the 50s, with flying saucers and Area 51.  I'm okay with that.  I like its lighter tone, its humor, its self-deprecation.

And IMO, the Mummy films are moderately enjoyable, but don't even approach Indiana Jones in style or enjoyability.

TV's Frink said:

This thread is sooooo much worse than I ever could have expected.  It's like the opposite of wiping my ass with silk.

 I don't get it.  What's wrong with wiping your head with silk?

;)

Bumped with high hopes that someone will release what they have regardless of quality.  I'd rather see the originals in whatever state than not have them at all.  Anyone willing to share?

Hey, we are all told to edit for ourselves. You might be the only one who'd like an edit like that, but if you found the time, hardware, software, and skills to do it, don't let anyone tell you not to.

I'm sure if I wanted I could create a sci-fi universe with technology to put all before it to shame. But that doesn't create a better fictional universe IMHO. That said, I love Trek. But I've always preferred the tech of Star Wars for various reasons.

Well, I hope you have a safe trip.  Stay clear of that Separatist movement!

Lousy timing :(

Oh well.  Hope he has fun.

I'm very busy, but I'm thinking about resuming our games, with probably just a move a day.  I also finally have a tablet, and I found an app for Dobutsu Shogi, if you ever wanted to play a game.

Yes, I know there are a lot of repeats.  Sorry about that.

Maybe I'll just remove the extra files and re-rar it myself.  It might be best just to share the links.