iloveblackmovies
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indiana Jones and the
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Rated PG-13
4 OUT OF 5 POPCORN BAGS
CJ BACHUS SAYS:
Maybe I’m just an optimist, but I thought this was one of the best sequels I’ve
seen in a while. Think about it, how many sequels have come out recently?
Okay, keep that thought. Now, how many of them have lived up to their
predecessors or were even just plain enjoyable? Indiana Jones and the
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a refreshing vacation from the suckish
sequels.
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Rated PG-13
4 OUT OF 5 POPCORN BAGS
CJ BACHUS SAYS:
Maybe I’m just an optimist, but I thought this was one of the best sequels I’ve
seen in a while. Think about it, how many sequels have come out recently?
Okay, keep that thought. Now, how many of them have lived up to their
predecessors or were even just plain enjoyable? Indiana Jones and the
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a refreshing vacation from the suckish
sequels.
MOVIE REVIEWS
Shia LaBeouf star of the latest "Indiana Jones" flick looking for his
lost love Rihanna.
lost love Rihanna.
Spalko, portrayed by the Cate Blanchett. She and the U.S.S.R. have captured
SPECIAL artifact is held. We then learn that this is the warehouse place where
they hid the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. This was one of the
best scenes of the movie simply because they want the fans, who have wanted
this for the 19 years it took them to make it, to be reacquainted with the series.
A fight, a chase scene, an atomic explosion, and a few fiery Soviet-related
deaths later we join Indy at Marshall College , performing his boring day job.
We learn that he has been suspended and decides to head for England .
Before he goes, his gets acquainted with his new sidekick, Mutt Williams,
played by the new Hollywood poster boy, Shia LaBeouf. Mutt tells Indy that his
old mentor and his mom have been captured by the Russians while searching
for a crystal skull in Peru . So on and so forth, the two head off to Peru and Indy
is once again capture by Spalko. Then we learn that Spalko is crazy about
knowledge, there’s this pre-Mayan culture that worshiped extra-terrestrials, oh,
and did I mention that Mutt Williams’ birth name is Henry Walton Jones III.
That’s right, this kid is Indy’s son! Indy-Tre’/Mutt is the lovechild of of Indy and
Raiders’ Marion Ravenwood, once again portrayed by the still beautiful Karen
Allen from the original film. And he’s quite the swashbuckler, as seen in a very
cool swordfight between him and Spalko. Now, the crystal skull is revealed to
be an alien skull. But get this, it’s not crystal! Wow. But, after returning the skull
to its rightful owner, Spalko has her wish of infinite knowledge granted by the
grateful aliens. Unfortunately, it makes her head blow up. The film ends with a
flying saucer and a one-liner from Indy about his father (Sean Connery) who
unfortunately couldn’t make this adventure because of scheduling and script
issues. Indy and Marion get hitched and a new film featuring Indiana-Tre’
taking over the series is hinted upon as the credits roll.
Now, one of the things I didn’t like was Irina Spalko. This film featured a bad
guy who wasn’t really that bad. She didn’t want to take over the world or send
her country into a senseless war (while we’re on that subject, don’t miss W.
Yep, Dubya’s invading the silver screen now), she just wants to get a little other-
worldly education. The other thing I didn’t like was Indy’s lack of whip usage.
Come on, he used the whip like twice. But, I digress. Overall, the film was pretty
enjoyable film. Do I want to see another? Not sure. I know there are some
people who were deeply P.O.ed about this movie and I say STOP TRIPPING.
This is even for hardcore fans. C’mon, it’s a sequel and only 1 out of 10
sequels completely live up to the originals. SO GET OVER IT! The moral of the
story is don’t go in there with a “if this movie isn’t as good as the original, I’ll
throw a fit” attitude, because you’ll always be disappointed. And we all learned
that no matter how many years away from the Star Wars we may get, George
Lucas will always find a way to incorporate aliens into anything he ventures into.
SPECIAL artifact is held. We then learn that this is the warehouse place where
they hid the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. This was one of the
best scenes of the movie simply because they want the fans, who have wanted
this for the 19 years it took them to make it, to be reacquainted with the series.
A fight, a chase scene, an atomic explosion, and a few fiery Soviet-related
deaths later we join Indy at Marshall College , performing his boring day job.
We learn that he has been suspended and decides to head for England .
Before he goes, his gets acquainted with his new sidekick, Mutt Williams,
played by the new Hollywood poster boy, Shia LaBeouf. Mutt tells Indy that his
old mentor and his mom have been captured by the Russians while searching
for a crystal skull in Peru . So on and so forth, the two head off to Peru and Indy
is once again capture by Spalko. Then we learn that Spalko is crazy about
knowledge, there’s this pre-Mayan culture that worshiped extra-terrestrials, oh,
and did I mention that Mutt Williams’ birth name is Henry Walton Jones III.
That’s right, this kid is Indy’s son! Indy-Tre’/Mutt is the lovechild of of Indy and
Raiders’ Marion Ravenwood, once again portrayed by the still beautiful Karen
Allen from the original film. And he’s quite the swashbuckler, as seen in a very
cool swordfight between him and Spalko. Now, the crystal skull is revealed to
be an alien skull. But get this, it’s not crystal! Wow. But, after returning the skull
to its rightful owner, Spalko has her wish of infinite knowledge granted by the
grateful aliens. Unfortunately, it makes her head blow up. The film ends with a
flying saucer and a one-liner from Indy about his father (Sean Connery) who
unfortunately couldn’t make this adventure because of scheduling and script
issues. Indy and Marion get hitched and a new film featuring Indiana-Tre’
taking over the series is hinted upon as the credits roll.
Now, one of the things I didn’t like was Irina Spalko. This film featured a bad
guy who wasn’t really that bad. She didn’t want to take over the world or send
her country into a senseless war (while we’re on that subject, don’t miss W.
Yep, Dubya’s invading the silver screen now), she just wants to get a little other-
worldly education. The other thing I didn’t like was Indy’s lack of whip usage.
Come on, he used the whip like twice. But, I digress. Overall, the film was pretty
enjoyable film. Do I want to see another? Not sure. I know there are some
people who were deeply P.O.ed about this movie and I say STOP TRIPPING.
This is even for hardcore fans. C’mon, it’s a sequel and only 1 out of 10
sequels completely live up to the originals. SO GET OVER IT! The moral of the
story is don’t go in there with a “if this movie isn’t as good as the original, I’ll
throw a fit” attitude, because you’ll always be disappointed. And we all learned
that no matter how many years away from the Star Wars we may get, George
Lucas will always find a way to incorporate aliens into anything he ventures into.
Iron Man
Rated - PG-13
5 OUT OF 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Aiiight, new at the box office another comic book movie -- "Iron Man." However, this flick is
money. Unlike the 2003 version of "The Hulk," "Catwoman" and "Superman Returns" this
comic book movie does not suck. "Iron Man" is money and ranks right up there with
"Batman Begins" and "Blade" as one of the best super hero joints ever. Why? Robert
Downey Jr., America's rehab poster boy, kills it as billionaire industrialist, weapons
manufacturer and playboy Tony Stark. Yeah I know Wu-Tang
Clan member Ghostface Killah is the original Iron Man but like verbally
gifted rapper Downey comes hard with the theatrics. "Iron Man" keenly directed by Jon
Favreau is nice with plot, has a cool back story and solid performances from Mr. Hustle
and Flow T. Howard (Terrence Howard), Mrs. Coldplay (Gweneth Paltrow) and The Dude
(Jeff Bridges) as the villain. The special effects aren't as crazy as last year's
"Transformers" but "Iron Man" is much deeper on a social and political level. Lets call "Iron
Man" the first classic of the Obama Generation.
Rated - PG-13
5 OUT OF 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Aiiight, new at the box office another comic book movie -- "Iron Man." However, this flick is
money. Unlike the 2003 version of "The Hulk," "Catwoman" and "Superman Returns" this
comic book movie does not suck. "Iron Man" is money and ranks right up there with
"Batman Begins" and "Blade" as one of the best super hero joints ever. Why? Robert
Downey Jr., America's rehab poster boy, kills it as billionaire industrialist, weapons
manufacturer and playboy Tony Stark. Yeah I know Wu-Tang
Clan member Ghostface Killah is the original Iron Man but like verbally
gifted rapper Downey comes hard with the theatrics. "Iron Man" keenly directed by Jon
Favreau is nice with plot, has a cool back story and solid performances from Mr. Hustle
and Flow T. Howard (Terrence Howard), Mrs. Coldplay (Gweneth Paltrow) and The Dude
(Jeff Bridges) as the villain. The special effects aren't as crazy as last year's
"Transformers" but "Iron Man" is much deeper on a social and political level. Lets call "Iron
Man" the first classic of the Obama Generation.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
The Dark Knight
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
When I read the title I thought I would have to spend an hour plus watching some misogynistic, male
chauvinist idiot break up with one white woman after another. But "I'm Through With White Girls" is
nothing like that. It is clever, quirky, and has great dialogue. The screenplay was written by Courtney
Lilly ("Arrested Development," "Everybody Hates Chris," "My Boys") who has created a genuinely
funny and fresh romantic comedy.
What's even more refreshing is that the movie is believable. The characters behave like real people
with real jobs, average cars, and affordable homes. I know this is a minor detail, but I've had it with
White Girls" is a traditional romantic comedy - boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. But it
is full of non-traditional flavor. It's nice to see a love story told from the African American perspective
without blatant stereotypes. Lilly proves that you don't have to turn us into buffoons to make our
stories funny and interesting.
"I'm Through With White Girls" has won several awards on the film festival circuit, and is worth
watching on DVD which includes filmmaker commentary, behind the scenes featurettes, and
deleted and extended scenes.
Rated -N/R
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS:
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS: