Official Website of Christopher Showerman

Monday, May 19, 2008

Indy is Back

Hey Movie Buffs!

So guess what I got to see this weekend?

I'll give you a hint:

OK, I don't care what you may have read about this movie so far from a bunch of critics who know far too much about movies and the movie-making process to actually enjoy a movie anymore. The truth is I LOVED this movie. It brought me back 25 years ago when as a boy (a VERY young boy) I got sucked into the magic of this globe trotting adventure. Check your mind at the door and just ENJOY this awesome thrill that plays like an amusement park ride. Indy is Back!

All Things Possible,

Chris

17 Comments:

At 1:02 PM, May 19, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Hey Everyone,

hope you are doing well.

Chris, thanks for that! We are going to see it Tuesday next week, I can't wait! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

I saw "Iron Man" on the weekend and loved it. One of the best comic adaptions, I think. Very cool stuff!

I never care much about what critics say (unless they agree with me, hehe) and if I really want to see something I read the critics after I've seen it, if I read them at all. When I saw "The Red Baron" a while ago I was telling everyone to go and see it because I was so blown away by that film. Then someone said, Oh, but the critics said it was a bad movie and I said well, the critics don't know what they are talking about. Which made everyone laugh, but seriously, many critics I know are just people with an opinion. I remember being upset maaaaany years ago when Robert Davi got a be review as a Bond villain mainly because he didn't have a big name like some previous villains had. I got so mad that I wrote a counter review. It was never published but it made me feel better.

By the way, don't know if you know, Chris, Kieren was inspired to become an actor by "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

Jaschenka and I had a great time in Ireland, can't believe we have been back for three weeks already. Very friendly people, great scenery & driving in Ireland is an adventure! I am very glad I didn't have to!

Work is crazier than ever and will continue to be so for a while, but we are hiring new people so I hope that things will get better eventually.

The weather here has been fine for over a week, almost like summer, but now it is cold and wet again.

Hope you all are having a great start of the new week!

Big hugs to you all,

Ute
At 3:52 PM, May 19, 2008 , Anonymous said...

I've got my hat and bull whip ready! Two decades is too long to wait for a sequel. I'm looking forward to seeing Indy this weekend for some mindless action and humor. Who says you always need plot and story to make a good movie.

BTW, I agree with Ute, Iron Man is one of the best comic book film adaptations I've seen. In fact, I almost think that Iron Man works better as a film than as a comic book!

Dave
At 4:31 PM, May 19, 2008 , Christopher Showerman said...

Hey Ute! Welcome back from Ireland and THANK YOU both to you and Jaschenka for the lovely postcard! You guys rock.

Dave! Funny thing, but someone had their two young boys at the screening I went to, and both boys had HATS and BULL WHIPS! So you're in good company!

And BTW, I agree with both of you that Iron Man was a lot of fun - very well done on all fronts.

ATP!
C
At 10:42 AM, May 20, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Hello dear Forum Family & Friends!

It's been far too long since my last post- I completely missed the previous topic it seems. However, I think being on vacation is a good excuse. Ute, it was quite an adventure, wasn't it. And I am not even talking about the LARP. Eat your heart out, Indy!
If anyone is interested in seeing some of our holiday pictures- you can check them out here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v505/Jaschenka/Ierland%202008/

I started my new job straight after my holiday and it's going very well. I am enjoying my work and my co-workers seem very nice.

I will try and find time to catch up on some movies, I promise. (Ute- the soundtrack for The Red Baron is very beautiful, I hope it will run in our theatres soon)So far I only got around to catching some 'making offs' of the new Indiana Jones, but that's always fun.

Good to hear you got our postcard, Chris. Always a bit of a gamble buying stamps when the post office employee answers in Gaelic! Oh, and the youtube clip of the behind the scenes fight rehearsels was very impressive. Some genuine LOTR-extra-extended-edition-with-specials flashback there! *wink*

Happy moviewatching everyone! Fairy wishes and..Be Inspired! XXX
At 7:36 PM, May 21, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Hey Jaschenka, thanks for giving us the link to your holiday pictures. It's always interesting to experience travel to new places, even if it's through the "eyes" of someone else!

DaveW
At 8:03 PM, May 22, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Hello everyone! May 22. A day to celebrate...my birthday...and what better way this year than going to see Indiana Jones on opening day!

Chris is right...check your inner critic at the door and just HAVE FUN. I felt a lot younger walking out of the theater...and that was the idea today! And, of course, Harrison Ford...well, what else is there to say?!

Looking forward to everyone's perspective on it as the weeks go along.

Have a wonderful weekend, and as one of my brothers wrote on an e-greeting that tickled me, "As a famous Chinese philosopher once said --'all things beautiful'! (Or was it someone else who said that?)"...soooo..."all things beautiful" everyone...and go see the movie! Sue
At 8:27 PM, May 22, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Sue! I got my well-wishes in just under the wire (it's not quite 11:30 pm as I type this).

It looks like we were both May babies - my birthday was on the 7th.

Can't wait to get to the theatre this weekend!

Dave W
At 5:10 AM, May 23, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Dave, thanks for the well wishes. In my family, birthdays seem to go on all month...so it's not too late for me to wish you a happy one, too...and for a beautiful year ahead! Can't recall having an epic film come out on my birthday. I'm sure I'll always remember this birthday year. Hope your birthday was spectacular! And I meant to send best wishes before...for your summer theatre work I thought you mentioned in one of the postings. Hope you enjoy Indy! Sue
At 10:13 AM, May 24, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Just a quick note - I saw "Indiana" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it! As Chris says, "check your mind at the door" and then prepare yourself for a fun, fast ride! The perfect summer movie. And it's just the start of the season!

Dave W
At 9:29 AM, May 25, 2008 , Thomas said...

HI everyone I have been absent a long time . I have been in mexico where i movd then i got the shingles and was sick for a couple of months and then the doctor in mexico took m e off a grug called paxil cold turkey. he said i didnt need it any more. well i went kinda crazy thee for a while i had bad panic attacks and terrible anxiety attacks, i had beenoont he drug since 911 happened. oh well im off it now i hope for good. I have been doing self help with books and support from friends.

Im now in Las Vegas Nevada of all places i cme here cause theyare building new casinos and towers for condos so there is plenty of condtruction as im a union electrician. I thought i had retired to mexico but i found out wheni did my taxes i owed the government a great sum of money form takeing my retirement early they did not hold enough tax out. so here i am in a strange city living with strange people working to pay it off. Quite an adventure from a small town boy im certainly out of my element but i figure if i can cope with the stress of this im in good shape,. OH well thats whats been happening in the nutshell. hahaha

I have seen both iron man and indiana jones liked them both but iron man was awsome. very well made and acted movie and hab the right amount of comedy and drama.

Indiana in my opinion was what it was a piece to show that indiana is still popular i wish he hadnt waited so long to do more. I go to the movies to be entertained not pick them apart. however i did go to see speed racer wish i hadnt. didnt like it all it made a great cartoon in its day but the mix of computer generation and realism left we wondering where i was in the movie. needless to say i didnt like it but i was still entertained. and i guess in the grand scheme of things thas all that matters. it made me think back to when i was a kid watching the real cartoon.

well ive gone on long enough with my bad typing and spelling . i m gladyour all stil here love to you all and hope your haveing a good year. I have turned mine over to God and im ltting him lead me this time ive made a mess of things my way hahaha. oh ell hang in there to you all . hugs tommy
At 7:10 AM, May 26, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Happy Memorial Day everyone...and special welcome back to the forum, Tom! What a wonderful surprise to find you back. Thanks for catching us up on all your adventures. Sounds like you've had some doozies in your own life movie! Best ATB wishes!

Often think of those who haven't posted for awhile, hoping all is well, and hoping they'll chime in again. It's been a FUN three years. I just realized (wow, time flies!) that this IS the third anniversary of the forum. So welcome back Tom...and hope you others will write in (you know who you are). I know we all affirm it when our host tells us "take care of each other." Congrats Chris. It's been a beautiful three years for the forum...may there be many more ATP discussions in this place on the web. And may all be well always...Sue
At 11:02 AM, May 28, 2008 , Ufuk said...

Dear Susan,

i meant to tell you happy birthday on 22th of May.. just work is very busy and dealing with some family issues.. so better than never : )

Happy birthday !!!!!!

Tom, great to hear from you... i hope things get better soon enough and you can get retired as you like..

I hope everyone is well.. enjoying nice weather and lighters clothes..

Indian Jones is on here too but coulldn't make the time yet.. may be this weekend..

Have a great summer..

Ufuk
At 6:07 PM, May 30, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Ufuk...it's great to hear from you again! Always enjoy your comments and insights on the forum. Miss them when they're not there. Our lives are so busy no matter where in the world we are. So it's with special gratitude that I read your birthday wishes for me. Now I'll always remember that day thanks to Indiana Jones! I think we needed a movie like that again, that appeals to all ages and gives us all inspiration to "get out of the library." One of my favorite lines. Best ATB and ATP wishes for your job and your family. Hope to hear how you liked Indiana Jones... and everyone else who said they were planning to see it.

Tim...thought I heard about grapefruit size hail tonight in Illinois. Hope all is well. Looks like the storm trail has found us again. We've a robin's nest with a couple of babies we hope will keep dry and safe.

I'll join with Ufuk in wishing all a happy summer...with lots of summer movies to talk about here! Sue
At 8:48 AM, May 31, 2008 , Anonymous said...

Sue

We were very fortunate to have missed the worst of the storm. We mostly had heavy winds and some rain but not like areas to the south. Today is such a beautiful day. I am waiting for the sun to dry things out a bit then the yard work begins. I thought I would go see Indy today but not with weather like we are having. Would be a shame to waste the sun.

We too had a robins nest. They nest every year right outside our back door on the down spout of the gutter. I can look right out one of our windows and watch mom coming and going. She got very used to us and would feed the babies even with us sitting right under the nest. All four babies fledged and I haven't seen them since. In a few weeks the parents will nest again in the same spot. It has been this way for quite a few years. Sort of like our own Meerkat Manor...only with robins

Hope everyone has a great weeeknd

Tim
At 7:08 PM, May 31, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Tim, Loved your story about your robins. This morning all was fine. Two little birds. I have pics. Early afternoon I went out and snapped another with mouths wide open. So amazing. Then later on I heard the upset mama robin chirp out the window and went to look. One was missing. Had not seen any cats around, and had kept ours inside once I knew the nest was so precariously located on the edge of the wood pile. No sign of it anywhere. And no sign of anything disturbing the nest. Perhaps it just fell out. I was so happy this morning to think they'd survived the downpour from last night's storm. (My husband had even put a piece of wood above for a roof overhang when we heard about storms coming.) Well, it's been fun to document anyway. I've never had that opportunity before. Glad to hear your fledglings made it out into the wide world to fly! Hoping our other one makes it!

Hope you enjoy Indy when you do get to see it. You might want to see it before you dig into too many reviews. I'm glad we saw it before everyone started hashing it over in the media. That's why I'm not saying much about it, except how it made me feel, which I decided would make a good blog for something light hearted to put up on the blog I started a few weeks ago for our hometown paper website. Out on a limb, but oh, well. Lately people have been telling me I need to have more fun.

I just today read Adam Frazier's column about Indiana Jones in Moviehole....liked his thoughts about what to write...and in the long run, seeming to agree to just go and enjoy.

Best wishes everyone, and hope your June will be bustin' out all over with All Things Possible and FUN! Sue
At 3:53 AM, June 01, 2008 , Anonymous said...

"OK, I don't care what you may have read about this movie so far from a bunch of critics who know far too much about movies and the movie-making process to actually enjoy a movie anymore."

Chris, are you having a direct dig at me there? lol.

You're probably right ;)

Both [my wife] Tosia and I "enjoyed" the film enough, but felt very underwhelmed by it - and a lot of that probably is due to the fact that we see too much, live and breathe the film industry, and have become harder - especially me - to please.

But also, I just didn't think this was as good a movie as it could've been - it was a bit of a mess. Having read some of the earlier scripts for Indy 4, i'm surprised they went with this one - it was the most ho-hum of them all.

here's an except from my review :

"I guess you’d say its main problem is that it just feels a little off… or watered-down… almost a Disney-version of an “Indiana Jones” film. It suffers from some of the same problems the last ‘’Die Hard’’ movie – ‘’Die Hard 4.0’’ – did : it’s tale isn’t that tight, it’s unsure of itself, the action sequences don’t have much pop, and most of all, it’s forgotten that it’s actually a follow-up to another movie - a great movie, a legendary movie (in addition, and like Bruce Willis’s performance as John McClane in that film, some in “Indiana Jones” have forgotten how to play their character – largely, Harrison Ford as Indy, whose more ‘Grumpy Old Man with Whip’ than ‘Cheeky Hunk Adventurer’, and Karen Allen, whose Marion Ravenwood has been watered down and de-feisty’ed).

The first half of the film comes close to classic ‘Indy’ – good storyline, great performances from most of its cast (Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone and Shia LaBeouf try very hard), some fun action sequences, and iconic nods – but by the time the gang have reached the titular ‘Kingdom’, you’ll have forgotten you’re watching a “Jones” adventure and not some unimportant mildly-fun “National Treasure”-style flick. Someone suggested George Lucas may have even directed that second half, because it resembles little of the first act –and all of a sudden, practical effects take a back seat to ludicrous CGI (something Spielberg and Lucas said there would be very little of in the movie) and loopy plotting. Hard to say whose fault it is that not all of it works as a whole – Spielberg’s, Lucas’s, or writer David Koepp’s?

Considering how many scripts Lucas and Spielberg apparently looked at for this one – I’d be keen to read Frank Darabont’s, which some say is good, even though the beards immediately rejected it – I’m a little surprised they went with this one from Koepp (“War of the Worlds", "Zathura”) – it’s not especially creative. All the “Indy” films have their flat spots, and most have some sort of supernatural element, but most of what happens in “Crystal Skull” feels so tacky and forced that it’s hard to swallow. The ending, especially, is tacky – it shouldn’t be in the film.

Having said that, as messy as it some of it is, this is still a fun movie – but geez, there are some terrible moments in this; you’ll spot them when you see them - and yes, for the most part, it looks, sounds and plays like an “Indiana Jones” movie (in contrast, “Die Hard 4.0” barely resembled John McTiernan’s original film).. of sorts. Harrison Ford is good enough – he seems a bit disinterested at times; lost his spark a tad - as The Man in the Hat, but the real pleasure is just watching him get about with that Fedora and Whip again. You can’t help but smile when you first see that famous crooked smile and silhouette. "

but it's nothing new for chris and I to disagree on movies... let me think, what else have we disagreed on...

The Bourne Ultimatum
- Chris didn't like, I loved.

The Martin Child
- Chris loved it, I hated it

The Astronaut Farmer
- Chris loved it, I tolerated it.

can u think of any more chris? this is fun :)

CLINT
At 6:36 AM, June 01, 2008 , SusanGail said...

Wow, Clint...just a note here...but is it possible that we all might actually agree? I think you're both right. I loved the movie because it was the kind of adventure film that we were excited to be inspired by again and just enjoy. And it was so much fun to enjoy it together (an intergenerational phenomenon) with my husband and my son. Now we're all inspired to get out the old Indy films and join the national conversation about the whole thing.

And I also agree with your points...I saw so much more potential than was there...for a deeper storyline for example. There is so much more they could have done with it.

I could never review a film like you and Chris can, but it's fun to discuss how the movie makes you feel. I love hearing everyone's take on it...and what it meant to them. Thanks for taking time to share all your thoughts with us. You're right, it IS fun to agree to disagree sometimes! What are friends for?!

All Things Beautiful, Possible, and for all us forum movie fans....Dream-able! Sue

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Monday, May 19, 2008

Indy is Back

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