James Shenton asked:
For those who came of age in the 1980s during a time of sleek consumerism and homogenous globalization, Indiana Jones was something of an idol. Harking back to a time when the jungles of South America and the Pyramids of Egypt were truly a world away, the Indiana Jones trilogy excited in us a feeling of adventure that has been rarely seen before or since.
The popularity of the Indiana Jones movies stems not just from the fact that they were directed and acted by some of the greatest Hollywood talent of the day, but also from the fact that the movies were classic adventures. They were swashbuckling epics that found an ideal mix of adventure, intrigue and mystery, steeped in myth and mysticism.
This formula was clearly successful. The first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was the highest grossing movie of 1981 and was nominated for eight Academy Awards (of which it won four). The following two instalments, Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade, fared almost as well, each winning an Academy Award and grossing hundreds of millions of dollars.
Since 1989, though, all has been quiet on the Indy front. Despite regular calls for a fourth movie there were no developments for years. Rumor and hearsay surrounded plans for the fourth Indiana Jones movie since 1995, when Last Crusade writer Jeffrey Boam was asked to write a script.
Since then, several screenwriters and directors have attempted to take on the project—including Chris Columbus (Home Alone), M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense) and Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption)—without success.
Finally, though, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford have accepted a script written by David Koepp (Spiderman, War of the Worlds). As of July 2006 Spielberg and Koepp were fine-tuning the screenplay in advance of pre-production, expected to begin in early 2007.
The question that will be repeatedly posed by fans of the series over the next couple of years is this: will it be possible to recreate the magic of the original trilogy? Hollywood has moved on since the 1980s, and audiences have come to demand big budget CGI and dazzling visual effects. Despite winning the Academy Award for Visual Effects with Temple of Doom, the appeal of the Indiana Jones movies was never in their special effects. In fact, Temple of Doom—admitted by Lucas and Spielberg as the most visual effects-heavy of the trilogy—saw the most disappointing box office performance of the three.
The main concern, though, is Harrison Ford’s age. Already in his 40s in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ford will be at least 65 when filming begins on the fourth movie. Even with the use of makeup, camera trickery and stuntmen, how can it be possible to remain faithful to the original trilogy when the star is old enough to draw a pension?
Despite these worries, however, one thing is certain. Come the release date a couple of years from now we’ll see a sudden surge in the sales of fedoras and bullwhips. He may be old enough to qualify for a buss pass, but there’s something about Indiana Jones that brings out the child in us all.
Wendy Legendre asked:
Pirate themes have always been a fun choice for parties, but even more so now with the popularity of the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. Johnny Depp has certainly given new life to the fantasy of playing a pirate, adding fun and comedy to the already exciting seafaring adventures. So, why not plan an adventure of your own this year and host a swashbuckling fun pirate party.
Make a list of friends and acquaintances you would like to invite to your pirate party and assign each one of them their own pirate name. Use online pirate lingo translators to create fun names like Butterfingers Alena and Ian Deadbones.
Include pirate wording on your invitations and print them on aged paper. If it’s a costume party, be sure to include that information also.
Ahoy thar Mateys!
Ye`re invited t’a pirate party
(date, time and location)
Take Note Ye Scalliwags…
Dress like a buccaneer if ye dare.
We have PRIZES fer best pirate costume.
Roll up the printed invitations and tie them with some burlap twine. Put each invitation in a bottle and attach a pirate label with the pirate name of the invited guest, along with an aka mention of their real name. (Mini champagne bottles work well for this.) Pour some sand or salt in the bottles along with a few small seashells and the invitation. Hand deliver the invitations to friends or use plastic bottles instead so that you can address and mail them.
If you have the creativity and means, decorate a room with old chests, barrels and tables made from weathered wood. Borrow or buy uniquely shaped bottles from second hand shops and flea markets. Clean them thoroughly and fill them with party beverages like cola and gingerale. Label them with fun pirate stickers, like “Non-Groggy Pirate’s Rum”. Mix up a disgusting variety of liquids like vinegar, cherry juice and hot sauce and label the bottle, “Drink if You Dare.”
Pirate-themed games and activities will make your party complete.
. Set up tables for playing cards and “Liar’s Dice”.
. Throw in a “Pirates of the Caribbean” trivia competition and then watch one of the movies.
. Have guests try and decipher the meanings of various pirate words.
. Send your guests on a pirate scavenger hunt that leads to a treasure chest of delicious treats.
. Instead of bobbing for apples, try searching for a candy eyeball in a gooey mess of jello and pasta.
. Challenge your guests to a sword fight dual on a low balance beam (use safety precautions).
. Hand out pirate coins to use for various challenges and bets throughout the night and give a prize to the person with the most coins at the end of the party.
When it’s time to send your guests home, a great favor to give is a game of “Liar’s Dice”. Print and roll up the instructions and place them in an opaque cup (They have great antique looking one’s at the dollar store). Include 5 dice, some chocolate coins, candy eyeballs, and whatever treats or trinkets you wish to include. Wrap the cups with clear cellophane, tie with burlap twine and finally, attach a pirate sticker or thank you tag.
So, what ye be waitin’ fer? Start plannin’ yer swashbucklin’ fun pirate party.
