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Spielberg remembers Stan Winston

Wow by gorydon	Jun 25th, 2008 04:53:43 PM
Great words from the great bearded one.
Wow...cont. by gorydon	Jun 25th, 2008 04:54:42 PM
I've never been first before either.
Second by WelcoMatt	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:12 PM

That was beautiful. by Nordling	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:25 PM

That was beautiful. by Nordling	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:26 PM

Wow by WelcoMatt	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:32 PM
Never been second before
First? by secretcylon	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:54 PM
Sorry had to. Nice to hear from Spielberg though.
nice by CampKoala	Jun 25th, 2008 04:55:57 PM
Cheers Steve
R.I.P. Stan by Series7	Jun 25th, 2008 04:56:10 PM
The more I hear about the man the more I am amazed.
Sorry. Heh. by Nordling	Jun 25th, 2008 04:56:19 PM
Anyway, thank you, Mr. Spielberg.
cool by seabiscuits	Jun 25th, 2008 04:56:23 PM

THIRD! by couchtrip105	Jun 25th, 2008 04:56:30 PM
Love the last sentence. Movies will lose a great deal without Mr. Winston's additions.
Only great minds could harness Stan's abilities by ClockWorker	Jun 25th, 2008 05:02:56 PM

Long Live The Beards by Hikaru Ichijo	Jun 25th, 2008 05:05:18 PM
These goodbyes are only going to get tougher. It's been a great era of film making.
"Where do you want to go" by skintandminted	Jun 25th, 2008 05:05:21 PM
Beautiful.
best tribute yet.... by wildphantom07	Jun 25th, 2008 05:05:50 PM
....about the difference his work made. You can definitely see the fear in those kids in that car scene. That aint acting. And the kitchen scene with the raptors. Brilliant. That film's genius belongs to Winston as much as it does Spielberg's brilliant direction.
Great words great tribute and Thanks AICN! by Proman1984	Jun 25th, 2008 05:09:53 PM
For sharing this with people.
That was great. And Meatbiscuit... by Gilkuliehe	Jun 25th, 2008 05:15:49 PM
You have no right to call yourself a film lover. Shit you won't even cut "human being". Asswipe.
I 'want to go' into the cinema and not see crap by Prague23	Jun 25th, 2008 05:16:18 PM
Now it'll be all the more difficult. God damn CGI 'cartoons' ruining everything. I know it's about 'suspension of disbelief' but without organic, filmed, reality doing it, it's all greasy kids stuff. There needs to be that blend. Iron Man did it well, for example. Indiana Jones ATKOTCS didn't and, in my opinion, ruined the experience for me. That and the stupid imaginary, oversized, digital ants and company. Dumb. Just Dumb. I wish I had something to throw at the screen that would leave a mark. At least the rest of the audience would have had something 'real' to look at during the movie.
Great Tribute, Honest. But Indy...? by jasher78	Jun 25th, 2008 05:18:30 PM
Indy 4 did not seem to adhere to these wonderful and honest words. A shame. But this isn't about that dreck - it's about Stan Winston and a man and an era that has passed on. He will be missed.
Very, very nice. by Speed Fricassee	Jun 25th, 2008 05:22:07 PM
Thank you, Mr. Winston, for making my childhood dreams a reality 20 years later. Which... made me feel like a child again, of course. It was worth the wait, every time.
Well said, well said indeed by mmaddox3	Jun 25th, 2008 05:22:58 PM
a fitting tribute...see the guy should write his own scripts more.
It's gonna be harder to suspend my disbelief now that he's gone by slone13	Jun 25th, 2008 05:28:30 PM
I got a lump in my throat reading that.
Great Read by THE KNIGHT	Jun 25th, 2008 05:34:04 PM
spielberg is always class. I was on the set of Munich while they were in Brooklyn and he walked inches right pass me. Him and some other person. I was going to ask for an autograph, but part of me said what if he comes off as an ass hole? I didn't want to ruin the image I had of him as a cool guy in my head by taking the risk. Yea, I'm a puss... I know I know...
Indy IV effects would make Winston spin in his grave by Wonderboys	Jun 25th, 2008 05:40:50 PM
They were horrible
Why can't the Beard write scripts that moving? by V'Shael	Jun 25th, 2008 05:47:35 PM
That was just wonderful.
Excellently put by dastickboy	Jun 25th, 2008 05:54:06 PM
A great eulogy, and shows why Spielberg's the king.
We're losing these people when we need them most... by Brians Life	Jun 25th, 2008 05:56:56 PM
Stan Winston. George Carlin. Death has been a REAL bitch this year, huh?
Did The Beard Write That FOR AICN? by Frodo T. Baggins	Jun 25th, 2008 06:07:30 PM
Or is this just a general grievance note to all cites and magazines?
What do you need these people for, Brians Life? by Wonderboys	Jun 25th, 2008 06:07:35 PM
You sound like if they were going to save the world of something... I respect these guys as much as anyone else, but lets not overrate his importance... Winston was an FX wizard, Carlins was a comedian. They were extremely good in their professions, thats all.
Stan's right here! by FILMFUNK	Jun 25th, 2008 06:08:56 PM
In the Hearts and minds of the fans but more importantly in the very foundation of the mulitudes of artist in who he invested so much energy and instilled his unique work ethics. Stan Winston created the best monsters in the business but with the help of a great many talented team members who've got his back! and it will be a long time before his magic touch is extinct.
sad but true by zom-bot.com	Jun 25th, 2008 06:23:04 PM
The next time an actor has to act scared when he or she only has a wooden T-Bar to track, they will ask, along with the rest of us, “Hey, where’s Stan Winston?” yeah steven. why don't you kinda talk to george lucas about this. creature effects are fucking DYING, you cheapskates. it is art, and art costs money but is so worth it.
"...laughing all the way to the bank..." by Chishu_Ryu	Jun 25th, 2008 06:32:20 PM
Spielberg thanks Stan not only as the man who who transformed movie magic, but who also transformed Stevie Boy's bank account...
Spielberg's a class act by MattmanReturns	Jun 25th, 2008 06:32:21 PM
You, Gus Van Rant, are not.
Kermit love has also passed on by emeraldboy	Jun 25th, 2008 06:32:38 PM
He was 91 and Died at his home in Poughkepsie. He created the big bird outfit from hensons design. He also created the outfit for Mr Snuffleufugus and many other Henson creatures and Snuggle bear. In a career that spanned 60 years, Kermit love also worked in the theatre along with such lumanaries as twyla tharp. Carol Spinney, 74, said that he didnt know that Love was ill at all. just thought I would pass the news on....
Please by Silverglade	Jun 25th, 2008 06:37:06 PM
I will sound like a jerk, and that's cool, but listen - could we keep the posts in this thread about our appreciation of Stan and our remembrance and adoration of the magic that he helped push and forge into those films that have enhanced our lives? I just would like this thread to be respectful of the man and not loaded with side-tangent rants. Just one little thread. Stan, you will be sorely missed.
What is wrong here? by timmer33	Jun 25th, 2008 06:38:56 PM
There's a good chance Spielberg will read this talkback. And rather than take the opportunity to compliment him on his incredible body of work, you criticize Indy, his movies, his scripts and writing, and CGI in Indy 4. What have you created that exists in the same universe as this man? Indy 4 will imminently cross the $300 million mark. What have you created that earned more than three dollars???
Thanks by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 06:41:18 PM
You'll never read this, but hey...you snuck into an office thinking no one would ever see. Just thanks, Mr Spielberg. You sounded like one of us. Which is a good thing. To a degree, obviousty. But thank you for letting us know what it felt like to know and work with Stan Winston. Keep his legacy. And see you at the movies. Best, Talcy.
timmer33, what is wrong... by Chishu_Ryu	Jun 25th, 2008 06:42:41 PM
...is your warped capitalist view that the ultimate worth of a creation is how much money it can pawn off the masses...
Gus by MattmanReturns	Jun 25th, 2008 07:07:32 PM
I'm a huge Spielberg fan, I make no apologies for that (though I will never excuse The Lost World). At least I'm not a douchebag.
Del Toro will help carry the torch by performingmonkey	Jun 25th, 2008 07:09:47 PM
He wants animatronics in The Hobbit and I say a big hell YES to that! Although CGI isn't the big bad it's being made out to be now, it's simply how it's utilized. Just look at Jurassic Park - one of the coolest shots ever is the view from the car when you've got Stan Winston's T-Rex head at first, it moves out of shot then seamlessly the CG Rex walks into full view as though the CG and animatronic really were one and the same. PERFECT.
A very fitting tribute by DarthFloyd	Jun 25th, 2008 07:14:09 PM
Mr. Speilberg, well written. It's been said many times already, but I'll say it again, Stan - Rest in Peace...you will be with us, always.
Last sentence was beautiful. by gengrievous82	Jun 25th, 2008 07:14:44 PM
Stan Winston was a pioneer in visual effects. I know it isn't the greatest movie, but listen to the commentary track on Jurassic Park 3. You can hear the excitement in Stan's voice when he talks about the Spinosaurus and its first appearance in the movie. He sounds like a big kid that thoroughly enjoyed his craft and he had just as many excited comments for the digital effects as he did for the practical effects. Now that he's gone, audiences shouldn't be lamenting the demise of special and visual effects in movies. There are a lot of talented artists at Stan Winston Studios that are at the ready to continue this man's great legacy. Thank-you Steven for an awesome fourth outing with Indiana Jones and the beautiful words you shared with us on one of the greatest special effects pioneers film will ever know. Thank-you Stan for all the characters and creatures you brought to life. Your awesome work on Jurassic Park with ILM inspired me to shoot for the animation career I'm now studying in college. My only regret is that I'll never get to shake your hand and thank you in person. Rest easy sir and God speed.
very moving- thanks to the beard. by misnomer	Jun 25th, 2008 07:24:26 PM
and yes I disliked Indy 4 for being so light and cartoonish, but thats another talkback and has nothing to do with Stan The Man. R.I.P Stan- cant wait to get my hands on a 1:1 Terminator skull.
Classy stuff. by oneragga	Jun 25th, 2008 07:35:16 PM
Ass all tributes to Stan on here have been. Granted, he may not have "saved the world" but he made it a better place by allowing us to escape from the daily crapfest life can be sometimes. Stan's work in films captured the imagination of all of us film lovers/geeks/whatever. So if we wanna mounr and pay these guys a little tribute, then let us pay in peace. I'll tell you this much; The Last Emperor won BEst Picture of 1987. Great film. seen it twice. Relased that same year; Predator. Which one do you think sticks in my mind, viscerally, 21 years after I saw it in a theatre with my old man and younger brother? Which one did dad and I watch together 3 months ago, after burying his younger brother, and led pops to remark "all this time, and that thing still scares the shit out of me when it takes off that goddamned mask?" Hint...it aint the Bertolluci film. Later, Stan. RIP.
that's AS all tributes by oneragga	Jun 25th, 2008 07:35:51 PM
fucking typo
Go to ilm.com by Shaner Jedi	Jun 25th, 2008 07:36:17 PM
Respect from some of Winston's frequent collaborators.
predator by Silverglade	Jun 25th, 2008 07:43:07 PM
I used to get the magazine called Fangoria and I remember seeing my first glimpse of the Predator. And reading about Stan's work to bring it to life. I thought, "Stan has done it again!" The man was genius. At my age then, the Predator was horrifying to me, but I could not help but revel in the genius of it all.
Wonder if he'll say the same for Rick Baker.... by Monkey_King	Jun 25th, 2008 07:47:41 PM
Google any info about the DARK SKIES film and how Spielberg shut down Baker's studio, took all his work and had Carlo Rambaldi rework it into E.T. and Chris Walas on GREMLINS.
replaced by digital wonders that are actualized months after cas by brodiebruce_405	Jun 25th, 2008 07:59:43 PM
Ummm, Spielburg, you don't think we've forgotten the amount of CGI in Jurassic Park do you? I love Stan Winston's work, but you're as guilty as anyone for overuse of CGI.
Monkey_King by Munro Kelly	Jun 25th, 2008 08:27:29 PM
They made up a long time ago. Rick Baker did Harry and the Hendersons in 87, he won an Oscar for it. He also did Men in Black 1 & 2, also produced by Spielberg.
Of course it is a beautiful tribute. by mrfan	Jun 25th, 2008 08:31:48 PM
Nothing bad to say about the man. He will be missed badly. RIP.
Stan Winston by Munro Kelly	Jun 25th, 2008 08:32:18 PM
You gave us all many magical moments at the movies. R.I.P.
for some reasons directors tend to write great tributes... by RockLobster800	Jun 25th, 2008 08:38:42 PM
I mean this was pretty damn touching as they both were both veterans from an older, and....frankly better period of film making and they are becoming dieing breed. But even Chris Nolans tribute to Heath Ledger that got published...Christ, I had a lump in my throat reading that one. Beautiful stuff from both directors....
On the whole by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 08:41:43 PM
Haryy and company, this entire endeavour has been wonderful and fills me with hope that not all of us are idiots. We all love movies. ALL of us, as us the people who have contributed to all of this have shown. And when one of our number falls (we may not have known him and only seen his work, but what is clear from the stories posted, Stan Winston was one of us) then this mad thing we call The Movies brings us all together in a weird but utterly natural show of respect. I only say wierd becasue of some of the numpty attitudes of some TBers, but it still shows the passion; the passion Mr Winston obviously had. And the same passion brought out from everyone who Mr Winston know who has posted here. Thank you Aint it Cool News. The reaction to the sad events of the past week or so make me proud to feel a part of this nutty community. Long may that continue. Thank you to EVERYONE who has contributed to this whole tribute.
"I think I just became extinct" by TallBoy66	Jun 25th, 2008 08:44:52 PM
That's a quote from Stan Winston when he saw the CGI dinos jurring the JP pre-vis, but he really isn't/wasn't extinct because good FX is mixing CGI with practical for a seamless transition, ala Jurrasic Park. Good tribute, very well done.
jagga by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 08:45:57 PM
Shame on you. Neither the time nor the place.
TallBoy66 by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 08:52:57 PM
Sorry, I hate to ruin it, but that was Phil Tippett who said that. However, the connection and evolution escribed remain the same as Tippett Studios continue to kick out great CG and physical work.
JURASSIC PARK is a masterpiece by ClockWorker	Jun 25th, 2008 08:55:51 PM
largely due to the fact that there was no "over use" of CGI
ClockWorker by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 09:04:54 PM
Jurassic Park was a masterpiece because we had trouble telling the difference, not because ther enight have been too much. It didn't matter when there was CG or Animatroics. The two techniques were blended semmelessly in great visuals. Not just Spielberg, not just Winston, not just Muren, but because of them all. I wish people woiuld drop this anti CG nonsense. They are all tools. Some people use certai tools too much. That doe snot mean that the tool in question should be demeaned off hand. Again, this is neither the time nor the place, but I am as to blame in this instance. Stan Winston did great work and blended seamnlessly, pushing our dreams.
Spelling by Talcy	Jun 25th, 2008 09:06:11 PM
Apologies for my bad spelling. There is no edit tool on TBs and it's late very here.
AICN Has Become So Horrible It's A Shame by Baddass	Jun 25th, 2008 09:12:30 PM
I am sorry you all, and to you Harry. I use to love this site so much you can not imagine. Instead of doing what is right here, and giving Mr. Winston is do rights and thanking him and Mr. Spielberg for his insight to his feelings on the passing of Mr Winston, we are faced with this. People sitting here complaining non-stop and idiots bickering constantly and forgive my language but asses like Gus Van Rant comstantly complaining about stuff that has nothing to do with the topic at hand. So often we are stuck here reading the talkbacks and listening to idiots comment negatively about movies they have never watched before (either because they have not even been released or they are to young to even be able to watch movies) and people that you could swear were spambots with there constant reposting of stupid adds or whatever they are attempting to do. Please Harry, make this site what it was and could still be in the future. Please clean up the talkbacks. This only deters (hopefully spelled right) people from coming to this site because of negative comments on other sites or not coming back to this site after they have witnessed this firsthand for themselves. Please higher someone or let one of us do it. It is a tragedy what people will say in here that is constantly aggravating your die hard fans of this site and slowly making some people to not want to have anything to do with the site whatsoever and this is a site that use to be in the upper level of all movie sites. I am sorry to hear that Mr. Winston has passed. I am glad though that so many in the industry take time out of their busy schedules to give us their thoughts and feelings on what Mr. Winston did for all of us. He truly made watching movies great for everyone. An experience that was like no other. An escape from true reality to be placed into a world that he helped create. Watching a movie that had something to do with him or his effects truly transported everyone into the movie like we were right there next to the actors and everything was in turn very real. You will be truly missed, from everyone that is a true movie fan.... Anthony
THIS TRIBUTE HAS BEEN AMAZING. by BurgerTime	Jun 25th, 2008 09:16:11 PM
One for the ages. But Mr. Spielberg's was the cherry on top. Thank you sir. You're a class act like no other.
Great Tribute and great to hear from the Beard by Freds_Balls_in_a_Mason_Jar	Jun 25th, 2008 09:20:43 PM
Fred is moved.
Baddass - How Ironic by Freds_Balls_in_a_Mason_Jar	Jun 25th, 2008 09:29:05 PM
Fred would like to know if you know what the word hypocrite means? Because you are being one. To come on a Tribute TB and lament and harangue. To writhe hands about what it was like in the past. To using this Tribute Forum to express your desire to become a TB policeman. Then to finally mention (remember) at the end that this is indeed a tribute to a legend, and not a platform for your beleifs, well, Fred is stunned that you would do such a thing. Bad form. Wrong forum.
Thanks for the tribute by dr sauch	Jun 25th, 2008 09:41:03 PM
And seriously, how can there be so many terrible people on the internet? I know some jerks, but nothing like some TBers. Its a miracle that visionaries like Spielberg still shoot Harry e-mails the way some of these idiots carry on, especially at inappropriate times like this. They should shut down the TB's.
Stan's the Man by pr0g2west	Jun 25th, 2008 09:41:52 PM
He will be missed, and movies won't be the same. Steven, your words reflect your brilliance. Please write more of your own scripts. A.I. exemplified your genius, and Stan's. Don't make movies for the fans, your better than that.
Baddass by BadMrWonka	Jun 25th, 2008 10:12:51 PM
AICN kicks people for racism, homophobia (sometimes) and the like, all the time. they give a lot of leeway, but that's mostly because there are few trolls in the talkbacks anymore. there's a lot of bickering and difference of opinion, but I think the sort of jabbering that Gus Van Rant is doing is kinda going the way of the dodo. people are mostly tuning them out, and they don't get the attention they want. so I appreciate what you're saying, but you're simply drawing more attention to them, and it is undoubtedly going to encourage their yammering. just take a deep breath, count to ten, ignore them, and think about spelling your name correctly. (hint: think of the two words you're combining...)
Stan Winston: Scaring Children Like No One Else by JackIsLost	Jun 25th, 2008 10:49:37 PM
I mean that as a compliment.
Thank you Mr. Spielberg and thank you, Harry... by Bones	Jun 25th, 2008 10:55:21 PM
The series of tributes to Stan Winston the past few weeks have been very moving. It has been amazing and humbling to read what some of the most talented, powerful and entertaining filmmakers working today thought of one of the great craftsmen who ever worked in cinema. Because of his death, many of us have been revisiting his work, seeing many of the great films that he worked on again. The great thing about DVD is seeing the behind the scenes documentaries and seeing Stan before his hair was snow white. It has been a trip back...but not to simpler or more nostalgic time...but to a time when people had a REAL object in a REAL location or set being captured photographically on film. When Animatronics, hydraulics, and makeup created monstrous and loveable characters...and we fell head over heals for them. And I think it is time we did again. There is nothing quaint or sweet about makeup effects--It is my preferred form of unreal character. Perhaps, we will see in the wake of Stan's death, a Renaissance of physical effects work--ably supported by digital effects--rather than watch one more "video game cut scene" overpower the storytelling of the film. Stan Winston was all about using the right tool for the right sequence. Hopefully his idea will catch on.
People like Stan Winston will be missed, now so mor than ever. by jae683	Jun 25th, 2008 11:06:00 PM
It seems most of the newer directors don't know the limits of CGI. Stan, and his contemporaries, are the last of a generation that understood this. Thanks Mr. Spielberg for the thoughts, that was cool.
Stan is still the man but Spielberg is a douchebag by GreenSkinFlatHead	Jun 25th, 2008 11:06:40 PM
So I was at the funeral on Sunday as well. After Schwarzenegger's funny tribute and Jim Cameron's touching goodbye to his friend Stan, I expected something a bit more tasteful than what Spielberg had to offer. It's not enough that many of the attendees had been with Stan for 25 years while others perhaps not as long, still had freshly lost their boss. Yeah, we all got the point that with Stan's passing comes “the end of an era” in regards to the days of T Rex-sized creatures and their budgets yet it was in many people's opinions that Spielberg's rant about the industry changing to accommodate digital effects and that according to Spielberg, animatronics are out was in bad taste. After all, there sat the four gentlemen who had lost their friend and mentor not to mention that they were about to take over Stan Winston Studio and embark on their own journey to create memorable characters and do Stan’s name proud under THE WINSTON GROUP. Yes, the industry is changing. I work in creature effects as well and when “Jurassic Park” came out umpteen years ago, we were all amazed and subsequently scared that our jobs were on their way out but after a recent viewing of “Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull”, perhaps Spielberg should reevaluate where CG is going and be a bit more practical about PRACTICAL EFFECTS. Spielberg's letter was nice but a bit too late. He spoke out of turn and the damage has been done.
touching. by skiff	Jun 26th, 2008 12:28:48 AM
very cool
Talcy by ClockWorker	Jun 26th, 2008 01:01:39 AM
who the fuck r are you trying to convince, I know damn well about how JP was a break through. and nothing in my post said other wise, above me someone said there was over use of CG in the film which I disagree with. Your in no place to try and educate me you ignorant fuck.
What makes effects good... by Lobanhaki	Jun 26th, 2008 01:02:36 AM
...whether practical or CGI, is their quality and their use. Spielberg prefers the real, and I can respect that. Lucas prefers his digital stuff, and that's respectable, too. The reason that one supplanted the other was that animatronics were never easy, and they had inherent physical limitations. The beauty of much of Stan Winston's work was that you didn't notice this much of the time. You look at some animatronics, and there are clues beyond the simple impossiblity of the thing that clue you in to its unreality. Winston's work surpassed that threshold, and that is why he's considered great. I think, though, that blaming digital is fruitless. Even before digital effects changed the game, nobody used Animatronics all the time. They might do stop motion, or Phil Tippet's old specialty, go-motion, which moved the figure as it was shot by the camera to cut down on the herky-jerky appearance of stop motion puppets, which occured because there was no transitional blur in the frame to simulate movement in a real way. Spielberg went with CGI and started that ball rolling because he needed the dinosaurs capable of doing things that the technology wouldn't otherwise allow. Spielberg is and Winston was an artist, and both men, along the course of their careers, succeeded because they knew their craft and knew it well. They took challenges, rather than fading into the woodwork. Too many on this site worship the past at the expense of the future. The age of optical effects and animatronic dominance was a start, not a finish. Find the best tools and do your best work. The world appreciates quality first, technology second.
I LOVE that story! by JimBobCooter	Jun 26th, 2008 01:09:49 AM
People are too paranoid to even touch Spielberg's director's chair, let alone get a haircut, manicure, and cigar in it! I LOVE it when at the end of the day, even the best of the best are just kids getting to do what they love for a living. Well done.
I LOVE that story! by JimBobCooter	Jun 26th, 2008 01:11:43 AM
People are too paranoid to even touch Spielberg's director's chair, let alone get a haircut, manicure, and cigar in it! I LOVE it when at the end of the day, even the best of the best are just kids getting to do what they love for a living. Well done.
Cock (I mean) Clockworker by GreenSkinFlatHead	Jun 26th, 2008 01:16:55 AM
Ignorant fuck? Guess you missed the real point of my initial posting -- that Spielberg was inappropriate at a funeral for his so-called "friend". By no means do I hate CG. It was just not a forum to tell a group of mourners how their jobs are being replaced. It was however, a time to reflect, tell stories, miss Stan Winston and celebrate the man. I didn't even read ANY one of the previous postings until now. Ignorant? Look in the mirror Jackass.
greenskinflathead by ClockWorker	Jun 26th, 2008 01:30:06 AM
is your name Talcy? NO. Does it say Talcy in the subject line of my post? YES. Maybe your to stupid to realize that that post wasn't directed at you, it was directed at the asshole who's name is Talcy. Fuckin idiot, you should feel really stupid right now. Don't post anymore, you just humiliated yourself.
jerk by ClockWorker	Jun 26th, 2008 01:33:31 AM
I love it when people wrongly attack me on these things.
Thank you for the beautiful tribute, but... by ChickenDelicious	Jun 26th, 2008 01:41:56 AM
... if you respect Stan's work that much, and find CGI so lifeless, how do you explain Indy 4?
by ClockWorker	Jun 26th, 2008 02:03:44 AM

Fuck. Still pissed he's gone by messi	Jun 26th, 2008 02:21:19 AM
wanted to work with him. damn.
I´m done with AICN talkbacks by CuervoJones	Jun 26th, 2008 02:23:08 AM
Spielberg haters are too much for my stomach. It´s been a fun decade.Vayan con Dios.
My thoughts are with Stans' family and friends by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Jun 26th, 2008 02:34:22 AM
Mr Spielberg, if by some chance you read this. Thankyou. You have shown me the impossible my whole life. You gave me Indy, freakin fantabulous Dinosaurs, scared me from the beach and half-built pools, and for me Schindlers List sits beside 2001 as the greatest filmmaking achievement ever. AI is near perfection, Saving Private Ryan is one of the greatest testimonies to our elders we have had in 30 years and Color Purple makes me weep every time. Thank you again.
I walked out of Schindlers List completely shattered by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Jun 26th, 2008 02:39:41 AM
My girl at the time looked at me and said "Boy, was THAT overated", I looked her straight in the eyes and dumped the cow.
I'm the first to admit that Ryan aint perfect by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Jun 26th, 2008 02:43:15 AM
but how many others could turn a reasonably hokey story and create groundbreaking cinema?
Spielberg doesn't like CGI? by 69DUDE	Jun 26th, 2008 02:58:25 AM
So why did he stuff Indy 4 full of that shit? What a hypocrite.
Great tribute for a great man. by m_reporter	Jun 26th, 2008 03:33:31 AM
RIP Stan, and thanks to Steven for sharing his thoughts about Stan with us.
The Science of AICN: by Ray Gamma	Jun 26th, 2008 03:50:31 AM
Basically, this is how it works: The vast majority of people happily enjoy movies like 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' and then happily get on with their lives. However, a small noxious dribble of the population are dreamers who want to get into movies and they're gonna do it, you know, as soon as college is over and they've saved up enough cash man, anyway they hear about these movies long before the movie is screened, and decide to themselves "this is going to suck and I better get home from my shelf-stacking job super fucking quick so that I can power up dad's computer and log onto Aint It Cool News and tell those guys just how fucking shit this movie that I haven't seen is gonna be." Then they get home and log on, only to be confronted with the news that the profoundly talented Shia LaBoeuf is going to be one of the stars of said movie. This news creates a kind of 'meltdown cascade' in the temporal lobes of the pale undersexed wanna-boy, who can no longer contain his fury. What follows is an uninhibited tirade of volcanic proportions as the blubbery Mac-potato jiggles his pasty white manboobs up and down while typing his hatred out like a river of magma, and as the final keystrokes are punched into the keyboard like a nail-gun the bitter never-ran starts to cry as he jizzes his final jealous insults onto the AICN message board like an impotent fountain of raging futility.
ps by Ray Gamma	Jun 26th, 2008 03:51:05 AM
RIP Stan...
Pity his recent film's endings aren't... by zapano	Jun 26th, 2008 04:01:04 AM
as good as this tribute's ending. Jurassic Park is not a masterpiece, Jaws is. The other masterpieces are Close Encoutners, Raiders, E.T. and Schindler's List. The others range from excellent films with flaws to money making excercises.
shiva is over....so its ok to slow down the memorials by bacci40	Jun 26th, 2008 04:05:22 AM
but if the academy doesnt give him his own special memorial...ill be pissed
Thank you Steve, and to you Stan. So long... by Ghostball	Jun 26th, 2008 04:20:13 AM
...Winston helped give us access to great adventures that only our dreams can compete with... his designs brought character to impossible creatures and some true legends. Rest in peace.
Fantastic. by mr.brownstone	Jun 26th, 2008 04:22:48 AM
Spielberg is a heck of a eulogy writer. Who knew. It gave me chills and made me laugh. It was really nice to see someone foreground Mr. Winstons amazing sense of humor too. I was lucky enough to meet him a couple of times and on one occasion he made me laugh so hard I was in tears. Well done sir. Well done.
Clockworker by Talcy	Jun 26th, 2008 05:56:10 AM
Show some respect. This is forum to remember Stan Winston, not resort to typical juvenile TB behaviour. Out of here for the same reasons I suspect CuervoJones has. Shame on you.
Hey Steve, by TheJake	Jun 26th, 2008 06:12:44 AM
Please try to remember that when you're working on your next big budget film, ok? There is another person somewhere out in the world that has all the talent and charm of Stan. He (or she) just needs a great director to give him a shot at creating magic on film. Please remember that YOU are a leader in the industry - if YOU continue to use practical effects then others will follow you. You seem like a nice guy, give a talented young artist the chance they need to make the next great movie creature. Your Pal, TheJake
and the burg doesnt like DvD commentary by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 06:59:16 AM
for some reason. I dont really understand that. I never have.
I saw Private Ryan in the cinema... by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 07:19:06 AM
and my doubts as to whether the burg could to a war movie were shattered as the opening 25 minutes unfurled before my eyes. The burg captured all the horror of war. and just when you have breathed a sigh relife. he pulls off one of the most nerve shattering, rivetting scenes in burg movie for years. It is the scene with the two german soliders. The set up is that two american soldiers from Hans company have gone off to get ammo. thinking they are alone, they enter a bombed building. but they are not alone. they are being stalked by two german soldiers. the two jewish soliders from hanks regiment get into a panic. they are both seperated one of them down stairs, the other up stairs. the jewish soldier downstairs fires and wounds his friend who is up stairs. He has no idea that one of the german soliders is now up stairs. it is all the horrifying because spielberg doesnt spare you the spectacle of seeing a american jewish soldier being stabbed through the heart. I couldnt bear to watch that scene. Yet i couldnt look away. powerful. It is spielburgs abiltiy to manipulate the audience that makes him so great. Spielberg is still a filmmaker of considerable talent. The scene in WOTW with the dead bodies floating down the river or in munich a film I didnt care for the opening was dazzling.
Schindler's List was overrated, NoDirtyJokes. by NoDiggity	Jun 26th, 2008 07:44:28 AM
It was entertaining enough, but just because it exploits the Holocaust for Oscar Bait doesn't make it the greatest movie of all fucking time. It was Spielberg movie. Which means he couldn't settle for good or great, he had to hit you in the face with Schindler crying his eyes out, like a big phony, in a scene that wasn't true to life because it came right out of Spielberg's "I don't trust my audience" condescension. Can I have your girlfriend's number? Only a basement dwelling dork would break up with a girl over a Spielberg movie.
Thank You Steven by BeyondStatic	Jun 26th, 2008 07:45:48 AM
More fitting words have yet to be spoken. He will be missed.
Spielberg doesn't like DVD commentary ... by NoDiggity	Jun 26th, 2008 07:46:37 AM
... because he's a big phony, and can't stand the strain of bullshitting for 2 hours, and having the true extent of his shallowness and insincerity available for analysis and dissection.
Truly great tribute to Stan by theycallmemrglass	Jun 26th, 2008 07:49:09 AM
I agree with all the non-Indy4 whiners that this was a beautiful piece of writing. I especially loved the final sentence "where do you wanna go?". Now Stan is gone, that wonderful ride into Stan's creature effects world has ended. PS I fucking loved Indy 4. It had heart and was an Indy movie in an old school way, it was as ridiculous as all the others and that is the WHOLE FUCKING FUN OF IT.
I read in easy riders raging bulls that by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 08:37:49 AM
the berg took took credit for a scene he didnt write. Hal barwood and Matthew robbins wrote the scene where Gary Cuffey disappears. The berg took the credit for that and it ended up at Writers guild where The berg lost. The berg did it again with amistad. Where he lifted the story from a book by Robin Chase Ribbaud. She sued and lost.
Um, never mind my comments above. by NoDiggity	Jun 26th, 2008 08:53:09 AM
This is supposed to be a Stan Winston memorial thread. I just got caught up in the talkback comments. Apologies.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:39 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:39 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:39 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:40 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:40 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:42 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
GET OVER YOURSELVES, TALKBACKERS by CM1986	Jun 26th, 2008 08:54:42 AM
This is a memorial talkback for a lost pioneer. You fanboys using it as yet another platform to vent you Indy IV and Lucas frustrations is just pathetic. Hear me? PATHETIC. All you people are pathetic losers!!!!!!! You give film ggeks a bad name.
Spielberg poet/profit by g-ride9000	Jun 26th, 2008 09:22:07 AM
I love this guy when I read shit like this. CM1986 let them TB's alone, it is impossible to curb over stimulated expectations.
A long time ago this place use to be about by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 10:06:13 AM
talking about films. Then it was hijacked by group of people who clearly have very little interest in how films are made. They hate the system and they hate how films are made. every film they see as a failure. They dont like any film of any kind. they hate other peoples opinions and god forbid if you actually like a film. there were people who like films of Micheal Bay. dont say that here, you will get the head verbally beaten off you. They have long since ceased to be entertained by movies. that is what movies are supposed to do. I didnt like indy 4. that was my opinion. From the moment Tranformers was announced it was attacked and all aspects of it got attacked. We all went to it. It still got attacked. I read some of the Shrillest, overly hysterically nonsense. That I have read in years. If hollywood didnt exist, then films wouldnt exist and the people how openly hate hollywood would have nothing to complain. It would deprive the rest of us who like films, the thing we actaully enjoy. comment about films, i have no problems with. What I do have a problem with is the venom attached to the people who make them. It has to stop. You dont read reviews that say, well Bay snorts coke off his dick and sleeps with midgets. why, it doesnt have anything to do with the film or any film. The talkaback has become a refuge for racists and bigots and homophobes. went I read a comment like I would go back in time abort Micheal Bays birth or bay is the cause of cancerous rot in cinema. I think what in the hell did that guy ever do to get that response. bar making loud, high octane summer movies. That is what Transformers is. I saw the movie. Guess, what i thought it was great for what it was. Some reacted like bay had vandelised some sacred text. nonsense.
There is NO WAY Mr Spielberg will read this by ArcadianDS	Jun 26th, 2008 10:25:20 AM
all of Hollywood knows to stay away. AICN cant even screen movies anymore unless their craptastical indies that have a marketing budget of sixteen dollars and a button. The talkbacks are unmoderated, the content is unfiltered, and its an absolute shitpit of idiocy due to a lack of care, concern, or interest on the part of Harry and his staff. Thats the bottom line: if they cared one bit about this site, its (weakening) reputation, and its all-but-entirely-gone credibility, they would have updated the site to 1990s era tech instead of the early 80s BBS system we're using now. The Talkbacks would be threaded. They would be heavily moderated, and accounts would be closed regularly for general assholerly. This site is the 4chan of movie geek news. You know it, and I know it. The difference is that you and I, to some extent, actually care. Harry? Clearly doesn't.
When the revolution comes by ArcadianDS	Jun 26th, 2008 10:47:53 AM
Dannyglover will be first to the gallows. He epitomizes many of the problems here. He thinks, for example, that his login name is covered by the 1st amendment, and that if anyone bothered to nuke it, well that would be an infraction of free speech. He then tries to repaint the issue as a question of being banned for having a dissenting opinion. Im pretty sure thats just a weak strawman, but I'll let him have that one because Im pretty sure that almost everyone reading what he just typed would agree that nobody is considering the need to delete posts from people who disagree with the use of CGI or the opinion of a movie in general. Thats absurd to even suggest. But he makes a perfect example of whats wrong with this movie. As long as his posting privledges exist, what do you think AICN's changes are of getting a Q&A session with Mr. Danny Glover himself? I'd say pretty slim. And nevermind the fact that hey's braying like an ass about CGI in a thread in which Mr Spielberg is paying tribute to his dead friend. And he has the nerve to call ME a douche-bag? he's exactly whats wrong with AICN.
typo above by ArcadianDS	Jun 26th, 2008 10:49:05 AM
"he makes a perfect example of whats wrong with this site" instead of "whats wrong with this movie." edit features were introduced to the internet around 83 or 84? somewhere around then?
Tribute by flatulence_abounds	Jun 26th, 2008 11:25:06 AM
First off, very nice tribute from Steven about Stan. On the subject of Practical Effects vs CGI, could it be a cost issue at this point? I'm not dismissing anyone's opinion of what looks real or what looks like crap, but maybe at this point in the evolution of CGI it is just cheaper to go the digital route than to pay for the model makers and animal handlers (along wtih ASPCA issues). I am not stating that I have any knowledge of the costs surrounding these technologies, but a different opinion.
You guys will bitch about everything by MattmanReturns	Jun 26th, 2008 11:33:08 AM
What's Spielberg supposed to do?Use practical effects for everything, even though no studios support that idea anymore and it's no longer cost effective? And even if he did, I doubt it would make you happy. You people would still find something to whine about. A lot of you just like to hate... admit it. There's no talking to you.
D.Vader by flatulence_abounds	Jun 26th, 2008 11:43:00 AM
My eyes are bleeding at the thought of "Land Of The Lost" type of effect on a big budget movies. Thanks for the info.
....the one, the only, and one of the last...Stan Winston by The Marquis de Side 3	Jun 26th, 2008 11:59:14 AM
HIGHLY doubt we'll EVER get anyone like him again. sure, CGI is fun, but nothing replaces the imagination of practical effects, and maiking you BELIEVE in them...
Danny by MattmanReturns	Jun 26th, 2008 12:21:44 PM
Good point about the cost effectiveness. But yeah the studios would never go for it. And sadly, I don't think audiences would either.
That's true by MattmanReturns	Jun 26th, 2008 12:39:08 PM
I just can't blame Spielberg for Indy 4. I know he's the director and all, but that's the price of working with Lucas nowadays.
Leae it to the AICN talkbackers... by Zeegloo	Jun 26th, 2008 01:18:01 PM
To say a bunch of irreverent things at a totally inappropriate time.
That was beautiful.... by Mr. Monkey	Jun 26th, 2008 01:18:41 PM
....but i'm still angry about Indy 4
The Raptor snorting against the glass was f-in cool! by Tacom	Jun 26th, 2008 01:46:56 PM
You couldn't do as well with CGI.
the reason why Speilberg hates practical effects by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 01:59:01 PM
is Jaws. Lucas showed the berg what could be done with effects by computer. Speilberg has been doing that way ever since. Watch the chest burster scene in alien. That was acting all the way down to the way hurt twithces on the table. that was one of the reason why I hated Sky captain. None of that looked real. It looked artificial. Even jude, angelina and Gwyneth looked artificial. Jaws turned the berg into a wreck. The movie still worked though. Thanks to williams and of course the editor(who bridled at the fact that speilberg took the credit for the movie for years) and the late great schnieder and dreyfuss and shaw.
Nice. And we will all miss his talent. by JDanielP	Jun 26th, 2008 02:06:32 PM
You ever notice when an actor doesn't seem to have quite the right reaction (or interaction) to a digital creation? In such circumstances, not only are actors required to utilize more imagination,...but I think that, sometimes, the actor isn't informed enough. And the possibility remains that something will change in the digital process, thus having an affect on the resulting performance(s). If Hollywood wants to go completely digital, then actors need to have a complete sense of their scenes. No doubt that Stan Winston & crew made an actor's life much easier. And what would JURASSIC PARK be without him?
how much does a gopher cost? by misnomer	Jun 26th, 2008 02:07:55 PM
bullshit. its about laziness.
It was a prairie dog, jackass. by Tacom	Jun 26th, 2008 03:12:00 PM

Nice tribute Mr. Spielberg by Samuel Fulmer	Jun 26th, 2008 03:25:17 PM
now please hook up with a cinematographer that doesn't make everyone in your films look like they're made of plastic.
I think rick baker and Tom Savini should set up a by emeraldboy	Jun 26th, 2008 04:25:07 PM
ilm school. There should be one rule. they should teach thier students how to make films the old fashioned way. They should team up with the stan winston studio. Stan remember never let the effects get in the way of the story. HIs effects were seamlessly intergrated into the story. to point where you could see the joins.
Freds_Balls_in_a_Mason_Jar by Baddass	Jun 27th, 2008 12:50:44 AM
Wow, what I did was ironic but what you did wasnt? Lol, you are doing exactly what I was trying to show people here the problem was with the site here lately. I am not going to argue with you, I think I am more mature then that, but seriously, look up, how many post do you see that have nothing to do with the topic..... ALOT, including yours and now including this one apparently. I was posting about Mr. Winston but you know everything I was doing anyway, yeah thats true you was reading my mind, This comes from a person that apparently is talking in the third person. What did you just see Fight Club for the first time the other day or what? Get over yourself dude. I am trying to help with the problem that is AGGRAVATING everyone that actually appreciates the site. The only reason I posted it is because I was about to say what a good article it was and how much Mr. Winston will be remembered when I saw the talkbacks and was like OMG. That is why. And to BadMrWonka, I understand what you are saying. Thanks also for seeing what I was trying to communicate there. Also my screen name is spelled like that because it is the same name I use on all forums and games you know. Just thought I would keep it the same in case someone I knew recognized me. R.I.P. Mr. Winston you will be missed, and thanks Mr. Spielberg this was very moving, just in case you ever do read this, which I severely doubt, because I personally wouldnt after so many here do nothing but post negative comments about stuff they know nothing about since they have done nothing with their lives and most of the time it has nothing to do with the topic at hand :/..... Anthony
No Diggity Fuck You by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Jun 27th, 2008 01:36:06 AM
that scene at the end is of course not real, everybody knows that you fuckwit. The fact is that it is a genuine release for the audience. You must be one cold-blooded mofo. I find it retarded to dismiss the entire other 178 minutes of film. Oh, and you can have the dumb bitch, you sound like a good couple.
DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD... by drwynninblack	Jun 27th, 2008 02:41:52 AM
"Anyone who thinks the nuked fridge, or the CG jeep/boat going down multiple waterfalls was a good idea should be shot, stabbed, and raped-- in that order" I respect the fact that you are entitled to your opinion. But, quotes like that only make you seem like a hate-filled, bitter delinquent whom no one can take seriously. You're basically saying that anyone who liked those scenes (such as myself, my wife, and certain members of my family) should be murdered and then have their corpse fornicated. How are any of us supposed to hold an intelligent, respectable conversation with someone who would say that? Again, I respect that you didn't agree with or like the ideas...but, don't you think you should calm down and tone it down a bit?
NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks ... by drwynninblack	Jun 27th, 2008 02:49:37 AM
Good for you. People may not agree with the idea behind "Schindler's List" (some may even call it exploitation...which to me is ridiculous)...but, like it or not, the film HAD to be made. And the scene with Schindler breaking down HAD to be done in that manner? Why? Because there are still ignorant, hate-filled people out there in this world that refuse to acknowledge the fact of the Holocaust. I even know of a few people in my extended family (who live in Southern Indiana) who refuse to admit the full horrors of the holocaust. I also had an Uncle (may he Rest in Peace) who was one of the first U.S. troopers to enter and help liberate THREE Nazi Death Camps in Europe. He saw the horrors in real-life...and he couldn't believe that there were still people on this Earth who refused to own up to the fact that what happened actually DID happen. Spielberg had to make the movie and he had to include the content that he did because, believe it or not, Diggity, not EVERY audience member is as intelligent or astute as you seem to consider yourself to be. There are people out there who don't understand subtlety and won't "get it" unless it IS hammered in. Most of them live in Southern Indiana, it seems...
Emeraldboy, huh? And 'better' animatronics... by half vader	Jun 27th, 2008 03:12:16 AM
Seamless, to the point where you could see the joins? Sorry for paraphrasing your broken sentence, but if that's what you meant, the second part contradicts the first. And I realise people will get carried away with hyperbole in a tribute thread, but neither practical effects/animatronics NOR cgi are 'seamless' - that's the irony of those raving on about 'keeping it real'. Animatronics still have many many drawbacks too and if you're fooled into believing they're 'real' then I don't know why the same doesn'. Having said that though I do dearly love 'em, I'm just a bit more objective and honest than most. Same as how everyone goes on about Stan designing iconic characters like Termi and the Alien Queen and so on. Sometimes it's Cameron, often it's people like Crash McCreery, Sims, Teves and so on (yes, I know they worked for him, that's part of the point). Don't think for a minute I'm diminishing Stan's accomplishments - especially in a tribute thread. He was an amazing guy, and generous, and evolved the industry. And he even apologised and corrected himself once in an interview I read (can't recall which) when he had initially said he'd designed rather than realised Cameron's stuff. That takes a big guy. And I don't agree that Winston was way in front of Rick Baker and Weta and Bottin. Although I can see why SS would say it.
So if Baker and Spielberg have been all made-up by half vader	Jun 27th, 2008 04:21:02 AM
(terrible pun, sorry) for so long now, is there a chance we'll ever see the Dark Skies aliens? That and the Eric Roberts Back to the Future scenes, while we're at it, please.
Spielberg remembers Winston, but nobody remembers by half vader	Jun 27th, 2008 04:22:39 AM
"Stan Winston Digital". Convenient, that.
I liked that the Indy aliens looked like the super-creepy by half vader	Jun 27th, 2008 04:36:59 AM
ones in "Fire in the Sky". Those were awesome! What interdimensional Aliens in Indy needed a spaceship for I have no idea (besides the obvious Lucas-puzzlepiece juggling of linking it to Roswell I mean).
P.S. Emeraldboy by half vader	Jun 27th, 2008 08:25:04 AM
I thought I'd posted a thank you about mentioning Kermit Love, not sure what happened to it. Anyway, thanks.
More third person posters? by snatchmaster	Jun 27th, 2008 08:32:57 AM
I just got used to Orcus and Rickey Henderson. Two is enough please.
What are you talking about, Mr. Sinister? by half vader	Jun 28th, 2008 09:30:02 AM
Jurassic Park was actors looking at pingpong balls on a pole - in the jungles of Hawaii, too. WTF?
The Sci-Fi Channel asks by thegreatwhatzit	Jun 29th, 2008 01:34:48 AM
"Stan who?"
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - My Review by HugePrawn	Jun 30th, 2008 03:40:57 PM
Raiders of the Lost Ark is landmark movie. It will go down as a truly classic piece of cinema history. Everything about that movie is perfect. Spielberg was firing on all cylinders back in the early 80’s and he captured lighting in a bottle with that film. Then came temple of doom. Ugh, should have just left well enough alone. But the public eats sequels for breakfast. Soon after the depressing Temple of Doom, the third movie, The Last Crusade came out, and while much better then the 2nd film, it still failed to meet expectations set by Raiders. After the 3rd film in 1989, everyone seemed to go their separate ways – George Lucas decided to re-visit his Star Wars films and have Greedo shoot first – Spielberg when on to more serious subject matters – Harrison Ford started making crap – but all thru the 90’s, talk of a 4th Indiana Jones film haunted them all. Cut to almost 20 years later – with Indiana Jones pushing 70, we have a 4th film in the series, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Finally all the pieces came together. But would it be a good movie? I was hoping. So one Sunday afternoon, me and daughter headed to the Cinedomes to see what Indy was up these days. I gotta say, it was pretty amazing to me that here I am, taking my 10 year daughter to a sequel to a movie that I saw in the theaters when I was 10 with my parents. Unfortunately my daughter would not be getting the same experience I did watching Raiders…..or did she? A quick run down of Crystal Skull – Indy is still at it at 65, exploring caves and whatnot. We catch up with him as he has been captured by evil Russians and taken to Area 51 in the Nevada desert. The Russians are looking for something – something outta this world! Indy helps them find it then escapes. Too bad for Indy he escapes to a mock town that is just about to be blown up in an Atom Bomb test. Indy hides in a fridge and makes it through the nuclear explosion. YAY! After that it’s back to School for Dr. Jones. Once again we see him teaching Archeology to wide-eyed students. But bad news, Indy is so old now that they are letting him go in favor of a younger teacher. Sucks to be 65. Ah well, now Indy has more time chase the Crystal Skull. Speaking of the Skull (which kind of looks “alien”), it comes to Indy’s attention via a rebel without a cause named Mutt. Mutt tells Indy that his mother told him to get in touch him and ask for help in retrieving an ancient artifact (here’s where things get all “expositiony”. A lot of talk about scrolls, Inca villages, lost teachers, evil curses). Indy decides to help cause what else is he gonna do? The pair travel to South America and get into fun action scenes with those evil Russians hot on their trail. We finally meet Mutt’s mom – turns out it Marion Ravenwood from the first movie! It’s a small world. Revelations are uncovered and then it’s back to chase scenes involving waterfalls, jeeps, and man-eating ants! To wrap things up, they discover where the crystal skull came from and try and make things right by it. Some goofy stuff happens, Indy and Marion get married, Mutt picks up Indy’s hat and stares longingly at it, possibly thinking of taking over for him since he is so old now. The end! I left the theater a tad disappointed that after 19 years they couldn’t get a better screenplay then that. But then again, I’m 19 years older and all that comes with that. I looked down at my daughter and she had the biggest smile on her face. She loved the film! “oh dad, remember those ants? Oh dad, I liked the part where he hid in the fridge! Oh, oh dad, the end when that flying saucer came out of the ground that was SOOO awesome!” It was then that I got it. I understood why this film was made – not for me, but for her. And that alone was worth the price of admission.
SK229 by pr0g2west	Jun 30th, 2008 07:07:29 PM
I feel your anger, a lot of the talkbackers on this site are misanthropic bastards. If it were up to them every film ever made would be a comic book film. Don't get angry, because that is exactly what they are trying to do. I love going to the movies, no film is perfect. And if every film was perfect, then they would all be boring. When I witness a fan flat out hating on a film, or hating a director that made the film, I just sit back and pity that person. Life is too fucking short to waste on hating the haters. Let them hate, you can't change them. Their lives are so miserable that they try to bring down the good time that everybody else is having...they are sad individuals, and their lives probably suck, so don't worry about them.
the main difference hugeprawn by slappy jones	Jul 2nd, 2008 04:32:21 PM
as nice as your story is is that adults and kids both walked out of raiders having loved it. only kids could love crystal skull.
Well I hope he remembers Stan Winston by Reznik	Jul 3rd, 2008 04:29:38 PM
I mean jesus, did Spielberg just now remember? I never forgot about Stan Winston.

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