Re the Indiana Jones franchise I agree that it jumped the shark after "The Last Crusade", but I have to disagree with you about "Raiders". It was certainly "cliche ridden" . . . because it was deliberately created to be an homage to the cheesy 1930s-vintage adventure movies (much as Star Wars was lovingly modeled after the pulp SF of the same era). There's no Deep Message, no logic to the plot (such as it is), and not so much characters as caricatures -- but it's slam-bang action from start to finish, great fun to watch. At least for me.
And "racist"? Huh? Where the hell did that come from? The portrayal of Arabs? One of the most sympathetic characters in the story (Sallah) is an Arab. The only black person I remember is a ship captain. So what exactly is "racist" about the movie?
Jake agree with you about much of Raiders. Saw itwhen it first came out and thought it was great but if you watch it today it is ultra predictable. And racist. All brown people need a white guy to tell them what to do (even if they're ship captains and he's a college professor). Maybe that's what made it cheesy?
BTW - Star Wars was basically a rip off of Joseph Campbell and Dune and they've said as much.
Watch it again and see if I'm wrong. You're the best and a minor disagreement is just a minor disagreement.
Re the Indiana Jones franchise I agree that it jumped the shark after "The Last Crusade", but I have to disagree with you about "Raiders". It was certainly "cliche ridden" . . . because it was deliberately created to be an homage to the cheesy 1930s-vintage adventure movies (much as Star Wars was lovingly modeled after the pulp SF of the same era). There's no Deep Message, no logic to the plot (such as it is), and not so much characters as caricatures -- but it's slam-bang action from start to finish, great fun to watch. At least for me.
And "racist"? Huh? Where the hell did that come from? The portrayal of Arabs? One of the most sympathetic characters in the story (Sallah) is an Arab. The only black person I remember is a ship captain. So what exactly is "racist" about the movie?
Anyhow, glad you're back -- stay healthy!
Jake agree with you about much of Raiders. Saw itwhen it first came out and thought it was great but if you watch it today it is ultra predictable. And racist. All brown people need a white guy to tell them what to do (even if they're ship captains and he's a college professor). Maybe that's what made it cheesy?
BTW - Star Wars was basically a rip off of Joseph Campbell and Dune and they've said as much.
Watch it again and see if I'm wrong. You're the best and a minor disagreement is just a minor disagreement.
Jake - BTW five words for you:
Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls