Two Predictions Re: Ellen Page & Indiana Jones

By Wescoat January 1, 2008 5:12 PM

I set out to list a whole slew of film-related predictions to ring in the new year, but got bored after only two. So, in no particular order, here you go...

The new Indiana Jones movie will not suck.

Okay so I'm not going out on a limb with that prediction, but seriously folks, let's get pumped for this shit. Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls is going to rule. For one thing Steven Spielberg still directs an action scene better than anyone in the business. For another thing, George Lucas has co-written the script (with David Koepp) as opposed to writing it himself as he did with all three of the catastrophically terrible Star Wars films. Let no one ever say the man lacks good ideas, but he can't write a line of dialogue to save his life. He needs collaborators on his projects more than any other mainstream film-maker, and Keopp and Spielberg will do wonders to keep him in check. Also, the cast on this thing? Um, amazing? Shia Labeouf, Cate Blanchett, AND John Hurt? If the worst actor in your cast is Harrison Ford, you know you're in good shape. And finally, the last three installments of Jones have gotten better with each new addition. The creative team seems to figure it out a little better each time, and what's more, you get the sense these films are the most fun for Spielberg and Lucas. Like, they get to step away from their German assassin projects and tedious Jar Jar effects-rendering and just kick it and make a fun, funny adventure flick with punching, shooting, and hidden caves. I am more excited for this release than any other in 2008.

Ellen Page will win the Best Actress Oscar

Again, not the most stunning notion to come around the pipe, but did you see Juno? I mean, it's gotta be one of the most well-acted films of the year period, anchored by an incredibly annoying, and somehow also completely endearing Page. What starts out as a grating super-quirky indie in the vein of the dismal Little Miss Sunshine, quickly finds its stride and becomes one of the funniest, touching-est films of the year. Page has already been good in stuff (like the chilling Hard Candy), but she's REALLY good in this; sharp and cocky and obnoxious, just like the kid you went to high school with who was smarter and more articulate and wiser than everyone else but was still an immature high school kid so hadn't figured out yet how to turn those gifts into genuine charm, and so was still pretty annoying. But still, you were secretly in love with her because underneath the retro clothes and the hip jargon, there was a vulnerability to her. Also she was cute as hell. That's Ellen Page in Juno. There hasn't been a better, more memorable female performance this year, and the Oscar voters will fall in love with her just like I did. (Sidenote: Ellen, if you happen to come across this post while googling yourself, will you ichat with me? I heart you.)

| comments: 3

Reader Discussions:

Post YOUR opinion too!

Kingdom of the Crystal skull   reply

Posted by Marcollex (marcollex@hotmail.com) on January 2, 2008 5:01 PM

In reply to the gentleman who said that Harrison ford sucks. Look pal without him the film would be that great pal. Look I agree with most things you said but you got to inclde HARRISON FORD OK!!! PLEASE.

Indy 4   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 3, 2008 9:45 AM

Noone said that Harrison was a bad actor, they just meant that he's not as good and actor as the likes of John Hurt or Cate Blanchett.

I agree that Indy 4 looks like it's going to be great, I just hope that in reguards to the whole alien concept it'll be more of a 'long dead race of beings from another world' type of thing rather than an 'Uh oh here come loads of aliens with laser guns and spaceships trying to kill us' type of deal.

Aliens are fine by me but just keep them in the same context as the Ark or Holy Grail, the last thing anyone wants is Indy vs Star Wars.

RE: Indy 4   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 8, 2008 4:42 AM

I hope Ellen Page gets an award this year, she's a fine young actress and exceedingly rapeable.