ThePhasmid

This is definitely going to require a second viewing, because the last hour truly brings everything that preceded it into sharp focus in typical Nolan fashion. For right now, I still hold some issue with the formative years of Oppenheimer (roughly first 30 minutes). It seems almost arbitrary in retrospect despite one moral choice early on concerning an apple. I might change my mind on repeated viewings. Other than that, what an amazing historical and political epic. I do enjoy how Nolan treated the big moment with respect. Instead of making it a moment of spectacle, he allows the viewer to contend with the weight of the world changing event in silence. What many were expecting to be the loudest scene is actually one of the quietest moments in the film. Also, it goes without saying the 70mm presentation was second to none. I will be seeing it again next weekend in standard IMAX, but I doubt it will feel the same.

I heard his recent interview with Marc Maron not too long ago. His strict religious upbringing and education informs much of his work and early career as a film critic. European cinema was a culture shock to him. A man raised in a very calculated moral sphere contending with a world of so many shades.

I read a post saying San Antonio had similar issues. Apparently, most of the crowd in Irvine were respectful to staff, but there were a few loud and disgruntled attendees. The catch here is that the greater LA area has several theaters supporting this format. All within a 30 minute to hour drive apart depending on traffic. It's not the end of the world.

I'm reading all of these posts on other sites about the 70mm IMAX projector overheating in multiple locations (including the one I've booked my ticket for!!!!). I hope it's fixed by then. I feel bad for the folks who waited hours yesterday only to be refunded, or told to watch it in another format.

First showing on Sunday in Irvine for the 70mm presentation with the old man. I am so ready for this!

Scorsese, Nolan, and Villeneuve. A big year for the auteurs. It feels like the 2007 prestige season again.

So many numbers, so few answers. The typical dirge of the victims leftover from greed and power. Those who create and play within the world of films should be equally compensated to the same measure as those who invest in it.

It was the classic McQuarrie appetizer. The first complicated action scene that starts the ball rolling. Not quite as good as the opera scene in RN (very few things are), but still a great way to begin the nonstop thrills that ensue.

This should easily beat Fallout domestically. After watching the film, I don't think it'll even be close. As previously said, the international take it where it might struggle.

Edit: SLIGHT SPOILER(S) AHEAD I like the Philip K. Dick element of this film. It's very similar to Minority Report. I think it's the most prescient and intelligent script of the new batch of films. The Rogue Nation was an internal threat to the IMF, but the Entity goes far beyond human intelligence operations. Calculating every move based on algorithms from intelligence databases. It doesn't dictate fate as much as it understands what the next move is based on countless profiles. It was cool to see how boots on the ground CIA agents are chasing the IMF who are chasing the mad schemes of an AI based enemy. There are many layers to peel here. It didn't have as many standout action set pieces as RN and Fallout, but there's no denying it was a nonstop thrill ride (both in action and tense moments of character interaction) once it got to the Abu Dhabi airport. The only minor complaint is how Grace and Ethan's relationship comes very close to being a near 1:1 copy of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler.

It has a great villain and one decent set piece (Chesapeake Bay Bridge). I feel like Abrams was too young of a Hollywood filmmaker to create technically proficient action sequences. The cinematography and editing ruined what was actually a decent plot. If the film had a more seasoned director, I think the series might've taken a different path. As others have mentioned, M:I 3 walked so Ghost Protocol could run.

My only question at this point is how much better will this perform than Fallout domestically? That's a big factor here. I'm still not convinced it can do it internationally.

I'm going to have to defend Rogue Nation as being the best in the series. The opera scene stands right next to the CIA vault sequence in the original as peak espionage action. The two are polar opposites in terms of sound design, but both represent the best of both. Multiple conflicts in one limited space conveyed through near perfect cinematic geography. Beyond that, the film doesn't truly take a break until the third act in London. The way they wrapped up the ending was the most satisfying to me. How it all comes full circle for Lane and Ethan in a glass cage was a nice feather in the cap.

The McQuarrie/Cruise collaboration's only major stumble was The Mummy. It's not the quality of the film that was ever in question. The box office run is going to be interesting. It's definitely going to perform better than Rogue Nation. I actually think it will perform better than Fallout domestically despite Barbie's possibility of being a box office hit. International performance is where I think it might take a minor dip. No way this crosses a billion like Top Gun. As far as series ranking goes (in order): Rogue Nation Fallout Ghost Protocol Mission: Impossible M:I 3 and 2 are equally bottom tier despite having some great set pieces.

How much money did Top Gun Maverick make in China last year? Anyone?

The action adventure genre has been slim pickings for many years. It's usually buried beneath high fantasy or science fiction. The latest Uncharted film was very middling. Outside of Indiana Jones, what is there? The Goonies, Adventures of Tintin, The Mummy, The Rundown, and some other minor successes that didn't receive notable sequels (Journey films). I'm just excited when the moniker of this genre returns to the big screen (despite mixed reviews).

I don't see anything out of place with Indy verse in the clip. If anything, Jones is starting to sound like his father from Crusade. Again, it's just a clip. Critics are definitely split on this, so I will enter it with great trepidation.

Repost

This was...not a good film. It also felt antiquated in a visual sense as well. I've seen better mo-cap in game cutscenes.

I'm not saying this is going to be a good Indy film, but I think some of us are underestimating how much people want to see this type of film again. In my eyes, this is critic proof. We shall see, though.

Ranking Crusade as the last of the 4? What has this thread turned into? You're a bunch of Indy turncoats!

Temple of Doom is packed with all the silliness, but lacks the pulp fun of Jones solving cool puzzles and kicking Nazi ass. It's the dumb middle child.

I am so old that I remember watching The Last Crusade as a kid in a drive in theater. You have that old radio system next to your car. The popcorn in the front seat as us kids ask the adults to turn up the radio. That was a great film no matter how you saw it. I also distinctly remembering that Temple of Doom was not a good sequel when I watched it on VHS as a kid. Many people defend it despite its own creators trying to disown it. I respect their efforts to defend a maligned sequel. I do that with Alien 3 to this day.

Has anyone tracked how many retcons this series has? We need a super edit on it at some point. I feel like we have reached a level of plot threads deserving of Charlie Day in "It's Always Sunny". It should make for good comedy.

Scorsese is locked. Time for Nolan, Villeneuve, and Fincher to show up. This is looking like it could be 2008 awards season again. Legacy directors back in town.