Blame Guy

• email this story
• read comments (16)
• post a comment
• 
  
  

A movie is only as good as its weakest creative link -- as clever or knowing or visually alive as the stodgiest, most old-fashioned, least-hip person in the inner creative circle. So if it turns out that there's something a little bit wrong with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull -- something a wee bit underwhelming about the story, something rote or cornball or ill-considered -- we all know who the big Blame Guy is probably going to be. This is so widely understood I don't even feel the need to say his name. I presume it's obvious I'm not talking about Steven Spielberg or screenwriter David Koepp.

comment #1

JeffK says ...

At least Georgie will be able to kill a beloved franchise with just one movie this time.

comment #2

VerdanaBold says ...

Don't you think you're being a little hard on Shia? He's already apologized for ruining Transformers.

comment #3

lazarus says ...

This isn't a surprise. If it's good, Lucas had nothing to do with it. If it sucks, it's his fault for not using Darabont's screenplay.

A shame that one of our greatest storytellers, and whose last three films made over a billion dollars domestic, still can't shake the bad rep.

Let's not forget whose idea Indy was in the first place. We wouldn't even have anything to discuss if it wasn't for him.

comment #4

Rich S. says ...

Spielberg has had a lot of trouble ending his films of late (see: War of the Worlds; Munich). If this movie does have "something a little bit wrong" with it, I'll be willing to bet it's the ending. And there will be plenty of blame to go around.

comment #5

Mr. Blood Vessel says ...

JeffK [TypeKey Profile Page] says ...

At least Georgie will be able to kill a beloved franchise with just one movie this time.

let's not blame the guy.
he's just trying to put out the best product possible.
and when you're in charge of your own company 24-7, you get a little obsessive.
maybe the Darabont script was good, but that's neither here nor there.
I actually think the weakest link is the cinematographer.
everything looks so fake.

comment #6

twicks says ...

I will never, ever understand how directing a few OK-to-lousy Star Wars movies turned so many people against George Lucas.

Talk about short memories...the man gave you American Graffiti, Star Wars, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. That's enough goodwill to last a lifetime.

Plus, for being as rich as Cresus, he seems like a likeable, grounded person. The fact that he raised three adopted children as a single parent makes him even cooler in my book.

comment #7

D.Z. says ...

Verdana: It's not Shia who ruined it.

twicks: You have to take into account that the last couple of movies he was remembered for were Howard the Duck and
Willow. [I'm not sure if Tucker: A Man and His Dream counts...]

comment #8

Matthew Lucas says ...

I agree about the ending of "War of the Worlds," but I thought the ending of "Munich" was brilliant.

comment #9

Mr. Blood Vessel says ...

Posted by D.Z. at May 6, 2008 08:23 AM
Verdana: It's not Shia who ruined it.

twicks: You have to take into account that the last couple of movies he was remembered for were Howard the Duck and
Willow. [I'm not sure if Tucker: A Man and His Dream counts...]

If you want blame anyone for Willow, blame Ron Howard.
He is not the most reliably good director.
great guy from what i hear though.

comment #10

DaysOfTaste says ...

I was thinking Shia or Koepp.

But good call.

comment #11

markj says ...

100 years from now Lucas will be viewed as Eisenstein is viewed now. Somebody that changed the form of filmmaking. Through Star Wars, ILM, THX, Skywalker Sound and digital post and editing, Lucas will be remembered as a cinema pioneer. It's sad that so many take potshots at him. Sure he's made some crap but he also directed 3 of the best films of the 70s and created Indiana Jones.

comment #12

sutter kane says ...

Meh- I'm still going to blame Koepp. That guy's an overrated hack, and it's a mystery to me how he got to be the 'go-to' guy for big-budget franchise movies. His scripts were the weakest parts of Spiderman and WOTW.

comment #13

Mark says ...

"I thought the ending of "Munich" was brilliant."

Please elaborate as I've never even seen the actual ending. I don't know how anyone continues watching after the torturous love-making scene.

comment #14

Kristopher Tapley says ...

I think Koepp is the real concern...always has been.

comment #15

Rich S. says ...

Eisenstein wouldn't have let them use Chewbacca and Darth Vader on Deal or No Deal.

comment #16

Edward says ...

I remember back in the early 80's when I was in LA and after the promo for THX sound there would be enthusiastic applause. If nothing else George deserves a pass for elevating movie theater sound.

Post a Comment