Doctor Villainous

Eloquently put. After watching KotCS, I felt like I'd been f*cked in the ass by a train. My childhood had nothing to do with it though; I just suffer from anal spasms whenever I see a movie which resembles a turd. The "path of least resistance" was the fire exit at the front of the theater, but unfortunately for me that wasn't an option, since I was doing the driving that night. The Dark Knight is deserving of the plaudits since that film does have the artistic and technical merit of which you speak. Indy IV shouldn't really be mentioned in the same breath, except when using TDK as an instrument of Indy IV mockery. That said, I do like the warehouse scene. I think that KOTCS is probably the 3rd best (or worst depending on your view) Indiana Jones movie... I believe 'The Dark Knight' to be the 3rd best Batman movie. TDK certainly aspires to be something more than it is, but falls somewhere in between i.e. it's a good Batman movie, but an average cop/crime drama. Like most things these days, adopt a serious tone… paint it black and, to paraphrase a great French thinker, “the seagulls will follow the trawler”…

Not aimed at an individual (as all opions are of course valid), but rather just an observation of the way we consume and dissect our modern culture/art... It’s a modern malaise... this generation of internet and armchair critics that are swept up in the furore of either praising something far beyond it’s worth, or picking apart the minutia to simply heap unwarranted scorn. We’ve seen the legions of those jumping on ‘The Dark Knight’ bandwagon (surly just a good Batman movie at best), to praise it far beyond its actual merits… and those berating Spielberg/Lucas for ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ for yet again pillaging their childhoods. This black and white/all or nothing approach seems like the path of least resistance for many, who haven’t the critical faculties to either A) Enjoy a movie for what it is. B) Constructively critique a movie based on its artistic and technical merits. KOTCS isn’t a “classic” and is probably best described as a mediocre Indiana Jones movie. Any argument based on asserting that ‘Temple of Doom’, or ‘Last Crusade’ is a better artistic or technical achievement, just seems like folly.

This has to be an urban legend or something. I wasn't alive when Temple of Doom was released, but seriously, "thrashed"? It's got 84% on the Tomatometer. Yes, the film's dark content generated controversy, but that doesn't mean the critics didn't like it. I still have many of the original reviews of TOD. They were pretty cool on TOD, and not nearly as positive as the reviews for KOTCS. The likes of 'rottentomatoes.com', will not collate original reviews, but rather reviews of the DVD's, which are more contemporary and largely revisionist. Agree 100% with your sentiment (although my ranking would differ based on personal preference).

I'd be interested to know, hypothetically speaking, that if the expanded TOD and TLC CD's could only take a maximum of an additional 2 previously unreleased tracks per CD, what would your preferences be? What exclusions would make the new CD’s almost not worth getting? For me, these 4 tracks have to be included… TOD - ‘Stealing the Stones’ and ‘Underground Chaos’. TLC – ‘The Portuguese Coast’ and the full ‘Tank Chase’. Please ignore if this has been mentioned elsewhere.

Of his more popular output, and in no particular order... Star Wars (ANH) Superman: The Movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Schindler's List E.T.

I'd agree... Go for soundtracks like 'From Russia With Love', 'Goldfinger' and 'Thunderball', in the first instance and see if you like them. Also, in reference to your question "Should I purchase the John Barry scores first"? Of course you should. It would be a bit like wanting to start a collection of Star Wars music and starting with the soundtrack for 'The Clone Wars' and 'Shadows of the Empire'

Has to be TDK for me. I wanted it to be great... but it was just average with some fleeting good moments.

It would probably be 'IJ and the Last Crusade' for me (TPM would be up there).

I think that there are enough classic Batman villians out there to warrant not bringing back Harvey Dent. His story was over by the climax of TDK - which is a shame as I thought his story arc seemed rushed (not as poorly as Venom in Spiderman III - but rushed all the same).

Can you pinpoint where exactly it happens? It may just be a bad edit...

I guess people keep asking the question because A) They are eager to own these pieces of music, and are genuinely excited at the prospect... and B) People don't want to set their expectations too high in fear of getting hopes dashed. Having re-read the press release multiple times and comments from King mark et al, I'm convinced that I-III are expanded... but there still remains that nagging little voice at the back of the mind...

I think the issue with the KOTCS OST (if indeed there is an issue), is that Williams actually released too much music on one album. If the album were a little more concise… circa 11 or 12 tracks, I think it would have been punchier and perceived by many as more instant/classic. As some have already mentioned, the album seems to lose its way a little in the second half when the feel becomes a little more sombre and esoteric. I believe that issue could be easily remedied by removing a couple of superfluous tracks and leaving us with: - 01. Raiders March 02. Call of the Crystal 03. The Adventures of Mutt 04. Irina’s Theme 05. The Spell of the Skull 06. The Journey to Akator 07. Orellana’s Cradle 08. Secret Doors and Scorpions 09. The Jungle Chase 10. Ants! 11. The Departure 12. Finale Anyway - I think it’s a wonderful score… and whilst not his absolute best, it’s certainly up there with his better scores and is worthy of repeated listening.

yes we have No, we don't. We do have interpretations of a badly written press release by people who are not more in-the-know than you and me. Well the press release suggests expanded versions of TOD and LC… but you are correct in that it’s poor wording risks misinterpretation on our part. Until we have a follow up press release (and track list), we won’t know for sure.

Whilst KOTCS has it's flaws and whilst TDK is clearly a well made and intelligent movie, I enjoyed KOTCS more and think it has more replay value (although I think that we are entitlled to like both).