The debate won’t end anytime soon as there are still rumors that George Lucas is kicking around ideas for a fifth film in the franchise. But anyway, you would expect a heap of extras on a DVD for a blockbuster this big. And they include multiple interviews and a whopping 12-part “Making Of” Feature. Cate Blanchett even talks about how she picked out her villainous hair style.

For old school sci-fi fans, the complete series of Ultraman is on DVD. Yes it’s campy, yes it’s Japanese, what more do you need to know? Ultraman would go on to inspire all sorts of shows, both animated and live action. Modern shows including The Simpsons and Yu-Gi-Oh have parodied Ultraman and his exaggerated fighting style and poses.

Image: Paramount Pictures 2008

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That’s right, make your Dr. Evil face, one billion dollars. That’s a lot of movie tickets. The surprise hit Iron Man was a production of Marvel Studios but distributed by Paramount and has pulled down $305 million domestically. It played to stellar reviews and will no doubt open the floodgates for more comic-related fare.

Indy drew mixed reviews, largely due to a complex plot involving Roswell and aliens. It’s funny, initially Cynthia and I were wondering whether an Indiana Jones sequel would fall under our sci fi/fantasy umbrella. Little did we know how sci-fi Indiana was going to get. Despite the ambivalence of reviewers, Indiana Jones and Steven Spielberg are guaranteed to make money together. They’ve raked in $291 million at this point.

But Paramount hasn’t just been a genre juggernaut. Family flick Kung Fu Panda has grossed $156 million domestically.

Image: Paramount Pictures, 2008

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It ain’t exactly chump change, though. Indy shrugged off a blasé reaction from critics as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas did what they do best, thrill audiences. But even with the sure fire success of Dr. Jones’ latest escapade and the surprising performances of films like Iron Man, the box office overall is down this year.

In 2007 by this time, there had been seven movies surpassing the $100 million mark. That was propelled by the infamous “Summer of Three” featuring the third installments of the Pirates, Spider-Man and Shrek franchises. This year only the aforementioned Iron Man and Indiana Jones join family flick Horton Hears a Who in that exclusive club.

Image courtesy of Newscom.

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Media outlets including Yahoo have reported titters of laughter from the audience every time Cate Blanchett’s villainous Russian spy came on screen. She’s sporting the worst Russian accent since, ironically, Harrison Ford in K-19:The Widowmaker.

Even the positive reviews admit it doesn’t hold a candle to Raiders of the Lost Ark, as if it could. Just once it would be awesome if an actor said, “No, I’ve got enough money and I don’t want to tarnish people’s memory of the original films.” Of course, since Ford’s career has deteriorated into starring in dreck like Hollywood Homicide he probably wasn’t going to be the one to say no.

Worse yet, Spielberg hasn’t closed the door on a fifth Indy movie. That could happen with Ford or co-star Shia LaBoeuf’s Mutt Williams character. For the love of God, please stop them.

Image courtesy of Newscom.

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Not only would I like to see who our readers think is the biggest hero this summer, I’d love to know why. Let us hear your comments on whether Batarangs or fedoras are the order of the day.

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We asked Iron Man, Batman and Indiana Jones why our fans should vote for them.

Iron Man: I’m sorry, what wuz the question again? Who says it’s last call?

SFUniverse: Mr. Stark, are you drunk? (Yes, Brian is shameless enough to use a drunken Iron Man joke)

Iron Man: They don’t have enough liquor here to get Tony Stark drunk! Seriously, there’s not enough. I heard this interview had a cash bar….

SFUniverse: Um. moving along? Batman, why should fans want to see your movie?

Batman: Because criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot. They’re frightened by symbols like the bat.

SFUniverse: I’m not really sure what that has to do with the question.

Batman: You’re not one of those bleeding heart liberals that thinks society’s to blame, are you?

SFUniverse: No, and put that Batarang away please! We’ll move on… Indy?

Indiana Jones: I’m sorry, what was the question?

SFUniverse: Dr. Jones, are you drunk?

Indy: What was that?

Iron Man: He’s not drunk, and I’d know. He’s too old and senile to answer you. Go see Iron Man.

Batman: What kind of superhero role model smells of Goldschlager?

Iron Man: What kind of superhero role model makes ten-year-olds fight supervillains?

Indy: He’s got you there, Bat-ears.

Batman: Oh that you hear!

SFUniverse: This isn’t getting us anywhere. Since the heroes can’t decide, we need you to vote in our poll for the biggest summer movie.

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In honor of the release of the new Indiana Jones movie, SCI FI Channel will run a mini-marathon of all three previous movies (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Los Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) on May 18th. 

After the movies, SCI FI will air a brand new special, “Mystery of the Crystal Skulls” with host Lester Holt.

The special will investigate the urban legend surrounding the skulls.  So the story goes that there were 13 quartz human skulls discovered amid ruins of Mayan and Aztec societies.  The skulls have since been scattered by the four winds but if they should be reunited they would unleash untold energy and reveal secrets vital to the survival of mankind.

NBC News anchor Lester Holt will examine the myths and the controversies as he takes audiences inside the lab to discover the truth about these mythical skulls.  Finally, Holt will pack his bags and head for the jungles of Belize in a trek that even Indiana Jones could be proud of!

It all happens on May 18th on SCI FI.

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Post from: SF Universe