The Oscars attempt (emphasis on the word, “attempt”) to recognize cinemas greatest achievements each year. The Razzies, on the other hand,  recognize cinema’s greatest underachievements each year.

After seeing the nominees for this year’s Razzie Awards, I’m beginning to think that the Razzie judges need to be given jobs on the Oscar selection committee. Maybe then the Oscar noms would be a little bit more spot-on.

Here are the 2008 Razzie Award nominees for your viewing displeasure.

It’s Wednesday so it’s time for our weekly open discussion, but as it happens this one is hitting on the last day of 2008! Can you believe this year is over already?

And what an incredible year it’s been for movies… 2008 was a banner year for superhero movie fans with the likes of The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Hellboy 2, and yes – even Hancock and Punisher: War Zone.

Other great genre films included Rambo, Cloverfield (do you even remember that opened this year?!), Tropic Thunder, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Kung Fu Panda and more.

I’m sure you can all guess which movie took the top spot (just in case…. it’s The Dark Knight), and yes it’s predictably Twilight and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that are the second and third most searched.

But the rest of the list may not be as you might have thought. Here it is, in descending order:

The holiday season is upon us once again. And in the time-honored tradition of making a wishlist of what we hope to receive, I thought I would present something from my personal list for 2009:

A fifth Indiana Jones movie.

Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t expect to receive one in 2009. What I am hoping for is the official announcement that one is in progress; that the contracts have been signed, and pre-production is well under way.

Screen Rant’s Indy 4 giveaway is now closed and we’re pleased to announce our 3 winners:

Randy Curran – Omaha, NE
Sara Sicotte – Los Angeles, CA
Robin Trexel – Hodgenville, KY

Congratulations and thank’s to everyone for entering. There will be another contest on its way soon!

Here’s the official info on the release and details of what you’ll find on the disc…

Uh oh.

Harrison Ford spoke with the LA Times today revealing that George Lucas is thinking up a story for the next installment to the Indiana Jones franchise. Harrison says:

“It’s crazy but great”

Well I for one, think the opposite.

Heath McKnight: Obsessive Iron Man fan

Before I start my little op-ed about Iron Man and The Dark Knight, I want you all to know that Iron Man is indeed my favorite character. I had him tattooed on my right forearm almost five years ago, and Entertainment Weekly even featured me as their “Obsessive Fan of the Week” last year! I write for Advanced Iron (the #1 Iron Man fan site on the planet), and my love for the character stretches back over 20 years.

As we all know, Hollywood is the epicenter of not only fads, but also ripping off copying what works from other studios. We’ve all seen this before many times. One studio puts out a successful movie in some genre and within 6-9 months we see a bunch of movies coming out trying to capitalize on the popularity of the first one.

It’s almost September and that means that the big summer movie season of 2008 is finally over – but what a summer it’s been!

2008 delivered the kind of summer that superhero and action movie geeks dream of – this is the year that brought us three bonafide superhero movies: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and what was that third one… oh yeah: The Dark Knight.

Summer is now drawing to a close, the last of the big blockbusters of the season have been released and we are slowly moving into awards territory again.

Don’t worry – there are plenty of films to keep us entertained.

In this Weekend Movie News Wrap Up we look at why Simon Pegg isn’t an Inglorious Bastard, we see the return of Candyman,  Conan gets rewritten, we check out the details of the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull DVD and we have a look at some more images from Watchmen.

Buddy of mine and I were chatting last week when Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was brought up. We both liked it despite its many flaws and what not. Then, he quips, “Yeah, they’ll definitely do another one…”

That remark threw me back a bit. “Really? You think?” I replied. He went on to say that “it’s all about money, Jamie!” Well…he’s not wrong.

Indy IV has made well over $215 million domestically and just under $500 million worldwide in its first two weeks in theatres.

When everything’s said and done, whether you loved or hated it, the film stands to earn around $600-$700 million worldwide give or take.

I’m not big on reporting box office numbers here at Screen Rant, but I found this comparison pretty interesting: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull barely beat Iron Man opening weekend for opening weekend.

I really thought that Indy would smoke the armored one as far as opening weekend box office – Indiana Jones has huge name recognition, anticipation over being a return to the series after 19 years, big name star Harrison Ford, current flavor of the month Shia Lebouf and an outstanding legacy behind it.

On the other hand Iron Man was a relatively unknown Marvel Comics character being played by Robert Downey Jr, not exactly known as a big box office draw.

So how do they compare?

Short version: While very enjoyable overall, there are some things about it that are incredibly annoying and could have been easily corrected.

I’m going to presume that you have already seen this film before you read this review. It’s pretty filled with spoliers, so be warned!

I don’t think that I have to talk about how much I love Indiana Jones, or how much I’ve been looking forward to this fourth instalment in the franchise. You all ready know, and if you don’t – then why haven’t you been reading Screen Rant before this?

George Lucas is a personal hero of mine, the man comes under a lot of fire from movie fans, but I have stood firmly beside the quiffed, plaid shirted wonder for years, and I can even defend the Star Wars prequels. If it’s possible I’ve been looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull more than the last three Star Wars movies – mainly because I didn’t feel that they’d have the same magic as the originals because Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher wouldn’t be on the cast list. I had no such worries with Indiana Jones – Ford would be back, and to me, that made me want to see this new movie.

Screen Rant writer Jamie Williams came up with a great and timely idea. With all of us here being hard core movie fanatics and a new Indiana Jones movie debuting this week – he suggested that we each share our most significant memories related to the Indiana Jones movies.

This is going to be a long one because I couldn’t bring myself to edit any of my guys’ memories.

First, from our most ardent supporter of the upcoming Indy movie, Niall Browne:

“Growing up I always knew that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were friends. I don’t know where I learned this fact – but I always knew it. I probably figured it out from the credits of the Indiana Jones movies, after all this was a time before the internet and media based television shows. Lucas has always been one of my heroes – and despite what a lot of people think – I have a tremendous amount of respect for the man.”

“To people of a certain age – men of a certain age, Harrison Ford is an icon. He is Indiana Jones, he is Han Solo – these legendary roles made him a role model to boys around my age. I don’t remember the first time that I saw an Indiana Jones film, but the earliest memory that I have about Indiana Jones is from around the time Temple of Doom was released – that would be 1984 – I was four years old. I saw the film at the cinema, and although I have a very fuzzy recollection of the events, my parents tell me that I loved the experience.”

“The strongest memory that I have of the franchise is of the Last Crusade, being a huge James Bond fan – it was a nine year old’s dream to have Ford and Sean Connery in one film. Even today Last Crusade is my favorite film in the series – from the religious artifact to the relationship with his father, the Jones boys remind me very much of my dad and me. Sentimental I know, but that’s the power of cinema.”

“Over the years there have been hundreds of Indiana Jones rumors, one that I always hoped for was that Kevin Costner would play Indy’s evil younger brother. This was never to be, a shame but the reality of things. I got to the point where I honestly never believed that they would make a fourth Indiana Jones film. I couldn’t see it happening, I thought that they would talk about it and write numerous scripts, but that I would never see a new movie. Man, I’m glad that I’m wrong!”

“Indiana Jones has influenced me directly and indirectly throughout my life, even at University I studied archeology. It was however for a very brief moment as it clashed with my film classes. I had to decide that I could either become Indiana Jones or watch him. I made a choice for the latter. I could never be that cool! I even studied Medieval literature at College – Arthurian legend, the Holy Grail – a nod to Sean Connery’s character from The Last Crusade – a Medieval Literature Professor. Heck, even in my day job – I teach! If only it were – ‘Part Time.’”

“Now on the dawn of Indy’s return I’m excited. I’m as excited today writing this as I was nine years ago before the release of Star Wars: Episode I, I’m older now – but I still have that excited feeling that only George Lucas knows how to unleash. Will this fourth Indy adventure be as good as the previous efforts? I don’t think for a second that it will, but it’s making me feel nineteen years younger – and that is a miracle in itself.”

“Indiana Jones, I salute you.”

Short version: While it definitely had its moments and plenty of nods to the fans, there was also more ridiculousness than we’ve ever seen in an Indiana Jones film.

Ok, I’d really like an easy movie to review for a change…

Reviewing the first Indiana Jones movie to be released in 20 years and directed by Steven Spielberg is not something I take lightly. It’s no secret that I haven’t exactly been fired up for this film or a big cheerleader for it (our writer Niall has taken that upon himself here at Screen Rant), but I truly hoped it would be great even if I didn’t think it would be.

So was it awful? Of course not. But was it great? Unfortunately, no.

What it was is pretty ridiculous in more than a couple of places – but oh, how it tried to be awesome… (BTW, I tried to keep this review as spoiler free as possible.)

Next week there’s a little film called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull .

You may have heard of it.

If not you’re either just back from Mars or you’ve just woken up from a fifteen year coma.

Well we are almost there folks and I can’t wait – however I won’t be there on opening night – I’m checking out a screening of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist. I know, I know I should be at Indy – but that’s life!

However, you can bet your backside that I’ll be there on Friday night, popcorn in hand just like I was in 1989 when I watched The Last Crusade but enough about me – you want to know about Indiana Jones.

Indiana Jones is going to be a hit, we all know that. It won’t be a hit like Speed Racer was going to be a hit, it will be a solid gold hit – a “blockbuster” in the true sense of the word.

In case you don’t know, before it became corrupted by the studio marketing folks the term “blockbuster” was a film that had people literally queued around the block – it was therefore busting the block. These days films are pitched as being blockbusters before they are filmed – they are just big budget films that the studios hope will be hits.

Anyway, how big a hit will Indy 4 be?

Some are saying “Star Wars” big!

At the Iron Man screening(s) I attended the new (and presumably, final) trailer for Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull was shown, and I have to admit that I’m finally getting excited about this film. I just really hope that Spielberg and Lucas manage to re-capture the spirit of the original. The trailer at least, seems to do so.

Check out the brand new trailer below and see for yourself.

While it’s hardly a barrage of publicity, there has been some movement on the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull publicity front.

The most important news is that Hollywood Elsewhere has allegedly discovered that the film’s running time will be 140 minutes (2 hours 20 minutes) – that’s a whole lot of Indy action.

The site also states that the film will be shown “internally” next week. I presume that internally will be Lucasfilm rather than Paramount Pictures (but, heck it could be both), also that the film will be going to the printers so that the final print can be ready for the Cannes launch.

USA Today has also published an interview with the world’s second most famous carpenter (the first being Jesus Christ, the third being Tim Allen in Home Improvement, but let’s not go there).

To find out more and see a larger version of that picture you’re going to have to keep reading. You knew that of course…

There is an R.Dean Taylor song called Indiana Wants Me, well I want Indiana!

We are just over a month away from the movie event of the year- no- not Iron Man- we’re talking Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

It could well be the highest grossing film of the year as it pretty much ticks the box on every demographic, however the hype machine seems non-existent considering that the film opens on May 22.

It looked like the marketing machine had kicked into gear earlier in the week when Collider got its hands on what was believed to be a new teaser poster for the Harrison Ford starrer. However the poster tuned out to be a fan made fake.

However, Amazon now have the soundtrack available for pre-order, and guess what?

They published the spoiler filled tracklisting on the site. Whoops.

Continue reading for my analysis of the lack of hype and the soundtrack listing.

Be warned though, spoilers!

There’s a new TV spot (or trailer, if you prefer to call it that) for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Since I’m away from my office, I’m not able to host my usual Flash version here on Screen Rant, so I’ll just provide a link to the page on the official site where you can watch it either in Flash or Quicktime:

New Indiana Jones TV spot

While my expectations are dialed way down from Indy nirvana, I am looking forward to this more an more.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens on May 22nd.

I could keep rambling about how I have waited almost twenty years for this new Indiana Jones adventure, but I won’t.

I could talk about how Harrison Ford was a hero to me as a kid, but I won’t.

I might even tell you how amazed I am that every few years George Lucas is able to drag me back to my childhood, but again, I won’t.

What I will do is show you the wonderful new and final Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull poster.

This new poster just looks fantastic. It mirrors the previous Indy movies and makes this new adventure part of the series, rather than an addition to the original trilogy.

Continue to see the new Drew Struzan poster in full.

An old saying says that a week is a long time in politics – well that dude obviously didn’t follow movie news, because a week in film can make or break a career, or in Vic’s case: a DVD player.

It’s once again time for us to fill you in on some of the news stories from the past week that we missed and make sure that you know everything about every film that is currently in production. That is a slight exaggeration, but you see what I’m getting at.

Just keep reading to heighten your Screen Rant experience.

Hey there guys and gals, welcome to my first Weekend Movie News Wrap Up.

This new column is to try and fill you in on various pieces of news that happened during the week that we may have missed.

We at Screen Rant are a dedicated bunch, but there are only so many hours in the day, and movie news comes in thick and fast – so to try and keep you up to speed, we will now be picking up some news stories from the past week that we missed and bring them to a computer near you!

It’s finally here: the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Considering that the movie opens a couple of weeks after Iron Man, which had a trailer come five months ago and a couple of months before The Dark Knight, which has also already released a trailer a while back, I’d say it’s about time we were shown some footage.

Enough cynicism – If you’re an Indy fan, get ready to geek out big time by watching the trailer below…

[UPDATE: The Indiana Jones trailer is online!]

Just a quick note for those of you salivating for a Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trailer (God, that’s a bloody long title!).

The teaser trailer (that’s their term for it) will be attached to The Spiderwick Chronicles which opens next Friday. We already knew the trailer would be released on Valentine’s Day, but now we know exactly what movie it’s attached to.

According to ComingSoon.net:

will attach the first teaser for “Crystal Skull” to fantasy pic “The Spiderwick Chronicles” on Feb. 14, with the spot to hit the Web shortly thereafter.

“Reason for the delay is that the film only recently wrapped, so much of the material that would go into a memorable trailer just wasn’t ready until now.

Awareness and anticipation also is already high for the pic, so producers didn’t feel the need to show too much too soon.

“‘In the case of Indiana Jones, he’s such a well-known character that it’s not like you have to get out there and introduce something new,” said Spielberg spokesman Marvin Levy. “You tailor the campaign to the material. We also want to keep a lot of the surprises. That’s part of the fun.’”

We’ll let you know and post it up here as soon as it’s available online.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens on May 22, 2008

Source: Variety via Coming Soon

[UPDATE: While we have not yet been requested to take down the image, other sites are posting that the studio has contacted them asking them to remove it. So we're going to take it down before we inevitably hear from them. Sorry, folks.]

The new Indiana Jones film has been very light on spoilers considering the excitement over the project – well, except maybe Vic

We have heard the occasional rumor, but all things considered this has been a very low key project. However, now we have the biggest semi-spoiler so far.

As we all know, the film is called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Until now we’ve had to guess what the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is.

I must tell you though, I’m not stupid, and I was able to deduce that it involves a skull that is made of crystal. You can be amazed at my genius later, if you really want to know what this crystal skull might look like, continue below!

In the last week a couple of new Indiana Jones 4 pictures have been released. The picture to the left is a nice family portrait (larger version below).

We’ve all got a picture like this: Mom, dad, (possible) long-lost son and a giant bazooka. It really looks like Indy is firing on all cylinders in this one!

As you guys know, I’m really looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the new pictures don’t give a lot away, but there is an image of Indy standing on a crate in a large warehouse. Could it be the warehouse from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Read on to see Indy looking iconic.

Click to continue "Indiana Jones Sends His Love (And A Trailer) On Valentine’s Day"

Here are three new images from the set of Indy 4, or if you prefer painfully long titles: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. While I haven’t been wildly excited about this movie, these photos do get me fired up a bit as they seem to have captured the vibe of the original Raiders of the Lost Ark.

By far, most other movie site writers (including others here on Screen Rant) have been much more encouraging about this film than I have, which made the comments by George Lucas in his interview with Vanity Fair (the source of these images) quite odd.