Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Movie Man Mike contributes our first review of the new Indiana Jones flick

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (B-). This movie was pretty formulaic, brain candy. You got your bad guys—the Soviets. You got your legend of some lost tribe and an artifact—a magnetic crystal skull. You got several good chase scenes with lots of unbelievable stunts requiring the suspension of reality. And you got some good humor sprinkled in here and there. It’s all a little familiar, but in the end, it’s a fun summer movie that certainly appeals to younger audiences and it’s bound to have older crowds waxing nostalgic for the earlier movies in the series.

The most interesting aspect of my trip to the theater to see this film may have been the venue. I saw this one at the newly-refurbished Inwood Theater in the Inwood Shopping Center on Lover’s Lane. They’ve replaced all the old seating with bean bag chairs and love seats and couches. It made the movie-viewing experience a bit more like being in the comfort of your own living room. If you aren’t comfortable enough, go grab another pillow or a blanket; there are plenty. I was pleased to hear that the management launders the covers on the furniture “regularly”—whatever that means because the patrons made themselves at home. Some even took their shoes off and put their bare feet up on the couch. I was a little disappointed, however, to see the condition that many of the patrons left the theater in, with popcorn bags and candy wrappers spilled all over the furniture. After that scene, I have to wonder if “regularly” is often enough and I wonder how long before the furniture needs replacing. In any event, the experience is unique and I recommend checking it out.