Odds ‘n Ends > Krull Edition

ODD: I saw Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull over the weekend. I’m trying to decide whether a longer review is something that fits in the scope of this blog, but the short version is, I had a great time. I enjoyed it much like I did Die Hard 4–it was like hanging out with some old friends (and featured some completely over-the-top stunts). Because Spielberg directed it instead of Lucas, it wasn’t a disappointing train wreck like the prequels, but rather a simple, fun adventure. I feel comfortable rating it above Temple of Doom but below Crusade (my favorite) and Raiders. For another perspective, check out this piece by my cousin Ed; he was quite troubled by Old Indy. Personally, I found it rather heartening; just because you’ve hit retirement age doesn’t mean life is over and you can’t bust a few more bad-guy chops. And while Ford has been showing his age in his more recent movies, he comes alive in Crystal Skull in a way he hasn’t since, well, Last Crusade.

END: Speaking of 1980s nostalgia, I also watched Krull this weekend (thanks to Comcast On Demand–I want to make it clear I didn’t rent the thing). I’m fairly sure my father took me to the theater to see this when it was released in 1983, when I was about four years old. In watching it again, I discovered I remembered nothing about it except a few traumatizing sights, such as the monstrous bad guy and a guy being slowly, painfully skewered in one of those classic closing-wall-spike traps. But while many movies of my childhood wither and die upon an adult viewing, Krull was surprisingly entertaining. It’s sort of a science fantasy version of an Errol Flynn flick–in a much more deliberate, self-conscious way than, say, Star Wars. Heck, the main character even wears striped tights, and yet, Mrs. Ghostal-to-Be and I agreed he was “pulling. them. off.” Also, the aforementioned bad guy, a monster simply called the Beast, looked quite horrific, even Lovecraftian. It’s campy fun, to be sure, but the fun is there to be had, as long as you’re not looking for anything more than that.

ODD: There’s been plenty of news out of Wizard World Philadelphia. According to the rumor mill, Wizard is trying to position WWP as the “toy show” of the Wizard World family of conventions. I think that’s a cool idea, and I’m down with it because Philly isn’t nearly as far from me as, say, San Diego. Anyway, you can get all the toy-related poop from attendee yo go re at OAFE. I was most excited to see DCUC Hawkman’s articulated wings and the purple-and-silver Scarabus variant for this year FANtastic Exclusive (which, unfortunately, probably won’t be available before winter this year, due to the Horsemen’s infamous production troubles with Ramathorr).

END: Interesting tidbits from the latest round of Mattel Q&As: Don’t expect waves 4 and 5 of DCUC until late August or early September (which probably puts wave 3 in late June/early July). The Jason Rusch Firestorm will appear at retail, possibly soon. The wave 5 Metallo was originally going to be a DCSH figure, hence his relatively small 7.5″ height.

ODD: I’m still obsessed with trying to figure out what the hell is going on in Grant Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P.” storyline. Is anyone else reading this? I’m usually the type to read the trades after the fact, but I got sucked into this one. One fun thing about Morrison’s use of so many Golden and Silver age stories is that it’s encouraged me to go back and read a lot of them.

END: The Toybox will return tomorrow! The strip will be a bit different than what you’ve seen before.