Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Poster Keeps Classic Tone

Remember those adventure book covers that you used to read as a kid? Well, this poster of Indiana Jones in front of a fiery skull kind of reminds you of them. But I'd prefer it if Indiana Jones is in an action pose rather than standing straight like he's posing for a promotional photograph or displaying his costume at a premiere or during a summer holiday.

The imagery and warm tone of the poster composition do exude earthly, classic, exotic adventure. But it does make me wonder why they used that digital typeface for the subtitle. Does that give a clue to the story or is it just designer preference? The skull in the background does echo Darth Vader in the original Star Wars poster and reminds us of Ford as the no-nonsense pirate Han Solo in Star Wars. Will Harrison Ford look just as young and trim in the movie as he does in the poster? Or will he be like in the inset photo that follows?

You can order your own Indiana Jones Crystal Skull key chain by clicking here, or on the image.

Anyway, this picture of a younger Ford (left) is what you get when the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull poster is stripped of all its fancy trappings. But honestly speaking, Harrison Ford, or the character he plays (Indiana Jones) is a favorite icon of archaeologists. He's been an inspiration to former students out there who now have doctorates in Egyptology and other specialized archaeology sciences.

In the National Museum of the Philippines, for instance, you'd find one of his movie posters on the wall of an office, and it might still be there after all these years. It shows him as Indiana Jones wielding a huge jungle blade and with an amused smile on his face. Coincidentally, the picture is from an archaeology blog. Click on the link or picture to go there.

Here's more to bring in more nostalgia---Carrie Fisher, Ford's co-star in the Star Wars original trilogy, posing with him in a Vanity Fair press photo of the movie series. Below is her as a youthful and svelte Princess Leia Organa as the captive pet of Jabba the Hutt in The Return of the Jedi. Click the inset on the left to take you to more "before and after" photos of Fisher and the rest of the Star Wars cast.

Learn a secret that will allow you to get and keep a figure like Princess Leia. Click here.

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Click here for news about the original Star Wars cast and what happened to them.

"How to Enhance Children's Imagination of the Past When Teaching History"

Watch a licensed sneak peek of the Clone Wars movie here, from thenewsroom.

U2's Vertigo Tour Goes 3D in Movie

The concert tour of U2, Vertigo, will finally be released in a digital 3D format in January 25, 2008. Irish director Catherine Owens will take fans into a new concert experience as they will feel that they are up there on the stage with the band members themselves as they perform. The production is made possible in cooperation with National Geographic. Bono, lead singer of the popular group, has made it his role to inform the world about Africa and the suffering of many people there. This concert is part of that effort. If you are a U2 fan and support Bono's cause and National Geographic, then you should watch this movie. Otherwise, watch it just to experience a concert in 3D without actually being there! Soon, all movies will be in 3D.

Jump here for a video on the press conference with the director.

PETA Un-fur-les Nude Eva Mendes Poster

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has continued using racy ads with its campaign to promote vegetarianism and protest the use of fur for clothing. In this poster against the use of fur, actress Eva Mendes poses nude, saying she'd rather go naked than wear fur.

The message is okay for a fashion-conscious, entertainment-driven capitalist society, but may not be so for people who live close to nature, like traditional Eskimos who still hunt in the cold wilderness.

Taking this a bit further, it's hard not ot feel sorry for all the chickens out there with no "representation." Shouldn't people also be concerned also with feathers? Millions of chickens end up in the frying pan every day and their feathers only end up in the trash bin and as down in our pillows, for the most part.

Then there's also the hide of animals, like cows, that end up covering the soles of our feet. For the sacrifices of these domestic-commercial animals, they might as well cover for our souls. It makes us wonder about the kind of posters advertisers can design with these animals in mind.

It's a difficult situation that modern people are in. The relationship of human beings with animals really has changed much since prehistoric times. If you're into science stuff, go to Macrocosm Magbook for a news item on how scientists may soon be making spare body parts from skin cells.

If you care to get a sexy body like Eva Mendes, click here.

Eva Mendes likes gardening in the nude

Get great skin like Eva Mendes. Click here!

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J.J. Abrams Cooks Up Another Mysterious Monster

"Lost" genius J.J. Abrams' highly-anticipated monster movie "Cloverfield" is getting the hype the producers want, setting the stage for a sure blockbuster in 2008. Director Abrams' popularity on television has helped drum up publicity for this new movie, which he produces. It features a mysterious, destructive monster the looks of which remain unknown. It's just like the smoke monster in his TV series "Lost," which is as unfathomable as a black hole in space. The title of the movie itself is subject to speculation. By the looks of the teaser poster, it's going to be another disaster movie, but it's safe to say it won't be a disaster at the box-office. Hollywood really loves new York...

Click here to i-Mash for news on the Yeti's footprints found in the Himalayas by a TV crew.

Beowulf Animation Takes Audience to New Experience of Reality

The movie Beowulf, by Director Robert Zemeckis has taken the world of cinema-goers by storm, giving them a new experience of reality by using animation, motion-capture, and computer graphics, all combined into a three-dimensional experience that's guaranteed to take your breath away. It has pushed down another animated movie, Bee Movie down to second place as they competed to get the most audience. Beowulf is believed by many to be the toggle that will allow more spectacular movies done in 3D and for the IMAX theater, and most of these will be coming in a flood by 2009. Click here for a news video on how actress Angelina Jolie says the movie exposes her in ways that makes her blush.

Chow to Produce Dragonball Movie

Stephen Chow (left), best known for his "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle" movies, had agreed to produce the live-action version of the manga/anime series, Dragonball, with Son Goku as the lead character, an alien with unimaginable powers. In the story, he leads a battle to protect the earth and their lives against forces just as powerful and destructive. The earth becomes their arena for supremacy.

Chow's visual and action styles are said to be perfect for the movie, which features energy blasts coming from the competing characters. However, Chow turned down the chance to direct, saying he'd rather helm a movie of his own idea. Cast for the role of Goku is Justin Chatwin (bottom picture) from War of the Worlds. See how heis face compares with the animated Goku (top).

Click here for more Dragonball Z movie news.

Seventeen Magazine Launches Modeling Contest

If you're young and reads Seventeen magazine, you can get the chance to become a model with the publication's launch of its search for a new model in the "Seventeen's Reader Model Contest." Watch the video here.

If you're concerned about your figure and need to sculpt it to model standards the easy way, click here.

New Faces of the Enterprise Crew Revealed

Finally, the new faces of James Kirk, Mr. Spock, Doctor McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu are revealed in actors Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, and John Cho respectively, Do they do justice to the original cast? What do you think? See who among those pictured here remind you of a Star Trek crewman. Not cast (yet) is the part of Ensign Checkov, originally played by Walter Koenig and Nurse Christine Chapel, who was played by Majel Barret, who also became the wife of Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry.

Click here for news on Eric Bana who will play the villain in the movie.

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Astro Boy Rockets to the Big Screen

Astro Boy, the classic Japanese television anime of the early sixties, also known as Mighty Atom will soon be seen in theaters in full computer-generated wonder. It was originally a manga (comic book) by Osamu Tezuka, "the god of manga." Astro Boy gained worldwide popularity in the 1980s when it was relaunched for the American audience. His hairdo is said to be as familiar a pop icon as Micky Mouse's ears. Don't you think his engine needs a tune up in the poster?

Click here to view a couple of videos of Japanese anime cosplay fans.

Alyssa Milano Dressed in Vegetables for PETA

"Charmed" is one way of putting it. Who would think that lettuce leaves and asparagus would look good on an actress? Well, Alyssa Milano, our famous Charmed witch on television pulls it off in a veggie gown worn for a poster of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA (Asia-Pacific division). The headline says Gawing gulay ang buhay, which is Tagalog (Filipino) for "Make life vegetarian." But actually, it literally translates to "Make life a vegetable." But in spite of this, it's still a good poster.

So, we've got lettuce on a "nude," Alyssa Milano (ok, she's not exactly nude, but we can imagine that she is underneath that salad), but the one below has got something spicier and it's truly nude, or at least it appears to be. It's actress Maggie Q's take on encouraging people to eat vegetables (specifically chili peppers) which I think most people would really like. ; )

Now which poster do you think would be better at encouraging people to eat vegetables and stay away from meat?

Now, who speaks for the plants?

Jump to i-Mash for videos on Alicia Silverstone and Maggie Q posing in the buff for PETA.

Click here for the Eva Mendes nude PETA poster.

Clicking this link will reveal a modern secret to getting and keeping a sexy figure.

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James Cameron's Avatar Promises Surprises

James Cameron's dramatic science-fiction adventure movie, Avatar, will come in 2009 and it promises moviegoers a new visual treat with the use of new techniques developed by Cameron's team and tried and tested Weta visual effects. The movie will be a 3-D showcase. It is about a soldier who gets involved in the struggle for survival of the people of another planet. It stars Sigourney Weaver of Alien fame and Wes Studi, who played Geronimo in the movie of the same title. The cast also includes Giovanni Ribisi and Michelle Rodriguez. The production reportedly to cost more than $200 million.

Jump to i-Mash for an article on the comeback of 3-D movies

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Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" Gets the Nod for R-18 in Taiwan

Director Ang Lee's full version of his erotic spy thriller Lust, Caution, set in Japanese occupied Shanghai, has been given the go signal for release and viewing with an R-18 rating. Lee has cut out 30 minutes of the film's controversial scenes to please China authorities, but he didn't have to do the same for Taiwan, who's 5-member committee voted unanimously in favor of the unedited version due to its artistic attributes. Lee's winning the Golden Lion in the Cannes Film festival most likely helped in the verdict. It's still not sure if other countries will follow Taiwan's example.

See a video clip on Ang Lee and photos of the female lead star of Lust, Caution, Joan Chen with her director in i-Mash.

Hollywood Goes Googoo over Mecha after Transformers

The blockbuster success of Michael Bay's Transformers has prompted Hollywood to take a deeper dip into the Japanese-inspired mecha anime genre and take on projects like Voltron and Robotech. Hey, if the American and world audience can accept "live action" giant robots on the big screen, then why not giant robots that transform into fighter planes (or feline forms) and fight alien invaders? It's the new thing in science-fiction and I believe old fans of such series have been pining for live versions of the cartoons for years. But of course it had to take that long since it's these same fans (now grown up) that are making their dreams and fantasies into reality.

Now, who would not want to see their favorite mecha heroes as real people, especially Lynn Minmei (two cartoon renditions of her on the left; an artist's portrait below), who's song seem to turn the tides of battle in favor of Earth's robotech warriors. While the details of the movie itself are yet to be laid down. Tobey Maguire of Spider-Man fame will produce and star in Robotech, which will be under Warner Brothers. Which makes me wonder who will be cast as Lynn Minmei and nurse Dana Sterling (below left).
And what about the Voltron movie? This will be from producer Mark Gordon (The Day After Tomorrow). I think this won't make a big splash as Robotech (which has more of a cult following due to several anime movies to its credit) although it will be watched my many who used to follow the cartoon series (with Optimus Prime's voice narrating the intro). In my opinion, they should have went for Voltes V instead, which is more Japanese, "original," and with a kung-fu teacher-student story that can appeal to children and adults alike. And who can forget the timeless line of the Armstrong kids? "Father! Father!"

Well, anyway, you might also be interested to know that there's also a Dragonball Z movie (bottom) in the works. I don't know what to think about this, since it may be a bit difficult to make the animated alien characters believable. I mean, they're all hilarious, serious, and unbelievable at the same time! I can't imagine how they can be the same if they're real people, unless, they make them like the latest movie incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

But these movies only mean one thing in the end, and that's merchandise that will earn more money than the move can ever make in one week!
Watch a video of Tobey Maguire and read more about his Robotech movie here in i-Mash.

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Destination Truth Unravels the Supernatural

We've been acquainted with shows like The X-Files and the Supernatural. Entertaining, yes, but hardly true. Now, there's a new show on The Sci-Fi Channel that aims to bring out the truth behind most of the supernatural things that you've seen in both shows. Join Josh Gates as he tours the globe in search of the facts behind stories that strike fear in your hearts, boggle the mind, and stir the imagination. Journey with him in Chile in search of the true blood-sucking El Chupacabra; walk with him in South Africa as he finds clues to the dwarf boogeyman with a taste for tobacco snuff users. If you know of a supernatural creature that you would want Josh and his team to investigate, you can contact them to suggest a topic for a future show. Click here.

Mark Hamill's Lightsaber to Go to Space and Back

The STS-120 crew of the Space Shuttle will launch in October carrying a big piece of the International Space Station (ISS). But apart from that, it will also be carrying something smaller and shaped like a flashlight. It's Mark Hamill's lightsaber prop which was used in George Lucas's third Star Wars film, The Return of the Jedi. It will be carried on board the orbiter for the duration of the trip to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the popular science-fiction movie series that has created a huge cult following.

Chewbacca, the Wookiee, will officially hand over the lightsaber to officials of the Space Center Houston (shown with lightsaber case is mdirector of marketing Roger Bornstein). The father and son "clone tandem" of Boba Fett and Jango Fett will also be there to for the send off. When it gets back to Earth, it will be greeted by stormtroopers (one on the left looks female), R2D2 and will be housed in an exhibit at Space Center Houston along with moonrocks.

This is a good publicicty stunt for George Lucas, but I'd rather that he be the one sent to space and back, then be the exhibit at the space center, or at least until people get bored of looking at him through a glass case. Maybe they should use carbonite instead for a more permanent exhibit. Yeah, that would work! But seriously, what would the world do without him? His movies have inspired millions to go into the sciences, bringing out the creative juices of many which led to activity and commercialism that continues to spur the world economy. He's a genius.

There's more about this and plus a Luke Skywalker Jedi pose in i-Mash

Light saber weapon being developed in U.S.

Click here to watch the licensed Clone Wars movie sneak peek from thenewsroom.

Take Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber home! This official replica 's not going into space. Order now!

Feel like you're not yet a Jedi? Then take the wisdom of Yoda from Dagobah to your abode instead! "Compelling, am I not?"

Luke, go to Dagobah... There you shall find Yoda, who will teach you the ways of the force.

Queen Guitarist Gets Astronomy PhD Thesis Finished After 30 Years

Rock group Queen's guitarist Brian May has finally completed his thesis in astronomy 30 years after he started it. At 59, the celebrity, famous for being part of old time hits like We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions, began studying for the physics subject degree at London's Imperial College in the 1970s but it got cut short due to his group's music success. It's just this year (2007) that he prioritized his studies, even canceling an appearance at a concert for Princess Diana. It's better later than never. He is pictured above, after he received his University of Hertfordshire award for his contributions in music. His academic move is a good example for many who have always wished to be an astronomer, but never really got to it.

Last year, he co-authored the book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. With his current achievements, Brian May has become a good role model for the scientific community. You may watch a video of the rockstar being interviewed in i-Mash.

brianmay.com
For more science news, go to Macrocosm Magbook.