Cinematical

No doubt some of my feeling is born of cynicism. I remember the last time I was excited for a familiar mythology, Jar Jar Binks drove a stake through my heart (I think there is a prophecy somewhere in Paisley Abbey that says my heart will beat again in 2010). But I think with me, it has simply been a matter of time. It's been too long. I have moved on. I look around at some of my friends, who are wetting their pants in anticipation, and I wonder why they haven't. Why did I? A girl who displays an official Indy fedora on her bookshelf (I should photograph my decor. It's very classy), and who still keeps her Scully suit lovingly wrapped in plastic in the basement. Why did I move on to other things, while everyone else was willing to wait for the return of David Duchovny?

Now, before you flame my ass, let me say that I don't think such excitement is a bad thing. I think this spate of sequels, remakes, and reboots speaks to something much deeper in our society. Times are pretty rough. We're at war, our economy is going down the toilet, the wider world hates us, and it is an election year. Elections are stirring, but hardly relaxing. So what better comfort is there than to sit in a dark theatre, and watch Indiana Jones crack his bullwhip? John Connor can save mankind, even if our presidents and prime ministers cannot. It is the equivalent of going home after flunking the math test or being picked last for dodge ball, and having your mum make you chocolate chip cookies. Movies are the comfort food of the millennium.

So, why not me? I'm pretty stressed about the election, and I lack health care. Why am I not racing to be comforted by the familiar? Maybe it is because my mom still makes me kickass chocolate chip cookies if I'm crying. Maybe I am a bad and disloyal geek. Or maybe I am drowning my fears and sorrows in the thrill of novelty. Because it isn't as though I'm unmoved by upcoming releases. I can't wait for Nim's Island (Gerard Butler probably has something to do with it), Iron Man, Wall ·E, The Dark Knight. I'm cautiously optimistic about Watchmen, The Spirit, Prince Caspian, Wolverine and Star Trek. And yes, one could say that The Dark Knight, Star Trek, and Wolverine fall into retread category, but they are also fresh takes on classic stories and characters, and thus not entirely nostalgic. (Time will tell on Star Trek. That's why I said cautiously!) And I'm not into just the geekier stuff – I'm also eagerly awaiting The Road and Public Enemies.

That's where it is for me. When I sit down in the movie theatre, I want to see something entirely new. Last year, 300 was where it was at for me. (The first person to say it was fascist right wing propaganda will be kicked into a well!) It may have been overblown, I may have hated the guy with saws for arms, but it was visually stunning (and I'm not just talking about the loincloths and muscles). It was ancient epic set to guitar riffs. It was glorious fun, and never apologized for it. That's what I'm wanting this year, and I know there's a film that's up to the challenge.

In the end, I don't need to see Indy ride again, because I can happily pop in Raiders of the Lost Ark any time I want to. He's always there for me, as good as ever, no matter what movies come and go. So, let us give the big screen over to fresh stories and new adventures. I'd love to see Connie Willis' Doomsday Book or Passage on the big screen. We3 or Ender's Game -- both optioned but languishing in pre production. The Lay of Beren and Luthien. Anything by Ray Bradbury. Dean Koontz's Watchers (done a million times, but never correctly) or Winter Moon. A costume piece that doesn't involve the Tudors. There are so many possibilities, so many stories just begging to be told with a big budget, that I hate to see old ground retread. Not when I already have it on DVD.