WSo8M: (4) Sixteen Candles v. (5) Raiders of the Lost Ark

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Lacey Underall division, Pacific Tech U quarterfinal barnburner!

(4) Sixteen Candles


(5) Raiders of the Lost Ark

[dgwphotography]

Indy all the way

[Willets Point]

In the first round I had to vote against both of these great movies because they were matched up with sentimental favorites of mine. And now they face one another.

I went with Raiders of the Lost Ark, but man this contest just isn't fair!

[Edgy MD]

I'm going Indy, but it's close. And I'm'a tell you. The big flaw of this film is the big laugh one gets when he blows away the scimitar guy. God help you if you think about why you laughed.

That shot changes everything about his character and our attitudes about ourselves. He's no longer a brave guy in deep trying rescue his girl and save a precious relic from the exploitation of madmen --- even though he doesn't believe in it's power. He's an American jerk.

(OE: Did I say this the previous round?)

[Benjamin Grimm]

True, but I think the laugh also comes from the surprise. You're thinking, wow, how is he going to beat this guy? And then, oh, yeah, with a gun!

It's kind of like when the Thing swats away the incoming spaceship of the dreaded Lizard Men of Tok in Fantastic Four number 16, The Micro World of Doctor Doom.

Oh... wait. Nobody's going to get that reference but me.

[dgwphotography]

I think that scene is more a case of substance winning over flashiness and style.

[Edgy MD]

Well, the story behind it is that Harry had a fever and was tired of fighting and he asked Spielberg if he could just shoot the guy. I think the consequences go beyond the scene.

[Guest themetfairy]

Raiders in a close call - I think it have more overall staying power than Sixteen Candles.

[HahnSolo]

I would still pay a nickel to see Molly Ringwald's panties. 16 Candles for me.

[dgwphotography]

I just never got what the big thing was about her.

[Vic Sage]

Iubitul wrote: I just never got what the big thing was about her.

i'm sad for you.

[Willets Point]

Red head, sweet but sassy, smart, and pretty but not inaccessible. Yeah, there's a lot to love about Molly.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I was never much into Molly, but the supporting characters in 16 Candles are almost all outstanding. Her obnoxious kid bother, the way he opens the doors by smashing into them, was perfect. And her folks were good too.

[Edgy MD]

Playing Molly's mom was Mary Stuart Masterson's real mom. I'm just saying. I don't know why.

It's a matter of record that Paul Dooley is one of the best dads on film ever.

[soupcan]

"Indy, the floor. It moves."

"Asps. Very dangerous. You go first."

[dgwphotography]

Vic Sage wrote: Iubitul wrote: I just never got what the big thing was about her. i'm sad for you.

Thanks, but it's ok. Ally Sheedy kept me plenty warm those years...

[dgwphotography]

Willets Point wrote: Red head, sweet but sassy, smart, and pretty but not inaccessible. Yeah, there's a lot to love about Molly.

She just struck me as being too damned whiny.

[MFS62]

Sappy vs. snappy.
Raiders all the way.
Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

This one was archived too soon, but I'll call it 20--6 in favor of Raiders and yet another against myt vote.