RE(WATCHING) nº1: “Cast Away”, “Good Will Hunting”, “Gladiator” and more

CAST AWAY (2000)

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis      

With: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Chris Noth…

We, the humans, never stop our surch for more. More work. More money. More success. More recognition. Especially in this new century with all the tecnology and with everyting so fast. But, now, during quarentine, many people was forced to stop, stay at home and slow down their lives. 

The same thing happens to Tom Hanks character in “Cast Away”. Chuck Noland was a workaholic, always busy on the phone, always telling people what to do, until he suffers an airplane accident in a remote island and he’s the only survivor. Then, everything suddenly stops. He was always worried to have everthing on time and now he has all the time in the world. The time to think about his life, his attitudes and about himself. 

The movie still emotional and the story speaks more about our days than never. Tom Hanks is always amazing and, once again, I was crying because of a ball. “Wilsoooon!!!”

GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997)

Directed by: Gus Van Sant           

With: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck…

The movie is about choices. Doesn’t matter how amazing or smart you are, our life become our choices. The main character is played by Matt Damon and he’s a genius with math, but has serious anger problems and doesn’t want to study or look for a better future. This all changes after a math professor – from the school he works as a genitor -, discovers him and decides to help the boy with his struggles. With the help of a shrink (Robin Williams), their lives will change. 

Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, two young boys at the time whose dreams was to work in movies, “Good Will Hunting” gave them the Oscar for Best Screnplay. After that, their lives change for good. 

Directed by Gus Van Sant, “Good Will Hunting” still a profound movie with many touching scenes. Especially those with Robin Williams (who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor) and Matt Damon together. Like I said before, it’s a picture about choices and how we shape our lives with them. 

GLADIATOR (2000)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

With: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen…

A classic is a classic! Period! “Gladiator” is one of those films that never gets old and still a remarcable experience with thrillings and excitings moments. The story of a roman general who is falsely accused of killing the emperor, who became a slave and then a gladiator, with no doubt won the world and, especially, the Academy. The movie won 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. 

It’s a journey with deep impact about a man who seeks vengeance for his life and his family. With many unforgettable moments – like de fights in the coliseum -, “Gladiator” remains one of the best epic films ever made. 

LARA CROFT – TOMB RAIDER (2001)

Directed by: Simon West

With: Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Noah Taylor, Jon Voight…

I’ve never played the games and the last time I saw this movie was on TV back in time. I did not remember much, so I decided to watch again when I found the movies on Netfllix. The result? Well, honestly, liked it a lot! Had a lot of fun while watching it!

It’s a movie inspired, of course, by Indiana Jones but with a modern style. Some scenes can be cheesy sometimes, but the spirit of adventure is good and exciting. Angelina Jolie delivers a strong female lead and the woman has charisma and natural charm – that’s for sure!

A good fun time to have! 

15 best moments from “Indiana Jones” movies

---

15. ESCAPE FROM AREA 51 from “The Kingdom of Crystal Skull” (2008)

The begining of “The Kingdom of Crystal Skull” is for me the best part of the movie. All the suspense, the introduction of Indy and the villains (now is the russians) together with all the feelings of the 50’s, with the Cold War as the landscape now, It’s exciting and put you into the movie right way. And it’s the first contact with Indy since 1989, so… I’ll never forget my feelings when I saw this in theaters back in 2008.

14. INTO THE SUNSET from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

The ending of “The Last Crusade” with the characters going into the sunset is a homage to the old westerns (wich Spielberg loves) and an iconic end for the original trilogy. And that John Williams score… All perfection!

13. THE BEGINING OF “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

The first moments of Indiana Jones in the history of cinema is full of many iconic scenes, such as the replacement of the Gold Idol with a bag of sand and the escape with a giant rock chasing Indy. And, of course, it’s the first time we heard the marvelous Indiana Jones score by John “fucking” Williams! Classic!

12. THE SACRIFICE SEQUENCE from “The Temple of Doom” (1984)

At the time, many people criticized “The Temple of Doom” saying it was to dark and scary for a Indy movie. Bullshit! Yes, it is dark and scary sometimes, but all mixed with the sense of adventure and fun. George Lucas wanted to create something different from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and he did. It’s a different kind of adventure but a genuine Indiana Jones adventure nonetheless. The sacrifice sequence is good because it’s scary and show us the power of the villain.

11. THE 3 PATHS from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

This moment is so crucial and emotional for the movie! Indiana has to do the 3 paths to get to the Cup of Christ inside the temple, but his father is dying and he needs to hurry. 

10. INDIANA JONES DOESN’T WANT TO FIGHT from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

At the time of the shooting, Harrison Ford wasn’t feeling so good because of a food he ate, so, instead of having a gigantic fight scene with the sword guy, Indiana just takes his gun out and shoots him. Simple and direct! An instant classic moment! 

09. THE TRUCK CHASE SEQUENCE from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

This is the best action sequence from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”! The moment is a masterclass of how to shoot an adventure scene. Spielberg is a genius! And once more, all that with the amazing John Williams score. The result is fantastic!

08. BOAT CHASE SEQUENCE IN VENICE from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

Another great action scene shooted during a time with no CGI scenarios. All practical and real. Ahh… Venice!

07. THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

“The Last Crusade” is my favorite Indy movie because we have, of course, Sean Connery as Indiana’s father, but also, we have many moments that give us more answers about the backstory of Jones character. And in the begining of the movie we have River Phoenix (Joaquin Phoenix’s brother) playing the young Indiana Jones in a sequence with many memorable moments, that show us how our beloved archeologist starts to use a wip, the hat, how he got his scar in the chin, why he is afraid of snakes and some more. 

06. THE BRIDGE SCENE from “The Temple of Doom” (1984)

Another Indiana Jones sequence that became classic! And remember: all done during a time with no CGI effects.

05. ESCAPING FROM THE NAZI CASTLE from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

This is the first action sequence with Indiana Jones and his father (Sean Connery) together. Both are escaping from a nazi castle, and we have many imaginative moments with exciting action and funny scenes. The sequence is perfect to create father and son connection, and to get us closer to the duo. Simply amazing!

04. HENRY JONES AND INDIANA FIGHTING THE NAZI PLANES from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

They are still scaping from the nazis, and now, father and son are by plane. The sequence is funny with Sean Connery having a blast as Indiana Jones father. The video it’s not the full sequence, but you can watch the movie and have a lot of fun. Just memorable!

03. “INDIANA, LET IT GO!” from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

The most emotional scene from the movie. With almost two hours to get attached to the father and son relationship, the moment when Henry Jones calls his son “Indiana”, after the whole movie calling him “Junior” is just profound and unforgettable. 

02. MINE CART CHASE from “The Temple of Doom” (1984)

The whole mine sequence from “The Temple of Doom” is one of the most amazing action moments of cinema history. And I repeat once again: all done during a time with no CGI effects, so the set pieces here are outstanding. The tone is frenetic, thrilling and mind blowing. 

01. WAR TANK SEQUENCE from “The Last Crusade” (1989)

This is my favorite sequence from all Indiana Jones movies. The action is just amazing and exciting, and seeing Sean Connery with Harrison Ford never gets tired. Spielberg creates many imaginative moments, using the camera as an important character – like in all his movies. The scenario, the score, the action and the fun of it all counts to have one of the best adventure moments of cinema.

---

And you, leave a comment with all your favorite moments from Indiana Jones franchise. 

Bye and good movies!