Those patronising, ageist metropolitan tossers at the BBC

[dannywilde]

Did anyone happen to hear Front Row on Radio 4 last night?

On it, they had some little journalist by the name of Adam Smith (no, I don't know either) doing an article on 'aging action heroes', specifically relating to the upcoming 'Indiana Jones' film.

I have never heard such a load of patronising, offensive crap in my entire life. He used every conceivable petty insult and ignorant wisecrack (hearing aids and bus passes etc.) to belittle Ford (who worked hard to get in fantastic physical shape for the film, with a dedication that such little nobodies could never even begin to appreciate) and the film, as well as saying that he looked 'past it' (which he doesn't) and even that he looked past it in 'The Last Crusade' (he was only in his forties for chrissake!).

He then went on to cover other 80s action heroes, labelling Die Hard 4.0 'unsuccessful' (pretty badly researched, considering its grosses totalled well over $300 million at the cinemas alone, to say nothing for DVD sales). His implication was clear... all old people are good for is sitting in a retirement home dribbling into a napkin, out of the way of the young and the metropolitan, where they can't irritate anyone by their existence.

Smug, elitist metropolitan tosspots like that make my blood boil, with their revolting double standards (such offensive remarks would rightly never EVER be made about ethnic minority or the gay and lesbian communities) and if the man in question happens to read this by any chance, and feels like taking issue with anything I've said , I'd love to hear from you, as such ageism, especially from a publicly funded broadcaster, it completely unacceptable.

Rant over.

[Steve Crook]

It was a 5 minute piece at the end of the programme. Quite a light hearted piece as they often are in that slot. The whole 5 minutes wasn't about Ford, it was about people who are too old to be playing action heroes. It's an opinion piece, not the word of God

It also mentioned Stallone & Willis as others who they felt were too old to play action heroes. And they also said that they though Eastwood had done it better in films like Unforgiven and In the Line of Fire where he addressed the issues of people getting old while they still did things normally done by younger people.

It did point out that it was almost 20 years since the last Indiana Jones film and that that one was called Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Steve

[dannywilde]

Still... GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

[john audley]

Originally Posted by dannywilde Still... GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

Note: they do not like lady newsreaders over the age of 30 years either!

[scholes]

'Raiders of the lost Ark' was as far as I'm concerned THE best adventure film of all time.
I'm sure some of you will disagree but I'm trying hard to think of another one which has so much going for it- exotic worldwide locations ,brilliant story line, great characters and with a few Nazis thrown in for good measure.
The reincarnation of Tin Tin. It's a film I never tire of watching.
I thought 'The Temple of Doom' was relatively disappointing but 'The Last Crusade' instilled the spirit of the first.
I am looking forward to 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', and hope it lives up to expectations.

[GRAEME]

Don't suppose Angelina Jolie will be doing Lara Croft in 25 years time. At least old guys can be action heroes - old girls can't.

[dannywilde]

Originally Posted by GRAEME Don't suppose Angelina Jolie will be doing Lara Croft in 25 years time. At least old guys can be action heroes - old girls can't.

I don't think any of them have really been given the chance to try. I for one would love to see Sigourney Weaver do another really good 'Alien' film- hopefully compensating the movie-going public for the horrors of 'AVP2'!

[Windthrop]

They are certainly crafting films for older stars in a way they didn't used to. In the past it was only John Wayne and Cary Grant who remained major names post 60.

[dannywilde]

Originally Posted by scholes 'Raiders of the lost Ark' was as far as I'm concerned THE best adventure film of all time.I thought 'The Temple of Doom' was relatively disappointing but 'The Last Crusade' instilled the spirit of the first. I am looking forward to 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', and hope it lives up to expectations.

Absolutely. The three 'Indy' films are without doubt my three favourite films of all time- loved them since the first time I saw them (even the oft-criticized 'Temple Of Doom', which I personally think has the best John Williams score out of the three).

And Harrison Ford is God! 'Nuff said!

[PaulPlowman]

Originally Posted by dannywilde On it, they had some little journalist by the name of Adam Smith (no, I don't know either) doing an article on 'aging action heroes', specifically relating to the upcoming 'Indiana Jones' film.

Adam Smith is the senior features writer for Empire magazine, who are very positive about Indy 4, and Spielberg's films in general. I've never found his articles to be objectionable in the past, and usually find them very entertaining, so I'm guessing he was either being tongue-in-cheek, or maybe he was drunk!?

<edit>

And my favourite Indiana Jones film is The Last Crusade. The chemistry between Henry Jr and Henry Sr gives the film a poignant edge which I thought the first film lacked.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by PaulPlowman Adam Smith is the senior features writer for Empire magazine, who are very positive about Indy 4, and Spielberg's films in general. I've never found his articles to be objectionable in the past, and usually find them very entertaining, so I'm guessing he was either being tongue-in-cheek, or maybe he was drunk!?

He certainly wasn't drunk. The whole piece, including the introduction by Mark Lawson, was obviously very tongue in cheek and meant to be taken in a light hearted way. Or that's what I thought when I heard it

And as I said in my initial response, although the reason they gave for doing he article was old Harrison dusting off the whip one more time, he was only mentioned a couple of times. It was a short piece, only 5 minutes, and there was a lot of time taken talking about Stallone, Willis, Eastwood and others who play the ageing action hero well, or less well





Steve

[Marky B]

Originally Posted by scholes 'Raiders of the lost Ark' was as far as I'm concerned THE best adventure film of all time. I'm sure some of you will disagree but I'm trying hard to think of another one which has so much going for it- exotic worldwide locations ,brilliant story line, great characters and with a few Nazis thrown in for good measure. The reincarnation of Tin Tin. It's a film I never tire of watching. I thought 'The Temple of Doom' was relatively disappointing but 'The Last Crusade' instilled the spirit of the first. I am looking forward to 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', and hope it lives up to expectations.

They are great films with the subtle discrepencies that you used to find in the old films of yore,such as Indy going into the U-boat and hiding in it for miles and when he tried on a German uniform,only to find it a size too short. Of course there is the throwaway line:"I'm making it up as I go along."
I also like the Last Crusade - the chemistry of Ford and Connery was brilliant.
The scene with the wingless aircraft passing their car in the tunnel was hilarious.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[Marky B]

I've heard that our Clint is coming back as Harry Callahan,but at 77+ the emphasis will be on his age.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[scholes]

Originally Posted by Marky B I've heard that our Clint is coming back as Harry Callahan,but at 77+ the emphasis will be on his age. Ta Ta Marky B

Well Marky if it's good enough for Clint at 77, it's good enough for me!

[Marky B]

Originally Posted by scholes Well Marky if it's good enough for Clint at 77, it's good enough for me!

And I am looking forward to it.
Ta Ta
Marky B