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RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK shot-for-shot teenage remake review!!!

DAMN I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS! by Rogue_Leader	May 31st, 2003 07:33:21 AM
I am a huge fan of that film. Harrison Ford's best performance without question. This sounds like a work of love! Must be a real accomplishment for them! Sadly my only achievement is being first in this talkback.
Man green with envy by DannyOcean01	May 31st, 2003 07:41:50 AM
Great to see moments where you could find friends who all shared a love of film. I think putting this on the Raiders DVD would be great just for the thrill of seeing it.
OH and Harry ..... by Rogue_Leader	May 31st, 2003 07:42:18 AM
Unless you living in a Delorean in the friggin past tonight is MAY 31st. Not MARCH 31st! Ya with me big man? However, that is besides the point. The reason why I added this extra post is because I would love to see a shot for shot remake of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with Harry Knowles as Indy himself. That would be really fitting wouldn't it? I am sure Knowles would fit perfectly into that role. Maybe Moriarty could play Short Round?
Sound Like Great Fun by islander	May 31st, 2003 07:48:15 AM
How do I get a copy of this Movie?
Normally, I'd adopt my usual stance... by RobinP	May 31st, 2003 08:14:38 AM
...you know, the one that goes "I don't watch shot for shot remakes"...but for this, I'd happily make the exception if it ever crossed my path or came within range.
I need to see that sucker now!!! by MishaPenguin	May 31st, 2003 08:30:04 AM
any ideas on how we can get our hands on that movie??
I'm sure this "shot-for-shot" remake of Raiders is wonderfu and by Red Raider	May 31st, 2003 08:33:23 AM
...you would think film students would focus all that energy and talent toward (here's a shock) an ORIGINAL IDEA! _______ I wouldn't put it past the lawyers at Lucasfilm to sue these guys for stealing/ripping off/plagarizing/whatever the fuck you want to call it/ROTLA! _____Personally, if I want to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark, I'll watch the one, the only, the original. What's next for these guys? A shot-for-shot remake of Star Wars? E.T.? Close Encounters? Color Purple? Willow? Howard the Duck?
Put this crap online somewhere. by Darth Siskel III	May 31st, 2003 08:35:21 AM
At least a trailer.
Damn, how can these guys get it seen? This thing would SELL! by Roguewriter	May 31st, 2003 08:40:06 AM
Yeah, there's probably all kinds of fershlugginer damned copyright restrictions involved, but what the hey -- isn't there still a slew of Icebox-type Web sites out there catering to original works from amateur filmmakers? Couldn't this film be broken up into 6-8 segments and archived online for download? And couldn't they charge a few bucks a pop, thereby making it possible to burn some quality DVDs and sell them at low cost to those geeks among us who grudgingly admire their cojones for doing something many of us dreamed of but never tried (hell, my buddies and I recreated portions of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK using our action figures and stop-motion 8mm... but that pales in comparison to this undertaking!) Kudos to these guys, no matter what... They're fans even fans should admire. =)
Red raider, I couldn't have said it better myself. by Cash Bailey	May 31st, 2003 08:42:53 AM
I've always thought that about any type of fan fiction stuff. I go to sites like Simply Scripts daily to see what cool movie scripts are there and it's just full of people writing full-length TERMINATOR, MATRIX and STAR WARS scripts. Why the fuck would these people of obvious talent waste their and everyone else's time doing this? Not long ago I saw a story about a group here in Australia who shot a STAR WARS film, and they even got to use Fox Studios to do it. Their dedication was exceptional and it must have cost them a fortune, but why didn't they just go the EL MARIACHI route and pool all of that talent, money and persistence in creating an original work that would get them proper attention.
Awesome, awesome work by Nordling	May 31st, 2003 08:59:20 AM
I was lucky enough to see the first hour of this at BNAT 4 and Harry's right, the audience loved it. These kids saw a film they loved and spent most of the rest of their childhood making it, a labor of love. Why didn't they work on their own project, you may ask. Well, RAIDERS was their favorite film, and they wanted to see if they could do it. And that's how great things are made. I just want to know how someone let them set a truck on fire! And that dog... that dog...
Re: Red Raider & Cash Bailey -- HARRY HERE... by HEADGEEK	May 31st, 2003 09:02:21 AM
1st) Red Raider -- This wasn't done by "film students" this was done by kids that started at age 10 and had no idea it would take 7 years. Spielberg and crew love it, because if you saw it you'd understand that this was a group of kids learning how to do all the tricks by studying and attempting to imitate, to the best of their pre-pubescent ways - the film they loved. The result led them all to a path in life they continue on today - and they have no desire to ever remake another film - that was a place of childhood. ---- 2nd) Cash Bailey --- Once again - this isn't a modern work, this was something done from 1982 - 1989 by KIDS, prior to DV, prior to computers to edit on, prior to all of that. Hell, Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell as college kids made a short film called WADERS OF THE LOST PARK. This is a real case of these kids NOT ATTEMPTING TO GET NOTICED. They didn't mail me a copy. A roommate in college made a copy and it floated around for like 7 years - till it got to Eli Roth - then me - then Tim League. Then Eli Roth tracked the filmmakers down - Tim conned them into appearing and showing it -- And Spielberg wrote them a fan letter.
I think it's great! by morGoth	May 31st, 2003 09:37:28 AM
And just goes to show what a remarkable medium movies are to inspire people. Good on ya lads!
I want one...NOW! by monitorlizard	May 31st, 2003 10:05:02 AM
Please..don't make me black mail you Harry...I still have that film of you and that poor innocent young goat...tsk tsk...Now i expect that copy to be in the mail..immediately!
Ok, I admit it.. even Harry cant fuck up my respect for these ki by LargoJr	May 31st, 2003 10:06:56 AM
I just wish someone would break it to Harry that hes a lousy writer and needs to stop inflicting his practice 'spleen venting' on us.
There were two things missing from Raiders of the Lost Ark... by ikidunot	May 31st, 2003 10:22:40 AM
Vampires and werewolves :P
Fantastic! Even that brief clip shows a lot of heart and ingenui by Son Of Batboy	May 31st, 2003 10:47:43 AM
That's hilarious. I'd love to see this myself. Most kids have similar ideas to imitate their favorite films but few go to this extreme and persevere over several years. As the man said, "You got heart kid."
Ebay? by Randall Flagg	May 31st, 2003 11:11:41 AM
Harry, I'm this close to hopping on a plane and finding my way to Austin, but how can I be sure I would get tickets? Also, I'm searching ebay and this thing is nowhere on there. There's gotta be a way to make this thing widely available without pissing off herr Lucas.....
Re:RedRaider by Hobbitastic	May 31st, 2003 11:14:57 AM
Lay off them! They were FUCKING 12 YEARS OLD! And at 12, they made (judging by the brilliance of that trailer) a better shot-for-shot remake of a classic than Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant did with Psycho. If these guys can ape top-notch Spielberg before they got pubes, then I want to know what they can do now. Hopefully they didn't blow their cinematic wads back then. Nothing will top Raiders, but this is akin to that Lego re-enactment of the Knights of the Round Table number in Monty Python and the Holy Grail... only on a much larger scale. HARRY, GET THESE GUYS TO PUT THIS FUCKER ONLINE!
Nice by ZombieChrist	May 31st, 2003 11:16:28 AM
Incredible story. How the hell did they do that boulder? And the ray of light through the staff of Ra, and the ghosts melting the Nazis. Does a Nazi inadvertently eat a fly? Thanks for the great story, Harry. I really, really want to see this movie.
please show this in dallas... by mikepm	May 31st, 2003 11:50:47 AM

I think they should remake this movie starring Hulk Hogan as Ind by jimbow8	May 31st, 2003 12:24:57 PM
Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes, brother?
Cute story by Syd Mead	May 31st, 2003 12:25:31 PM
I like that Lucas and Spielberg in 1981 were making their childhood fantasy films by creating a homage to the old seriels of the 30's. Which is what Raiders was. Bringing the cliched stories and cliff hanger action back to life and so it goes with these kids back then. The idea for Raiders Of The Lost Ark wasn't "original" but the way it was done was. I tip my fedora to these film geek kids. Lots of shots-for-shots have been made but all of them suck horribly and are rarely complete. I hope to see this one someday.
now we know...... by reni	May 31st, 2003 12:27:05 PM
This was the true highlight of BNAT 4. Nice to find out more about it. Thanks our kid!
Anyone who knocks these kids for being unoriginal has missed the by happywaffle	May 31st, 2003 12:29:07 PM
If you want tickets for the show(s), go to drafthouse.com. I'm sooooooo glad I did, I never expected it would sell out. Dear God, what a riot.
I don't even like Indy flicks, but I'd like to see this. by jules windex	May 31st, 2003 12:45:54 PM
Although it would probably just piss me off, like why couldn't my friends and I have thought of this kind of thing. But if we had done it, we'd have had Indiana molest a dead deer out in the forest
Ahh, the Betamax recorder, what a bitch to work with by 007-11	May 31st, 2003 12:46:05 PM
I remember, way back somewhere when I was still in the single digits, remaking movies with my sister, brother and whatever kids we could con into helping. Shit, we did "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", our own "Rocky" movie, I did my own "Batman Forever", I can't even remember all the others. They weren't nearly as good a quality as this sounds like but they were fun to make.
This made me become a member! by scroll2b	May 31st, 2003 01:21:15 PM
I downloaded the trailer for this and was totally blown away! (The props, the falling sand, the boulder! How did they make that boulder!) I'm a lover of movies and obviously someone who has tried the same thing once or twice, so it sucks that this thing is only showing in TEXAS of all places...... Why not here in New Jersey? Can't this thing get a touring festival? Isn't any kind of sign-up sheet one can enter their info to get a copy of this thing? I'd love to get a DVD of this, and would pay big bucks for it. Please, Harry, set something up for this. And if the snoops at Paramount and Lucasfilm are reading this, I suggest you include this as an Easter Egg on the dvd box set, because this is every fan's dream come true!!!!!!!!!!! Long time lurker, first time poster....
This is bullshit by atomiceo	May 31st, 2003 01:28:18 PM
More than shocked. Not only did these kids waste six years of their life, you idiots are actually PRAISING them for it. What they did is NON-CREATIVE REPLICATION. They can be forgiven because they were children, except that it took six years! What could they have accomplished if they had taken that energy and created something original!?! Okay, as an EXCERCISE, this might be an interesting project over, say, one semester at a film school, in order to learn what one can from copying someone's work, the way a painter can learn from copying an old masterwork, but you don't take that copy and try to sell it and praise it seperately from the original. That's stagnation. And this obsession is unhealthy and unproductive. Kepe the past in mind but move into the future.
I can't believe some of you are critcizing the efforts of childr by Aquafresh	May 31st, 2003 01:49:02 PM
The best way to BEGIN learning any craft is through IMITATION. At least they weren't out smoking crack or date raping girls. I'm glad I'm not as bitter as some of you.
To the naysayers... by RenoNevada2000	May 31st, 2003 01:53:58 PM
Come on you people! Have you totally lost touch with your own childhood and sense of wonder? I saw Raiders when it first came out at the impressionable age of 11. I wanted to be an archaeologist in the worst way, until I found it isn't all dodging death traps and fighting Nazis. How many of you spent endless afternoons with whatever action figuers you had recreating favorite scenes from Star Wars or any other movie that tried to ride toy tie-in gravy train? (Hell, I even had a ghostly Obi-Wan talking to Luke before Empire came out.) These kids did the next best thing and actually recreated the whole damn movie themselves! And stuck with it for seven freakin' years to boot! When I was that age most of my friends and I couldn't stick with a project (Building a tree fort, learning to become stunt bike riders, creating our own comics, whatever) for seven freaking days! More power to them! And get a showing of this on the east coast damnit!
by scroll2b	May 31st, 2003 02:10:20 PM
For your information, Eric Zala, the kid director of this remake, has gone on to make original films of his own. HERE: ------ "An Early Twilight Produced by Eric Zala. Eric Zala, 1993. 22 min. This fictional film examines the relationship between a husband and wife, Peter and Jill. Peter has Werner's Syndrome, a rare, accelerated aging disease which strikes people in their 20s. He is a young man trapped in an old man's body. The film details Jill's struggle with her repulsion of her prematurely aged husband and focuses on the power of attraction versus the endurance of love. Zala produced this film as his thesis project at New York University's Tisch School of Arts. Category: Independent Films and Videotapes (1994) Award: First Prize" ------ There's nothing wrong with spending your time living out all your dreams and fantasies, even if their from another's. The fact that they spent seven years on this thing is not a loss, but a huge achievment. As others have even stated, doing something for longer than a month straight was always nearly impossible with my dumb-ass friends. They never had that kind of dedication. NEVER....
BIG DEAL, I SAW THE CHIMP CHANNEL DO THE SAME THING.. by Baron Karza	May 31st, 2003 02:13:15 PM
They also did Titanic.
Atomiceo, you half-wit by Jed	May 31st, 2003 02:24:21 PM
no one's trying to sell it or praise it as a seperate work, it's clearly a derivation, and I can't imagine anyone who comes to this website with any regularity seeing this thing and having an unkind word to say. They created something original in that they defy an audience's expectations for what they're going to be able to pull off. The shots they get, the stunts they pull off, and the acting, in particular. It's really... natural. If you've dealt with young actors at all you know that they have a tendency to go broadway, and there's none of that, either in creating a distracting tangent of a performance or in over-mimicing the original performances, particularly for the kids playing Sallah and Belloq. "Ah," you say, "but they could just watch the movie for reference points" and while that's true, they violated direct mimicry of the performances in order to obey the spirit of them to make the film an enjoyable viewing experience. other directors making a remake have not been so forward-thinking. those kids, now adults, are trying to make it in the industry now, and so of course the fan-made raiders movie has been around for years floating around hollywood & new york, because those guys have clearly been pimping it for so long--oh wait. No one said a lick about this for 14 years... Of course, since your childhood large-scope epic feature-length Original Action-Adventure film was so well-received, I suppose you're in a position to cast aspersion, but I'm sure you could see yourself to a magnanimous gesture of kindness and good will towards fellow fans & filmmakers. Unfortunately you're this bitter asshat talkbacker who's so frustrated with his station in life that this is what you're doing with yourself. You guys crack me the hell up. You're generally either right-wing nutbar narcississts from the Drudge Report or you're embittered filmmakers in your mid-to-late 20's stuck in a mediocre office job that gives you more money than you're used to but you hate, so you stay because the alternative is too frightening, and that little ball of angry manifests itself in consistently slash-and-burning all you can see and hear. But boy, you can sure stick it to that fucker Harry Knowles. Take THIS cruel cruel stab of mine rapier wit, o... childhood... Indiana Jones Fans... definitely apt targets both of your hilariously misguided anger and transparent self-loathing. That's almost as good as doing something satisfying with your careers. You can always not come back, because you won't be missed, because we all hate you, when we don't pity you.
Cool! by tbrosz	May 31st, 2003 02:33:36 PM
Every really famous and creative filmmaker I've ever heard of started out doing crazy stuff like this. They just HAVE to make movies. I've always been impressed by this kind of faithful obsession.
Amazing by 900LBGorilla	May 31st, 2003 02:42:54 PM
I have not seen this, but if the trailer is any indication, this freaking thing looks AMAZING. We do need copies of this made available...if HArry is the geek he claims, he wil lfind a way to GET IT DONE...And I have never wasted my time on anything like this before, this stuff is not even close to a thing I am generally interested in...but I'd pay for a copy of this. To all you Morons who are ragging this as unorigininal and a waste of time...who the fuck are you kidding??? These started as fucking 10 year olds who were inspired by a great story...lwhat is your brilliant theory...that they could have fucking written a briulliant story beforer filming it at that AGE??? If that really is your theory, then your assinine stupidity goes much deeper than your even posts imply...and incidentally, most professional hollywood directors don't write their own shit either...why don't THEY stop rippijng off other people ideas...and they're grown ups. The ACHEIVEMENT HERE IS HOW TO PULL IT OFF! THAT is what takes originality...most of us could't fucking figure out how to put a bycicle together at that age let alone start something like this...get a clue! DIRECTORS NOW with millions have to try hard to figure out how to make shots work, for a 12 year old on a budget of probably 100 bucks a year, THAT is what takes the creativity. And 7 years is a BAD THING? What perserverence! I bet the only thing you twits could devote 7 years to at that age is figuring out better ways to jerk off...and the fucking funny thing about that comment is that its porpbably true. Also what a joke to compare it to maybe a 1 year college project...because at age 10-~15 it should be UNDOABLE on a professional looking level...so stop trying to make this sound easy.
If all those Thumb movies can come out... by Jack Burton	May 31st, 2003 02:44:00 PM
Why not this? I'd love to see what these kids did. I agree, it should be on the "Raiders" DVD. What better way to demonstrate just how affecting that movie was then to show what these kids did for 8 years? Lucas should realize what a stroke job this is for him and let Spielberg use it. Because I can GUARANTEE if there is anyone that would stand in the way, it's Lucas. Come on Harry, try to publish it yourself. You got some pull...right?
Jed/Jmcarth by 900LBGorilla	May 31st, 2003 02:58:18 PM
Hey Jed, you had me in complete agreement with your post until you nit-witted your self into a 1 dimensional political buffoon...what is it with liberals? I really think that a criteria for being one is youth, a low IQ, or a combination of the 2... You guys just HAVE to generalize that all bad must come from conservatism...what mental laziness..you crack me the fuck up...start arguing with logic and ditch the emotion over reason...oh but you can't...cause then you'd become...a conservative! ------------------------------ -- JMcarth I appeciate the humor of your werewolves and vampire jabs at harry that traverse over multiple talkbacks...but dude...the only problem with it is that Harry was right on there (and not because of the werewolves)...Relaoded should have been named ...Retarded...talk about killing the edge and taking the wrong turn whenever possible...it isn't even near the same league as the original...and its a fucking shame, because most of us (other than the Lucas slaves) were really hoping it would be there...too bad some of us are fans of great movies instad of slaves to a series...(those who can't admit the phantom mencae was dog shit covered with a thick layer of CGI being the best example of the delusional fan who can't see past the lack of substance on the screen).
this is charming and great, but how did they manage it? (stunts? by Vomit	May 31st, 2003 03:09:38 PM
The boulder scene is one thing, but how did they do the rest of it? The logistics boggle the mind. They must have had some adult/family support on the one hand, but on the other hand they must have been actively avoiding responsible adults at every turn (duplicating some of the PG elements of the romance with non-professional kids and doing at least some presumably dangerous physical stunts). You mean this kid actually threw himself UNDER A TRUCK? Did they really BLOW UP A TRUCK? Even a toy truck would be pretty impressive by kid pyro standards. If the audience was cheering at every key point as the just-wait-they've-finally-got- to-blow-it-at-this-next-part stakes got higher and higher, they must have gone pretty balls-out. Think about it... they actually duplicated the TRUCK CHASE? What about locations? They had to have used crazy backdrops and cheats and miniatures, etc... what about the special effects? All of it? (snakes, airplanes, truck chases, explosions, riding on horseback, a prop glowing arc, melting nazis, a U-Boat, and getting kids to co-operate for 6 years on something this time-consuming)... Even at Ed Wood level production values (in terms of budget) this was a MAMMOTH undertaking, bigger than the biggest school play ever, and no doubt involved a lot of suffering and dedication. I am assuming, based on the audience reaction and that wonderful clip that it had that charming "lets put on a show" feel to it, the kind where you really want the story makers to succeed based on their sincere desire to do the absolute best they can with next to nothing; where the audience is totally sympathetic and involved with the guys behind the camera more than in the movie per se; it's like the real story (and fun)is the fact that the movie was made at all! The money may not be on screen, (well, actually it is, since there isn't much of it to begin with), but the SWEAT is all there, in every paper-mache boulder that took hours to make. This sounds wonderful. I HAVE TO SEE THE REST OF THIS!!! Please someone make it available to us somehow!
What a waste of a childhood by NFLRefugee	May 31st, 2003 03:16:02 PM
The reason Spielberg and Luca$ made Raiders was so those punks wouldn't have to. I could see starting the project as a goof when your 10 years old, but if you were going to devote that much time and effort to a film use your own material. Luca$ should sue them and Harry and the Alamo for copyright violation. Screw em.
Jeez... by AFKnightus	May 31st, 2003 03:16:47 PM
I'm with Atomiceo all the way; the concept of a shot-for-shot remake of Raiders just sounds like an obsession drawn out entirely too long. I'm all for young filmmakers imitating their favorite films, playing with light and angles, composition and movement, reshooting the scenes that resonate with them somehow. Hell, I did the exact same thing when I was younger; we reshot scenes from Jurassic Park using action figures, playing with sense of space, we imitated Indy by piping the theme music over a scene of my friend running. But then we found, after playing this way for about 4 months or so, that it was more fun to come up with our own, original ideas, and get them on camera. We still learned more important concepts, and applied them in an original manner to our shorts. This whole Indy remake sounds like a group of kids, caught up in Indy-fever, drawing out a normal learning experience to unhealthy lengths. Imagine what they could have been producing ages 16-18; original shorts, full length scripts. This reminds me of all those Stars Wars shorts out there, which smack of misdirected talent and wasted time.
Vomit by 900LBGorilla	May 31st, 2003 03:33:05 PM
Well said Vomit (though I despise your screen name)....well said indeed.
Missing the point by ikilledfletcher	May 31st, 2003 03:41:10 PM
You guys who say that they did this for way too long are completly missing the point of why they really did it. Sure they were re-creating a movie they all collectivly had a lot of love for, but they were also experimenting with a medium that they were ready to commit their lives to. They wanted to not make this movie for people to enjoy, but to make this movie for them as a growing experience. These kids knew what they wanted to do with their lives (made evident by what they are doing now) and commited their entire childhood to learning more about this.
Of course this means nothing since we'll never get a chance to s by ZeroCorpse	May 31st, 2003 03:43:17 PM
But thanks for the info...
re: atomiceo ***** "My feelings, exactly!" (to quote a line fro by Red Raider	May 31st, 2003 03:43:38 PM
Well put.
I got it by AFKnightus	May 31st, 2003 03:44:42 PM
Fletcher, I got that point, and I'm not detracting at all from the feat, I'm just stating that they could have recreated specific scenes from Indy, then moved on to original work. A shot for shot remake of the entire film just strikes me as overkill.
Afk knights by 900LBGorilla	May 31st, 2003 03:53:38 PM
Dude, they started at 10! At 16-18 they were wrapping it, from 10-15 they COULDN'T have written queality screen plays... and to call that a waste of time when thier peers were undoubtedly spending their free hours on Nintendo is a joke...to pull these scenes off STILL takes VERY creative thinking, and while the reality is that other kids are mostly sitting around watching TV and playing video games, or hanging at the mall in their free time, you must not really be thinking to call this a waste of time in comparison...
Well... by AFKnightus	May 31st, 2003 04:02:31 PM
I think you misunderstood me, Gorilla... when I said it reminded me of Star Wars shorts, which are full of misdirected talent and wasted time, I didn't mean that the kids would be better off hanging at the mall or playing Nintendo, I simply meant that their energy might have been better spent towards original endeavors. I was in their shoes, at their age, doing the exact same thing. I copied scenes from Indy, and JP, and even The Mask... but then I discovered that I could bring my own, original ideas to life on the screen, and we started doing action parodies, original sci-fi, adventure, thrillers, etc. My partner in crime and I have kept in contact, despite my move across the country; we've made a supernatural action short full of FX, and we're ramping up for 2 back-to-back shoots. It took us this long to hone our own original visions, all I can think is that these boys, although gaining a solid base in the basics, have a ways to go to define their own styles. (I still haven't been able to pin down the ages of these guys; are they nearly 30, or younger?)
AFK KNights by 900LBGorilla	May 31st, 2003 04:13:28 PM
Fair enough on how you did it, that's pretty cool too, my main point in reagards to your position is that they started at 10, ended at 17, so they probably had no idea how long it would take when they started, and by 15-16 its probably too late to just stop, and at 17 they are wrapping. I think it's neat when people explore thier own ideas, but again given 10-15 that probably was not feasible, and after that that you want to finish the deal...especially if they did the 1st 4 years as well as advertised. Also they might not have been as intersested in writing. many directors are just not writers, and what they did WAS to explore the directing and acting sides. even if it was with a pre made outline, they had to figure out completely new ways to do it since they had no budget...and that is really some of the biggest challenges young directors face...if you look at how Cameron and Luca$$ pulled off their early films, much of it entailed " gorilla filmaking" and these kids just became masters at that... (To answer your quesstion I think they are now 30 if my memory & math are adding up)...
You've driven me to post this by classicsgirl	May 31st, 2003 04:15:31 PM
I've never said a word on this site before, but I had to register just to say this: I am the same age as these films. I can't remember not knowing who Indiana Jones was. My first time ever to a drive-in was in the family station wagon, crowded full of sleeping bags and pillows and cookies, to watch Last Crusade. I played Indiana Jones in the backyard, using a dog leash as a whip and making impossible jumps over bottomless pits at every crack in the sidewalk. He is one of the reasons I studied Classics in college (a fact that the head of my department pointed out to the audience when I went up for my diploma.) From the looks of the trailer, these kids accomplished everything I ever dreamed in the backyard, and more. I'd move heaven and hell to see this, Harry. The next time you ever show this, I'm there, even if I have to empty my poor student back account for it. Thank you for showing this to me, Harry, to all us total movie geeks. And it's great knowing you can appreciate how I feel about this.
BitTorrent this, please! by 2	May 31st, 2003 04:17:53 PM
Someone should authorize a BitTorrent stream of this masterpiece. You naysayers either wasted your childhood setting your own farts on fire (without any film running to capture the brilliance of your original creation) or simply have no understanding of youthful passion. The original Raiders, while not a shot-for-shot clone of anything, was certainly derived from a number of previous serials. "Original" is altogether relative, when you consider the source material...hell, especially when you're 12! If you're such hot shots, show me the film you made before you turned 18. Anyone who has no film to show in that category has no valid criticism for these fine folks. Now quick, someone freaking digitize this and make it available!
What's this shit? by Lord_Soth	May 31st, 2003 04:25:51 PM
It's hilarious what kind of craps are being discussed sometimes here.
Whats wrong with spelling Lucas with a dollar sign (Luca$)? He i by NFLRefugee	May 31st, 2003 04:32:26 PM
Thats the joke. I don't think that makes anyone a tool. I really don't think that this was a productive use of time. I mean by the time your 18 you should be thinking about getting laid and things like that. Not trying to finish a rip-off of a classic motion picture that you started when you were 10. These guys are beyond geek, they make the chess club look the Rat Pack. And yes I wasted my childhood with my all kindergarten production of the King of Marvin Gardens. Know what would be a good idea? An adult remake of Bugsy Malone.
Utter astonishment. by dharmageek	May 31st, 2003 04:45:17 PM
I have to see this! I'm about ready to book a flight to Austin right now. Please, please, anyone in a position to make this available, let us see it! God, I want to be these kids. The passion, the devotion, the sheer love... it's incredible. I'd give everything I have to be able to say I'd done something like this. And anyone who says it was a waste of their time... you're full of shit. These kids were learning. The way you learn any art is by imitating what came before. The only reason more kids don't make movies like this is that movies require lots more resources than most other art forms and most kids--hell, most ADULTS--don't have the persistence to deal with it. Anyone who can't appreciate this is a sad, bitter, pathetic excuse for a human being and has no business calling themselves a fan. No, it's not original. Yes, it's an unbelievable expression of love. Spielberg appreciated it, why can't you?
the Alamo Drafthouse by kingink123	May 31st, 2003 04:49:22 PM
This may be off subject, but what the hell is up with the Alamo Drafthouse here in houston? I remember going to the Alamo in Austin when it was still in the stages of being built to see the premiere of Greg Araki's "Nowhere" when the place was just a big ass warehouse with no a/c and was full of just folding chairs. Every visit to austin I make, I have to go to the Alamo to see the great classics they show. So, being a houston resident, I was really excited to see that an Alamo was coming here. But now that its here, all they show is the same bullshit movies that they show in all the other theaters here. What's up with that???? Will we get special double features, italian westerns, horror, hong kong films...anything?????
NFLRefugee is the biggest loser by lucaslawyer	May 31st, 2003 04:59:01 PM
But he is right, Lucas (no dollar sign, tool) will sue.
SLEDGE450 HAS LEFT,GONE,FOREVER. BUT,A NEW FORCE HAS REPLACED TH by SIR-SLEDGE450	May 31st, 2003 06:03:10 PM

SIR-SLEDGE450! THE SELF PROCLAIMED 4TH MOST POWERFUL MAN ON THE by SIR-SLEDGE450	May 31st, 2003 06:44:46 PM
Yes, ladies and gentleman, rejoice. I bet you were all either creaming yourself with excitement or sobbing yourself too sleep when you all heard the unfourtunate news that the ledgendary SLEDGE450 had hung up his spurs.And you were write too be.SLEDGE450 was a god.But gods DIE. But, just like Jesus (yes,im comparing SLEDGE450 to our lord), they can be re-born. But, ive been reborn,re branded if you may,as something even stronger. I have been born as the ultimate force of film, i have been recycled, and in that cycle, i saw what i needed to be.I needed to be known not only by you gimps, but accross the land. I need my name in papers. I need to shock the world. And SIR-SLEDGE450 will NOT SLEEP(!), until this vision has come true.And to start me on my road to fame,from today, i am going to bring back an institution on this website. A relic. But its going to be bigger and better than ever before. Im talking about, geeks and geeketes, im talking about..........SIR-SLEDGE'S HAMMER OF JUSTICE!!!!! But, how am i going to make it big.Well, i know how much you care about me,so i will answer that question.I am going to call Harry here.Harry, you have obviously saw this post before,as,like everyone else here, acknowledge it as one of the greatest pieces of writing ever to behold this shit-den.But thats beside the point. Harry,bud,i Love you. I think your knowledge of film is,at the very least,emmaculate.Thats why, from this moment,i am starting a campaighn to have SIR-SLEDGES HAMMER OF JUSTICE made as a serious piece of coaxial news, to have my own column here,beacause,I DESERVE IT!! Everyone loves top 10 lists,the debates they have,and to have it as a weekly post, with a subject,then me,you and maybe moriaty can make there choices, and everyone posts.THATS MY PLEASURE IN LIFE,TO SEE IT HAPPEN!Make it happen! You can! If you want this to happen, e:mail your thoughts to me & Harry, and, as a group,we can make it happen. But until then, without further adoo, here is the first EVER(!),: SIR-SLEDGES HAMMER OF JUSTICE!!!! The topic, in the vein of me being the writer, and myself being so fantastic in stealing the talkbackers love, is: Top 10 scene stealers of all time: 10) Robert Duvall (apocolypse now REDUX) (absolutely electric performance, and the redux cut makes his performance even better) 9)Bennicio Del Torro (The usual suspects) ("He flip ya,flip ya for rearl" Fuckin funny shit) 8)Orson Welles (The 3rd man) (as soon as that music hits, you see fatboy orsan pop that fat head out the light,its showtime!) 7)Meatloaf (Fight club) (bob and his bitch tits. Chuck phaliunhuck didnt rite bob that good.Meatloaf eats Scenery,never mind chews it) 6) John Witherspoon (Friday,Next Friday, Friday after next) ("Every time am in the kitchen,you in the kitchen,in THE GOD DAMM REFRIDERATOR..." i just think he is the funniest funniest man, his expresssions are great, his lines cool,the man rocks) 5) Aln Rickman - Robin hood (so camp,it makes julian clary look like me. SIR-S;EDGE 450! WHO IS BACK! seriously, the cancel crimbo line is the one of my fave lines. 4)Alec Baldwin - Glengary Glen ross (That speech? Pachino.spacey,lemmon in the room? Jaw-dropping) 3)John Turrutro - The Big Lebowski ("Nobody fucks wit da jesus" 2 MINUITES OF HEAVEN) 2)Martin Scorcesse - Taxi Driver ( fuckin creepy man,when i fisrt saw him,he was how i imganed the bbogeyman And know,i dont wana know what a .44 can do to a womans pussy. Shit,that creeps me out so much.....) 1) Samuel L. Jackson - Jungle fever (that, in my opinion, is not only the greates scene stealing/supporting role ever, but the greatest PERFORMANCE ever! That guy was on the brink when he made that and shit does it show.Everytime i see that film, i am more and more amzed every time i see that role.Its only about 20 minuites,but shit,is it the best thing about that film. Harry,there it is,i know your intrested.Ill get my people,you get moriaty,well do lunch,and see how it goes. Until next time, Increse the peace SIR-SLEDGE450
Hey, Nosferatu.... by Aquafresh	May 31st, 2003 07:00:09 PM
check out www.probotproductions.com for all sorts of action figure fan films, including Star Wars. Not all shot for shot remakes, but pretty close.
Beautifully pointless by Hellboy	May 31st, 2003 07:40:28 PM
Good going, kids. When I hear about kids having fun instead of being assholes, I have a little more faith in the future.
From the title, I thought this was a sarcastic, scathing review by DocBosch	May 31st, 2003 08:14:41 PM
...maybe I should have made a shot for shot remake of Back To The Future when I was a kid.
ARGUABLY GREATEST FILM?!? by watashiwadare	May 31st, 2003 08:46:38 PM
No E.T., Schindler's List, or Saving Private Ryan? Not even CE3K, all of which had more intimate focal points and longer technical reach? A text study of serials, lean, and Curtiz, not something from the soul? Wacky, man. Just weird!
you must get a link to whole film by elbo	May 31st, 2003 08:51:35 PM
once the screenings have finished you've gotta get them to put this on the net. LOADS of people would wanna see this
best film school by pedicabpolack	May 31st, 2003 09:13:09 PM
I remember watching this at BNAT 4. I thought- how cute- Ive seen his kind of thing before- an fan film tribute- unofficial sequel. But as it went along I became more and more amazed. This wasnt 'hardware wars' - They did the WHOLE movie, getting every detail correct- blowing away Roger Corman and Ed Wood away in terms of no budget ingenuity. I was like "these kids are f-ing insane- in a GOOD way." I cant tell you how many sci-fi horror movie ideas my friends talked about making in high school, but we never got off our asses and did ANY of them. I bet a lot of you were the same way. I can also remeber how bad most of my very expensive first film class projects were. These kids had an AWESOME sense of focus and shot composition. Their tech skills at 18 probably blew away most film graduate students. I wish I had had THAT kind of hands on camera experience when I started college? Should they have done something original? At 12?!?! No- it would have been stupid. This first movie was about learning the craft of film MAKING not screenwriting. Every comic book artist learned by copying their favorite pros, every musician learned by practicing their favorite hit songs, and these kids worked out their filmmaking kinks aping Spielberg. Now that theyre grown ups they have an amazing background of experience to draw from. Not just in camera work, but in 'producing' the whole time iwas liek "how did they keep these other kids motivated all this time? My friends would have given up a long time ago"
Wonderful! by vistavision	May 31st, 2003 09:27:22 PM
Great story Harry! Films have changed lives-just look at some of today's filmakers who saw "Star Wars" and thought "Thats what I want to do..."-this definitely belongs on the "Raiders" DVD!
whoa whoa and double whoa by atomiceo	May 31st, 2003 10:21:59 PM
I must have struck a nerve because people are so vitriolic about my opinion, which is just that, my opinion. You guys can think whatever you want, but by just saying "if you think such and such, you must be an *** insert expletive or slander or assumption about my personal or professional life***. Grow up. If you look at my post, you'll see I didn't slam anybody, unless you consider a difference of opinion in and of itself a slam, which if you do, you better get your shit together. The main point i was making is that this project on a small scale would have been cute, but six bloody years? That's ridiculous obsession. Oh, and Spielberg loves it? What a fuckin' surprise! Would he have any ulterior reason to love it? Would he have an interested in cultivating fandom over one of his properties?
AFK Knight/Gorilla by MadThespian	May 31st, 2003 10:51:04 PM
I would just like to say 'thank you'. The two of you held a brief disagreement (at worst, arguement) and never once reverted to flaming or name-calling. People like the two of you are the reason I come here, unfortunately it's been so long since I've seen intelligent interaction between two people on this site that I had almost given up hope for the human race. Thank you.
Hmmmm, bullshit? by HarpuaFSB	May 31st, 2003 11:01:44 PM
Has anyone else actually seen this? I mean jeez, I want to see it as much as the next geek but being a lifetime Raiders/SW geek and the fact that this has remake has reportedly been around for so long and today is the first time I have EVER heard of it makes me a little skeptical that it even exists. A hoax perhaps? Hmmmm....
Drafthouse Trailer by MashManProds	May 31st, 2003 11:02:23 PM
I went driving around the neighborhood in a beat up old Chevy cargo van, offering candy to 12 year olds, to help remake the Drafthouse Trailer using borrowed props, stolen costumes, and a PXL 2000. No takers yet though, hmmmm....Maybe I should work in a crude "Tomboy Beanpole" reference here, right talkbackers?
WWPPWD - What would Pistol Pez Watley Do? by timhortons000	May 31st, 2003 11:17:05 PM
He'd probably rate this a 10!!
Quite an achievement! Not a waste of time at all! by jimbow8	May 31st, 2003 11:28:03 PM
In a Hollywood Movie, basically the only original part is the screenplay. So none of these kids is a screenplay writer. They are directors and actors and stuntmen, etc. You think Harrison Ford came up with an original concept for Raiders? He just read someone elses script and acted in the movie. (Granted there is more to it than that.) The Point is just because these kids didn't write the story, they were still learning other itegral parts of movie production. They had to figure out from scratch how to finance the movie, how to act in it how to film it, how to create special effects, how to edit it. That is pretty damn astounding in my book. When is the last time any of you naysayers put that much effort into anything?!?!?
with all due respect by atomiceo	May 31st, 2003 11:29:49 PM
with all due respect jim, these kids didnt just copy the script, they copied the angles, and as much of the timing and lighting they could. So i dont see your point here.
I just have to say it. by Mr_Sinister_31	May 31st, 2003 11:56:18 PM
You know... I would probably enjoy this more than Matrix Reloaded.
Jim... by AFKnightus	May 31st, 2003 11:56:50 PM
Well, Jim, like I said before, I've been working on projects all throughout college, and have 2 projects lined up for the summer, as well as a full length screenplay I'll be shopping around. I think I put a lot of effort into all of them, thank you :)
Oh, and about originality by AFKnightus	Jun 1st, 2003 12:03:45 AM
I completely disagree about your comment about the screenplay being the only original aspect of film production. All you need to do is watch a landmark film (like The Matrix's bullet time, or the lighting and camera movement in Citizen Kane) and you'll find originality in camera movement, scene composure, action, etc. Films that just go through the motions, without injecting any sense of originality, are the ones that everyone turns their nose up at. And sometimes visual originality overpowers story, and you end up with something like The Cell.
I did this with Ghostbusters when I was 7... Then Back to the fu by TheGinger Twit	Jun 1st, 2003 01:47:42 AM
Now I've made 2 shorts and am in pre-production on a feature. Who cares, I know.
Now wait just a god damn minute.... HARRY, you'll rave about a c by TheGinger Twit	Jun 1st, 2003 02:19:36 AM
Is that how you spell Pinoccio? I was going to write Pinochio, but that just didn't look right.
Sell this! by aintitcooltalkba	Jun 1st, 2003 03:09:00 AM
You know, if someone started selling copies of this on ebay they could make some serious cash, because I would definitely pay for it... As an aside, this is some pretty lame news, and since when did this site become soley about lame movies only the socially inept will see (read: hellboy). That is all.
We care because by GeneralTso	Jun 1st, 2003 04:00:59 AM
I dont give a damn about this. I dont give a damn about hellboy. Who or what the fuck is hellboy? Ya know what, a bunch of kids made some Indiana jones remakes. Fine and dandy. Some guys made MacBeth into a star wars play. Interesting, i guess but not really. Harry, Indiana Jones in the best thing Spielberg has ever made? I cant believe youd suggest that. Try Saving Private Ryan or ET. And to you moronic talkbackers, that think things like this are just damn amazing, who deduce that anyone who is at all critical about stupid childishness, why dont you try reading a work of literature, or going to an art museum, instead of wasting your time on defending pop culture, Jesus Christ.
DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE MUSIC TO THAT TRAILER? IF SO, PLEASE POST by Alcamaeon	Jun 1st, 2003 04:33:03 AM
Many thanks in advance.
Music in the trailer is... by jburnett	Jun 1st, 2003 05:12:39 AM
Amon Tobin (first track on his Supermodified album). Buy all his stuff. It's good. But why someone thought it'd be good music to use for an Indiana Jones trailer is beyond me.
WOW!! atom and knight and who ever else is saying ANYTHING bad. by antonphd	Jun 1st, 2003 07:03:18 AM
Why would you even say anything bad about this. Don't you have a heart enough to keep your negative remarks to yourselves. Have you ever worked your butt off and been really proud of what you accomplished only to have some random stranger tear it apart. Did you ever see Good Will Hunting? Remember the part where Will tears apart Robin right after meeting him. Just rips him apart. Will takes something important to Robin and BLAMES him for it. Makes him feel like a loser for having a hard time with after losing someone so important to him. - Where you guys there when these kids worked on this? Do you know what they went through? Do you think it was always fun? Do you think that afterwards they probably felt really good about what they were able to do and you gotta try to make them feel like shit for it. Why would you do that to someone? I remember when I was a kid that my best friend made fun of my little brother for listening to... Christian Rap Music. Sounds like a good reason to make fun of someone? But, you know, I remember my little brother's face before and after my best friend made fun of him. Before, he was happy. You know, that way we all want to feel all of the time. And then right afterward, he went from happy, to feeling like a little piece of pathetic shit, because his older brother's best friend just tore his happiness apart. I still remember his face. He was just a little kid. He already had enough to feel bad about in like with Epelepsi giving him full body sesiures every other day, but that wasn't a bad enough life... no, he needed to have the stuff that made him happy taken away too. I remember seeing him try to blink away tears as he turned off the music and tried to walk away with as much dignity as possible. He looked up to me and my best friend. He would have died for our approval, and we just had to make him feel like shit. Why? I can't think of a good reason. And that moment changed both of us. Because we realized that it doesn't matter if what someone likes is not good enough for someone else, it just matter's that it makes them happy. You got enough of a hard time at life, you might as well take what enjoyment you can. - So, why don't you apologize to these guys, tell them that you are impressed with anyone who liked doing something for so long. Be a nice person. Forget about telling everyone how to be good enough to be great, and just let them enjoy themselves.
WHAT THE LAST GUY JUST SAID by antonphd	Jun 1st, 2003 07:18:45 AM
YES!!!
It would be one thing if these kids had seen & loved Raiders (li by Red Raider	Jun 1st, 2003 07:32:15 AM
...if they had done that, I would admire the hell out of their effort & applaud them for their accomplishment. What they did was copy Raiders of the Lost Ark shot-for-shot, angle for angle, lighting for lighting, word for word, etc. An exact imitation. A duplication. If you do that in college, they call it plagarism and your ass gets tossed out of school! **To give them credit, these guys obviously worked very hard, and will most likely have lenghty careers in either motion pictures or television. I just think all that energy should've been put into an original idea, or at the least a film of their own that borrowed from the Raiders genre. All they did was make a replicant of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I think a good comparison is if someone made a shot-for-shot remake of Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER. Why would I want to watch an exact copy? I already have Scott's classic film on dvd! For me, if I want to see Raiders, I'll watch Raiders!
I agree with you, antonphd!!! by C.C. Baxter	Jun 1st, 2003 07:36:40 AM
I agree with antonphd. Great anecdote you shared with us. I'm really confused that some TALKBACKERS are criticizing something made from kids. I'm guessing they didn't make this expecting to get money from it, they just made it for fun and for the love of a movie - how can anyone criticized that? (I had to post this comment, porbably the 4th time I ever posted any Talkback comment since reading AICN NEWS for 4 years now. And I'm not even an Indiana Jones fan either.)
How deeply, stunningly pathetic by Dr. Eddie Jessup	Jun 1st, 2003 08:52:24 AM
Supposed adults, slamming kids for making a shot-by-shot remake of Raiders? I think it sounds fantastic, the kind of passion few geeks show. How shameful that losers with no real accomplishments feel the need to slam 12-13 year old kids for trying to make a movie. This really, really galls. Complaining about the production values utilized by kids working on an allowance suggests a total lack of intelligence.
Haters... by Sixxgunn13	Jun 1st, 2003 09:18:24 AM
Man..too many haters in this world, also if theses KIDS made a original "Raiders" type movie..you haters would cry "Raiders, Rip-off"... FUC Koff Sixx
WORST MUSIC EVER? by Jon E Cin	Jun 1st, 2003 10:00:15 AM
I know its hard to get rights to music and all..but that was the worse fan trailer I have ever seen. crap.
This would actually make a really good coming-of-age movie. by Nordling	Jun 1st, 2003 10:07:37 AM
Spielberg should not only put the movie as an Easter Egg on the DVD, but he should buy the rights to their story. It may not sound like much, but reading how these kids did it, and the life lessons they learned by making it, and how it literally changed their lives, I think it would make a decent family film. If done right. Just a suggestion.
GeneralTso/RedRaider by 900LBGorilla	Jun 1st, 2003 10:17:26 AM
Hey General, I've read PLENTY of literature, and this IS amazing...Pop culture or not, pulling this off (much of it at ages 10-14) is a mamoth undertaking and acheivement that would require extreme ingenuity considering they have no budget... What did like 9 out of 10 of your friends do at these ages? Oh probably hung at the mall, played nintendo, and discovered new and creative ways to pleasure themselves...impressive....mos t impressive.... ....what did YOU do at that age that compares in perserverence and ingenuity...probably nothing...oh wait you read a book...Kudos...reading someone elses words is superior... I am now laughing my ass off...shit that hurt I just fell out of my chair. ------------------------------ -- Red Raider...Do you like keep saying the same thing without reading the talk backs in between? Dude they STARTED AT AGE FUCKING 10 (as a # of us have repeatedly pointed out over the last 50 posts). Much of this was done between ages 10-14...who the hell writes good original shit at that age??? You are being unrealistic in the extreme...and what if they don't give a shit about writing??? News flash MOST HOLLYWOOD directors don't write...they just make a movie out of someone elses idea...AND THEY ARE ADULTS...so the kid's wanted to direct and act...so what? ------------------------------ --- And for the record THEY WEREN'T IN COLLEGE, they started at 10...so who cares what the rules of college are, that is irrelevant, they pulled off production, acting, scene set up, directing, and probably had to redefine guerilla film-making to get it done at the ages they were when doing it...these are ALL crucial skills for a young film-maker...writing is nice, but NOT AT ALL necessary to become a director. ------------------------------ --- And you wouldn't watch it...fair enough...I wouldn't watch 99% of these remakes either...but I (and a shiitload of others from the comments here), would PAY to see a well pulled off remake by 10--17 year olds...would I replace my Raiders movie with this in my video collection....uh no...but thats not the point....
Madthespian by 900LBGorilla	Jun 1st, 2003 10:25:09 AM
Glad to be a small part in renewing your faith in humanity...continual flaiming is pretty stupid... ------------------------------ -- I especially love when it happens over multiple talk-back topics without remaining on any issue other than... You eat dick...No YOU EAT dick...No I eat pussy you are gay...You are a homophobe....You are a HOMO!...You started it...NO YOU started it! Ya just gotta laugh sometimes...
MightyPencilNeck by NFLRefugee	Jun 1st, 2003 10:35:08 AM
You're argument is heartfelt but flawed. Kubrick's THe Shining is an original adaption not a shot for shot remake. No film based on The Shining was made before that. So how can you can compare the two? You can't. Apples and oranges. BTW I accomplishe quite a bit with my life and don't need to make a movie, or write a screenplay to prove it, thank you. The problem with this site is that most of you people only compare accomplishments in terms of movies. I've never made a movie or wrote a screenplay. Big deal. It's not my thing. I love to watch movies but my choice of profession lay elsewhere. Does that mean I can't critique a film? No, it doesn't. Did anyone consider what these kids did was illegal?
Not illegal by Nordling	Jun 1st, 2003 10:37:53 AM
Only illegal if you sell it for profit, and that was never done. It was just made for their friends and family, and to see if they could do it. It was never intended for sale.
To the Naysayers by Jmacq	Jun 1st, 2003 10:58:56 AM
Well, I never thought the day would come, but I finally found something I think is worth posting about in a talkback. A few of you here seem to think it was somehow a huge waste that these kids didn't do something 'original', or something along similar lines. The fact of the matter is, I think that's completely irrelevant to what was accomplished here. What did -you- do between the ages of 10-18 that required -half- as much dedication and determination as this? They -finished- the movie. A full-length feature recreated shot-for-shot, on whatever budget a group of teenagers could scrounge together, and involving a considerable sacrifice of their personal time. Could they have put that time to 'better' use? Maybe, but what defines 'better'? Like I said before, what were all these folks that are currently deriding these kids doing in -their- free time from 10-18? Don't hold these kids to a higher standard then normal kids just because they actually -accomplished- something with their adolescence besides graduating from high school. Regardless of any 'originality' issues involved, I think the fact that this labor of love exists at all is a huge credit to the people that made it. I dont' know many people that would have had the dedication and focus it must have taken to complete this during -their- teen years, and 90 percent of people who tell you they -did- are full of crap. So stop trying to 'criticize' this for irrelevant reasons, and appreciate it for the -right- ones.
I do agree that at least these kids spent 7 years of their youth by Red Raider	Jun 1st, 2003 11:50:48 AM
As far as we know, they weren't doing drugs, skipping school, getting arrested, trashing houses, breaking curfews, etc. I just diagree with how they did the Raiders remake, that's all. I'd be far more interested in seeing it if they had remade Raiders in their own unique vision(ie, their own camera angles, lighting, sets, etc.) My hat is off to them for their effort however, and I hope they make it big in hollywood!
Haters and the players that are getting hated here by JasonDkEldar	Jun 1st, 2003 12:06:34 PM
Fanfiction: a loose term covering short stories, script treatments, videotaped fantasy skits, and other media that feature speculation on others' original characters and Plot points. Parody: professional roasting of a subject or person by pointing out flaws and mistakes and injecting other humorous observations. Criticism: Objective or subjective observations of an original work of fiction or nonfiction media, whether it be wholly original or material based on another's work. Hatred: what has been happening here. When kids take on a project for the love of it, kids who at this age were legitimately still supposed to be playing with the action figures and, at that time, the brand new video games of their favorite movies, these kids-from my home state no less-were making a movie of what they enjoyed so much. To spend your days and weekends plotting out ways to do something that kids older than you are selling their souls to make the money to learn how to do is not a waste of time. Deeming it that is as sensible as the educators in "To Kill A Mockingbird" being disapproving of The children being taught to read or even being allowed to read since it was something that the schools could more professionally handle. So these guys were supposed to leave the cameras alone unless they could make up their OWN classic serial homage? They were supposed to spend time learning how to write a movie when they wanted to learn other aspects of the film industry? I am an amateur writer(definition of amateur-not professionally employed as a writer; I know that galls to hear as a real definition of status, but it DOES mean if you are receiving compensation for your efforts you are no longer amateur status.) I appreciate others' attempts at original works, but terming the efforts to learn as a waste of time is as sensible a path of twisted logic as bad policy being justified because a bad situation(e.g. zero tolerance for children taking aspiring or emergency asthma treatments because other kids have in the past done hard illicit, illegal drugs in a school.) One thing does not lead to another, waste of time meaning effort put forth in an honest endeavor to bring something to the table. If all you can do is dump poo on someone else, then perhaps a true calling would be stablehand or cleaning stalls at the local dairy farm. Shoveling crap is not a talent, and doing it in public makes you known publicly for the person who can only muck out a barn. These kids, now close to the age at which they could run for the US Senate, were learning something and showing others' how to do something constructive at the same time . Calling someone a geek for finding something more productive to do with their childhood than sticking a lit firecracker up a cricket's rear-end is typical defensive reactionary behavior from people destined to shovel coal and work as a gopher. At least those two jobs mean something more though than the time spent wasted in their youth worrying about what mailboxes you can blow up with cherry bombs, or how many girls you can con into believing your I'm-so-cool hype and letting you show off your inadequate teenage lovemaking skills. You call these guys geeks because they are not out fingerbanging Suzie Rotten-crotch but rather meeting people and developing skills that let them develop real relationships, the kind Suzie R. will be reading about when she grows up with three of your squalling brats in the trailer you bought with your first three years salary? They are growing up, not rushing the process, but rather learning in every way they can, making even the time they should be wasting in your opinion on beerbusts and fixing up broke-down P.O.S Rides exploring their talents and learning thru the school of hard knocks so many on the streets know is the real education. DO you know how many film students would kill for six productive years learning the guts of something before they had to flesh out their resumes with a school degree. DO you really think it is better for someone who rode along with the Good-0l-Boys is in his hometown as a deputy to become a police chief in a big city because he WANTS to be a cop? Is it not better to go learn the ropes of actually being one, thru visceral experience working AT the job, or do you really think a job is best learned riding along and taking potshots at the people who really are learning? These kids learned from what they are doing, and like people who really do appreciate learning, those of us who are excited for them and want to see their work want that simply because we are happy that someone is doing it the right way, thru working for it. How many people clog up the educational tracks because daddy insists they go to school before he signs over their inheritance--be it money or a cushy job they claim makes them honest workers? These guys earned and learned their way to an education that gave them the basic blocks to start to learn the business whole-heartedly. EVERY real filmmaker out there-the guy who is not just someone calling himself a filmmaker or screenwriter or author or journalist or artist--they all will tell you that they spent their childhoods exploring what they wanted to be. Real artists painted or worked with clay or pens, not attended art appreciation classes then learned how to finger-painting in class. Real filmmakers filmed everything they could. Sure what these guys did as kids was something they did as kids. To wait 'til they were in film school to ever pick up a camera is again nonsense. IF you can learn something you learn it as soon as you can, not follow someone else's program for when and how to learn it. People who want to tell you when and how you should do things are those who are too confused to do things for themselves, and they honestly cannot believe someone else can know something for themselves either. No real artist ever learned how to become what he is thru a school program. School is there to encourage us, not to define who we are and what we can and should do. Socialists, the ones who became honest with themselves that is, found this out the hard way. Sure their trains ran on time but their lives sunk deeper into despair as you had bureaucrats telling you what they though t you could do or knew. When honesty with yourself makes your soul rebel at others' defining you. Why else do so many people rebel against what their parents want for them? Why else do so many of the people you know who don;t do things for themselves die inside? They were doing things for themselves, these guys who made this little movie, and obviously they were lucky enough to be born to people who wanted better things for their kids than they had, and felt confident enough tin themselves to let their kids sweat thru they hard times and come out the other side having done something that every film nut wishes he could do, learn from one of the best by studying what they did and attempting to do what that person did. Do you really think that it is wrong to remake something, whether it be with a fresh take, fresh angles, fresh script or fresh casting choices. "Psycho" and "Nutty Professor" are big examples of Hollywood getting it wrong. "Planet of the Apes" is an example of getting it wrong for the right reason, as "Batman" and "Batman Returns" showed that the same director could rework original material in a way that works better than before. Not everything will be perfect, nor will any two people agree on everything they see, but at least understand that having the chance to see it is better than not being allowed to see it. I made the mistake of letting the hype for "The Ring" color my desire to see it, as _Blair Witch_ had left me cold, even though it should have excited me. I just did not personally prefer that film, fan flick tho it may have been. The Ring was a remake of another's work, which was adapted from yet another's work, and had already been adapted and remade several times over by others in the original country. Yet for all this rehashing of material, it took someone who had mis-stepped in his career choices, along with someone who had flubbed a few times in his own writings, to make something from this that was not so expected. An American film of a foreign work that has its own merit in its choices, taking what worked best in the new developers' opinion and working thru what they felt need changing. While many argue which was better, the basic premise is that it was good because they tried. What other explanation can there be for Schumacher's Batman failings? When he tried with his first effort, he at least tried, and though Batman Forever was just OK, it was still showing he thought the material beneath him because it was not really to his taste. His lack of respect showed like a beacon in the next film, the franchise-killer. These guys tried, and while it may not be the original movie, I want to see it because they put forth an effort to make it good, not just throw some skit together at the last minute to impress their buddies at some convention. They honestly made the effort to do the job right, to put some thought and sweat into it, even if they were flying by the seat of their pants and figuring things out as they went along, they were learning the craft, and apparently from the story went on to learn the professional part of the craft in film school. But do you really believe that someone who starts film school without ever trying to do anything with film-projects before is going to succeed? Dreams are what make us live, give us a reason to live as well as reward us when we fulfill them. If you aren't trying you are dying guys. I have learned that for myself the past five years. Let us all be proud of these guys for trying, and to judge for ourselves that we want to enjoy it, too. Kevin Smith reacted badly to this kind of talkback, and people wondered at his feelings on the matter, as did I until the past few days. He was not reacting to the fact people did not like his work. He was reacting to the fact that in saying they did not they were acting like the childish film critics of days-gone-by who crapped on anything they did not like as if it was morally offensive that it was ever produced. If you don't like a particular person or idea or genre, then bully for you. What he(Kevin) and we here who are supporting and embracing the product of these young boys' efforts are saying is let the players play and take your hating out on your Weeble-wobbling-clown punching bag. IF you don't like it, say you don't. If you can think of something you do like, want then ask for it. Speak out about what you want, and say why you don't want other things. Dissing the website's creator for writing on his own website is a bit silly, and dissing what he likes because someone else whose site you go to disagrees with Harry's opinion is a little much. It reminds me of growing up in Memphis and having guys in school get vocal about Country versus rock, jocks, versus hoods, Motley Crue versus Van Halen. Like what you like, don't get obsessed over who rules. Enjoy it, embrace it; choose not to watch, participate, or acknowledge what you don't. I like what I like and what I don't I try to let go of, if there is no chance for its improvement. I wrote on the boards a couple days back about Star Wars, mainly because I missed the spirit of the first trilogy in this Prequel-trilogy. I was very vocal about being displeased about changes to the original trilogy, as well. My reasons for that soapboxing are the same here. I felt that the movies he was making now were not as pure of spirit--he just was not trying in my opinion. Changing his past movies to fir his modern politics made little sense to me, as well. These boys, now men, may not have got everything perfect with their remake/tribute film. It may have errors we don't see in Hollywood productions. The reason we fans/geeks/nuts want to see it? **!! We love movies!! ~~ MOVIES ~~ ...not cinema ...not three-hour discussions on your last B.M. ...not in-depth treatises on a sleeping man ...not Pop Art deconstructionist cinema!! We like movies, books, comics, music, tele-films, half-hour sitcoms, reality programs , whatever for the simple reason that we appreciate when someone DOES something. Don't hate the players for playing, hate on the game for not letting you win because you want to. Life is not about you getting what you want because you want it. It is about getting what you need because you went and got it.
Give them points for childhood mimicry... it's a skill too, you by Vomit	Jun 1st, 2003 12:45:30 PM
While I agree that a shot-for-shot remake of any movie by an adult is a pretty vain exercise, holding these kids to the status of auteurs is a tad unfair, don't you think? Mimicry is pretty standard behavior in children, isn't it? Isn't that how they learn? I can forgive this kind of behavior in these kids just like I can forgive a kid from the same era memorizing every lick Eddie Van Halen ever played (so long as the kid eventually outgrows it). Yes, this was a copy, a "cover tune" if you prefer. Forget trying to defend them for any "originality"... these kids were glorying full-tilt in their slavish imitation and clearly loved every minute of it... It was ALL about getting the details EXACTLY right (like that touch of dirt sifting from the top of the temple roof in front of Indy's face just before the boulder rolls down... stuff like that). It's that kind of attention to detail with no resources (and the very SCALE if the whole thing, my God) that makes the movie so remarkable. And in this respect (the one respect these kids cared about), doing it this way (all the way through the entire movie) was a LOT harder than doing any original adventure story. It's not a crutch... it's a HUGE LIMITATION because everyone knows what it is you are trying to imitate so well. Mimicry (which, as a self-declared act, is not the same thing as a rip-off) can be fun for its own sake, (for the audience as well as the mimic, if done well), and to mimic one's idols is a great learning tool. Would they have been better "artists" (in the Cannes sense) to do something original? Yeah, probably, but the movie wouldn't have been so much fun for them to make, or for others to watch 20 years later. And I don't think anyone is even pretending this is "art", least of all the kids that made it. This was just what it looks like... a crazy kid stunt. The Mt Everest of "Kid Cover Films". An Epic of America's Funniest Home Videos. YES I THINK WE KNOW THAT. It's like the world's biggest ball of string. A triumph of the human will to do something very difficult, very time consuming, crazy, and maybe even a little stupid...and just doing it anyway because you darned well felt like it. And yet it was an early forray for these kids into the world of actual film making (which is all about problem solving, which they obviously got a lot of practice at while making this). Not everyone is Orson Welles... give them a break. Enjoy it for what it is.
Vomit made some good points by atomiceo	Jun 1st, 2003 12:58:44 PM
I can't believe I just wrote that. Vomit makes some good points. First of all though, I don't think that those of us who have expressed a lack of enthusiasm over this subject are haters or naysayers simply because we don't agree with the herd. That said, I'd like to address some of vomit's points: .............................. .............................. ...I don't deny the difficulty of mimicking something like Raiders and to the extent to which these kids succeeded. My point was simply this: this is the kind of project that is interesting to do over a relatively short period of time. As far as I know, noone seems to know whether these kids did anything else during the six years it took to make this thing. The answer seems to be no. Just because something is difficult to do, doesn't necc. make it worthwhile and I just don't think this was a worthwhile project. Frankly, I think it's a shame that some parent didn't take these kids aside and say "Look, I know you really really really really really really really REALLY like Raiders of the Lost Ark, but get over it already." This is wasted effort. This is wasted energy. This is wasted TIME. And six years when your 12 to 18 is like 20 in adult years. I don't hate these kids. I don't know them, so how could I feel personally about them one way or the other. I don't deny that this is a curiosity, but when Vomit says that no one is claiming that this is some high piece of art, he's wrong: that's exactly what some of you are claiming...that this is art. And it isn't. If you had any experience with real art, you'd know that this isn't it.
::sigh:: by AFKnightus	Jun 1st, 2003 12:59:14 PM
Alrighty, people don't seem to be actually reading my posts, and seem to just fly off their respective handles when they read me "cutting down" and "picking on" these kids for making a shot for shot Raiders remake. Like Red Raider stated, a shot for shot remake is admirable, but he would have rather seen them channel their energy into a Raiders inspired short film. But they're kids, you say, they can't do that! They can't come up with anything original at age 14! Well, my friend began production, at age 14, on an Indy-inspired short titled The Lost City of Amerak. It had action, adventure, lost treasure, a relic, everything a good Indy movie had... but it was ours. So no, I'm not slamming these kids for rebuilding Raiders down to the very lighting cue... I'm just reinforcing the fact that when you're 11-14, you CAN come up with your own concepts... don't use their age as a crutch, kids are often more imaginative than adults. ::takes a breath:: ok, I'm better now. :)
These kids were PLAYING! by DocBosch	Jun 1st, 2003 02:06:45 PM
The were playing. They weren't out to make a real movie, or to be ground breakingly creative. They were just playing. How many of you, as kids, didn't try to recreat scenes from your favorite movies with your friends when you were out playing. Thats what these kids did, only they decided to recreat the whole thing, and tape it. It was just a game to them. They wanted to see how close they could get to making their little recreation look like the real thing. It wasn't about being orginal or creative or anything, they just wanted to play their little game. The fact that it came out pretty good, supposidly, is just a plesent suprise. You can't compare these kids playing a game to anybody trying to be an artist or creative or orginal by making a movie.
i'm with classicsgirl, and the rest of the 'pro-movie' bunch...w by exador	Jun 1st, 2003 02:40:58 PM
man, i'm never surprised here anymore by the astounding volume of jerks this site collects...thank Gawd for a few tenacious regulars that obviously love film and movies like Harry does.. 1) at one time or another every one of us (within harry's defined age group) saw this movie and wanted to be Indy...we all tried using household things as whips, and trying to swing over crevases (real or imagined) like indy...many of us imagined trying to do just what these guys did...some of us even planned it out, but never had the resources or ability or whatever to bring it off...what it mostly amounted to was great times in the back yard running around pretending...and dreaming of how cool it would be to get a camera and really do it right... 2) these guys did it.. they went all the way. i don't understand how ANYONE can find fault with that, or ridicule it in anyway...i think it's awesome...and wow...to have your first real kiss on screen like that, and recorded for all time....i dunno..the whole thing seems just too damn amazing... 3) like it or not (and many of you seem to not like it) this is Harry's site...ive said it before, and i'll say it again for some of you guys that are either 12 years old, in the remedial group (or both) Harry has his own unique way of reviewing films...he has his own criteria, his own highwater marks and his own agenda... and THANK GAWD again for that...haven't any of you had enough of the corporate side of things, knowing that some of those 'name' reviewers out there are just pompous windbags?... c'mon... anyhow, i still love this site and check it out everyday, as i find its one of the only places i can find info about projects i find interesting, and luckily that co-incides with what Harry finds interesting... but i've decided that posting here in the talkback is becoming less and less fun....its great to read the latest AICN catch phrase, and its always cute to see the little flame wars between rival trilogies...but some of the people ruin everything by being so damn negative all the time.... cheers harry...great story about this movie..and i'm with all the rest in wondering..when can WE see it.....
12 years old + 6 years of filming = never got laid...but I still by CranialLeak	Jun 1st, 2003 03:00:42 PM
'nuff said.
i as well just got into the whole movie & geek thing because of by drjones	Jun 1st, 2003 03:07:49 PM
couldn`t anyone organize a rotla shot by shot remake world tour??? or ...where can i at least buy this DVD???? btw: great words harry...and sooooo true... i mean it`s just great to see what inspiration and motivation can go out of movies...and create such passion (that much -ion words)...wONDERfUL!!
good call nordling!...this WOULD make a great family movie.. by exador	Jun 1st, 2003 03:14:43 PM
just came back here and noticed Nordlings comment...and i totally agree...i too think something like this would make a fantastic family movie...it'd be along the same lines as October Sky...another terrific coming of age movie about kids that were inspired
900lbGorilla by GeneralTso	Jun 1st, 2003 03:21:14 PM
I'm sure you've read plenty of literature...Batman Spiderman etc. See? I just made an assumption about you. Probably a wrong one. Assuming all of my friends at age 10 were playing nintendo, masturbating, whatever is a pretty stupid assumption given what you know about me, namely, nothing. So explain to me why this "remake" is any different than the many other "fan-made" films out there today. Because they were kids? OK, I guess. So what did you do at that age, just curious. And yeah, i read a book. Dont laugh too hard...youll herniate yourself. And by the way, since I did grow up in a very rural area, we never had a mall, we did have nintendo, though.
wow big news! Kids making a movie that was already made!!! by Rcamacho2278	Jun 1st, 2003 04:19:56 PM
ok no more beanpole and hulk hogan flicks..but can we still say THIS MOVIE NEEDED VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES in mockery of the reason why this site is going down, by fucken stupid reviews.
Red Raider and all you other morons, THEY WERE JUST KIDS FOR GOD by Jeff Batt	Jun 1st, 2003 04:24:50 PM
This is amazing that a group of kids pulled this off with probably no film equipment besides a camcorder. And they probably did have other things going on in their teen years, (sports, jobs, girls, etc.) That's probably why it took so long. I'll bet the project was abandoned months at a time sometimes. Whatever. Would you be able to figure out when you were a pre-teen how to splice video cassettes together or how to arrange lighting? They didn't do this for money or publicity. If they did I'm sure the wouldn't have sat on it for a decade. Plus you have know idea if they did anything else you complaining assholes. Maybe they did other projects during that time. You JUST DON'T KNOW!!!! I also bet that except for those of you in the film business half of you wouldn't even know how to begin something like this. Of course there are a lot of computer programs that could help now but they weren't available back then.
When I was a kid... by Oompacabra	Jun 1st, 2003 05:16:16 PM
I thought I was cool for doing something short of a shot for shot remake of Raiders in the form of flip the pages. I used every direction of every corner of about 20 books. They were mostly stick figures, of course, but it was a lot of work, and I did it because I loved the film. I was exactly the same age as these kids. Thank god i wasn't still drawing stick figures at age 18. On an unrelated note, can somebody explain why every talkback for every film contains several suggestions to do the film, or something like it, starring Hulk Hogan? I fail to see the humor in such repetition, but there must be a reason it keeps coming up. Why don't we just say Hulk Hogan is the sexiest tomboy beanpole on the planet and let both those gags die?
This is the gayest webpage I've ever seen by Geek Sodomizer	Jun 1st, 2003 05:25:31 PM
Consider yourselves ass-raped.
Re: Was it worth it? (and why many people are responding postive by Vomit	Jun 1st, 2003 05:34:02 PM
One of the main point of contention against these kids is that they "wasted their lives" for too long doing this thing. Maybe they did, for all I know. I guess you'd have to ask them if they thought it was worth it or not, which is all that really matters anyway. Waste of time or not, I think I know what most people who are excited about this movie are really responding to. I think it has to do with the fact that the desire to do something like this as a kid is extremely common, but it's rare that these hair-brained, ridiculous, BIG BIG dreams actually get finished. Why? Because it takes too long, it gets too hard, the early results aren't good enough, it gets boring, or peers and family coax the dreamer out of it somehow (helpfully or not). In other words, in little ways most of us who have dreams like this eventually ceased being kids with kid-like dreams, and embarked on that long, sad path to jaded, practical adulthood. Don't get me wrong... jaded practical adulthood isn't ALL bad... it pays the rent. However for most of us there is a sense of loss at that turning point away from dreams. Right at that moment when you realize your cardboard spaceship probably isn't going to go to Mars after all, or that moment when you realize your idea for a 2-hour epic movie might be better off as a 3-minute short, and often the 3-minute short never gets done either for whatever reason. There is usually a struggle between cold logic and youthful idealism that goes on for some time before the cold logic finally wins out, it's called disillusionment. However, unlike most people, and wisely or not, these kids stuck with that childlike idealism until they got their crazy tribute movie done. I'd like to ask them if they ever got discouraged (I'll bet they did), if they ever thought they'd give up (undoubtedly), what they think they might have sacrificed to get this done, was there anything else they'd rather be doing instead of this movie, was it all really worth it in retrospect, etc...(I'd also bet they grew up in a rural area and there wasn't much to do anyway)... despite all this, at some crucial point they must have decided "ok, we made it this far, and now we just have to finish this crazy thing even if it kills us, because we aren't going to give up on this idealistic dream we had as younger kids, we can't let those 12-year-olds down now!" and that was that (just my theory, anyway. But again, I'd like to hear the story right from the source. Harry, can you interview these guys on the making-of and post a transcript? This story needs to be heard). Anyway, the point of this rant is that while most of us gave up on our massive epic projects that just turned out not to be practical after all, these kids DID it... and that little part of many of us that still wonders what our epic movies would have been like had we just kept going, that part of us that's still just a little bit sad that we gave up and moved on with our lives; Well, that part of us now has something like an answer now, and a surrogate dream to root for. Though I have few if any regrets for never finishing my end-of-the-world masterpiece sci-fi epic on Kodak Super8 from 8th grade, I'm glad that at least somewhere, SOMEBODY actually went through with it... all the frikkin' way, crazy or not, waste of time or not. I think that's what the yea-sayers are raving about.
MONEY TALKS by slone13	Jun 1st, 2003 05:56:36 PM
Ok, Harry, are you telling me these guys wouldn't take 10 buks a pop for a copy of this? Of COURSE they would. They'd like to get some money back for their time and energy. SO HOW DO WE GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM SO WE CAN OFFER THEM MONEY FOR A COPY? Once it's shown at the drafthouse and you've sold your tickets, post a number/address where we can email/contact them. I am SUREE they will appreciate ANY monetary donations poeple would like to make. In return I'm sure they would be willing to dub a 'souvenier' copy. JUST DO IT HARRY.
Bored Now - Atomiceo et al by jbreen	Jun 1st, 2003 08:07:33 PM
ONE: This is Cool News. It
hey SIR-SLEDGE450....... by Manaqua	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:14:04 AM
...'pachino' wasn't in the room as I recall. I believe he was still across the street in the bar.......M
a shot for shot movie for Indy is coo, but if a shot for shot ma by Rcamacho2278	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:20:25 AM
honestly, giving these kids credit for copying a movie that was done already is like congradulating a kid for doing a report he copied from his friend. its stupid
My girlfriend and I did a shot-for-shot remake of a porno... by Reedster9898	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:32:40 AM

Raiders Adaptation by STROMP	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:38:11 AM
Good evening to everyone! Wanted to thank everyone for making the screening in Austin one of the most incredible experiences we've ever had - the audiences' reception of our childhood Raiders flick was a smash hit. The lines stretched through the lobby, out the door and down the street. Sold out every night with standing ovations. Amazing. Thank you Austin, TX. -CS
To Harry and the Nay-Saying Posters: by BankyFan	Jun 2nd, 2003 01:53:50 AM
First, to the Nay-Sayers: fuck off. These kids were 12 and did something incredible, so back the fuck off. Put down the fucking Heroclix, go outside, and learn how to live life like a human being. And Harry, thank you. Honestly, I don't agree with a lot of what you write on this site, but stories like these remind me not only why I read the site, but how great and inspiring of a writer you can be. At your best, your writing exude the passion better than anything I've ever read. Glad you found something that inspires you.
Put this sucker online now! by stackpointer	Jun 2nd, 2003 02:39:31 AM
I'd like to see this film. But that trailer is really thin. I want more.
and the award for the best fan movie is... by Cherub Rock	Jun 2nd, 2003 02:57:13 AM
actually this sounds pretty alright and the trailer looks like it could at least be amusing wondering how they could do each section. but the best fanboy movie ive seen is "Computer boy", the matrix takeoff. its dodgy as quality but its bloody hilarious, i loved it...apparently it was made by film students in Sydney or Melbourne from memory. anyway its all over the net try kazaa
What a sad, sad waste of 6 years by desslok	Jun 2nd, 2003 03:06:24 AM
When I was 10, I did something along the lines of what these kids did - I rounded up every single action figure I could find, grabbed my moms 8mm camera and filmed like there was no tommorow. And at the end of the day, sure it was a complete peice of shit. . . but you know what - it was MY piece of shit. It wasnt some cheap knock-off of some obsessive fanboys who had nothing better to do than ape someone elses hard work. So color me unimpressed.
This isn't being used for profit? Sure looks like it is.... by Coercix	Jun 2nd, 2003 04:05:48 AM
http://www.drafthouse.com/onli ne_tix/show_details.asp?show_i d=738 Lucasfilm should definitly sue, insure that this type of thing is never created again.
Fedoras off to them by Heleno	Jun 2nd, 2003 04:28:17 AM
Would love to see this, if it ever makes it across the Atlantic.
Harry, please tell me... by stackpointer	Jun 2nd, 2003 04:50:29 AM
...how did they do the wrath of god scene? I'm really curious.
I was gonna say it reminded me of the 'Langley Schools Music Pro by workshed	Jun 2nd, 2003 06:33:05 AM
Spielberg should get hold of these suckers and sue their collective asses so that they never get near a camera again. Little rich kids - don't you just hate 'em?
You critics of this fan film... by Blue_In_The_Face	Jun 2nd, 2003 07:51:26 AM
Are a bunch of moronic Nazis. You motherfuckers are criticizing a group of kids that did something that any of you would have loved to make. You bastards, as you sit typing away in your mother's basement after jacking off to Jessica Rabbit and covered in nacho cheese, can't say anything derogatory of this film. You know why? Because this is kids at their finest. Harry you are cool, man. By the way... That Dumb and Dumberer ad is fucking annoying!
Sounds cool! by Shad0wfax	Jun 2nd, 2003 09:31:02 AM
I want to get my hands on this.
Very impressive! by rev_skarekroe	Jun 2nd, 2003 10:29:29 AM
Next they should do "Temple of Doom" with the Star Wars Kid as Mola Ram! sk
To get that first kiss, to make that first facemask, to create N by numberface	Jun 2nd, 2003 10:37:18 AM
Ahh, all the hallmarks of growing up. I remember my first nazi uniform. I made it from curtains and the upholstery from my grandpapa's chair.
Garage bands by Hyde01	Jun 2nd, 2003 11:28:47 AM
To me, it's similar to a bunch of kids forming a band and playing in a garage, except these kids have more follow-through and fortitude than most. But making a shot-for-shot remake of a movie is NOT AT ALL like "copying a friend's report." Whoever said that is an ASS. In order to make even ONE shot of this, those kids had to learn how to light a scene, frame a scene, costume it, act, and eventually, edit and cut music in. I produced, wrote, directed and edited a sketch comedy show in college, so believe me- that stuff's not easy, even if you have "Raiders" for a template. Now, try to do that for an entire 2-hour movie, with virtually no budget... relying on your own ingenuity and creativity to find ways around limitations and difficulties. Ha. You couldn't do it, even if you weren't spending all your time watching tv and reading "Wizard" magazine. Copying a friend's report my ass. Fedoras off to these dedicated kids, and here's hoping what they learned making this movie will aid them when they make their OWN ideas into films!
Oh yeah... a waste? by Hyde01	Jun 2nd, 2003 11:38:48 AM
Hmm... yeah, excellent point. These kids really wasted their time compared to say, the guys in this Talkback who spent their 12-18 year old years playing with action figures and Nintendo. Are these "Raiders" kids pathetic? No, people who've accomplished NOTHING in their lives are pathetic. These kids showed dedication and follow through... they set out to do something HUGE, and they did it, got it in the can. Now what is it YOU did when you were 12? Oh yeah, soiled some porno mags while your mom pounded on the bathroom door, or sat in front of the tv so long you forgot what the sun looks like. Fantastically well-spent suburban youth!
naysayers by hector	Jun 2nd, 2003 11:51:14 AM
These kids wasted 6 years? Most of you jackoffs wasted more time than that trying to solve various incarnations of Wolfenstein. Go outside and try to talk to a girl.
film lovers gone sour by STROMP	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:03:16 PM
Wow - I don't know about some of the other people on this site, but I truly love film - and some of the angry, angry people on this site and their responses to this Raiders fan film makes me sad for these people that claim to love film and understand the passion behind making movies - but truly don't. How could you honestly and passionately desire for one HUGE organization to sue a few people because they made a fan film when they were twelve years old? A very sad, angry person you are. And you claim to love film - how very jaded you are sir. -cs
Bitch all you want Red Raider, but here's the truth: by Vegas	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:06:50 PM
These kids made something that may not have been original, but was undeniably ENJOYABLE. And they did it probably knowing that they'd never get money or fame for it. They did it because it probably seemed like a cool way to kill off a summer, but that it took a lot longer than that. That's how things happen when you're a kid. I thought I could learn kung-fu in one summer when I was ten. Hell, all my friends did, that was what we told our teacher in second grade: this summer my mom is taking us to Disney World, and um, I'm gonna go see the Astros, and um, I'm gonna learn kung fu. Kids say stupid shit like that, but these kids FOLLOWED THROUGH. That's fucking ballsy, and my hat's off to them. For they have made something that was enjoyable and put a smile on my face when I saw it at BNAT, but NOBODY is going to be entertained or even remember your shitting on them. What have YOU done, Red Raider, that was so original? They copy a movie, but you waste YOUR time trashing someone for something they did TWO DECADES AGO...when they were KIDS. Sad, sad little person you are.
man, this DOES sound cool.. by omarthesnake	Jun 2nd, 2003 12:56:12 PM
... and the talkbackers who are bitching and making catty comments are sad, pathetic dinks who are just upset no one ever wrote about their super-8 version of "Empire" on a web site. Really, guys, you're worthless, shallow balls of hate, and should jump off the nearest cliff pronto. The world will be a much better place without your spiteful, sour selves. What these kids did was cool, it sounds like great fun, and I envy them their tenacity. In 4th grade, some friends and i planned to do a Star Wars prequel on Super-8... we even had a final duel between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan that would take place on a volcano (with papier-mache standing in for the distance shots, natch) where Darth would be horribly burned and... well, you know the drill. Then my friend and main co-collaborator Billy's family moved to South Carolina and the whole project fell apart. But these kids... they did it. They stuck with the project, and completed their version of a beloved film. No, it wouldn't have been cool for film students, or someone grown who should be creating their own work --- or, perhaps, a new 'for-fun' story set in an established universe, such as much of fan fiction --- but these were kids living out a geek dream. Good for 'em! And add me to the list of people who want to see a DVD of this!
jimmychitwood is the sexiest tomboy beanpole on the planet! by jimmychitwood	Jun 2nd, 2003 01:02:50 PM
You know, I've been reading this site for a few years, even started posting crap, just for the hell of it....But reading stories like this make me wonder if it's possible for people to be any bigger of a LOSER!! I mean, what a bunch of DORKS! and Hary thinks they are COOL!! Jesus! I loved the movie too, but then I hit puberty and wanted to get LAID!! What bunch of FUCKING LOSERS!!
When I was in film school... by numberface	Jun 2nd, 2003 04:40:02 PM
A friend of mine did a spoof of various films and we shot them shot-for-shot like the original. We did stuff from The Good the Bad and the Ugly and Schindler's List (the making of the list scene), and a few others. It was actually a very good excercise. Granted I'd never try to use the final product to get work, but it's a good way to learn the how's and why's of filmmaking. Hats off to these guys. The "learning how to do it" part is more useful than the final product.
Atomeco?AFK KNights by 900LBGorilla	Jun 2nd, 2003 07:17:24 PM
I never considered most people with your view a "hater" (a couple were jackasses, but most just seem to thihnk it wasn't worthwhile). What you are missing, however, is that they want to be film makers, directors, actors, and especially production people....this was VERY worthwhile...they learned many of these skills...I don't see almost anyone saying this is art...most of us don't care if it's art...it is film-making...yeah they had the outline done for them, but PRODUCTION was harder for them than Lucas, Speilberg, and 50 million dollars... ------------------------------ --AFK: That's great that you have a freind who could come up with an original concept...but what you are missing is A) VERY few kids of 10-13 (when this was set well into motion) can come up with original concepts that are not poo poo...thats rare...and even more rare would be if they could do that AND the productrion so well./...they are two DIFFERENT skill sets, and these kids were good at what they did (Your friends, for instance, would probably have made a production to be laughed at next to this...so he wrote better, they produce and act better.and more importantly: B) Maybe they are NOT INTERESTED in writing....MOST hollywood directors DO NOT WRITE...they take what was written for them, and decide how to shoot it...Besiedes unless you mock Speilberg for Directing something he didn't write, what's your point? (and yes diectors come up with their own camera angles/etc, but they are 99% just copying conventions invented in great movies like Citizen Kane, High Noon, etc. so directors petty much are coping on a higher level than the kids did...and we should expect a higher level from professional adults).
GeneralTso by 900LBGorilla	Jun 2nd, 2003 07:37:28 PM
Actually General I said 9 out of 10 of your friends...and what DID they do that would compare to this...hell what DID they do at that age?...was I really that far off (REALLY)?...I made the assumption because I have not met too many 10-16 year olds who have the perserverence and ingenuity to come up with a way to do this well...or perservere so admirably...so it was no big leap for me to transfer that simple fact to your friends... So you are not inpressed...thats your perogative, but don't act like reading some literature on a couch is "superior". What makes this different is A) it was done well on no budget. and YES B) THEY WERE KIDS. What did I do at that age? I will gladly answer that...no coping out here...I played a lot off sports, a good deal of video games, and a few years into their project read a shitload of books... and guess what...I am AMAZED that they pulled this off, my brothers and I tried making spin offs mostly on audio tapes...and yeah it was funny, but what separates this is that these guys showed dedication and creativity (REALLY try thinking how YOU would pull this off...WELL...at that age)...both the dedication and creativity (espescially in production) displayed here was far beyond what the vast majority of kids can display...which is why it is amazing. If you want to discount the fact that they were kids great...speilberg was probably less impressive at that age...I guess you can compare them to the adult version of stevie if there is really no differennce to you...I happen to think it is a very noteworthy factor.
Atomeco?AFK KNights by 900LBGorilla	Jun 2nd, 2003 07:40:25 PM
I never considered most people with your view a "hater" (a couple were jackasses, but most just seem to thihnk it wasn't worthwhile). What you are missing, however, is that they want to be film makers, directors, actors, and especially production people....this was VERY worthwhile...they learned many of these skills...I don't see almost anyone saying this is art...most of us don't care if it's art...it is film-making...yeah they had the outline done for them, but PRODUCTION was harder for them than Lucas, Speilberg, and 50 million dollars... ------------------------------ --AFK: That's great that you have a freind who could come up with an original concept...but what you are missing is A) VERY few kids of 10-13 (when this was set well into motion) can come up with original concepts that are not poo poo...thats rare...and even more rare would be if they could do that AND the productrion so well./...they are two DIFFERENT skill sets, and these kids were good at what they did (Your friends, for instance, would probably have made a production to be laughed at next to this...so he wrote better, they produce and act better.and more importantly: B) Maybe they are NOT INTERESTED in writing....MOST hollywood directors DO NOT WRITE...they take what was written for them, and decide how to shoot it...Besiedes unless you mock Speilberg for Directing something he didn't write, what's your point? (and yes diectors come up with their own camera angles/etc, but they are 99% just copying conventions invented in great movies like Citizen Kane, High Noon, etc. so directors petty much are coping on a higher level than the kids did...and we should expect a higher level from professional adults).
I can't believe these responses.... by Yossarian	Jun 2nd, 2003 10:42:44 PM
Some of these comments are so off base that I wonder if their authors even read the article. Caustic, hateful, whining, and sometimes, uninformed. A lot of hate out there for some kids with an unusual hobby. Better than collecting comic books or matchbox cars, or stamps or something if you ask me, if only because marketable skills were learned. Another thing I noticed is that the people who saw it,(I live in Austin) liked it and had nothing but respect. The others? Well, there are people in the world that will defacate on anything, sight unseen, with the exeption of anything related to themselves. Indifference I could understand, but not this blind hatred.
While I was pecking out my response, Vomit wrote exactly what I by Yossarian	Jun 2nd, 2003 11:01:28 PM
nuff'
you know, in ancient greece... by ElGuapo	Jun 3rd, 2003 12:51:25 AM
every year, for decades, people would travel across the country to see oedipus rex. the same story. in the same theater. every year. they knew all the characters. they new every aspect of the story. and still they went. why? because they wanted to see "how they were going to do it this year". the magic and entertainment was as much in the way it was told as it was in who was telling it. years later, with shakespeare, it was the same. they went not for the originality and but for the entetainment and to see what this cast and crew would do with it. today, well, there's been countless remakes of shakespeare - some traditional, some contemporary - and many other stories for that matter. we know the beginning middle and end. we just want to see how they get there. and what these kids did was exactly that. they took a popular story and did their own version of it. like an amateur theater group. like a tribute band. it may not be the same as the original, but it's interesting to see what they did and think about how they did it. and all you so called film geeks and creative types who are taking a swing at this should be ashamed of yourselves. because this type of thing has it roots in the very heart of popular entertainment, and is why we go to/get involved in film/theater in the first place. think about stuff like that next time, you wankers.
Has anyone seen the shot-for-shot remake of Less Than Zero with by Vic Twenty	Jun 3rd, 2003 01:28:28 AM
Slurptastic!
sorry sacks by historyman	Jun 3rd, 2003 04:05:34 AM
to FTF and all you other negative sad sacks: how sad it must be to be such pathetic losers. How can you possibly be so passionately angry about something a few kids did for fun, and the fact that other people might actually find it interesting. You think a shot-for-shot remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be better? Sure, bash Lucas and Spielberg; it would be hard to argue that they haven't dropped the ball in recent years. But then Tobe Hooper has had a stellar career since Poltergeist, hasn't he. I urge you to take on the task of a TCM remake yourself. In fact, do us all a favor and take it one step further. How about a "reality tv" version of the cult classic. Put on a blonde whig and have a fat red-neck in a leather mask skewer your ass on a meat hook. The world would be a better place without cynical assholes like yourself spewing your selfish, jealous, inoculate hate that I'm sure infects all the poor souls in your life as well as this posting site. Get a life.
No Point by atomiceo	Jun 3rd, 2003 08:46:06 AM
There's no point in repeating my point of view because obviously no one is listening. Besides, if you're one of the two or three people on this board with an open mind, you can scroll up and read the. But I will answer two things: 1) the only people spewing anger are the people reacting to my comments and those who have a similar view, most of whom seem to have expressed their opinion politely. It's obvious we've touched a nerve. 2) The putting on of a play or musical, even one that is well known, involves staging it and often, even in a case of a famous play like Hamlet (actually BECAUSE it's famous and everybody knows it) the direction of the play is different. Because everybody knows it. This isn't always true, because some musicals are like franchises that depend on people who either haven't seen it, or enjoy the nuances of only slightly different performances. So everybody may have a point here. 3) It's ridiculous to keep critiquing the critic: nobody (or nobody should, anyway) critique the fact that Harry critiques movies because he hasn't made one. So whatever any of US did as teens (or didn't do) has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Actually my teen years were very productive and blended in with what I'm doing now, if you HAVE to know. And no, I wasn't a teenage prostitute. That came MUCH later. 4) I would have much rather seen a documentary about this process. This movie is a trifle. And intellectual curiosity. And actually really strange. So a doc would have been interesting. The product itself. Well, it's just like Raiders see? But not as good...hmmm...not so much.
Why is this still the "top story" by Jon E Cin	Jun 3rd, 2003 08:46:32 AM

For the losers denouncing these kids. by RoboBagPiper	Jun 3rd, 2003 08:54:13 AM
You know jack and squat about how art has been taught - in every culture - for the last few thousand years. The student learns TECHNIQUE by meticulously copying the masters. Over and over and over again. That's the way it's done, folks. Because without the technique to execute your art, the most original idea in the world will simply be excrement on canvas (or celluloid, in this case). So what if these kids didn't learn something original. This isn't their masterwork, it's their journeyman's training. And from what we see in the trailer, it's DAMNED FINE work at that. And they did it on a teenagers' budget. So bravo for them. I'd love to see this included as an extra on a Raiders special edition DVD. These kids, their drive, ambition, creativity, and resolution - well, they're an inspiration to this 30-something fart.
this story brought a tear to my eye by rasmus2	Jun 3rd, 2003 09:44:20 AM
The admiration you have to have for a bunch of KIDS to do this...the YEARS of dedication to stick with it. With NO film training whatsoever... I can't get over all the jealous basement dwellers out there who have nothing better to do than slam a bunch of KIDS for doing what they loved. If it was a bunch of ADULTS who did this, then maybe I could see the point of saying "Big Effin' Deal." But please. I could only wish I had the dedication to commit to something like this for that long. When I was 12 I was making films in the basement and out on the roof of the shed with spaceships and smoke bombs. Breaking glass and burning things for special effects...stop motion animation. You name it. I never had the drive that these kids had though. For as much as I wanted to, I really didn't make a real movie until I was an adult. These kids made a real movie at 12. FUCKING A, guys...good for you. The story posted here was the best thing I've read on this site, EVER. Kudos, Harry. Rich http://www.timespell.com http://www.timespell.com/dvdad .html http://www.timespell.com/times pelledit.mp3
Wow, this sounds incredible. Anyone seen it available for downl by minderbinder	Jun 3rd, 2003 10:18:19 AM
I'd love to see this...is it somewhere online and what would the file be called?
i've seen this and know a guy in it... by cks3	Jun 3rd, 2003 01:00:40 PM
I was in college with a guy named Scott Lineberger (sp?) at Mississippi College who had a copy of this thing on VHS and showed me the boulder scene with his bit part appearance in the movie. I remember thinking it was amazing how well they were able to copy everything just b/c one of the kids involved had a dad who worked at some TV station or another.... http://www.sampletheweb.com
The instructional value of copying by RoboBagPiper	Jun 3rd, 2003 01:24:49 PM
There's a reason that most arts learn first by careful copying. First, you learn how. How to get that particular texture of paint glob on the canvas. How to play that ornament on your instrument. And once you have done enough copying, once you've learned the how, you suddenly start getting insight into the "why". Why is this shot framed this way. Why does this scene work. Only when you understand the hows and the whys will your original effort be worth a damn. Those comparing these kids efforts to reenactment with action figures, or whining about how they should have just made a 5-minute fanfic short, need to be euthanized. Once you've experienced brain-rot to that degree, you're just taking up space and oxygen that people with real passion and the committment to learn the nuts and bolts of a trade could make better use of.
BIG NEWS: CAMERON TO DO WKRP IN CINCINNATI FEATURE FILM! by BudFoxFan	Jun 3rd, 2003 03:05:42 PM
Big news! I am a Charlie Sheen fan and "in the know" (as they say in the industry), and the word on the "street" (Hollywood) is that James Cameron is going to followup his blockbuster masterpiece TITANIC with a feature film version of WKRP IN CINCINNATI! The film is set to star Charlie Sheen and has apparently already been greenlighted (which means that it's going to get made). No news which character Sheen will play (though my bet is that he will play station manager Andrew "Andy" Travis, the role formerly played by Gary Sandy). Also no news who will play Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap, or Herbert "Herb" Tarlek, but I'm hearing that Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, and Loni Anderson will make cameoss in the finished film. Cameron apparently wants to open the movie on Memorial Day Weekend next year so he wants to start shooting soon! (I'm guessing in Cincinnati, although maybe Toronto, because I think they shoot a lot of movies there!)I'll keep you posted!
Oh man... by AFKnightus	Jun 3rd, 2003 03:19:51 PM
I'm with Atomiceo, you all obviously aren't reading my posts and just going off on me because of my opinion... my OPINION. That's exactly what I'm stating here, my point of view on a subject; just because I don't agree with you, and hold the Raiders reshoot up like the Holy Grail, and have differing views, I'm attacked. I have been NOTHING but polite in my responses, and in return, have been told that my work should be ignored and ridiculed. All I simply said was, it would have been advantageous for these kids to start doing original things earlier. That doesn't mean writing Citizen Fucking Kane, it just means adapting, working with source material and making it their own. I'm 21 years old, I'm just starting out, the years when I made Indy-inspired shorts was not that long ago. This is all worthless chatter, and I could preach for originality until I was blue in the face, and the Raiders Remake advocates would call me a worthless bag of shit and wish nothing but failure and herpes on me. So be it.
I'd be willing to bet by Banky the Hack	Jun 3rd, 2003 06:30:48 PM
I'd bet that all the talkbackers denouncing these kids who made this film are teenagers, sitting in their dark room with Neon Evangelist Jellyoff or whatever playing in the background while sniffing model airplane glue. You bastards don't have anything against these kids, you just don't want to lose the excuse to sit around on your fat asses all day instead of going outside and doing something with your youth. What these kids did is amazing, so shut your tubby spoiled shit up. If you pasty never-seen-the-sun portly asses got tied to a truck it wouldn't be able to move, muchless drag you Indy style while your friend videotaped it. And this brings to mind another point, what really is the difference between these kids and the kids today who record themselves doing the stunts they saw on Jackass....I mean besides the fact that Jackass is retarded and not worthy of emulation?!
wow denouncing by atomiceo	Jun 3rd, 2003 07:20:08 PM

denouncing indeed by atomiceo	Jun 3rd, 2003 07:27:08 PM
You guys seem to love that word. It's indicative of a certain like of individual thinking and creativity that's at the center of this contraversy. People can learn by copying, but not copying ONE piece over six years! And not to the exclusion of creating anything original! The idea is laughable and ignorant. The problem people are having with this is the idea that Raiders or any other pop culture junk icon is NOT worth veneration. Whether or not you AGREE with that, it is a valid opinion, and with that in mind, you'd see how ridiculous this whole venture can appear. Yes its kids, yes one can learn from copying, but six years is evidence of unhealthy obsession. It's just a lame copy of something that isn't really worth all the hubub in the first place.
Thanks 900lbGorilla by jimbow8	Jun 3rd, 2003 07:27:33 PM
You pretty much stated what I was getting at. Writing is not the only original part of film-making and many vital parts aren't original at all.
sifting through the degenerates..... by JMJ	Jun 3rd, 2003 08:15:58 PM
I HAVE FINALLY REALIZED WHAT THE PURPOSE OF A TALK BACK ON A STORY LIKE THIS IS...TO LEARN WHAT PERSENTAGE OF PEOPLE ARE BITTER, LISTLESS, HOPELESS JERK-OFFS, AND HAVE CHIPS ON THEIR SHOULDERS BECAUSE THEY WISHED THEY HAD THE TENACITY AND FORTHRIGHTNESS TO STRIVE TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING MORE THAN STAINING A TOWEL, OR LAYING AROUND EATING TWINKIES, WATCHING TV. THESE GUYS WERE 12. FUCK OFF AND LEAVE THEM ALONE. FUCKING BULLIES.
guess what? by atomiceo	Jun 3rd, 2003 08:24:51 PM
You're misusing the word "degenerate", you have various misspellings in your diatribe, and the kids worked on this from 12-18, which is part of the discussion. So all those little nasty words you used, I choose not to accept them. And what happens to a gift that is refused? It belongs to the sender.
ITS STILL THE TOP STORY!! WHY!!!! by Jon E Cin	Jun 3rd, 2003 10:14:52 PM

These are the real Max Fisher Players by TeamMe	Jun 3rd, 2003 10:18:49 PM
I wasn't exactly a lazy kid. My friends and I used to make our own little short movies for fun or for some school project. In retrospect, our movies, and probably almost everyone elses, weren't very good. But they were fun. But I never would have had the will or the resourcefulness at that age to pull off something like this. What they learned doing a shot-for-shot remake of a two & a half hour summer blockbuster is so much more than if they had just done their own movies like the rest of us. By mimicking exact shots, and the cutting of scenes, they would have gained a real understanding of shot composition, editing etc.. and how these are put together in a movie. The originality and the writing can come later. I'm in film school now, and if I had done something like this when I was 10-17, I probably would have had a bigger head start at this stuff then making my fun movies.
How many people who've seen the film have negative things to say by Huneybee	Jun 3rd, 2003 10:19:41 PM
None. Enough said.
Unhealthy obsession by Banky the Hack	Jun 3rd, 2003 11:38:53 PM
Man, Atomaceo, that's the pot calling the kettle black, saying these kids have an unhealthy obsession with something when all you've managed to do throughout this talkback is mock the selection of words used by talkbackers. Nothin' like a grammar snob taking the high road on obsessions. Oh, and sorry for using words in this reply that others may have used, such as "the" or "kids" and "a". And in other news, right on JMJ.
HEY DJ -- the motion picture! by highsociety	Jun 4th, 2003 12:14:57 AM
i thought this review was ok. and hey! the new movie with hot babe charlotte lewis looks better it is called HEY DJ! i love charlotte! she was in the golden child here's a link: http://us.imdb.com/Title?03226 21
Raiders of the Lost Ark Fan remake by ChapeL	Jun 4th, 2003 12:10:21 PM
This is the kind of movie that should be submitted to the Fantasia Film Festival Granted it's in Montr
Another Indiana Jones movie made by kids by marconi	Jun 4th, 2003 03:00:10 PM
I think what these guys did as kids did is great, and I'm happy they're getting the publicity they're getting! In high school, my twin brother and I made an original, full length Indiana Jones fan film complete with car chases and crashes, real fire and explosions, and crazy stunts that should have gotten us killed. Over 80 kids were involved, and we started when we were 15. Our movie, called "Indiana Jed", has gotten quite a bit of publicity over the years, but nothing like this! Anywho..if anyone is interested in watching our film, it can be found online at http://www.linnproductionsmedi a.com/#Indiana%20Jed
you little arrogant haters make me sick by kiimo	Jun 4th, 2003 05:14:45 PM
This is cool for the very simple reason that many of us wish we had the intestinal fortitude to do something that many of us dreamed of when we were young. To all the eighth grade bastards blasting this because they are punch drunk from the daily abuse of their peers, I say go to hell. When I was young there was a kid on our street that spent untold hours, days, weeks, and years playing piano while we were out jacking around getting poison ivy. I thought what a loser, look at all the fun he is missing! What could piano possibly do for him to spend that much time on? That kid went to Julliard and is now a rather successful musician, and I wish to God I could play piano. Dedication to something, REAL dedication to something to the magnitude of this, WHATEVER IT IS is an enviable trait and a sign of success. How long do you think Jet Li had to train to develop the skills he has today? Don't you think he wasted precious childhood time training? Sure looks smart now. Or what about the kid that does nothing but shoot hoops all day while the other kids make fun of him. They aren't laughing with a bowl of doritos on their pot bellies watching that kid play for the NBA. There will always be nay sayers, that is why it is such an uplifting story when these jackasses are made to look stupid. Listen to yourselves and then watch the buzz with this thing. Ask yourselves what the future is going to bring with this fan movie. Someone will post it on the net and everyone will see it. They already achieved unbelievably valuable experience with filmmaking, now here comes the fame. What are you little zit heads famous for besides facing Fett? Shut your holes haters, this is a beautiful freakin story. And by the way, ROTLA is Spielberg's best movie. Saving Private Ryan? Jaws is better than that.
I've seen "Raiders of the Lost Ark" several times. It's a great by JDanielP	Jun 4th, 2003 07:05:24 PM

Inspiring. I signed up just to comment... by Envomni	Jun 4th, 2003 07:22:12 PM
I'm the same age as these fellows and have been an Indy Fan all this time. I was so hyped when they made the Young Indy series, but still ticked that they haven't released the other half of them yet. This story is AMAZING. If you've never worked in theatre or tried to make any film yourself, you just cannot fully understand the incredible amount of work it takes just to pull together a small peice of success. For them to put together a whole film, over-coming the challenges on literally a shoe-string budget.. its just awesome. I only wish I had such drive to be this creative when I was younger. I applaud them. I'll bet you anything.. these guys will become some of the next greatest film makers in just a couple of years. If they could do this at 12 back in the 80's.. just imagine what they can make now if hollywood gives them a real budget and even just average equipment to work with. I would pay to see this. I would love to see this as a component of the November DVD release. Those people here complaining about it not being original... I DARE you to try and make a movie shot for shot like this. Any movie of your choice. You'd quit before the hour was up. This was real work, real committement, real excellence. And they did it to have fun for themselves, not to rip something off. In that way, the best things are made.
Indiana Jones and The Waste of Time by Kenshiro_Kane	Jun 5th, 2003 03:47:12 PM
... ahhh, the life of the idle rich (or at least, the life of their kids).
i am so jealous! by sney	Jun 5th, 2003 04:30:05 PM
and so are the rest of you, especially you bashers, y'all just won't ever admit it. i wish when i was 10-16 that i had thought of something so cool to do with my time...whether or not it ever became anything more than that conversation piece. also jealous of those of you who have (and/or will) see this. i'm interested in how movies are made even though i don't want to actually make them myself. and i would love to see jones and movie amking through the eyes of kids. total geekdom!
Atomeco/AFK KNights by 900LBGorilla	Jun 5th, 2003 07:50:08 PM
Atomeco, I gotta say you are missing it to a large extent. Copying something this over 6 years would be VERY MUCH help them learn the nuances of film-making....especially because MUCH of this film has unique challenges that vary scene to scene...this is MUCH more informative than making like 80 5 minute shorts...even if they are different in theme, shorts are so simple relatively... And it matters exactly z-e-r-o that Indiana Jones is not Macbeth. The subject is learning FILM-MAKING....and if that is the art (or Skill) in question, (as it is), then remaking indiana jones is MORE worthwhile (by far actually) than making a many "classics" because the scenes are much harder to create in indiana jones...the learning would be extraordinary... ------------------------------ --- HOWEVER in defence of Atomeco and AFKKNIGHTS...these guys are the primary "bashers" over the last 70 posts or so (I don't remember the earlier ones at this point). And both these guys have been making very valid points about the debate itself...both of them have been VERY civil, and have not "bashed" the film at all really...yet they are being slammed pretty bad for just not agreeing that this remake is a "great" thing. I disagree with both of them (obviously), but they have argued their points in an almost uniformly logical and valid manner...so LIGHTEN UP on them guys...it's not like they are sitting there saying "these kids are gay, and so is anyone who likes it" type of shit...and if neither of them were here...this would be a MUCH lamer topic where we'd all be acting like a Luca$$ fan site..."these kids rock", "this is the best thing since the wheel", etc...yes I exagurate, buuuut you get the point...honest debate is the spice o' life...so slam the guys who deserve it...cause these two don't...
Wanna slam someone by 900LBGorilla	Jun 5th, 2003 08:00:30 PM
In continuation...wanna slam someone guys?....slam Kenshito Kane...THAT was a jackass comment...these kids A) may not be rich....B) If they are Kenshito should stop whining about their good fortune and go MAKE his own (jealousy is the lamest emotion....especially in this country...people who whine about other's wealth will never have their own...a quick rule...worry about yourself and be HAPPY for someone else's fortune...and you won't come off as (and become as an adult) a loser... and C) If you don't like "rich kids" who "waste their time" on stuff like this, at least don't be a hypocrite...doubntless a lot of the film-makers you love to support through your viewing choices had "connections" or "rich mommies" that helped get them where they are...so STOP WATCHING THIER MOVIES!...or just shut up and think before you open your pie-hole.
Wanna see this by JediGoblin	Jun 5th, 2003 08:46:21 PM
I was wondering if there was any way I could see this without coming to Austin. Is there anywhere I could download this from?
This looks fabulous by Nm1ss1	Jun 5th, 2003 11:19:35 PM
I am thoroughly impressed, and very intrigued. Looks like they took every kids imagination and set it to film. I can't imagine doing this level of work, over such a long period of time. Certainly not as a child. Any chance this film will be online anytime soon? I can't wait to see the rest of it.
To all the whiners and hypercritical by Shepdog	Jun 6th, 2003 12:27:22 PM
There, there now. Shhhhhh... It will all right. Your mommies will make it all better. I, too, remember the motivationless, mediocrities in high school that never had any direction, who had never kissed a girl, whose only passion was for daddy's porn mags and the Saturday night wankfests they engaged in; those who were hugely critical of anybody that did have goals or passion or knew how to hold a real girls hand. It's okay, you're not alone in the world. If it makes you feel adequate and less impotent to act in a lofty manner and slam a group of passionate 12 year olds exercising creativity other than the various tool grips you experimented with tossing during your bi-weekly bath, then go ahead. We understand and won't hold it against you for venting your spleens against your betters. We need you in the world, too. Who else would pump my petrol at the full service stations?
Please share this film via Kazaa by Shepdog	Jun 6th, 2003 12:34:27 PM
If somebody has this in .avi or .mov format, please share it through Kazaa or Bear Share or Limewire. This avoids the sale of the DVD which would be infringement of copyrights, yes?
AWESOME, BUT WHERE/S THE MUSIC?!! HARRY OR WHOEVER -- RE-CUT TH by Neil MacAuley	Jun 6th, 2003 06:58:38 PM
It would make this clip complete and utterly amazing. My fedora off to these guys. This is what this site is all about; that rare moment where it can bring together fans, pure fans of a film, without irony or criticism or judgement (I'm ignoring the idiots who are negative in this talkback) and we can all just re-live the greatness of a moment. Coolness. P.S. The lighting in this clip? Perfect!! These guys are insane.
Alright!!! by AFKnightus	Jun 7th, 2003 04:25:01 AM
Alright, I'm absofuckinglutely tired of reading nothing but negative things about me, Atomiceo, and anyone else with contrasting views being "wastes of life", nothing but unwashed, uneducated, JEALOUS (yeah, uh huh) fat, anime-loving wannabes who only bash these kids (even though they're 30 now) because they evidently had more talent and drive than I did. Ok, first of all, these personal attacks skirt the issues, and only make your sophomoric attitudes evident. I COULD have began my posts with "Jesus Christ, what fat, uneducated fanboys you are! I mean, kids making Indy? Shot for shot? And you ejaculating over it like Mary Jane Rottencrotch after the Homecoming Game? What LOSERS!" No, I didn't. I simply stated that I THOUGHT that these kids might have gotten more use out of creating their own original visions. And those of you saying they can't, bullshit; read Rebel Without a Crew, by Robert Rodriguez. Second, don't assume anything about my talents simply from a post I make on a board. I am NOT jealous of these guys; in fact, I applaud them for getting Spielberg's attention. All I ask is that you have the common decency to look at my work before you say I'm worthless, and bitter, and used up. If I was used up and bitter at age 21, I'd be a sad sad individual. So you know what, before you undermine your arguments with personal attacks, at least have the presence of mind to at least read my posts.
Hairstyles that should be banned! by Brimacombe	Jun 8th, 2003 01:10:46 AM
Okay, get this straight, mullets and combed forwards hair should be illegal. I'm sorry but even a stud like Paul Newman could get away with a mullet and still be a hunk. It would be very annoying to see such a studly man go to waste on a mullet.
AFK KNights by 900LBGorilla	Jun 9th, 2003 08:23:26 PM
Actually AFK, I said some positive things about you, I understand your frustration at the people bashing you without bothering to pay attention...but you said the following (I think) 2 or 3 times now, and I have already responded to it... "And those of you saying they can't, bullshit; read Rebel Without a Crew, by Robert Rodriguez" A) Directing, producing and writing are 3 different skill sets...so they are GREAT at the first 2...Maybe some are MUCH better at writing, but I bet they SUCK compared to these guys at directing and producing at those ages...being good at something different is not necessarily "worse"...less creative yeah, but Tom Clancy can't direct or produce, so I am glad someone les creative CAN so we get a movie that doesn't suck. ------------------------------ SHit here's my old post, the second (nicer) time I made these points...way up as the first freakin post for some inexplicable reason: ------------------------------ I never considered most people with your view a "hater" (a couple were jackasses, but most just seem to think it wasn't worthwhile). What you are missing, however, is that the kids want to be film makers, directors, actors, and especially production people....this was VERY worthwhile...they learned many of these skills...I don't see almost anyone saying this is art...most of us don't care if it's art...it is film-making...yeah they had the outline done for them, but PRODUCTION was harder for them than Lucas, Speilberg, and 50 million dollars... ------------------------------ --AFK: That's great that you have a freind who could come up with an original concept...but what you are missing is A) VERY few kids of 10-13 (when this was set well into motion) can come up with original concepts that are not poo poo...thats rare...and even more rare would be if they could do that AND the productrion so well./...they are two DIFFERENT skill sets, and these kids were good at what they did (Your friends, for instance, would probably have made a production to be laughed at next to this...so he wrote better, they produce and act better.and more importantly: B) Maybe they are NOT INTERESTED in writing....MOST hollywood directors DO NOT WRITE...they take what was written for them, and decide how to shoot it...Besiedes unless you mock Speilberg for Directing something he didn't write, what's your point? (and yes diectors come up with their own camera angles/etc, but they are 99% just copying conventions invented in great movies like Citizen Kane, High Noon, etc. so directors petty much are coping on a higher level than the kids did...and we should expect a higher level from professional adults).
GUESS WHAT? by Gasoline rainbow	Jun 10th, 2003 02:40:51 AM
i need to pee......
One word.... by LoveDark	Jun 10th, 2003 10:53:49 AM
T-R-A-C-E-R!
All you haters just wished you had done this yourself by RonaldRegan	Jun 21st, 2003 03:53:43 AM
Look, here's how I see it. During my pre-teen to early teen years, all I did was ride my bike and hang out in malls. I had the attention span of a goldfish swimming in expresso, and the determination of ,,,,well, I had none. As many of you argued, I imagined myself doing something like this back then. I would have thought it was a great idea, but most likely would not have gotten past an hour of actual shooting before losing interest to some shiny object, or the lure of the local arcade. What these kids did wasn't just about copying their favorite movie, but rather capturing the intangible aspect of youth that escapes us all in our later years, only to be replaced by 'adult' perspectives. This was the magic, the allure of this movie from the start. This was that crazy feeling you got after watching the movie, when all you wanted was to be Indiana Jones using your bull whip to swing across a bottomless pit. They captured this, preserved it under no pretence, and now the world knows about it. Here in lies the problem for those who are hatin on this film; this was never meant to be consumed by the masses. This was, and still is their childhood. This is a documentary of sorts just as much as it is a homage to the original. So,,,,it blows my mind that someone could be critical of this film, and for those who were bored with the idea: it wasn't meant for you anyway. your former president, Ronald Regan
Raiders at Alamo by Mooch71	Jul 2nd, 2003 01:10:52 PM
The Alamo Draft House here in Austin played the Raiders Reshoot again. It was one of the best things I've seen all year. The greatest thing about watching this is you know exactly what is coming up and you're wondering "How are they going to do that?" I was impressed with their ingenuity and resourcefulness. You can see a real love for the movie they are making. If it comes to your town, go see it! Or make the trek to Austin when it shows. It will be well worth it.
Contact INFO where are these guys? by LadyLuck	Jul 11th, 2003 12:43:46 PM
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Zala? I'd like to see their adaptation of this thing. GOOD BAD or just plain silly it would be fun to see. I doubt this mivie will show in my city. Please let me know if you have any info. Thanks
I was in the movie by vnctvega	Feb 28th, 2004 10:18:47 PM
I have to say that I am glad for eric and criss, I was lucky enough to be in the movie in a couple scenes. atleast unless they cut me and refilmed..lol I was the professor in the beginning. we had fun filming and everyone took it very seriously. I do hope i get to see the film soon.
These guys were on the news this morning by matrix_sux	Mar 2nd, 2004 11:09:20 AM
So where Can I see this movie?
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation by thefilmmaker	Mar 24th, 2004 11:32:04 PM
I am a 15 year old student from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which just so happens to be located across the bay from Biloxi, where Eric Zala, Jayson Lamb and Chris Strompolis originally premeired their shot-for-shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark back in the late 1980's. My aunt and uncle, who worked at WLOX, Biloxi's news broadcast station, were co-employees of Chris Strompolis's father, who was a high-ranking worker at WLOX. I remember my uncle recalling to me the story of their trials and tribulations while making this film and the subsequently posh premeire at the Biloxi Community Center where Chris, Jayson, and Eric arrived via Limo. Thereafter, champagne was served and the movie was played. The film received a standing ovation. I asked my uncle, "Where are they now?" and all he could tell me was that they were someone out in L.A. trying their best to break into the industry. A few weeks ago, the Mississippi Gulf Coast newspaper, The Sun Herald, contained an article that Sir Steven Spielberg had seen the film and that he loved it. The article went into further details about Scott Rudin, the producer of such hits like Sleepy Hollow and The School of Rock, would be developing a feature film of their childhood accomplishment. Saying this, it is an honor to be from the Mississippi Gulf Coast where these great filmmakers were born and reared and for those people who say that this movie was pathetic, etc: You haven't even seen this movie, so why are you slamming it? And besides, how many of you have actually made a film, a feature length one, while still under the age of twenty. Little to none, I suppose. Besides, what these boys did was something special. They took their passion for a film by Steven Spielberg and wondered how it would look if they remade it, shot by shot, but nonetheless effective and I must say, that by the stories my aunt and uncle told me, this movie genuinely kicks ass.
no matter what you say about it...they got paid!!! by vnctvega	Mar 25th, 2004 11:01:19 PM
like I said before I was lucky enough to be in this little film but unfortunitly {sp} I didn't get any money when they just sold there story for high six figures...{dammit} but I am happy for Eric and Criss
Possibly the greatest film I've seen in the past 5 years! by its me	Apr 5th, 2004 12:05:55 AM
Hey, Just wanted to day I just saw Raiders: the Adaptation at our little film festival in Jackson, MS. I guess we were honored to see it because of the hometown ties to the film makers. Anyway, just wanted to that it was increadible. There were several times I wanted to stand up and cheer. Being a film maker myself, I know how hard it is to pull off what they did, especially with no money, and being teenagers. I think this film is possibly the greatest film I have seen in a while. Granted, the story and shots were already there, but to keep waiting to see how they pulled off each scene, and the fact that I was never dissapointed was amazing. If you ever get a chance to see this film, you have to see it. I know you will be standing cheering at the end of the film, just like me and a few hundred others.
Raiders by S1artibartfast	Apr 25th, 2005 10:48:13 AM
I'd like to post my 2 cents on the remake if you don't mind. I must say I think this is a fantastic thing for these 3 gentlemen (and all the PAs, friends, parents, and others) that helped out over the 6-7 years of the shooting. The film is so well done considering the budget, the ages of the cast and crew, and all the other myriad restrictions associated with such an undertaking. I am extremely pleased these cats got recognition from the exact people they would want it from. They seem like super nice kids, and I hope they can utilize this attention and create a foundation for possibly future projects. PS--don't tell anybody, but we are re-making Godfather 1 and 2...Shah...seriously. www.pentaworks.org
Bitter Haters by S1artibartfast	Apr 25th, 2005 11:38:14 AM
You know, after reading through from the beginning, I can't believe how low, bitter, and jelous people can be. Who the hell are you all kidding? Not me, not the majority, not even the original film-makers of this piece. How absolutely absurd of you to come here and flame this ambisious re-make. Pray tell, what were YOU doing at ages 10-16 that was so amazing? What did you do that has become world renown? Average kids from ages 10-17 are wasting their time--not these guys. These guys are the kids WE wish were us...so don't spew your ignorant retoric here. I myself am a filmmaker (I'm 28), and have been at it a long time. I highly respect this kids for doing this, and sticking with it. Those of you who flame them, or say it's a "waste of time", or say, "do something original" are completely envious, bitter, and in my eyes are the problem with human beings...yes, I've gone that far--you all should be hanged. Shame on you. This project should only get kudos, not negative crits for assholes.
Edit Function? by S1artibartfast	Apr 25th, 2005 11:43:34 AM
I hate not being able to edit my Type-Os or misspelled words--I'm sorry you had to read such trash as "Bitter Haters" from me.--------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------Please create an EDIT FUNCTION. www.pentaworks.org
Do people like this even use their brain? by S1artibartfast	Apr 25th, 2005 01:15:50 PM
QUOTE: by Rcamacho2278 2003-06-02 00:20:25 "honestly, giving these kids credit for copying a movie that was done already is like congradulating a kid for doing a report he copied from his friend. its stupid" I apologize for posting again and again, but I'm still reading through all of these posts, and when I find ones that absolutely disserve a reply: You think re-creating a shot-by-shot of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" by a group of teenagers to completion is on par with someone copying his friends report? Have you ever made a film? Have you ever cast a film? Have you ever lit a film? Have you ever completed a full-length? Have you ever edited a film? Have you ever acted in a film? ---You my friend have got to be one of the most ignorant, self-righteous morons this side of the Mississippi. What a total numb-skull. I can't continue, this guy should win an award of stupidity. I'm sorry to stoop as low as I have. I try an make most of my postings diplomatic--but sometimes a well written flame is healthy.
can i get this by meximoose	Jul 1st, 2005 02:02:09 PM
how does one get a copy?
Years later... by skoolbus	May 2nd, 2007 08:02:06 PM
Torrentwise: http://tracker.zaerc.com:666/d ownload?torrent_id=7470

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