'Keeping up with the Joneses'

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Starring: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf
Director: Steven Spielberg

One doesn't really 'review' a film like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It is not something open to criticism or plot potholes but is rather, much like the overwhelming UAE summer sun — indifferent, supremely confident and out there large and bright.

Teaming the box office winning duo of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the latest in the Indiana Jones series sees good old "Indy" back in action, cracking his whip (and a few jokes — some memorable, others not) to save the world from annihilation. This time (Spoiler Warning) it has something to do with an alien corpse resulting from a crash in Roswell that possesses magnetic powers which are seen as the ultimate weapon of the future.

There are the usual tumbles, jumbles, jumps and dodging bullets galore. Cate Blanchett plays an unconvincing, thin-lipped villain who casts a weak and meager shadow against the likes of Amrish Puri as Mola Ram in Temple of Doom. Indy is older, slightly slower and Shia LaBeouf... just ... IS. He's sort of funny, a bit whiney in a precocious way and is indulged too much.

Regardless of personal criticisms, this is one film you'll have to see, if only to use it as the oil that lubricates the social gamut. If you grew up on the franchise or get a tingle every time Indy's signature tune plays out, you'll be falling on cinema tickets much like a thirsty desert traveller falling on an oasis. You won't be able to help it.

And to give the film its due, you will be talking about it for some time to come!

The Other Boleyn Girl
Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Director: Justin Chadwick

Pitching bright-eyed chameleon actress Natalie Portman (Anne) against pouting seductress Scarlett Johansson (Mary) as sisters vying for the affections of Eric Bana as King Henry, The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing recipe of sensual intrigue, romance and betrayal.

Two sisters are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England (Bana). Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between the sisters.

Ruthless, exciting and insightful about the role of women as objects of property, this fictional drama takes excessive liberties with historical facts offers an interesting evening out.

60-second Profile: Shia Labeouf

Born: June 11th, 1986
Background: LaBeouf was born in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Shayna, a dancer and ballerina turned visual artist and clothing/jewellery designer, and Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf, a Vietnam War veteran.
First seen: LaBeouf started practising stand-up comedy in his neighborhood when he was 10. He became well known among young audiences after playing Louis Stevens in the Disney Channel weekly programme Even Stevens. He had a small role in I, Robot (2004) and appeared in the action-horror film Constantine (2005) opposite Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz, and in the Disney film The Greatest Game Ever Played.
Real claim to fame: In 2007, LaBeouf starred in the thriller Disturbia garnering praise. He also appeared in the year's blockbuster Transformers.
Moments: LaBeouf was awarded a Daytime Emmy Award for the role of Louis. In February 2008 he was awarded the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award, for his performance in Transformers.