Jaws at 50

50 years ago, Jaws, the granddaddy of summer blockbusters, was unleashed in cinemas, becoming a pop culture sensation.

Director Steven Spielberg's shark story, adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling book, is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made. Such was the phenomenal success of Jaws that shark species were hunted to near extinction due to a moral panic. Thankfully, lessons were learned, myths dispelled, and shark conservation has prevailed on Shark Awareness Day.

While I was too young to see Jaws during its original theatrical run, it caught my childhood imagination courtesy of Ideal's The Game of Jaws and John Williams' Oscar-winning soundtrack as I flicked through the pages of a neighbour friend’s shark book before asking them countless questions about the movie - their patience was limitless.

When Jaws was first shown on television in 1981, I wasn't disappointed (traumatised, more like).

Alien and Jaws have the distinction of being the stuff of childhood nightmare fuel in the early eighties. For the next two hours, I didn't move from the edge of my seat. For context, not for the first time, I had my legs in plaster casts as part of rehabilitation following a life-changing injury.

My nerves were as frayed as the carpet beneath my feet, but I couldn't avert my eyes from the horror unfolding before me and that fella from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper). The real villain of Jaws isn’t the great white shark; it’s capitalism as the greedy mayor, played by Murray Hamilton, tries to keep the Amity Island beaches open for the 4th of July.

In the wake of seeing Jaws on ITV, I created an effigy of the shark's head using papier-mâché for a middle school art project. It hung in my parents' garage for decades.

In an era of second screens and artificial intelligence (AI), Jaws remains a masterclass in cinematic storytelling filled with compelling characters we care about. Bruce, the mechanical shark, may have infamously broken down on set, forcing Spielberg to shoot around the titular beast. Yet, Jaws broke box office records, spawned sequels and countless imitators, but never bettered. And generations of movie fans (myself included) can't visit the seaside without hearing Williams' iconic main theme.

What are your memories of watching Jaws? Let me know in the comments below.

Celebrating John Williams on his birthday

John Williams needs no introduction. The award-winning Hollywood composer is synonymous with the films of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. He turns 93 today, and I wish him a very happy birthday.

For seven decades, Williams has written the soundtrack to the lives of generations of film fans (myself included) and continues to influence a new generation of film composers.

When I began the long journey of rehabilitation following a life-changing childhood trauma in 1977, his music for Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Superman: The Movie gave me inspiration and hope at a time of deep uncertainty about the future...

Like many fans, I'll be listening to Williams' soundtracks on Apple Music and watching Music by John Williams on Disney+. Of all the maestro's countless stellar themes, the one that resonated most deeply with me is Yoda's Theme! Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is not only my all-time favourite film, but it arrived in cinemas as I began to come to terms with a lifelong physical disability. With the help of family, friends and healthcare professionals at Vranch House and the RD&E, I learned to walk again.

From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Star Wars. What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.

Monster mayhem in Jurassic World Rebirth

Universal Pictures has released an official trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. It teases an Alien-inspired mutant dinosaur and Indiana Jones thrills.

The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).



Read the official synopsis:

“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”

The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).

“Jurassic Park is a horror film in the witness protection program,” Edwards says. “Most people don’t think of it like that. We all went to see it as kids. But I was scared shitless, to be honest, when I was at the cinema watching the T-Rex attack. It’s one of the most well-directed scenes in cinema history, so the bar’s really high to come on board and try and do this.”

Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas on 2nd July.

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.

Music By John Williams on Disney+

John Williams needs no introduction. The Oscar-winning Star Wars composer's stellar career is explored in a new documentary on Disney+.



"It’s no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says. "His music has transcended cinema and become a part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, both young and old. John’s music has done as much to keep classical music alive as it has to shape the world of film."

Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Jurassic Park to The Fabelmans. Then, there are sensational soundtracks for the Star Wars saga, Superman, Harry Potter, and many more.

Williams had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.

Music By John Williams is streaming on 1st November on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.

Jurassic World Rebirth first look

Universal Pictures has released the first images and an official synopsis for Jurassic World Rebirth.

The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).

Read the official synopsis:

“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”

Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas in July 2025.

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.

You're gonna need a bigger shelf for LEGO Ideas Jaws

Happy 4th of July to all our US-based readers! Today the LEGO Group announced the LEGO Ideas Jaws set based on Steven Spielberg's seminal blockbuster movie featuring John Williams' unforgettable soundtrack.

Speaking about how he approached the design for the set, fan designer Johnny Campbell, reveals: "JAWS is my favourite movie of all-time, so I really wanted to recreate it in LEGO bricks. LEGO building has always been a part of my life in some shape or form but in order to get all of the finer details, I actually freeze-framed JAWS as I watched it so that I could catch a glimpse of the finer details taking notes as I went along. It is just mind-blowing that my design is now an official LEGO set. I can't wait to stand in a LEGO shop looking at the shelves and seeing a set that I have been involved with and watching someone buying it. It’s every LEGO fan’s dream!”

LEGO Ideas Jaws is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding LEGO Ideas Jaws to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Gareth Edwards to helm new Jurassic World

The next instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is expected to be filmed this summer at Sky Studios Elstree with Gareth Edwards (The Creator) at the helm.

Edwards is no stranger to blockbuster monster movies after directing Godzilla and Star Wars.

"Watching ‘Star Wars' as a child, I always assumed blockbuster filmmaking was just a distant dream for someone growing up in the UK. But then, as I watched the behind-the-scenes, I suddenly realized it was all filmed in a studio just outside of London. And that making ambitious commercial films is totally within the reach of British filmmakers," he said. "When I finally got to make my first film ‘Monsters,' it was made in the true independent style - with a small cast and crew, a tiny budget and shot in just a few weeks. I learnt so much, so fast, and would definitely describe it was one of the most creative experiences I've ever had. Without that opportunity, I would never have been given ‘Godzilla,' ‘Star Wars' and ‘The Creator'… And now as we organize shooting the new ‘Jurassic Park' film in ‘a studio just outside London,' I hope we inspire other new filmmakers to shoot small but always dream big."

The upcoming sequel is executive produced by director Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park).

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World 4? Let me know in the comments below.

Masters of the Air

Apple TV+ is increasingly likened to HBO and not without merit. The Cupertino-based tech titan's streaming service is home to prestige television from For All Mankind to Silo.

Masters of the Air is the latest series from executive producer Steven Spielberg (Jaws). It follows a group of World War II pilots. Unlike Spielberg's sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, these pilots aren't abducted by benevolent aliens and returned home decades later to a fanfare from legendary Hollywood composer John Williams (Star Wars).

Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, is on a break from monster hunting and takes to the skies.

Guest post by Nick Smith

After reminding us that war is hell in Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010), Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have bankrolled a new nine-part World War II miniseries called Masters of the Air. This time the story is set in Norfolkshire, where bombers set off on daring raids to destroy Nazi targets.

With a reported average budget of $27 million per episode, you’d better believe this show looks grand and glossy, with fraught air combat sequences, painstaking attention to detail, and squadrons of proficient actors, including Austin Butler (who acted his blue suede shoes off in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis) and James Murray (Primeval). The greatest challenge, for the storytellers and the viewers, is to keep score of all the characters, with dozens sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

Part One is a slow burn with an ensemble of seemingly insipid non-entities. The ending is strangely low-key, a common issue in our era of binge TV (thanks to Netflix). Stick around for the second episode, though, and the show hits high gear. The characters become more engaging and their bravery is brought to light (they fly during the day instead of bombing at night, to make sure they only hit military sites). The insanity of war is highlighted, along with the skill required to operate gremlin-gummed analogue equipment, and the heart-breaking youth of the crewmen – one is called Babyface, to hammer the point home.

By Part Four, we’re in ‘Allo ‘Allo territory with airmen hiding in occupied territory, aided by the Resistance. This allows writer John Orloff to bring wilful female characters into the show, while back in England more lives are lost and the ethical weight of war hangs heavy on the survivors.

Based on a book by historian Donald L. Miller, Masters of the Air caught the flak of development hell in 2013. Six years later, Apple took the series from the reluctant grasp of HBO, which released the first two minis. In 2021 filming finally began, only to be stalled by a different kind of threat – the COVID kind. All this turbulence shows in some loose narrative rivets, but the effects are better than most recent CGI-heavy air battles (shame on you, Red Tails) and the central characters rise from a herd of pretty boys to engage the audience.

Standouts include Lt. Harry Crosby, played by Irish actor Anthony Boyle; Lt. Curtis Biddick, portrayed by Barry Keoghan who is also from Ireland; and Lt. Roy Frank Claytor, played by Spielberg’s son Sawyer. The opening credits tease the appearance of Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who), who will undoubtedly bring a breath of fresh air to the show with his brash personality.

The dogfights are tense and the cockpit action is thrilling, reminiscent of the Star Wars space battles they inspired. The in-flight entertainment is filmed using virtual production, with LED screens standing in for the unfriendly skies.

Masters of the Air has a long way to go to match the grit and power of Band of Brothers. The new series looks too pristine, an issue with modern drama series. In the early episodes, the lack of strong female roles is a side effect of focusing on the B-17 boys. For another perspective on World War II heroism, I recommend Big Finish’s audio series ATA Girl. The 100th Group bombers were not the only aces in the war.

Are you watching Masters of the Air on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

On Thursday, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was officially revealed during Xbox Developer Direct. The upcoming Xbox and PC first-person exclusive from MachineGames (Wolfenstein) was originally announced in 2021 as one of the first titles under the relaunched Lucasfilm Games brand.



Read the official synopsis:

"Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard."

The Indiana Jones franchise, from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, spawned classic LucasArts point-and-click adventures during the 16-bit era. Most notably, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, which I last played with my best friend, Professor Michael Williams, on his Amiga A500. Alas, Indy is still lost in a frozen tundra thirty years on. In the mid-eighties, I vividly remember playing Atari's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the arcades. The adventures of the man in the hat would go on to inspire Tomb Raider and Uncharted action-adventure franchises.

Troy Baker (The Last of Us) channels Harrison Ford as the titular archaeologist later this year on Game Pass.

Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Let me know in the comments below.

Retro Games announces Atari 400

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of this blog! Early on, I wrote about how Atari was a gateway into playing video games when I was gifted an older cousin's unwanted VCS on my 8th birthday in 1980.

After school, I avidly played Space Invaders, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Pitfall, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and many more with childhood friends.

Atari has a storied history with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Atari/Lucasfilm Games was founded in 1982, and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial video game tie-in never reached the UK (I had to settle for the Parker Brothers board game for Christmas).

Nintendo popularised mini consoles with its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 2016. Others wanted in on the throwback action. PlayStation Classic, Sega Mega Drive Mini (Sega Genesis Mini if you're in the US), PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini (TurboGrafx-16 Mini if you're in the US) and more soon followed to scratch that nostalgic itch.

Fast forward. Retro Games, the company behind the mini Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Amiga A500, has announced THE400 Mini in association with Atari. A miniaturised version of the chunky classic Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range, including the 400/800, XL and XE series home computers and the 5200 home console.



“We have a rich history in creating re-imagined, iconic home computers, and we very much hope that THE400 Mini will become an important part of that legacy. The original home computer was a gaming hero to many, and it’s important to us to re-create the machines that helped define the video games industry and are thus worthy of preservation. We believe that serious collectors and retro gaming fans will love what we’ve done, and should take the time to discover the odd Easter Egg or two as they embark upon a journey into 1970s and 1980s gaming”, said Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd.

Key features of THE400 Mini include:

• A half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 800XL, and the Atari 5200 home console.
• Also included is a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons.
• The ability for players to side-load their own games via a USB stick, with support for cartridge, disk and cassette ROMs.
• Players can rewind time and save their games.
• HD TV output via HDMI, with 50/60Hz compatibility.
• 5 USB ports which allow for the addition of a modern keyboard, extra joysticks and more.
• Look and feel of 1979: THE400 Mini has been lovingly crafted using modern technology, from the hard-to-match colours of the original machine to the authentic textures of the plastic casing and membrane keyboard, no compromise was made relative to the iconic 1970s look and feel of the original Atari 400.

Stuart Chiplin, Head of Commercial Evaluations at PLAION said “We’re excited to be working with Retro Games Ltd. to bring back an iconic machine that meant so much to so many. Cherished memories from the past must be treated with respect, care and attention – THE400 Mini has been designed to retain the look and feel of the original home computer, while benefitting from robust design and manufacturing and an obsession with attention to detail.”

THE400 Mini comes with 25 titles preinstalled spanning Atari’s 8-bit era. Announced games include: Berzerk, Millipede, Miner 2049er, Lee (Bruce Lee was dropped for licensing reasons) and Star Raiders II (originally developed as a tie-in with The Last Starfighter movie). My favourites from the Atari 8-bit era are Dropzone, Rescue on Fractulas!, Ballblazer and Pitfall II.

Pre-order THE400 Mini (affiliate link) today. It's released on 28th March with a suggested retail price of £99.99. I hope to bring you a review in the future.

Will you be adding THE400 Mini to your retro collection? What are your favourite Atari 8-bit video games? Let me know in the comments below.

Halo The Series teases fall of Reach

Paramount+ has dropped a final trailer for the second season of Halo The Series.



Read the official synopsis:

"In season two, Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant is preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold.

With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction: the Halo."

The first season of Halo The Series fell somewhat short of expectations surrounding a Steven Spielberg-produced live-action series based on the successful Xbox video game franchise. There were many meme-worthy mistakes. However, Cortana (voiced by Jen Taylor) and Dr Catherine Halsey (Natascha McElhone) were great.

After watching the spectacular final trailer, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next to Master Chief, Cortana and the Spartans in their epic battle with the Covenant exclusively on Paramount+.

The second season of Halo The Series begins with a two-episode premiere on 8th February on Paramount+.

What did you think of the trailer? Are you looking forward to the second season of Halo The Series on Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars composer John Williams hasn't retired

Legendary Hollywood composer John Williams (Jaws) said he would consider scoring a new soundtrack if the right film came along. This follows the Star Wars composer's candid comments about potentially retiring after scoring Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Williams, 91, told The Times newspaper: “If a film came along that I was greatly interested in, with a schedule that I could cope with, then I wouldn’t want to rule anything out. Everything is possible. All is before us. Only our limitations are holding us back. Or, to put it more simply: I like to keep an open mind.”

On the subject of commercial versus classical music, the Oscar-winning composer said:

“Thirty or 40 years ago, when I would take a programme of film music to one of our big orchestras, there might be condescension. I understood it; I understand the value of things made in the commercial world and their place in the art world. But now things are different. I’d love to come back in 50 years’ time and see what cinema is contributing to the development of new music, because I think young composers will want to work across both.”

A new Star Wars movie, following the continuing adventures of Rey (Daisy Ridley), is currently in pre-production at Lucasfilm. Could the maestro return to a galaxy far, far away?

What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.

Steven Spielberg figure from Jurassic Park

Mattel Creations has announced an exclusive Steven Spielberg action figure from the collector-acclaimed Hammond Collection celebrating 30 years of Jurassic Park.

From Mattel Creations:

"Thirty years ago, Steven Spielberg recreated dinosaurs on the big screen and started a global phenomenon. Today we’re celebrating the man, the myth, and the movie with the Jurassic World Hammond Collection Man Creates Dinosaurs Steven Spielberg figure. He even comes with a camera, personalized director’s chair, and a Dilophosaurus with a removable frill and animatronic stand to reenact the magic of the original movie."

George Lucas was immortalised as a Star Wars Black Series Stormtrooper action figure by Hasbro to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm. As a lifelong fan of Spielberg's movies too, like many, I would love to add this Mattel action figure to my collection. However, I'll have more luck discovering a new dinosaur species on the Jurassic Coast.

Mattel VP and Global Head of Action Figures PJ Lewis says, "To celebrate the 30th, we wanted to honor the visionary that brought Jurassic Park to the big screen. Spielberg is a legend and we’ve never seen an action figure of him before, and he is just as much a part of the legacy as the dinosaurs and characters in the film. The team created the first-ever action figure of Steven Spielberg based on a behind-the-scenes photo from filming Jurassic Park."

The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Steven Spielberg Figure will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and in limited quantities on Mattel Creations.

Will you be getting the Steven Spielberg action figure? Let me know in the comments below.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Hollywood star Harrison Ford (my late mum's favourite actor and coincidentally the same age as dad) has successfully reprised his iconic roles in Star Wars and Blade Runner. Will it be a hat trick with the man in the hat, Indiana Jones?

Following an infamous premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, expectations for the fifth and final instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise were dramatically dialled down.

Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, bravely dials I for Indy... Will adventure answer?

Guest post by Nick Smith

I usually wait until the opening weekend crowds die down before going to see a new movie but just for you guys, I entered a packed theatre and immersed myself in the entertaining, surprisingly thoughtful flick that is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny!

To the left of me sat a lady dropping food on the floor like she was feeding pigeons in the dark. To the right, a couple of teenage boys were way more interested in their mobile phones than in the film.

Their loss.

The fifth Indiana Jones is one of the best of the bunch, treating its title character with respect, and providing thrills without making it seem like a string of set pieces (see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade if that’s your bag).

Dial of Destiny is not for little tykes! It has moments of (gasp!) character development and some emotional depth; Indy carries the weight of experience, he’s got an iffy spine, he's been shot nine times and he’s lost loved ones like his father. A couple of scenes give Harrison Ford (Star Wars) a chance to show introspection and remind us why he’s an international treasure.

With Ford in his 80s, looking more like the Golden Idol than a matinee idol, it’s great to see him involved in so many scrapes and stunts throughout the film. Director James Mangold (who brought us Logan, another film about a cranky old bloke) succeeds in making Indy vulnerable, so we genuinely worry about the crumbling character.

As with the previous film in the saga, the pithily titled Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the movie stands or falls on the merits of its supporting cast. While Crystal Skull had Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) to lean on, Dial of Destiny yields a treasure trove of strong actors: Antonio Banderas is a grungy frogman with one good leg; Mads Mikkelsen, the hardest working bad guy in showbiz™, is Indy’s Nazi nemesis Doctor Voller AKA Schmidt; and Toby Jones is Basil Shaw, keeping a long-standing Indiana Jones trope running in the role of a demented father figure.

However, it’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), playing Shaw’s daughter Helena, who really holds the film together and carries much of the heavy stunt work on her shoulders. She does it with exquisite confidence.

Raiders of the Lost Ark was a superlative template for action movies in the ‘80s onwards, balancing violence, tension, horror, humour and romance with confidence only a hungry young George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws) could have. It’s been a hard act to follow, as we’ve seen from the sequels. But Dial of Destiny manages to recapture that balance and strives for the sense of wonder engendered by Indy’s original quest for the Ark of the Covenant.

Raiders also benefited from its use of practical effects, which made the adventure seem all the more real. I was worried about CGI after seeing a sea of plastic people in The Flash movie. Animation can’t approximate the tics and pocks of a real human face, but there’s nothing too jarring here. I cared about the characters and I had tears in my eyes by the end, although I wasn’t about to blub beside the teen moby zombies or the lady who brought Tupperware (?) [sounds like something out of Eerie, Indiana - Ed].

All movie directors are under pressure, but James Mangold must have felt more than most, taking over from Steven Spielberg to make the last, last Indiana Jones adventure. With such a strong cast and whip-smart writing, he needn’t have worried.

Dial of Destiny is packed with Nazi punching, outlandish set pieces, a sense of awe and character-driven adventures, which all deserve to earn this film a place in the history books.

Have you seen Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

Indiana Jones is back!

It’s Indiana Jones week with the worldwide release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny only in cinemas on 30th June! Fans (myself included) can rewatch the existing four movies directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws) on Disney+.

I passed on Raiders of the Lost Ark in favour of Clash of the Titans and Dragonslayer in the summer of 1981. Mythical and space monsters reigned supreme in my life. It wouldn't be until Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with its infamous leaning into full-blown horror, that I would become an Indy fan.

Spielberg has passed the baton to James Mangold (Logan) for the fifth and final instalment in the Lucasfilm franchise created by George Lucas (Star Wars).

Aside from John Williams’ epic soundtrack, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a big disappointment for many fans upon release in 2008.

Williams is back to compose the music for the man in the hat played by Harrison Ford. Ever since Star Wars a new Williams soundtrack is something I always look forward to. This may be one of the composer's last.

Will Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny rekindle that nostalgic matinee movie magic first conjured up in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Stay tuned for Nick Smith's review coming soon.

Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? Let me know in the comments below.

John Williams on scoring Indiana Jones

Lucasfilm has dropped a featurette featuring music maestro John Williams' incredible body of work scoring the Indiana Jones franchise for over four decades.



Whilst director Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark) isn't returning for the fifth instalment in the franchise created by George Lucas (Star Wars), Williams is back to compose the music for the man in the hat played by Harrison Ford.

“His music gave such detail to every single heart-stopping moment, and bonded all of these films together and gave these films a musical identity,” says Spielberg in the featurette. Adds Williams: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be associated with the films for quite a long time and to, with each film, add more to the collection of musical material.”

Williams made a surprise appearance at the US premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny alongside Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy and director James Mangold. He conducted an orchestral set to the delight of the assembled audience.

“We have a tradition with Indiana Jones which is that Indy has his music in all the various moves that he has, and his action scenes and comedy, and so many modes, the music is always there,” Williams told the audience.

“The other part of the tradition,” Williams added, “Is that we usually have a theme for the heroine or leading lady. In this film, we have Phoebe Waller-Bridge. You’ll see the most brilliant duet between Harrison and Phoebe as they do their wonderful witty dialogue and action and comedy and jeopardy.”

Williams continued, “Phoebe will be represented musically by a lyrical piece, reminiscent of the ’40s and ’50s and old Hollywood… This is ‘Helena’s Theme.’ It’s all about Phoebe, not all parts of her, but a lot of it.”

Will Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny be a legacy sequel comparable to stablemate Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Fans (myself included) will find out on 30th June.

Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? Let me know in the comments below.

Jurassic Park at 30

30 years ago, director Steven Spielberg (Jaws) unleashed Jurassic Park! Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Last Action Hero didn’t stand a chance against a T-Rex.

Jaws for Generation X!

Jurassic Park was adapted from Michael Crichton’s bestselling book about a malfunctioning theme park. A theme Crichton previously explored in his influential sci-fi movie: Westworld.

Spielberg’s dino blockbuster franchise (with an assist from George Lucas (Star Wars)) captured the imagination of cinemagoers worldwide and conquered toy aisles - I have Kenner’s electronic stomping T-Rex and an assortment of memorabilia including collectable drinking cups from McDonald’s in the attic!

JP (as it was fashionably known) is a groundbreaking theatrical experience my friend Professor Michael Williams and I will never forget! We still talk about it (over tea and cake).

It was the first mainstream movie with a DTS soundtrack, which was an issue for theatres that didn’t support the upstart competitor to Dolby. The dialogue kept ‘clipping’, but we were soon swept away by the lush live-action/CGI vistas and John Williams’ soaring soundtrack (available on Apple Music, etc).

For budgetary reasons and to build anticipation, Spielberg deftly kept the dinosaurs off-screen for almost an hour. This would probably be met with derision in an era of streaming and instant gratification - a theme director Colin Trevorrow explores in Jurassic World - with folks taking to social media with their instant hot takes.

The reveal of a herd of Brachiosaurs heralded a seismic change in cinema, and the T-Rex attack cemented it - the audience (myself included) collectively gasped much like when the shark struck in Spielberg’s Jaws almost two decades before.

“I hate computers!”

CGI had come of age and would pave the way for the Star Wars prequels. Decades later, AI-generated content is a thing and not without controversy.

Jurassic Park inspired the BBC’s Walking with Dinosaurs documentary series in the late nineties, and Prehistoric Planet continues the tradition on Apple TV+.

Visual effects and how we view and consume media may have radically changed from when dinosaurs ruled the box office in 1993. However, Jurassic Park remains a seminal moment in pop culture history.

A billion-dollar blockbuster forever preserved in amber…

This originally appeared on Stellar Scribes.

LEGO Ideas Jaws

The summer blockbuster season began with director Steven Spielberg's Jaws in 1975.

Jaws fans (myself included) will be delighted that the awesome LEGO Ideas Jaws set featuring Brody, Hooper, Quint and the titular great white shark (Bruce), created by Fan Designer Jonny Campbell AKA Diving Faces, will be released in the future by LEGO.

Jonny Campbell writes: "I built this model because JAWS is my favourite movie. I have a great passion for both LEGO and this movie and I wanted to create my own JAWS set. We reached 10k before, and hopefully we can do it again. We need a JAWS set!"

You can read more about the LEGO Ideas Jaws set here.

In the wake of a global pandemic, adults (myself included) have turned to LEGO for nostalgia and mindfulness. It's worth reiterating LEGO was instrumental in my recovery from a life-changing brain injury in childhood.

What do you think of the LEGO Ideas Jaws building set? Let me know in the comments below.

Indiana Jones on Disney+

Lucasfilm has announced all four Indiana Jones movies will be available on Disney+ ahead of the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in cinemas. Not only that, but The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, seemingly lost to the sands of time, will be too.

Back in the early nineties, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles aired on ABC with Harrison Ford making a cameo as the titular adventurer and is notable for featuring an early appearance of Elizabeth Hurley.

I vividly remember watching the pioneering award-winning live-action series on Sky One in the UK and listening to the Varèse Sarabande soundtracks (on a Panasonic mini system) as I toiled away on undergraduate scripts with Nick Smith, wrote essays and read the latest issue of The Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine (rebranded as Star Wars Insider).

Production techniques developed for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles would later be utilised on the Star Wars prequels and form the genesis of StageCraft used in The Mandalorian on Disney+.

Will you be watching Indiana Jones on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Indiana Jones and the Super Bowl

During the Super Bowl, Lucasfilm dropped a new trailer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.



The action-packed clip shows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) punching Nazis and diving out of a stricken Heinkel He 111 bomber with his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge).

Whilst director Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark) isn't returning for the fifth instalment in the franchise created by George Lucas (Star Wars), John Williams is back to compose the music for the man in the hat.

With the return of Indiana Jones and Michael Keaton's Batman in The Flash, this summer will be like the summer of 1989. And I'm here for it.

Will Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny be a legacy sequel comparable to stablemate Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Fans (myself included) will find out on 30th June.

Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny? What did you think of the trailer? Let me know in the comments below.