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Asta Kask
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
Sweden
263 Posts |
 Posted - 12/29/2005 : 08:03:22 AM
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It might not be a spambot. It could be an alien intelligence hacking into the networks.
Kong? I loved it, but the action scenes got a bit...too much. I didn't know King Kong was a ninja, for crying out loud!
- Who is John Galt? - |
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RVHorror
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
532 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2005 : 1:02:09 PM
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Actually, I did think before I wrote, Joshua, but thanks for the advice anyway.
Saw Kong last night. I liked it for the most part, but I agree that the action scenes seemed a lot more confusing (to me) than exciting. And there were way, way, way too many soulful closeups of Naomi Watts, and of Kong himself. Three or four, sure, but there must have been six or seven of them.
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Dirk
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
237 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2005 : 1:18:35 PM
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*******SPOILERS***********
Holy improbability, Batman! This film had some of the most downright ridiculous fight sequences since... well, since LOTR. One can accept Gandalf plummeting down an endless shaft, snatching his sword out of the air and battling a flaming demon. One (or at least, I) can't quite accept a character who we have come to regard as a pompous coward swinging from a vine and using one hand to effortlessly pick off monster insects with a Thompson submachinegun.
The T-rex fight - the original had Kong taking on one. Jackson has him fighting THREE... and not only that, but falling into a cravasse and battling two of the bests while they all swing from vines (which somehow hold their combined weight). The aforementioned "bug canyon" - the original had the sailors falling to their deaths from the log. Jackon has the lead characters clutching to the log as it crashes down the canyon and managing to retain their grip. Then they fall 10 feet to the ground.
The dinosaur stampede - the characters not only outrun a horde of stampeding brontosaurus but they ALSO outrun a pack of raptor-like creatures. Then they fend off the raptors by PUNCHING them and manage to survive a multi-dino pile-up by simply sliping and sliding over their rolling bodies.
I know - "Great, another film that everyone likes except Dirk!" But the film contained so many long, unnecessary sequences that did nothing to advance the plot that they just became boring after a while. How many times can we see the characters escape from certain death by, for instance, grabbing onto the leg of a monster bat and riding it to safety? There's something to be said for brevity.
Plus, it seems as though the only way Jackson can lend pathos to an "important" moment is to go into slow motion, have a wordless choir fill the background and slowly zoom in on the faces of the characters. There were a lot of moments that, in the original, came across as much more moving while the original turned them into saccharine cliches. I mean, do we really need Ann to stand atop the building and scream "NOOOOO!" as the biplanes roar in to get that we should be sad if Kong dies?
I wanted to say something about all the unnecessary extra characters ("Mr. Murphy! Nooooo!") and loose ends (where'd all the natives go?), but I've ranted for long enough. This new "Kong" wasn't terrible, but I would never watch it again. The original I can watch over and over again. |
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Triviachamp
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
254 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 1:15:03 PM
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Well most people seem to think that the film's length is the reason for its disappointing gross. I mean audiences can accept 3-hours movies based on books or historical events (i.e. Titanic) but a three hour giant monkey movie? And a remake too? It seems that Jackson got too self indulgent here. And they overestimated the Ringers/ internet geeks' love for Jackson.
It's also strange that everyone's is making excuses for Kong. Most disappointments are quickly labled "bombs" (i.e. Godzilla, Batman & Robin) except Kong that is.
Not to mention people who rant about Hollywood's habit of remakes don't complain about King Kong! :p |
Edited by - Triviachamp on 01/01/2006 1:20:30 PM |
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UnknownSubject
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
Australia
212 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 12:52:59 AM
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Saw "King Kong" yesterday and mostly liked it. The man getting eaten alive by the large penis worms was a highlight and one of the more revolting things I've seen on film.
Having thought about it, "King Kong" is an odd duck in film terms. Back in 1933, it may have been groundbreaking, but today (and as much as geeks love monkeys and monkey-related entertainment) it doesn't hold as much interest. Kong's big, Kong gets caught, Kong dies - it's not really the thrill ride that is going to draw people in. I can't think of many action films set in historical periods (imagining that 1933 / the Great Depression is a historical period) that really draw people in.
Not that Jackson didn't pack "King Kong" with action after the first act. Lots of chases, the bug scenes, Kong doing his thing - it was interesting, but I think it probably is best suited to a more specialist audience rather than the mainstream public.
Triviachamp - "Godzilla" and "Batman & Robin" were both awful films to some extent, whereas "King Kong" is generally better done imo. I think a lot of film geeks were looking forward to this remake, but these are the same people (I include myself in this category) who talk about the 1933 original. Most people only think of the 1970's version (and sequel) as "King Kong", if they even know that film exists.
Spandex Cinema
http://sc.thebeholder.org
Latest Review - December is Bibleman-o-rama Month thanks to Heckler King! |
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KreenWarrior
Preeminent Apostolic Prelate of the Discipleship of Jabootu
111 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 5:21:36 PM
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Saw it last night, and mostly loved it, tough it did go on a bit much.
I've never seen the original, except the end sequence (not a parody of it or anything, either, I did just see the last bit) when I was a young kid. And, taking my impressions from then to now:
I think that it's the last bit, the monkey on the Empire State Building, that's really what King Kong is about. It's about creating a giant monster that, in the end, even when you know he's going to die, you still want him to survive, somehow. You want him to take those irritating little flying machines DOWN, and somehow "win", even though you know it's impossible.
Also, isn't that how a part of everyone wants to die? Alone against the world, roaring defiance, nearly invincible and terrifying till the end? Defying an entire reality for the one you love? One speck of wilderness against a technological world that doesn't understand you, but one that will be talked about and remembered forever?
There's some power to the story, even after 70 years. |
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thepanteduffin
Diocesan Ecclesiarch of the Sacred Order of Jabootu
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 7:43:27 PM
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A very interesting observation, KreenWarrior. It got me to thinking, isn't there something very much primitively masculine (not to be sexist or anything, just from the point of view of traditional gender roles) about Kong and that's why we love his story so much? Doesn't he remind us, on his island, of the Man as King of His Domain, as strong protector of his companion, then later as a primitive force shackled by the world, who breaks free and, as you point out, become one lone, tough guy against unbeatable odds.
I'm pretty sure someone probably already thought about this, but for some reason, it just hit me right this instant. Cool!
Then again, there's so much one could read in the story of King Kong (like theories about how it is about African Americans being brought to America as captives but also feared by the white man, and other analyses) that I suppose it's all an after-the-fact exercise in intellectual entertainment.
But still, I was always curious as to why, to the best of my knowledge, the movie is called "King Kong" when the big guy is only referred to as "King Kong" on the marquee of the theater. All the other times his name comes up, it's always just Kong, not King Kong.
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Triviachamp
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
254 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2006 : 9:13:02 PM
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quote:
But still, I was always curious as to why, to the best of my knowledge, the movie is called "King Kong" when the big guy is only referred to as "King Kong" on the marquee of the theater. All the other times his name comes up, it's always just Kong, not King Kong.
David O. Selznick thought it sounded better. |
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twitterpate
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
Canada
1026 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2006 : 1:00:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by KreenWarrior
Also, isn't that how a part of everyone wants to die? Alone against the world, roaring defiance, nearly invincible and terrifying till the end? Defying an entire reality for the one you love? One speck of wilderness against a technological world that doesn't understand you, but one that will be talked about and remembered forever?
KreenWarrior, that's the most marvellous, romantic summation of a movie I've ever heard. Excuse me as I swoon... |
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thepanteduffin
Diocesan Ecclesiarch of the Sacred Order of Jabootu
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2006 : 9:22:34 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Triviachamp
quote:
But still, I was always curious as to why, to the best of my knowledge, the movie is called "King Kong" when the big guy is only referred to as "King Kong" on the marquee of the theater. All the other times his name comes up, it's always just Kong, not King Kong.
David O. Selznick thought it sounded better.
It does have a ring to it. Kind of makes you want to put on monkey suits and play table tennis and call it King Kong Ping Pong, though. Or is it just me?
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BradH812
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
1294 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2006 : 12:23:04 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by thepanteduffin
quote:
Originally posted by Triviachamp
quote:
But still, I was always curious as to why, to the best of my knowledge, the movie is called "King Kong" when the big guy is only referred to as "King Kong" on the marquee of the theater. All the other times his name comes up, it's always just Kong, not King Kong.
David O. Selznick thought it sounded better.
It does have a ring to it. Kind of makes you want to put on monkey suits and play table tennis and call it King Kong Ping Pong, though. Or is it just me?
Actually, when I was in grade school, there was a little rhyme going around with those phrases, along with Hong Kong, and.... something not appropriate for this group. Use your imagination. |
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Jonah Falcon
Preeminent Apostolic Prelate of the Discipleship of Jabootu
USA
113 Posts |
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thepanteduffin
Diocesan Ecclesiarch of the Sacred Order of Jabootu
Canada
74 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2006 : 1:09:13 PM
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I hate to be in the same group as studio executives, but I was also very surprised at the movie's box-office return. I really expected it to be raking in the dough in record numbers.
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Greenhornet
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
1791 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2006 : 1:16:17 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by KreenWarrior
Also, isn't that how a part of everyone wants to die? Alone against the world, roaring defiance, nearly invincible and terrifying till the end? Defying an entire reality for the one you love? One speck of wilderness against a technological world that doesn't understand you, but one that will be talked about and remembered forever?
That sounds fine EXCEPT that you forgot that Kong KIDNAPPED a TINY HUMAN WOMAN who was scared crapless of him. That hardly makes him "heroic".
PS: lots and lots of people complain that Fay Wray screamed too much. Fine, we'll let a 40 feet tall gorilla grab YOU and carry you off to do God knows what and we'll see how brave YOU ACT!
"The Queen is testing poisons." CLEOPATRA, 1935 |
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Ubiq
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
347 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2006 : 3:54:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Greenhornet
That sounds fine EXCEPT that you forgot that Kong KIDNAPPED a TINY HUMAN WOMAN who was scared crapless of him. That hardly makes him "heroic".
He didn't kidnap her in the later version and her absolute terror of him in the original did not make that much sense in light of the fact that he had not attempted to harm Ann, but had went out of his way on several occasions to protect her. I always thought she came across as a bit of an ingrate as a result.
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Fine, we'll let a 40 feet tall gorilla grab YOU and carry you off to do God knows what and we'll see how brave YOU ACT!
She's scared by Kong. Fine. On the other hand, how does the T-Rex even notice her if she doesn't keep screaming her fool head off?
BM: I should have mentioned this at the beginning. I solve my problems with violence. |
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