Films/DVD Asylum

"Gorilla filmmaking" -- This is to laugh, or to cry?

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clarkjohnsen

(R)

In Reply to: Drudge says Kong is bombing big at its opening posted by DWPC on December 15, 2005 at 15:17:17:

From the Boston Phoenix:
Surely the state of special-effects art now can blow off the screen anything made just five years into the Sound Era? Yes and no. The two triumphant genres of the �30s were musicals and horror films, and as with the stained glass of Chartres, the secret to making them is lost. Or maybe rejected. Compare Chicago with Top Hat, or King Kong with King Kong. Count the cuts during the action scenes or the production numbers. They sure give the retina a workout, but . . . Scary? Moving?...
Now, Cuisinart editing takes over, abetted by James Newton Howard�s soundtrack. Again the impact is not emotional but visceral. Who cares about these people? Maybe the video game allows for more sympathy.

http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/movies/reviews/documents/05146022.asp (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

"Who cares about these people?" - The folks in our audience cared quite a bit. - Audiophilander 10:08:29 12/16/05 (12)
Certainly audience reactions will be mixed, and it is a very long movie, especially for bladder challenged older folks, but it is an epic that works on a different level than it's classic predecessor and the lackluster 70's era Delaurintis remake. While this is indeed a remake, it is a very different film that doesn't rely solely on CGI to tell it's tale. The backstory of the ship's crew helped to humanize them and actually helped convey a greater feeling of loss when each character met his demise.
The fact that a given critic doesn't feel invested in these characters can't alter the fact that Jackson's choices add a certain poignancy to the story. He made Kong come across as a more dangerous albeit tragic figure, thereby even more of a symbol of impending doom when brought back to the supposedly civilized world by the callous, exploitive Denham.
Cheers,
AuPh
- This cross-section of opinion gives a better overview of King Kong, IMO; 83% worth, in fact! (Open in New Window)
- Re: Have you seee it? nt - patrickU 11:20:28 12/16/05 (8)
  nt
  - Obviously! Can't you read? - Audiophilander 11:55:06 12/16/05 (7)
    My wife and I saw this openning day here (Wednesday). When does Kong open in your neck of the European woods?
    AuPh
    - Re: Obviously! Can't you write? - patrickU 12:36:52 12/16/05 (6)
      De Laurentiis.
      Two days ago.
      - "De Laurentiis." - That name cannot possibly be misspelled, even using just four letters that form an expletive. - Audiophilander 16:26:12 12/16/05 (5)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Obviously! Can't you write? posted by patrickU on December 16, 2005 at 12:36:52:
        
        Peter Jackson's King Kong is magnificent and fun, unlike the crappy 70's remake! Peter Jackson reveres the original; Dino wanted to burn all of the original's negatives so that only his would exist!
        > > > "De Laurentiis. - Two days ago." < < <
        Hmmm, I assume by your quick dismissive comments that either you haven't seen Peter Jackson's film yet or maybe you just prefer the campy 70's "Delorian" version and wanted to provide the correct spelling of your "respected" Director/Producer's name.
        It wouldn't surprise me if your favorite De Laurentiis production was Mandingo, but let's not go there.
        AuPh
        
        Re: Can you give me the definition of the word " fa-na-tic?----nt - patrickU 02:36:12 12/17/05 (4)
        
        In Reply to: "De Laurentiis." - That name cannot possibly be misspelled, even using just four letters that form an expletive. posted by Audiophilander on December 16, 2005 at 16:26:12:
        
        nt
        
        You & Victor dressed in Napoleonic garb dining in the south of France? Naw, that's too obvious! :o) - Audiophilander 09:50:47 12/17/05 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Can you give me the definition of the word " fa-na-tic?----nt posted by patrickU on December 17, 2005 at 02:36:12:
        
        How about your dismissive attitude toward Peter Jackson's films? That's true fanaticism!
        AuPh
        
        Re: You & Victor dressed in Napoleonic garb dining in the south of France? Naw, that's too obvious! :o) - patrickU 11:31:12 12/17/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: You & Victor dressed in Napoleonic garb dining in the south of France? Naw, that's too obvious! :o) posted by Audiophilander on December 17, 2005 at 09:50:47:
        
        PJ films? Yoiu mean he made only three?
        
        Okay, Peter Jackson's best three then (my opinion), the LoTR trilogy. - Audiophilander 00:16:03 12/18/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: You & Victor dressed in Napoleonic garb dining in the south of France? Naw, that's too obvious! :o) posted by patrickU on December 17, 2005 at 11:31:12:
        
        King Kong is an excellent film, but it isn't anything like the wonderful epic journey that is LoTR, as I see it. Your mileage may vary, as will mine from your's, of course.
        AuPh
        
        Re: Okay, Peter Jackson's best three then (my opinion), the LoTR trilogy. - patrickU 07:16:03 12/18/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Okay, Peter Jackson's best three then (my opinion), the LoTR trilogy. posted by Audiophilander on December 18, 2005 at 00:16:03:
        
        I would not comment, as long, of course, I would not have seen it.
        But three hours...yes, three hours....
- I'm surprised a tube-analog guy is so breathless in the presence of digital video. nt - tinear 10:33:14 12/16/05 (2)
  as
  - Digital isn't automatically bad. I do like some solid state gear, so I guess I'm not a purist. - Audiophilander 12:02:16 12/16/05 (1)
    My DLP projector is more solid state than tube based, using a lamp rather than cathode ray tubes and progressive scan digital projection is superior to interlaced, IMHO. BTW, my tube preamp manufacturer recommends solid state amps as opposed to tube amps, so maybe it isn't such a bad balance. Let's just say that I'm open minded on the subject! ;^)
    AuPh
    - Ok. Now, get your Texas behind down to - tinear 13:52:05 12/16/05 (0)
      Marfa. The Chinati Foundation is well worth a visit. Also, you can see those famous "Marfa lights." Pretty nice country, with Big Bend park just a spit down the trail, too.

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