Just dashing off some thoughts here, rather random.
My Beloved and I went to see “King Kong” the other day for a practically paltry $5 apiece. We’re so used to paying at least 9, 10 bucks apiece these days, that we actually asked the bored, mumbly cashier WHY it was so cheap.
“First show of the day,” he muttered without looking at us. The “duh, idiots” part was merely implied. What a nice boy.
Now, let me say: I was never a “King Kong” fan. Always seemed more about screaming and grunting and chest thumping with a creepy bonus threat of rape by an ape than anything else. But that was then, this is NOW. I have to admit: This new version of “King Kong” is just some rip-roaringly good entertaiment.
Great things:
— the ape himself — really phenomenal. I never for a moment thought he wasn’t actually there. I was thoroughly swept up in the absolute reality of a 25-foot gorilla!
— the creepy natives — just really scared the beejezuz outta me.
— the shots of a reimagined 1930’s New York. Not truly real, but even better — kind of magical.
— the backstory at the beginning of the movie. Now, I’ve heard several reviewers say things like “Oh, just show up an hour into it; that’s when you finally see the ape.” To that I say NO! You need to see what’s happening with the Jack Black character and the Naomi Watts character, in particular, to know what’s motivating their decisions. They’re both desperate; but you’ve gotta be desperate or else INSANE to end up on a place called Skull Island. I mean, it ain’t exactly a lazy Sunday afternoon picnic spot.
But also, what “creature” movie worth its salt shows the creature at the very beginning? “Frankenstein” didn’t. “Jaws” didn’t. You saw what he DID, but you didn’t see him. That’s how suspense is built. So DO show up at the beginning and allow the build to happen.
— Naomi Watts. I like her so much as an actress. Loved her in “21 Grams.” I believed every moment of this performance where she’s acting alongside a freaking nonexistent 25-foot gorilla! She moves past the one-dimensional, shrill screaming of Fay Wray and the creepy, sexualized performance of Jessica Lange and imbues the ape-girl relationship some genuine poignancy and heart; you really feel that these two come to understand each other. It sounds almost ridiculous to say it — but you believe the love between the two of them. And that’s — in large part — because of Naomi Watts.
— the T-Rexes and all the rest of the, ah, “critters.” Really squirm-in-your-seat scary. A lady sitting by herself in front of us kept cracking me up — she spent half the movie gasping and jumping out of her seat, then falling back and covering her eyes. Whenever I felt I couldn’t look at the screen, I watched her. She was wildly entertaining.
— the pace of the movie. It’s kind of an intangible, pacing, but every good movie, every good play has it — a spot-on sense of pacing — not too slow, not too fast and nonsensical, but with reasonable, well-timed ebbs and flows. If “Jaws,” for instance, had SHOWN us Jaws right away, it would have been too soon; it would have rushed the pace; we’d have become bored — oh, yawn, HIM? AGAIN?
Our senses adjust, become complacent. We NEED to be kept off-balance, never sure when we’re going to see IT again. We almost need to feel that we’ve EARNED the right to behold the creature. And here, in “King Kong” the comparative quiet of the opening builds substance and anticipation for the thrill of the coming adventure. Not every moment can be or should be a fever pitch moment. Trust me, there are PLENty in this movie. I can honestly say that I didn’t even notice the 3-hour length until I left the theatre and looked at my watch. I was thoroughly engaged. IN A MOVIE ABOUT AN APE, NO LESS! Just a good ol’ rollicking epic adventure.
(But if I might add a wee critique in the midst of this giddy endorsement: Jack Black, I like you, I DO, but someone has to tell you to ease up on that rather freaky, maniacal, “I’m so intense” expression you do. It’s funny, to a degree, but overused, and in some moments, it’s just REALLY out of place. Or maybe you think it’s some kind of emotion intensifier, that look. Oh, Jackie, it’s not. It’s REALLY not. It makes me feel a tad icky, as if you practiced saying “I love you” in the mirror just ONE too many times. So just as someone, it appears, FINALLY got to George Clooney and told him to stop with the annoying Bobble-Headed twitch he had, I do this for you, Jack Black. Oh, and Adrien Brody? Trim just a smidge off that clawlike nose of yours. It’s a little too far gone on a reckless downward path towards your mouth. You must NOT let this happen. Repercussions galore. )
Great Thing #2 —
A book I just finished — “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel.
Read it yet? You SHOULD. A tale, as one character says, to “make you believe in God.” I found it alternately disturbing and horrific and magical and delightful, a curious blend.
In the tiniest of nutshells — it’s the story of a castaway boy left to survive on a lifeboat with a 450-pound Bengal tiger.
But what sounds like a basic adventure tale is so much more. I loved that the book asks you to be innocent, to hurl yourself into wonder, to squelch that inner, jaded voice that wants to say, No — that’s just … just IMPOSSIBLE!
I guess that’s where I’m at right now — with this movie and this book — LOVING being able to believe the impossible, to be swept away.
And shouldn’t great movies and books do that?
Oh — and add to that: FINALLY a book ending simultaneously surprising and satisfying and thought-provoking. (I’ve had rather bad luck with that in my reading this year, er, LAST year. Whatever.)
Thank you, Yann Martel!
So …. see the movie. Read the book. Enjoy ’em both!
I love Naomi Watts too – there’s something so intense about her.
Another view: we left KK about two hours into it. My advice to Mr. Weller is “Give me that! – now hand me those scissors…”
Wa-a-a-ay too long and here’s the problem: In LOTR, there was a lot of material to get through. In KK, there’s not. The length here is just padding. Like you, I loved the re-figured 30’s New York and loved the boat, but thought the natives were a tad over the top (Orcs were appropriate there, but not here), ditto the other effects.
In spite of the ape size, KK should be a “smaller” movie than LOTR, but Weller didn’t realize this.
Naomi Watts – fabulous. Must see other performances.
Jack Black – I concur.
Favorite actor? Colin Hanks. The look he gives Black when he keeps going on about how he’s making the movie in honor of the men he just got killed – priceless.
I’m sure we will see the end of it on DVD, or at the $ movies eventually. So, no spoilers, thanks!
Ha Ha – the George Clooney Bobble-Head doll. SO true.
(Suspend-your-disbelief books are what it’s all about for me right now. Particularly folk tales. I’m currently re-reading the original Grimm stories (guts and all) and immersing myself in some Russian folk tales as well. There’s certainly something to be said for a genre that takes you on a grand adventure and introduces you to strange and *unbelievable* characters. Will make great fodder for *my* children’s book later on.)
“Pi” sounds great. I’ve looked at it a couple times in Borders and have heard magnificent things about it elsewhere. Will pick it up as soon as I get to the bottom of my PILE of books. Thanks!!!
Rev — Three bucks? THREE bucks?! Obviously, your town is located in some alternate dimension, complete with time warp, etc. Oh, how lovely!
red — Yes, she’s kind of become a new favorite of mine. I always know I’ll see something different if she’s in a movie. And she did it this time too.
Sal — Did you mean Mr. Jackson? 😉 You know, I guess I just reveled in the whole thing. Maybe some of it WAS superfluous, but I loved how the whole thing was crafted — really an adventure epic.
ASM — He used to do that all the time on ER. I would actually yell at the TV for him to stop. Of course, that never worked.
WG — Pi is great. I can’t talk about it too coherently here, maybe when I get my thoughts more gathered. Put it on your reading list for 2006!
Oooops! Yes – WHY do I always mix them up? So embarrassing…
Okay, to redeem myself: here’s a challenge for Tracey and her merry band of cinephiles:
You have to explain America to someone from not here, but you can only use ten movies to do it. Which ten do you choose?
(Now, these do not have to be history movies, they can illustrate something unique about American values or character or “the American experience”.)
This is a tough one – which are your picks? and why, if you like…
now THAT is a movie review! you must change your career, unless writing movie reviews IS your career, which is possible, since i don’t know WHAT you do.
book is on my list! 🙂 thanks.
AS — I really think you’ll like the book. They’re making it into a movie and I know how much you like your movies! 😉 Hahahahaa!
Sal — Oh, Lord, you DO come up with the questions! I gots ta think. A WHILE.
Sal – oooh, I love that question.
off the top of my head –
1. Casablanca
2. Field of Dreams
3. Running on Empty
4. His Girl Friday
5. Citizen Kane
6. Bonnie and Clyde
7. Taxi Driver
8. It’s a wonderful life
9. Woman of the year
10. Election
That’s a pretty fine list, I must say.
Red, that is a GREAT list! DRAT you! 😉 I knew I should have jumped on this sooner!
Okay. My shot, with a nod to dear red because of some overlap. Plus, an assist from My Beloved:
1. It’s a Wonderful Life
2. Goodfellas
3. High Noon
4. Citizen Kane
5. Platoon
6. Saving Private Ryan
7. Stand By Me
8. American Grafitti
9. Hoosiers
10. Gone With the Wind
And, of course, it was so hard to stop at just ten!
In chronological order (I think)…
1. Angels With Dirty Faces
2. Pride of the Yankees
3. 3:10 to Yuma
4. 12 Angry Men
5. The Music Man
6. The Shootist
7. Field of Dreams
8. Gettysburg
9. Grumpy Old Men
10. Open Range
I acknowledge I may have possibly too much of a “guy perspective.” There are no women in #s 4 & 8. Reluctantly leaving out “Picnic,” which has the greatest American-movie sex scene ever–and no clothes were shed!–William Holden and Kim Novak dancing to “Moonglow/Theme from Picnic.”
Tracey, do you really think “Platoon” explains America to a non-American? If it did, I’d move to Australia and try my best to sound Aussie. “Platoon” is America from a–what?– North Korean point of view. I was in Vietnam for 14 months and I NEVER knew anyone like that creepy character Tom Berenger played.
Disclaimer: I’m not American though we did live there for two years. I’m also not a great movie buff, and can’t stand war films or thrillers, so those aren’t in my list as I don’t know any. But, for what it’s worth, here’s the ones I’d pick – a little tongue in cheek, so please don’t anybody take offence!
1. Little Women (how it used to be, with undertones of war and American patriotism as well as gentle romance)
2. Miracle on 34th Street (American Christmas with all its commercialism, the Santa stuff, the legal system)
3. ET (American children, fear of the unknown, generation gap)
4. Mr Holland’s Opus (American high school students and a brilliant teacher – the clash of earning a living vs achieving dreams)
5. Grease (American college system, holiday romances, image-consciousness)
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (compares and contrasts American and Greek culture, poking fun at both; shows something about American expectations in marriage)
7. Scrooged (American television and how it works, clash of values that can cause stress)
8. Groundhog Day (nobody outside the US can possibly understand this bizarre tradition unless they’ve seen this film!)
9. Superman (the American ideal of rescuing those who suffer in any way, using superpowers to make everyone happy)
10. Back to the Future (Which covers most of the above one way or another and gives the origin of some modern cliches and slang phrases)
Oh, I forgot Forrest Gump. Uh-oh. I think that’ll have to be instead of Back to the Future. Forrest Gump explains almost everything!
These are all SO interesting to read!!! Fascinating!
Stand By Me is an excellent addition, I think – and also Groundhog Day – hahahaha LOVE that movie!!
Dave in Montana –
You have my love forever because you led off with Angels With Dirty Faces.
LOVE that film!!!
You know what – I would like to add Apollo 13 to my list.
I’ll take off Running on Empty – although reluctantly – because that film, above all films, describes the failure of the radical left in the 60s – it really is a MUST-SEE. A tragic gorgeous story about a family on the run because of the parents “activism” (ie: terrorism) in the 1960s. FANTASTIC.
But Apollo 13 really should be on my list somewhere.
Hmm, no particular order, and off the top of my head
1. Once Upon A Time In the West (There is so much in this film, that I have to just recommend you see it if you haven’t already.)
2. Wyatt Earp (The original American lawman. A great underrated movie.)
3. Patton (The ultimate war film about one of the ultimate American warriors)
4. We Were Soldiers (The anti-Platoon.)
5. Friday Night Lights (or Rudy…flip a coin)
6. Office Space (Anyone who works ina building where you sit in cubes knows people like Gary Cole in that film.)
7. Casablanca (The Great American Movie. Period.)
8. Bullitt (Iconic American City, Maverick Detective Story, Mustang vs. Charger, Steve McQueen….the people rest, your honor)
9. Hoosiers (or The Rookie..again, coin flip)
10. The Godfather, Part II (You get the seamy underbelly presented in the context of history.)
I am going to want to update this a hundred times. What fun!
Fantastic idea! Here’s my submissions in no particular order:
1. Coming to America
2. Tora! Tora! Tora!
3. The Green Berets
4. Roadside Prophets
5. Breakfast Club
6. Batteries Not Included
7. A Family Thing
8. The Apostle
9. Radio
10. My Dog Skip
I love that you included Coming to America. Classic!
Ooh, Alex, Office Space was a fantastic choice.
Yes, Alex, I thought so too. It was the first thing I thought of when Sheila directed us to come on over.
Thanks for the idea, Tracey.
Great question. Here’s my answer, in no particular order:
1. Lost in America (taking a road trip in a winnebego and losing all your cash in vegas, what’s more american than that?)
2. Irreconcilable Differences (divorce, hollywood, kids suing their parents, sharon stone before she was sharon stone)
3. In America (an immigrant experience, a new land seen through the eyes of children, and it also kind of covers ET because of that great scene with the ET doll)
4. Broadcast News (journalism, the drive to succeed, and some very particularly american types of people)
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (Essential viewing–if I could only pick one movie, this would probably be the one)
6. Buffalo 66 (Some dark underbelly, criminals, strip clubs, sports fanatasicm, and a disarming, surprising love story)
7. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (trannies, rock star dreams, and salad bars in middle america)
8. Working Girl (“I expect you to call me Tess. I don’t expect you to fetch me coffee unless you’re getting some for yourself.”)
9. Karate Kid (because there’s gotta be a sports movie on the list, and of all sports movies, this is the one that gets me)
10. When Harry Met Sally (just because)
Good picks, guys!
Here’s mine, in no particular order:
1)Stagecoach – one of the best Westerns ever.
2)Singin’ in the Rain – the musical as an American invention, about Hollywood, ditto.
3)”The Clock Cleaners” – a Mickey Mouse cartoon
4)Hail the Conquering Hero – a Preston Sturges comedy about how and why we elect military heroes to office
5)My Family (Mi Familia) – the immigration/assimilation experience from a Hispanic POV (“Hester Street” was a close call for this spot)
6)It’s a Wonderful Life
7)The Pride of the Yankees – Baseball and a hero
8)The Godfather
9)Citizen Kane – Best. Movie. Ever. Power and downfall.
10)Glory – for my Civil War pick.(“Gettysburg” and “The Birth of a Nation” were contenders)
Yes, it is very hard to choose!
Cullen – Yes! “The Apostle”! Brilliant choice
I also love “Coming to America” – but picked “My Family” instead.
Red and Dave – Thought long and hard about ‘Angels”, but had to go with the G-father.
Notice how we’re all falling into the same themes here? Business, Crime as Big Business, Sports, Westerns, the Immigrant experience, Daily Life, War. Very Interesting.
Here’s a few others I came up with that I posted over at red’s place:
Crooklyn
Bad Lieutenant
Dirty Harry
Boogie Nights
Saturday Night Fever
Urban Cowboy
Rounders
The Color of Money
Hard Eight
I would also like to add Sounder to my list.
A perfect movie. One of my all-time favorites. If your heart doesn’t open up to other people after watching that movie, then you are a lost cause.
Paul Winfield. GENIUS actor!!
Others I thought of (posted at Sheila’s), but haven’t decided if they trump my original choices:
Friday
Moscow on the Hudson
Dummy
Short Cuts (you could almost have a sub-category – what 10 Julianne Moore movies would you show?)
Wayne’s World (my mind works in mysterious ways)
American Pop
Ken Burn’s Jazz
Red Flag on Cullen! Much as I love Ken Burns – Movies Only!
Red- “Sounder” was a close call. What a fine, fine movie. The scene in which Paul Winfield assures his son that it’s alright for him to leave them to go to school – top ten Movie Scenes that make you cry (but that’s a list for another day! 🙂
Another one I almost picked was “The Cowboys”- boys become men on the frontier.
Is a documentary not a movie? There’s a category for it in the Academy Awards.
Yes, but “Jazz” was not a theatrical release.
PBS doesn’t count – or we could be here all day…
Well, to split hairs, would you consider Roots a valid entry? It wasn’t a theatrical release either. It has life on video as does Jazz.
But if we’re just using feature films, I understand. My original list stands. But I really like the idea of Jazz — living close to New Orleans for a good chunk o’ my life I have a soft spot for it.
Yikes! I missed quite the discussion. But I’ll try anyway.
1. Gods and Generals
2. Hoosiers
3. The Sands of Iwo Jima
4. Wall Street
5. Field of Dreams
6. Citizen Kane
7. High Noon
8. The Wizard of Oz
9. The Breakfast Club
10. The Right Stuff
Rev-Ed: The Right Stuff is a great addition to this ongoing discussion.
Rev-Ed: Oh, did the critics pan “Gods and Generals.” Oh, did audiences shun it–but what do THEY know, anyway? The major problem was that it was a PREquel to “Gettysburg” but the actors looked ten years OLDER (which they were by that time). Thank you for including it. The Christmas Day scene in which the Johnny Reb gives the Billy Yank a few puffs on his pipe in exchange for a few sips of coffee, while neither of them is quite sure what to say to each other, speaks volumes about America and about the human condition. Good choice on “Sands of Iwo Jima,” too; I’m thinking of the two brothers who are the ultimate in sibling rivalry until they are united by being confronted with a common enemy. There’s America in a nutshell. (John Wayne is also America in a nutshell, or at least I like to think he is.)
Moscow on the Hudson? MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON???!!!
LOL!!!
How did I miss “Roots”? No, sorry- ineligible.
(And speaking of flags, how ’bout them Longhorns?)
“A Raisin in the Sun” – that’d be good.
I went with Gods and Generals based on the recommendation of a friend of mine who does Civil War reenactments and is a MAJOR CW buff. He raved about the accuracy of the film. Of course he liked Gettysburg too…
You know what, everyone?
(Now that my OWN blog finally lets me comment.)
I’m picking “Crash” — from just last year. I LOVED that movie — so much to say about race relations and paranoia and fear. I think it’s a truly weighty movie.
If you haven’t yet, SEE it, rent it.
And Right Stuff, Rev? I can’t believe I forgot that one. GREAT pick!
tracey, “Crash” is a fantastic choice. Although I think the film is more about the paranoia of what race relations are or could be versus what race relations really are. But still, powerful, powerful film.
I actually cried in the scene when his daughter ran out to save her daddy. It physically hurt me like a punch to the heart.
Right, Cullen. I agree with your assessment of the film; good way to say it, actually.
And I KNOW! That SCENE! I can barely even think about it all these months later.
Still, I think I MUST go out and buy it on DVD. I think it’s one to OWN.
I found this blog via Red’s (Sheila’s) blog. I’m from NJ. Before I submit my list, I also read, well actually listened to, Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and I loved it. I wrote Yann a letter, or perhaps it was an email and he answered me. If you are interested in why I wrote him and how he responded, let me know and I’ll put it in a separate post or email. Anyway, here’s my list.
1. In America
2. Rocky
3. Nine to Five
4. Birth of a Nation
5. M*A*S*H
6. Strawberry Statement
7. Blazing Saddles
8. Oh Brother Where Art Thou
9. Advise and Consent
10. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
You know it’s interesting that almost none of my or anyone’s list of ten movies are about or even with children. I think that says something about our society and not in a good way.
High Noon
12 Angry Men
Mr Smith Goes to Washington
Gone With The Wind
Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace and Music
Avalon
Louisiana Story
In the Heat of the Night
Mean Streets
All the President’s Men