Friday, December 16, 2005

Twas beauty killed the beast...


It is often hard to go into a movie knowing that the critics have heralded it - proclaimed it perfection... 4 stars... thumbs up... blah blah. Often that pre-conceived notion of excellence makes expecations very large indeed.

I did not expect to walk into King Kong with that feeling.

The critics have taken hold of the film - throwing terms like "genius" and "amazing" towards the 3hr7min behemoth. Ebert gave it a perfect score... Travers gave it a perfect score... EW rolled out an A!

Yet the film fails just as much as it achieves.


The genius of the film is focused on all the scenes with Kong and Watts. Jackson nailed this relationship perfectly. There is some amazing (are you noticing the terms) scenes of Watts attempting to interact with Kong, keeping his attention and trying not to get eaten. There are also shockingly brilliant moments where you can really read into Kong's emotions... seeing how his thought pattern is progressing. I found this relationship, these interactions, to be the most convincing and most interesting of the film.

And the kicker is that they were done by an actress - a blue screen - and an animated character.


What is frustrating about the film is the fact that you come out disappointed! You have all of these unbelievably well done elements... that are shrouded by overly long indulgent scenes of other characters that nobody cares about.

The first hour of the movie is nearly unwatchable. It is great to see 1930's NY... but none of the characters seemed to work (including Watts at this point) and the direction seemed sloppy and badly paced!


Jack Black was a disappointment as Carl Denham, the obsessed movie director. As my friends Dan and Jer said, he oscelated between two looks; goofy, ready to bust with a D rock, Jables... and his dramatic taking in events look (see pic above). Brody did not do much for me as the writer... and the crew on the ship... ugh. Jamie Bell should have been completely cut from the film. He was of no interest to me... yet often seemed to have a larger role than Brody himself!?!?!


I came out saying that I am never going to watch it again... too many useless scenes that dragged (wait til you see the running of the dinosaurs... sooooo ridiculous!), yet, talking right now about it... thinking of those moments with Kong and Anne... all of the stuff in NY at the end. If I could just watch a well paced 2 hour film with all of those scenes... I would hand it an oscar without blinking an eye.

Yo

P.S. Just to let you know... I got sniffly at the end. The guy next to me was bawling... if you allow yourself any connection to the beast - your heart will break as he slips from his kingly perch.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I give it 2 1/2 Carla's. I suffered through the start to view perferction at the end.

It was worth the wait.

Damfino said...

I think if the word perfection comes in... you gotta at least give it 3 stars... which would be a recommendation!

Carla's aside.

Sheriff Officer Greg the Bunny said...

Colin Farrel just fucking took "Matterhorn"..have a nice day.

Kern said...

Well, I guess I won't be going on opening day here. My friends are taking me out for my birthday, even though it's actually Monday, since it's the last weekend before the big day. We're going to see Walk The Line, and from what Jed has already said, I am pretty stoked about it.

And I get to get liquored up at the office X-mas party today! Huzzah!

Buttercup said...

oh an thank you to the annoymous who added the Carla. I am dissappointed that Jed mentioned nothing in the original blog post. They can make a Jed sandwich.








Give want to give a little shout out to myself for bringing back the filth and for disgusting both the sheriff and damifino last night.

Sheriff Officer Greg the Bunny said...

That's why I married her....Butercup is fortified with Vitamin F...for filth!


bunny out


ps: Twins Basil...TWINS!!!!!

Kern said...

I feel like I'm missing something...can someone clue in the Kern on the filth?

Damfino said...

Don't pay any attention world wide watchers... the Kreitner's are known for they unruly addiction to blow... which in turn leads them to odd comments of filth.

And we move on.

Kern said...

So...how about that local sports team, eh?

Damfino said...

I have been tanning for my cruise... Dan and I were talking and I mentioned that I burned my butt. He then was in complete disgust that I tanned nude.

Isn't that how it is done?

If only I knew a teenage Valley girl to set me straight. Er.. wait... Kern! Is that how it is done?

Buttercup said...

I am very disappointed that you are glossing right over.





























yes you tan nude. Don't burn you gerhkin!

Kern said...

You'd have to ask my younger sister. Of course, asking my married younger sister about nude tanning might be really awkward...ick.

Scratch that. From what I understand, the only way to avoid tan lines is to remove all of one's clothing before entering the booth.

However, I am the wrong man to ask about this, as I am so pale that I make the Pillsbury Doughboy look like Isaac Hayes.

I would say that as long as you didn't overcook your Jimmy Dean, you're in good shape.

Kern said...

I am curious, as I am sure the rest of the readers are, as to what you plan on doing during the pleasure cruise.

Are you going to find love, exciting and new? Because, you know, love, life's sweetest reward.

Let it flow, it floats back to you.

Come on Jed, love won't hurt anymore...

It's an open smile on a friendly shore.

Kern said...

I amend my earlier statement.


Love won't hurt anymore if you use lube this time.

Damfino said...

"I would cry... but I can't spare the moisture."

Damfino said...

The cruise will be me tanning - snorkeling - eating - drinking - hiking... and hopefully scuba diving. That remains to be seen.

Finding love... well, I might find a pastry or two to fall for!

Damfino said...

BC said gerhkin!

Kern said...

So are you looking for a pie, or a cake...or perhaps you'd like a dalliance with an exotic foreigner.

Perhaps a nice croissant, yes?

Damfino said...

Damnit - had a witty response written that was lost.

grrrr.

Kern said...

I'm sure it will come back to you. Just think real hard.

Damfino said...

Not with my memory.

Kern said...

Sounds like someone needs some Senior Moment...