King Kong

[cabbageboy 0]

That sounds like the scene that Jackson and Co. recreated on the recent Kong DVD set.

 

Am I the only one who doesn't really like the whole attitude in Kong remakes of "We have to develop the Kong/Ann relationship?" They did that creepy shit in the 76 movie (which I just watched last night to get geared for the new one, as I had never seen all of it). I mean in the 1976 Kong they had all this creepy stuff with Kong fondling Jessica Lange and blow drying her after a waterfall shower.

 

I'll go to see the new film this weekend, but it seems they are doing more of the same in terms of elaborating on the Ann/Kong thing. Do we need this? It's a bit creepy and disturbing, whereas in the original it was maybe there to some extent but wisely never on the surface.

[Nighthawk 0]

Downhome's trademark hyperbole is getting carried away again. It's pretty great, but far from the greatest remake of all time. That's a huge exaggeration.

Anyway, I liked how Kong was more of a monster in the old version, as opposed to the more overtly sympathetic character this time around, although both interpretations are good. Those are the best kind of remakes, where each is good for different reasons.

[cabbageboy 0]

I should think the greatest remake would have to be something that is considered most definitely better than the original. I nominate The Maltese Falcon for best remake ever (1941 version).

[Nighthawk 0]

I'd say Wizard of Oz, unless that's disqualified for being a book. Or maybe the Ten Commandments (although I guess that's kind of a book too).

[Guest Vitamin X]

Am I the only one who doesn't really like the whole attitude in Kong remakes of "We have to develop the Kong/Ann relationship?"

 

No, in fact that was one of my main complaints about the film in general. It just doesn't make much sense other than that she feels some sympathy for him yes, like anyone would with an animal they bonded with slightly... this made it seem like she had some kind of giant gorilla fetish and she had truly decided to cross the species boundary and fall in deep, romantic love with him. That was slightly disturbing.

[Jorge Gorgeous 0]

I'd say Wizard of Oz, unless that's disqualified for being a book. Or maybe the Ten Commandments (although I guess that's kind of a book too).

 

How are those remakes?

[Nighthawk 0]

There were earlier, silent versions of each. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the earlier one was also by Cecil B. DeMille

The 1925 version of Wizard of Oz is included in the 3 disc dvd set, and it's pretty awful. The later version being probably the most well loved movie ever, that gives it my vote as greatest remake ever.

[Ted the Poster 0]

I'm seeing it tomorrow. I know they made Kong more sypathetic, but please tell me that he at least smahes some cars and throws some people around.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Yes, but the last half-hour of the film is him and Anne staring at each other.

[cabbageboy 0]

Thing is, I actually like the silent Ten Commandments BETTER than the Heston remake. I'm not sure why exactly, I feel the same about Ben Hur. The silent Ben Hur owns the remake. It has nothing to do with disliking Heston, it's just that I prefer the silents.

 

As far as Wizard of Oz goes, no one has ever seen that crappy silent version (I think there were also a couple other versions too) and no one cares. That would be like saying Frankenstein is the greatest remake ever because there was some nothing 1910 silent.

 

I said Maltese Falcon because it was a remake of an already fairly decent and well regarded film and simply improved things greatly from the original.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

You'll be happy to know the silent version's be included in the three-disc Ten Commandments DVD set dropping on 3/21 (my birthday, incidently). That's edition No. 3 of this for those of you keep score at home.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

There were earlier, silent versions of each. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the earlier one was also by Cecil B. DeMille

The 1925 version of Wizard of Oz is included in the 3 disc dvd set, and it's pretty awful. The later version being probably the most well loved movie ever, that gives it my vote as greatest remake ever.

How long before we get a remake of Wizard of Oz?

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

There were earlier, silent versions of each. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the earlier one was also by Cecil B. DeMille

The 1925 version of Wizard of Oz is included in the 3 disc dvd set, and it's pretty awful. The later version being probably the most well loved movie ever, that gives it my vote as greatest remake ever.

How long before we get a remake of Wizard of Oz?

 

Not til Beyonce's schedule opens....

 

although now that I type that, last year there was the Muppet Wizard of Oz on TV with Ashanti as Dorothy... but that is not quite a remake.

[buffybeast 0]

Am I the only one who doesn't really like the whole attitude in Kong remakes of "We have to develop the Kong/Ann relationship?"

 

No, in fact that was one of my main complaints about the film in general. It just doesn't make much sense other than that she feels some sympathy for him yes, like anyone would with an animal they bonded with slightly... this made it seem like she had some kind of giant gorilla fetish and she had truly decided to cross the species boundary and fall in deep, romantic love with him. That was slightly disturbing.

 

I didn't think this was the case at all. I feel a deep affection for animals and would probably have reacted the same way Ann did in the movie. I didn't see any romantic overtures in the movie.

 

I thought the overall movie was fantastic. Loved the stampede scene and the Kong's fight with the T-Rex's/

[cabbageboy 0]

I haven't seen the new one yet, but in the 1976 film they really piled on the creepy "Kong wants to bang Jessica Lange" stuff. I mean hell at one point Charles Grodin rants on "A giant ape has the hots for her!"

 

I have to admit in that 76 film it was kinda fun seeing Jeff Bridges as The Dude 22 years before Lebowski. The sad thing is that the effects in it aren't even as good as the original! There are no dinosaurs, very few action pieces or intensity on the island, maybe one lame fight with a snake that carried over from the original.

 

I think I speak for most people when I say I don't care about whatever creepy love story or affection for animals story is there between Ann and Kong. I want to see Kong fuck some shit up.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

The B word has been used already and its made $16 million in 2 days (wed/thur).

 

Certainly its not doing as well as expected, but its not a bomb either.

[Mole 0]

Can I ask...whats wrong with CGI? It seems like its a prolem for everyone when Hulk came out, and now this. Would you have rather them use clay and a wire frame?

 

There are time when that actually looks more realistic than some of the CGI nowadays. CGI has a tendency to look super fake in some scenes because they are trying to make it do too much. It's a useful tool when it's not overdone but the problem is they have started to go over the use line. I can stand a movie of CGI toons although I still have a place for the actual well drawn ones that Disney used to do.

 

But movies that are just CGI for the sake of using CGI, I've had enough. Star Wars Episode 3 with the CGI clones was the final straw for me. It just looked too damn fake to take seriously. The costumes and clay just can actually look more realistic with the camera tricks we have learned since the 80's.

Give it 5 more years and we'll be able to do anything.

[Nighthawk 0]

The Jeff Bridges thing is funny when you emphasize 22 goddamn years. The man doesn't age.

[cabbageboy 0]

I swear the Coen Bros. had to have seen that Kong from 76 and told Bridges to look like the hippie prof. again for Lebowski.

 

You know, my brother made the offhanded comment that "This King Kong movie is going to kill Peter Jackson's career." I thought that sounded absurd (and still think it'll make $$ over time). I will admit a 3 hour version of King Kong with sideplots involving the jobber crew, a Kong/Ann love story, etc. does seem a bit self indulgent.

[Damaramu 0]

There were earlier, silent versions of each. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the earlier one was also by Cecil B. DeMille

The 1925 version of Wizard of Oz is included in the 3 disc dvd set, and it's pretty awful. The later version being probably the most well loved movie ever, that gives it my vote as greatest remake ever.

How long before we get a remake of Wizard of Oz?

 

Not til Beyonce's schedule opens....

 

although now that I type that, last year there was the Muppet Wizard of Oz on TV with Ashanti as Dorothy... but that is not quite a remake.

 

What is the deal with having a black woman play Dorothy? Are they going to do a Cinderella remake with Missy Elliot playing Cinderella? Or let's do the 10 Commandments and have 50 Cent be Moses.

[Guest Frank_Nabbit]

[Mole 0]

There were earlier, silent versions of each. In the case of the Ten Commandments, the earlier one was also by Cecil B. DeMille

The 1925 version of Wizard of Oz is included in the 3 disc dvd set, and it's pretty awful. The later version being probably the most well loved movie ever, that gives it my vote as greatest remake ever.

How long before we get a remake of Wizard of Oz?

 

Not til Beyonce's schedule opens....

 

although now that I type that, last year there was the Muppet Wizard of Oz on TV with Ashanti as Dorothy... but that is not quite a remake.

 

Or let's do the 10 Commandments and have 50 Cent be Moses.

That would be the best movie ever.

[Nighthawk 0]

They did have a black Wizard of Oz, that was The Wiz. It's pretty awesome.

 

I did once jokingly cast Harry Potter with rappers. Kanye West was the lead, Eminem was Draco Malfoy, Dumbledore was Lil Jon, Fred and George were the Ying Yang Twins. A few more, I've forgotten.

[Mole 0]

Heromine was Lil Kim?

Edited December 17, 2005 by Mole

[SuperJerk 0]

http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1965&p=.htm

 

 

Apparently King Kong is King Bomb. [/Gene Shalet mode]

 

 

The studio's blaming the weather.

[Nighthawk 0]

I've still heard nothing but good things. A pretentious asshole I know who usually only likes movies that are in black and white with subtitles says it might be his new favorite.

[RedJed 0]

http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1965&p=.htm

 

 

Apparently King Kong is King Bomb. [/Gene Shalet mode]

 

 

The studio's blaming the weather.

 

I'm really surprised about the numbers. Is Kong on as many screeens as, say, the last LOTR? Just curious if perhaps it might have something to do with it being a 3 hour film, and not having as many showings per day and if its not on as many screens as some of the other past blockbusters..well.......yeah, I know, its a stretch. I'm 99.9% sure the movie is all over everywhere and on a mass number of screens. Honestly, the low numbers might have, more than anything, to do with this not coming out as close to the holiday as some other blockbusters have. Its not like any college, high school, or grade school kids are already off yet this week, maybe this upcoming week though. So I would expect a pretty strong re-surgence with Kong Xmas weekend.

 

Here in town, they have it going on three screens at the local theater BUT each screen only shows 3 times a day.

 

I have a freebie ticket for the film, but was figuring I should wait til Sunday to go check it out - to let the crowds die down. Guess I dont have to worry about that now!

[Placebo Effect 0]

Estimated $14.2 million for Friday.

 

Ouch.

 

Not saying that this won't make money over time, though, as it will have strong word of mouth.

[cabbageboy 0]

I guess this sends a message: Don't fuck around with old school RKO stuff. What's next, a remake of Out of the Past? Aw, shit that was already done as Against All Odds (which also had Jeff Bridges oddly enough).

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I'm disappointed since it was one of the best major releases this year (although Batman Begins was better). I guess the length and lack of star power hurt it. Maybe it should have been released in the summer?

 

Why people would go see crud like War of the Worlds & Fantastic Four but avoid this is beyond my understanding.