First
off, I love the original 1933 version. It used to be a Thanksgiving
tradition on local TV back in the days before video tape and DVDs, and
I'd always watch it. So how does this version measure up? Pretty well,
actually. In fact, I'd say in almost all respects this is better than
the original. And yet because of nostalgia, I still like the original
better. Does that make sense? Anyway, pretty damn good.
First of all, this is a much longer movie. 3 hours long, to be exact,
with Kong not making his initial appearance until about an hour in. Not
sure how I'd feel about that if I were still a kid, but as an adult I
appreciated the extra time spent on character development.
Unlike the 1978 remake of 'Kong', this version is a loving tribute to
the original. That said, it makes a lot of changes to the story. Where
Robert Armstrong's Carl Denham was a likeable conman/adventurer, Jack
Black's Denham is not very likeable at all. The Jack Driscoll character
is no longer the hardboiled first mate of the Venture (that's a new
character), but a writer played by Adrien Brody. And Naomi Watts' Ann
Darrow is by no means the screaming bubbleheaded damsel in distress that
Fay Wray was, but a strong character in her own right. Thankfully not to
the point that she becomes an action heroine ala Sigourney Weaver,
though. She's scared, but she also uses her head. And most importantly,
the movie benefits from a more well developed relationship between Ann
and Kong. The supporting cast is also much better defined in this
version.
In addition to changes in the characters, there are
also differences in the plot. This still follows the basic outline
pretty closely, but with enough surprises that you won't always know
what's coming.
Downsides for me: Jack Black's Denham is just too unlikable, and
some of the dinosaur sequences were a bit over the top. Still, nothing
too bad. I'll gladly go back to the theater again and see this, even at
non-matinee prices.
Fun things to look for - a crate in the hold of the Venture that's
labeled "Sumatran Rat Monkey" (long time Peter Jackson fans will get
this), a scene where the actors Denham has hired act out a dialogue
scene from the original Kong, and a reference to Fay Wray and Merriam C.
Cooper.
Overall, a solid B+. I think Jackson did a better job with the 'Lord of
the Rings' trilogy, but this comes close. (Bob Ignizio)
Directed by Henry Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro
Sure,
you could consider ‘Murderball’ an “inspirational” film about people
overcoming their disabilities. But I prefer to see it as just a damn good
story full of interesting characters. This being a documentary, that story
and those characters are real, which makes it all the more interesting.
‘Muderball’ is about quadriplegics who play wheelchair rugby, which is
pretty much what it sounds like. It’s an intense, full-contact sport in
which players is specially modified wheelchairs roll around on a basketball
court trying to cross a goal line with the ball, while the opposing team
tries to stop them by blocking or ramming them. I’m not much for sports,
but I’d probably watch this game if it were on TV. But aside from that, the
movie also looks at the private lives of several players. We learn how they
became injured and how they’ve coped with those injuries. These are people
who have not only accepted their disabilities, but feel like they’ve
accomplished more because of them. It’s a rare film that I really believe
will work for just about anyone. It’s inspirational, it’s action packed,
it’s funny, and it’s real. Don’t miss it. (Bob Ignizio)
I
was really surprised by this movie. I never watched the short lived
series ‘Firefly’ which this movie is a continuation of, but now I wish I
had. Fortunately, familiarity with the series is not a prerequisite for
watching this movie. Everything you need to know is given to you as the
film progresses in a natural way without momentum killing exposition.
‘Serenity’ is not a mega budget special effects extravaganza full of
mindless action, it’s a well written character and story driven action
film that deftly dodges clichés. Like the best science fiction, this
movie deals with themes every bit as relevant to the present day as to
any potential future. It’s got plenty of action if that’s your bag, but
for me the best parts of this movie are in the dialogue. Lots of
quotable lines to be found here. Nothing pretentious, just a solidly
fun flick with intelligence. Why can’t more movies be like this? (Bob
Ignizio)
The
fact that the makers of ‘Undead’ are from New Zealand isn’t the only
thing these guys have in common with Peter Jackson. ‘Undead’ is very
much in the vein of Jackson’s early gore comedies ‘Bad Taste’ and
‘Dead/Alive’ (aka ‘Brain Dead’ outside the U.S.). In fact, you could
almost say this is a mix of plot elements from both those films,
involving as it does both extraterrestrials and zombies. And yet
despite its derivative nature, ‘Undead’ still manages inject enough
originality to stand on its own for the most part. It’s nowhere near as
great as Jackson’s sick flicks, but it’s still pretty entertaining.
There are definite weaknesses at the story level, but the visual style,
gore, and humor compensate somewhat. Not a classic, but well worth a
rental. And based on their obvious technical skills, I would expect ---
to eventually become a directorial force to be reckoned with once they
get the right script. (Bob Ignizio)
First
off, I love the original 1933 version. It used to be a Thanksgiving
tradition on local TV back in the days before video tape and DVDs, and
I'd always watch it. So how does this version measure up? Pretty well,
actually. In fact, I'd say in almost all respects this is better than
the original. And yet because of nostalgia, I still like the original
better. Does that make sense? Anyway, pretty damn good.
Sure,
you could consider ‘Murderball’ an “inspirational” film about people
overcoming their disabilities. But I prefer to see it as just a damn good
story full of interesting characters. This being a documentary, that story
and those characters are real, which makes it all the more interesting.
‘Muderball’ is about quadriplegics who play wheelchair rugby, which is
pretty much what it sounds like. It’s an intense, full-contact sport in
which players is specially modified wheelchairs roll around on a basketball
court trying to cross a goal line with the ball, while the opposing team
tries to stop them by blocking or ramming them. I’m not much for sports,
but I’d probably watch this game if it were on TV. But aside from that, the
movie also looks at the private lives of several players. We learn how they
became injured and how they’ve coped with those injuries. These are people
who have not only accepted their disabilities, but feel like they’ve
accomplished more because of them. It’s a rare film that I really believe
will work for just about anyone. It’s inspirational, it’s action packed,
it’s funny, and it’s real. Don’t miss it. (Bob Ignizio)
I
was really surprised by this movie. I never watched the short lived
series ‘Firefly’ which this movie is a continuation of, but now I wish I
had. Fortunately, familiarity with the series is not a prerequisite for
watching this movie. Everything you need to know is given to you as the
film progresses in a natural way without momentum killing exposition.
‘Serenity’ is not a mega budget special effects extravaganza full of
mindless action, it’s a well written character and story driven action
film that deftly dodges clichés. Like the best science fiction, this
movie deals with themes every bit as relevant to the present day as to
any potential future. It’s got plenty of action if that’s your bag, but
for me the best parts of this movie are in the dialogue. Lots of
quotable lines to be found here. Nothing pretentious, just a solidly
fun flick with intelligence. Why can’t more movies be like this? (Bob
Ignizio)
The
fact that the makers of ‘Undead’ are from New Zealand isn’t the only
thing these guys have in common with Peter Jackson. ‘Undead’ is very
much in the vein of Jackson’s early gore comedies ‘Bad Taste’ and
‘Dead/Alive’ (aka ‘Brain Dead’ outside the U.S.). In fact, you could
almost say this is a mix of plot elements from both those films,
involving as it does both extraterrestrials and zombies. And yet
despite its derivative nature, ‘Undead’ still manages inject enough
originality to stand on its own for the most part. It’s nowhere near as
great as Jackson’s sick flicks, but it’s still pretty entertaining.
There are definite weaknesses at the story level, but the visual style,
gore, and humor compensate somewhat. Not a classic, but well worth a
rental. And based on their obvious technical skills, I would expect ---
to eventually become a directorial force to be reckoned with once they
get the right script. (Bob Ignizio)