The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by Foggy

It's about a giant ape

A film must be believable at least some levels so that I can suspend my disbelief on other levels (a giant ape). There has to be enough believable elements for me to see through the obviously unbelievable ones.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

*sigh* I really can't believe so many like this film. It is just too way-over-the-top for me. For example:
Jimmy shoots every single insects off of Driscoll even though his eyes are shuts and hits all the bugs, yet not one shot hits Dricsoll
Another one: King Kong destroys the stolen taxi with Driscoll but he isn't even slightly injured;
and likely the worst: Brontosaurus stampede: how in Lord's name do they survive without getting trampled to death?...the scene is also way too long.
Other then that I guess it would be a good flick

what about the other 205 minutes?

[Show spoiler] Kong gets killed. All but like 5 of the rescue party perish, some in agonizing death on the island. One dude is eaten head first by a man-eating plant. Ann is isolated and alone before the island, and after the island. I could go on for days. This film was anything but pink-cloud fantasy. On balance, the "realism factor" was ok with me

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

A film must be believable at least some levels so that I can suspend my disbelief on other levels (a giant ape). There has to be enough believable elements for me to see through the obviously unbelievable ones.

Yeah, but you have to admit, for a fantasy film, those are pretty nit-picky. They are good points, but they are pretty nit-picky.

My huge problem with the film is the amount of time they spend on that boat, it's tedious, I know it then splits into 3 parts, boat, island, New York. But it still two damn long.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

A film must be believable at least some levels so that I can suspend my disbelief on other levels (a giant ape). There has to be enough believable elements for me to see through the obviously unbelievable ones.

I think his point is that, you suspended disbelief when you bought/rented the film, and hit the play button. Does that mean you can't hold the film to some level of realism? No, but you can't assume it will be as realistic as a non-fantasy film. Its all about adjusting expectations.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Yeah, but you have to admit, for a fantasy film, those are pretty nit-picky. They are good points, but they are pretty nit-picky.

My huge problem with the film is the amount of time they spend on that boat, it's tedious, I know it then splits into 3 parts, boat, island, New York. But it still two damn long.

Yes, I also had a problem with the length...but about the nit-picky, I get your points but the original KK was so much simpler in its story telling. I guess I just don't get why there had to be so much over-the-top stuff in it.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I think his point is that, you suspended disbelief when you bought/rented the film, and hit the play button. Does that mean you can't hold the film to some level of realism? No, but you can't assume it will be as realistic as a non-fantasy film. Its all about adjusting expectations.

I guess I still expect some degree of realism even after I press "play". For the scenes I mention (and others) I guess I still expect them to follow some common sense in order for me to appreciate the more unrealistic parts...

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

Yes, I also had a problem with the length...but about the nit-picky, I get your points but the original KK was so much simpler in its story telling. I guess I just don't get why there had to be so much over-the-top stuff in it.

Because they were planning on it being an Event film, so they added a ton of Special Effects hoping that all the money would lead into people being blown away, and then watching it again, but it didn't.

[tommyboy81]

Alice in Wonderland. 5/10 Besides Visuals this was a Tim Burton letdown IMO

The Wolfman: Unrated. 8/10 I liked this alot. Atmosphere, Sets, the time in which the movie was suppose to be in. Honestly I would have gave it a 9 if it wasn't as gory(Guts and other stuff coming out) Don't mind some but for this movie some of it should have been left to the imagination.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Because they were planning on it being an Event film, so they added a ton of Special Effects hoping that all the money would lead into people being blown away, and then watching it again, but it didn't.

But it seems that a lot of people were blown away by it. It has a very respectable 7.6 at IMDB. To me it felt like Jackson wanted to flex his CGI muscles so much that it ended up crippling the flow. I also didn't end up caring much about the characters...but of course this is IMHO.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Yeah, but you have to admit, for a fantasy film, those are pretty nit-picky. They are good points, but they are pretty nit-picky.

My huge problem with the film is the amount of time they spend on that boat, it's tedious, I know it then splits into 3 parts, boat, island, New York. But it still two damn long.

To me King Kong was on the same level of realism/fantasy as Jurassic Park which is pretty high.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

To me King Kong was on the same level of realism/fantasy as Jurassic Park which is pretty high.

I would have to agree

[Batman1980]

Old Boy - 9/10, better than I expected it to be, that gorgeous woman from my birth country certainly didn't hurt.

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

To me King Kong was on the same level of realism/fantasy as Jurassic Park which is pretty high.

I agree, but not nearly as well done..

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

what about the other 205 minutes?

[Show spoiler] Kong gets killed. All but like 5 of the rescue party perish, some in agonizing death on the island. One dude is eaten head first by a man-eating plant. Ann is isolated and alone before the island, and after the island. I could go on for days. This film was anything but pink-cloud fantasy. On balance, the "realism factor" was ok with me

I agree.

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Yeah, but you have to admit, for a fantasy film, those are pretty nit-picky. They are good points, but they are pretty nit-picky.

My huge problem with the film is the amount of time they spend on that boat, it's tedious, I know it then splits into 3 parts, boat, island, New York. But it still two damn long.

I love the whole time spent on the boat. I thought it was a great way of showing how the boat trip would actually be.
&
I don't understand why people complain about films being too long. Maybe it is just me but I like longer films. The story is able to expand more. Idk I like them.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

I guess I still expect some degree of realism even after I press "play". For the scenes I mention (and others) I guess I still expect them to follow some common sense in order for me to appreciate the more unrealistic parts...

realism and fantasy are oil and water, they don't mix. skull island isn't meant to be a place where "real" things happen. that's the whole point of the place= off the map, hidden, etc. its a metaphor for the imaginary world. if everything on skull island was "real," then it wouldn't be skull island. skull island represents destiny, fate, etc., where the reason you escape death isn't because you ran at 12 mph and the animal chasing you runs at 10mph, but because the island chooses to let you live. the big wall wasn't just keeping people out, it also keeps out the (boring) rules of logic and reason. my 2 cents

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

realism and fantasy are oil and water, they don't mix. skull island isn't meant to be a place where "real" things happen. that's the whole point of the place= off the map, hidden, etc. its a metaphor for the imaginary world. if everything on skull island was "real," then it wouldn't be skull island. skull island represents destiny, fate, etc., where the reason you escape death isn't because you ran at 12 mph and the animal chasing you runs at 10mph, but because the island chooses to let you live. the big wall wasn't just keeping people out, it also keeps out the (boring) rules of logic and reason. my 2 cents

I like it!

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

I agree, but not nearly as well done..

at least it was better than the 1980's Kong with Jeff Bridges. That Kong was freaky.

[Show spoiler]pervert

freaky

[ajvdbg]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

realism and fantasy are oil and water, they don't mix. skull island isn't meant to be a place where "real" things happen. that's the whole point of the place= off the map, hidden, etc. its a metaphor for the imaginary world. if everything on skull island was "real," then it wouldn't be skull island. skull island represents destiny, fate, etc., where the reason you escape death isn't because you ran at 12 mph and the animal chasing you runs at 10mph, but because the island chooses to let you live. the big wall wasn't just keeping people out, it also keeps out the (boring) rules of logic and reason. my 2 cents

Originally Posted by JLant19

I like it!

You two have me thinking that maybe I have to re-visit this flick. Before I press 'play' I will have to disregard any of my previous biases and just let it happen...

[JLant19]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

You two have me thinking that maybe I have to re-visit this flick. Before I press 'play' I will have to disregard any of my previous biases and just let it happen...

Def do man! I always recommend watching a film twice if you did not like it too much the first viewing. More times than none you will like it more.