King Kong has the rare honor of being one of few Universal Monsters that weren’t adapted from any existing media, having been created exclusively to terrify filmgoers. While the original 1933 film wasn’t exactly a horror flick, presenting itself as an adventurous trek through dinosaur-infested jungles with some melodramatic romance thrown in for good measure, it still inspired a entire generation of creature features like The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and even the original Godzilla, making it a monster movie classic.
That’s why it’s no surprise that popular culture’s favorite giant ape has seen so many different incarnations over the years, from Dino De Laurentis’ ecological parable in 1976 to Legendary’s Vietnam-inspired Kong: Skull Island. While there’s some merit to all of these different versions of the story, my personal favorite will always be Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake. I’m clearly not the only fan of the film,...
That’s why it’s no surprise that popular culture’s favorite giant ape has seen so many different incarnations over the years, from Dino De Laurentis’ ecological parable in 1976 to Legendary’s Vietnam-inspired Kong: Skull Island. While there’s some merit to all of these different versions of the story, my personal favorite will always be Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake. I’m clearly not the only fan of the film,...
- 9/1/2022
- by Luiz H. C.
- bloody-disgusting.com
A new spin on an old classic is in the works at Disney+. According to Variety, the streamer is in the process of developing a live-action King Kong series. While differing rights to "King Kong" stories have resulted in several on-screen versions over the years, including the Legendary-Warner Bros. MonsterVerse saga, the latest iteration is going back to the source material. It will reportedly be based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper, plus more modern "King Kong" novelizations by Joe DeVito, which were made in conjunction with Cooper's estate.
Most interestingly, the new project already has some great talent on board behind the camera. Horror director James Wan will executive produce through his company Atomic Monster, with Michael Clear and Rob Hackett also on board as EPs. The show will be written and executive produced by Stephany Folsom, who recently developed the '80s teen sci-fi comics "Paper Girls" for Prime Video.
Most interestingly, the new project already has some great talent on board behind the camera. Horror director James Wan will executive produce through his company Atomic Monster, with Michael Clear and Rob Hackett also on board as EPs. The show will be written and executive produced by Stephany Folsom, who recently developed the '80s teen sci-fi comics "Paper Girls" for Prime Video.
- 8/23/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Everybody’s favorite director Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) is dodging bill collectors who want him to pay for King Kong’s Big Apple antics and finds himself back on Skull Island with the lovely Helen Mack in this hastily-produced sequel. A family tragedy during production resulted in fx genius Willis O’Brien entrusting some of the animation to assistants.
The post Son of Kong appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post Son of Kong appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 12/1/2021
- by TFH Team
- Trailers from Hell
The Daimajin Trilogy
Blu ray – All Region
Arrow Films
1966
Starring Miwa Takada, Kojiro Hongo, Hideki Ninomiya
Cinematography by Fujio Morita, Shozo Tanaka, Hiroshi Imai
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Kenji Misumi, Kazuo Mori
Japanese monsters seem to bring out the best in home video companies—Arrow Films’ The Daimajin Trilogy is the most beautifully wrought Blu ray release since Criterion’s momentous Godzilla set. Though the films themselves don’t match the kaleidoscopic allure of Matt Frank’s cover illustrations, the Daimajin movies remain rousing entertainment for both monster-crazy kids and seasoned movie fans who should appreciate the sky-scraping samurai’s exciting if utterly predictable adventures.
Predictable, because each film in the trilogy is essentially the same movie—same beginning, same middle, same end. Utterly predictable but then so are the Bond films—the lack of any real surprises is fundamental to their comfort food aesthetic. Produced one after another in...
Blu ray – All Region
Arrow Films
1966
Starring Miwa Takada, Kojiro Hongo, Hideki Ninomiya
Cinematography by Fujio Morita, Shozo Tanaka, Hiroshi Imai
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Kenji Misumi, Kazuo Mori
Japanese monsters seem to bring out the best in home video companies—Arrow Films’ The Daimajin Trilogy is the most beautifully wrought Blu ray release since Criterion’s momentous Godzilla set. Though the films themselves don’t match the kaleidoscopic allure of Matt Frank’s cover illustrations, the Daimajin movies remain rousing entertainment for both monster-crazy kids and seasoned movie fans who should appreciate the sky-scraping samurai’s exciting if utterly predictable adventures.
Predictable, because each film in the trilogy is essentially the same movie—same beginning, same middle, same end. Utterly predictable but then so are the Bond films—the lack of any real surprises is fundamental to their comfort food aesthetic. Produced one after another in...
- 8/14/2021
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
The MonsterVerse lives! Not even a year ago it seemed likely that Godzilla vs. Kong would end up being the final bout in the series of movies that launched back in 2014 with Godzilla. But the surprisingly robust box office success of the titanic prize fight — $407 million at the worldwide box office and counting after four weeks, even with the movie being offered for free until the end of this month on HBO Max — has led Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures to believe there’s still lots of life in this shared universe…. including a possible Son of Kong movie?!
According to THR, talks recently commenced with Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard about coming back for a fifth entry in the series. That would make Wingard the first director to helm a second film in the franchise, with all the others until now basically one-and-done efforts. There’s no timetable...
According to THR, talks recently commenced with Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard about coming back for a fifth entry in the series. That would make Wingard the first director to helm a second film in the franchise, with all the others until now basically one-and-done efforts. There’s no timetable...
- 4/29/2021
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Dino De Laurentiis took a lot of flack for his underwhelming remake of the incomparable 1933 horror classic, which he promoted into a monster-sized hit. Nothing could eclipse the original but the good casting still appeals. An honest ad campaign would have leaned on two points: See Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin carry an insultingly ugly production like real stars! See ‘newcomer’ Jessica Lange play a sexualized ditz so well that she retains her dignity! …and most importantly, See the biggest special effects fraud ever perpetrated on movie screens! Umbrella Entertainment from Australia puts this one back in print, on Blu-ray.
King Kong (1976)
Region B Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment
1976 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 134 min. / Street Date November 4, 2020 / Available at Umbrella Enertainment 19.95 (au)
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange, Rick Baker, Rene Auberjonois, Julius Harris, Jack O’Halloran, Ed Lauter, John Agar.
Cinematography: Richard Kline
Film Editor: Ralph E. Winters
Production design: Mario Chiari,...
King Kong (1976)
Region B Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment
1976 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 134 min. / Street Date November 4, 2020 / Available at Umbrella Enertainment 19.95 (au)
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange, Rick Baker, Rene Auberjonois, Julius Harris, Jack O’Halloran, Ed Lauter, John Agar.
Cinematography: Richard Kline
Film Editor: Ralph E. Winters
Production design: Mario Chiari,...
- 11/28/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Thanks to our current situation, there aren’t many new movies being released at the moment. And while that’s a sad state of affairs for cinephiles, it does at least provide a good opportunity to look back and check out some golden oldies that might have so far slipped under your radar.
Luckily, the good old Beeb has you covered. Streaming service BBC iPlayer has acquired a bunch of big-screen masterpieces for your lockdown delectation, all produced by the legendary Rko Pictures – one of the “big five” studios of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
From powerhouse dramas to technicolour marvels, toe-tapping musicals to weird and wonderful B-movies, Rko produced some of Tinseltown’s all-time classic movies, and boasted some of the period’s biggest star signings – including Orson Welles, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Joan Fontaine and Robert Mitchum.
BBC iPlayer currently has 26 “silver screen classics” available to stream or download,...
Luckily, the good old Beeb has you covered. Streaming service BBC iPlayer has acquired a bunch of big-screen masterpieces for your lockdown delectation, all produced by the legendary Rko Pictures – one of the “big five” studios of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
From powerhouse dramas to technicolour marvels, toe-tapping musicals to weird and wonderful B-movies, Rko produced some of Tinseltown’s all-time classic movies, and boasted some of the period’s biggest star signings – including Orson Welles, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Joan Fontaine and Robert Mitchum.
BBC iPlayer currently has 26 “silver screen classics” available to stream or download,...
- 5/22/2020
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
David Crow Feb 13, 2020
King Kong returns to theaters in March for one day only. Find out how you can bend the knee and pay fealty to the big ape.
You may not be getting your promised King Kong vs. Godzilla smackdown next month, but something even better is about to stomp into your multiplex: the original King Kong movie from 1933! Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies announced the humongous news on Thursday, revealing that the big ape will have his moment for one day, and one day only, on March 15.
Even if it’s for an afternoon, this also marks the first nationwide rerelease of King Kong 64 years with the film will play on over 600 screens across the country.
“Last given a big-screen re-release in 1956 – when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, the average movie ticket cost 59 cents, and not a single manmade item was orbiting the earth – the original theatrical...
King Kong returns to theaters in March for one day only. Find out how you can bend the knee and pay fealty to the big ape.
You may not be getting your promised King Kong vs. Godzilla smackdown next month, but something even better is about to stomp into your multiplex: the original King Kong movie from 1933! Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies announced the humongous news on Thursday, revealing that the big ape will have his moment for one day, and one day only, on March 15.
Even if it’s for an afternoon, this also marks the first nationwide rerelease of King Kong 64 years with the film will play on over 600 screens across the country.
“Last given a big-screen re-release in 1956 – when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, the average movie ticket cost 59 cents, and not a single manmade item was orbiting the earth – the original theatrical...
- 2/13/2020
- Den of Geek
David Crow Sep 20, 2019
The Most Dangerous Game is the original man-hunting-man film that's influenced everything that came afterward.
On a sleepy island in a desolate swath of the Pacific, the comforts of modernity remain strangely cold. Four people, three men and one lonely woman, are sharing cocktails by a grand piano. Yet even in this candlelit reverie, there is something amiss outside—a howl. Does that noise emanate from what the host of the evening, dear Count Zaroff, alludes to as “The Most Dangerous Game” known to man? No, the count insists, it is merely the baying of his hounds. Little can the three guests know, however, that the hounds’ cries trumpet each’s potential doom, and that this noise will still be ringing in our collective ears 87 years after the premiere of The Most Dangerous Game.
Despite what some shortsighted, historically ignorant politicians and Fox News personalities might say,...
The Most Dangerous Game is the original man-hunting-man film that's influenced everything that came afterward.
On a sleepy island in a desolate swath of the Pacific, the comforts of modernity remain strangely cold. Four people, three men and one lonely woman, are sharing cocktails by a grand piano. Yet even in this candlelit reverie, there is something amiss outside—a howl. Does that noise emanate from what the host of the evening, dear Count Zaroff, alludes to as “The Most Dangerous Game” known to man? No, the count insists, it is merely the baying of his hounds. Little can the three guests know, however, that the hounds’ cries trumpet each’s potential doom, and that this noise will still be ringing in our collective ears 87 years after the premiere of The Most Dangerous Game.
Despite what some shortsighted, historically ignorant politicians and Fox News personalities might say,...
- 9/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Toho’s fabulous, kid-safe Kaiju spectacle about the super-moth from Infant Island might be a stealth Cold War fairy tale. Kids respond to the fanciful Shobijin fairy princesses, while adults (watching the Japanese version) might catch the authors’ message about national belligerence and the abuse of Third Worlders. Greedy ‘Rolisican’ opportunists pay the price of an ancient curse. For its expression of Nature’s justice, vigilante-style, Ishiro Honda’s music-filled show stands right up there with Gorgo — and the giant Moth is also the only Japanese Kaiju monster identified as female.
Mothra
Steelbook Edition
Blu-ray
Mill Creek Entertainment
1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 88, 101 min. / Mosura / Street Date July 9, 2019 / 24.98
Starring: Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyoko Kagawa, Ken Uehara, Emi Ito, Yumi Ito, Jerry Ito, Takashi Shimura, Tetsu Nakamura, Akihiro Tayama.
Cinematography: Hajime Koizumi
Director of Special Effects: Eiji Tsuburaya
Original Music: Yuji Koseki
Written by Yoshie Hotta, Shinichiro Nakamura, Shinichi Sekizawa from a...
Mothra
Steelbook Edition
Blu-ray
Mill Creek Entertainment
1961 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 88, 101 min. / Mosura / Street Date July 9, 2019 / 24.98
Starring: Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyoko Kagawa, Ken Uehara, Emi Ito, Yumi Ito, Jerry Ito, Takashi Shimura, Tetsu Nakamura, Akihiro Tayama.
Cinematography: Hajime Koizumi
Director of Special Effects: Eiji Tsuburaya
Original Music: Yuji Koseki
Written by Yoshie Hotta, Shinichiro Nakamura, Shinichi Sekizawa from a...
- 7/13/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
When Broadway’s King Kong opened earlier this month, critics did their best to one-up Beauty on how to kill a Beast. Big, hairy gloom might have settled over the cast following the show’s Nov. 8 opening, particularly after the publication of a New York Times pan that was unorthodox, if not downright bizarre. In place of a traditional review, Times critics Ben Brantley and Jesse Green published their back and forth conversation, taking turns lobbing brickbats. (“Ugh,” said Green; “aaaaaaaaargh,” responded Brantley)
Escaping the crossfire was Eric William Morris, the talented and appealing actor who plays Carl Denham, the 1930s-era New York movie director who heads off to Skull Island, along with unknown actress Ann Darrow (Christiani Pitts) in search of the legendary gorilla. Morris turns in a fine performance as Denham, playfully manipulating audience perceptions. Is he a hero? A scoundrel? Or worse?
Familiar to theater-goers and TV watchers alike,...
Escaping the crossfire was Eric William Morris, the talented and appealing actor who plays Carl Denham, the 1930s-era New York movie director who heads off to Skull Island, along with unknown actress Ann Darrow (Christiani Pitts) in search of the legendary gorilla. Morris turns in a fine performance as Denham, playfully manipulating audience perceptions. Is he a hero? A scoundrel? Or worse?
Familiar to theater-goers and TV watchers alike,...
- 11/30/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with video Eighth wonder of the world? King Kong probably isn’t even the eighth wonder of Broadway – those kids in The Ferryman aren’t giving up their spots anytime soon – but the big ape does provide some roaring good thrills.
Picking over Hollywood’s Depression Era beauty-and-the-beast tale for what still works and ditching what doesn’t – the casting of the African American Christiani Pitts as Ann Darrow swiftly does away with the freighted Fay Wray blonde beauty ideal – director Drew McOnie has captured a wildly impressive 1.2-ton puppet, even if the musical surrounding it is considerably less memorable.
So let’s cut to the chase. The monkey in this reported $35 million production is amazing, a 20-foot-tall hybrid of animatronics, puppetry and human performance. Fifteen puppeteers, mostly onstage, work the beast with ropes, poles and pulleys – a show in themselves as they slide down cables like ninjas. Each...
Picking over Hollywood’s Depression Era beauty-and-the-beast tale for what still works and ditching what doesn’t – the casting of the African American Christiani Pitts as Ann Darrow swiftly does away with the freighted Fay Wray blonde beauty ideal – director Drew McOnie has captured a wildly impressive 1.2-ton puppet, even if the musical surrounding it is considerably less memorable.
So let’s cut to the chase. The monkey in this reported $35 million production is amazing, a 20-foot-tall hybrid of animatronics, puppetry and human performance. Fifteen puppeteers, mostly onstage, work the beast with ropes, poles and pulleys – a show in themselves as they slide down cables like ninjas. Each...
- 11/9/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Following in the footsteps of trailblazing publicity hound Carl Denham, William Castle learned that if you can’t bring your audience to the sideshow, bring the sideshow to them – the 3D craze of the 50’s allowed him to do just that.
After toying with the format in 1953’s Fort Ti and 1954’s Jesse James vs. the Daltons, the adventurous director upped the ante with even more extravagant promotional stunts for his late 50’s thrillers Macabre and House on Haunted Hill. Even the vinegary gossip columnist Louella Parsons had kind words for Haunted Hill and with its success Castle suddenly found himself spending more time on gimmicks than coherent story lines.
The first four films from that cockeyed era are collected in William Castle at Columbia – Volume One – a Blu ray set from the UK’s ever-reliable Indicator featuring some of the most memorably peculiar entertainments to ever confound and delight the neighborhood bijou.
After toying with the format in 1953’s Fort Ti and 1954’s Jesse James vs. the Daltons, the adventurous director upped the ante with even more extravagant promotional stunts for his late 50’s thrillers Macabre and House on Haunted Hill. Even the vinegary gossip columnist Louella Parsons had kind words for Haunted Hill and with its success Castle suddenly found himself spending more time on gimmicks than coherent story lines.
The first four films from that cockeyed era are collected in William Castle at Columbia – Volume One – a Blu ray set from the UK’s ever-reliable Indicator featuring some of the most memorably peculiar entertainments to ever confound and delight the neighborhood bijou.
- 10/27/2018
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Broadway’s beast is offering a peek at its beauty: Check out the photo below of King Kong‘s Christiani Pitts, seen in costume and with the big ape for the first time.
Pitts (A Bronx Tale) plays Ann Darrow, the character made famous by Fay Wray in the 1933 film (and later played by Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts on the big screen). Written by Jack Thorne with a score by Marius de Vries and songs by Eddie Perfect, King Kong is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
King Kong begins previews at the Broadway Theatre on Friday, October 5, with an opening on Thursday, November 8.
Kong, a 20-foot-tall, 2,000-pound mix of animatronics and puppetry, is designed by Sonny Tilders. Check out the behind-the-scenes video above for a good look at the creature.
Co-starring with Pitts are Eric William Morris as Carl Denham, and Erik Lochtefeld as Lumpy. The musical is...
Pitts (A Bronx Tale) plays Ann Darrow, the character made famous by Fay Wray in the 1933 film (and later played by Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts on the big screen). Written by Jack Thorne with a score by Marius de Vries and songs by Eddie Perfect, King Kong is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
King Kong begins previews at the Broadway Theatre on Friday, October 5, with an opening on Thursday, November 8.
Kong, a 20-foot-tall, 2,000-pound mix of animatronics and puppetry, is designed by Sonny Tilders. Check out the behind-the-scenes video above for a good look at the creature.
Co-starring with Pitts are Eric William Morris as Carl Denham, and Erik Lochtefeld as Lumpy. The musical is...
- 9/24/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Every year, we here at PopOptiq celebrate the month of October with a series of articles we like to call 31 Days of Horror; and every year, I update the list of my favourite horror films ever made. Last year, I released a list that included 150 picks. This year, I’ll be upgrading the list to 200 movies, making minor alterations, changing the rankings, adding new entries, and possibly removing a few titles.
Note: Since there are so many great horror films and so much to choose from, I am not including documentaries such as Haxan — short films such as Outer Space – a mini-series such as Stephen King’s It — nor animated films such as Perfect Blue, Ninja Scroll and Coraline. I am, however, including some films as special mentions along with a few movies that some people consider horror films, but I don’t.
****
Special Mention: King Kong
Directed by Merian C. Cooper...
Note: Since there are so many great horror films and so much to choose from, I am not including documentaries such as Haxan — short films such as Outer Space – a mini-series such as Stephen King’s It — nor animated films such as Perfect Blue, Ninja Scroll and Coraline. I am, however, including some films as special mentions along with a few movies that some people consider horror films, but I don’t.
****
Special Mention: King Kong
Directed by Merian C. Cooper...
- 6/26/2018
- by Ricky D
- SoundOnSight
In 1933’s King Kong, the great ape of Skull Island is taken from his home and put on Broadway by film director Carl Denham, a stage performance that ultimately ends in disaster and destruction. Kong escapes and wreaks havoc across New York City, eventually climbing the Empire State Building and falling to his death. Now, […]
The post A ‘King Kong’ Broadway Musical Will Stomp Through New York in 2018 appeared first on /Film.
The post A ‘King Kong’ Broadway Musical Will Stomp Through New York in 2018 appeared first on /Film.
- 5/17/2017
- by Jacob Hall
- Slash Film
"Is this the moving picture ship?"—Opening line of King Kong (1933)You can get close to madness trying to fit the entire cultural legacy of the original King Kong into a single box. Even setting aside the two Hollywood remakes, you're still left with hastily made or quickly buried sequels, follow-ups like Mighty Joe Young (1949), a Universal Studios ride, a direct-to-video cartoon, a children’s TV series, and a set of 1960s Japanese-American co-productions—Kingu Kongu!—which saw the big ape square off against Godzilla and "Mechani-Kong" in showdowns with worse special effects than the film that preceded them by thirty years. Apologies for anything I've left out, because by this point King Kong is a cottage industry unto itself, an old-fashioned self-perpetuating Hollywood myth that's morphed in meaning and presentation but never entirely gone away. The sight of King Kong atop the Empire State Building, with its a mixture...
- 3/26/2017
- MUBI
‘Beauty and the Beast’ maintains today’s biggest box office trend.
“It was Beauty and the Beast killed the beast…at the box office.” — paraphrasing fictional character Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong/Dudley Moore/Jack Black) seems appropriate on the occasion of Disney’s latest remake crushing the competition over the weekend. Both Logan and The Belko Experiment ran ads telling people to see “the beast” instead of “the beauty,” though that campaign would have made the most sense for Kong: Skull Island given King Kong is the source of that quote above. Well, Beauty and the Beast made more than three times as much as all those movies put together in its debut. Moviegoers overwhelmingly preferred the beauty.
Today is the rare Monday morning where a hit really does look like history. The spin and hype about Beauty and the Beast being a big deal is deserved. Taking in a $175m domestic gross, the...
“It was Beauty and the Beast killed the beast…at the box office.” — paraphrasing fictional character Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong/Dudley Moore/Jack Black) seems appropriate on the occasion of Disney’s latest remake crushing the competition over the weekend. Both Logan and The Belko Experiment ran ads telling people to see “the beast” instead of “the beauty,” though that campaign would have made the most sense for Kong: Skull Island given King Kong is the source of that quote above. Well, Beauty and the Beast made more than three times as much as all those movies put together in its debut. Moviegoers overwhelmingly preferred the beauty.
Today is the rare Monday morning where a hit really does look like history. The spin and hype about Beauty and the Beast being a big deal is deserved. Taking in a $175m domestic gross, the...
- 3/20/2017
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Rob Leane Feb 10, 2017
Star Wars, Terminator 2, Fantastic Beasts and more: they all have scenes in the trailer, that never made the final film...
More often than you might think, scenes that appear in movie trailer don’t turn up in the finished film. This can leave trailer-loving audience members confused as the credits roll, wondering if they dropped off and missed something important.
See related Iron Fist: what to expect from Marvel’s Netflix hero Luke Cage smashed Marvel's 2016 Netflix ratings Daredevil season 3: Vincent D’Onofrio mulls Fisk's return Marvel's The Defenders: more images arrive
A couple of massive movies have done this recently, and the internet has been quick to fill in the blanks with speculation. Fingers have been pointed at tinkering studio bigwigs and extensive reshoots, when the reality is often a little less dramatic: filmmakers always chop some footage in the edit, and they rarely have much involvement in the trailers.
Star Wars, Terminator 2, Fantastic Beasts and more: they all have scenes in the trailer, that never made the final film...
More often than you might think, scenes that appear in movie trailer don’t turn up in the finished film. This can leave trailer-loving audience members confused as the credits roll, wondering if they dropped off and missed something important.
See related Iron Fist: what to expect from Marvel’s Netflix hero Luke Cage smashed Marvel's 2016 Netflix ratings Daredevil season 3: Vincent D’Onofrio mulls Fisk's return Marvel's The Defenders: more images arrive
A couple of massive movies have done this recently, and the internet has been quick to fill in the blanks with speculation. Fingers have been pointed at tinkering studio bigwigs and extensive reshoots, when the reality is often a little less dramatic: filmmakers always chop some footage in the edit, and they rarely have much involvement in the trailers.
- 2/6/2017
- Den of Geek
A Tribute to King Kong takes place as part of the The St. Louis International Film Festival Sunday, Nov. 6 beginning at 6:00pm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium. The first film screened will be the new documentary Long Live The King, which explores the enduring fascination with one of the biggest stars — both literally and figuratively — in Hollywood history: the mighty King Kong. Produced and directed by Frank Dietz and Trish Geiger, the creative team behind the award-winning “Beast Wishes,” the documentary devotes primary attention to the 1933 classic, celebrating the contributions of filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, stars Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot, writer Edgar Wallace, and especially stop-motion innovator Willis O’Brien. But Kong’s legacy is also fully detailed: the sequel “Son of Kong,” the cinematic kin “Mighty Joe Young,” the Dino DeLaurentis and Peter Jackson remakes, even the Japanese versions by Toho Studios.
- 11/2/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A Tribute to King Kong takes place as part of the The St. Louis International Film Festival Sunday, Nov. 6 beginning at 6:00pm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium. The first film screened will be the new documentary Long Live The King, which explores the enduring fascination with one of the biggest stars — both literally and figuratively — in Hollywood history: the mighty King Kong. Produced and directed by Frank Dietz and Trish Geiger, the creative team behind the award-winning “Beast Wishes,” the documentary devotes primary attention to the 1933 classic, celebrating the contributions of filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, stars Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot, writer Edgar Wallace, and especially stop-motion innovator Willis O’Brien. But Kong’s legacy is also fully detailed: the sequel “Son of Kong,” the cinematic kin “Mighty Joe Young,” the Dino DeLaurentis and Peter Jackson remakes, even the Japanese versions by Toho Studios.
- 10/21/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
” Throw your arms across your eyes and scream, Ann. Scream for your life!”
Long Live The King and King Kong screen at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood Ave.) Sunday, November 6th beginning at 6pm as part of this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. The event will be hosted by We Are Movie Geeks own Tom Stockman. Ticket information can be found Here
Sliff bows down to the King — Kong, that is — with a double bill of “Long Live the King” and the 1933 classic that introduced the giant gorilla to the awestruck world at this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. The event takes place at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium on Sunday November 6th beginning at 6pm.
First up will be the documentary Long Live The King, which explores the enduring fascination with one of the biggest stars in Hollywood history: the mighty King Kong.
Long Live The King and King Kong screen at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood Ave.) Sunday, November 6th beginning at 6pm as part of this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. The event will be hosted by We Are Movie Geeks own Tom Stockman. Ticket information can be found Here
Sliff bows down to the King — Kong, that is — with a double bill of “Long Live the King” and the 1933 classic that introduced the giant gorilla to the awestruck world at this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. The event takes place at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium on Sunday November 6th beginning at 6pm.
First up will be the documentary Long Live The King, which explores the enduring fascination with one of the biggest stars in Hollywood history: the mighty King Kong.
- 10/17/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Casting is a hugely important part of the filmmaking process. Unfortunately, sometimes Hollywood gets it very wrong. When the wrong person gets the part, it can spoil the whole movie. Here are eight instances where bad casting damaged a big movie.
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy: This bit of bad casting not only ruined a film, it wrecked three films. While the Star Wars prequels had numerous problems, the worst was the portrayal of iconic villain Darth Vader—Aka Anakin Skywalker—as a sulky, petulant teenager. Christensen’s bland performance made the problem 10-times worse. How do you follow the voice of James Earl Jones with the whiny voice of Christensen? He also had no chemistry at all with his co-star and love-interest Natalie Portman, who played Queen Amidala.
Jack Black as Carl Denham in King Kong (2005): Jack Black didn’t know what movie he was in here.
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy: This bit of bad casting not only ruined a film, it wrecked three films. While the Star Wars prequels had numerous problems, the worst was the portrayal of iconic villain Darth Vader—Aka Anakin Skywalker—as a sulky, petulant teenager. Christensen’s bland performance made the problem 10-times worse. How do you follow the voice of James Earl Jones with the whiny voice of Christensen? He also had no chemistry at all with his co-star and love-interest Natalie Portman, who played Queen Amidala.
Jack Black as Carl Denham in King Kong (2005): Jack Black didn’t know what movie he was in here.
- 8/20/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and Tom Stockman
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, whose dazzling and innovative visual effects work on fantasy adventure films such as Jason And The Argonauts and The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad passed away in 2013 at age 92. In 1933, the then-13-year-old Ray Harryhausen saw King Kong at a Hollywood theater and was inspired – not only by Kong, who was clearly not just a man in a gorilla suit, but also by the dinosaurs. He came out of the theatre “stunned and haunted. They looked absolutely lifelike … I wanted to know how it was done.” It was done by using stop-motion animation: jointed models filmed one frame at a time to simulate movement. Harryhausen was to become the prime exponent of the technique and its combination with live action. The influence of Harryhausen on film luminaries like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, and...
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, whose dazzling and innovative visual effects work on fantasy adventure films such as Jason And The Argonauts and The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad passed away in 2013 at age 92. In 1933, the then-13-year-old Ray Harryhausen saw King Kong at a Hollywood theater and was inspired – not only by Kong, who was clearly not just a man in a gorilla suit, but also by the dinosaurs. He came out of the theatre “stunned and haunted. They looked absolutely lifelike … I wanted to know how it was done.” It was done by using stop-motion animation: jointed models filmed one frame at a time to simulate movement. Harryhausen was to become the prime exponent of the technique and its combination with live action. The influence of Harryhausen on film luminaries like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, and...
- 6/29/2016
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Our series continues with a special installment that compares not just one but Two remakes to a classic original. This week, Cinelinx goes ape and looks at all three versions of King Kong.
King Kong was created in 1933 by Universal Pictures and was the prototype for the Kaiju genre, years before Godzilla ever stomped on Tokyo. The image of Kong atop the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic images in the history of film and pop culture. The first film led to a sequel (the Son of Kong), an animated series, lots of rip-offs (Mighty Joe Young, Konga, A*P*E, the Mighty Peking Man) and years later inspired a pair of remakes (Not counting the campy Kaiju films King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes.) After all these years, Kong remains one of the greatest giant movie monsters of all time. Let’s take a...
King Kong was created in 1933 by Universal Pictures and was the prototype for the Kaiju genre, years before Godzilla ever stomped on Tokyo. The image of Kong atop the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic images in the history of film and pop culture. The first film led to a sequel (the Son of Kong), an animated series, lots of rip-offs (Mighty Joe Young, Konga, A*P*E, the Mighty Peking Man) and years later inspired a pair of remakes (Not counting the campy Kaiju films King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes.) After all these years, Kong remains one of the greatest giant movie monsters of all time. Let’s take a...
- 5/16/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
King Kong is one giant stomp closer to conqueringNew York City. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that an industry reading of the new musical took place today, February 19, at Baryshnikov Arts Center, starring Robert Creighton Benny, Lora Lee Gayer Ann Darrow, Marc Kudisch Carl Denham and Euan Morton Jack Driscoll. And to add to the excitement, Tony nominee Joshua Bergasse has also joined the production as choreographer.
- 2/20/2016
- by Jessica Khan
- BroadwayWorld.com
I'll trade you two RKOs for two Warners', an even swap! This quartet of movie-magic wonderments offer a full course on old-school film effects wizardry at its best. Willis O'Brien passes the baton to disciple Ray Harryhausen, who dazzles us with his own effects magic for the first '50s giant monster epic. And the best monster thriller of the decade is offered at its original widescreen aspect ratio. It's all special enough to merit a mid-week review. Special Effects Collection Blu-ray The Son of Kong, Mighty Joe Young, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Them! Warner Home Video 1933-1954 / B&W / 1:37 Academy - 1:85 widescreen / 335 min. / Street Date October 27, 2015 / 54.96 or 19.98 separately Starring Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack,, Frank Reicher, Victor Wong; Robert Armstrong, Terry Moore, Ben Johnson, Frank McHugh; Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway, Kenneth Tobey, Donald Woods, Lee Van Cleef; James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, James Arness, Onslow Stevens,...
- 10/23/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
By Todd Garbarini
Just after the school year ended in June 1984, I went to a friend’s house on a Friday night to watch the premiere of Carlin on Campus, an HBO concert of one of my favorite comedians, the legendary George Carlin. When the concert was over, my friend switched around until he reached NBC-tv. They were airing When A Stranger Calls, a 1979 thriller starring Carol Kane, Charles Durning, and Colleen Dewhurst. I saw the film from the beginning, and the first twenty or so minutes had me utterly captivated. It presented a scenario that I found to be terrifying, and apparently so did Rex Reed, whose proclamation “some of the most terrifying sequences ever filmed” was used in the newspaper ads. I thought it was so original – until I saw Bob Clark’s frightening Black Christmas (1974) four years later and saw where the “inspiration” may have come from.
Just after the school year ended in June 1984, I went to a friend’s house on a Friday night to watch the premiere of Carlin on Campus, an HBO concert of one of my favorite comedians, the legendary George Carlin. When the concert was over, my friend switched around until he reached NBC-tv. They were airing When A Stranger Calls, a 1979 thriller starring Carol Kane, Charles Durning, and Colleen Dewhurst. I saw the film from the beginning, and the first twenty or so minutes had me utterly captivated. It presented a scenario that I found to be terrifying, and apparently so did Rex Reed, whose proclamation “some of the most terrifying sequences ever filmed” was used in the newspaper ads. I thought it was so original – until I saw Bob Clark’s frightening Black Christmas (1974) four years later and saw where the “inspiration” may have come from.
- 8/10/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
“We’ll give him more than chains. He’s always been king of his world, but we’ll teach him fear. We’re millionaires, boys. I’ll share it with all of you. Why, in a few months, it’ll be up in lights on Broadway: Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!”
King Kong screens at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) Thursday, May 7th at 7pm. It is a benefit for Helping Kids Together
Doors open at 6:30pm. $6 suggested for the screening. A yummy variety of food from Schlafly’s kitchen is available as are plenty of pints of their famous home-brewed suds. A bartender will be on hand to take care of you. “Culture Shock” is the name of a film series here in St. Louis that is the cornerstone project of a social enterprise that is an ongoing source of support for Helping Kids Together (http://www.
King Kong screens at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) Thursday, May 7th at 7pm. It is a benefit for Helping Kids Together
Doors open at 6:30pm. $6 suggested for the screening. A yummy variety of food from Schlafly’s kitchen is available as are plenty of pints of their famous home-brewed suds. A bartender will be on hand to take care of you. “Culture Shock” is the name of a film series here in St. Louis that is the cornerstone project of a social enterprise that is an ongoing source of support for Helping Kids Together (http://www.
- 4/24/2015
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It can be such a beautiful happening when the natural forces of humanity and the wild kingdom can get together and establish a sense of harmony in motion pictures. Also, it can be a compelling yet regrettable conflict as well when man and beast decide to collide in the interest of big screen entertainment. Whatever the case may be certainly does not matter because the concept of beasts of all species (rather it be of the four-legged or two-legged variety) collectively clashing or cooperating sends a special message about triumph, tragedy and just plain tenderness.
In Beast of Burden: Top 10 Human-Animal Combinations in the Movies we will look at some of the best selections where man and animal co-exist whether it be in calmness or chaos. There is no doubt that one can come up with numerous top ten lists detailing their ideal man-animal themes in cinema. The struggle for...
In Beast of Burden: Top 10 Human-Animal Combinations in the Movies we will look at some of the best selections where man and animal co-exist whether it be in calmness or chaos. There is no doubt that one can come up with numerous top ten lists detailing their ideal man-animal themes in cinema. The struggle for...
- 8/8/2014
- by Frank Ochieng
- SoundOnSight
During Comic-Con Legendary pictures made a surprise announcement that nobody expected. They’re returning to Skull Island (where King Kong used to hang out). The movie is being directed by Neil Marshall and is written by both Marshall and Simon Uttley. Entitled Skull Island: Blood of the King, the movie is set 25 year after King Kong's death in New York, and according the synopsis on the IMDb, Carl Denham's son runs an expedition to Skull Island and tries to to solve the decade long mystery The movie will be released on November 4th 2016...
- 7/28/2014
- by noreply@blogger.com (Vic Barry)
- www.themoviebit.com
After taking Carl Denham and his film crew to Skull Island in Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong, actor Thomas Krestschmann is heading into comic book territory. THR has word that the German actor is taking a major villain role in The Avengers: Age of Ultron. We already know that James Spader is playing the titular bad guy, a major adversary for The Avengers, but we're not surprised another villain will be involved. What's interesting is that he's supposed to play Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, Nazi officer who becomes one of the heads of Hydra, the terrorist group from Captain America: The First Avenger. For those who aren't familiar, Wikipedia describes Baron Strucker: "...a highly intelligent man in peak human physical condition. He is an exceptional hand-to-hand combatant, swordsman, and marksman. He is also a consummate military strategist and spy, and a master of disguise and excellent actor. He...
- 1/15/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Every year, we here at Sound On Sight celebrate the month of October with 31 Days of Horror; and every year, I update the list of my favourite horror films ever made. Last year, I released a list that included 150 picks. This year, I’ll be upgrading the list, making minor alterations, changing the rankings, adding new entries, and possibly removing a few titles. I’ve also decided to publish each post backwards this time for one reason: the new additions appear lower on my list, whereas my top 50 haven’t changed much, except for maybe in ranking. Enjoy!
****
Special Mention:
Shock Corridor
Written and directed by Samuel Fuller
USA, 1963
Shock Corridor stars Peter Breck as Johnny Barrett, an ambitious reporter who wants to expose the killer at the local insane asylum. To solve the case, he must pretend to be insane so they have him committed. Once in the asylum,...
****
Special Mention:
Shock Corridor
Written and directed by Samuel Fuller
USA, 1963
Shock Corridor stars Peter Breck as Johnny Barrett, an ambitious reporter who wants to expose the killer at the local insane asylum. To solve the case, he must pretend to be insane so they have him committed. Once in the asylum,...
- 10/28/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Directors: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn; Screenwriters: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M Goldstein, Erica Rivinoja; Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Will Forte, Andy Samberg, Terry Crews; Running time: 95 mins; Certificate: U
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs proved to be a very pleasant surprise back in 2009. Its colourful and vivid tale of an inventor conjuring up a machine that turned water into food made for a joyfully trippy animated film that stood out from the crowd. Box office success meant that a sequel was almost inevitable, and it arrives this week with much of the same visually inventive storytelling that made its predecessor a winner.
In this second helping Flint Lockwood's (Bill Hader) Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator (Fldsmdfr in abbreviated form) - previously thought destroyed - turns up operational and churning out "foodimals" on Swallow Falls, the island that fell victim to an epic food storm that...
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs proved to be a very pleasant surprise back in 2009. Its colourful and vivid tale of an inventor conjuring up a machine that turned water into food made for a joyfully trippy animated film that stood out from the crowd. Box office success meant that a sequel was almost inevitable, and it arrives this week with much of the same visually inventive storytelling that made its predecessor a winner.
In this second helping Flint Lockwood's (Bill Hader) Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator (Fldsmdfr in abbreviated form) - previously thought destroyed - turns up operational and churning out "foodimals" on Swallow Falls, the island that fell victim to an epic food storm that...
- 10/21/2013
- Digital Spy
Neil Marshall is a filmmaker that is in desperate need of a breakout. He’s achieved moderate fame and success with efforts like Dog Soldiers and The Descent, as well as the TV show Game of Thrones, but he hans’t really broken out just yet. He’s certainly not a household name and unfortunately, he’s still not an A-list director. That may all change very shortly though as Marshall is set to helm a King Kong sequel (sort of) titled Skull Island: Blood Of The King.
Based off a 2004 graphic novel by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland, the film will tell an entirely new story that is set roughly 25 years after the titular monster destroyed NYC.
Check out the synopsis from Amazon below:
In 1933, American showman Carl Denham returned from a mysterious, hidden island with a priceless treasure. A treasure not gold or jewels, but the island’s barbaric god,...
Based off a 2004 graphic novel by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland, the film will tell an entirely new story that is set roughly 25 years after the titular monster destroyed NYC.
Check out the synopsis from Amazon below:
In 1933, American showman Carl Denham returned from a mysterious, hidden island with a priceless treasure. A treasure not gold or jewels, but the island’s barbaric god,...
- 10/4/2013
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
It's hard to believe that Neil Marshall hasn't done a monster movie yet, even though it seems right up this alley. The filmmaker has found horror in the unlikeliest places in films like "Dog Soldiers" and "The Descent," while he's shown an ample handling of blood and guts with his efforts behind camera in "Centurion" and episodes of "Game of Thrones." But it looks like he'll finally get his shot. The Tracking Board reveals that Marshall is now attached to helm "Skull Island: Blood of the King," which is another way of saying "King Kong 2." Sort of. So how is this happening? Bad Ass Digest can take you through the knotty legal stuff, but essentially, in 2004 a graphic novel by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland was published entitled “Kong: King of Skull Island,” and the movie will be based off that. It tells a whole new story set 25 years after...
- 10/4/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Neil Marshall has been set to direct Skull Island: Blood of the King; he’ll also help write the script, alongside Simon Utley.
Blood Of The King is based on Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland’s 2004 graphic novel Kong: King Of Skull Island. The story begins Twenty-five years later after Carl Denham shocked the world when he revealed King Kong to a crowd at the alhambra Theater. Now the son of Carl Denham makes a shocking discovery that leads him back to the site of his father’s greatest adventure and to the answers that will unlock the century’s greatest mystery and history’s greatest miracle.
The graphic novel acts as both prequel and sequel to the classic fantasy tale, King Kong. Radar Pictures will produce, along with Ted Field. Steve Lies and Arnold Kunert are also producing through their Spirit Pictures banner.
Marshall is best known for films such as Centurion,...
Blood Of The King is based on Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland’s 2004 graphic novel Kong: King Of Skull Island. The story begins Twenty-five years later after Carl Denham shocked the world when he revealed King Kong to a crowd at the alhambra Theater. Now the son of Carl Denham makes a shocking discovery that leads him back to the site of his father’s greatest adventure and to the answers that will unlock the century’s greatest mystery and history’s greatest miracle.
The graphic novel acts as both prequel and sequel to the classic fantasy tale, King Kong. Radar Pictures will produce, along with Ted Field. Steve Lies and Arnold Kunert are also producing through their Spirit Pictures banner.
Marshall is best known for films such as Centurion,...
- 10/4/2013
- by Laura Frances
- LRMonline.com
Article by Tom Stockman
The big guy once known as ‘The 8th Wonder of the World’ is celebrating his 80th birthday. A landmark accomplishment in cinema and fantasy, King Kong still holds the power to astonish and inspire, so in honor of its 80 years, here’s a look at the movie’s groundbreaking production and significant legacy.
Carl Denham, who brought Kong from Skull Island to New York, was an adventurous, globe-hopping filmmaker and the same was true of Merian C. Cooper, the mastermind behind the movie King Kong. Born in 1893, Cooper had been an aviator and hero in the First World War. He began his movie career in the mid-1920s at Paramount Pictures where he teamed up with Ernest B. Schoedsack, a pioneering motion picture photographer and news cameraman who would become his filmmaking partner. Their first successes were a pair of ambitious anthropological documentaries inspired by the...
The big guy once known as ‘The 8th Wonder of the World’ is celebrating his 80th birthday. A landmark accomplishment in cinema and fantasy, King Kong still holds the power to astonish and inspire, so in honor of its 80 years, here’s a look at the movie’s groundbreaking production and significant legacy.
Carl Denham, who brought Kong from Skull Island to New York, was an adventurous, globe-hopping filmmaker and the same was true of Merian C. Cooper, the mastermind behind the movie King Kong. Born in 1893, Cooper had been an aviator and hero in the First World War. He began his movie career in the mid-1920s at Paramount Pictures where he teamed up with Ernest B. Schoedsack, a pioneering motion picture photographer and news cameraman who would become his filmmaking partner. Their first successes were a pair of ambitious anthropological documentaries inspired by the...
- 9/26/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Article by Tom Stockman
Though he may have been but an animated model given life through primitive special effects, King Kong, with his doomed loved for the beautiful blonde, has become one of the most beloved of all movie characters, revived in remakes, sequels and knock-offs. But Kong wasn’t the only massive simian to grace the silver screen. Here’s a look at the ten best giant ape movies.
Honorable Mention: A*P*E
The ad campaign for the 1976 Korean film A*P*E warned “Not to be confused with King Kong”. A captive giant ape, after escapes from a freighter and sets his destructive sights on Seoul, Korea where he falls for an American actress (Joanna Kerns ) filming a movie there. A*P*E was originally filmed in 3-D so there are countless shots of a man in a moth-eaten ape suit throwing Styrofoam boulders at the camera.
Though he may have been but an animated model given life through primitive special effects, King Kong, with his doomed loved for the beautiful blonde, has become one of the most beloved of all movie characters, revived in remakes, sequels and knock-offs. But Kong wasn’t the only massive simian to grace the silver screen. Here’s a look at the ten best giant ape movies.
Honorable Mention: A*P*E
The ad campaign for the 1976 Korean film A*P*E warned “Not to be confused with King Kong”. A captive giant ape, after escapes from a freighter and sets his destructive sights on Seoul, Korea where he falls for an American actress (Joanna Kerns ) filming a movie there. A*P*E was originally filmed in 3-D so there are countless shots of a man in a moth-eaten ape suit throwing Styrofoam boulders at the camera.
- 8/20/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and Tom Stockman
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, whose dazzling and innovative visual effects work on fantasy adventure films such as Jason And The Argonauts and The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad passed away last month at age 92. In 1933, the then-13-year-old Ray Harryhausen saw King Kong at a Hollywood theater and was inspired – not only by Kong, who was clearly not just a man in a gorilla suit, but also by the dinosaurs. He came out of the theatre “stunned and haunted. They looked absolutely lifelike … I wanted to know how it was done.” It was done by using stop-motion animation: jointed models filmed one frame at a time to simulate movement. Harryhausen was to become the prime exponent of the technique and its combination with live action. The influence of Harryhausen on film luminaries like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson,...
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, whose dazzling and innovative visual effects work on fantasy adventure films such as Jason And The Argonauts and The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad passed away last month at age 92. In 1933, the then-13-year-old Ray Harryhausen saw King Kong at a Hollywood theater and was inspired – not only by Kong, who was clearly not just a man in a gorilla suit, but also by the dinosaurs. He came out of the theatre “stunned and haunted. They looked absolutely lifelike … I wanted to know how it was done.” It was done by using stop-motion animation: jointed models filmed one frame at a time to simulate movement. Harryhausen was to become the prime exponent of the technique and its combination with live action. The influence of Harryhausen on film luminaries like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson,...
- 6/25/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Some of the adventure in the field of movie making means bringing things to the screen that no one has ever seen before. Sort of like what the character of Carl Denham had in mind with King Kong. That being said, consider Eli Roth another adventurer!
Roth recently told Movieline that he’s taking a small crew to a remote village up the Amazon River that has “no electricity, no running water, nothing.” For the privilege of filming in this unseen territory, “We’re giving these people a boat," says Roth. "They have no contact with the outside world and we’re giving them a motorboat and we’re giving them medical supplies and school supplies so they’re ecstatic. The one thing they need is a boat. They were like, ‘This will literally change our lives’.”
Given that these folks had never seen a movie before, Roth arranged a screening for them of.
Roth recently told Movieline that he’s taking a small crew to a remote village up the Amazon River that has “no electricity, no running water, nothing.” For the privilege of filming in this unseen territory, “We’re giving these people a boat," says Roth. "They have no contact with the outside world and we’re giving them a motorboat and we’re giving them medical supplies and school supplies so they’re ecstatic. The one thing they need is a boat. They were like, ‘This will literally change our lives’.”
Given that these folks had never seen a movie before, Roth arranged a screening for them of.
- 10/25/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Throughout the month of October, Editor-in-Chief and resident Horror expert Ricky D, will be posting a list of his favorite Horror films of all time. The list will be posted in six parts. Click here to see every entry.
As with all lists, this is personal and nobody will agree with every choice – and if you do, that would be incredibly disturbing. It was almost impossible for me to rank them in order, but I tried and eventually gave up.
****
Special Mention: Gremlins
Directed by Joe Dante
Written by Chris Columbus
1984, USA
Gremlins gets a special mention because I’ve always considered it more of a comedy and a wholesome Christmas flick than an actual horror film. This tribute the 1950s matinee genre stands the test of time from a time when parents would take their children to family films that pushed the boundaries of the MPAA. Joe Dante is...
As with all lists, this is personal and nobody will agree with every choice – and if you do, that would be incredibly disturbing. It was almost impossible for me to rank them in order, but I tried and eventually gave up.
****
Special Mention: Gremlins
Directed by Joe Dante
Written by Chris Columbus
1984, USA
Gremlins gets a special mention because I’ve always considered it more of a comedy and a wholesome Christmas flick than an actual horror film. This tribute the 1950s matinee genre stands the test of time from a time when parents would take their children to family films that pushed the boundaries of the MPAA. Joe Dante is...
- 10/15/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
“Seasons of Ape-Human Love”? “Seventy-Six Fighter Planes”? “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going (to Climb Down the Empire State Building)”? These made-up songs will not appear in a new musical based on the classic 1933 film King Kong — but the show itself is very much real. According to a press release, Kong is set to premiere in June 2013 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
The musical’s book was written by Tony Award nominee Craig Lucas, who also penned the script for The Light in the Piazza. Its score is studded with both refurbished Depression-era tunes and original material...
The musical’s book was written by Tony Award nominee Craig Lucas, who also penned the script for The Light in the Piazza. Its score is studded with both refurbished Depression-era tunes and original material...
- 10/9/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic Alien is a hard act to follow, so he's made a gut-wrenching prequel instead
In 1977 Ridley Scott was one of the directors of TV commercials whom David Puttnam plucked from the small screen to make their feature debuts in the cinema. Based on a novella by Joseph Conrad, Scott's first film was The Duellists, a costume drama about the obsessive rivalry between two cavalry officers in the Napoleonic wars. It was elegantly staged and respectfully received. It was, however, his second film, Alien, two years later that made him a director of world stature. This seminal science-fiction movie was in effect a transposition to outer space of a Conrad novel about a run-down tramp steamer picking up a lethally dangerous passenger from a remote island. Out there among the stars, where no one can hear you scream, as the advertising tagline put it, it becomes...
In 1977 Ridley Scott was one of the directors of TV commercials whom David Puttnam plucked from the small screen to make their feature debuts in the cinema. Based on a novella by Joseph Conrad, Scott's first film was The Duellists, a costume drama about the obsessive rivalry between two cavalry officers in the Napoleonic wars. It was elegantly staged and respectfully received. It was, however, his second film, Alien, two years later that made him a director of world stature. This seminal science-fiction movie was in effect a transposition to outer space of a Conrad novel about a run-down tramp steamer picking up a lethally dangerous passenger from a remote island. Out there among the stars, where no one can hear you scream, as the advertising tagline put it, it becomes...
- 6/2/2012
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Feel free to watch full screen, at your own risk, of course.
There was an old woman who swallowed a fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old woman who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old woman who swallowed a bird,
How absurd! to swallow a bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
...
There was an old woman who swallowed a cow,
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat,
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,...
There was an old woman who swallowed a fly,
I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old woman who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
There was an old woman who swallowed a bird,
How absurd! to swallow a bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
Perhaps she'll die.
...
There was an old woman who swallowed a cow,
I don't know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the goat,
She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,...
- 4/18/2012
- MUBI
King Kong may have plunged off the Empire State Building - in each of the film adaptations so far - but there's still life in the old beast yet.
Twentieth Century Fox's cartoon division is aiming to create a "modern-day twist" on the classic tale, according to Deadline.
Fox Animation has hired Christian Magalhaes and Bob Snow to write a new animated feature told from the ape's viewpoint.
It's not the only reimagining in the pipeline. Back in July 2009, Spirit Pictures picked up rights to the Dark Horse book Kong: King of Skull Island.
Created by illustrator Joe DeVito and fantasy writer Brad Strickland, the novel explained that following Kong's death, both the ape's body and showman Carl Denham (who brought the beast to America) vanished before any investigation could be launched.
A quarter of a century later, in 1957, Denham's son Vincent stumbles upon the Skull Island map, contacts Jack...
Twentieth Century Fox's cartoon division is aiming to create a "modern-day twist" on the classic tale, according to Deadline.
Fox Animation has hired Christian Magalhaes and Bob Snow to write a new animated feature told from the ape's viewpoint.
It's not the only reimagining in the pipeline. Back in July 2009, Spirit Pictures picked up rights to the Dark Horse book Kong: King of Skull Island.
Created by illustrator Joe DeVito and fantasy writer Brad Strickland, the novel explained that following Kong's death, both the ape's body and showman Carl Denham (who brought the beast to America) vanished before any investigation could be launched.
A quarter of a century later, in 1957, Denham's son Vincent stumbles upon the Skull Island map, contacts Jack...
- 6/9/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Megaprimatus Kong is going to tell his side of the story because Fox Animation has set Christian Magalhaes and Bob Snow to write a modern day twist on the King Kong script by Mike Weber.
Well, it will be animated feature and will tell the legend set in contemporary time from the position that affords a broad overall view of the ape. Extra!
In the original 1933’s film, the giant gorilla name was Kong, a name given by the inhabitants of Skull Island in the Pacific Ocean, where Kong lives along with other diapsid reptiles including a plesiosaur, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs. An American film crew, led by guy named Carl Denham, captures Kong and takes him to NYC to be exhibited as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
Magalhaes and Snow also penned a pretty solid script The Murder of a Cat; a hilarious mystery story about a obstinate, irritable,...
Well, it will be animated feature and will tell the legend set in contemporary time from the position that affords a broad overall view of the ape. Extra!
In the original 1933’s film, the giant gorilla name was Kong, a name given by the inhabitants of Skull Island in the Pacific Ocean, where Kong lives along with other diapsid reptiles including a plesiosaur, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs. An American film crew, led by guy named Carl Denham, captures Kong and takes him to NYC to be exhibited as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
Magalhaes and Snow also penned a pretty solid script The Murder of a Cat; a hilarious mystery story about a obstinate, irritable,...
- 6/7/2011
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
In honor of the 83rd Academy Awards, Extra" brings you AFI's 100 Best Movie Quotes of all time! From "The Wizard of Oz" to "Taxi Driver," see if your favorites made the list.
AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie QuotesGone with the Wind (1939)
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." — Clark Gable as Rhett Butler to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara
The Godfather (1972)
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." — Marlon Brando as Don Corleone...
AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie QuotesGone with the Wind (1939)
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." — Clark Gable as Rhett Butler to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara
The Godfather (1972)
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." — Marlon Brando as Don Corleone...
- 2/27/2011
- Extra
The Eighth Wonder of the World returns to Toronto for One Nite Only! Plus shorts, cartoons and prizes from Rue Morgue Magazine!
King Kong (1933)
Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot and Kong
Written by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace
100 mins | 16mm
Call it a love story, a horror film, a jungle adventure — King Kong remains one of the greatest films from Hollywood’s Golden Age, still drawing awe nearly 80 years since it premiered at Toronto’s Uptown Theatre.
While planning his latest film, Carl Denham (Armstrong) has found the perfect location, Skull Island, but is still missing a leading lady. He finds Ann Darrow (Wray — arguably the first Scream Queen), a young actress willing to do whatever it takes to make it big, which in this case involves traveling to a mysterious island and ultimately kidnapped by a giant gorilla-like creature named Kong.
King Kong (1933)
Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot and Kong
Written by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace
100 mins | 16mm
Call it a love story, a horror film, a jungle adventure — King Kong remains one of the greatest films from Hollywood’s Golden Age, still drawing awe nearly 80 years since it premiered at Toronto’s Uptown Theatre.
While planning his latest film, Carl Denham (Armstrong) has found the perfect location, Skull Island, but is still missing a leading lady. He finds Ann Darrow (Wray — arguably the first Scream Queen), a young actress willing to do whatever it takes to make it big, which in this case involves traveling to a mysterious island and ultimately kidnapped by a giant gorilla-like creature named Kong.
- 2/13/2011
- by Dork Shelf
- DorkShelf.com
No doubt this comes as four-year-old news to many Ray Harryhausen fans, but in the whirl and rush of so many DVD and Blu-ray releases of interest, I’d completely missed out on (or perhaps simply forgotten about) the fact that special effects genius Harryhausen had very recently given us the results of his ambitious efforts to colorize—yes, colorize—three movies dear to his heart: She, Things to Come, and The Most Dangerous Game. I came upon this information intending first to offer simply a look back at Game, Rko Pictures’ 1932 jungle-action-horror movie, a compact and entertaining thriller adapted from the Richard Connell story. I knew there was a Criterion release of the film (that I’d seen ages ago but don’t own), but the existence of this re-issue came as a genuine surprise. After all, there are some word pairings that appear pretty unnatural at first. Harryhausen-colorization...
- 1/10/2011
- by Movies Unlimited
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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