Connect with us

News

‘Kong: Skull Island’: Not Your Grandma’s Monster Movie

Published

on

Kong is back. And lucky for us, he’s mad as hell!

King Kong never seems to get the respect he deserves, even as his corporeal supernatural body stands buildings-above his distant cousins on the evolutionary chart, he still tumbles off skyscrapers, gets his heart broken by human females and swats at the intruding flying nuisances of the modern age.

It always seems sad that this beast is often bullied even though it should be the other way around.

Kong: Skull Island fixes all of that. Not only is Kong in serious need of anger management, his rage exposed through reproving snarls and bared fangs wreaks havoc on anyone or anything he feels a threat.

Skull Island begins and remains in the early 1970’s: the “me” decade: A time when America was just coming out of a confusing war where the country was divided maybe even moreso than it is now.

Back then, soldiers, drafted into uncertainty, explored distant lands and different cultures if only to extinguish them in the name of freedom.

This subtlety is not lost in Kong: Skull Island, in fact it’s front and center through on-location shooting and a stellar soundtrack of anti-war songs available on a curated oldies playlist somewhere.

“Kong’s” dot-to-dot plot isn’t really important here; you’ve seen and heard it all before. A crack team of men (and a woman) are tasked with exploring an uncharted land. The fashion in which they get there is time well spent developing characters. But not by much.

That brevity means it doesn’t take long before we get to the outskirts of Skull Island which is surrounded by an ever-present disruptive electrical storm system.

Enter Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson), a military squad leader who commands a fleet of helicopters.

He’s cocksure, with tenets of leadership forged from the madness of conflict. He’s seen the savagery of war, and since he survived thus far, he appears ready for another. He gets one.

To reveal any of the massive showstopping special effects and setpieces would be cause for you the reader to revoke my critic card. And I wouldn’t blame you.

They are spectacular and so frequent that the upgrade on your refillable popcorn is a waste of money because you won’t want to leave your seat.

After a harrowing and rivet-rattling formation flight through the center of the storm, the expedition can finally start exploring the island’s landscape once they all land.

The extraneous military flight team remains airborne and begins to drop seismic bombs; it’s all a part of the exercise, but the blasts draw the attention of Kong who confronts them on their aerial level.

In one of the most terrifying action sequences I have seen in a long time, Kong tears through the squadron with everything he’s got.

Camera angles and perspectives from both inside and out of the copters is sobering. Human life is treated like a swarm of mosquitoes as Kong tries to rout the incoming strangers.

Kong isn’t about edifying any of his actions, that’s left to the audience.

The special effects here are top-notch and the next sequence more wonderful than the last.

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and the geniuses at Industrial Light and Magic work cinematic miracles in their rendered affectations.

Which brings us to the team, what’s left of them. They are left scattered around Skull Island, and must try to rendezvous with each other and an incoming rescue operative.

Meanwhile Jackson has no consternation even after the helicopter standoff and suddenly holds a grudge against the giant ape on an Ahabian scale.

Each stranded group faces their own monsters on the island, and that’s where I will stop and leave it to you to discover this rollercoaster ride.

One thing Kong: Skull Island has done away with, is the odd romance between beauty and the beast.

Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) is the documentarian and only woman on the expedition, but forget any weird bestiality angst in Kong: Skull Island, the meet-cute is where it ends.

Kong: Skull Island is a terrifying film. With enough true terror and unexpected savagery that the twist is the PG-13 rating: you are definitely treated to a soft R. That is unless things have really changed at the cineplex and I’m an old curmudgeon.

Some scenes are so graphic, I think the MPAA may have been watching the 1976 version instead.

That said, this movie is a non-stop action thriller with glorious movement and very effective and expensive jump-scares.

The finale is so spectacular that I could see the audiences heads move collectively behind their 3-D glasses as the action permeated the screen.

Not a perfect movie, if your’re looking for unrequited romance under waterfalls or character development in-between action sequences.

But if it’s Kong on a rampage, and a variety of abundant and truly intense scares you want, Kong: Skull Island is definitely a place you want to visit. Bring bananas and bug spray.

And stay in your seat until the end of the credits for a special surprise.

Kong: Skull Island opens nationwide on Friday, March 10.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

Published

on

the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title