King Kong (1976)

Beauty And The Giant

THE PLOT (8 stars - Very Good)

This version have major changes on the story yet it doesn't hurt that much.  Oil expedition team discovers King Kong in unchartered island is more likely credible.  The odd relationship between the beauty and the beast remains the main highlight.

THE PERFORMANCE (7 stars - Good)

Cast is great!  Young Jeff Bridges acts on the dot.  He knows when to hold and when to exert.  Charles Gordin as the demanding owner is half-baked.  And of course, sexy newcomer Jessica Lange delivers physical and emotional all-out performance.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

For a film produced in the 70's, this is one daring and dedicated workmanship.  The puppet / mechanical monster helps display different believable expressions.  Such grand settings and cinematography.  The locations are stunningly beautiful and lush especially the isolated paradise.

OVERALL SCORE
(8 + 7 + 8) / 3 = 7.66
8/10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Movie
     = 2.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Michael Costello)

2.  Amazon
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 211 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = C (based on 351 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 1.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Christopher Null)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by users)

5.  IMDB
     = 5.6/10.0 stars (based on 10,584 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = None
    
7.  MRQE
     = 56/100 (based on 27 critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.5/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 38 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 46/100 points (based on 24 critics)
     = 42/100 points (based on 10,610 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = None
     = C+ (based on 985 users)



THE GIST

Recently, we had King Kong's 2005 modern version.  Curiosity triggers me to watch this 1976 classic.  I saw this when I was a kid and surprisingly, I still enjoyed it.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Maybe my luck is changed."

- Dwan

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Hungry" Giant Snake

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Nice catch

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $24.0 M
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Domestic Gross           $52.6 M
Foreign Gross              $38.0 M
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Worldwide Gross                            $90.6 M
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Profit                                             $66.6 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Winner:                       - Spcial Achievement Award
Nominated:                 - Best Cinematography
                                  - Best Sound


Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror, USA
Winner:                      - Special Award


BAFTA Awards, UK (British Academy of Fim and Television Arts)
Nominated:                - Best Production Design / Art Direction


Golden Globes, USA
Winner:                   - Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture
                                      (Jessica Lange)

Joy Ride (2001)

When Good Prank Turns Bad

THE PLOT (8 stars - Very Good)

A bad joke that ends up in trouble…big time!  Thomas brothers (Walker and Zahn) wish they haven’t mess around with psychopath stranger “Rusty Nail”.  Now, the prank is on them… and to a girl (Sobieski) that accidentally get involved.

THE PERFORMANCE (8 stars - Very Good)

Confident but vulnerable Sobieski is beautiful on screen.  Walker as the rational brother is believable.  And Zahn... of course, brings in the comedy side with his exaggerated expressions and goofy behavior.  Deserved lead actors keeps the viewers on the edge.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

I like the balance of tension and humor presented in this film.  Clever script and some funny dialogues, match the bullying approach of the movie.  Rusty Nail's voice, the nowhere highway, motel and cornfield settings are disturbingly subtle - Hitchcock style.

OVERALL SCORE
(8 + 8 + 8) / 3 = 8.00
8/10 points = Very Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Josh Ralske)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 7 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 256 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 423 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Blake French)
     = 2.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.6/10.0 stars (based on 24,497 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 75/100 points (based on 31 critics)
     = 8.7/10.0 points (based on 47 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 65/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 192 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 74/100 points (based on 111 critics)
     = 63/100 points (based on 60,209 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = None
     = B (based on 3,667 users)



THE GIST

This is not your usual teen/slasher film.  This one is slick and well-presented.  From start to end, continuous mystery didn't get bored.  Simple plot yet delivers non-stop chilling experience.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"This is like some kinda

prehistoric Internet or something."

- Fuller Thomas

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Furious" Sheriff Ritter

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Ordering 12 cheeseburgers

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                           $23.0 M
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Domestic Gross           $22.0 M
Foreign Gross              $14.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                            $36.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                             $13.6 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Saturn Awards, USA
(Academy of Science Fiction/Fantasy & Horror Films)
Nominated:                 -  Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Film

The Village (2004)

Beyond The Woods

THE PLOT (9 stars - Excellent)

What's in the woods?  This and many more questions have been plaguing the people of this isolated village.  But now comes the time, where the only choice is to go beyond the woods.  Don't miss the unforgettable twist ending conclusion.

THE PERFORMANCE (8 stars - Very Good)

Superb casting from newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard, to veterans Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver.  Main casts bring their skills to the table, especially Bryce who did a strong performance.  Audience can sympathize to each unique characters.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

Well-done.  Believable 19th-century cult community settings and depiction of a mysterious forest.  Not to mention the sometimes beautiful scenery and the always eerie and spooky woods.  Hands-down to the creator of “Those We Don't Speak Of” - visually chilling.

OVERALL SCORE
(9 + 8 + 8) / 3 = 8.33
8/10 points = Very Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 2.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Perry Seibert)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on 14 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on 935 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B- (based on 2,747 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Christopher Null)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.6/10.0 stars (based on 97,815 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 44/100 points (based on 40 critics)
     = 5.7/10.0 points (based on 260 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 57/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 2.5/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 4,143 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 43/100 points (based on 203 critics)
     = 59/100 points (based on 423,617 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = C+ (based on 12 critics)
     = C+ (based on 42,743 users)



THE GIST

This is one of M. Night Shyamalan's intelligent mystery.  Well-thought and nicely written.  Suspense and secrecy are a trademark yet all questions are not left unanswered at the end.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"It is a painful bargain,

but no good come without sacrifice."

- Tabitha Walker

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Genuine" Kitty Walker

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Close encounter

4.  MOVIE TRAILER

5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $60.0 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross          $114.2 M
Foreign Gross             $142.5 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                          $256.7 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                           $196.7 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Nominated:                 - Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures,
                                      Original Score (James Newton Howard)

MTV Awards, USA
Nominated:                 - Breakthrough Female (Bryce Dallas Howard)

Teen Choice Awards, USA
Nominated:                 - Choice Movie Scary Scene
                                  - Choice Movie:  Thriller