sirpetertheknight

Before we begin, it must be said: the original King Kong is an undisputed classic. It's iconic, it's fun, and it's only become dated because of the changes in Special FX. But it was also a B-Movie, just a very good one. This version is made by the greatest director of the last few years, starring quite a big cast and has some knock out FX. Jackson is a fan of the movie (it's his favorite) and it shows. To put it simply, this is the original Kong with the meat that it couldn't afford in it's own day. It's longer because it needs to expand upon the human element of the humans (in he original, only Kong, ironically, is ever given dimensions) and to make Ann and Kong's relationship real. Kong doesn't lust after her, as he did in 76, but rather is intrigued by her, knowing that he can never have her, but that she brings him a hope that he lost when he became the last of his kind. Ann is not just a screaming doll, and Naomi Watts is Oscar worthy in humanizing Fay Wray already excellent role. Jack Black has received some criticism for his playing of Carl Denham, yet he does possess the talent to play a director who has the unstoppable attitude of Welles, the enormity of DeMille, and the talent of Ed Wood. Adrian Brody's Jack Driscoll is made to be more than just a tough guy (which the film parodies with a fake B-Movie star) but is a troubled writer, who must realize his potential for love. The FX on the island, the animals and New York are astonishing, and Kong is heartbreaking, finally given the truth and reality that he needed, while retaining the heart and borderline humanity (while remaining an ape) that he had in 1933, thanks of course to the stunning Andy Serkis (who shows up as Lumpy the Cook).

See the original, see this movie, and see Jackson have a ball with his favorite of all the great films. You'll love it.

But before we get to Brando,let's go over the rest of the film. Kazan shows us why he's regarded as one of the best film makers of this (or any) century. The film is bleak and gritty, a study of both human evil and human decency. It shows us the terrible mob dealings on a waterfront, that prevent anyone outside the mob's inner workings from getting the light work, or a decent days wage. The characters are brilliant and engrossing. Karl Malden plays a preacher who is very much beyond the simple, weak man f God. He is strong and just. Lee J. Cobb plays Mobster Johnny Friendly, who in one character spans all degrees of evil, from greed to murderous revenge. Eva Marie Saint is possibly the weakest of the main characters as the love interest, but considering this was her first film, she's remarkably well versed and played. Rod Steiger defies all logic in that, as the brother, he manages to further, and in some places better, the man I'm about to discuss. Brando gives not only the performance of his, but all our lifetimes. As Mob Muscle and Longshoreman Terry Malloy, Brando acts dumb, violent and ultimately, beautiful. His performance is frequently cited as cinema's best ever, and there's little to deny that. He is more realistic than most real people, and his performance almost eclipses the entire film. That it doesn't is simply because the film is so unbelievably good to begin with. And by the way, I cried when he said "I Coulda Been A Contender."

The original Power Rangers TV show was a fun, much loved, admittedly tacky, but often enjoyable series. The first movie was similar in description, but I think it surpassed the show in several ways. But by the time Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie came along, I realized that it was just going on nothing. The film has one of the stupidest titles I have ever heard, and from that, we get more bad things. The actors are bad, but they were bad in the show too. The villains are the lamest and blandest in the entire long running series. And the turning a boy into a ranger. Blech. Why did they bother? It has redeeming features. Tommy, Adam, Jason and Kinmberly, my picks for the best power rangers are in the film (Billy, who is absent, is my fifth pick). The monster Maligore is bloated and lingually challenged, but cool. And...well, that's it. See the first one. It's also on the bottom one hundred, but it's considerably better than this.