Movie Night: King Kong (1933).

Review #283: King Kong.

Cast
Bruce Cabot (Jack Driscoll), Fay Wray (Ann Darrow), Robert Armstrong (Carl Denham), Frank Reicher (Captain Englehorn), and James Flavin (Briggs. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.

Review
King Kong is one of those effects-worthy films that live on and on. But is the film good for that? Yep. To begin with, the film's stop-motion animation by Willis O'Brien still lives up after nearly 80 years. It might be primitive to some, but give it credit as technology for films back then probably didn't extend to just "give some effects, it doesn't matter what" I love the way Kong looks, especially that toothy grin along with the dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. (Have I ever said a sentence with dinosaurs? Probably not.) There is one thing that bothers me and that is the main lead, Fay Wray. My problem is that she simply screams for about half the film, which to be honest, is a bit annoying. Armstrong on the other hand is actually delightful, probably due to his portrayal. The film has a reasonable length (Though their were scenes that were taken out of the original film, one involving crabs.) that balances well and makes for a good film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: This is Cinerama.

Review #259: This is Cinerama.

Cast
Lowell Thomas. Directed by Merian C. Cooper.

Review
Cinerama simultaneously projected images from three synchronized 35 mm projectors onto a huge, deeply-curved screen, with this being the first Cinerama film (Other being How the West Was Won) How did I see this? On a special presentation by TCM will a reconstruction to the nearest degree in Smilevision to make it feel like Cinerama. How is it? It's decent. It shows some real good shots and real nice things (The only credited person for the film is Lowell Thomas, who is seen in the first few minutes.) It's a film that was revolutionary for its time that influenced widescreen as we know today.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.