tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post5032097911017259750..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: Into The History BooksMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-71529362225372164122016-12-17T09:26:18.785-08:002016-12-17T09:26:18.785-08:00A very evocative write-up of one of my favorites, ...A very evocative write-up of one of my favorites, Mr Peel.Frednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-42460214109155898112012-01-15T17:23:55.447-08:002012-01-15T17:23:55.447-08:00Yes, a great writeup. I saw this again recently, a...Yes, a great writeup. I saw this again recently, and was surprised how much I liked it. (and I only bought it because I happened to see one with the original art and not the lame photoshop reissue. Thought it was worth having on the shelf just for that.) I think the perception of this movie would be a bit different if only some of the Ape effects had been better, it's far from an embarrassing failure, it's quite nicely done for the most part. (I know "effects don't matter if we're caught up in the blah, blah etc.) But this movie just needed those money shots to look better, no getting around it.<br />As much as I hate special editions and revisionism, I'm also a hypocrite so I'd love to see the most unlikely, never-will-happen "special edition" ever: Give Rick Baker a chance to build a new, ultimate kong suit and have a do-over for do some shots. The last hurrah for a man in a suit or mask.joey a.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-11841881059624558642011-12-31T16:05:54.951-08:002011-12-31T16:05:54.951-08:00"King Kong" was our big Christmas releas..."King Kong" was our big Christmas release at the little Doraville, GA theater I worked. Played to packed houses for the most part. I have fond memories of the film (great cast), but it couldn't possibly live up to its advance hype from hype-master, Dino. And those shots of the mechanical ape, oof! It is the lost Hollywood blockbuster, isn't it? "King Kong Lives" didn't help that's for sure. <br />Thanks for one more excellent essay, Mr. Peel and I wish you a very Happy New Year for 2012!Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00274916206944493165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-8338011929289032542011-12-31T00:50:40.509-08:002011-12-31T00:50:40.509-08:00Where to begin? Thanks so much for sharing your t...Where to begin? Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about a childhood favorite that I love to this day. I thought the oil expedition was clever; you're probably a bit too young to remember the ubiquitous "energy crisis" of the '70s. The idea of a greedy oil corporation exploiting -- almost randomly -- this natural wonder for greed and profit seemed very timely (and just as timely now), and I love your mentioning the surprisingly dark, satirical cynicism inherent in the Kong "circus" making the consumers (that is, US), rampaging for a glimpse of Kong, seem utterly grotesque. Semple's script is very breezy and clever, but it's also sometimes SILLY, and I think that turns off a lot of people. I personally find Kong's evident lecherousness (as well as his affectionate sweetness) for Dwan goofily funny, and very specifically '70s -- much like the early cheesecake montage of Dwan trying on various skimpy outfits. Back in those days, before the availability of internet porn, this sort of ultra-soft-core cheesecake was fairly de rigger; it was one of the few sources for teenaged boys of images of nearly naked girls. <br /><br />What else? Kline's beautiful, Oscar-nominated photography; Barry's wonderful score (I especially love the eccentric recurring organ motif)...and Jessica Lange! To me, she seems so instantly terrific, displaying such sturdy comic chops, and overall is so damn electric on screen that I'm always astonished that people generally are so derisive about her work here. The occasionally shoddy FX work, and occasionally sub-par sets (like that awful ravine with the log!) don't much interfere with my enjoyment, because, as you pointed out, Kong himself emerges as a full-fledged character with a real personality. Who cares if it's an ape suit? And why do people make such a big deal about that awful 40-foot robot? It's only on-screen for like 10 seconds of total screen time! If anything, I, like you, find the FX work a fascinating artifact of its particular, pre-STAR WARS era.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks again for this review. What a great Xmas present. Happy New Year, Mr. Peel!Don Mancinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12258469836226845683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-35920400611999039472011-12-30T19:50:46.145-08:002011-12-30T19:50:46.145-08:00Very good look at one of the most forgotten blockb...Very good look at one of the most forgotten blockbusters ever (was there ever a special edition DVD? Will there be a blu-ray?). I'm also fascinated by the one-sheet, specifically the wording. Adding the word "original" seems odd (since it's clearly a remake), but maybe it would make more sense if they added a comma: "The most exciting, original motion picture event."Adam Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11968051066147134504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-47294581837726131022011-12-29T23:56:08.043-08:002011-12-29T23:56:08.043-08:00Great write up. I sorta take issue with the idea t...Great write up. I sorta take issue with the idea that there may not have been much interaction between KONG and DWAN on the island but the overall reflection by you is very agreeable to me. Also, I too saw KING KONG LIVES in the theater upon it's release and laughed my ass off! So bad. Also again, I think it's important to point out that the GREAT WALL holding KONG back was constructed on MGM's famous back-lot (Lot 1)and was one of the last productions to use the lot before it was bulldozed and lost forever. Thank You Mr. PEEL.The Soul Pilothttp://www.live365.com/stations/member_10934371546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-28473341308224297852011-12-29T16:59:29.662-08:002011-12-29T16:59:29.662-08:00Wonderful write-up of an underrated and under-appr...Wonderful write-up of an underrated and under-appreciated film, Mr. Peel. This is easily my favorite remake of King Kong. Namely, for its 70s roots and earnestness, and the key points you so eloquently make, as usual. I tried re-watching Peter Jackson's recent stab at this and I just couldn't get through it -- too many moments of cool kid pretentiousness in story and over-used CGI SFX that haven't aged well ruin it for me. Give me Rick Baker's old school effects, New York City of the 70s, and the whole in story and crew, and I'll take this one every time. Though, to be truthful, the one-sheet for the film remains irksome for getting the scale all wrong for just about every object in the graphic. If this is your last piece for '11, it's a fine one to close out the year, my friend. Thanks.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com