We're getting close to the witching hour now my friends. Not many hours left until the veil is lifted between the worlds. No reason to fear it. Although I'm not quite sure what that sound was I heard outside the bedroom window. Stop worrying. We're safe in here, aren't we? I'm just being silly, of course we are. Nothing will get us in here. After all, you did lock the door like I told you. Didn't you?
The Fly is one of the most memorable of all fifties sf/horror crossovers. The film is often unjustly laughed at and held up to ridicule. It is however a classic and a rather fine monster movie. If you do not at least know of this movie then you must be a space alien. Oh yes, it has that gorgeous 1958 CinemaScope sheen, and bears the distinction of being one of the few really big budget science fiction films from that entire decade. Actually, what makes "The Fly" a definite must see for me is Patricia Owens, her outstanding performance truly carries this movie. What an underrated performance she gives. The Fly was released in the midst of the 50’s monster-film craze, and make no mistake, it is an attempt to capitalize on that trend.
But unlike most of those films, it never seems cheesy or campy, at least to me. Others may say different, and they are welcome to their opinion. The science never seems like complete nonsense, (although I never understood people saying that, the movies are science fiction not science non-fiction, it's fantastical, that's the point people!) and none of it comes across as unintentionally funny even at this late date-- allowing for the relatively primitive special effects and the occasionally lampooned late scene involving a spider web. That scene is not silly here. It’s gut wrenching and horrific, exactly as it should be. The "Help me!" screams at the end still to this day creeps me out like few other moments in film do. Skip Cronenberg’s 80's remake unless you want a healthy dose of gore, it poorly pales in comparison. Not great and not without it's flaws but in the world of 50's horror I give it 7 fangs out of 10.
When released in 1933, King Kong was greeted with unprecedented amazement. State-of-the-art visual effects, an entertaining story, and a touching ending combined to bequeath upon this film the coveted label of a "classic." In its era -- and, indeed, for decades after -- no monster movie (whether made in the U.S., Japan, or elsewhere) approached the lofty perch of this one. The title character, the creation of stop-motion effects wizard Willis O'Brien (mentor to Ray Harryhausen), captivated audiences and started a world-wide love affair with a giant ape.
It is no longer the 1930s, however. By today's slick standards, King Kong has aged, and it's debatable how kind the passage of years has been. Many rip-offs, one remake (Dino DeLaurentis' campy 1976 version), and films like Jurassic Park have come and gone. While the original King Kong still sits upon the throne of my memories. Advances in technology and acting have dated aspects of the production. Still, in watching these old black-and-white images which were assembled with craftsmanship and care long before computers made this stuff easy, it's impossible not to feel some sense of awe at what was accomplished those many years ago. In many ways, Kong is still king.
It's about the world's biggest ass-kicker of a gorilla who ultimately finds himself done in by the ignorance of modern man ... and a really hot blond. Yes, Fay Wray one of the first and best scream queens. It's the great-great-granddaddy of all adventure movies plus it's a fantastic horror movie! It's got romance, drama, comedy... must I go on? OK, I will. It's King freaking Kong "Eighth Wonder of the World". Lover of Ann Darrow, hulking nemesis of Carl Denham and Jack Driscoll. Ruthless dispatcher of rabid stegosauruses, creepy giant snake-asours, and unintelligent pterodactyls. (Seriously, Kong kicks a lot of prehistoric ass in this movie.) It truly was only beauty that could kill the beast. 8 and a half bananas out of 10.
1 comment:
No, I didn't.
You stupid, dumb, ignorant bastard. You're absolutely correct! I agree with you. The Fly is a great movie (and no, I never saw the Cronenberg remake). It IS unjustly ridiculed; I think by people who've never actually sat down to watch it since it is a well-made, serious tale and has no camp value that I can see. Patricia Owens WAS outstanding in her performance; hell, EVERYBODY was good -- it even has the nun from The Blues Brothers in it!!! It is not cheesy or campy and the science is not complete nonsense; after all, if teleporters are good enough for Star Trek. . . And your point about this being science FICTION is spot on; this ain't a documentary folks so lighten up. At least there's less fiction in this movie than in the 2000 Presidential election. And no it doesn't come across as unintentionally funny -- even in the final "Help me" scene. I think where people get this erroneous idea is from the oft-told story about how Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall couldn't keep a straight face while filming it. But this is understandable and nearly ALWAYS happens while filming serious, emotion-packed scenes. This in no way reflects on the scene as it appears in the film; and I'll agree the scream is chilling.
As for King Kong, the years have not dimmed his majesty and he remains the eighth wonder of the world. He is still King. I wouldn't even say it has dated since it takes place in the 1930s and everything about the film is absolutely right. After all, is King Arthur dated because it takes place back "when knights were bold"?!?
I even quite like the Peter Jackson remake (though it still takes a back seat to the original). One of the Jackson film's best decisions was to set the film back in the 30's; King Kong wouldn't work taking place in the present day (as DeLaurentis discovered) but requires a more innocent, wide-eyed past to make it work. It's all right to be jaded and cynical in the modern world but NOT when watching movies; they're supposed to transport us willingly to a world of fantasy -- o else what the hell are we watching them for?!? The Fly and King Kong both do that with enormous success.
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