Over at The Everyman, I mark the 90th anniversary of King Kong with a retrospective: The first thing stands out, comparing King Kong to its modern progeny, is that the story is, in style at least, considerably simpler and more artificial than that of films today. There is little effort at verisimilitude in either the … Continue reading The 90-Year Reign of Kong
King Kong
Kaiju Appreciations: Legendary Kong
As I said, part of my Lenten fast is giving up most video content. However, this doesn't extend to working on my own videos, since I want to pick up on the pace on those. And today I finished and uploaded my latest one: an appreciation for Legendary Kong, the version of Kong from the … Continue reading Kaiju Appreciations: Legendary Kong
Magnanimity Defined
(Late) Early Thoughts on ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’
As I mentioned a couple Friday Flotsams ago, I got out to see Godzilla vs. Kong: first time back in a theater for a long time. I have to delve into full spoilers in order to discuss my thoughts, so fair warning now. If you haven't seen it an have any interest in doing so, … Continue reading (Late) Early Thoughts on ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’
Thoughts on ‘King Kong’
Chatting a little while ago with a friend (whose site you should definitely check out and whose work you should buy), we touched on the subject of the original King Kong and its relation to later versions of the story. It got me thinking about the film, and different aspects about it, and so I … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘King Kong’
On Moral Ambiguity
"There are precious few at ease / with moral ambiguities / so we act as though they don't exist." That's a lyric from the show Wicked, in which the Wizard - here portrayed as wholly a bad guy, rather than an ultimately harmless 'humbug' - sings about why he deceived the ignorant and superstitious people of Oz. I … Continue reading On Moral Ambiguity
Trivia Break: Queen of the Monsters
I'd like to introduce you to actress Mie Hama. She's a rather interesting person: born during World War II to blue collar parents, her home was destroyed in a bombing raid and she grew up poor. By the age of sixteen, she was working as a fare collector on the bus, and it was there … Continue reading Trivia Break: Queen of the Monsters
New Federalist Essay
My latest piece is up at The Federalist, using King Kong and Godzilla to describe the human condition. Because I do that sort of thing. Sample: I say an anti-war message doesn’t suit Kong because, especially as depicted in this film, Kong is a warrior, and really doesn’t have the option to not fight. His presence … Continue reading New Federalist Essay
Serpent's Den 