The Most Dangerous Game

Out of the silent era and into good ol' RKO.

From the same producers of King Kong and shot on many of the same sets comes an adaptation of a short story, concerning a shipwrecked hunter who finds himself entangled in the sick game of a russian master of hunting and sport who is tasked with surviving for one night to obtain freedom off the island or become just another attraction in a trophy room. For a movie that barely clocks in at one hour it does a surprisingly good job not only taking enough time to set up the story, the villain, and the stakes but deliver on a nonstop 20 odd minute chase scene through the jungle that must have been exhilarating in 1932. I have no qualms saying Leslie Bank, in his first motion picture role I might add, is the reason and the highlight to watch this movie. The man doesn't even have to act he just looks so sinister, and yet can potray this charming and very affable host before the facade falls and you see just how commited he is to enacting this horrid game. Joel McCrea is a fine albeit basic leading man who has the know how to lay traps and use the terrain to his advantage, and it is interesting to watch more a clash of minds in the wilderness rather than brute strength. Fay Wray, icon that she is barely has to do a damn thing and yet still remains a highlight and it's wild to think she was filming King Kong the exact same damn time as this. Boy, movies are NOT made like that anymore. The sets are very well constructed, from the Count's fortress and grisly trophy room to the dense foliage and misty swamp of the jungle, for a lower budgeted movie it still looks quite nice. Now I know the concept of using humans as prey isn't entirely new to storytelling but it's a solid story, that somehow slipped into the realm of the public domain but you can easily find a good quality version even on Youtube and it is worth a watch for film fans or even people who want to see one of the early examples of a thriller and not a horror film. I love talking old black and white movies and to bring more attention to them, so this was a no brainer to review. A quite good movie but hopefully we end on an even higher note. 3 stars, 7/10, I'll be seeing you next time.

King Kong (1933)

New Kong movie this week? Well I think it's time don't you? No more monkeying around!

King Kong is one of the most groundbreaking and timeless tales in movie history. It combines, action, fantasy, and romance with outstanding stop-motion effects by Willis O'Brien and has inspired countless filmmakers and special effects creators. So plot time, a movie director is currently making a picture and hires a young lady to act in it as they travel to the mysterious Skull Island for a few shots, only to have it be more than they bargained for. The entire island is like a microcosm of prehistoric dinosaurs, and a giant ape heralded as a god by the natives named Kong. The film crew is in danger, the young actress Ann played by Fay Wray is taken captive as a sacrifice for Kong, yet Kong for some reason takes a great curiosity and liking to her and takes her for himself. What follows is unbelievable fights between the film crew and the various monsters on the island and my personal favorite scene, Kong fighting a Tyranosaurus Rex to save Ann. It is almost too good to be true. But soon Kong is captured, brought to New York City (What could possibly go wrong?), breaks free, rampages through the city, finds Ann and climbs the friggin' Empire State Building to prove his utter dominance. Oh my God. There is a reason why this is a classic. Not only is the story imaginative, the acting done very well, the special effects being mind blowing, the great and expansive musical score, among many other aspects, I think it's just the strange yet endearing romance between Kong and Ann that makes it that more special. Now the movie isn't perfect,  I have to admit the actual filming in the film is...a bit hokey. Granted this was made in the early years of sound movies so it can go a bit odd but nothing that ruins it, it just makes you tilt your head at moments. Plus the racial stereotypes are a product of their times but you still can't commend it for it's realistic potrayal of asians and ugh, tribal people. God I feel bad just typing it! But beyond those poor choices, it's a great movie. Definitely watch it if you never have before.