King Kong (2005)

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with leading lady Ann Darrow.

A remake of a classic movie that is worthy to be compared with the original and adds its own magic with a capable cast, top-of-the art effects and some nice new touches to the famous story

Maltin***1/2: "A rare remake that reinvents the original film while honoring it at the same time. Jackson pulls us into a world of wonder, both on Skull and Manhattan Island, and takes us on a long but thrilling adventure that's hard to beat."

The Movies I Watched in April

A-Haunting We Will Go (1942)  5
The Accountant (2016)  6
An (2015)  7

D'après une histoire vraie (2017)  6
At Eternity's Gate (2018)  8 

 
Boyz in the Hood (1991)  7

Breaking the Waves (1996)  8

Brewster McCloud (1970)  6
Buried (2010)  7

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)  7

A Cure For Wellness  (2016)  6
Darkest Hour (2017)  7

Durante la tormenta (2018)  TV  6
Es geschah am hellichten Tag (1958)  7

Fright Night (2011)  6
The Highwaymen (2019)  7

Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce (2019)

Iron Sky (2012)  6
King Kong (2005)  7

LBJ (2016)  6
Lifepod (1993) TV  5
The Man From Texas (1948)  5
Mes ami, mes amour (2008)  6
A Most Wanted Man (2014)  6
Operation Finale (2018)  6
Runaway Daughters (1956)  5
Sorority Girl (1957)  6
22 July (2018)  7

Us (2019)  7

Violette (2013)  7

Wild Bill (1995)  5

The Lovely Bones (2009)

A young girl is murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from purgatory.

Although obviously made with a lot of talents involved the director overdid the phantasmagorical elements on the verge to kitsch.

On renewed viewing: I still think this movie could have been better.

Maltin **1/2: "Well-made, well-acted adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestseller suffers from overabundant, heavy-handed images of an Edenic afterlife that don't connect with the rest of the film."

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on an "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.

Although produced very much as counterpart to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this time the story is drawn out with more details and is told with much humor, great entertainment.

On second view: I still agree it's as entertaining as before.

Maltin**: "Massively unwieldy, downright boring prequel to THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy unwisely expands J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel...Superlative visual effects and experimental use of 48-frames-a-second photography can't take the place of great storytelling."

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug.

Competent continuation of the saga as to be expected by the quality of those involved, but, unfortunately, it ends in midair; the dragon steals the show.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on an "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.

Although produced very much as counterpart to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this time the story is drawn out with more detail and is told with a lot more humor, great entertainment.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

A young girl is murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from purgatory.

Although obviously made with a lot of talents involved the director overdid the phantasmagorical elements on the verge to kitsch.

Maltin **1/2: "Well-made, well-acted adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestseller suffers from overabundant, heavy-handed images of an Edenic afterlife that don't connect with the rest of the film."

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

 

The former Fellowship of the Ring prepare for the final battle for Middle Earth, while Frodo & Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring.

Fantastic conclusion of the trilogy with one incredible battle scene and an overlong ending.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Frodo and Sam continue on to Mordor in their mission to destroy the One Ring, whilst their former companions make new allies and launch an assault on Isengard.

Congenial continuation of the saga including a quite sensational battle.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

In a small village in the Shire a young Hobbit has been entrusted with an ancient Ring. Now he must embark on an Epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it.

Perfect start to an instant classic fantasy adventure trilogy.