Kong - 8th Wonder of Cinema

It is strangely satisfying in this day and age to watch a piece of cinema that was created not for money, not for pleasure, not even necessarily for satisfaction, but simply because you love the subject so much. It is a well known story of the young peter jackson going to see the original King Kong and being inspired to be a film maker, and throughout the film it is blatantly evident how much he loves the great ape. The thing i came out of the 3 hours thinking though is whether or not passion alone can sustain a film.

The most obvious criticism of Kong is "it's long." And it is. At 3 hours it isn't the longest film ever, but at times it did feel like it. Perhaps Jackson's greatest fault is not culling some of this film down. There are large parts that could really do with being ct completely out of the film. However, you never feel that the director loses faith with the subject matter. Quite the opposite infact. I felt that he created the film simply because he loved the subject so damn much,

Naomi Watts is the shining light of this little dit. She manages to bring accross amazing ammounts of emotion in simple looks. This is a jewel of cinema, and she should be grasped with both hands.

Overall, a good film, well worth watching, but with flaws abbounding.

Good Night, and Good Luck

We know George Clooney as many things. Actor. Activist. But with his directorial debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind he showed himself to have a great deal of skill as a director also. Whilst flawed in many ways, the story of Chuck Barris is a compelling tale of the corruption of fame and the drive to be something we are not. It is a film I hold in very high regard.

Clooney's penchant for biopics continues with Good Night, and Good Luck, his second film as a director. The story of Edward R Murrow and the CBS team that stood up to Joe McArthy in the 50s is just as compelling as Clooney's first film, and perhaps is less flawed overall. Shot wholly in black and white, Clooney makes use of historical newsreels and actual footage of the time and integrates it smoothly into his narrative. Whilst preachy at times, it is an important tale about what happens to society when fear takes over from common sense and civil liberties are thrown away because of it.

Clooney intersperses his narrative with some beautiful music from Diane Reeves singing some great 50s jazz. In my mind, whilst this was a great effect, it slowed the story a little too much. With one exception: a gorgeously framed close up of lead David Strathairn that he rests on for so long it's mesmerising. The historical footage is well placed, but sometimes too heavily relied on. Perhaps this is part of commentary of the film though. In this day and age where we get 40 second hits of news that is catered to entertain and sensationalise, it isn't hard to understand why I found it uncomfortable watching a 2 minute newsreel from the 50s.

The film has a lot to say, all of it profound, and it delivers it's message in an entertaining manner. At times I lost engagement, but I think it's a piece of cinema that will definately stand up to a second viewing. Check it out, especially for Straithairn's powerhouse performance.

VALE: John Spencer

A sad day for all fans of Television drama with the sudden passing of John Spencer, who played Leo McGarry in 7 seasons of "The West Wing," today.

One of the stand out greats of a stellar ensemble cast, Spencer always brought power to the screen and his presence will be sorely missed on the show, and in the acting world in general.

Best of luck wherever you are now. Be at peace knowing how you entertained many and the quality of your acting gave faith to those who had lost faith in the concept of good television.

And also for being in "The Rock," one of my great guilty pleasures.