Kong: Skull Island – Review

Kong: Skull Island – Budget of $185 million – 1 hour and 58 minutes

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A day after the Vietnam War ended, two scientists, Bill Randa and Houston Brooks, requested the government allow them to establish a team to map an uncharted island called Skull Island. Randa and Brooks seek out James Conrad, a tracker. He wants to help but is concerned that he doesn’t know what he is tracking. They also get, Preston Packard. Packard is a career military fighter who doesn’t know what he will do without a war to fight. Packard then enlists other fighters and pilots to join the team. Mason Weaver, an anti-war photographer, wants to capture this uncharted island and is very excited to get the job. The team includes:

• Scientists: Bill Randa, San Lin, Victor Nieves, Steve Woodward
• Military liaison, fighters, and pilots: Preston Packard, Jack Chapman, Houston Brooks, Glenn Mills, Earl Cole, Reg Slivko, Reles
• Tracker: James Conrad
• Photographer: Mason Weaver

Once the team is near Skull Island, the boat captain sees the island is surrounded by a perpetual storm cloud. He refuses to sail through it, so the team decides to fly through it. Being Vietnam vets, they know how to fly through a storm into a jungle. Once, they pass the storm, they see the island for themselves. They start dropping explosives to test their theory about the land. The explosions awaken a very angry Kong. Kong attacks the helicopters which kill several men and scatter the survivors. The remaining team must regroup and get off the island before Kong comes back. What’s stopping them? First, Conrad wants to find a stranded man alone in the jungle. Second, everything in the jungle. Third, the truth about Skull Island and Kong.

Kong: Skull Island is an old-fashioned suspense movie. It makes the most of quiet to increase the anticipation. Each main character is given enough of a back story, to make you care about them. Using motion capture to get the true nature and movement of Kong, this version is the most realistic of all the previous movies (excluding the 60s because … well … technology). You will flinch, cringe, and laugh all within 5 minutes. Although 3D is fine for the Kong and other big animal scenes, it’s not necessary for this film. But it does make for a great time at the movies. Oh, and stay past the end crawl for a glimpse of the future possibilities.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Mark my words, this will be known as the biggest screw-up in Washington – Bill Randa

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that almost makes sense – Senator Willis

All this. For what? – Preston Packard

You came here looking for a tracker, but who or what am I tracking – James Conrad

When 3 soldiers tell you the same thing word for word, you know their lying – Mason Weaver

Don’t you miss your bed – Glenn Mills

You don’t have to tell me twice – Houston Brooks

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Before I Fall – Review

Before I Fall – Budget of $5 million – 1 hour and 39 minutes

Note: This is a review of the film only, not the film in comparison to the book.

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Samantha Kingston is a typical senior in high school who travels with her clique, Izzy, Ally, and Lindsay. After Cupid Day (Friday, February 13, the last day of the school week but a day before Valentine’s Day), the 4 attend a party. After harassing the school outcast, Juliet, and the 4 get in Lindsay’s car and head home. At 12:38, they crash and die … then Samatha wakes up to see it’s February 13th again. First, she believes it’s a mistake until everything happens again. She wakes up again and again and lives the same day. First, she decides to try and change things so she and her friends won’t die, but that affects the lives of others. Then, she decides to do whatever she wants since no one will remember, including hurting everyone she loves. Finally, she discovers what she must do to fix everything and end the loop.

This adaptation of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a mix between Mean Girls, The Butterfly Effect, and Groundhog Day (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The director accomplishes making the same day feel slightly different. As Samantha learns more about her friends, her schoolmates, her family, and herself, you will forget you are watching the same day in a loop. The story does not make Samantha the victim or the protagonist, but a dynamic character that shapes with each repeating day. While it does have the stock characters (nerds, jocks, etc), it’s not the average teen movie. If you are looking for a little drama with some thought, see the matinee.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

If you’re like me, your last day starts like this – Samantha

No glove, no love – Izzy

‘Til death do us part – Lindsay

And you … you’re just pathetic – Juliet

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