Kongtoberfest has come to an end, and we thank you all for your readership and kind words of encouragement! As Kongtoberfest comes to a close, we at The Fictosphere would like to leave you–our kind readers–with a Kong-sized special multi-media post finale. Comprised of podcast audio clips, videos, text (obviously), and pictures, this post isContinue reading “Kongtoberfest: An encore! (The Fictocast #006/007)”
Category Archives: Reviews
The remake we didn’t need: King Kong (2005)
Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Universal Pictures made several attempts–both half-hearted and full-blown–to remake RKO’s 1933 classic King Kong. After years in production hell, they finally released their version in 2005…for better or worse. It’s taken me a little while to write this entry, and after a bit of soul-searching, I’ve discovered that it’sContinue reading “The remake we didn’t need: King Kong (2005)”
Mediocre obscurity: Musing over King Kong Lives (1986)
With the relative success of Paramount’s 1976 King Kong remake, a sequel was sure to follow. What no one expected was the sequel that ultimately became King Kong Lives. For anyone who may have not noticed over the course of my writings & the subjects contained therein (or is just now dropping in), I’m somethingContinue reading “Mediocre obscurity: Musing over King Kong Lives (1986)”
Despised Inspiration: An Ode to King Kong (1976)
Though the race between Hammer, Universal, and Paramount went on into the 1970s, it was Paramount that won the rights to remake RKO’s 1933 epic King Kong. And in 1976, that remake was released to theaters. The face of a beautiful, blonde, white woman comes into focus. She appears conscious, yet also absent, not aContinue reading “Despised Inspiration: An Ode to King Kong (1976)”
Toho’s Successful Kong Attempt: King Kong Escapes (1967)
Toho wanted nothing more than to make movies with King Kong in them… In 1966, King Kong received that which every franchise dreams of: an animated series. This particular series was spear-headed by Rankin/Bass (which you may remember from every holiday special ever) who commissioned Toei Animation (whom you may recognize as the studio behindContinue reading “Toho’s Successful Kong Attempt: King Kong Escapes (1967)”
A Clash of Kings: King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)
Toho Studios made two attempts at making a film featuring King Kong. This was the first. The genesis of King Kong Vs. Godzilla was simplicity itself: Willis O’Brien (animator for the original King Kong) wanted to make another movie featuring his beloved giant ape and this time, Kong would battle a Frankenstein-type monster. He tookContinue reading “A Clash of Kings: King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)”
A disappointing second act?: Son of Kong (1933)
In the Depression-era United States, Merian C. Cooper’s 1933 cinematic epic King Kong was so popular that RKO higher-ups demanded a sequel be made right away. Unfortunately for the production team, “right away” meant “about as long as it takes a baby to gestate.” We’re doing a bit of an ensemble piece, here, as Mike,Continue reading “A disappointing second act?: Son of Kong (1933)”
The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies: King Kong (1933)
In the grand old year of 2020, it seems that there isn’t much left to say about King Kong that hasn’t already been said. The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies has a timeless quality to it—the film is a certifiable masterpiece, no doubt about it. Like Metropolis (1927), Jaws (1975), and Jurassic Park (1993), KongContinue reading “The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies: King Kong (1933)”
The Sins of Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
Let’s talk about the black sheep of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, though that’s a loaded statement because depending on who you talk to the culprit might be any number of things. Someone deeply enamored with the original Mirage series might claim that the original cartoon is a bastardization of the characters, while othersContinue reading “The Sins of Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation”
Sonic the Hedgehog: The Jonathan Hortenz Review
After my tirade against (ugh) Lord Mikenificent in my last review, I feared that my tenure here at the Fictosphere had come to an end and to my deep surprise I discovered that I did not want this to be the case. As the months passed, this seemed increasingly to be the case and soContinue reading “Sonic the Hedgehog: The Jonathan Hortenz Review”
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