Kong

My family belongs to Netflix. I used to belong to Netflix but then movies like Pooh’s Heffalump Movie started showing up in the mail and I realized that yet another slice of my domain had been compromised. But right now I’m sitting here with the DVD of King Kong. This is the most recent one, directed by Peter Jackson, and I’m wondering if I let The Quartet watch it. I remember being a kid and watching the original King Kong on Channel 3 when they showed late night movies, and what I remember the most is that it scared the hell out of me. But I liked it. I liked talking to my father about it and I liked telling my friends that I’d seen it. I think the fear was outweighed by the coolness of the movie and the experience. I also think that there was something spookier about the black and white movie with its stop animation and scale model Skull Island. Then I remember watching the version from the 70s starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, and just being horrified at the poor quality. The newest King Kong, from what I’ve seen in the previews, looks cartoonish.

Will the kids be too scared? Kristy suggested a preview screening before letting them see it, which I’d be all for if it wasn’t a three-hour movie. At least at home I’m in control and can turn it off, pause it or forward through scenes. Besides, these kids live in Memphis where the local news is full of homicides, rapes and politicians bought and paid for. We’re talking about a giant monkey and dinosaurs, and what could be more fun than that? It can’t be any scarier than a talking stuffed bear and pink elephants or John Ford.