We couldn't wait!  The new King Kong movie was out and as a family, we purchased tickets early to insure us obtaining seats for us all!  Our eldest son Urie, a musician, did not have an interest in seeing this or any film that day-what was up with him?-I thought.  He did not want to see King Kong?, I asked.  This film had been compared and billed to being one of  "the" biggest blockbuster films of the year- but was it?  As I sat with anticipation, the film begun.  Slow to start, I did enjoy the period cinematography- the clothes, mannerism and scenic retro flavor- I found very entertaining and was all fine with this!  I even enjoyed the set up with the passion of the key producer, whose passion drove the movie and was evident throughout the entire film.  This passion also created moments of humor and a spirit of determination though out the film.
 
However once the "crew"  made is to the infamous "Skull Island", my analytical & nature kicked in!  Why did the Islanders have to be depicted with such blackish blue skin tone?  Why did their eyes have to buck and bulge out of their eye sockets?  Why did the "natives" have to appear so much like wild untamed dancing demonic heathens?  At this point, I became very uncomfortable with the film.  All of a sudden, I begin to critic the film, not as an individual seeking to be entertained.  But instead, as an intelligent well read communicator, seeking to understnd the images I observed- above all get understanding- right?  Whatever happened to entertainment that perpetuate positive and true images, based on knowledge and facts?  I know, this was a fiction film-right?  Or. wrong?   But was it based on negative steretypes that we work so hard to stop?  ( Have any of you ever seen Bamboozal?) 
 
So the question becomes, were the the King Kong Skull Island "Natives" designed to depict images that so perpetuate negative stereotypes of fear and ignorance about people of color, in the past and presently?  Or, am I being too sensitive as a professional communicator regarding negative images portrayed in the media?
 
.  As professional communicators, we have all been trained that "communication is the key"..  With the communication model process,  it is not only important for us to communicate events, people, places and things effectively, but without " noise".  The "noise" factor is a concept that causes interferences within the communication process between the sender(film industry) of the message and the receiver(the movie goer).  Is it equally important that communicators and all of the media (television, film, radio, website, outdoor etc)communicate images and messages that empower, edify, encourage , educate and entertain based on truth- right?  Or, is the "noise" in this instance, a case of further perpetuating messages based on ignorance, mental thoughts of superiority, fears and  based on negative demeaning stereotypes?  
 
We would like to hear your thoughts about this Movie...Please provide us your comments & thoughts to
Reviews@thesoulpitt.com

Thank you..D.L. Norris- Corporate Planners- TSP Marketing & Advertising Director