To be quite frank, I’ve never ever written about anything similar to Do Not Feed the Monkeys. Yes, I’ve had posts about some quite interesting games (namely Among Us), but nothing quite like this. And I love it. It allows me to surprise myself with new video games, and with movies, I’ve recently discovered.
And as you can probably tell, Do Not Feed the Monkeys is part of our usual awesome sale here at IndieGala. You can still purchase it, but you better hurry up. That sale is going away pretty soon. However, before I dive into the intricate details of all the movies that deal with voyeurism, and surveillance, and well, secrecy… A word or two about the game is in order.
Do Not Feed the Monkeys: What’s It All About?
Developed by Fictiorama Studios, BadLand Games Publishing S.L. and published by Alawar Entertainment, Do Not Feed the Monkeys is an interesting simulation/strategy game for Peeping Tom in you. The game also casts the player as a spy who monitors multiple live video feeds via an in-game desktop computer. And the player gathers information about people and objects caught on these feeds. While managing life simulation elements (such as the player character’s health and rent).
Which Movie Goes Well With Do Not Feed the Monkeys?
But which movies would be worthy enough to be added to this list? Granted, I can’t include a lot of the movies, and admittedly plenty will be omitted. For instance, plenty of Alfred Hitchcock’s works have this aspect of voyeurism, but I can’t include all of them I’m afraid. Blow-Up is also a good pick, and so is The Lives of Others But, I’m also eager to hear your picks. Which movies would you love to see on this list as well? All right now. Let’s begin, shall we?
The Truman’s Show
Probably my favorite Jim Carrey movie. And without going too much in superlatives, it’s probably the finest acting we’ll ever going to get from Jim. And the actor is Truman Burbank in The Truman’s Show. A man that unbeknownst to him, has spent his entire life in a fictitious reality show. Yes, entire life. From a baby all the way to adulthood. He doesn’t know anything but this life, and what’s worse he thinks it’s normal. However, cracks from the show’s production will eventually appear. And he will start to doubt not just his own reality, but also his entire existence. Which will then, the true drama unfold.
But frankly, almost everything in this movie is exceptional. Not just the acting from Carrey and Ed Harris, which is also brilliant. The screenplay from Andrew Nicol is incredibly emotional, and psychological at the same time. And the direction from Peter Weir is smooth and intelligent. And did you know that Jim and Ed never met during the production of the movie? It’s true. And Peter Weir cast him in the role of Truman after he saw him in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Cool right? I thought so too.
Sliver
Although complete opposite from The Truman Show, Sliver also deals with themes like surveillance, voyeurism and invasion of privacy. Sliver is also an erotic thriller, and unlike Truman Show wasn’t well received with the audience. Or the critics for that matter. But Sliver has Sharon Stone in the lead role. She plays Carly Norris, a divorced book editor that will move into an exclusive sliver building 113. However, the people whom she’ll find there will keep her out more than just the sterile building itself. Especially the secrets that they keep. According to the director Phillip Noyce, Sharon Stone and William Baldwin disliked each other. So much so that they demanded that their scenes be filmed separately whenever possible. It’s not the best movie out there, but it does have its moments. I remember watching it late at night in the ’90s.
The Conversation
Although a much older movie, it’s probably one of the best. And it’s almost worth the watch because of the iconic Gene Heckman performance in The Conversation. Written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Conversation is a true masterpiece. But Hackman plays Harry Caul. A surveillance expert who follows people for a living. Moreover, he wire tapes the people’s conversations, and early on, faces a moral dilemma when one of the tapes reveal a potential murder. John Cazale is brilliant as well, but Hackman is incredible.
His disheveled, run-down look is perfect for the lonesome and isolated existence that he lives. Harry Caul is a man obsessed with privacy, but at the same time he’s a product of his job. Over-paranoid and lonely by choice. And frankly, this is not only Hackman’s favorite movie, but it’s the favorite of Coppola as well. The man won Oscars and other accolades, ( I mean he made The Godfather) but this is his favorite movie. He’ll go even so much as to say that it’s the only original movie. I disagree, but I adore The Conversation.
Rear Window
And yes. I couldn’t turn down Hitchcock. There’s a whole Smorgasbord of great thrillers/horror in Hitchcock’s filmography, but somehow Rear Window seems like an obvious pick. When a professional photographer L. B. “Jeff” Jefferies (James Stewart) breaks his leg and finds himself in a wheelchair, he’ll start to spy on his neighbors. With binoculars and plenty of free time to kill, he’ll find something other than boredom in the apartment block. Yes, Jimmy Steward is great, but frankly so is Grace Kelly here. Let’s be honest, shoe holds up well against the stoic Jimmy, and looks absolutely gorgeous if I do say so myself.
And let’s face it, this movie has pretty much everything. A talented director to helm it, two gorgeous talented actors and one hell of a script. Including the darkest parts of voyeurism. And of course that all too familiar director’s cameo. Fun fact: The love affair between war photographer Robert Capa and Ingrid Bergman is believed to be Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s inspiration for this movie’s romantic aspect. But James Stewart even stated that of the four movies he made with Sir Alfred Hitchcock, this one is his personal favorite.
And which one of Alfred Hitchcock is your favorite? Frankly I have several of them. Marnie, Dial M For Murder, To Catch A Thief, and Suspicion. Oh and Rear Window of course. Love that one as well.
Are You A Fan of Do Not Feed the Monkeys?
If you are, tell us what you love the most about it. Oh, and do let us know which movie you’d like to be included in this list. Oh, perhaps some awesome TV show. Hit the comment section and let us know.
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