'Kong Diaries,' 'Godzilla' among DVD releases

A wide variety of shows have landed on DVD this week, including an elaborate promotional box set for the new "King Kong" movie, a vintage Danny Kaye musical and the latest "Godzilla" picture.

• "King Kong: Peter Jackson's Production Diaries" (Universal, 2005, not rated, $39.98, two discs). This is unique, to say the least, two discs in a huge box that doesn't misrepresent what it is — 54 video-diary entries that put the viewer on the set of the new "King Kong" remake. (These videos initially appeared on a fan Web site.) www.KongIsKing.net

This result is a cross between those making-of featurettes that are on most DVDs today, and a reality series akin to "Project Greenlight" . . . except with a much bigger budget. The latter is especially true when writer/director Peter Jackson, on the last few days of shooting, is shown to be so exhausted that he brings in a couple of writer/director friends to take over the shoot for a few hours each whenever Jackson falls asleep.

Fascinating stuff for movie buffs and for the legion of post-"Lord of the Rings" Jackson fans.

Extras: Widescreen, 54 production diaries, introductions by Jackson, featurettes, subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters; 52-page illustrated book on the film, four art prints.

• "The Five Pennies" (Paramount, 1959, not rated, $14.99). Danny Kaye plays musician Red Nichols (from Ogden, Utah) in this sentimental, occasionally funny fictionalized biography. A dramatic change of pace for Kaye at the time, and he's very good. Tuesday Weld plays his young daughter; Louis Armstrong steals the show whenever he's onscreen. There aren't many Kaye films on DVD, so let's hope this begins a trend.

Extras: Widescreen, optional English subtitles, chapters.

• "Godzilla: Final Wars" (Sony, 2004, PG-13, $24.96). This big-budget "Godzilla" film is said to be the last . . . yeah, right. This 50th anniversary effort includes a bevy of "Godzilla" co-monsters — everyone from Rodan to Mothra to Ghidrah shows up to destroy famous cities around the globe. Directed in frenzied 21st century style, with a bit of "Matrix" thrown in, but still campy, silly fun for "Godzilla" buffs.

Extras: Widescreen, making-of featurette, language options (English, French), subtitle options (English, French), chapters.