From Deseret News archives:
'Kong Diaries,' 'Godzilla' among DVD releases
• "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.
• "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.
Comments
Peter Jackson works with Naomi Watts on the set of "King Kong" as captured in his production diaries.
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