Film actress Watts 'best value' Oct 9, 2009
The Australian, who starred in The Ring and King Kong, was found to make $44 in box office returns for every $1 paid. Jennifer Connelly and Rachel McAdams, who appeared in The Time Traveler's Wife, came second and third. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Brody for Predator? Oct 9, 2009
Since his 2003 Oscar win, Brody have included King Kong and The Darjeeling Limited. Launched in 1987, Predator spawned one sequel and two spin-offs, Alien vs Predator and Alien vs Predator: Requiem. (The Age, Australia)
Author Keith Stern to Appear at Opening of 'MR. RIGHT' Friday Night at Laemmle Sunset 5 with British Director Jacqui Morris Oct 9, 2009
Stern friend, actor Andy Serkis ("Lord of the Rings," "King Kong") was nominated for his performance in the PBS show "Little Dorrit," which won Best Miniseries. Serkis is also an accomplished theatre director and suggested Stern's book might make a good basis for a live show. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Forbes celebrity valuations: Oct 8, 2009
Watts' paychecks are relatively small (by Hollywood standards), which helps her return on investment number, especially when she stars in a movie that turns into a major hit, like 2005's King Kong, which earned $USD550 million at the box office worldwide. For every dollar Watts was paid on her last three major films, the movies earned an average of $USD44. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
'Sasquatch Assault' Will Open Four-Day Manchester Flick Fest On Thursday Night Oct 7, 2009
Like King Kong before it, the Yankee Sasquatch is hauled from its leafy home to the big city, where it battles cops and bad guys. Andrew Gernhard, owner of Rocky Hill-based Synthetic Cinema, directed the film. (FOX61, CT)
The stay-away list Oct 7, 2009
The worldwide success of King Kong in 2005 and a good reception for The International last year helped the 41-year-old beat actresses who take home bigger cheques, including Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie. The American actress Jennifer Connelly was second most bankable on the Forbes list, her films taking $US41 for every dollar she earned. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
How Maurice Sendak made the world safe for monsters Oct 4, 2009
And they promptly claimed a spot in our pop culture bestiary, along with Godzilla, King Kong, and Barney the Dinosaur, where they ve roamed ever since. The Wild Things looked like nothing ever seen in a children s book. (Boston Globe)
Gollum actor to 'play' King Kong Sep 30, 2009
British actor Andy Serkis - Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films - will help create the title character in Peter Jackson's upcoming remake of King Kong ... " The original King Kong recently topped a movie monster poll Serkis was heavily involved in the creation of warped hobbit Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He provided the voice of the character, while his facial and bodily movements were mapped on computer. But he only appeared in the flesh at the beginning of the third instalment,... (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
New Zealand hails Rings heroes Sep 26, 2009
The celebrations were delayed until this week because Jackson was busy preparing the DVD version of The Lord of the Rings and making plans for his re-make of King Kong. Jackson is known for his dishevelled look. (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
Film director 'sees future in 3D' Sep 25, 2009
George Lucas plans to reissue his original Star Wars movie in the format next year to mark its 30th anniversary, while director Peter Jackson has a similar idea - at some stage - for King Kong. Cameron told the National Association of Broadcasters' Digital Cinema Summit in Las Vegas the movie industry needed "to fight back harder, come back blazing, not wither away and die" in response to falling ticket sales in cinemas and increases in incidents of piracy. (BBC News -- Technology)
Small earthquakes shake Melbourne's south-east Sep 23, 2009
Simon Mansfield of Frankston South said the tremor "felt like King Kong was running across our single-storey tiled roof". Another reader reported a "huge rumble and feeling the house shake", while others told of loud "banging" noises. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
* US-based Runpee.com prepares to go global Sep 18, 2009
Dan Florio, who developed Runpee after sitting through the 2005 version of King Kong X all three hours and seven minutes of it X is rebuilding the site right now so that it will support any character set, he said. Once that is in place, hopefully by the beginning of November, Ill be able to get translations for Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Hindi. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Peter Urban, commercial photographer had artistic touch Sep 18, 2009
About six years ago, Mr. Urban had an opportunity to photograph Fay Wray, the actress best known for playing Ann Darrow, the damsel plucked away by King Kong in the 1933 movie. Adding place and context, New York unfolds in the window behind Wray, and a man next to her holds a King Kong poster. (Boston Globe)
Halloween Party Idea: Monster's Mas... Aug 31, 2009
Halloween Party Idea: Monster's Masquerade: Spooky Transformations Beneath a Full Moon. Halloween Party Idea: Monster's Masquerade. (Suite101.com)
Verisimilitude: The Blind-spot In Our Artistic Consciousness Aug 24, 2009
It is not as long as King Kong, but you spend more time watching the dry jokes of the unfunny people. You want it to end so that you can go home. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
UK cinemas get a taste of Avatar Aug 22, 2009
The frenetic jungle-based action feels a little familiar, however, especially if one has seen Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong remake. Steeped in machismo and testosterone, the dialogue also seems in keeping with this director's previous action adventures. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Dr. Strangelove Aug 21, 2009
Also, the film is rampant with sexual motifs; from the fueling plane in the opening that looks like its fornicating with a B-52 right up to the iconic phallic image of Major King Kong (veteran Western actor Slim Pickens) who rides a nuclear bomb yelling Yee-haw. as if he s a cowboy in the rodeo. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
New York: Exploring the landmarks and the 9/11 void Aug 20, 2009
Climbing up a skyscraper in a fraction of a second wasnt new to us as we had already experienced this in many other metros across the globe, yet this was Empire State Building, made popular by King Kong. But as we approached the site I noticed dark clouds gathering and I knew that I would not be getting a clear view of all the surrounding four states that happens to be a USP of the climb. (India Times)
'District 9' sequel plan Aug 19, 2009
In an exclusive interview with he also talks candidly about his experiences working on the 'Halo' movie he was supposed to have directed with Peter Jackson ('Lord of the Rings', 'King Kong') producing. He says that his involvement with the project is definitely "dead" and that he isnt particularly interested in directing it even he were asked to do so. (iAfrica.com)
Be among the first to enter the world of Avatar Aug 17, 2009
WETA Digital, renowned for its work in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and King Kong, will incorporate new intuitive CGI technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into an alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters. Many have read and heard of the intense CGI used in the creation of this movie but few have seen it for themselves. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Sand sculpture contest hopes to raise $50K Aug 15, 2009
A Best on the Riverfront amateur award went to Logistics Health, for its King Kong sculpture, complete with Barbie doll, and the team also snagged the Best Likeness award for adhering closest to its construction model. Awards also were given to Credit Bureau Data for Best Comeback From a Disaster; to Hawkins, Ash, Baptie and Co. for Best Interpretation of Theme; and the team of WKBT-TV, Franciscan Skemp Medical Center and Birnbaum and Seymour for Most Entertaining Presentation. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
The face only a film geek could love Aug 15, 2009
And his personal production line after The Lord of the Rings and King Kong includes an adaptation of the heartbreaking novel The Lovely Bones, two Tintin movies with Steven Spielberg and two Hobbit movies with Guillermo del Toro. But all that didn't mean Peter Jackson could use his own visual-effects company for his latest movie as producer, the science-fiction thriller District 9. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Hollywood's Despicable Remake of Red Dawn Aug 14, 2009
Why is Hollywood messing with my childhood. well, not ever, but since the beginning of this decade. (Slate)
Risen Voice Talent Cast Revealed Aug 13, 2009
Serkis, who has had a long and varied acting career, is best known for his CG character representations Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong in the movie of the same name. Veteran British actor, John Rhys Davies, who has starred in countless blockbuster movies such as Indiana Jones and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, performs as Don Esteban. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Fraud suspect's day in court Aug 6, 2009
He also falsely claimed that he had worked on films like "King Kong," "Jurassic Park," "Snakes on a Plane" and "Spider-Man," authorities said. Carrington, in fact, paid a "substantial sum" to a Walnut Creek jeweler to create a fake Academy Award, which he displayed at his home and showed off in pictures, officials said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Fundraiser to highlight movie stars in sand Aug 6, 2009
Get ready to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, King Kong and Jaws in sand. The public has a chance to view At the Movies themed sand sculptures and support people with disabilities Aug. 14-15 at CenturyTel s Sand on the Riverfront at Riverside Park. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Jackson is back to basics on low-budget 'District 9' Aug 5, 2009
" Jackson's geekery can occasionally blind him to the power of his movies, Cameron says. Five years ago, the two directors had planned to meet to discuss 3-D scenes for Jackson's King Kong (2005). Jackson had requested a morning meeting that day, March 1, 2004 a day after the Academy Awards, for which Jackson was up for 11 Oscars for The Return of the King. "I said, 'You're going to win every Oscar there is; you're not going to be up by 9 a.m.,' " Cameron says. "He huffed humbly. I said, 'Let's... (USA Today -- Life)
'Funny People' Stars Answer Film's Burning Questions Aug 4, 2009
"Yeah, that's me with the short, short red hair isn't that a crazy hairstyle? I've had some crazy hairstyles. I thought I looked good at the time," laughed the actress, who got her start in the early '90s in TV commercials like the "King Kong loves Coke" ad we see in the movie. "That's me. Do you remember that commercial?" she asked. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Today in History Aug 3, 2009
Actress Fay Wray, the damsel held atop the Empire State Building by the giant ape in "King Kong," died in New York City at age 96. One year ago: China opened the Summer Olympic Games with an extravaganza of fireworks and pageantry. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Kitsch overflows at Niagara Falls Aug 2, 2009
On a two-day swing a visitor counted five wax museums, three commercially haunted houses, a village built of LEGO, three towers capable of satisfying anyone's urge for vertigo, King Kong on one building and Frankenstein holding a giant Whopper on another, a two-headed lamb, three electric chairs, a pair of shrunken heads and a bowling alley with giant TV screens affixed above the pins and filled with distracted bowlers who couldn't seem to figure out why their shots landed in the gutters. One... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Need a movie potty break? Site says when to go Aug 1, 2009
com was created by Dan Florio, a 42-year-old Flash developer who got the idea during the three-hour-plus "King Kong" remake in 2005 ... It was created by Dan Florio, a 42-year-old Flash developer who got the idea during the three-hour-plus "King Kong" remake in 2005. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Tidbits: Love Hewitt begs for a Twilight role Jul 30, 2009
Though Jackson tried his own hand at a Hollywood remake with 2005s King Kong, he now admits the habits gotten out of hand. I mean, personally I think thats one of the most depressing things about the film industry generally today, Jackson recently told. (MSNBC -- Gossip)
Sentinel Lunchtime Blog (Movies): Funny people get serious Jul 30, 2009
Black also dabbled with some drama in King Kong and Margot at the Wedding, while Steve Carrell opted to combine drama and comedy for Dan in Real Life and Little Miss Sunshine ... Even those films that were a success among critics, save for The Truman Show and King Kong, havent done all that well at the box office, even for dramas, usually because most are independent films. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Dead cheap - cinema deal for 45 zombie film Jul 28, 2009
" Mr Price said he had named the central character in tribute to his father Colin, who had introduced him to films as a youngster with the original King Kong and the Empire Strikes Back among his favourites. "I've always had a huge interest in films and film making," he added. "I hope that this will encourage others to go out with their video cameras and make films. "It just goes to show you don't need thousands and thousands of pounds.". (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Sci Fi and Horror DVDs to Rent with... Jul 27, 2009
Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) reflecting on how King Kong s love for Ann Darrow made him vulnerable to attack by biplanes in King Kong (1933). Gort. (Suite101.com)
Cameron, Jackson on the Future of Film Jul 26, 2009
(AP) "Titanic." "Lord of the Rings." "Aliens." "King Kong." "The Terminator." ... Jackson is developing a "King Kong" attraction for Universal theme parks that surrounds visitors with 3-D images and effects. (CBS News)
Geeks steamrolled by Hollywood's sci-fi spruikers Jul 24, 2009
Close on Cameron's heels will be another Oscar winner, Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, who, surprisingly, has never made it to Comic-Con before, despite his work in Middle Earth and on King Kong. Jackson will be in town to promote District 9, an original tale about aliens who come to Earth and are forced to live in internment camp slums. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Craving Pizza? Download Pizza Hut App Jul 19, 2009
"The idea came from watching King Kong the re-make in 2005," said Dan Florio, RunPee's creator, referring to Peter Jackson's marathon three-hour blockbuster. Throughout much of the movie, he said, he was desperate to relieve himself. (ABC News)
Fool Me Once...notes From A Fight Night At Sunrise Jul 17, 2009
No offense to the title-retaining efforts of Joseph Agbeko, but Darchinyan ought to thank King, Gary Shaw and any god to whom he prays for ensuring it was the Ghanan "King Kong" in the ring with him Saturday night - and not Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez or anyone else he'd suggested meeting. Had it been, the "Raging Bull's" fate would have been far worse than a close decision. (ABC 7 News, DC)
It's otherworldly Jul 12, 2009
On our way to Mount Victoria, we passed the boat used in Jackson s remake of King Kong, still moored to a dock and rusting. Shockingly tranquil for a city park, Mount Victoria s greenbelt was used by Jackson to film the famous get off the road sequence involving the hobbits and the evil Black Riders. (Boston Globe)
Experts agree: It's Vic for victory by KO Jul 10, 2009
VIC DARCHINYAN is being tipped to knock out Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko when the two meet in what is expected to be a brutal battle between two of the sport's hardest punchers at Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, on Saturday (Sunday morning, Sydney time). Agbeko has an intimidating knockout record and is the reigning International Boxing Federation bant 00004000 amweight world champion, but in a poll of sports writers from the Boston Herald, USA Today and 26 other publications and... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Janet (?!) Jackson tops the Zeitgeist Jul 5, 2009
Naomi Watts, who will receive an award at the 21st Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February, made last week's "top gainers" list -- thanks to her role in the new version of "King Kong.". Followers of local zeitgeist should also note that a phrase thrown around in these parts also made the Google Zeitgeist recently: housing bubble. (Santa Barbara News-Press)
Gotta Go? iPhone App Tells Moviegoers When to Pee Jul 4, 2009
Idea Inspired by Three-Hour 'King Kong' Re-Make. "The idea came from watching King Kong the re-make in 2005," said Dan Florio, RunPee's creator, referring to Peter Jackson's marathon three-hour blockbuster. (ABC News -- Business)
Progress updated online Jul 2, 2009
THE LATEST If you havent seen the upcoming mural on the side of The Coup Agency lately, heres the most recent edition, a visual of the original King Kong, who once could have been seen at the former Capitol Theatre, the subject of the new mural ... Her goal is to have the left side of the original King Kong movie creature (already wonderfully illustrated) completed in the next few days. (Milton Standard Journal, PA)
'King of Pop' is dead at 50 Jun 26, 2009
He didnt speak, but still managed to steal the star-studded thunder from then-recent Oscar winner Adrien Brody, legendary King Kong actress Fay Wray and producer Robert Evans. Earlier, he and Tucker made two other surprise visits at the Gardens Mall and the Palm Beach Mall, where he reportedly dropped $900 on sweatpants at The Finish Line, $200 worth of CDs at FYE and a Hot Wheels set at KB Toys for one of his children. (The Palm Beach Post)
Universal Studios' town square set reopens Jun 23, 2009
Roofers using a blowtorch accidentally started the blaze, which also destroyed the King Kong attraction, a video vault and other outdoor sets ... A new 3-D King Kong attraction based on Peter Jackson's 2005 film is slated to swing onto the tour in summer 2010. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
"Year One": As Funny As Watching Paint Dry Jun 20, 2009
As usual, ("The School of Rock," "King Kong," "Tropic Thunder") plays. Jack Black, with his now familiar comic routines, slightly more hair and a variety of prehistoric costumes. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
READERS VS. CRITICS Jun 20, 2009
"King Kong" (2005) 14 percent ... com readers "Ocean's Eleven" Ocean' 11 (2001) 41 percent "3:10 to Yuma" (2007) 33 percent "King Kong" (2005) 14 percent "The.... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Year One Review Jun 19, 2009
King Kong and Cave Bears in the Land Before Time. IGN checks out the new biblical comedy -- plus, an exclusive clip and new photos. (IGN FilmForce)
Gossip: College girl in gorilla suit sells hugs in Market Square Jun 19, 2009
Do you think this young lady went to see the original King Kong at The Music Hall on June 3. By Jeann McCartin June 18, 2009 6:00 AM. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 Jun 16, 2009
Mick LaSalle, Chronicle Movie Critic. Friday, June 12, 2009. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Lost in translation: 10 of the best lost lands Jun 4, 2009
Skull Island from King Kong (2005) Of course, who needs location when your special effects team can create a whole new island habitat on computers. Peter Jacksons WETA crew pushed the boundaries of CGI filmmaking to unseen territory during the Skull Island sequence of his Kong remake. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Original 'King Kong' roars into Portsmouth tonight Jun 3, 2009
The original 1933 "King Kong" starts at 7:30 p.m. at The Music Hall ... PORTSMOUTH "King Kong" will be shown on the big screen Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth ... With breakthrough special effects for 1933, "King Kong" is one of the all-time great films to explore the soul of a monster. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Prehistoric Cinema Jun 2, 2009
King Kong and Cave Bears in the Land Before Time ... King Kong Studio: Universal Original Release Date: April 7, 1933 / December 14, 2005 ... While King Kong has certainly appeared on screen multiple times throughout cinematic history, the original 1933 film and Peter Jackson's more recent remake offer equally thrilling and wildly imaginative scenarios of a mysterious island sheltered from time. (IGN FilmForce)
E-MAILING IT IN: Nuggets-Magic Finals?; sports' worst refs May 27, 2009
Other famous people I would like Canseco to fight: Martha Stewart, Ed Hochuli, King Kong, Ray Lewis and Richard Simmons. Shaq never disappoints his 1 million-plus Twitter followers. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Island of Lost Souls Movie (1932) May 23, 2009
This film, after all, comes from the same era that produced such lasting sci-fi/horror gems as Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932) and King Kong (1933). The cherubic Charles Laughton delivers a grand performance as Dr. Moreau, dressed in tropical white and conveying a sterile, shadowy presence. (Suite101.com)
New Zealand hails Rings heroes May 22, 2009
The celebrations were delayed until this week because Jackson was busy preparing the DVD version of The Lord of the Rings and making plans for his re-make of King Kong. Jackson is known for his dishevelled look. (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
Gollum actor to 'play' King Kong May 22, 2009
British actor Andy Serkis - Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films - will help create the title character in Peter Jackson's upcoming remake of King Kong ... " The original King Kong recently topped a movie monster poll Serkis was heavily involved in the creation of warped hobbit Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He provided the voice of the character, while his facial and bodily movements were mapped on computer. But he only appeared in the flesh at the beginning of the third instalment,... (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
Whats in store for next years Oscars? May 21, 2009
King Kong Lord of the Rings maestro Peter Jackson directs a remake of the great ape biopic, with Naomi Watts as the new Fay Wray. After elevating the fantasy genre to Oscar glory by treating hobbits with dead earnestness, Jacksons madman enough to do the same for a giant gorilla. (MSNBC -- Academy Awards)
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-- Universal Studios Hollywood: The movie/television theme park is still recovering from a devastating fire that scorched four acres of its backlot, studio sets and tram tour area last June (including its New York street scene and "King Kong" ride-through attraction). The rebuilt sets and full-length tram tour are scheduled to reopen mid-summer with a new New York streetscape, gas station, firehouse, London street and access to the soundstage for "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," where the... (North County Times)
Roooaaar! King Kong coming back in ferocious 3-D at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2010 May 20, 2009
King Kong coming back in ferocious 3-D at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2010 - WTIC. . (FOX61, CT)
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film May 11, 2009
But he goes well beyond his own films, as he cites and discusses films of great influence to him like "King Kong" and Eisentein's "Alexander Nevsky". An obvious intellectual with a nimble mind for data collection and synthesis, Murch has managed to combine technological and engineering know-how with artistic inventiveness. (Slate)
David Copperfield May 8, 2009
I love what can be done with the green screen in movies like the Matrix movies or King Kong. To see something absolutely impossible look so real inspires my magic. (Desert Entertainer, CA)
The Thing with Two Heads Movie (197... May 2, 2009
The Thing with the Two Heads is part Watermelon Man (1970) and part Smokey and the Bandit (1977) -- and, hell, maybe even part King Kong (1933), too. Enjoy this guilty pleasure on a slow day, but don't feed the gorilla. (Suite101.com)
The Name's Du Xiao Hua, But Call Me Steve Apr 28, 2009
The names ran the gamut, from the standard (Jackie, Ivy) to the unusual (Sniper, King Kong), but what really struck me was how commonly people used them when addressing one another, even when the rest of the conversation was in Chinese. To sort out how English names became necessities in China, I recently spent an afternoon with Laurie Duthie, a UCLA doctoral candidate in anthropology who's finishing up her dissertation in Shanghai. (Slate)
