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A Big Gorilla Weighs In [Hollywood blows $207 million on gorilla movie]
The New York Times ^ | October 27, 2005 | Sharon Waxman

Posted on 10/26/2005 9:24:47 PM PDT by SteveMcKing

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 - In hiring Peter Jackson, the Oscar-winning director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, to remake the monster classic "King Kong," Universal Pictures took a daring leap, paying him $20 million to direct, produce and be the co-writer of the film.

With seven weeks to go before the movie's release, the risks are becoming clearer. After seeing a version of the film in late September at Mr. Jackson's studio in New Zealand, Universal executives agreed to release "King Kong" at a length of three hours.

The film is substantially longer than Universal had anticipated and presents dual obstacles: the extra length has helped increase the budget by a third, to $207 million, while requiring the studio, owned by General Electric, to reach for the kind of long-term audience interest that made hits out of three-hour movies like "Titanic" and the films in Mr. Jackson's "Rings" trilogy.

(continued)

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: ape; baboon; chimp; chimpanzee; gorilla; monkey; orangutan
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To: Ehrlichman; Admin Moderator
Did you miss this, kid?

Channeling some leftist thoughts here:
61 posted on 10/27/2005 12:06:15 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: Rastus

don't get him zotted. I'm bored and want to debate him on this issue.


62 posted on 10/27/2005 12:07:28 AM PDT by durasell
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To: clee1

I've seen the trailers for it. They seem to have remade the 1930's version almost exactly (retro not modern) except with 21st Century special effects. I'll go see it just for that.


63 posted on 10/27/2005 12:07:46 AM PDT by PLMerite ("Unarmed, one can only flee from Evil. But Evil isn't overcome by fleeing from it." Jeff Cooper)
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To: durasell

I can't take it back now. Darn.


64 posted on 10/27/2005 12:09:04 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: Rastus

crap. oh well...


65 posted on 10/27/2005 12:10:15 AM PDT by durasell
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To: PLMerite
They seem to have remade the 1930's version almost exactly (retro not modern) except with 21st Century special effects.

The realization of 1930s New York appears to be astounding. I wish Jackson would consider an adaptation of Jack Finney's Time and Again, which is set in New York in the 1880s.
66 posted on 10/27/2005 12:11:27 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: Borges

Ping to the big monkey movie.


67 posted on 10/27/2005 12:12:25 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: Rastus

related King Kong trivia -- did you know the Empire State Building was built in well under two years?


68 posted on 10/27/2005 12:12:53 AM PDT by durasell
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To: durasell

I just did a search, and it looks like it took only 14 months! The WTC, by way of comparison, took four years for one tower and six years for the other.


69 posted on 10/27/2005 12:16:09 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: PAR35

Frankly, my dear... I just don't give a damn.


70 posted on 10/27/2005 12:20:25 AM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: Rastus

It was built during the Depression. I've talked to old timers who remember it. A line of workers would extend around the block each morning. If a worker was hurt on the job at noon, they'd search the line for an immediate replacement who would be on the job by 12:10.


71 posted on 10/27/2005 12:21:42 AM PDT by durasell
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To: durasell

Yes, I was aware of that.

But were YOU aware ...


72 posted on 10/27/2005 12:23:37 AM PDT by dr_lew
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To: dr_lew

only heard the rumors.


73 posted on 10/27/2005 12:24:54 AM PDT by durasell
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To: durasell

They were doing the jobs that Americans wanted to do.


74 posted on 10/27/2005 12:40:33 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: WillamShakespeare

Magilla Gorilla used to be standard Friday night fare at my house. Mannix was on later.


75 posted on 10/27/2005 12:52:43 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: SteveMcKing

Has anyone noticed that the top movies at the box office over the weekends are getting $12-$15 million?

It use to be that weekend box office recepits for the top grosser where in the $40 million range on an average weekend.


76 posted on 10/27/2005 1:02:44 AM PDT by atlantaroad
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To: JennysCool

Sheesh. How many times are they going to remake that monkey-fest?

I liked the Simpson version the best.


77 posted on 10/27/2005 1:54:10 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Seeking the truth here folks.)
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To: WillamShakespeare
When are they going to do a remake of Magilla Gorilla?

On Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, a couple of weeks ago.

78 posted on 10/27/2005 1:57:39 AM PDT by Hank Rearden (Never allow anyone who could only get a government job attempt to tell you how to run your life.)
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To: FreedomCalls
Channeling some leftist thoughts here...would $207 million buy?

the Hollyweird Leftist Think? ...They'll just throw a "Hissy" Fit and Bitch, while "quaffing" down Starbucks Coffee and slipping into their Birkenstock flip-plops...

79 posted on 10/27/2005 7:08:47 AM PDT by skinkinthegrass (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :^)
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To: martin_fierro
The Last Remake Of Beau Geste...

Hmm, I kinda like that Movie, w/ Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman... :D

80 posted on 10/27/2005 7:18:49 AM PDT by skinkinthegrass (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :^)
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