A 'Peak' at the next big disaster flick

GOOD MORNING: Over $200 million in new movies unspooled to me during a coupla hours of conversations Thursday. First, from out at Aqua Dulce, where "Dante's Peak" wound, director Roger Donaldson allowed his movie cost "around $100 million" and was much harder to do than even his sci-fi thriller, "Species." Co-stars Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton were a pleasure to work with, he said, in the often difficult and demanding scenes, "and they are in almost every one." Donaldson is on a fast track to get the Universal epic out for Easter. He had been in preparation a long time on the volcanic-eruption pic and had even flown into Mount St. Helen's for research, "And it's still smoking," he said. Will "Peak" be more exciting than another natural-disaster movie, "Twister"? Donaldson feels his film has a "stronger story" but he doesn't criticize the successful "Twister." But Donaldson allows, "Audiences now demand even much more." ... And from beautiful Palmdale, in a giant Rockwell hangar converted into an Indiana city, "Flood" director Mikael Salomonand producers Mark Gordon and Gary Levinsohn enthralled me with details of their $65 million production, to be released by Paramount. Their city, designed by Michael Riva ("Lethal Weapon" I & II, "Congo," etc.) is under four feet of water and the sets sink as the "flood" rises. Salomon uses as many as seven cameras. The film takes place entirely at night and in constant rain a challenge not only to the crew but to the cast of Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Randy Quaid and Minnie Driver. However, they work in water heated to 85 degrees (and chlorinated). Salomon, who lensed "The Abyss," agrees this is considerably harder. "When I first prepared for the shoot I didn't know whether we'd be able to do it. But everyone has been totally responsive and responsible." There will be little, if any, special effects in post-production. "We did it the old-fashioned way practical effects on camera." These producers also claim this is not a "disaster" movie, but "an action movie." They, too, say their film is not inspired by "Twister," but Ian Bryce, who also produces, was also involved with that pic. The trio of producers prepared for "The Flood" six months before building the tank, which holds 5 million gallons of water. Gordon's "Speed II" is filming at the same time, this one for Fox. He hopes "Speed" will not be released at the same time as his "Flood." "I wouldn't want to go opposite it ('Flood') myself!"

AND THEN THERE WAS A CONVERSATION with the $31 million "English Patient" producer Saul Zaentz, who allowed this is his most expensive film. Miramax came in with $27 million to make it happen. "We saw them at the first week and not until the end when we were editing. They (Harvey and Bob Weinstein) were great, supportive, and we've never had such promotional support ever before. They deserve their credits; their suggestions in editing were appreciated. I had been with this project four years and I'm the first one to say I don't know everything." The planned Miramax promotion was evident at a preem benefiting the AFI at the Bruin Wednesday followed by a party in "The Explorers Tent" on UCLA's parking lot. Guests included Harrison Ford (alumnus of Zaentz's "The Mosquito Coast"), Michael Keaton, Cher, Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Tilly, James Woods, Courtney Love and Michael Stipe, etc. Preems follow in SanFran and N.Y. Zaentz wants to work with the Weinsteins again and they are offering him projects. Saul is also anxious to reteam with "Patient" director-writer Anthony Minghella.

THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL GALA will again be produced by Gary Smith. It will be Jan. 19, the eve of the inauguration, in D.C.'s U.S. Air Arena. The show will air on a network (to be set) and edited for time. Smith also produced-directed the '92 Clinton Inaugural, whose guest performers ranged from Barbra Streisand to Michael Jackson. Barbra, is of course, hoped-for again. No Jackson, natch. Smith is currently producing (with Fred Rappoport) and directing "Opryland Country Christmas" in Nashville Jim Brolin joined Barbra in N.Y. Thursday for Sunday's preem of "The Mirror Has Two Faces." He returns to Galway Tuesday to start directing "Brothers in Arms." Streisand is expected to meet him there in a couple of weeks and stay tuned. Meanwhile, she continues her p.a. blitz for "Mirror": Monday "Oprah"; Tuesday and Wednesday "The Today Show"; Tuesday also "Dateline"; and Wednesday and Thursday, "Good Morning America." Also in N.Y., Jonathan Tisch becomes the youngest chairman of the American Hotel & Motel Assn. Sunday at the Plaza. Tisch is also the first New Yorker to receive the honor. ... "Byron" producer Billy Clark met with director Charles Jarrott and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, with the latter also talking to take on director reins on a Hungarian Freedom Fighter Film for Clark.