Sunday 24 July 2011

Jurassic Park IV...?

People! Are you all well? Good! Because here's something that'll make you have a turn...

At the magic of the San Diego Comic-Con, they were bedazzled by the appearence of none other than Mr. Steven Spielberg! Almost as historic as Harrison Ford appearing last year to talk Star Wars for the first time!

However, a bombshell was dropped...And not necessarily a good one...He has announced that a fourth installment of the Jurassic Park films would be made within the next two or three years.

Don't get me wrong; the Jurassic Park trilogy is one of my favourite trilogies (along with Back to the Future & The Matrix) and aside from Star Wars, one of my first great celluloid loves...But that's what it has always been; a trilogy. The first was a cinematic piece of magic that only Spielberg could deliver and The Lost World: Jurassic Park followed with a completely different tone packed with more thrills than the first and Jurassic Park III was a fun ride with some awesome new dino-action and a great ending for the trilogy (and that's ONE reason #4 isn't a great idea).

The news is also worrying because of the last time Spielberg added a 'fourth to the trilogy'...And to be fair, he hasn't been on top form since the turn of the millennium (so far Catch Me if You Can and Munich have been the only decent pictures since) and seems to have had a recently-developed (but major) handicap with Third Acts and endings (A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, etc).

Anyway, I remember soon after Jurassic Park III was released and heard reports that they were to introduce the aquatic prehistoric creatures for a fourth film...Then a few years later I remember some barmy ideas floating around (militarised/weaponised Raptors, for instance). After a period of silence, it was reported around 2006/2007 that Spielbarg had a story and Joe Johnston was on board to direct again with both Sam Neill AND Jeff Goldblum returning; very promising news!

Unfortunately tragedy struck in 2008 when Michael Crichton, author of the original Jurassic Park and The Lost World novels, passed away. By this time, the franchise was floating in limbo anyway and soon afterwards, they announced that they would lay it to rest in memory of Crichton; along with the passing of Bob Peck (Robert Muldoon, Jurassic Park) in 1999 and the great Pete Postlethwaite (Roland Tembo, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) earlier this year, I still maintain that the franchise remaining as a trilogy is the best choice.

Now for your benefit, I give you the report of the bombshell itself...

http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/steven-spielberg-jurassic-park-4-comic-con/

Not one mention of Crichton either from the reporter or Spielberg himself (and if the film was to be dedicated to MC, I'd be happier about the whole thing), however the reporter finishes with this self-satisfying flourish; "And that's about the best news we've heard since they invented the electric car."

I plead just one question; is it...?

AM


IN MEMORIAM:

Bob Peck
Michael Crichton
Pete Postlethwaite

You three brought so much to so many...

Wednesday 6 July 2011

"Thanks for the advice...!"

Haven't posted in a while, so I thought start off by welcoming my brand spanking new follower Sarah (whom I've actually known for years, now) and to say to you other three; be kind! Otherwise, she'll use the word 'meanie' and disguise the evilness by being oh-so-innocent! (It works, actually!)

Now then! Where would we be without a few rules? Yes, Al Murray could very well tell you, but you need a bit of order, even if it's for the simple things...

As inspired by 'NCIS', 'Star Wars' & 'Sherlock' (and maybe a little from the great James Arnold Taylor), I have created a set of 'rules' that I believe can get one through the trials and tribulations of life as we know it! I'm not saying you have to follow them of course, but it's just another thing I could maybe inspire somebody with!
 
#01: Know your limits/’Know thyself’
#02: Be positive
#03: Exercise discipline
#04: Always listen
#05: Always observe
#06: Be Responsive
#07: Be upfront
#08: Never underestimate
#09: Happiness can be infectious; spread it!
#10: Unless there’s a damn good reason not to, always accept an offer
#11: Fair trade
#12: It’s illegal for a reason
#13: Your decision, your responsibility
#14: Your responsibility, your decision
#15: No-one is below you
#16: If someone looks like they need a hug, give ‘em one
#17: If you love someone, tell them
#18: Seek closure...If successful, walk away
#19: Life lessons aren’t taught, they are experienced
#20: Nature is precious; preserve it
#21: Appreciate and respect what you have
#22: A dream is only limited by your reality
#23: Never think you’ve done your best; otherwise, you’ll never do any better
#24: Mathematics and science; they work!
#25: You can’t argue with facts (opinions, however...)
#26: Accept others’ beliefs and views
#27: When making a point, offer something to think about
#28: The arrogance of some blinds the wisdom of many
#29: There are always alternatives...Find them
#30: When all else fails, think logically, literally and laterally
#31: People lie...
#32: If there’s no reason to lie, why would you?
#33: Trust is a powerful ally; make sure you know who to give it to
#34: Can you ever truly know how somebody feels?
#35: If something seems too good to be true, make sure it is or not
#36: When it counts, be sceptical
#37: It pays to be thorough
#38: Remember time moves forward; you can only move forward with it
#39: Hope is always present; grab as much of it as you can
#40: A creative mind is a wonderful thing to utilise
#41: Focus; the mind must be clear in order to see
#42: You are your own unique, individual person, so be an original, not a copy
#43: Different is good; don’t ever let anybody tell you otherwise
#44: Perseverance will get you somewhere
#45: Be prepared to face the unknown; the fear will turn into excitement
#46: It’s not the subject; it’s how you deal with it that matters
#47: Life is what you make it

If you think I've missed out any important topic or subject (I know I've forgotten at least one thing), please do let me know!

Until next time!

AM

P.S. The Western is coming along nicely! The horses have names now! (Thanks to Sarah! Hehe)