Blog Archives

21 Years in the Making

(Jurassic World: IGN Online)

(“Jurassic World” by Mark Englert: IGN Online)

Ladies and gentlemen, not only is Jurassic World really happening, but it will once again feature the superstar of dinosaurs in the Velociraptor. Above is the first promotional poster for the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. Recalling when I saw the first movie 21 years ago, it’s surreal to think it’s a franchise. What’s more is that it seems like this is the right time to make a new film with great actors (Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard) and written with what appears to be a similar tone as the original from 1993. Enough time has passed that this new movie is not simply a sequel, but a story with a purpose and gravitas to stand on its own.

The saying is, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

I agree.

The excitement that’s included in these thousand words is unsustainable…much like the the expectations of controlling dinosaurs in the modern world.

While we will have to wait and see how this story unfolds in 2015, Spielberg and Co. just may have found a way to rejuvenate this story for the 21st century!

Giving Picture-Taking Advice to Steven Spielberg

This Sunday night, Ellen DeGeneres will host the 86th Academy Awards from Hollywood with approximately (give or take a few people) a billion people (with a “b”) watching from all around the world. With this being her second time hosting this prestigious event, Ellen is well-versed in what the tone should be, as well as the critical opportunities to grab and (hopefully) maintain the attention of nearly a billion people throughout the exhausting, time-consuming ceremony.

Speaking of exhausting and time-consuming…

A speech is a speech is a speech.

If viewers are lucky, one of their favorite actors, actresses, writers and/or directors will win the life-altering award and provide a refreshingly clever, entertaining and memorable acceptance speech (think Sandra Bullock and Adrien Brody, as just two examples).

Plus, perhaps Ellen will provide the viewers with a random minute or two of something refreshingly clever, entertaining and surprisingly memorable…

Ellen to Steven Spielberg taking a picture: “Make sure we’re both in Steven” & “Make it more even on both sides.”

Only at The Oscars!

Books of Epic Proportions

Dan Brown. J.K. Rowling. Tom Clancy.

And now J.J. Abrams apparently.

Reading books is still a popular leisure activity, despite how it may pale in comparison to venturing off to the movie theater to see the next big blockbuster sensation. The bottom line is that people enjoy stories of all genres with varying temptations and hooks. One day it may be action or adventure, the next could be drama and romance and the weekend may be primed for mystery or humor. The imagination has no limitations and is, therefore, eternally receptive to stories of all variations and styles.

In recent years, the word, “epic” has flown into our lexicon as nearly the same speed as Superman himself. There was even an animated film titled, “Epic” released earlier this year. While book releases rarely create epic fanfare or global pandemonium, there was one yesterday that just might expand literature into an unseen dimension of creativity.

Famed filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who is prepping the Disney reboot of “Star Wars,” had his book (co-written with established writer Doug Dorst) debut to the public yesterday. The title of the nearly 500-page mystery, “S,” may be the beginning of a new style and era of creative writing.

Yesterday, it was J.J. Abrams releasing an original novel. Who will be next? Steven Spielberg? James Cameron? Kathryn Bigelow?

Dare I dream for an original novel by Christopher Nolan?

There is no singular style, method, genre or process to writing, acting, directing and producing an epic blockbuster. There are unequivocal similarities, no doubt: original story, great characters, plot twists, big, yet believable action for the setting, stunning cinematography, hints of ambiguity, etc. But each crew has done it differently with a certain trademark.

Imagine this formula translated into an original novel that reads like an epic Hollywood movie that instinctively provokes intrigue and that relentlessly illustrates vivid scenes in our minds like the flow of some of our favorite movies?

Incredible books with the similar qualities listed above have and are being written. However, the scale of these literary adventures, mysteries, romances, etc. would be new with a particular cast of writers.

Try to envision a movie in IMAX with a powerfully unforgettable soundtrack somehow captured and placed within the binding restraints of a book.

There is a grandiose expectation with J.J. Abrams’ book because of his acclaimed cinematic skill set and storytelling accomplishments behind the camera. People will be expecting that “it” factor that will definitively distinguish “S” above the other available mysteries on the shelf.

Adapting popular books into movies is a common practice in Hollywood. And these scripts usually sound as if it were penned by an author instead of a screenwriter. The pace and style of the dialogue and the patience paid to character development is discernible. It’s not always absolutely good or bad, but it certainly is noticeable to the audience.

Last year, in late November, director Christopher Nolan made a rare public appearance to participate in a solo forum in New York City with a small audience to discuss his current, “Dark Knight” trilogy, his past movies and his then upcoming role in “The Man of Steel.” In fact, it happened on a Wednesday. Due to a contradictory statement given to me about a conflict at work that Wednesday and following Thursday, I had to refrain from securing one of those rare tickets when one was remarkably available.

I digress.

Christopher Nolan had agreed to answer a few questions from fans and/or attendees during this gathering. The question I submitted was essentially this: “Have you ever created your own original superhero with a corresponding universe and enemy(ies)? If so, who is it? What are his or her superhero powers? If not, would you ever be interested in such a venture?”

I was interested in not only my question, but all of the questions, plus his responses of course.

Maybe he read my question, maybe he didn’t. But if he did and the answer is yes, the possibilities and excitement among his fans would be difficult to contain.

The aura that surrounds “S” was palpable the moment I held it in my hands. There is a unique power and influence that radiates and thrills from the work of creative cinematic storytellers. Imaginations simply run wild with the stories they tell.

I just hope more will soon put it in writing.

Happy Monday!

I was scrolling through my iPod Touch this weekend and tapped on “John Williams.” It had been too long my dear friend, too long!

Quite frankly, this quick tap was all I needed to reopen a world of unlimited possibilities and imagination. On this Monday, dream the unthinkable because, if you do, it just may come true…

Happy Monday and Have a (Pre-)Historic Week!