Blog Archives
Bringing a Tsunami of Chaos to the World
(Jurassic Park, Facebook)
Colin Trevorrow and Steven Spielberg collaborated to make Jurassic Park a real tourist destination (at least theatrically) in Jurassic World.
Can the director of The Impossible make us believe in a world with dinosaurs, sans fences and elaborate glass bird cages?
J.A. Bayona was given the reins of the prized Jurassic Park franchise to direct Jurassic World 2 (title still TBD), scheduled for June 22, 2018. Unsurprisingly, there is already tremendous buzz about this sequel. Why? First, Jurassic World earned a record-breaking $1.6 billion. Second…it’s the second film in the trilogy.
The plot of the first film in this new trilogy revealed there’s a good likelihood of dinosaurs (specifically Velociraptors) being militarized. Will this work? Is this the best idea for rebooting the franchise? Surely, Steven Spielberg has thought long and hard about this and, after many meetings and debates, has determined this is the natural path forward for genetically engineered dinosaurs.
The Impossible is a gritty, emotional movie with beautiful (though devastating) cinematography. Mr. Bayona knows how to film in the elements, especially when nature collides with a tsunami and the chaos that follows.
If Dr. Ian Malcolm were a real person, he’d give his real endorsement of J.A. Bayona as director with a Favorite or Retweet.
Even though there are some scenes in The Impossible that are difficult to watch, Mr. Bayona always scaled the setting and the story perfectly.
What do I mean?
The devastation from the monstrous tsunami was widespread, literally as far as the eye could see, and then some. When the audience needed to see the full landscape, he showed it using every inch of the silver screen. When we needed to see and connect to the characters and experience their highly-emotional struggles, he framed these moments with heart-wrenching precision. And those small, slow burning sparks of hope were there to keep us believing like the desperate families in the film.
The Impossible was both grand and intimate through the intricate collaboration of real-life and CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery).
J.A. Bayona: Welcome to Jurassic World.
P.S. Colin Trevorrow (39) had one notable hit before being hired for Jurassic World. J.A. Bayona (40) has a similar portfolio in preparing for Jurassic World 2. And yet, Steven Spielberg was already a legendary filmmaker when he took on Jurassic Park. Today, it’s regarded as one of the best movies ever made.
Should Spielberg have chosen more experienced and acclaimed directors for continuing his directorial legacy in the dinosaur franchise?
Just an observation to ponder.
Strength in the Unknown
Christmas and New Years in Ohio is a bit unusual…for me, anyways.
For around 20 years, my family would travel abroad and vacation for about 2 weeks in incredible destinations overseas. The locations were breathtakingly wonderful and unforgettable. The memories I have from these trips made an impression on me that have been defining, to say the least. However (as explained in a previous blog post), marriages and children halted the “Lentz 5” adventures and instead created new family vacation traditions. Still, there is a one spot that will always generate a unique and special remembrance: Thailand.
Back in 2004, a tsunami devastated Thailand, as well as surrounding areas bordered by the Indian Ocean. It was a natural disaster of epic proportions. Hell on Earth. Yet, people (tourists and locals alike) rallied together to survive, for themselves and complete strangers. These powerfully amazing acts of kindness and heroism have resonated with me because that tsunami very easily could have hit a resort like the ones we’ve stayed at in areas practically identical to the one featured in the 2013 movie, The Impossible. This film is all too real when it comes to the beautiful beaches and land of Thailand and generosity of the Thai people and fellow vacationers. I recommend people see it, but there are some difficult scenes to watch, just as an FYI. And as actress Naomi Watts has said, the events in the movie are stunningly accurate. This is because the family at the center of the film really experienced what is shown in the movie.
This time of year reminds me of my epic family trips (like Thailand), the Christmas spirit and the hope and magnanimity from people all around the world in anticipation for the new year. The Impossible, despite its devastatingly raw realities, needed to be made. And, thankfully, it was.
Don’t simply think of the impossible, but find a way to be the impossible to yourself and others.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 