Central Track Contributor
Why You Should See Jurassic Park in 3D. Plus: The Rest of This Week's Releases.
Jurassic Park in 3D.
Director: Steven Spielberg.
Writers: Michael Crichton, David Koepp.
Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough.
Where It's Playing: Various Metroplex megaplexes!
I still remember June 11, 1993, like it was yesterday. After months of theater trailers, TV spots and those grand black, yellow and red billboards that teased “An adventure 65 million years in the making,” the day finally came.
That was the day Jurassic Park first roared into theaters, forever changing how movies would not only be made but also viewed.
As a dino-obsessed film-nerd-in-training at the ripe old age of 9, I was counting down the days. And, then, it was here. I still recall my first Jurassic Park viewing experience maybe more vividly than I do any other film I've seen in my lifetime.
The line that wrapped around the theater, with its end meeting the beginning. The all-ages crowd — kids and kids at heart — excited at the sights and sounds that awaited us on the silver screen.
And then the lights went dark and the first notes of John Williams' iconic score filled our ears and we saw dinosaurs. Life-sized, real-life (or so they looked) dinosaurs.
127 minutes later, when the credits rolled, I knew that my own life as a movie lover and that of cinema at large would never be the same. Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park had stomped its T-Rex-sized footprint, breaking the ground of what we knew as big-budget, popcorn blockbusters.
Now, almost 20 years later, we return to Jurassic Park to be welcomed in a whole new way thanks to the advent of 3D post-conversion. And we get to return to those same feelings, still present after all these years. While watching this 3D-enhanced version of Jurassic Park, your arm hair will once again stand on end, and your jaw will still drop.
This is a perfect film — and that's not hyperbole or a word that I, or anyone else, should take lightly when it comes movies.
The direction. The editing. The cinematography. The script. The score. The editing. The effects The performances.
Everything. About. It. Is. Perfect.
Sure, you've already seen it. And, yeah, you already know all the qualities that make it the truly epic film that it is.
Here's what you probably want to know: 1.) Does the 3D add really add anything to the viewing experience? 2.) Is it worth paying the $13 to see it in the theater when you could watch it on beautiful Blu-ray in the comfort of your own home in your dinosaur footie PJs?
Yes, on both counts. Truthfully.
In most cases, as with other recent 3D post-convert efforts (read: Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace), I'd suggest that you waste neither your time nor your hard-earned dollars.
But, in this case, all the third dimension does is immerse you more into the experience that Spielberg and his team created here. This film stands as a great example of how 3D technology can be used not as a crutch or a gimmick, but to pull audiences into the world even more deeply. This is the kind of movie-going experience that reminds us why the movie theater remains a sacred place.
Some films go the way of the dinosaur, becoming extinct and forgotten about. But, every once in awhile, the stars align and jettison a meteor of a film that alters the course of film history.
Jurassic Park is one of those films. There's adventure, action, terror, drama, comedy and even a bit of romance. It's a hell of a ride, even after all this time.
And, yes, it's even better in 3D.
I just suggest that you hold onto your butts along the way.
Rating: 10 out of 10 raptor claws.
Also in theaters around town this week…
The Place Beyond the Pines.
Director: Derek Cianfrance.
Writers: Derek Cianfrance, Ben Coccio.
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendez.
Where's it playing? The Magnolia. (It opens wider next week)
Ryan Gosling with a face tattoo, robbing banks and performing death-defying stunts on a dirt bike? Need I say more? OK, I will. In reality, you might want to prepare yourself if you plan on seeing Pines. It's really so much more than just The Goose being all cool all the time. This is a deep look at regret and redemption among three generations of entangled lives. If you've seen director Derek Cianfrance's other film with Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine, then you know better than to expect a whole slew of “Hey, girl…” moments. Basically, shit gets real on the reel. If you can handle it, see it. It's one of the best things I've watched all year.
Evil Dead.
Director: Fede Alvarez.
Writers: Fede Alvarez, Diablo Cody.
Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas.
Where's it playing? Various Metroplex megaplexes.
You know when you hear about films like Saw and Hostel causing people to faint or barf or walk out of the theater or paint the walls with their own blood because said films were so gory and disturbing? But then you see them and you realize that it was all hype, because no film is ever going to live up to the far weirder ideas and images our brains fill in the gaps with? Yeah, well apparently the Evil Dead remake actually lives up to the hype. So painting party at my house this weekend, you guys! Bring your own barf!
The Sapphires.
Director: Wayne Blair.
Writers: Tony Briggs, Keith Thompson.
Cast: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy.
Where's it playing? Angelika Plano and The Magnolia.
The Sapphires is one of those rare films that comes along every now and again that you haven't heard of until they come out that weekend. To be honest, I'm not sure how this one missed the wide range of my nerdar until now. I mean, it stars Chris O�Dowd, he of Bridesmaids fame, and it looks a little That Thing You Do-ish. I'm in!
Evil Dead II (1987) in 35MM.
Director: Sam Raimi.
Writers: Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel.
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks.
Where's it playing? The Texas Theatre through Sunday, April 7.
Maybe you're one of those purists that swears off remakes and sticks to the originals? If that sounds like you, then here's your alternative to the Evil Dead remake! Last week, the boys over at the Texas brought us Sam Raimi's original that started it all, and this week we're getting the sequel, which is kind of a rehash of the first one but still awesome. Next week? Yep, you guessed it: Army of Darkness! Hail to the king, baby!
Spring Breakers in 35MM.
Director: Harmony Korine.
Writer: Harmony Korine.
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, James Franco.
Where's it playing? The Texas Theatre through Sunday, April 7.
This is the fuckin' American dream. This is my fuckin' dream, y'all! All this sheeyit! Look at my sheeyit! I got my dark tannin' oil. I got machine guns. And I got Spring Breakers in 35MM at the Texas Theater! (In all seriousness, if you're cursious about my take on the film, you can read it here.)
American Psycho (2000).
Director: Mary Harron.
Writers: Bret Easton Ellis, Mary Harron.
Cast: Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas.
Where's it playing? Friday and Saturday at midnight at The Inwood
Unless you have to return some video tapes, you've got no excuse to miss this screening. And, considering that Premiere Video is the only place you can rent tapes in town anymore and that they just so happen to be the long-time sponsor of Midnights at The Inwood, I'm sure they'd want you to be here for this gory look at 1980s excess and glitz, too.
