Review: "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom"

by Chris Feil

It should maybe be said upfront that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is an improvement over its woebegone predecessor. If you are an optimist at heart (or just a realist, because the “original” World was truly THAT bad), you might have assumed so already. Why you might not have assumed is that Fallen Kingdom is hellbent on crushing that optimism to dust, and even moreso the hope at the heart of its own franchise.

Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, a volatile volcano threatens the entire remaining species on Isla Nublar. While the world watches, mired in the ethical battle to let the dinosaurs die or make efforts to save these living creatures, Bryce Dallas Howard’s former park manager Claire Dearing is recruited to help a last-dash rescue mission. That means also reconciling with former lover and raptor herder Owen Grady, Chris Pratt’s wise ass hero. It’s a recipe for disaster that comes to its natural dire conclusion, resulting in the dinosaurs reaching civilization.

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Ten Little Links

People Mag Julia Roberts named "World's Most Beautiful" for record fifth time in the magazine's annual list
i09 new Fahrenheit 451 movie adaptation coming. To star two Michaels, Shannon and Jordan
Tampa Bay Times a street in Florida renamed "Moonlight Way" - how wonderful!
Towleroad Stranger Things "Barb" actress Shannon Purser has come out as bisexual
Variety Chris Pratt admits he was taken off guard by the harsh criticism of Passengers
In Contention Fox Searchlight lines up multiple Oscar hopefuls a year after the Birth of a Nation debacle
Playbill Anika Noni Rose set to play a who, along with her daughters, becomes the center of a hacking media storm in Assassination Nation 
Tracking Board Will Smith circling the genie role in the live action remake of Disney's Aladdin musical
Playbill the Drama League Nominations for 2017  
Film School Rejects on Hollywood's fascination with de-aging its stars and why, storytelling wise, this is generally a bad idea 

Exit Videos
We're just under a year away from the debut of the superhero TV series Cloak & Dagger but they've released a trailer anyway. Seems kinda early!

We've already covered The Beguiled teaser but here's the full trailer (which is very similar in structure but with extra footage). Having seen the 1971 film I wasn't worried about spoilers but you absolutely shouldn't watch this if you haven't seen the original film. For my taste it's a little too revealing. 

Infinity Links... "a fun filled year of lensing"

Esquire cool interview with the director of John Wick: Chapter 2, a former stuntman
Stage Buddy on a new book about the immortal classic Casablanca
Vox an excellent piece on AMC's Humans and how it differs from HBO's similarly AI themed but wildly different Westworld  
NYT Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy to return to the stage 
Indie Wire Tulip Fever gets pushed back AGAIN even though it was supposed to open in less than two weeks
Silver Screening Room on the Adapted Screenplay race of 1976 for reasons I dont know but I enjoyed 

More after the jump including Avengers Infinity War...

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Ten Little Linkies

Coming Soon Lin-Manuel Miranda composing an original musical for Sony Animation? Who at Disney lost their grip on him? Mistake!
MNPP Chris Pratt got all banged up
NY Post emotional advice $2
/Film a La La Land scene recreated in Austin Texas

IndieWire reviews Cate Blanchett in Manifesto, a new art film installation 
Variety Ryan Reynolds gets his star on the Walk of Fame and talks about the Green Lantern valley before the Deadpool peak 

List-Mania
Daily Beast Jen Yamato is apparently feeling some rage. Her super violent top ten includes Green Room, The Witch, and Train to Busan
Tracking Board best of everything with lots of Lin-Manuel Miranda and blockbuster hits
Variety names worst movies of the year including right-wing fact-free propaganda "documentaries" and movies you forgot came out this year like The Brothers Grimsby and Nina -- unfortunately they also slam Tate Donovan right and left for his direction of Girl on the Train. Leave Tate Donovan alone, Variety. He doesn't direct and he's in Manchester by the Sea this year, not that thriller. Editor? Anyone?
AP's top ten has the usual suspects La La Land and Moonlight, a few documentaries but mixes it up with The Edge of Seventeen

"Guardians - Vol. 2" is Coming - Obviously

Chris here with some Marvel goodness. With Doctor Strange about to hit theatres, naturally Marvel is ready to stoke the masses for their next superhero tentpole: Guardians of the Galaxy - Vol. 2. This one comes with a little more goodwill attached considering the first installment was (mostly) warmly received. It also set a high bar for what they can achieve outside of their flagship characters, both in fan support and box office.

Take a look at the teaser below, with first impressions and a very 90s Guess Jeans-inspired poster after the jump...

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