Sat, August 21, 2004
Jurassic Park—10:47 PM
I just finished watching Jurassic Park on DVD. It's maybe the twelfth time I've seen it. I'm not sure exactly, but it's something lowish like that. I remember thinking when they (finally) announced the DVD release that I would probably just watch it once a week. I'm contractually prohibited from ranking movies on a list like "top five" or anything, but I'm sure it's number one or two. Sometimes I'll think that's a bit frivolous, there are so many more complex films more worthy, but then I'll watch it again and I'll remember. It's damn worthy.
It reminds me why John Williams is simply a genius. His score gives me chills right when I'm supposed to get chills, and it even works just listening to the CD. It reminds me why I wanted to make movies in the first place, and why someday, goshdarnit, I still just might. It reminds me why I love Spielberg. And most of all, it reminds me why I love Jurassic Park. This is what separates excellent movies from truly spectacular ones. All your top-tier movies give you something to think about, give you a thrilling experience, and immerse you in another world. The really amazing ones add one more thing: when I'm watching Jurassic Park it makes me want to watch Jurassic Park.
And, heavenly God that DTS mix is superb!
Also, after the film wrapped up I still had to have something on TV while I ate dinner. Olympic diving was on, but tonight's competition didn't feature my darling Anna Lindberg, so I found Lingo on GSN. Chuck Woolery is as batshit as ever. He's resurrected his "Two and two" catchphrase, and the show has added a sidekick for him since I last watched. The easiest game show hosting gig in history, and he's got help. Some cheap Pam Anderson clone with a British accent and a short skirt now handles the lingo board responsibilities and sets up new words for the puzzles. Plus, there's neon everywhere. It's a crazy scene, man!
"AC" — Sun, 8/22/04 12:40pm
Every time I see this movie, I'm reminded of how brilliantly these guys got CG effects right the first time. It's impressive that animated dinos from 1993 are infinitely more realistic and less distracting than 99% of what CG is being used for nowadays. To my mind, Spielberg and Zemeckis are the only two guys who should even be allowed to use this technology. Say what you will about these guys' films as a whole (and I've said plenty), but they know how to integrate subtle yet stunning SFX into a even the most banal story in ways no other filmmaker can touch.
Bee Boy — Sun, 8/22/04 4:15pm
Absolutely. The effects still stand up over a decade later. (And this is a lot coming from AC – he's hardly the forgiving Spielberg/Zemeckis fan I am.) Part of it is the fact that Spielberg was smart enough not to go CG-only. Just like the shark in Jaws, he's aware that any technology has its limitations, and the best final product is one that seamlessly integrates a few different solutions. It's not a CG Movie (รก la The Mummy or The Lord of the Rings); it's a Dinosaur Movie which uses some CG.
"Holly" — Mon, 8/23/04 12:06am
I miss you guys! And MovieNights!
Sorry to use this valuable comment space for such emotional outpourings. Classes (ye gods, what?!) start tomorrow, so I'm a li'l bit hyped.
I am not rising to the LOTR bait, though....
Bee Boy — Mon, 8/23/04 12:08pm
And we miss you! (And the comments section missed you most of all!)
Very impressive non-bait-rising. I almost picked another movie instead of LOTR (Starship Troopers, perhaps) because I thought it wasn't a very polite "welcome back" – but the unrestrained misuse of CG effects in those films is one of the few criticisms I really stand behind. I didn't like the story, that's a personal preference – but the overdependence on CG imagery is there for all to see.
Joe Mulder — Mon, 8/23/04 4:37pm
And, yeah. "Jurassic Park" is one of the best movies ever, and anyone who doesn't think so is a tall, skinny, chain-smoking Oklahoman.
Brandon — Mon, 8/23/04 7:40pm
I'm contractually prohibited from ranking movies on a list like "top five" or anything, but I'm sure it's number one or two.
You're really missing out. I'm all about making "Top _____" lists. They are one of the great pleasures of my existence. They don't have to be set in stone, if that's what makes you averse to them. Consider them more fluid and of that particular moment. My Top TV list changes throughout the TV season.
Anyway, should you ever reconsider your stance on list-making, Joe, Mike and I can make you into a convert pretty quickly.
Bee Boy — Mon, 8/23/04 8:24pm
I'm sure you could. When the contract's up for renegotiating, we'll see. I think the main reason I fear the lists is that I am always forgetting something – I could rank the movies I see in a given week from best to worst, but over my lifetime? There's just too many. Someday maybe I'll make a list of every movie I've ever seen, then I can put those in order and tell you what the first 25 are. Until then, this early attempt in the realm of TV will have to do (and already Wonderfalls is missing).