Movie Review: Jurassic World Dominion
Dinosaur-centric island theme park in “Jurassic World” brought back the sense of awe and wonder, although nothing would ever capture the magical feeling of seeing the first dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park” three decades ago. In “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” humans face moral consequences of whether we are now responsible for the continuation of the lives of these previously extinct creatures since we brought them back to life. “Jurassic World: Dominion” is the fallout of this evolution. Have you ever wondered if dinosaurs live among us? Not just on an isolated island, but in modern civilization. This what makes ‘Dominion’ different from all the other installments. It’s a sight that you thought you’d never see. All types of these prehistoric creatures are seen on skyscrapers, snowy plains, rocky canyons, open meadows, wooded forests, icy lakes and deep seas. To manage containment, the government grants a worldwide contract to a biotech company, Biosyn Genetics. Headed by a quirky head, Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), Biosyn predictably turns out to be an evil outfit. ‘Dominion’ has two separate storylines, running concurrently. The first one involves dinosaur trainer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt, “The Avengers” series), former Jurassic World’s business manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon). The second one reunites the main characters from the original “Jurassic Park,” world-renowned scientists Drs. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). Maisie now lives with Owen and Claire in a forest cabin, as their adopted daughter. As revealed in ‘Fallen Kingdom,’ Maisie, a human clone, is special due to her scientifically engineered DNA, which makes her very much sought after to be studied. Now a teenager, Maisie longs for freedom, which the isolated life couldn’t offer her. When Maisie is inevitably kidnapped, Owen and Claire have to get her back. In addition to Maisie, Blue, the velociraptor with a special connection to Owen, now has a baby, and the baby dinosaur is also captured. The rescue attempts take Owen and Claire on adventures around the globe, with the goal of getting into Biosyn island, the research facility where Maisie and Blue’s baby are held. The underground black market, city street running and rooftop jumping make ‘Dominion’ more like action movies, like the “Mission Impossible” kind, only with dinosaurs thrown in the mix. Standout scenes include killer raptors, programmed to kill, relentlessly pursuing our heroes, and a wild motorcycle chase leaping into the back of an open door of a cargo plane taxiing for takeoff. The plane is piloted by good Samaritan, former Air Force pilot Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise). Entering into Biosyn island’s airspace and landing is far from a smooth ride, due to a concentration on dinosaurs roaming around, on land and in the air. With monstrous creatures merely inches away, survival is often utterly sheer luck. Even knowing the main characters would ultimately survive, they still do make hold-your-breath, jump-out-of your seat scenes. Alan, Ella and Ian end up on the Biosyn island on a different mission. It has something to do with Biosyn’s efforts in creating and disseminating mutant locusts to wipe out the world’s food ecosystem. It may be fan service, but it’s good to see the old-timers back together. They are likeable, and their interactions are heartwarming and bring humor into the movie. There are moments where you might question the actions of certain characters but this is one of those movies where it’s more enjoyable when you don’t poke into holes. The last third of the movie resembles the traditional ‘Jurassic’ series, where all hell breaks loose and humans are once again trapped in an island, trying to survive and escape from voracious dinosaurs. ‘Dominion’ introduces cool-looking new species with gnarly teeth, long sharp claws, regal feathers and majestic wings, with roaring predators ferociously fighting for supremacy. Most memorable are clawed therizinosaurus, feathered pyroraptor and gigantic giganotosaurus. The separate storylines make ‘Dominion’ less cohesive, and the main attraction of the movie, dinosaurs are on the backburner sometimes. It’s also hard to believe how humans could co-exist or cities could be safe from destruction with these mostly fearsome creatures running around. Some are clearly very dangerous, dominate and do not discriminate on what they attack, tear or eat into.‘Dominion’ doesn’t necessarily offer a solution in the unprecedented present day, which is arguably least satisfying, and it ends more on a philosophical note. Still, there’s plenty of fun to be had, particularly for fans of dinosaurs. Serving up familiar terrors and new thrills on a nostalgic platter, “Jurassic World Dominion” is a quintessential summer blockbuster.Copyright (c) 2022. Nathalia AryaniThe post Movie Review: Jurassic World Dominion first appeared on SD Entertainer Magazine.
Movie Review – Top Gun: Maverick
A global pandemic and nearly three years since I saw Tom Cruise on stage at Comic-Con in 2019, and 36 years since the original “Top Gun,” Cruise’s (“Mission Impossible” series, “Edge of Tomorrow,” “Jack Reacher“) return to the danger zone will take your breath away. The last movie star of his kind, Cruise remains in cruise control of epic moviemaking. Returning to work with director Joseph Kosinski (“Oblivion,” “Tron: Legacy“), and high on youthful charisma, endless energy and extraordinary dedication to his craft, “Top Gun: Maverick” is truly a Cruise movie and Maverick’s journey.More than three decades of service in the Navy, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell has been stuck in a Captain mode, where he should have reached the rank of Admiral. Despite of a long and distinguished career, it seems that Maverick has been escaping promotions by wanting to stay in the skies, where the prime actions are, and his boundary-busting behavior continues to stymie and dismay his superiors. Now an avant-garde test pilot, the opening scene of him flying an experimental flight must be seen to be believed. Another is a single most heartstopping solo sequence mid-movie; you’ll know when you see it. At the request of Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky (Val Kilmer), Maverick is sent back to the flight school in San Diego, the same school he was trained in, to teach the next generation of fighter pilots. They are preparing for a deadly mission into a mountainous terrain in enemy territory no living pilot has ever attempted. It would not only require incredible technical skills and techniques, but also extreme level of fitness and physical endurance, impeccable timing and precision, unparalleled teamwork, peak confidence and a little bit of luck. While the two men differ much in temperaments and Iceman’s career has had a legendary trajectory, it’s apparent there’s a lifetime of friendship and admiration between him and Maverick. Val’s return, in a real-life state that the actor is in due to his health condition, while very brief, is impactful. The reunion between the former star rivals is misty-eyed touching. While Maverick’s need for speed makes him the barrier-breaking pilot he’s known for, a different side of him emerges. He is wistful, reflecting on his younger years, and still carrying the guilt over his late co-pilot and best friend Nick “Goose” Bradshaw all those years ago. He’s also more careful, knowing full well that not only he has the lives of those young pilots on his hands, but also the life of aviator Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller, “Insurgent”), Goose’s son. Rooster is resentful and doesn’t trust Maverick, whom he held responsible for his father’s death and more.Some of the other top trainees are Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin (Glen Powell), Monica ‘Phoenix’ Barbaro (Natasha Trace), Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd (Lewis Pullman), Reuben ‘Payback’ Fitch (Jay Ellis), Mickey ‘Fanboy” Garcia (Danny Ramirez), Javy ‘Coyote’ Machado (Greg Tarzan Davis). Jennifer Connelly (“Winter’s Tale”) is introduced as Maverick’s on-and-off again flame, Penny Benjamin, the Admiral’s daughter mentioned in passing in the original movie. Successful and adventurous in her own right, she anchors and pushes Maverick the right way. There’s familiarity, comfort, old lovin’ feelin’ and tenderness between them. The emotional core of the story is the relationship dynamic between Maverick and Goose though; as expected, it’s uneasy. I wish we’d get to know more about the new pilots, but I knew there’s no time. The real stars of the movie are the fighter jets and the elite pilots who fly them. The aerial maneuvers and old-fashioned dogfights are a dazzling extravaganza across the wide open skies and seas, narrow canyons and snowy mountains. These fighter jets steeply climb, dive, loop, roll, cut through, swerve and invert, taking along the actors for the fiery and glorious rides. No CGI planes or fake cockpits here; the actors, who underwent a grueling survival training program, sat in the backseats flown by real Navy pilots demonstrating inhuman feats. Their gravity-defying reactions pulling G-forces are also real, which makes the experience viscerally authentic with intensity. Watching the movie in a spacious Screen X theater mid-day on a weekday without crowd, the wraparound screens are especially immersive. The last stretch of the movie is phenomenally exhilarating. Surmounted by racing tension, the turn of events turns emotional, but when you’d think the movie might be flying one way and ends with a headwind, it spins into another direction and another.It’s nice to see my adopted hometown, San Diego and its sun-drenched coastlines, featured on the silver screen. The iconic anthem, familiar “Top Gun” tune will elevate and bring back memories, and Lady Gaga’s (“A Star is Born”) “Hold My Hand” new soundtrack fits with the movie’s theme. Family and friendship. Bravado and bond. Heroism and sacrifice. Tremendously thrilling, dripping with nostalgic poignancy, “Top Gun: Maverick” is the ultimate love note to aviation and unifying, soaring blockbuster. Monica Barbaro and Tom Cruise on the set of Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.Copyright (c) 2022. Nathalia AryaniThe post Movie Review – Top Gun: Maverick first appeared on SD Entertainer Magazine.
Mission Fed ArtWalk Returns to Little Italy Apr 30 – May 1
San Diego’s Little Italy will come alive with artwork from more than 250 artists from around the world, entertainment, live music, food, drinks and more. Back for it’s 38th year, Mission Fed ArtWalk is a weekend-long, free arts and culture event in San Diego’s Little Italy.The largest and longest-running arts festivals in Southern California showcases every medium of art including painting, sculpture, glass work, photography, fine jewelry and more.“We are thrilled to reach the amazing milestone of bringing this fine art festival to the San Diego community and connect San Diegans and visitors to a sea of talented fine artists from all over the US, Mexico and beyond for 38 years running,” said Curt Brooker, Director of ArtWalk San Diego.Some new and unique elements coming to Mission Fed ArtWalk this year include:Interactive Art ActivitiesExpress yourself with interactive art activities available throughout the weekend made possible by Artist & Craftsman and Blick Art Materials. On Saturday, make a sun-catcher design with Artist & Craftsman using Pinata Alcohol inks on polyester sheets. On Sunday, make your own block print with Blick Art Materials using techniques including linoleum relief block printing and silkscreen screen printing. Attendees will be able to choose from premade designs and shapes or cut their own.Live MusicThe weekend will feature over two dozen live performances on three different stages located at the intersection of Beech & India, the Piazza Basilone and the Piazza della Famiglia. Each stage will feature 4-5 performances each day from various local musicians including Evan Diamond, Enter the Blue Sky, and Robin Henkel. Plus, this year will feature a special a Gator by the Bay themed stage at the Piazza della Famiglia featuring a fabulous lineup of NOLA-style music. Check out the full lineup here.Vinyl Art AuctionThis year’s Mission Fed ArtWalk will also feature an art vinyl record benefiting ArtReach San Diego, a nonprofit organization aimed at increasing equity in visual arts education in K-8 schools throughout San Diego County by delivering free or low cost workshops to schools that have no other resources for art. Over 100 vinyl records will be designed by participating artists including several well-known artists based here in San Diego and a group of 9th-12th grade student artists from a local school. To learn more about the auction and to place your bids, click here.KidsWalkSeveral art organizations throughout San Diego are coming out to support KidsWalk activities this year, helping to bring hands-on art experiences to kids. Activities include drawing with Monart School of Art, photography with the Museum of Photographic Arts, experiment with out-of-the-box materials with the Museum of Contemporary Art, and many more!Street FoodSome of San Diego’s most delectable food and beverage vendors will be set up throughout the weekend serving up an eclectic array of bites and sips from tacos and pretzels to ice cream and sausages including Bamboo Hut, House of Bao, The Mac Shack, Mariposa Ice Cream, Maui Wowi, Sabor Piri Piri, and Tarantino Gourmet Sausages.The post Mission Fed ArtWalk Returns to Little Italy Apr 30 – May 1 first appeared on SD Entertainer Magazine.
Categories
Recent Posts
