Patt Morrison and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Wade Major review this week’s new film releases, including the dinosaur spectacular "Jurassic World," the Sundance hit "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," Mia Wasikowski starring in "Madame Bovary," and more. TGI-Filmweek!
Filmweek: ‘Jurassic World,’ ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,’ ‘Madame Bovary,’ and more
Patt Morrison and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Wade Major review this week’s new film releases, including the dinosaur spectacular "Jurassic World," the Sundance hit "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," Mia Wasikowski starring in "Madame Bovary," and more. TGI-Filmweek!
Most folks are probably heading to see Jurassic World this weekend, but our critics say there are a lot of other solid, but smaller films coming out that may not be in wide release. Which indie movie would you be most likely to see? Vote on our Ranker below!
Oh, and here's the trailer for Jurassic World, too.
Guests:
Amy Nicholson , film critic for KPCC and chief film critic for LA Weekly
Wade Major , film critic for KPCC and host for IGN’s DigiGods.com
Dinos more fantastic than factual in ‘Jurassic World’
One of the summer's biggest blockbuster sequels opens this week starring a ferocious, fantastical hybrid dinosaur in "Jurassic World."
It's the fourth film set in "Jurassic Park" as dreamed up first by novelist Michael Crichton in his 1990 bestseller that was adapted by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. For the first films, Spielberg wanted a scientific advisor, paleontologist Jack Horner, to help ensure the dinosaurs were as realistic as possible, but scarier.
In the years since the first movie, scientists have learned more about the physical features and behavioral attributes of dinosaurs, so there was some expectation that the latest movie would take the new research into account.
As British paleontologist Darren Naish wrote:
After all, the early 21st century is the age of fuzzy-coated tyrannosaurs, a time where we have seen a seemingly endless stream of discoveries about feathery little bird-like dinosaurs. We now know that pterosaurs had furry pelts, we've discovered iridescence on dinosaur feathers. We've also found out about bizarre dinosaurs that bristled with spines, fuzz and filaments, and a myriad other extravagant ancient beasts never dreamed of 20 years ago, like the "Hellboy" dinosaur Regaliceratops.
Instead, Naish says "Jurassic World" missed an opportunity.
"Rather than feature new-look dinosaurs and present audiences with something wonderful, 'Jurassic World' appeared to have made the 'bold' decision to stick with the dinosaurs of yore," Naish explained.
What do you think of the choices to not incorporate dino feathers and the rest of the new traits?
Guest:
Jack Horner , Paleontologist and scientific advisor on “Jurassic World” and the preceding “Jurassic” films; Curator of Paleontology, Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana