Jurassic Box Office Indeed! JURASSIC WORLD Trails Only TITANIC And AVATAR!

They did it! JURASSIC WORLD ($1.52b) is now in the sole possession of third place on the all-time world box office list trailing just TITANIC ($2.2b) and AVATAR ($2.8b).

That is one heckuva accomplishment and my family contributed solidly to the effort I might add. Universal in fact has never broken the billion dollar mark with a movie before as hard as that is to believe. This year? They did it twice - JURASSIC WORLD and FURIOUS 7 ($1.51b). Nice movie line up guys!

Can STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS continue the solid march of the box office this year? One would definitely think so considering the buzz the movie's been getting. We'll see in December!

Congratulations to the JURASSIC WORLD team and director Colin Trevorrow!! Good on you!

3D Movie Review: JURASSIC WORLD: 8.8 Stars - 3D Box Office Explodes!!

This review is a bit late getting out I know, but I wanted to ensure I saw it again and I did - 3 times now (recently took the family)! It is indeed that great a movie and the 3D is well worth the extra surcharge at the box office. I personally guarantee it - and I've used my exclusive review format for you.

JURASSIC WORLD is continuing it's stellar success with 3D box office as audiences respond to the jawdropping 3D immersion in the movie. 47% of the box office continues to be 3D. Keep in mind that 3 out of the top 5 movies are 3D - including the top 2, and 5 out of the top 10. Massive numbers for 3D! As of yesterday JW sits at $981.3 million after just over a week in release - it WILL pass $1 billion today (~11 days). Stellar performance - and ANOTHER record as that bounty beats FURIOUS 7 (17 days) for fastest to $1 billion.

I'm astounded with the naysayers out there that continue to try and defend their positions on the movie. They say the CGI is rough, 3D isn't needed, poor character development, blah, blah, blah. I could go on. First of all I haven't seen the movie in 2D and won't until I get it on blu-ray. 3D is how to see it in theaters and if you don't you are truly missing out on the spectacle. Perhaps the CGI in 2D is not as impressive - that has happened before with me: I thought that the effects in a past movie viewed in 2D were unimpressive and not real enough, but when I saw THE EXACT SAME SCENES IN 3D - I was floored! Yes, sometimes visual effects are immensely better in three dimensions and that could be with JW because I see nothing wrong with the CGI performance. 3D does help with suspension of disbelief and in the case of JW - it's almost required.

The 3D conversion is not perfect, but certainly great enough to have a very good time at the show for 99% of audiences. I know what to look for as I have said many times before but for the masses it's perfectly fine. And as I say, 3D is required viewing for the movie - especially as it amps up the visual effects and let's face it, we're going to see dinosaurs here so the CGI and suspension of disbelief is very important. Native 3D still would have been a better choice by the filmmakers. One conversion error was trying to draw the audiences eye to the two boys in the massive crowd as they enter the main park building - they started far too early doing that so the boys appear to float above the others temporarily. Also it highlights the fact that the child actors were waiting for a cue to action before moving within the crowd (my interpretation anyway). So that brought me out of the movie. HOWEVER, other times the conversion seemed to take the time to do things right - like the close attention to detail when the screen was divided many times by thin lines (wires or plant branches) - usually in cheap conversions you can see ugly distortion there as automated conversions can't handle it. These JW scenes definitely had human hands touch them, to clean that up - well done!

Yes character development was not that great, but we're here to see dinosaurs so I cut Trevorrow significant slack in this department. We cared about the kids and they were the linchpin in this movie just as the original JURASSIC PARK. And the story was geared around the dinos again - so whatever. It's a popcorn movie, not freakin' GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.

Probably the best thing about the movie was the Sound / Score. I thought it was perfect and a further tribute to the original movie. Plenty of "easter eggs" in JW referring back to JP - I won't spoil them, but keep an eye out! And they're not silly references either - some play a key role. Others are just meant as a smile as you nod your head.

Definitely see this movie in 3D and on the largest screen you can. These dinos are meant to be HUGE. Don't make a mistake and just see it in 2D - the world agrees; 3D is how to see it. If you have any questions about the movie before seeing it - the comments are open! :-)

JURASSIC WORLD is NOW PLAYING.

A Whopping 65% Of JURASSIC WORLD'S Record International Box Office Was 3D!!

This is absolutely amazing news! Solid facts backing the growing 3D market internationally. And I agree - the only way to see JURASSIC WORLD is in 3D - otherwise you miss all the realism and immersion!!

“JURASSIC WORLD” IN 3D DELIVERS APPROXIMATELY 65% OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES RECORD-BREAKING INTERNATIONAL OPENING WEEKEND

-3D Drives $205 Million of $315.7 Million International Launch-
Major Markets Experience the Epic New Action-Adventure in 3D With 95% of Moviegoers in China Supporting The Enhanced Immersive Experience; Top Performing 3D Markets Include Germany at 89%, Brazil at 78% and Russia at 74%

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 15, 2015) – RealD Inc. (NYSE: RLD) announced today that Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s epic action-adventure, Jurassic World, dominated the worldwide box office this weekend generating approximately 65% of its international 66 market roll-out on 3D equipped screens. 3D ticket sales drove $205 million of the estimated $315.7 million record-breaking international launch.

RealD 3D ticket sales accounted for $70 million of the weekend’s total international box office led by strong performance in countries as varied as China (95%), Germany (89%), Russia (74%), Brazil (78%), and Colombia (77%).

“An event film like Jurassic World is made even more memorable when it’s experienced in 3D. We congratulate our friends at Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Legendary Films and our exhibition partners all around the world,” said Anthony Marcoly, President of Worldwide Cinema at RealD.

For the third week in a row, the worldwide box office was ignited by films presented in RealD 3D. Jurassic World is just the latest example of recent 3D successes worldwide, which have included San Andreas, Mad Max: Fury Road and Avengers: Age of Ultron among others. Upcoming this summer and through the end of the year, there is growing excitement for 3D titles as diverse as Terminator: Genisys, Minions, The Walk, Inside Out, The Martian, Pixels, Pan, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, among several others.

The world’s most widely used 3D cinema technology, RealD 3D is installed in more than 26,500 auditoriums by approximately 1,200 exhibitors in 72 countries around the world.

About RealD Inc.
RealD is a leading global licensor of 3D and other visual technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is and can be used in applications that enable a premium viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD’s core business is the licensing of RealD Cinema Systems and the product sale of RealD eyewear to motion picture exhibitors to enable a premium viewing experience for 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content in the theater.

RealD was founded in 2003 and has offices in Beverly Hills, California; Boulder, Colorado; London, United Kingdom; Moscow, Russia; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For more information, please visit our website at www.reald.com. 

About Jurassic World
In the new film, when the massive and mysterious Indominus rex stages an escape and disappears into the jungle, order turns to mayhem and guests turn into prey. Dinosaurs escape into the open, skies and water to engage in an all-out war for survival, and no corner within the world’s greatest theme park is safe anymore.

Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Omar Sy, BD Wong and Irrfan Khan star in the 3D epic action-adventure that is directed by Colin Trevorrow and based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The screenplay is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Derek Connolly & Trevorrow, and the story is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley are producers. Steven Spielberg and Thomas Tull are executive producers. For more information on the movie, please visit www.jurassicworld.com

Will update you as I get more information!!

More Details On JURASSIC WORLD'S 3D Performance From RealD!!

JURASSIC WORLD IN 3D SINKS ITS TEETH INTO APPROXIMATELY 48% OF ESTIMATED $204.6 MILLION DOMESTIC OPENING WEEKEND

RealD 3D Equipped Theaters Generated An Estimated $71 Million Of Which $10 Million Was From RealD 3D Equipped PLF Auditoriums

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 14, 2015) – RealD Inc. (NYSE: RLD) announced today that Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s epic action-adventure, Jurassic World, continued the strong performance of recent 3D titles in the marketplace generating approximately 48% of its domestic opening weekend gross on 3D equipped screens. RealD 3D accounted for an estimated $71 million of the weekend’s total box office. RealD 3D equipped PLF auditoriums were also in high demand, delivering $10 million of the opening weekend’s total.

In addition to its record-breaking box office distinctions and achievements, Jurassic World is the highest grossing domestic debut ever for RealD. The film surpassed the first movie in The Avengers franchise, which earned more than $70 million in RealD ticket sales in May, 2012.

“Jurassic World’s dino-sized debut is another strong indication that moviegoers want excellent 3D experiences and the studios are providing the best 3D offerings in years…maybe ever,” said Anthony Marcoly, President of Worldwide Cinema at RealD. “2015 will be remembered as a watershed year for this format with one of the strongest 3D slates we have ever seen.”

“Jurassic World in 3D is a fantastic experience which brings the audience closer to the action," said Nicholas Carpou, President of Domestic Distribution for Universal Pictures. "It is no surprise to us that audiences are responding in big numbers to this fantastic film."

Even Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow believes the moviegoing experience is enhanced when his film is seen in 3D. Said Trevorrow, “My goal with this movie was always to make sure Jurassic World felt like a real place and in 3D you feel like you are there… For us, it was about creating the most visceral, immersive experience possible. And this kind of technology (3D) does what I hope the whole movie does, which is make everyone in the audience—regardless of their age—feel like a kid again.”

Recent 3D successes worldwide have included San Andreas, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Avengers: Age of Ultron, among others. Upcoming this summer and through the end of the year, there is growing excitement for 3D motion pictures as diverse as Inside Out, Terminator: Genisys, Minions, The Walk, The Martian, Pixels, Pan, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, among others.

The world’s most widely used 3D cinema technology, RealD 3D is installed in more than 26,500 auditoriums by approximately 1,200 exhibitors in 72 countries around the world.

About RealD Inc.
RealD is a leading global licensor of 3D and other visual technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is and can be used in applications that enable a premium viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD’s core business is the licensing of RealD Cinema Systems and the product sale of RealD eyewear to motion picture exhibitors to enable a premium viewing experience for 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content in the theater.

RealD was founded in 2003 and has offices in Beverly Hills, California; Boulder, Colorado; London, United Kingdom; Moscow, Russia; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For more information, please visit our website at www.reald.com.

About Jurassic World
In the new film, when the massive and mysterious Indominus rex stages an escape and disappears into the jungle, order turns to mayhem and guests turn into prey. Dinosaurs escape into the open, skies and water to engage in an all-out war for survival, and no corner within the world’s greatest theme park is safe anymore.

Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Omar Sy, BD Wong and Irrfan Khan star in the 3D epic action-adventure that is directed by Colin Trevorrow and based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The screenplay is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Derek Connolly & Trevorrow, and the story is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley are producers. Steven Spielberg and Thomas Tull are executive producers. For more information on the movie, please visit www.jurassicworld.com

Will update you as I get more information!!

JURASSIC WORLD Shatters Global And Domestic Best Openings Of All Time!

JURASSIC WORLD was grossly underestimated for it's opening weekend, probably by many of the critics who decided to write negatively about it. Personally I knew it would do much better than the estimates - even the studio pegged it at $100m domestically. But I was off too - this movie is a phenomenon.

This thing's a monster itself. JW captured the domestic opening weekend record by biting into a $208.8m opening topping the previous record holder THE AVENGERS ($207.1) from 2012. It would have been higher too, but it was competing with NBA and NHL finals taking place.

Internationally, box offices were swallowed whole. An all time record of $315.3 million topping HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT. 2 ($314m). And a stunning $524.1 million - over half a BILLION dollars in one weekend in total worldwide box office. Think about that.

JW also topped THE AVENGERS for the all time record in the revenue per theater with a whopping $47.8k in 4,274 locations. 

Over 50% of the box office take was driven by 3D screenings which is obviously a huge amount of revenue. I'm very impressed with the numbers driven here by 3D - especially in the large premium formats. 

When there is a record breaker like this - all bets are off. Word of mouth can do massive, sustained business with many repeat viewers in the mix. A solid "A" Cinema Score, 52% male / 48% female audience with 39% below the age of 25, an excellent 3D conversion means this thing WILL have legs. Will it reach TITANIC levels? (2.187b) It's conceivable but we do have some big openings coming up. TED 2 is next weekend and TERMINATOR: GENISYS is July 1 - but it is more or less clear sailing for JW until June 26. Obviously lots of money to be made in between.

I'll be seeing the movie again in the coming week and will have my review out shortly for the 3D side of things - but trust me, it looks great! If you haven't seen it yet - get out and see it!!

Source: Variety

New JURASSIC WORLD Clip: This Isn't The Tasty Snack You're Looking For...

Yes, Chris Pratt's character gives off some Jedi vibe here in the latest JURASSIC WORLD clip. He's fending off a certain raptor attack against a poor soul who falls into their paddock - and it looks like this may be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Remember these creatures have intelligence. Still, it's hard to check the disbelief at the door for this one. I truly hope director Colin Trevorrow is successful in this endeavor because I'm dearly looking forward to a kick-butt JURASSIC PARK revisit. I can't coun how many times I've seen the original and I'm sure a lot of you are in the same boat... errr, electric Jeep.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

JURASSIC WORLD opens on June 12!

New JURASSIC WORLD Trailer Clamps Down Hard On Action

This is a little more like it; more action and more teeth! The latest and greatest trailer for Universal's JURASSIC WORLD succeeds on amping up the frenzy and emotion as we get closer to the dinosaurs AND the release date.

Obviously this time of year is huge for trailers as Cinemacon opens in Las Vegas bringing theater owners to their own Comic-Con of sorts (not open to the general public). I definitely tried to make it this year but alas wasn't able to make it. Next year is a definite must see as is the year after.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

JURASSIC WORLD opens WIDE on June 12.

YES! New Teaser Trailer For Universal's JURASSIC WORLD !! New Images Too !

"Probably not a good idea."

Universal has released the full teaser trailer for Colin Trevorrow's JURASSIC WORLD and it's a doosey. LOVE the tension build up and it actually channels the original movie so much that I'm salivating at seeing this thing! I am so hoping to re-experience what I felt the first time around. I hope my expectations aren't too high.

The teaser trailer is exactly what I wanted to see. It's engaging. It pays tribute to the original, yet looks original. Perfect casting from what I see. The story is sufficiently thrilling enough in theory. Can Trevorrow deliver?

Here's the movie's Intro:
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

JURASSIC WORLD opens on June 12, 2015 in 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

JURASSIC PARK 4 Has Its Director!

Universal today announced that Colin Trevorrow will be directing JURASSIC PARK 4 which is also being executive produced by Steven Spielberg. Trevorrow opened eyes with his SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED and its outstanding character development / story.

Here's the press release:
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, March 14, 2013 — Colin Trevorrow has signed on to direct Jurassic Park 4, the highly-anticipated fourth installment of the blockbuster franchise that has grossed $1.9 billion at worldwide box office since the first film was released in 1993.

The Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment production will be produced by Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley with Steven Spielberg as Executive Producer. The script was written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes).

Trevorrow directed Safety Not Guaranteed for FilmDistrict and Big Beach Films starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson. The critically-acclaimed film debuted at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival where screenwriter Derek Connolly won the prestigious Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. The film also won Best First Screenplay at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, where Trevorrow was nominated for Best First Feature.

On a related note, JURASSIC PARK 3D opens on April 5.

JURASSIC PARK 4 Coming in 2014! Spielberg Directing??

With Steven Spielberg enjoying the fruits of his labor on LINCOLN and his 12 Oscar nominations (1 more than Ang Lee's LIFE OF PI) and news that he has back-burnered ROBOPOCALYSE and Christopher Nolan taking over the reins on INTERSTELLAR - what was left for the master storyteller?

How about JURASSIC PARK 4 in 3D? Potentially. He is already inked as producer so if he has time freed up he could conceivably consider joining as director. Further, the movie is being fast tracked in native 3D. Universal has stated that JP4 is pegged for a June 13, 2014 release.

With the original and best JURASSIC PARK being re-released in 3D on April 5, it's likely to build up a healthy appetite for more dino-mite storytelling! You see what I did there? :-)

Source: Variety

Spielberg: Perf Cap Will Start For TINTIN 2 Later This Year! He Will Produce -Not Direct- JURASSIC PARK 4 AND ROBOPOCALYPSE In 3D?

Holy Spielberg-update Batman! Steven Spielberg just gave us a wicked look ahead for his upcoming projects while promoting WAR HORSE in France.

Here's what he had to say...

Spielberg on TINTIN 2:
“I’m not going to say which stories have been chosen for Peter Jackson’s sequel because Peter and I agreed that we weren’t going to let that information out yet. The script is now being written. It’s more than one book, but it’s not three books, so that means it’s two books. It’s two and a half books that we’re combining with The Secret of the Unicorn. And Peter will start working on the film this year. When he’s done shooting The Hobbit, he’ll begin his performance capture work with the actors later in 2012, which I’m very excited about. And of course, I’m hoping I’ll be able to direct the third one. I’d love to do the third one because I had so much fun on the first one.”

Spielberg on ROBOCOPALYPSE:
“I just finished shooting a movie about Abraham Lincoln staring Daniel Day-Lewis which I am so deeply proud of. But because I am right in the middle of the editing of Lincoln, I’m not really going to speak and talk very much about that until the time is right to talk about it. And I’m making a science fiction movie probably in September called Robopocalypse based on Daniel Wilson’s book. It’s a cautionary tale about war between human beings and robots. It’s a big crowd pleaser, I think, a big action popcorn movie with a message. The message is actually in the popcorn! You have to get the popcorn, dig down deep in the bottom and they’ll be a message about what Robopocalypse is really about! And I have a couple of other plans which I don’t want to go into because they’re too far out of the horizon. But there’s a lot of work ahead, a lot of television my company is producing for some of the networks and some of the cable outlets. So I’m busy!”

He also spoke recently to Time Out London about the movie's direction:
"It’s a movie about a global war between man and machine. I had a great time creating the future on “Minority Report”, and it’s a future that is coming true faster than any of us thought it would. “Robopocalypse” takes place in 15 or 20 years, so it’ll be another future we can relate to. It’s about the consequences of creating technologies which make our lives easier, and what happens when that technology becomes smarter than we are. It’s not the newest theme, it’s been done throughout science fiction, but it’s a theme that becomes more relevant every year."

Spielberg on JURASSIC PARK 4:
“I don’t want to talk about Jurassic Park 4 yet – it’s too early – but I can tell you that I’m not directing it. I’m producing it though.”

Of course his number one partner in crime Kathleen Kennedy has already said that Jurassic Park belongs in 3D.

Yes, it's disappointing that Spielberg won't be directing JP4, but at least his DNA will be in it. The man is BUSY. It's not surprising.

I HAD to put something in this post about ROBOPOCALYPSE because it may very well turn out to be 3D knowing Spielberg and Kennedy. With the coming singularity (computers becoming sentient and smarter than we are), this movie is bang on for what we need to think about. Really hoping it will be S3D given the subject matter!

Source: Collider | Time Out London

Universal Has Asked Spielberg For A Re-release Of JURASSIC PARK In 3D! And JURASSIC PARK 4 In Discussion...

Wow - for all you JURASSIC PARK fans there is some very real movement toward some rather large developments!

Firstly, Universal has definitely approached Steven Spielberg to re-release JURASSIC PARK as a converted 3D movie. Our friend Frosty over at Collider interviewed mega producer Kathleen Kennedy who spilled the beans. The main issue with this taking place is the tightly packed schedule of Spielberg who HAS to be a part of the conversion along with the movie's Director of Photography (DP).

If JP3D is done right, wow! It's another chance to regain some of that lost feeling of awe that we all lost after watching the same movie dozens of times. 3D would allow us to go back to that theater and revive some of that! Definitely enthusiastic about it.

Secondly, Spielberg is moving forward with JURASSIC PARK 4 - not writing a script yet, but discussing it. Kennedy makes sure we all know that the story comes first and foremost.

Kennedy is right in that you can no longer fool the audience with badly converted or shot 3D. It has to be done right or you won't get the draw. Nothing new there as far as we're concerned - we've been preaching that sermon at MarketSaw for years now haven't we? Hopefully we'll see these developments... errr develop, in the coming months!

Oh and Kennedy also thinks we'll see TINTIN 2 at Christmas 2014 or summer of 2015. The script is being written now and should be ready in the February/March timeframe :-)