Latest news with #SamNeill
Toronto Star
6 hours ago
- Science
- Toronto Star
‘Jurassic World Rebirth' offers Scarlett Johansson and plenty of dinosaurs, but does it deliver the thrills?
Remember how you felt when you saw the first dinosaur in 'Jurassic Park'? No avid moviegoer could forget the scene in which paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) first glimpse a long-necked brachiosaurus munching the tops of trees on tropical Isla Nublar.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dino-mite! Why Jurassic films keep roaring back
More than 30 years after Jurassic Park first stunned audiences, the franchise is still going strong. With Jurassic World: Rebirth set to land in cinemas on 2 July, we take a look back at why these prehistoric thrillers are still a big hit at the box office. The one that started it all When Jurassic Park opened in 1993, it redefined what a blockbuster could be. Steven Spielberg directed the adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel, casting Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum as scientists lured to a dinosaur theme park that quickly spirals into disaster. The film broke ground with its mix of animatronics and CGI, and was anchored by John Williams' unforgettable score. Spielberg balanced awe and tension to perfection, crafting moments that still resonate today, from the glass of water rippling before the T-Rex attack to the raptors stalking through the kitchen. It earned over $912 million on initial release and passed $1.1 billion after later re-releases, firmly establishing itself as a cinematic landmark. Losing the spark The Lost World: Jurassic Park followed in 1997 with Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm taking the lead. It took the story to a second island where dinosaurs roam free, but despite some memorable set pieces, it failed to recapture the magic. It brought in around $619 million worldwide. Jurassic Park III, released in 2001, saw the return of Sam Neill's Dr Alan Grant. The film focused on a rescue mission gone wrong on Isla Sorna and introduced the Spinosaurus, a new apex predator. However, with a shorter runtime and limited emotional depth, it earned just over $369 million, making it the lowest-grossing film in the series. A big comeback In 2015, Jurassic World revived the franchise for a new generation. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard starred in a story set in a fully operational dinosaur park, which falls apart when the genetically engineered Indominus Rex escapes. The film explored themes of scientific overreach and commercial greed, while delivering nostalgia for long-time fans. Audiences responded in droves. The film earned around $1.67 billion worldwide, becoming the franchise's highest-grossing instalment. The 2018 sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, shifted the story to a rescue mission as a volcanic eruption threatens the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar. The second half of the film explored cloning, ethics and genetic manipulation, with dinosaurs eventually released into the world. Though critical response was mixed, it still earned over $1.31 billion worldwide. In 2022, Jurassic World Dominion brought back Neill, Dern and Goldblum alongside the newer leads. It promised a grand finale but split its focus between dinosaur survival and a bizarre subplot involving genetically engineered locusts. The film proved divisive, but still brought over $1 billion at the global box office. Why do we keep coming back? At the heart of it all are the dinosaurs. They fascinate because they're just real enough to be terrifying. For children, they ignite the imagination. For adults, they raise deeper questions about science, control and nature's unpredictability. Watch: That hide-behind-your-hands scene from Jurassic Park But it's not just the dinosaurs. These films have always pushed the limits of special effects, from the animatronics of the early 90s to today's seamless CGI. The franchise also lives well beyond the cinema, with global success in toys, LEGO sets, video games and theme park attractions. The characters play a part too. The original trio are still much loved, while Chris Pratt's arrival gave the rebooted trilogy an energetic new face. Whether it's a raptor hunting in a hallway or a T-Rex roaring across a ruined landscape, there's a familiarity in the chaos that audiences continue to enjoy. The next chapter Jurassic World: Rebirth opens in Irish cinemas on 2 July. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, the film introduces a fresh storyline and a brand new cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Set several years after Dominion, the story centres on a covert mission to a remote island previously used by InGen. A pharmaceutical company is attempting to retrieve biomaterials from massive dinosaurs on land, sea and in the air, to develop a life-saving drug. Whether it reinvents the franchise or simply gives it a new direction, one thing is clear - the fascination with dinosaurs endures. More than three decades on, they still rule the box office.
Digital Trends
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
How to watch every Jurassic Park movie in order
For more than 30 years, audiences have been flocking to every Jurassic Park movie with the promise of seeing lots of dinosaurs. Steven Spielberg's original 1993 film was one of the biggest movies in the history of Hollywood and eventually led to two sequels. Then, the franchise was dormant for more than a decade before Jurassic World revived it in 2015. Now, we've got a whole new set of actors preparing to fight dinosaurs for the first time. Jurassic World: Rebirth is set to hit theaters this July 4th weekend, and if you're preparing to watch the whole franchise in order, we'll walk you through exactly how to do that: Recommended Videos Jurassic Park (1993) Thankfully, the chronology of this franchise is not as complicated as some others. The original Jurassic Park is the first movie you should watch and the one that introduces much of the mythology of this world. It follows a group of scientists brought to Dr. Richard Hammond's Jurassic Park to, basically, test it out before it opens. As you might expect, things go off the rails quickly, and the film's various characters have to fight for their own survival. Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern star, and all of them appear in at least one more installment of this franchise at some point down the road. You can watch Jurassic Park on Peacock. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) The only sequel that Steven Spielberg helmed, The Lost World is the film you should watch immediately after the original Jurassic Park. This film features the return of Goldblum's Dr. Ian Malcolm and is set on a secondary island where the dinosaurs were bred before they were brought to the park. Dr. Hammond hires Malcolm to turn the island into a nature preserve where the dinosaurs can roam free. As always happens in these movies, things don't go exactly as planned. The movie also stars Julianne Moore as Goldblum's ex-wife. You can watch The Lost World: Jurassic Park on Peacock. Jurassic Park III (2001) The third and final installment in the first trilogy, Jurassic Park III, features the return of Sam Neill's Alan Grant and Laura Dern's Ellie Satler and follows Grant as he is hired for what he believes to be a tourist trip to fly above the secondary island. When he finds himself landing on the island instead, he must shepherd the group who escorted him back to safety without getting killed by the various dinosaurs lurking in the wilderness. Gruesome and gory in ways the first two movies are not, Jurassic Park III is a trashy, fun end to the franchise. You can watch Jurassic Park 3 on Peacock. Jurassic World (2015) The movie that relaunched the franchise, Jurassic World, is basically a remake of the original Jurassic Park against an even bigger canvas and with a new cast of characters. The film stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard and is set at Jurassic World, a new theme park that was built on the ruins of the original Jurassic Park. Pratt plays a dinosaur wrangler who works at the park, and the film follows him as he deals with the inevitable escape of the dinosaurs from their confines. It became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. You can watch Jurassic World on Peacock. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Fallen Kingdom deals with the aftermath of Jurassic World's failure in the same way that The Lost World deals with the aftermath of the original Jurassic Park. This time, though, we follow Pratt and Howard's characters as they return to the island of Jurassic World in an attempt to rescue the dinosaurs there from a volcanic eruption, only to discover that the dinosaurs are being kidnapped to be sold at auction. When one of those dinosaurs is released in a mansion, the movie briefly turns into a slasher, with pretty delightful results. Jeff Goldblum briefly returns for this installment as well. You can watch Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on Peacock. Jurassic World Dominion (2022) The final film in the second Jurassic trilogy, Jurassic World Dominion, is designed as a culmination of the entire franchise. That means Neill, Goldblum, and Dern all return and have major roles in this new installment, which is maybe the stupidest movie in the entire franchise. Dinosaurs are now living among humans around the world, and a new genetic conspiracy brings the old crew together with Pratt and Howard's characters. It's a silly movie, but a fun one in spurts. You can watch Jurassic World Dominion on Peacock.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollywood star unrecognisable as he returns to Australia 35 years after starring in iconic Nicole Kidman film
Titanic 'villain' Billy Zane has returned Down Under more than 35 years after he starred in the Nicole Kidman hit Dead Calm. Zane appeared alongside the Aussie Oscar winner and Sam Neill in the Australian-made thriller, which was filmed in Sydney and on Queensland 's Great Barrier Reef in 1987. On Tuesday the 59-year-old, who looks unrecognisable from his days as a heart throb, was sightseeing around the Rock's and Sydney Harbour. Sharing a post to his Instagram, the actor recalled his time making his Aussie movie after spotting a vintage sailing yacht, the Southern Swan, docked in Sydney Harbour. In the movie, Zane plays a crazed drifter, who has been sailing the Pacific in a schooner and later kidnaps Nicole's character. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'So great to be back on the Rocks in Sydney, ' Zane said in his post. 'Sure looks like my Square Rigged, double masted Brig from Dead Calm, doesn't it,' he added. Billy was referring to the three-masted Southern Swan, which currently operates on Sydney Harbour as a pleasure cruiser. The schooner that was used in the film was an old Merchant Marine vessel was a that had been damaged in a storm and later reconditioned for use in the production. A replica was used for a scene in which the boat is enveloped by flames. Zane shared a photo of the ship, as well as a another photo of himself standing by the international terminal. Rugged up for the chilly Winter weather, Zane, wearing designer eye wear, looked stylish in a flat cap and grey scarf. He also shared shared a photo of himself enjoying a drink in a bathrobe. It comes after the star attended the Supanova fan convention in Sydney on Sunday. The American actor graciously signed autographs for his admirers while appearing at the event as one of the key celebrities that drew in the crowds. He appeared in his element as he mingled with his fans. The Titanic star became a household name in 1997, after appearing alongside Kate Winslet as the film's villain, Caledon Hockley. He is also known for his impressive turns in the The Phantom in 1996, lDead Calm in 1989 and Zoolander in 2001. Last year, Zane was again unrecognisable after transforming into Marlon Brando for the new biopic, Waltzing With Brando. The biopic is based on a memoir penned by the acclaimed actor's architect, Bernard Judge. It tells the story of how Brando discovered Judge and convinced him to build the world's first ecologically perfect retreat on the tiny, uninhabitable Tahitian island of Tetiaroa.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollywood legend makes epic comeback after six years off screens in new Netflix thriller - and debuts striking new look
A Hollywood legend has made an epic comeback after six years off our screens in a new Netflix thriller - debuting a striking new look. Eric Bana, well known for starring in 2009 film The Time Traveller's Wife alongside Rachel McAdams, has not featured in a TV series since 2019. This was true crime anthology series Dirty John, which saw him play the eponymous sociopath alongside The White Lotus 's Connie Britton and Ted Lasso 's Juno Temple. The Aussie actor, 56, is now set return to the small screen in Untamed, as a National Park Service agent investigating a brutal murder in Yosemite National Park. The six-part murder mystery series, due for release on Netflix on July 17, sees Eric star alongside Jurassic Park's Sam Neill and La La Land's Rosemarie DeWitt. Pictures of the star filming this latest role show the past six years have been quite kind to him - previously a dark-haired heartthrob, he is now firmly a silver fox. The images show the actor, still in great shape, with fully salt and pepper locks, along with a fair amount of scruff. Though Eric has not starred in a TV show in recent years, he has still had a full filming schedule starring in movies. The actor has made a foray into animated kids' films, with 2021's Back To The Outback and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers the following year. The former follows animals that try to escape from an Australian wildlife park to return to their native habitats, which also starred Isla Fisher, Guy Pearce and Keith Urban. The latter, meanwhile, is a follow-up to the 1989 TV show of the same name, about the beloved Disney chipmunk duo, and also features Seth Rogen and Andy Samberg. Eric also appeared as a voice actor in 2024 stop-motion film Memoir of a Snail, about the life of loner Grace, alongside Succession's Sarah Snook. He has also starred in several films directed by fellow Aussie Robert Connolly - thriller The Dry (2021) and its sequel Force Of Nature (2024), as well as 2022 drama Blueback. The Aussie actor broke on to the Hollywood scene in the noughties, making a splash in hyper-masculine leading roles like Hector in Troy (2004) and Bruce Banner in Hulk (2003). The Aussie actor broke on to the Hollywood scene in the noughties, making a splash in hyper-masculine leading roles like Hector in Troy (2004) and Bruce Banner in Hulk (2003). Pictured: Eric at the world premiere of Hulk in 2003 He also featured in Ridley Scott's high-octane 2001 war film Black Hawk Down, about a US military helicopter shot down in the Battle of Mogadishu in nineties Somalia. But Eric actually started his journey towards the limelight as a stand-up and sketch comedian - before his breakout performance in 2000 crime drama Chopper. His star quickly went on the rise - and he was even one of a small group of actors approached in 2005 to play James Bond. The role, of course, eventually went to Daniel Craig, who he starred alongside in Steven Spielberg's 2005 historical epic Munich, about the Mossad operation to kill Palestinian militants behind a 1972 terrorist attack in the German city. But Eric told The Independent in 2022: 'I wouldn't have wanted to be James Bond. 'It would have been too much fame for my head.' Where Daniel played the infamous spy for around 15 years, from 2006 to 2021, Eric said avoiding this huge fame has meant he is 'largely able to do whatever the hell I want, whenever I want'. He added it 'would have been a great loss' not to have this kind of independence. Eric still lives in his native Melbourne with his wife, publicist Rebecca Gleeson, and two children, having never moved to Los Angeles like many other actors do. Asked by TNT Magazine in 2014 if he thought this had harmed his career, he replied firmly: 'No. And even if it has, it wouldn't make any difference to me. 'I love my life with my wife and kids in Melbourne and that's my home. 'I don't mind flying to Los Angeles for a few days or weeks at a time to talk to people in Hollywood when I need to. 'I still have to travel to the US or other countries when I'm shooting movies, so it doesn't make any difference anyway. 'These days you can just go online and have meetings using your computer.' The debut of Eric's new silver fox image comes after another famous grey-haired looker returned to their natural colour - after a dodgy dye job. Back in March, George Clooney, 64, dyed his hair dark brown to play Edward R Murrow in the stage adaptation of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck. The actor - who recently earned a Tony Award nomination - previously admitted his wife Amal was not a fan of his darker 'do. And last month, Clooney's signature salt-and-pepper hair made a subtle comeback as he arrived at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. Wearing a white Bronx New York baseball cap, Clooney had noticeably grey sideburns as well as grey hair on the side of his neck. He styled his look with a black leather jacket, khaki pants, Adidas trainers and blue-tinted sunglasses. The Ocean's Eleven star looked to be in high spirits as he waved to fans and photographers outside the theatre. Clooney was accompanied by a security guard and a bodyguard as he prepared to star in the matinee performance of his Broadway play, which closed early this month.
