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March 10, 2002
T-Rexey in a Clown Outfit, Cut Scene News
Artists rendition |
Apparently during a stretch of bordom during production of JP3, the fun-loving folk at ILM thought it'd be hilarious to put our old friend the T-Rex in a "large clown outfit and clown face" during his fateful battle with the Spino in JP3. Of course, while this demo footage did not make the final movie (and unfortunatly for all of us, it wasn't on the DVD either), Karel reports ILM Creature Supervisor Paul Giacoppo showed this clip to an audience attending the Australian Effects and Animation Festival in Sydney last week, to a "huge chorus of laughter from the croud". "As the two dinos battled, the clown wig was flopping from side to side," Karel adds. Interestingly, when someone asked Paul if the clip would be included on the DVD, he said that it "might be" (apparently not knowing that the DVD was already released in the US and abroad -- though people in Australia are still waiting for the disc). In addition, Karel says he also showed a clip of the "Spinosaurs bursting out of the water" during the river scene, apparently from an idea or shot that was cut from the film.
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Camera Used in JP3 Receives Technical Oscar
Well, it ain't Best Picture, but JP3 was semi-honored last week during the presentation of the 74th Annual Scientific and Technical Academy Awards, which bestowed a Technical Achievement Certificate to Cinematogapher and camera inventor Pete Romano for his "Underwater Remote AquaCam", a special camera that was used in JP3 to create a "shark's point of view", according to this Reuters article. Read a neat article on Mr. Romano here.
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Rank JP3
A bunch of new rankings and ratings proves that JP3 wasn't as bad as your friends say it was. According to the April issue of Cinescape, in a ranking of DVD boxed sets, the JP series (along with the bonus DVD, "Beyond JP") was ranked #8 overall, with the editors commenting, "the ultimate in dino-movies invariably look great on DVD". And in the year-end list of Best Reviewed Films (they call it Best Films, though the site is based on critic reviews) on Rottentomatoes.com, JP3 came in at #151 (out of #278 -- "Tomb Raider" came in last), putting it a tad below the top half, though happily above it's mortal enemy, POTA (at #183). Thanks 'JPJunkee'.
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He Didn't Spend 6 Years in Med School to be Called Mister
The newly redesigned (and very very spiffy) JPDatabase is reporting that Sam Neill will return to his Alma Mater in New Zealand this April to receive a honary doctorate for his work on becoming a famous movie star, technically making him "Dr. Neill". The honor will be given to him by the University of Canterbury, where Neill graduated from with a degree in English. Full details here. (BTW, Who knew Neill's real first name is "Nigel"?! Nigel Neill! That's cool, I wouldn't have changed it. ;) )
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March 1, 2002
JP3 Arcade Spotted
Rejoice, people, as Spencer is the first to report he has played the new Konami JP3 Arcade game, which should indicate it's heading to arcades near you soon (According to Konami, the game just shipped Wednesday). Spencer played it at "Boomers Arcade" in Miami, and apparently liked it, exclaiming "Dude!" and reporting that it was the "expensive" (motion sensor) version that was "an ass kicker" and "you gotta see it!" I happened to stop by the Dave & Busters near me today and was a bit disapointed to see that it wasn't there yet, so let me know if you find it!
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Rexy in the News
Lots of people noticed their local news mentioning JP earlier this week, as, yes, a new study by palentologists is once again re-opening the debate as to whether the T-rex was a fast, limber animal as depicted in the JP series, or a slow, un-cinematic beast that couldn't run at all. According to the new study, for Rexy to run 45 mph, 86 percent of it's body would have needed to be muscle, a value the scientists say is "ridiculous". (Thanks Andreas)
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February 26, 2002
Complete JP3 Script + Clips
Some new stuff from our buds at the JP Database tonight, most importantly the complete JP3 Script, transcribed from Jon's personal copy. This is a third revision, and despite that this copy came after changes by the Alex Payne/Jim Taylor writing team (the dudes behind "Election") and after John August (scribe of "Go") gave it some touch-ups, there still are extra scenes and changes in the final film. Go take a look. If that wasn't enough, JPd has also uploaded 49 clips from JP3 in MPEG format for your downloading pleasure.
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More 'Project Genesis' Details
A tiny bit of new info on the upcoming JP3 game for XBox, PS2, and the PC, according to Gamespot.com today: As we've already deduced from the screenshots (since we're all very smart), "Project Genesis" will be a "world-building game", in the spirit of Sim City or last year's "JP3: Park Builder" on the GBA. "Players will be able to design and manage their own park, or they can participate in 12 different missions in which they'll have to confront a series of problems created by nature and the park's inhabitants." (Thanks Cody)
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BAFTA Disappointment
'Compyraptor' reports in about the British Academy Film Awards ("Like the Oscars except no one watches", according to Craig Kilbourn), which were handed out Sunday. It was a love-fest for LOTR all night though, with that film taking home Best Picture, among 4 other awards. JP3, nominated for the "Orange audience award", also lost to LOTR in that category.
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February 23, 2002
'Survival' Reincarnated? New JP Game for XBox, PS2 and PC
Could it be that 'Jurassic Park: Survival', the PS2 game in developement by Savage Entertainment for more than a year yet canceled by Universal several months ago, may get a second life later this year? According to PlanetXBox.com, a game called "Jurassic Park: Project Genesis" is on the list of upcoming Universal Interactive games, this one slated for release in the 4th quarter of 2002. Meanwhile, Joel recently contacted UI, who replied that since 'Survival' was "not where [they] wanted it to be", it would be pushed back to a later release. Could 'Survival' have been turned into 'Project Genesis'? Looking at some early screenshots of the new game on GameSpy.com, it's obvious that this one is much different -- now apparently a Sim City-like "park creator" title. More details, UI says, will be announced later this year. (Also thanks Cody)
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IOA Unveils New Website
JP Aftermath sends word that the "Universal Studios: Islands of Adventure" website has been recently redesigned, with the new site featuring two interactive JP sections that allow you to "ride" the JP attraction. One page features a video tour of the JP River Adventure while the JP Discovery Center talks about that section of the park.
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February 20, 2002
JP3 Arcade Shipping!
This just in! The long-awaited JP3 Arcade game will begin making it's journey to the US starting next Wednesday (2/27), so look for it in your local arcade soon after that, according to a Konami representative. As you'll remember, the JP3 Arcade Game will be similar to the famous TLW title by Sega in that it's a light-gun game, but depending on the version your arcade gets, you'll be able to duck and dodge from the dinos by physically moving your body (in the higher-end sensor version), or by wiggling an "escape lever" (in the cheaper non-sensor version).
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Various DVD News
DVD news bites time!
- Regarding the special JP3 Collector's Edition boxed set, only available in the UK, this JP memorabilia webpage is reporting that the special set is available only from UK retailer WHSmiths. As mentioned Monday, the set includes the DVD, storyboards, film cell, and "lobby stills" and a certificate of authencity. Not all WHSmiths may have the box set in stock, however, adds 'Big Razzie', since she couldn't seem to find it...
- With all the excitement over the UK DVD, 'Nasashi-Saso' reports I've neglected to mention how well the disc did in it's Asian debut earlier this month. Apparently the distributer was wary about producing too many copies of JP3 for the Japanese market, and found that all 10,000 sets were gone on the first day. 10,000 additional copies were quickly rushed into production, though didn't arrive on shelves again until this week.
- I had another bullet point I wanted to put here, but I forget what it is.
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More on JP4
Mark was kind enough to send in a copy of that Sam Neill interview we heard about last week from a UK DVD mag: The actual text differs slightly from my previous source's, though this may be a different interview entirely. According to Sam here, "I haven't come up with a good reason to get him back there [in JP4], but my story is how the next lot get back on. People start dying, but it becomes apparent that its not just the dinosaurs killing people. One of the people is actually doing it. So, you have a sort of murder mystery in it and that would make it doubly claustrophobic, once you start realising that Mr. Noodle is actually a psychopath. However i'm not the director. So, we'll see!" I don't see how Mr. Noodle fits into this, but ok.
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February 18, 2002
UK DVD News
People buying the JP3 DVD in jolly ol' England the last few days don't seem so jolly when they discover that the form us Americans found in their case to send away for the "Beyond JP" bonus DVD don't seem to be included in the UK version of the movie. Unfortunatly, it looks like the "Beyond JP" promo might have only been for US customers, and JP fans in England who want the bonus disc may be out of luck. I'll look into this and let you know what I find. In other UK DVD news, however, James reports picking up some sort of special "JP3 Collectors Edition", which contains a JP3 film cell, two storyboard cards, and a "foil raptor picture" in addition to the movie. Finally, I noticed the page for the JP3 DVD on DVDWorld.co.uk says that the Region 2 version contains a "hidden easter egg" (no egg exists in the US version, as far as I know), so happy hunting!
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New JP3 Toys Released
Dan from JP Toy Central reports the newest line of JP3 toys should be arriving in stores any minute now. Called "CamoXtreme", this line consists of a bunch of repainted figures, including a "Lava Tyrannosaurus Rex", and "Arctic", "Swamp", and "Desert" Spinosaurus's (Spinosauri? Spinosauruses? Oh hell, whatever.). EntertainmentEarth.com is taking orders now for the new set.
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JP3 Graphics for Your Nokia Phone
Got a fancy schmacny Nokia cellphone and a membership to Club Nokia? According to 'Big Razzie', the website for Nokia wireless members has been updated with a whole set of JP3 graphics you can add to your phone. Razzie's gathered them all together, here. My dumb cell phone only displays "Verizon" when I turn it on. Grr.
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JP/Enron Connection?
What does JP have in common with Enron, the US corporate energy giant that has gone under, taking countless shareholders with it and sparking dozens of congressional inquires? More than you might expect, according to testimony by an Enron accountant last week and summarized in this AP article. Apparently thinking themselves quite funny, Enron executives created four off-shore fictional corporations called "Raptor I, II, III, and IV" to offload billions of dollars worth of debt from the main parent company. "In the 'Jurassic Park' movies, some of the bad dinosaurs that killed people were called raptors," observes the reporter. "In the Enron case, the Raptors are the company."
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February 14, 2002
JP4 Plot Tid-bit?
Break out the salt, because it's JP4 rumor time! According to Leon, the UK magazine "It's on DVD" reports in their current issue that Sam Neill spilled the beans about a possible plot of JP4, telling the DVD magazine that the fourth JP movie may involve a human threat in addition to JP's signature dinos. "I have looked at a possible plot [for JP4]," Sam says. "It's going to take place more on the mainland and dig real deep into inGen's past, a much darker movie, kind of a goverment conspirasy cover-up that was suggested in a line in JP3. We plan to return to the island with a new band of people, except this time, its not only the dinosaurs that kill people, but I think the idea is that it will one of the team." If anyone in the UK can find a copy of this mag (it does exist), a scan or confirmation would be great...
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Behind the 'Bake-Off': Deciding SFX Oscar Nominees
The LA Times ran an interesting story this morning entitled "Proving Fantasy Is Real", which goes inside the annual Oscar "Bake-Off" to determine the final nominations for the Best Visual Effects Oscar (And as we learned on Tuesday, JP3 did not make the final cut). The article goes into how representitves from each nominee had 5 minutes following a clip to plead their case, with Stan Winston and Muren obviously doing a good job on 'A.I' (it received a nomination), and Dan Taylor defending JP3. It's a great read, though ironically, Stan Winston comments at one point that "there are far more points of motion in [A.I.'s] Teddy than any dinosaur," seemingly forgetting his studio's work on JP3 (the LA Times reporter unfortunatly fails to point out Winston's hypocrisy). Though as one audience member commented regarding JP3, "Evolution is not art," which probably best explains why JP3 was not nominated. (Thanks 'paragirl')
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SuperCroc on DVD
In case you missed the airing of National Geographic Channel's "SuperCroc" a few months back (and most people did since apparently very few get the National Geographic Channel), this press release announces the documentary about Paul Sereno's discovery of a huge crocdile in the Sarara will be released on DVD and VHS on March 19th. The show is narrated by Sam Neill and can be pre-ordered here.
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[JP3 News from December 28th through February 12th]
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