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- Entertainment
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Jurassic World Rebirth: Reviews Are Mixed, But There's 1 Thing Critics Can Agree On
While the combination of Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson might be a guaranteed seat-filler when Jurassic World Rebirth hits cinemas, whether or not it's worth the trip to the cinema depends on which critic you ask. The first reviews are out for the latest instalment in the Jurassic Park series, with the most glowing suggesting that Rebirth is the best movie in the franchise since the original. Others are somewhat less impressed, though, suggesting that the latest iteration pales in comparison to the best in the series – and questioning whether it even needs to exist in the first place. And while one thing critics can seem to agree on is that Rebirth manages to hit many of the same beats as the best films in the franchise, they're less unanimous on whether that's a strength or weakness. Here's a selection of what is being said about Jurassic World Rebirth so far… Variety 'Entertaining as it can be at times, stripped of the silliness that tainted the second trilogy (but also the saga-advancing narrative), Rebirth doesn't necessarily make the same case for itself. The movie offers an updated version of the same basic ride Spielberg offered 32 years earlier, and yet, it hardly feels essential to the series' overall mythology, nor does it signal where the franchise could be headed.' BBC Culture (2/5) 'There is a definite whiff of staleness about the latest Jurassic film [...] Jurassic World Rebirth has major stars in Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, and better-designed creatures than ever, but so few thrills that it may be the weakest of the Jurassic franchise.' The Guardian (4/5) 'What a comeback [...] against all odds, these dinosaurs have had a brand refresh: a brighter, breezier, funnier, incomparably better acted and better written film, with unashamed nods to the summer smashes of yesteryear, that makes sense of the dino-spectacle moments that earn their place.' Empire (3/5) 'It's not doing much daring or different, but this delivers a fun, well-made summer theme-park ride, with fast highs and slow lows. Pleasurable, though it doesn't linger.' 'There are some mighty new monsters on the prowl, but this is primarily an assembly of recycled story beats.' Time Out (3/5) 'The best dinosaur action since Spielberg [...] the 'Rebirth' in this Jurassic World sequel's title is apt because this seventh entry is a renaissance of sorts for a franchise that looked ready to curl up and turn to fossil.' The Independent (4/5) '[Jonathan Bailey is as] charming as usual (see: Wicked, Bridgerton, his entire back catalogue), but also crucially nails the 'man who dedicated his life to dinosaurs sees a dinosaur for the first time' sequence. Former dinosaur kids may shed a tear or two.' Radio Times (4/5) 'Despite its popularity, [the Jurassic Park movies have] never quite seen any subsequent entry top that 1993 masterpiece. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the first British filmmaker to join the franchise, Rebirth comes close. A loving tribute to the spirit of the original, it's easily the best Jurassic in a decade.' IndieWire (C-) ' Rebirth doesn't do itself any favours by so frequently harkening back to the original. Bad as some of the previous sequels have been, none of them have been so eager to measure themselves against Spielberg's masterpiece [...] The Jurassic sequels were bad enough when they made an effort to evolve — they're even less worth seeing now that they already come pre-fossilised.' The Telegraph (5/5) 'Easily the best film in the series since the original [...] Jurassic World Rebirth is a giddy resurrection for a franchise many had feared extinct. While technically the seventh in the series about cloned dinosaurs running amok, it feels like a brand new thrill ride.' 'Audiences may not have run out of enthusiasm for what the Jurassic Worlds are selling, or at least they haven't yet, but the people tasked with making them sure are out of ideas. Rebirth, as though fulfilling its franchise's own prophecy, really does manage to be boring.' Little White Lies 'Even working at full pelt, there's just too much that's wrong and silly and derivative about this tired, tired run-out. The actors are competent; there are a few tasty zingers; the effects are seamless. But the whole enterprise just feels like the same thing we've seen over and over again.' LA Times 'A cold-blooded clone in which wonder has gone extinct [...] Hold on to your water glasses because you can hear the plot of Jurassic World Rebirth coming from a mile away.' 'There's a disappointing amount of 'same old thing' to Jurassic World Rebirth. Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and the rest of the cast are intriguing and sympathetic throughout, but Gareth Edwards doesn't quite recapture his signature flair for grand-scale visuals, nor does David Koepp find the magic of his original Jurassic Park screenplay,'
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Cannes 2025 rules ban ‘naked dressing', long trains: How did the fashion trends originate?
Come May every year, the French resort town of Cannes attracts global attention for its film festival, often more for its expected fashion moments than the films themselves. However, this year, there was chatter around Cannes fashion even before the red carpet was rolled out on May 13, thanks to a newly announced dress code that cited modesty and logistics. Some notable figures have already flouted the rules, in a long tradition at the festival going back to the likes of Italian artist Pablo Picasso. Here's what to know. What is all the fuss about? A statement from the organisers said, 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the Red Carpet, as well as in any other area of the Festival.' 'Naked dressing' has been grabbing headlines at almost all big international cultural events over the last few years — the most recent being celebrity Bianca Censori's see-through dress at the Grammys this year. While the present-day rendition of the style is an almost literal translation, as in clothes that reveal skin, the idea was different when it was introduced in the 1930s. Originally, it referred to what we today know as the strapless dress, fashion writer and historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell said in a 2023 interview with BBC Culture. 'In the 1930s, the term was used to describe a strapless dress, because they looked so bare to people then,' she said. The notion of the naked dress is rooted in its perception, either in its sheerness or silhouette, that the woman wearing it appears naked. One of its early patrons was American actor Jean Harlow, who in her 1933 film Bombshell owned the look in a cream-toned halter-neck silk gown that flattered her figure. It was, however, Marilyn Monroe who made the naked dress a global fashion phenomenon. In 1962, she wore a sheer, sequinned, skin-toned gown by French-American costume designer Jean Louis at Madison Square Garden for US President John F Kennedy's birthday. Interestingly, what Cannes is deeming indecent today was perceived as powerful when Monroe wore it. The Daily Mail in 2022 quoted designer Bob Mackie, who worked on the dress with Louis: 'That kind of dress, the illusion of being naked, thinking you can see something but you really can't. It was magical and it was simple. It was simple, yet so powerful.' While the naked dress has been recreated by a number of celebrities, including Beyonce, Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Moss, it is Bella Hadid who has been championing it on the Cannes red carpet. This year, the American supermodel turned up in a black backless Saint Laurent gown, with a cowl neck, and a waist-high slit on one side. It managed to skirt the Cannes rule-book on technicality, but was still a headline-grabber. So long, trails The other, less controversial, rule bans trail dresses and gowns. The organisers reasoned: 'Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted.' Reportedly, each individual gets about 10 minutes on the red carpet, and those in large trailing outfits often overstay their welcome. The train has its origins in Victorian sartorial sensibilities, which believed in preserving a woman's modesty. Longer the hemline, the better. Even the hands were covered by gloves. It was the inconvenience of navigating everyday life that eventually led to the advent of (hobble) skirts with shorter and narrower hemlines, with the style continuing to evolve through the 19th and 20th centuries. Trains continue to exist in contemporary fashion, mostly as part of wedding gowns. Although the acceptable train length is unclear this time, it has been serious enough for American actor and festival jury member Halle Berry to drop her original outfit by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta at the last minute. At the Cannes jury press conference, she said, 'I had an amazing dress by Gupta to wear tonight, and I cannot wear it because the train's too big.' The opening day, however, wasn't completely trail-free. German model Heidi Klum's ruffled floral organza gown, designed by Elie Saab, reportedly had a three-metre-long train. Chinese actor Wan Qianhui made news for her voluminous Wang Feng gown, boasting a long fur-like taffeta train. Indian A-listers Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, and Sonam Kapoor have previously donned outfits with eye-catching trains. While Rai walked the carpet in an ornate Michael Cinco gown with a 20-foot train in 2018, Padukone's see-through pink Zuhair Murad gown that year had a dramatic origami-like train. Kapoor's Vera Wang tulle gown, too, was a sight to behold. While Rai is set to return to Cannes, Alia Bhatt will make her debut this year. Veteran actors Simi Grewal and Sharmila Tagore, among other Indian names, will also walk the red carpet. Trailing back This is not the first time the Cannes Film Festival has been in the news for its dress code, supposedly originating in the evening wear rules for guests staying in the resort town hotels for the event. In fact, the festival has been notorious for being conservative and rigid since its launch in 1946. At the time, the stipulated dress code for men was a jacket and tie, and women were expected to attend the event in high heels and long dresses. Very little has changed in the nearly eight decades since. Under the 2025 rules, those attending the gala screenings shall come in 'evening wear (long dress, tuxedo)'. 'Alternatively, you may also wear 'a little black dress', a cocktail dress, a dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants; elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel (no sneakers); a black or navy-blue suit with bow-tie or dark-colored tie,' the organisers noted. 'Rebels' over the years Attendees at Cannes have time and again bent, if not flouted, rules, perhaps giving the festival much more attention than it asked for. Among the most memorable and earliest of the Cannes rebels was Pablo Picasso. In 1953, at the screening of the thriller The Wages of Fear, the Italian artist layered a corduroy tuxedo with a shearling jacket. More recently, much of the hullabaloo has been over heels, prompting the festival to broaden its footwear criteria for women. Uma Thurman was the pioneer. In 2011, she walked the carpet in flats that complemented her gown. It was in response to the organisers' decision to refuse entry to women not wearing heels the previous year. Five years later, Julia Roberts decided to do away with footwear and walk the red carpet barefoot. In 2018, actress Kristen Stewart recreated the moment when she removed her Louboutins. Her actions followed her now popular interview with The Hollywood Reporter the previous year, where she said, 'There's definitely a distinct dress code, right? People get very upset if you don't wear heels or whatever. I feel like you can't ask people that any more – it's a given. If you're not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either.' Day one of the 78th Cannes Film Festival has already thrown up rebels in Klum and Qianhui. It is to be seen who else joins the list.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Oscars 2025 predictions: experts weigh in on likely winners
With the 2025 Academy Awards just around the corner, film critics are weighing in on the most anticipated categories, making predictions about who is likely to take home the top honors. According to BBC Culture, the competition is particularly intense this year, with no clear frontrunner in several categories. For Best Picture, Anora has emerged as the most likely winner after a season of shifting momentum between various contenders. The film's mix of realism and crowd-pleasing storytelling, coupled with strong festival wins, makes it a top contender. However, Conclave, a politically charged Vatican-set thriller, remains a dark horse due to its strong industry support and recent wins at the BAFTAs and SAG Awards. As the race for Best Picture remains competitive, the battle for Best Director mirrors this unpredictability. Critics suggest that Sean Baker (Anora) is the favorite, given his past critically acclaimed work and the film's strong reception. Meanwhile, Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) is also seen as a serious contender for his ambitious historical epic, though Baker's directing style is expected to resonate more with Academy voters. For Best Actor, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) has been leading the race, having won several major awards. However, Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), who recently won the SAG Award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan, could cause an upset. Best Actress is predicted to go to Demi Moore (The Substance), whose comeback story and performance have captured Hollywood's attention. Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actor appears to be a lock for Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), who has dominated every major award show leading up to the Oscars. With strong contenders across all categories, the 2025 Academy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent years.
