`LOST WORLD' ROARS INTO THEATERS; MOVIE TRYING TO SQUASH COMPETITION.Byline: Janet Weeks Daily News Staff Writer Joe Gilbert of Hollywood is a zealous movie fan - so devoted to cinema that he got up early to catch an 8 a.m. screening of ``The Lost World: Jurassic Park'' at Universal City's Cineplex Odeon O`de´on n. 1. A kind of theater in ancient Greece, smaller than the dramatic theater and roofed over, in which poets and musicians submitted their works to the approval of the public, and contended for prizes; - hence, in modern usage, the on Friday. Was it worth it? Well, he did get to take home a commemorative plastic popcorn tub. ``We lost a lot of dialogue with this one, didn't we?'' said Gilbert, who jokingly referred to Steven Spielberg's mega-hyped, $74 million sequel as ``The Lost Plot.'' ``I thought it was good and exciting and scary and looked genuinely real. But I think dialogue is just as important as visuals for the plot.'' Gilbert's mixed sentiments about the dinosaur blockbluster - which some insiders say will shatter Memorial Day weekend box-office records - were shared by others who rose early to catch the morning shows at the Cineplex Odeon. ``Overall, it wasn't as good as the first one,'' said a disappointed 17-year-old Ryan Bernal of Encino. ``But the action scenes were better.'' The movie roared into theaters Thursday at special 10 p.m. sneak previews held around the country. It officially opened Friday at 3,300 theaters. Some news reports have calculated that it is showing on at least 5,000 screens - more than any other film in history. Add an onslaught of tie-in merchandise, heady hype and the fact that no other big special-effects film opens this weekend and ``The Lost World'' could topple the Memorial Day record of $56.8 million set last year by ``Mission: Impossible.'' Indeed, box-office analyst Roger Cels of The Hollywood Reporter said Friday that predictions of a record opener are ``the essence of understatement.'' Cels pointed out that 1993's ``Jurassic Park'' ranks as the No. 3 moneymaker of all time. The sneak preview at an 800-seat Cineplex Odeon theater sold out more than six hours before show time, said CityWalk publicist pub·li·cist n. One who publicizes, especially a press or publicity agent. publicist Noun a person, such as a press agent or journalist, who publicizes something publicist Syd Smith. Universal, however, would not release overall box-office figures for Thursday. John Krier, president of Exhibitor Relations, a box-office tracking firm, said he surveyed a few theaters in the area for anecdotal evidence anecdotal evidence, n information obtained from personal accounts, examples, and observations. Usually not considered scientifically valid but may indicate areas for further investigation and research. of a box-office stampede stam·pede n. 1. A sudden frenzied rush of panic-stricken animals. 2. A sudden headlong rush or flight of a crowd of people. 3. and found results as mixed as the movie's reviews. ``Some places were good and some were bad,'' he said. As for predictions that the movie will haul in $70 million over the holiday weekend, Krier said: ``I hope they're right. But I think they're out of their minds.'' Universal produced the film and has turned CityWalk into a sort of ``Lost World'' headquarters. The film plays every half-hour at the hilltop complex from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Designers also constructed a display in front of the theaters that mirrors the movie's jungle setting, complete with a burned-out Jeep, strewn strew tr.v. strewed, strewn or strewed, strew·ing, strews 1. To spread here and there; scatter: strewing flowers down the aisle. 2. barrels baring dinosaur bite marks, giant dinosaur footprints and a sound system that blasts a mighty Tyrannosaurus Tyrannosaurus (tīrăn'ōsôr`əs, tĭr–) [Gr.,=tyrant lizard], member of a family, Tyrannosauridae, of bipedal carnivorous saurischian dinosaurs characterized by having strong hind limbs, a muscular tail, and short rex roar every few seconds. All of the items on exhibit, including a Mercedes M-class sport utility vehicle, were actually used in the film, said Stephanie Parker, entertainment production manager for Universal CityWalk Universal CityWalk is a part of Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan originating from Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood. . The display promotes the film and the Universal theme park that abuts CityWalk. ``Kids love the footprints,'' said Parker, watching tourists pose in front of the display for snapshots. ``You can't do that at any other theater where this is showing.'' One youngster who posed for photos is actually in the film. Twelve-year-old Alex Miranda of Sylmar plays the son of a boat captain who takes stars Jeff Goldblum Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum (born October 22, 1952) is an Academy-Award nominated American actor. He often portrays quirky, intense or eccentric characters. He is also known for his distinctive appearance and his unique, staccato delivery of lines. At 6 feet 4 ½ inches (1. , Vince Vaughn and Richard Schiff Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he won an Emmy Award. to the dinosaurs' island. Alex's one line was in Spanish, and he wasn't exactly sure of its translation. But he said he enjoyed traveling to Hawaii for the shoot and came to CityWalk on Friday to see the film a second time. (He saw it first at the premiere.) ``I just love this movie,'' he said. A student at The Light and The Life Christian School A Christian School is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization. The nature of Christian schools varies enormously from country to country according to the religious, educational, and political culture. in Sylmar, Miranda said he can't wait for his friends to see the film and acknowledge his work. Although CityWalk bustled Friday morning with tourists beginning their Memorial Day vacations early, the crowds coming from the morning screenings were somewhat scant. Krier speculated that school schedules probably kept a lot of children and parents from attending the weekday shows. ``I thought it was awesome,'' said Brigitte Traxel as she left the theater. ``There were a couple of parts that scared the poop out poop 1 n. 1. An enclosed superstructure at the stern of a ship. 2. A poop deck. tr.v. pooped, poop·ing, poops 1. To break over the stern of (a ship). 2. of me. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it.'' Her friend, John Williams This biographical article or section needs additional references for verification. Please help [ to improve this article] by adding additional sources. Unverifiable material about living persons must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (not the composer), was less enthusiastic. ``It was really great until they got to San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. ,'' he said, referring to the film's third act. ``Then it just turned into a `King Kong' rip-off.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1) Joe Gabriel, left, and Levon Krikorian carry ``Lost World'' popcorn buckets Friday after seeing the dinosaur movie. (2--3) Marquee changer Changer The name given to a clearing member that is willing to assume the opposite position of a futures contract within a larger alternative exchange, of which it also is a clearing member. Klair Bybee, above, of the Cineplex Odeon in Universal City puts up show times for ``The Lost World: Jurassic Park,'' which opened Friday. Giant dinosaur footprints, right, lead moviegoers to the theater. Tom Mendoza/Daily News |
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