Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)

"Jurassic World? Not a fan." -Dr. Ian Malcolm

Four years after the last catastrophe, dinosaurs and humans now co-exist. Sadly, all the wonder of this world seems to be missing now. Dinosaurs have become commonplace. Poaching is a thing, as well as black market dealings. The dinosaurs no longer seem as threatening as before, and conveniently always target the baddies. This is one of those movies that gradually wears out its welcome and becomes less enjoyable as it goes on. Ironically, it's the overexposure that saps its novelty. It no longer feels special anymore.

Then again, they got Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum to reunite for the first time since 1993, so what more could you ask? They have a diminished role in this—the last of the Chris Pratt trilogy of Jurassic World films—yet remain the only bright spot that bring any humanity to the proceedings.

This was originally billed as the "epic conclusion of the Jurassic era." But fear not...the dinosaurs will continue to roam the earth. Life, uh, finds a way.

2½ flaming locusts out of 5

Note: Having seen both the theatrical and extended editions, the extended is the superior option, although it adds 14 more minutes to this lumbering entry.

Imaginary (2024)

A little girl befriends a vintage bear named Chauncey who proceeds to make her to do bad things; meanwhile, her tortured stepmom appears to be plagued by repressed memories of the past. This one only really gets good towards the end, but it never manages to fulfill the potential of its limitless design. You'd think for a movie dealing in the untapped power of imagination, it would be a lot more creative and colorful, but it ends up looking very low budget and murky on the screen. So yeah, kind of a mess, but basically what you'd expect from a diluted PG-13 horror flick.

I kind of can't get that Chauncey jingle out of my head, though...

1½ M.C. Escher staircases out of 5