Monsters and Men: Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom

Monsters and Men: Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is yet another version (the fifth) of the 1993 hit Jurassic Park. What was once, a milestone for special effects, now rather like the re-engineered dinosaurs is all too familiar. This may have something to do with the financial success of the immediate predecessor, which was the biggest in the series in terms of actual takings ($652m) and this latest film has already taken $333m since June 22nd. Hence the reason for hashing together the same story with minor alterations.

As predictable as the story is, there was a growing unease as I found asking myself “why have I paid to watch the same movie yet again?”. Perhaps that is precisely the point. Why on earth to we never learn from our mistakes of the past, or at least seem unable to.

Fallen Kingdom might be a metaphor for the monsters that we tolerate within our midst. The stereotypes that seem intent on only advancing methods of ruining lives rather than improving them. Men paid to fulfil the orders of the rich, psychopathic and powerful and who never question loyalty to anything other than their own self-interests. That which was once thought long extinct has risen and is now marauding local communities whilst wearing a rosette. The monsters are amongst us, Pandora’s box is open.

Spoiler Alert… really?

As the movie is so much like any of its predecessors, the notion of a spoiler alert seems somewhat redundant, but here is one. There is a sequence in the movie where dinosaurs are auctioned to the usual crowd of despots, criminals and oligarchs. Some are merely using these for “big game hunting” but some to terrorise. The latest “newly improved” DNA adjusted monster is proclaimed to be the ultimate killing weapon. A dinosaur that can be controlled. The control is administered with a laser-sighted automatic weapon, pointed at the victim, dino locks on, and then the bug red button is depressed to release a sound that sends dino into a killing frenzy. This work of deadly genius fetches $28m. Now I have a couple of problems with this. Firstly, if you can point an automatic weapon at your intended target, why do you need a dinosaur? Secondly, if this is the ultimate soldier, a winning bid of $28m seems a few billion off the mark. Have they ever seen the “Defence” budget?

He’s Coming to Get You…

The closing sequences of the film are utterly daft, with said monster tracking small child through an American “mansion” (one cannot escape thinking that this is designed with a theme park ride in mind) in the pouring rain, locating her bedroom, like something more out of Monsters Inc. Second (friendlier monster called “Blue” saves the day, thrusting beast onto the magnificent ancient remains of triceratops skull. The ancient overcomes the new. Girl then exposed as being a work of genetic magic herself, then releases remaining captive dinosaurs into the local community, who we are now told will have to co-exist and live with the consequences. Well, its about as daft as some of the political waffle that we all see on “the news” in its various forms.

Behavioural Issues

The monsters are arguably within us all, some are more obvious – displaying their basic qualities and frenzied outbursts, be that on twitter, Question Time or perhaps in a local IKEA store, the local pub, the centre of London or lurking in the shadows quietly moving the pieces into place as less regard for life and communal harmony become evident. There are moments when I despair, yet continue to live in the hope that civility, fairness and peace will eventually triumph, which first has to start with my own behaviour.

So the financial lesson – investor behaviour will make or ruin you. Following the crowd, being led by the noise, “everyone is doing it” intoxicated by the illusion of not needing to think will be a quick and painful way to watch your money flee to a new home. Know what and who you are dealing with, don’t mess with the cages, just because you can, does not mean you should.

Here is the trailer for the movie Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom.

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

Monsters and Men: Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom2023-12-01T12:17:58+00:00

Feeling like a million dollars…

Feeling like a million dollars…

Most of us partake in a little retail therapy from time to time, however fleeting, there is an undeniable “feel good factor” for most people. Perhaps it might be a car, the new i-phone or a new dress… whatever you buy for yourself, most of us probably will not find that the item increases in value purely because we owned, used, borrowed or wore it. Historical artefacts and increasingly the everyday items used by well-known figures are very much collectors’ items. The National Trust have recently launched a £7.1m appeal (click here) to acquire Winston Churchill’s various “items of national importance”. As you may imagine, there is considerable debate over the use of the money, after all what real national interest is being served by purchasing his hairbrush (“simply irreplaceable”) or House of Commons Birthday Book. I’m not so convinced… are you?

Happy birthday to you…

It is not simply these more historical figures that get buyers and collectors into something of a frenzy, as you will probably be aware, the cult of celebrity also has a spin off “once worn by” market. In November the dress worn by the marvellous Marilyn Monroe as she sang “Happy Birthday” in 1962 to JFK is up for sale again. It was last sold for $1.26million and experts are expecting this figure to be doubled on 17 November.  So if you have a few million dollars and want to feel like it (wearing the dress?) then don’t miss the auction in Los Angles. If you simply wish to see it in person, its being shown in Ireland at Newbridge Silverware, (about 30 minutes from Dublin) where you can see this and many other outfits worn by celebrities.

Here’s a bit more information…

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

Feeling like a million dollars…2023-12-01T12:19:11+00:00

The Price of a Dress

The Price of a Dress

In this rather royal week in which we celebrate the 90th birthday of our Queen, there is another cultural icon who would have been 90 at the start of this month – Marilyn Monroe. For those of you that have an interest in cinematic things and perhaps alternative investments, you may recall I wrote about the auction of one of Marilyn Monroe’s dresses from the Seven Year Itch that sold for $4.6m five years ago. If that is something that interests you, then why not get along to the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour for a Marilyn exhibition. It runs until 2oth June and is free.

The curated exhibition  includes Marilyn Monroe’s never seen before personal treasures and original costumes from notable films like ‘Niagara’ and ‘No Business Like Show Business’. Visitors will be taken on an epic journey through her life, transported into her world through the lens of style, photography and film.

Epitomising the high glamour of 1950s Hollywood, the exhibition represents iconic fashion pieces from the David Gainsborough-Roberts collection and includes the sheer beaded dress from ‘Some Like It Hot’. These will be complemented by her favourite jewellery, watches and accessories.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Costume, jewellery and private letters from Marilyn's personal collection at the launch of Marilyn Monroe: Legacy of a Legend exhibition at Design Centre on May 25, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour )

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Costume, jewellery and private letters from Marilyn’s personal collection at the launch of Marilyn Monroe: Legacy of a Legend exhibition at Design Centre on May 25, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour )

Behind the scenes

In a stunning contrast between her personal life and her dazzling public persona, Marilyn Monroe: The Legacy of a Legend Exhibition will take a behind-the-scenes look at the screen actress’s life through a selection of incredibly personal papers from the estate of Lee Strasberg including Marilyn’s journals and hand written letters. Drawings, from naive still life to figure studies, are in a variety of mediums while her poetry hints at her intellectual curiosity, vulnerability and humanity.

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a leading platform for a broad spectrum of creative disciplines in the capital. Best known as a world-leading destination for excellence in luxury interiors, it supports cutting-edge expression across the design agenda, making it a natural home for this exhibition.

“Claire German, managing director of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, said “Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour embraces and celebrates all creative expression, so we’re delighted to present such a multi-dimensional exhibition to the public for the first time. We’re curating it in a truly immersive and innovative way, all to be revealed on the 25th May.”

The exhibition, in collaboration with Julien’s Auctions, will be the first, and only time that this incredible collection of pieces is available for public viewing in the UK.

Click here for opening times for the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

The Price of a Dress2023-12-01T12:19:11+00:00
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