THE LOST WORLD
It is impossible to conceptualize the reality of nine-ton dinosaurs, measuring 40 feet from tip to tip, roaming the planet. This planet. Our planet. But special effects master Stan Winston and his team of incredibly talented artists, sculptors, animators, puppeteers and computer experts realized this vision with the groundbreaking thriller Jurassic Park. Winston & Co. are back now with the JP sequel The Lost World, coming from Universal Pictures in May. LAUNCH’s Deborah Russell met with Winston in the display room at his Van Nuys, Calif. studio. There, surrounded by full-scale models of some pretty nasty beasts, Winston provided a glimpse into his prehistoric playground. Unfortunately, Universal adamantly refused to provide LAUNCH with any moving footage from either of the dino flicks. Just blink your eyes really fast whenever a dinosaur image appears on your screen.

VOLCANO
Actress Anne Heche is one kooky chick. And as a lead in the upcoming thriller Volcano, she is sure to be one hot chick on movie goers’ lists. Heche visited the LAUNCH offices during a break in filming her new movie Wag The Dog, an outrageous political satire starring Robert “Bob” DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman. We describe her as “kooky” because there’s no other term to label her mile-a-minute commentary, on-the-spot impressions and flamboyant gesticulations. This piece chronicles Heche’s specific foray into action movie-making alongside Tommy Lee Jones. Though Heche claims a real volcano could in fact erupt in the middle of L.A.’s  “Miracle Mile,” she has a hard time explaining why. Look for Heche in her most recent release, 
Donnie Brasco, starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.