JULY, 18

MOVIES RELEASED

1-PLANETSIDE

Sci-Fi
Directed and Produced by James Cameron
Starring Liam Neeson, Rachel Weisz, Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor, Kiefer Sutherland, Ron Pearlman, Anne Hathaway, Gillian Anderson, Eric Bana, Jennifer Garner

Box Office: 93 mill.
Net Gains: 65 mill.

CMP’s Reaction: Yes, we know, it had it all to be a mega-hit. But a box office of 93 mill. cannot be considered a disaster… but the Studio has to admit it is a disappointing breakdown.

2-ACE BANNER 3: RETURN TO FURY

Action / Spy
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Produced by Matt Kubrick
Starring Jason Statham, Christopher Walken, Kurt Russell, Teri Hatcher


Box Office: 25 mill.
Net Loss: 3 mill.

CMP’s Reaction: A new face, a new flop. Ace Banner resurrects… to die again.

THE CRITICS CORNER

1-PLANETSIDE

“Here is a major production. After the successful adventure of ‘Deep Silence’ and the disaster of ‘Minos’, Cameron has finally decided to make a really big movie for CMP. And the result is ambiguous. Personally, I think it is a brilliant movie. It is not only an action adventure show, but it sets an interesting situation about human relationships, ambition, envy and passion in a hostile scenario. Maybe that’s the reason why it hasn’t been the big success it could have been: this is not just a sci-fi show oriented to teen audiences, but an adult story talented set up by Cameron”
-Roy Winslow

“There’s something of the tv series ‘Lost’ in this movie. It came to me as an echo while I was watching it. But Cameron hides it under the visual paraphernalia of a big screen major show. He has created a big space opera with an intelligent balance between adventure, intrigue, rivalry and love relationships that can be exploded in as many sequels as he wants to. So ‘Planetside’ looks as an intelligent business for him and CMP”
-Jackie O. Callaghan

“The best sci-fi movie coming from CMP I’ve seen. The future of that human colony may turn into a movies serial in the line of old 50’s sci-fi sagas. And the cast is so appealing that the future of this new franchise is guaranteed to keep attracting moviegoers as long as CMP and Cameron want”
-Jack Carter

2-ACE BANNER 3: RETURN TO FURY

“Tarantino has proved again how overvalued he is. He thinks he can do just anything and his loyal fans – which consider so coolm to be a Tarantino’s fan – will follow him. But box office proves he can be wrong. This movie is just like one of those 80’s action movies starred by Steven Segal or Jean Claude Van Damme. Blood, explosions and popcorn.”
-William C. Cummings

“Jason Statham is not a good actor. Teri Hatcher is not mysterious and sexy enough. Walken and Russell are there only for the paycheck. And Tarantino hasn’t made a really good movie since ‘Pulp Fiction’. So no wonder why this movie has flopped”
-Lilly Stevens

“Why? That’s the only question. Why was this sequel produced? ‘Ace Banner 2’ proved that Banner is not and never will Bond or Bourne. Changing his face does not change that. CMP has lost a wonderful chance to release another direct to DVD movie with this one.”
-Anne Roman

AWAITING RELEASE

1-STAR WARS: BALANCE OF THE FORCE

The Cast: Tobey Maguire, Catherine Z. Jones, Daniel Craig, Adrien Brody, Patrick Stewart, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Carrie-Ann Moss, Tilda Swinton, Ron Pearlman

The Director: Lawrence Kasdan
The Producer: George Lucas
The Screenwriter: Marcus Trax

The Plot: It has been nearly a year since the destruction of Kashyyyk and the Republic is starting to take aggressive actions against the Sith Empire. Darvin Skywalker (T.Maguire) is now one of the most recognised Commanders of Republic forces, but he is still recovering over the loss of many people. His sister Lana (C.Z.Jones) and Jedi Master Zias Lotal haven’t reported from the unknown regions and are presumed missing if not dead. The last time he saw long term friend Joel Hummer (A. Brody) he was duelling against a Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Valis (D,.Craig), and is also presume dead. And finally, not only have many Jedi been killed during the war and now only a handful remain but Jedi Master Borel Vass (P.Stewart) after the destruction of Kashyyyk has left the Republic and the Jedi Order and has gone off into the Galaxy believing he could no longer serve the Republic or the Force, he has not been heard from in 6 months.

However Darvin has managed to get onside the Black Sun criminal syndicate and many smugglers now run Republic weapon and medical supplies, for a price of course. His old friends Tallea Diosa (T.Swinton) and Grish Katron (R. Pearlman) are just two of those smugglers.

When after a successful raid against the conquered planet of Corellia Darvin receives a visit from the ghost like image of his father Ben Skywalker, who reminds him of his true commitment to the Force, Darvin decides it is time to seek out the Sith for himself and end it. But to do so he will need help and he goes off, with his smuggler friends to track down Borel Vass to convince him to return to the Jedi and the Republic.

Meanwhile Lana Skywalker has continued her lessons in the Dark Side of the Force under the tutelage of Darth Invictus (G.Oldman). During this training it is revealed that Darth Invictus is in fact Lana’s uncle Anakin Solo, Son of Han Solo and Leia Organa-Solo. He left the order just after her birth as he disapproved of its teaching methods and sought out a new truth of the Force and in the unknown regions discovered records of the Sith and their history and grew to hate the Jedi that restricted and persecuted this knowledge, as well as reject him and his views.

Darth Invictus now makes the descision that the M’tok and the Chiss have now served their purpose and is on his way to Coruscant to help the old Imperial remains to take control of the situation. He has also decided that Darth Valis has served his purpose and with Lana, now termed Lady/Darth Krayvis, accompanying him he decides it is time to help Valis become one with the Force.

Valis on Coruscant meanwhile is consumed with keeping the M’tok and Chiss in lines. Now the Republic is fighting back new borders are asserting and both the M’tok and Chiss are deciding what is their and what is not. The M’tok are especially agitated after the slaughter of their own people on Kashyyyk. Valis decides that a message is needed and decides to kill the M’tok and the Chiss leadership as a warning that no one can oppose the Sith and that the newly formed Empire is not to be carved up. To do this he uses the aid of his own pupil, Joel Hummer who he subdued one year ago and has taught him to use his anger at Darvin Skywalker, his jealously and rage at the death of Sara to turn him to the Dark Side. With Joel he plans to take the title of Sith Master, as is the way. The Apprentice becomes the Master.

Darvin Skywalker after several planets have been visited tracks Borel Vass to the ocean planet of Mon Calamari, which is also an important Republic Ship construction planet. Borel Vass has hidden himself in the depths of the ocean and Darvin takes a submersible down bypassing the dangers of the ocean world until he gets to Borel. Borel has changed though he is more contemplative and after talking with Darvin about everything including Darvin’s visions he decides to rejoin the Jedi but he will not join Darvin in his search which he must do to help finally bring Balance to the Force but he will go with a newly completed Mon Calamari Cruiser to Ryloth, the home of the Twi’lek people and a volcanic world which has been harnessed to build the droid armies the Republic now uses. Darvins smugglers friends are asked to take Borel to Ryloth and they agree. From Ryloth Darvin will get transport to Coruscant.

Valis after killing the leaders of the Chiss and M’tok now sits at the head of the Empire, in the absence of Darth Invictus, and orders a killing blow to the Republic the decimation of Ryloth their main defense force and their army construction abilities. But before he can join the fleet, Darth Invictus and Lady Krayvis, who remains hidden, arrive on planet. Darth Valis taking this opportunity attacks Invictus and during the battle Joel Hummer enters the battle. Valis jubilant at the imminent victory is shocked when Darth Invictus reveals he was always aware of his treachery and reveals Lady Krayvis who proceeds to attacks the man who killed her husband while Invictus looks on. At the apex of the battle Joel and Valis are pushed back to a ship docking platform and there Joel turns on Valis as he killed Sara whom he loved. Valis defending himself kills Joel but as he pierces him with his lightsaber he himself is attacked and slain by Lana/Krayvis. Invictus smiling now is quite happy with the turn of events and then reviews the situation of HIS Empire. Discovering Valis’s plans he decides to accompany the fleet and end this war once and for all, and using Galactic Peace and stability as a ploy he easily manages to convince Lana to accompany him to help eliminate the threat the Repulic holds and the Jedi.

At Ryloth Darvin and Borel arrive where the fleet is preparing itself, concerned over why they soon find out scouts have reported a large build up of Sith ships and that they are preparing for a large assault the target Ryloth. Borel is instantly asked to return to help the defence by Admiral Morosse and Darvn reluctantly agrees to help fight and takes command of Red Squadron. The smugglers decide to cut their losses and head off.

Just when the fleet is prepared the Sith fleet attacks, with Darth Invictus and Darth Krayvis at the head of it all.
The battle ensues and Darvin feeling the presence of his sister splits from the main group and boards the Super Star Destroyer she is on and makes his way to her and his destiny.
The Republic fleet meanwhile is being destroyed one ship at a time when help arrives from the most unexpected of places. The Black Sun and several other syndicates have sent their own ships, small but numerous, to help with themthe smugglers friends.

In the Super Star Destroyer Darvin finally confronts Darth Invictus, Sith and Uncle. Upon learning of his relationship Darvin is shocked. When Invictus lets slip that his Father reacted the same way it comes out Ben Skywalker, Darvins father, was killed by Darth Invictus. Invictus sensing Darvins anger starts to taunt Darvin and announce that they could form a Sith dynasty. One that would ensure peace and prosperity forever. At this point Darvin remembers his sister and she is revealed to Darvin. As Darvin tries to talk to her, she attacks while Invictus looks on.

The battle for the Republic is going badly, although the influx of ships helped it wasn’t enough and now M’tok landing craft are on their way to Ryloth’s surface.

Darvin and Lana are fighting intensively, Darvin talking to her trying to bring her back when he realises it is too late he fights back with grim determination and eventually knock her out with a supporting strut and then turns to Darth Invictus. They both charge at each other and their lightsabers class with a hiss.

Through the duel there is a twist in the battle raging outside. Some of the Chiss ships, where many Chiss still work, are turning on those manned by humans and M’tok. And the Sith forces start to decimate each other. Not foreseeing this betrayal Darth Invictus is thrown off guard and is incapacitated but not killed by Darvin. Darvin instead commits himself to the light side of the force and taking Lana heads to the shuttle bay to escape.

Borel meanwhile seeing the battle turning is happy and then he receives a visit from the force spirit of Masters Wek Hyki and Zias Lotal who tell him of the balance that is needed. As they fade he realises with grim determination and orders all personal to abandon ship as he pilots it towards the Sith Fleet flagship, the one Invictus is on.

As Darvin and Lana make their escape, Sith forces are pulling back, mayhem streaks the stars and Borel rams the republic cruiser he is flying into the sith capital ship. Giving himself to the Force entirely.

As the battle winds down, Darvin takes the shuttle to hyperspace escorted by his smuggler friends through the last of the battle.

Some time later, Darvin is watching the holoreports on the holonet, the war is over and all sides are sitting down to discuss matters apart from the M’tok who have retreated to Coruscant and are staying there, fortifying. Darvin then sails into the atmosphere of the planet he is orbiting, Dagobah. And there he lands the shuttle and bids farewell to R2-D2 for now who is too remain in orbit on watch and when Darvin, and Lana who is with him, need to leave R2 will be contacted.
As R2-D2 takes the shuttle into a stable orbit the ghostly images of Wek Hyki, Zias Lotal, Ben Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Borel Vass gather around the still unconscious Lana and Darvin.
There are always two, a sith and a Jedi and there will be balance in the Force. And when a new Jedi is needed or a new Sith two more will be trained and no more. And balance will remain.

The Comment: After so many pre-production problems, here it is at last: a 145 minutes episode that closes Trax’s trilogy about Luke Skywalker’s grandchildren. Breathtaking release.


2-HOLLYWEIRD

The Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Cusack, Abigail Breslin, Jeff Bridges

The Director, Producer and Screenwriter: Joshua Collins

The Plot: A look into the lives of 5 people, all with a common ground: stardom and the effects it has on those involved in it. each with their own subplots where some connect with each other and others don't. It's a gritty social-dramatic look into the lives of people most of us only see on the big and small screen.

James (J.Gyllenhaal) the struggling aspiring actor in us all. A young man who won't give up his passion no matter how long it takes. Unfortunately, his life tends to get in the way of reaching his dreams.

Kira (A.Breslin) offers a perspective of young Hollywood. She's 11 and at the height of her career. But with fame comes crazy stalker fans, a bad social life, so forth. She decides she wants to take a break from acting until it can be fun for her, but her mother(Kim) pushes her to stay in the business, saying she's invested a lot of money in her and just doesn't want to let go of the idea that her daughter's making her rich. Her mother loves the actress, not the daughter. Her father(Steve) on the other hand wants only Kira to be happy. Both parents are divorced, making it even harder on her thinking it's her fault. So much stress in her young life she even cuts herself. She discovers James and befriends him. While he helps her discover herself and life outside of fame, she supports his fiery passion for acting that could very well ignite her love for it as well.

Ashley (S.Johansson) is the plastic pretty face model actress/singer wannabe with no talent more than partying. She's vain and offers no benefit to society. She drinks, does drugs, sleeps around. She also suffers from anorexia. One evening she gets so drunk she drives herself home, but gets in a nasty car wreck. She emerges from the wreck unscathed, but the person she hit is Kira's father who gets hospitalized and put in a coma. Ashley gets off scott free because of her status in Hollywood, showing how corrupt the law is for letting celebrities get away with murder. In an interview after the wreck, she even says "It's ok, I wasn't hurt."

This devastates Kira, During a dinner rush at his restaurant day job where James works the bar, Ashley comes in and sits at the bar. He stages an accidental slip where he splashes boiling hot water on her. He claims it was an accident and others vouch for him, keeping him out of serving jail time. This accident causes 3rd Degree burns on Ashley's face and body. She spends the rest of her subplot showing the true ugliness that she was inside and out. Suddenly she's not the talk of the town anymore, a young girl who had everything becomes nothing. She delivers a powerful monologue in the mirror where she sees the face she once had. "It should have been you, you ugly bitch"

Kevin (J.Cusack) a successful actor whose been in the business since he was a child actor. He always made it a point to keep his professional life separate from his personal life with Janet and kids. But in the film, that is challenged when he has a steamy affair with Lizabeth. He leads a double life, and the media sets out to ruin both. He represents the 'major star' of Hollywood, one whose watched like a hawk. His life spirals out of control. His agent wants him to have a sham marriage with the co-star he's having the affair with. He attacks the paparazzi, but it's only because they trampled over his kids to get to him. Kevin must figure out which life he wants to lead.

William (J.Bridges) is Kevin's father. Their relationship is strained since Kevin's won many awards and William is a director who has never won awards for any of his movies. He's come close. Now he's only making his films for the sake of winning awards, he is a perfectionist director who is hard to work with. He only cares about himself and his movies. An example of his wicked ways is he tears Kira a new one, he even hits one of his actors.

By the end it's unknown if James succeeds in achieving his goals, but he does help Kira realize the life she's been missing. It's not clear if Kira goes to lead a healthy childhood with her dad, but there are hints throughout the film that would leave one to believe she takes time off acting. Kevin's celebrity affair with Lizabeth fails, we hint towards the idea that his wife forgives his ways or if she doesn't take him back. Ashley however after her big monologue in the mirror commits suicide based on the guilt and the idea of going through life looking like a burnt victim. William's movie he's been working on the whole time doesn't even get considered for an award..

The Comment: An original concept from Joshua Collins. An acid vision of Hollywood that is expected to seduce all kind of audiences. Looks good.


3-VORHEES: THE BLOODY YEARS

The Cast: Elijah Wood, Michael Pitt, Jamie Lee Curtis, John C. Reilly, Chad Michael Murray, Alexa Vega, Nikki Reed

The Director: Eli Roth
The Screenwriter and Producer: Matt Kubrick

The Plot: The murders that took place at camp crystal lake have become something of a legend. They were unsolved and the dissapearence of Jason Voorhees (M.Pitt) has led to rumours of him being the killer. He was never found. Vorhees has been kept hidden by her mean mother (J.L. Curtis), horrorized by his crimes. She treats him as a wild animal. But Vorhees will finally kill his mother and scape from the cellar where she has kept him as prisoner.

In the 70s a young man of 20 named Tommy Jarvis (E.Wood) arrives at camp crystal lake to make a film documentary about the murders and has brought several people to help (C.M. Murray and A.Vega among them). Several blurry photographs have turned up over the years of a man dressed in a hockey mask. They plan on interviewing locals and making a documentrary about the myth and legend. At the height of the summer season the violence is about to start again. A family of four (John C. Reilly is the father), the documentary crew, a group of young teenagers (N. Reed, among them) and some drunks are all in four one horrific night as Jason returns for a new night of terror.

The Comment: A sequel of ‘Vorhees: The Early Years’, Makk Kubrick’s debut as movie director. The saga of ‘Friday 13th’ goes on analyzing the insides of Vorhees. May work at box office.


MAKING OF… HOLLYWEIRD
By Joshua Collins

Hello ladies and gents. Josh Collins here to discuss a little about my latest film, Hollyweird. First off, let me tell you it's been advertised mostly as a comedy, but it's actually a dark comedy/drama. I don't think you could find much comedy out of a child cutting her wrists or another committing suicide due to her guilt, or another ripping his hair out due to frustrations with not getting a role. So many people mock a celebrity that we often forget that they are real people outside the lens. That's what I wanted to do, show a film where they are celebrities, but an everyday person could find something in any of the characters to relate to. It also touches up on the corruption of law enforcement, how a celeb could get away with crimes a regular person gets a life sentence for. Of course, that's not the entire plot, just an issue it touches.
I was honored with the talent we received. So many actors wanted to be a part of this movie and we had only so few roles to fill. My favorite roles were definitely James and Kira. Jake and Abigail really shined, but the most fun role was Scarlett's portrayal of Ashley. She was focused and took the role so seriously she lost an unhealthy amount of weight by doing what Ashley would do, dispose of her food in unhealthy methods. John and Kurt did a good job with what they were given. Too bad Kurt's role wasn't as large as the others, he's a fine actor.
I got the idea for the film by being a fan of those ensemble cast subplot films. I also had a recurring idea in my head of a struggling actor and I thought it would be interesting to feature a film based on Hollywood stardom in a gritty tone. Each of the main characters represents something you may see in Hollywood. A struggling actor looking for his big break, young Hollywood and the stresses it could have on them, a successful star whose always caught in the crosshairs of flashing cameras, and the untalented vain "pretty face"
It's a moving film that is meant to inspire, enlighten, engross. I really want audiences to see that when the cameras are off, actors and celebrities deal with the same problems we all face, lives we rarely get to see and lives we often mock. I want to with everyone again, in fact, I'm thinking of putting Abbie in another upcoming project, she was just a delight to have around the set.I do have another Hollywood-type comedy movie about an agent who is tired of seeing minorities used as stereotypes, gimmicks etc and wants to show that even little people can amaze as much as any average sized person.

MOVIES IN DEVELOPMENT

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: THE SHATTERED ORB: Somebody said there were not too many dragons in the first D&D’s movie. Well, a red dragon will be one of the main characters of this sequel. And it’ll have the voice of Judi Dench. It’s been also known that Christopher Lee, who won GMA Best Villain for his work in the first movie, will return in this one but making just a brief appearance on screen.

PARODY OF ARTS: Before becoming a dragon’s voice, Judi Dench will finish the shooting of this one. Other talents involved in David Mamet’s movie are Sean Bean (‘Hitman: Thicker Blood’), Maggie Gyllenhaal (‘The Women Club’, ‘Robotech 3’) and Eric Balfour (‘Poor Little Rich Boy’).

THREE WOODEN CROSSES: Billy Bob Thornton has signed too big female stars for his country drama: Claire Danes, returning to CMP after her astonishing presence during last Season, and Jennifer Connelly, just coming back after the successful ‘The Guardians’. Big names for a little movie.

THE GREAT WAR SERIES: FINAL THUNDER: Thornton has agreed with CMP that he’ll shoot pretty fast his movie, as Claire Danes urgently needs to join this other one. Danes personally asked CMP to let her work first in ‘Three Wooden Crosses’ as she liked the screenplay so much.

AN AMERICAN STROLL: James Bradley’s new project already has a director. Ang Lee will make his debut in CMP with this dramedy. Lee and Bradley are already putting up the long cast together and both have promised there’ll be some surprises in it.

THE SHRINKING MAN: Another two popular names join this cast. Brendan Fraser, seen in the successful ‘T.Y.M.’ and ‘T.Y.M.: The Second Chance’ will help Ben Stiller with his shrinking problem while Bill Murray (‘Deadly Sins’, ‘Alice In Wonderland’, ‘The Tempting Diamond’) returns to CMP after a long absence playing a minor role.

CELL MATES: A most peculiar premise coming from the always peculiar Ted Froats. An eccentric comedy with a touch of surrealism. And two specialists involved: Joel and Ethan Cohen will take care of this weird production that will bring some surprises for sure. Stay tuned.

AMERICAN HEARTLAND: Originally titled ‘West Memphis 3’, a Matt Kubrick’s screenplay based on a true story: the conviction for murder of three teenagers. Martin Scorsese is going to be the producer of this tough story and the director and cast are expected to be announced soon.

POWERHOUSE: And another local drama. Marcus Trax’s is behind this story about ordinary people dealing with work problems. Talents behind this production have not been made public yet.

RUMOURS AND GOSSIPS

There is a peculiar movie subgenre some people calls ‘Americana’. It includes all those stories that try to picture the insides of the US, its History or the ordinary life of its citizens. Some of the CMP’s upcoming releases can be considered as part of that subgenre. Movies coming from different writers such as ‘An American Stroll’ (James Bradley), ‘Three Wooden Crosses’ and ‘Cell Mates’ (Ted Froats) or ‘Powerhouse’ (Marcus Trax) can be considered as different approaches to the subgenre turning their eyes to deep America.

CMP has decided to postpone the new Midnight Movies’ direct to DVD release to next Season.

‘Faction 12’, the cancelled sci-fi production starring Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman, has been confirmed to be one of the first releases of Season 6.

PRESS RELEASE BY JOHN DAWS

I would like to talk about my impending retirement. I have taken it upon myself to retire from screenwriting and moviemaking. Other commitments in my life have taken over and I have had to evaluate my priorities and certain things are more important than writing.

I would like to assure people and fans that I will be staying around for all my remaining productions which I believe will see me stay through season 6 and I hope I will get the support for my last few films.

As is always the case I will never say I am retired for good as situations can change so I may be back one day providing ideas still flow.

I would also like to say this has nothing to do with any of the problems I have had with any project I have worked on and would like to thank CMP for all the backing I have had even through bad reviews and previews. I hope that the money my movies have made have made them see that not all critics are right.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OR HELL

HEAVEN

CLAIRE DANES: The major star of CMP’s past Season is back. And she has been so intelligent to choose a discreet minor role in a small production like ‘Three Wooden Crosses’ for that return. It looks as Danes wants to return to a more modest situation in the industry after the excessive exposition of past Season. Anyway, the sequel of ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ will take her back to the front line soon.

VIGGO MORTENSEN: After all the gym work, Mortensen will be finally rewarded after Marcus Trax has confirmed that he will also be the star of his He-Man’s project.

HELL

STAR WARS: Pre-production was a nightmare due to the differences between Trax and Lucas. But post-production is not being any better. The first final version of the movie lasted 210 minutes. The Studio rejected it. Kasdan edited a second version: 180 minutes. And still Lucas and Harry Stark were not happy with it. So finally the release version will be 145 minutes and now is Lawrence Kasdan the unhappy one.

HOLLYWEIRD: Joshua Collins has been making changes in the screenplay of this dramedy until the very last minute. It is said that the end of the movie was even changed in the editing room. Right now, even CMP’s executives are not sure what will be the final version released on screen.

INSIDE CMP

VERY IMPORTANT

CMP WILL TAKE A REST

During the month of August, CMP won’t be releasing any movie.

After an exhausting year, Harry Stark has decided to take a rest and travel along the world for one month.
Before that, CMP will release all the pending movies from Season 5. That will mean that three movies instead of two will be released in the next few issues.

The Studio won’t initiate any new production until September.
Schedule for Season 6 – beginning in September – is already closed.

Movies will keep being released until the first days of August.
And then CMP will return in the first days of September.