MARCH, 31


DEVIL TRIGGER

Action / Supernatural
Cast: Matt Damon, AnnaSophia Robb, Brian Dennehy, Josh Holloway, Thomas Haden Church. Cameo by Patrick Stewart.
Director: Larry & Andy Wachowski
Screenwriter: David Makalaster

Box Office: 248 mill.
Net Gains: 382 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: WOW! The most profitable movie in CMP’s History!!! The movie becomes the new best box office top 5… AND THE NEW HIGHEST NET GAINS TOP 1!!! The DVD sales have been absolutely outstanding. The Wachowski Brothers have made History in CMP with their debut!

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

Adventure / Historical
Cast: Christian Bale, James McAvoy, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Cillian Murphy, Keira Knightley, Jeremy Irons, Alan Rickman. Cameo by John Daws.
Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Tony Scott
Screenwriter: John Daws

Box Office: 122 mill.
Net Gains: 111 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: John Daws succeeds with an historical production after the bad experience of ‘1066’. A quality movie. I am so happy it worked cause it will become a classic.

THE GREEN CHILDREN

Adventure / Fantasy
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Elle Fanning, Gwyneth Poltrow, Ewan McGregor, Geoffrey Rush
Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick

Box Office: 166 mill.
Net Gains: 128 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Oh, what a week! Outstanding success again for a fantasy adventure. I think we had never had three +100 releases in the same week.


DEVIL TRIGGER

‘I must confess I never thought that the Wachowski brothers would ever repeat the creative landmark of the first ‘Matrix’. Matrix’s sequels and Speed Racer never equalled the innovative and influential creation that movie was. But, against any expectation, here we have Devil Trigger and… Oops! They did it again! Yes, here is an amazing visual show that puts up an own universe with its own rules, just as Matrix did. Hypnotizing and engrossing, Devil Trigger is called to be an obliged reference at least for the next decade. A must see.’
-Roy Winslow

‘Finally, CMP offers us a more daring bet than a superhero movie or a fantasy tale. Besides it is strongly influenced by the ‘console game culture’, Devil Trigger cannot be stereotyped in any specific genre. As Matt Damon and the Wachowskis are in it, we could say it is a mix between the action of Jason Bourne’s movies and the visual power of Matrix. An explosive mix. Who cares if the storyline is hard to follow? After all, somebody really understood Matrix’s plot?’
-Jackie O’Callaghan

‘Anyway you look at it, an excellent movie. Devil Trigger creates its own mythology of angels and devils and makes the fantasy believable the only way the great movies can. It is a relief to discover that the Wachowski Brothers are not a one hit wonder. And after ‘MTG-Sinister Black’ and this one, David Makalaster confirms himself as a master in creating epic fantasy stories. I have the feeling we are going to remember this production for a very long time’.
-Tim Reeve

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

‘Ridley Scott has proved he can handle almost any movie genre. This time, he puts up again a historical adventure, like he did with ‘Gladiator’ or CMP’s Uncommon Valour movies, and once again he succeeds. Here is an elegant and interesting production, a classic way of moviemaking, the opposite to the innovative narrative style of ‘Devil Trigger’, but equally masterly. The recreation of the 17th Century, with such a detailed production design, is reason enough to appreciate this movie. But, together with that, the story itself is intriguing enough and it is told with a perfect pace to trap us in the legendary conspiracy of Catesby and Fawkes’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘Why this story has never been told before in a movie? As the Scott Brothers have proved, it has it all to become a wonderful movie. So thank God Daws and the Scott Brothers have decided to make this great movie. Together with ‘Pompeii’, the best historical movie ever produced by CMP. Daws’ screenplay here is much richer that the one for ‘1066’, his previous attempt in the historical genre, with a wider group of interesting characters and a plot with the perfect doses of action and suspense.’
-Amy Ratched

‘Don’t consider this movie just the classic historical recreation. It is the intriguing and absorbing story of a terrorist conspiracy back in the 17th Century. Scott has loyally turned into images events that have become part of British History and he has known how to make it in the most interesting way. The wonderful work of the whole cast – particularly the fanatic Christian Bale and the doubtful Keira Knighley – helps to make the whole function believable. The only problem of this wonderful movie is that it has been released the same week than ‘Devil Trigger’. It would be a shame to miss it just because ‘Devil Trigger’ is also showing in the next room.’
-Anne Roman

THE GREEN CHILDREN

‘Here is another dose of the formula ‘Kids + Fantasy’ that has become so profitable lately for CMP. Less spectacular than ‘The Land Of Nod’ and with a lower enchantment than ‘The Fantastic Mansion’, ‘The Green Children’ assumes its deliberate condition of a more modest production and becomes a nice minor product of the genre. Appealing enough to work in box office as well as it has - in fact, even better than other movies of the same genre -, the movie will never be placed among the major fantasy productions of recent times.’
-Chris Burgess

‘Newell and Spielberg have not taken here the creative risks they took with their previous collaboration in CMP, ‘Alice In Wonderland’. Maybe the folk legend the movie is based in was not the right material to put up a major show, but the truth is that, at the end of the movie, I had mixed feelings: I had had a good time but I also felt that there was something missing. I enjoyed it without excitement.’
-Alex Stampton

‘The people at CMP know that there is a loyal audience for this kind of movies. But they should not relax if they want to keep it. ‘The Green Children’ works at a certain level but even youngest audiences are getting more and more demanding. In that sense, this old fashioned fairy tale is a more risky movie than it may seem. Kids could have turned their back to a movie without particularly impressive special effects or scenarios. But the talent of Newell and Spielberg has upgraded what could have been a minor movie to a beautiful production that connects directly with the most traditional tales. Luckily, audiences have appreciated it.’
-Lily Stevens


This week it's an apocalyptic battle in what we here at CMP hope will become a blockbuster, Devil Trigger, John Daws returns to a historic epic in The Gunpowder Plot and children once again become the main focus in 'The Green Children' based on the folk legend.

DEVIL TRIGGER

CRITIQUE: The complexity of the plot may be the bigger turnoff in the film. Many movie goers just don't want to think too much in the film. I do hope this film becomes a production design favorite at the GMAs, had great effects and action, I don't recall seeing anything like it in the studio. Popcorn Flick for the smart people...seems kind of like an oxymoron but it's true. The Wachowski Brothers are back and not since the Matrix have we seen a well done smart action show. Plus it doesn't have Robo-Reeves in it, so that's a plus. I would pay to see this!
ACTING/CAST: 3.5/5
DIRECTION: 4.5/5
WRITING: 4/5
PLOT/CONCEPT: 5/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

CRITIQUE: Everything about this film had spot on execution. Very well made and it seemed like whatever was absent in the historic epic flop 1066 was fixed in this intense period film. I don't see how anyone could leave the theater disappointed. Might still be too early to say GMA nomination, but it could be a contender. It's been common lately that period films get shunned for best pic awards, but they used to be big deals before the millennium. Excellent work, Daws!
ACTING/CAST: 5/5
DIRECTION: 5/5
WRITING: 5/5
PLOT/CONCEPT: 5/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 3/5
OVERALL: 5/5

THE GREEN CHILDREN

CRITIQUE: Like Fantastic Mansion I was brought back to how family fantasy films were like back in the day. The Green Children doesn't try too hard and its story keeps relatively strong without having to put the audience to sleep. I think after so many of these minor roles in past CMP productions, Elle Fanning is given a role that shows her off and makes her stand out from her super famous sister. Very nice to see Kubrick step away from the hero epic and slasher flick and should this succeed I think we have discovered another creative team in the studio that should keep working together.
ACTING/CAST: 4/5
DIRECTION: 4/5
WRITING: 3.5/5
PLOT/CONCEPT: 3.5/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED MUST-SEE OF THE WEEK
DEVIL TRIGGER

MARCH, 27


DEVIL TRIGGER

Action / Supernatural

The Cast: Matt Damon, AnnaSophia Robb, Brian Dennehy, Josh Holloway, Thomas Haden Church. Cameo by Patrick Stewart.

The Director: Larry and Andy Wachowski
The Screenwriter: David Makalaster

The Plot: Earth, present day.The recent rise in atheism is having greater effects than we percieve.In heaven, it has led to an ever-increasing number of fallen angels who leaves to serve in the more lucrative hell when Judgment comes.To mitigate this, God himself has created a strike-force of trusted angels to either absolve the fallen or destroy them. At the top of the roster is Attuan (Damon), a rarity in himself as he was originally a demon who was given absolution and pledged his existence to the service of heaven. A risen demon, rather than a fallen angel. He wields the sacred weapons, The Devil Triggers, holy guns that can be used to deadly effect on even angels and demons.

In the beginning of the film, he is sent after the fallen angel Kasut (Church), who while waiting for passage into hell has used certain angelic advantages to set up shop as a powerful businessman on earth. Attuan descends unto Kasut's compound outside Ankara, Turkey and fights his way through Kasut's personal army, sparing only those of the faith. However,Kasut is ready for him and takes the fight to the skies over Turkey.Attuan continually tries to convert Kasut but he stubbornly refuses. Finally, Attuan gains the upper hand and shoots Kasut through the heart not realizing that they are over a residential area. As Kasut hurtles towards the ground Attuan manages to grab him and drag him out over the Black Sea where the both of them disappear beneath the waves. On the way up to the surface, Attuan tears one of his wings on a ship wreckage, becoming unable to reenter heaven, but as he surfaces he spots a well-dressed man he recognizes as an avatar of god (Dennehy) on the beach.He scolds Attuan for having been careless, but thanks him for the job done. He then
informs him of the next target, one whose demise is of the utmost importance. The anti-christ has been born and must be destroyed before Satan's plans for him can be fulfilled.

Attuan makes his way towards Hamburg, Germany where the anti-christ (in the form of young Angela Grace (Robb) is located. But as he approaches his goal, more and more angels seem to descend to stop him and after a particularly violent encounter on a small train station in the german countryside the avatar appears again, saying that "I see you doubt your mission. Why?". Attuan responds that if he is on the way to destroy the anti-christ himself, why are no other angels joining him on this important mission and why the angels seem to descend from the heavens to stop him. The avatar says that fallen angels from all over the world are converging on him in order to safeguard the anti-christ and if it weren't for him sending the other angels on absolution missions there would be many more there to stop him.

He then proceeds to heal Attuan (But oddly not his wing) before leaving, and Attuan sets out again.

On arriving in Hamburg he finds a detachment of angels led by onen (Holloway) to face him. After a grueling fight which takes them all over the city only Ronen and Attuan remain when Ronen remarks how Attuan is "More resistant to absolution than the others". Attuan says he is already a servant of God, and does not need to be absolved.Ronen scoffs that if it were up to him, Attuan should have been hunted down the moment he fell from grace. This enrages Attuan who grabs Ronen and rams him into the side of a skyscraper, crashing right through to the other side before throwing him on the ground and drawing his Devil Triggers and shooting Ronen. In his dying breath, Ronen whispers"Once a devil, always a devil."

Attuan looks back at the death and destruction he caused during the fight and in desperation races to the nearest church but finds himself unable to enter. He slumps down on a nearby bench but is approached by the local minister (Stewart). The minister wonders why he does not enter the church. Attuan responds that he does not know, he was always God's good son. The minister says "Maybe, if you can't find it in yourself to enter, you have not been as faithful as you thought.Only within yourself can you find that answer." Attuan ponders the answer, before realizing the truth and racing away from the church, leaving the minister in the courtyard.

He races through the city in order to get to Angela and when he arrives, he realizes he was right and finds the Avatar along with the demon Satodon at the Grace house.The avatar is in fact not of God, but of Satan and has controlled Attuan through what little influence remained from his time in Hell. Agela, who is running for her life through the grounds, is not the anti-christ but in fact one of the eleven justifiers.The justifiers, true to their name, justify mankind's existence in God's eye and even though none of them even know what they are, if one should go missing or be slain, mankind's well-being will be put aside as Heaven and Hell clashes on Earth in all-out war.

Attuan dashes past the Avatar and the demon and snatches Angela just as the demon swipes at her. He even manages to fly out of the grounds, but with his damaged wing he crashes into the roof of a nearby skyscraper protecting Angela all the way. Unfortunately, the demon has followed them and lands squarely on Attuan's wings, crippling them totally. Angela tosses a concrete sliver right in the face of the demon, only serving to enrage it and it advances on her. Attuan tackles it right through the wall and they both plunge toward the street. The demon lands in a construction yard and is impaled on a steel girder while Attuan lands squarely in the street, dying with his large crippled wings sprawling around him.

He wakes up near a familiar set of gates, and both Angela and the preacher is there.The preacher says that he is proud of Attuan, and does not regret ever absolving him. He also apologizes for sending absolvers after him when he was thought to have fallen again.Attuan asks why, and gets the response "To err is divine.". Angela laments that her parents didn't survive the attack, but the preacher just smiles and says they're waiting for her inside. Angela will be taken into heaven for protection along with Attuan, who has fulfilled his duties and more. The preacher (God) gestures towards the gate, which open, and the three enter the bright light inside.Back down on earth, Satan's avatar stands in a crowd in an unknown big city looking up at the sun shining out through the clouds. He scoffs, and turns around to disappear into the crowd.


Stark’s Comment: A big show. One of those movies where production design and visual strength are the main elements of the function. After the flop of ‘Gears Of War’ I do not dare to say what I expect from this one. I’ll just wait and see. (By the way, the ‘Devil Trigger’ name is taken from the game ‘Devil May Cry’).

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

Adventure / Historical

The Cast: Christian Bale, James McAvoy, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Cillian Murphy, Keira Knightley, Jeremy Irons, Alan Rickman. Cameo by John Daws.

The Director: Ridley Scott
The Producer: Tony Scott
The Screenwriter: John Daws

The Plot: In 1604 England is in a religious struggle. Hopes of King James I (Christopher Lee) tollerating Catholics had died down and the Catholic community had become increasingly enraged.

Robert Catesby (Christian Bale) has rounded a group of trusted firends and devises a plan to rid the country of the King and Parilament in England. The deaths would cause a rebellion and the young catholic queen would be placed in power of the country.

They decided that to do this they will need to blow up parliament using gunpowder placed under the house of lords. Thomas Percy (Cillian Murphy) is given the task of funding a lease for a building on the opposite side of the road from the houses of parliament. He applies for the lease using the savings he and his wife Martha Wright (Kiera Knightly) had accumulated. She is worried about what he needs the money for but he reassures her that it will be alright and he proceeds with the plan. Robert meanwhile has asked Guy Fawkes (James Mcavoy), an explosives expert to secure as much gunpowder as possible. He meanwhile gets his home in Lamberth ready to store picks and the barrells of gunpowder.

The lease of the property is underway and digging soon begins under the streets of London to the House of Lords. They digging is going well and everyone is getting their respective jobs done. Thomas Percy goes home periodically but spends a lot of time away. Martha curious decides to take a trip to London and goes to the building where they are digging. She walks in and is startled to find 15 men covered in dirt. She asks her husband what is going on and Robert quickly grabs her and shuts the door. Thomas shouts and tells Robert to let go of her. He whispers angrily telling him to keep his voice down. He explains that she is now a liability and has seen too much. Thomas tells Robert that she will not speak to anyone and that he needs to let her go. He does and she goes home with Thomas shocked. Scared for his wifes life and the measures that Robert will go he sends her away to her sisters and she promises to keep quiet so her husband will not be implicated.

By summer they had almost made the end and then news hit london that the plague was back and killing faster than any plague before it. Parliament was held back in recess for longer and digging subsequently stopped. They aggreed to resume work on their plan in early 1605 and went back to their families over the winter months. When they came back they heard yet again that parliament would stay in recess until October. They decided that this would be a good time to row the gunpowder up the themes to their rented house. Guy Fawkes was helping load the boats and Robert tells Guy to leave one barrell behind. He had another use for it. Just before they set off Thomas informs them that a firend had told him a coal merchant had recently left a cellar under the Lords and so he had aquired the lease to it. It was an ideal place to put the gunpowder and would not need to continue the tunnel.

Fawkes assisted in filling the room with gunpowder, which was concealed beneath a wood store in the cellar under the House of Lords building. By March 1605, they had filled the undercroft underneath the House of Lords with 35 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes told them they had enough gunpowder to reduce many of the buildings in the Old Palace of Westminster complex, including the Abbey, to rubble and would blow out windows in the surrounding area of about a 1 kilometre radius.

The conspirators left London in May and went to their homes or to different areas of the country, because being seen together would arouse suspicion. They arranged to meet again in September. However, the opening of Parliament was again postponed.

Robert was worried about the arrangements for the rebellion which would in theory sweepthe country and provide a Catholic monarch. More money and arms would be needed. He sought out the help of Francis Tresham (Jeremy Irons) a wealthy beleiver in the cause. He spent time getting people together to get the arms needed. Guy Fawkes left at Easter and travelled through Europe meeting with different people and looking to get their assistance in the rebeillion. He eventually returns in September. The decision was then made by Robert that Guy would be left in charge to carry out the plot. He was worried about it but agreed for the good of the land. They others fled to Warickshire and Donchurch to await news. All but Robert who had other plans.

Robert travels to Thomas' house where he has stored another barrel of gunpowder. He sets it off and the house goes up in flames. He believes that Thomas' wife is now dead and cannot give them away. He then leaves and goes to confession where he meets with Father Henry Garnet (Ian Mckellen). He details what he had just done and what he is going to do. The Father is shocked and wants to warn parliament but is bound not to by confession. He tried to stop Catesby from leaving and threatens to call the police. He tells him it is not the way to go about change. When Robert turns to leave Father Garnet places his hand on his shoulder and says he is not a member of this church anymore. Robert says this is fine as long as the church still stands at the end it will have been worth it. He leaves.

Meanwhile Thomas tells Martha that it is about to happen and she says she cannot let this happen and says she needs to warn them also. She sets off to Parliament. Thomas rushes after her and tells her to stop. She says what is going on is wrong and there are better ways to sort the problems out.

Meanwhile Francis has wrote a letter to his brother Lord Monteagle (Alan Rickman) warning him to stay away from parliament. He reads the letter aloud to the people around him, some of them fellow catholics. He hands the letter over to the secretary of state (John Daws). Francis concerned for his friends tells them about the letter to his brother to warn him and the conspirators start to argue and panic. Fawkes tells the others he will look to see if anything has happened in wood store. He sneaks down to the cellar and takes a look around. Nothing has been tampered with. He reports back to the others that everything is OK and they can go ahead with the plan.

On the night before Thomas confronts Robert and starts to argue with him after he found his house had been blown up. He tells Robert the game is up and Martha is not dead and in fact on her way to the police to tell them of the plan. Robert knows out and ties him up in the store they bought across from parliament. He rushes to intercept Martha and grabs her down an alley. They stuggle and Robert hits her over the head with a rock which knocks her down. He then sits on top of her and holds her throat until she chokes.

The letter is delivered to the police by the secretary of state who search the vaults underneath parliament. They start a search of the vaults and also the wood store where they see a pile of wood and near it twenty barrels of gunpowder. They start to rummage through the wood when Guy Fawkes jumps out knocking down one of the guard. He proceeds to be chased away dropping lighting paper. Once they catch him they ask him who he is. He tells them he is Mr John Johnson. Another police office comes out with the lighting paper in his hand. They place him under arrest and search Fawkes him. They find a watch and matches. He is interrogated and realising his game is up he confesses he wanted to kill the King and destroy parliament. They beat him and through him in a cell. Early next morning they interrogate him again where they question him about any accomplices including Thomas Percy. When he did not say anything he was taking to the Tower of London. The King goes to see Fawkes and tell him that if he does not tell them who the accomplices are he will order the police to torture him until he confesses. He still refuses to thll him spitting in the King's face. The King orders the torture of Fawkes and they begin to torture him.

The torture is long and eventually he gives in and tells them everything. A countrywide search begins for the other members of the group. The conspritors split and make their way to a midlands home owned by Robert, Most of the men are caught in their travels but Robert and Thomas makes it to the midlands with some other men. Thomas angered by his wifes death calls the police and tells them of their location. They revolt against the ensuing police and a shootout takes place. Catesby eventually gets shot and dies. Thomas gives himself up freely.

The other men are tried and sectioned to execution by hanging. Each man is hung until Fawkes the last man cheats execution by jumping from the gallows and breaking his neck dying instantly. His body lying lifeless then changes to a burning bonfire and the film ends.

Cast Of Characters
Robert Catesby (Christian Bale)
King James I (Christopher Lee)
Guy Fawkes/John Johnson (James Mcavoy)
Father Henry Garnet (Ian Mckellen)
Thomas Percy (Cillian Murphy)
Martha Wright (Keira Knightley)
Francis Tresham (Jeremy Irons)
Lord Monteagle (Alan Rickman)
Secratary of State (John Daws cameo)


Stark’s Comment: One of the big events of the Season. Another top budget historical production in the line of ‘1066’ (just hope this one does better in box office!). A quality product anyway you look at it: the Scott brothers behind it, a great cast, an elaborated screenplay… But maybe financially uncertain. Fingers crossed.

THE GREEN CHILDREN

Adventure / Fantasy

The Cast: Freddie Highmore, Elle Fanning, Gwyneth Poltrow, Ewan McGregor, Geoffrey Rush

The Director: Mike Newell
The Producer: Steven Spielberg
The Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick

The Plot: Based on the folk legend, Little Zuthra (E.Fanning) and her brother Naga (F.Highmore) are playing outside near their home. They live in a world known as Britallis, where everyone is green and live high up in the trees building homes and cat walks. People rarely go to ground level. One day these two children decide to go down the ground level to explore. But after seeing two furry animals they chase the small critter and eventually find there way into a cave and become lost. After hours of searching for a way back, they soon come out on the other side but in a world vastly different from their home.

In a small European farming village, it's a quite normal day in the year 1890. But soon things will change. Two hunters find a strange pair of children lost in the woods. They are dressed in strange clothes and are the color green. The two hunters Milan (E.McGregor) and Hudson take the kids back to their town and to the local doctor named Anna (G.Poltrow). She can't figure out who they are or where they came from but the children claim that they came from another world and tell tales about cities high in the forest.

The Mayor Reynard (G.Rush) of the town decides that maybe they should be sent to be studied by science and orders troops to try and take the kids. Anna decides she can't let this happen and she teams up with Milan to try and find the cave where the kids claim they came from. They set out on a long journey where they will face many obstacles including hiding from troops who want to take the kids.

Finally after many days of traveling through the wilderness they find a cave, but they must hurry because a cave in starts. Anna and Milan both pick up the kids and eventually they come out on the other side to the green world just as the cave collapses behind them. The kids are returned home to their family.


Stark’s Comment: Based on the popular folk legend of the green children, a fantasy adventure movie in the line of previous CMP’s hits like ‘The Land Of Nod’ or ‘The Fantastic Mansion’. The trio Kubrick / Spielberg / Newell already succeeded back in Season 1 with ‘Alice in Wonderlnad’. Later, Kubrick and Spielberg also succeeded with ‘Atlantis’. So let’s hope this one will be the confirmation of a solid creative team.


FLASHMAN AND THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT: Kenneth Branagh will not direct this new Flashman’s movie, as he did in the previous one, but he will act in it again as he did in the first Flashman’s adventure. His character returns now as the chief of the British Secret Service and again Flashy’s superior. A sexy debut is also announced: Bollywood’s star Ayesha Takia will be in the movie. Watching her, we understand why director Stephen Frears has said that this will be the sexiest movie of the saga.

THE AVENGERS 3: Not one but three villains will show up in this third instalment of the saga. William Fitchner, only seen in CMP in ‘Monolith’, will be the Lizard; James Gandolfini (‘Sam & Twitch’, ‘Home’, ‘Drawing Dead’) will be a surprising Dr. Octopus. And Willem Dafoe, not seen in CMP since ‘He-Man.The Power of Greyskull’, will retake a character he knows so well: the Green Goblin.

HAWKEYE. THE PREY : And following ‘The Avengers 3’, here is a big surprise. As everybody knows, Orlando Bloom abandoned The Avengers franchise and promised he would never play Hawkeye again. Well, only the first part was true. Bloom has accepted to be Hawkeye again in this spin off of the saga – in fact, a prequel – exclusively based in his character. David Makalaster is behind the screenplay and Louis Leterrier will make his debut in CMP behind the cameras.

BORGEL: Green light for a new Ben Tyler’s pitch. The fantasy tale written by Daniel Pinkwater will become a movie adapted by Tyler. A children oriented story about the fantastic space and time travel of a young boy and a 111 years old man. The movie will be directed by Terry Gilliam, in his first work for CMP, so a big visual and fantasy show can be expected. The cast to be announced will include not only live action works but also big stars’ voices.

TENDER IS THE NIGHT: Another trio of big names to add to the allstars cast of this Martin Scorsese’s movie. Kevin Costner (‘Legend Of The Last Lawman’, ‘Maleficarum’) plays a mature and decadent playboy. Adrien Brody, seen past Season in ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’, plays an alcoholic millionaire. And Maggie Gyllenhaal, not seen in CMP since ‘Fortune City’, works again in a James Bradley’s pitch after ‘Celebutantes’ playing here Anjelina Jolie's sister.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA II: The voice of Hayden Panettiere will be heard again in this sequel playing Sprite. Gabriel Byrne, not seen in CMP since the end of the Space Quest trilogy, will be seen in the movie playing the mysterious Sanctuary Man.

STANLEY & LIVINGSTONE: Pierce Brosnan returns to CMP in this James Cameron’s major production. It is said that Brosnan refused to star ‘The Secret People’, being replaced by Daniel Craig, to be in this movie… if some of his demands (see below The Inner Circle for more details) were attended. Leighton Meester has also joined the cast in her first work for CMP replacing the originally considered Keira Knightley.

THE SECRET PEOPLE: Helena Bonham-Carter returns after her past Season’s success in ‘The Sonja Blue Chronicles’ playing Daniel Craig’s wife in this Mimi Leder’s African adventure. Hugh Laurie, who could be seen past Season in ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’ and Casey Affleck, also seen past Season in Jimi Hendrix’s biopic ‘The Experience’, will also be in the movie.

L.A.WOLF: Josh Collins is the writer behind this action thriller that recovers the spirit of classic cops movies. David Fincher (‘Saving Samantha Moss’, ‘Chrysalis: Pennies From Hell’) has accepted to direct it. And a new talent in CMP, Gabriel Macht, will play the lead role. If it works, Collins has admitted he plans to make this production the beginning of a movies series based on the same character.

THE AWFUL TRUTH: Two stars that succeeded past Season return in this dark comedy of the Coen Brothers: Best Actress GMA Nominee Laura Linney is back after her personal success in ‘Dare To Be Perfect’. And Meg Ryan, seen in ‘Things I Forgot To Tell You’, who used to star some romantic comedies with Tom Hanks a few years ago, will be here his presumed lover. Playing the disfunctional Julia Roberts’ parents will be James Cromwell (‘Minos’) and Jane Fonda (‘Red Light’) replacing the initially considered Shirley McLaine.


Meeting the release of his latest production, ‘Devil Trigger’, CMP launches a DVD Special Edition of one of the biggest hits of screenwriter David Makalaster: ‘Magic – The Gathering: Sinister Black’. Past Season, the movie was an extraordinary success with a box office of 179 millions and net gains of 209 millions. It also won the Best Production Design GMA and was nominated for the ‘Most Wanted Sequel’ award. Directed by Martin Campbell, the cast includes Jude Law, Claire Danes, Jeremy Irons, Josh Hartnett and the voice of Ron Perlman. A sequel to be developed has been announced.


Contents:

-From the Earwigs to the Desolation Angels: concepts and alternative designs.
-Movie trailer and featurette.
-Extended Battle Scene between Mojo Face,Heffer,Amrou and The Black Master.
-Behind The Scenes short documentary.
-Group audio commentary track with Martin Campbell, Jude Law and Claire Danes.
-Promotional Magic card "Guren Kurann" included.


MATT DAMON

Matt Damon has been a solid star in CMP since its second Season. All of his movies until now have made net gains. Although not as active as other stars in the Studio, Damon is a trustable name for different CMP’s authors. This week, he returns to screens with the fantasy adventure written by David Makalaster ‘Devil Trigger’, a sophisticated production directed by the Wachowski Brothers in their first work for the Studio.

CMP’S FILMOGRAPHY

INDIGO PROPHECY – Season 2
(Brian Kelley, B.O.: 45 mill.)
Damon’s debut in CMP was starring this action movie, based on a console game, written and directed by the now retired CMP’s author Brian Kelley. The movie, co-starred by a sexy Kate Beckinsale, didn’t work in box office as expected although it made slight net gains.

ROBOTECH 2 – Season 2
(Tony Scott / Matt Kubrick, B.O.: 121 mill.)
Matt’s voice was heard in the first sequel of the animated saga Robotech. It was his second work in Season 2 and the movie became a blockbuster. Matt didn’t return in the third instalment of the franchise.

HOME – Season 3
(Matt Kubrick, B.O.: 67 mill.)
Kubrick and Damon worked together again in this war drama, a CMP’s classic. Damon was the lead star, playing an American soldier wounded in Iraq’s war. The movie was produced by Oliver Stone and it is considered as one of the best CMP’s productions ever by many critics. Matt got a Best Actor GMA Nomination for his work.

CELEBUTANTES – Season 7
(James Bradley, B.O.: 49 mill.)
After four Seasons away from CMP, Matt made a cameo in the first movie directed by screenwriter James Bradley. A satire about Hollywood. Matt played himself in a hilarious sequence where Michelle Trachtenberg sexually assaulted him at the toilets of the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

ONLY IN AMERICA – Season 7
(Cameron Crowe / Ted Froats, B.O.: 153 mill.)
That very same Season, Matt worked in this musical with an allstars cast leaded by Will Smith. He played a populist trial lawyer in this parody of American presidential elections. And he even sung a couple of themes in the movie! This release was a major hit and won the Best Picture GMA of the Season.

THE CHINESE BRIDE – Season 8
(Ang Lee / James Bradley, B.O.: 44 mill.)
This time, Bradley called him to plain the lead role of this courtroom drama with a sexy touch. Matt and Ziyi Zhang made a steamy starring couple. The movie got 5 nominations for the GMA but finally didn’t win any of them.

DEVIL TRIGGER – Season 10
(Larry & Andy Wachowski / David Makalaster, awaiting release)
Matt gets into action with this interesting and original production. He plays an angel getting in trouble with colleagues, fallen angels, devils and God himself. The visual power of the Wachowski Brothers guarantees at least a major show.


James McAvoy and Keira Knightley pose during the world premiere of ‘The Gunpowder Plot’ in London.



I already wrote about the messy release schedule CMP has this Season. Here goes another example. Pierce Brosnan had to refuse the offer to star ‘The Secret People’. His work in ‘Stanley & Livingstone’ and the change of the shooting schedules of this production has obliged him to choose. Daniel Craig has replaced him ahead of the cast of ‘The Secret People’. Brosnan was very interested in working in both movies and has publicly expressed his disappointment.

And something more about Brosnan… A funny story now. Keira Knightley was supposed to be working too in ‘Stanley & Livingstone’. But she finally won’t. And that’s due to a peculiar reason. Keira was going to play Brosnan’s daughter. And you may wonder what’s the problem with that. Very easy: Keira already played Brosnan’s wife in the CMP’s Uncommon Valour saga. So Brosnan did not feel comfortable having her as his daughter now. ‘Moving from Keira’s husband to Keira’s father would make me feel too old’, has Brosnan said about it. So James Cameron had to choose between them. Finally, Brosnan stays in the movie while Keira has been replaced by Leighton Meester.

Will Smith has reacted with sense of humour to the recent flop of ‘Gears Of War’. ‘I may be getting old to play action heroes’, has Will said, ‘It is time to look for screenplays with pensioners roles’. The truth is that Smith has expressed Harry Stark his will of looking for projects closer to some of his latest movies outside CMP in the line of ‘Seven Pounds’ or ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. Smith would like to produce and maybe even direct his own movies in the future. Stark has accepted to support him. He only needs to look now for screenwriters interested in writing for him.

Another major CMP’s star wanting to do something more than acting is Ben Stiller. After the immense success of ‘Woodland Creatures’, Stiller wants to try again as director in CMP. He already directed for the Studio the comedy ‘Eureka!’ and it flopped in box office. But Stiller wants now to try luck again as director. So, just as Will Smith, he is also looking for screenwriters interested in working with him in new projects.

As it is known, the third Harry Flashman’s adventure will have a different director that the two previous instalments of the saga. Kenneth Branagh, director of ‘Flashman’s Travels’, refused the offer made by CMP to direct too this new adventure. He is returning to the franchise as an actor, retaking his character from ‘The Misadventures Of Harry Flashman’, and didn’t want to mix this time acting and directing. Mike Newell, director of the first movie, refused then the offer to return to the franchise, after he was not called for the second episode. So finally Stephen Frears was the chosen one. Stark had been wanting him to direct a CMP’s movie and this new adventure of Flashman, announced as an even more sexy story than the previous ones, has been considered perfect for him to direct.

MARCH, 24


GEARS OF WAR

Sci-Fi / Action
Cast: Will Smith, Vin Diesel, Rachel Weisz, Wentworth Miller, Tommy Lee Jones
Director and Producer: Michael Bay
Screenwriter: Steve Connors

Box Office: 35 mill.
Net Loss: 12 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: ...oh, my God… what else can I say?

BLOOD MERIDIAN

Western
Cast: Daniel Radcliff, Aaron Eckhart, Eric Bana, Gerard Butler, Hayden Christensen, Harvey Keitel, Jeremy Piven
Director: Ang Lee
Screenwriter: Dawson Edwards

Box Office: 44 mill.
Net Gains: 14 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Curse of the westerns seems to be gone. Audiences have appreciated the quality of this movie. Not a blockbuster – no expected to be – but a decent box office’s turnout for this interesting movie.

PSYCHO: BLOODLINE

Horror / Slasher
Cast: James Franco, Keri Russell, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Angarano, Emmy Rosum, Emma Stone
Director: Brian De Palma
Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick
Producer: Midnight Movies

Box Office: 43 mill.
Net Gains: 17 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Some slashers work in box office, some others don’t. This one went sunny side up. The most profitable release of a tough week for the Studio.


GEARS OF WAR

'CMP has 'the Metal Gear Solid phenomenon' of this Season with 'Gears Of War'. Again, a top budget adaptation of a console game sinks in box office. And this one can be considered even worse: Will Smith was in it! And the reasons are as hard to find as they were for 'Metal Gear Solid'. 'Gears of War' is an exhausting action flick, almost a shoot'em up movie. Noisy soundtrack, abuse of slow motion, superficial characters... All these reasons are valid for both 'Gears of War' and 'Metal Gear Solid'. And they make both movies to look a bit old fashioned, too ‘80s movies’. Not even Will Smith has been capable of saving this one. Although the movie has some interesting elements - the luxurious production design, the impressive digital creatures, some spectacular action set pieces -, the emptiness behind all that finally becomes so obvious that moviegoers did not bite the hook'
-Vic Carter

'I have been reading in different internet forums the comments of fans of the console game 'Gears of War'. There was a strong reaction against the adaptation written by Steve Connors. And that was a bad premonition for the movie. Finally, the disaster feared by CMP happened. Even the fans of the game hated the movie. 'Gears of War', the movie, is not worse than many CMP's movies that have succeeded lately in box office. But some times a movie is cursed from the very beginning and that happened with this one. CMP expended millions in an exhausting marketing campaign and it generated more rejection than interest. It is funny how less supported movies work better in box office while movies with an extreme hype around them flop. Remembering now how 'Woodland Creatures', a production nobody at CMP believed in, reached easily the 200 millions while this one, planned to be The Hit of the Season, hardly reaches 30 millions may have made some executives from the Studio wonder if they really know something about this business. Audiences are unpredictable and maybe betting for medium budget productions is more intelligent than designing this huge financial operations that end up becoming so embarrassing.'
-Jackie O'Callaghan

'CMP decided a long time ago that Michael Bay was a trustable moviemaker. And yes, he has been behind some CMP's big hits like 'Westworld' or 'HF'. That made some executives forget that he is also the man behind movies as bad as 'Pearl Harbour' or 'The Island'. Sooner or later, Bay had to do wrong in CMP too. And when Bay does wrong, that means a major box office disaster, as his movies are usually very expensive productions. Audiences have turned their backs to this childish production of unbeatable heroes fighting mean creatures. And I don't know why everybody is so surprised about it. Bay is only one degree better than John Woo. Smith and Diesel are the most absurd choice for a starring couple in ages. And the plot of the movie is what it is: the storyline of a console game, not a cinematic creation. For once, moviegoers have been intelligent enough to discover the swindle this movie was.'
-Roy Winslow

BLOOD MERIDIAN

'Every time a western is released many critics love to write about 'the resurrection of the genre'. Well, I don't think westerns will never resurrect as a main movie genre. But from time to time a quality western reminds us the potential of a genre that is far away from its golden era. Personally, I think that in the last 20 or 30 years there have been only a few westerns that really deserved to be put at the same level than the master pieces of the genre: Lawrence Kasdan's 'Silverado', Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven' and now Ang Lee's 'Blood Meridian'. The difference in 'Blood Meridian' is that it does not follow the rules of the genre completely. The graphic violence in it would never be seen in a classic western. In that sense, the same way he did in 'Brokeback Mountain', Ang Lee makes a contemporary approach to the genre readapting its cliches to our days. John Ford would have never shot a gay cowboys love story the same way he would have never shown violence in such a graphic way. So 'Blood Meridian' cannot be considered a revisitation of the classic concepts of the genre. It is a movie with its own personality that probably shows us better what those days were like than many classic movies of the genre.'
-Anne Roman

'Ang Lee is probably one of the most interesting directors in CMP. He has proved his capacity for making very different kind of movies like 'An American Stroll', 'Five Thunderbolts', 'The Chinese Bride' and now this one. He can jump from intimate stories to epic violence features and be efficient in all of it. I think 'Five Thunderbolts' is still his best CMP's movie. But 'Blood Meridian' expands his versatility and confirms him as a sure value when betting for quality. In a time when some directors seem to be shooting the same movie all the time, Ang Lee knows how to adapt the directional style to the story he's telling us. 'Five Thunderbolts' and 'Blood Meridian' are too violent stories but they are shot in a completely different way. While 'Five Thunderbolts' was shot with nerve and a tense pace, 'Blood Meridian' mixes the intense violent moments with those calmed takes a western demands to show the wide and open spaces where the story takes place. And both styles fit as a glove with the story. It is also funny how Lee is probably the most 'american' director in the industry as no other director follows the heritage of the best american movie makers the way he does, taking the best of the past to make brilliant contemporary movies with an elegant touch of classicism.'
-Roy Winslow

'Daniel Radcliff keeps growing as an actor in front of CMP's cameras. CMP's productions like 'South East', 'Daisy Lane' and now 'Blood Meridian' insist on proving how unfair would be if Radcliff stays stuck on his Harry Potter character forever. In 'Blood Meridian', Radcliff leaves far behind the rest of the cast members in terms of quality acting. Only Aaron Eckhart gets to capture the essence of his character. On the other side, Eric Bana is probably the worst of the movie, as he is just not believable as the mean judge, the supposed 'huge man' Cormac McArthy created in the original book. The rest of the talents do not really have a chance to shine in their minor roles. Dawson Edwards - much better writer when he faces adult stories than when adapting comics or video games - didn't care to develop some characters as much as Radcliff's and Eckhart's and that, together with some minor confusing moments in the storyline, is the only lack in a solid story that will be remembered as one of the hidden gems in CMP film's vault'.
-Alex Stampton

PSYCHO: BLOODLINE

'This movie has two separate parts. The first part - the relationship between Franco and Russell ending up with him murdering her - is not a sequel or an adaptation of the original 'Psycho': it is almost a recreation of it the same way Gus Van Sant did with the whole movie. Franco and Russell look like Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh and the legendary 'murder in the shower' sequence is repeated here once again turning the movie in a copycat. The second part, right after the killing of Russell, is the classic teenagers / slasher's chase with no innovation in it. We are back here to 'Blood Beach', 'London Underground' or 'Sisters'. It is like two separate stories in just one movie. And none of them works. This is just an unnecessary movie that there was no reason to make'.
-Charlie Kiggs

'It is obvious by now that Kubrick suffers not just double but multiple personalities as movie creator. He can be sensitive ('Goths. A Love Story'), dramatic ('Home'), epic (‘The Dark Tower’), entertaining (‘The Ice Princess’) or simply brilliant ('Sherlock Holmes'). But I am afraid his favourite personality arises when he writes his horror slasher flicks. 'Psycho: Bloodline' has pretended to be an upgraded version of his previous slashers: a reputed director, popular stars and a classic horror masterpiece as reference. But none of that has made any difference. At the end, it all turns out in another blood festival of boyfriends and girlfriends. Kubrick loves to make these movies and we have to admit they have their audience as some of them, like this one, even make profits. Kubrick does not pretend to enter into Movie History with these flicks. They are his caprices, almost his jokes, and you may choose to enjoy them or hate them.'
-Tim Reeve

'Brian, what has become of you? De Palma is member of that generation of genius that appeared on scene in the 70s like Scorsese, Coppola, Lucas or Spielberg. He has made brilliant movies like 'The Untouchables', 'Body Double' or the very Hitchcock-esque 'Dressed To Kill'. But in the last years he seems to have lost his way and his prestige has decreased from one movie to the next. Directing this sequel of 'Psycho' is another proof of his decadence. He has always admitted the strong influence of Hitchcock in him but this time he has taken it too far directing what only is a poor imitation of his master's geniality. The son of Norman Bates has been turned into something closer to Jason Vorhees far away from the complex and disturbing personality of his father. Punching a mirror and shouting 'this is not me' is not enough to build up a psychologically complex character. And De Palma, a great movie maker once, should know that.'
-Chris Burgess


Starting this week I am going to reduce the total number in the scoring system. anything between 3 and 5 is good, anything below 3 isn't good and 3 is obviously average. So this week is full of a diverse range of films, something for everyone. Psycho: Bloodline for the horror folk, Blood Meridian for those who like a good Western and Gears of War for those who like action films based on games. Ok, so it's not something for EVERYONE, shoot me.

GEARS OF WAR

CRITIQUE: Bringing a game to life on the big screen is a huge risky bet usually always falling short of being critically acclaimed. I felt Gears of War had some strong moments in the technical, special effect side. With Will Smith and Michael Bay returning after the megahit 'HF' this film has it all to be the next blockbuster popcorn hit that audiences will either love or hate. Unfortunately the film followed on the heels of Connors' popular flicks last season, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and his award winning "Mary's Dark Side" audiences and critics will certainly be critical towards Connors, expecting something better to follow up on. I asked myself these questions after viewing it: Was it entertaining? Would I want to see more to it? Will it win awards? Yes, Sure, and in the words of the Magic 8 Ball: Outlook not so good.
ACTING/CAST: 3/5
DIRECTION: 3/5
WRITING: 4/5
CONCEPT/PLOT: 3.5/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/10

BLOOD MERIDIAN

CRITIQUE: Ang Lee continues to impress me with this well made western full of violence. But oh isn't that a main element in most westerns? The cast and writing stood out as being particularly outstanding and it was nice to see Eric Bana step out of all those action hero roles he's been stuck in throughout his CMP employment. This film also proves that Dawson Edwards is definitely finding his niche in the industry with two well made films this season. I knew there was something about him I liked, he just needed to blossom!
ACTING/CAST: 5/5
DIRECTION: 5/5
WRITING: 5/5
CONCEPT/PLOT: 4/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5

PSYCHO: BLOODLINE

CRITIQUE: I think it tried so hard to forget the horrendous sequels of the horror classic that it became one of them. I tried keeping a straight face and an open mind but I ended up groaning throughout. Kubrick has done the horror/slasher bit to death and I really think it needs to take a break. He doesn't have to stop because it's a part of his style, but I think we all know he can pull the wool over our eyes and make better films and forget the same tiring formulas of this genre. It's like having to listen to a three year old bang on one piano key for several hours.
ACTING/CAST: 1/5
DIRECTION: 1/5 (De Palma, what happened to you)
WRITING: 2/5
CONCEPT/PLOT: 1/5
RE-WATCH VALUE: 1/5
OVERALL: 1.5/5

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED MUST SEE OF THE WEEK:
BLOOD MERIDIAN