NOVEMBER, 10


THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS
(THE SONJA BLUE CHRONICLES 2)

Action / Horror
Cast: Selma Blair, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan
Director: David Cronenberg
Screenwriter: Richard Franzwa


Box Office: 47 mill.
Net Losses: 0.3 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Ouch. Another unexpected flop… Followers of this saga have reduced almost a 50% from the first movie to this one. Anyway, no big losses and I don’t like leaving things half done, so the Studio will produce the final episode of this trilogy if Franzwa decides to go on with it.

YOGI BEAR

Live Action / Animation
Comedy / Family
Cast: Robin Williams (VO), Seth Rogen, Elle Fanning, Jaden Smith (VO), Jason Lee, Rebecca Romijn, Amy Adams (VO), John C. McGinley, Bill Murray (VO)
Director: Harold Ramis
Screenwriter: Chad Taylor

Box Office: 75 mill.
Net Gains: 80 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Nice box office and very nice net gains but still a bit lower than expectations. It is obvious that for some reason – and nothing has changed in the way CMP manages its releases – luck has changed the past few weeks for the Studio cause this one should have gone easily beyond 100 millions. Anyway, it worked and that’s what matters.

THE HEIGHTS

Suspense Thriller
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Demi Moore, Dakota Blue Richards, Chase Ellison
Director: James Wan
Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick


Box Office: 23 mill.
Net Losses: 21 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Sorry, Matt. We did our best but that just wasn’t enough. Definitely, either we are going through a crisis in movie industry or audiences have just decided to turn their backs to CMP’s releases lately. Hope things change for better in the upcoming Season.


THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS

‘’The Sonja Blue Chronicles’ was a breeze of fresh air for the horror genre in CMP back in Season 9. Innovative, daring, eerie… Franzwa and Cronenberg explored new territories for the Studio with a disturbing dark and violent story. Sadly, the magic of that movie has not returned with this sequel. This strange adventure of Sonja in a peculiar ghost house is only that: strange. All the disturbing feelings that the first movie provoked are not here. This movie just turned into a claustrophobic but not intriguing nor absorbing story. There’s nothing worst than feeling indifference for what is going on on screen when watching a horror movie.’
-Roy Winslow

‘This Sonja Blue’s saga redeems CMP from all the horrendous horror movies the Studio usually releases. While audiences and critics went crazy with the effectist and predictable ‘Silent Hill’ just a few weeks ago, it is a shame that this wonderful second episode of this saga – much brilliant and intelligent as horror movie than the successful ‘Silent Hill’ - has not worked in box office. Cronenberg has directed a great suspense movie, perfectly recreating the sick atmosphere of that mansion dominated by disturbing spirits and introducing us in the paranoid adventure of Sonja both in the real and the demoniac world. He does not need to appeal to cheap frights or to bloody sequences to scare us to hell. Horror treated with intelligence. That’s what this movie is. Can’t wait for the third episode.’
-Tim Reeve

‘Some years ago, David Cronenberg was considered a kind of prestigious author and a cult moviemaker. As years have passed, it is proven that he was in fact an overvalued moviemaker. How many really good movies has he really directed after all? In ‘The Sonja Blue Chronicles’, Cronenberg accepted some rules of mainstream horror movies and controlled his usual excesses and it worked. In ‘The House Of Spirits’, I have the feeling that the people at CMP have left him to run free. And again we see that Cronenberg cannot control the pulse and the tone of the story he’s telling falling into unnecessary excesses and losing at the end the pace of the story. No doubt, some inconsistencies and narrative holes of the screenplay – why Sonja leaves Sarah to the spirits at the end? – have helped to make this movie fail.’
-Jackie O’Callaghan

YOGI BEAR

‘Boy, I’m getting old… This delicious movie brought me back to a time when my favourite tv shows were cartoons with characters like Yogi Bear, The Flinstones, Top Cat (what a wonderful song it had!), Huckleberry Hound or The Jetsons (Quick! A movie version of this one should be urgently made!). The world of Hannah-Barbera’s Cartoons was a more simple one than Disney’s, more accessible, direct and wildly funny. This movie has perfectly recovered the spirit not only of Yogi Bear’s cartoons but of a whole era pre-anime and pre-Hannah Montana when kids had a wonderful time just watching how a bear that uses to speak in rhymes stole the picnic baskets to the latest family visiting Yellowstone. I had a great time going back to mi childhood days!’
-Andrew Stampton

‘It is very difficult to recreate iconic cartoon characters and succeed. I did not watch those live action movies of The Flinstones made some years ago. Watching the trailers was enough to keep me far away from them. I did watch the first Scooby-Doo movie (I think there was even a sequel later) and I deeply hated it… cause I am a big fan of Scooby’s cartoons. So I was so reluctant to watch this ‘Yogi Bear’. Once watched, I have to say that I didn’t like it. It is just impossible to capture the spirit of those great cartoons in a live action movie. I admit that the digital characters were wonderfully created and Robin Williams makes a splendid job recreating the classic and peculiar Yogi’s voice (can’t say the same about Jaden Smith and Boo Boo) and the whole plot and production design of the movie perfectly respects the spirit, the looks, the pace and the sense of humor of the original cartoons. But, what can I say?, it is not the same than the cartoons. No doubt, this ‘Yogi Bear’ is a much better movie than ‘Scooby-Doo’. But that’s not enough. Probably, covering my expectations was just an impossible mission.’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘How many of today’s kids really know who is Yogi Bear or The Flinstones, not to mention the wonderful but undervalued Quick Draw McGraw? I have the feeling that Hanna-Barbera’s characters have always been unfairly considered the poor relatives of Disney’s or Warner Bros’ Looney Tunes (maybe just because they did not create theme parks). It is a shame that the new generations – brain controlled by the powerful merchandising machinery of Disney Channel – may miss the simple but wonderful entertainment of those cartoons. This movie is a great chance to introduce kids to a world of characters that they probably ignore when they find on tv a rerun of the old cartoons. Taylor and Ramis have put up a honourable tribute to that universe. The only problem – and that may be the reason why the movie has not been a major blockbuster – is that youngest audiences are not familiar with that style of characters and sense of humour. They should not miss it.’
-Anne Roman

THE HEIGHTS

‘Here is one of those movies that leaves you with a warm feeling and I mean with that a nowhere land between hot and cold. ‘The Heights’ is an entertaining thriller, engrossing enough, but perfectly forgettable once watched. James Wan has not known to upgrade the correct Matt Kubrick’s screenplay to a higher level. In fact, a certain spirit of tv movie flies over the whole production. There’s nothing bad or wrong in it, but the adventure of this family harassed by a crazed crowd does not get to trap your guts the way it should to make you feel that you are watching a worthy suspense movie.’
-Chris Burgess

‘Why should the people of that small city think that an ordinary – no matter how rich they are – American family should have something to do with the September 11th’s attacks? Just because their house’s lights have not gone off as everybody else’s? I just could not get into the premise of this story. And that was a heavy dead weight for me during its full length. Yes, the anguish of that family when they are attacked, the desperation for Demi’s death, the struggle to survive is perfectly recreated and believable and Wan has perfectly paced the plot to keep you interested for the destiny of the survivors. But the initial reason to attack them is so ill-founded that I just could not get into the story no matter what happened next.’
-Amy Ratched

‘Saving all the differences and distances, this claustrophobic story of a family surrounded by an aggressive crowd made me remember Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’. Here, the birds are substituted by violent irrational neighbours, but the concept of innocent people surrounded by an unexpected threat has something in common with that classic. Wan has made a good picture of how violent and absurd can human beings turn when they act under panic and protected by a crowd. That sociological analysis is probably the most interesting element of this movie. Maybe the only one. The rest of it is a routine suspense movie that, of course, do not reach the disturbing mastery of ‘The Birds’ at all. Bacon and Moore do correctly what they have to do and you get the expected hour and a half of entertainment. But nothing more.’
-Jack Willer


THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS: SONJA BLUE CHRONICLES 2

CRITIQUE: A film you can't get up and leave the bathroom for because you just have to pay attention to the story. It's intriging and a breath of fresh air as it leans toward the darker action-type film. The plot isn't so much as memorable as the first one, and it falls into the mindset of not being as good as the first in the saga, but it was still an entertaining view and a must see for the fans of the first film. Just don't expect as much coming into it.
ACTING/CAST: B
DIRECTION: B
WRITING: B
PLOT/CONCEPT: C+
PRODUCTION VALUES: B
REWATCH VALUE: B-
ENTERTAINMENT: Fans of the first film will no doubt want to see this one. The action/horror cross would bring in a wide variety of fans of either genre. Plus you get to see Selma Blair and Helena Bonham Carter kickin' ass and takin' names.
OVERALL: B

YOGI BEAR

CRITIQUE: It's nice to see homage paid to the classic Hannah Barbara star. The only problem is, is the film beyond the toons' time? With Spongebob and....Spongebob clogging Kids TV, is there any room for anyone else? The film has very good moral messages that families can take home with them and it's cute; but does anyone nowadays know or care who Yogi is? I like the writer Chad Taylor penned the film, it's just a shame to see it come up during the days of the Twilight-Jonas Brothers era.
ACTING/CAST: B I'm sure Amy Adams is tired of the family films.
DIRECTION: B-
WRITING: A Taylor wrote a good story for Yogi with strong messages for those who actually would go see it.
PLOT/CONCEPT: B
PRODUCTION VALUES: B+
REWATCH VALUE: B+
ENTERTAINMENT: Those who actually do remember the cartoon legend and actually care would find great nostalgia out of the film. It's cute and witty!
OVERALL: B+

THE HEIGHTS

CRITIQUE: A correct thriller about a family caught in the crosshairs of their community during a time of great tragedy. We once again see a mature side of Matt Kubrick in this thriller as he brings us a realistic view of other people's reaction to the day the world stood still. One of the only things in the film that I wasn't feeling was there wasn't a whole lot to the story. It would work as a short film or story, but a full lengthed feature film with so little going on shows in the pacing and has us checking our watches, wondering how much longer it's going to be. Not a bad film; the intentions were good, they were just lacking a little more substance. But it's a good vision of whats to expect with future Kubrick films.
ACTING/CAST: B
DIRECTION: C+
WRITING: C+
PLOT/CONCEPT: C
PRODUCTION VALUES: C
REWATCH VALUE: C+
ENTERTAINMENT: Fans of the genre, the fact that it's a story stemming from 9/11 and the cast will find something to enjoy out of it. Though it's a little slower paced for a thriller.
OVERALL: C+

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED PICK OF THE WEEK:

It's something that happens rarely with me, but the releases this week didn't impress me a whole lot. I'd say go with:

YOGI BEAR

at least that one got a B+


Season: 11: The Best and The Worst
By Mr. Thumb

Season 11 has been a rather interesting Season. There were many films that exceeded expectations, many which didn't earn the money or praise the studio was hoping for. We weren't overrun with Superhero or Video Game Adaptations every week. It was a tough season, but not a horrible one. As it closes and we approach the Season's GMAs, let's take a look back at the cream of the crop of the season. As well as those at the bottom of the barrel.

Remember, what I said in my original reviews do not effect which movies end up in the top spots. To be fair and to give critics and audiences a voice, I must remain nuetral toward the films and base the list off the opinions of others as well as myself.

THE CREAM OF THE CROP

We entered the season with two well received films: Kubrick's KINGDOM and Bradley's CROSSOVERS. They both were not box office smashes, but the critics appreciated the entertainment in both features. I myself am not much of a Megan Fox fan, but I can understand most filmgoers think she's money. Crossovers was only the beginning of a season full of original work.

The following week, we actually saw the debut of new screenwriter, Max Arilius. He surprised us with a quality horror film (a phrase that's become an oxymoron in the last 20 years). SILENT HILL was a box office smash for a debut writer and some of us are still scratching our heads trying to figure out how he made that much where the others have failed.

THE DARK TOWER: WASTE LANDS is considered the best of the series thus far. If you're keeping track, Matt Kubrick films have been landing in this section a lot more this time around.

Josh Collins' first film in the season was FIREFLIES IN THE JELLY-JARS a well received film by critics and moviegoers. It managed to stay barely above net loss.

Steve Connors finished off his robots series ROBOTS OF DAWN with a huge bang. Great box office and great reception from the public and critics. We were happy to watch the best, most consistent series of CMP.

James Bradley once again amazes us with his originality behind the film THE MIRACLE MEN which actually showcased Will Farrell's ability to act differently.

THE ROCK STAR made up for Josh Collins' films that were inbetween that and Fireflies.

GASPIPE from Dawson Edwards ends up being one of the best of the season. Everyone loves a good gansta' movie. Thank goodness that it was GOOD.

Makalaster's MAGIC THE GATHERING made great box office and critical acclaim. Hopefully Makalaster can sustain having a successful long running franchise that makes money and is well loved by critics. How often has that happened?

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL

TRACKS OF BLOOD
This exploitation film has been getting more attention than it deserves.

BULLET WITCH O
The first film was not bad, in fact if I remember correctly, it ended up on the best list. This was a prime example of beating a dead horse.

CRIME STOPPERS
I enjoyed this film, but the other critics did not, so majority rules.

ZANN
Too confusing and nothing really noteworthy happens in the film. It's forgettable.

ZOIDS
Despite the big box office it received, critics and many moviegoers didn't like it. We may need to take a break from the 'couple of kids in a fantasy world' movie that we've seen a bit too much of at once in Hollywood films and CMP.

RAISE OF THE DARKMAN
It's a shame that Darkman didn't get a better movie to go out on. At least we know it's over. As long as it doesn't pull that slasher 'you think he's dead but he's not' that's in every Halloween, Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street.

The rest of the films escaped the humiliation of being reminded that they were released. There were many films this season that were 'okay' as in 'eh, I saw it once' or they were good, but not great.

Looking forward to Season 12!

SEASON 11: THE HIDDEN GEMS
By Mr. Thumb

It was a season full of surprises and disappointments. Some films that were expected to make critical acclaim and major box offices were shunned by moviegoers. Many that weren't expected to be blockbuster smashes ended up succeeding to amazing amounts. Take Silent Hill or Silver Sable and the Wild Pack for example.

We saw the birth of sagas like Earth 3K. the continuation of sagas such as The Dark Tower, Sonja Blue, Bullet Witch 0, Tracks of Blood, Silver Sable, Wonder Woman, More Tales of the Unexpected, Magic the Gathering and Deadly Force. After the huge success with Silent Hill, I don't doubt there will be more. As we witnessed the birth and growth of said series' we also saw the sad deaths of others. Raise of the Darkman, Robots of Dawn were the series finally put to rest.

HIDDEN GEMS:

Paz Vega made her CMP debut and impressed with her charm in Crossovers.

Ice Cube made his debut last season in the hilarious Check, Please, he showed off his action side in Bullet Witch 0. CMP has been giving him a lot more than what Hollywood has been giving him so far.

Max Aurilius speaking of debuts, this writer made an impressive money making one. His syle has left the rest of us looking forward to the next trick up his sleeve. Hopefully, it'll be as good as this nearly impossible trick of making such a debut!

Katherine Heigl makes this season's cut. Her only works include both Silver Sables and Super Bowl. Who knew she could kick so much butt as Silver?

Kevin Smith finally made his CMP debut in Crime Stoppers and we hope it's not his only. He's an inspirational film maker with a great sense of direct-frank dialogue and wit.

Cobie Smulders: Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn't think of who would be a great actor/actress to portray a legend like Wonder Woman. They want hot babes with star power like Megan Fox or Angelina Jolie, but it's Cobie who has the looks and charisma to play such a role! Congrats, Cobie!

Abigail Breslin: She's been a frequent in Collins' films and this time he gave her a shot at the front driver's seat. He says it was her chance to finally shine and I agree with him. I am looking forward to next opportunity she has.

Will Farrell: You may have to glance a few times to make sure I said it, but if you haven't seen his skills in the Miracle Men, I suggest you do. You will get a new perspective of him, and we hope he can earn more roles to surprise us all. I didn't see Will Farrell being himself in this movie. He actually....tried.

Carla Gugino: One of those actresses who you've never really paid much attention to, then comes up with her first CMP film and blows your mind to think she hasn't been around before. Let's hope it's not the only time we'll see her!

Jeff Bridges: Had one of those seasons where they do something mediocre(Married to the Supervillain) then turn around and do something absolutely breath-taing(The Rock Star) that might very well give him his first GMA of the season. Well played, Jeff. We do love ya here at CMP.

I also want to take this opportunity to say every writer is fantastic and always have interesting ideas. Sure we may have our ups and downs but we've kept this studio going for going on to 12 seasons! Keep sending in your ideas!

SEASON 11: FINAL REPORT

(Brackets: Same data from Season 10)

MOVIES RELEASED: 30 (30)
SEQUELS RELEASED: 11 (8)
ORIGINAL CONCEPTS: 15 (12)
ADAPTATIONS: 15 (18)

MOVIES WITH NET GAINS: 23 (29)
MOVIES WITH NET LOSSES: 7 (1)

NET GAINS TOTAL: 2752 (2769.4)
NET LOSS TOTAL: 91.9 (12)
FINAL BALANCE: 2660.1 (2757.4)

MOVIES WITH BOX OFFICE SUPERIOR TO 200 MILL.: 4 (2)
-Bullet Witch 0 (Renny Harlin / David Makalaster)
-Silver Sable and the Wild Pack (Bryan Singer / Joey Stark)
-The Dark Tower: Waste Lands (Sam Raimi / Matt Kubrick)
-Robots Of Dawn (Brett Ratner / Steve Connors)

MOVIES WITH BOX OFFICE SUPERIOR TO 100 MILL.: 8 (11)
-Deadly Force (Jack Hammer / Jack Hamer)
-Silent Hill (Brad Anderson / Max Arilius)
-More Tales Of The Unexpected (Fincher, Kubrick, Van Sant / Ben Tyler)
-Wonder Woman (Jon Favreau / Dawson Edwards)
-Married To The Supervillain (Adam McKay / Josh Collins)
-Zoids (Alfonso Cuaron / Dawson Edwards)
-The Revengers (Tim Story / Steve Connors)
-Magic – The Gathering: Innocent White
(Martin Campbell / David Makalaster)

TOP 1 NET GAINS:
SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 420
TOP 1 NET LOSSES
CRIME STOPPERS – 32

SCREENWRITERS ACTIVITY:
(Number of Movies Released / Best Release)

-MATT KUBRICK: 5 (The Dark Tower: Waste Lands)
-JOSH COLLINS: 5 (Married To The Supervillain)
-DAVID MAKALASTER: 3 (Bullet Witch 0)
-DAWSON EDWARDS: 3 (Zoids)
-JOEY STARK: 2 (Silver Sable and the Wild Pack)
-JAMES BRADLEY: 2 (Crossovers)
-BEN TYLER: 2 (More Tales Of The Unexpected)
-CHAD TAYLOR: 2 (Yogi Bear)
-STEVE CONNORS: 2 (Robots Of Dawn)
-RICHARD FRANZWA: 2 (Altered States)
-JACK HAMMER: 1 (Deadly Force)
-MAX ARILIUS: 1 (Silent Hill)

SOME CONCLUSIONS
By Harry Stark

Another outstanding Season! We haven’t reached the spectacular numbers of the best CMP’s Season ever, which was Season 10, but we have stayed pretty close to it.

The most remarkable event of the Season is that the Studio released its new Top 1 movie ever both in terms of box office and net gains: ‘Silver Sable and the Wild Pack’. This superheroine adventure unexpectedly broke all records being the first movie to overcome the 400 millions’ barrier in net gains. So it took the throne that ‘The Ice Princess’ had occupied since Season 7 as the most successful CMP’s release ever.

It’s been another Sequelmania Season. 11 out of the 30 movies released were sequels. A too high number. As usual, the Studio will make a pendular move and next Season not too many sequels will be released. Anyway, this Season has confirmed the strength of what may be considered as the two most important CMP’s franchises at the moment: The Dark Tower and Magic – The Gathering. Box office allows Matt Kubrick and David Makalaster to go on with their respective long lasting sagas.

Ok, there’s been maybe too many sequels. But also I am happy to say that original concepts have grown up from past Season. Exactly half of the movies released were not adaptations. You know I like that. I love to see new material coming out from the Studio.

On the negative side… well, we have reached a number of flops we had not seen for long. 7 movies flopped. We were not used to that lately at CMP. ‘Crime Stoppers’ was a particularly painful flop, joining the group of the most disastrous releases in CMP. And it was personally hard for me to see how movies I specially liked didn’t make it in box office, like ‘Suspicions and Dishonors’, ‘The Rock Star’, ‘Raise of the Darkman’ or ‘The House Of Spirits’.

There has been a sudden change during the Season. Lately, we were getting used to reach more easily the 200 millions in box office. But something seems to have changed since mid-season. Movies expected to at least get close to the 200 barrier - ‘Earth 3K’, ‘Command & Conquer’, ‘Zoids’ or ‘MTG: Innocent White’ – stayed far away from it. Making 200 millions was a rarity some Seasons ago and it seems like we are back to that. I have not changed absolutely anything in the way of managing the movies. It seems just as a change of tendency. We’ll see.

And I end up expressing how thrilled I am about Season 12. Looking at my release schedule for the upcoming Season, I see it as a slightly different Season. There are not too many blockbusters candidates and more ‘auteur’ and indie-spirit movies than ever. I have the feeling – time will tell… - that the 12th Edition of the Golden Moon Awards will be the most disputed ever. Maybe we won’t make as many profits as usual next Season, but it will be very interesting to see how things turn out…

Enjoy it!

THE TOP LISTS

SEASON 11

BOX OFFICE

1.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 352
2.BULLET WITCH 0 – 223
3.ROBOTS OF DAWN – 219
4.THE DARK TOWER: WASTE LANDS – 212
5.DEADLY FORCE – 197
6.ZOIDS – 147
NET GAINS

1.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 420
2.BULLET WITH 0 – 249
3.THE REVENGERS – 236
4.THE DARK TOWER: WASTE LANDS – 228
5.DEADLY FORCE – 224
6.ROBOTS OF DAWN – 207

ALLTIMES

BOX OFFICE

1.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 352
2.THE ICE PRINCESS – 316
3.THE DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – 285
4.GAME BOY: WARLANDS – 265
5.WOODLAND CREATURES – 262
6.DEVIL TRIGGER – 248
NET GAINS

1.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 420
2.DEVIL TRIGGER – 382
3.THE DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – 349
4.THE ICE PRINCESS – 320
5.THE FANTASTIC MANSION – 282
6.STAR WARS: NEW ORDER – 250