JUNE, 22


INVASION

Sci-Fi / Alien Invasion
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Franka Potente, Topher Grace, Idris Elba, William Hurt
Director: Brett Ratner
Producer: James Cameron
Screenwriter: Steve Connors

Box Office: 147 mill.
Net Gains: 82 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
For some unknown reason, the days where we easily reached the ‘200 millions’ mark with our biggest productions seem to be far away, so 147 millions can be considered a wonderful box office. Net gains have not been that high due to the very high budget of the movie. Anyway, the best release of the Season so far and the beginning of a new franchise full of potential.

ASTERIOS POLYP

Drama / Human Spirit / Love Story
Cast: George Clooney, Gong Li, Danny DeVito, John Goodman, Kathy Bates
Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Scoundrels Productions
Screenwriter: Dawson Edwards

Box Office: 25 mill.
Net Losses: 8 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
Oh, yeah, me, the jinx again. As usual, as soon as I say that I love a movie, it flops in box office. Well, anyway, a wonderful creative job I feel proud of having developed it (…and next time I feel enthusiastic about a movie, I’ll keep my mouth shut).

ALICE

Drama
Cast: Kate Winslet, Jay Hernandez, Jimmy Bennett, Luis Armand Garcia, Sam Neill
Director: Paul Haggis
Screenwriter: James Bradley


Box Office: 14 mill.
Net Losses: 17 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
Ouch! I could not imagine that this little and not too expensive movie would generate the highest net losses of the Season so far. I’ll say it again: low budget dramas are always a hit or miss. This one was obviously a miss.


INVASION

‘Cameron, Ratner and Connors have put up one of the most spectacular action shows ever seen in CMP. ‘Invasion’ is an amazing display of digital effects, imagination and breathtaking action sequences that renews and updates the subgenre of alien invasions. From ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’ to ‘District 9’ passing through ‘Independence Day’ or CMP’s ‘Civilization M’, the movie rescues classic elements of these kind of movies and takes them to a higher level in this production as ambitious as entertaining. Movie critics often feel embarrassed to praise blockbusters with no other objective than entertaining. But when a movie is so well made and works so efficiently as a piece of pure entertainment it certainly deserves the critics’ applause.’
-Vic Carter

‘I may be going too far, but I have the feeling that there is a strong political message in this movie. Aren’t those ‘Yungzouns’ a metaphor of radical Islamists - they think death is a way of purification and self-sacrifice a honor – and the whole story a vision of how the world could be if they get to defeat our Occidental civilization? ‘Invasion’ is a big fable against religious fanaticism and authoritarians regimes. James Cameron introduced some environmental issues in ‘Avatar’ and I have the feeling that he has also put some other political messages in this story too. That way, there’s a second and deeper read in this movie than just the superficial digital and action show. And, just by the way, ‘Invasion’ may not have become a blockbuster as big as ‘Avatar’ but, without doubt, it has a much more consistent plot than that one…’
-Amy Ratched

‘Steve Connors has left aside for once his games adaptations to present a highly ambitious sci-fi and action show. I remember when Connors tried to create at the beginning of his career his own sci-fi universe with the Space Quest saga. It didn’t completely work, as the movies were not the big hit expected. Many Seasons later, I think that Connors has finally made what he wanted then: ‘Invasion’ creates a brand new universe with its own creatures, scenarios and rules. You can see in it some influences, from ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Mad Max’ even to Connors’ failed adaptation of ‘Gears Of War’. But ‘Invasion’ sets up with sufficient novelty a world and a storyline interesting enough to develop it in future inevitable sequels.’
-Jake Cobb

ASTERIOS POLYP

‘This is not a movie for wide audiences. Dawson Edwards and Spike Jonze have made a movie for an élite of moviegoers prepared to appreciate a story very far away from Hollywood mainstream. ‘Asterios Polyp’ is an alternative, intelligent, surreal, deep and absolutely talented movie that can only be appreciated by a very specific target audience. Like in ‘Being John Malkovich’, Jonze plays again with alternative realities, mind games and a deliberate confusion between reality and imagination. In that sense, the movie also reminds me some narrative techniques used in Michel Gondry’s ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’. Like those movies, this ‘Asterios Polyp’ is condemned to become a misunderstood masterpiece and a cult movie to be tasted once and again by those who look for something different in a movie. As I say, a ‘delicatessen’ only appreciable by sophisticated palates.’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘From beginning to end, from that beautiful poster to that surprising final sequence where an asteroid flies to Earth, everything is perfect in this movie. The complex story of the original graphic novel – this is one of those rare occasions when a big screen adaptation is better than the original source – has been perfectly structured in the wonderful Edwards’ screenplay. George Clooney makes a superb acting work perfectly supported by the whole cast. The narrative pace, the situations and the dialogues always keep the perfect tone for the story being told. The storyline is full of elements, shades and reflections that will make each and every member of the audience find in it some reference to its own life… In conclusion, Spike Jonze proves in this movie that he is something more than an indie, modern, cool moviemaker but an artist that has the same level of talent in terms of visual impact and narrative deepness.’
-Anne Roman

‘Dawson Edwards has gone a long way from his very first movie, the awful ‘The Killing Run’ – an impossible and lousy thriller where the American President himself was a serial killer that eliminated his political opponents for the Presidential run… including Eva Mendes (!!) –, to this amazing ‘Asterios Polyp’. Besides his superheroes and console games adaptations movies, Edwards has kept growing up as screenwriter with tough adult stories like ‘Fallen Kings’, ‘Blood Meridian’, ’24 Hours To Live’, my personal favorite ‘Storm At Home’ or the recent ‘Rebel’. But I think that among all those brilliant writing works, ‘Asterios Polyp’ will be remembered as the screenplay that definitely made of him an adult and prestigious writer to follow and respect.’
-Jackie O’Callaghan

ALICE

‘Although not being American – and hardly speaking some English! – James Bradley has made through some of his most famous stories, an accurate picture of American society. Movies like the three Wes Anderson’s fables, ‘Crossovers’, ‘Nude!’, ‘The Miracle Men’, ‘An American Stroll’ are like pieces of a big picture of American society from different perspectives and focusing on different aspects of it (from deepest America to urban or mid-class communities). Even his most acclaimed work, ‘American Tabloid’, also added to all this some reflections about the USA’s recent history. So it’s funny how, in some way, Bradley is the most American author of all CMP’s writers. ‘Alice’ is a minor piece of that picture. It does not reach the mastery of the most acclaimed Bradley’s stories but just adds another vision of how can be living in a multi-racial urban community. In that sense, this movie is a correct but minor work that won’t count as one of the best works by an always sharp screenwriter as Bradley is.’
-Roy Winslow

‘Bradley has set up a One Woman Show for his favorite muse, Kate Winslet. That’s what ‘Alice’ is. Of course, Winslet proves once more that she is probably the most versatile actress of our days and perfectly plays that bitter, aggressive and distrustful working mother. But there’s not many more elements of interest in this movie than appreciating Winslet’s acting talent once more. ‘Alice’ resorts to narrative elements – street gangs, life in the ghetto… - seen before so many times on screen. Without going too far, Clint Eastwood made a better use of those resources recently with the brilliant ‘Grand Torino’. Bradley does not add anything new to the stereotypes of that kind of stories and even, in his will of making Winslet shine, the rest of the characters stay a bit blurred (particularly, the one played by Jay Hernandez). We are used to see more creativity and originality coming from him.’
-Tim Reeve

‘Bradley’s screenplays are usually built upon two main elements: an original and creative premise and a touch of intelligent comedy or irony in the plot. In ‘Alice’, Bradley has abandoned those two patterns of his writing style. He has chosen this time a more dramatic tone, trying to provoke reflection and debate. But I think that the movie does not reach that top transcendental dramatic level it pretends. ‘Alice’ is an interesting reflection about how our society can be very dehumanizing and how loneliness often hides behind the most violent acts. In fact, Paul Haggis already touched those same issues in his wonderful ‘Crash’. But ‘Alice’ is not as big as ‘Crash’. It is a correct social and family drama interesting enough but, after all, it does not become as emotionally shocking as it might pretend.’
-Andrew Stampton


INVASION

OPENING STATEMENT: With the end of the successful 'Robots' films, we were all wondering what was going to be Connors' big baby afterward. Invasion manages to be that baby. He always manages to make correct spectacles of his action-sci fi films and the other writers should study him if they want success with their big budget films they want turned into blockbusters. I am glad that after all these 'cliche humans are so uncultured and evil, the aliens are good' movies we've been seeing that we can go back to having at least one in the mix that says hey, let's go back to the old evil alien days.

BEST OF IT You can hate James Cameron all you want, but he's only the producer here. He is the king of blockbusters. At least this one had a better plot than Avatar or Titanic.

WORST OF IT I'm usually not a fan of really long movies. They often have areas where they drag and nearly put me to sleep.

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT Another rare occurrence when the whole cast manages to shine and nobody is the dead weight in this one. Might I add that Steve Connors himself is a shining star here. You can't see a movie like that and his older films and not comment on the incredible talent the writer is.

THE BRAINS BEHIND Like said, James Cameron was the perfect pick as being involved in this movie. I was also thoroughly impressed with Bret Rattner's direction, managing to actually outdo Cameron's direction. I didn't think he had it in him. But the real brains behind this creative project is Steve Connors, who deserves all the praise as being in the top five for most talented CMP writers.

IN CONCLUSION A+ a surefire blockbuster that better get its money back, because it deserves it!

ASTERIOS POLIP

OPENING STATEMENT I enjoy those types of films that are based off another source and you really can't tell it is unless you already know or got told by someone. This film manages to show off yet again Dawson's versatile talent as well as George Clooney, whose been much more than just a handsome face.

BEST OF IT Definitely the storyline is the highlight of this film. It's mind boggling and also a personal story giving viewers a chance to think too! The tagline in the poster is also a perfect to sum up the film.

WORST OF IT You gotta be careful with the mind boggling movies. Some may have found themselves a little lost.

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT: Some people might think George Clooney is a little over-rated and has the ego the size of the solar system, but you can't deny he makes good work especially in this movie as the shining star. The rest of the cast holds up well, but it's George who stands out.

THE BRAINS BEHIND: This is going to be Dawson Edwards' season. He already got a spot reserved for himself in 'Rebel' but this film only solidifies him as another huge asset to CMP that we would be very hurt if he left. Spike Jonze makes well use of the cinematography, angles and complete oversight of the movie. He too is a very talented artist!

IN CONCLUSION A may not be as big of a production as Invasion this week, but it's still worth going to the theater to see, then adding it to your DVD collection four months later!

ALICE

OPENING STATEMENT This film reminded me a little of Grand Torino with a court trial near the end, but it still has an interesting theory that leaves us to ask if Alice really is innocent. I'm a sucker for these drama films myself, and it is correctly made, even if the storyline may seem a bit cliched with the 'evil gangs threatening somebody and their family, the threatened victims act out and are put under scrutiny' but it's Kate Winslet and Jay Hernandez who keep us watching.

BEST OF IT: The performance of our leading stars. I'm glad James Bradley managed to team up with Kate again!

WORST OF IT: The plot may not be the greatest, but those performances manages to outweigh it!

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT: Kate Winslet and Jay Hernandez are the stars to look out for in this one. The rest of the cast supports the film with nobody holding the film down.

THE BRAINS BEHIND: Paul Haggis is a great drama director who uses a little bit of his Crash and Valley of Elah influence in this film. He was able to put Kate on the level she needed to be and she managed to yet again make the job look easy. James Bradley, the creative writer whose been having a good season thus far is applauded for yet again going into areas he doesn't usually go into and making it right.

IN CONCLUSION B Kate's talent keeps movie goers watching her, so her fans will see this no matter what and it's a good movie, just not the most original in terms of plotline.

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED MUST SEE OF THE WEEK:

SEE ALL THREE RELEASES!