MAY, 6

MOVIES RELEASED

1-FACTION 12

Sci-Fi / Action
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Gerald Butler, Thomas Haden Church, Rachel Bilson, Ron Pearlman, Ian McKellen
Director: J.J. Abrams
Producer: Nicholas Cage
Screenwriter: John Daws

Box Office: 189 mill.
Net Gains: 141 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Yeah! First blockbuster of the new Season. The movie was released in 7500 screens, the same as major productions like ‘Star Wars: New Order’ and very little few. The Studio knew we had something full of potential here. The big expenses both in production and marketing costs have lowered net gains. But all in all here is a great release.

2-DAMNATION ROAD

Exploitation / Thriller
Cast: Charlize Theron, Matthew Fox, Danny Trejo, Steven Seagal
Director: Rob Zombie
Producer and Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick


Box Office: 24 mill.
Net Gains: 15 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Can’t believe we saved this production from net loss. Limited release on theatres, NC-17 rated… but the ‘mouth to ear’ worked. And the DVD sales and rentals have been so good that, finally, we have made net gains with it.

3-WHEN DREAMS DIE

Drama
Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Ellen Page, Tom Wilkinson, Mary-Louise Parker, Cary Elwes, Max Minghella, Emile Hirsch
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenwriter: Richard Franzwa

Box Office: 35 mill.
Net Gains: 17 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: This little dramas are always a hit or miss. And this time it has been a hit! Oh, what a week, I feel so happy the Studio managed so well these difficult releases. I can’t believe we didn’t have any net losses.

THE CRITICS CORNER

1-FACTION 12

"Haven't we seen this movie before? I mean, there are so many references in 'Faction 12' that the feeling of deja vu becomes extreme. Just in CMP, we have 'Taurus 3', which premise was almost equal to 'Faction 12': change mines for space plants and murderers for terrorists... et voilá! We have 'Faction 12' turned into 'Taurus 3'. But that's not the only obvious precedent. All this thing about space colonies also takes me back to Marcus Trax's 'Planetside'. And, out of CMP, didn't 'Total Recall' also took place in Mars and there were mines and miners involved? 'Faction 12' reunites elements from other sci-fi and action movies we have seen before. But J.J. Abrams has been skilful enough to manage all those too well known elements to buil up an entertaining movie capable to take back to the movie theatres to sci-fi fans that have already seen all that before"
-Bob Felton

"Take two big stars. Spend a lot of money in Digital Effects. Write a screenplay with a good doses of action set pieces. Hire a director with good nose for entertainment. Make wild expenses in marketing. And there you have it. It is a formula that all movie Studios use from time to time to fill their arks. Slight risk, big gains. And it has worked again. 'Faction 12' is the perfect popcorn show to spend an evening in a movie theatre. Abrams is an efficient director. Cage and Kidman make an appealing starring couple. It has a detailed and 'luxurious' production design. It gives what it promises. No complaints."
-Tim Reeve

"Faction 12 is to standard sci-fi concepts what past Season 'HF' was to action movies concepts. And box office proves that standarized concepts still work for moviegoers. I had a great time watching this movie. And that is what entertainment movies are made for. Abrams has given the movie the perfect pace to keep you trapped at your seat. The excellent box office is more than deserved"
-Chris Burguess

2-DAMNATION ROAD

"The influence of Quentin Tarantino in Matt Kubrick's work reaches its top in this violent feature. 'Damnation Road' could perfectly be another episode of Tarantino and Rodriguez's 'Grindhouse'. But the good news is that this time the pupil has beaten the teachers. 'Damnation Road' is much better than the 'Grindhouse''s episodes. There is a good story here well told by Rob Zombie. Of course, this kind of freak movies are oriented to a very specific market of moviegoers. But, at least for that potential market, the movie is a brilliant exercise of moviemaking without complexes. Kubrick has abandoned some auto-limitations he showed in previous works like 'Blood Beach' or 'London Underground' and has freely developed his passion for horror, blood and violence and Rob Zombie has translated his wild story with efficiency into shocking images. That last scene, with Theron walking with the head of Trejo in her hand will become a classic as one of the most disturbing gore sequences ever. Finally, Kubrick has done the movie we all expected from him."
-Roy Winslow

"The cast of this movie deserves a special mention. First, Charlize Theron. Not many movie stars would dare to make a movie like this. Theron gets wild, sexy, scary, violent, beaten, raped... and we believe her in each and every moment. The nude scenes (although I suspect of a body double) are shot without blush and the fighting sequences are perfectly designed to make you feel the hate and the pain. Theron has made a risky bet and she has definitely won it. Matthew Foxx has a peculiar presence in the movie. As the movie begins, you think he is going to play the main role in the story. But, after no more than ten minutes, there is an unexpected twist and he is brutally murdered. A great and efficient surprise. Danny Trejo - a regular in his cousin Robert Rodriguez's movies - is the perfect choice to play the bikers leader. He knows how to look ugly and disturbing and you bet he does here. And a very special mention deserves Steven Seagal. In the very best Tarantino's tradition, Zombie and Kubrick rescue here a decadent B-series star like him and watching the once cool action hero Seagal carachterized as a kind of Hell's Angel is a great joke that perfectly works. And you enjoy so much to see him beaten to death by Charlize. Risky and great cast."
-Vic Carter

"The most tarantino-esque movie from Matt Kubrick ever is here. The Bride from 'Kill Bill' turns here into a recent married avenger. The concept of the character is pretty much the same. Also, the presence of Trejo is a blink to Tarantino's universe. But probably Matt Kubrick did not even pretend to hide all that. He must have had a lot of fun working in this movie full of references to his idols (remember he has worked with both Tarantino and Rodriguez in the 'Ace Banner', 'Wild Cards' and 'Fear The Darkness' franchises). And, while having fun, Kubrick has developed what, without doubt, is his best horror flick ever. Not suitable for weak stomachs or sensitive souls, 'Damnation Road' is a violence festival that will be very much celebrated by that peculiar legion of moviegoers that live under the motto 'the bloodiest, the better'."
-Jackie O'Callaghan

3-WHEN DREAMS DIE

"The perfect contrast to 'Damnation Road'. This first work by Richard Franzwa is a relaxing and thought-provoking tale about the prize you can pay for success. It could have been just a tv movie type of production, but Sam Mendes has known how to inject some epic in the storyline to upgrade it into a deep reflection about success, growing up and failure. A movie to relax, enjoy and think. As I say, the perfect contrast to another release from this week like 'Damnation Road'. Their potential audiences are probably the opposite. And the fans of intelligent dramas well directed and brilliantly performed will find in this one a little jewel to taste and appreciate."
-Chris Merlon

"Haley Joel Osment has probably made here the best performance of his career (with autobiographical elements?). He perfectly expresses the different moods and states of mind of his character, both when he is on top and when he falls to the bottom. Osment already proved his dramatic talent in the recent CMP's love story 'Goths', but this time he has climbed one more step to have a chance of going on with his acting career as a solid drama performer. Ellen Page also proves that there is more Ellen Page than just 'Juno'. And the rest of the cast complete that sensation of soundness of the whole production. I know Harry Stark loves to succeed with this kind of little introspective stories and, no doubt, this time he has hit the target."
-Charlie Kiggs

"This movie has something in common with other CMP's features like 'The Story Of Me' or the recent 'Drawing Dreams'. It shows the worst moment of someone after his glory days and how triumph may have a price to pay afterwards when things start not going that well. Here, that concept is referred to a young sportsman and that makes it even more painful in some way, as the fall of the rising star takes place when he is still a young man. Sam Mendes, in a very different project from his awarded musical 'Carousel', has directed with firm pulse and talent a story that could have easily moved on to the 'easy tear'. And Richard Franzwa has presented his credential cards with this screenplay as a new challenger to the Mr. Drama's throne in CMP'.
-Amy Ratched


FACTION 12

John Daws has outdone himself with one of the most creative science fiction films ever! To me, I felt that the supporting cast really made up for the lead actors (Nick Cage mostly) who hasn't seemed all that excited about acting in a long time. It was a good role for him to be in, so you can stomach his acting and admire the storyline and JJ Abrams' direction(he seems to be on a science fiction kick lately) along with the sweet on the eyes special effects. It has everything to be a blockbuster CMP can be proud of.

DAMNATION ROAD

You really gotta hand it to Kubrick. His horrors always seem to take you back to the past with this 70s-style blood fest. They don't make 'em like this anymore. He wanted it to be the most violent gory movie CMP has ever done and he certainly did it, so if you're squemish, don't see it. If you love people getting decapitated and run over and not toning it down to avoid an NC-17 rating, you're in for a treat. You're either going to love it or hate it, and the perfect director to make that kind of film is Rob Zombie who has a balanced amount of his movie fans and his movie haters. Probably won't make any candidates for GMAs or Oscars, but it'll entertain those who love graphic violence.

WHEN DREAMS DIE

CMP newcomer Richard Franzwa shows he has a promising career as a screenwriter with this sports drama. I'm not usually a fan of sports movies, they all end the same with cliches throughout, but this is much more than your run of the mill sports flick. A film that shows you the truth behind the saying 'the bigger you are, the harder you fall' and I don't know where Haley Joel went after Secondhand Lions, but he's certainly done well for himself in CMP films, always taking on a challenging role and excelling in it. When a film calls for a young adult, he's the first to come to CMP writers' minds. This time his role evokes envy and jealousy. Didn't we all hate and wish death upon that kid who got everything just for being the sports star? Well this is our chance to get our death wish without repercussion. I hope the film finds its audience.