DECEMBER, 15


EDGE OF HUMAN

Sci-Fi / Action
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Evan Rachel Wood, Ralph Fiennes, William H. Macy, Tyrese Gibson, Claire Forlani
Director: Jonathan Kasdan
Producer: Ridley Scott
Screenwriter: Steve Connors

Box Office: 55 mill.
Net Gains: 27 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: I honestly think that this movie deserved a much higher box office. I personally enjoyed it so much and I think it was a very interesting work. But audiences are capricious and unpredictable and have decided not to support it the way it deserved. In fact, it has been the pretty good DVD sales what has saved it from net losses.

BEING BEN STILLER

Comedy
Cast: Ben Stiller, Jake T. Austin, Christine Taylor, Amy Adams, Vince Vaughn, Dane Cook, Hank Azaria, McKenzie Vega. Cameos by Steve Martin, Jennifer Aniston.
Director: Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: Matt Kubrick

Box Office: 109 mill.
Net Gains: 87 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Another ‘100’ for Ben Stiller! The undisputable CMP’s King Of Comedy hits the target again.

THE PRINCESS AND THE CAPTAIN

Romance
Cast: Keira Knightley, Damian Lewis, Rachel Weisz, Ewan Mcgregor
Director: Stephen Frears
Screenwriter: Trent Nielsen


Box Office: 38 mill.
Net Losses: 2 mill.

Stark’s Reaction: Only a slight flop. The problem was that American market has completely ignored this very British production shot in England with a British cast. The difference between the box office’s numbers in American and Foreign markets has been so huge. Anyway, I have the feeling that the Studio can make romantic movies work if we find concepts appealing enough for all markets.


EDGE OF HUMAN

‘I must confess I was full of prejudices when I heard about this sequel of ‘Blade Runner’. ‘Blade Runner’ is probably one of the most innovative, brilliant and intelligent sci-fi movies I’ve ever seen and trying to equal all that quality seemed as an impossible mission to me. But I must say I was gladly surprised when I watched the movie. ‘Edge Of Human’ resurrects the dark atmosphere of the original movie and puts up a new absorbing plot that both respects the parameters of the original movie but also looks as a brand new story. Of course, the ‘novelty factor’ is lost in relation with the hypnotizing production design of ‘Blade Runner’. But the movie is engrossing enough to make you feel as if you are watching something completely new. A very nice surprise.’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘Steve Connors made an intelligent move when he decided to create new characters for this movie instead of resurrecting the ones played by Harrison Ford and Sean Young. That way, he partially avoided comparisons with the original ‘Blade Runner’ and gained freedom to develop his own vision of the disturbing universe in which the story takes place. Ethan Hawke looks perfect as the tormented blade runner full of doubts about his own identity and Evan Rachel Wood specially shines in her double work both as the nice Ryan and the mean Sarah. And, as it happened with the original movie, the production design is so splendid making believable the dark future that might be waiting for us.’
-Jackie O’Callaghan

‘It is great that ‘Edge Of Human’ has provided younger audiences a chance to know the peculiar universe created by Philip K. Dick, as many of them may not know ‘Blade Runner’, a masterpiece released 27 years ago. And it is also a shame that, while audiences get crazy with rubbish like ‘Daughters Of The Dragon’, they have not responded so enthusiastically to an intelligent sci-fi proposal like this. Well, the original ‘Blade Runner’ flopped on its release and time has turned it into an obliged reference of the genre, so maybe this sequel will follow its trace. Besides the obvious parallelisms between the plot of both movies, ‘Edge Of Human’ is a worthy cinematic experience that deserves to be highlighted as one of the best sci-fi productions coming from CMP.’
-Roy Winslow

BEING BEN STILLER

‘Ben Stiller keeps specializing in family comedies in CMP. Recovering some elements from his previous hit together with director Shawn Levy, ‘The Lollipop Man’, and reuniting again most of the cast of his mega-hit ‘Woodland Creatures’, Stiller offers again the perfect product to please his target audience: kids and families. Maybe it is time to demand Stiller to take bigger risks in CMP. Soft family comedies may be a sure bet but we would also like to see something more from him than staying in that safe formula one CMP’s movie after another’.
-Anne Roman

‘This movie has been designed to please all audiences. It is nice, funny and predictable. The formula of ‘exchanging bodies’ – used often by Hollywood since Tom Hanks’ ‘Big’ – is always a guarantee. The only innovative aspects of this new twist of that concept are the jokes about the movie industry. The rest of it is a comfortable comedy that won’t make you laugh but won’t disturb you neither. Another ‘100’ to add to Ben Stiller’s career in CMP. These days, when most CMP’s releases are having hard times at box office, that’s reason enough to applaud this production’.
-Tim Reeve

‘Comedy has never been an easy genre for CMP. While other comedians move between success and disaster when working for the Studio – let’s mention here Steve Carrell, Owen Wilson or Zack Braff -, Ben Stiller stays as the safest investment for CMP when developing a comedy. ‘Being Ben Stiller’ is the perfect Christmas release to take all the family together to movie theatres but, as most of Stiller’s works for CMP, it is also a dispensable and quickly forgettable movie.’
-Jake Cobb

THE PRINCESS AND THE CAPTAIN

‘Trent Nielsen deserves to be recognized as a brave author in CMP’s world. He does not move in the safe territory of superhero or top budget sci-fi and action flicks. For what we are knowing from him, he is decided to take risks in more unknown territories for the Studio. Putting up a romantic movie in CMP is like planting onions in the desert. ‘The Princess and The Captain’ may be a bit too corny movie and Stephen Frears may have been less brave and tough here than he was in his previous picture of the British Royal Family, ‘The Queen’. But at least this daring production – although partially failed – opens up the door for future CMP’s productions looking for something different than the usual popcorns shows the Studio uses to develop’.
-Amy Ratched

‘Keira Knightley returns to CMP in her new life post-John Daws. The whole movie has been built around her charm and always seductive screen presence. And that’s maybe a too heavy weight for her. Keira’s presence has not been enough to hold up this weak story and its linear development. There are no surprises, no plot twists and no shades in a plot that flows too comfortably and predictable. Only Rachel Weisz helps Keira building up an interesting Queen Elizabeth, a woman caught in the middle of her youth and her responsibilities. On the other side, Damien Lewis makes a flat acting work as the stereotyped charming captain, while Ewan McGregor just shows up. Something more could be expected from the always interesting Stephen Frears than just a comfortable fairy tale with a sad romantic ending.’
-Vic Carter

‘I have nothing bad to say about this nice elegant movie. I just would be more interested in a sequel of this movie. I mean, Nielsen has been too nice. He has made a too condescending picture of Princess Margaret. He turns her in somebody close to the almost perfect Empress Sissi played by Romy Schneider decades ago. But, as it happened with Sissi, the real Princess Margaret (the antecessor of Lady Di as the main scandal-maker in British Royal Court) is a much more darker and interesting character than this romantic and sweet princess in love pictured by Nielsen. Heavy drinker, heavy smoker, married and then divorced, leader of the high society of her time, fond of wild parties and changing lovers, Princess Margaret had a wild, intense and controversial life not told in this movie. She – as King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson before, and Lady Di, Prince Charles and Camilla or Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson later – made true the legend of the curse of the Koh-I-Noor heard at the end of CMP’s ‘Flashman and the Mountain Of Life’: there’s no peace in the heart of those who own the famous jewel…’
-Andrew Stampton


EDGE OF HUMAN

CRITIQUE: A film as awesome as Blade Runner surely should have had more of a franchise to go with it. The long awaited return of the series, Edge of Human proves that there IS hope in reviving film series' that have been off the shelf for more than two decades. This is another perfect science fiction film from CMP that has high grades across the board! Excellent!
ACTING/CAST: A
DIRECTION: A
WRITING: A+
PLOT/CONCEPT: A+
PRODUCTION VALUES: A+
MUSIC: A
ENTERTAINMENT: Fans of the Blade Runner series should make up most of this audience. The cast and storyline as well. The action packed science fiction should bring in the rest of the fans not familiar with the first film. If this doesn't break 100 million, there's something wrong with the audiences at CMP.
REWATCH VALUES: A+
OVERALL: A+

BEING BEN STILLER

CRITIQUE: During the production stage I couldn't help but think of 'Being John Malkovich' but it turns more into a 'Freaky Friday' body switching movie. Just like I've said about Will Ferrell movies. You're either going to love it because you love the actor (in this case, Ben Stiller) or you're going to despise it because of the actor. It's definitely an original idea for CMP therefore gets a nice concept grade, but given the choice between this one and Edge of Human, I'm afraid I would have to go for the latter. It has me looking forward to the other more superior Kubrick pitches he has on the line.
ACTING/CAST: C+
DIRECTION: D
WRITING: C+
PLOT/CONCEPT: B
PRODUCTION VALUES: C
MUSIC: C-
ENTERTAINMENT: Ben Stiller fans, those who want to see sort of a 'Woodland Creatures' reunion would flock to the theaters for this one. It's a safe comedy for families to enjoy, just don't expect anything above mediocrity.
REWATCH VALUES: D-
OVERALL: D+

THE PRINCESS AND THE CAPTAIN

CRITIQUE: It's been a while since we've seen a period piece, so it's nice to see this refreshment come about. One thing about period pieces is they seem to have good writing, direction, acting, sets, costumes, makeup. Story however seems to fall on the average line. Even Keira Knightley is the go-to girl for period pieces. I think audiences are seeing that lately as well and are starting to turn their backs against them. They're good films for awards and acclaim for the technicals but the story element, also in this film's case, doesn't offer excitement. Still a fine attempt by CMP newbie Trent Nielsen and he is quickly on his way to become a huge asset to the studio.
ACTING/CAST: A
DIRECTION: B
WRITING: B-
PLOT/CONCEPT: C+
PRODUCTION VALUES: B+
MUSIC: B
ENTERTAINMENT: Senior citizens love coming to the movies. It gives them something to do for 2 hours, so we know who most of this audience will be. Fans of the cast, director might come to the film but may also wait for it on DVD. Those who like period films should rejoice!
REWATCH VALUES: B
OVERALL: B

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED MUST SEE OF THE WEEK!

EDGE OF HUMAN