JUNE, 1


EARTH 3K2

Sci-Fi / Action
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Scout Taylor-Compton, Javier Bardem, Elijah Wood, Jessica Biel, Ben Foster, Naomie Harris, Ving Rhames, Paul Walker, Mickey Rourke
Director: JJ Abrams
Screenwriter: Josh Collins

Box Office: 89 mill.
Net Gains: 57 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
Again, as it happened with ‘Earth 3K’, lower numbers than expected. This sequel has made a lower box office that its predecessor but higher net gains. I only feel satisfied, nothing more and nothing less.

REBEL

Drama / Human Spirit / Action
Cast: Jaden Smith, Djimon Honsou, Idris Elba, Tariji P. Henson. Voice of Danny Glover
Director: Albert and Allen Hughes
Producer: Grand Island Movies
Screenwriter: Dawson Edwards

Box Office: 20 mill.
Net Losses: 16 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
It was an expensive and complex movie to produce, as we shot it on locations in Africa. And we knew it would not be a box office’s hit. But I don’t care about all that in this case. In fact, the Studio has decided to donate part of its box office to a Foundation that tries to offer a second chance to the children soldiers. I love this movie and I feel very proud of it.

THAT’S THE WAY

Drama
Cast: Cameron Bright, Billy Cudrup, Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams, Kate Beckinsale
Director: Cameron Crowe
Screenwriter: Trent Nielsen


Box Office: 36 mill.
Net Gains: 14 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
My team of producers has developed a very successful strategy with this movie. Production costs were very low and we spent much more less than usual in marketing. It was a risky move. We have used the same strategy before with other movies and sometimes it works and sometimes doesn’t. This one, it has worked so well. Making 14 millions of net gains with a movie that has only made 36 millions in box office is such a wonderful turnout.


EARTH 3K2

‘JJ Abrams has made some very interesting movies for CMP. ‘Faction 12’ was a great sci-fi adventure and ‘Netchasers’ was a very solid action thriller. But, lately, he seems to have relaxed. ‘Booster Gold’ was a failed attempt to make a different kind of superhero movie. And this sequel of ‘Earth 3K’ is no more than a routine action / sci-fi flick that only seems to follow an imaginary ‘guide to make a blockbuster’ without any special novelty in it. Abrams is a talented director and much more than that can be expected from him. It is a shame but his reputation can end up seriously damaged if he keeps getting involved in this ‘formula movies’ without any creative challenge in them.’
-Vic Carter

‘’Earth 3K’ wasn’t a wonderful movie, but at least it had some points of interest, mainly the setting of that future world where human and non-humans had to live together. This sequel has abandoned that plot line. ‘Earth 3K2’ abandons any pretension of ‘futuristic realism’ to turn into an action adventure of a group of peculiar characters ala ‘X-Men’ or, more closely, similar to the kind of heroes created in CMP’s ‘Wild Cards: Double Solitaire’ (Elijah Wood included). The tragic love story of Shia’s parents was finally more interesting than this weak mimic of those movies. I don’t know if there will be a ‘Earth 3K3’, but I have the feeling that this franchise has taken a wrong direction.’
-Amy Ratched

‘Josh Collins is a guarantee when we talk about intimate dramas with strong characters and deep emotional conflicts. But I have the feeling that he does not feel so comfortable when writing action and sci-fi stories. ‘Civilization M’ was a good sci-fi movie written by him. But these ‘Earth’ movies suffer from a serious lack of strength in their storylines and the creation of appealing characters. Even the suspense of the story loses strength in his recurrent decision of finishing the movies with a cliffhanger just looking for another possible sequel. I can understand – and even encourage and applaud – that Collins wants to run away from his own stereotype and try different genres. But to build up a remarkable blockbuster you need something more than a top budget succession of action set pieces.’
-Jake Cobb

REBEL

‘This movie is a punch in the heart. One of those movies that you can’t stay indifferent while watching it. The Hughes Brothers have made a realistic and extremely tough movie with no concessions about the reality of children soldiers in Africa. A brave, committed and honest cinematic work. ‘Rebel’ is one of the most touching, impressive and brilliant movies I’ve seen for a very long time. The Hughes Brothers show us the drama of these kids with a deliberate coldness, not putting the accent on any kind of sentimental excess, but just making a realistic portrait of one of the cruelest dramas of our civilization. A must see. A masterpiece.’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘Movies like ‘Blood Diamond’ have already touched at least indirectly the issue of children soldiers. But it is the first time that a movie sets the focus on this question so directly. ‘Rebel’ does not look as a Hollywood production. The movie does not soften the story to make it more pleasant for the audience. There’s no hope, no happy ending, no twists in the plot trying to relief our consciences. Things are exactly how this movie shows them. While our kids live in their comfortable happy world, other kids lose their childhood and often their lives like this Rebel. I wish that this movie could be shown not only in schools all over the world but also to all the leaders and rulers of the so called civilized nations.’
-Anne Roman

‘’Rebel’ is not conceived to fight at the usual box office’s run. It is the opposite to movies like ‘Earth 3k2’. This is not a movie made looking for benefits or big audiences. It’s a movie made to make you think, to open your eyes and to realize that we don’t live in the best of the worlds at all. Dawson Edwards has written an awesome screenplay, probably his best writing work so far, to make us all look at the face of this reality. I have to congratulate CMP and Grand Island Movies for producing movies that care about something more than net gains’.
-Jackie O’Callaghan

THAT’S THE WAY

‘On the good side, Trent Nielsen is a creative talent that bets for different kind of movies that look for something more than just being a profitable business. On the bad side, Nielsen always seems to stop one step before getting too involved in deep drama. Nielsen’s stories have something in common: they face interesting issues but always stay in a safe ‘soft territory’. It is like if he always controls himself a bit instead of diving without any fear into moving sands. ‘That’s The Way’ is a well written, well directed, well acted movie but, again, it kinds of step back when the drama begins to get too intense. In some way, Nielsen can be considered as the soft version of the usually too intense Josh Collins.’
-Roy Winslow

‘Cameron Crowe is a peculiar director in CMP’s world. Respected, prestigious and demanded, I have the feeling that he is still looking for his own personality as moviemaker. He has tried drama (‘Flashes Of Life’), musical comedy (‘Only In America’) and comedy (‘Faded’) with different luck and results. But it seems like he is still shooting in the dark trying to hit his own target as an author. ‘That’s The Way’ is a correct little movie that won’t take away or add anything to his CMP’s career. I have the feeling that the big Cameron Crowe’s movie in CMP is still to come. Meanwhile, he stays entertained with minor projects like this.’
-Andrew Stampton

‘Usually, dramas depend strongly on the acting works. And that’s what saves this movie from being just a ‘tv movie spirit’ production. Cameron Bright has shown us here that he can aspire to something more than supporting roles and Billy Cudrup reminds us once again (and again thanks to Crowe, who directed him too in his best acting work ever, ‘Almost Famous’) that he is a solid talented actor (although with a slight lack of screen presence). The two of them are who make this movie worth to watch, supported by the correct works of always trustable talents like Robbins, McAdams or Beckinsale. Maybe, Bright and Cudrup are not the best choices for box office but they are perfect choices for a movie that demanded believable actors like the two of them are.’
-Lilly Stevens


EARTH 3K2

OPENING STATEMENT: The sequel to the semi-hit Earth 3K finally gives us insight into what happened after the first film ended. It reminds me of an Alien-X-Men with the many characters with alien powers, being cast out by normal human society. It's alright for a summer action blockbuster, but there's not much to look out for in terms of the plot or acting. It's entertaining though, and that's mainly what moviegoers like in their summer movies. Most will once again hate it because it ends on another cliffhanger.

BEST OF IT: Definitely cool special effects and battles to keep a moviegoers clutching their armrests.

WORST OF IT: Some of the characters come across as being one dimensional, shallow, stereotyped and the actors portraying them don't exactly make them any less stereotyped. The plot isn't the greatest, but the war between these aliens is entertaining enough to make up for it.

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT: I think CMP newcomer Scout-Taylor Compton is definitely the shining star in this cast, showing a good presence in the action. Always good to see a female heroine kicking butt with class. On the other hand, I can never quite seem to get the appeal of Shia Labooboo, who always someone manages to sneak his way into important roles in big budget films.

THE BRAINS BEHIND: Abrams does yet again a correct job directing a science fiction action firework show. I'll applaud Collins' attempt to branch out in the genre to making a rather interesting story that could be tweaked to make it less X-Menish and more original.

IN CONCLUSION: C+/B- Entertaining popcorn flick.

REBEL

OPENING STATEMENT: This is proof that Dawson Edwards has become one of the top powerhouse writers in CMP. He's come a very long way in such a short time after his debut and he's worked his way into becoming as much of a threat to the screenwriter's award as multi-nominated James Bradley. Rebel tells a great, awe inspiring story which we rarely get in Hollywood and is a perfect treat.

BEST OF IT: The plot, writing, direction, cast, another one of those films that just has everything great going for it.

WORST OF IT: I challenge those harsh critics to find something bad about the film.

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT: Jaden Smith has been showing off a lot that he is worth being known as Will-Smith junior. He stands out in this film, the veterans serve their purposes in their roles as well.

THE BRAINS BEHIND: Even with two directors, the Hughes managed to keep consistent their vision of a scary world, one which we hardly ever get to see. As previously mentioned, Dawson Edwards' writing talent is as much important to this movie as everything else going into it. Moviegoers often forget that those actors and the plot are nothing without someone writing it all down from their own mind. Grand Island made a great choice producing this film, as it adds even more to the independent studio's prestige.

IN CONCLUSION A+ It would be a crying shame if this movie goes ignored come GMA time. Voters often forget some of the best films; let's not hope this is one to go ignored.

THAT'S THE WAY

OPENING STATEMENT A character study centering around a young teen trying to find where he fits in the word 'family' this interesting drama gives Cameron Bright his long awaited big role after being under the radar in his previous CMP films. I did enjoy the film, but it felt like it remained very safe and conventional.

BEST OF IT A performance piece deserves strong performances, and this film does just that.

WORST OF IT: Not the WORST of the movie, but definitely a flaw, the plot doesn't seem to be all there and nothing really quite seems to happen in the movie that stands out.

SHINING STAR/DEAD WEIGHT: Cameron Bright and Billy Krudup do a fine job standing out as being the most strongest characters in the film. Tim Robbins and Rachel McAdams aren't in the film enough to call them the shining stars and remain safe in their roles.

THE BRAINS BEHIND Cameron Crowe and Trent Nielsen work hard to keep the intimate drama vision. It's a nice little quiet movie with a couple of memorable characters and they manage to keep an indie spirit very well throughout the film.

IN CONCLUSION B- If you happen to see this film instead of the other two, it's not disappointing but just average.

MR. THUMBS' CERTIFIED MUST SEE OF THE WEEK:

REBEL