MAY, 13


JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS

Action / Superhero

The Cast: Christian Bale, Henry Cavill, Cobie Smulders, Ryan Reynolds, Joshua Jackson, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, Paul Walker, Rafi Gavron, Michael Caine

The Director: Christopher Nolan
The Screenwriter: Chad Taylor
The Producer: Silver Lining Entertainment

The Plot:

In the beginning, millions of years ago, Krona was a scientist on planet Magnus. He became interested with the origins of the universe, and makes a machine. Using it, he sees the hand of creation, but at the instant, the machine explodes. In return, the whole universe explodes, and resets, creating the Multiverse. A number of different universes are created, along with the Universe of Anti-Matter, and two oppostie beings…The Monitor and The Anti-Monitor. This essentially made it possible for evil to enter the universe. For punishment, Krona is made into pure energy and sent into the atmosphere to travel.

On one of the parallel Earth’s, our Justice League is re-couperating after their battle with Luthor and Savage. They’re each taking time off from the League, in their respective towns. Each city is visited by a mysterious man (P.Bettany), who tries to warn them of an upcoming event. Unfortuanetly, everywhere he goes he is seen as a villain. He is rejected by every hero and is ready to leave, until he arrives in Metropolis. Superman hears his plea, and calls for a meeting at the Watchtower. Wonder Woman (Smulders), Green Lantern(Reynolds),and Flash (Jackson) all gather, as Superman(Cavill) explains to them the situation. Batman is still taking time off from the League.

Clark Kent studied about the history of the universe growing up, learning about Krona, the Multiverse, and the Monitors. The prophetic man is saying that many of the parallel worlds are being destroyed, and Earth is next. They must prepare for Anti-Monitor, an image of evil created by Krona’s incident. Wonder Woman questions the credibility of the prophet, and Flash is confused by it all.

Meanwhile, Bruce talks to his butler Alfred (Caine) about his future as Batman. Bruce presents him a list of people, probably for a sidekick. He opens it up on his high-tech computer, and all six faces are shown. “I think I’ve found our man.” Bruce says. He touches the picture with his finger and a profile expands, reading “Jason Todd”

The prophet returns to his home, and sits down to rest. He closes his eyes and the screen goes black and we hear a conversation between him and Superman. “I will be killed. But it will be for the best. My power will be dispersed to the five remaining Earths to keep them alive.” The door opens, and his assistant is at the door. She smiles, and pulls out a gun shooting the prophet. At this moment, we cut back to a shot of Superman, who hears a voice in his head. “I am deceased now, but my death has released enough energy to keep the parallel earths alive. Now you must finish my job and defeat the Anti-Monitor.”

And so the League is visited by the prophet again, confusing Superman(he thought that he was dead).The encounter is strange, and when he leaves, Superman tells the others about his “death”. We then see the prophet arrive at the recently started Sinestro Corps. Sinestro (Strong) welcomes him, alerting everyone that the “Anti-Monitor” is here.

The first time that the League go head on with Anti-Monitor and Sinestro Corps., the League comes out alive. The League notices that they need more help, with Batman taking a break. And so they travel to Atlantis, to recruit Aquaman (Walker) to join them in this battle.

Back at home, Bruce and Alfred travel around Gotham City in a very nice car. He stops at the home of Jason Todd (Gavron), a restaurant waiter who’s dad was a powerful force in the crime fighting scene of the 60’s. Jason hasn’t accomplished much in his young life, but has big aspirations. Bruce and Alfred knock on his door, and he answers in his underwear. They tell him that he needs to go with them, which he is surprised by. He tells them he just woke up, but they don’t leave. They wait for him to get dressed and then take him out into their car and ride off into the Gotham streets.

After the League stops Anti-Monitor’s first plan, his backup plan is to release an anti-matter canon unto the five Earths. The Justice League discuss this, and Superman says he will sacrifice himself for the Earths. Just before the canon is shot, Superman sticks inside of it, killing him, and stops the release. In a sad scene, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman sit in the Watchtower, but can’t say anything. Wonder Woman finally breaks the silence “Where is Batman?”. “Really? You’re saying this…you’re the one who wanted him out of the group.” Flash replies. “He was a threat to us. Now the Anti-Monitor is a threat, and we need his help!” “Guys! Stop the fighting,dammit! All of this is way more important than we are. We’ve got to save us, our fellow humans, and our succesors.” Green Lantern says.

We then learn that Anti-Monitor has enlisted in the help of Sinestro Corps so he will be able to travel back in time. He plans to travel back in time, and destroy the creation of the Multiverse. Finally, Green Lantern learns of this and travels to the Green Lantern Corps. Headquarters and tells his allies they must help in defeating the Anti-Monitor.

Batman, now in his suit, is seen training Jason. They fight each other, with Batman winning easily, but he helps Jason back up and fights again. Jason starts learning from trial and error and we see him become more skilled. Finally, after he gets Batman down, Bruce takes off the mask and tells him “You’re ready.”

The villains throughout the multiverse learn of the uprising by the GLC, and plan to attack the Justice League and Green Lantern Corps. But this also calls for the rise of every superhero on the Earths. In a beautiful 20 minute sequence, which starts with GLC taking on Sinestro Corps, we see a war between heroes and villains.

But even with the fighting, Wonder Woman notices that Anti-Monitor is still not being contested against. So she gathers Green Lantern and Flash, and they all go to fight Anti-Monitor. In the epic battle, there is an energy overload and the Multiverse is shattered, with all of the Earths combing to one. No one, except for the four involved, remember the battle. Jason asks Batman why he isn’t fighting for the League, making Bruce think over things. He travels to Metropolis to find Superman, but he isn’t there. He then goes to the Watchtower, where he finds Superman hidden and sick.

Superman warns him of the troubles of the Crisis. He tells him that Anti-Monitor is not done yet. Sinestro is still trying sumon him. Green Lantern arrives at the Watchtower, and overhears the conversation. “Superman?!? Batman?!? You’re back?” “You guys did not need me. I was hurt, and could not fight. You guys needed to do this. But now, I must finish the deal.” Superman says as he stands up. Batman pushes him back down. “I’ve got this.” he says. “Are you kidding me? It’s my turn!” Green Lantern says, as he races out the door.

He hunts down Sinestro, who is trying to bring Anti-Monitor back, to finish of the League. Sinestro stops him, and tells him not to attack. Sinestro, Hal’s first mentor, tells him that he won’t bring back Anti-Monitor as long as he shuts down Green Lantern Corps. Green Lantern shakes his head, turns his back, and walks away. “I’m afraid I don’t have the power to do that. Because unlike you and Sinestro Corps…at Green Lantern Corps, we work as one.”

He turns around, and chokes Sinestro using his ring. Sinestro fights back and gains control. He hesitates to attack, turning back to see how his process is of bringing back Anti-Monitor from his own personal universe. Hal uses his opportunity, spinning around a hammer, and knocking Sinestro out of the window and into space.He then looks at the computer and smashes it several times.

And so Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman ,Flash, and Green Lantern meet in the Watchtower, to discuss a few things. They all give Hal a standing ovation, and congratulate him. Superman tells them he must heal from his wombs, which broke past his usual defense. Hal says he’s also going to leave the League, to help out his allies in the Green Lantern Corps. Flash and Wonder Woman pledge their allegiance to the League, but say they will also pursue personal adventures.

“Guys, I have some news.” Batman says taking off his mask. “I have cancer. Alfred and I will fight our hardest to keep it from seizing control. But I’m afraid I’ll never be able to crime fight again.” Everyone in the room is shocked. “But I carefully trained my successor…Say hello to Jason Todd.” Jason walks into the room, looking shy. He then waves with a smile on his face. “Hey guys.”


Stark’s Comment:
Without doubt, the biggest event of this Season. Remember that ‘Justice League 2’ became the all times Top 1 Net Gains by far (588 mill.) and the alltimes Top 3 Box Office (298 mill.). I only hope we do not suffer again ‘the Curse Of The Third Installment’…

Behind The Scenes:
-This movie has been shot in digital film.
-Christopher Nolan has stated that, whatever decision takes Chad Taylor about the future of this franchise, he won’t direct anymore JL’s movies. His only reason is that he wants to face new challenges.
-Paul Walker played his charcater before in ‘Aquaman’, written by Dawson Edwards and directed by David Yates. The movie made outstanding numbers: box office of 177 millions and net gains of 220 millions.
-Past week, Paul Walker was also seen in the blockbuster ‘Daughters Of The Dragon 2’.
-Mark Strong was nominee for the Best Villain GMA playing Sinestro in ‘Justice League 2’.
-Henry Cavill replaced Nicholas Cage as Superman in the second movie of the saga.
-CMP has confirmed that the next movie based on a member of the Justice League will be ‘Wonder Woman III’.

SHORT ON TIME

Suspense Thriller

The Cast: Johnny Depp, Melissa George, Barry Pepper, Kyle Chandler, Kathryn Morris, Emily Deschanel, Idris Elba, Joe Anderson, Jessica Chastain

The Director: John Dahl
The Screenwriter: D.R.Cobb

The Plot:

Rick Drayton (J.Depp) is an accountant and notary public in his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi. He decides to take a one-week vacation in New Orleans, but this does not sit well with Stella (M.George), his secretary and girlfriend, since he is not taking her along.

On the first night, Drayton accompanies a group from a sales convention for a night on the town. He ends up at a jazz club where, unbeknownst to him, a stranger swaps his drink for another. The next morning, Drayton feels ill. He visits a doctor, where tests reveal he has swallowed a toxin for which there is no antidote and that he has mere days to live. A second opinion confirms the grim diagnosis and suggests that he was most likely deliberately poisoned.

With just a few days to live, Drayton sets out to uncover the events behind his impending death, interrupted occasionally by phone calls from Stella. She provides him with the first clue: a man named Frank Gilmore had tried to contact him, but died the previous day. Drayton travels to Gilmore's import-export company in Houston, first meeting Missy Collins (E.Deschanel), the secretary, then Roy Chess (B.Pepper), the vice-president, who informs him that Frank committed suicide. From there the trail leads to Frank’s widow, Elaine Gilmore (K.Morris) and Frank's brother John (K.Chandler).

The key to the mystery is a bill of sale for what turns out to be stolen rhodium, which Stella provides him. Drayton had notarized the document for Frank Gilmore six months earlier. He connects Frank's mistress Maria Sizemore (J.Chastain) to gangsters led by Roland (I.Elba) after following her from the funeral. Roland’s men capture Drayton and since he has learned too much about the theft, Roland orders his psychotic henchman Lyle (J.Anderson) to kill him. However, Drayton manages to overpower Lyle and escape.

Drayton thinks John and Missy Collins are his killers but when he confronts them, he finds that John has also been poisoned. However in John's case, immediate treatment can still save his life. Drayton then realizes that Chess engineered the theft and had also been carrying on an affair with Elaine Gilmore. When Frank found out, he struggled with Chess and was pushed over a balcony to his death. Chess poisoned Drayton to tie up the loose ends. Drayton tracks Chess down and shoots him to death in an exchange of gunfire. Drayton then finally succumbs to the poison and dies.

THE END


Stark’s Comment:
As you all know, thrillers always have a hard time in CMP. Let’s see if the presence of Johnny Depp can save this one…

Behind The Scenes:
-This is the second release written by D.R. Cobb. The first one was the only box office’s flop so far of this Season: ‘The Prince Of Darkness’.
-Cobb decided to replace Johnny Depp with any other actor during pre-production phase. Harry Stark did not allow him to do it. Stark considered that the movie would lose strength without the screen presence of Depp.
-Cobb wanted January Jones to play Stella but she was busy shooting ‘Woman’.
-Emily Deschanel has only been seen before in CMP in ‘Aquaman’.
-Idris Elba won the Best Villain GMA in Season 14 with ‘Rebel’.

RESTRAINT

Thriller

The Cast: Cameron Bright, Josh Hutcherson, Jenna Boyd, Bailee Madison

The Director: Neil Jordan
The Screenwriter: Josh Collins
The Producer: Grand Island Movies

The Plot:

Justin (C.Bright) is a loner in school who gets treated as such. Taking pity on him, his classmate Brandon (J.Hutcherson) decides to do what the other kids felt not worth their energy to do: to let Justin feel welcomed, to give him a friend. At first, the friendship seems to go well and Brandon wonders why no other kids wanted to hang out with Justin. They have a few things in common and Brandon introduces Justin to some new things like his style of music and such; mostly punk rock music since Brandon is in a punk rock/skater kid phase.

After that, Justin starts dressing like a punk-rock kid and the others tease him for it, saying he's a poser. They often ask Brandon why he even hangs out with Justin and that he cramps everyone's style. Brandon is also in a garage band. Not that he or his band mates plan on ever making it big, they just wanted to do something neat. Justin wants into the band and Brandon once again gives in and says it's ok. This obviously upsets the band members and they threaten to quit. They say Justin has no musical talent and sucks at everything he does.

Despite it all, Brandon still hangs on to Justin, but he really doubts the friendship. Justin starts becoming a little clingy. Can you blame a kid for not having any friends and always being cast out by his peers before they even gave him a chance? Brandon's family; his mom, dad and sis Maggie (B.Madison), warm up to Justin also, and he claims that Brandon is his best friend.

Things start getting a little out of hand though. Justin won't let Brandon have alone time with his girlfriend, Holly (J.Boyd). He's always calling him and wanting to go out and do things with him. Justin threatens suicide if he doesn't get what he wants. It gets to a point where Brandon just decides to call it quits on the friendship and tells Justin that now he knows why nobody wants him around.

We haven't seen the end of Justin though. He still hangs around with Brandon's family but on the side, makes Brandon uncomfortable with Justin's awkward creepiness. Brandon is haunted with the feeling that he has no idea what Justin will do to him, his family or his friends. On one hand, it's best to get rid of someone like Justin, but on the other, wouldn't it have been easier to just go through the motions? Justin also makes Brandon a little crazy by making him think he's going to do something horrible. One scene involves Justin looking like he's going to hurt Maggie, but he just plays with her and Brandon ends up being the killjoy by forcing her to get away from him. When Brandon and Holly go on a date to the movies to make out in the theater, guess who just happens to be seated behind them telling them to get a room and throwing popcorn at them.

At the big climax, Brandon drops Holly off at her house. Little do either of them know that while Holly's folks are out, Justin has broken into Holly's house and is waiting for her. When Brandon gets home his parents tell him that Justin came over. Brandon ignores it and goes to his room. His laptop is opened though and the screen reads "Don't drop her off" on the screen saver. Brandon freaks out and calls Holly's house but nobody answers because Holly is in the shower, Justin listens to her singing in the shower as her cell phone is ringing. He knows who it is on the phone and turns it off.

Brandon rushes out the door and back to Holly's home. He tries calling her on the home phone and on her cell, both no responses. Holly goes into her room and gets herself dressed and the door starts banging. It frightens Holly, who thought she was home alone. The door is kicked in and it's Justin! He pushes her on her bed while she screams and tries to fight him off while he slaps her and tries to remove his own pants to rape her. Brandon arrives outside her house just in time to hear her screams from outside. He breaks through the door, goes into her room and tackles Justin.

Brandon and Justin get in a rolling fistfight while Holly tries to compose herself. When Justin gets on top of Brandon to strangle him, Holly hits Justin with a bat to knock him out. Brandon and Holly hug and the scene fades into the police at Holly's house to take Justin away in cuffs. Before he gets put in the car, he turns to face Brandon and Holly talking to the police while Holly's folks are present with the teens and police. Justin yells at them, "I just wanted a friend!"


Stark’s Comment:
Another thriller, another uncertain release. This is one of those weeks when anything can happen, the best and the worst.

Behind The Scenes:
-Neil Jordan’s last work for CMP was the horror comedy ‘The Hellbowl’, co-written by Josh Collins and Matt Kubrick.
-Cameron Bright’s latest work in CMP was the critically acclaimed ‘That’s The Way’.
-Josh Hutcherson’s latest work in CMP was the blockbuster ‘Superman: Last Son’.
-Josh Collins has directed himself a great trailer of the movie that can be seen at CMP’s Forum.


THE QUESTION: As almost every CMP’s screenwriter, D.R. Cobb has decided to try luck with the superhero genre. Besides his announced project with Green Arrow, Cobb will take to the big screen the DC Comics’ character The Question / Vic Sage. David Slade, whose only previous directional job in CMP was one of the short stories of ‘Bedtime Stories 2’, will direct the film. And no other than Zack Snyder will be producing the movie (the reason why he has recently rejected the offer to direct the upcoming ‘Hunger Games’). To play the character, Cobb had chosen Jeremy Piven (‘Blood Meridian’, ‘The Secret People’, ‘Check, Please’). But right when the shooting was about to begin, Piven has been surprisingly replaced by Ryan Gosling, not seen in CMP since his work in ‘Star Wars: Holocron Initiative’.

AMERICAN WAY: Sam Mendes returns to CMP five Seasons after his personal success with ‘The Beatles’. And he does it to direct this Josh Collins’ thriller about a married couple harassed by the parents of a thief who was killed at their property. The always hyperactive Christian Bale will play the husband – in his third work of the Season after ‘Escape From Hell’ and this week’s release ‘Justice League’ – while Kerri Russell (‘Psycho: Bloodline’, ‘Daniel’) plays his wife.

EYE OF THE NEEDLE: It had to be her. James Bradley has chosen his favorite muse, actress Kate Winslet, to star this adaptation of the famous Ken Follett’s book. It will be the eighth time they work together. Ralph Fiennes keeps specializing in villains in CMP playing here a Nazi spy after his latest works as a villain in the ‘New World’ and the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ sagas. The latest Best Actor Oscar Winner, Colin Firth will also be in the movie playing Winslet’s husband, a war hero and a bitter man after an accident leaves him in a wheel chair forever. Firth’s only previous work in CMP was the pirates’ movie ‘The Blacksmith’s Sword’.

FAMILY REUNION: Another Oscar Winner and British talent not very active in CMP, Helen Mirren, also returns to the Studio with this Jay Roach’s comedy written by Chad Taylor. She plays in it Ben Stller and Zach Braff’s mother and Harrison Ford’s ex wife. Mirren has only been seen in CMP before in two box office’s hits: ‘Pompeii’ and ‘To Catch A Thief’.

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE: Steve Buscemi, not seen in CMP since the blockbuster ‘The Flash: Blitz’, returns to the Studio to play the family lawyer of John Turturro and Marisa Tomei in this big screen`s adaptation of the classic Arthur Miller’s play written by D.R. Cobb and being directed by Stephen Frears. Also, the movie means the CMP’s debut of Bobby Cannavale, seen in tv series like ‘Will & Grace’ or ‘Sex In The City’, who plays an Italian immigrant recently arrived to Brooklyn.

LEMIEUX: Abigail Breslin must feel bored not being around in CMP. The GMA Winner young actress, whose last work for the Studio was the critically acclaimed drama ‘Prison Letters’, has accepted to play a minor role in this biopic directed by Kathryn Bigelow. She will play Diane Kruger’s character in her early years. Also, Ben Affleck, seen past Season making a cameo in ‘Queens’, will play another minor role as a hockey star. This way, Affleck will meet on screen with his younger brother Casey, who is starring the film playing Mario Lemieux himself.

MIDNIGHT: A few CMP’s debutantes join Colin Farrell in the cast of this gothic horror movie. All of them are beautiful young talents: British actress Imogen Poots, seen out of CMP in ’28 Weeks Later’; Ginnifer Goodwin, from the tv series ‘Big Love’; and Deborah Ann Woll, from the tv series ‘True Blood’. The film is a remake written by D.R. Cobb of the Brazilian film from the 60s ‘At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul’.

HEAVY RAIN: It has taken 17 Seasons for singer and actor Justin Timberlake to make his debut in a CMP’s movie. It will finally happen in this action thriller directed and produced by Peter Jackson. Timberlake plays a rich guy suspect to be the so called Origami Killer. And Martin Sheen will play his father in what also means the first work for him in a CMP’s movie too. Steve Connors is the writer of this console game adaptation.

DEATH CRUISE: Faces seen before in other installments of the ‘Reform School Girls' series will return again in this fourth movie of it. Christopher Walken will play again the boss of the criminal organization that hires Michelle Rodriguez as professional assassin. He already played the same character in ‘Tracks Of Blood’ and ‘Vixen’. And Rose McGowan also returns to the saga. She was seen in the first movie of it, ‘Reform School Girls’. McGowan is best known in CMP for being Valkyrie in ‘The Avengers’ franchise. Her boyfriend Robert Rodriguez is directing the movie.

F-ZERO AX: Green light for the third installment of this animation saga. It is written again by Dawson Edwards and directed by Karyn Kusama. The first movie of the franchise made a more than good box office of 108 millions while the second one made a disappointing 50 millions. The usual voices of the saga return again: Josh Hartnett, Famke Jansen, John Malkovich and Alan Rickman, among others.


CHAD TAYLOR
JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS

Chad Taylor releases this week the third installment of his most popular and successful work: the ‘JL’ franchise. But, besides that, Taylor is becoming one of the most prolific and versatile writers of CMP’s world. This Season, he has already released three other movies making nice box offices all of them: ‘Grand Theft Auto’, ‘Woman’ and ‘Alabama’. And he still has on his way a few others, like the upcoming comedy ‘Family Reunion’. We have talked with him about all this intense writing activity.

1.So, is this film the end of the 'JL' saga or not, cause there are all kind of contradictory rumors about it?

Well, as previously stated,I will have future films within the DC universe.Whether or not they're Justice League films,I can not say. With the ending, I left it open so that someone new can take the reigns, or if I ever become bored and need cash,I'll write a fourth one. One thing I've always wanted to do is Justice League vs. The Avengers, but with all of the licensing involved,I know it'd be nearly impossible. But yeah, if someone feels like they have a good vision for the future of the Justice League, they can contact me and maybe we can work something out.

2.You have recently released two dramas, 'Woman' and 'Alabama', and I've heard that there's quite a few more dramas coming up from you. Does that mean that you have decided to focus more in this kind of low budget quality movies in the future than on big productions?

I got into this motion, where I couldn't stop writing dramas. I kept getting good ideas, but they were dramatic. But you'll see some more big budget productions, like The Hunger Games.It will be something you don't get from me much, a lot of action. It will be Twilight,with more action,and set it in the future.

3.When do you feel more pressure? When releasing a top budget production demanded to make a big box office or when releasing a more authoresque work looking more for critical applause than money? What is more difficult to get in your opinion: big money or critical support?

Oh that's a tough one. I feel frustrated when a movie doesn't make the right box office. I understand critics,as that's just an opinion. But when I release a movie like The Respected, and it can't live up to the expectations from the one before it, it's disappointing. Why can't more people go see my movies!

4.Do you plan to direct again after the experience of 'Amedia' and 'Gaga'?

Oh yeah I got some future projects that I will be directing. The thing about directing, as compared to writing, is that I want it to be my own. I can write a Justice League movie, but it won't be my characters. I want full creative control of every aspect of the story, which I think is obvious in Amedia. It's one of my favorite things to do, but it's got to be just right. I also plan to try out being a composer of one of my films in the near future.

5.You are returning to comedy with 'Family Reunion'. Comedy is not a genre to visit often. I it more difficult to write a good comedy than a good drama?

Well when writing a comedy, you're writing it for the audience's laughs. So if you're not funny, you can't do it. I made a mistake with Crime Stoppers, although I still love the concept. If I had a chance to re-do it,I would in a heartbeat. And I can't say that about most films. With The Bus, everything seemed to go right. I had been an avid watcher of Scrubs, so I wanted to work with Zach Braff again and give him a leading role. And so in my third comedy in CMP, I use Braff...AGAIN.


JOHNNY DEPP

He releases this week his 15th work for CMP. His CMP’s career includes 7 GMA’s nominations and 3 awards. Past Season, he became by far the best paid actor ever in the Studio in one single Season for his works in ‘Noon’, ‘The Respected’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’. He definitely is one of the big names of CMP’s History and one of the most demanded talents by all the Studio’s authors. He is Johnny Depp.

UNCOMMON VALOUR: THE FRIGATE CAPTAIN
Ridley Scott / Jack Hammer
B.O.: 55 / N.G.: 30
Depp made his debut in CMP in Season 2. He played the villain of this legendary CMP’s saga of sea adventures. The film wasn’t as successful at box office as expected. But it won 3 out of its 4 nominations at the GMA: Best Picture of the Season, Best Director for Ridley Scott and Best Villain for Depp himself. It was the first of the three statues he already owns.

SMOKE SIGNALS
David Mamet / Marcus Trax
B.O.: 29 / N.G.: 6
Depp has always mixed top budget and more artsy projects in his CMP’s filmography. This drama about four people trying to quit smoking and sharing their problems on the way meant the beginning of one of the most legendary creative teams in CMP’s History: the Mamet / Trax / Depp trio. Critics supported the film and it won 2 GMA: Best Cast and Best Actress for Jennifer Connelly.

NO EVIL
David Mamet / Marcus Trax
B.O.: 21 / N.L.: 5
First of the two movies with net losses in Depp’s career in CMP. He only played a minor role in this hard drama starred by Edward Norton and Tea Leoni. Again, the movie succeeded at the Golden Moon Awards of Season 5. It got 5 nominations. But finally it only won one statue: Best Actor for Edward Norton.

PARODY OF ARTS
David Mamet / Marcus Trax
B.O.: 71 / N.G.: 46
Third film of the trio in a row. By now, Mamet, Trax and Depp had already become the most prestigious creative team in CMP and the release of another one of their works together instantly turned into an awaited event. This time, the story followed a group of strolling players and Depp played again the lead role of the film. It made the best box office of all the films made by the three of them together.

CELL MATES
Joel and Ethan Coen / Ted Froats
B.O.: 78 / N.G.: 47
This movie was the beginning of a presumed trilogy about a very peculiar criminal played by Jack Nicholson and a man that works for him, played by Depp. It was the debut of the Coen Brothers in CMP and it ended up with controversy. Froats wanted to tell a more serious story but the Coen gave a comedy tone to the film. Froats wasn’t happy with that and the Coen abandoned the franchise. Anyway, the film meant the second GMA for Depp: he won the Best Starring Couple award together with Jack Nicholson.

CELL MATES 2: HEARTS AND MINDS
Brett Ratner / Ted Froats
B.O.: 83 / N.G.: 71
Before becoming the very successful director of Steve Connors’ ‘Robots Trilogy’ and ‘Invasion’, Ratner replaced the Coen Brothers in this sequel. The film worked nicely in box office again. But right after its release Ted Froats suddenly retired from CMP. The trilogy remains inconcluded.

DRAWING DREAMS
David Mamet / Marcus Trax
B.O.: 15 / N.G.: 0.5
Fourth movie of the trio and second one with net losses. This one was a very artsy drama about a painter played by Depp fighting again his own personal ghosts and demons. He met again with Robert Downey Jr. after ‘No Evil’. And Depp got his first nomination for Best Actor at the GMA. But he was defeated by Laurence Fishburne with ‘Dream Of A King’.

THE THINKING MAN
David Mamet / Marcus Trax
B.O.: 56 / N.G.: 25
Fifth and last film of the Mamet / Trax / Depp trio. And the only comedy of them all. Jim Carrey played a boring man that wanted to be more an action man than a thinking man. And he chooses Depp as a role model. Like all the movies of the trio, it did not make a spectacular box office but critics very much supported the five of them. The retirement of Marcus Trax put an end to this very creative team with this film.

SHERLOCK HOLMES
Tim Burton / Matt Kubrick
B.O.: 190 / N.G.: 179
After a rest, Depp’s career in CMP resurrected in Season 9 with his first reunion in the Studio with his good friend Tim Burton. They retook the classic British detective right before the Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s film. And it was a huge success. Again, Depp was acting in the Best Picture GMA Winner of the Season. He won for the second time the Best Starring Couple award (this time with Philip Seymour Hoffman) and was also nominee for Best Actor. The movie got a total of 7 nominations – becoming one of the most nominated movies ever at the GMA by the time – and won a total of 3 statues. It was also the first ‘100’ in Depp’s career.

UNCOMMON VALOUR: ONLY THE VALIANT
Ridley Scott / Jack Hammer
B.O.: 96 mill. / N.G.: 66 mill.
Jack Hammer returned briefly to CMP to develop only a few films. One of them was this fourth installment of his famous saga. Depp returned after not being seen in the second and third installments of the series. Box office was nice enough although it stayed a bit below expectations. The film was nominated for Best Picture.

THE RESURRECTED
Jonathan Demme / Chad Taylor
B.O.: 113 / N.G.: 154
Johnny Depp’s presence was one of the best surprises of the second installment of this trilogy. He played a mobster that helps Joseph Gordon-Levitt to rebuild the family’s mob empire. It was only a supporting role but Depp’s powerful screen presence upgraded the undisputable quality of the movie.

NOON
Martin Scorsese / Chad Taylor
B.O.: 211 / N.G.: 186
…and then came Season 16 and it became Depp’s Season. Taylor called him back to co-star with Brad Pitt this update to our days of the classic western ‘High Noon’. And the film became an extraordinary success. Depp added two more nominations at the GMA (becoming the most nominated actor ever): Best Villain and Best Supporting Actor. He did not win any statue. ‘Noon’ reached a total of 7 nominations although it only won one award (Best Adaptation). Anyway, it is the best box office made by a movie with Johnny in it ever and another acclaimed work for his CMP’s filmography.

THE RESPECTED
Jonathan Demme / Chad Taylor
B.O.: 64 / N.G.: 46
Third work in a row with Taylor for Depp. The conclusion of the trilogy turned into a surprising box office’s disappointment. Things didn’t work as expected. Depp’s character was one of the victims of Robert Pattinson’s killing madness in the story.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES
Tim Burton / James Bradley
B.O.: 125 / N.G.: 68
Burton and Depp met for the second time in CMP in this risky project. How would audience react to a version of the classic ‘Pride and Prejudice’ mixed with zombies’ fights? Bradley and Burton took the risk and the result was more than good. A ‘+100’ box office, critical support, 5 nominations at the GMA and two wins and another jewel to add to the long and brilliant Depp’s filmography in CMP.


Cameron Bright and Josh Hutcherson may be young but they are not new at all in CMP. Both have been showing up in movies made by the Studio for long. But this is the first time they work together. ‘Restraint’ hits the screen this week and we have a picture of both young stars at the premiere of the movie in LA.



I have the feeling my articles have become a bit too soft lately. And I don’t like that, so this week I will try to be again how I used to be and write about some juicy scandals and controversies around CMP’s world.

But first, let’s talk of business. During the past few months, many of the most profitable CMP’s franchises have got to an end: ‘The Dark Tower’, ‘Silver Sable’, ‘Dragonlance’, ‘The Forgotten’ or, this week, ‘Justice League’ are some of the mega-franchises that seem to be definitely over. And that worries at CMP’s offices. Of course, not because of the cinematic quality of those sagas but because of the huge profits they generate. CMP has always been the Home Of Franchises. But right now there are not that many big franchises still alive and CMP’s Executive Board may be working hard looking for new concepts to replace the finished ones… and keep making big money with them.

The future of mega-franchises could be mythological console games. Josh Collins has made public his plan of developing a big screen version of ‘God Of War’ while D.R.Cobb is working on an adaptation of ‘Dante’s Inferno’ (the console game, not the classic literature piece). So the new leaders of CMP’s sagas might change from superheroes to mythological warriors. Never mind as long as the movies make big incomes, I guess.

Well, once made this deep reflection about the future of CMP, let’s go with some more juicy questions…

CMP announces this week the production of ‘The Question’, a new superhero movie to be starred by Ryan Gosling. As it’s been said above, Gosling joined the project at the very last moment. Jeremy Piven was the chosen one to play Vic Sage during all the pre-production phase of the movie. Piven had already signed his contract with CMP when Cobb decided to replace him. So you can imagine Piven is pretty upset with this last minute’s change. So upset that he has threatened to sue the Studio. To avoid any legal trial, Harry Stark has decided to pay Piven the salary both parts agreed in the contract. So Piven won’t be in the movie but at least he has made some nice easy money.

By the way, Ryan Gosling is pretty upset too. And the reason is Dawson Edwards. During the press conference announcing the beginning of the shootage of ‘The Question’, Gosling was asked about the possible sequel of ‘Star Wars: Holocron Initiative’. And Gosling did not conceal his anger with that issue. This is what he said: ‘When I accepted to be in Holocron Initiative, I thought I was joining something big. In fact, I signed a contract for three movies of the saga. Now, all that seems to be dead. I know the movie didn’t make the numbers expected. But still I would like to complete the trilogy. Making only that first movie looks stupid. I am more than disappointed of how Dawson Edwards and CMP have behaved with this question.’

Past week, ‘Daughters of the Dragon 2’ made an excellent box office (and movie critics obviously overvalued it in their reviews). But no matter both critical and box office’s success, it is known that probably there won’t be a ‘Daughters Of The Dragon 3’. And no, the main reason is not anymore that Joey Stark has stated he is not interested in going on with the franchise. Now, there’s another reason. A reason of jealousy. I’ve heard that Halle Berry is not very happy with how things have gone with the movie. First, Cameron Diaz was paid a much higher salary than her. And second, Berry considers that the Studio discriminated her in relation with Cameron during the promotional campaign of the film. So now it might be difficult to convince Berry to return for a third installment.

Do you think these stories are not controversial or scandalous enough? Ok, then read the last one of the week…

According to the popular gossips’ site TMZ, Matt Kubrick decided to celebrate the release of ‘Jason and Leatherface’ and the beginning of his temporary retirement with a party in a Hawaiian hotel… and things went, let’s say, ‘a bit’ out of hand. The wild night ended up with some vandalism at the hotel (not confirmed if Kubrick or any of his guests used a chainsaw…) and Police had to intervene. Kubrick spent the rest of the night at the police station and he will have to pay all the damages caused in the hotel (a few thousand dollars… same thing that the box office made by his latest move). Matt, vacations do not feel good for you. Return to work as soon as possible…