25 Billion

Author(s): Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

“25 Billion"

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Paul Haggis, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
Original Score by: John Williams

Principal Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Moore
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Judy Moore
Abigail Breslin as Stacey Moore
Djimon Hounsou as Clemins Agadishu
Sophie Okonedo as Marie Agadishu
Ed Harris as George Streit

Tagline: "In a world of so many, hope is nowhere but extinct"

Synopsis: The year is 2150, Earth’s population: 25 billion. There are no cars, no houses, no more available natural resources. With barely enough room to move, the only possessions are scarce food and the clothes on your back. Robert Moore (Gyllenhaal) cannot accept this world. He is lost between what is and what was, a stable career, a decent life. Most of his family has passed on; all that remains is his sister Judy and niece Stacey (Breslin). As the three fights to survive, they fight within themselves to accept this new type of hostile world, no privacy, nowhere to go, and nowhere to be. As the three search for something, anything in this world, they befriend a Nigerian couple (Hounsou and Okonedo), a couple that had to flee their overpopulated country when the government caved and decided to bomb it’s own citizens as a form of population control. On the opposite side of the spectrum, George Streit (Harris) also a once happy man has lost everything, his wife, his children his sense of sanity. He is on the edge of suicide and does not know where to turn. In their diminished realm of hope, the Moores try to pull Streit out of his mental gutter and invite him to join their journey. This movie portrays a journey for hope, and a deep yearning for what is lost and the powerlessness involved in not being able to help. What will become of these six individuals, yet collectively strong-willed people? Will they cave to their inner powerlessness? Or will they find a way to live in their hopelessness?

What the press would say:

Add this film to the gems of movie history and another gem by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg brings this venerably powerful script, co-written by Paul Haggis and George Lucas, to the big screen. The movie has all the elements, brilliant dialogue from three of the greatest movie minds, impeccable imagery and art direction that displays the harshness of this new planet, sound and editing that live up to any Spielberg or Lucas work before it and acting that may be amongst some of the greatest ever, especially that Jake Gyllenahaal and Ed Harris. The former will recognize this as his pinnacle role in a young career, while the latter may finally get what his is so overdue for, an Oscar. Brilliantly directed and written, this film is a must see and will go down as one of the greatest visual experiences in movie history.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director- Steven Spielberg
Best Actor- Jake Gyllenhaal
Best Supporting Actor- Ed Harris
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Art Direction
Best Sound
Best Cinematography

3:08 PM

Author(s): Ryan
Location: New Jersey

“3:08 pm"

Directed by Joseph Ruben
Written by Paul Haggis
Music by Mark Isham

ESTIMATED BUDGET- $110,000,000

Principal Cast:

Jennifer Tilly (Kate Mathis)
Jamie Foxx (Chris Yander)
Jodie Foster (Mary Sluther)
Aaron Eckhart (Jared Lemon)
Maria Bello (Sarah Channing)
Lindsay Lohan (Lisa Channing)
Hilary Swank (Marisa Johan)
Johnny Depp (Manny Frailing)
Felicity Huffman (Tracy Knight)
Clive Owen (Parker Knight)
Charlize Theron (Candy)
Kate Winslet (Jordan Fret)
Sophie Okonedo (Lala Gram)
John Cusack (Jason Bale)

Tagline: "Everyone Stopped….except for 12" 12/12/07

RATED R- for some graphic violence, language and a scene of graphic sexual content

RUNNING TIME-138 minutes

Synopsis: 12 people are in a distance of a few feet of each other. They share one thing in common, they all live in Voorhees, New Jersey. Two of the people are Kate Mathis (Jennifer Tilly) and her doctor, fiancé Jared Lemon (Aaron Eckhart). They are eating at the food court. At a table near them is mall cop, Chris Yander (Jamie Foxx). In line at the Chick-Fil-A are two JC Penny workers and friends, Mary Sluther (Jodie Foster) and Marisa Johan (Hilary Swank). At the Victoria’s secret across from the food court is alcoholic mom, Sarah Channing (Maria Bello), and might-be-pregnant daughter Lisa (Lindsay Lohan); each keeping their secret from each other. The cashier is Candy (Charlize Theron) who is a stripper and is worried because she sees her older sister Tracy Knight (Felicity Huffman), because Tracy thinks she has been dead for five years. However, Candy is an escaped convict. With Tracy is her newlywed husband a mathematician, Parker Knight (Clive Owen), they just moved to Voorhees. Next to the Victoria’s Secret is a GameStop with drugged-out worker Manny Frailing (Johnny Depp). And facing away from the GameStop is a Borders book store with ADD manager Jordan Fret (Kate Winslet).

However, when the clock hits 3:08 everyone and thing stops except Kate, Chris, Mary, Jared, Sarah, Lisa, Marisa, Manny, Tracy, Parker, Candy, and Jordan. They soon realize this strange phenomenon and as far as they can tell, they are the only 12 still moving. However, when one gets hurt they go to the hospital for supplies and see that the Birth Ward is full of dead woman with dead babies still attached to them. Soon a frozen woman, Lala Gram (Sophie Okonedo), moves and she delivers a baby. They realize when someone gives birth they come to life. So, Parker being a mathematician thinks life will work the same way as math. Two negatives make a positive. However a live person and a frozen one would be neutral making them vegetables. However when they put two frozen people “in” to each other only one survives, Jason Bale (John Cusack).

But, one of the fourteen people in the group is found murdered, and then another they realize a serial killer is among them.

The questions: Who is the killer, and how can things go back to normal?

What the press would say:

“Two thumbs up!”-Ebert & Roeper

“One Word: Outstanding!”- People

“A+! One of the most satisfying films in the past decade.”-Entertainment Weekly

“With a cast this GREAT it is hard not to go wrong. This went OUTSTANDING!”-Rolling Stone Magazine

3:08 pm is a truly gripping film worthy of sweeping every award. It is simply breath-taking and is pure terrific. Even Lindsay Lohan is Oscar-Winner-Worthy in this film. Jennifer Tilly is simply fantastic and hits every right key charmingly. The premise is fresh along with all of the performances. Jodie Foster and Hilary Swank were great along with Aaron Eckhart, John Cusack, and the popular Johnny Depp who is great. Jamie Foxx is terrific, so is Maria Bello, and one of the most complicated roles, Charlize Theron is great with Felecity Huffman. Also, Sophie Okonedo is better than in Hotel Rwanda. Paul Haggis is a genius along with Joesph Ruben. 3:08 pm doesn’t stay frozen, it is moving.

Best Picture
Best Director: Joseph Ruben
Best Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Original Score: Mark Isham
Best Actor: Aaron Eckhart, Jamie Foxx
Best Supporting Actor: John Cusack, Johnny Depp
Best Actress (anyone of these): Jennifer Tilly, Jodie Foster, Maria Bello, Kate Winslet, Felicity Huffman, Charlize Theron
Best Supporting Actress: Lindsay Lohan, Sophie Okonedo, Hilary Swank

MEMORABLE QUOTE: “Do you think we will be stuck as the same forever?”-Kate Winslet as Jordan Fret in 3:08 pm

The 38th Parallel

Author(s): Zgamer
Location: Eagle, ID

“The 38th Parallel"

Distributed by: Universal Studios
Produced by: Oliver Stone, Tommy Lee Jones and Michael Shamberg
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Written by: Oliver Stone

Release Date: October 21, 2008
Running Time: 140 Minutes
Rated R for some graphic violence, strong language and alcohol use.
Genre: Political/War/Biopic

Principal Cast:

Robert De Niro as General Douglass MacArthur
Joe Pesci as Lieutenant General Walton Walker
Tim Robbins as Lieutenant Matthew Ridgeway
William Hurt as President Harry S. Truman

Tagline: "We all have barriers in our paths. It all depends on how far you push them”

Synopsis: October 1950. It had been a few weeks since the boats landed on the shores of Inchon. Forty thousand United Nations soldiers piled out onto the beach with one goal on their minds: secure at all costs. As they advanced through the beach and into the fields, the city of Seoul began to slowly come into view. In the city, a detachment of North Korean soldiers stood in the streets prepared to fight. With the determination to win, the UN troops charged forward. After a year of loses and draws, they would finally have their moment. This was Operation CHROMITE.

One week has passed since then and the UN troops are alive with morale. Seoul has been recaptured and the South Korean government has been liberated. However, someone is unsatisfied. As he sits in his tent, General Douglass MacArthur looked down upon his map. He knew he easily defeated the enemy in South Korea and had driven them to the 38th Parallel, but he wasn’t satisfied with that. He knew he could win this war against Communism and he had every intention to keep pushing until Korea was united by democracy. Despite all warnings of Chinese resistance, he gave Lieutenant General Walton Walker the order to march…

January 1951. Thousands of Chinese soldiers have been flooding down North Korea to push the overeager UN soldiers back. Having only recently reclaimed some of the land the Chinese took, the forces are now at a standoff at the 38th Parallel, with neither side able to push the other back enough to make a difference. Walker, with his Eight Army unit in trouble, begs MacArthur for assistance. MacArthur is now in a pickle. If he backs down, he will admit weakness against the “Communist Disease”. If he pushes forward, he will have a long struggle ahead of him. Refusing to take the former, MacArthur demands that President Truman allows him to use nuclear weapons against the Chinese. This shocks the entire Cabinet, who immediately deny the request. MacArthur refuses to quit, however, and proceeds with his attacks on and of the battlefield.

February 1951. Lieutenant General Ridgeway walks into MacArthur’s tent. He has replaced Walker, who was killed in a car crash a month earlier. MacArthur is not pleased with this, as he sees this rising star as a threat. He knows that Ridgeway is the UN’s little star pupil and he will not take it. With the Communist scum at his doorstep, MacArthur decides that it is time for him to call the shots in the war. He goes straight to the American newspapers to gain support for his cause and belittle the president’s lack of action. Even if he had to fight his own government, MacArthur was going to keep pushing. Or so he thought.

What the press would say:

There’s a saying that “Those in power want to stay power”. Well, that is true in many ways with the release of Oliver Stone’s new film “The 38th Parallel”. The struggle for power is the central theme of this political war movie, as the hotheaded MacArthur contends with his superiors for control of the situation. However, this is also symbolized by Stone’s seeking for power. Years ago, Stone was one of the premiere directors in Hollywood. Recently though, he has lost some of his fame with the lack of limelight and some snoozer film. But with the release of this film, Stone wishes to cement himself back into the Hollywood prestige, to which we gladly say he succeeds in.

“The 38th Parallel”, along with being a film on power struggle, is a return to glory of the controversial films Stone had directed earlier. However, it is one that is not intentionally controversial, but has a layer of depth that if not uncovered will lead to this. At first glance, many will think that Douglass MacArthur is merely portrayed as a foul-mouthed, hotheaded, and stubborn man bent on succeeding in his goals with no worries for the consequences. Add this to the less than enthusiastic attitude on the war, this may mislead people into thinking that MacArthur was just some demon bent on fighting a losing war. However, upon further examination, we see that the film goes deeper than this. MacArthur, despite his unappealing ego, is shown conflicted human being who wished nothing more than to serve his country and protect his way of living. He may have had some interesting methods, but in a world like ours today, don’t we have some radical thinkers to match. This is the true genius of the film.

The acting in the film is something at a different level. The heart and sole of this is the hot head General himself, played with gusto by Robert De Niro. Invoking a bit of George C. Scott’s Patton while adding a fresh spin, De Niro has given us a unique portrait on an oft forgotten historical figure. Even when we disagree with his views, we can’t help but feel sympathy for this man who was once a World War II hero. The sight of De Niro walking into screen with those iconic sunglasses can give a tingle down your spine. The supporting cast also sports some impressive work, with Joe Pesci as General Walton Walker and Tim Robbins as the rising star Ridgeway. Their roles, while overshadowed at times, support the film and give it the depth it needs to show that this war was one fought by more than one man. Some impressive technical work is also in need of praise. The editing, cinematography and score all give a great feeling of professionalism within war. While it is not the gritty down to earth style of war we’ve come to know lately, it really isn’t necessary for this movie. This is a movie not only about the combat on the field, but the combat off the field as well, which requires more restraint and prestige. And Stone’s style of filmmaking expertly compliments this.

“The 38th Parallel” is one of those films you don’t see anymore; a good, adrenaline fueled politically charged war biopic. Like the infamous imaginary line that divided Korea, this movie will be the film that separates the weak films from the strong films. And we can safely say that this is among the strong.

Award Possibilities

Best Picture (Oliver Stone, Tommy Lee Jones and Michael Shamberg)
Best Director (Oliver Stone)
Best Actor (Robert De Niro)
Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci)
Best Supporting Actor (Tim Robbins)
Best Original Screenplay (Oliver Stone)
Best Cinematography (Robert Richardson)
Best Editing (Julie Monroe)
Best Original Score (Craig Armstrong)

47

Author(s): Patrick D.
Location: Long Island

"47"

Directed by: Michael Mann
Written by: William Monahan
Music by: Clint Mansell

Principal Cast:

Patrick Wilson as Vincent Beere
Christopher Walken as Michael Saginario
Leonardo DiCaprio as Sean Muglia
Ryan Gosling as David Schwartz
Gerard Butler as Timothy Gazzola
Mads Mikkelsen as Christian Erwolter
Christian Bale as Charles Barkley
Brian Cox as Paul Rizzo
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Charlie Roundtree
Uma Thurman as Katitlyn Beere
Daniel Craig as Kenneth Harris
Peter Outerbridge as Ross Williams
Ethan Hawke as Robert La Forge
Anthony DeSando as Gregg Weingardner

Tagline: "47 players. 47 bullets. One winner"

Synopsis: Michael Mann teams up with William Monahan and a incredibly diverse cast to make one of the most thrilling films in years! In this American remake of "13 Tzameti", the story begins with Vincent Beere (Patrick Wilson) finding an invitation to a "event" in a dead man's mail. He becomes curious, and embarks on a journey of clues. These clues eventually lead him to the middle of the desert, where he learns of a new game. The rules are simple, 47 men get into a large circle of sorts, and hold a gun to the man's head in front of them. Everyone has a six-shooter gun, and start out with one bullet. Process of elimination eventually brings 47 down to 2. The one man who doesn't have a bullet in his head at the end, wins. And just when you think you have figured out who will win, they are the next to go. This amazing thriller directed by Michael Mann, is a pulse-pounding thriller, that will truly go down as a rare remake that is better than the original.

What the press would say:

"Amazing!" - Newsweek
"Electrifying!" - Time
"Brilliant! I've never seen anything like this before, and I never will. A+!" - Entertainment Weekly
"The film to beat at this years Academy Awards!" - New York Times

"I saw 13 Tzameti when it first premiered. While it had beautiful cinematography and convincing acting, I never felt that the main character had a chance of losing. But in this remake of 13, "47", takes this security and throws it out of the window. At the beginning of the film, I had a feeling that Vincent Beere would be the man to beat, but the fact he is killed in the second round leaves you shocked and bewildered. What continues is both a gripping thriller and a effective human drama. One would think that the large amount of characters would be confusing, and even frusturate viewers, but in 47, the main thirteen characters stories work remarkably. Paul Rizzo (Brian Cox) the "referee" of the games, goes through guilt, classifying himself as a executioner. Charles (played by an intense Christian Bale) enters the contest in hopes to kill the stone-wall Christian Erwolter (played by Mads Mikkelsen who is cold as ice) who defeated his older brother years earlier. Timothy (Gerard Butler) enters hoping to make enough money to pay off a ransom to get his daughter back from psychotic kidnappers. Sean Muglia (Leonardo DiCaprio) and David Schwartz (Ryan Gosling) join to for their families reputations made by this game. But the best preformance comes from Christopher Walken, who takes a role that he's been making fun of for years, and turns it into one of the greatest villian roles in movie history. This film is a shoe-in for the acting categories, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was nominated for every major category. When you walk into the theater, get ready for the most thrilling experience of the year."

Best Picture
Best Director: Michael Mann
Best Adapted Screenplay: William Monohan
Best Original Score: Clint Mansell
Best Actor: Christopher Walken
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale
Best Supporting Actor: Mads Mikkelsen
Best Supporting Actor: Gerard Butler
Best Supporting Actor: Brian Cox

The 7,000 Mile Screwdriver

Author(s): Harry / Ryan
Location: Colombia / New Jersey

“The Seven Thousand Mile Screwdriver”
A Focus Features Release


Written and directed by Siddiq Barmack, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, Paul Haggis and Ang Lee

ESTIMATED BUDGET: $ 55.000.000

Principal Cast:

Edward Norton as Mark Hilfiger
Jennifer Tilly as Julie Helmer
Ken Watanabe as Koji Kitano
Rinko Kikuchi as Kyoko Kitano
Diego Luna as Guillermo Guevara
Gael García Bernal as Sebastián Martínez
Shoreh Aghdashloo as Samantha Aikon
Keisha Castle-Hughes as Madi Aikon
Ryan Gosling as Ian Hilfiger
Jean Reno as François Collignon

Tagline: "There are seven thousand miles between Washington and Iraq; there are seven thousand miles between greed and confusion”

Synopsis: War. A world of greed, blood, passion and sadness. A place, so obscure, that you’ll feel like if you were in hell. War makes you feel pure misery and disgust for all of the abuses it brings. You just want to imagine, it is fake, and that the news were just simulated. You want to feel a little peace in a while. The problem is, war exists and not only must we be realistic but we must also do something to stop it. These are the four stories of various persons that connect because of the War of Iraq, and that live between Washington D. C. and Iraq…

Mark Hilfiger is a widowed and unemployed film producer living in Washington D. C. His desperate situation of money makes him send his son Ian to the Iraq war so that he can get some dollars. After learning that his son dies in Iraq, Mark feels an enormous guilt. Not wanting to admit his enormous error, he decides to convince people that the war never happened. He casually befriends Julie Helmer, a drink and drug-addicted woman that also lost her son in Iraq. Julie supports Mark and takes the situation farther by making an international scandal.

Koji Kitano is a pacifist Japanese senator living in Paris with his daughter Kyoko. They both learn about the fakeness of Iraq in the news. Cheering and feeling amazed after learning that there was never a war, they celebrate in happiness. It is then, when Koji discovers that his daughter was abused by his longtime friend and senator François, a politician that thought that everything had to get a solution with war and one that makes Koji realize that the war was still existing.

Guillermo and Sebastián are two Mexican students. In their University, they meet Koji Kitano, a Japanese senator living in Paris that was a special guest in their class. Koji tells them that the Iraq war never happened. The two students decide to go visit Iraq. When they arrive, they learn that the war is still happening and that misery occupied those lands. They are realistic about the fact and as they saw the pain of the war victims and the poor, they decide to help the country.

Madi Aikon is a miserable Iraqi girl. Her father dies in the Iraq war. Her mother becomes a selfish woman and makes Madi become a prostitute to receive a bit of money. Madi becomes a sad and depressed prostitute threaded horribly by a few soldiers and constantly abused. She prays to Ala every single day expecting a better life and a way to escape to her mother’s trap. She luckily meets Ian, a solider and they both fall in love. Ian tries to save the girl from her forced job but thing don’t turn out as they should.

Rated R for graphic violence, disturbing images, mature thematic elements, language and strong sexual content.

Languages: English, Japanese, Arab and Spanish with English subtitles.

What the press would say:

“Two Thumbs Way Up!” – Roger & Ebert

“Outstanding! One of the top films of the year” – People

“A+! A beautiful vision with a fantastic idea. I’m sure there’ll be more director collaborations to come!” – Entertainment Weekly

“Superb! This is definitely a new perspective of cinema! This is what movies are all about!” – Rolling Stone Magazine

The Seven-Thousand-Mile Screwdriver is a majestic visionary film of the Iraq war told by four different stand-points from four different directors who connect their visions to make a masterful work. Siddiq Barmack (“Osama”) brings the heartbreaking story of a prostitute with an aerial vision from different angles and POV shots. Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu (“Babel”) uses a hand-held method that compliments the mood of fear perfectly in his story of two Latin-Americans. Paul Haggis (“Crash”) brings the story of a desperate film producer with many cuts and pans to convey intensity and the fast movement of the action and hustle and bustle of Washington. And Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) portrays the story of a Japanese family living in Paris with long steady-cam shots with barely any visible cuts.

One of the finest ensembles ever putted together makes “Screwdriver” a monumental triumph. The most impacting and standout performances are given by Edward Norton in one of his most powerful roles as a film producer, who can’t fight his inner demons; Jennifer Tilly also being a standout is riveting as an unstable mother unwilling to accept her son’s death; Rinko Kikuchi topping her last works in a career performance as an abused pacifist Japanese; Gael Garcia Bernal as a realistic Latin-American helping people at Iraq and Keisha Castle-Hughes giving the role of a lifetime as a young prostitute living pain and praying for hope in a tear jerking performance that leaves you speechless.

Many emotions go through the movie The Seven-Thousand-Mile Screwdriver, most sad. At the end you feel emotionally drained yet wanting more. It is a cinematic triumph that will be seen again and again and again.

Awards Potential

Best Picture
Best Directing
Best Supporting Actor – Edward Norton
Best Supporting Actor – Gael Garcia Bernal
Best Supporting Actor – Ken Watanabe
Best Supporting Actress – Keisha Castle-Hughes
Best Supporting Actress – Jennifer Tilly
Best Supporting Actress – Rinko Kikuchi
Best Original Screenplay

After Earth: The Rise of Colbyotism

Author(s): James Somerton
Location: NS, Canada

“After Earth: The Rise of Colbyotism"

Directed By: Peter Jackson
Written By: James Somerton and Fran Walsh
Produced By: James Cameron
Score By: Howard Shore
All Digital FX By: WETA Digital

Principal Cast:

Elijah Wood as Colbyoto
Johnny Depp as King Salcazar / Prince Eridos
Christina Ricci as Tayleen
Andy Serkis as Mevon; king of the Bibugals
Alan Rickman as Lanord
Naomi Watts as Amberite

Tagline: "All Beginnings Must Come To An End"

Synopsis: Salcazar is still in hiding on Neptune. Eridos is attempting to amass a new army, and Colbyoto is enjoying the perks of being ruler of the galaxy. A problem is beginning to surface though. With the destruction of the Uranium mines, the galaxy has been forced to dip into its Uranium reserves. But now those reserves are all but depleted and the price of energy is skyrocketing. Colbyoto must now look somewhere else for energy: Pluto.

Pluto is such a distant planet that it has rarely been drawn into the affairs of the rest of the galaxy. But they are also the only planet with another energy source. They have plutonium. Colbyoto refuses to be diplomatic about it though and, at the advice of his father Lanord, takes Pluto by storm. The invading army is met when they arrive on the frozen planet though, by a heard of Bibugals, distant cousins of the Veraclose. But they're smarter, stronger, and able to use the frozen deserts of Pluto to their advantage. Soon, the army is defeated and Colbyoto is taken captive.

Elsewhere, on Neptune, Salcazar is preparing for his return to the thrown. Time passes very slowly on Neptune though and an entire generation has passed without knowing Salcazar as their rightful ruler. Salcazar, on the other hand, has barely aged a year. Eridos has aged nearly two decades but in this time he has been able generate an army large enough to take out Colbyoto's forces. And now that Colbyoto is imprisoned, Eridos has the
perfect opportunity to take the thrown.

The royal army cannot attack without it's commander's order, so with Colbyoto unable to contact them, they must remain immobile. But now the people of the galaxy have formed a Militia are they invade Pluto with just enough force to take out the Bibugals. Now they begin marching toward Colbyoto but Pluto's leader will not be taken hostage and the clock begins to wind down on the planet's existence.

Eridos and Salcazar both arrive at the palace at nearly the same time. A battle almost erupts but they both get the terrifying news. Pluto is destroyed and along with it the galaxy's only source of Plutonium. The Uranium reserves have run out so the brothers but now work together to find a new energy source before the galaxy implodes. They'll have to go back to the dead planet of earth and find the mythical energy source that damned the planet to destruction; Oil.

What the press would say:

It's a rarity in Hollywood when a sequel surpasses the original. Terminator, The Godfather, Lord of the Rings, and now After Earth. "The Rise of Colbyotism" is bombastic roller coaster ride that takes the audience on an amazing sci-fi journey. "The Brothers of Destruction" was weighed down with exposition but "The Rise of Colbyotism" is able to start right away without having to explain much before the story really gets going. Elijah Wood returns as Colbyoto, a brilliant military commander who has taken control of the galaxy away from its rightful ruler and is now in a quandary. He has to find a new energy source for the galaxy before the Uranium reserves run out so he goes to Pluto for it's richness in Plutonium. He doesn't get what he expects though. His army is attacked by Bibugals, fearsome creatures that are just as smart as they are scary. They are led by Mevon, played through brilliant CGI by Andy Serkis, a disgustingly decrepit ancient being that commands his army from the depths of a frozen base. Pluto's leader, Amberite, is as sympathetic as any villain has ever been. She has been able to keep her planet out of the galaxies battles and is furious a Colbyoto for bringing the battle to her. Amberite is played with great gusto and charisma by Naomi Watts who speaks only Plutonion, the language of Pluto. Watts brings this false language to life as if it has been spoken for thousands of years. Johnny Depp is hidden a little bit more in this movie, his characters taking a back seat to Colbyoto. By the end of the movie though, we get the impression that Depp will finally really get his day in the third installment of the series. Alan Rickman has a small cameo as Colbyoto's power hungry father, Lanord. His one scene is pitch perfect. Lanord comes across perfectly as a controlling father figure who wants his son to get the things he never did. We're lead to believe that Lanord may play a larger roll in the series finale. Tim Burton gives up the directing reigns to Peter Jackson, who willingly creates a new king of movie. This is not the gothic sci-fi of "The Brothers of Destruction" but an atmospheric action film.

He doesn't try to copy Burton's direction but instead brings the series in a new direction. The action scenes are spectacular! These make many of the scenes from the LOTR trilogy look like they were shot in a high school film class. WETA creates creatures so life-like and action scenes so realistic that its completely impossible to tell where reality ends and the fantasy begins, must like the topical story of an energy crisis. A perfect cliffhanger leads us into the third, and final installment.

Possible Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Actor - Elijah Wood
Best Director - Peter Jackson
Best Supporting Actress - Naomi Watts
All Tech Categories

Baddest Man On the Planet

Author(s): Ross Jensen
Location: TN

“Baddest Man On the Planet”

Directed by Peter Berg
Written by Paul Scheuring and Peter Berg
Edited by William Goldenberg
Music by John Murphy
Produced by Michael Mann

Principal Cast:

Jamie Foxx Mike Tyson
Anthony Hopkins Cus D'Amato
Matt Damon Kevin Rooney
Jada Pinkett Smith Robin Givens
Louis Gossett Jr. Don King

Synopsis: A raucous crowd can be heard outside the locker room. Mike Tyson (Jamie Foxx) sits in final preparation for his fight in Tokyo, Japan against James "Buster" Douglas.

Flashback to years ago with a young Tyson fighting in juvenile jail. He wins easily over everyone and is discovered by legendary trainer Cus D'Amato (Anthony Hopkins). D'Amato takes Tyson out of jail and vows to keep an eye on him as he lets Tyson spar and fight in his gym.

Back in Tokyo, Japan, Tyson fights Douglas. Tyson, who is the heavily favored to win is slow and Douglas surprises him with good hits.

Flashback to Tyson's relationship with Cus D'Amato. D'Amato is an aged, veteran, tough talking, and highly respected trainer. Tyson, who trusts and respects no one at this point, learns just that from being around D'Amato and his protegee Kevin Rooney (Matt Damon). D'Amato legally adopts Tyson and teaches him life lessons.

Back in Tokyo, Tyson fights through middle rounds against Douglas and knocks him down in Round 8, but Douglas rises from the canvas to fight some more. Tyson is very fatigued as he goes back to his corner.

The wild Tyson who is only held in check by D'Amato breezes through the low ranks and into the higher ones of the heavyweight world. But, Tyson discovers one day that D'Amato passed away and he becomes angered at the loss, but is focused on winning for his late father. He enlists D'Amato's protegee and Tyson's best friend Kevin Rooney, who trains Tyson intensely. Tyson wind the title in brutal fashion as he dismantles Trevor Berbick and is thrown into the media spotlight and a level of fame only hinted at before. The young Tyson is lost in a whirlwind of parties, women, and money. He marries Robin Givens (Jada Pinkett Smith) which turns physical as she seems to have married him just for his money. But, Tyson won the undisputed championship over Michael Spinks thanks to the heavy training program of Kevin Rooney in the Catskill Mountains. The media world goes into a Tyson craze. After the fight, historic trainer Don King (Louis Gossett Jr.) offers Tyson a large sum of money to be his promoter. The only catch is that he had to fire Kevin Rooney. So Tyson betrayed his only friend. Don King set up Tyson with a fight against Buster Douglas in Japan.

Back in the Tokyo fight, Buster Douglas hits Tyson and he is knocked out for his first defeat. The media scrutiny of Tyson is maddening. His private life turns brutal and falls into depression for leaving Rooney and all the people he betrayed and the people that betrayed him. He divorced his wife and while visiting Indianapolis, he is accused of rape and sent to prison for five years.

Seven years later. Tyson is in his room praying and reading the Koran. His trainer comes in and tells him "It's time." TYSON v. HOLYFIELD. Tyson is getting beaten by Holyfield late in the fight. Holyfield repeatedly head butts Tyson without notice by the referee. So, Tyson bites Holyfield's ear in retaliation and takes a large chunk out of it. Tyson is quickly disqualified and gets into it with spectators as they throw bottles at Tyson as he leaves.

Tyson is sitting in a park far away from anything that has to do with boxing. He sits alone except for a few pigeons he is feeding. He looks off into the distance, reflecting on what was and what could have been.

What the press would say:

"Baddest Man on the Planet" was what Mike Tyson was known as to the world. It forms the very basis of what the film is about: a man who was misunderstood by nearly everyone. The film shows Tyson in a peaceful state as he is mentored by Cus D'Amato, and his state changes as his life progresses and things go wrong.

Jamie Foxx as Mike Tyson was absolutely fun to watch. Foxx's talent of mimicry is second to none as he shows Tyson's guardedness, caution of speech, intense physicality, and wariness of strangers. He shows Tyson very much as an outsider that got caught up with a bad group of people that dragged him down. Foxx bulked up for the role as he gained nearly 20 ponds of muscle. He also has Tyson's somewhat high-pitched lisp down perfectly, and when he gets angry as Mike Tyson, he does it with such a ferocity that it's scary. But, he also showed the emotional side to Tyson where he cries after hitting his wife among other things.

Anthony Hopkins plays an extremely important role as Tyson's first trainer and and father, Cus D'Amato. Hopkins hides his British accent flawlessly and becomes a tough-talking, legendary, old-school boxing trainer from New York. He is the only person that truly understands Tyson and teaches him the right way to do things in society. He teaches Tyson that character beats skill every time. It's interesting to watch Hopkins act in this role that had such a huge impact on Tyson's life.

This film shows Tyson as a sympathetic character that always wanted to do right, but lacked the guidance. The film balances boxing and personal life nearly seamlessly. The screenplay and direction never gets over the top or into any cliches. It's very raw and what it shows is how it was and that seems pretty unique for films these days.

Possible Nominations:
Best Actor (Jamie Foxx)
Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins)
Best Original Screenplay (Paul Scheuring and Peter Berg)
Best Director (Peter Berg)
Best Picture
Best Editing