To further his ambitions for a sustainable "Family Woodcutter" venture and to uphold his ideals, Matthew specially remodeled a game room in his estate, integrating the latest in scientific advancements and filling it with state-of-the-art gaming equipment. His goal was to create a space so immersive that anyone who entered would be completely captivated.
Some games might appear absurd at first glance, yet they could be incredibly addictive once played.
For example, Jennifer Lawrence, after snapping a selfie, covered her face with milk and, holding her phone aloft, enthusiastically captured Amber Heard on the rings below.
Amber, seemingly invigorated by the situation, responded with even greater enthusiasm rather than rejecting it.
Matthew observed the scene with satisfaction, realizing he had a knack for direction. With such scenes, he mused that he could easily win a Venice Golden Lion or a Cannes Palme d'Or if he ventured into art films. After all, weren't the recent European film festival winners, especially at Cannes and Venice, built on similar themes?
"It turns out I've been going down the wrong path and misusing my talents," he muttered, watching Jennifer and Amber interact. "I'm actually meant to be an artist."
Regrettably, switching careers midway wasn't feasible. Otherwise, he could have become a top-tier art film director.
In today's era, "if it doesn't bare all, it isn't considered art." This was, by any definition, an elevated form of art.
"Hey, ladies!" Matthew called out, striding over. "Mind if I join?"
Jennifer and Amber welcomed him without hesitation, ready to continue this night of wild games.
Matthew was well aware that this game room wasn't meant for any illicit behavior or hidden agendas. A straightforward and transparent person like him had no interest in underhanded tactics. Everything here was consensual, open, and all about mutual enjoyment.
Moreover, he considered it a stepping stone for young, attractive actresses looking to advance their careers. If not for this game room, would Nina Dobrev have ever reached the fame of Isabella Swan?
Hollywood had long discriminated against young, beautiful actresses, often failing to recognize the innate assets they brought to the table, which hampered their development. This was a form of societal unfairness, an affront to freedom and democracy.
As a conscientious, ethical, and professional industry insider committed to promoting harmony, Matthew saw it as his duty to dismantle these outdated Hollywood norms. His efforts aimed to create a new path in Hollywood, where attractive actresses would receive fair opportunities.
Thus, with a high-minded, moral, and selfless spirit dedicated solely to helping beautiful actresses, Matthew established this unique game room.
Judging by the reactions of Jennifer Lawrence and Amber Heard, this room was something Hollywood actresses embraced wholeheartedly.
Matthew was confident that, like his trustworthy reputation, his investment would pay off. In time, talented actresses could avoid the discrimination of older Hollywood and find opportunities openly with him.
"I'm genuinely helping Hollywood actresses," he thought as the night concluded. "Offering a way out from the bottom rung for these beautiful actresses."
At that moment, Matthew felt a profound sense of virtue. If virtue could be quantified at a hundred, his was at least a thousand.
It turned out, he thought, that he possessed the potential of a saint.
With his virtues overflowing, Matthew felt exceptionally good. If he had a halo above his head and wings on his back, he could practically preach.
The next morning, as he woke between Jennifer and Amber, Matthew, fortified by his high ideals, realized something: his mysterious arrival in Los Angeles was meant for him to rescue the suffering beautiful women of Hollywood.
This, he concluded, was his true mission in this new life.
Indeed, he was a man of destiny, tasked with a noble duty.
That morning, after sending Jennifer and Amber on their way, he decided to expand the game room further, planning to acquire new equipment to enrich it.
Should he consult professionals in the San Fernando Valley for a proper design?
Matthew considered it but ultimately dismissed the idea; he preferred to rely on himself rather than others.
Letting the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, or Johnny Depp take over wouldn't do. No, he alone would be the champion for all the beautiful women of Hollywood.
The burdens of destiny that he bore weren't for anyone else to share; they were his alone to carry.
This was the fate he was meant to fulfill.
As a paragon of human virtue, Matthew resolved to press on with his weighty mission, having no intention of abandoning it just yet.
His unwavering mission continued to bring him success.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 premiered across North American theaters the weekend before Thanksgiving. Despite facing competition from Happy Feet Two, a family-friendly release, the allure of young, alluring vampires was as strong as ever. Backed by enthusiastic female fans, the movie grossed $73.5 million on its opening day, marking one of the year's top single-day earnings, proving the vampires still had a fanbase.
However, like most fan-driven films, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 lacked long-term momentum. By Saturday, its daily earnings had dropped over $30 million to $43.2 million.
On Sunday, the film's revenue fell below $30 million.
Breaking Dawn – Part 1 demonstrated a classic pattern of a strong opening followed by a steep decline.
Still, no one considered it a commercial failure. Despite the decline, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 raked in a staggering $144.8 million in its three-day North American opening weekend.
Simultaneously, the movie launched in nearly seventy countries, amassing over $150 million internationally in its first weekend alone.
In just one weekend, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 achieved a global box office exceeding $300 million.
Projecting standard trends for movies like this, its final box office revenue appeared to have a shot at the billion-dollar mark.
No one expected such a smooth trajectory, not even Matthew, a key investor. With so many female fans exhausted in the first weekend, accompanied by annoyed male partners, the movie's box office was bound to drop in subsequent weeks.
Frankly, the first three movies had not only garnered fans but also attracted criticism, creating negative sentiment around the series. To say this would have no impact on Breaking Dawn – Part 1 would be naive.
Matthew's goal remained practical: for the final two Twilight films, he aimed for $300 million in North American earnings and $700 million globally.
That would be more than enough to generate a handsome return.
In all honesty, Matthew wasn't overly confident about reaching that goal.
The opening weekend of Breaking Dawn – Part 1 had mixed results.
While it hadn't outperformed its predecessor, Eclipse, it still secured a spot in the North American box office's top ten opening weekends. Additionally, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 achieved the fourth-highest single-day box office share, with Friday accounting for 52% of the opening weekend total.
According to Matthew's market data, 60% of the opening weekend's viewers were over 21, and 80% were female, consistent with New Moon and significantly higher than Eclipse's 65%.
On the review front, the devotion of fans was undeniable, with CinemaScore rating the movie a B+, and a core base of die-hard female fans giving it an A+.
The franchise's female fanbase remained the backbone of its viewership. Male viewers were typically dragged along by their partners.
Outside of this fan appreciation, the reviews were predominantly negative.
The Los Angeles Times bluntly criticized, "The film lacks the fierce vitality of vampire tales and fails to offer any truly captivating scenes." The Washington Post commented that "the film regresses from previous entries, with lackluster CGI effects that pale in comparison to Eclipse."
Empire praised the actors' growth but noted it "couldn't save a plot that leaves viewers bewildered." The Boston Globe was sharp, calling the movie "long and unbearable," with its division into two parts an "excruciating experience." Entertainment Weekly sarcastically observed, "Watching it is like a life sentence; marriage is a punishment, the honeymoon is dangerous, and pregnancy is a life-for-life trade."
Despite poor reviews, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 managed to garner modest praise. Film Online called it "the most imaginative of the series," while USA Today agreed, describing it as the best of the series. Other outlets, such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Post, complimented its "elegant wedding scenes."
For Matthew, these criticisms were less concerning than the tangible profits the series continued to generate.
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