"A dog's life is truly rich and colorful, bringing joy to its owner's life and happiness to its own dog-life. It's very heartwarming!"
"I love all movies with dogs, and then I end up in tears."
"Unconsciously, I was captivated by the film. I felt like this Labrador had been by my side for many years, and the moment it died, I suddenly felt an unbearable pain."
"Oh my god, every time I watch a dog movie, it makes me cry. If it weren't for the somewhat sad ending, I would give it an even better rating."
"This is a very heartwarming family movie, suitable for watching with family and children. It's the kind of good movie where once you start, you can quietly sit down and enjoy it to the end."
"I don't want to compare which is more perfect, marley & me or Hachiko, because it's meaningless. However, for Jennifer Aniston's performance, I'm willing to give full marks."
"The image of the friends finale from a few months ago is still fresh in my mind. Here, I feel like I'm seeing a continuation. Wouldn't it be better to replace the male lead with Ross? David Schwimmer's acting is superb; band of brothers proves he can handle any role."
"This movie is from the dual perspective of the dog and the owner. The dog grows, and the owner matures. I like this approach."
After the reviews for marley & me were lifted, it mostly received praise. Of course, there were also many negative reviews; no movie can please everyone, especially with Eric's enemies trying to smear it.
But box office numbers don't lie, and the chaotic battle between MGM and The Big Six had already been going on for several months. Now, the whole world knows they are at odds.
So, audiences weren't too bothered by the reviews from traditional newspapers and media anymore.
Damn it, believing you once was fake, believing you twice was fake again, and believing you a third time, frozen had already proven everything.
We're desensitized, big brother!
This war led to a decline in the credibility of many media outlets and film critics across different levels. Readers and buyers angrily accused them of taking dirty money.
In response, those guys could only continue to be stubborn: "Movies are inherently subjective art, and everyone has their own perspective. I just don't think it's good, and I just think it doesn't meet artistic standards. Is there a problem?"
In principle, there was indeed no problem, but what was lost was public trust.
Now, when you want to see reviews for a movie, you're more likely to turn to forums and IMDb, focusing on ordinary people's opinions rather than so-called professionals.
Over its opening three-day weekend, marley & me took in $45.3 million at 3,111 theaters, a very impressive result. Unfortunately, it didn't take the top spot, only coming in second.
The champion belonged to Fox's I, Robot, the film that suddenly pulled out of its third-week release against frozen, starring Will Smith.
Eric now had no idea what was going on inside Fox, hoping they would continue to go crazy and fight amongst themselves.
Although it didn't take the top spot, losing to such a sci-fi blockbuster was not embarrassing.
The cost of marley & me was only $27 million. If I, Robot was under $100 million, Eric would eat his hat.
Jennifer Aniston expressed her gratitude to Eric very happily.
"You're like a prophet. At the Emmy Awards last year, you said the movie would be a success. After reading the script, I was honestly a bit disappointed, so I guess I have to apologize."
"Haha. Doubt me, believe me, become my follower. People around me usually go through these three steps."
"Hahahaha. You sound like a cult leader."
"Cults require followers to dedicate their money, but I increase your value. Where in the world is there such a great cult?"
"So I should call you an angel, OMG! Eric, I haven't been in a good mood lately, but now I feel much better. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Don't let outside opinions hurt you. Making yourself better is the most important thing. I hope to always see a happy Rachel Green."
"Oh! You're really thoughtful, always making people feel comfortable. If only Brad Pitt were like you."
Hanging up the phone, Eric shook his head slightly.
Like him?
If Brad Pitt were really like him, would their marriage have waited until today to explode?
It would have been over a long time ago!
Tsk tsk, I'm so awesome!
Hmm, my mom is so awesome!
Hilton Hotel, today was Nicky Hilton's big wedding day.
As a fashionista, a prankster, and a promiscuous person, this young lady's whirlwind marriage truly surprised many people.
But who could blame her when she had such a solid background? The name Hilton already destined her for greatness.
Although she usually had a lot of negative news, out of respect for her elders, many guests and media came to show their support today.
Some people are born in Rome, some are born as beasts of burden. There's nothing to be done; that's fate.
Eric didn't bring a female companion. Rather than thinking about that brain-racking problem, it was more convenient to come alone.
Maybe there would even be a fleeting romance. With some drinks on a joyous day, strangers could suddenly become familiar.
"Eric, welcome, welcome!" Paris Hilton walked towards him.
She looked left and right: "Just you? Strange, no girlfriend?"
"She has other things to do. Anyway, what you need is me."
Eric only said'she,' but who exactly did'she' refer to? Everyone had their own interpretation.
"You're right, what we need is indeed just you, Eric Cooper. I like your honest way of speaking."
"It should be lively today, but you might not like my and Nicky's young friends, even though you look very young."
"But still, go to Zone 3. There are old-fashioned people like you there. You'll have common topics with them."
Eric smiled: "Listening to you talk, someone who didn't know would think I'm already 50 this year, but we're the same age."
"Isn't that right? Eric, you're like a rigid old man. I've never seen news of you partying or having fun. Don't you have any entertainment in your life?"
"And I really don't understand why you always reject me? Am I not obvious enough? Or do you think I'm not charming enough? Are you not a normal man?"
Eric thought to himself that he didn't go to bars because there were more enjoyable presences at home.
When your mouth is full of delicacies, do you still want to go to a greasy spoon to eat unclean food?
At most, occasionally change the taste; who would eat it all the time!
"No, of course not. You're very beautiful, Paris, but you have to understand that beauty isn't the only attractive factor. I can have as many beautiful women as I want. What's more important is compatibility."
"There's no need to turn all male-female relationships into physical ones. Isn't it good to just be friends?"
Paris Hilton looked at him with an annoyed expression: "But I'm just not reconciled. Since the words are already out, I'll be straightforward."
"After the ceremony, I'll be waiting for you in Room 607. This is the last time. If you don't seize the opportunity, we'll only be ordinary friends for the rest of our lives!"
Watching her leave in a huff, Eric shook his head speechlessly.
What kind of talk was that? It was as if not sleeping with her meant looking down on her.
Although he was often tempted by people around him, Paris Hilton was the first to say "sleep with me" so righteously.
Arriving in the hall, Eric didn't have to do anything; Paris Hilton's father, Rick Hilton, had already taken his hand.
Although he was surrounded by middle-aged people in their forties and fifties, Eric chatted and laughed with them without feeling out of place. The Forbes ranking was no joke.
As the bells chimed and the bride and groom exchanged their "I do" vows, the ceremony was successfully held, and the lively reception officially began.
"Mr. Cooper, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance?"
Eric was chatting with a group of old men when a greeting suddenly came from behind him.
He turned around and saw a beautiful blonde woman standing there. She looked familiar, but he couldn't recall her name at the moment.
Perhaps sensing Eric's confusion, the girl introduced herself: "Mischa, Mischa Barton."
"Oh! I know, The OC, Marissa."
Seeing Eric recognize her, Mischa Barton smiled happily: "May I have this dance?"
To be honest, Eric didn't want to dance, because this girl was also a complete mess.
She was beautiful, had been on stage since childhood, and achieved fame at a young age. Especially with last year's The OC, she was directly promoted to a popular star of the younger generation, much like a future Traffic Star (traffic star).
This TV series was Eric's childhood. The male lead was Benjamin McKenzie, who later became the one-man army of Gotham and the male lead of The O.C.
However, early fame often leads people astray, and Mischa Barton also had a very unreliable mother, comparable to Angela Chang's mother.
Her friends were also like Paris Hilton. Simply put, she wasn't surrounded by good influences, so she naturally wouldn't learn good things.
Partying, drugs, alcoholism, unprofessional work, disappearing during filming, and finally, a ruined career.
She didn't have the substantial family wealth of the Hilton sisters. They could start over after having their fun, but she would only self-destruct.
"Go on, Eric."
"You'd definitely rather be with young ladies than with us old men."
"A man can't refuse a woman's invitation, especially when the other person is a beautiful girl."
Under the instigation of a group of old men, and coupled with his own upbringing and demeanor, Eric felt awkward directly refusing. He took her hand and walked onto the dance floor.
Mischa Barton excitedly winked at her friends not far away, as if saying, "I got him."
But did she really get him?
She noticed that during the dance, she actively let Eric put his arm around her and showed off her cleavage, but he seemed completely uninterested.
When the song ended, he simply said goodbye and left, completely disregarding her.
He just lightly said that he didn't like messy girls.
Returning to her group of friends somewhat dejected, Paris Hilton couldn't help but feel secretly pleased. So, he wasn't just looking down on her.
Seeing that even Mischa Barton had failed to seduce him, Kim Kardashian, who had been eager to try, also gave up.
At this moment, the groom, Todd Meister, came over to offer a toast.
After taking a sip, Eric stopped him: "Todd, could I trouble you for a moment?"
Nicky Hilton kissed him on the cheek: "I'll go over there first, dear. You chat with Eric."
"Okay."
The two went to a relatively quiet corner, and Eric spoke: "Todd, though it might be a bit presumptuous, I have a question I'd like to ask you."
Knowing Eric was a super-rich man, Todd Meister didn't hesitate: "Of course, Nicky says you're her good friend, so you're my good friend. Just ask."
"I heard you work on Wall Street. Do you know America First Kerry Investment Bank?"
Todd Meister thought carefully: "I have some impression. It seems to be founded by Chinese people. I can't remember the specifics, but it seems to have capital from both Hong Kong and mainland China."
"What's the scale of this investment bank? Are they doing good business?"
"Sorry, I can't recall at the moment, but I don't seem to have seen its presence in any big deals recently."
Eric nodded. The information was roughly the same as what Carol had found: it was a relatively average investment bank, currently only able to take on small orders.
"Eric, why are you interested in this investment bank? If you have funds that need managing, I have many projects that are very promising."
As he spoke, Todd Meister's professional habit kicked in, and he began to enthusiastically promote his business.
Eric politely listened to him speak. After a while, perhaps realizing he had said too much,
Todd Meister chuckled awkwardly: "I always like to talk non-stop. Eric, what exactly do you need?"
"It's simple. Help me spread the word that I want to shut down Kerry Investment Bank and make them disappear."
"Of course, there's no need to actually do it. It's just to scare them. The key is to make the boss understand that Eric Cooper is very displeased with him."
Todd Meister immediately understood. It was about using his identity to create a smokescreen, to bluff and intimidate.
For him, the matter wasn't difficult. He had dozens of ways to ruin a small investment bank, let alone just spreading rumors without actual money.
"Todd, if you handle this for me, I actually do want to make some investments."
"No problem. You'll get the results you want within a week."
"Hmm? Aren't you going on vacation with Nicky? It's not that urgent. Don't let it interfere with your happy life."
"It's okay. Business can't be delayed. I've always believed that career is the most important thing for a man. Nicky will definitely understand."
"Alright, that's between the two of you. I'll await your good news."
After finishing his conversation with Todd Meister, Eric didn't plan to stay any longer. This was his main purpose for attending the wedding. He patted his behind and got up to leave.
As for room 607, he decided not to go up. The husky girl was already showered and clean, waiting for him. Let Paris Hilton give up on that idea.
How did that saying go?
What you can't get is always stirring. He liked being a handsome guy that people couldn't get.