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Author Archives: Nicole Marchesani
The Hunger Games (2012) -vs- The Running Man (1987)
President Snow (Donald Sutherland) shares his philosophy in this weekend’s blockbuster film, The Hunger Games, “The only thing stronger than fear is hope.” He and his kind have built their dystopia on this theory: if the people they subjugate don’t have a way to cope, they could get violent. Better to give them some pre-packaged violence and distract them.
The odds are stacked heavily against both Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games and Ben Richards of The Running Man to win in their own futuristic sporting arenas. But they are motivated to try, each having not just their own lives but the lives of the people they love at stake. While millions of people watch, they suffer and struggle to make it to the end. The only thing keeping them going is hope.
It seems harsh to subject these characters to another bloody arena, but as the films prove, audiences love a good fight. We can’t lie. So do we. Continue reading
Posted in Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Tagged Arnold Schwarzenegger, based on novel, boxer, boxing, Elizabeth Banks, fight to death, future, futuristic, Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss, Liam Hemsworth, police state, president, prison, snow, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Woody Harrelson, wrestler, wrestling
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Big Miracle (2012) -vs- Free Willy (1993)
After sitting at home, wiping the tears off of my cheeks as a boy goes over and beyond to liberate a killer whale from its tank, and then sitting in a movie theater crying my eyes out over the giant rescue mission to save three whales from suffocating in the ice, I had to wonder why humans care so much about their seafaring brothers-in-mammaldom. Why was it so believable that these characters would go to such great lengths to protect some whales? And why did I use a whole box of tissues over it? Drew Barrymore’s character explains it this way in Big Miracle: “Even though they’re big and powerful, they’re so much like us. We’re vulnerable, and we get scared, and we need help sometimes too.” Continue reading
Posted in Adventure, Drama, Family, Romance
Tagged Alaska, animal in title, Arctic Circle, based on true story, Big Miracle, Drew Barrymore, Free Willy, Greenpeace, ice floes, John Krasinsky, orca, whale, whales
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The Artist (2011) -vs- Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Computer-generated effects, 3D, surround sound…. It’s hard to believe there was a time when the biggest challenge in filmmaking was incorporating the sound of characters talking. The 1952 classic Singin’ in the Rain pays homage to that task while showcasing some of the greatest song-and-dance of its era. Why would anyone want to return to such a time, when it was clear, even back then, there was no market for silent films? Frenchman Michel Hazanavicius, the writer/director of The Artist, presents a compelling response and Continue reading
Posted in Awards 2012, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Tagged black-and-white, pictures, silent, sound, talkie, talking
8 Comments
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011) -vs- Near Dark (1987)
Being a vampire used to be a heck of a lot easier. Dracula would suck his victims bone-dry, lure a beautiful woman to his castle, where he would turn her into a creature of the night to live with him forever, and that was that. No worries, no angst, no regrets. Nowadays, vampires have souls. They struggle to control their inner urges to feed on human flesh, while they cling to whatever’s left of their humanity. One thing remains the same, though. Vampires have always been and continue to be smoking hot. Continue reading
Happy Feet Two (2011) -vs- Surf’s Up (2007)
Share/Bookmark The Smackdown When similar films are released at once, we tend to form premature opinions about them. Just another movie about vampires, right? Or superheroes or horses or, in this case, penguins. Back in 2005, the Hollywood obsession over … Continue reading
Real Steel (2011) -vs- Rocky (1976)
Ah, the American dream. The hope that everyone, regardless of status, wealth or origin, has the opportunity to work for what they want and get it. One of the great ways Hollywood has represented the American dream in film is through boxing. Films like Cinderella Man, Ali, The Fighter and the most famous of all, Rocky. Rocky Balboa has been a symbol of the American dream for more than three decades. He continues to win the hearts of Americans by proving that the underdog from humble beginnings can go the distance.
Stepping into the smackdown ring to challenge Rocky is Real Steel, set to release in theaters Friday, October 6. Real Steel is a real contender, with a dynamic cast, stellar special effects and a sentimental story with heart. But does it have what it takes to defeat Rocky, the legendary, reigning champion? Let’s bring this fight to the ring and find out. There’s the opening bell… Continue reading
Posted in Action, Awards, Blockbuster, Drama, Oscar, Sci-Fi, Uncategorized
Tagged boxing, championship, fights, Hugh Jackman, Oscar, Real Steel, robots, Rocky, Smackdown, Stallone
8 Comments
I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011) -vs- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
A woman’s role today in the world is as vague and subject to interpretation as the U.S. Constitution. She can work or stay at home or both, but every choice comes with a price. Some women feel judged for their decision not to have families; others feel pressured to stay with their families and not work. And heaven help the women who try to master both feats with only two hands.
I Don’t Know How She Does It and The Devil Wears Prada examine the ever-so-popular and unfortunate double standard that exists between men and women in the workplace through the woman’s point of view. Both films ask the big question: What are women supposed to do? Both offer solutions. Two all-star casts. Two scripts adapted by screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna from best-selling novels. Continue reading
Zookeeper (2011) -vs- Dr. Dolittle (1998)
Animals have more acute senses than people do and an entirely different way of looking at things, so it stands to reason that audiences have been lapping up talking animal stories since that snake was introduced in the first act of Genesis. Hollywood really pricked up its ears back in ’98, when the Dr. Dolittle remake starring Eddie Murphy became the highest grossing live-action film ever made in the genre. That’s when the industry started tossing them out like so many chew-toys: the Babe sequel, Stuart Little, Narnia… and that doesn’t even count animation.
Now, along comes Zookeeper, which has more than a few things in common with the good Doctor: a depressed animal that needs tender loving care, a know-it-all beast that dispenses good advice when necessary, a really annoying creature that talks too much, and a likable human being — in this case played by Kevin James — who has less success with his own species than he does with his furry friends. Dr. Dolittle and Zookeeper both go for the laughs, but both also play as wish-fulfillment for the odd duck within us all — the one that craves a little primal understanding when we don’t quite fit in. Continue reading
Posted in Comedy
Tagged cats, dogs, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, review, talking animals, veterinarian, zoo
2 Comments