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Recent Posts
- Man of Steel (2013) vs. Superman: The Movies (1978/1980)
- After Earth (2013) vs. Oblivion (2013)
- Now You See Me (2013) vs. The Prestige (2006)
- 42 (2013) vs. Remember the Titans (2000)
- Admission (2013) vs. About a Boy (2002)
- Oz the Great and Powerful (2012) vs. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
- Dark Skies (2013) vs. Dark Skies (1996)
- Oscar Wrap-Up 2013
- A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) vs. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- Oscar Smack-a-thon!
- The Tiersky Top Ten, 2012
- Smackdown Smacks Down the 2013 Oscar Nominees
Recent Comments
- Rodney on Man of Steel (2013) vs. Superman: The Movies (1978/1980)
- Dan Heims on Man of Steel (2013) vs. Superman: The Movies (1978/1980)
- Mariely on Hope Springs (2012) -vs- It’s Complicated (2009)
- Chris Gagen on Deep Impact (1998) -vs- Armageddon (1998)
- phillip_k_skick on The Walking Dead (AMC) -vs- Falling Skies (TNT)
- Michael on Warrior (2011) -vs- The Fighter (2010)
- Arthur on Now You See Me (2013) vs. The Prestige (2006)
- Superman in the age of Disclosure | cika on Lois & Clark: The (Old) New Adventures of Superman
- Kevin Wohler on 42 (2013) vs. Remember the Titans (2000)
- Kevin Wohler on Now You See Me (2013) vs. The Prestige (2006)
Category Archives: Commentary
Thoughts on the Dark Night
There have been many ridiculous and meaningful thoughts thrown out there about the “dark night” of Friday July 20. Violence, gun control, terrorism and insanity notwithstanding, they all probably make some sense after a few drinks and a lot of inherent frustration and anger about the apparent randomness of the recent violence in a Colorado movie theater.
Still, there are some things that bear mentioning. Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, News, Smackdown News
Tagged Aurora, Batman, Columbine, gun, midnight showing, police, shooting, The Dark Knight Rises, violence
3 Comments
The Monkees: Image -vs- Reality
But then again, maybe there’s another way to view The Monkees phenomenon — as a clever, self-referential parody that may have been as much of a road map to “Spinal Tap” and Sascha Baron Cohen as “A Hard Day’s Night” was to The Monkees. After all, it wasn’t just a show about a rock band. It was a show about a rock band trying to make it as a rock band. If you look closely enough, you can see little, veiled digs at the music industry’s shallowness, the glam world of Hollywood, and the hypocrisy of society — all artfully buried in the silly, comedic plots. Continue reading
Posted in Coming of Age, Commentary, Music, Smackdown News, TV Smack
Tagged Brad Markowitz, Davy Jones, death, heart attack, Monkees, nostalgia, television
1 Comment
The Way We See it: Joe Rassulo on the Oscars
The Artist is this year’s most talked about and most overrated film. Yes, it’s charming and filled with lovely, touching performances and indelible moments of black and white reveries of movies and times past. It is a wonderful homage to an era long gone. Its obvious relevance to today is its theme of technology leaving many obsolete in its wake. There’s a familiar resonance to the despair many feel in today’s technological storm, which has left so many jobless and even homeless. But the film touches on that theme in a broad, superficial way. “Modern Times” it is not. It’s a singular, gimmicky, almost-silent film that works on every level except one of true substance. And, I believe, a best picture of the year should do more than charm. Continue reading
Posted in Awards, Awards 2012, Commentary, Joe Rassulo, News, Oscar
Tagged Academy Awards, awards, blockbuster, book adaptation, box office, film, Gregory Peck, Hollywood, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, matinee, Oscar, review, Super Bowl
8 Comments
The Artist is Already a Lock for the Academy Award
That’s right. Everyone in Hollywood already knows The Artist is going to win Best Picture. It has already won top honors at the awards ceremonies for the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice and Producers Guild. Sure there will be Academy Award nominations … Continue reading
Posted in Awards, Awards 2012, Commentary, Smackdown News
Tagged awards, blockbuster, comedy, Critics' Choice Awards, entertainment, film, Golden Globe, Hollywood, love, movies, Oscars, romance, showbiz, The Artist
3 Comments
Memo to Mark Wahlberg: You Only Play an Action Hero
This is the kind of thing that causes a lot of Americans to see Hollywood as out-of-touch with American values. Mark Wahlberg told Men’s Journal that he would have battled the 9/11 hijackers and rescued the people on board if … Continue reading
What We Thought of The Golden Globes…
If Hollywood were some dysfunctional family unit, then Ricky Gervais is the crazy drunk uncle who comes to your house and tells inappropriate jokes that horrify and crack everybody up in equal measure. You don’t know whether to throw him out or tolerate him, until he crosses the line and says something about grandma’s nasty bathroom habits, and when he gets called on it, he’s had too much to drink already, and he storms off to the nearest hotel to sleep it off. Then, the next year, you all assume he should never be re-invited, but the memories have dimmed of the off-color jokes and all you remember is how much fun you had. Continue reading
Posted in Awards, Awards 2012, Commentary, Humor, Major Star Vehicle, News, Oscar, Smackdown News
Tagged Academy, awards, golden globes, Oscars, Ricky Gervais
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The Return of the Kings: Gervais-Crystal Smackdown
In our Hollywood family, Billy Crystal, in contrast to Ricky Gervais, is the really funny older brother or family friend who tells great stories, knows a couple of magic tricks for the kids, can lead with “Happy Birthday” or “Hava Nagila” when called upon and, when the kids are out of earshot, is renowned for his annual telling of some off-color joke that is perfectly calibrated to shock but not really offend anyone. You know he won’t cross the line, really, because he’s a good guest — he’s come to the last eight dinners and each one was a warm memory, even if you can’t quite remember one from the other. They all kind of blend together but he’s so nice and, besides, he’ll show up even if you ask him late because that cute guy from the office can’t make it after all. He’s Jay Leno-safe, except that he can also sing and dance. Continue reading
Posted in Awards, Commentary, Oscar, Smackdown News
Tagged Academy Awards, awards, Billy Crystal, Critics' Choice Awards, director, film, golden globes, Hollywood, producer, Ricky Gervais, writer
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Hollywood Directors at DGA Pick Their Top Five Films
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) announced its nominees today for the 64th annual DGA Awards. We all know the drill for what comes next in such coverage; in fact, we can probably recite it by memory. All together now: … Continue reading
Posted in Awards, Awards 2012, Commentary, Lists, News, Polls, Smackdown News, Top Ten Lists
Tagged Academy Awards, awards, Best Picture, Billy Crystal, DGA, Directors Guild, films, golden globes, movies, Oscar, The Artist
1 Comment
Hey, MTV: Stop Using Our Trademarked Name! Movie Smackdown®
UPDATE – JANUARY 3, 2012
MTV has backed off its use of “Movie Smackdown” after we made it clear that it was our trademarked name through this post and by official means. They have changed the name of their tournament competition to “Movie Brawl.” Still not sure how they could have let this happen, but at least they’ve done the right thing when their mistake was pointed out to them. Continue reading
Posted in Apocalypse, Awards, Bryce Zabel, Commentary, Lists, Polls, Smackdown News, Trademark
Tagged 2012, critics, Daily Variety, DHD, entertainment, film, films, Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter, Movie Smackdown, movies, MTV, review, reviews, sequel, service mark, showbiz, Smackdown, The Wrap, trademark
18 Comments
Dark Skies vs. Dark Skies
Our “Dark Skies” has established itself in the minds of a significant number of science fiction fans as a gripping piece of conspiracy drama set in the world of UFOs and abductions. It anchored NBC’s Saturday night “Thrillogy” concept in the 1996 season premiere and starred Eric Close (“Nashville”) and the late film character actor J.T. Walsh (“Sling Blade”). Its main title design won the Emmy award and its pilot screenplay received a Writers Guild nomination. The Syfy Channel aired the entire series multiple times. Since 2010 there’s been a Facebook page where thousands of fans from many different countries push Sony for a TV revival. Continue reading →