MOVIE SMACKDOWN!

Avatar (2009) -vs- Star Trek (2009)

The Smackdown. There's nothing more exciting than a throw down between two cinematic juggernauts: in this instance, two of the most critically acclaimed (and financially successful) films of the last year. One, a revisionist look at a franchise thought to be on its last legs; the other, a return to film for mega-director James Cameron, utilizing "game changing" effects and technology. Both acclaimed around the world in post-release fervor, both setting records at the box office, and both destined for "classic" status just as soon as enough time passes. But which of the two sci-fi blockbusters of this year's cavalcade lays the Smack better? Set your phasers to stun, grab hold of your giant blue pseudo-body, and settle in for the battle between 2009's cinematic giants: "Avatar" and "Star Trek."

 

The Game Changer. Self proclaimed "King of the World" James Cameron, after a 12-year sabbatical from post-"Titanic" euphoria, (man, what a hangover!) returns to the big screen with "Avatar," his technically revolutionary 3D epic set to "revolutionize the way movies are made". "Avatar," set on the distant moon of Pandora, tells the story of a paralyzed war veteran who is asked to inhabit a cloned alien form to associate and infiltrate the local planetary populace. Filled with stunning imagery, amazing action, and a truly magnificent sense of scale, "Avatar" has again showed us that James Cameron is one of the pre-eminent directors working today. Using the still relatively new technology involving motion capture (or, as Robert Zemeckis calls it, Performance Capture) to insert his actors into the completely alien world, Cameron has successfully achieved what only a few directors have attempted before: creating a wholly believable environment that totally sucks you in. Peter Jackson did it with "Lord Of The Rings," and now Cameron has done the same. But is "Avatar" a better film than "Star Trek?" Although leagues apart in budget and expectation, can JJ and his revamped Kirk & Company outclass the technical wizardry of a director at the peak of his powers?

The Young Victoria (2009) -vs- Sherlock Holmes (2009)

The Smackdown. Calling all Anglophiles! England’s longest reigning monarch takes on the cleverest subject of her (fictional) realm in this All-Union-Jack Smackdown. Both repackaged and reimagined for the new millennium’s theatergoing audience --  the usually buttoned-up Victoria gets unstuffed and sexed up in a lush period romance/political drama, and Sherlock gets the no-holds-barred no-punches-pulled Guy Ritchie/Joel Silver treatment. Both title characters make formidable contenders for the Smackdown crown; there’s nothing I appreciate more than a really good makeover.

In This Corner. “The Young Victoria” works well; Emily Blunt inhabits the title role (her first) with serene confidence, spirited intelligence and refined wit. Her Victoria is flesh and bone. You can see all the gears whirring; never has political ambition and a steep learning curve seemed so comely. As Albert, Rupert Friend makes for a dreamy match. Paul Bettany’s steamy Lord Melbourne provides an unusually balanced romantic/political triangle, especially for those who might be planning a visit to London’s Victoria and Lord Melbourne Museum. For the rest of us, knowing how it ends doesn’t hamper the drama in the least. Victoria and Albert have a true connection, and we ache for them to close the deal. These (what’s the opposite of star-crossed?) lovers earn all their honeymoon-hottie cavorting in the sheets and on horseback, their waltz in the rain. We watch them and try to reconcile our warehoused mental images of Old Victoria with this coltish girl.

Bryce's Ten Best Films of the Past Ten Years

Everybody seems to be out with their Top Ten. This year it's a two-fer. You can go with "Top Ten of 2009" or "Top Ten of the Decade."

I say go for the Top Ten of the Last Ten. Now, keep in mind that virtually everybody is going to see this differently and no one will agree. That's the fun. My criteria, in scanning the films from the past decade, was not about what was "important" or "critically acclaimed" or even "big box office." I just asked myself which films I enjoyed watching the most and, if a friend was over and wanted to see one of them again on the home theater's big screen, could I truly enjoy seeing it again?

I even ranked them, although that was a little bit harder. And, I'll state this in advance, I know you're going to freak out when you get to #1 but, like I say, this is subjective, it's my list, and sometimes it's just about how a movie hits you. That's the magic. The films are different. We're different. Everybody likes things differently than the next guy. Here goes...

#10 - Little Miss Sunshine
  

This is the small film that re-defined the "road picture" and touched a lot of people's hearts in the process. You ended up caring about all the characters, the performances were authentic, and the story was quirky and unexpected. And, of course, there was the van...

#9 - Up in the Air

It's possible that this film won't wear as well as I think it will. Maybe it's a slight little trifle that only reflects its moment in time. But when I saw it recently, I found it substantial, moving and surprising. It made the list and not just because Clooney's at his best.

#8 - Almost Famous

 The music is powerfully evocative, the moment-in-time quality is fantastic, and the script is wonderful. If you didn't happen to live through the 70s, this will remind you that there was life before disco. And, yes, we did listen to "Tiny Dancer" and it was as good then as it is now.

#7 - Avatar

The story goes into stereotyped action overdrive in the third act and that's a shame because there is so much going on inside this film that is so wonderful. It's more than eye-candy, though, it's a film event that actually delivers an extremely credible alien landscape, inhabitants and culture. Great film and a piece of history.

 

#6 - Downfall

 I love a good World War II film (although I did not share anyone's enthusiasm for "Inglourious Basterds"). This film, made by Germans, dares to go places that nobody has gone to, specifically seeing Hitler as a real dude. That made him exceptionally scary to me.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) -vs- Twilight (2008)

 Why Women Make Bad Choices in the Men They Love 

The Smackdown. In the battle of the varied mythological creations, Vampires have for centuries captured the imagination of people around the world. Novels, films, theatrical productions and poorly-decorated costume shops have enjoyed success based upon their existence, proven or not.   Likewise the Werewolf, natural enemy of the Vampire, whose moonlit howl still sends a tremor down the back of even the most hardened myth-lover. Bringing these two epic creatures together in one film franchise has most of the female population of our planet all in a tizz. Why?  Are the men they encounter in the real world really that bad?

 

The Challenger. Based upon the second of Stephenie Meyers' "Twilight" novels, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" brings us more teen-angst between heroine Bella and her vampiric love interest Edward. When Edward decides to take himself out of the picture after a potentially fatal attack from one of his blood sucking brethren, Bella seeks solace from her anguish in the company of Jacob, a young Werewolf. "New Moon" broadens the narrative scope of the "Twilight" saga, both in terms of its relationship focus and the action quotient, which is amped up considerably this time around.

The Jay Leno Show -vs- The Adventures of Jay Clone

We interrupt our usual format today to bring you this special message...  As most people on the planet (at least in the United States) now know, tonight (September 14) is the debut of "The Jay Leno Show" in primetime.  You can read all about it in, like, a billion places.

Here at Movie Smackdown, however, we have something special.  It's "The Adventures of Jay Clone," a short video that presumes NBC actually had Jay Leno cloned years ago to protect its comedy investment.  The video stars Jonathan Zabel as "Junior" and Don Most as "Doc."  

The Adventures of Jay Clone - watch more funny videos

"Who'd want to leave Burbank?"  Indeed.

If you liked the video, please vote for it on "Funny or Die" as "Funny" and list it as a "Favorite."  Thanks!