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Sherry Coben
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If I weren't married, I'd answer that question.
The Social Network (2010) -vs- You Again (2010)
The Smackdown. Some films arrive with a fanfare of critical acclaim and a flurry of publicity and positive buzz. Since studio PR machines work overtime, such spin hardly guarantees greatness. Pedigree helps considerably; Aaron Sorkin, in spite of all his personal demons and occasional misfires...
I think putting the word "Sports" in the title worked like a kind of Kryptonite and kept a lot of people who would have loved the show away from the show. Maybe most. Sorkin's credit kept me tuned in. Heck, I'm such a fan I even suffered through all the episodes of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." It was awful; apparently you can't do a show about a super-hip late night comedy show unless you never show the show. Big problem.
The Social Network (2010) -vs- You Again (2010)
The Smackdown. Some films arrive with a fanfare of critical acclaim and a flurry of publicity and positive buzz. Since studio PR machines work overtime, such spin hardly guarantees greatness. Pedigree helps considerably; Aaron Sorkin, in spite of all his personal demons and occasional misfires...
You're welcome, Sebastian. I appreciate your appraisal.
The Social Network (2010) -vs- You Again (2010)
The Smackdown. Some films arrive with a fanfare of critical acclaim and a flurry of publicity and positive buzz. Since studio PR machines work overtime, such spin hardly guarantees greatness. Pedigree helps considerably; Aaron Sorkin, in spite of all his personal demons and occasional misfires...
I appreciate the validation.
Easy A (2010) -vs- Election (1999)
The Smackdown. Smart women are as rare on film as they are in life. Rarer even. Smart high school girls might be the rarest cinematic species of all. You can count them on your two hands. Juno, Tracy Flick, Clueless Cher, and Mean Girl Cady. Cooler and wittier than any real girl in any real hi...
Remember, Ethan, I'm grading on a curve. Having seen a whole lot more drek than most, it's a huge relief to see something that doesn't make me want to gouge my eyes out with a grapefruit spoon. Let me know what you think.
Easy A (2010) -vs- Election (1999)
The Smackdown. Smart women are as rare on film as they are in life. Rarer even. Smart high school girls might be the rarest cinematic species of all. You can count them on your two hands. Juno, Tracy Flick, Clueless Cher, and Mean Girl Cady. Cooler and wittier than any real girl in any real hi...
Sherry Coben
MovieSmackdown.com
Los Angeles
2 seats please
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Six Apart Media - Invite to Private Screening of Secretariat!
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has teamed up with Six Apart Media to present our entertainment and women's lifestyle bloggers with the incredible opportunity to attend a private advance screening of their new motion picture Secretariat! The screening is a great opportunity to get exclu...
Fortunately, the really good stuff survives still, and we have a huge treasure trove of wonderful films that capture a more civilized time. This cultural moment clearly isn't for me...but I keep searching for those rare instances that touch my heart without offending my sensibilities -- I find what I want mostly in indies and foreign and other outside-the-system flying-below-the radar projects. I'll keep you posted.
Going the Distance (2010) -vs- Swing Time (1936)
The Smackdown. Money's tight. Jobs are hard to find. Relationships disappoint. Such is the world as we know it. You say recession, I say depression. Let's call the whole thing off. We go to the movies to forget our troubles, to drown our sorrows, to watch others make sense of this whole sorry ...
Absolutely BRILLIANT, Stephanie. And not only because I happen to agree with every well-chosen word...
Going the Distance (2010) -vs- Swing Time (1936)
The Smackdown. Money's tight. Jobs are hard to find. Relationships disappoint. Such is the world as we know it. You say recession, I say depression. Let's call the whole thing off. We go to the movies to forget our troubles, to drown our sorrows, to watch others make sense of this whole sorry ...
Thank you so much. I thoroughly appreciate the appreciation.
Going the Distance (2010) -vs- Swing Time (1936)
The Smackdown. Money's tight. Jobs are hard to find. Relationships disappoint. Such is the world as we know it. You say recession, I say depression. Let's call the whole thing off. We go to the movies to forget our troubles, to drown our sorrows, to watch others make sense of this whole sorry ...
Apparently, they shot over spring break at Lake Havasu; many (perhaps most) of those coeds didn't come direct from central casting but from real world college campuses. Girls Gone Wild indeed. Plastic Surgeons Gone Wild more like.
Piranha 3D (2010) -vs- Jaws (1975)
The Smackdown. It's summer time. Moviemakers bring out the big scary guns, intent on keeping us onshore and nervous, haunted and thrilled by the wonders of the deep. Monsters keep us coming back to the movies, real and imagined. Aliens from outer space, vampires from Transylvania, toxically e...
Thanks but no thanks, Hollywood. You can keep your action heroes and caper films. Blow up a little something. Chase your tail. Punch someone in the face. Shoot a gun. Throw a grenade. Drop a bomb. Knock yourselves out. I'll be over there, listening to dialogue and watching characters who act like human beings. Until the fall arrives with all the Oscar bait, I'm going on a strict indie, documentary, classic, estrogen-fueled and foreign language film diet with a little Pixar confection for dessert.
Takers (2010) -vs- The Expendables (2010)
The Smackdown. Coming back to the Smack is always a pleasure -- sometimes eye opening, often inspiring. So what do I get now upon my latest return match? The summer rot. Juvenile comedies, more people biting my neck, or killing me some other way. In a way, it's like I never left. Two summer ac...
Why not be kind? I think there is an audience for this film and I respect many of the actors and filmmakers involved. It's intended as a cheesefest, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the so-bad-they're-almost-good Roger Corman exploitation films. It's very very difficult to make a really great film...clearly. They're rare. But this old-style summer drive-in movie succeeds on its very vulgar terms, and it'll make a bundle overseas and on DVD where its fans can freeze-frame their favorite soft porn moments in the privacy of their homes. I fully expect a sequel. Brace yourself.
Piranha 3D (2010) -vs- Jaws (1975)
The Smackdown. It's summer time. Moviemakers bring out the big scary guns, intent on keeping us onshore and nervous, haunted and thrilled by the wonders of the deep. Monsters keep us coming back to the movies, real and imagined. Aliens from outer space, vampires from Transylvania, toxically e...
I hadn't heard of Quint's first name either until I found it quite by accident while doublechecking some production specs on IMDb. I figured I'd include it in the review to enhance the educational value.
Piranha 3D (2010) -vs- Jaws (1975)
The Smackdown. It's summer time. Moviemakers bring out the big scary guns, intent on keeping us onshore and nervous, haunted and thrilled by the wonders of the deep. Monsters keep us coming back to the movies, real and imagined. Aliens from outer space, vampires from Transylvania, toxically e...
Go. I'm probably the only person who's seen both and I'd appreciate another opinion.
The Switch (2010) -vs- The Kids Are All Right (2010)
The Smackdown. It had to happen. Sperm Donor Dads: The Film Genre. Only slightly ahead of the zeitgeist culture curve, two relatively charming comedies duke it out for the hotly contested Smackdown title. Mark Ruffalo's shaggy roue blissfully ignorant seed guy of two (that we know of) takes on...
It's not for you. Don't go.
The Switch (2010) -vs- The Kids Are All Right (2010)
The Smackdown. It had to happen. Sperm Donor Dads: The Film Genre. Only slightly ahead of the zeitgeist culture curve, two relatively charming comedies duke it out for the hotly contested Smackdown title. Mark Ruffalo's shaggy roue blissfully ignorant seed guy of two (that we know of) takes on...
I hope I haven't overinflated your expectations. Go expecting to fall in love with Jason Bateman. I guarantee a few out-loud laughs. And the kid is kitten-cute. (That's high praise from me if you didn't already know.) And let me know what you think.
The Switch (2010) -vs- The Kids Are All Right (2010)
The Smackdown. It had to happen. Sperm Donor Dads: The Film Genre. Only slightly ahead of the zeitgeist culture curve, two relatively charming comedies duke it out for the hotly contested Smackdown title. Mark Ruffalo's shaggy roue blissfully ignorant seed guy of two (that we know of) takes on...
Why yes, Brian. There is some romance. The sandrat rescues his good-girl platonic friend with the heart of gold from death and humiliation. You can tell she's a good girl because she has natural breasts and no hair extensions and we don't see her nipples, and you can tell he really loves her in spite of her natural breasts because he dives into piranha-infested waters to save her life. Ah, sweet romance. See? The movie is right in my wheelhouse after all.
Piranha 3D (2010) -vs- Jaws (1975)
The Smackdown. It's summer time. Moviemakers bring out the big scary guns, intent on keeping us onshore and nervous, haunted and thrilled by the wonders of the deep. Monsters keep us coming back to the movies, real and imagined. Aliens from outer space, vampires from Transylvania, toxically e...
I'm really careful not to spill any spoilers, Pablo, so I didn't really go for the critical jugular in my review. Believe it or not, I usually pull my punches. I did prefer "Scott Pilgrim" to "EPL" but I understand that there is an audience out there far more open to spiritual questing and vague feminist unease/dissatisfaction than I am. For me, it's a whole lot of white wine, a most unsavory brew given my particular palate. In my reviews, I usually try very hard to explain my personal bias so that my decision won't deter anyone from seeing a film that's right for them. I'm glad you liked the film; perhaps my review prepared you for the experience by significantly lowering your expectations. I prefer my expectations low and am always delighted when those expectations are confounded.
Eat Pray Love (2010) -vs- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
The Smackdown. I am not a thirteen year old boy. I do not read comics. Sorry. Graphic novels. I do not play video games. I am a dinosaur. Still, faced on Friday with a couple of hours to kill and choice of watching "Scott Pilgrim" or "Eat Pray Love," I reflexively embraced my inner middle scho...
Tepid indeed. So glad summer's almost over.
Eat Pray Love (2010) -vs- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
The Smackdown. I am not a thirteen year old boy. I do not read comics. Sorry. Graphic novels. I do not play video games. I am a dinosaur. Still, faced on Friday with a couple of hours to kill and choice of watching "Scott Pilgrim" or "Eat Pray Love," I reflexively embraced my inner middle scho...
Nice attempt at explication, Beau.
I enjoyed the film and appreciated the studio's decision to avoid giving much away in all the advance marketing and promotion. The visual effects work beautifully, seamlessly transporting the audience into the world of the film/dream. All the ambiguity and complications don't seem all that impossible to grasp; one need only surrender and pay attention, lay back and enjoy the ride. Leave your linear brain at home and let your subconscious do the work for you. You know it's the very best part of you. Spin that top.
Dream within a dream within a dream indeed.
As Shakespeare's Prospero put it:
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep
Round 2: Inception
Round 2. Having seen "Inception" twice now, I feel the need to clarify a few points in my earlier review, as I said that my review -- in all fairness -- was half incomplete as "Inception" demands a second viewing. After having now seen it twice, I would definitely say this is a movie that mu...
FYI: "The September Issue" is already available on Netflix and Netflix Instant. Just in case I've piqued your interest...
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) -vs- The September Issue (2009)
The Smackdown. Two women, both icons in their chosen professions and both considerably past the usual sell-by date, duke it out in the Smackdown ring. Driven and brilliant, one cuttingly funny, the other achingly serious, Joan Rivers and Anna Wintour show us how it's done. Keeping a high prof...
Thank you for reading so faithfully. I appreciate the support. It feels good having a platform to promote films worth watching; so many worthy ones fall through the cracks, especially indies and foreign films. That's why I find it so rewarding to recommend rentals like A Very Long Engagement; Micmacs is hard to find in theaters, but audiences may well discover it on DVD in a few months.
Micmacs (2009) -vs- A Very Long Engagement (2004)
The Smackdown. Close readers of Movie Smackdown (and especially close readers of my own personal Movie Smackdowns) might recall that 2001's "Amélie" topped my list of this past decade's favorite films. Four years after, filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet followed up that (mostly) undisputed masterp...
Thanks, Josh.
Toy Story 3 (2010) -vs- Toy Story 2 (1999)
The Smackdown. If you know me at all well, you know how present my inner child is and how much room she takes up in my house. She's a hoarder, and I indulge her whims more than I probably should. My daughters too tend to save and preserve and curate more than most; all our childhoods are cele...
Hmm...this is one of those sticky wickets. I don't want to support it either but I did want my voice included in all the hubbub surrounding the much hyped release. There's so much worth discussing; maybe, Jay, you can justify going to satisfy your purely intellectual curiosity. Then you can join in this fun big time...and maybe you can figure out a way to go for free.
Sex And The City 2 (2010) -vs- Sex And The City (2008)
The Smackdown. Harmless fun. A trifle. Stop thinking so much. Lay back and enjoy it. I would if I could but I can't. I'm a feminist. I'm a mother. I'm a writer. I'm a critical thinker and a sentient being. And I can't help it. I don't like stupid, offensive, unfunny pieces of jerry-rigged, ha...
This strikes me as the absolutely least appropriate place for a critical discussion of the relative literary merits of the Bible, but let's agree that its quality is inconsistent. Thank you, Jay. Here's a cyber-Heimlich for you.
Sex And The City 2 (2010) -vs- Sex And The City (2008)
The Smackdown. Harmless fun. A trifle. Stop thinking so much. Lay back and enjoy it. I would if I could but I can't. I'm a feminist. I'm a mother. I'm a writer. I'm a critical thinker and a sentient being. And I can't help it. I don't like stupid, offensive, unfunny pieces of jerry-rigged, ha...
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