The Avengers: Day One
The Avengers will start raking in euros and shekels this coming week, as it rolls out in dozens of countries across the globe before it hits U.S. screens May 4. This is an affront to American […]
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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… […]
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) -vs- I, Robot (2004)
Maybe humanity won’t be #1 on Earth forever…
We’ve been used to being at the top of the heap pretty much since we picked up some stones and started making tools. But what’s going to happen if another species — real (like apes) or artificial (like robots) — gets the same idea? Fortunately, we have a couple of cautionary tales to consider that should give us pause before we get too cavalier.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the prequel to the re-boot of the ’60s-’70s franchise that started it all and sets out to answer the question that has always undermined the franchise: how would apes really pull this switcheroo with humankind off? With genomes being mapped and wonder drugs being tested at record speed these days, this is a film that was just begging to be made.
Back in the mid ’00s, however, I, Robot asked a different kind of question. Sparked by the breathtaking increase in computing power keeping pace with Moore’s Law or even Ray Kurzweil’s invocation of The Singularity, that question was: how much longer before these machines we built can think faster than us and what if they become conscious? […]
One of These Films Will Be BEST PICTURE
Sherry Coben reviews Up in the Air -vs- It's Complicated Stephen Bell reviews Up -vs- Wall-E Sherry Coben reviews A Serious Man -vs- The Fantastic Mr. Fox Bryce Zabel comments on Precious […]
Love Actually (2003) -vs- It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
 Crowning a Yuletide Smackdown Champ, Christmas 2009 Well, it’s come to this. After three years of polling here at The Smack, our readers have narrowed our field of ten Christmas films in the first season […]
Beating the Odds by Blurring the Lines
Few people beat longer odds than Michael Oher, whose life story (the biggest parts) is the heart of The Blind Side. The marketing promos emphasize Sandra Bullock as a comedic southern fried Pollyanna, but not the throwaway kid whose real life – off the football field, and on – gives this material its backbone. It’s a story where the distinctions matter.
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MOVIE SMACKDOWN Readers Predict the Oscars!
Based on an on-going poll of our readers’ opinions about the top Oscar possibilities, here’s what you might expect when they’re announced Thursday morning, in order of votes received: #1 – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (30.8%) #2 […]
VOTE NOW: The Smackdown Polls Are Open
This just in: Batman is kicking Spider-Man’s ass… The End of the World is too close to call… and the famous runner with the French name is in a dead heat with himself… We know, […]
Wikipedia -vs- Movie Smackdown
NOTE: This article was once on Wikipedia until one day it was challenged and wasn’t. So here it is in its original form, without editing. Go Free Speech! Movie Smackdown is one of a growing […]
Mr. Obama Goes to Washington
EDITOR’S NOTE, ELECTION DAY-AFTER 2008. It feels like a movie, this rise of Barack Obama. And he did have to win a couple of tough Smackdowns to get here. Besides its compelling lead actor, this […]