movieEVERYday.com Capsule No. 81

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Most Recent Movie Reviews:
(complete lists of reviews for 2005, 2006, 2007)


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Movie Review of The Invasion (2007) [R] 93 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.00
To warrant a third theatrical film remake, the themes of Jack Finney's novel, Invasion of the Body Snatchers must still be resonating with some filmmakers. In this version, directed by acclaimed German director, Oliver Hirschbiegel, from a screenplay by Dave Kajganich, the political overtones are hard to miss as the story has been seamlessly updated to fit the current times taking on extra baggage and meaning as if ripped from the headlines of real global paranoia. The fictional Space Shuttle Patriot has gloomily and eerily blown up upon re-entry spreading its debris from Texas to the District of Columbia. Rather quickly, the CDC is called in for unknown reasons, and warnings are put out that no one should touch the fallen pieces....continued... or read the spoiler points...


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Movie Review of Superbad (2007) [R] 114 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $8.25
Ok, first of all, I'm not getting on the Superbad train. Sorry, I'm going to say instead that Superbad is the first film of the decade to bear a title that is right on the money in the worst of self-referential ways. I'm not going to join those saying this is the new American Pie or a wonderful comedy about the sensitivity of teenage self-image. You cannot be the new American Pie. What made American Pie work was that is was the American Pie (case in point, note that the sequels didn't quite rock the same way now did they?)....continued...


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Movie Review of Death at a Funeral (2007) [R] 90 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $14.50
After seeing Death at a Funeral, it's great to stop and think about how hard writers of such recently great USA-based comedy films like Knocked Up and Talladega Nights have worked to try to 'create' comedy. They concoct elaborate characters and with outrageous scenarios, and the results are great, but when they don't work so hard, the results aren't so great. While, the British seem to produce comedic films effortlessly by taking rather ordinary situations and just allowing the comedy to bubble up from within. Thus is the case of Dean Craig's script for the Frank Oz-directed Death at a Funeral, by far one of the most hilarious films at an organic level I've seen so far this decade....continued...

Other Recent Reviews:
Becoming Jane (2007) [PG-13] 120 minutes WIP™ Scale: $13.00
El Cantante (2007) [R] 106 minutes WIP™ Scale: $12.25
Stardust (2007) [PG-13] 128 minutes WIP™ Scale: $14.25
Skinwalkers (2007) [PG-13] 110 minutes WIP™ Scale: $7.00
Rush Hour 3 (2007) [PG-13] 90 minutes WIP™ Scale: $9.50
Daddy Day Camp (2007) [PG] 93 minutes WIP™ Scale: $5.25
Once (2007) [R] 85 minutes WIP™ Scale: $12.00
Underdog (2007) [PG] 84 minutes WIP™ Scale: $10.00
Bratz: The Movie (2007) [PG] 110 minutes WIP™ Scale: $8.25
Hot Rod (2007) [PG-13] 88 minutes WIP™ Scale: $9.00
Cashback (2007) [R] 102 minutes WIP™ Scale: $13.50
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) [PG-13] 111 minutes WIP™ Scale: $13.00
Talk to Me (2007) [R] 118 minutes WIP™ Scale: $14.75
I Know Who Killed Me (2007) [R] 105 minutes WIP™ Scale: $11.75

Recent Movie Star Birthday Tributes:
(see all birthdays: last monththis monthnext monthall months)

20-Aug
Joan Allen
Buy at Art.com
Joan Allen
Buy From Art.com
19-Aug
Matthew Perry
Buy at Art.com
Matthew Perry
Buy From Art.com
18-Aug
Christian Slater
Buy at Art.com
Christian Slater
Buy From Art.com


Movies Now on DVD and Download:
(see the rest of this week's top releases)

(click poster to purchase)

The Lookout (2007) [R] -- W.I.P. Scale™ Rating: $13.25
Review-lite: Possessing the feel of an indie film, The Lookout stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels in a story that seems to borrow it's Midwestern, rural, isolated, edginess from the Coen brothers' Fargo but without the charisma and flawless accent of Frances McDormand. Oscar®-nominated screenwriter turned director Scott Frank's debut film is, nonetheless, a powerful and complex film that is gripping with a nagging sense of predestiny. Undoubtedly, flaws aside, The Lookout is still a good movie, occasionally in spite of itself. The gruesome outcome pushed the boundary on what one might commonly accept for a story that teaches ethics and principles at the core. Relying not on gimmicks or twists to satisfy, rather it hones in on the actual responses and attributes of the characters themselves. The film delivers emotionally and leaving one wondering why it took so long for Scott Frank to take a turn in the director's chair.
Click to Purchase The Lookout on DVDClick for Full Review and all details of The Lookout

(DVD releases by week back to 12 June 2007)

Movies Coming Soon:
(complete calendar including links to official sites, trailers, and reviews updated through December 2008*)

Friday, 24 August

Illegal Tender • Mr. Bean's Holiday • The Nanny Diaries • Resurrecting the Champ • September Dawn • War

Friday, 31 August

Balls of Fury • Death Sentence • Halloween

*note: Studios constantly change release dates for films. Please be advised that the information on the coming soon page is updated often, but may not be exact.

Movie Poster Extravaganzas:
(complete listing of all the movie poster extravaganzas that have been posted at movieEVERYday.com plus a calendar of ones coming soon)


The Jackie Chan / Chris Tucker Rush Hour Franchise is honored with the traditional movie poster extravaganza--an extreme trip down the red carpet stretching from 1998 to 2007 via movie posters from the three films.


(click poster to purchase)
The Jason Bourne Franchise is honored with the traditional movie poster extravaganza--a trip down memory lane through the Bourne posters.

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