1. NATURAL DISASTERS: Into the Wild (2007) & 127 Hours (2010) This is a double feature with a lesson, in the battle of man vs. nature, if a man is not properly prepared, nature is going to win. Watching these films back to back is like watching the same story only with a different outcome. To me the similarities run so deep (They’re both based on true stories!) that it looks like 127 Hours will get a couple Oscar nominations like Into the Wild did in 2007. All I know is, after watching these two films, is when I go into the wilderness, I should leave a note saying where I’m going and bring more food, water and blankets then I can carry.

    NATURAL DISASTERS: Into the Wild (2007) & 127 Hours (2010)

    This is a double feature with a lesson, in the battle of man vs. nature, if a man is not properly prepared, nature is going to win. Watching these films back to back is like watching the same story only with a different outcome. To me the similarities run so deep (They’re both based on true stories!) that it looks like 127 Hours will get a couple Oscar nominations like Into the Wild did in 2007. All I know is, after watching these two films, is when I go into the wilderness, I should leave a note saying where I’m going and bring more food, water and blankets then I can carry.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  2. ACTION & AGE: JCVD (2008) & The Expendables (2010) Getting old is tough for anyone but it seems especially hard for 80’s action stars. These two films explore what it’s like getting older after you were known as an indestructible matinee idol for more than a decade. The winner of this knock out, drag out fight is JCVD. Van Damme reveals himself to be a pretty amazing actor, willing to break down his vanity to show the problems of superstardom. Meanwhile, Stallone’s Expendables is like your Grandpa trying to fit into his tux from his prom. It may still fit but it just doesn’t look right. Stallone hints at the themes that are blatantly tackled in JCVD. These hints seem like the idea for a better, heavier movie but instead Stallone takes the easy way out with cliche action trappings. Stallone’s only concession to his age is allowing himself to be filmed losing one fight. In the end, Stallone still saves the day and gets the girl. Van Damme on the other hand, cries, defaces himself at ever turn and ends the movie with a question mark.  By doing this Van Damme, comes across as 10 times more the man than Stallone and any of his Expendables. I walked away from this double feature thinking that the best way to age is by doing it honestly. Wham, Bam, Thank you Van Damme!

    ACTION & AGE: JCVD (2008) & The Expendables (2010)

    Getting old is tough for anyone but it seems especially hard for 80’s action stars. These two films explore what it’s like getting older after you were known as an indestructible matinee idol for more than a decade. The winner of this knock out, drag out fight is JCVD. Van Damme reveals himself to be a pretty amazing actor, willing to break down his vanity to show the problems of superstardom. Meanwhile, Stallone’s Expendables is like your Grandpa trying to fit into his tux from his prom. It may still fit but it just doesn’t look right. Stallone hints at the themes that are blatantly tackled in JCVD. These hints seem like the idea for a better, heavier movie but instead Stallone takes the easy way out with cliche action trappings. Stallone’s only concession to his age is allowing himself to be filmed losing one fight. In the end, Stallone still saves the day and gets the girl. Van Damme on the other hand, cries, defaces himself at ever turn and ends the movie with a question mark.  By doing this Van Damme, comes across as 10 times more the man than Stallone and any of his Expendables. I walked away from this double feature thinking that the best way to age is by doing it honestly. Wham, Bam, Thank you Van Damme!

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  3. HOMAGE OR INFRINGEMENT?: Rear Window (1954) & Disturbia (2007) Today’s double feature honors the ongoing court battle between the makers of Disturbia and the estates of those involved with Rear Window. A second trial is about to begin to decide if Disturbia stole parts of the original story of Rear Window. The makers of Disturbia (among them producer Steven Spielberg) won the first trial. This time things maybe more tricky, the Hitchcock estate is involved and a contract about TV rights involving Rear Window. So sit back and play judge, jury, executioner and see if Disturbia is a blatant rip off or obvious homage.

    HOMAGE OR INFRINGEMENT?: Rear Window (1954) & Disturbia (2007)

    Today’s double feature honors the ongoing court battle between the makers of Disturbia and the estates of those involved with Rear Window. A second trial is about to begin to decide if Disturbia stole parts of the original story of Rear Window. The makers of Disturbia (among them producer Steven Spielberg) won the first trial. This time things maybe more tricky, the Hitchcock estate is involved and a contract about TV rights involving Rear Window. So sit back and play judge, jury, executioner and see if Disturbia is a blatant rip off or obvious homage.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  4. INFLUENCE - Taxi Driver (1976) & Observe and Report (2009) This double feature is really an excuse for me to talk about how much I enjoyed the movie Observe and Report. I thought it’s dark comedic take on a modern day Travis Bickle character (Rogen’s Ronnie Barnhardt) was great.  Taxi Driver and Observe and Report have a lot in common, they both have innocent angelic love interests, humor is a factor in both (yes some scenes in Taxi Driver are played for laughs) and they both have happy endings. For all their similarities, Observe and Report was quickly dismissed by critics while Taxi Driver is a legend. Maybe critics feel more comfortable with Taxi Driver because they can blame Vietnam for Travis’s depression. Where as Ronnie’s depression in Observe and Report is brought on by the suburbs and a broken home This may have lead some critics to see him as jut another spoiled man-child. Or maybe it’s as simple as Paul Blart too the wind out of Observe and Report. Regardless, if you haven’t seen it Observe and Report is worth checking out.

    INFLUENCE - Taxi Driver (1976) & Observe and Report (2009)

    This double feature is really an excuse for me to talk about how much I enjoyed the movie Observe and Report. I thought it’s dark comedic take on a modern day Travis Bickle character (Rogen’s Ronnie Barnhardt) was great.  Taxi Driver and Observe and Report have a lot in common, they both have innocent angelic love interests, humor is a factor in both (yes some scenes in Taxi Driver are played for laughs) and they both have happy endings. For all their similarities, Observe and Report was quickly dismissed by critics while Taxi Driver is a legend. Maybe critics feel more comfortable with Taxi Driver because they can blame Vietnam for Travis’s depression. Where as Ronnie’s depression in Observe and Report is brought on by the suburbs and a broken home This may have lead some critics to see him as jut another spoiled man-child. Or maybe it’s as simple as Paul Blart too the wind out of Observe and Report. Regardless, if you haven’t seen it Observe and Report is worth checking out.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  5. REDEMPTION? - Primal Fear (1996) & Up In The Air (2009) Today’s double feature deals with sophisticated, good looking guys, who realize that there assholes half way through the movie. Then suddenly decide to change their ways!. They become super do-gooders as if they’re trying to get into heaven. Do they succeed? I don’t want to ruin the end either movie, but I will say, it probably would helped if they started out as nice guys.

    REDEMPTION? - Primal Fear (1996) & Up In The Air (2009)

    Today’s double feature deals with sophisticated, good looking guys, who realize that there assholes half way through the movie. Then suddenly decide to change their ways!. They become super do-gooders as if they’re trying to get into heaven. Do they succeed? I don’t want to ruin the end either movie, but I will say, it probably would helped if they started out as nice guys.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  6. THE ANTI-THRILLER - Eyes Wide Shut (1999) & Ghost Writer (2010) I define an Anti-Thriller as a movie with a lot of suspense but no pay off. The lack of pay off at the end is done on purpose to make the audience reassess what they found suspenseful throughout the movie. It’s a tough genre to pull off successfully, which would explain why both the films I’m using for this double feature, are directed by masters of their craft. Thanks to my buddy Nate for inspiring this post.

    THE ANTI-THRILLER - Eyes Wide Shut (1999) & Ghost Writer (2010)

    I define an Anti-Thriller as a movie with a lot of suspense but no pay off. The lack of pay off at the end is done on purpose to make the audience reassess what they found suspenseful throughout the movie. It’s a tough genre to pull off successfully, which would explain why both the films I’m using for this double feature, are directed by masters of their craft. Thanks to my buddy Nate for inspiring this post.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  7. The 90’s: Singles (1992) vs Reality Bites (1994) This post is inspired from the wonderful vacation I recently took with my wife. We stopped in Canada to visit friends where a big debate broke out over which is better Singles vs Reality Bites. I thought a what a great double feature, the perfect way to decide the winner. My personal take: Singles. I can’t even remember the plot to Reality Bites expect that Winona steals gas and Ethan Hawke is a dick. Singles is great, man, if only the 90’s were like that for real. Everyone in a grunge band (Citizen Dick!), Bridget Fonda obsessing over you, Tim Burton directing your dating video. I mean the movie has everything, the cameos are even cool (Hello! Peter Horton! Amazing!). What’s Reality Bites got huh? Nothing, except the guilty pleasure of that Lisa Loeb song from the soundtrack (which, let’s be honest totally got over played). Go and listen to Waiting for Somebody by Paul Westerberg from the Singles soundtrack (um, living icon on your movie soundtrack amazing!), it will move your soul. There’s no argument, it just a fact Reality Bites the dust!

    The 90’s: Singles (1992) vs Reality Bites (1994)

    This post is inspired from the wonderful vacation I recently took with my wife. We stopped in Canada to visit friends where a big debate broke out over which is better Singles vs Reality Bites. I thought a what a great double feature, the perfect way to decide the winner. My personal take: Singles. I can’t even remember the plot to Reality Bites expect that Winona steals gas and Ethan Hawke is a dick. Singles is great, man, if only the 90’s were like that for real. Everyone in a grunge band (Citizen Dick!), Bridget Fonda obsessing over you, Tim Burton directing your dating video. I mean the movie has everything, the cameos are even cool (Hello! Peter Horton! Amazing!). What’s Reality Bites got huh? Nothing, except the guilty pleasure of that Lisa Loeb song from the soundtrack (which, let’s be honest totally got over played). Go and listen to Waiting for Somebody by Paul Westerberg from the Singles soundtrack (um, living icon on your movie soundtrack amazing!), it will move your soul. There’s no argument, it just a fact Reality Bites the dust!

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  8. COUNTRY COPS - Hot Fuzz (2007) & Terribly Happy (2008) Once again two movies that start out with pretty much the same premise: a cop moves to a weird country town and has a tough time settling in. Where the films go after that is as tonally different as can be but both are worth watching.

    COUNTRY COPS - Hot Fuzz (2007) & Terribly Happy (2008)

    Once again two movies that start out with pretty much the same premise: a cop moves to a weird country town and has a tough time settling in. Where the films go after that is as tonally different as can be but both are worth watching.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  9. HEIST!: Quick Change (1990) & Inside Man (2006) Here are two movies that basically have the same set up but one is a comedy and one is a drama. Inside Man actually got called out by some critics on how similar it was to Quick Change when it came out. Which is good for Quick Change because it’s a really funny and often overlooked movie. It’s also Bill Murray’s only directing credit to date.

    HEIST!: Quick Change (1990) & Inside Man (2006)

    Here are two movies that basically have the same set up but one is a comedy and one is a drama. Inside Man actually got called out by some critics on how similar it was to Quick Change when it came out. Which is good for Quick Change because it’s a really funny and often overlooked movie. It’s also Bill Murray’s only directing credit to date.

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞

  10. CHRISTMAS & GUNS - Lethal Weapon (1987) & Die Hard (1988) These are my two favorite holiday movies. They both take place at Christmas time in LA and both involve a lot of violence. Producer Joel Silver really knows how to celebrate the holidays. Just thinking about these two films makes me thirsty for eggnog (and jumping off of high buildings).

    CHRISTMAS & GUNS - Lethal Weapon (1987) & Die Hard (1988)

    These are my two favorite holiday movies. They both take place at Christmas time in LA and both involve a lot of violence. Producer Joel Silver really knows how to celebrate the holidays. Just thinking about these two films makes me thirsty for eggnog (and jumping off of high buildings).

    Posted 1 year ago | Link ∞