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42 (2013) vs. Remember the Titans (2000)
The Smackdown There are few conflicts more dramatic than the battle for racial integration, particularly during the turbulent years of mid-twentieth century America. 42’s Jackie Robinson (Chadwick...
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Now You See Me (2013) vs. The Prestige (2006)
The Smackdown Magic. Now there’s a subject that, over the years, hasn’t gotten a great deal of cinematic attention. Reason being, one surmises, that magic acts need the immediacy of live (or at least...
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After Earth (2013) vs. Oblivion (2013)
The Smackdown The latest trend in sci-fi seems to be returning to a post-apocalyptic Earth, trashed after a run-in with extraterrestrials, and still coming out on top. Both Tom Cruise with Oblivion and...
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Man of Steel (2013) vs. Superman: The Movies (1978/1980)
The Smackdown It’s axiomatic when discussing Superman to know that the only one who can give Superman a fair fight is himself, or a close approximation of himself. That’s why the comics, TV and film...
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Monsters University (2013) vs. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
The Smackdown This Smack takes us far from the terror-tory of evil Godzilla, doing his best to annihilate Tokyo, or the mayhem wrought by the homicidal dinosaurs of the various Jurassic Parks. While...
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John Kennedy vs. The Conspirators
What really would have happened next if John Kennedy survived the ambush at Dealey Plaza? That’s the intriguing premise of this ambitiously researched novel by award-winning TV writer/producer Bryce...
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The Wolverine (2013) vs. The Karate Kid, Part II (1986)
The Smackdown Movie franchise sequels that send their characters to Japan have a long, honorable history going all the way back to the immortal classic, The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978). Primary...
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Lovelace (2013) vs. The Notorious Bettie Page (2005)
The Smackdown Did you know that some of the top sex symbols of our time started out as ordinary, innocent girls with perfectly wholesome upbringings? You did? Oh, well, did you know 1940s and ’50s...
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The Drop: What’s New in Theaters, Disc and Digital?
Don’t plan your weekend until you’ve visited The Drop! See what’s new in theaters, disc and digital each week. Not excited by the new releases or don’t want to get out of your pajamas? Armchair Smack...
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The Drop: What’s New in Theaters, Disc and Digital?
Make The Drop your one stop to plan your weekend. See what’s new in theaters, disc and digital each week, and click below to get showtimes. Want to stay home? Check out Armchair Smack, where we suggest...
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The Drop: What’s New in Theaters, Disc and Digital? 9-13-13
Check into The Drop for your Friday the 13th viewing. Here’s what’s new in theaters, disc and digital each week. Click below for theater showtimes. If you’d rather stay home, check out Armchair Smack,...
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The Drop: What’s New in Theaters, Disc and Digital? 9-20-13
Check The Drop to see what’s new in theaters, disc and digital each week. Click below for theater showtimes. If you’d rather stay home, check out Armchair Smack, where we suggest alternatives to each...
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Captain Phillips (2013) vs. United 93 (2006)
The Smackdown What does Paul Greengrass have against public transportation anyway? In both United 93 and his new film, Captain Phillips, Greengrass puts the fear of God into anyone about to take a...
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12 Years a Slave (2013) vs. Django Unchained (2012)
The Smackdown One’s about a free man who becomes a slave, the other’s about a slave who becomes a free man! One’s a searing historical drama, the other’s an intense but goofy action-comedy! One’s a...
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Surrounded by Enemies: What if Kennedy Survived Dallas? (2013) vs. 11/22/63:...
The Smackdown The date is indelibly etched in the memories of everyone who was alive then: 11/22/63. Until 9/11, it was the most shocking, tragic, unimaginably ghastly national event we had witnessed....
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All is Lost (2013) vs. Gravity (2013)
The Smackdown Lost at sea. Lost in space. Adrift alone in a vast ocean, the helpless victim of a freak accident. Adrift alone in the cosmos… same dealio. Man vs. Nature. Woman vs. Nature. One of the...
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Dallas Buyers Club (2013) vs. Philadelphia (1993)
The Smackdown As the anniversary of the release of Philadelphia approaches, let’s take a moment to consider just what the apparent requirements were for a major studio to be bold enough to make a...
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American Hustle (2013) vs. The Informant (2009)
The Smackdown Who doesn’t love Matt Damon and Christian Bale? (Okay, probably this guy doesn’t love Bale so much, and Minnie Driver still might be holding a grudge against Damon… but just go with me...
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Saving Mr. Banks (2013) vs. Finding Neverland (2004)
The Smackdown Ah, the holiday season. What better time to take in a couple of films brimming with magic, wonder and childlike innocence? Especially when one whitewashes the story of a Machiavellian...
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Her (2013) vs. Lost in Translation (2003)
The Smackdown We here at Smackdown have a soft spot in our hearts for movies about lonely, alienated mopes. This may or may not have something to do with some of us here in Smackland being lonely,...
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