August Delivers Good Movies for a C... Aug 2, 2008
They would dump the likes of last year s Invasion, an $80 million remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers that went through at least two directors and two writers. Despite being a big budget project, the movie stunk of failure. (Suite101.com)
Miller Shows Some Spirit Jul 28, 2008
But many other horror titles fell flat, including Warners Japanese remake One Missed Call, the conclusion of Paul Anderson's zombie trilogy, Resident Evil: The Extinction, and Silvers The Invasion, yet another version of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Comic-Con elder Darabont, who started coming to The Con as a teenager in 1973 when it was held for 1000 people at the El Cortez Hotel, had a good time this trip. (Variety)
Critics' Picks Jul 13, 2008
Right now on the site Moving Image Source, you can read a terrific article by Jessica Winter on the "double lives and branded selves of AMC's 'Mad Men,'" critic Michael Atkinson's essay on actor William Holden (subject of a current Lincoln Center retrospective), David Schwartz on Chantal Akerman, Jonathan Rosenbaum on the neglected Marcel L'Herbier, Annette Insdorf on the 30th anniversary of Philip Kaufman's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," and immeasurably much more. It isn't really a blog --... (Salon)
Standing By a Statue on the Fourth of July Jul 7, 2008
It s like the seedpods in Jack Finney s classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Multi-generational Americans and immigrants who want to assimilate are slowly being replaced by those who, for whatever reason, do not. (Human Events Online)
Mirandize This Jul 2, 2008
Dirty Harry was made by Don Siegel, a self-professed liberal whose Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Riot in Cell Block 11 had won him a kind of cult status among cinephiles who saw a through line in his work, which more than once depicted prickly, amoral, or even criminal outsiders in opposition to a corrupt or dimwitted establishment. Siegel shrewdly began spinning even before Harry's release: Calling the original script "terrible," Siegel proffered his take, which was that Harry was just as... (Slate)
Industry Buzz Jun 29, 2008
Making "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" became complicated when Mirisch's co-producer on the sci-fi classic, Walter Wanger, shot a man for having an affair with his wife, Joan Bennett. During the filming of "The Magnificent Seven," Steve McQueen complained to Mirisch that Horst Buchholz was getting all the best scenes. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Oldies are goldies in top ten list Jun 18, 2008
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956. 10. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
American Film Institute Releases Top Films Jun 18, 2008
"Miracle on 34th Street, 1947. 6. "Field of Dreams," 1989. 7. "Harvey," 1950. 8. "Groundhog Day," 1993. 9. "The Thief of Bagdad," 1924. 10. "Big," 1988. GANGSTER 1. "The Godfather," 1972. 2. "Goodfellas," 1990. 3. "The Godfather Part II," 1974. 4. "White Heat," 1949. 5. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967. 6. "Scarface: The Shame of a Nation," 1932. 7. "Pulp Fiction," 1994. 8. "The Public Enemy," 1931. 9. "Little Caesar," 1930. 10. "Scarface," 1983. SCIENCE FICTION 1. "2001: A Space Odyssey," 1968. 2.... (FOX23 News, NY)
AFI picks best films in 10 categories Jun 18, 2008
Science fiction: "2001," "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope," "E.T. -- The Extra-Terrestrial," "A Clockwork Orange," "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Blade Runner," "Alien," "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Back to the Future.". Western: "The Searchers," "High Noon," "Shane," "Unforgiven," "Red River," "The Wild Bunch," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," "Stagecoach," "Cat Ballou.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
M. Night Shyamalan: Call him paranoid Jun 15, 2008
"I have totally always been obsessed with three movies, which are the original 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956), 'Night of the Living Dead' (1968) and 'The Birds' (1963)," M. Night Shyamalan says. "Those three movies are constantly on my mind. "They achieved a certain paranoia level, and an intensity as an experience, that we don't have much anymore," he says. "I think probably the closest we've come recently was 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999), just in terms of the cleanness of a... (Reading Eagle)
In 'Happening,' a sense of doom at the end of the world Jun 13, 2008
I don't mean that as an insult; once upon a time filmmakers like Don Siegel ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers") and Val Lewton ("Cat People") were able to say profound things within the context of low-budget sci-fi and horror. They frightened us more by showing us less, and they never called it Art. (Boston Globe)
READERS WRITE: Helpless need our protection Jun 5, 2008
The orchestrated drone of "this doesn't sound like the Scott I knew" harks back to the classic science fiction movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," and, c'mon, who doesn't love science fiction. And then there's the media trying to defend themselves for their part in this fiasco. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
A First Look at 'Crystal Skull' May 21, 2008
She spouts Communism and mind-control ideals as though she s a pod-person in one of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers movies. THE SUPPORTING CAST: Karen Allen returns from the first film as Indy s love interest, Marion. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
'Twilight' Writer Stephenie Meyer Wants Matt Damon For 'Host' Movie, Discusses Her Rabid Fanbase Apr 10, 2008
But basically, the easiest way for people to get it in a nutshell is that it's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," if the aliens had won. That gives you a sense of the horror, but these body snatchers are so kind and so good, and the world is such a good place when they're in charge, it makes it hard to hold their colonizing against them. (VHI.com -- Music News)
TV Series: The Invaders (1967-68) Mar 28, 2008
Also appearing in The Invaders were the stars of two classic science fiction films: Michael Rennie (The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951) and Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956). Cleveland Amory reviewed The Invaders for TV Guide on February 18, 1967. (Suite101.com)
THE RACE TALK NEVER ENDS Mar 26, 2008
I feel like one of the last humans in an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" movie in which all of the pod people are compelled by some alien DNA to pine continually for yet another "conversation" about a topic we've never stopped talking about. Snatching me from any such reverie was this masterful understatement from Thursday's New York Times: "Religious groups and academic bodies, already receptive to Mr. Obama's plea for such a dialogue, seemed especially enthusiastic.". (New York Post -- Opinions)
A Race Conversation? What Are You Talking About? Mar 26, 2008
I feel like one of the last humans in an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" movie in which all of the pod people are compelled by some alien DNA to pine continually for yet another "conversation" about a topic we've never stopped talking about. And if I just fall asleep, I, too, can live in the pod people's dream palace, where every conversation about race is our first conversation about race. (Townhall.com)
Plants in films are almost as scary as the real things Mar 20, 2008
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978): This gooey, slightly goofy remake of the '50s horror classic finds San Francisco under attack by plant pods from outer space. Rather than sprouting malevolent ferns, the spores in this enjoyable film produce emotionless clones, who then dispatch their human counterparts. (The Augusta Chronicle)
The Invasion Mar 8, 2008
The Age: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Melbourne's leading newspaper. Jim Schembri, ReviewerMarch 6, 2008. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
DVD Review: Subplots help some films, harm others Feb 25, 2008
Having heard about it for a while, and being a fan of both "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and Nicole Kidman, who stars in the film, I was genuinely excited about it. As I sat there watching it, I couldn't quite capture what was wrong. (Northeastern News, MA)
This week's DVD releases Feb 2, 2008
Much maligned in its theatrical release last year, this is the fourth version of Jack Finney's Saturday Evening Post story, originally filmed in 1956 by Don Siegel as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, for my money still the best version with its horror noir look and parallels to the McCarthy-era paranoia of the day. In 1978 Philip Kaufman remade it with Donald Sutherland and the metaphor that time was the religious cult craze of the day. (Prince George Citizen)
Iraq war is hell on box-office grosses Feb 2, 2008
THE INVASION In this remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dr. Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) comes to suspect that the sudden change everyone seems to be experiencing may be extraterrestrial in origin. Together with Dr. Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig), she begins to investigate. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Kidman's `Invasion' struggles Feb 1, 2008
THE INVASION'' (PG-13) -- Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig star in yet another spin on ``Invasion of the Body Snatchers,'' with Kidman playing a psychiatrist who begins to suspect something's amiss. The film went through extensive reshoots and re-editing; Craig's character disappears for long stretches of time. (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
New on DVD: Stars can't lift 00004000'Invasion' from mediocrity Feb 1, 2008
" GNS file photos Editor's choice "Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Sixth Season" -- Larry David is back with perhaps the best year of his improvised comedy series. And to show again how art can imitate life, David and his "Curb" wife (Cheryl Hines) separate in the second half of the season (David and his real wife, Laurie, recently divorced after 14 years of marriage).If that's not enough, the finale throws a curve nobody could predict, with David's new squeeze putting Jeff's fouled-mouth... (Florida Today)
New on DVD: Nicole Kidman leads 'The Invasion' Feb 1, 2008
At times, the most recent movie based on novelist Jack Finney's '50s perennial Invasion of the Body Snatchers is more fun than some 2007 releases that were better (and better received). The famous pods are gone, replaced by bacteria-spreading alien spores, which turn victims into those familiar Snatchers schlumps bereft of emotions. (USA Today -- Life)
New DVDs: The Invasion, Damages Feb 1, 2008
The InvasionEven with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig headlining, this sci-fi update was unable to replicate the commercial success of earlier incarnations of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Kidman stars as a psychiatrist who teams with colleague Craig to uncover the truth about an alien menace in which humans are taken over and turned into robot-like pod people. (MSNBC -- Movies)
DVD watch: An invasion of 'Body Snatchers' Jan 22, 2008
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, Lionsgate, unrated, $15) Was it anti-Communist or anti-Red Scare ... Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978, Fox, PG, $20) Like most remakes, this sounded terrible, but director Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff ) moves the story to San Francisco amid the New Age-y mud-bath era. (USA Today -- Life)
Kidman confirms pregnancy as she quits film Jan 9, 2008
The Invasion, a remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, has grossed less than half its $US80 million ($A91 million) budget in the US. Comedy Margot at the Wedding failed to draw an audience and The Golden Compass has drawn criticism for its alleged anti-Christian themes. When you see news happening: SMS/MMS: 0406 THE AGE (0406 843 243), or us. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Finding her direction Dec 23, 2007
Her most recent expensive mistake was this year's The Invasion, a remake of the 1956 sci-fi classic The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and co-starring Daniel Craig. Craig is also her opposite number (the good scientist-adventurer to her bad) in The Golden Compass, which led journalists to ask him at a recent junket for that film whether she might be persuaded to be a Bond girl. (The Age)
A look back at 2007 films Dec 22, 2007
Another star who stumbled at the 2007 box office was Nicole Kidman, who starred in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" remake "Invasion," New Line's disappointing "The Golden Compass" and Noah Baumbach's limited arthouse release "Margot at the Wedding." Kidman has more promising pics in 2008: Baz Luhrmann's epic "Australia," co-starring fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman, and Stephen Daldry's "The Reader.". Johnny Depp, an untrained singer, balanced his third go-round as Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the... (Variety)
Best Movies Of 2007, By Kurt Loder Dec 13, 2007
"The Invasion": Don Siegel's 1956 "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" cried out not to be remade a third time. Director Oliver Hirschbiegel ignored its pleas. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Pastor: Quit your whining Dec 9, 2007
Big Spender wrote on Dec 8, 2007 1:47 PM:" Criticism is good. You can't be a mindless unquestioning religious zombie and a good critic at the same time. Bowen wants to turn everyone into spaced-out "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" pods. Religious faith means, in reality, that you have taken that easy route which turns over your thinking to others, that you have turned your mind off, that you are mentally lazy, that you are too tired to exert your mind. It's always mentally easier to succumb to a... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
The Kidman Curse Dec 2, 2007
Even remakes of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Stepford Wives" could both sound compelling on paper (though, as a Botox addict, it might not be in her best interest to take on projects in which she's the one remaining face of humanity). Yet everything the actress touches lately seems to tank. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Nicole Kidman's dark material Nov 29, 2007
She was in a couple of lame remakes The Stepford Wives, The Invasion (based on Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and Bewitched, a clunky rehash of the Sixties sitcom. But now she s back on course The Golden Compass is a big, splashy blockbuster which should lead to two sequels and, while making Australia, she has simultaneously filmed The Reader for Stephen Daldry. (Times Online)
* Anthony Hopkins lets rip in 'Slipstream' Nov 22, 2007
Nor can he fully explain the presence of actor Kevin McCarthy and the constant references to his most famous film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. "Do you know who the conductor Thomas Beecham was?" Hopkins suddenly asks. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Reasons to watch this get lost in 'The Mist' Nov 21, 2007
This is what the first two versions of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" did, and that worked out nicely. With "The Mist," a reasonably scary big-bug movie based on a Stephen King novella, writer-director Frank Darabont takes the opposite tack: He blows out the running time and spackles his social observations on top like frosting. (Boston Globe)
ROMNEY BLASTS ANTI-MORMON PUSH CALLS Nov 17, 2007
Romney labels calls 'un-American,' pins blame on McCain-Feingold - Jonathan Martin's Blog - Politico. Subject On the Border Question Is the main issue of concern for you in the 2008 election. (The Drudge Report)
Fall's films fizzled. Can 'prestige' movies save the holidays? Nov 3, 2007
That's why a lot is on the line as the holiday film season arrives today with a big one-two punch: the Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe epic "American Gangster" and Jerry Seinfeld's animated "Bee Movie." Hollywood is eager to restart a selling engine that stalled out around the middle of the summer with tepid performers like the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" remake, "The Invasion," and never got back on track. And the Academy Awards race, which usually has produced one or two sure bets for... (The Drudge Report)
The Serious Side of Horror: A Look at Horror Oscar Winners Nov 3, 2007
Although the Academy often turn up their noses at scary movies--having ignored such stellar scare-fests as The Shining, Dracula, The Thing, The Mummy, Frankenstein, King Kong, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Others and even The Day the Earth Stood Still--some surprising nominations and/or awards have gone to some pretty frightening films. "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti...". (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Long before 'Bee Movie,' B movies created a buzz Nov 3, 2007
A few rose above the level of B's and have become cult classics, since afforded honorary A status: Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The Day the Earth Stood Still. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Film Review: 'Slipstream,' a befuddled satire tries too hard to be avant-garde Nov 1, 2007
Film Review: 'Slipstream,' a befuddled satire tries too hard to be avant-garde - International Herald Tribune. Film Review: 'Slipstream,' a befuddled satire tries too hard to be avant-garde. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
'Lissi' livens up German B.O. Oct 27, 2007
Oliver Hirschbiegel's "The Invasion," a remake of Don Siegels classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956), goes out on 292 via Warner. Pic has taken a drubbing from local crix but the combo of Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman could bolster B.O.. (Variety)
Won't Wake Up Oct 26, 2007
Christian Slater, John Turturro, Camryn Manheim and the guy from the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" pop up randomly. Cue flickering, madness-inducing images: Nixon saying "I am not a crook" Vietnam atrocities. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
New on DVD: 'Evan Almighty' is a mighty disappointment Oct 13, 2007
Kaufman follow-ups:1978's Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Wanderers, The Right Stuff and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. ALSO ON DVD. (USA Today -- Life)
'Ratatouille' prepares for holiday feast Oct 13, 2007
amid mixed reviews for this Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake. Invasion is a metaphor of itself; the enth clone, wrote La Repubblica. (Variety)
Spawn in the USA, infecting the planet Oct 4, 2007
It's more than half a century since Jack Finney wrote his novel Invasion of the Body Snatchers, in 1954. And despite the catchpenny title, the idea seems to be shaping up nicely to become a minor classic: it's just racked up its fourth movie version, starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
When a 'duplicate' family moves in Sep 13, 2007
When she was healthy enough to return to outpatient treatment, I asked whether she had ever seen the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." She said no.. I thought I'd better not explain the plot to her. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Brown, the body snatcher, hugs his opponents to death Sep 9, 2007
For the Conservative party, this is beginning to resemble the horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Tory MPs eye each other up nervously, wondering which colleague is going to be taken over next. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Hollywood vacation Sep 8, 2007
Benign, clumsy, vomitous The Invasion, costing nearly $100 million, another Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake, couldn't snatch viewers, taking in a measly $14 million even with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. FLOP SWEAT, MOST. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Never saying never Sep 3, 2007
Are you a fan of the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Yes, I am. (Deccan Herald)
Outer space oddity Sep 2, 2007
The third remake of the sci-fi classic, 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', is decidedly inferior to Don Siegel's 1956 black-and-white original and the subsequent versions directed by Philip Kaufman (1979) and Abel Ferrara (1993). Uneven at best, the latest retread lacks the effective sense of dread of Jack Finney's source novel. (Daily News & Analysis)
A Record Summer For The Movies Aug 28, 2007
"Invasion" starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig is an adaptation of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," didn't do well because it took itself too seriously, Cagle said. "You'll see 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers,' you want a nice, sci-fi thriller, this is very rhetorical and high-minded," he said. (CBS News)
Family Filmgoer Aug 26, 2007
"The Invasion" (PG-13, 99 min.) Nicole Kidman stars in this remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," along with Daniel Craig. High-speed chases, crashes, people run over; infected people swarm over Carol's car; gunplay; Carol stalked in subway tunnel; infected people regurgitate on new victims -- high yuck factor; vicious dog runs after kids; a man dies covered in slime, having a seizure; people jump off a building; Kidman briefly in revealing sleepwear; mild profanity. (Boston Globe)
"2 Days in Paris." Aug 24, 2007
Don Siegel's classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) was about alien pods that arrived on Earth, sucked up the essence of human hosts and became duplicates of them -- exact copies, except for what made them human ... Phil Kaufman's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978), inexplicably described by Pauline Kael as "the American movie of the year," was said to have something to do with Watergate and keeping tabs on those who are not like you. (Albany Times Union)
Three-quels save the summer movie season Aug 23, 2007
It's all over but the clean-up, really, though it may take the EPA to oversee the removal of the toxic goo left by the big-budget waste dump that is The Invasion, the remake of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers that opened Friday. The last major studio picture of the summer season arrives Friday, and while it is an original title, The Nanny Diaries bears such a marked resemblance to The Devil Wears Prada that it is being marketed as its twin sister. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
The $6 Million Woman Aug 22, 2007
Its here, and in a few other early scenes, including a bit with actress Veronica Cartwright (who appeared in 1978s Invasion of the Body Snatchers) as a patient who tearfully relates how her husband has changed, that one can sense Hirschbiegels skill with actors. Still, the plays the thing, and The Invasions story lurches about in inconsistent fashion, never finding a comfortable balance between stories personal and writ large. (Film Stew)
'Superbad' Crushes 'Rush Hour 3' To Top Weekend Box Office Aug 22, 2007
"The Invasion," yet another interpretation of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers," opened in fifth place with only $6 million. This despite the fact that it stars both James Bond (Daniel Craig) and, umm, Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman). (VHI.com -- Music News)
This Summer's Hollywood Loss Leaders Aug 22, 2007
Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Last seen, the film was staggering, brain-dead like some of its lobotomized extras, toward serious red ink. (BusinessWeek)
Kidman's new film bombs at US box office Aug 21, 2007
Savaged by critics, The Invasion, a re-make of the 1956 horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, finished a poor fifth with just $US6 million ($A7 ... "In the fourth and by far the worst screen version of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Nicole Kidman's character struggles to stay awake - as will the audience," New York Post critic Lou Lumenick wrote. (Ninemsn)
Superbad makes good in the States Aug 20, 2007
A re-working of the 1956 cult horror, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, it took just $6m (3m), a hugely disappointing figure for a film featuring two A-list stars and a previously popular plot. . (Guardian Unlimited -- Film)
Review: Invasion an encounter of the mediocre kind Aug 20, 2007
The Invasion is a perfectly watchable, agreeably paranoid remake of that most paranoid of last-humans-on-Earth contagion movies, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. But it can seem quaint, not quite state-of-the-art. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
'Superbad' does super well at box office Aug 20, 2007
Superbad' does super well at box office - 08/20/2007 - MiamiHerald (The Miami Herald)
'Superbad' scores box office lovin' Aug 20, 2007
The fourth movie version of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' snatched few filmgoers this weekend for Warner Bros ... Remake of the sci-fi cult classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers placed No. 5 behind holdovers Rush Hour 3, The Bourne Ultimatum and The Simpsons Movie. (Variety)
Superbad serves up super debut Aug 20, 2007
sci-fi tale The Invasion, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig in an update of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, opened a weak No. 5 with $6 million. Videos. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
30 years after Voyager launch, time to again ask who we are Aug 20, 2007
The Golden Record mounted to the side of the space probe was meant to tell other worlds about life on Earth, but it also holds lessons for society today. from the August 20, 2007 edition. (Christian Science Monitor)
