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The Invasion: Still a Good Story, Boringly Updated

BuzzSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:28:35 -0700

I recently had a conversation with friends about why the sci-fi thriller The Invasion of the Body Snatchers keeps getting remade (after the original 1956 movie, there was a remake in 1978 starring Donald Sutherland followed by a 1993 remake with Forest Whitaker). Someone pointed out that the movie continues to be relevant, that the themes within it can be interpreted and applied to current social or political happenings at any given time. With The Invasion, however, it seems there was no firm decision made about whether it should be a political commentary or a suspenseful horror film. So, it ends up trying weakly for both and accomplishing neither.

The basic plot is this: A space shuttle crashes on Earth covered in creepy microorganisms which, when touched by humans, cover said humans with a gooey, sticky film in their sleep. Upon waking, the humans are transformed into emotionless shells of their former selves, unaffected by sorrow or love. Psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman), her friend Ben (Daniel Craig) and her young son Oliver (Jackson Bond) are among the few residents of Washington, D.C. who very rapidly figure out the whole deal and struggle to not get infected with the zombie disease (which disgustingly can be passed when one zombie projectile vomits on a non-zombie and then it's just a matter of falling asleep, perchance to congeal). More about this story and my take on it if you read more

In this version of the body snatchers story, it becomes apparent that Oliver is immune and can never become "one of them." So, rather than being simply a choice of whether or not to fall asleep and become a droid, it becomes imperative that Carol stay awake because her son would be killed by the zombies (who "have no need" for an immune kid) if she were not around to protect him.

Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig commit fully to this movie, a stoic and noble move on both their parts seeing as it seems to be a waste of their supreme talents. If it were not for these two, this film might have quickly slid into the realm of campy horror flicks perhaps enjoyed by a cult following. As it is, though, it's just a middle-of-the-road movie - not too scary, not touching, but not utterly boring, either.

With nods to the previous incarnations of Invasion of the Body Snatchers left and right (people in the middle of the road screaming crazily at cars rushing past them, the repeated phrase "My husband is not my husband; my son is not my son"), the original idea behind the work lurks somewhere inside The Invasion. Yet this version tries to modernize the story as well, heavily featuring text messaging between mother and son, for example. Also, Carol's apparent knowledge of how to Google things results in her extremely swift and total understanding of how this new "disease" works. Yet a disappointing new tweaking to this version is a removal of the bleak and chilling overtones. The ending is so neat and tidy it's like nothing happened at all during the previous ninety minutes. Thus, I found myself wondering why I'd spent those minutes with this movie.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Movie Preview: The Invasion

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:30:00 -0700

You may recall several months ago that there was news of Nicole Kidman getting into a minor accident on the set of a movie. Well, The Invasion is that movie, and the full, creepy trailer was just released. Also starring Daniel Craig (who, along with Kidman, has an American accent in the film), The Invasion is about a strange, zombie-like, extraterrestrial infection sweeping all of humanity, and a Washington DC psychiatrist (Kidman) realizes her son might be the only hope they have to find a cure. Opening August 17, we have some time to recover from the trailer, which is pretty darn chilling, so read more

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Invasion"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:23:13 -0700

Seattle Grace has been invaded, and this time it's with new doctors in addition to fresh patients and injuries. It doesn't take very long for the surgeons to butt heads with the Mercy West newbies - in fact, Izzie is ready to throw down after one of the doctors takes George's locker in the locker room. Eventually, Izzie is the only one who warms up to the Mercy Westers, only to get burned first by a new friend and then by the chief.

Ready to talk about all of the drama with the new kids on the block? Just read more.

The docs are on the defensive from the minute they are "invaded" by Mercy West. New guy Jackson (aka hot guy from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) immediately gets on Owen's good side by suggesting a new method of appointing patients. Throughout the episode, Jackson proves to be most likable of the new doctors, which makes Cristina hate him even more.
For the second week in a row, Cristina has beef with Owen because he doesn't play favorites. Her self-assurance continues to plummet, and by the end of the episode she has a breakdown in Meredith's hospital room about how much she misses heart surgeries. It was interesting that she mentions Burke after all these seasons of silence (though at this point it feels like he's been gone forever), and I loved that she jumps right into Mere's bed even though they are both in a "dark and twisty" place.
Callie's father returns, though it's not exactly the joyful reunion she's been hoping for. He brings a priest along for the trip, prompting Callie to protest that you can't "pray away the gay." Later they square off again, citing religious quotes, but ultimately he begins to accept his daughter for who she is. This is a major breakthrough for Callie's relationship with Arizona, as she's the one who gets through to Callie's dad, even admitting that she loves Callie. Aww.
Lexie tries to be welcoming to the new doc she's working with, though it doesn't take long for her to see that the newbie is one-upping her photographic memory. Prompted by the patient she's working with (who happens to be a thief), Lexie turns the tables and uses the newbie's diary to get the upper hand. In true Lexie fashion, she feels bad in the end and apologizes. Am I the only one who thinks the new doctor is kind of like Lexie 2.0? Their dynamic reminded me of when Lexie first started and tries really hard to make nice with Mere, but gets the cold shoulder in return. Maybe Lexie and Meredith are growing more alike as they get to know each other.
The most dramatic moments of the night are wrapped up in Izzie. Though wary at first, Izzie quickly bonds with and embraces her new friend Charles - until she overhears him referring to her as his "own surgical bitch." (Ouch). It obviously gets to her, and Izzie lets her emotions get in the way of her work, nearly killing a patient waiting for a transplant. It's clear that the other doctors aren't willing to give her a free pass because she's a cancer survivor; Bailey hands her a heavy reprimand and ultimately the Chief lets her go.
Alex continues to try to defend Izzie to the chief, though this week his pleas are starting to sound desperate. He gets so fiercely competitive with newbie Reid that a patient's family member is forced to step in. At the end of his stressful day, he gets the biggest bomb of all - Izzie breaks the news that she's leaving him a note. We all knew the firing was coming, but I didn't think her relationship with Alex would end so quickly. He has a rare emotional moment breaking the news to Mere and Cristina, and even they don't know how to comfort the usually cocky Karev. (Gotta love the moment of comic relief when Meredith is trying to prompt Cristina to give him a hug).

Now that Izzie's gone, what do you think will happen when she gets back? Is it really over for her and Karev? Did you like seeing the fresh meat at Seattle Grace or were you just as irritated as the doctors?

For more on everything Grey's, check out the Grey's Anatomy Junkies group in the BuzzSugar Community!

Buzz-Worthy Video of the Day: First look at ABC's V

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700

Fall TV is underway, but there are a few lingering shows that have yet to premiere. On November 3, we'll get to check out the first episode of V, ABC's new remake of the alien invasion series. While we wait for next week, I've got a taste of the new show. In the first 8 minutes, we meet many of the characters we'll be seeing on a regular basis (including Elizabeth Mitchell), and watch as the world stares up at the sky in wonder as a UFO lurks overhead. Just don't get too excited - only the first four episodes will run before the show takes a hiatus until March.

Don't forget to weigh in on whether or not you'll be programming your DVR for this one. To see the video, just read more.

ABC Splits Up the Debut For V: Brilliant or Baffling?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:30:26 -0700

ABC's Fall drama V is going to have an unorthodox birth: first, it will premiere in November with a four-episode run and then stop until March, when it will resume again. The main reason cited is the Winter Olympics, which will be airing and taking up prime-time viewers.

The show, a remake of the 1980s alien invasion miniseries, has promise - it stars Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell and Scott Wolf, and the futuristic extraterrestrial subject matter is pretty beloved. Maybe breaking up the debut will make you want more - but if you do, will you even remember, months later, to tune in? Or do you think ABC should have held the show to air it all together?

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:15:03 -0700

So how did this year's Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series follow up its win? With a shocking turn of events that made me stop and wonder if I was on the right channel.

Even the pun-y title, "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," was sort of un-Mad Men-like. But with an episode loaded with the visit from Sterling Cooper's British owners, Joan's last day, and Sally's aversion to her baby brother, there was a lot going on.

To see what I thought of this week's episode (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The bloody British invasion: Eeeeeeeeeew! In the grossest Mad Men scene ever, secretary Lois runs over visiting Guy's foot, splattering blood all over employees and the walls. (Did it really need to spray like that?! It was like an episode of Dexter.) I wanted to make like Peggy and pass out, though Sterling does get points for his "foot in the door" joke.
The Mad Men laugh factory: The second funniest joke of the episode is Joan's "One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary's running you over with a lawn mower." Don laughed! A full-on chortle! And early on, John dryly punks Kinsey by telling him he should shave his beard. "That was a joke," he tells an irate Kinsey. I needed the assurance myself - and for the whole episode. I was thrown off; this is usually a giggle-free hour of TV.
More Joan, please: I was happy to see so much screen time for Joan. Even though I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with her husband, I like that he's humanized when he doesn't receive his residency. Likewise, that prompts more of Joan without her standard her steely office manager facade as she offers sympathy and comfort to her devastated husband. It's an obvious contrast to Don and Betty's relationship, where communication is not a strong point. Later, she tears up when Sterling Cooper celebrates her contribution, and then once again shows how much the office needs her when the accident strikes.
Don and Roger's barbershop date: Sure, Don tells Roger he looks like a fool earlier in the season, but unlike Burt Cooper I didn't really sense that they need to patch things up. I still love that Burt sends Don and Roger on a date in an effort to get them to be buds again.
What's in a name? Sally's inability to gain closure over Grandpa Gene's death is all wrapped up in her new brother. I gotta say, I was a little weirded out myself that Betty chose to name the baby after her father. There's a clear winner in parenting this week - Betty tries to solve Sally's problem with a Barbie doll "from" baby Gene, while Don tenderly shows Sally that the baby's life is a new start. I couldn't help but swoon.

What moments stood out to you in this week's episode? Were you as beside yourself as I was over the foot/lawnmower scene? And what did you make of Conrad Hilton's summoning Don to a meeting?

Photo courtesy of AMC