Despite Kidman Talent, ‘The Invasion’ Whittles Down to Cliché Puking Alien Zombies

CHICAGO – “The 11th Hour,” which opens on Aug. 17, is an aggressive environmentalist portrayal of our past, present and potentially dire future.

It discusses the concept that the Earth is a living, breathing organism and humans are making it “sick”. If we continue plaguing the planet without reversing the trend, the film portends that our race could erase entirely and the Earth flourish.


Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Are we indeed the problem? In “The Invasion,” which also opens on Aug. 17, writers Jack Finney and Dave Kajganich along with director Oliver Hirschbiegel also wrangle this pickle in their new sci-fi thriller.

Washington, D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) helps unearth an alien epidemic that sweeps the planet and alters human behavior. She launches into a sleep-starved killing spree to keep her son alive in a now-emotionally barren planet.

Are we better off with such an alien disease in widespread consciousness or do we fight to save our global abode?


Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
While there’s a Hollywood entertainment factor in this picture, its most redeeming quality is whittled down to Kidman’s performance. Even with her fluctuating Aussie, southern and east coast accents, she still manages to pull it off and make us stare.

Political jabs at America’s slow reaction time to humanitarian priorities are an ongoing theme in this film.

Acting like you’re not acting in a monotone, emotionless, redundant “we come from France” conehead voice but at a lower pitch sure gets old fast. Please inject my eyeball with some McDonald’s fry grease. “Sean of the Dead” had it right with comedy.


Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
The laugh-worthy sequences came purely from the sheer ridiculousness of what was intended to be dramatic, life-threatening situations that should have pulled our heartstrings. They pulled our legs instead.

If you’re into dumbed down dialogue, flaming cars, cliché “save the world” concepts and puking alien zombies, then this Bud’s for you. Personally, I wish I would have stayed home and watched TV fuzz.

By Phil Tadros, Emilie Rose Bishop
Staff Writers
HollywoodChicago.com

© 2007 Phil Tadros and Emilie Rose Bishop, HollywoodChicago.com

New Photos Captured of Sophia Bush in Chicago

Following a June 24 post with video of Sophia Bush’s visit to Chicago, I have received photos taken from the same event. These were taken by Brian Heiser and sent to me by Phil Tadros.

Cell Phone Video Shot of Sophia Bush in Chicago

Phil Tadros has submitted to me a video of Sophia Bush from “The Hitcher,” “One Tree Hill” and “Van Wilder” that he shot in Chicago with his cell phone.




Photo of Sophia Bush by Eric Charbonneau from WireImage.com

On the Scene: Video of ‘The Dark Knight’ Filming in Chicago

I just finished interviewing “A Mighty Heart” director Michael Winterbottom to find that my correspondent, Phil Tadros of MetroProper, has quickly delivered on my request.

Because I was downtown and the coffee shop he owns (Dollop) is right where “The Dark Knight” filmed yesterday and all day today, I asked him to take a few pictures of the action. He did better.

Here’s some pre-action, sneak-peak video to give you a sense of the scene.


By the way, the “Rory’s First Kiss” you see referenced in this video is the fake working title for “The Dark Knight”. The working title is “Batman Begins 2”.

5:03 p.m. update: I asked Phil for set footage. Because he knows friends everywhere, he went into a nearby apartment for a glimpse into what it looks like and the changes being made to the surrounding area.