It would be a mistake to call The Purge thinly-veiled social commentary because that would necessitate the presence of a veil.  When there’s no distance between the comment and the art, it’s simply a statement.  “Socioeconomic inequality leads to entitlement and estrangement.”  That’s The Purge.  Writer-director James DeMonaco has no room for subtlety, and what he’s constructed isn’t a veiled commentary, but a cage constructed out of a thriller/action film.  This doesn’t mean his comment doesn’t have merit.  It’s perfectly timed and speaks to our current cultural climate.  It’s just that no one may hear the message over the bloodlust created by the desire for an upper-middle-class family to fight off their upper-class attackers.

Today, we’re premiering a new TV spot for the upcoming remake of Red Dawn.  The film focuses on a group of teenagers who become freedom fighters when their town is invaded and conquered by North Korea.  Presumably, you’re investment in the movie rests on whether or not you can suspend your disbelief that North Korea could take over a 7/11 let alone entire parts of America.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spot.  The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Peck, Isabel Lucas, Edwin Hodge, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Red Dawn opens November 21st.

The first trailer for the long-delayed Red Dawnremake has been released.  Watching this trailer, I’m reminded of why we now use aliens for all of our invasion movies.  Being a superpower, it’s tougher to imagine the U.S. getting invaded by almost any other country.  The original worked in 1984 because it preyed on Cold War fears, and those fears no longer exist.  Even when China was the foe for the remake (a post-production change was made so that we wouldn’t lose money from their bustling economy; now the baddie is North Korea, which is laughable since they can’t even get a working rocket let alone an invasion force), there wasn’t too much fear, although that would at least provide a credible war.  I will say that the rah-rah freedom on display is kind of cute, and it’s interesting that the remake focuses on the characters going on a mission rather than simply trying to survive like in the original.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Peck, Isabel Lucas, Edwin Hodge, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Red Dawn opens on November 21st.

An image of the cast from the upcoming remake of Red Dawn has found its way online.  The film was in limbo due to MGM’s ongoing financial troubles, but now that the company has declared bankruptcy and begun restructuring, it’s possible the film will finally be released sometime this year.  This image [via The Daily Blam] looks like it’s either a costume test or for promotional purposes, but I don’t think there will be a scene where the main characters gather to strike a pose and look directly into the camera.

For those who have never seen the original 1984 film, it centers on a group of teenagers that band together after America is invaded by the USSR.  The remake of  Red Dawn stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights), Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right), Josh Peck (The Wackness), Isabel Lucas (Daybreakers), Connor Cruise (Seven Pounds), Edwin Hodge (Take Me Home Tonight), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

It’s been a while since we heard anything about the casting for the remake of the 1984 commie-stompin’ flick “Red Dawn”.  We knew that Papa Kirk/Thor Chris Hemsworth would be playing Jed Eckhert (originally played by Patrick Swayze), “The Wackness’” Josh Peck would play younger brother Matt Eckhert (originally played by Charlie Sheen), and Adrianne Palicki of “Friday Night Lights” would play Toni, the love interest of Jed and formerly played by Jennifer Grey.

Now four more fighters want so bash some Commies (or maybe terrorists; I’m not sure what the remake is going for).  Hit the jump to find out who’s joining the high-school band of fighters known as “The Wolverines”