These are movies that share the same name but aren’t remakes of the same film. I realized the confusion this causes after a DVR incident of recording the wrong film with the same name last week. I was seriously irritated when I settled in to start my movie and realized what happened. The husband was sympathetic only after much snickering, which was not enjoyed by all.

Fair Game
One is a movie about politics and a real-life situation where a CIA agent was outed by members of the government, and the other… isn’t. It is, in fact, a 1995 movie staring Billy Baldwin and Cindy Crawford about an attorney and drugs and being on the run. FYI, my husband actually fell asleep in this movie when we went to the theater to see it. Since it has Cindy Crawford in it, I have no explanation for this behavior — I guess that’s just how unfortunate the movie actually is.

If you’re into political docudramas, check out this Fair Game.
If you’re into mid-90s-bad-movie-making, here you go.

Kicking and Screaming
One movie is a 1995 grunge/angst tale of the lives of slacker friends made by Noah Baumbach. Similar films would be Singles and Slacker. It would be unfortunate if you ended up renting the film staring Will Ferrell — I may be the only person who despises Will Ferrell movies, but there you go — as a suburban father going into a soccer coach competition with his father.

1995 angst film
Suburban soccer movie

Notorious
There is the 1946 Carey Grant and Ingrid Bergman film produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Featuring love, espionage, betrayal and sweet 40s outfits, this movie has a little something for everyone. Then there’s the 2009 film staring Angela Bassett, which  is the story of murdered rapper Notorious B.I.G. It also has some intrigue and betrayal, but is definitely a much different movie.

Classic version
Life story of famous slain rapper

Crossroads
Crossroads is a 2006 film staring Jacob Pitts and Amy Acker (one of the stars of Dollhouse, which you should add to your Queue immediately!) about a confused and frustrated seminary student who tries to decide between the life of a priest and the life of a devoted family man. Crossroads is ALSO a 1986 movie staring Ralph Macchio and Jamie Gertz, about a classic blues tale and going to the “crossroads” to make a deal with the devil for your soul. Admittedly, this has a fair amount of cheesiness, but I’m calling it an 80s must-watch. Also, I may be last holdout of the Steve Vai fans. Odd but gifted. As a bonus, there’s also Crossroads, the 2002 movie in which Britney Spears goes on a roadtrip with friends. If that’s what you’re into.

Seminary student in life crisis — haven’t seen but have added to my Queue to check out
Delta Blues showdown with demon minions
Britney Spears & company

Any other movie doppelgangers of which we should be aware?

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