Back in January, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman starred in No Strings Attached as two friends who decide to sleep together without the messy involvement of a relationship. If the trailers for Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis's Friends With Benefits is giving you major movie déjà vu, we're here to help. The titles and premises are already confusing, so I'm going to try to clear it up for you by making distinctions between the two films before Friends With Benefits hits theaters on July 22.
Natalie Portman turns 30 today! In the Oscar winner's relatively short but illustrious career, she's been involved in every type of relationship. Let's look back at her characters' romances — from sweet, young love to complicated and intoxicating affairs. Some spoilers ahead.
In this unconventional romantic comedy, Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play two friends who bypass a traditional relationship in favor of just sleeping together. Predictably, things get complicated as they spend more time together and their feelings get involved. Kutcher and Portman have cute chemistry, and a side of funny friends who make the movie a good time. The movie's DVD extras include deleted scenes, alternate storyline scenes, a director's commentary track, and a few making-of featurettes.
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams costar as married couple Cindy and Dean in this drama. Their romance has seen happier days, and the film alternates between flashbacks of their heady courtship and their crumbling marriage in present day. Williams earned an Oscar nomination for her role, but it's the combination of Gosling and Williams that makes for a powerful but tragic portrait of a real relationship gone awry. The extras on the DVD include deleted scenes, director's commentary, and a making-of featurette.
See one more new release when you read more
Demi Moore and Salma Hayek met up with Ashton Kutcher for shopping and lunch in Paris today following his early morning photo call for No Strings Attached. The movie is actually being called Sex Friends in France, though his pal and costar Natalie Portman appears to be staying in NYC and not participating in the latest round of promotional appearances. Their romantic comedy was a hit at the box office in the States, and he's hoping for more of the same with his next project New Year's Eve. Ashton has a packed work schedule, but he was still able to fit in some fun and celebrate his 33rd birthday on Monday — he enjoyed a night of sexy dancing with Demi while on vacation in Brazil recently, and was also able to attend the Super Bowl. Salma, meanwhile, did some partying of her own recently while off in St. Barts with her husband Francois.
January may be a tough month at the box office, but Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly's thriller The Roommate managed to make its mark. It earned $15.6 million, which landed it in first place in the least-attended Super Bowl weekend in 15 years.
In second place was Sanctum, the James Cameron-produced cave thriller and fellow new release, which made $9.2 million. Following it in third was Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher's romantic comedy No Strings Attached with $8.4 million, and Oscar hopeful The King's Speech was right on its heels with $8.3 million. Rounding out the top five was The Green Hornet, which came in with $6.1 million.
Audiences were itching for something new at theaters this weekend, and fresh release The Rite reaped the benefits. Anthony Hopkins's horror flick took first place at the box office, taking in $15.5 million. It took down last week's champ, No Strings Attached, which settled for second with $13.6 million. Jason Statham's The Mechanic debuted in third with $11.5 million, followed by The Green Hornet, which slipped to fourth and garnered $11.5 million. The King's Speech rounded out the top five with $11.1 million.
Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher's romantic comedy No Strings Attached had no problems getting audiences to commit to seeing it — the new release won the weekend box office race, earning $20.3 million. In second place was last week's champ, Seth Rogen superhero flick The Green Hornet, with $18.1 million.
Vince Vaughn comedy The Dilemma pulled into third place with $9.7 million, followed by award season favorite The King's Speech, which made $9.1 million (perhaps folks were eager to see Colin Firth's Golden-Globe-winning performance). The Coen Bros. western True Grit completed the top five with a haul of $8 million.
If you haven't already ditched work this afternoon to see No Strings Attached, I have a feeling quite a few of you may be watching it this weekend. The movie, which opens today, features the ever-popular Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as no-string-attached bedroom buddies who quickly realize they may want more from their arrangement. This scene is pretty telling, since Adam (Kutcher) is nursing Emma (Portman) through some rather trying that-time-of-the-month pains. One thing that isn't a pain in this scene is the great bedroom décor. I love the West Elm Low Wood Cutout Bed (king size on sale for $230), as well as the midcentury modern table lamp. The one I've linked to above is actually a whopping $1,500 from 1stdibs, but you can find similar ones for much, much cheaper at flea markets and tag sales. To shop the rest of the look, just click on each image!
This weekend may be perfect for a trip to the movie theater, but before you head out, I have some advice for you on this week's new release, No Strings Attached. In the comedy, Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher steam up the screen as friends who try to sleep together without having a romantic relationship — but is it worth your money? Watch the video review now!
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher cuddled up at a special screening of No Strings Attached in NYC last night, following his wet and wild stop by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon earlier in the day. The couple were joined by Portlandia's Fred Armisen, actresses Greta Gerwig and Abby Elliot, and another married pair, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Demi was also by his side at the movie's LA premiere, along with his leading lady, Golden Globe winner Natalie Portman. Ashton didn't have much time to celebrate after last night's showing of his romantic comedy, though, getting up bright and early to cohost Live With Regis & Kelly this morning. Buzz throughly enjoyed Natalie and Ashton's sexy romantic comedy romp — check out their review!
