With two big blockbusters based on Snow White last year and now both Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella films in the works, fairy tales are making a comeback. It's clear the modern masses continue to be drawn to storybook tales of fair maidens and prince charmings. So if you are looking for some dreamy, whimsical, and outright magical wedding ideas, then take a journey through our favorite fairy-tale-inspired weddings.
Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers, an uptight ballerina who gets cast as the lead in a production of Swan Lake. When she encounters a rival dancer (Mila Kunis) who possesses the sexuality that she lacks, Nina's emotional state unravels. Director Darren Aronofsky's thriller is a beautifully artistic albeit disturbing effort, but Portman is the star of the show. She swept award season — an Oscar included — and the film is worth renting for her performance alone. DVD bonus features include a making-of featurette and a look at the costume and production design for the film.
Mandy Moore and Chuck's Zachary Levi put their voices to song in this fresh, fun spin on the story of Rapunzel. The Disney film tells the classic tale of the girl who let down her hair, except this time, Rapunzel (Moore) is more of a headstrong heroine than a damsel in distress. When she meets Flynn Ryder (Levi), a rebel on the run, the two bust Rapunzel out of her tower and form a friendship. Though it may be intended for the little ones, Tangled charms all ages with its sweetness. DVD extras include a retrospective montage featuring Disney's 50 animated films, deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette.
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Not only did Zachary Levi get to perform at the Oscars - he sang a song from his movie Tangled - he also got to meet his idol Tom Hanks at an after party.
Mark Wahlberg used to be a tough guy, but now he tears up at family films like Tangled and Toy Story 3. While chatting with Jay Leno, the father of four — Ella, 7, Michael, 4, and Brendan, 2, and Grace, 1, — talked about going to the movies with his oldest daughter and her date and how parenthood has changed him.
I was disappointed last year when the individual performances for the nominations for Best Original Song were cut from the Oscars, so I was happy to learn that not only are the performances coming back this year, but they're pretty star-studded. Gwyneth Paltrow will take the stage again (right after she performs with Cee-Lo at the Grammys) for her Country Strong number, while Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore will show off their duet from Tangled. For "If I Rise" from 127 Hours, composer A.R. Rahman is enlisting Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine, and Randy Newman will perform his tune from Toy Story 3.
I can't wait to hear all of the performances on the big night, but I'm particularly pumped to see Levi and Moore team up since we didn't actually get to see their faces in Tangled. What about you — which performance are you looking forward to the most?
Films often reflect life, and that's why families will be well-represented at the 2011 Academy Awards. When the Oscar nominations were announced this morning, it was thrilling to see that movies made about and for families were recognized in the most prestigious categories. From mother and father roles to those behind animated flicks, see which nominees will be vying to accept the sought-after statue on the big night!
If you're heading to theaters with loved ones over the holiday break, it's important to choose just the right film. After all, you wouldn't take your grandmother to see Black Swan, would you? That's why I've put together this handy guide to help ward off any potential movie mishaps. To find out which films best suit the various friends and family in your life, just keep reading!
The Chronicles of Narnia may not have the same box office power as the Harry Potter franchise, but an unimpressive $24.5 million was still enough for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader to take the crown. Bad reviews for The Tourist put a damper on the power of Jolie and Depp, as their film debuted in second with $17 million. Tangled slid to third place with $14.6 million, pushing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I down to fourth with $8.5 million. Fifth place went to Unstoppable with $3.7 million.
Black Swan continued to pick up momentum in limited release, taking in $3.3 million across only 90 screens for sixth place. The film is expected to pick up even more steam when it goes wide on Dec. 22.
Rapunzel's hair really must be magical: Disney's Tangled came in first at the box office this weekend with $21.5 million, toppling the two-week champ, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. It was a close battle last week between the two films, but Tangled was the victor this week, beating Harry Potter's $16.7 million haul.
In third place, we have a tie: Christina Aguilera's musical Burlesque rivaled the Denzel Washington action flick Unstoppable, which each pulled in $6.1 million. And rounding out the top five is the pharmaceutical-fueled romantic comedy Love and Other Drugs, which made $5.7 million.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I clung on to its title as box office champion, taking in $70.8 million over the five-day holiday weekend. Disney's new animated adventure, Tangled nipped at its heels with $69 million, marking it as the second biggest Thanksgiving premiere of all time.
Third place went to another family film, as Megamind took in $17.6 million, followed by Christina Aguilera's Burlesque with $17.2 million. Unstoppable rounded out the top five with $16.2 million. Even gratuitous amounts of nudity couldn't help Love and Other Drugs, which took in $14 million.
