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Oscar Nominee: Australia For Best Costume Design

BuzzSugar — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:30:24 -0800

As we gear up for the Oscars, I'll be featuring the nominees for Best Costume Design. It's a big year for this category as the films nominated represent several vastly different historical periods. Be it eighteenth century England or San Francisco in the '70s, these films include some gorgeous threads. Today's featured movie is Australia.

Baz Luhrmann's movies are always exceptionally detailed when it comes to the way they look. Once again, it's clear there was a specific vision when it came to the way these characters dress in this epic tale set in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Not only do the costumes look amazing on the movie's two stunning stars (although, Hugh also looks pretty great without any costume) but they also contribute to the narrative, especially in the case of Kidman's character. Eventually her lavish wardrobe gives way to more relaxed frontier wear - a visual cue to the audience that Australia has won her over.

To check out a gallery of the many beautiful costumes on the great-looking actors, just read more.

View 11 Photos ›

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Baz Luhrmann to Take on the Great Gatsby

BuzzSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:30:11 -0800

Director Baz Luhrmann (Australia, Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet) recently sat down for an interview with the Hollywood Reporter and opened up on all sorts of stuff - including the fact that he has acquired the rights to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and feels that now is the perfect time for this "parable for economic disaster." Here's more:

Luhrmann sees the pre-Depression story as a wake-up call as the economy comes crashing down and another Gilded Age, as he sees it, comes to an end.

"If you wanted to show a mirror to people that says, 'You've been drunk on money,' they're not going to want to see it. But if you reflected that mirror on another time they'd be willing to."

He added, "People will need an explanation of where we are and where we've been, and The Great Gatsby can provide that explanation."

I'm a fan of Luhrmann's so I can't wait to see what he does with this story. It seems like he might consider Nicole Kidman for the role of Daisy Buchanan, but I wonder if there are other actresses who could do well with the part. Which actors could you see in some of the other roles, like Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Tom Buchanan? And do you think this classic is in good hands with Luhrmann?

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Box Office: Four Christmases Wins the Holiday Weekend

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:30:35 -0800

I was surprised at how much I ended up enjoying Four Christmases starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, and maybe some of the early buzz from others who also liked it helped the holiday comedy win the Thanksgiving weekend box office this year with an estimated $46.7 million since opening Wednesday.

Meanwhile the highly anticipated Baz Luhrmann epic Australia opened at No. 5 after Quantum of Solace in fourth place, Twilight (which passed the $100 million mark this weekend) in third, and Bolt in second place. Gus Van Sant's biopic Milk also did very well for a limited release, coming in at No. 10 over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Australia: A Magical, Epic Tale For the Ages

BuzzSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:45:29 -0800

Every once in a while, a movie comes around that reminds us what going to the movies is all about. It's a spectacle and an adventure and a love story. It’s full of magic, passion, music and breathtaking aerial shots. Australia is like the restoration of a long-lost cinematic art. It's pure entertainment with a human element to it that’s just emotional enough. With Australia, director Baz Luhrmann has brought us the most sweeping, grandiose, and visually stunning epic film of the year.

And in keeping with all the larger-than-life aspects of this production, Hugh Jackman of course embodies the manliest character ever. Playing a drover (a person who moves livestock, like cattle, over long distances) who's only ever referred to as "Drover," he's like a Greek god and John Wayne mixed together - but with an Australian accent. Under Luhrmann's watchful eye, Jackman's beautiful physique and macho charm help create something like an old-fashioned Western. The sunset softly lighting a wide landscape view, the pounding of galloping horses kicking dust up into the air, and a rugged man on horseback all make for a fine-looking movie indeed.

So that's most of what I like about the film - Luhrmann's lovely direction and Hugh Jackman - but there are other things, so read more.

There are essentially two parts to the narrative in this movie. The first has to do with the very prim and very British Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who gains sudden control of a cattle station in Australia called Faraway Downs, having to get a huge number of cattle onto a ship. She relies on a rather motley crew to help her with this task, including the sexy, no-nonsense Drover and a mixed-race Aboriginal child (sometimes referred to as "creamy"), Nullah. Young Nullah narrates throughout the film, referring to Lady Sarah Ashley as "Mrs. Boss," which adds a sort of innocence and truthfulness to it all.

The second part of the story deals with protecting Faraway Downs from shady folks, and suffering an air strike as World War II rages on. Amidst all this, there is the ever-present danger of having Nullah forcibly taken away by the state in order to integrate him into white society (and to "breed the black out" of him as one character disgustingly puts it). In Australia, the mixed-race children who endured such removals were known as the Stolen Generations, and at some point Lady Sarah Ashley becomes determined to prevent Nullah from this terrible fate. In addition to all this, there are the general story arcs for the individual characters, most notably how the chilly "Mrs. Boss" learns how to passionately love three things: Nullah, Drover, and Australia.

The film is lengthy and there are a few moments when I thought it was over, only to find that there was much more in store for us, and for the first time at a super-long movie I actually hoped it wouldn't end. There are moments of cheesiness (like the frequent metaphoric reference to the movie The Wizard of Oz and its tune "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), but it's not nearly as campy as Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge nor as over-the-top crazy as Romeo and Juliet. In comparison to those two films, Australia is really just a straightforward tale of romance and adventure in the Outback. Sure it’s incredibly long, but if you have the time and inclination, this movie is well worth the time and money - especially when viewed in all its dramatic splendor on a great, big screen.

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Another Movie Date Change! Quantum of Solace: Nov. 14

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:41:24 -0700

Following all these changes to the Fall movie releases is like a chess game because it has thrown the entire calender into a bit of a tizzy. First Twilight shifted its date based on the Harry Potter news, and now Quantum of Solace, the next installment of the James Bond franchise starring Daniel Craig, will follow suit.

Originally, Quantum of Solace was going to open Nov. 7 and is now being bumped to Nov. 14. Sony chair of worldwide marketing and distribution Jeff Blake states:

We believe Nov. 14 is a great date that allows us to play straight through Thanksgiving and right into Christmas. We believe this decision will give the public a wider opportunity to see the film over the holiday.

In this new slot the James Bond flick will now open the same weekend as Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia. Looks like despite the Harry Potter move to Summer of '09, this Fall is still shaping up to be pretty eventful.

So, let's see here, what does this mean for us? An additional week to ponder the meaning of Quantum of Solace, perhaps? Sure, why not.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Buzz In: Has a Movie Ever Inspired You to Travel?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:30:10 -0700

The other day I found myself saying, "You know where I really want to visit? Greece." Why? Because of that lovable hot mess Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Both are set (or, partially set, in Pants's case) on beautiful Greek islands with many sumptuous shots of white sands and sparkling azure oceans. It's like the ultimate product placement: I want to go where that movie is. Now.

Now Baz Luhrmann is fully embracing this idea of movie-as-travel-ad, and will help create a tourism ad campaign to go along with the release of his film Australia.

I've already shared a few movies that have inspired me to travel, so now it's your turn. Which movies have made you antsy to get out and see the world?

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Movie Preview: Baz Luhrmann's Australia

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:31:44 -0700

Baz Luhrmann, the Australian director of Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge has been working on his next film Australia for a while, and now we've got our first look at the project. Although the trailer doesn't give away much of the plot (I think Nicole Kidman makes an attempt, kinda, in the form of a simplified children's story but it doesn't really help much), it appears we're looking at an Australia under attack during the Pacific War with a romance thrown in there for good measure.

Visually, the film looks stunning. I've always had a hunch that if Luhrmann could apply just a small amount of restraint to his trademark movie aesthetic, we would be in for something truly special and this very well may be it. Also, Hugh Jackman as an outback cowboy might be the role he was born to play.

The film is set for release November 14. To see the trailer and let me know what you think, read more.

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Link Time! 4/17

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:30:36 -0700

Maura Tierney apparently wants her character to be killed off ER, so TV Squad wonders: How should Abby die?
FilmExperience has the lowdown on Baz Luhrmann's challenge for young filmmakers.
According to Cinematical, there's now an R-rated trailer up for one of this year's most well-received Sundance movies, Hamlet 2.
Vulture has video of Jason Segel's five best moments on the short-lived series Undeclared.
Got a question for Neil Patrick Harris? Popwatch needs more ideas for what to ask him in an upcoming interview.
Stereogum has some thoughts on Lily Allen's new tunes "I Don't Know" and "I Could Say."
Awesome! A Pop Candy reader writes about her experience as an extra on the set of Lost.

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Link Time! 5/1

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:10:53 -0700

FitSugar's getting into the swing of things with these socks that look like they could give Spider-Man a run for his money.
The TV Addict offers his take on more than 50 of this season's TV finales.
Tom Waits tops Rolling Stone Rock & Roll Daily's list of the 25 most underappreciated artists.
TV Filter pays its respects to recently deceased character actor Dabbs Greer.
Harry Potter's Emma Watson apparently said that playing an American high schooler would be her "worst nightmare," Cinematical tells us.
Stereogum gum gives us a brand spanking new Interpol song.
If laughing at "The Bachelor" from afar isn't enough for you, TV with MeeVee has the scoop on how to apply for a spot on the show.
Film Experience picks apart a candid on-set photo from Australia, the upcoming Baz Luhrmann/Nicole Kidman project.
Pop Candy makes me happy with a podcast about Sassy magazine.
TV Squad laments the sad, cancellation-happy state of Fox.