BuzzSugar

Movie Preview: Fireflies in the Garden

BuzzSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:30:46 -0700

I feel compelled to give a warning before showing this trailer: Proceed only if you're feeling emotionally strong. Fireflies in the Garden boasts an impressive cast (Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, Ryan Reynolds, Hayden Panettiere) and it looks to be well-made - though I'm not sure I saw it very clearly through my tears. This film looks gut-wrenching.

The plot description is basic ("The semi-autobiographical story centers on the complexities of love and commitment in a family torn apart when faced by an unexpected tragedy"), but you get a pretty clear sense of what the movie's all about from the international trailer, which you can see after the jump. The family drama screened at the Berlin Film Festival, but it's unclear when it will arrive in American theaters. To see the international trailer, read more.

There are also some clips from the movie online: here, here and - if you've thoroughly steeled yourself - here.

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Nip/Tuck Creator's Latest Project Stalls Out

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:34:17 -0700

It's been nearly a year since we heard the first buzz about Nip/Tuck co-creator Ryan Murphy's latest project. It was supposed to be a drama for FX about a man who realizes he's a transsexual, with Brad Pitt among its producers.

FX's president reportedly bought the pitch for the show immediately upon hearing it, and Murphy had plans for at least four seasons, with the first focusing on his main character's realization, the second on his transition to being a woman, and so forth. The cast was strong - Joseph Fiennes in the lead role, Carrie-Ann Moss as his wife - and the show seemed like just the sort of edgy fare FX has become known for.

But somehow, the show - which was named Pretty/Handsome (Murphy sure does like his slashes in titles, no?) - has stalled. Though the pilot was produced, FX passed on the show this Spring, and nobody else seems to want it.

Without seeing the whole pilot, it's impossible to know why exactly the show didn't make it. But it's interesting to think about - especially after watching some preview clips (which you can check out after the jump). I would love to see a show really challenge our perceptions of gender. Could this have been the one to do it? Or did it just not hit the mark?

I'm curious to know if this sounds like a show you would have been interested in watching. To check out the preview, just read more.

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Disturbia: Shia LaBeouf Shines in Capable Thriller

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:13:59 -0700

I can't think of a better way to describe Disturbia than as a Rear Window for teens, and as a modern homage, the entertaining thriller is highly enthralling, if not incredibly complex. Shia LaBeouf, who I'm ready to declare one of the most natural young actors working today, is excellent as Kale, a troubled teen who punches his Spanish teacher when the teacher makes a rude comment about Kale's recently deceased dad.

Sentenced to a summer of house arrest, Kale at first spends his time on trivial pursuits like playing video games and building towers out of Twinkies. But soon, he develops a new hobby: watching the seemingly mundane routines of his neighbors play out as "reality TV without the TV." He's particularly interested in Ashley, the very hot city girl who just moved in next door; soon, she realizes what Kale is up to and wants to peek too.

In true Hitchcock style, the movie's suspense builds very slowly from there and keeps us guessing the whole time, so

Disturbia benefits from a well-written script that - aside from one cheesy but obligatory romantic scene - never feels unnatural or forced. That keeps us compelled even during the first three-quarters of the film, which is relatively light on action: Kale flirts with Ashley, talks back to his mom (Carrie-Ann Moss), and grows more and more paranoid with each passing day that his neighbor (David Morse) is actually the perpetrator of a recent murder. With an arsenal of surveillance technology that seems excessive even for a rich suburban teen, Kale, Ashley, and his buddy Ronnie become obsessed with catching the man in some sordid act.

But of course, paranoia often begets mistaken accusations, and after several run-ins with the neighbor and a few embarrassing cries of wolf, Kale's friends begin to think maybe he's the problem. As viewers, we also start to suspect that this neighbor is just a normal, if slightly creepy, guy.

As the movie progresses, I found myself veering between being completely at ease and scared out of my wits. That, my friends, is the mark of a good thriller, and Disturbia never reaches to be anything but. The pleasant surprise is that, thanks to capable actors and a neat little script, the movie rises above the standard teen fare.

Photo courtesy of DreamWorks

Movie Preview: Disturbia

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 07:35:03 -0700

If you've seen Rear Window, the trailer for Disturbia feels very familiar, but despite that - or maybe because of it - I'm still captivated by the premise. Rising star Shia LaBeouf plays Kale, a teenager on house arrest for assaulting a teacher who uttered some unkind words about Kale's recently deceased dad. He whiles away his posh "prison" time watching the goings-on outside, including those involving his hot new neighbor, Ashley (Sarah Roemer).

Soon, Ashley is onto Kale and wants a piece of the stakeout action, too. The teens become convinced that a creepy neighbor across the street is actually a killer, and from the looks of it, the movie goes into full-throttle thriller mode from there. For more details and to watch the trailer, read more

I don't know much about director D.J. Caruso, who has worked on "The Shield" and The Salton Sea, but the movie looks promising. It comes out this Friday the 13th, with the also creepy but less promising Perfect Stranger. Tune in later for my review, and watch the trailer now and tell me what you think.

Photo courtesy of DreamWorks