BuzzSugar

Christopher Plummer Brings Humor and Talks "the Human Condition" in Globes Press Room

Molly Goodson — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:36:50 PST

Christopher Plummer was the first winner at this year's Golden Globe Awards, receiving the best supporting actor trophy for his work in Beginners. On stage Christopher apologized to his fellow nominees, which he also joked about when he went backstage to the press room. Here's what he had to say:

On all the nice things being said about him: "Usually no nice things are said about me at all, so it’s a great relief."
On the antigay protests outside the awards: "Gay characters are human beings. we’re all exactly the same. That's the reason I played it the way I did, not as a caricature. They're a part of our society since the Egyptians, the Greeks - it's part of the human condition. I know there is a lot of antigay sentiment in our society at the moment and I abhor it."
On apologizing to his fellow nominees: "That was humor. I always like to salute my competitors since no one is better than the other, it just happens that someone has to win. If it's me, that's wonderful, but I must congratulate all of them because they are wonderful."
On what about this role in particular affected him: "This role particularly affected me because it was such an understated human kind of creature that I hadn’t played for a long time. It's someone's actual father, the director's real father, so I was really apprehensive about it at the beginning. Michael told me to be myself which I did, which is also my father."

Rooney Mara Rocks Her Latest Dramatic Dress For a NYC Dragon Tattoo Premiere

Allie Merriam — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:38:21 PST

Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara made their latest The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo press stop in NYC last night. The stars of the film reconvened at the Big Apple's Ziegfeld Theatre for their stateside premiere after also showing off the film in Stockholm and London this week. Rooney's promotional tour style has included lots of cutout dresses, and yesterday's was similar. She rocked a black frock from Prabal Gurung that featured a sheer back. Her big sister, actress Kate Mara, showed her support in coral Christian Dior.

We caught up with a number of Daniel's and Rooney's costars on the red carpet. Joely Richardson said you see a lot of Daniel, the person, in this performance, while Stellan Skarsgård thinks playing Lisbeth Salander will change Rooney's life. Christopher Plummer stepped out a few hours after earning a Screen Actors Guild Award nod for Beginners. He said, though, that he doesn't celebration nominations, just wins. Additionally, Embeth Davidtz told us that Daniel's character in the movie, Mikael Blomkvist, has one important thing in common with his James Bond - they're both handsome! Stay tuned for our red carpet report later today on PopSugar Rush.

Beginners: A Bittersweet Feast

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:05:02 PDT

It's impressive when a film can find magic and beauty in the everyday, and it's even more remarkable when a film can find such things in life's tragedies. The drama Beginners does just that, forging a lovely, touching gem from its main character's personal sorrow. Ewan McGregor stars as Oliver, a thirty-something man dealing with the death of his parents. When the film begins, Oliver has just lost his mother, but her passing prompts his father Hal (Christopher Plummer) to come out to his son. His other admission is that he has terminal cancer, so Hal only has a few more years to live, and he declares his intention to live the rest of his life as an openly gay man and experience all he had missed out on.

From there, the film follows two courses; one in which we witness Hal's final years as he lives it up and becomes closer to Oliver, and another that takes place after Hal has died. Grieving the loss of his father, Oliver tries to move on, and attempts to connect with a new love interest, Anna (Melanie Laurent). When Oliver meets Anna, a French actress who's frequently traveling for work, he's a melancholy shell of himself. His grief is heightened because his father's rediscovery of himself and subsequent happiness makes Oliver miss a man he was just getting acquainted with. As Oliver struggles to recover from loss, he finds solace in his memories, but it's uncertain whether he'll be able to let go enough to find the total happiness he obviously wants. While it's a setup that could be depressing or frustrating, the gentle hand of writer/director Mike Mills makes Beginners a gem of a movie that meditates on love, death, loss, and hope. To see why I loved the film, just

read more. The film views the romance of Oliver and Anna through the lens of Oliver's grief. Moreover, Oliver also has to reconcile the lessons of love that his parents' marriage taught him. We see flashbacks of their union: while they weren't completely unhappy, they were unable to achieve a complete connection because of Hal's homosexuality. In hindsight, Oliver empathizes with his mother, as a woman in love with a man who couldn't fully return her affection. He also laments his father's compulsion to settle for the arrangement until his wife's death, and both conditions seem to contribute to Oliver's fear of falling in love. And yet, as he remembers Hal's bliss while falling for his boyfriend Andy (a wonderful Goran Visnjic), Oliver seems to finally recognize that there's hope for him too. Oliver and Anna's relationship is sweet and swoon-worthy, especially at the beginning. However, it's also very realistic, because falling in love isn't all it takes to "fix" Oliver. Instead of uniting the couple and letting us assume they live happily ever after, we are invited to witness the relationship's development, including all the difficulties and obstacles that real couples go through in making a relationship work. The strongest asset to the film is McGregor. You empathize with Oliver's pain so intimately, due to the actor's brilliant, nuanced performance. His eyes alone communicate Oliver's many emotions, particularly in the scene in which Oliver first meets Anna at a party, and she knows at once that he's just barely keeping it together. Like many indie romances, there are some quirks, and there are some elements that verge on the precious. For instance, after his father's death, Oliver inherits his dad's dog, Arthur, and Oliver talks to him like he's a human. However, things don't go too far (don't worry, Arthur doesn't talk back), and it ends up being delicately funny, and even a little sweet, because it's another way Oliver deals with his father's death. Ultimately, Beginners is an emotional story that feels both personal and specific to the filmmaker (Mills based it on his own experience with his father), but still relatable, even if you haven't lost a parent. Though Oliver's quest for happiness is a bumpy journey filled with heartache and hope, it's one that you feel honored to be a part of.

Beginners Trailer: Ewan McGregor Falls in Love With Life

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:15:54 PST

Between the trailer for Perfect Sense and now this preview, the universe is really feeding my love for Ewan McGregor this month. The perennially charismatic actor stars in Beginners, a movie that appears to be as charming as its lead. Things start off shaky, with McGregor's character Oliver talking to a dog like he's a human, and the dog sort of responds with subtitles. Keep watching: we're let in to other aspects of Oliver's life, like the father who's recently come out to him (Christopher Plummer), and Anna, the new woman in his life that he's falling for (the radiant Melanie Laurent, the badass heroine of Inglourious Basterds).

Though Oliver's life at first seems lonely, it appears that he's given the chance to grow through the revelations of his father's sexuality, and later, his dad's diagnosis of terminal cancer. Even his new relationship with Anna has its flaws, which Oliver seems to embrace. The tone feels very sweet and touching, and as long as that dog doesn't actually start talking, I'll be excited to see it when it comes to theaters June 3. Watch the trailer when you

The Last Station: Fine Actors Stuck on a Ride That Lags

Lauren Bradshaw — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:30:00 PST

Watching the trailer for The Last Station, it looks like the sort of period dramedy that I like to latch on to. You have romance, lavish costumes, witty banter, and Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer, who have already earned award nominations for their performances. But somewhere on the film's journey it switches routes, traveling down a more sullen path and losing luster on the way.

It's after the printing of War and Peace and Anna Karenina, and novelist Leo Tolstoy (Plummer) is unsure what to do with his works as he nears the end of his life. Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), Tolstoy's trusted advisor, wants to make his writings the property of the Russian people; Countess Sofya Tolstoy, his wife of 48 years, believes the books belong to the family.

Enter Valentin (James McAvoy), a follower of the Tolstoyan movement (a new religion based on Tolstoy's principles) who arrives to serve as the author's personal secretary, and things really begin to shake up. To see what I mean,

read more. Valentin is a conservative, by-the-book young man with a habit of sneezing whenever he gets nervous - which he does, a lot. As he's thrust into the world of Tolstoy and into the author's own home, he begins to question his beliefs. Not only does he fall for an impulsive, opinionated woman named Masha (Kerry Condon), but as he spends more time with Sofya and Vladimir, he also becomes a pawn in their battle for Tolstoy's attention. We see the film through Valentin's eyes, and McAvoy adeptly portrays the idealism and naivete needed for the part. As he meets Tolstoy for the first time and tears up, you sense just how momentous it is for him. Still, this film ultimately belongs to Plummer and Mirren. Mirren fully captures Sofya's fiery spirit, and it's nearly impossible to take your eyes off her. She and Tolstoy are essentially two people who have very little in common other than a long history and mutual admiration. The scenes where she climbs into bed with Plummer or the two lay down laughing are tender and endearing. Unfortunately, these moments are fleeting. As Tolstoy's health worsens, the film begins to flatline as well. He's so integral that once he's nearing death, the story loses its energy and has nowhere else to go. Essentially this feels like a movie that would've worked well (perhaps even better) as a Broadway play. You have the all-star cast, but unfortunately the plot itself often isn't interesting enough to translate to a big screen favorite.

If you'd like to review a movie you've seen recently, check out the Movie Reviews Group in community. I may even feature your critique on the site! Photo courtesy of Sony Picture Classics

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus: A Little Too Crazy

Lauren Bradshaw — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:30:43 PST

Not to be confused with that movie starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium), The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is perhaps best known as late actor Heath Ledger’s final role.

You may recall that his death occurred during production, in which case Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law stepped in to finish his role. The good news is that the transition from actor to actor is virtually seamless and works within the story’s construction perfectly.

The bad news? The film is still a bit of an all-over-the-map mess. To hear why, just

read more. The movie follows Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), an immortal man who runs a circus-style sideshow where he invites people into his imagination via a mirror. Once there, the participants must make a choice - will they side with the devil-like Mr. Nick (Tom Waits), or are they good at heart and will therefore align with Dr. Parnassus? Dr. P. struck a deal with Mr. Nick years ago that he would hand over his child Valentina (Lily Cole) once she reached her 16th birthday. Now days away, Nick shows up to collect with a proposition - if Parnassus can save five souls from his evil grasp (inside of Parnassus's imagination, naturally), then the doc can keep Valentina. With a stroke of good luck, Parnassus crosses paths with Tony (Heath Ledger), a former businessman with the gift of persuasion. If all of this sounds confusing, it’s because it is. Imaginarium is positioned as a morality tale, drawing connections to Parnassus as a god who allows free will, but what's the message? The story seems so concerned with being kooky and approaching larger, ambitious themes that it never grounds itself long enough to reach any "aha!" moment. There are still a few bright spots. Tom Waits is particularly charming as a rascally, mustached Mr. Nick, and Andrew Garfield (as a young man pining for Valentina) has an on-screen charisma that makes him a promising new face to watch. I even appreciated much of the over-the-top surrealist scenery, which shouldn't be surprising given director Terry Gilliam's unique brand of whimsy (the imagery mimics Monty Python in several instances). You can't blame the guy for having creativity; I just wish that Gilliam used a little more restraint here instead of working himself into a fantasy frenzy. The mumbo-jumbo overshadows even Ledger's performance, which could have been great if given some clearer development. Instead, I was left wishing that his brilliant turn in The Dark Knight had been the actor's swan song.

If you'd like to review a movie you've seen recently, check out the Movie Reviews Group in community. I may even feature your critique on the site! Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Leo Tolstoy Biopic Shaping Up Nicely

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:30:00 PDT

Director Michael Hoffman's (A Midsummer Night's Dream, One Fine Day, Soapdish) Leo Tolstoy biopic The Last Station begins shooting April 7 in Germany with several more high-quality players on board. Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer join Paul Giamatti, James McAvoy, and McAvoy's wife Anne-Marie Duff in the film, which is based on Jay Parini's 1990 novel. Mirren and Plummer are replacing Meryl Streep and Anthony Hopkins in these roles.

According to Variety, the movie follows "the turbulent final year in the life of the Russian writer and philosopher and his troubled marriage." Plummer will play Tolstoy and Mirren will step into the role of Tolstoy's wife Sofia. Here's more:

Giamatti plays Tolstoy's trusted follower Chertkov, a supporter of the writer's nonviolent socialist Christian movement who becomes Sofia's cunning adversary, while McAvoy plays a naive private secretary sent by Chertkov to work for Tolstoy. British actress Anne-Marie Duff. . .stars as Tolstoy's daughter Sasha.

Interestingly, the movie has been largely financed by German film subsidy organizations, like the German Federal Film Board and the Federal Film Fund. Looks like the money is going to good use - this is one incredibly talented cast.

Source and Source

Triple Threat: 13 Actors Who Swept Award Season

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:15:02 PST

With the Oscars only a couple of weeks away, we've got a few predictions, and it looks like certain people (go Christopher Plummer, go!) might be sweeping this award season. There are many actors who have pulled off this feat in the past, so if you're curious to see the talented people who took home the Golden Globe, the SAG, and the Oscar for their work, just take a look at this list of triple winners (and you can check out the ladies here).

See Natalie, Michelle, Kyra, and Kevin Enjoy a Moment of SAG Relaxation

Allie Merriam — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:50:04 PST

The green room backstage at last night's SAG Awards offered some of the presenters a rare moment to take a load off! Kyra Sedgwick and husband Kevin Bacon shared a sweet moment on a couch, then welcomed Michelle Williams over for a hug. Michelle's BFF Busy Philipps was in charge of holding their clutches when Michelle kicked off the show and presented the oustanding male actor in a supporting role to Beginners star Christopher Plummer. Busy also took a moment to say hello to actress Regina King. Owen Wilson hung out there as well, along with a Givenchy haute couture-clad Zoe Saldana and Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli. The SAG Awards winners were taken from the backstage area over to the press room, while those who announced the awards went out into the audience to reclaim their seats. However, there is still one category that's undecided - who do you think was best dressed at the SAG Awards?

The Help's Win, Love For 30 Rock and Modern Family, a Scorsese Drinking Game - Highlights From the SAG Awards!

Allie Merriam — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:22:03 PST

Michelle Williams was the first presenter at this evening's SAG Awards, handing the outstanding supporting actor statue to Christopher Plummer from Beginners. Octavia Spencer took home the corresponding statue for her work in The Help.

On the TV end, Alec Baldwin squealed with delight when he was named best actor in a comedic series, and an especially stunned Betty White, from Hot in Cleveland, dedicated her prize to her leading ladies Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, and Jane Leeves. The child actors from Modern Family, Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez, and Nolan Gould, got a chance to take the podium when their series won outstanding cast in a comedy. Miniseries accolades went to two absent stars, Kate Winslet for Mildred Pierce and Paul Giamatti for Too Big to Fail.

Bridesmaids' Maya Rudolph, Kristin Wiig, and Melissa McCarthy brought some comedic relief when onstage introducing their film as a contender in the best ensemble category. The trio came to the stage armed with vodka, beer, and champagne, and introduced a drinking game based around the word "Scorsese." Jessica Lange then followed up on her Golden Globes win with another victory in the category of best dramatic actress on a TV series for American Horror Story. Steve Buscemi won an Actor for his leading role on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. TV ensemble in a drama honors went to Steve's whole cast, giving him an additional opportunity to invoke his producer Martin Scorsese's name as an excuse for a drink.

There was a slight upset in the best actor in a film category - The Artist's Jean Dujardin beat out Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Demián Bichir, and George Clooney. Viola Davis claimed the best female actor in a motion picture for The Help, and beamed from the stage in her Marchesa gown. Further acclaim went to the cast of Viola's movie, with their Actor statues being handed off by none other than Brad Pitt. We've rounded up the full list of 2012 SAG Award winners, and make sure to check out all the action from celebrities on the SAGs red carpet!