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What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Hot-headed Thor (Chris Hemsworth), warrior and God of Thunder, is banned from the mythical world of Asgard by his father (Anthony Hopkins) and forced to live among humans on Earth. There, he falls for scientist Jane (Natalie Portman) and rallies around the humans to protect them against foes from his former world. The slick film provides quick-paced action scenes, as well as a fair share of laughs. DVD extras include cast commentary and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.

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Hesher

Following his mother's death, 13-year-old TJ (Devin Brochu) develops an odd friendship with Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a foul-mouthed loner who is squatting in his family's home. In spite of his crass ways and bizarre hobbies, Hesher helps TJ and his family move past their grief. Hesher offers a crude and dark sense of humor that can be unnerving at times, but it's worth it to see Gordon-Levitt playing against type. The DVD features deleted scenes, outtakes, and a gallery of drawings that appear in the film.

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One more DVD when you

read more. The Tempest In this adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, Prospero's character becomes the female Prospera (Helen Mirren), a duke's wife, who is banished to a magical island by her brother-in-law, Antonio (Chris Cooper). Set on enacting vengeance, Prospera sends a storm to that shipwrecks Antonio on the island she has been forced to live on. The film offers lots of special effects, and laughs from Russell Brand who plays a jester, but ultimately feels stale as a re-imagining of the original play. DVD extras include a music video and rehearsal scenes with Brand. 28%

Hesher's Rainn Wilson on Getting Serious, the Future of The Office, and Being a Dad

PopSugar — Wed, 11 May 2011 03:12:00 PDT

Rainn Wilson is best-known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office, but he gets a chance to show off his range as a dramatic actor in his latest movie. In Hesher, which is out in selected theaters Friday, Rainn portrays a pill-popping, recently widowed dad whose grieving is interrupted by a strange visitor, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Rainn said that, while he hasn't experienced a similar level of loss in his own life, being a father to his young son, Walter, definitely informed his work. The actor also chatted about Steve Carrel's recent exit from The Office and what it means for the future of the show before telling us what it was like to have Natalie Portman as a producer. Watch our talk with Rainn, as well as our interview with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Hesher, Myths About Child Actors, and His True Creative Passion

PopSugar — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:12:00 PDT

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the title role in Hesher, though the foul-mouthed arsonist isn't the most conventional leading man. The actor nonetheless had no problem sympathizing with the character, who turns out to be more complicated than first meets the eye. We chatted with Joseph at the movie's recent press day in LA, though he kept mum when we asked for details about his upcoming work in the next Batman installment The Dark Knight Rises. Joseph had no problem opening up about his admiration for his Hesher costar Natalie Portman, especially since the mom-to-be makes her debut as a producer with this film. Joseph is busy pursuing a similar passion with his HitRECORD, a company that connects artists and encourages them to collaborate.

Hesher Trailer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Lights Things on Fire, Meets Natalie Portman

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:36:27 PST

Thanks to a long-haired Joseph Gordon-Levitt, indie flick Hesher made some waves at last year's Sundance Film Festival, but we've been waiting since then for a release date and a trailer. Today, we have both; the movie comes out April 15, and we finally get a longer look at the film (more than just this clip), which stars Gordon-Levitt as a grungy mentor of sorts to Devon Brochu's character T.J., who has recently lost his mother.

With his father (Rainn Wilson) deep in the grieving process, T.J. is vulnerable to being befriended by the older, greasy Gordon-Levitt, an eccentric man who calls himself Hesher. Spouting odd words of wisdom and exhibiting the occasional destructive act like lighting furniture on fire, Hesher isn't exactly a great role model. T.J.'s other new friend comes in the form of a de-glammed Natalie Portman, a grocery store clerk on whom T.J. has a crush. It's tough to determine how exactly we're supposed to take the beloved JGL - is he weirdly sympathetic or just a weirdo? Decide for yourself when you watch the trailer after the jump.

New Clip of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Hesher: Love It or Leave It?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:30:00 PDT

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is something of a favorite with Buzz readers, especially in light of his recent show-stealing scenes in Inception. But before he was invading dreams with Leonardo DiCaprio, JGL was sporting some seriously long hair and crazy tattoos for his Sundance indie, Hesher. Though the film was picked up, we've yet to secure an official trailer or release date. In the meantime, check out this clip of JGL as Hesher, coming to the aid of Natalie Portman. She may be a damsel in distress, but he's definitely an unlikely knight in shining armor. Watch below and tell me what you think!

Sundance Snapshot: Hesher

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:30:00 PST

Though I'm back in San Francisco, I still can't stop thinking about all the films I was lucky enough to catch at Sundance. We're coming down the homestretch, but I've still got a few more tricks up my sleeve. Read on for my review of Hesher, and be sure to check out all of my Sundance Snapshots.

Who's behind it? Spencer Susser wrote and directed the film, which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, as well as relative newcomer Devin Brochu
What's it about? Brochu plays TJ, a troubled 13-year-old trying to cope with his mother's recent death. With his father in a daze and no friends to turn to, TJ spends his time trying to avoid a bully at school and crushing on a supermarket checkout girl (Natalie Portman). A twist of fate brings a foul-mouthed, greasy, tattooed pyromaniac named Hesher into TJ's life and his house, forming a strange bond and leading to all kinds of strange adventures that eventually affect TJ and his whole family.

Is Hesher another homerun for JGL? Find out when you

10 Sundance Movies I'm Excited About

BuzzSugar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:30:10 PST

In just a few days I'll be bundling up to take on the elements and as many movies as I can handle when I head to the Sundance Film Festival. There are far too many to fit into such a short period of time, but here's a sneak peek at the films that are at the very top of my list - and be sure to stay tuned for all of my live updates throughout the festival!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Love Him or Leave Him?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30:30 PDT

Ever since 500 Days of Summer, I haven't been able to get Joseph Gordon-Levitt off my brain. (And yesterday's trailer for Women in Trouble doesn't help!) It's not like I didn't pay attention to him before - I loved 10 Things I Hate About You - but my adoration for this guy is ballooning faster than his career.

Gordon-Levitt has loads of projects coming down the pipeline: his upcoming film Uncertainty just got picked up, and he has Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio and Hesher with Natalie Portman both slated for release next year. Sure, he's kind of an indie guy, but I'd love to see him come into his own as a leading man. (Perhaps he'll even take on the Jack Ryan series someday?)

All right, so I've gushed enough, but am I alone in my crush? Do you see the JGL appeal that I'm talking about, or is he still just the geeky guy from 3rd Rock From the Sun? What do you think of Joseph Gordon-Levitt - love him or leave him?

Natalie Keeps Filming and Maybe Dating Sean Penn

PopSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:30:24 PDT

Natalie Portman stepped off the set after getting back to work filming Hesher in LA yesterday. The actress has more than just a movie to work on while she's in California now that she has a new house to make her own. Unfortunately, it sounds like Sean Penn may be a regular visitor - Natalie's been spotted all over town with him lately, fueling the rumors they are dating.

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INFDaily.com

Natalie Makes a Piggyback Crash Landing

PopSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:00:00 PDT

Natalie Portman required a crash pad to film some physical scenes on her costar's back for her new movie Hesher yesterday. She's back in LA and her brand-new house following her trip to the star-studded Correspondents' Dinner last weekend. She looks adorable even in her dorky glasses frames, which helps to take our minds off the, hopefully, not true rumors of a romantic relationship with Sean Penn.

To see more of Natalie just read more.

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INFDaily.com