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Into the Wild With Matthew McConaughey

GiggleSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:00:00 PDT

For any of you who read John Krakauer's biography on Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild, or watched Sean Penn's moving film about his life, you know that McCandless was a restless and troubled kid who gave everything away after he graduated from Emory University and went to Alaska to rough it a bit and live out his nature fantasy. Sadly, he ended up dying of starvation in the abandoned bus he called home. Okay, it's a bummer of a story, but the following video imagines how things might have turned out differently if Matthew McConaughey (who doesn't seem to own a shirt anywhere except in this dramatization) had been in the wilderness with him. Let's just say that brah harshes Chris's mellow.

Who Should Play the New Inhabitants of 90210?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:30:50 PDT

Since we now have an outline of the main characters for the rumored 90210 spinoff, my brain can't stop thinking about who might be cast in these roles. While these new characters have updated traits and hobbies (emo! YouTube!) they are, as some have pointed out, more or less the new versions of the original cast. While we all have our old favorites, I think it's really fun imagining the young stars who could play these updated versions of the original Kelly, Brenda, Donna, etc. Also, some of the original 90210 actors were, like, 30 years old when they played teenagers so I'm going to expand my own fictional casting reach as such.

For example, I could totally see Kristen Stewart (In the Land of Women, Into the Wild) as Annie, the emo girl looking to get popular, and Victor Razuk (Lords of Dogtown, upcoming Stop-Loss) as her adopted bad-boy brother, Dixon. I loved Kevin Zegers in The Jane Austen Book Club and could see him as the jock. Also, this Nickelodeon actress screams Daphne Silver to me. What do you think? Any hot young stars come to mind to fill these slots?

For a reminder of all the new characters and their descriptions, and to tell me who you're thinking could play them,

Annie - 16, is an emo kid and drama nerd who's trying to make it with the cool crowd.
Dixon - Also 16, Annie's adopted brother, smart but bad.
Tabitha Mills - A washed-up, 60-ish actress and alcoholic. Annie and Dixon’s grandma.
Harry Mills - Tabitha's do-gooder son, who graduated from Beverly Hills High in the 1980s and has decided to move home to be near his mom.
Celia Mills - Wife of Harry, an ex-Olympic athlete who becomes a personal trainer.
Daphne Silver - High schooler who hosts her own YouTube series and wants to be a socialite. Related to David Silver?
Max Silver - 24 year-old brother of Daphne. Manages the Century City Mall's movie theater. He is probably hiding some dark secrets.
Navid Shirazi - Teen of Middle Eastern descent who runs the school's TV newscast and is a high school politician.
Ethan Ward - The token jock who gets dropped by the popular kids and ends up hanging out with the rest of the cast.
Naomi Bennett - Hot, rich, and dating Ethan. Starts out as brat but gets more dimensions as the show goes on.

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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:30:00 PST

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to the titles below, Awake, a thriller staring Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba is out on DVD as well.

Into the Wild
There has been no shortage of buzz around this heartbreaking and visually stunning film directed by Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsh. While it didn't make it as far at the Oscars as many hoped it would, it did make it onto my March Must-Haves, and I know many people are just as excited as I am that this movie is finally out on DVD. Into the Wild is based on the best-selling true story by Jon Krakauer all about a young, upper-middle class man with the world at his feet who decides to part with his normal, steady life in search of adventure. He sets out on a journey across the country and eventually ends up alone in the wilderness of Alaska.

The breathtaking scenery and unforgettable characters, along with the thought-provoking tale of a young man's journey on the path less taken makes for an important and moving film. Special features include interesting information about the true-life inspirations for the movie.

For two more selections,

Things We Lost in the Fire
Starring Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, Things We Lost in the Fire is Susanne Bier's directorial follow-up to her Oscar-nominated After the Wedding. At first glance, this movie looked melodramatic and depressing but I gave it a shot (after all, who can resist Benicio?) and I'm so glad I did.

The story follows a widow (Berry) attempting to put her life back together after her husband tragically dies. Benicio plays the husband's childhood best friend, now a troubled recovering drug addict, who moves in with the grieving woman and her children. Together they deal with the loss and learn to accept each other, in memory of the man they all cherished. This isn't an escape movie, but it is touching and features some beautiful performances by Berry and Del Toro. Special features include audio commentary and extra scenes.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
First off, until now I've never been concerned that a DVD cover might have the same effect on my vision as looking straight into the sun. Those are some bright colors. Moving on. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium stars Dustin Hoffman as a 243-year-old toy store owner and Natalie Portman as the store's manager. When Mr. Magorium discovers he's not well, he turns to Portman's character to take over his magical world of toys. Lots of colors, slapstick comedy and whimsical fun make this a great choice for family viewing, especially with little ones in the house.

BuzzSugar's Must-Haves for March

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:30:26 PST

March is that kind of in-between month that's still chilly enough to require some cozy movie nights, but also shows the promise of warm Spring and bouncing down the sidewalk, listening to good music. My March must-haves allow for all kinds of weather. To check out what I'm reading, watching and listening to this month, press "Start."

Music Video: Eddie Vedder, "Guaranteed" From Into the Wild

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:33:25 PST

Eddie Vedder's haunting and soulful tunes are laced throughout Sean Penn's drama Into the Wild, bringing a dimension and beauty to Christopher McCandless' journey in ways that dialogue or silent images probably could not have achieved alone. A video recently surfaced for one of Vedder's songs for the film, "Guaranteed," and to watch it is to be launched right back to the emotional experience of watching this poignant movie.

The video mainly consists of Vedder and his guitar, lit up on an otherwise darkened stage while still pictures from the movie float around him. The song alone is lovely, but paired with the images it's quite moving. To see the video and hear Eddie Vedder's "Guaranteed,"

Into the Wild Leads Screen Actors Guild Nominations

BuzzSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:35:27 PST

Nominations were announced today for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the only major awards ceremony guaranteed to still happen now that the writers' strike is threatening the Golden Globes. Into the Wild dominated the film side with four nominations, followed by No Country for Old Men and Michael Clayton with three each.

On the TV side, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, and Mad Men were among the recognized series. To see the full list of nominees, just

Movies

MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page, Juno

SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR
Casey Affleck, The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country For Old Men
Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR
Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

ENSEMBLE CAST
3:10 to Yuma
American Gangster
Hairspray
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
300
The Bourne Ultimatum
I Am Legend
The Kingdom
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

Television

MALE ACTOR IN A TELEFILM OR MINISERIES
Michael Keaton, The Company
Kevin Kline, As You Like It
Oliver Platt, The Bronx is Burning
Sam Shepard, Ruffian
John Turturro, The Bronx is Burning

FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEFILM OR MINISERIES
Ellen Burstyn, Mitch Albom's For One More Day
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Queen Latifah, Life Support
Vanessa Redgrave, The Fever
Gena Rowlands, What If God Were the Sun?

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Glenn Close, Damages
Edie Falco, The Sopranos
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
James Spader, Boston Legal

ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Ricky Gervais, Extras
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Tony Shalhoub, Monk

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

DRAMA ENSEMBLE
Boston Legal
The Closer
Grey's Anatomy
Mad Men
The Sopranos

COMEDY ENSEMBLE
30 Rock
Desperate Housewives
Entourage
The Office
Ugly Betty

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
24
Heroes
Lost
Rome
The Unit

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Charles Durning

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Into the Wild, Sicko, Juno Honored at Gotham Awards

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:18:10 PST

Into the Wild wasn't indie enough for the Independent Spirit Awards, but that didn't stop the Gotham Awards from recognizing the film. Wild, which had too big a budget to be considered for the Independent Spirits, took home the award for best feature at Tuesday's Gotham Award ceremony, which recognized achievement in independent film.

Michael Moore's documentary Sicko took home the award for best documentary, while Ellen Page nabbed the breakthrough actor honor for her role in Juno. The ceremony itself included tributes to actor Javier Bardem and The Namesake director Mira Nair. To see a full list of winners, just

BEST FEATURE
Into the Wild

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Sicko

BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR
Craig Zobel, Great World of Sound

BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
Ellen Page, Juno

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead and Talk To Me

BEST FILM NOT PLAYING AT A THEATER NEAR YOU
Frownland

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Buzz Gift Guide: Brotherly Love

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:30:00 PST

Today's holiday gift guide features gift ideas for the boys in your family with whom you had to share a bathroom growing up.

The complete series of Arrested Development on DVD will most likely delight your brother while also providing you guys with something to laugh at together if you find that the holiday togetherness is getting to be a bit much.

I really like the Bourne movies, but the guys I know seem to like them even more. Come December 11, you can give your brother the gift of three movies' worth of Jason Bourne eluding the authorities.

If your brother loves both music and video games, consider getting him Rock Band Special Edition for his PlayStation or XBox360. The game comes with a guitar, microphone, and drums so he and his friends can play along with Metallica, Bon Jovi, and more. This would be especially good for a guy who's living in a college dorm or has enough roommates to form an impromptu band in the living room.

Before it was a movie directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild was a bestselling book by Jon Krakauer about the free-spirited Christopher McCandless and his dangerous journey into the Alaskan wilderness. Your brother may also be interested in another of Krakauer's well-received books, Into Thin Air.

If your brother is too young to have watched The Goonies in its glory days, it's your responsibility to educate the young lad on all things Truffle Shuffle.

Sean and Emile Go Into the Wild in Rome

Molly — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:34:43 PDT

Though he lost his Malibu trailer home over the weekend, it didn't seem to be any skin off Sean Penn's back as he premiered Into the Wild at the Rome Film Festival last night. Penn, the film's director, and his star Emile Hirsch went casual for the photocall and dressed like twins for the red carpet premiere. Seems kinda like a father/son relationship with these two, right? After excusing his somewhat haggard appearance by saying that he had "too many rums and red wine" the night before, Sean talked a bit about his love of directing. He said:

"That's something that has changed over the years," he said. "I've increasingly fallen in love with this job of directing movies. The way that those things are chosen are very similar to how you choose a partner in life. You see her, you fall in love with her, you're stuck."

Stuck, eh? Sounds romantic. It sounds like Sean has caught the directing bug like so many of his contemporaries, and seeing him side by side with Emile, I wouldn't be surprised if his pint-sized protege wants to follow in his footsteps. Thankfully Sean's got at least one in front of the camera project coming up, so we won't be losing the actor side of him just yet.

To see more of Sean and Emile in Rome just

View 15 Photos ›

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Interview: Emile Hirsch on Into the Wild

BuzzSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:30:00 PDT

For the most part, any faults I found with Into the Wild, Sean Penn's upcoming film adaptation of Jon Krakauer's bestselling book, didn't have to do with Emile Hirsch's performance in the lead role, which I found to be rather arresting.

It was a difficult role and - as I learned straight from Hirsch himself - it was often very physically demanding. Yet for Hirsch, with Penn's guidance (er, "kick in the ass," as Hirsch puts it), it was all a part of getting the job done.

Young Emile is not one to ramble on (or even sit upright while you're talking to him, really), but I did manage to squeeze some information out of him regarding the making of the film, his connection to the story, and what's up next for his career.

Had you read Jon Krakauer's book before you heard about the film project?
I’d seen the "20/20" episode [on it] when I was 8 years old, and it really had a big impact on me. It’s pretty haunting, especially as a kid to see a story like that… a young man, ten years older than you, or more, twelve, thirteen years older than you. It’s like, "Oh my God," you know? And then Sean called me out of the blue after he’d seen a film of mine called Lords of Dogtown and he told me to read the book. And I read it that night, of course, and loved it and stayed up all night reading it in one of those kickass reading experiences that don’t come around too too often for ya. Then from there, I remembered the "20/20" episode about a third of the way into the book I went, "You know, I know this, I’ve seen this."

So, Sean Penn had you in mind the whole time?
Yeah, so he says, you know? I mean, when he called me, he had just-just-just gotten the rights to the book. So I just lucked out that he just happened to see Lords of Dogtown.

What is he like as a director?
He’s great. He’s really a man of immense creativity and intelligence, but also a really fierce courage and will that are really powerful.

For more of the interview,

This is a pretty heavy film, obviously. What was your emotional experience working on the film?
You know, it was joy, sadness, happiness, I mean we really covered so many different bases of where Chris was. We wanted it to feel like a real journey of someone’s soul. I mean, you know, when I jump off the cliff into the Colorado River, and I land and come up smiling, I mean, that’s pretty much - that’s the real joy right there! I was pretty excited after I jumped off that, I mean that was probably the highest thing I’ve ever jumped off in my whole life. I remember jumping off that and halfway through the air thinking "I can’t believe they got me to do this. This is so high."

So you did the paddling in the rapids and all that stuff yourself, right?
Yeah.

That seemed really dangerous! Was it scary? Or was it cool and exhilarating?
You know, it was pretty exhilarating - terrifyingly exhilarating. I mean, you get there and it looks so big. It’s like, "Oh my God I have to do this, there’s like millions of dollars here on the line, you know, Sean Penn… I have to." You just gotta psych yourself up and man up and charge that f*cker. And so I did.

When you were reading the book did you identify with Chris McCandless?
I did. You know, there was so much wanderlust in Chris McCandless and it just, you know when you see that kind of wanderlust, just like when people first read On the Road it just kind of sparks their own wanderlust that they have. I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if so many people after they go see this movie will just want to go on some adventures, and get out there. You know? Don’t you think?

Defintely. It’s really attractive. The movie makes those adventures look really appealing.
And it really is appealing. I mean, it’s really great experiences, if you do it the right way.

Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be out in the middle of nowhere, necessarily…
Alone, with no axe and no map?

But definitely the traveling around, and the freewheeling lifestyle... from the movie it looks very attractive.
And that was really the lifestyle that we had when we shot it, and it was, it was a totally fun adventure. We had so many experiences that we were able to all kind of share together.

What’s next for you after this?
I just finished shooting Speed Racer in Berlin, actually. So I went right from the mountains into the green screen room.

That’s going to be a cool film, it seems.
Oh yeah, I think it should be pretty kooky. Pretty groovy. Very psychadelic. Very psychadelic.

Really?
Yeah. It’s nothing like The Matrix at all. [The Wachowski brothers] totally reinvented their visual style, it’s really crazy.

Huh. Did you watch the "Speed Racer" cartoon as a kid?
Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Cool. Go Speed Racer.
Go!

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