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Movie Preview: Ryan Reynolds Dons Tights in Paper Man

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:30:00 PDT

Dying for a glimpse of Ryan Reynolds in superhero mode before next year's Green Lantern? I have one . . . sort of. In Paper Man, he plays Captain Excellent, a caped crusader who only lives in the imagination of morose writer Richard, played by Jeff Daniels.

As Excellent, Reynolds is the bleach-blond manifestation of Richard's shortcomings. Frustrated with his presence, Richard hires Abby (Emma Stone) to "babysit" the captain, while Richard attempts to overcome his writer's block and prove to those around him (like his wife, Lisa Kudrow) that he's not a failure. Ultimately, a friendship emerges between the younger Abby and older Richard, in what's become a common cliche for indie dramas. But considering how much I like both Stone and Daniels, I think I'd enjoy watching them bond onscreen. As for Reynolds - frankly, he could chew gum and stare at the camera for 90 minutes and I'd still be enthralled.

To watch the trailer for Paper Man, just

Away We Go: Happy to Come Along

BuzzSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:15:09 PDT

Away We Go starts with a sex scene. There's no nudity, it's not overtly graphic, but it's unexpected and a bit jarring. It's certainly not the overture I was predicting. But just as I was starting to get uncomfortable, the moment becomes quite humorous. The hilarity of the scene is grounded in the screenplay (which was written by Dave Eggers and his wife Vendela Vida), but brought to life by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. Known for their respective work on The Office and Saturday Night Live, the duo's comedic chops may not come as a surprise, but here these two are playing it pretty straitlaced. It's this juxtaposition that makes the film so good - seeing funny people playing serious roles with serious situations that end up being funny.

It's a formula that's worked before. As I guessed from the trailer, the film is very similar in tone to Garden State and Juno. All three are quirky little gems with heavy subject matters and great soundtracks (seriously, check out Alexi Murdoch if you haven't already). If I had to fault the film with anything, it would be that it didn't feel particularly fresh, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

To learn more about the film, and its cool costars,

read more. The story follows Burt and Verona (Krasinski and Rudolph) on their quest to find a place to call home. They're about to have a baby and because Burt's proximately close parents (played by Jeff Daniels and the always hilarious Catherine O'Hara) are moving to Belgium, the two find themselves looking for someplace to live. Verona's parents are dead, so they decide to visit friends and relatives in various parts of North America and Canada where they could potentially set down roots. What ensues is a road story that finds the couple in Phoenix, Tucson, Madison, Montreal, and Miami. Along the way we meet a variety of characters who run the gamut from looney and hilarious (specifically Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal's characters) to more subtle and subdued. And this goes back to the overall tone of the film: serious sprinkled with a dash of silly. It works most of the time, but occasionally the antics of Janney, Gyllenhaal, or O'Hara seem a little too far-fetched for what is ultimately a dramatic film. But these missteps are mostly forgivable as the actresses are so hysterically funny. Then again, maybe these women's characters aren't supposed to be realistic or relatable. Maybe we're supposed to identify solely with Burt and Verona as they navigate through their journey. I certainly did. I also identified with the film's key message - that home is truly where the heart is. It's a refreshing idea coming from the director of the great but depressing American Beauty and Revolutionary Road. Bottom Line: If you're looking to escape the typical Summer fare, Away We Go is a solid option.

Photo courtesy of Focus Features

Movie Preview: Lauren Graham, Jeff Daniels in The Answer Man

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:30:15 PDT

Sometimes a sweet, endearing cast can't save a movie that's just destined to be a dud, but even if I know this is a possibility going into it, I am still too curious to pass up the chance to watch some beloved actors. Just this image of Lauren Graham and Jeff Daniels makes me want to see The Answer Man (also known as Arlen Faber), a little movie that will premiere On Demand June 26 and will have a limited release in theaters starting July 24.

The story sounds pretty straightforward: "A reclusive author of spiritual books, is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab." Lou Taylor Pucci plays the troubled man and Kat Dennings and Olivia Thirlby also appear in the trailer. To check it out,

read more. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Movie Preview: Traitor

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:33:55 PDT

If the always-amazing Don Cheadle weren't in this new movie Traitor, I probably would have greeted its trailer with a big old "meh." But while the preview makes it look like another one of those run-of-the-mill espionage thrillers Hollywood churns out regularly, the talent involved suggests that I shouldn't necessarily be so quick to judge.

In addition to Cheadle, the movie co-stars the terrific (and handsome) Guy Pearce (of Memento and an odd movie that no one's promoting with Catherine Zeta-Jones), as well as Jeff Daniels. Another fun fact about this project: Steve Martin (yes, the funny one) co-wrote the movie and is an executive producer.

Basically the trailer shows official-looking CIA types acting stressed out, and there is a lot of secret-keeping and secret-sharing. The movie opens August 27 so to take a look for yourself and tell me what you think,

Movie Preview: Anna Faris and Jon Heder in Mama's Boy

BuzzSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:31:37 PDT

I have to confess, I don't think Jon Heder is much of a comedic actor outside the role of Napoleon Dynamite. And don't get me wrong, that is a hilarious character. But I have little faith in his ability to branch out. Thankfully, his next project Mama's Boy finds him surrounded by some great actors which I think is what Heder needs to reach his comedic potential.

Heder plays 29-year-old Jeffrey who lives with his mother Jan (Diane Keaton) and depends on her for everything. When she gets a new boyfriend (Jeff Daniels, hilariously), a bit of a rivalry is sparked between the two men vying for Jan's attention. Luckily for Jan, Jeffrey might find some romance of his own in the form of cute barista Nora (Anna Faris). The film opens Thanksgiving, so to check out the pretty funny trailer,

The Lookout: Quiet, Dark, Worthwhile

BuzzSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:00:24 PDT

The Lookout is mostly slow-moving and pretty quiet, which makes the action that much more exciting when it quickly advances, and the denouement that much more satisfying. If one can disregard the tidily wrapped-up ending and some convenient coincidences, the film is a successful piece modern noir featuring a sweet-faced kid and his blind, lovable buddy. Screenwriter Scott Frank delivers a solid product with his first directorial attempt. And in fact, when Frank's script seems weak, the direction and performances step up to fill in the gaps.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (a.k.a. "that kid from '3rd Rock From the Sun'") plays Chris Pratt, a teenage jock whose promising future is dashed when he crashes his car, leaving him with a brain injury that effects his short-term memory. Now Chris works as a janitor in a bank, his hubris replaced with guilt and anger. It doesn't help that Chris's family is unabashedly ashamed of his disability. Chris's main source of support is his blind roommate, Lewis, played by a refreshingly comedic Jeff Daniels. With his protective good-nature, Lewis has confidence in the duo's futures. But of course, it's not that simple, so

However, skeezy bank-robbing Gary Spargo (Matthew Goode) targets Chris as his new best friend, needing Chris's after hours access to the bank and recognizing his obvious desire for power in his life. Ultimately, Chris becomes so entangled in the heist plan that by the time he starts having second thoughts, it's too late. At that point in the film, the tension mounts rapidly, but then after the climactic scene, everything neatly wraps up, and the movie's over.

The thing that separates this noir thriller from the pack is that the main characters' disabilities heighten the stakes considerably, making us root for the characters more fervently than we otherwise would. More than just good vs. evil, there's the sense of injustice that comes from the strong exploiting the weak. Whether this was the intention or not, I left the movie with a new sensitivity toward the "handi-capable." The story's end is predictable from the start, but because it's the ending you're so earnestly hoping for, it doesn't feel like a cop-out. With this ending we can retain a belief in goodness prevailing, which is always nice.

Photos courtesy of Miramax

Isla and Josh are Still on The Lookout

PopSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:58:19 PDT

Young Hollywood up and comers Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Isla Fisher celebrated their new movie, The Lookout, at last night's NY premiere. Luckily, Joseph looks to have healed since last week's LA premiere while Isla continued to shine in a form fitting black number. The Lookout, a dark crime thriller (check out the trailer here), comes out this Friday, but it's already getting good reviews. We can't wait to see these two actors, whom we probably know best from comedic roles (Wedding Crashers for her and Third Rock from the Sun for him), show us their serious acting chops.

For more pics including Jeff Daniels, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sergio del Zio just read more

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Movie Preview: The Lookout

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:20:32 PDT

Aside from Blades of Glory, the only other films coming out nationwide this Friday are the animated family flick Meet the Robinsons and the neo-noir crime thriller The Lookout. I'm more interested in the thriller, though I won't be surprised if Meet the Robinsons does well at the box office (see: TMNT).

In The Lookout, which marks screenwriter Scott Frank's (Out of Sight, Get Shorty) directorial debut, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Chris, a high school jock whose bright future is demolished when a car crash leaves him brain damaged. Struggling to regain a normal life, he accepts a job as a bank janitor, only to find himself enmeshed in a heist attempt. Jeff Daniels costars as Chris' blind mentor, and Isla Fisher plays a mysterious siren.

The Lookout looks like a real treat for fans of indie film - and for anyone following Gordon-Levitt's career. In Brick, he proved his uncanny noir abilities, and he often reminds me of a young Edward Norton. Watch for my review this Friday and in the meantime, you can check out the trailer if you

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).

Announcing the 2012 Grammy Award Nominations

Rose Curiel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:51:21 PST

For the second year in a row, the Recording Academy has given a hip-hop artist the most Grammy nominations. Last year, it was rapper Eminem with eight, and this year, Kanye West leads the nominees with seven chances at the golden gramophone, including a song of the year nod for "All of the Lights." West is also nominated twice in the rap album of the year category for his collaboration with Jay-Z on Watch the Throne and his own album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Brit crooner Adele wasn't far behind Kanye, picking up six nominations for her album 21, as well as a shot at song of the year with "Rolling in the Deep."

Bruno Mars also did well, racking up six nominations (that's down one from last year for those keeping track), while newcomers like Nicki Minaj and dubstep artist Skrillex are up for the best new artist category. See what other artists have a chance of walking away with a Grammy during the February 12 award show when you read more