BuzzSugar

My Sister's Keeper: Climb Aboard the Weepy Express

BuzzSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:30:17 -0700

In My Sister's Keeper, young Anna knows that she was genetically engineered and brought into this world in order to serve as a donor for her ailing sister, Kate. Well, My Sister's Keeper was engineered to make people cry - over and over and over again, for two hours. Anna sues her parents for medical emancipation, and by the end of this movie I wanted to file for emotional emancipation.

Anna (played sweetly by Abigail Breslin) was conceived after her parents, Sara (Cameron Diaz) and Brian (Jason Patric), learned that their young daughter Kate (the teenage version played by Sofia Vassilieva) had leukemia and their other child, Jesse (Evan Ellingson), was not a perfect match to be a donor for his sister. Throughout her life Anna has been required to give all sorts of things from her body to help keep Kate alive and now, at the age of 11, Anna finds a lawyer (Alec Baldwin) to sue her parents for medical emancipation. The lawsuit comes at a critical time: Kate's kidneys are failing, and without one of Anna's kidneys, Kate will die - soon. The story unfolds in a series of flashbacks that fill in some blanks about the family's journey up until this point. The flashbacks are interspersed with scenes of the present-day situation as Kate's condition worsens and Sara, a former lawyer, prepares to fight her youngest daughter in court. For more on this terribly sad movie, read more.

This drama is, of course, very moving. It centers around a kid with cancer! Of course there's inherent sadness just within that plot, and essentially, nothing more is really needed to make most people feel. But My Sister's Keeper takes this story and milks it for all its worth, stretching out heart-wrenching scene after heart-wrenching scene. I don't fault the movie for being sad, and I don't even think it's that poorly done, but it could have benefited greatly from some strong editing. Despite trying to cover a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time (we hear perspectives from each character - including quite a bit from Kate herself), the movie drags on languorously in many parts, and I just wanted to yell at the screen that we get it. It's sad. We're crying. There's so much more to this story, please move on!

At first, it takes a little while to warm up to these people - particularly so with Diaz's Sara, not because her character is a tough cookie but because Diaz is so shrill at times it's hard to take her seriously. I wondered if this role was too heavy for her to handle; there's just something insubstantial about the way she portrays Sara. It doesn't ruin the movie, but I still wish they'd cast someone else in that role. Sofia Vassilieva's performance as Kate is well done and requires a delicate touch that Vassilieva capably displays - she's sympathetic as a cancer patient, of course, but she also convincingly plays another side of Kate: a giggly, sometimes insecure teenage girl who wants to date boys and look pretty.

I knew going into this that my emotions would be manipulated, and they really do pull out all the stops - including the use of a heartbreaking song every eight minutes or so (like Greg Laswell's slow, haunting version of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"). But even with all the music and all the horrors of cancer, by the end of the film, the sweet and complex bonds between these parents and these siblings are what deliver the gut-punch that forces the tears to start flowing.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Worth Every Penny

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:30:21 -0800

The irony of releasing a movie about shopping right as the nation's economy is flailing is not lost on many. Confessions of a Shopaholic could have probably gone in one of two ways: Exacerbating the general sense of frustration and helplessness, or providing us with a fun, satisfying escapist's jaunt. Thankfully, it's pure escapism - and not just because of the script, which is surprisingly tight, or the editing which makes the narrative clip along briskly, rarely dwelling in sentimentality. No, this movie is wonderful, happy escapism largely because of Isla Fisher in the role of Becky Bloomwood: Bumbling, adorable, joyous shopper extraordinaire.

Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a journalist with an intense shopping habit. Like a drug addict or alcoholic, she literally appears to have no restraint when it comes to spending money - even when she is thousands of dollars in debt. Her practical friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) tries to help her rethink her financial situation, but Becky's addiction runs deep and it's going to take a great deal to make her hit rock bottom. The stakes are raised when Becky ends up working at a financial magazine - with a dashing cutie of a boss, Luke (Hugh Dancy) - and receives acclaim for being able to explain money matters in layman's terms. But as she gains more fame, an ornery debt collector (Robert Stanton) is hot on her trail, harassing her about her debts and posing a threat to her new image as a sensible financial writer. You'll have to see the film (and I hope you do!) for all of the funny storylines, but for more of my take, read more.

While I enjoyed Sophie Kinsella's novels as silly fluff, I wasn't always very sympathetic toward Becky, and at times I didn't even really like her. But it's impossible not to like Isla's Becky. Even when she's being ridiculous, even when you know full well that her debt crises are disturbingly stupid in comparison to the challenges facing families across the nation right this minute (and challenges they didn't willingly bring upon themselves, as Becky has) - still Becky earns our sympathy with her well-intentioned silliness and her big, teary eyes. Indeed, she is often endearingly naïve - but thankfully, she doesn't stay that way forever. In a scene in which Luke buys Becky a fan, she sifts through the fans with a childlike excitement, trying to decide on one. It's cute - she's so cute - but in this film, at last, childlike behavior has consequences when you're a grown woman. Contrary to what so many movies (particularly modern films aimed at a young female audience) would have us believe, women actually aren't children, and shouldn't be treated as such.

This is the most refreshing difference between this movie and others that are similarly billed - there is at least some recognition that shopping can be meaningless, or an indication of a deeper problem. That it can be a problem at all is a new and shocking concept for this kind of movie. In other similar films there's a smugness, or defiance about the idea of overspending (the kind that's far beyond just treating oneself occasionally), as though there's always a way to excuse it. Finally, here's a story that sheds a humorous light on it, showing how absurd and truly empty it can be.

What's more, there's way more love (and there's more to love) in this movie's "labels and love" theme. Becky earnestly and deeply loves to shop. She visibly enjoys it. Instead of just a montage of wedding dresses for the sole purpose of listing off a bunch of fancy names, there's Becky's lit-up face, her ecstasy at finding wonderful things and buying them. We see how outrageous this can be, instead of the actual suggestion that buying expensive stuff is something we should want to do all the time.

There is also the character of Becky's best friend, Suze, providing a sensible contrast to Becky's blithe ignorance of all things financial. Suze acts as the straight man in many ways, and I found myself grateful for a female voice of reason (and a strong, funny voice of reason, too - not that of the "unattractive," grumpy, manless friend, a device that might (maybe? Hopefully?) be retired for now). Not all women are psychopaths who would physically harm another woman to get a sale; look at the reasonable Suze. But Becky is that hysterical label-hungry woman at times and it's funny to watch. At long last, there is some self-awareness in this kind of story. It's satirical, and it's about damn time.

And still, even as we recognize that we're laughing at Becky's absurd hijinks and over-the-top addiction to the shopper's high, we can't disparage her. She's too damn lovable! Sure, she's materialistic, but she's also vibrantly warm, loyal and pulsing with a bright light. There's so much more to her than just the constant buying of stuff, and by the end of the movie, to our great satisfaction, she learns that, too.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Movie Preview: War, Inc.

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

War, Inc. is one of those head-scratchers where I'm at a loss as to whether or not this movie will be good, or even watchable. Starring John Cusack (who's also a credited writer on the film), it looks like one of those cynical, dark comedies where the goal is to make you think, "That's so absurd! The world isn't like that! Or is it?" See also: Wag the Dog.

Signs pointing to good/watchable movie include: both Cusacks on screen together (I love seeing Joan again!), smart twists on current events, and a darkly romantic sub-plot between the lovely Marisa Tomei and John Cusack.

Signs pointing to maybe not-so-watchable are: a whole lot going on - lots of characters, effects, music, bombs, journalists, etc.; and Hilary Duff playing a "Centeral Asian pop star" with an accent that is just. . .strange. Plus, she drops a scorpion down her pants.

War, Inc. opens in limited release May 23. To check out the trailer for yourself and tell me what you think, read more.

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 3/5

BuzzSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:31:00 -0800

Though she seems slightly young for the role, Joan Cusack will be playing the mother to Isla Fisher's character in the Shopaholic movie, Variety writes. John Goodman has been cast as her dad.
Allison Janney will voice a character in Fox's proposed animated series The Pitts, Zap2it reports.
Paris Hilton will star as herself on My Name is Earl when the show returns April 3 with a one-hour episode, the Associated Press reports.
The CBS '70s-set swinger drama Swingtown will premiere in May, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
Janet Jackson's new album topped this week's charts, Billboard reports.
According to Variety, Away From Her and Eastern Promises were the big winners at Canada's big award ceremony, the Genies.

Source

Recast Say Anything and Win a Prize!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:22:39 -0800

Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!

I know, I know, I know - Say Anything is perfect and adorable as it is. The characters are classic, the original performances are probably burned into your head for the rest of time. But still, if you could recast this movie now with new actors, who would you pick to play Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court? What about Diane's father James, and Lloyd's sister Constance?

Leave your entry in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature Tuesday, November 13, complete with a "new" cast photo.

To see a list of characters to recast and a photo of the BuzzSugar t-shirt, read more

I'm keeping it simple this week by leaving out Lloyd's friends and his nephew Jason, though you may recast those roles as well if you are so inclined.

Characters to recast:
Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack)
Diane Court (Ione Skye)
James Court (John Mahoney)
Constance Dobler (Joan Cusack)

The BuzzSugar t-shirt

Martian Child: Cutesy and Sweet

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:30:00 -0700

The premise for Martian Child is almost unbearably adorable: a sci-fi writer adopts a little boy who thinks he is from Mars. The writer is a lonesome widower searching for meaning in his life. The little boy is an odd duck outcast with a tendency to steal things. The quirky duo provide each other with companionship and love.

Basically, that's the story. It's not particularly layered or nuanced or deep. What makes it compelling are the actors who bring brightness to these fairly cut-and-dry roles. The boy playing the painfully awkward Dennis has this wispy high-pitched voice that is so strange-sounding you sometimes wonder if he really is an alien. Cusack, having become this year's Gloomy Dad of the Year (what with Grace Is Gone and 1408) manages to still garner sympathy with the same puppy-dog faces he always uses. It's not the most outstanding film ever, but it's sweet enough, and to find out why, read more

Cusack plays David, the widower novelist whose popular sci-fi book is being turned into a movie. He's also received an advance to write the sequel to said sci-fi book, but can't seem to get inspired to do so, despite pressure from his anxious agent (Oliver Platt) and hard-nosed publisher (Anjelica Huston). David decides to follow up on his late wife's dream of adopting a child. Enter Dennis, a pale, slight boy who is utterly convinced that he was brought to Earth by Martians to study Earthling life. He shies away from the sun and wears a weight belt, lest he float away.

The two guys seem perfectly suited for one another, mutual love of all things outer-space and all. In some ways they help each other, but there are some bumps to navigate, including the doubts of the children's services people that David can effectively parent a child as "troubled" as Dennis.

It's definitely not a subtle work. There seems to be a fondness for references to feeling like an "alien" in human society (i.e. doesn't everyone feel different sometimes, and therefore, don't we all relate to Dennis?). For the more dense audience members, a Hammer of Clarity comes down swift and heavy when David's publisher plainly asks upon learning that he didn't write the sequel that they agreed upon, "Why can't you just be what we want you to be?" Cue the string music and the look of dawning realization on David's face that he and his strange adopted son are not so different after all. Neither of them are meeting the expectations of their fellow Earthlings.

And there are moments, such as a way-too-long climactic scene toward the end that are so overly sentimental they easily give the Hallmark Channel's made-for-TV movies a run for their money. Indeed, the "cheese factor" is pretty darn high in this movie, but it's hard to be truly annoyed with such endearing characters. Also, if you're a fan of most anything John Cusack does, you'll probably enjoy the movie well enough. It's no High Fidelity, but it's head and shoulders above Must Love Dogs.

Photos courtesy of New Line

What to Netflix: In and Out

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:29:00 -0700

All this talk about weddings on the Sugar network lately has made me fondly remember one of my all-time favorite wedding-themed movies: In & Out.

Directed by Frank Oz, In & Out follows high school drama teacher Howard Brackett who is about to get married to his fiance of three years, Emily (Joan Cusack) when a former student (Matt Dillon) publicly reveals in his Oscar acceptance speech that he thinks Howard is gay. Thus, the little town of Greenleaf, Indiana town goes crazy trying to find out the truth about Howard. Tom Selleck plays a local TV news anchor determined to get the scoop.

Joan Cusack is absolutely hilarious in this film, her lispy speech and deadpan innocence combining to make an endearing jilted bride. Favorite line: "Was there, um... any other time you could have told me this?!" Priceless.

What to TiVo: Wednesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:50:05 -0800

ABC is new with the 43rd Annual CMA Awards
CBS is new with the New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY
FOX is new with So You Think You Can Dance and Glee
NBC is new with Mercy and Law & Order: SVU
The CW is new with America's Next Top Model and has a repeat of Vampire Diaries
E! is new with 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks
Bravo is new with Top Chef: Las Vegas
FX is new with Nip/Tuck
Comedy Central is new with Secret Girlfriend, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, and The Colbert Report
MTV is new with Return to Duty and Real World/Road Rules Challenge
VH1 has 40 Greatest Reality Moments 2
Late-night highlights include Queen Latifah on Lopez Tonight on TBS; Kate Walsh, Andre Agassi, and Norah Jones on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Sandra Bullock on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Heather Locklear on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Dominic Monaghan on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Joan Cusack and Carly Simon on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC; and Jared Leto on Last Call With Carson Daly on NBC