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Movie Preview: I Hate Valentine's Day

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:45:24 -0700

Last year I was tickled pink at the idea of a My Big Fat Greek Wedding reunion of Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, but now that I've gotten a peek at the film (which has a limited release starting July 3), I feel like my balloon of excitement and anticipation has deflated with a sad little farty noise.

It's actually not that bad (these actors are still adorable together, after all) - I just wanted a little more for this duo. In the romantic comedy, titled I Hate Valentine's Day, Vardalos plays "a florist who abides by a strict five-date-limit with any man finds herself wanting more with the new restaurateur in town." Corbett plays the restaurateur, of course, and the cast is filled out with various comedic actors like Rachel Dratch and 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander. To check out a preview of the movie (with subtitles), read more.

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Five Essential Things to Know About United States of Tara

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0800

United States of Tara is one of the most unusual shows to hit TV in a while - even for Showtime, home of drug-dealing moms and sympathetic serial killers. First imagined by Steven Spielberg, created by Diablo Cody, and brought to life by a cast led by Toni Collette and John Corbett, the show centers on a suburban housewife named Tara who is living with Dissociative Identity Disorder, which causes alternate personalities to emerge when she's under stress. The show premieres on Sunday, and today, the cast and producers stopped by TCA. Here are some of the essential things to know - and be sure to check out some great pics of the stars over on Pop:

It was important for Tara to be open about her condition. Cody said she's seen mental illness be destigmatized over the years, so it made sense for Tara's family not to keep her illness locked away. "Obviously there are some people who are frightened or curious," she said. "There are some people who are intrigued" - and that seemed like an appropriate, modern reaction.
Deep down, the show's about acceptance. Nobody ever says outright that Collette's character is mentally ill, or that Tara's son is gay, or that her daughter is a jerk, said Brie Larson, who plays teenage daughter Kate. "There's no labels on this show, and I think that's the most interesting part."
But not everyone's OK with Tara's personalities. One of the most tense relationships on the show is between Tara and her younger sister, Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt). "Charmaine always thought that Tara got more attention," Cody said. "She's always been resentful of that." Charmaine has an occasional flirtation with Max (Corbett), Tara's husband, but Cody said it's nothing with an actual romantic spark at this point - it's just a way for her to get someone to pay attention to her for once.

To see the final two essentials, just read more.

The show doesn't fit into any box. "It was just so delicious to read and so unusual, and it was a complete dream for an actor to play so many parts," said Collette of reading the script for the first time. "It is incredibly funny, but it also is incredibly moving and incredibly real."
We might not have met all of the "alters." The show's official photo shows four personalities - Tara, Buck, T, and Alice - but "you will see new ones emerge," said producer Darryl Frank. The origin of the personalities, which have been created within Tara at different points in her life, also will be explored as the season goes on.

Photo courtesy of Showtime

It's a Big Fat Reunion for Valentine's Day!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:30:47 -0700

Guess who's reuniting onscreen: the adorable duo of Nia Vardalos and John Corbett for the romantic comedy I Hate Valentine's Day! Vardalos wrote the script and will try her hand at directing the movie which, according to Variety is "described as a comedy for the romantically challenged," and "revolves around a romantic, carefree florist who charms a commitment-phobic restaurant owner into trying her theory of 'relationship-less' dating."

The sweetest thing about this, though? Vardalos is quoted as saying "I am so happy John jumped in and really look forward to working with him - and kissing him - again." Who wouldn't be?! I'm so excited about this news! I love both these actors and they were so endearing together in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

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Street Kings: Police Officers Gone Wild

BuzzSugar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:00:51 -0700

Street Kings is primarily focused on examining two types of police officers seen in many a film before: the rogue cop who disregards the law in the name of justice and the cop that appears to follow the rules but is deeply corrupt. You would think that in the hands of a talented guy like director David Ayer, who is well-versed in the handling of this kind of gritty material (having written Training Day and directed Harsh Times) this movie would be not only entertaining but also darkly unnerving.

So, was it entertaining? I think for some people the answer is definitely "yes" - the violence is raw and in your face, the story is intriguing, and the smorgasbord of famous male actors makes for a fun ride. Did it make me feel anything? Nope. And that's actually a shame because there was so much there to work with, but instead I left with the sense that everyone involved decided to sit back, tap into their inner nihilist, and get down to killing.

To see what parts I think are fun and what parts are downright silly, read more.

Reeves plays Detective Tom Ludlow, a man who's having a hard time and numbs whatever pain haunts him with a lot of alcohol. He also has zero regard for the "law" part of "law enforcement," and seems to break all the rules those lawyers on Law & Order are always concerned with, lest their cases get thrown out on a technicality. He doesn't necessarily take pleasure in blowing people's brains out once he's determined they're wrong, but he definitely doesn't show restraint either. In other words, the man's a live wire. And this is the guy who ends up being the moral center of a universe full of some very corrupt people.

Those people include, well, just about everyone in the film. Once Ludlow begins to yank at a string he's been repeatedly warned against yanking by his boss, the ambitious Captain Jack Wander (Forest Whitaker), it becomes clear that an entire division of L.A.'s finest are dirty. Thus, Ludlow starts heading down a trail into some of L.A.'s harshest neighborhoods and the dens of some extremely bloodthirsty villains.

The movie relentlessly strives for realism with each violent act, and bookends each one with the kind of machismo dialogue you can't help but roll your eyes at. Similarly, anytime a character waxes poetic about the nature of good and evil or the seductive influence of power and greed, it's delivered in such oversimplified prose that you might find yourself screaming "No duh!" at the screen. The best parts about the movie are the unexpected and talented performances that pop up, like Hugh Laurie as a salty captain, Cedric the Entertainer who's totally convincing as a thug, and Common who, with the delivery of no more than three lines, perfectly embodies pure evil.

If you don't require a little nuance with your bloodbaths, you might have fun. Otherwise it's a frustratingly dumbed-down experience.

To see the trailer and more clips from Street Kings, check out movies.ivillage.com.

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight Films

Great TV Engagements: "Sex and the City"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:30:27 -0700

Every day this week, in honor of Engagement Week on the Sugar Network, I'll be featuring one of my favorite great TV engagements, for better or for worse.

I thought I'd kick things off with a modern classic: when Aidan proposes to Carrie in "Just Say Yes" on the fourth season of HBO's "Sex and the City."

As the episode begins, Carrie is panicking after accidentally discovering a ring in Aidan's bag. Not only is she unsure about getting married, but she also happens to think the ring is hideous. She's only slightly relieved to learn that Miranda helped pick him it out. To relive what happens next, read more

Don't you guys just love John Corbett on this show? I still kinda wish Carrie had ended up with Aidan.

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