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How to Lose Friends and Alienate People: Not Alienating, Just Not That Funny

BuzzSugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:00:53 -0700

It’s hard to care too much about someone as obnoxious as Sidney Young, the main character of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, played by Simon Pegg. Having a main character as unlikable as Sidney is one of the key things that doesn't work in it. There are some things that do work - a few funny bits, some great comedic performances - but they don't quite make up for the experience of watching the movie as a whole, which ends up being just kinda "meh."

The character of Sidney Young is based on the real Toby Young, who wrote the memoir on which this movie is based. In the film, Sidney is a cynical British writer who is obsessed with the notion of celebrity while simultaneously finding it ridiculous. He puts out a magazine in England called Post Modern Review, full of snarky pieces about famous people. Amused by this, Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges), editor of Sharps magazine in New York offers Sidney a job and the bumbling, uncouth Sidney sets off for glamorous New York. Once at Sharps, however, Sidney discovers that he's expected to write only "safe" celebrity profiles, and that his sarcasm and brutal honesty are unacceptable. Thus, Sidney struggles to succeed at Sharps - as a writer, but also as a boorish guy in a glamorous magazine world - without relinquishing his identity altogether. Of course, there's a love story tossed in, too, so for more on that and everything else, read more.

At Sharps, Sidney meets Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst), a droll aspiring novelist who has no problem calling Sidney out on his impertinence. They often engage in that sarcastic banter that is actually flirtatious, but Sidney's not interested in Alison because he's too busy drooling over the beautiful young starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox). This storyline is so obvious and predictable, I was certain it would surprise me in the end but alas, there's not a ton of surprise at the end of this movie in general.

I really like Simon Pegg, and his uniquely awesome comedic abilities sometimes save the day here, especially in the beginning when it's funny to watch someone so socially inept act inappropriately at all times. It can be refreshing to see Sidney call out the pretentious charade of American celebrity, but we don't really root for him to succeed because he's kind of a jackass. And then, when he starts to really try to succeed, we certainly don't want him to do so by selling out and writing the crap that Clayton insists he write. But then everything you could have predicted (but didn't truly want to have happen) happens - including the incredibly generic rom-com stuff - and it's a total disappointment. Like the pitiful kid at the party, the colorful balloon of the movie deflates, and we’re left disappointed and sleepy. But then again, after a nap we'll probably forget the entire thing ever happened.

Photos courtesy of MGM

Buzz News Roundup, 9/17

BuzzSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:46:32 -0700

TNT has renewed Saving Grace and Raising the Bar, while HBO has OK'd a second season of True Blood. - Zap2it
Nicole Kidman may become an action star, now that she's in talks to be in the "character-driven, treasure-hunting" action-adventure The Eighth Wonder. - Hollywood Reporter
Fred Wolf (director of The House Bunny) will write and direct the dude road trip movie Divorced Guys, which will star David Spade. - ComingSoon
Metallica's new album is topping the Billboard 200 list, making it the band's fifth No. 1 album. - Billboard
Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito and Jenna Fischer are in talks to join the movie Solitary Man, which follows "a car magnate with a runaway libido." - Variety
Kirsten Dunst will produce and star in an adaptation of the book A Jealous Ghost. - ComingSoon
Here's who won Big Brother 10. - AP
Stephen Colbert will debut "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" on Comedy Central on Nov. 23. - Billboard

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The Official Trailer: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:35:34 -0700

"Based on the true story of a real idiot."

The teaser for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was kinda "meh" and the international trailer was downright odd. Now we have the "official" trailer for us Americans who are curious about this movie starring Simon Pegg, Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, and Kirsten Dunst, and I have to say it is definitely an improvement. I didn't necessarily laugh at any of the moments that are supposed to be funny, but at least I can figure out what to expect from this film.

Based on the true-life story of author Toby Young, the movie looks a touch forced. Still, I adore Simon Pegg (who I recently got to interview - stay tuned for that!) and want to keep an open mind until it opens October 3.

To check out the trailer, read more.

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Buzz News Roundup, 1/23

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:30:05 -0800

In an effort to strike a deal, the Writers Guild of America has dropped demands to unionize reality TV writers and animation writers, USA Today reports.
Beyonce and Tina Turner will duet at the Grammys, according to People.
Three series renewals this week: TV Week reports that Oxygen is in for a third season of Tori and Dean and Bravo has rewened Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, while Mediaweek has news on Showtime's renewal of Brotherhood.
Kirsten Dunst and Ryan Gosling will star in All Good Things, a period drama and murder mystery directed by the man behind the documentary Capturing the Friedmans, Zap2it reports.
Pitchfork has a few more details on the Zooey Deschanel/M. Ward collaboration, which will be out March 18.
The Sci Fi Channel will show repeats of Jericho for two years, including a mini-marathon leading up to its Feb. 18 season premiere; details are at The Futon Critic.
Variety has details on a series of short plays written by striking writers that will feature TV actors in benefit performances.

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First Look: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:31:09 -0800

While I love pretty much anything Simon Pegg does or says, and I seriously cannot wait for the Spring US release of Run, Fat Boy, Run, the teaser trailer for his next comedy How to Lose Friends and Alienate People leaves much to be desired. Based on Toby Young's 2003 memoir, the movie's plot description is this:

Sidney Young is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame, and glamour. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media-obsessed stars and bucks trends, so when Young is offered a job at the conservative, New York-based Sharps magazine, it's something of a shock! Thus begins Sidney's descent into success - his gradual move from derided outsider to confidante of starlet Sophie Maes (Megan Fox) - and a love affair with colleague Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst) that will either make him or break him.

I look forward to a full trailer for the movie since this little 45-second one is pretty unsatisfying. To see the trailer for yourself and share your thoughts, read more

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Some "Glamorous" Short Films By Hudson, Dunst, Wilson

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:29:08 -0700

A while back I brought you the preview for Julia Stiles' short film directorial debut, Raving, which stars the lovely Zooey Deschanel. Stiles' project was a part of a women-in-film series put on by Elle Magazine, and now there's news of the next crop of short filmmakers for Glamour's film project, Reel Moments. The series gives female A-listers the opportunity to adapt and create short films based on essays submitted by Glamour readers. Next up in the series: films by Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst and Rita Wilson.

Hudson's movie sounds the most intriguing: "The '70s-period father-daughter story stars Kurt Russell opposite Dakota Fanning, comedian Kevin Hart and Chevy Chase. 'I'll get my brothers out there stopping traffic,' said Hudson, who has always enjoyed writing. 'Directing is something I always thought I'd do, but not in this way.'" I love that she got Chevy Chase to be in her movie.

About her own short film, Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks, among other things) says, "'It's a story about someone getting in touch with who she is.' Jeanne Tripplehorn, Aisha Tyler, Camilla Bell and Channing Tatum star."

Details about Dunst's film were mysteriously missing from the Variety article, though we've gotten tidbits about it here and there in previous news items. Apparently it's a ghost story, and if Dunst has her way, her buddy Michelle Williams will star.

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Spider-Man 3: It Is What it Is - A Good Comic Book Movie

BuzzSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 10:41:31 -0700

What can I say about Spider-Man 3? It's good. It's a comic book movie. I don't understand the vitriol aimed toward this movie from other critics unless, of course, the relentless marketing and hype leading up to the movie has caused anyone to believe this would be more than it is: another movie about Spider-Man. It certainly has its flaws - most notably there's a thoroughly bizarre sequence featuring the new "evil" Spider-Man, but more on that later. Overall, it's cool in the computer effects sort of way, but it's not a masterpiece. It's just fun and flashy and will more than satisfy Spider-Man fans.

The biggest flaw on which I must agree with all the other critics is that there is way too much stuff packed into this one story. There are several superheroes, each with his own set of issues to figure out, Peter Parker's struggle with his own ego and then his obsession with revenge, and the whole Peter-Mary Jane saga, which is weirdly drawn-out in a movie that has little to no room to spare. There's a lot more to it than this, though, so read more

The old sweet Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has become something of an egomaniac, loving his fame a little too much, while nothing is coming up Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) as her stage musical career stalls. To make matters worse, there's another woman in the picture now, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), a classmate of Peter's who seems to have a crush on both him and Spider-Man. Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), the guy who killed Peter's Uncle Ben is on the loose, a sad, misunderstood man who needs money to help his sick daughter and in a really neat scene he turns into the Sandman.

Gwen's boyfriend Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) is Peter's competition as a freelance photographer at the newspaper. After Peter humiliates him in front of their boss, Eddie becomes vengeful and then becomes Venom. Meanwhile, Harry/Goblin (James Franco) is haunted by his angry Green Goblin dad's ghost who instructs him to avenge him by killing Spider-Man. So, there are a lot of superhumans to keep Spidey busy, and of course, Mary Jane is the pawn used to lure him around.

Adding to all this, Peter gets taken over by the evil, parasitic black stuff which forms his black Spidey suit and causes Peter to become powerful and cruel. However - and here's the weirdest part - Peter acting "evil" consists mostly of ogling women while dancing down the street to disco music and saying things like, "I think you're going to really dig this joint, baby." What? He awkwardly tries to dance around at the jazz club where Mary Jane is singing, followed up by a little sexy dance with Gwen. I guess if Peter's supposed to become dashing and aggressive because of the black suit, that's fine, but aside from being virtually graceless the whole thing is strange because Tobey Maguire looks utterly uncomfortable. There are a lot of campy things in these films, and I can't deny that this part is entertaining - it's just so weird.

Strange homage to the '70s as a reflection of "evil Spidey" aside, the coolest parts of the movie are, unsurprisingly, the visual effects and the action sequences. The Sandman is particularly awe-inspiring to see on the big screen and the final scenes with all four superheroes are definitely cool. The movie is what it is: The "real plot" parts are mostly dull, and the computer animation is impressive. Expect a lot more and you will be disappointed. But as a Spider-Man movie, it more than does its job.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Buzz News Roundup, 4/26

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:30:42 -0700

"Idol Gives Back" has now raised more than $60 million, reports Zap2it.
SciFi.com reports that Kirsten Dunst will make her directorial debut with a short film about ghosts. She's also going to star in it, alongside Michelle Williams.
Advocates from the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood think Shrek shouldn't be in an anti-obesity commercial if he's also in ads for junk food, says the AP.
Billboard tell us that Kanye West and Rod Stewart will be performing in the concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death.
Citing the nation's obscenity laws, an Indian judge has issued warrants for the arrest of Richard Gere and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty for kissing on television, Reuters reports.
The singer of "Monster Mash," Bobby "Boris" Pickett, has died, the AP reports.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Spider-Man 3: Most Expensive Movie Ever Made?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:51:57 -0700

It's obvious that Spider-Man 3 has cost a pretty penny. The oft-quoted price tag is $250 million, yet a piece in Radar magazine has us wondering if it's actually more like twice that much.

Reporter Kim Masters writes:

With marketing and promotion factored in, the total price tag will approach half a billion dollars-positioning Spider-Man 3 as the most expensive movie of all time.

A studio spokesman angrily rejects the $350 million estimate as a "complete fabrication," insisting that production costs didn't exceed $270 million. One of the film's producers, Laura Ziskin, also disputes the higher total... "I refuse to say the [real] number because it makes me choke," she tells Radar. "Spider-Man 3 was a super-expensive movie-the most expensive film we've ever made. But there's no way you can get to $300 million."

Well, when you count all the many ways Spider-Man 3 is taking over New York during "Spider-Man Week in NYC" the costs certainly do rack up. The people at Sony shouldn't be too worried, however, since plenty of moviegoers are already buying tickets for the movie online. Here's hoping it's all worth it.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

New Spider-Man 3 Clips!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:08:20 -0700

Continuing the barrage of promotion for Spider-Man 3, several new clips from the movie are now available online, thanks to IESB.net. These aren't trailers or bits from previews we've already seen but rather full, never-before-seen scenes, some of which, I have to admit, are pretty damn cool, including:

MJ and Peter's date night on the giant spider web.
Spidey rescuing Gwen (Bryce Dallas Howard, looking super-blond, by the way) from certain death.
Then, a pretty funny jealousy scene in which Gwen and MJ put Peter in an awkward situation.
Topher Grace's character having little chat with God before he Venomizes.
A tense fight amidst the subway cars between Spider-Man and Sandman.

The videos are not embeddable, so you'll have to visit IESB's site, but it's well worth it if your saturation point for Spidey stuff hasn't yet been met.

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