BuzzSugar

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:30:08 -0700

Marge Simpson's Playboy pics - Worst Previews
Fox picks up new show, Rehab. (Oh, and it's a comedy.) - Hollywood Reporter
Laura Dern joins the Little Fockers cast - Ain't It Cool News
Yet another vampire story is coming to the big screen - MTV Movies Blog
Elisabeth Moss talks Mad Men, tractors, and belching - Vulture
Are you a fan of Law & Order? Then check out this list of the top six guest stars who are now famous - TV.com
Is the horror film Carrie getting the Broadway stage treatment? - Cinematical
Lily Allen's new music video costars Elton John . . . sorta - Stereogum
Jude Law and Robert DeNiro may be joining the Thor movie - Reelz Channel
Lil Wayne is determined to release not one, but two albums before the end of the year - Pitchfork
Style at the Spike Scream Awards! - FabSugar

Laura Dern and Mike White Get Enlightened at HBO

BuzzSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:20:15 -0700

Are enlightened folks the new nurses, when it comes to TV trends? Just a couple of weeks after Showtime announced a religion-themed show called Revelation, HBO is developing a series of its own called Enlightened.

Enlightened, from School of Rock writer (and recent Amazing Race contestant) Mike White, will star Laura Dern as "a formerly self-destructive woman who, after having a spiritual awakening, becomes determined to live an enlightened life, creating havoc at home and work." White developed the half-hour comedy specifically for Dern, who had told HBO she'd be willing to do a show only if she found the right material. White said:

There are so many dysfunctional types of characters populating cable television, and she is equally as dysfunctional as any of them, but her impulse is to get healthy, to make the world a better place even though it creates havoc.

Between this and Diane Keaton's recently announced comedy project, HBO is definitely lining up some big talent for its new comedies. What do you make of this show? Do you want to see Dern as a comedy series lead?

Citizen, Liberty, and Buzz Watch HBO's Recount!

BuzzSugar — Sun, 25 May 2008 07:30:12 -0700

HBO's movie Recount is on tonight at 9 p.m.! Is it watchable? Heck yes! Citizen, Liberty and I watched it at Citizen's house - she concocted a drink called a "Hanging Chad" which was sweet, dessert-y and left a way better aftertaste than the original. Want to know what we thought before you commit to two hours? Here you go!

Will Liberty and Citizen have it out over Warren Christopher? Will Buzz strangle them for not stopping talking the entire movie? To find out, read more.

To watch or not to watch? I'd vote for it. It's a well-done movie that will - mark my words - be up for awards when the time comes. Plus it's, you know, important and stuff.

Year of the Dog: Sweet as a Trusty Old Companion

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:00:46 -0700

There is a comfort in having an obsession, in committing oneself entirely to something. And for every obsession, there are niche communities where that obsession is shared - and at least a few people who will deem it silly. The idea that everyone needs at least one thing to pour herself into is the theme of Year of the Dog, a cute movie with plenty of heart and poignant truthfulness.

Molly Shannon plays Peggy, a secretary whose life consists mainly of caring for her dog Pencil, so when Pencil suddenly meets his mysterious demise, Peggy's life starts to unravel. She grieves helplessly, unsure of how to fill her time. Her next-door neighbor Al (John C. Reilly) takes Peggy out on a date, though Peggy is soon repelled by his fondness for hunting. Peggy's girlish friend Layla (Regina King) thinks Peggy should be as obsessed with romance and marriage as she is and pushes Peggy to keep dating. Layla's not the only one with ideas about how to distract Peggy from her loss, though, so

When veterinary assistant Newt (Peter Sarsgaard) pairs Peggy up with an abused dog, Peggy delightedly gains both a new dog and a new friend/love interest. After spending time with Newt, Peggy turns vegan and begins campaigning for animal rights. Her wish to save all animals everywhere, however, spins out of control, until she finds herself taking her young niece and nephew to a chicken slaughterhouse. Her new obsessions become all-consuming, and she must learn how to pursue her passions without losing herself completely.

Like Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon seems to understand that if she is as honest as possible, the humor and the pathos will follow, making her performance excellent almost because it's so ordinary. Everyone else does their respective things: John C. Reilly is bumbling and unaware, Sarsgaard's sleepy eyes say all he needs to say, and Regina King infuses each of her scenes with a glassy brightness. Laura Dern is perhaps most noteworthy - and funniest - as Peggy's sister-in-law, so fearful for her kids' safety that overprotecting them is her own obsession.

The movie has a comforting this-is-real-life feel to it, reminiscent of director Mike White's other successful film, The Good Girl, though thankfully Year of the Dog is far less depressing in the end. It won't knock your socks off, but sometimes, you just want to wear your fuzzy old slippers anyway.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Vantage