BuzzSugar

Green Lantern Shines at Comic-Con With Ryan and Blake

BuzzSugar — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:42:12 PDT

I wasn't alone in my excitement for the Green Lantern panel - Comic-Con fans started camping out in line the night before to get a glimpse of the flick (well, and probably Ryan Reynolds, too). I'm pleased to announce that we weren't disappointed. DC Comics brain Geoff Johns kicked it off with the very first teaser trailer, and it was much more satisfying than just that photo we saw last week. Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, and Mark Strong came out to talk up the film - even though they're still keeping mum on any spoilery details.

The teaser trailer doesn't show much - hence, why it's a teaser - but we do see more of Reynolds's Hal Jordan than his alter ego Green Lantern (in fact, I don't recall seeing him in costume during the clip at all); however, we do get a peek at the famous ring the hero wears. Lively is brunette, and Peter Sarsgaard is virtually unrecognizable underneath the heavy makeup (and ginormous head) he wears as Hector Hammond. The tagline at the end of the preview: "Await further contact."
When asked about what it's like to be married to a fellow comic hero (wife Scarlett Johansson plays Black Widow in the Iron Man franchise), Reynolds laughed and remarked: "We've had some strongly worded dinners. We probably have more comic books lying around than your average married couple."
Reynolds described his version of Hal Jordan as an "amalgamation between Chuck Yeager and Han Solo." "He can tell a joke, throw a punch and kiss a girl," said Reynolds. "Who wouldn’t want to play that for a movie? Let alone two or three." He wasn't the only one who hinted at a sequel - or better yet, a full franchise. Screenwriter Greg Berlanti also alluded to more films, as did Johns. Get ready for a full series, fans!

To hear more about the film,

Robin Hood: Misses the Epic Mark

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:30:00 PDT

Certainly, Robin Hood is a figure we all know very well; most people associate him with one of the actors who've played him, like Kevin Costner or Cary Elwes, and the latest inhabitant of the icon in this year's Robin Hood is Russell Crowe. However, this version of the legend isn't just different because the actor has changed - this is definitely not the Robin Hood we're used to.

The main difference is that this is a prequel, a recounting of how a common archer named Robin Longstride became the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor. This film is serious and high-minded (read: there's not one chuckle in there), with director Ridley Scott clearly aiming to make this the most epic version of the tale. Scott has the ideal ingredients, namely star power: Crowe, most memorable for his heroic performance in Scott's Gladiator, and leading lady Cate Blanchett. Despite this careful mixture, something went wrong in Nottingham, making Scott's Robin Hood overlong and uninspiring. To see why I didn't love the movie, just

read more. I'd hoped the prequel status would be license to make a radically nuanced translation, but the only major difference here is that it's just plain not as good as its predecessors (and yes, I'm including Robin Hood: Men in Tights). A huge fault is its length - clocking in a butt-numbing two and a half hours, the plot travels at a snail's pace. The running time is astoundingly unnecessary; the characters reveal their intentions in fifteen-minute scenes that could have been five-minute interludes. To add insult to injury, the action sequences are half-halfheartedly executed. It's really kind of surprising that the movie isn't more entertaining, considering that some of the roles have been reinvented - Maid Marian (Blanchett) gets to play soldier and fight alongside the boys. Mark Strong also appears as mustache-twirling villain Godfrey (he's apparently the go-to actor for bad guy parts these days). Unfortunately, his presence is confusing, since he's one of many villains you know you're supposed to root against - you're just not sure why. In fact, there's not really anyone to root for, not even our beloved Robin Hood. There's so much screen time given to the circumstances that make Longstride an outlaw, without actually letting him engage in outlaw activities. By the time he's established as the title character, it's the end of the movie. There's no payoff for viewers who are hoping to see a semblance of a story they're familiar with; what you get instead is a bland update to a tale that's been told many times before - but better.

Photos courtesy of Universal

Jude Hits the City of Love With Sherlock Amid Marriage Rumors

PopSugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:45:00 PST

Jude Law hammed it up with Guy Ritchie this morning at a Sherlock Holmes photo call in Paris. Rachel McAdams struck a few poses in her latest pretty look, though Robert Downey Jr. wasn't with the gang following their premieres in both Madrid and Berlin. Jude's all about promoting his holiday blockbuster during their European tour, but his heart apparently is back with Sienna. After their shirtless and bikini fun in Barbados, things are rumored to be getting serious between them again. There's talk that Jude is getting ready to propose, and Sienna's said to be into it despite the fiasco of their first engagement.

To see more from the photo call, just read more.

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RocknRolla: Slow to Build With a Rockin' Finish

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:30:32 PST

RocknRolla is extremely similar in tone and format to director Guy Ritchie's other films, and I must say I'm starting to think that his movies are only as good as the actors in them. Snatch is a good ensemble piece overall, but the most memorable parts are due to standout performances by actors like Brad Pitt and Alan Ford. Though not as good a film as Snatch, RocknRolla similarly benefits from some fine performers, in this case Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong, and Toby Kebbell, among other members of the extensive cast in this convoluted story.

And by convoluted I mean I'm not sure I can even get into the plot here without writing another six paragraphs or so. Suffice to say there are a couple high-level criminal guys (played by Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong and others), a resourceful accountant (Thandie Newton), a few bumbling low-level thugs (Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy), and a druggie rock star, Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) all chasing around large amounts of money and/or a beloved painting. There are a lot of men behaving badly because they had cruel fathers. There's a good amount of violence (often paired with great music) and torture mixed with dry, dark humor. It's funny and exciting - but not consistently so. For more on what I mean,

read more. The beginning is slow to build, with tons of details to take in at once, and sometimes the story is downright uninteresting. But the ending is exciting enough to make you forget the entire hour or so that came before it. Maybe that's Ritchie's shtick: Saving the best, most memorable parts for last so you're left with the impression that it was a great movie. So, is it worth it? That depends. If you haven't liked any of Ritchie's stuff in the past, this movie will definitely not change your opinion. If you've never seen his movies, start with Snatch and make RocknRolla last on the list. And for any fan of his, RocknRolla is worth it for the helluva good ride we get to take in the last third or so of the movie. Oh, also: We get a brief glimpse of Gerard Butler's bare backside. So. There's that. Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Body of Lies: Tense in Some Parts, Tedious in Others

BuzzSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:30:41 PDT

Body of Lies has slipped on and off my radar over the past couple of months. It's hard to ignore because it's Ridley Scott working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, and yet the previews haven't looked all that original. But I went anyway, hoping to be entertained and thinking that if it turned out to be thought-provoking as well, all the better.

The thing is, this movie doesn't do more than it has to in terms of both entertainment and thought-provocation. There's a tedious quality to it that, despite some good action scenes and funny lines, is hard to shake. That said, I appreciate that Scott aims to give us a slightly different, more psychological view of life on the ground for American operatives in the Middle East. But to see why I'm a bit torn about this movie,

read more. DiCaprio (sporting some icky facial hair and a strange accent) plays Roger Ferris, a CIA agent operating in the Middle East on the hunt for an elusive Bin Laden-type mastermind named Al-Saleem. He's only ever a cell phone call away from his boss, Ed Hoffman (Crowe), who runs the show from the comfort of his suburban home in the Washington DC area and some kind of mission control room where he can view Ferris's whereabouts via satellite. The whole thing has a Big Brother feel to it while demonstrating how easy it is for people (like the calculating Hoffman) to detach from the messy moral issues that take place on the ground. Both characters come to embody the different aspects of a war of this nature: Crowe's paunchy Hoffman pragmatically give orders through a lazy Southern accent while stuffing his face with food. Meanwhile, DiCaprio's Ferris blends into the Arab world and earns their trust, only to pick shrapnel out of his skin when things go awry due to the impatience of his boss. It's kind of a funny thing watching Crowe peer over his glasses in comfy armchairs while DiCaprio rolls around from one explosion to the next the whole movie. In this world, catching terrorists is a mad scramble, with agents literally rummaging through the post-bombing rubble looking for evidence and information. There's nothing particularly organized or methodical about it until they partner with the most interesting character in the movie, Hani, the head of Jordanian intelligence. The introduction of Hani, played beautifully by the handsome Mark Strong, is where things get good as he warns the Americans not to lie to him and to let him do his job. Of course, Hoffman decides they need results more quickly and he pressures young Ferris to embark on a risky scheme behind Hani's back. Unfortunately, this all happens during the last third of the movie, and up until this plot-thickening it's all rather pointless and predictable, not to mention boring. Though torture is used and both lead characters give monologues about winning the war on terror, the movie's focus has less to do with any kind of political statement and more to do with use and abuse of relationships as mere means to an end (in this case capturing jihadists). It fails to bring to the table in a new and entertaining way what we already know about spies: no one is to be trusted, human life is disposable, and technology only complicates matters. As a result, Body of Lies has some bright spots of action and intrigue sprinkled throughout an otherwise forgettable entry into the political thriller genre. Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Link Time! 8/14

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:34:19 PDT

Popwatch's caption for this particular image is absolutely hilarious, but can you think of a funnier one? (That's supposed to be Matt Damon, by the way.)
Cinematical's Kim Voynar gives advice to dudes who want to learn more about how to become "sexy geeks" like Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen.
Give Me My Remote tells Los Angeles-area residents how to watch "Pushing Daisies" in a cemetery on Thursday.
FilmExperience sings the praises of Mark Strong, "the ubiquitous bad guy," who's currently starring in Stardust.
Rolling Stone Rock&Roll Daily shares the news that John Lennon's solo work is finally available on iTunes, along with some bonus videos.
Kristen Bell tells MTV's Movies Blog that a "Veronica Mars" movie hasn't even been discussed.
GeekSugar tests your eagle eye for all the gadgets seen in "The Hills" season premiere.
TVGasm mourns the death of "John from Cincinnati."
After watching "Greek," TV Squad wonders: Really, is it that easy to get a drink underage these days?

15 Ways to Annoy Your Boss

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:11:08 PST

Whether you're hoping to get ahead at work or just trying to build healthy relationships, it's important to understand how your boss works - what she appreciates, what she respects, and what she can't stand. Create a strong connection with your manager and avoid irritating her by steering clear of these 15 ways to annoy your boss:

Arrive late, coffee in hand. If you waltz into the office 20 minutes late, clutching a Starbucks cup, chances are it's not going to be well-received. If you're running short on time, skip the coffee shop and head to the office coffeemaker instead.
Dress inappropriately. Your boss doesn't want to feel like your parent, so she won't be thrilled if she has to regularly address your workwear. Keep things professional and remember to err on the conservative side.
Regularly bring up your accomplishments. Patting your own back is fine every once in a while, but high-fiving yourself for every little victory is sure to frustrate both your co-workers and your boss. Save the boasting for your year-end review and always note your successes with a purpose - as in, say, while negotiating salary.
Say you'll "try" instead of you "will." When you're asked to finish something, that means you're expected to finish it. Form your responses carefully, as even small tweaks can have a huge effect. Instead of saying, "I'll try to get to that," nod and assure your boss by saying, "No problem, I will get to that as soon as I've finished this."
Ask personal questions. Your boss will offer personal information as she sees fit, so refrain from asking anything too intimate. Small talk is fine, of course, but remember to maintain professional boundaries during conversation.
Tattle on other employees. Most information finds its way through the grapevine, so chances are your boss will find out about any significant scandals from someone else. Nobody likes the office tattler - and telling your boss someone else's secrets would say more about your character than theirs, anyway.
Reply to all her tweets. You may be Facebook friends, but that doesn't mean you need to "like" every status or comment on every one of her pictures. Keep the interactions minimal so that you don't aggravate her with hourly notifications that say you've commented on five more of her Instagram photos.

Keep reading for more ways to annoy your boss.

Kate Moss Steps Stylishly Into Her 38th Year

Lauren Turner — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:19:06 PST

Kate Moss wore a leopard print coat as she left her new home in London today. It's been a big week for the model, who turned 38 Monday and celebrated with a low-key bash. Kate and husband Jamie Hince went to dinner with Stella McCartney for the special occasion, and we recognized the big day with a look back at her best jet-setting moments. In addition to a birthday, Kate recently marked six months of marriage to Jamie. The couple are going strong after tying the knot in a lavish July ceremony, which was one of the most gorgeous celebrity weddings of 2011.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Suddenly"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:40:09 PST

Grey's Anatomy left us in the lurch before hiatus, what with Henry's shocking death and Meredith and Karev getting into a car accident. This week, we finally experience the aftermath, in an episode that's unsettling and emotional, with one glimmer of hope that comes in at the end.

The hardest part of the episode is watching Teddy continue on with her surgery, and being the only doctor who still thinks Henry is alive. It makes the moment when she hears the news all the more heart-breaking (and Kim Raver turns in an excellent performance). Let's break it all down when you

Mark Wahlberg and His Wife Take the Kids For a Visit With Santa

Allie Merriam — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:55:27 PST

Mark Wahlberg and wife Rhea Durham brought their four kids out to meet Santa yesterday at The Grove in LA! Michael, Brendan, Ella, and Grace Wahlberg had a chance to sit on St. Nick's lap, then ventured out into the shopping center with their parents. The six-strong Wahlberg clan is heading into a family Christmas together. It's not all relaxation for Mark, however, since he's also got a movie arriving in theaters. Contraband, in which Mark stars opposite Kate Beckinsale, opens in the US on Jan. 13. The role sees Mark getting back to his action-star roots - check out Mark's latest in the Contraband trailer.