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Box Office: Hulk Has Incredible Opening Weekend

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:00:53 -0700

It looks like fans can't get enough of Marvel superheroes on the big screen as the company scored another hit this summer with The Incredible Hulk. Despite average reviews and the fact that Ed Norton's conflict with the studio over the final cut of the film became widely known, The Incredible Hulk pulled in an estimated $54.5 million over the weekend.

Kung Fu Panda held strong in second place while M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening exceeded many expectations by landing in the third spot with about $30.5 million.

You Don't Mess with the Zohan was No. 4 followed by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at No. 5 and Sex and the City at No. 6.

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What's the New Hulk Movie's Biggest Challenge?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:30:25 -0700

Recently The LA Times ran a piece that analyzes the bumpy road it's been to bring the latest Marvel comic book hero, The Incredible Hulk, to the big screen.

First and foremost there's the question of "why?" Ang Lee's disappointing stab at it was out in theaters a mere five years ago. Fans feel burned by that adaptation and skepticism lingers that anyone can get it right.

More anxiety grew as the trailer was suspiciously delayed. Now that two trailers have been released it seems fans are feeling better about the film. Then again, behind-the-scenes rumors persist that the movie's star Edward Norton isn't thrilled with some of Marvel's choices. And while the trailers definitely look more action-packed than Ang Lee's movie, those CGI monsters running at each other in the end still strike me as a bit silly.

When all is said and done, I'm wondering if the good buzz will triumph over the bad in time for audiences to get on board by June 13. What do you think is the biggest hurdle the filmmakers are facing in getting people to see their movie? Do you have high hopes for The Incredible Hulk, or not so much?

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Edward Norton Going Green as the Hulk

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:13:13 -0700

Edward Norton is one of Hollywood's most enviro-friendly stars, but now he's going green in a different way: According to a story in today's Variety, Norton will play Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. The movie, which has a tentative release date of June 2008, is Marvel's second recent attempt at bringing the Hulk to the big screen. Though 2003's Hulk sounded good on paper - thanks to director Ang Lee and hunky Eric Bana - it didn't fare very well at the box office.

According to Variety, the Norton vehicle "begins with Banner on the run, trying to avoid capture long enough to cure the condition that turns him into a misunderstood green menace." Apparently, this version will be less serious than Ang Lee's take and more like the original comics and TV show; the movie is being directed by Louis Leterrier, the man behind The Transporter and Transporter 2.

I always love watching Ed Norton act, and he proved with Fight Club that he can do the tough-guy thing. But after so many lukewarm comic-book adaptations lately, I'm very curious to see how this one will turn out. At least they're starting off on the right foot by casting Norton.

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The Dark Tower Seeing Light as Comic Books

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:32:49 -0700

Stephen King's beloved book series, The Dark Tower, is suddenly being reborn in several different forms. First, the Hollywood Reporter learned that King is working with "Lost" creator J.J. Abrams on a film version of the addictive 7-book series - possibly a miniseries. But before that, Marvel Entertainment is publishing graphic-novel versions of the fantasy/Western, which King calls his life's work.

The second comic-book installment, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #2, hit stores last week, and each book will expand the back story of the central character, Roland Deschain. So far, King, who has served as a consultant for the comics creators, is pleased:

"I don't usually think of writing as a collaborative sport," he said. "But to me, the 'Dark Tower' looks more like a movie panel. Little by little, we've created this whole world."

You can watch a very cool video preview of the next book on King's web site. Or, to watch an interesting interview with Dark Tower artist Jae Lee and Marvel editor Joe Quesada, read more

Joel McHale and Ken Jeong Share Details About Community!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:29 -0800

Community is one of those shows where you know the cast has an awesome time together. So I wasn't all that surprised to hear stars Joel McHale (Jeff) and Ken Jeong (Senor Chang) fawn over one another when they recently sat down with reporters. I've been waiting to see these two cement their friendship on-screen too, and it sounds like I'll get my wish tonight. Both actors shared a few tidbits from the episode, plus thoughts on Chevy Chase, the possible Jeff and Annie romance, and their mutual admiration.

Joel on Jeff and Annie's kiss last week: I haven't seen any scripts where it'll be revisited, because I'll probably be arrested, but believe me it was good times. I mean it's Alison Brie from Mad Men!
Joel on Jeff's relationship with Britta: His first initial reaction was, hey there's a really hot chick. And she has like an endless, you know, she has all the denim jackets that you can find. And so I think that was his first reaction. And then at the complete rejection of him he was like, ah, a challenge. And then as he got to know her, she was so much more than he expected, which was she was a totally grounded cool person...So that intrigued him, and she really is I think the moral compass of the show.

To hear more from Joel and Ken, including what's in store for this week's episode, read more.

Ken on Senor Chang's constant power trip: There is something to be said about being in a room where you have students hanging on every word. And it's definitely, as a teacher I think it's an ego rush, you know. You're definitely feeding off of that. It's really the only time in life you get to have a room where people are hanging on your every word and learning from it, and you have a power to influence.
Ken on tonight's episode: You really get to see why Senor Chang has the chip on his shoulder that he does. And some of that involves love and some of that involves friendship, and you really get to see more of the back story of Chang...And it's the relationship with Joel. Joel is really the guy that sees how [Chang's] character comes to be, and why he's developed all these traits along the way.
Joel on working with Chevy Chase: It's like working with Nolan Ryan. He's older than everybody, he's got the best stories. He has worked way more than any of us, but he still throws it harder than any of us...We have a lot to learn from that guy and it's so weird to be walking around with this kind of icon and legend that, you know, you grew up with.
Joel on Ken: Ken he will invent comedy where there is not comedy. He creates it...He's a damn good performer and you pray to God you get him in your movie or your TV show because it's like having a secret weapon.
Ken on Joel: I'm amazed at how Joel handles everything. He's always just grace under pressure this guy, because we'll be working, you know, on a Wednesday or middle of the week, and then he's got to do the Soup or another show and it's just how he switches gears is effortless. I just marvel at that. I'm like dude, how do you do it?
Ken on Community hitting its stride: I think that my wife has a good theory about sitcoms...They're like fine wine, you give them a little bit of time, and they just keep tasting better and better......The audience gets more familiar with the characters, the writers get more familiar characters, and so do the actors.

Do you like the theory that comedies get better with time? I think Community has gradually improved week after week, don't you agree? (Don't forget to watch tonight!)

Movie Preview: Kick-Ass, Starring McLovin'

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Everyone was rumbling about director Matthew Vaughn's pet project, Kick-Ass, at Comic-Con this year, and now we finally get a peek at the official trailer. For those of you who aren't fanboys, let me explain: The film is based on the Marvel comic about a loner teenage boy (Aaron Johnson) who decides to become a superhero - despite the fact that he doesn't have any actual powers. That's when he teams up with Damon Macready (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter, Mindy (Chloe Moretz), aka "Hit Girl." ('Cause, you know, she's an 11-year old hitman.) Christopher "McLovin'" Mintz-Plasse also plays a role in their posse as "Red Mist."

I've heard it's a cheeky slant on the superhero genre, but that it's also pretty gory. The trailer seems to balance the line between a fun teen underdog tale and an assassin-style takedown, which will be incredibly entertaining to watch if done right. We don't get to see Cage's face in the preview, but Clark Duke (Dale from Greek) is in there! I'm looking forward to seeing more footage as we near the release date (April 16th), but till then, check out the video and tell me what you think when you read more.

Mad Men, "The Gypsy and the Hobo": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:30:00 -0700

You know how everyone's always talking about how Mad Men is a slowly simmering pot, leaving you waiting for things to bubble to the surface? One of the show's major plot points, Don Draper's identity, bubbles to the top, finally. And how ironic for it to happen on Halloween eve . . .

The show is an intense marvel this week, living up to its Best Drama Emmy, and I'm ready to chat about it, so to see the five maddest moments (spoilers ahead), just read more.

"It's a lie so big": - Betty doesn't let her Don/Dick revelation from last week lie, and she seeks advice from her lawyer, who basically tells her to stay in her marriage unless she feels threatened. I worried that this was far as it would go, until she womans up and confronts Don when he comes home one night. He tells her everything, including that his mother was a prostitute and that his brother Adam committed suicide - and his role in it. Betty is confused, but more sympathetic than I expected.
The life and times of Roger Sterling: - Roger gets a blast from the past when an old flame, Annabelle Mathis, calls on the firm to help her horse farm/dog food company, Caldecott farms. Roger is cool at first, but his dinner with Annabelle reveals that she left him heartbroken as a young man - a rare insight into Sterling's silver fox facade. When she tells him he was The One, and he replies, "You weren't," I said "Ouch" as she says "Oh." Sigh. It seems to be a Roger's love life retrospective, as he even fields a call from Joan. I need more of this.
Roses: Joan asserts herself in an entirely physically aggressive way when she bashes a vase of roses over her husband's head. Why the violent response? He told Joan she never had to give up anything, never had to leave behind a dream. Hey, Joan's last nerve? Greg just found it. (And P.S., it's weird to hear Joan call herself by her married name, Joan Harris, but I love that Roger names Joan's husband "Dr. Cutup.")
Suzanne who? - While Don comes clean of his entire existence to Betty, Susie is waiting in the car. "Did you get caught?" she asks. "It's more complicated than that," he answers. And how. Apparently it's over for now, but we'll see.
Army wife - Greg drops the first real Vietnam bomb of the series, as we wait for the '60s to explode. He's taking a job in the army, and my gut tells me this will not end well for the Harrises.

Didn't the last line from the neighbor asking, "Who are you supposed to be?" to Don and Betty hit hard? What did you think of the Draper's tense conversation? Oh, and if you want to talk more about the show, join the Mad Men group in the community!

Photo courtesy of AMC