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Up and The Hangover Have a Photo Finish at the Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:16 -0700

Adults flocked to see The Hangover over the weekend, helping the comedy earn an estimated $43.3 million. However, it wasn't quite enough to bump Pixar's family-friendly movie, Up, out of the top spot with its estimated $44.2 million. Despite coming in second place, The Hangover's debut far exceeded expectations and is "the third best opening ever for an R-rated comedy."

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost is being called the first "bomb" of the Summer. The adventure flick, which received pretty bad reviews, came in at No. 3 with only $19.5 million over the weekend.

Nia Vardalos's romantic comedy My Life in Ruins also debuted this weekend, coming in at No. 9.

Up image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and The Hangover photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

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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Preview For My Life in Ruins Is Long, Kinda Boring

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:26 -0700

First off, this strange little trailer thing with subtitles is freakishly long (over four minutes!) and feels longer. This does not bode well for the comedy from My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Nia Vardalos.

When last we heard about My Life in Ruins, it was because Vardalos became the first filmmaker to be allowed to shoot inside the Acropolis. I was totally excited for this movie at that time. Now? Not so much.

From the trailer I'm guessing that - not unlike My Big Fat Greek Wedding - our protagonist learns how to love herself, loosen up and be confident, and from there everything falls into place for her. But the getting-there part looks ridiculously boring. When the majority of laughs come from Rachel Dratch's supporting character, we're in trouble.

Frankly, I am so disappointed! I really wanted Vardalos to have a big hit with this movie but she just isn't very engaging in the preview. Maybe there will be a better, official trailer before (if?) My Life in Ruins opens in theaters (the date of which is unknown). To check it out for yourself, read more.

Update: The video was removed from YouTube, but it looks like you can still view the preview here.

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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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Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0700

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with both Tim Kring and Kristen Bell about all things Heroes.
Summer TV is finally winding to a close: Damages is almost done, and Mad Men finished up with its finale this week.
Noteworthy trailers this week: Jon Heder, Diane Keaton, Jeff Daniels and Anna Faris star in Mama's Boy, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel Love in the Time of Cholera has gotten a film makeover.
Check out this video of Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire covering each others' songs.
If you could choose new actors for the cast of Saved by the Bell, who would you pick?
Do you watch as much, more or less TV than the average American? The average may surprise you!
Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding) has become the first filmmaker to shoot at the Acropolis.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Nia Vardalos: First Person to Film at Acropolis

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:30:00 -0700

Nia Vardalos, of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame, is apparently a beloved treasure in Greece. So great is her pull that she was granted permission to film her next romantic comedy My Life in Ruins at the 2,500-year-old Acropolis at Athens, a first-time event for the ancient site.

While acquiring this permission entailed plenty of schmoozing on Vardalos' part, her popularity in Greece certainly didn't hurt. According to the Reuters article, "One of the most important factors was that Nia is beloved in Greece. She is a daughter of Greece and represents a positive representation of what being Greek is," said Michelle Chydzik, a producer on the film.

There are, of course, restrictions to the filming, including:

They get exactly one day to shoot at the ancient ruins.
No one can eat or drink at the site.
No hanging lights off columns.
No faking any of the sites, even with a fake background or column. "If you are standing at the Temple of the Oracle, you have to say it is the Temple of the Oracle. You can't cheat it even in the location. You can't walk 50 feet away and say that that's the temple," Chydzik said.
Because tourism is very important to the country, no site or road may be closed or restricted on account of the filming.

The government also requested some changes be made to the script, particularly for a part when two characters are drinking beer on the ruins' premises. This moment was rewritten because alcohol is not permitted.

She hasn't had a ton of success since My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but I think of Vardalos as the little indie filmmaker that could. Seriously, how cool is she?

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Buzz News Roundup, 5/11

BuzzSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:13:43 -0700

NBC will attempt to keep the "Heroes" buzz going this summer with "Inside Heroes," a Web series about how the show is made, MediaWeek reports.
Reuters says My Big Fat Greek Wedding writer Nia Vardalos is working on a new movie titled I Hate Valentine's Day. James Purefoy may star.
Rainn Wilson will star in a comedy called The Rocker as "a failed drummer who gets a second shot at fame," reports Variety.
More plunging TV ratings: "Grey's," "Ugly Betty," "Survivor" and "CSI" hit lows on Thursday, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
A plan for selling Beatles music online is "virtually settled," Paul McCartney tells Billboard.
We've danced with the stars, we've skated with the stars, and now MTV is planning "Rapping with the Stars," Variety reports.
Nicolas Cage may play Al Capone in a prequel to The Untouchables directed by Brian DePalma, says Zap2It.