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Brad Pitt Rocks His Slicked-Back Hair and Goatee on Set - Hot Stuff or Not My Thing?

PopSugar — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:09:08 PST

Brad Pitt was back on the New Orleans set of Cogan's Trade this afternoon with his costar Richard Jenkins. He also logged some time before the cameras yesterday, when he debuted his slicked-back hair and goatee combo. Brad's good looks are apparently rivaled by men around the world, and his facial hair has been a focal point before and he, in fact, shaved it for his last role in Moneyball. Angelina Jolie, meanwhile, is apparently letting the Tomb Raider series go on without her and BuzzSugar wants to know who you'd like to see next as Lara Croft. Brad is venturing into some new territory with his look for this movie, though, and we'd like to know what you make of his style. So, tell us - think he's hot stuff or is this not really your thing?

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Let Me In: Beautiful and Bloody

Lauren Bradshaw — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:15:00 PDT

Twilight and True Blood have made vampires into a sexy trend. Grown women coo over the likes of Edward Cullen and Eric Northman, but Let Me In reminds us of the creatures' less glamorous qualities: uncontrollable, often terrifying, and bloodthirsty.

Based on the lauded Swedish original Let the Right One In, the film follows a scrawny school boy named Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who spends most of his days hiding from bullies or hanging out in the courtyard of his rundown apartment building. When a girl, Abby (Chloe Moretz), and her father (Richard Jenkins) move in next door, Owen takes an immediate interest in his new neighbors. He watches the father mysteriously leave late at night, and Owen can hear the man and his daughter yell through their paper-thin walls when he returns. As you might expect, their story is sinister. To find out what I mean,

Abby, though only 12 years old ("more or less," she says), is a vampire, and she relies on her guardian to do her bidding. In a nutshell: he kills for her. Gory? Yes. But the film also explores the relationships between the hellion and those around her, as well as her desire for companionship. She and Owen bond over being outsiders: he introduces her to Now and Laters, while she teaches him to defend himself. The two begin an innocent romance, knocking on the walls in Morse code to communicate and holding hands. Could Abby be sympathetic despite her destructive nature? Talented Moretz's long, lingering looks are disturbing, but there's also a genuine loneliness behind them.

This is one of the rare cases of a remake that stays very true to its original material. Setting aside (Let Me In moves locations from Sweden to New Mexico), the highly tense film often copies scene-for-scene and, in many cases, word-for-word dialogue from Let the Right One In. However, this latest version is decidedly more Hollywood. The camera shots feel more complex, often switching perspectives and going for artistic nuances with blurred focuses and unusual angles, which makes the film surprisingly pretty. But to appeal to stateside audiences, director Matt Reeves has also upped the horror factor. Blood sprays the walls, creates puddles on floors, gushes from bodies - it's sure to make even strong stomachs a little queasy. And while the original doesn't delve too much into effects for Abby's vampire looks, here she has the obligatory changing eye color and visible transformation. The changes to her appearance are a disappointment; they feel tired, whereas the rest of the film is more high-brow than its scary-movie peers.

Let Me In is more intelligent than your typical made-to-spook flick. It is indeed scary, yet what's most chilling is the bond formed between its two young leads. Both seem almost naive about the repercussions of Abby's horrific actions, as they continue to stay friends despite the bodies she leaves in her wake. Puppy love has never been so twisted.

Let Me In Trailer: Chloe Moretz Is Very, Very Thirsty

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:30:40 PDT

If you haven't had your fill of vampires between Eclipse and True Blood, then the international trailer for Let Me In provides even more bloodsucking action - albeit, in pint-sized form.

Based on the critically acclaimed Swedish film Let the Right One In, the movie centers on a bullied social outcast (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who becomes curious when young Abby (Chloe Moretz) moves into his building with her guardian (Richard Jenkins). The two form a complicated friendship - complicated in that she's a vampire. I'm sure devotees of the original may have beef with a remake, but this preview looks promising (and, of course, Moretz is utterly creepy). If you're a fan of the Swedish version, take a look at the trailer, and let me know what you think. The film comes to theaters Oct. 1, but for now just

Eat, Pray, Love Movie Gets Going With Richard Jenkins

BuzzSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:30:25 PDT

Ryan Murphy is the creator of Popular and Nip/Tuck, writer/director of Running With Scissors and most recently the creator of Fox's high school chorus comedy Glee - and now he can add "director of Eat, Pray, Love" to his resume. And he won't just be working with Julia Roberts in the main role (as was announced back in 2006), he's got Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins to boss around as well. Here's more:

Based on the international bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert, story centers on a married woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after trying to get pregnant and realizing that she's not living the life she wants. Murphy adapted the screenplay.

Jenkins will play a Texan whom Roberts' character befriends at an Indian ashram.

After at least two-and-a-half years of talking about this book-to-film adaptation, the ball is finally rolling. Say what you will about the book, it will probably make for an interesting story onscreen. Any thoughts on who should play the other "characters" from Gilbert's book? Do you think Roberts is a good pick to lead the show?

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Movie News: Krasinski, Eckhart, Blanchett Circle Roles

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:30:11 PST

Aaron Eckhart in Rum Diary
Amber Heard gets to work with some mighty handsome men. Aaron Eckhart is in talks to join the cast of Rum Diary, the movie based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel, which already nabbed Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in main roles. In the story, "Eckhart is part of a love triangle that sees him vying with Depp for Heard's affection." Richard Jenkins is also joining the project as "the man who oversees the rundown newspaper" where Depp's character works.

Two more movie casting tidbits if you

John Krasinski Joins Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin in Nancy Meyers Rom-Com
I'm pretty much sold on this movie already, even if details are scarce about, you know, the plot. In another love triangle story, Meryl Streep plays a woman caught between two men - played by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Veteran rom-com writer/director Nancy Meyers (Father of the Bride, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday) is behind the untitled project, which just now got John Krasinski to sign on. Again, mum's the word on any plot or character details (I'm guessing Krasinski's character is someone's son), but this casting makes me more anxious than ever for the movie.

Cate Blanchett May Play Maid Marian!
This is 100 percent just a rumor so far, but still, it's out there and it's a pretty awesome idea: Cate Blanchett might take the part of Maid Marian in Ridley Scott's movie Nottingham, a role originally intended for Sienna Miller. Actor Mark Strong (set for the role of Sir Guy of Gisbourne in the project) recently commented, "I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part." Then he added what we all know to be true: "She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it."

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Buzz News Roundup, 1/21

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:30:01 PST

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will release his second album in March. - Billboard
Tobey Maguire's production company has acquired the rights to Marcus Sakey's crime novel Good People. - Variety
In Sundance deals news, Fox Searchlight has acquired the Hugh Dancy romance Adam, and the bromance Humpday will be distributed by Magnolia. - Reuters
Law and Order: Criminal Intent won't air till the Summer. - TV Guide
Brandon Routh, Chris Evans, and Brie Larson have joined the cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. - The Hollywood Reporter
Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, Norah Jones, and Jack Johnson are among the acts confirmed for a Nick Drake tribute album. - Billboard
Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins have joined the cast of Joss Whedon's horror film The Cabin in the Woods. - Zap2it
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is taking a break - but supposedly not breaking up. - Pitchfork

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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:30:40 PDT

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to my selections below you can add M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening and Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park to your queue today. Oh, and maybe there are folks out there excited to bring home You Don't Mess With the Zohan? Maybe?

Very Funny TV-to-DVD
Yee-haw! This week brings us more TV-to-DVD with two favorites headed to a home theater near you:

30 Rock: Season Two
Tina Fey has been on a roll with her frequent appearances on Saturday Night Live but come Oct. 30 she'll return to her day job, 30 Rock. Is there anything this woman can't do? I for one will be adding this DVD of the show's second season to my collection. Special features include commentary by Fey, deleted scenes, a peek at the table read for the episode titled "Cooter," and a featurette called, "The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Presents: An Evening With 30 Rock."
How I Met Your Mother: Season Three
Another adorable television comedy I would love to own (hint, hint parents). Special features include Lily and Marshall's honeymoon videos, additional scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, an unrated gag reel and, of course, music videos!

One more after the jump, so

The Visitor
A lot of people have recommended this movie to me, and since I missed the boat when it was in theaters, I'm so excited it's now available on DVD. I'm not surprised by all the word of mouth given that the reviews for this little film are, for lack of a better phrase, off the hook.

The plot, according to Netflix, is as follows: "Widowed professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) discovers an immigrant couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), squatting in his Manhattan flat and becomes wrapped up in their lives when Tarek is thrown into a detention center." I love Richard Jenkins, so you can count me in already, but it's also supposed to be a touching and uplifting movie and you can never see too many of those. Special features include commentary by director Tom McCarthy and Jenkins.

Step Brothers: Middle-Aged Men Behaving Badly

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:30:03 PDT

Step Brothers is yet another entry into the canon of movies that have resulted from the collaboration between director Adam McKay, star Will Ferrell, and (. . . wait for it) producer Judd Apatow. After mining all kinds of scenarios for comedy (anchormen, race car drivers, the '70s in general, etc.), even these funny guys have to hit the bottom of the barrel sometime. I imagine the concept that would result from that rock-bottom brainstorming session would go something like this: "How about instead of making a movie about a guy who has a grownup job but sometimes acts like a childish loser, we literally just make a movie about a childish loser?" In other words, it would look a lot like Step Brothers.

And so it goes, with Ferrell of course taking the overgrown-child role. Add to the mix a crew of esteemed supporting actors including Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins, and you end up with a familiar comedy that explores some unfamiliar territory (Ferrell's private parts - I'm not even joking). The movie had me buckled over in my seat laughing about half the time, but I spent the rest of it horrified and a little bored with how standard it all felt. To see what I loved and what I'm tired of,

Stripped of all the bravado that his moronic characters usually boast, Ferrell's Brennan Huff is actually humble, painfully aware that he is the world's biggest loser (he still lives at home with his mom even though he's 40-something years old). His mom (Steenburgen) speculates that things went wrong for her son after some public humiliation by other kids, led by Brennan's older brother Derek (the pitch-perfect Adam Scott). Then a middle-aged fellow in a similar boat, Dale Doback (John C. Reilly), is forced to move in with Brennan when their parents get married. The two immediately resent each other - and by "resent," I mean Dale tells Brennan how much he hates him, and then they quite literally go at each other's throats.

For the most part, the shtick works, and the two stars have great chemistry together. And when Ferrell whips himself into an angry, manic, f-bomb-laden frenzy full of sex jokes and scatological humor, it's occasionally worth a chuckle. Mostly, though, the act feels tired: The novelty of Ferrell flying off the hook like that has worn off for me by now. It's a little different when Reilly does it; we're not as used to seeing him channel immaturity and comic rage. But even then, the infantile tantrums that resort to third-grade jokes get old fast.

But, when the movie is actually working and thinking at how to make us laugh (rather than resorting to the tried-and-true stuff), it's really, really good. The fellas stay true to their characters, and in a lot of moments the natural humor inherent in their situation comes through. For example, Brennan is believed to be a great singer but is hesitant to perform for anyone. When he finally does sing for his new brother, Dale is so moved that he describes the gorgeousness of Brennan's voice as "a combination between Fergie and Jesus." Later, when we're introduced to the d-bag that is Brennan's tormenting brother Derek, he's driving his family along in a car, demanding they sing a song together and that everyone's harmonies are in key and timed perfectly. It's one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

Ferrell is a talented guy. He's especially great when he puts a little effort into making us laugh and saves the angry meltdowns and the exposing of body parts for when it really counts. Thankfully Step Brothers has more going on than just its star's juvenile proclivities.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Johnny Depp Drinks Up in Puerto Rico in The Rum Diary Trailer

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:10:48 PDT

Johnny Depp took on the work of Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and he's doing it a second time for The Rum Diary. Though this film is far less trippy than the former, Depp's characters do share a common characteristic: adventures fueled by mind-altering substances. This time it's alcohol, as Depp plays a journalist named Paul Kemp who moves to Puerto Rico in the 1950s for a change of scenery. There, he meets some wacky locals (including Richard Jenkins, Aaron Eckhart, and Giovanni Ribisi), becomes enchanted with an American girl (Amber Heard), and develops a taste for - you guessed it - rum.

There's a lot of beauty in this trailer: a scenic backdrop, gorgeous costumes, and, of course, the easy-on-the-eyes Depp. Though at times the preview gets a bit silly (there's one double entendre that feels plucked right from a Judd Apatow movie), it could be a light, fun ride - kind of like watching Depp let loose on vacation in a tropical paradise. Check it out when you

Photo courtesy of FilmDistrict

Friends With Benefits: A Fulfilling Fling

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:00:00 PDT

Romantic comedies usually make you wait for its stars to consummate their relationship, but does it work if a movie gives you the sex first and the love later? In Friends With Benefits, Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are up to the challange. Kunis plays Jamie, a Manhattanite head hunter who recruits Dylan (Timberlake) for a magazine job. They get along immediately, but they're not really interested in dating each other. However, they're still both interested in sex, and they decide that they're mature enough to pull off a very tricky feat: a healthy friends-with-benefits relationship.

This kind of situation rarely works out in real life, and that's indication enough for you to guess that Jamie and Dylan can't keep romance out of their equation. Lucky for us, their progression from sleeping together to falling for each other makes for a sexy, funny romp. To find out why I liked Friends With Benefits, just

Kunis is the star of the show; she hasn't been tasked to carry a movie this big before, but she's so naturally funny, charming, and cute that the only reason you wouldn't like her is because you're jealous of her effortless coolness. As for Timberlake, he's given license to be a goofball in several memorable bits, and he proves that comedy is his niche. I found him more entertaining here than in his previous roles in The Social Network and Bad Teacher.

The high energy of the unique opening scene - a mash-up of Jamie and Dylan's most recent respective breakups - is mostly maintained throughout the movie. (It should also be mentioned that Andy Samberg and Emma Stone steal that sequence as the exes in question.) The film is frequently hilarious, and while it's pretty dirty when it comes to the sex scenes and frank sex talk, it doesn't resort to visual, gross-out humor.

While that energy keeps things from getting too heavy at first, the movie adds in a little seriousness in the third act via Dylan's family life. It feels a little shoehorned in, but it's also a nice way to get some character development from Timberlake (and further display of the incomparable acting skills of Richard Jenkins, who plays Dylan's father).

Even though Friends With Benefits strives to distinguish itself from run-of-the-mill romantic comedies, inside beats a traditional heart. Jamie's biggest emotional problem is that she's always looking for her Prince Charming, and the format is standard for the genre. They meet, do cute activities together, fall for each other, and it all wraps up with a grand gesture. You know the drill, but your heart will still race when you get to that final Hollywood kiss (but with tongue).

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures