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Single Carey Hits the Hollywood Awards With Halle, Mila, James, and More

Allie Merriam — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:05:41 PDT

It was another big evening for celebrities in LA last night with the annual Hollywood Awards Gala taking over the Beverly Hilton Hotel. James Franco added a dapper touch to the red carpet after a busy weekend of dinner meetings and attending the 127 Hours junket, while Mila Kunis, who was fresh from promoting Black Swan in London, posed in a black Monique Lhuillier. Leighton Meester was on the West Coast during a break from Gossip Girl duties in NYC, looking fresh and pretty in Elie Saab. Halle Berry picked a similar hue for her latest star-studded event, after bringing Olivier Martinez along for Saturday's Carousel of Hope Ball.

Carey Mulligan, meanwhile, added her own dose of color in a burgundy Giles dress. She was on a break from filming Drive, but it's her personal life that's been making news. Carey apparently really has split from Shia LaBeouf, though yesterday she didn't mention anything about rumored new guy Tom Sturridge. She admitted that another rumor is true too, as she's currently staying at a Best Western hotel. Carey said, "I don't know why people are so down on the Best Western. They have the best sweet potato fries I've ever had." She took the stage once inside the event along with other actors like Zach Galifianakis. Bryce Dallas Howard was on hand to celebrate with a Proenza Schouler-clad Mia Wasikowska, and Justin Timberlake was there with his The Social Network costars like Jesse Eisenberg - click here for info on the honorees and stay tuned for video on PopSugar Rush!

To see more from the event, just read more.

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Images include: James Franco, Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, Leighton Meester, Halle Berry, Carey Mulligan, Hilary Swank, Noomi Rapace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Mia Wasikowska, Heather Graham, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Aaron Sorkin, Max Minghella, Sean Penn, Zach Galifianakis, Robert Duvall, Justin Long

Movie Preview: Robert Duvall and Bill Murray Get Low

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:45:00 PDT

Bill Murray has come a long way since his prime years in films like Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters, but I still have a soft spot for the comedic actor - which is just part of the reason I was excited to see Get Low at Sundance this year. Murray plays funeral director Frank Quinn, who sees a gold mine opportunity when "mysterious hermit" Felix Bush (Robert Duvall) comes into his office looking to make arrangements for his own "death party." The catch is that Bush wants to be present at the ceremony to mingle with the locals - after cutting himself off from society for four years.

The word of Felix's party slowly spreads as the townspeople's intrigue is captured by Felix's story and background. Where has he been all these years? Why is he throwing himself a party? As we see in the trailer, Felix's party becomes the perfect platform for him to finally spill his darkest secret. The trailer adds a spooky element, though I found it to be on the sweet side in the end. Even if the plot can get a little sleepy at times, I was really impressed with the performances from veterans Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and of course, Bill Murray. See for yourself when you

Sundance Snapshot: Get Low

BuzzSugar — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:00:16 PST

Hello from snowy Sundance! Once I got settled in to Park City (and stopped by the Howl red carpet to chat with Jon Hamm and James Franco), it was time to start the screenings. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing my thoughts about the movies I check out, giving you guys a preview of the films that may go on to be the blockbusters (or bombs!) of the future. First on the list is Get Low.

Who's behind it? Directed by Aaron Schneider, the film stars Bill Murray, Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, and Sissy Spacek.
What's it about? Felix Bush has been living in an isolated cabin in the woods of Tennessee for 40 years. Blocking out the 1930s society around him, his only interactions are with the boys who dare trespass on his territory, hoping for a glimpse of a local legend. The stories of Felix's eccentricities grow right along with his long white beard, and the hermit adds fuel to the fire when he makes an appearance in town. Felix asks a local funeral director to arrange a "funeral party" for him as a means to gather all the locals to share their respective stories about him. Here's the twist: Felix wants to schedule the party before he dies so that he can actually attend.

To see my verdict on the film, just

Crazy Heart: Jeff Bridges Is Bad (and Really, Really Good)

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:30:38 PST

Crazy Heart is all about Jeff Bridges. Comparisons are already being made to Mickey Rourke's performance in The Wrestler, and I can see the similarities (an aging performer, the search for forgiveness. . .you get the idea). But whereas Rourke's performance was viewed as his big comeback, Bridges's portrayal feels more like the peak of a career that's only gotten better over the years - and it may finally get him the Oscar he so deserves.

Bridges plays Bad Blake, a washed-up country singer who strums his songs in the bowling alleys and bars of small-town America. He's unkempt (his belt is always unfastened or his shirt is wrinkled and open), and he's never without a glass of whiskey. Bad almost seems like a caricature at first - we've seen this sort of down-on-his luck guy before - but thanks to small nuances, Bridges makes Bad feel new. For more of my thoughts,

read more. When the film begins, Bad doesn't have two pennies to rub together, but he finds hope when he meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist interested in him for a story. Bad immediately takes to Jean, and his life looks up. He even agrees to do a show with Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), his former protege who's now in the big leagues, even though Bad resents Tommy for his success. It seems that Bad is undoing his past mistakes with the exception of one - he can't stop drinking. While Crazy Heart almost begins on a comic note as the character of Bad is revealed more and more (he's charming under that hardened exterior!), his alcoholism takes the film on a dark turn, as it reveals Bad's deep flaws that even his singing can't smooth over. The film has its drawbacks, too. It's a nice, subtle character-study (hence the importance of Bridges's portrayal), but it probably would've benefited from some chopping on the cutting room floor. As for the performers other than Bridges, Gyllenhaal holds her own (even though Jean seems a bit underdeveloped) and Robert Duvall is a crowd-pleaser as Wayne, a bar owner and friend to Bad. Farrell's appearance is obviously unexpected (especially since he's uncredited for his role as Sweet), but I was so caught off guard that I had hard time believing him as a country singer, despite his valiant effort at the accent. Go if you're a fan of Jeff Bridges or of country music - I was pleasantly surprised at how great Bridges sounds singing the material. I just wish that this road to redemption was a little faster-moving.

If you'd like to review a movie you've seen recently, check out the Movie Reviews Group in community. I may even feature your critique on the site! Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Stars and Couples Retreat to the Red Carpet For LA Premiere

PopSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:34 PDT

The stars of Couples Retreat descended on the red carpet in LA last night to promote the ensemble comedy. Kristen Bell and Malin Akerman showed off their legs in short and sweet dresses, but the ladies were minus one since Kristin Davis is back east working on SATC2. It wasn't all about the women, however, as Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn hammed it up for the cameras. Dax Shepard was there to support his girlfriend Kristen and the group all laughed it up during the afterparty. If their friendly demeanor offscreen is any indication, we're in for a hilarious ride when the film hits theaters on Friday.

To see more of the cast, just read more.

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Images include: Kristen Bell, Vince Vaughn, Dax Shepard, Malin Akerman, Heavy D, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Jonna Walsh, Erika Christensen, Helen Mirren, Jean Reno, Kali Hawk, Ralph Macchio, Robert Duvall, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Faizon Love, Dana Fox, Carlos Ponce

Movie Preview: The Road

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:00:13 PDT

It must be Highly Anticipated Trailer Day today or something: First we got a glimpse of Nine, and now we have the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Road. The movie stars Viggo Mortensen as a man coping emotionally and physically in a post-apocalyptic world and trying to defend his family.

The book uses an apocalyptic scenario as a way to meditate on themes of humanity, and the effect is stirring. I don't know if it's the marketing campaign or if this is the route the entire movie is taking, but I'm surprised this trailer makes The Road look more like an action-packed thriller (explosions, gun fights, chase scenes, etc.) rather than a solemn journey into our worst nightmare. Either way, it looks extremely creepy.

Even though the movie won't be out until Oct. 16, one early review is calling it "the most important movie of the year." That's a big statement!

The Road also stars Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, and Guy Pearce. To watch the trailer,

Bill Murray Joins Movie About Funeral-Staging

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:31:49 PST

The premise for this movie is actually kind of funny (I mean, if you ignore the emotional toll this would take on your loved ones): In 1938 a Tennessee recluse named Felix "Bush" Breazeale staged his own funeral so he could be around to enjoy it.

Now the story will be adapted for the big screen, with Bill Murray and Lucas Black signed on to play partners at the funeral home. Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek are also starring in the film which has the title Get Low. But here's the super weird part: Variety claims the movie will be a "period dramatic thriller." A thriller? Really? I figured this would have more of a Waking Ned Devine-esque feel to it - dark and funny with adorable elderly guys.

It's pretty morbid stuff but then again, many people wonder what their funerals will be like. . . Right? Maybe it's just me. Of course I would never stage the thing (can you imagine?!), but I'm very curious to see a movie about someone who actually did.

Source and source

Bridges, Gyllenhaal, and Duvall Get a Little Bit Country

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:30:03 PDT

A blockbuster superhero movie can certainly get the casting directors interested: Both Jeff Bridges (Iron Man) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) will have won over critics and audiences alike come Summer's end, and now they've added another project to their schedules. Along with Robert Duvall, the two will star in a "music-based drama" based on a book by Thomas Cobb titled Crazy Heart.

The good news. . .
That cast! Love Bridges, love me some Maggie and of course Duvall is a class act, so there you go. Also, the story sounds a little generic, but I'm still curious about it. Variety has the details:

Story centers on a down-on-his-luck, alcoholic country music singer (Bridges) who is able to get his life and career back on track through his relationship and experiences with a female reporter (Gyllenhaal).

The part that makes me wonder. . .
Jeff Bridges is going to perform original songs by famed country producer T Bone Burnett in the film - but can he sing? And can he sing country music? I'm interested to see that. The movie is also being produced by CMT Films which has had a hand in the existence of Toby Keith's Beer for My Horses. So. . .yeah.

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 7/2

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:32:44 PDT

According to Variety, Josh Hartnett will be starring in a London stage production of the movie Rain Man, taking on the role originally played by Tom Cruise.
Rapper Young Jeezy will join the cast of Ice Cube's comedy Janky Promoters, Billboard writes.
Michael Imperioli will join the cast of ABC's Life on Mars, Variety reports.
Four more actors have joined the cast of the Night at the Museum sequel, including Christopher Guest, ComingSoon reports.
Entertainment Weekly reports that Criminal Minds looks like the next CBS show to get a spinoff.
Billboard writes that at a private concert this week, Pearl Jam helped raise $3 million for the poverty-fighting charity the Robin Hood Foundation.
TNT will remake the British series Cracker, about an abrasive and heavy-drinking detective, with Robert Duvall as an executive producer, Zap2it reports.
A lost interview with the Beatles has been aired on BBC radio, the Associated Press reports.

Source and source

We Own the Night: Hardly New York's Finest

BuzzSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:30:00 PDT

I wandered into We Own the Night expecting stellar performances that would rescue an otherwise so-so movie. And though the movie was definitely so-so (really, a few notches below), I can't blame the actors. After all, the script - riddled with clichés and sorely lacking any dramatic tension - didn't give the typically talented performers anything to work with.

Set in late '80s Brooklyn and Queens, We Own the Night stars Joaquin Phoenix as Bobby Green, the manager of a wildly popular mega-club. His real name is Grusinsky, and his dad, Burt (Robert Duvall), and brother Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) are devoted servants of the NYPD. But taking up his mother's maiden name keeps Bobby's background from interfering with his hobbies, such as recreational cocaine use and hanging with his hot girlfriend, Amada (Eva Mendes).

But guess what? Dad and Joseph are investigating a drug ring run by a Russian mobster who frequents Bobby's club, and they want Bobby to help smoke him out. The plot reads vaguely like The Departed, but the similarities end there, so

read more Bobby has no interest in being a rat, until his brother is shot and injured by the mobsters. Then he decides to go undercover to capture the bad guy, and the action unfolds from there. Unlike The Departed and many other gripping police dramas, We Own the Night is neither gripping nor dramatic. The familial bonds that are supposedly so central to the story are hardly felt, since we learn very little about the characters or their motivations. The plot progresses in a very predictable arc, and for anyone who doesn't find it predictable, there is a lot of obvious foreshadowing to help us along. Mostly, the movie, though unconventional, is disappointingly dull; it feels like an amateur filmmaker trying to make a serious movie. Thankfully, a few elements rise above mediocrity: Director James Gray does an excellent job of visually capturing the bleak but indulgent mood of the New York drug scene in 1988, and a climactic car-chase scene through the blinding rain is expertly crafted. Otherwise, We Own the Night comes dangerously close to made-for-TV fare. Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures