BuzzSugar

Stop-Loss: Overwrought but Good-Hearted

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:33:21 PDT

It's an oft-lamented fact that movies about the Iraq war don't do very well - either in box office sales or with audience favor in general. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the fact is it's a challenge for filmmakers to put out movies about a controversial war that isn't yet over. With Stop-Loss, the filmmakers have attempted to make the topic more appealing by getting MTV on board, using popular good-looking young actors and featuring plenty of quick-edit montages set to rap songs.

The main characters in the movie are also relateable and familiar, just regular guys, playing with their techie devices, engaging in silly banter. This is presented right from the start, with a mock-amateur video in which a group of soldiers jostle each other, trade good-natured insults and sing along together as one of them, Tommy Burgess (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), plays his guitar. The action moves quickly to a bloody, violent conflict into which Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Philippe) inadvertently leads his group of soldiers. Some of the men don't make it out alive, one is severely injured and all the others are thoroughly messed up by the experience. This is the basis for all that comes afterward, so

Brandon returns to his hometown a decorated hero, along with his childhood best friend Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum) and the young Tommy Burgess. Relieved, he begins settling back into civilian life when he is informed that he's being sent back to Iraq via stop-loss, the US policy by which soldiers who have completed their terms of service can be called back to serve again, sometimes referred to as a back-door draft. Confused and furious, Brandon lashes out at his superiors and then goes AWOL and hits the road to Washington DC to discuss the matter with a senator he knows. Of course, the senator won't interact with a fugitive soldier, and Brandon's options narrow down to two: go back to Iraq, or leave the country and never see his family again.

I've heard people label this as an antiwar, antimilitary film when that's only half-right. It's antiwar, for sure, but it's fiercely promilitary. The film shows military families in the most respectful, reverent, and sympathetic light. Director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry) has a tenderness for these families, for Americana and cowboy culture, draping her Texas in blue and yellow hues and a warm, downhome atmosphere. These are good people, upright citizens, solid in their belief that it's right to serve one's country no matter what. This belief is challenged by the stop-loss policy, and this challenge - especially since they think they've been doing their time all these years, only to be told it's not quite enough - makes them angry. Very, very angry.

Anger is the key word for this movie, in fact. This is no deft, subtle, poignant piece of art but an explosion of rage, indignation, and violence. Those going to the film thinking there might be a strong love story involved - there isn't. The friendships between the men are intriguing and deeply rooted, but ultimately everything takes a backseat to just this blind fury Brandon feels over his lose-lose situation. Despite the muddled nature of this film, the helplessness of Brandon's dilemma clearly comes through. What's refreshing about this film is that this helplessness reflects the state of political affairs in Iraq on a grander scale. Other movies (Lions for Lambs, for example) may insert some heartfelt sadness amidst the two hours of people discussing politics, but this one does the opposite - a movie full of anger, machismo, and despair peppered with bits of politics. It's not a great movie. The accents are mostly terrible and the performances are not the best (except for the unbearably pitiable Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is excellent). But it is a powerful salute to our troops, and brings an important issue to light.

To see the trailer and more clips from Stop-Loss, check out movies.ivillage.com.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Ryan Phillippe and Busy Philipps Spend a Crafty Day With Their Little Ones

Allie Merriam — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:58:07 PDT

Busy Philipps and Ryan Phillippe were among the famous parents who brought their little ones along to Kidstock yesterday at LA's Greystone Mansion. The event was held to benefit the One Voice Scholars program, and there was plenty to keep the celebrity babies busy. Ryan's son, Deacon, made his own soda thanks to SodaStream, while Busy and her daughter, Birdie, got to work at the arts and crafts table. Jason Bateman also brought along 4-year-old Francesca, while Modern Family's Julie Bowen and Soleil Moon Frye also brought their kids. Ryan wrapped up the weekend with Deacon while his mom, Reese Witherspoon, was off at the MTV Movie Awards. Reese took home the ceremony's Generation Award with an empowering speech that was aimed squarely at aspiring actresses who feel the need to share sex tapes or naked photos. She kept the celebrations coming afterward as well, joining pals Chelsea Handler and Jennifer Aniston for the MTV Movie Awards afterparty at Soho House.

Cute Candids Celebrities Shared This Week!

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:37:51 PDT

The stars were out and about this week, sharing their exciting snaps through social media along the way. Celebs like Busy Philipps and Brooklyn Decker enjoyed the great outdoors, while Nicole Richie took flight during a trip to Boston. Brad Goreski and Jennifer Lopez hit the beach, and Jimmy Fallon hosted a very special guest on his late night show.

Click through now to see the week's cutest celebrity candids, and don't forget to follow PopSugar on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Julianne Hough, Busy Philipps, and More Celebrate Their Hot Status in Hollywood

Allie Merriam — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:48:58 PDT

Julianne Hough, Busy Philipps, and Kim Kardashian were among the starlets who stepped out in LA last night for Us Weekly's Hot Hollywood bash. Kim was ecstatic to have found the perfect pink Casadei heels to wear with her silver strapless Catherine Malandrino dress. Kim also fit a dinner at Nobu into last night's itinerary. She had a sense of humor about eating there without a boyfriend. She tweeted, "Nobu with no boo." Kim, Julianne, and Busy all took home honors from Us. Kim was crowned "The Total Pro" for her red-carpet style and Julianne was crowned "The Free Spirit." Busy, meanwhile, got the "Cool Mom" prize.

Julianne hit the town despite yesterday being a difficult day for her boyfriend Ryan Seacrest - Ryan's mentor, Dick Clark, died yesterday at the age of 82. Julianne retweeted a couple of articles addressing the kind words Ryan shared in Dick's memory. Some hot Hollywood guys turned out for the event as well. A supertan Kellan Lutz struck a pose, ahead of his expected arrival in NYC to serve as one of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival judges.

Seriously Adorable - Ryan Gosling Makes Some Animal Friends at The Cincinnati Zoo!

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:43:13 PST

Ryan Gosling and Evan Rachel Wood took a time-out from the set of The Ides of March to stop by The Cincinnati Zoo yesterday. The costars got close with some animal friends, including an Asian elephant, during their visit to the park. Ryan fed a hippo, pet a sloth and a porcupine, and crouched down to cozy up with a supersmall penguin - he also gazed into the eyes of one very lucky okapi! The actor enjoyed a day off from work on the George Clooney-directed project, which has been shooting in Ohio since last week. Ryan, who apparently also took Olivia Wilde on a recent date to a local aquarium, chose to go to the zoo instead of attending the Oscars on Sunday night. His Blue Valentine leading lady, Michelle Williams, was nominated for best actress, though she didn't walk away with the little gold man. She still fit in some PDA with her best friend Busy Philipps, while Ryan shared his own picture-perfect kisses with his new four- and two-legged friends.

Michelle Williams Makes a Run For It Ahead of the Oscars

Lauren Turner — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 03:14:00 PST

Michelle Williams dashed out to her car after visiting a friend in LA on Saturday. Her award season obligations have kept her on the West Coast, though she did take a quick trip out of town earlier this month. Michelle is now perfectly positioned to attend the upcoming Oscars, where she's up for a best actress statue - don't forget to fill out BuzzSugar's ballot before the show! She was nominated for her work in Blue Valentine at the Golden Globes as well, and while she didn't take home the win, she did have some fun with her date, Busy Philipps. Busy has been a supportive best friend throughout the red carpet season and revealed that she'll once again be on Michelle's arm at this Sunday's big show. Perhaps Michelle's hot costar Ryan Gosling will also show up to cheer on his leading lady the Academy Awards or Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards, where she's up for yet another statue.

Ryan, Matt, Rachel, and Christian Celebrate Golden Globe Triumphs at Star-Studded Weinstein Afterparty!

Molly Goodson — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:55:07 PST

The Weinstein Company had a lot to celebrate after last night's Golden Globe Awards, which made for another star-studded afterparty to honor their winning and nominated movies. The Weinstein Company teamed up with Marie Claire and Relativity for the bash, which was held in an outdoor courtyard under the stars. Michelle Williams was one of the first to arrive, accompanied by her Dawson's Creek costar and good friend Busy Philipps. Ryan Gosling and Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance took to the red carpet together to talk about their film, though it didn't take home any statues. Rachel Zoe looked adorable in her black minidress, and she happily endorsed her client Anne Hathaway as the best dressed of the evening. Zoe was excited to hear that her Twilight favorite was making the party rounds, and he was also a topic of conversation when his copresenter Olivia Wilde stopped by the soiree. She said that getting to take the stage with him was "lovely." The Fighter was honored with two triumphs during the show, though Christian Bale wasn't showing off his new Globe as he posed with his wife, Matt Damon, and Luciana inside the Weinstein party. Jake Gyllenhaal skipped the arrivals line, but met up with friends inside as they enjoyed the festivities.