BuzzSugar

Do, Dump, or Marry?

DearSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:00:00 PST

Did any of you see The Other Boleyn Girl this weekend? If so, do you agree that Eric Bana - the object of the girls' affection in this film - is someone to fight over? I've been a fan of his since he played an assassin in Munich, and although he's a little too pretty for my taste, I'm still a huge fan! So what about you? Tell me ladies, would you want to do, dump, or marry Eric Bana?

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Box Office: Semi-Pro Semi-Beats Out Competition

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:30:00 PST

Despite earning the top spot at the box office, the predictable laughs in Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro only earned $15.3 million over the weekend. This is considered a disappointing sum, especially compared to opening weekends of other Ferrell films like Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory. Variety reports that this underwhelming performance by the basketball comedy may have been due to mediocre reviews and an R-rating.

Vantage Point was only bumped down one spot to No. 2 over the weekend followed by The Spiderwick Chronicles at No. 3. The adaptation of Buzz Book Club's February selection The Other Boleyn Girl took the fourth spot earning an estimated $8.3 million. Penelope starring Reese Witherspoon and Christina Ricci also opened this weekend coming in at No. 8 behind Jumper, Step Up 2 The Streets, and Fool's Gold.

Filling out the top ten were Oscar-nominated films No Country for Old Men and Juno.

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:00:00 PST

The Buzz Book Club officially wrapped up The Other Boleyn Girl this week. What did you all think? Going to see the movie? Next up: Revolutionary Road!
In case you missed it (and a lot of people did) the Oscars gave us a lot of wonderful moments and a few surprises. You can see a 60-second version of the show here, and I also researched what's next for this year's big winners.
Time to play casting director: Who would you recast as Will Hunting and who would you cast as you in a movie?
This week in music videos we learn that Jack McBrayer is Mariah's love slave, Jay-Z likes his cinematography dark, and Willie Nelson is still tight with Jessica Simpson.
American Idol is picking up speed and already we're down to 16. I think the boys need to step it up this week and it's time for those talented girls to pick some great songs and show us what they've got, don't you?
NBC ordered more episodes of Lipstick Jungle, though we haven't heard a peep about the fate of Cashmere Mafia.
Adorable indie duo alert!: Zooey Deschanel and Paul Dano are pairing up for a movie. Also, this casting news has me laughing/crying a little: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to play the tooth fairy.

Photo courtesy of Sony

The Other Boleyn Girl: Ambitious and Flawed

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:31:50 PST

Not unlike Anne Boleyn herself, the movie version of Philippa Gregory's bestselling novel The Other Boleyn Girl is both greatly ambitious and flawed. It's lovely to look at, yet unsatisfying as a film. In some ways, it seems like a video that will soon be used in history classes as one of the many ways we can view Anne Boleyn's life and death. It's not the grand cinematic experience I'd hoped for as I read the novel for this month's book club.

In this version of Gregory's work, Anne is forced by her family - against her will, at first - to seduce England's King Henry VIII. Henry's queen, Katherine of Aragon, has not been able to produce a male heir to the throne, so Anne's uncle, the Duke of Norfolk - played as the one true villain of the story by David Morrissey - decides Anne should have a boy by Henry, thus allowing the whole family to advance. Yet when Henry suffers a hunting accident and Anne is blamed for it, the Duke makes Anne's sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson) become Henry's mistress. She's, you know, the other Boleyn girl. There's so much else to talk about with this film, so

When Mary becomes pregnant by Henry, Anne is once more pushed in front of Henry to keep him interested in the Boleyn family. Anne enchants the king who quickly forgets all about Mary and becomes desperate to have Anne - no matter what it takes. Having gained the king's worship, Anne withholds herself physically from the king until he promises to divorce Queen Katherine and make Anne his wife. Yet everything goes horribly wrong when Anne does become queen - and then cannot produce a male heir. King Henry grows increasingly impatient and Anne takes desperate measures to try and remain in his good graces. These measures ultimately lead to her demise.

Having recently finished the book, I was distracted by the ways in which the film deviates from Gregory's work. Many of the changes are understandable, seeing as Gregory's novel is quite long and encompasses so many events that couldn't possibly fit into a two-hour film. Yet despite the edits and the rearrangements, the movie still feels cluttered, overwrought and sometimes disjointed. Mary's first husband William Carey, for example, is in the first quarter of the movie but when Mary takes up with the king, he sends William Carey away and we never hear from or see him again. There's zero explanation for whatever happened to this person that Mary is married to, and then randomly William Stafford approaches her with the offer of a country farm. I assume this is a casualty of editing, but it's infuriating to be thought so little of as an audience, like maybe we wouldn't notice.

And then, after all the things left out of the movie, there's the baffling addition of Henry viciously raping Anne when she refuses to marry him until he divorces Katherine. This is not a part of Gregory's novel and the only reason I can think of to include it is for dramatic effect. In this way, it feels like a cheap - and disgusting - move. Personally, I resent being subjected to an awful rape scene because someone figured it would be a great way to keep our attention.

The lush costumes are the most delightful part of the film, as the story is so rushed it's hard to care about anyone or anything - including this "sisterly bond" they consistently try so hard to make seem like the tightest relationship ever. The two women are far closer in the film than they are in the book, probably because it's supposed to make the wedge driven between them that much more devastating. And yet . . . it's hard to care much about either sister. It's not a fault of the acting - I was pretty impressed by both Johansson and Portman, for different reasons - but perhaps of the story's hectic tempo.

Bottom line: Though it has a lovely look to it, I expected more from this movie and was disappointed.

Photos courtesy of Sony

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Competed With Your Sister?

DearSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 PST

Finally, the much-awaited movie The Other Boleyn Girl has arrived in theaters. Having read the book, I'm absolutely dying to see this movie, especially because it has two of my favorite actresses in the main roles, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman. They play two sisters, Mary and Anne Boleyn respectively, in perhaps one of the most dramatic sibling rivalries of all time over the affections of King Henry VIII.

The story is certainly an intriguing one, and while I assume (and hope) that none of us are caught in such a whirlwind of competition with a sister, this particular brand of rivalry isn't a new one. So let me ask you this; have you ever competed with a sister?

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Buzz Book Club: The End of The Other Boleyn Girl

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:30:00 PST

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! Now that I've finished Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, I'm excited to chat about it in its entirety. This is a fun time to wrap everything up as the movie opens this weekend as well.

Over the past several weeks I've suggested chapters to complete and posited questions to prompt discussion in the comments section. Last week's assignment was to finish the book! Of course, that means I'm going to announce the next book, so stay tuned for that.

After the jump you'll find some discussion topics that struck me as I finished the book. Also, if you're just joining and want to catch up, you can find all of our discussions thus far here.

Ready to discuss the conclusion of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just

We learn more in the final section about the decline of the court and the lengths to which Anne is willing to go to produce a son. Did any of the developments in the final section shock you?
How historically accurate do you think this book is? Did you get the sense Philippa Gregory took some major liberties or does it seem like this is pretty factual?
What's one question you'd like to ask the author?
Did you all feel like there was too much or too little detail? On one hand, I think the book could have used some editing down. On the other hand, I found there to be so much ambiguity from our narrator, Mary, that I actually craved more information despite the length.
Now that you've read the entire book, what would be a good subtitle for it?
How do you feel about the movie version of this book, opening today? Are you glad they made it into a movie, or would you have preferred Hollywood not mess with the novel? Do you want to see the movie, having read the book? Or do you not want to see the movie, having read the book?

Natalie Brings Boleyn Girl and Boob Talk

Molly — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:05:00 PST

Natalie Portman took the promotional reigns without Scarlett Johansson at a screening of The Other Boleyn Girl in NYC last night. She looked gorgeous, of course, but not as happy as with her on-screen sister by her side. On Sunday Natalie was profiled in The Times of London, which as usual made her seem nothing short of perfect. Though, she did reveal a bit of a sassy side talking about Isaac Mizrahi grabbing Scarlett's breast at the 2006 Golden Globes, "Seriously, I would want to grab them. She’s got beautiful ones, but, Isaac, that was not so appropriate." She also weighed in on another of her contemporaries, Miss Britney Spears. Natalie said:

“We both had the same first job. We both understudied for an off-Broadway musical called Ruthless. I never met her, but I took over from her when she left to join the Mickey Mouse Club. So we connected over that. She invited me to a few things and my guy friends at college said, ‘We have to go.’ I’m sad to see how everyone’s treating her now...Any time I see something about Britney, I close it. I can’t look at it. I’m usually interested in gossip, but this makes my stomach hurt.”

Britney and Natalie seem like night and day in the starlet set, but of course Natalie has compassion for the fallen pop star. I'm mostly surprised that she'd even admit that she's ever into gossip at all. Maybe working on the soap opera-y period piece piqued Natalie's interest in the salacious rumor mill - not that I don't relate, wink.

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Buzz Book Club: The Other Boleyn Girl, Section Three

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:30:00 PST

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! We're working our way through our very first book club book: Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.

As I mentioned before, every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in February). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

This week's assignment was to read from Summer 1529 to the end of Summer 1533. Of course, you are welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this first section. Also, if you're just joining and want to catch up, here's our first discussion, and here are our thoughts on last week's section.

The next assignment: Finish the book! Of course, that means we're on the hunt for our next book, so leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Ready to discuss the latest section of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just

Anne and George's relationship is in the spotlight in this section, as George's affections for Anne take a doting - and sometimes even sensual - turn. What drives their relationship? Is it Anne's desire for everyone to love her? George's strategy to remain in Anne's good graces in case she has a son who becomes king? Something else?
Speaking of George, we learn in this section that his feelings for Sir Francis Weston are known by many members of the court to be more than friendly. William Stafford calls him a "sodomite" and says that George and Anne are basically enemies to Mary. Mary defends her brother and even Anne, saying they may be enemies but they're her kin. Do you think this kind of loyalty is admirable, or foolish?
Who is a better match for King Henry: Queen Katherine or Anne? Why?
Mary acknowledges her feelings for William Stafford and even flirts with him, seemingly growing stronger and more assertive than she once was. Has your opinion of Mary changed since the beginning of the novel?
After reading this far, how do you feel about the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Mary and Natalie Portman as Anne for the film adaptation?

Scarlett and Natalie at Another Other Boleyn Girl Premiere

Molly — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:14:42 PST

If Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman are sick of parading down the red carpet in pretty dresses to promote The Other Boleyn Girl, they're not showing any signs of fatigue. Both the actresses looked beautiful in their gowns at the London premiere of their movie today. Though, still always a little surprised to see that bright tattoo on Scarlett's arm. Lucky Eric Bana was yet again there with a gorgeous lady on either arm. While you guys overwhelmingly prefer Natalie, there's no doubt that they're both stunning. I wonder if Scarlett and Natalie talk to each other beforehand to coordinate their premiere outfits? You wouldn't want to clash with your friend/costar after all.

To see more from the premiere including Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Lily Allen and others just

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Images include: Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Scarlett Johansson, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Lily Allen

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Scarlett and Natalie Go Sheer and Shiny For Their Big Premiere

PopSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:30:33 PST

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman slipped into a couple of sexy numbers for the red carpet premiere of The Other Boleyn Girl at the Berlinale Film Festival today. Scarlett wore a more simple dress to balance her teased hair and dramatic eyeliner, while Natalie made it very clear that she's not the prude good girl she often gets pegged for. Once again, the girls talked about how well they got along on the set and how much they respect one another. Natalie said, "People keep asking if the rivalry was real but it was the opposite because we just liked each other so much. It was such a rare opportunity to work with an actress my age who I much admire."

Lots more of Scarlett and Natalie looking glamourous so

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