BuzzSugar

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Hot-headed Thor (Chris Hemsworth), warrior and God of Thunder, is banned from the mythical world of Asgard by his father (Anthony Hopkins) and forced to live among humans on Earth. There, he falls for scientist Jane (Natalie Portman) and rallies around the humans to protect them against foes from his former world. The slick film provides quick-paced action scenes, as well as a fair share of laughs. DVD extras include cast commentary and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.

77%

Hesher

Following his mother's death, 13-year-old TJ (Devin Brochu) develops an odd friendship with Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a foul-mouthed loner who is squatting in his family's home. In spite of his crass ways and bizarre hobbies, Hesher helps TJ and his family move past their grief. Hesher offers a crude and dark sense of humor that can be unnerving at times, but it's worth it to see Gordon-Levitt playing against type. The DVD features deleted scenes, outtakes, and a gallery of drawings that appear in the film.

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One more DVD when you

read more. The Tempest In this adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, Prospero's character becomes the female Prospera (Helen Mirren), a duke's wife, who is banished to a magical island by her brother-in-law, Antonio (Chris Cooper). Set on enacting vengeance, Prospera sends a storm to that shipwrecks Antonio on the island she has been forced to live on. The film offers lots of special effects, and laughs from Russell Brand who plays a jester, but ultimately feels stale as a re-imagining of the original play. DVD extras include a music video and rehearsal scenes with Brand. 28%

Favorite Comic Book Movie Adaptations

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:26:05 PDT

As more and more films are being adapted from popular comic books, it seems every week there's a new superhero gracing the silver screen. X-Men: First Class opens in theaters today, and while BuzzSugar says it helps to revitalize the franchise, there are other comic book adaptations that you love as well. Check out this list of your top picks, and if you don't see your favorites there, share them with us in the comments!

Box Office: The Hangover Part II Takes the Top Spot and Breaks Records

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 May 2011 03:05:21 PDT

Good news is much nicer to wake up to than an actual hangover, especially when it's this: The Hangover Part II topped the Memorial Day weekend box office with $86.5 million, and combined with its Thursday totals, which push it to $118.1 million, it's the biggest opening of all time for a comedy. Trailing it in the second spot was Kung Fu Panda 2, also in its debut weekend, which earned $48 million.

Yet another sequel, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, came in third place with $39.3 million, followed by the female-friendly comedy Bridesmaids with $16.4 million. Finally, action flick Thor rounded out the top five, with a total of $9.4 million.

Box Office: Pirates of the Caribbean Takes the Treasure Chest

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides didn't just take the top spot at the box office this weekend, but its $90.1 million debut marks the biggest opening weekend of 2011. It's not all cheers though; the fourth Pirates installment opened to smaller opening weekends than Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

Right behind Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, Bridesmaids stayed strong in second with $21 million, while former champ Thor slipped to third and took in $15.5 million. Fast Five earned $10.6 million for fourth place, while Rio clung to the top five with $4.6 million.

Box Office: Bridesmaids Can't Beat Thor

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

For the second weekend in a row, Thor managed to come out on top of the box office with $34.5 million, beating out new release Bridesmaids. Still, the opening for the female-dominated comedy had an impressive debut at second place with a total of $24.4 million, and it set a record for being the biggest opening for a film starring a Saturday Night Live cast member in a non-SNL-related movie.

Coming in third place was cars and crime sequel Fast Five with $19.5 million, followed by a new release, the Paul Bettany-starring Priest, with $14.5 million. The animated birds of Rio completed the top five with an $8 million haul.

Box Office: Thor Brings Down the Hammer on the Competition

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Don't underestimate the strength of Thor! The action film starring Chris Hemsworth muscled its way to the top of the box office in its opening weekend with a haul of $66 million. It beat last week's winner Fast Five, which still zoomed into the second spot with $32.5 million.

The new wedding-themed romantic comedies followed; Jumping the Broom came in third place with 13.7 million, while the Ginnifer Goodwin/Kate Hudson flick Something Borrowed got the fourth spot with $13.2 million. The animated family film Rio rounded out the top five with $8.2 million.

Watch, Pass, or Rent: Thor

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:35:44 PDT

This weekend may find you at the movies, and if you're thinking about seeing one of the new releases, look no further for advice. I've got the scoop on whether the new action flick Thor, from the Marvel comic book, is worth your time and money. Watch now!

Thor vs. Something Borrowed - Which New Movie Will You See This Weekend?

PopSugar — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:24:58 PDT

Mother's Day weekend is upon us, and whether or not you're planning to take mom to the movies, there are two exciting new options in theaters! BuzzSugar raves about Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman in their Thor review, though the Something Borrowed review reveals that Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin's romantic comedy leaves a little to be desired. So, tell us - which movie are you planning to see this weekend?

Thor: Enter the Realm of Excitement

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 06 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

It may not be Summer quite yet, but the arrival of Thor hammers it in: blockbuster season has arrived. Chris Hemsworth plays the title character, the good-looking, gloriously built God of thunder who's in line for the throne in the mythical realm of Asgard. On the night that he's supposed to be inducted as king by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), an invasion from the enemy Frost Giants derails the festivities. Thor secretly organizes a retaliation, and when Odin has to rescue his sons and friends from the unsuccessful mission, he angrily punishes Thor by banishing him from his home.

Exiled to Earth, the disoriented God is hit by the van of scientists led by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Jane and her colleagues (Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings) bring Thor to the nearest town, where he has to assimilate with the mortals. Needless to say, his huge ego and fish-out-of-water behavior draws attention to him and produces lots of laughs. It's Thor's ability to succeed on different levels - action and comedy, specifically - in a sleek, energetic package that makes it a supremely entertaining movie. To find out why I enjoyed it so much, just

read more. Though Thor boasts some major thespian credibility like Hopkins and Portman, it's the newcomers who really impress here. Hemsworth is a major find as Thor; his character could be a beefcake warrior of few words, but Hemsworth brings a robust personality to the part. He's convincing in each of Thor's phases: as the arrogant prince, the despondent stranger in a strange land, and the impish charmer. Likewise, Tom Hiddleston is fantastic as Loki, Thor's jealous and conflicted younger brother. He's more than just a one-dimensional villain; Hiddleston makes Loki's turn to the dark side understandable. Thor pulls off a victory I wasn't expecting: the dramatic, action-filled scenes in the fantasy realm are just as entertaining as his misadventures on Earth. The battle scenes are exciting, and thankfully brief, an unusual feat for this genre. And at a time when 3D is being overused on the big screen, this is a movie that's enhanced by it. The visuals are awe-inspiring, especially in the stylized world of Asgard. The only thing that doesn't reach its full potential in Thor is the romance between Thor and Jane. There's an adequate amount of chemistry between Hemsworth and Portman, but the love story is rushed, and the intensity of their connection is unconvincing. But other than that, Portman adds to the movie's overall comedic success, as does Dennings as her dry, sassy sidekick. It's the rare movie that can please a wide audience, but Thor is one of those films. No scene drags on too long, the dialogue and plot are engaging, and it all adds up to the high amount of fun that a Summer action movie should be.

Summer Movie Preview: The Action Flicks

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:30:00 PDT

Since it's May, I've kicked off my Summer movie preview series. After talking about the comedies, it's time to focus on what are usually the biggest blockbusters of the season: the action films. From superheroes to sci-fi to fantasy, I have the scoop on the action movies that you'll most want to check out in the next couple of months.