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Men in Black 3: A Return to (Alien Life) Form

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:29:01 PDT

I saw the original Men in Black movie so long ago that my memories of the film might as well have been zapped with a neuralyzer (that's the memory-erasing device the guys use in the movie, for those of you who are also having trouble recalling the original). What I did retain is that the film was funny, fresh, and silly and that it didn't hold up very well for the 2002 sequel. With that in mind, I had low expectations for Men in Black 3, but the newest installment is just as much fun as the original, and it actually benefits from the 15-year time lapse.

The script for the film is one of its biggest assets and truly sets Men in Black 3 apart from its predecessors. The aliens are still alive and ickier than ever now that they're in 3D, but the story is more focused on the friendship between J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) and how it has evolved over the years. We learn early on that K has been keeping a secret from J all these years, and the mystery drives a wedge between the partners. Meanwhile, a treacherous alien named Boris the Animal (played to hilarious perfection by Flight of the Conchords's Jemaine Clement) breaks out of maximum-security prison and goes back in time to get revenge on K, who arrested him back in the '60s. The day that K had Boris locked up is the key to K's secret, so J heads on a mission back in time to save K and learn the truth.

To see why Men in Black 3 is so much fun, just

Will Smith hasn't been in a movie since 2008's Seven Pounds, and I didn't realize I missed him until I found myself giggling all the way through Men in Black 3. His shtick is still the same (he's one-liners still consistent of dialogue like "Where did you come from? Planet damn?"), but you can't help but love Agent J as he bumbles through the '60s, desperately trying to sell his story to people who don't recognize him - or believe him. You can tell that Smith feels completely comfortable in the role, and in the signature suit, which still looks perfect on him, as he hasn't aged a day.

Tommy Lee Jones is ever the reliable curmudgeon, but the film mines extra laughs when J travels to the '60s and meets a much younger version of his partner, played by Josh Brolin. Brolin looks enough like Jones to pass for him, but it's really his studied delivery and mannerisms that sell the performance. We also get some insight into how K has evolved over the years (he's always had a penchant for cowboy music, but he also used to be a bit of a dreamer), giving the film an extra layer to the enjoyable banter between J and K.

I'm not usually one to gush about 3D, but the special effects really come to life in Men in Black 3 in a way they never did in the first two movies. Not only do the aliens look creepier than ever, but the cartoonish feel of the film is taken to the next level with the 3D aspect, especially with the time-travel thrill-ride element. Much like with the 3D movies from my youth, I found myself shrinking in my seat just to avoid being too close to the alien goo, blood, breath, and beyond. Combined with the welcome return of Will Smith, you've got yourself a fun, mindless blockbuster.

Photos courtesy of Sony

Watch, Pass, or Rent Video Review: Men in Black 3

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:14:10 PDT

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back as the Men in Black when the third installment of the franchise hits theaters this weekend. This time around, Smith's character, Agent J, has to go back in time to rescue his partner (Josh Brolin plays the young Agent K). So does the film live up to the original, or is this just another unnecessary sequel? We'll tell you if the movie is a watch, pass, or rent.

Will Smith Brings MIB 3 to NYC With Help From His Costars and Family

Meghan Rooney — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:15:32 PDT

Will Smith and his Men in Black 3 costars brought their Summer blockbuster to NYC last night after a string of European premieres. Will looked dapper in a checkered Gucci suit accompanied by wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who recently returned from the Cannes Film Festival, where she promoted Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. Will and Jada's kids Willow and Jaden were also on hand for the premiere, as were MIB 3 newcomers Josh Brolin, Alice Eve, and Michael Stuhlbarg, and franchise vet Tommy Lee Jones.

Will is back in the spotlight following a four-year filming hiatus. He's been busy with appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Late Show With David Letterman. We caught up with the star at his Big Apple premiere to talk about his favorite memory from the three MIB films - stay tuned for that and more from his costars in this afternoon's PopSugar Rush!

Hope Springs Trailer: Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones Spice Things Up

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:49:58 PDT

As she's proved time and time again, Meryl Streep is a pro. Just ask her cabinet of Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes. But in the new trailer for Hope Springs it appears her character Maeve has lost her touch, or at least she has with Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones), her hubby of 31 years. After concluding that their marriage has lost its spark, Maeve and Arnold head to Great Hope Springs for an intensive couples therapy retreat, led by Dr. Bernie Field (Steve Carell). Along the road to reconciliation, the two encounter roadblocks, hijinks, and a banana.

Many Meryl Streep fans might be excited about this movie, but if this trailer were a person, I would be like "TMI, man." I know Jones was hot back in the day, but I do not want to picture him having a threesome with Streep and their neighbor. Having said that, the non-sexy stuff does look pretty cute, and given that it's being directed by David Frankel, who was behind 2006's The Devil Wears Prada and 2008's Marley & Me, it might be one of the feel-good movies of the Summer. Hope Springs comes out August 10, so watch the preview after the jump.

Watch the Sexier, More Stylish New Captain America Trailer

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:39:21 PDT

The Super Bowl teaser for Captain America gave us an idea of what's in store when The First Avenger hits theaters this Summer, but this new, full trailer helps fill in the gaps. This time around, we get a longer look at Steve Rogers's days as a scrawny kid before he makes the transformation to beefy Captain America. Plus, there's more Tommy Lee Jones and a better glimpse at the action sequences.

So far, this film looks more like a war movie than superhero flick, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I have to admit though: the effects that make Chris Evans look pocket-sized are a little hard to swallow. Check out the new trailer for yourself when you

Movie Preview: A Beefed Up Chris Evans Is Captain America

Lauren Bradshaw — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:52:53 PST

The Super Bowl is usually rife with clever ads, but I also keep my eyes peeled for the new movie trailers. If you paid close attention during this year's commercial breaks, you probably caught a handful of spots for upcoming films, including a closer look at Captain America: The First Avenger.

Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers, a scrawny military hopeful who submits his body to a research project. After entering a special scientific chamber, he emerges with a six-pack that could put The Situation to shame. The preview also includes quick glimpses at Stanley Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving (donning his grotesque makeup as Red Skull), and love interest Hayley Atwell. Take a look and share your thoughts after the jump.

Link Time - Jersey Shore Heads to Italy For Season 4

BuzzSugar — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:30:33 PST

The fourth season of Jersey Shore will film in Italy - People
Watch this live-action version of Pixar's Up, using old movies - Moviefone
Trivia time! Find out how well you know these reality shows - TV.com
A video tailor-made for The Soup: Jennifer Love Hewitt breaks bottles over her head on Ellen - TV Squad
These new ads for The Vampire Diaries are kind of gross, not sexy - EW
Watch the trailer for HBO's The Sunset Limited - Vulture
Steal the look of this tea room from The King's Speech - CasaSugar

Photo courtesy of MTV

The Company Men Trailer: Even Ben Affleck Gets the Blues

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:15:32 PDT

The movies from this year's Sundance Film Festival are slowly rolling out into wide release, and Ben Affleck's The Company Men is on its way as well. The aptly-timed drama follows the three corporate businessmen (Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones) as their lives are affected by the recession and downsizing at their firm. The trailer is all about Affleck: we see that he gets fired, struggles to find work, cries to his wife, takes a job as a carpenter.

I know it seems like the whole film is being given away here, but there's definitely a lot more going on than what we see in the preview. I really liked the film when I saw it at the festival, though much like the trailer, it tries a little too hard. Still, it's a film that we can all relate to, so check out the preview when you

Here Come the Men in Black . . . in 3D?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:35:00 PDT

That's right, those rumors of a third Men in Black movie are still floating around, but this time they're intensifying. Though at one point it was suspected that Josh Brolin may step in for Tommy Lee Jones, the last rumblings are that both Jones and Will Smith are on board to complete the trifecta - and, naturally, the movie will be in 3D.

Most of you weren't jazzed about a third movie when we first heard about it back in October, but would you be more interested if the original team comes back? It's been a full 13 years since the original, and it's hard to believe the MIBs won't have a few up-and-coming agents to keep up with. On the other hand, a lot of advances have been made in the wide world of technology, so maybe Jay and Kay can have a few Nav'i-like creatures to take on this time. Everything's better with CGI, right?

Sundance Snapshot: The Company Men

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:30:08 PST

One of the films I was most interested in checking out at Sundance was The Company Men. The timely tale, which focuses on three high-paid corporate executives slapped with downsizing at their company, boasts a stellar cast and is already drawing comparisons to Up in the Air. But does it have the potential to enjoy the same success?

Who's behind it? Like I said, there are some heavy hitters here: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson, and Rosemarie DeWitt star in the film, with writer and first time director John Wells at the helm.
What's it about? Affleck, Jones, and Cooper play three colleagues who excel at their jobs and have plenty to show for it - big houses, fancy cars, privileged families living in the suburbs of Boston. Their cushy lifestyles are quickly brought into jeopardy, however, when massive layoffs begin at their company; the men are forced to re-examine themselves, their careers, and their family lives as they face unemployment and potentially losing everything they've been working for all their lives.

To find out what I thought of the movie, just

What did I think? The film gives an engaging, accurate portrayal of unemployment in the current economy. The juxtaposition of the three lives, families (and even their homes) ties the story together nicely, and all of the actors give very solid performances. However, there's just something that feels insincere about watching high-paid actors pretending to really understand what it feels like to lose everything. Perhaps the movie is a little too timely, since we all still know plenty of people who continue to struggle every day. That said, I still think the film is primed and ready to go for major release - but the real question is whether or not audiences are feeling up to another film about the depressing realities of the economic downturn.

Be sure to check out all of my Sundance movie reviews!