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Buzz In: Which Animated Movie Is Most Oscar-Worthy?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:37 -0800

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release today, announcing that 20 films have been submitted for Best Animated Film consideration at this year's Oscars. This means there could be five movies competing at the awards show in March. (In the history of the category, there have typically been only three.) So who is up for the honor?

Some are obvious choices. Up, for example, comes as no surprise thanks to its huge accolades. I also think Coraline stands a chance, as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox (look for my review on Friday!). But Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like a long shot - even though it hasn't hit theaters yet, so I'm just making an early prediction. (Sorry, Alvin.)

With 10 movies in the Best Picture category, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these films end up with more than one nomination. Check out the full list of animated film contenders, and tell me which you think is most deserving of an Oscar when you read more.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle For Terra
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Disney's A Christmas Carol
The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
9
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Tuesday means it's time to rev up your entertainment engine with new releases in music and new DVDs to add to your Netflix queue. I've checked out today's movie offerings and have some recommendations for the movies that are worth your rental time below.

This Summer's hit from Pixar is as tear-jerking as it is funny and light, and equally entertaining for kids and adults. Up is a story about an old man, voiced by Ed Asner, who attaches his home to balloons to escape his rapidly changing neighborhood.

I loved the emotional and original story, and wouldn't be surprised to see it nab a Best Picture nomination. The DVD has a ton of fun extras like cartoon shorts Partly Cloudy and Dug's Special Mission, and the expected making-of featurettes.

98%

See two more new releases when you read more.

The Ugly Truth

Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler play opposite each other in this romantic comedy that hinges on the notion that women want love, while men only want sex. I couldn't find much romance, though; in its place are cliches and some truly cringe-worthy moments.

But if you're one of the many who loves Gerard Butler, you may enjoy his boorish behavior. DVD extras include deleted scenes, two alternate endings, director commentary, and a gag reel.

15%

Spread

Ashton Kutcher is just a gigolo in the indie Spread. OK, maybe he's not exactly a gigolo, but it's pretty close - his character Nikki hangs around wealthy women like Anne Heche, exchanging good lovin' for a place to stay. When he unintentionally falls for a mysterious girl, his sugar mama ways are challenged.

Kutcher's role is more dramatic than what he usually takes on, and the love scenes are supposedly pretty steamy. Included in the DVD's extras are a feature called "The World According to Nikki," commentary with Kutcher (who also produced the movie), and deleted scenes.

13%

Transformers Has a Massive Opening Weekend

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:30:22 -0700

Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen earned a five-day opening gross of $201.2 million, easily taking the top spot at the weekend's box office. The sequel nearly beat the best five-day opening of all time, The Dark Knight, which earned $203.8 million. Second place went to The Proposal, followed by The Hangover in the third spot.

Pixar's Up came in at No. 4 and became the year's highest grossing movie. Finally, My Sister's Keeper starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin had a modest debut, earned about $12 million and coming in at No. 5.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Box Office: The Proposal Sweeps Audiences Off Their Feet

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:30:35 -0700

The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, took the box office by storm over the weekend earning $34.1 million and securing the No. 1 spot. This was Bullock's best opening ever! Woo-hoo!

Both The Hangover and Up continued doing good business coming in second and third place respectively. Jack Black and Michael Cera's primitive buddy comedy, Year One, came in at No. 4 earning an estimated $20.2 million. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 rounded out the top five.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Box Office: The Hangover Hangs On to the Top Spot

BuzzSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:30:55 -0700

The Hangover had another fantastic weekend at the box office. The comedy came in at No. 1 with an estimated $33.4 million, and is now being called a bona fide box office phenomenon. Pixar's Up also did very well, coming in second place with an estimated $30.5 million over the weekend. According to Variety, "It's unusual for two films like Hangover and Up to simultaneously have such solid holds domestically."

Meanwhile, The Taking of Pelham 123 debuted at No. 3 and earned a solid $25 million, followed by Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost took the fifth spot while Eddie Murphy's newest comedy, Imagine That, had a fairly dismal debut at No. 6.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Up and The Hangover Have a Photo Finish at the Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:16 -0700

Adults flocked to see The Hangover over the weekend, helping the comedy earn an estimated $43.3 million. However, it wasn't quite enough to bump Pixar's family-friendly movie, Up, out of the top spot with its estimated $44.2 million. Despite coming in second place, The Hangover's debut far exceeded expectations and is "the third best opening ever for an R-rated comedy."

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost is being called the first "bomb" of the Summer. The adventure flick, which received pretty bad reviews, came in at No. 3 with only $19.5 million over the weekend.

Nia Vardalos's romantic comedy My Life in Ruins also debuted this weekend, coming in at No. 9.

Up image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and The Hangover photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Which Movie Will Win This Weekend's Box Office?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:16 -0700

Up, Pixar's box office hit, faces some competition this weekend. Family movies are often super successful, so Will Ferrell's Land of the Lost has a shot at winning the box office. Then again, there could be plenty of adults who've seen Up and now have a healthy appetite for some more adult entertainment, like The Hangover.

What do you think? Which movie will be No. 1 come Monday?

Source and Up image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Is Up Now the Best Pixar Movie?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:45:38 -0700

Before Wall-E hit theaters last year I asked you what your favorite Pixar movie was, and at that time there were eight to choose from (and Finding Nemo won!). Now with Wall-E having won all kinds of awards and Up being such a smash hit with audiences of all ages, I wonder if you'd change your vote.

What do you think? Is Up the best movie Pixar's done so far? Or do you still have a different favorite?

Source

Buzz In: Which Animated Movies Made You Cry?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:30:02 -0700

As many of you likely discovered over the weekend, Pixar's new blockbuster Up is a total tearjerker. Who would have thought a funny-looking movie about a grumpy old man, talking dogs, and an inquisitive little kid could make me bawl like a baby?!

I was wondering how little kids are handling some of the sad scenes in Up, and then I remembered that animated movies have been making kids (including me) cry for years now. An obvious example is Bambi with - spoiler alert! Ha ha - the mom dying and all. Personally, I will never ever ~~forgive~~ forget the brutal emotional experience of watching Mufasa plummet to his death as his little baby cub looks on in The Lion King. Seriously, when it comes to this scene, I still cannot keep the tears back.

Which animated movies have done you in?

Source

Up Soars at the Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:15:14 -0700

Pixar's Up had a great weekend at the box office, coming in at No. 1 with a whopping $68.2 million. That makes Up the third biggest Pixar debut ever (out of ten) behind The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. It's also worth noting that Up's debut bested Wall-E, which opened last year to $63.1 million.

Interestingly, this particular box office win "validates Disney’s decision to let its Pixar unit put creativity before commerce. Some Wall Street analysts . . . had predicted the film would have a difficult time attracting children because of its geriatric action hero." Hurray for putting story first!

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian continued to do well and scored second place over the weekend. Drag Me to Hell debuted at No. 3 followed by Terminator Salvation and Star Trek.

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures