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Wolverine: Fun, If You Don't Mind That It Makes No Sense

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:00:14 -0700

I'm a big fan of the first couple of X-Men movies and of the comic in general. Maybe it's the ensemble cast full of cool mutant powers or the fact that the gang of superheroes includes lots of women, but I've always found this Marvel comic to be totally entertaining - not to mention great source material for movie adaptations.

Definitely one of the better parts of this franchise so far has been Hugh Jackman's take on the surly and brutishly funny Wolverine. This isn't sissy stuff - and the machismo action star gets even more extreme in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With favorites like Storm and Rogue long gone, we zoom back in time (way back, actually: 1845) to learn how the hot-tempered Logan came to be a lot of things: a mutant with a skeletal system reinforced by adamantium, a very angry mutant, and, in the end, a hero. It's a lot of big, blockbuster fun, as long as you don't mind plot holes you could drive an 18-wheeler through. To see the rest of my thoughts, read more.

The movie starts us out somewhere in the far Northwest Territory in Canada, where a young James Howlett (later known as Wolverine) is very sick. In the first of many head-scratching moments, there's a strange paternal mixup that results in James killing a man with his mutant claws who turns out to be his father. James and his brother, Victor (later played as an adult by Liev Schreiber), then flee to the woods. Apparently the two boys, both afflicted with mutant powers (Victor sprouts catlike claws that one character later describes as "homeless lady" fingernails), grow into men who can live a long time and choose to fight in almost every American war up until Vietnam. You might have a nagging question at this point: but I thought they were Canadian? That's the voice you're going to have to turn off to enjoy this movie.

Eventually the boys become enemies - but it's revealed that all mutants in this pre-X-Men world are simply vulnerable pawns to William Stryker (played by the excellent Danny Huston), a military man who's the friend turned foe in this flick. While this is definitely Wolverine's show (we see him fall in love, lose love, seek revenge, undergo freaky scientific experiments, etc.), he assembles a crew of friends along the way, including Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), John Wraith (will.i.am), and a very funny Wade Wison (played by Ryan Reynolds, who should have had more screen time because he's so good).

Everyone turns in great performances, but Jackman, known these days for being extremely easy on the eyes - not to mention very talented at singing and dancing - slips into the role of moody lumberjack wolfman with a surprising ease. It's awesome and - not gonna lie - extremely hot. There's a lot of talk about "counterprogramming" right now, with Ghosts of Girlfriends Past offered up this weekend as an alternative for women who aren't in the mood for a superhero movie. But for the record, Jackman is shirtless and/or naked in many scenes, and that's all the counterprogramming I need.

The movie has plot holes and logic gaps to spare. It also suffers from a lack of imagination in the fight sequences, with actors tumbling through the film like some kind of poor man's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Yet, somehow, despite those glaring flaws, this movie isn't completely brain dead and succeeds at being totally entertaining popcorn cinema. When stuff didn't make sense, my audience snickered, but then Wolverine came screaming, adamantium claws out, charging the screen, and we were jolted back into enjoying this fun flick.

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Link Time! 8/26

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:30:19 -0700

Aww . . . this Shirley Manson video, posted in honor of her 42nd birthday, takes me back! - Popwatch
Speaking of Manson, here's a preview of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, where she now stars. - The TV Addict
Check out an exclusive video from the DNC of Will.i.am talking about the possibility of a black president. - CitizenSugar
Apparently, AMC wasn't such a fan of the Mad Men characters Twittering. - Pop Candy
Cheetah Girls movie rates high . . . but why? - TV Squad
According to Labor Pains costar Kevin Covais, Lindsay Lohan is "a sweetheart" and "very personable." - MTV Movies Blog
The new video for Stereolab's "Neon Beanbag" is cool, trippy. - Stereogum
Yet more love for Gavin and Stacey. - TV with MeeVee

Singer to Watch: Estelle

BuzzSugar — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:00:00 -0700

As British sensation Leona Lewis hurtles towards the USA, there's another singer from across the pond whom I'm really excited about: Estelle. Although she's definitely reminiscent of other R&B singers like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, Estelle's sound stands out as something entirely unique.

Her first album, The 18th Day, was a hit in the UK, and these days, she has all kinds of talent collaborating on her new album, Shine, including Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Swizz Beats, Mark Ronson, John Legend and Kanye West. That's a pretty good list if you're looking to earn fans in America.

Her new album was supposed to come out in February, but that didn't happen - though hopefully the fact that her singles are being released now means it's coming soon. I love both of the songs - "American Boy" and "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" - which feature Kanye and John Legend respectively. You can download them at iTunes, and to check out both videos, read more

Source

Reynolds, will.i.am, Kitsch Join X-Men Origins Movie

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:30:00 -0800

Recently the first image from the next X-Men movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine hit the web, and now there's news of cast additions, including a Black Eyed Pea and a star of Friday Night Lights. will.i.am will make his film debut alongside Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Kitsch in Wolverine, directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition).

X-Men Origins will "reveal the origins of the Wolverine character and introduce other mutants not yet seen in the "X-Men" franchise." Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine himself. According to Variety, Kitsch will play Gambit, a "card-throwing character" that Fox and Marvel have wanted to add to the X-Men franchise for a long time.

will.i.am has the role of John Wraith, "a mutant who has the power to teleport, and is another test subject of the Weapon X program that created Wolverine and other mercenaries."

Reynolds is cast as Deadpool, "an assassin with self-healing powers." The studios have eyed this character "for some time with the idea of spinning off [Deadpool] into his own film series should the character prove popular among moviegoers." So . . . next up: X-Men Origins: Deadpool?

Source and source

Fergie, Akon, and Others Contribute to 25th Anniversary Thriller Album

BuzzSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Can you believe it's been more than 25 years since Michael Jackson's hit album Thriller was released? In November of 1982 the album made waves for hosting such wonders as "Billie Jean," Beat It," and, of course, "Thriller," though as Entertainment Weekly points out, not every track was a winner (anyone remember "The Lady in My Life"?). Still, the record continues to hold a proud place in music history as the best-selling album ever.

To commemorate the 25-year mark, Epic/Legacy has released a special edition of the album, featuring remixes and collaborations with Fergie, Akon, will.i.am, and Kanye. There's also a bonus DVD with music videos - including Jackson's first performance of the moonwalk.

This week Jackson released a video thanking fans for the success of Thriller. He added, "There is still much for to come for Michael Jackson," he said. "My passion for music has never stopped . . . It's my hope that Thriller continues to live on for each new generation to discover."

Do you think you'll check out this new edition? Or do you still have your old Thriller from way back when? You can see what you think of Akon's version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" if you read more.

Music Video: Common and Will.i.am, "I Dream"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:16:02 -0800

Movie fans are making inevitable comparisons between Hilary Swank's new teacher tearjerker, Freedom Writers, and the Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds. But while the latter had Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise," the Freedom Writers soundtrack has a new single from Common and Will.i.am called "A Dream." Given the subject matter, the song and the music video are a bit on the earnest side, but man, Common is just too smooth to resist.

Brad Pitt Enters the Dark Void

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:54 -0800

Introducing Brad Pitt, computer game star: the actor's production company Plan B has signed off on a deal with Capcom to adapt the game Dark Void for the big screen with Pitt as the lead. Void follows a pilot who crashes in the Bermuda Triangle and finds himself in an alternate universe fighting off aliens intent on taking over the human race.

This seems more like Will Smith territory to me - I immediately think of something along the lines of I, Robot or I Am Legend. Even so, I welcome the chance to see Pitt in a sci-fi action movie, and this storyline sounds tailor-made for the blockbuster treatment.

What do you think about Pitt as a gaming hero?

Zachary Quinto to Raise Eyebrows as Leading Man in Whirligig

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:39 -0800

It seems I wasn't the only one to think that Zachary Quinto's Spock stole the hot man show in Star Trek last Summer. Quinto is attached to the upcoming indie film Whirligig, playing a guy who becomes friends with the adopted son of the woman he's pursuing.

Not only would this be Quinto's first major role post-Star Trek, but he'd be the leading man in a romantic comedy-drama. I make no attempt to hide how smitten I am with Quinto, and can definitely see the tall, sexy actor take on a role that's less of a sci-fi than Star Trek and Heroes. We only got a teeny smidgen of his romantic side when his Spock wooed Uhura - I'd love to see that extended to a couple hours.

Glee-ful Highlights and Video From Episode "Wheels"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:30:00 -0800

After a few arduous weeks without Glee, the show is back - and thankfully, it doesn't disappoint. Not only are there some fabulous performances (showcasing new voices), but we learn a few secrets about Tina's stutter and Sue's family life.

Meanwhile, Finn and Quinn's relationship is unraveling fast, and Puck is ready to stand up and win his baby mama back. Ready to discuss all the fun? First check out the Glee Club in Community, then read more.

After sitting on the sidelines (no pun intended) for most of the first season, Artie finally gets his time in the spotlight this week. His rendition of "Dancing with Myself" is so good. Dare I say he's got a better voice than Finn? It's heartbreaking when the rest of the team doesn't rally behind him at first to try to raise money for the bus, but I love that Artie sasses Rachel back, saying, "You're irritating most of the time, but don't take that personally." Mr. Schue gives his all to try to teach the Gleeks a lesson, making everyone sit in a wheelchair for 3 hours a day - which leads to a pretty stellar performance of "Proud Mary."

I could watch Artie's solo over and over again:

Artie's not the only supporting character we learn more about this week; Tina finally comes out of her shell a little. She plants a big kiss on Artie (!) before revealing that she's been faking her stutter for years. Unfortunately Artie turns the sweet moment into a dour one, giving Tina the cold shoulder for pretending to be "different" when she's really "just like everyone else." Though Artie is wounded, I felt like he's a bit harsh to Tina - especially since his disability clearly has no bearing on the way she feels towards him. Hopefully he'll give her another chance.
Quinn's also feeling like an outcast now that she's off the Cheerios. Seeing her out of that uniform is so refreshing, though her snotty attitude towards Finn was wearing on me. She does share a sweet moment with Puck though (fun times in the home ec room!), and I have a feeling that it's only a matter of time before she switches boyfriends, leaving Finn available for Rachel.
Mr. Schue gives his singing and dancing skills a rest this week, but his rivalry with Sue continues. Schue is shocked when Sue agrees to take Becky for the Cheerios and thinks she's up to no good. I have to admit I also thought that Sue has an evil plan in mind, but she does have a point when she tells Schue that she's treating handicapped Becky "no different from anyone else." Then, we realize that Sue isn't entirely made of stone after all when she visits her handicapped sister in a home.
It's business as usual for Rachel when Mr. Schue offers her the lead vocals on "Defying Gravity," but Kurt finally takes a stand against her. Though the part is written for a woman, Schue arranges a "diva-off" when Kurt's dad stands up for his son. The relationship between Kurt and his dad makes a lot of progress - especially when Kurt throws the sing-off to protect his dad from attacks about having a gay son.

Check out Kurt laying down the voting rules:

Are you as happy as I am to have Glee back? Are you excited about the new coupling between Artie and Tina? Use the comments to chime in!

Photo courtesy of Fox

Heroes: Do You Think Claire Will Side With the Circus?

Buzz Community — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:30:18 -0800

This post comes from Addicted to Heroes group member Lauren.

This week, Noah threw his daughter to the ground while trying to defend her from Becky and Samuel! I am starting to think the circus side is a very calculating crew and that perhaps this was entirely a setup, so Claire will move even further from the life that Noah has set up for her and their hopes to the circus! Also, there is a lot of talk of "family" at the circus but this is clearly an image that Samuel has tried to create, what do you think has happened in the past? I can't wait for the background story on this bunch!

There's lots of action happening in the Buzz Community - join a group or get one started and you might see your posts right here on BuzzSugar!

Photo courtesy of NBC