BuzzSugar

Oh No: Zachary Levi Signs On for Chipmunks "Squeakquel"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:31:25 -0800

It's not often that I see casting news that really makes me feel a sense of dread. I mean, sure, there are questionable decisions and projects that don't seem like they'll pan out quite right, but typically, I try to keep an open mind about these things.

Not this time, folks. Because, you see, Zachary Levi has been cast as the human lead in the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel. Oh, I'm sorry. I mean Squeakquel.

Here's the thing: I really like Levi. I hope he has a good career, whether on TV (viva Chuck!) or on film. I'd love for more people to get exposed to his doofy style of humor. And from talking to Levi at various press events, I've gotten the sense that he's totally an '80s-nostalgia dude; it wouldn't shock me to find out he's a big Chipmunks fan from his youth.

But . . . no. No, no, no. Not like this, with the weird computer animation and the ruining-my-childhood aspects of it all. It just seems wrong.

Brighten my spirits, please. Could it somehow be so wrong it's right? I mean, Andy Samberg did Space Chimps and now he's on a boat, so maybe all hope is not lost . . .

Source

Box Office: Bucket List Narrowly Wins Over First Sunday

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:00:00 -0800

By an incredibly small margin (in Hollywood terms, anyway), The Bucket List was No. 1 at the box office over the weekend, just barely beating out First Sunday for the top slot. According to Variety, this is the biggest opening yet for director Rob Reiner. Also, 70% of ticket buyers were over 35 years of age.

Coming in at No. 3 was Juno moving down just one place after actually coming in at No. 2 last weekend. National Treasure: Book of Secrets fell to No. 4 with Alvin and the Chipmunks rounding out the top five.

This upcoming holiday weekend we'll see the girlish romcom 27 Dresses go up against J.J. Abrams' Cloverfield and the bank heist comedy Mad Money.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Link Time! 1/10

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:36:34 -0800

Vulture has this handy breakdown of the $100 million budget for Valkyrie.
Popwatch wishes Pat Benatar a happy birthday and asks: Which is Benatar's best song?
Ice Cube talks with MTV Movies Blog about the rumor that he may play B.A. Baracus (the part made famous by Mr. T) in the A-Team movie.
TV Squad pays tribute to Johnny Grant, the unofficial mayor of Hollywood.
Idolator wonders: Will the strike kill the Grammys, too?
Cinematical wonders if the addition of the Chipettes to the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel is such a good idea.
After watching Juliet's reaction to her husband's affair on Cashmere Mafia, DearSugar wonders: Would you want revenge?
In honor of the Golden Globes, CasaSugar wants to see your best gold-toned home finds.

Box Office: National Treasure Still Gold, Juno Keeps Climbing

BuzzSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:30:00 -0800

For the third weekend in a row, National Treasure: Book of Secrets led the way at the box office, bringing in a respectable $20.2 million. This is nice and all, but the real success story this weekend is that of Juno, the little indie movie that has consistently jumped higher and higher in the box office ranks over its five-week run at the theaters.

More often than not movies experience a decline at the box office after the initial buzz dies down, but not little Juno. Granted, it opened in more theaters this weekend, but the numbers for this movie are still wildly impressive - particularly for an independent film. According to Variety, the movie will most likely become Fox Searchlight's most lucrative project, as it's gunning to outpace both Sideways and Little Miss Sunshine.

I Am Legend just barely pushed its way to second place with $16.4 million, just over Juno's $16.2 million. Alvin and the Chipmunks refused to budge from the top five, landing at No. 4. Rounding out the top five was newbie horror flick One Missed Call.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Box Office: Book of Secrets Is Truly a National Treasure

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:30:00 -0800

For the second lucrative weekend in a row, the National Treasure sequel Book of Secrets has taken the box office crown, raking in $35.6 million. Edging out I Am Legend for second place was Alvin and the Chipmunks, which brought in $29 million. Legend's $27 million brought it to No. 3 with Charlie Wilson's War taking in way less ($11 million) but still grabbing fourth place.

Happily, the little indie movie that could, Juno, made the list of top five movies at the box office over this final weekend of 2007! Variety points out that Juno, which took in $10 million its fourth weekend in theaters, "was up a whopping 201% from the previous weekend," and both weekends the movie played in 998 theaters. That is an awesome success, homeskillet.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

I Am Legend: Highest-Grossing December Opening Ever

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:30:00 -0800

Talk about a prophetic title: I Am Legend has proven to be, well, legendary. Taking in $76.5 million in its opening weekend, the Will Smith sci-fi thriller beat out Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($72.6 million) to become the highest-grossing December movie ever. In the history of box office sales in general, I Am Legend's opening weekend is the 16th highest-grossing of all time.

In addition, the updated CGI version of Alvin and the Chipmunks did extremely well, bringing in $45 million. By contrast, however, The Golden Compass drastically underperformed at the box office, coming in third place but totaling just $9 million in sales its second weekend in theaters. Enchanted came in fourth place with No Country for Old Men rounding out the top five. The returning film that did the most pleasingly is Atonement, which jumped from No. 15 to No. 9 on the charts, this weekend bringing in $1.8 million. Yay!

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Alvin and the Chipmunks, Old School

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:34:38 -0800

Rather than sit through that newfangled computer-generated Alvin and the Chipmunks movie when it comes out today, let's look back at some old-school Alvin and the Chipmunks and share some memories.

The first video after the jump is an advertisement for Chipmunk Punk, an album full of the Chipmunks covering various songs from Tom Petty's "Refugee" to The Knack's "Good Girls Don't." It's a minute and a half of high-pitched hilarity. In the second video, get in the holiday spirit with the Chipmunk Christmas Song. Those modern-day hooligans in theaters today don't have anything on the old originals, so to check out the videos, read more.

Fall Movie Preview: Kid Stuff

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

For the last post in my Fall Movie Preview series, let's take a look at some of the fun kid stuff that'll be hitting the theaters in the coming months. Some of these movies look like they will be lots of fun for grown-ups, too.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman and Dustin Hoffman all star in this whimsical tale of a magical toy shop. The brightly colored trailer makes the movie look quirky and cute - definitely a winner for both young and old. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium hits theaters November 16.

First Look: Alvin and the Chipmunks

BuzzSugar — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:06:54 -0700

When I first learned they'd be making a live-action and CG movie of Alvin and the Chipmunks, I cringed. I guess I don't agree with remaking a classic favorite simply because we now have the technology to make the chipmunks look more lifelike. But alas, Hollywood doesn't listen to me nearly as often as I'd like, so here we are with the first trailer for Alvin and the Chipmunks.

I'm a little comforted by the fact that it's directed by Tim Hill who co-wrote the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which I'm not above admitting I saw in theaters and loved. And to some extent I think the beginning sequence of the trailer is cute with the screaming crowds and the voiceover saying that they caused a media sensation years ago and now they're back. But then they get into actually showing the chipmunks and their David (Jason Lee). I found it painful to watch, and even more painful to live with that song in my head for the rest of the day. To see what I mean, read more

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