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Link Time! Eric Dane Dances His Way Into Burlesque

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:13 -0800

Eric Dane joins Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Kristen Bell in Burlesque - Zap2It
Daniel Radcliffe is lending his voice to a Twilight spoof . . . on The Simpsons! - Hollywood Insider
Tim Burton's career retrospective looks rad - MTV Movies Blog
Director Werner Herzog shares his five favorite films - Rotten Tomatoes
Johnny Depp is named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2009! - PopSugar
Precious director Lee Daniels is already lining up his next gig, titled Selma - Collider
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck make beautiful music together in the video "Heaven Can Wait" - Stereogum
Brooke Shields is moving to The Middle - Ausiello Files
Will Arnett and Justin Theroux sign up for a space love story - Moviefone
New Moon director Chris Weitz says he's quitting movies - Film School Rejects

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:50:10 -0700

Bradley Whitford is heading back to TV in Jack and Dan - TV Squad
A few early predictions for the 2010 Oscars - Vulture
The release date of Nine has been moved from Thanksgiving to Christmas - Cinematical
Ellen Pompeo may not miss any episodes of Grey's Anatomy for maternity leave after all - Watch With Kristin
A countdown of Vince Vaughn's funniest moments (including video clips!) - Moviefone
Daniel Radcliffe will return to Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - MTV Movies Blog
Amazon has New Moon soundtrack snippets! - Pitchfork
Desperate Housewives' creator Marc Cherry is working on a new show for ABC - Hollywood Reporter
ABC picks up The Middle, Cougar Town, and Modern Family for full seasons - HitFix
Fine Living Network is changing over to the Cooking Channel - Yum Sugar
The Top 15: Greatest Opening Title Sequences - TV.com

What Did You Think of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:30:44 -0700

It's no big surprise that audiences flocked to theaters all weekend long to welcome Harry and the gang back to the big screen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I thought Warner Bros. and David Yates did a fine job with the film, but there are always a few gripes, especially when you're a huge fan of the book series.

What did you think of the latest installment of the franchise? Was it a home run, or were there too many deviations from the original story? Are you still loving all the movies, or are you over the mania? Tell me what you loved, what you hated, and what you would have changed!

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Back and Darker Than Ever

BuzzSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:30:05 -0700

From the moment the opening credits start to roll and we hear that telltale theme song, there's one thing that’s very clear about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: this is not the bright, shiny Hogwarts we came to know back in the first movie.

For one thing, the wizard world has been turned on its head by the Dark Lord and his followers, and now everyone knows it. The Death Eaters have been wreaking havoc, and the chaos has gotten so out of hand that it's even affecting the Muggle (nonwizarding world). To see what else you can expect, just read more.

The movie picks up right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. Harry’s godfather is dead, and he finds himself lonely, confused, and angry as he heads back to Hogwarts during a time of crisis. As usual, he finds solace in his friendships with Dumbledore, Ron, and Hermione, but Harry's relationships and loyalties are about to be tested in ways he never imagined.

The film wastes no time pulling you right into the action, twisting and turning right along with the most evil of wizards as we watch the mania spread. While losing yourself in the magic world is what makes these movies so special, I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of Harry’s realm with a few shots of London’s most famous landmarks. The visual effects don't stop there, and the audience stays immersed in fantasy throughout the film. The cinematography is, in a word, dazzling.

When he gets to school, Harry's duties as "The Chosen One" weigh heavily on him. He and Dumbledore are trying to unravel Lord Voldemort’s mysteries, and Harry finds himself tracking his arch nemesis Draco Malfoy in his free time. On the other hand, Harry's role as a student comes with its own set of responsibilities - picking a Quidditch team, dealing with new professors, and playing mediator between Ron and Hermione. As far as classes are concerned, Harry finds help from "The Half-Blood Prince," whose old, heavily annotated Potions book sends Harry to the top of the class.

The comic relief of the film lies in the fact that the kids aren't exactly kids anymore. They’re growing up. They’ve got raging hormones. Their soapy, teenage world is a refreshing break from movie's heavy overtones. We can all relate to Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s angst and jealousy, plus everyone loves to see a little snogging. The chemistry between the characters is heating up, and the children we've watched all these years have emerged as solid actors.

I feel obligated to mention one thing, especially for families and kids: the movie is kind of scary. Along with the stunning visuals, there are a few scenes that get a bit graphic as the dark magic gets more intense. Though I knew what was coming I still had goosebumps and found myself jumping out of my seat - and I could see certain parts being a bit much for Harry's pint-sized fans.

The bottom line: The Half Blood Prince packs exactly the right amount of action, effects, and laughs - though it's definitely not my new favorite Potter movie. At two and a half hours it’s a lengthy journey, but at the end of it all you're left feeling more ready than ever for the epic two-movie finale.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Check It: The Latest Harry Potter Trailer!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:30:03 -0800

Another month, another trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This one is just as mesmerizing as the last and includes some new tidbits (and more Ron Weasley!). Just like the other Potter movies, Half-Blood Prince looks like it will be visually stunning. I'm constantly amazed at the beautiful, fantastical world created for us in these films and this one is no exception.

To enjoy the new trailer, just read more.

YouTube videos don't do this trailer justice, really, so for some other viewing options, click here.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Awesome Teaser For Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

BuzzSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:00:26 -0700

"You're the chosen one, Harry."

This new international teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince makes it even more of a bummer that the release date got bumped from November to July '09. The trailer makes the movie look exciting and dramatic and funny and darkly beautiful.

It's obviously a must-watch for any Potter fan, so read more.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Link Time! 8/19

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:39:13 -0700

They're not going to allow TV critics to screen the 90210 spinoff in advance, and at least one critic thinks this makes perfect sense. - Popwatch
Bands based on Harry Potter and Twilight pave the road for future movie-inspired rockers. - MTV Movies Blog
A new Danish sitcom, The Terror Cell, follows the lives of terrorists conspiring in Denmark. Yeah, sitcom. - CitizenSugar
Anna Faris has a lot to say about being producer, creator, and star of House Bunny. - E!'s Lyons Den
Check out a newer, longer, juicier trailer for the next season of Heroes. - TV With MeeVee
Here are the top 10 TV faces to watch this Fall, according to one blogger. - TV Addict
There's a brand new track by TV on the Radio, available for your ears. - Stereogum
Daniel Radcliffe is going nude in a Harry Potter movie?! - Cinematical

Photos courtesy of The CW

Last Harry Potter Book May Be Made Into Two Movies

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:30:03 -0800

It's nothing officially official yet, but word from UK source The Mail on Sunday is that the seventh and last Harry Potter book will turn into two movies instead of one. While the obvious reason for this would be that Warner Bros. stands to make even more gazillions of dollars with a Harry Potter 7 and a Harry Potter 8, the article claims that "sources insist the reason behind the two-movie plan is artistic rather than financial." Here's more:

A film source said: "There's so much to fit that the view is the last movie should be in two halves. There is a huge battle when Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, takes on Voldemort that needs to be done really well." And Ms. Rowling points out on her website: "It is simply impossible to incorporate every storyline into a film under four hours long."

Damn straight! The books always pack in way more than what ends up in the movies, so this seems like the only satisfying way to complete the film series. Besides, I suppose if you're going to go out with a bang, you may as well make two big bangs, right? What do you think about two final Harry Potter movies?

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Harry Potter 6 Has Its Lavender Brown and Narcissa Malfoy

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:32:09 -0800

Harry Potter fans, we have our Lavender Brown. Twenty-year-old actress Jessie Cave beat out approximately 7,000 hopefuls for the role in the sixth Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, scheduled for release in almost exactly one year, Nov. 21, 2008.

Cave's soon-to-be costars are delighted by the casting choice and hint that this sixth movie might be more funny ha-ha than the others:

[Rupert Grint] told CBBC's Newsround "I was involved with the Lavender Brown audition and the whole Lavender thing. Her name's Jessie and she is really cool and it's going to be really funny."
Co-star Emma Watson, who plays Weasley's friend Hermione Granger, added: "She seems really sweet and perfect for the role of Lavender. The casting is so good and I am looking forward to her scenes with Ron. I think it's going to be quite a comic film."

How cute are these kids? And I wonder how this Miss Jessie Cave feels about having to "snog" with her Weasley in the next installment!

In other Harry Potter casting news, Helen McCrory (The Queen, Becoming Jane) is set to play Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother and Bellatrix Lestrange's sister, who's played by Helena Bonham Carter. According to Reuters, the rest of the cast should be revealed soon, so stay tuned.

Source and Source

December Boys: A Sub-Par Coming-of-Age Story

PopSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:35:24 -0700

While the trailer of December Boys looked sweet, I have to admit that the real reason I was interested in the movie was to see Daniel Radcliffe out of his wizarding cloak (and I don't mean that in the "Equus" kind of way). Unfortunately, the movie doesn't offer up very much to sink your teeth into, and while Radcliffe gives a perfectly fine performance, I'd much rather see Harry Potter any day.

The movie follows four orphans (who go by their nicknames Maps, Misty, Spit and Sparks) who have found a close camaraderie. Dubbed "December boys" based on their common birth month, they are the first group in the orphanage who are given the opportunity to take a holiday on the Australian coast. At first their vacation is all about enjoying their freedom, running around on the beach and scheming to steal beer from the locals. However, Misty quickly learns that one of the local couples is thinking about adopting a child, and the boys find their brotherly bond being tested when they begin competing for the couple's affections. To see what else I thought of the movie just read more

Two of the film's biggest themes are faith and abandonment, which weigh heavily on Maps and Misty. Misty (Lee Cormie), the narrator of the film, is the youngest and most religious of the four boys. His nickname draws from his tendency to cry, and he's basically the runt of the pack. His faith in religion makes him feel different from his friends and his desire to be adopted only widens the rift between them. Radcliffe plays Maps, the oldest of the four boys who slowly transitions from best friend to father figure as the plot unfolds. As the teenager of the group, Maps is confronted with issues of adulthood and first love. As Misty becomes consumed by his desire to belong to a loving family, Maps becomes more convinced that the only person he can truly depend on his himself.

On paper, December Boys is a sentimental tale of friendship and brotherhood, but in reality it fails to engage the audience emotionally. As I watched, I was very aware that I should have been feeling a much deeper connection to the main characters as they were faced with important challenges and major milestones. Instead I felt detached from the story from beginning to end, which makes the movie forgettable overall.

I should point out that the movie is not all bad. The actors deliver solid performances and the movie does have funny points. It's not boring or unwatchable. It has its touching moments of friendship and bravery, as well as a lot of gorgeous shots of the Australian coast. That being said, when I walked out of the theater I took with me very little other than a desire to head to the beach.

Photos courtesy of Warner Independent Pictures