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Buzz Backtrack: Best and Worst of February Entertainment

BuzzSugar — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:30:00 -0800

February may be a short month, but there has been plenty of movie, TV, and music offerings. While there was a lot to cheer about, not everything was stellar, as much as it pains me to say. Want to know which rocked my world and which didn't measure up? I've broken it down into the best and worst of the month right here.

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Watch, Pass, or Rent Movie Reviews: Shutter Island, Happy Tears, and The Good Guy

BuzzSugar — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0800

Even if you've already read my reviews, it's always fun to hear from the Buzz Editors! This week the team weighs in on Shutter Island, Happy Tears, and The Good Guy. Hint: only one of 'em is a winner!

Happy Tears: A Strange Mix of Emotions

BuzzSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:30:00 -0800

Familial relationships are often ripe for dramatic conflict and a few sniffles, and Happy Tears positions itself as such. Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) are sisters who visit their father Joe (Rip Torn), a perverted yet somehow charming old man suffering from a serious case of dementia. Like many movie siblings, they're polar opposites: Jayne is the spoiled younger sister who lives in La La Land; Laura is more practically minded and down to earth.

Their bond (and sometimes hatred) often feels real (hey, they even look like sisters!) and could have made for a nice, simple drama on its own. Instead, the film gets lost in the midst of imagined sequences in Jayne's mind, making you wonder what kind of film Happy Tears really is. A sweet drama? A dark comedy? An art house film? As one of the dream scenes takes a naked Jayne flying on a giant jellyfish, I found myself wishing that the film had just stayed grounded.

For more on what I mean, read more.

The story takes off as Jayne arrives at Joe's broken-down home, immediately calling him "daddy" with a smile, not even recognizing that he's sitting in the kitchen apparently unaware that he has no shirt on. Despite her grand illusions of the man he used to be, present-day Joe is incontinent and dying, and he's taken up with a crack whore (Ellen Barkin) who's perhaps even nuttier than he is. But even with the mounting evidence, Jayne continues to don her rose-colored glasses, opting instead to search for buried treasure in his backyard (a tale he used to tell the girls as kids) and losing herself in childhood memories. She has to come to grips with who her father is as a person and her own less-than-perfect life, and it's Laura who has to help her.

Demi Moore pulls off a hardened but strong woman while Posey, never one to stray from quirky roles, displays a nice undercurrent of self-doubt alongside her delirium. Barkin and Torn are equal parts hilarious and sad.

The actors have an easier time balancing a dual nature than the film does. As Jayne jumps around in her imagination, we too abruptly switch from reality to fiction. As a result, the tone of the film dabbles in tender, trippy, and darkly funny, but these elements compete rather than complement each other. As we near the finale, the film tries to salvage itself by coming back to earth on a sweet note, but such an ending, while nice, unfortunately can't compensate for its strangeness.

If you'd like to review a movie you've seen recently, check out the Movie Reviews Group in community. I may even feature your critique on the site!

Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Buzz News Roundup, 4/16

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:32:48 -0700

According to the AP, the upcoming X-Files movie has an official title! It's now called The X-Files: I Want to Believe, and will still open July 25.
Richard Gere is joining two movie projects, writes Variety. He'll costar alongside Hilary Swank in the Amelia Earhart biopic, and he'll star in the cop drama Brooklyn's Finest.
Iron & Wine, Flight of the Conchords, and Wolf Parade are among the bands scheduled for Sub Pop Records' 20th anniversary party this Summer, Billboard reports.
ComingSoon reports that Danielle Panabaker will play the female lead in the remake of Friday the 13th.
Get ready for more "green" storylines: NBC is bringing back Green is Universal for Earth Day, and The Futon Critic has the details. Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter writes that Fox has started an eco campaign of its own.
The writer responsible for adapting Bringing Down the House into 21 is at it again, writing the screenplay version of a lottery scam memoir, Money for Nothing, writes Hollywood Reporter.
Hollywood Reporter writes that Stan Lee will launch yet another superhero franchise, titled Legion of 5.
The New York Times has a very sweet piece on the classic Disney animator Ollie Johnston who died on Monday.
According to ComingSoon, Demi Moore has landed roles in two indie movies: Happy Tears, in which she'll star alongside Parker Posey, and Bunraku, starring Woody Harrelson.

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Sandra Bullock Talks Kissing Meryl, Feuding With George, and Her Razzie in the Oscar Press Room!

PopSugar — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:30:00 -0800

Sandra Bullock's speech had many of us tearing up during her speech at tonight's Oscars and when she got back to the press room, she got yet another standing ovation. The best actress winner was humble, sweet, and funny - everything she's gained a reputation of being throughout this amazing award season. Her proud husband Jesse James hung out and watched her answer questions, though she wouldn't divulge what he whispered in her ear when she won and joked that he wasn't really tearing up when she went up to accept since he's such a tough guy. Here's some of the great Sandra quotes:

On expecting the win: "Are you joking? No. As I said up on that stage, you know, I questioned did I win it or did I just wear everyone down? I didn't aspire to this. I was in awe of it. I admired it. I got to watch it like everyone else did or present, but it wasn't something that I said, 'One day when I get the Oscar...' I didn't think the opportunity would ever present itself for me to rise to that occasion. I was okay with that and I was very happy working and this came out of left field, every pun intended. This is the film I said no to. No one saw coming and I think that's what makes it so overwhelming and unexpected. I look at the company I keep in this category and you can't pick. There's not one that rises above the others, and I love these women that I got to spend this time with ao I feel like I share it equally in five parts. We ladies need to stick together."
On kissing Ryan Reynolds and Meryl Streep: "Well, first of all, if you saw me in the scene with Ryan, no one noticed me because Ryan was in the scene naked as well. I looked fine but Ryan, who is my friend, is a freak of nature and it's disgusting the way he looks and all people see is him, naked. I think because no one expects Meryl to roll with the flow like that. I think no one realizes how much fun Meryl Streep is. I'm not going to tell you half of what she'd do or what she's done, but everything that Stanley Tucci said is right and then some. I don't think anyone expects her to do it. That's why it makes the headline. She's an awesome broad, and I think she's an extraordinary actor but she's also a really free, fun human being. I think it's because it was Meryl. I kissed Meryl. No one's ever taken the bull by the horns like that before, but I did."
On the pool incident she referred to in her speech: "See I could have taken that moment and gotten him back. There was also Tom Cruise involved in that as well, and I told them one day, in a very public forum, I would get them back, but George looked so tired tonight. I saw his little eyes and said, I can't do it to him tonight. You might want to ask George about that and see how much information he'll give because it was funny to everyone else but me. It was actually really funny, but not at the time. Ask George."
On All About Steve and the Razzies: "I want you to watch it. No interruptions, I want you to watch it . . . [The Oscar and the Razzie] are going to sit side by side. As they should. We're the entertainment business - that's what we're supposed to do. Take the good with the not so good. I had the best time at the Razzies last night. It probably means more that they happened at the same time. They're the great equalizer. They'll sit side by side on a nice little shelf somewhere . . . maybe the Razzie on a different shelf . . . lower."

To see more from Sandra on what she'll do next and advice for aspiring actors read more.

On advice for young actors: "Well, don't aspire to be in these shoes. Walk in your own. I mean everyone's really good at telling everyone else how to live your life or how to be or how to do it. Just don't listen. My mother beat it into our heads to be original, and I didn't understand that until later on and just everyone's unique and that's what makes people exciting to watch, I think, so just savor what you are and not what everyone else wants you to be."
On what she wants now: "Food. I just want a burger and I want some food. I want to sit down and take my shoes off. I want to eat and not sweat it and not worry the dress will bust open. Just eat. And I'd like a nap."
On what she'll do next: "I want to do everything. I've always been one of those people that I don't like when people tell me I can't do something. Just because, you know, I did commercial films doesn't mean I couldn't do wonderful small art house films. Just because I won an Oscar, I don't want to ever stop doing something that makes people laugh. I love making people laugh. I don't know what I'm going to do next. I sort of wanted this to sort of all die down, but I'm going make mistakes and I'm going to make everyone roll their eyes and I'm going to maybe do something that works, but I just want to keep working in every genre that I'm allowed to until I'm asked to not do it anymore."

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CupcakeGal10's Favorite Movie Families

BuzzSugar — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:30:00 -0800

This post is from BuzzSugar Community user CupcakeGal10, who added her favorite movie families to the Movie Lists group. Check it out!

50 First Dates: Such a sweet and silly movie, and it warms your heart to see Lucy's (Drew Barrymore) protective dad and "little" brother trying so hard to keep her happy by recreating the same day for her everyday. That's love!
Anne of Green Gables: I will never get tired of watching this movie. It goes to show that your real family in life doesn't need to be connected to you by blood, but by heart. Watching Anne, Aunt Marilla and Matthew become a family and discover their love for one another is a beautiful tear-jerker that I am always willing to re-watch.
Best in Show: Dogs (and pets in general) are perhaps the most important family members - they are unconditionally loyal and loving, no matter how crazy their owners may be!
Bridget Jones' Diary: Anyone who has ever been embarassed and depressed by eccentric relatives will feel a friend in Bridget's horrific parents, particularly when Bridget's mother uses her daughter as a sounding board for her sex life outside of her marriage.
Father of the Bride (w/Steve Martin): Such a cute story, and a wonderful film for any daughter who has a slightly exasperating, over-protective, frugal father who she loves. I think it's a general rule that at least one family member is guaranteed to freak out when you're about to get married.

To see the rest of her picks, read more.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off: Hilarious family dynamic that hits on certain truths - why do youngest siblings seem to get away with EVERYTHING??!
Liar Liar: Classic Jim Carrey, and a fun reminder to always put your family first, no matter how busy you are.
Little Women: I don't have a sister, but every time I watch this I understand why so many of my acquaintances name their sisters as their best friends. This is a timeless story that shows that family members can be as different as night and day and still find happiness and common ground.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding: I've never watched this movie with anyone without having someone say, "That character is JUST like my Aunt/Uncle/Cousin So-and-So..." This movie shows that no matter how crazy your family makes you, love and eccentricity is the spice of life.
Pride and Prejudice (BBC version): Along the same theme as Bridget Jones, but it's somewhat comforting to know that the elegent young women of Jane Austen's era still had nutty family members to deal with.
Return to Me: This chick flick would be a lot more forgettable if it wasn't for the ADORABLE Italian-Irish grandpa and his jolly cohorts, who all care for Grace (Minnie Driver) as if she was their own daughter. A bonus is Bonnie Hunt's character, a mother whose life with her husband and rambunctious kids is hilariously hectic.

We want to read your movie lists about anything in our new BuzzSugar Community group. Click here to read more about how to be featured on BuzzSugar!

SYTYCD: Mollee and Legacy Chat About Missing the Finale

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:30:17 -0800

There were lots of tears shed on last night's results show of So You Think You Can Dance. In a somewhat surprise move, Ashleigh got to remain in the competition, despite being injured and not dancing, while Mollee was sent home. And sadly, one of my favorites, Legacy, was also eliminated. Of course, they have no hard feelings and sat down to chat with reporters this morning about their experiences.

Mollee, on being eliminated against Ashlee: Of course I was bummed. I think anybody would be because this a huge, amazing experience I've ever been through, but people voted on Ashleigh based on what she's done throughout the season. I am so proud of her and how much she's grown and impressed America, so I'm very proud of her and very proud of Ellenore, all three of those girls deserve to be in there.
Legacy, on whether he'd pursue contemporary dance despite being a B-boy: You know what, I love contemporary because it comes from the heart. It makes it so that the movement doesn't have to be perfect, the "why" you do it has to be perfect. To follow up with that, I want to be able to incorporate contemporary in my breaking and choreograph one day something amazing that has not been seen by the world yet.
Mollee, on her favorite dance of the season: My favorite dance that I've ever done in my entire life was the Viennese Waltz with Jakob. He was the most amazing partner I think I have ever worked with; his personality is so uplifting and the storyline was amazing, and Jason's choreography just worked it so well. It was just honestly a dream come true and it was the most magical experience I've ever been though.

To hear what else Mollee and Legacy had to say, just read more.

Legacy, on his favorite dance: It had to be both of my contemporaries. It was something that I was able to dance freely and not worry about the choreography as far as making sure that my foot was pointed exactly 'there'. It was more the feeling and what it made me feel when I danced that made it so that it was more enjoyable than anything else.
Mollee, on being criticized for being immature in her performance: I've kind of grown up with people either liking how bubbly and little girl I am or people hating it. So I've learned to accept who I am because I am a very happy person and I love to be outgoing and be remembered. I it was kind of difficult to hear that they thought I was immature because I didn't feel I as though I was immature, just more outgoing. I felt they thought I was immature because of my age but you know, it showed my growth even more when I got into top ten so that was a bonus for me.
Legacy, on what he wants to do next: I want to pursue acting for sure, that's on my list. I want to choreograph and later on after that then get into directing. I think my b-boy creativity has opened up my mind to making pieces that are going to be different and impacting.

How did you feel about last night's results? Are you happy with the group that's making it into the finale, and are you excited to see married couple Ryan and Ashleigh dance together?

Photos courtesy of Fox

Do You Agree With This Week's Project Runway Winner and Loser?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:20 -0700

Project Runway guest judge Milla Jovovich teared up at the end of this week's episode when the losing contestant was eliminated, and it was just one of the many bright spots of this week's destination-as-inspiration challenge. For one thing, Micheal Kors and Nina Garcia were up on the judging panel together, at the same time! I wasn't really blown away by the winner's look, but the losing outfit - and its maker - were more than ready to get the boot, in my opinion.

What did you think about this week's episode (besides how adorable Milla was)? Are you happy about the contestants left in the top six?

(Note: the pictured outfits are not necessarily the winning and losing looks).

Photos courtesy of Lifetime

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:15:03 -0700

So how did this year's Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series follow up its win? With a shocking turn of events that made me stop and wonder if I was on the right channel.

Even the pun-y title, "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," was sort of un-Mad Men-like. But with an episode loaded with the visit from Sterling Cooper's British owners, Joan's last day, and Sally's aversion to her baby brother, there was a lot going on.

To see what I thought of this week's episode (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The bloody British invasion: Eeeeeeeeeew! In the grossest Mad Men scene ever, secretary Lois runs over visiting Guy's foot, splattering blood all over employees and the walls. (Did it really need to spray like that?! It was like an episode of Dexter.) I wanted to make like Peggy and pass out, though Sterling does get points for his "foot in the door" joke.
The Mad Men laugh factory: The second funniest joke of the episode is Joan's "One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary's running you over with a lawn mower." Don laughed! A full-on chortle! And early on, John dryly punks Kinsey by telling him he should shave his beard. "That was a joke," he tells an irate Kinsey. I needed the assurance myself - and for the whole episode. I was thrown off; this is usually a giggle-free hour of TV.
More Joan, please: I was happy to see so much screen time for Joan. Even though I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with her husband, I like that he's humanized when he doesn't receive his residency. Likewise, that prompts more of Joan without her standard her steely office manager facade as she offers sympathy and comfort to her devastated husband. It's an obvious contrast to Don and Betty's relationship, where communication is not a strong point. Later, she tears up when Sterling Cooper celebrates her contribution, and then once again shows how much the office needs her when the accident strikes.
Don and Roger's barbershop date: Sure, Don tells Roger he looks like a fool earlier in the season, but unlike Burt Cooper I didn't really sense that they need to patch things up. I still love that Burt sends Don and Roger on a date in an effort to get them to be buds again.
What's in a name? Sally's inability to gain closure over Grandpa Gene's death is all wrapped up in her new brother. I gotta say, I was a little weirded out myself that Betty chose to name the baby after her father. There's a clear winner in parenting this week - Betty tries to solve Sally's problem with a Barbie doll "from" baby Gene, while Don tenderly shows Sally that the baby's life is a new start. I couldn't help but swoon.

What moments stood out to you in this week's episode? Were you as beside yourself as I was over the foot/lawnmower scene? And what did you make of Conrad Hilton's summoning Don to a meeting?

Photo courtesy of AMC

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:30:24 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

An amicable breakup: I thought Scarlett Johansson's album of Tom Waits covers was just OK, but her second effort really showcases her vocal talent. Paired with alt-country artist Pete Yorn, the two created Break Up, an album inspired by the '60s-era recordings of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. Despite its title, the record is surprisingly upbeat. Many of you enjoyed the first single, the retro-twangy "Relator," when it debuted in May, and ultimately, it's still my favorite track. The rest of the album sounds more run-of-the-mill, but Johansson's sultry voice adds a lot of flavor to Yorn's music. Also worth hearing: "Clean" and "Wear and Tear."

Rebel yell: I wasn't that familiar with UK band Muse, but their performance at Sunday's VMAs was foot-thumping fun. (Some of you even said they were your favorite act.) Now comes their fifth studio release, The Resistance. My favorite track, "United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage," is reminiscent of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the entire album has a similar rock opera feeling. The guys are reportedly contributing to the New Moon soundtrack, but until then, check out "Eurasia," "Unnatural Selection," and "Uprising."

One more up next, so read more.

One giant leap: Kid Cudi was another VMA performer, and even though I've been hearing his name for a while - he contributed to Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak album last year and is on Kanye's label - Cudi's promising debut, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, hit stores today. Like his mentor, Cudi tries his hand at "conceptual" music, using this album to tell personal stories in the context of nightmares, and he mixes in every genre from hip-hop to rap to electronic. Fans of 808s and Heartbreak should check this one out, but I think Cudi is at his strongest when he collaborates. "Pursuit of Happiness" is a track featuring MGMT and Ratatat, and "Make Her Say," which samples Lady GaGa's "Poker Face," gets help from Common and Kanye.