BuzzSugar

Buzz News Roundup, 6/23

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:29:52 -0700

Alfre Woodard will play Christian Slater's boss on NBC's series My Own Worst Enemy, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
The indie film Nailed, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel, has stopped production for the fourth time, citing more financial problems, Variety reports.
The Financial Times is reporting that there could be a Beatles edition of Guitar Hero or Rock Band.
Katie Cassidy won't be returning to Supernatural, TV Guide reports.
Jennifer Egan's novel The Keep will be adapted for the big screen, writes ComingSoon.
Billboard is reporting the news that Amy Winehouse has emphysema, according to her father.
You can now watch full episodes of ABC shows on Veoh.com, Reuters reports.
Blake Lewis is the latest American Idol contestant to lose his record deal, according to the New York Post.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel Get Nailed... By Al Gore's Daughter

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:28:13 -0800

The title of this post is scandalous and strange, but so is this film news. Al Gore's daughter Kristin Gore is co-writing a screenplay titled Nailed (not based on either of her novels Sammy's Hill or Sammy's House). Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel are attached to star together in the movie.

Here's the plot: "Biel would play Sammy Joyce, a socially awkward small-town receptionist who has a nail accidentally shot into her head by a clumsy workman, eliciting wild sexual urges. The uninsured Joyce goes on a crusade to Washington to fight for the rights of the bizarrely injured. She meets an immoral congressman (Gyllenhaal) who takes advantage of her sex drive and capitalizes on her crusade as Joyce heads into her own career in politics."

I'm picturing something along the lines of Secretary, sort of dark and bizarre and sexual, but Jessica Biel is no Maggie Gyllenhaal. I'm curious to find out how Kristin Gore's foray into screenwriting goes. What do you think of this movie news?

Source and source

The Box: An Inadequate Package to Unwrap

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:56 -0800

I so wanted The Box to be a worthy successor to Donnie Darko, director Richard Kelly's first film and much-appreciated cult fave. Unfortunately, I didn't exactly get my wish.

The Box is a highly stylized, good-looking thriller, from the retro 1976 Virginia setting to the Barbie and Ken looks of leads Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. They play husband and wife Arthur and Norma Lewis, who run into a bit of a financial jam when a strange opportunity conveniently presents itself. A creepy, disfigured man (Frank Langella) offers them a million dollars if they push a button inside a box - but a stranger will die if they do.

Kelly has all the right elements and the creativity to give us a hip, entertaining thriller, but there are a number of blatant missteps that make the movie unsatisfying. To see more about what I mean, just read more.

Kelly puts his stamp on everything, namely the constant eerie atmosphere and the random sinister characters (apparently an old person standing still in the road is his trademark). Though many questioned the casting of Cameron Diaz and her requisite Virginia accent, there was a similar doubt when Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze were cast in Darko, and it ended up working. With Diaz, it's not that I would say that she nailed the part, but that the accent and greater aspects of the plot are very campy. And I like campy, but I don't know if that's what the film is going for.

If you're not taking it seriously, the movie is a pretty good time, with some frightening scenes and jumps. There are also many parts that are supposed to be creepy, but they're so labored that they come out as funny. Like, laugh out loud in the theater funny. I wouldn't call that a failure, I'd just invoke the term I used before campy.

The major problem the movie runs into is when it begins exploring these sci-fi and supernatural angles, which end up being red herrings. For instance, much is made of Arthur's job at NASA and Mars, which made me think we were in for a weird, wild sci-fi ride. I was ready to embrace something really out there (I'm a big David Lynch fan, after all), but you don't really get it. There are so many elements that are introduced but never followed to a conclusion, so you're left shrugging your shoulders when the movie ends. It's even more perplexing because the mystery of The Box itself is explained, but you're left with all these details that went nowhere, in retrospect. It's one thing to leave things open-ended, but you have to give the audience something to work with.

Honestly, if you're a Kelly fan, you'll probably find it enjoyable. But if you want complete resolution, I'd wait for the director's cut.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Fergie's "Be Italian" From Nine - Nailed It or Not Impressed?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:24 -0800

Rob Marshall's long anticipated movie musical Nine won't hit theaters until December, and I'm practically counting the minutes until I can see all the talented ladies (Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, the list goes on) singing and dancing with Daniel-Day Lewis. The songs are showstoppers for sure, and now you can have a taste of the upcoming soundtrack. Give a listen to Fergie singing "Be Italian," one of the show's biggest numbers, and tell me what you think - nailed it or not impressed?

Jolie + Depp = Hottest On-Screen Couple Ever?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0800

In what can only be described as a match made in Hollywood heaven, Johnny Depp may be Angelina Jolie's next leading man. The actor is in talks to star opposite Jolie in The Tourist, a film that Jolie snatched up when Charlize Theron left it behind. Depp would play the American tourist, a role that Sam Worthington was originally slated for.

The film's had a lot of big names attached to it already (including Tom Cruise, in addition to Theron and Worthington), so I'm trying not to get my hopes too high for this one. But Jolie and Depp together on the big screen could be legendary, and not just because they're both smokin' hot. While I think they'd have some seriously good chemistry, I'd also love to see the talented actors go head to head on the big screen.

Of course, if Depp signs on, it could be a nail in the coffin for Pirates of the Caribbean 4, but how do you feel about this news?

Glee-ful Highlights and Video From Episode "Throwdown"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:30:00 -0700

This week on Glee, we find out what happens when two teachers who can't stand each other stop being polite and start gettin' real. It doesn't take very long for Sue and Will to start arguing over how to direct the glee club (even fighting in their voiceovers), and Sue succeeds in turning the kids against each other in the process. Will's problems start to affect his life at home as Terri is still struggling to keep her pregnancy a secret (with the help of her wacky sister).

Now would be a good time to enter my Glee giveaway for a chance to hang out with one of the cast members, but if you'd rather dive into all the performances and drama, just read more.

One of my favorite performances this week is when all the kids sing "Ride With Me" as a group - even though they're not supposed to be seen together. I kinda loved that we get to hear them actually singing freestyle instead of the usual prerecorded in the studio stuff.
Sue has her hilarious array of one-liners as usual and wastes no time getting all offensive and dividing the club into "Sue's Kids" (aka the minorities) and handing over the rest of the students to Will. The chain of events are typical right up to the end, when Will finally gets through to her and they call a truce of sorts. But how long will that last?
Speaking of truces, the peace between Rachel and Quinn is already broken within minutes of this episode, and surprise - it's all about Finn! I was glad that Quinn finally gets her own solo while standing up for herself to Finn. I know we're supposed to hate her and root for Rachel instead, but she's growing on me - and I kinda think she deserves a better boyfriend. On the other hand, naming the baby Drizzle is kind of hilarious.
Quinn gets all worked up when Rachel and Finn are selected to perform "No Air," but I wasn't really feelin' the chemistry on this one. Need a refresher? Check out the video below.

Emma is nowhere to be found this week, but there's plenty of tension between Terri and Will to fill in the gaps. Terri blackmails her doctor into conducting a fake sonogram for Will's benefit, which reminded me just how ridiculous that entire storyline is. (Really? We're supposed to believe that Will has never seen Terri change her clothes since she started wearing that fake bump?) It was almost too heartbreaking when Will's eyes well up at the end. Can't the truth just come out already?
Sidenote: is anyone else ready for the inevitable episode where Tina starts to gain confidence and overcome her stutter? It's a bit of overkill at this point.
Sue drops a big bomb at the end of the episode when she nails Quinn for being pregnant. (Oh. Snap.) I have to admit that while Avril Lavigne isn't my favorite artist, I did like the spin the club put on her "Keep Holding On." Or maybe I'm just a sucker for when they perform in matching outfits. Video below!

What'd you think of this week's episode? Did you miss Emma? Are you ready for Quinn and Finn to call it quits? Sound off in comments and check out the Glee Club in the BuzzSugar Community!

90210 vs. Melrose Place: Which Was More Scandalous?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Meh. Maybe I'm still feeling down on the Tuesday night double-header after last week, but the latest episodes of 90210 and Melrose Place seemed irksome. Really Sasha, did you actually take Dixon back after learning he's in high school?! Come on. And then there's the whole Lauren prostitution storyline that, to me, is feeling a little tired already. Still, leave it to The CW to give us several salacious plot points! Let's dissect them, shall we?

Check out my list of big moments from both shows, and then tell me which one you think deserves the award for this week's drama queen when you read more.

90210 point: Naomi finds out that her grades aren't good enough to get into her dream college, so she fakes being a tree-hugger to woo the dean's son into dating her. How hilarious was it to see her on a bike with a helmet and a Sigg bottle?!
Melrose Place counterpoint: David and Jonah's friendship gets tested when Jonah is accused of stealing a necklace. Jonah believes that David might have taken it, confronts him, and a nervous David denies, denies, denies. Then the jewelry miraculously reappears...

90210 point: Teddy and hottie classmate Jasmine double date with Navid and Adrianna. After an icky spit-swapping battle between the couples. Adrianna and Teddy confront each other in the hallway and start a mini makeout sesh of their own.
MP counterpoint: Violet is trying to get between Auggie and well, anyone. When she realizes that he's friends with a female bartender at the restaurant, Violet plants money in her purse so the poor girl gets fired. Looks like Violet is going to take over her job so she can sink her claws more into Auggie.

90210 point: Dixon loses his cover when Sasha runs into his mom at the nail salon. He spends the rest of the episode trying to win her back - and succeeds. I'm only further convinced that Sasha is an idiot. First, she doesn't realize that Dixon's only 17, and then she still sleeps with him knowing the truth? Oh, Sasha, this will not end well for you.
MP counterpoint: Lauren gets into her new call girl career and enters into an agreement with her madam. (Hello, did you see that crazy pimp hair?!) Then Lauren does a striptease for a client that was a bit borderline porno. I actually wanted to shower afterward.

90210 point: Silver bolts after seeing her mother at Adrianna's AA meeting. Later, her mom tries to give her a car to make amends, so Silver shows up to AA - then gets up in front of the room and tells her mother to stay away from her. Ouch. What's even worse: We later learn that Jackie has cancer.
MP counterpoint: We learn a whole lot more about Ella, like that she hired a P.I. to break into Sydney's apartment on the night of her murder to find evidence that Sydney was trying to ruin her career. With her alibi ruined, it seems she may just end up in handcuffs very soon.

Okay, this one goes to Melrose Place. Even though Dixon and Teddy both make solid cases for 90210, Lauren's impromptu bedroom dance was one of the racier things I've seen on TV in a while. What do you think? Does 90210 deserve more credit?

Can't get enough 90210? Check out the 90210 Superfans group in the Buzz Community!

Photos courtesy of The CW

The Office, "The Promotion": Best Lines of the Night

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:32:42 -0700

Once Jim is promoted to co-manager of the The Office, we all know some wacky banter with Michael isn't far behind. On this week's episode, the Dunder Mifflinites are adjusting to the new hierarchy while Jim and Michael have their first squabble about how to run things. Meanwhile, Pam is still planning for that big Niagara Falls wedding next week - check out a sneak peek of the JAM nuptials here.

As usual, I've put together some of my favorite jabs and one-liners of the night, but if you want to discuss The Office all week long, head on over to Jenna V's community group dedicated to the show. For my thoughts, just read more.

"You know what eats a large amount of the day are naps. You go to sleep, it's lights out, you wake up its dark. That's the whole day. Where did that day go? I have no idea." - Michael
"You mean on a weekend?" - Jim
"Yes." - Michael
Within about five minutes of having to make their first major decision again, Jim is already having problem staying professional with Michael. Nothing has changed between them and Jim still calls Michael out on his unprofessional antics, like unnecessary meetings.

"Can I also be a boss?" - Stanley
Stanley's observation about Jim and Michael's disorganization made me chuckle, because he hits the nail right on the head. The more Jim and Michael squabble, the more it seems like a couple of kids pretending to run an office. I also loved Oscar's followup where he describes the "necessity" of two monarchs, two ship captains, etc.

"I love rivalries. Michael or Jim? Paris or Nicole? Heidi or LC? It's so much fun. But, I guess if I'm really thinking about it and answering your question honestly, I'd have to go with LC. Heidi's a bad friend. And her skin is terrible." - Kelly
We can always count on Kelly to bring celebrities into everything. I also loved when she alluded to needing a raise to help fix Ryan's car.

"Why doesn't Crate and Barrel let you register for a toaster full of cash?" - Pam
While Jim and Michael are trying to figure out how to deal with the raise situation, Pam has her own money problems. She just wants cash for her wedding, but feels awkward asking for it, which means she can expect a romantic birdhouse from Phyllis once the big day arrives!

So what did you think of this week's episode? Does anyone else think there's not nearly enough Andy this week? And how sweet is Michael's gift to Jim?

Photos courtesy of NBC

The Invention of Lying: Sweet, but Unsteady

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:45:37 -0700

In his Hollywood directorial debut, Ricky Gervais takes us to an alternate universe where honesty makes the world go round. It's not just that lie-telling is an impossibility; everyone can't help but speak their minds at all times, no matter how personal, embarrassing, or brutal their innermost thoughts may be. The premise of The Invention of Lying is rife for comedy, but the film is also a commentary on religion and has its sad moments as well.

The film tells the story of Mark Bellison, an average joe who just can't seem to get ahead in a world where his mediocrity is ridiculed day after day. His co-workers can't stand him and women reject him based on his looks alone. When he loses his job as a screenwriter, Mark is ready to give up - until he mysteriously becomes the world's first liar.

To see what else I thought of the film, just read more.

Ricky Gervais stars as Mark, living in a world that's mostly free of flair, frills, and aesthetics. Mark's house and office are plain and boring, complementing his every-day appearance. Those who stand out are the people who are naturally attractive, like the object of Mark's affections, Anna (Jennifer Garner) and his snarky co-worker Brad (Rob Lowe). Anna can't help but show her shallow side on her first date with Mark. She immediately rejects him on the basis that she doesn't want to have "fat, snub-nosed" children someday and must find a "better genetic match." Once Mark starts to stretch his newfound talent though, he decides he can have whatever he wants - and begins a quest to win Anna's affections.

Gervais surprised me with his performance because he finally takes a break from his typical British dry humor. As affable, down-on-his-luck Mark, Gervais proves that he doesn't need his signature sarcasm to be witty. The most important scene of the movie requires a lot of raw emotion from Gervais, and he absolutely nails it, showcasing a sweet side that we rarely see from the actor.

There are two major aspects of the movie that wore me down: the cameos and the product placement. I love a good celebrity appearance, but after Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Norton, and Jason Bateman pop in, it starts to feel like Gervais is trying to use his comical buddies to keep the storyline afloat when it starts to lose focus. Seeing a familiar face is always fun, but this isn't a Judd Apatow movie.

The product placement is funny and fitting at first; there's not much room for advertising in a world of stark truth. With only a reputation to rely on, Coke and Pepsi are left with the slogans "It's very famous" and "When they don't have Coke," respectively. The film goes way overboard from there though, and suddenly Mark is surrounded by Budweiser bottles at all times and at the film's climax he's standing in front of a group clutching a pair of cardboard Pizza Hut boxes.

The movie's biggest problem is that it tries to appeal to too many genres. It's packaged as a comedy, but Mark becomes a god-like character once the world gets wind of his lies. His peers literally take everything he says as gospel, and Mark becomes a blatant modern-day Moses (complete with long hair and beard). Just as the audience begins to wonder where it's all going, the movie quickly ditches the religious aspect and finishes up as a love story. The ending is satisfactory, but what's the point of satirizing religion when it doesn't hold much water for the overall message of the movie?

Like I said, the premise is rife for comedy and starts us down a path that's packed with laughs - I just wish Invention of Lying didn't wander off before finding its way back home.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Win A Starter Wife Gift Bag!!

PopSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:21:33 -0700

In case you missed this post from Friday.... Earlier this week we saw Debra Messing looking stunning at the screening of her new miniseries, The Starter Wife. The series, based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's New York Times bestseller, looks to be as fun to watch, as it is to read.

In celebration of The Starter Wife and all things beautifying and empowering, the fabulous folks at USA Networks have given us 5 of these amazing bags to give away to you! The bag includes goodies like the book, yoga gear (to clear the mind), Essie nail polish (to get glam) and more!

All you have to do is leave a comment below and you are automatically entered to win! The contest ends May 30th, and the next day the The Starter Wife premieres on USA! So get commenting before we decide to keep all these fun goodies for ourselves!

To hear more about this fabulous contest and find out all the goodies in the bag just read more

Leave a comment in the comments section below, and you'll be entered in this fabulous giveaway. Just be sure to comment by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 30, and we'll announce the winner on Thursday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, just click here. Good luck!

Valued at approximately $250, the Malibu Survival Kit Tote Bag
items in tote include:

Branded Pink Gaiam Yoga Mat
Branded Pink Tank Top by American Apparel
The Starter Wife Pocketbook
The Starter Wife Branded Scarf
The Starter Wife branded nail file
The Starter Wife nail kit w/ Starter Wife branded nail file, "STARTER WIFE" Essie nail polish, toe separators trial size Pond’s Clean Sweep Towelette, plastic pink cuticle pusher
Set of Essie’s Spring 2007 colors
Starter Wife Too Faced Mini Quickie Chronicle
Pond's Clean Sweep Toweletter, 30 ct.
Pond's AgeDefeye
Pond's Time Rewind
Pond's Smooth Perfection
Yoga Pose Cards
16oz reusable water bottle
LA Streetwise map