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Do You Go to the Opera?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:30:27 -0700

According to Variety, composer Philip Glass is creating an opera about Walt Disney. The story "imagines the last months of Disney as seen through the eyes of a fictional Austrian cartoonist who worked for him."

I seriously cannot wait to see what the heck this opera looks like.

What do you think of the opera in general? Do you ever go? Or are you not an opera person?

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Would You Go See These Movies-Turned-Operas?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:35:41 -0700

First there was the odd news that an Italian composer is turning the Al Gore power point presentation about global warming into an opera. Now there's news that Brokeback Mountain will get similar treatment. The New York City Opera has commissioned a composer to turn the short story that inspired the popular film into an opera.

Of course, the documentary-turned-opera is more difficult to envision than a well-received love story but I still think this is a bizarre trend, and I wonder what's behind this momentum. Presumably the folks behind these shows think they're more likely to attract a broader audience with operas based on well-known titles.

So I ask you: would you consider seeing these operas?

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An Inconvenient Truth: The Opera

BuzzSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:53:31 -0700

Nope, not a joke (at least, I don't think it is!): Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth will be made into an opera by Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli. The production will debut in Milan in 2011. As The Independent explains it, "It began life as a slide show before mutating into a prize-winning documentary and a book, but now An Inconvenient Truth, the work for which the former US vice-president Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is to become an opera."

This is kinda weird, right? What, exactly, will this look like? Also, hang onto those PowerPoint presentations, folks. They could be operatic masterpieces someday.

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Which Guest Star Are You Most Excited to See This Week?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0800

November sweeps is here, which means appearances by big names on some of my favorite shows. We've already seen the likes of Samantha Ronson and Pharrell on 90210, but now we're getting to the exciting stuff.

Lady Gaga hits Gossip Girl tonight - check out a sneak peek here - before Melrose Place welcomes back Heather Locklear tomorrow night. And who could forget James Franco's big cameo on General Hospital? While I'm still baffled by his career move - not to mention those early pics - Franco on a soap opera is bound to be hilarious.

All of this means lots of TV-watching for me, and luckily none of the shows are on the same night, so I don't even have to pick favorites! Still, I'm curious to hear your opinion - which guest appearance is earning the top spot on your TiVo?

Not a Joke: James Franco To Appear on General Hospital

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:30:03 -0700

It's not April Fool's, I have not started abusing substances, this is an actual news story: James Franco is set to guest star on daytime soap opera General Hospital.

Oh and it's not just some walk-on role as a favor or a dare: Franco will star in a multi-episode arc, which will last for about two months, and he'll play a "mysterious character" (of course he will). What's more, he apparently approached General Hospital himself with the idea. His first episode will air on November 20.

This whole story is kind of too crazy to not believe, so let's just go with it. Admittedly, I used to watch General Hospital back in the day, so I am so going to set my TiVo to watch this.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this is all an elaborate bit, or could Franco be a closet soap fan? Most importantly, are you going to tune in?

Sneak Peek at James Franco on General Hospital!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:03 -0800

Even if you're not a soap opera fan, these photos from James Franco's upcoming appearance on General Hospital are too funny to miss. His character's backstory is still being kept under wraps, but we can make a few guesses based on these shots. The episode will air on Nov. 20, but you can get your Franco fix right now.
Photos courtesy of ABC, Inc.

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Gerard Butler - Love Him or Leave Him?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Gerard Butler has had a rough couple of weeks - critics panned his film Law Abiding Citizen and his appearance on Saturday Night Live didn't win rave reviews either. On top of everything else, there are rumors about him and Jessica Simpson getting cozy floating around. There is some light at the end of the tunnel though: he just announced in an interview that he'd be joining Shakespeare's Coriolanus with Ralph Fiennes for his next film.

It's nice to see Butler take on a project with some serious acting teeth. While he's always easy on the eyes in romantic comedies like P.S. I Love You or The Ugly Truth, I've never really liked the films themselves. (The possible exception being The Phantom of the Opera, since you know I love movie musicals!)

Maybe you disagree with me though? Law Abiding Citizen did take No. 2 at the box office, and I know that several of you liked the movie despite my review. So what do you think of Gerard Butler - love him or leave him?

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

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Yay! Jim and Pam return from their romantic honeymoon, but there is no rest for the newlyweds at The Office. Michael crosses the line - and Pam bears the brunt of his antics, like usual - while Jim fends off a nosy Dwight. I'll admit that Pam got on my nerves this week but I was glad to have Jim back so he could one-up Dwight.

I found this week to be much more engaging than last week's post-wedding episode, and I'm pretty excited to see where the storyline is headed now that the co-workers are all together again. But before I give away any spoilers, check out my favorite quips plus a few more thoughts when you read more.

Meredith: "What'd you bring us?"
Pam: "Some candy."
Meredith: "What else?"
Pam: "That's it."
Meredith: "Ohhhh, because you spent so much on the wedding."
Poor Pam and Jim. They walk into Dunder Mifflin bearing gifts with the honeymoon glow still on their faces - until they realize they're back to working with goons again. I love the bit between Pam and Erin over the candy distribution. (Erin's such a goody-goody that she has to clear everything with Michael.) But my favorite is definitely the rum with the stuffed parrot. Mainly because watching Steve Carell talk next to a stuffed parrot holding a bottle is kind of hilarious.

Michael: "You know what? I'm going to start dating her even harder."
Pam: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Michael: "You know what that means."
So yes, Michael is dating Pam's mom, which he reveals after she gets wind of his fancy dinner reservations. I agree with Pam's initial anger - no one wants their mother to date Michael Scott, especially when he keeps using the word "lover." (Though "pickle" may be worse). However, I'm giddy over this new development, because I can't wait to see what it spawns. Pam and Jim on a date with Michael and Pam's mom? That would be a-ma-zing.

"You know, I really would've appreciated a heads up that you were into dating mothers. I would've introduced you to mine."-Dwight
Just picture Dwight's mother in your mind for a second. That's funny in itself.

"I have plenty of female friends...My aunt, but she just blocked me from IM; the woman from Quiznos."-Michael
Poor guy. I'm curious to see how Michael's new romance ends up affecting his relationship with Pam. She's got to forgive him at some point, but do you think she's overreacting? Personally, I find her complaining kind of grating. She has every right to be P.O.'d, but as the episode went on, she seems angry more out of spite than anything else.

"Did you really think I would put my primary listening device in a wooden mallard? I'm not insane."-Dwight
The mallard! I always enjoy a good Jim versus Dwight scuffle, so this was one of the highlights for me, especially when Jim tries to throw Dwight off by playing opera music or giving the wooden duck to Kelly. Then just when you think Dwight is a total idiot, he pulls out a twist, having hid a pen recorder amongst Jim's office supplies. Jim may have won the promotion, but Dwight's out to win the war.

So what'd you think about the episode? Are you on Team Pam, or were you a little annoyed by her screaming fit like I was? Weigh in below in the comments, and tell me your favorite lines of the evening!

Oh, and don't forget that you can discuss the episode in full over at The Office! group in the BuzzSugar Community! Here's a topic to get you started: Ryan's fedora. Discuss.

Photo and videos courtesy of NBC

Buzz In: What Is Your Favorite Musical-Turned-Movie?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:09 -0700

This is the week for Broadway shows! Not only are the current theater selections raking in more cash than usual despite the economy, it also sounds like we'll soon be seeing two more musicals move to the big screen. I already told you about the plans for a Rock of Ages movie musical, and now comes word that Miss Saigon may be getting the film treatment too, with Lee Daniels in talks to direct. (You may recognize his name as the director of Precious. Check back next week for my interview with him!)

I've seen Miss Saigon on stage, and I think Daniels is a solid choice for the musical. Based on his past films, I'm guessing he'd shape it into more of a gritty drama than a flashy Hollywood number - and that's a good thing given the show's darker subject matter.

While some shows have made the transition to film with only lukewarm success in recent years - hello, Phantom of the Opera - I still have a soft spot in my heart for them, especially when it comes to classics like My Fair Lady or West Side Story. So tell me, what's your favorite? Are you a Sound of Music fan? Rent? Sound off in the comments!

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:15 -0700

Eddie Murphy is out and Marlon Wayans is in for the Richard Pryor biopic - Cinematical
Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to The Phantom of the Opera gets a premiere date! - Playbill
5 TV shows that deserve the big-screen treatment - TV.com
Modest Mouse has a brand new video, and it's trippy - Stereogum
The Good Wife and NCIS: Los Angeles get picked up for full seasons - HitFix
Check out this list of poorly cast film roles - Moviefone
EW reveals Part 1 of their 40 Bad Romantic Comedies - EW
Take this America's Next Top Model beauty quiz! (Then check back later for mine.) - BellaSugar