BuzzSugar

Box Office: Semi-Pro Semi-Beats Out Competition

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Despite earning the top spot at the box office, the predictable laughs in Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro only earned $15.3 million over the weekend. This is considered a disappointing sum, especially compared to opening weekends of other Ferrell films like Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory. Variety reports that this underwhelming performance by the basketball comedy may have been due to mediocre reviews and an R-rating.

Vantage Point was only bumped down one spot to No. 2 over the weekend followed by The Spiderwick Chronicles at No. 3. The adaptation of Buzz Book Club's February selection The Other Boleyn Girl took the fourth spot earning an estimated $8.3 million. Penelope starring Reese Witherspoon and Christina Ricci also opened this weekend coming in at No. 8 behind Jumper, Step Up 2 The Streets, and Fool's Gold.

Filling out the top ten were Oscar-nominated films No Country for Old Men and Juno.

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:00:00 -0800

The Buzz Book Club officially wrapped up The Other Boleyn Girl this week. What did you all think? Going to see the movie? Next up: Revolutionary Road!
In case you missed it (and a lot of people did) the Oscars gave us a lot of wonderful moments and a few surprises. You can see a 60-second version of the show here, and I also researched what's next for this year's big winners.
Time to play casting director: Who would you recast as Will Hunting and who would you cast as you in a movie?
This week in music videos we learn that Jack McBrayer is Mariah's love slave, Jay-Z likes his cinematography dark, and Willie Nelson is still tight with Jessica Simpson.
American Idol is picking up speed and already we're down to 16. I think the boys need to step it up this week and it's time for those talented girls to pick some great songs and show us what they've got, don't you?
NBC ordered more episodes of Lipstick Jungle, though we haven't heard a peep about the fate of Cashmere Mafia.
Adorable indie duo alert!: Zooey Deschanel and Paul Dano are pairing up for a movie. Also, this casting news has me laughing/crying a little: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to play the tooth fairy.

Photo courtesy of Sony

The Other Boleyn Girl: Ambitious and Flawed

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:31:50 -0800

Not unlike Anne Boleyn herself, the movie version of Philippa Gregory's bestselling novel The Other Boleyn Girl is both greatly ambitious and flawed. It's lovely to look at, yet unsatisfying as a film. In some ways, it seems like a video that will soon be used in history classes as one of the many ways we can view Anne Boleyn's life and death. It's not the grand cinematic experience I'd hoped for as I read the novel for this month's book club.

In this version of Gregory's work, Anne is forced by her family - against her will, at first - to seduce England's King Henry VIII. Henry's queen, Katherine of Aragon, has not been able to produce a male heir to the throne, so Anne's uncle, the Duke of Norfolk - played as the one true villain of the story by David Morrissey - decides Anne should have a boy by Henry, thus allowing the whole family to advance. Yet when Henry suffers a hunting accident and Anne is blamed for it, the Duke makes Anne's sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson) become Henry's mistress. She's, you know, the other Boleyn girl. There's so much else to talk about with this film, so read more.

When Mary becomes pregnant by Henry, Anne is once more pushed in front of Henry to keep him interested in the Boleyn family. Anne enchants the king who quickly forgets all about Mary and becomes desperate to have Anne - no matter what it takes. Having gained the king's worship, Anne withholds herself physically from the king until he promises to divorce Queen Katherine and make Anne his wife. Yet everything goes horribly wrong when Anne does become queen - and then cannot produce a male heir. King Henry grows increasingly impatient and Anne takes desperate measures to try and remain in his good graces. These measures ultimately lead to her demise.

Having recently finished the book, I was distracted by the ways in which the film deviates from Gregory's work. Many of the changes are understandable, seeing as Gregory's novel is quite long and encompasses so many events that couldn't possibly fit into a two-hour film. Yet despite the edits and the rearrangements, the movie still feels cluttered, overwrought and sometimes disjointed. Mary's first husband William Carey, for example, is in the first quarter of the movie but when Mary takes up with the king, he sends William Carey away and we never hear from or see him again. There's zero explanation for whatever happened to this person that Mary is married to, and then randomly William Stafford approaches her with the offer of a country farm. I assume this is a casualty of editing, but it's infuriating to be thought so little of as an audience, like maybe we wouldn't notice.

And then, after all the things left out of the movie, there's the baffling addition of Henry viciously raping Anne when she refuses to marry him until he divorces Katherine. This is not a part of Gregory's novel and the only reason I can think of to include it is for dramatic effect. In this way, it feels like a cheap - and disgusting - move. Personally, I resent being subjected to an awful rape scene because someone figured it would be a great way to keep our attention.

The lush costumes are the most delightful part of the film, as the story is so rushed it's hard to care about anyone or anything - including this "sisterly bond" they consistently try so hard to make seem like the tightest relationship ever. The two women are far closer in the film than they are in the book, probably because it's supposed to make the wedge driven between them that much more devastating. And yet . . . it's hard to care much about either sister. It's not a fault of the acting - I was pretty impressed by both Johansson and Portman, for different reasons - but perhaps of the story's hectic tempo.

Bottom line: Though it has a lovely look to it, I expected more from this movie and was disappointed.

Photos courtesy of Sony

Buzz Book Club: The End of The Other Boleyn Girl

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! Now that I've finished Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, I'm excited to chat about it in its entirety. This is a fun time to wrap everything up as the movie opens this weekend as well.

Over the past several weeks I've suggested chapters to complete and posited questions to prompt discussion in the comments section. Last week's assignment was to finish the book! Of course, that means I'm going to announce the next book, so stay tuned for that.

After the jump you'll find some discussion topics that struck me as I finished the book. Also, if you're just joining and want to catch up, you can find all of our discussions thus far here.

Ready to discuss the conclusion of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just read more.

We learn more in the final section about the decline of the court and the lengths to which Anne is willing to go to produce a son. Did any of the developments in the final section shock you?
How historically accurate do you think this book is? Did you get the sense Philippa Gregory took some major liberties or does it seem like this is pretty factual?
What's one question you'd like to ask the author?
Did you all feel like there was too much or too little detail? On one hand, I think the book could have used some editing down. On the other hand, I found there to be so much ambiguity from our narrator, Mary, that I actually craved more information despite the length.
Now that you've read the entire book, what would be a good subtitle for it?
How do you feel about the movie version of this book, opening today? Are you glad they made it into a movie, or would you have preferred Hollywood not mess with the novel? Do you want to see the movie, having read the book? Or do you not want to see the movie, having read the book?

Buzz Book Club: The Other Boleyn Girl, Section Three

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! We're working our way through our very first book club book: Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.

As I mentioned before, every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in February). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

This week's assignment was to read from Summer 1529 to the end of Summer 1533. Of course, you are welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this first section. Also, if you're just joining and want to catch up, here's our first discussion, and here are our thoughts on last week's section.

The next assignment: Finish the book! Of course, that means we're on the hunt for our next book, so leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Ready to discuss the latest section of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just read more.

Anne and George's relationship is in the spotlight in this section, as George's affections for Anne take a doting - and sometimes even sensual - turn. What drives their relationship? Is it Anne's desire for everyone to love her? George's strategy to remain in Anne's good graces in case she has a son who becomes king? Something else?
Speaking of George, we learn in this section that his feelings for Sir Francis Weston are known by many members of the court to be more than friendly. William Stafford calls him a "sodomite" and says that George and Anne are basically enemies to Mary. Mary defends her brother and even Anne, saying they may be enemies but they're her kin. Do you think this kind of loyalty is admirable, or foolish?
Who is a better match for King Henry: Queen Katherine or Anne? Why?
Mary acknowledges her feelings for William Stafford and even flirts with him, seemingly growing stronger and more assertive than she once was. Has your opinion of Mary changed since the beginning of the novel?
After reading this far, how do you feel about the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Mary and Natalie Portman as Anne for the film adaptation?

Buzz Book Club: The Other Boleyn Girl, Section Two

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:30:00 -0800

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! Last week I announced the title of our very first book club book: Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.

This week's assignment was to read from Spring 1521 to the end of Spring 1524. Of course, you are welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this first section. Also, if you're just joining and want to catch up, here's last week discussion.

The next assignment: Read from Summer 1529 to the end of Summer 1533.

Ready to discuss the latest section of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just read more.

In this section, George characterizes Mary as "a piece of soft manchet bread nibbled by ducks . . . being eaten alive by every one of us." Is that how you see her? Or is there something stronger-willed in her after all?
Anne makes a play for the king after Mary gives birth. Do you think that move was ruthless and cold? Or was it just what she needed to do to help her family get ahead?
What do you make of Mary's experience of childbirth and of having to give up her child to be raised by others?
There are numerous references in this section to the worthlessness of a woman's education, at least when compared to her ability to marry and bear children. Are there other valuable qualities in women of this era? What are the most valuable qualities in men?
George's sexuality becomes an issue in this section, when he admits to his sisters that he favors men. How dangerous is it for him to admit that? Do you think Anne was right to react with anger about what his sexuality could do to their family?
With all the pressures the queen faces, and all the insistence on being able to cater to the king's any whim and any mood at any time, who would even want the job? Does Anne see the downsides to being queen at all? Does she not care, or is she just naive?

Buzz Book Club: The Other Boleyn Girl, Section One

BuzzSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Welcome back, members of the Buzz Book Club! Last week I announced the title of our very first book club book: Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.

The first assignment was to read from Spring 1521 to the end of Spring 1524. Of course, you are welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this first section.

The next assignment: Read from Summer 1524 to the end of Spring 1529.

Ready to discuss the first section of The Other Boleyn Girl? Just read more.

At this point in the book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?
Why do you think Mary is the narrator of this story, rather than Anne?
Which do you think is more important for Mary: love or social advancement? What about for Anne?
In the Boleyns’ situation - Mary being used to advance the Boleyn and Howard families - love and sex are treated as part of the game, as clinical tactics for getting what the family wants. Can you imagine viewing sex and/or love in this way? And do you think there’s an empowering aspect to the way the Boleyn girls use their sexuality for advancement? Or is it just repressive and depressing?
On the one hand, the men in this book seem to have ultimate control, choosing whom their daughters will marry and plotting their families' rise through the kingdom. At one point, Mary even tells a poor farmer that he's better off than she is just because he's a man. On the other hand, so much - bearing children, wooing the right people - is up to the women. George, for example, can't do nearly as much as Anne or Mary can to secure his family's rise. What do you make of the men's roles up to this point?

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:00:00 -0800

Just as we came up with a strike survival strategy, TV got kind of good again, starting with the season premiere of Lost, the series premere of Eli Stone, and a very merry new episode of House. Also, got some fun stories from the set of House.
We kicked off the very first Buzz Book Club! Check out this month's selection - The Other Boleyn Girl - and read along!
Turns out a lot of you are actually going to watch the big game this weekend, even though there are other options.
This week's recast challenge is for Annie Hall! Though he would probably make a terrible Woody Allen replacement, I still totally adore Christian Bale's work.
My girl Fab and I were nominated for a 2008 Bloggie award! You can vote for us here.
I've started giving shout outs to Oscar nominees - like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and actor-turned-filmmaker Sarah Polley - and gave you several suggestions to watch Oscar-nominated films, both at home and at the theaters.
I don't know about you guys, but it was a very nostalgic week in music for me, what with the possible New Kids on the Block reunion and Fraggle Rock coming to iTunes. Also, do you know what Brandy Alexander is?

Buzz Book Club: The Other Boleyn Girl

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:30:00 -0800

The time has arrived, dear readers, for our very own virtual book club! With my Buzz Book Club I'll choose a title every month for everyone to read - or re-read, perhaps - and discuss.

For the very first installment I've chosen The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It's a timely decision, too, as the film version of The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, conveniently opens on the last day of the month (Friday, Feb. 29).

Here's how it will work:
I'll announce the book on the first of each month (or the first weekday). Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in February). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to think over and respond to in the comments section.

By the end of the month we will have gotten through this saucy piece of historical fiction together - and then we'll be fully equipped to watch the movie and see how it compares. To see what The Other Boleyn Girl is all about, and to get your first assignment, read more.

The synopsis for The Other Boleyn Girl reads:
"When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands."

Your first assignment: Read from Spring 1521 to the end of Spring 1524. (Feel free to read ahead, but no spoilers, please!) We'll chat about that section next Friday, Feb. 8.

Ready? Set? Get reading!

Movie Preview: The Other Boleyn Girl

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:00:13 -0800

From the looks of this trailer, Eric Bana gets a whole lot of Boleyn booty playing King Henry VIII in The Other Boleyn Girl. The story looks gripping: two sisters Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) vie for the King's affection - and a place on the throne beside him. Though while I like both actresses well enough, they both seem to me like little kids playing dress up. That said, however, the costumes are gorgeous and I'm still looking forward to seeing this period piece when it opens February 29, 2008.

To watch the trailer and tell me what you think, read more

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