BuzzSugar

Which Oscar-Winning Movie Do You Want to See Next?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:30:18 -0800

Not even Oscar host Hugh Jackman got to see all the nominated films before Sunday's big night. He even found a pretty hilarious way to work the fact that he hadn't seen The Reader into his opening bit.

Mr. Jackman is not alone, as I'm sure most of us still need to see some of the movies that took home awards on Sunday. I managed to get to most of them, but there are a couple I still need to see - and others I can't wait to see again! So tell me: what Academy-approved flick do you want to see next?

Source

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:30:32 -0800

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to my selections below you can also add RocknRolla, The Rocker, and Kirk Cameron's Fireproof (have you seen the trailer?!) to your queue.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
I love Penelope Cruz as an actress and I'm glad her performance in this Woody Allen flick is earning her lots of attention - including an Oscar nod. The movie follows Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), two girlfriends who set off for a Summer in Barcelona. They soon befriend a famous painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who is known for his volatile relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). Things get wacky when a love-square gets underway between all these women and Juan.

Oddly, there isn't a single special feature available with this DVD. Not a one. Boo!

Two more up next, so read more.

Blossom: Seasons One and Two
This TV show is a nostalgic favorite of mine, so I'm excited for this release (finally!). When I did the recast challenge for this show, some folks chimed in that they had never heard of Blossom. Well, now here's your chance to get to know a '90s television gem starring Mayim Bialik in the title role as a smart, fashion-forward (for the time, depending on your perspective) teenager living with her dad and two brothers after their mom leaves the family. Blossom's fast-talking best friend Six was one of my favorite characters as a kid.

I still can't believe this show is actually out on DVD! What's next, Ally McBeal?! One can only dream. Special features include the original pilot; a retrospective look at the creation of the series and its impact on television which includes new interviews with creator Don Reo and stars Mayim Bialik, Jenna von Oÿ, Joseph Lawrence and Ted Wass; and a featurette completely devoted to the show's fashion.

As Joey might put it: "Whoa!"

Lakeview Terrace
First of all, let's discuss this DVD cover. What the heck is going on here? Is Samuel L. Jackson pointing a gun at that couple? Are they scared? Because Kerry Washington doesn't look scared, exactly. . . more like asleep with her eyes open. And why is Samuel so gigantic? They probably could have shrunken that pic a little to fit in at least his whole head. Anyway.

Despite the loopy cover, I'm curious to see this movie because it did well at the box office and it earned middle-of-the-road reviews, which is to say it probably doesn't totally suck. Oh, and the director, Neil LaBute, made the interesting and provocative flick In the Company of Men which gives me hope about this thriller.

According to Netflix Lakeview Terrace follows "Chris and Lisa Mattson (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) as they settle into their Los Angeles dream house - only to be harassed by their off-kilter cop neighbor, officer Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson). Turner disapproves of the couple's interracial relationship and is determined to drive them away, but as the harassment turns violent, the newlyweds have no choice but to fight back."

Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Neurotic Mixed With Beautiful

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:30:32 -0700

I'd probably say I'm a medium-sized fan of Woody Allen. If I were ordering a dose of Woody Allen at Starbucks, I'd probably get it in a grande cup. His nebbishy dialogue style grates on my nerves after too long, and some of his movies remind me of me at my most neurotic, which is tiring. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is more of the same Allenistic stuff we've grown to expect, but it's also given a refreshing jolt from the (mostly) talented and entirely beautiful cast. There's a nice balance of overthinky anxiety, wacky storyline, and attractive people to make this Woody Allen film a medium-sized, easy-to-drink treat.

The movie is narrated as though someone is reading us a story, and the detached commentary provides occasional insights into the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, which I appreciated in this case. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are girlfriends who set off for a Summer in Barcelona. They soon befriend a famous painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who is known for his volatile relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz).

Cristina becomes Juan Antonio's paramour, but before too long, Vicky finds herself drawn to him as well, despite her engagement to the wealthy, steady Doug (Chris Messina). The love triangle becomes a square when the emotionally unstable Maria Elena returns to live in Juan Antonio's house, which he now shares with Cristina. The tangled web gets messier - and funnier - as the Summer goes on. For more of my thoughts on all of this, read more.

It's easy to relax into this Summer-in-Spain atmosphere, and the city lends a softer, friendlier vibe to the film than the usual fast-paced craziness of New York City, Allen's frequent location of choice. Bardem and Cruz are two of the hottest human beings ever, in my opinion, and both are superb as the love-crazed, passionate artists forever enmeshed in a love/hate, push-pull relationship. Even if they weren't superb, I would love watching them (I mean, look at this photo of Penelope Cruz! Look at it!).

Using Spanish actors in a Spanish setting (as opposed to solely focusing on the Americans' experiences abroad) was wise, and these two often carry some of the wackier scenes simply because they are so comfortable in the setting. They're less easy with some of the anxious, uniquely Woody Allen-y dialogue, but frankly, so is Johansson. For all that talk of her being a "muse," she doesn't do very well with Allen's material. The one who really and truly does is Rebecca Hall, playing a character who thinks so much and so intensely about everything, she has a hard time just relaxing and being content. Sound like anyone else we could name? It's like she was born to star in a Woody Allen film, and I hope we get to see her in more of them.

Photos courtesy of The Weinstein Company

BuzzSugar's Must Haves for August

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:30:27 -0700

August is the month when Summer comes to a close and entertainment-land gets a case of the doldrums. It's typically slow for music releases, and Hollywood doesn't necessarily put out the year's best films this month either. But that doesn't mean there aren't a few good gems out there that you'll want to get your hands on this month. To see what I uncovered, hit "Start."

View Slideshow ›

Movie Preview: Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:30:39 -0700

The trailer for Woody Allen's latest effort Vicky Cristina Barcelona has no dialogue - only a montage of scenes from the film set to a song sung in Spanish. This is probably for the best, I suppose, so we can concentrate on all the making out that's going on (including a kiss between Penelope and Scarlett) and how good-looking Javier Bardem is. According to IMDB, the plot description is this: "A painter enters a relationship with two American tourists. Conflict begins with the painter's jealous ex-girlfriend."

The movie opens in theaters September 5. To watch all the beautiful people and tell me what you think of the dialogue-less trailer, read more.

Source

Marion Cotillard Is Woody's New Muse . . . With Owen Wilson?!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:37:57 -0800

Woody Allen, the classic New Yorker, is taking his next project to Paris - and he's bringing Marion Cotillard with him. The French actress has signed on to star in the director's next film, alongside Owen Wilson. No details have been released about the plot of the untitled script, but rumors are swirling that France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy may also join the cast.

Allen's most recent films have hit both highs (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and lows (Whatever Works), so I'm curious to see where this latest venture falls in the mix. Cotillard seems like a nice addition to his list of lady muses, but Wilson? I'm having a hard time picturing him taking on neuroses, if the role requires him to do the Woody Allen shtick. It's definitely interesting casting, but what do you think - does Allen have the makings of a winning ensemble on his hands, or are Owen, Cotillard, and Sarkozy just too random?

Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon Lead Golden Globe Nominations

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:26:41 -0800

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Frost/Nixon came up big when the nominations for the Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning in Hollywood. Each of those films received five nominations, including one for the best dramatic film of the year. Doubt also received five nominations, although it was not nominated in the best dramatic film category.

Four other movies received four nominations each: Slumdog Millionaire, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Reader, and Revolutionary Road.

The Dark Knight received only one nomination, but it was a big one: Heath Ledger was nominated posthumously for Best Supporting Actor. Milk also only received one nomination, for Sean Penn.

On the television side, cable continued its dominance, with newcomer True Blood picking up a couple of nominations alongside Mad Men and Dexter. In Treatment was nominated for five awards, and on the comedy side, 30 Rock and Entourage led the nominations with three nods each. To see the complete list, just read more.

MOVIES

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

BEST DRAMATIC ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST DRAMATIC ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
Baader Meinhof Complex
Everlasting Moments
Gomorrah
I've Loved You So Long
Waltz With Bashir

BEST SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood, Changeling
James Newton Howard, Defiance
Hans Zimmer, Frost/Nixon
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

BEST SONG
"Down to Earth" (performed by Peter Gabriel, written by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman), Wall-E
"Gran Torino" (performed by Clint Eastwood), Gran Torino
"I Thought I Lost You" (performed Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, written by Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele), Bolt
"Once in a Lifetime" (performed by Beyonce), Cadillac Records
"The Wrestler" (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen), The Wrestler

TELEVISION

BEST TV SERIES, DRAMA
Dexter
House M.D.
In Treatment
Mad Men
True Blood

TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Californication
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Weeds

BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
January Jones, Mad Men
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

BEST ACTOR, TV DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors

BEST ACTOR, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Kevin Connolly, Entourage
David Duchovny, Californication
Tony Shalhoub, Monk

BEST ACTRESS, TV MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Cranford
Bernard & Doris
John Adams
A Raisin in the Sun
Recount

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Judi Dench, Cranford
Laura Linney, John Adams
Catherine Keener, American Crime
Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
Susan Sarandon, Bernard & Doris

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris
Paul Giammatti, John Adams
Kevin Spacey, Recount
Keifer Sutherland, 24: Redemption
Tom Wilkinson, Recount

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Eileen Atkins, Cranford
Laura Dern, Recount
Melissa George, In Treatment
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Denis Leary, Recount
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Blair Underwood, In Treatment
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams

CECIL B. DEMILLE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Steven Spielberg

Source

Rachel Getting Married Leads 2009 Independent Spirit Noms

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:35:45 -0800

After all the acclaim heaped on Rachel Getting Married, the family drama starring Anne Hathaway, it makes sense that the movie would lead (along with two other films that also received six nominations each: Sundance favorites Ballast and Frozen River) the year's batch of nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards.

Other titles in the Best Feature category include the heartbreaking Wendy and Lucy, starring Michelle Williams, and the Mickey Rourke drama The Wrestler. Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona is getting some love, with acting nominations for Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz and a Best Screenplay nomination for Allen. Milk scored several nominations as well, including a Best Actor nod for Sean Penn and a Best Supporting Actor for James Franco.

The winners will be announced at the ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. To check out the full list of this year's Independent Spirit Award nominees, read more.

The 2009 Spirit Award Nominees:

BEST FEATURE
Ballast
Frozen River
Rachel Getting Married
Wendy and Lucy
The Wrestler

BEST DIRECTOR
Ramin Bahrani (Chop Shop)
Jonathan Demme (Rachel Getting Married)
Lance Hammer (Ballast)
Courtney Hunt (Frozen River)
Tom McCarthy (The Visitor)

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Afterschool
Director: Antonio Campos
Producers: Sean Durkin, Josh Mond

Medicine for Melancholy
Director: Barry Jenkins
Producer: Justin Barber

Sangre De Mi Sangre
Director: Christopher Zalla
Producers: Per Melita, Benjamin Odell

Sleep Dealer
Director: Alex Rivera
Producer: Anthony Bregman

Synecdoche, New York
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Producers: Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie
Kaufman, Sidney Kimmel

BEST MALE LEAD
Javier Bardem (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)
Sean Penn (Milk)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Summer Bishil (Towelhead)
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
Melissa Leo (Frozen River)
Tarra Riggs (Ballast)
Michelle Williams (Wendy and Lucy)

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
James Franco (Milk)
Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker)
Charlie McDermott (Frozen River)
Jim Myron Ross (Ballast)
Haaz Sleiman (The Visitor)

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married)
Rosie Perez (The Take)
Misty Upham (Frozen River)
Debra Winger (Rachel Getting Married)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (Sugar)
Charlie Kaufman (Synecdoche, New York)
Howard A. Rodman (Savage Grace)
Christopher Zalla (Sangre De Mi Sangre)

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black (Milk)
Lance Hammer, (Ballast)
Courtney Hunt (Frozen River)
Jonathan Levine (The Wackness)
Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Maryse Alberti (The Wrestler)
Lol Crawley (Ballast)
James Laxton (Medicine for Melancholy)
Harris Savides (Milk)
Michael Simmonds (Chop Shop)

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000; award given to the writer, director, and producer)
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Prince of Broadway
The Signal
Take Out
Turn the River

BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
Man on Wire
The Order of Myths
Up the Yangtze

FOREIGN FILM
The Class (France)
Gomorra (Italy)
Hunger (UK/Ireland)
Secret of the Grain (France)
Silent Light (Mexico/France/Netherlands/Germany)

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Synecdoche, New York
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Casting Director: Jeanne McCarthy
Ensemble Cast: Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams

IFC/ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Barry Jenkins, director of Medicine for Melancholy
Nina Paley, director of Sita Sings the Blues
Lynn Shelton, director of My Effortless Brilliance

Announcing the Winners: The 2009 Independent Spirit Awards

BuzzSugar — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:32:40 -0800

This year the Film Independent's Spirit Awards spread the love around, dealing out prizes to a wide range of projects. The Wrestler was a big winner at today's ceremony, snagging several of the major awards including Best Feature, Best Male Lead for Mickey Rourke, and even Best Cinematography. Vicky Christina Barcelona's star Penelope Cruz began what many hope will be an awards filled weekend for her, winning for Best Supporting Female.

Her director, Woody Allen, took home an award for Best Screenplay. Milk received its share of accolades as well including a Best Supporting Male prize for James Franco and a Best First Screenplay award going to young up-and-comer Dustin Lance Black.

I really enjoyed The Class and am thrilled it won in the foreign film category. Interestingly, Rachel Getting Married didn't win much despite leading in nominations. Finally, Synecdoche, New York, a movie virtually ignored by the Oscars, walked away with several prizes including Best First Feature.

Don't forget an edited version of the ceremony will air tonight on AMC at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. That's it folks! Next stop: Oscars! To check out the winners for yourself, read more.

BEST FEATURE
The Wrestler

BEST DIRECTOR
Tom McCarthy (The Visitor)

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Synecdoche, New York
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Producers: Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie
Kaufman, Sidney Kimmel

BEST MALE LEAD
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Melissa Leo (Frozen River)

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
James Franco (Milk)

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black (Milk)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Maryse Alberti (The Wrestler)

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000; award given to the writer, director, and producer)
In Search of a Midnight Kiss

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Man on Wire

FOREIGN FILM
The Class (France)

IFC/ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Lynn Shelton, director of My Effortless Brilliance

Source

Jon Hamm and Rebecca Hall Move to Ben Affleck's Town

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:30:47 -0700

Ben Affleck's next directorial venture, The Town, just got its female lead and a dashing FBI agent in one fell swoop. Recently seen as Vicky to Scarlett Johansson's Cristina in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Rebecca Hall has been cast as a bank teller at the center of this story about bank robbery and romance. Here's more on the film, which Affleck also helped adapt from a Chuck Hogan book:

Affleck is directing, and playing a bank robber who becomes smitten with the teller of a bank he held up. She makes him want to go straight, but she is also the FBI's golden ticket to catching Boston's most wanted bank robber.

Hamm plays the FBI agent who also becomes infatuated with the bank employee, played by Hall.

Like another Affleck-directed movie, Gone Baby Gone, this one will be filmed in Boston. All I know is I certainly wouldn't mind being in the middle of a love triangle with Jon Hamm and Ben Affleck.