BuzzSugar

Box Office: It's a Chihuahua World and We're Just Living in It

BuzzSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:30:48 -0700

If the photo below were a Caption It contest based on this weekend's box office results, my entry would go something like: "Well Leo, there's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to come out with it. We got beat by the little talking dogs. Beat bad."

That's right, Disney's Beverly Hills Chihuahua was No. 1 for the second weekend in a row followed by the horror flick Quarantine. Ridley Scott's Body of Lies, which came in third, was expected to do much better "based on its star power alone" but the combination of mediocre reviews and the fact that audiences continue to eschew Iraq War-related movies probably worked against a successful opening weekend. Eagle Eye and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist rounded out the top five respectively.

The new sports film The Express came in at No. 6 followed by Nights in Rodanthe, Appaloosa, The Duchess, and City of Ember at No. 10.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Eagle Eye Soars at Box Office

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:30:36 -0700

Shia LaBeouf proves he's box office gold once again with the No. 1 movie this weekend, Eagle Eye, also starring Michelle Monaghan and directed by D.J. Caruso. The action-thriller performed well with an estimated $29.2 million, making it the fourth-best September debut ever. In second place with an estimated $13. 6 million came the Nicholas Sparks tearjerker Nights in Rodanthe.

Lakeview Terrace came in third place, and to my great surprise Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron (yes, you read that right), came in at No. 4. The Christian-themed flick narrowly beat Burn After Reading, which came in fifth. Who would have ever guessed that Mr. Cameron would join Mr. LaBeouf as two of the big stars of the weekend?

Spike Lee's World War II epic Miracle at St. Anna suffered from disappointing reviews (including my own) and paid for it at the box office, coming in at No. 9.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Nights in Rodanthe: Something to Watch With Grandma

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:30:40 -0700

As you might've predicted, Nights in Rodanthe is a sentimental, non-threatening weepie that could have just as easily been made for TV and run on the Hallmark channel. The story is bland and yet sugar-saturated at the same time. It's tame, not too racy and it features unlayered characters. There’s redemption in the male character’s storyline and an awakening in the woman’s. It’s boring as all get-out sometimes, and tries its damndest to make you cry. So, in other words, it's your average Nicholas Sparks stuff.

Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane) separated from her husband after he cheated on her with her best friend. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere) is a doctor whose workaholic tendencies drove away his wife and son (played by James Franco). After a patient dies on his operating table, Paul travels to Rodanthe to meet with the patient's husband. He stays at the inn that Adrienne is running while her friend is away. There's a big storm that brings the two of them together, bada bing bada boom, they both learn how to love again. What follows is a string of scenes meant to be either heartwarming or heartbreaking, depending on Diane Lane's incredibly expressive face. For more of my thoughts on all this, read more.

All in all, it's sappy, cheesy stuff that doesn’t demand much of the viewer. There's an unnerving amount of time for your mind to wander, due to not being truly invested in these people or their stories. The editing is almost comically jerky. And James Franco is in it for maybe four minutes, total.

At the same time, I understand that movies like this serve a purpose. The only reason I watched A Walk to Remember was because I was with some older relatives and it was something we could all watch. This movie is in a very similar vein as A Walk to Remember, so I’m guessing that if you liked that one, you’ll like Rodanthe.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Watch, Pass, TiVo, or Rent: Nights in Rodanthe

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:30:37 -0700

Last week when I tried out my version of Do, Dump or Marry, Team member luckyme suggested having a TV option in addition to "Watch," "Pass" or "Rent." I like that idea a lot, seeing as there are plenty of movies I wouldn't ever rent, but will probably watch on TV if I happen upon it. Hence, the TiVo option, which doesn't necessarily mean you'd TiVo it (though it could; I often TiVo movies), but includes catching the movie on TBS or something someday (having "Watch on TV" as an option would make the title so cumbersome!).

This week's movie in question: the Nicholas Sparks weepie Nights in Rodanthe starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane.

One-sheet image courtesy of Warner Bros.

First Glance: Nights In Rodanthe - See It or Skip It?

PopSugarUK — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:15:00 -0700

Nights In Rodanthe (out October 10) is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, the author of The Notebook, which should probably indicate to you whether you'll be in the faction who love it or hate it. I know that movie splits audiences down the middle!

Starring Diane Lane, Richard Gere and Christopher Meloni (with an uncredited James Franco), the movie is about a doctor who is traveling to see his estranged son, but unexpectedly feels sparks with an unhappily married woman at an inn in North Carolina.

Check out the trailer below and tell me, will you see it, or will you skip it?

Movie Preview: Richard Gere and Diane Lane in Nights in Rodanthe

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:30:02 -0700

So, Nicholas Sparks has given us many things, one of them being The Notebook. I have to say, I'm convinced the film version of the book did as well as it did because of the talent involved (Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams) because when I think of the books of his I've read they all fall into the same category as the movie version of A Walk to Remember: cheesy, trite and overwrought. This next book-to-film adaptation of a Sparks work, Nights in Rodanthe stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane, both of whom I like a lot as actors. So maybe the movie will be great?

I'm hoping so, because the trailer - despite a strong supporting cast including Mae Whitman (her?) and James Franco - leaves so, so much to be desired. Not the least of its worries (but a pretty big one), the movie utilizes the tired old tactic of randomly giving the white protagonist a wise black best girlfriend whose sole purpose in life is to nurture and soothe the crazy/lovelorn/depressed white lady (this Black Best Friend syndrome has been written about quite a bit, including an L.A. Times slideshow of a few notable "BBFs"). Ugh.

The romantic drama comes out October 3. To see the trailer for yourself, read more.

James Franco Steps Into Ginsberg's Shoes and Howls

Molly — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:00:00 -0700

James Franco transformed into poet Allen Ginsberg on the set of his new movie Howl in NYC yesterday. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ginsberg's most famous work, James is taking on the biopic along with costars Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Paul Rudd. After a year of diverse movies including Pineapple Express, Milk and . . . Nights in Rodanthe, James Franco isn't ready for a break yet. Maybe this role is less of a stretch for James as a dedicated student and future published author himself.

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Splash News Online

Sugar Bits - Julia Roberts and More to Honor Paul Newman

PopSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:30:51 -0700

Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, and Sean Penn will honor the late Paul Newman at a benefit for his charities at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 27. - Us Weekly
Eagle Eye opened at the top spot at the box office this weekend, bringing in $29.2 million, as the fourth best September debut. Nights in Rodanthe snagged the second spot with $13.6 million. - BuzzSugar
The NFL and NBC have confirmed the rumors that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will play at the 2009 Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa on Feb. 1. - AP
Photos have surfaced of Heather Locklear during her DUI arrest this weekend. - TMZ
Kanye will not be charged with felony counts after his attack on a paparazzi at LAX airport earlier this month. - AP
Matilda's trustee is suing Heath Ledger's life insurance company because they are delaying paying out the $10 million policy until they investigate whether he committed suicide, despite his death being ruled accidental by police. - TMZ
ICYMI Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson got married at a remote wilderness resort in Vancouver on Saturday.

Source

James Franco Struts His Back to School Style

PopSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

James Franco might have been trying to fit right in with the other Columbia students with his backpack and clipboard, but somehow we have a feeling he still stands out in class. Last week he poked fun at his student/celebrity status on SNL, but it seems like he's pretty devoted to getting that grad school diploma. Meanwhile on the Hollywood side of things - he signed on to star in an Allen Ginsburg biopic and has Nights in Rodanthe in theaters this weekend, though we might pass or wait for the rental on that one.

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