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Sugar Bits - Amy Winehouse's Mother Writes Letter

PopSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:32:33 -0800

In light of Amy Winehouse's recent erratic behavior, her mother has written an open letter urging her daughter to take the first step towards recovery by acknowledging her drug problems, phoning home, and letting her family help her get well. We hope it's not too little too late. - News of the World
Despite its bad early buzz, The Golden Compass took the top spot at the box office over the weekend with $26 million, while Enchanted came in at number two, and This Christmas at third. $26 Million isn't too bad, except for the fact the film cost $180 million to make. - BuzzSugar
Ugly Betty's David Blue, who stars as Michael Urie's boyfriend, was mugged at gunpoint on Saturday in LA after leaving a wrap party for the show, but fortunately he was unharmed. That sounds ugly! - TMZ
Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough married Leigh Boniello in Orlando on Saturday, in front of his bandmates. Congrats to the happy couple! - OK! Magazine
Scott Baio married his longtime girlfriend Renee Sloan, on Saturday in LA. The two recently welcomed their first child together. Charles in Charge is officially off the market. - People

Golden Compass Tops the Box Office, Studio Still Disappointed

BuzzSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:30:00 -0800

The Golden Compass opened this past weekend to the tune of $26 million, easily taking the top spot at the box office, but still disappointing New Line studio heads who'd expected more like $30-40 million. This is especially frustrating given the $180 million it took to make the film.

Enchanted followed behind The Golden Compass in its third week in theaters, bringing in $10.7 million while This Christmas came in at No. 3. Fred Claus inched its way from sixth place to fourth this weekend, as audiences perhaps sought out more holiday-themed fare. Beowulf rounded out the top five with $4.4 million.

This upcoming weekend I predict the top films will be I Am Legend and Alvin and the Chipmunks, though it should also please many folks that Juno finally opens in more cinemas this weekend.

Photo courtesy of New Line

Sugar Bits - Enchanted Tops the Box Office Again

PopSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:35:34 -0800

Enchanted took the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row, followed by This Christmas and Beowulf. The holiday movie season will be in full swing next weekend with the release of The Golden Compass and Atonement, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top then. - BuzzSugar
Denise Richards' mother passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer. Our hearts go out to Denise and her family. - People
In an auction to benefit the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Foundation, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne sold items worth $800,000 from their former LA home, including a pair of Ozzy's skull-adorned sneakers ($2,625) and his old portable coffee mug ($1,625). Maybe we underestimated how much people still want a piece of their personal lives. - BBC
After settling his lawsuit against Kanye West just last week, Evel Knievel died Friday after struggling with ill health for years. Our thoughts are with the family of the legendary stuntman. - E! News
Ethan Hawke had appeared single but apparently he's been dating his children's former nanny for two years. At least he was courteous enough to wait until his relationship with Uma was over unlike a lot of other men. - Gatecrasher

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Box Office: Enchanted's Spell Is Long-Lasting

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

For the second weekend in a row, Enchanted hypnotized audiences, topping the box office by a long shot with $17 million. Family holiday flick This Christmas stayed strong at No. 2, though took home about half as much as Enchanted did. Beowulf followed up in third place while the new psychological thriller Awake came in at No. 4 with $6 million. Hitman just barely edged out Fred Claus for fifth place.

This weekend I'll be curious to see if The Golden Compass succeeds in drawing the masses that New Line is so desperate to see. According to Variety, the studio held sneak preview screenings this past weekend, hoping to "boost interest in the film, which has been lagging in tracking, although awareness is high." Also opening this Friday is the romantic drama Atonement, starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Sugar Bits - Linda Hogan Files for Divorce

PopSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:31:32 -0800

Hulk Hogan's wife Linda filed for divorce early last week, and although a source close to her claims she doesn't actually want to split, it sounds like the family has crumbled in the aftermath of Nick Hogan's accident. Another reality TV couple bites the dust. - The St. Petersburg Times
Enchanted took the top spot at the box office over the weekend, followed by This Christmas and Beowulf. As usual, family-friendly fare rules during the holiday season. - BuzzSugar
EW released their list of the year's top 25 entertainers with J. K. Rowling topping the list, followed by Valedictorians including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, The Sopranos, and Will Smith. Let the year-end list making begin! - Entertainment Weekly
Superman star Brandon Routh married his longtime girlfriend Courtney Ford on Saturday. Congrats to the super couple! - ET Online
Jaime King married director Kyle Newman on Friday, who she met on the set of his movie Fanboys. Big weekend for celebrity weddings! - People
Negotiations between striking Broadway stagehands and producers have resumed, with both sides agreeing to a twelve hour break today in the process of agreeing on a fair labor deal. With the Hollywood Writers Guild back in negotiations today as well, things are finally looking up for all these strikes. - AP

Source

Box Office: Audiences Are Enchanted

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:30:00 -0800

The magic of Disney strikes again! The half-animated, half-live-action fairytale story Enchanted put a spell on the box office over the long Thanksgiving weekend, bringing in approximately $50 million over the five-day stretch. After Toy Story 2, Enchanted is the highest-grossing Disney movie to open Thanksgiving weekend.

Holiday newcomer This Christmas enjoyed an impressive opening in second place while Beowulf held steady at No. 3. The video game-inspired action flick Hitman opened at No. 4 and the animated Bee Movie continued to "bee" successful at No. 5. Meanwhile, The Coen Bros.' No Country for Old Men just barely edged out Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium for the No. 10 spot.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Christmas Comes Early to London With Premiere and Lights

PopSugarUK — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:08:23 -0800

Stars of A Christmas Carol Jim Carrey, Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins literally lit up London last night at the world premiere of the film, which they combined with turning on the capital's Christmas lights! They were joined by Jenny McCarthy in a Holiday season appropriate red coat, as well as The Saturdays and The X Factor contestants, who were more popular than the film stars! Olly Murs, Joe McElderry, Danyl Johnson, Jamie Archer, Lloyd Daniels and John and Edward Grimes looked smart in their suits, while Stacey Solomon and Lucie Jones looked lovely in their frocks: FabUK has the lowdown on how to copy Lucie's style.

Jim Carrey also switched on Oxford Street's Christmas lights with Jason Donovan, and Peter Andre, The Saturdays and Taio Cruz performed for the crowds. Over at Regent Street, Colin Firth turned on the lights while Oliver!'s Jodie Pregner, the Noisettes and Daniel Merriweather took to the stage. Bob Hoskins did the honours over at St Paul's Cathedral, and was joined on stage by Little Boots, Faryl Smith and Spandau Ballet. Andrea Bocelli then led crowds to try to break the record for the world's biggest carol singing event. What a fun evening! Check out more pictures of the premiere and the lights plus the trailer for the festive film after the jump.

To see the trailer for the movie plus LOADS more pictures from the premiere and lights switch on, including Taio Cruz, Daniel Merriweather, Andrea Bocelli, Shingai Shoniwa, Jodie Pregner, Spandau Ballet, Joe Calzaghe, Kristina Rihanoff, Phil Tufnell, Konnie Huq, Livia Giuggioli, Nicola McLean, Chantelle Houghton and Faryl Smith, just read more.

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Images include: Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, Joseph McElderry, Lucie Jones, Danyl Johnson, Jamie Archer, Lloyd Daniels, John Grimes, Edward Grimes, Peter Andre, Jason Donovan, The Saturdays, Taio Cruz, Daniel Merriweather, Andrea Bocelli, Shingai Shoniwa, Jodie Pregner, Bob Hoskins, Spandau Ballet, Faryl Smith, Joe Calzaghe, Kristina Rihanoff, Phil Tufnell, Konnie Huq, Little Boots, Nicola McLean, Chantelle Houghton, Livia Giuggioli, Faryl Smith

Box Office: Audiences Get in the Spirit With A Christmas Carol

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Disney received an early present this year: The revamped version of the classic tale A Christmas Carol took the top spot at the box office in its opening weekend with $31 million. While that figure is on the low end of studio estimates for the film, insiders hope that it will continue to gain more movie-goers as we near the holidays. Following behind at No. 2 was last weekend's box office champ, Michael Jackson's This Is It, with $14 million.

Rounding out the rest of the top five were two more new releases - The Men Who Stare at Goats came in third with $13.3 million, and Milla Jovovich's The Fourth Kind took fourth place with $12.5 million. Fan favorite Paranormal Activity slipped to No. 5 with $8.6 million.

The small success story of the weekend was Precious, which raked in $1.8 million despite only opening in 18 theaters. Expect to see it climb up the box office chart next week as it expands into more cities.

Disney's A Christmas Carol: A Fun New Spin on an Old Favorite

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 -0800

Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol is, quite literally, a tale as old as time. Hollywood has already turned the novel into countless films, so how do you keep it fresh to entertain old and young audiences alike? You give them a pair of 3-D glasses.

I was a bit skeptical about Disney's newest remake of the flick, even with the super stylized animation and all-star cast behind the voices. But once you put on those glasses, you'll be oohing and aahing right along with the kids, making the film a fun ride. It doesn't tug on the heartstrings the way other versions can, but it's not devoid of emotion either. To see what I mean, just read more.

Robert Zemeckis brings the story we already know and love; old Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Jim Carrey) defines miserly and crotchety, spending his days counting his pennies and bitterly snapping at those around him. On one particularly Christmas Eve, he his haunted by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley. Sporting chains and a ghastly demeanor, Marley warns Scrooge that he will suffer the same miserable fate if he doesn't take heed of three spirits who will visit him over the course of the night.

The film stays very true to Dickens's short novel, borrowing much of the text straight from the book and incorporating some of the darker elements that I hadn't seen before in versions designed for kids. That said, I still feel like some of the scenes waver on the side of being too scary. Marley's introduction with the chains is frightening but funny, whereas the progression of the ghost of Christmas present to the ghost of Christmas future (complete with full decay from giant to skeleton) probably would have given me nightmares when I was younger.

The special effects are all you could want and more; the 3-D pulls you right in, carrying you along with Scrooge as he flies overhead in his nightgown (and later spits in your face). You're in the midst of Victorian England at Christmas time, from the snowstorms to the festive music. It's dazzling - until you hit the emotional stuff.

The tale is one with a great big heart, but the actors can only go so far using their voices alone. In the most sentimental scenes, I found myself just wishing I could see the big name actors (which includes Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Robin Wright Penn) gazing into each other's eyes pointedly. Instead, it feels a bit like watching two mannequins standing face to face. Still, you're never bored for long, and there's always another thrill waiting at every turn.

In the end, Disney accomplishes its goal, producing a film that looks amazing and will entertain kids and adults alike. It may not be the best version of the tale to date, but it will leave you feeling plenty merry on your way out of the theater.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Watch, Pass or Rent Movie Reviews: Precious, A Christmas Carol, The Box and The Men Who Stare at Goats!

BuzzSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:00:24 -0800

We have an exciting new weekend video feature - our PopSugar Rush Watch, Pass or Rent Movie Reviews! This week we're giving you the bottom line on Precious, The Box, A Christmas Carol and The Men Who Stare at Goats. Check it out now and let us know what you think in the comments!