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Russell Rocks Out As Aldous In New York

PopSugarUK — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:01:21 -0700

Russell Brand invited fans to a once in a lifetime performance last week, and on Sunday it all came together as he performed at Rockefeller Plaza in character as Forgetting Sarah Marshall's Aldous Snow, soon to be the star of his own spin off Get Him To The Greek. Russell's costar Jonah Hill, who also appeared in the original movie, was also on set - their interactions were one of my highlights of the original, so I can't wait to see the finished product when it comes out in the Spring next year!

To see some photos of Russell in his Aldous velvet jacket and scarf, as well as costar Jonah Hill, just read more.

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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:30:14 -0700

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 the titles below, the Oscar-winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side is also now available on DVD.

Iron Man
Hurray! It feels like just yesterday the Summer box office was electrified by this superhero hit. I really loved it (and saw it twice in the theaters), mostly due to a super cool performance by Robert Downey Jr. and the skillful storytelling abilities of director Jon Favreau. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard also do well in this fun action movie. It's a good way to go back in time and shake off those dark, depressing blues you may have caught from your 10th viewing of The Dark Knight.

Special features include deleted and extended scenes, featurettes titled "I Am Iron Man: 7-Part Making-of Documentary," "The Invincible Iron Man: 6-Part History of the Hero," and "Wired: The Visual effects of Iron Man." Something I'm really curious to see in the extras is a Robert Downey Jr. screen test and a featurette on his acting process. More time with RDJ is always good.

Two more spiffy choices, so read more!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Another comedy from the Apatow universe to add to your at-home collection (or your Netflix queue): Forgetting Sarah Marshall, starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, and Mila Kunis in a story about a guy trying to get over his most recent ex. And this could be considered a good thing or a warning, depending on your opinion: VMA host Russell Brand is in this movie and has a ton of screen time.

The unrated version is cryptically described as including scenes "you couldn't see in theaters" which I pray does not mean more of Jason Segel's private parts. I saw plenty myself, how about you? Other special features include a gag reel and a featurette titled "Line-o-rama: Lines you'll be reciting for ages."

Sports Night: Complete Series
On days like today, I really wish Aaron Sorkin would stop fiddling around on Facebook and get back to writing really awesome TV shows. He's definitely more hit than miss on the small screen and today's release of the special anniversary edition of his acclaimed Sports Night is an example of what it's like when he's hit his stride.

If you've never heard of the show, it's loosely based on ESPN's Sports Center, and it takes a look at the behind-the-scenes dynamics. The awesome cast is led by Peter Krause and Felicity Huffman who skillfully deliver those faster-than-the-speed-of-light dialogues that Sorkin is so good at writing.

The special edition DVD set includes new interviews with Sorkin, cast members Josh Charles, Robert Guillaume, Felicity Huffman, Peter Krause, and Joshua Malina; a featurette where real SportsCenter employees compare their experiences with the characters on Sports Night; a look back with creators Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme; and of course, gag reels.

Pop A DVD In: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

PopSugarUK — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

I've seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall a handful of times now, and after each viewing I love it a little bit more - so you can be sure that I'm going to recommend this DVD (out today) highly!

I think your enjoyment of this movie will partly depend on whether you're in the camp that love Russell Brand (or are fairly indifferent), or the camp that hate him with a vengeance. I'm in the former, so his part in this film is a highlight for me - he plays English rock star Aldous Snow, the man that Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) has lost his TV star girlfriend to.

Segel was one of the most likable characters in the original Apatow-produced TV series Freaks and Geeks and he continues that tradition in this film - he's all lanky, goofy, lovable charm. He wrote the movie, and really puts himself out there both physically and emotionally. The naked break-up scene between Peter and Sarah? That actually happened to him, so he put it in the movie - full frontal shots and all!

To see more of my thoughts, as well as Russell Brand / Aldous Snow singing "Do Something", just read more.

Following the break-up, Peter heads off to Hawaii for some distance from all things that remind him of Sarah, but of course she's staying at the same resort with Aldous. But wait, there's also a cute hotel receptionist called Rachel (Mila Kunis) - could she help him out of his depression?!

Mila is adorable in her role as Rachel, it's such a departure from Jackie in That 70s Show, and Kristen Bell holds her own in the fairly unforgiving role of Sarah. Her scenes on the CSI-alike TV show that Sarah and musician Peter work on are very funny, with cameos from Alec Baldwin and Jason Bateman. Also, I can't forget Jonah Hill, who is another highlight as a waiter who's somewhat obsessed with Aldous.

As you watch the movie it looks like everyone had an awesome time making the film, and when you listen to the commentary it's so clear they had a blast. The DVD is packed with special features, of which the story-filled commentary was my main highlight, but there's also Line-O-Rama where you see the actors improvise lines different to those that made it into the final scene, and a brilliant look at Jason Segel performing his Dracula rock-opera song to the cast at an early script read-through. There's also the usual deleted and extended scenes as well as the full version of Aldous Snow and Infant Sorrow's video for "Do Something" (see below).

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a fun film, and this release is full of extras - I'd highly recommend you give it a go, it's out today.

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PopSugar UK's Must Haves For September

PopSugarUK — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:00:00 -0700

This month I'm looking forward to various acting treats. There are two big films hitting our cinema screens on 5 September, and then the excitement of live performance as a major US actor takes to the West End stage. I'm also excited for the DVD release of three movies. To see what I'll be buying a ticket for, and putting in my shopping trolley, just hit "Start".

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Russell Brand: Hot or Not?

PopSugarUK — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Russell Brand has left our shores again, and was spotted picking up a coffee in LA yesterday. Even though his film has been knocked off the number one spot in the UK box office, his acting career looks set to go from strength to strength, meaning Russell will continue to get even more well-known outside the UK. So with that in mind, I want to know what you all think of the funnyman. While twice as many of you would rather have dirty pirate sex with Russell over Pete Doherty, the majority of you did not like his red carpet look at the Forgetting Sarah Marshall premiere. So let's get this straightened out people: do you think Russell Brand is totally hot, or so not?

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Box Office: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Win the Weekend

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:30:38 -0700

It's always exciting when a comedy that's genuinely funny does well with audiences, and that was the case this weekend with the female buddy comedy Baby Mama starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

The ladies won the top spot with an estimated $18.3 million, handily beating out the other comedy opening over the weekend, Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. EW reports that while this wasn't the best movie opening for either Fey or Poehler, their film did much better than many box office watchers predicted. In fact, Baby Mama gave Universal Studios its first box office winner of the year.

The Forbidden Kingdom was No. 3 and Forgetting Sarah Marshall was right behind in the fourth spot, with both films earning approximately $11 million their second weekend out - a respectable achievement.

While Fey and company had good reason to pop the champagne, another film didn't post opening-weekend results worthy of celebration. Deception, starring Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, and Michelle Williams, "fared dismally," as Variety put it. The thriller barely beat Street Kings for the No. 10 spot, earning only $2.2 million over the weekend. I thought that the very talented cast did the best they could with poor material, but apparently that wasn't enough of a draw.

So, which movies did you check out this weekend? Did any of you see both Baby Mama and Harold and Kumar?

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If You Had To...

GiggleSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

This If You Had To is a bit of a departure from the others, because these two are actually kinda hot underneath all their crunky skank. The English have a knack for producing this "addicted pirate who is allergic to bathing" type. In one corner, I present you with Russell Brand. Apparently, he is the best thing about Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Did I mention he is a recovering heroin and sex addict? And in the other corner, Pete Doherty. (What is this dude not addicted to?) Who would you have dirty pirate sex with, if you had to. . .

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Sugar Bits – Kelly And Billy Split

PopSugarUK — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:45:00 -0700

Kelly Brook and Billy Zane have ended their four year relationship. – The Sun
Ewan McGregor has revealed he had a cancerous facial mole removed. – BBC
Contrary to popular belief, it has been revealed that Elvis Presley did visit England. – NME
Let any speculation you may have be gone, Beyonce and Jay-Z have now filed their signed marriage licence. – People
Russell Brand will be teaming up with Forgetting Sarah Marshall producer Judd Apatow for Get Him To The Greek, about a graduate insurance adjuster hired to accompany an out-of-control rock star from London to a gig at L.A.'s Greek Theatre. – Variety

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Sugar Bits - Sandra Bullock and Husband Hit by Drunk Driver

PopSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:29:32 -0700

A car carrying Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James was involved in a head-on collision with a drunken driver on Friday night in Gloucester, Mass., where Sandra has been filming The Proposal. Fortunately, no one was injured. - AP
Justin Timberlake and John Mayer were among those who were there to help support Cameron Diaz at a memorial service for her late father on Sunday in Seal Beach, CA. - People
Check out the winners of the 2008 BAFTA Television Awards. - PopSugarUK
Forbidden Kingdom took the top spot at the weekend box office, followed by Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Prom Night. - BuzzSugar
Sister, Sister star Tia Mowry married actor Cory Hardrict yesterday in Santa Barbara, CA. -People
NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning married his longtime girlfriend Abby McGrew on Saturday in Mexico. - NY Daily News
Incarcerated Pete Doherty has apparently been kicked out of his house after the property's landlord found it in a deteriorating state. - The Sun

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Box Office: Forbidden Kingdom Kicks the Competition

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:30:28 -0700

Forbidden Kingdom gave kung fu fans the match up of their dreams, pairing up martial arts screen giants Jackie Chan and Jet Li for the first time. Together the two stars proved to be a formidable force at the box office, earning the top spot over the weekend with an estimated $20.9 million. Forgetting Sarah Marshall came in second place, earning $17 million.

Variety reports that while this opening represents a vast improvement over recent Apatow films like Drillbit Taylor and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, it still wasn't a return to the box office glory of his mega-hits like Superbad, Knocked-Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Prom Night continued to do well, coming in at No. 3 followed by the weekend opener starring Al Pacino, 88 Minutes which only took in $6.8 million. Nim's Island rounded out the top five followed by 21, Street Kings, and Horton Hears a Who. In the ninth spot was the Ben Stein documentary about intelligent design, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate