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2009 Sundance Spotlight: Brooklyn's Finest, The Informers, 500 Days of Summer

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:30:39 -0800

While I won't be heading down to the 2009 Sundance Film Festival this year, I will be sorting through the humongous pile of festival entries to share with you some of the films I think look most promising. From quirky documentaries to talented young filmmaker debuts to a potential runaway hit, Sundance is filled with entertainment possibilities. Here are today's selections:

Brooklyn's Finest
Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), Brooklyn's Finest just became this year's first sale at Sundance. Apparently "Senator Distribution nabbed North American rights . . . on Saturday night, 24 hours after its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. . . Senator says it will release the film in the fourth quarter for awards consideration." According to Senator president Mark Urman, the company "went into aggressive pursuit right after Friday's screening." Wow! All of this spells good things for the cop drama which features a stellar cast (Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin). The plot is described as: "Three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location after enduring vastly different career paths." The guy responsible for the screenplay has a unique and intriguing story himself (you can read about it here). No clips available just yet, but now that it's been purchased I'm sure we'll hear and see much more about this film in the future.

Two more great-looking movies, with talented folks like Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Mickey Rourke, if you read more.

The Informers
Well, the long-awaited movie adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's collection of short stories is upon us. The movie, starring a whole lot of people from the '80s and early '90s (most notably Mickey Rourke, continuing his amazing career comeback) is about LA in the '80s in all its beautiful, indulgent, moral-decaying glory. The Informers also includes Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Billy Bob Thornton, Chris Isaak, and the late Brad Renfro (his final role). I have mixed feelings about this movie, but then again, any trailer that includes a song by A Flock of Seagulls deserves a chance in my book.

FYI: The trailer for The Informers below is not suitable for work due to some topless ladies. Proceed with caution:

500 Days of Summer
Oh, man. Could these two be cuter together? I think not. I was so excited when this casting news first came out and I'm even more thrilled that the movie's premiering at Sundance (to not-bad reviews so far) and has a release date (July 24) and now has a super cute teaser trailer (see below!). At first glance, the movie's description sounds like a little tale of unrequited love (boy loves girl, girl doesn't believe in love) but here's the part that got me really curious: "energized by dance numbers, split screens, and two dynamic performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel." Dance numbers? Why not?! Check out the trailer below and for additional clips, click here.

Photos courtesy of Sundance

Sugar Bits - Wesley Snipes Is Not Going to Jail Just Yet

PopSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:31:36 -0700

After being sentenced to three years in jail, Wesley Snipes was granted bail yesterday in his tax evasion case until his appeal goes through. - TMZ
Despite false rumors, Usher and his wife Tameka Foster are still happily married and deny reports of a separation. - Us Weekly
Rappers Kanye West, Method Man, Redman, and their record labels are being sued by Joe Farrell's daughter Kathleen Firrantello for their use of Farrell's music in their songs. She is seeking $1 million in punitive damages. - Reuters
Madonna will show her documentary I Am Because We Are at Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival on August 2. - AP
Oprah has started a 21-day detox plan that involves cutting meat, caffeine, sugar, gluten, and alcohol from her diet, and she will be blogging about her experiences and providing recipes. - Oprah
Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen are at it again. The couple are publicly feuding just in time for her new E! show to premiere. - Page Six

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Buzz News Roundup, 4/25

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:30:13 -0700

It's been rumored for more than a year, but now it's nearly official: NBC has plans to announce that Jimmy Fallon will take over for Conan O'Brien in 2009, Reuters reports.
Speaking of confirmed rumors, Guillermo del Toro will officially direct The Hobbit and its sequel, Zap2it reports.
Alyssa Milano and Nathan Fillion are in talks to star in pilots for ABC, writes the Hollywood Reporter. Milano's is a comedy about a dysfunctional family, and Fillion's is a drama about a mystery novelist who works with the NYPD.
ComingSoon has news that Ewan McGregor is in talks to join the Da Vinci Code prequel Angels and Demons.
Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion, the Associated Press reports.
The Lachey family now has two reality-TV hosts: Nick Lachey will host ABC's High School Musical series this Summer, Variety reports.
First Jordin Sparks left the Alicia Keys tour; now, Keys herself had to cancel some tour dates, though she should be back this weekend, E! reports.
JJ Abrams and his company will produce a comedy film called Hot for Teacher, whose plot is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, writes the Hollywood Reporter.

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Sugar Bits - Wesley Snipes Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

PopSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:13:32 -0700

Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday after being convicted of evading $2.7 million in taxes, despite his efforts to avoid jail by writing the government three checks for $5 million. - AP
Shia LaBeouf avoided jail time for his unlawful smoking charge yesterday. The court fined him only $500. - People
Amy Winehouse was arrested today in London on suspicion of assault after she allegedly headbutted a man on Tuesday night. - TMZ
Nick Lachey will host a High School Musical- inspired reality show this summer for contestants aged 16 to 22, called High School Musical: Summer Session. - Us Weekly
A former co-star is suing Michael Douglas for apparently never paying a promised $1 million bonus for a joint business venture that fell through. - TMZ

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Wesley Snipes Sentenced To Three Years In Jail

PopSugarUK — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:08:46 -0700

Blade star Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to three years in prison for his three convictions for tax evasion.

In February Wesley was convicted for not filing tax returns in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and he has received the maximum sentence – a year in prison for each – despite his lawyers calling for leniency, saying the star was of good character.

Fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington were among those who have sent character references to be considered in the case. Wesley was cleared of fraud and conspiracy charges at the beginning of February.

Prosecutors claimed that the actor owes $41million in taxes, of which he paid $5million at the sentencing as a "gesture of goodwill". Wesley's defence puts the figure at $227,959.

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Sugar Bits - Madonna, Celine and Camilla Are Family

PopSugarUK — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:15:16 -0700

Madonna, Celine Dion and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall share a family connection - they are all descendants of French carpenter Zacharie Cloutier. – The Press Association
US prosecutors have recommended Wesley Snipes should spend three years in prison and be fined £2.5million ($5m) for tax evasion. – BBC
Naomi Campbell's offer to give blood at a Rio de Janeiro blood donor centre was rejected, because she had surgery to remove a cyst in February. – Reuters
21 has gone straight in at number one at the UK and Ireland box office, but Leatherheads only managed the number six spot. – BBC
It is being reported that Pete Doherty is injecting himself with heroin whilst in prison, even though doctors are giving him methadone. – The Sun

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Denzel and Oprah Bring Out Great Debaters

Molly — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:03:50 -0800

While Denzel Washington's date to his LA premiere of The Great Debaters was his wife, he spent much of his red carpet time on the arm of one Oprah Winfrey. Also in the house were Samuel L. Jackson, his Kangol hat, and Jennifer Hudson, among others. After a long weekend of stumping for Barack Obama, Oprah traded in her pants suit for a leather skirt to support her friend and chat on the red carpet. Of course, she was asked about life on the campaign trail but also about the controversy surrounding her school in South Africa. She said, "I think that all crisis is there to teach you about your life," The biggest lesson learned: "You have to be far more careful in choosing people to stand in the gap for you. You have to stay on it. . . .The school is going to be better because that happened . . . We're going to come back and have best year ever!"

To see more from the premiere including Vanessa Williams, Jack Coleman, Tia Mowry, Wesley Snipes, and others just read more

View 40 Photos ›

Images include Denzel Washington, Paulette Washington, LaTanya Richardson, Samuel L. Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Holly Robinson-Peete, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Gayle King, Jack Coleman, Jurnee Smollett, Buzz Aldrin, Kimberly Elise, Ryan Carnes, Beth Toussaint Coleman, Niecy Nash, Tia Mowry, Ashley Benson, Gina Ravera, Tyler Perry, Alana Curry, Wesley Snipes, Rodney Peete.

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Sugar Bits - Wesley Snipes Arrested

PopSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:54:24 -0800

Wesley Snipes has been arrested and taken into custody on tax fraud charges. Boring, isn't it. - TMZ
Lou Diamond Phillips pleaded no contest to charges of domestic battery against his live-in girlfriend on Thursday. He was sentenced to counseling and and 200 hours of community service. That's it? - People
Actress Jordana Brewster (The Fast and the Furious) is engaged to producer Andrew Form. Congrats to the happy couple! - US Weekly
Steven Spielberg is teaming up with Stephen King for a small screen adaptation of the latter's The Talisman that will air on TNT. Can't miss this one! - Eonline
Mandy Moore has evidently forgiven ex Wilmer Valderrama for bragging about taking her virginity on Howard Stern earlier this year. Don't think we would have let him off so easy. - Page Six

Sugar Bits - Bob Barker Retires

PopSugar — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 10:14:25 -0800

Bob Barker is retiring from The Price is Right after 50 years in television. I'm sure he has a great pension plan. - AP
Is Anna Nicole dying her baby's hair to look more like Howard K Stern's? This whole baby mystery thing is getting us sick. - US Weekly
Now the Cambodian charity that Angelina accused of misappropriating her donation funds is threatening to sue. So much for the gift of giving back. - Reuters
Ivana Trump's friends are worried. Her drinking is evidently so out of control she had to be carried out of Barbara Davis' Carousel Ball on Saturday. Yikes! - Page Six
Barbara Streisand had a drink thrown at her on Monday night after performing her now infamous Bush skit during her concert. Maybe the guy thought she was thirsty. - AP

Sugar Bits - ABC approves of sibling rivalry

PopSugar — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:24:06 -0700

Brothers and Sisters has been picked up for a full season by ABC. Now if only ABC would change the show slightly to include a little less Calista and a lot more Balthazar - AP
Wesley Snipes is being indicted for tax fraud. The actor evidently hasn't filed a tax return in over 6 years and owes the government over $12 million. Sounds like he's going to be filing this year's tax return from behind bars. - NY Daily News
A video has surfaced of Anna Nicole Smith popping pills at a 1994 family Christmas party. Maybe she was just taking her daily dose of Trim Spa. - TMZ
Rapper Fabolous was shot in the leg and then subsequently arrested Tuesday in New York. He is in stable condition, and the shooter(s) have not been found. Sounds like a not so fabulous week - People
Diddy may not be ready to marry but he does say the mother of his unborn twins is the one - Just do it Diddy -US Weekly