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The Blind Side: An Unexpected Delight

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:42 -0800

It's not that the trailer for The Blind Side isn't compelling; the problem is that it combines Sandra Bullock's twangiest, most-over-the top lines with a heartrending song, which makes it seem schlocky. That's exactly what I expected from the movie, but I have to admit that I was wrong - to my surprise, I found it to be a sentimental gem that's actually quite restrained.

The Blind Side is the true story (based on Michael Lewis's book) of NFL player Michael Oher, who grew up in Memphis's projects with his drug-addicted mother and landed in and out of foster homes. He ended up in a fancy private school and in the home of a wealthy family, the Touhys, led by tough-talking Leigh Anne (Bullock). The weaving of Michael's newfound life in the movie is effective, with sweet bits of humor and just enough emotion.

To see what I liked about the film, just read more.

The movie is full of many surprises: first, it looks like it's going to be mainly about football, but it's not all sports. There is proper attention given to Michael's life before he's taken in and the development of the relationships between the Touhy family members and Michael.

Another nice thing is how smoothly Bullock slides into her role. It's not just her wardrobe and hair that transforms her into the high-maintenance Southern matriarch; her manner as the tough mom who's not completely comfortable showing emotion is very natural - not what I'd expect from the laid-back actress.

Quinton Aaron is also impressive as a sad-eyed orphan turned well-adjusted student and son over the course of the movie. It's not an incredibly complex performance, but his teddy bear presence is irresistible. The supporting players are equally as enjoyable: Tim McGraw, whom I didn't expect much from, is charming, while the Touhy children win you over with their affection for their new brother. The late addition of Kathy Bates (whose role is basically an extended cameo) is hardly needed to bolster the movie, but she adds a nice touch as well.

At two hours and six minutes, the movie is a little too long; director John Lee Hancock seemed intent on fitting in nearly every detail of Michael's journey. Then again, at the end you're rewarded with the payoff: footage and photos of the real-life Touhys and Michael. It's an emotionally satisfying ending to a movie that makes no apologies for being so uplifting.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Fantastic Mr. Fox: Lives Up to Its Title

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

For the past five years, Wes Anderson's wide fan base has been waiting for his first fully animated film. Would his adaption of Roald Dahl's children's book, Fantastic Mr. Fox appease the same crowd that holds Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums near and dear to their hearts? The answer is an emphatic yes, and the best news is that you don't even have to enjoy Anderson's other work to fall in love with this film.

The story follows the wily Mr. Fox, a professional robber turned family man (er, fox) who just isn't satisfied with his quiet life working as a newspaper columnist. Even a move to prime real estate isn't enough to satiate his appetite for a little trouble making, and Mr. Fox (or "Foxy" as his friends call him) decides to take on the biggest adventure of his life. That's just the tip of the iceberg though, so read more.

Mr. Fox isn't your average wild animal; in fact he's just the opposite. He lives a civilized life with his wife Felicity (Meryl Streep) and 12-year-old son, Ash, making an honest living as a newspaper columnist. Like a kid who can't sit still, Mr. Fox has trouble curbing his desires to rebel and go back to his life stealing squab and running into trouble. Against his wife's wishes, Mr. Fox convinces his dim-witted but trusty sidekick Kylie (Wally Wolodarski) to take on one last hurrah. The crime? Ripping off the three biggest (and meanest) farmers around - Boggis, Bunce and Bean. When Mr. Fox starts an all-out war, he is forced to join forces with his family, friends, and neighbors - and that's where the fun begins.

The film's brilliance lies in the fact that Fantastic Mr. Fox is a movie for grown-ups disguised as a kiddie flick. Even with Anderson's name stamped all over it, there's no denying the furry animals dressed as humans. The animation makes the plot play out like a story book come to life; we're taken deep into the fox hole and beyond in a world that looks like a dollhouse made for fuzzy creatures. Kids will love the adventure and the colors, but the witty dialogue and quirky characters are made for the grown-ups.

The movie features a crew of lovable characters who deliver hilarious one-liners when they aren't breaking into impromptu dances. There's nothing new about a movie featuring animals acting like humans, but the actors make the movie the gem that it is. Jason Schwartzman playing a crabby 12-year-old but using his regular deep voice is genius. Clooney and Bill Murray (as badger, Mr. Fox's lawyer) bantering back and forth but replacing swears with the word "cuss" never gets old (as in "This place is a cluster cuss" and "What the cuss is wrong with you?").

Rare is the animated film with this much wit, cleverness, and chemistry between characters, but Fantastic Mr. Fox hits it right on the head. Score one more for Mr. Anderson.

(Don't forget that if you see a movie that you'd like to review, you can post your write-up in the Movie Review Group in Community - I may even post it here on the site!)

Brad Opens Up About His Inglourious Motorcycle Moment

PopSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:30:26 -0800

Brad Pitt arrived in Tokyo yesterday, and this morning he was up for an Inglourious Basterds press conference alongside Quentin Tarantino and costars Melanie Laurent and Julie Dreyfus. They're all there to promote the movie before its release in Japan, and the stars sat down to independently field a few questions. Brad opened up about his work in the film, as well as his recent motorcycle troubles and his plans to expand his bike collection. Here's more:

On his recent motorcycle accident: "I had a little mishap. No injuries, except my ego. I was trying to get away from some paparazzi and instead gave them a good story. It was my favorite bike, so that is really sad."
On replacing his damaged bike: "I will definitely be looking at motorcycles [while in Japan]. You've got some of the best builders right here."
On landing the role in Quentin's film: "We had heard about this script for about eight years before it came my way, so it had taken on a mythical dimension. I was doubly flattered because Quentin originally wrote the part for himself."

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SYTYCD's Brandon and Ariana Talk About Being Cut First

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:30:15 -0700

This week's ousted dancers from So You Think You Can Dance were the first to go since the top 20 were selected. Brandon Dumlao and Ariana Dubose got on the phone with a few reporters this morning, including me, to chat about how they feel after last night's elimination.

Brandon

On the timeline of replacing Billy Bell: I got the call on Friday at 11 in the morning and they told me that I was able to replace another dancer, and it was Billy, in this case. I got on a plane two hours later, it was an hour flight, I landed, got picked up, I went to the studio, found out Pauline was my partner in front of everyone, and then we went straight to rehearsal for Smooth Waltz with Jason Gilkisen. It was such a whirlwind; it was really crazy, but it was such an amazing experience.
On Russell being in the bottom with him: I was so surprised because Russell is of course a fan favorite, and I’m sure the judges love him too. When he was announced, I kind of knew in a way that I might have been going home, because he is amazing and this cast is amazing. Billy - his were such big shoes to fill that I felt it was unfair to take another guy’s spot. I was happy the way it turned out, because I didn’t think it was unfair for me to come in and take another guy’s spot.

To hear what else Brandon had to say and Ariana's thoughts on her dismissal, just read more.

On Nigel's offer of coming back for season seven: I did not expect him to say that. I really thought that that was my only chance to be in the top 20, and I wanted to make the most of it, so for him to propose that to me and let me come back for season 7, if that’s possible, that’s really crazy. Right after I got cut, I went and got into some ballroom classes and took some more hip hop. I’m ready and I’m going to keep taking classes if I can come back next season.
On whether he thinks he may have done better if he'd originally been in the top 20: I think I might have had a better chance just because the judges would have known I’d set the same standard as everyone else, because when I did the waltz they kept saying "you didn’t have enough time," "you didn’t have enough time," because they knew I’d replaced Billy. So I feel like I would have done a better job, and they would have seen I’d done a better job, and would have taken that into consideration with the results. But I’m really happy the way I did and I'm really happy the way everything turned out, because this cast is so amazing; I can’t pick who’s going to win - everyone is going to do so well.

Ariana

On her next plans and whether she'll pursue a career in L.A.: Actually, I’m more focused on New York. I want to dance on Broadway. I also sing and act, and I was singing and acting and dancing before I even auditioned for the show, so the show was just really another path for me. So I’m going to head to New York for a little bit and audition for shows and commercials and movies and just see what happens.
On rumors she could replace Noelle, who was injured this week: I have not heard from Noelle; I hope that she’s doing well. Noelle and I come from the same studio, so honestly I would probably feel a little funny about taking her place. I mean, who doesn’t want a second chance, but honestly I wouldn’t want to be eliminated again.
On her predictions for the season six winner: Honestly, it’s a crap shoot - forgive my language there. Everyone’s fantastic and I don’t think you can count anybody out; it’s going be a week-by-week thing.

Photos courtesy of Fox

Which Male Celeb Would You Want Your Baby to Resemble?

TresSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0700

A Southern California sperm bank has taken to matching its donors to the celebrities they most resemble as a way to distinguish their sperm library, if you will. So if you want your child to resemble a movie star, sports hero, or world leader, the California Cryobank just might have the genes you're looking for.

“It’s not that our donors look like celebrities," said California Cryobank’s communication manager Scott Brown, "it’s that celebrities look like our donors.” Mmm kay . . .

Bioethicists think that it's bad enough that "rigid types of beauty" already reign in culture, but now, as University of Albany professor Bonnie Steinbock says, "They're trying to create children through who the actor of the moment is." Yes, yes they are.

Whether or not you agree with Cryobank or with Professor Steinbock, just for fun, tell me which famous dude you'd want your brood to look like?

Lauren and Lo Mix Fashion and Friendship

PopSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:30:39 -0700

Lauren Conrad added to her already stylish wardrobe while shopping in LA with Lo Bosworth yesterday. The girls are getting time together despite Lauren's departure from The Hills, though it looks like LC will have to go back to the drawing board after joking that she wants Lo to star in the upcoming LA Candy movie. Bosworth has taken herself out of the running to play the part, so Lauren might be back to plan A, which was to find an unknown to take on the role of a girl skyrocketed to fame through her reality show.

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Lauren Conrad Is Halloween and Casting Call Ready

Molly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:57 -0700

Lauren Conrad looked festive for Halloween in her orange and black outfit at the Kate Somerville Skin Care Clinic and shopping in LA yesterday. Lauren spent last weekend in Miami to celebrate Lo's birthday, and apparently LC thinks her BFF might be the perfect star of the upcoming movie version of LA Candy. Conrad said about who she'd like to play the lead, "No [I don't know who should be in it]. [That's] the question I do not have an answer for. I have no idea! I feel like I'm going to shoot for someone crazy amazing, and then they're going to be like, 'Ugh, yeah, I'll do your movie.' I have to do research. We'll see, I would like Lo Bosworth. Lo has taken a couple of acting classes in her life." Back in May, when she thought her book might become a TV series, LC said she would like an unknown to play the lead, so we'll have to see who actually ends up stepping into the California blonde's shoes.

To see more of LC out and about just read more.

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Sugar Shout Out: Which October Movie Excites You Most?

PopSugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:55:47 -0700

Reese Logs Another Late Night on Set

PopSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:45:32 -0700

Reese Witherspoon was back in Philadelphia last night to film How Do You Know? with Paul Rudd. She's been hard at work on the movie for the past few months, though occasionally Jake Gyllenhaal has been around to provide some handsome distraction. Reese was able to take a few weeks off to chill in LA with her kids Ava and Deacon, who are currently being taken care of by their dad Ryan as they ease back into their school-day routine.

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Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg Cast in Facebook Movie

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:30:07 -0700

Look for some new status updates: Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg have been cast in The Social Network as the founders of Facebook.

Eisenberg has taken the role of Mark Zuckerberg, after both Shia LaBeouf and Michael Cera were rumored for it (Geek totally called it, btw!) Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield will play the two other Facebook founders; Timberlake is taking on Sean Parker (also founder of Napster), and Garfield is playing Eduardo Saverin.

I think Eisenberg is an excellent choice to play Zuckerberg - he has the right resemblance and can play awkward authentically. Timberlake is kind of a surprise here, but the mix so far of inspired casting, Aaron Sorkin producing, and David Fincher directing is making this movie quite the interesting project.