PopSugar

Grey Gardens: Appropriately Bleak, Yet Illuminating

BuzzSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:30:30 -0700

It takes serious moxie to make a feature film from an excellent documentary, especially one as cultishly beloved as Grey Gardens. But, hey, it worked for Milk, and dare I say, it works for the new HBO movie, premiering this Saturday night and starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange.

Like the 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles, this Grey Gardens zooms in on "Big Edie" (Lange) and "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale (Barrymore), aunt and first cousin to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The story follows the pair from their flossy socialite (if emotionally unstable) beginnings to the bizarre codepedence of little Edie's adults years, spent living with her mother in their decaying Hamptons mansion, surrounded by diseased cats, feral raccoons, and armoire-size mounds of filth.

The making of the documentary is a plot point in HBO's rendition, so die-hard fans will appreciate the movie's ability to illuminate the once dark and murky parts of the Beales' story. For what I thought, read more.

Speaking of die-hard fans, I suspect Barrymore is one of them: she turns out an eerily accurate portrayal of Little Edie that is authentic, disarming, and far from impersonation. At times, I forgot it was Barrymore, which is something I've never thought before about her acting. Her face perfectly conveys Edie's flightiness and fear, as she feels obliged to stay with her mother yet lacks the wherewithal to live another life.

Like the documentary, Grey Gardens succeeds by not being strictly linear, flashing backward and forward to form the story's beginning, middle, and end. As Big Edie's husband leaves and the meager allowance runs dries, Little Edie's shaky big city dreams are dashed; on the night she returns, her mother's first question is, "Did you get the cat food?"

In Jackie O. accents, the movie answers a question asked by anyone who has seen the documentary: how did it get this bad? Watching the HBO movie, we learn that it got even worse before their famous cousin (portrayed in a cameo by Jeanne Tripplehorn) bails the Beales out. Unfortunately, but perhaps expectedly, the updated film can't match the raw masterpiece of the original. In its musical score and its vision, Grey Gardens lacks the artfulness of its source. To see this movie without also seeing the documentary would be like not reading Lolita because you already saw the movie. Both offer very different interpretations and, taken together, they form a fascinating biography.

Photos courtesy of HBO

This Weekend: The Cutting Edge 1, 2, and 3 (Yes, 3!)

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:30:37 -0700

"Toooooe piiiiiick!"

If that still ranks among your all-time favorite movie quotes, then you might be interested to know that The Cutting Edge franchise is basically taking over ABC Family this weekend. The reason: the premiere of the third (yup, third) movie in the series, The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream, which airs Sunday night.

By now, you know the basic story. This time, it's hot skating bachelor Zack Conroy (Matt Lanter) who brings a hockey player Alejandra "Alex" Delgado (Francia Raisa) into the figure-skating fold after his former partner - and, naturally, ex-girlfriend - breaks her leg. I assume gold medals and whiffs of romance ensue. Oh, and their coach this time is none other than Jackie Dorsey (Christy Carlson Romano), star of The Cutting Edge 2 and the daughter of the couple from the first Cutting Edge. Way to keep it in the family!

Like all Cutting Edge movies, I'm expecting the third installment to be awesomely over-the-top. The original airs tonight at 8 p.m. EDT and PDT, with The Cutting Edge 2 following at 8 p.m. Saturday. They'll also air back-to-back starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, leading into the premiere of The Cutting Edge 3 at 8 p.m.

I've got the trailer for the new movie, plus clips from the previous two for old time's sake, if you just read more.

The Cutting Edge 3:

The Cutting Edge 2:

The original:

Source

Missing Hikers Hold Out Hope For TV Movie

GiggleSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:18:40 -0700

The Onion's parodies are funniest when they come dangerously close to the truth, like this "news" story about four stranded hikers who we can only hope make it out alive - to see the made-for-TV movie they'll surely inspire. As the reporter breathlessly considers the possibility of casting Christian Bale, a future of insta-TV-movies doesn't seem too far off.

Link Time! New Moon Breaks Midnight Sales Records

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:38 -0800

New Moon tops Harry Potter and The Dark Knight for its midnight showing ticket sales - PopSugar
Is Taylor Kitsch taking an early departure from Friday Night Lights? - Ausiello Files
Top 10 star-crossed lovers in film - Rotten Tomatoes
30 Rock's Judah Friedlander talks about his hat collection and his plans to save NBC - TV.com
Steven Spielberg and Stephen King team up to frighten the bejesus out of us with Under the Dome - MTV Movies Blog
Vampire Weekend debut their new video for "Cousins" - Stereogum
Jason Segel sings about how he wants to give you his phone number - and bed you - TresSugar
Imogen Heap writes songs for Zach Braff - Spinner

Link Time! ABC Pulls the Plug on Kelsey Grammer's Hank

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:30:57 -0800

It's just no Frasier: ABC cancels Hank - Ausiello Files
In a quick turn of events, Steven Tyler announces that he is not quitting Aerosmith - E! Online
Did you watch The City last night? Test your knowledge with this tech quiz - GeekSugar
Celebrate Veterans Day with these classic war movies! - MTV Movies Blog
The Tony Awards better get ready: Denzel Washington is coming to Broadway in a revival of August Wilson's Fences - Culture Monster
Winona Ryder signs on as the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie. - Movieline
Check out this list of John Cusack's 10 best movies - Rotten Tomatoes
Get to know the actress behind Anna on TV's V - TV.com

Link Time! Taylor Swift Wins Entertainer of the Year at the CMAs

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:30:31 -0800

Taylor Swift is the youngest person ever to take the big CMAs prize - Watching TV
Where are all the women writers in late-night? - New York Times
Get to know the new guy on 30 Rock - Marc Malkin
Dawson's Creek scribe Kevin Williamson is working on a redo of The Bedroom Window - MTV Movies Blog
Harvey Keitel joins the cast of Little Fockers - ComingSoon
Sesame Street's five biggest controversies - TV Squad
Fright Night is getting a remake and the woman from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is behind it - Cinematical
Bill Clinton shares his thoughts on the ladies of Mad Men - TresSugar
Minnie Driver to guest star on Modern Family - Ausiello Files

Buzz-Worthy Video of the Day: My Super Psycho Sweet 16

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:30:58 -0700

Has watching an episode of My Super Sweet 16 ever left you filled with rage? If so, you're about to get your payoff in the form of MTV's made-for-TV horror/satire of its reality series, My Super Psycho Sweet 16.

The trailer promises a plot and deaths that will be delightfully cheesy . . . and somewhat gratifying. Come on, you know you always wanted to see one of those brats get her head lopped off.

To see the show's trailer, just read more.

Link Time! New Moon Director Chris Weitz Has a New Project

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0800

New Moon director Chris Weitz reveals his next film, titled The Gardener - Cinematical
Who was the most over-the-top on the AMAs stage? - PopSugar
ABC halts Cougar Town due to a "private family matter" for Courteney Cox - HitFix
Here's a sneak peek at the final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 - People
Taking a page from Kevin James's resume, TLC is doing a new show about mall cops - TV Squad
Behind the scenes of Avatar - Rotten Tomatoes
Will the Grammys let Lady Gaga compete for Best New Artist? Pretty, pretty please! - Rock & Roll Daily
What's really based on true life and what was just made up in The Blind Side - Moviefone
Parks and Recreation's Aziz Ansari on his favorite music growing up - Pitchfork
Kat Dennings joins the Thor cast - MTV Splash Page
The top five turkeys on TV - as in failures, not the bird - The TV Addict
Heroes stars reveal what they're thankful for this year - TV.com

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700

ABC adds Benjamin Bratt to its Modern Family - TV Squad

Like Roxie's bedroom on Eastwick? Here's how to get the look - CasaSugar

Jordin Sparks covers Katy Perry's Hot 'N' Cold - HitFix

Tommy Lee Jones joins Matthew McConaughey for Lincoln Lawyer - MTV Movies Blog

The new Bachelor is announced! [drumroll] He's last season's reject, Jake - PopWatch

SNL dish: Tracy Morgan has fighting words for his former costars - Defamer

Amy Poehler talks about Parks and Recreation and her knife-fight with New Kids on the Block - TV.com

Exclusive photo of Gavin Rossdale on Criminal Minds - Watch With Kristin

Rashida Jones's graphic novel is being made into a film! - Cinema Blend

Shannen Doherty's new Hallmark movie = awesome -The Futon Critic

Join the BuzzSugar Community!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:30:00 -0700

I've given you guys tons of Halloween stuff to get you in the spirit, but if you're the kind of person who enjoys scary movies or TV shows all year 'round, check out the BuzzSugar Community. It's full of groups devoted to spooky entertainment offerings like these guys.

Ghost Whisperer Fans	Twilight the Saga	Vampire.Witch.Halloween.enthusiast
Hooked on Vampire Diaries	The Friday Night Horror Club	True Blood Southern Vampire Series