The stars of TV and film wrapped up their vacations and returned to work on the set of their many projects this week. New mom Penelope Cruz stepped in front of the camera for Woody Allen's Roman adventure Bop Decameron while Mark Wahlberg continued shooting Ted in his hometown of Boston. Elizabeth Hurley joined the cast of Gossip Girl on location in NYC and Jessica Biel looked the part of a badass chick on the Toronto set of Total Recall - click through to see who else was on set!
After a year-long hiatus, Breaking Bad finally returns to AMC tomorrow night for its fourth season. Though the drama series has a strong fan base and tons of critical acclaim, it's not exactly the most-watched show on television. I'll admit that I haven't been on board since the beginning, but once I gave it a chance, I was totally hooked. For that reason, I'm pleading my case for why I think you all should take the opportunity to get into the show.
It's more than just a depressing series. Many people shy away from Breaking Bad's somber premise: a cancer-stricken man turns to drug dealing to help provide for his family before he dies. It's true that the show has its fair share of darkness, but it's a lot more than gut-wrenching sadness week after week. For one thing, there's an unexpected amount of humor on Breaking Bad, particularly in the unlikely relationship between Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse (Aaron Paul).
It's not like any other show you're watching right now. I got sucked into Breaking Bad because it was such a novel premise. Sure, on paper it might sound a teeny bit like Weeds, but with so much more heart. The drama series isn't simply about a man with cancer; it isn't simply about dealing drugs; it's about a man struggling with his his own mortality and morals, and in turn, about his relationships with those around him.
It's got Emmy love in spades. Though Breaking Bad's long hiatus has made it ineligible to be nominated for the 2011 Emmys, the show has already earned a whole sackful of accolades. Aaron Paul won his first trophy last year, and Bryan Cranston is undefeated for his work on the show, taking home the gold for outstanding lead actor in a drama three times in a row.
There's nothing else to watch! The hot Summer months are filled with guilty pleasures like The Bachelorette, Jersey Shore, and True Blood, but just because school's out doesn't mean your brain needs to take a vacation, too. Breaking Bad's gripping drama will be a welcome reprieve from all of that mindless scandal - and let's face it, it's not like your DVR is clogged with tons of other stuff right now.
8:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (repeat)
9:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (repeat)
10:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)
11:30 Saturday Night Live (repeat, with guests Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga)
More to watch when you read more.
8:00 Monsters, Inc
10:00 Matilda
8:00 The Mummy
11:00 Constantine
8:00 Pretty Woman
8:45 The 40-Year-Old Virgin
11:00 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
The posters for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 have been warning us that "It All Ends," and now the time has sadly come. Whether you've already seen the final installment or are gearing up to check it out this weekend, first let's reminisce about all the good times we've had with the movies and books over the years.
The last Harry Potter movie has our editors getting sentimental about the series. From the magical world to the hot romances, check out what we'll miss most about the film franchise!
Harry Potter isn't the only thing that's ending; Friday Night Lights is on its way out too, with its series finale airing tonight on NBC. Poetically, it finally nabbed that Emmy nomination for best drama series this week, but what I think is more meaningful is how passionate viewers of the show are. FNL's fan base is a devoted one, so to send the show off, I want to hear from you guys: what are your favorite moments and memories from Friday Night Lights?
An A to Z Refresher Guide to Breaking BadBreaking Bad returns to AMC this Sunday. Whether you've been a die-hard fan for the first three seasons or are a newcomer to the series about a chemistry teacher turned meth dealer, the folks at Aol TV have broken down the series in a handy A to Z guide, including major plot points and character backgrounds. Warning: spoilers ahead!
NBC's Fall lineup has a ton of comedy, but there is also an equal measure of drama, including a remake of the British series Prime Suspect. Maria Bello stars as Jane Timoney, a tough detective in New York City. Unfortunately, she's not just up against some seriously sick perps; she's the only woman in her division, and the men around her won't let her forget it. Jane has to prove herself while also maintaining some semblance of a personal life.
Where it works: Bello has perfected the badass woman bit, and she turns in a strong performance here. It's a good thing, too, since the role was originated by Helen Mirren in the British version, and comparisons are inevitable.
Where it doesn't: The show doesn't bring anything new to the detective procedural game. It has some cache since it's the remake of an acclaimed show, but that may not mean anything to viewers who aren't familiar with the original.
You might like this show if: You're a crime-show junkie and constantly watch reruns of Law & Order.
When it's on: Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.
To see a preview and some pictures of Prime Suspect, just read more.
Apparently Warner Bros. has spent "the past five months searching for the actor to play Hal Jordan, the hot-shot Air Force pilot who is chosen by a dying alien to be his successor in an intergalactic police force known as the Green Lanterns." Now the list has shortened to three names: Bradley Cooper, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Timberlake.
The director, one of the producers and the studio each have a different favorite among the three, and they're having a difficult time coming to an agreement. Budget may be another consideration, as Green Lantern will reportedly be "a full-blown space epic that is expected to cost between $150 million and $200 million."
Ryan Reynolds has proven he can play a comic book character; do you think Bradley Cooper or Justin Timberlake could also do well with this kind of role? Who should be cast as the Green Lantern?
Win a trip for two to the live season five finale of So You Think You Can Dance on FOX! Get a chance to see the performers up close and be there as they crown the winner in Los Angeles. Each week, we're posting a new quiz with some tidbits of SYTYCD trivia. For each of the quizzes you take, you'll be entered once in the drawing - so the more quizzes you take, the more chances you have to win. Plus, it doesn't matter how you score. As long as you finish the quiz, you are entered!
This week's chance to enter is all about the show's second season! The quiz is open through Sunday (July 12). Click here for more details about the prize and here for the official rules. And watch So You Think You Can Dance, Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX!
Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! This month, we're focusing on how one of the iconic authors of my youth affected tons of women writers by reading the essay collection Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume. So far, I've been impressed with just how many of the writers had similar experiences reading and learning from Blume's books - but I'll get to that in a second.
First, for those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in July). In these weekly posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.
Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump, you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.
The next assignment: Read from "Cry, Linda, Cry" through "Vitamin K, Judy Blume, and the Great Big Bruise." (Stop before "It Wasn't the End of the World.") We'll discuss this section a week from today, July 17.
Now, to discuss the first section, in which we read through "A Long Time Ago, We Used to Be Friends," just read more.
Did Forever. . . have the kind of mystique for you that Megan McCafferty describes in the book's opening essay? Or was there another Judy Blume book that did? I remember thinking the period scenes of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret held some kind of secret, revelatory knowledge - but Forever was deemed "the one about sex" and I don't think I ever actually got my hands on a copy!
What do you think of Jennifer O'Connell's definition of a "Judy Blume moment"? Do you have any "Judy Blume moments" of your own? I know I'm still terrified of Man o' Wars because of Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself.
Do you think the characters in the Judy Blume books you read were "regular girls," as Stephanie Lessing suggests? Or did they strike you as unrealistic?
What do you think of the characterization of female friendships in "A Long Time Ago, We Used to Be Friends"? I thought the author captured well the feeling of growing apart from a formerly close friend without even noticing until the break is permanent. At the same time, I think female friends can be a lot more than companions who "travel down the road with [us] as [we] either seek out or wait for The One."
Is there a particular favorite Judy Blume book of yours that's already come up in an essay? Is there one you hope comes up later?
She made us wait a while, but Jenny Lewis has really been pumping out the music videos lately. And this latest, for "See Fernando" off her album Acid Tongue, might just be my favorite yet. Let's examine the evidence: Lewis in all her retro glory starring in a fake trailer for a '60s spy movie? Sign me up!
In this faux film (subtitled "Agente Secreto Numero Uno"), Fernando's imagined as a mustache-wearing, karate-chop-throwing, gun-toting baddie who gets assigned to track "The Scorpion" (Lewis) around the globe. Among the delights of this video: Lewis in an old-school airline stewardess outfit; a scene with funny subtitled dialogue shot in front of a wall of stuffed animals; and the song itself, which is just a lot of hand-clapping Summer fun. To check out the video, just read more.
There are cringe-inducing comedies, and there are grossout shockfests, and then there is Bruno. Sacha Baron Cohen's latest movie brazenly mates both genres while thrusting in a touch of documentary and hardcore porn.
Bruno made me squirm, but not in the way that Borat did. Whereas Borat succeeded in smartly skewering the stupidity of some Americans by putting them in uncomfortable situations, Bruno doesn't live up to its working subtitle: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt. I wanted this movie to be a nervous-laughter-inducing lampoon of homophobia and Hollywood, to tip my cringe-to-pleasure scale by putting bigoted people in embarrassing situations. Unfortunately, it let me down.
Moving from the top 12 to the top 10 on So You Think You Can Dance means a lot of things: a guaranteed spot on tour, a new partner, and continuing to have a chance at the title of America's favorite dancer. So Thursday's results show was a big one, as we learned which dancers survived this crucial cut and which would be heading home.
In the end, half of the result surprised me, while the other half was fairly expected. Know what I'm talking about? Want to share your thoughts? Just read more.
Phillip? I didn't think it would happen. I thought it should happen, frankly; he hasn't taken to other genres with the same grace and gusto that, say, Dominic or Hok did in past seasons. But I figured the producers would want him on the tour, so when he ended up in the bottom three, I assumed it was a formality. But no! Phillip headed home, just shy of the top 10. Now, in terms of the tour, it doesn't matter: It's pretty common for the 11th and 12th dancers to be a part of it, at least as alternates, and Nigel wasted no time assuring us that would be the case with Phillip. I suppose that's a win-win for everyone.
Caitlin's elimination was much more expected. She, I think, is the perfect example of what Nigel said was a persistent issue this season: She's a technically accomplished dancer, but she hasn't become a star. She's so quiet and calm and controlled, but I think that worked against her; I've been a fan, but I know a lot of you didn't feel that connection. So after her third trip to the bottom three, it was finally time to say goodbye - though I'm glad she, too, will be touring.
As for the other couple in the bottom three, I was surprised but not shocked to see Melissa and Ade end up there. Melissa's a favorite of mine, but I - like Tyce - would like to see more from Ade right quick. He delivered it in his solo, I thought. Here's what I thought overall:
The girls: Caitlin did her usual sweet solo, but I wasn't as impressed with this one as I have been with her others. Jeanine seemed wobbly and off to me, more than we've seen her before - her turns weren't quite centered, and her leaps weren't as high or extended as usual. I had to keep reminding myself that everything Melissa was doing was en pointe and thus a bit more difficult than just doing those moves normally.
The guys: I thought Jason was back in the form he was in a few weeks ago when the judges pronounced his solo the best ever on the show. Phillip did his thing, and it's still an impressive thing, but I wish he could show that he's picked up something new from his time on the show, too. And Ade's solo was just so-so for me until that massive backflip, which was insane.
Based on that, I think the judges made the right call all around.
Some other thoughts on the show:
What do you think of getting to see footage of the season six auditions during the Thursday results shows? Is it a good way to see what we have in store for us come Fall? Or is it unfair because some dancers will have airtime so long before the show?
What do you think of Nigel's statement about this top 20 being technically strong but with dancers who haven't become stars yet? It makes a lot of sense to me. I can tell that a lot of these people are wildly talented, but there are only a few who would get me to pick up the phone and vote.
Phillip's goodbye speech was so, so sweet. I know, I'm too emotionally invested in my reality TV, but I really found it moving.
No special dance guest in addition to the musical guest? Bummer!
Also a bummer: that the show couldn't get cleared to use Michael Jackson's songs for a tribute special. Do you think Nigel calling it out so publicly will make the deal more likely to go through?
Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points!
What movie features a character named Winston Shakespeare?
Fox is new with Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and Mental
NBC is new with The Chopping Block and Dateline
CBS has repeats of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, and Numb3rs
ABC is new with Surviving Suburbia and The Goode Family, has two repeats of According to Jim, and is new with 20/20
The CW has repeats of Privileged, Everybody Hates Chris, and The Game
Syfy is new with Eureka and Primeval
TLC is new with What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress
VH1 has repeats of The Great Debate
MTV has School for Scoundrels
E! is new with The Soup
Late-night highlights include Cat Deely and Ray LaMontagne on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on NBC; Rainn Wilson on Late Show with David Letterman on CBS; Ray Romano on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS; Jack Black and Michael Cera on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; and Will Ferrell, Kyra Sedgwick, and Mos Def on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC
Robin Williams is bringing his comedy act back to HBO this Fall, taping his first stand-up special for the network in seven years and his fourth HBO special overall. He's just the latest comedian to book a special on HBO, which has long been a showcase for comedians including George Carlin, Will Ferrell, Ricky Gervais, Dana Carvey, and many more. Comedy Central has also been a big outlet for stand-up over the years with its Comedy Central Presents series. I'm wondering: Do you like watching stand-up specials on TV? Does it depend on the comedian? Or do you think this kind of thing is best suited to live shows?
The script has been the major point of contention: Sony halted production on the film because it didn't like some changes Steven Soderbergh - who was then signed on to direct the film - had made. Soderbergh will no longer be involved with the movie in any capacity.
Brad Pitt is still signed on to star as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's who took an unusual approach to evaluating ballplayers' talent. One of Soderbergh's plans was to have actual ballplayers and managers appear in the film to talk about Beane, but it's unclear if that will still happen under Sorkin.
With Sports Night, Sorkin proved he can get inside a sports story. Will he be the one who can get Moneyball back off the ground? Or does this sound like a bad marriage between a dry subject and Sorkin's wordy writing? And if Sorkin's script does get the go-ahead, who should direct this thing?
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